All Gap accessories are only $5 today.
cinco, cinq, cinque
yes you read that right -
Spanish, French and Italian, it's all the same
because scarves, gloves, hats = only $5!
Needless to say,
when the cashier informed me
of the sale earlier this morning,
I stocked up for the next 5 winters.

So treat yourself to a darling and early Christmas present,
and go go go go go !

baby won't you go underneath the mistletoe.

Now that I've really been able to spend my time focusing on the holidays, (although to be honest, the rain is driving me nuts, where is my white Christmas?)
Rather than being busy with schoolwork or finals, I've had the time to spend my time with family and friends who I love, and I've realized my favorite things about the Christmas season are limitless.
Greeting cards, packages and peppermint sticks, spending my evenings creating the annual Christensen Family Year Book (speaking of which mother and father, I need your updates quick!)
I love the falling snow and all the twinkle lights, although, consider me plain, but I like the clear lights instead of the colored ones most.
I love Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye in White Christmas.
I love Michael Buble's Christmas album, and decided that John Mayer really needs to make one too.
But what topped the list this year as my most favorite thing about the holiday season, is being able to say "Merry Christmas" to everyone I meet. Forget "See you later," or "Nice to meet you," -- It's the one time of the year that I get to wish the people on the phone, the post office and the grocery store a "Merry, Merry Christmas," and I think that's what makes me most happy.

PS.
I should really save this next part for another blog, but I can't help it, I like to talk too much.

So I tried making toffee over Thanksgiving break, and my sister almost threw it up. It was a disaster. Anyway, I had told my grandma about this, and so she referred me to her toffee recipe this weekend.
Ingredients:
2 stick of butter
1 cup of sugar
5 cent candy bars and 25 cent almonds.

It's horribly cheesy to say, but seeing 5 cent candy bars and 25 cent almonds made my heart melt. And hey, at least my toffee actually turned out this time!

weekend itinerary.

Did I really survive finals week?
Mais oui! Mais oui!
(I've spent all day texting people strictly in French and considered posting this blog the same way too - but that was too much work for a Friday afternoon)

Anyway, my plans over the next few days will now simply include spending an afternoon with my grandparents, making more and more cookies, a chocolate rose ceremony (we have those when we kiss people) - mind you, I will be the one throwing the celebration, the honorary member who is the reason we're celebrating is actually somebody else...
No comment.
I'll be attending another wedding reception for my 7up brother (I plan on explaining my 7up gang one of these days), trying to get through the first half of Atlas Shrugged (anyone else read it? Or anything else by Ayn Rand for that matter? I'm kind of really liking it already) And best of all: packing sunblock and swimsuits for my Christmas vacation in summery New Zealand.

And just so the internet can share my exquisite joy... I rocked my finals. Like...never been more proud of myself than I was last night. You can even ask my mom, I spent at least an hour on the phone with her (while sitting in standstill traffic, which couldn't even bring me down) talking about the cute boy who helped my presentation, and the A+++ I got on it afterward.

Now I can officially say: It's the most wonderful time of the year.

still distracted.

I've seen these practically perfect engagements on several blogs over the past year, and when I found that this couple has a blog of their own, I just about died. I spent a good two hours this morning watching their darling videos, so do yourself a favor and watch this.
And this.
And this.

And if you check them out here, you'll find even more.

Gosh dang it. So cute.

As for finals:
Eng. 312: Persuasive Writing - you're all I have left. My final 15 page paper has been the death of me with many-a-late nights and 2 AM pajama parties with my laptop and library books, but the end is in sight because the final is scheduled for tomorrow night at 5 PM. It's actually not even a test, rather, I'll be giving a 10 minute oral presentation persuading my fellow classmates that biased media has it's consequences, (I even have 15 pages to prove it). And I've already picked the cutest boy in class to help me out, so I am actually feeling good about it already.

something's gotta give

This picture does not represent me,
although it really should.

I just took an ADD test online (right here)
My results returned negative, but I think I still have it.
First noticed act of attention deficit: Although going over my study guides a gazillion times tonight, I have found that after 30 seconds of studying, I treat myself to 30 minutes of walking aimlessly around my bedroom. Finals be forgotten.
Second act: Party? Tonight? 10:30? My place? Sure. Why not.
Third: The voice in my head, reminding me that work comes at 8 in the blessed AM, and that I still have 2 finals to go - has been silenced.

It's ADD I'm telling ya.
A-D-D.

table for three please.

the table was set for three.
not two, not four, but three.

this is because my dates during the holidays happen to be with my best friends and not boys, and with cake, and not mistletoe. but that's okay as long as the cake is chocolate.

beethovens fifth symphony.

this little conductor could give us all a lesson when it comes to enthusiasm. best part is at the end when he can't control his laughter. how cute is he?

wish i had something more exciting to share, or at least say today -
anyone else more than ready for christmas break?

a little bit about life.

I spent my first semester of college living on the island of Oahu in a tiny little town called Laie, where I spent most of my time on the beach enjoying snow cones from Angel's Ice Cream Shop and stressing about Biology (I hated Biology).

Thinking back, one of my favorite memories had to be my daily trips to Temple Beach. Somehow, despite the Hawaiian sunshine, I always seemed to be getting myself caught in freak thunderstorms seriously seconds after I would lay my textbooks and towel down in the sand. It happened so often that it eventually became routine for me to make a detour to the nearest bus stop for cover, waiting for the clouds to disappear, and for the warm, friendly sun to return.

Although I blame my pale skin (despite my religious tanning efforts) to the daily rain storms, the best part about waiting at the bus stop was the conversations I'd find myself having with some of the locals. Although they rarely wore shoes, I never caught someone without a smile. When first meeting someone new, they'd act as if you were some long lost family member, completely eligible and welcome to anything they owned: their home, their food, their families (maybe even their inheritance). I do believe the Polynesian people are some of the most generous people on the planet, and I'd give an arm and a leg to go back.

But as ideal as that lifestyle sounds, truthfully, I was so homesick the first few weeks of school that I don't think I was able to fully recognize the most beautiful and wonderful adventure I was about to have. Hiking to unknown waterfalls, jumping off of cliffs, taking a hula class which replaced a P.E. credit (score), and spending Sunday evenings with friends on Sunset beach singing along with Jack Johnson and a ukulele; I miss it all so much sometimes, that I catch myself wishing I could go back and experience that part of college all over again.

But like everything else in life, that adventure of mine eventually came to an end. Although Christmas break back home in Utah was originally the only thing I found myself looking forward to, I know now that time goes by so quickly as it is, it's almost like doing yourself a disfavor by wishing it would go by any faster.
(Which reminds me of a Children's Book of Virtues story I read as a kid -- did anyone else read those??)

Anyway, the whole point of this rather long and nostalgic post was to basically say this: life goes by fast, and it seems to be going by faster the older I get. And considering I only have a few more semesters left until college graduation, and understanding that this time of life is fleeting and evanescent as it is (new favorite word) - I have finally made the decision to spend my upcoming summer in Takapuna, New Zealand.

I know myself well enough to know that I will miss my friends before I even get on the plane.
I might even miss 178 weddings because that's the road everyone seems to be taking.
I'll miss my job and the wonderful people I work with.
I hesitate in admitting this, but ... I might even miss Provo.

But this time, as much as I'll miss the things about home, I find the possibility and promise of a new adventure more and more exciting exciting as days go by.

And the first thing I intend on doing when I arrive in April?
Pick up a New Zealand accent, (and eat all the Tim Tams I can possibly handle). Cross my heart, it is the most attractive (and most delicious) thing ever.

candy cane kiss cookies.

I attended a birthday gathering tonight and had
no idea what to bring --
so I resorted to the online internet and decided on
Candy Cane Christmas Kiss Cookies.
I have to admit, I saved about 3/4ths of them for myself,
And I decided that if I really want Santa to leave this for me underneath the Christmas tree this year,
(red, convertible, leather seats please)
I better make him a batch too.

christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat.

"Please do put a penny in the old mans hat!

If you haven't got a penny, a ha'penny will do,
if you haven't got a ha'penny then God bless you!"

The title to this post was a song I sang
in the 7th grade Christmas show;
I seem to forget about this song
until the holidays roll around,
and once they're here,
then out comes this song as if I almost can't help it.

I caught myself singing it the other day
while shopping with my sister at WalMart;
and even though she was too embarrassed
to stay on the same aisle as me,
I just kept singing about this Christmas goose
because my Christmas decorating is done,
And I'm a happy, happy girl this time of year!
(so happy, that I even forget to stop singing)

So yay for today being December the 1st.

I have a good feeling it is going to be a very good month
to end a very good year.

love letters.

I can’t think of a more excellent time to write a love letter than during this time of year. I’d never want to get married in December, (snow is a good friend of mine, but definitely not a welcome guest at my reception) but I do feel like if I were to ever fall madly in love, or at least spend time being in love, I would like it to take place during the holidays.

And as I mentioned before, the Little Big Book of Love finally arrived. The whole thing is darling. “Forgiveness Breakfast” recipes (strawberry crepes and champagne), poetry from the likes of mr. ee cummings (you know the author already has my attention) - and everything else is just pure wonderfulness, that I have gone through the entire book every single night since it arrived on my doorstep.

However, the most romantic thing to me was the letter this book included from Abigail Adams to her husband John Adams, while he was serving in the Revolutionary War. In fact, she wrote this particular letter two days before Christmas, on December 23, 1782.

My Dearest Friend,
Should I draw you the picture of my heart, it would be what I hope you still would Love; though it contained nothing new, the early possession you obtained there, and the absolute power you have ever maintained over it, leaves not the smallest space unoccupied. I look back to the early days of our acquaintance and Friendship, as to the days of Love and Innocence, and with an indescribable pleasure I have seen near a score of years roll over our heads, with an affection heightened and improved by time -- nor have the dreary years of absence in the smallest degree effaced from my mind the image of the dear untitled man to whom I gave my heart.


How beautiful is that? "Should I draw you the picture of my heart," or "The image of the dear untitled man to whom I gave my heart," - Snap. I love it. In fact I love it so much that I may/may not have had to send this exact same letter to somebody else just because I thought it was one of the most romantic things in the world.

And speaking of love, has anyone seen the Disney movie Tangled?
I loved it. And I cried.

living in thanksgiving.

Gratitude turns a meal into a feast and drudgery into delight. It softens our grief and heightens our pleasure. It turns the simple and common into the memorable and transcendent...Living in thanksgiving daily is a habit that will enrich our lives and the lives of those we love.
-Elder Wirthlin, "Live in Thanksgiving Daily"

My thankful Thanksgiving post I've been so excited to share.
Here I shall go:

Friends, family and most especially faith.

And I know I brag about the first two items on the list quite often,
but it's simply because I happen to have the most beautiful and incredible girlfriends,
And funny, strange, out of control boy-friends, (who like to talk just as much as girlfriends).

I have a family that loves, supports, and helps me become better each and every day.
Parents who, (believe it or not!) keep me up way past my bedtime just so we can talk on the phone at night about life 2,000 miles apart from each other.
I have a sister whose become an incredible young woman over the past year; and as we've grown up, the more we've doubled up on the time we spend talking and talking (and talking) about our joys and heartaches.

And finally, the first two wouldn't mean nearly as much to me if it wasn't for what I believe. That God does live, and that He is a loving Heavenly Father who perfectly knows and loves each and every one of His children.

Have I (or will I) ever win the lottery?
No.
Will I ever own that Anthropologie dress I've been vying for the past two weeks?
Never.
Am I insanely brilliant? Or is college graduation still taking forever and a half to complete?
It's taking forever and a half to complete.

But I do believe I have all that matters most in life, and that makes me so, so very grateful.
So, with that being said,
Happy Thanksgiving.

the day i missed the school bus.

Sara and I met my first day of Jr. High. It was the first time I had ever gone to a school that didn't require knee socks and plaid skirts, and the first time I ever sat in a classroom that held more than 10 students.

I was transferring to a public school halfway through the school year, and I still remember how nervous I was that morning. It's as if I can still feel the butterflies floating around in my stomach when I imagine myself walking down those hallways for the very first time. Fourteen years old, shy, scrawny, and at the epitome of my glorious awkward stage, truthfully, I was a social disaster. It was a miracle I made any friends that year at all.

But now enter: Sara Ann Reed

Sara and I sat at the same lunch table that first day of school. In the following weeks, we were usually surrounded by the same group of girls who would whisper to each other near our lockers waiting for the final bell to ring; but for whatever reason, Sara and I rarely spoke to each other. Sara says she used to refer to me as the "scarf girl" who wore scarves all the time, and to be honest Sara, I remember you were the girl who would trade her lunch with others and I thought that was just gross (haha - just kidding).

But then one day after school,
after we had both missed the bus,
and as we both stood awkwardly waiting by the vending machines for our parents to arrive,
we finally started talking.
I don't remember what exactly took place during that conversation,
but it must have been something special
because wouldn't ya know -
I made a friend that day who would end up being a best friend for many years to come.

I could write for hours and hours about this girl, (and by the looks of it I basically have) but there's a reason why and it extends beyond the fact that she's become one of the dearest friends I'll ever have. Sara is truly lovely inside and out. She is happy when I'm happy, and sad when I'm sad - and that has always meant a lot to me. She happens to be the sweetest girl whose ever walked the planet, and I do believe this is partly why half of Utah loves her, (and why every boy Kylie and I ever dated secretly loved her too. True story.)

Sophomore year,
7up girl notebooks,
Our matching sweaters,
Rooming together in the cell-block-like dorms our freshman year of college,
It seems like some of my happiest memories include this young lady.

So in honor of her birthday, I have written an entire novel (which will make up for the lack of a birthday post last year, something she never lets me live down :)

But let it be known:
Sara Ann Reed is my best friend,
and she has been ever since we were 14.
She's as beautiful, and as radiant as ever -
But now she's 22.
She deserves the best birthday ever,
And you can bet your bottom dollar we'll still be celebrating her birthday 22 years from now too.

Good thing we both missed the bus.

snowflakes fall.

Seeing all those snowflakes fall, it's like a swarm of white butterflies in the sky.
- Victor Hugo in Les Miserables

Considering Thanksgiving holiday begins this week,
I'd like snow to come pay a permanent visit.
Today, tomorrow, and the next day, and the day after that -
all the way until New Years, please.

wingardium leviosa!

I'm definitely not the most attractive one of the bunch,
but clearly, Harry Potter has me hooked.
(I was the only one who drew a scar - which signifies my dedication to the series).

Although I'm just reading book 2,
and the movie last night made little sense,
(since when did Malfoy take sides with Voldemort!)
I still felt like one among the many life-long Harry Potter fans.

And even when the people waiting in line would ask me questions about things I didn't know,
(like: can you believe Alaster Moody dies in this movie?)
My first thought was, who is this you speak of?
But instead, I would just smile and wave my straw wand and reply,
Wingardium leviosa!

So even though I've only been a Harry Potter fan for a week,
(and this probably goes without saying)
I want to go to Hogwarts and become a wizard,
I want a Nimbus 2000,
and I think that little elf Dobby is so cute I just might cry.

business as usual.

If you and I, (whoever the imaginative you may be) were to sit next to each other at a bus stop this very moment, and start talking about the weather, and (if you're a student) our majors, we'd probably also discuss the following:

1. Zac Efron is so cute.

2. I told a friend that the beautiful sunset last night meant that we were going to win the basketball game. (Naturally, he didn't believe me - but I said if BYU won, I would dedicate a blog post to it. So here it is Wesley dearest: I was right.)

3. Speaking of BYU...You are a funny school. Reading the editorial section this morning in the Daily Universe about "the sanctity of marriage" - and reading a letter to the editor from someone who met his beautiful wife within a week of getting home off his mission, ended up getting engaged 3 weeks later, and after 11 months of marriage, he's found success in life with a wife whose now pregnant with twins...well, this just reminded me that although grateful to attend such a great school, (hey - at least we have Jimmer) I will never cease to find some of your quirks...well, really strange.

4. I've admitted it before, but I like to argue. And maybe argue is the wrong word, but I like to debate just about anything... and I mean anything. Whoever I marry one day will probably reconsider our marriage once or twice because of this inherited trait (yep dad, I got it from you) but truthfully, I can debate for hours. I even had a few good arguments accumulating in my head just while reading the editorial section of the newspaper this morning, (reference back to #3) - it just happens.

5. I'm now onto the second book: Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets. Surprise, surprise, I love it. And yes, I have voiced several times, (even to a lady at the post office) "I really don't know why it's taken me so long to start reading these!" -- now if only my HP friend wasn't living in Japan, I'd hug him and kiss him and thank him a million times over for those books.

6. I have specifically planned an hour every day this week to reading whatever I want. No text books, no school work, I just turn off my cellular device and I sit and I read. I think heaven will be me reading by a fireplace all day, every day, with a handful of peppermint sticks.

7. Candide (Voltaire) = Best book ever, I promise.

8. Skip.

9. I've used the phrase je ne sais quoi three times this past week within casual conversation, (once to myself) -- and I've gotta say, I will always regret not sticking with French. And piano. But you can be sure that the day before I die, I will be a French speaking, piano playing woman. Mais oui.

10. "Kelsie Christensen...BYU Daily News...Provo..." - just say it to yourself out loud, three times, and tell me if it was not meant to be?

And then, at the close of our conversation, I would tell you to go onto YouTube and watch this video once you got home... and it's not just any video, but it's one of those Christmas-feel-good-yes-you-might-just-cry kind of videos.

And yes, I know Thanksgiving is another week away, and yes, we have another month to go til Christmas, but my holiday season started November 1st.

Cheers to the most wonderful time of the year!

the treasure map.

I had to fight a pirate to get a hold of this treasure map...
Okay, not really.

It only took a Sunday afternoon to complete this,
but whoever thinks New York City and L.A. are the only exciting places to live, simply just haven't created a treasure map of their own hometown.

Key to Treasure Map:
SSCG = Strawberry shortcake cupcake gang hideout. Navajo Indians once lived there. This is also where "The Shire" can be found.
Hobbitville = They may be little, but they sure know how to fight. Bring pepper spray, just in case.
"Kings Rock" - Discovered once by Louis and Clark, we re-discovered it this past summer on a hike through the mountains. Best view of the U.C. -- and best when bringing a fall picnic (including a thermos of hot chocolate and an ipod).
Maple Lake - Legend has it that Merlin still lives here. If you want to fall in love, bring a raft and a date, and the odds will most certainly be in your favor, (trust me on this one).
Kong Kones at Maceys - Will cheer you up 100% of the time.
Haunted elevator - Downtown P-town. Includes flickering lights, rickety sliding doors and all the works. Just be aware of the office workers...
Cafe West - Best when you tell the cashier your name is "Wes" when ordering 99 cent fries and ice cream. Glorious.
The Wishing Fountain - Been in use since 2006. Every wish I've ever made there has always come true.
Nickel City - Although I'm not a fan of arcades, Nickel City has a machine that predicts the future. Seriously...I think we spent $10 dollars worth in nickles, just so everyone could find out their future spouse.
Muse Cafe - Monday night, open mic night. This is the only cultural experience you can find in Provo, and it's always a pretty good show.
Sweet Tooth Fairy - And now ladies and gentlemen, you've hit the jackpot.

The list of "treasured items and places" goes on, and on, and on...
but if there's anything I've learned in the past few years,
it's that usually the funnest things only take a few good friends and a good imagination.

HP

I've never read Harry Potter.
Not even a page.

A friend (who thought I was crazy) tried to convince me every day that I was missing one of the greatest gifts mankind had to offer. I still remember getting texts at three in the morning saying something along the lines of "I can't stop reading..." But basically my Harry Potter knowledge comes down to this: Voldemort is bad. Harry Potter is good. And Hermione is way, way cute, at least in the movies. But I, for whatever reason, was never interested.

Later on, this same HP obsessed friend even went so far as to go and buy a second set of all 7 books in the series, just so I could have my own copies and finally get around to reading "what I had always been missing,"
But that was last summer,
and I'm afraid the unopened books have only gathered dust on my shelves.

However...
For whatever, out of the ordinary reason,
I've decided that with an open agenda this weekend,
I am going to finally begin book one: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.
So even though I'm twelve years too late,
is it too late to start?


PS.
My cute little sis (and only little sis) - so in other words, my favorite little sis Kenna wanted me to pass this on to all those interested: If you're anywhere near the University Mall this next weekend in Orem, Utah, mention her name if you happen to stop by American Eagle, and you can get an additional 20% off your AE purchase!

I forget Christmas shopping is right around the corner...
Stress.

Gap.

A lot of my friends think GAP is plain and unoriginal,
but I think their 2010 Winter Lookbook proves them all wrong.
All these photos are so, so pretty.
And I'm falling in love with sequins left and right.

What do you think?
Where are some of your favorite places to shop?

life is for sharing.

i've cried tears of happiness twice this past week.
i'm on a roll.
as i stalked cute blogs in my broadcast lab this morning,
i stumbled onto this video
and the last 30 seconds of it made me cry.

why exactly?
i'm not sure.
maybe it just put things into perspective --
lately i've become so absorbed with the uncertainty of "planning my future,"
that after watching only two minutes of this video,
i was reminded again of what is most important.

life is meant to be shared,
and that is something (despite whatever the future holds)
i can always be certain of.

twinkle lights and such.

no matter the occasion,
the cupcake tree always makes everything look absolutely charming.
and when we added the twinkle lights, candles and homemade party hats,
i imagined that if i was little again,
that's exactly what my tea party would have looked like too.

why must the weekend always end?

perfect english autumnal days.

Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it.
-George Elliot

I'm not sure if ee cummings has anything written about autumn, or else I would most certainly take the time to mention it now -
but I think George Elliot still put it nicely.

And isn't that photo gorgeous?
If only I didn't burn everything I cooked,
I'd make an apple pie this weekend.

(Ask my mom one day about the time I tried to make a grilled cheese sandwich - If only putting cheese and bread into a toaster were all it took)

Maybe I'll stick with hot chocolate for now.

Wishing you all "one of those perfect English autumnal days."
-P.D. James can take credit for that.

photo

little big books.

the little big book of love,

the little big book for brides,
even the little big book of christmas.

i found out yesterday that i adore the little big books.
so i bought three.

best present to myself in a long time.

birds of a feather flock together.

(kylie haws is no stranger on this blog,
and i'm pretty sure that whenever i refer to "we"
most people already know that the "we" refers to kylie and me)

So Kylie Haws turns 22 today,
and I love her so.
After 7 years of friendship,
I can't think of anyone I would have rather had around for
everything from Sadie Hawkins to Sara's wedding reception.
I could list thousands and thousands of memories,
but in short, all I have to say is this:
Kylie is my kindred spirit,
or as she puts it, my b.f.f.a.e.a.e.
This means we'll be friends forever.
And ever, and ever.
And ever.

(and let's be honest kylie, we still miss birthdays in mr. call's class -
hence, the video premiere.)


Birthday Day in Class. from Kelsie Christensen on Vimeo.
for whatever reason, we were camera shy that day.

Happy birthday girlfriend.

i met clark kent.

We chased ghosts in a cemetery,
and wore our witches hats all day long.
I named my pumpkin Franklin,
and made orange frosting for orange cupcakes.
We read Ghoul with the Broom
on the floor at Barnes & Noble,
and then had a sleepover because scary movies still scare us at 21.
Halloween themed lunch,
Halloween themed dinner.
Surrounded by old friends who always know what you mean.
And yes, I met Clark Kent at Krispy Kremes.

So in the end it's safe to say that it was quite a Happy Halloween.

(cross my heart, i did not intend for the last three lines to rhyme)

___

And what now, you may ask?
C-h-r-i-s-t-m-a-s m-u-s-i-c
all day, every day.
(and I do mean every. single. day.)

I looked out the window and what did I see?

Snow, Stats and Shakespeare.

That is exactly why I decided to wear sweats to school today.

"channel into the witches"

the title to this post is more of an inside joke,
but saturday night we definitely "channeled into the witches."
every year, gardner village has a witches night out,
where literally hundreds and hundreds of women dress up
just to gallivant all around these cute little shops in this tiny village.

so last minute we decided to attend this event,
and after making 3 different stops in order to find witches hats,
(who would have thought those would be so hard to find??)
i have to say that i was pleasantly surprised.
dancing, costumes, fortune telling, caramel apples -
can any halloween activity get any better than that?

and as for our halloween plans this year --
we've considered going on a legitimate ghost tour, and maybe staying in an old motel where it is rumored serial killer ted bundy murdered one of his victims...
are we crazy?

cinnamon rolls and mozart.

When I was younger, my dad came up with a rule that I never (ever) fully appreciated until this morning. Back to the days of Backstreet Boys, Nsync and Mandy Moore, I remember the very first CD I ever owned was:
"Aqua: Barbie Girl."

I was ecstatic. Even thinking about it now gets me excited. This was the first CD I ever. owned. It was a huge deal. And although it was only the single, I think that it is the one song I can remember listening to more than any other in my entire life, with maybe the exception of My Heart Will Go On. (Don't even deny it -- if you were in the third grade, you would have been a huge Celine Dion/Kate and Leo fan too -- even if you weren't allowed to see the movie for another seven years.)

Anyway, the same day I received the Barbie Girl CD, I remember my dad explaining his new brilliant rule: Every time I was ever given any sort of CD, I would promptly be taken to the store to purchase one classical music CD of choice as well.

Looking back, this isn't surprising. I remember instead of listening to Radio Disney on our way to school in the mornings, my dad somehow thought his two daughters would benefit more from listening to Classical 89 (really, what was he thinking?) --
But mind you, I was only eight, and my sister only six. Eight years old and knowing the difference between Rachmaninov and Pachelbel? For those of you who don't know my dad, let me just say that this rule of his explains him perfectly.

Anyway, back to the original meaning of today's message: This morning, with the rain falling outside my window, cinnamon rolls cooking, all while sitting next to the fireplace and actually finding the time to read out of pure enjoyment, (whaaat? even during the middle of the semester? today has been a miracle I tell you!) -- I was also able to voluntarily pull out one of the many classical CD's I've accumulated over the years, and listen to it while eating breakfast.

My parents always told me I'd thank them one day, and so I guess this happens to be one of those days -- because as all the BYU football go-ers walk past my window, I wave and say enjoy the football game, but today I think I will enjoy Mozart.

just another thought.

"When we look for the worst in anyone, we will find it. But if we will concentrate on the best, that element will grow until it sparkles."
-President Gordon B. Hinckley
read this earlier today,
i loved it.

happy weekend friends!
big X little o.

rocket summer.

we all have our guilty pleasures, but since i was about 16 -
the rocket summer has always been mine.
after already seeing him 11 times in concert,
i am making it 12 this november.
the confetti during his shows just gets me every time.

and as for gossip girls - (another all too common guilty pleasure)
i don't know how i've managed to do it,
but i've completely sworn off the television series.
first facebook, now gossip girl - this should elevate my status to: i'm a-maz-ing.

halloween cupcakes

(RIP Josh -- you know who you are)

I could spend hours looking at Martha Stewart's website getting ideas for all sorts of Halloween treats, but the traditional graveyard cupcakes we usually make are always so fun and easy, that I still can't help but go to the store and get everything weeks in advance as soon as October rolls around.

And with Halloween only two weeks away, I'm still trying to get as many activities in as soon as possible (even with midterms -- which I should be studying for right now, but Martha Stewart takes precedence).

So far on the list: ghost tours, witches night out, corn mazes and scary movies -- any other fun ideas?







PS.
dear delivery boy,
date me?

i forgot to mention...

proof that my parents loved my sister more than me --
they bought her the mac and me the pc.
just saying.
(i won't get into our different class of cars either...)

anyway -- this little lady has been my wing-woman for the past few days, and has answered all 389,329,409 of my phone calls when i've been stressed, overwhelmed, or on the verge of tears when my sloth-like features are getting the best of me. she's even there for the good things, too. kenken is one amazing girl who i get to call my sister, and tonight i think we might just have a sleepover. and maybe make some brownies.

happy weekend!

checking in.

hello, bonjour, konichiwa. just checking in.
i'm alive and well and somehow found a way to survive this past week even though it's been one constant thing after another.

-- and did i forget to mention?

because of my death-bed-like-illness last week, i became super dehydrated (that's what i get for not listening to my dad about drinking enough water) -- and my whole face swelled up and got really puffy thanks to the lack of h2o. so consequently, i've looked like the walking, talking sloth. i guess my halloween costume has been settled.

but life goes on and so do i. and thursday nights are pizza nights because sarbear is the only friend i have who finds consuming 3,483 calories after one intense 2 1/2 hour english class as rewarding as i do.

but that's about it.

cheerio my good people.

happy

Tonight has been the first night I have been able to walk outside of doors and associate with the human race. I wouldn't be lying if I said that I feel almost as happy as these kids in this video.

But really.

Remember how I once mentioned that Christmas commercials make me cry?

Add Disney commercials to the list, too.

(Good thing I am already planning another trip back this winter --

and you better believe that D.Land is exactly where I plan on spending my honeymoon one day too.)

Anyway, it's good to be good again.

And that is all.

disaster

i was wrong.
there really is something worse than alka-seltzer,
and that is the doctor telling you that you have swine flu
and that you'll probably be out sick for another week.
another week? another seven whole days of this?
i felt like fainting.

i try to stay as happy as i can on this little thing,
and most days (even not so great ones)
i can usually work with optimism --
but today (and the past 7+ days)
being sick and stressed,
and having all the time in the world to think about the many, many, many (etc etc etc x etc etc etc) other things that have gone amiss, i realized my life sort of turned into a disaster over the past month.
so even though i usually try to leave my bad days and sad experiences to my journal,
today i'd just like to say that life is hard, but i can do hard things.

alka-seltzer.

i've been the walking plague this past week, contracting every disease known to mankind.
but what's been worse than the flu, strep throat, and now a miserable cold all combined?
i'll tell you what.
alka-seltzer.
alka-seltzer is by far the most detestable, revolting and horrendous thing i've ever ever ever tasted, and that's what i've been living off of the past 5 days. right now i'm convinced it's eating at the lining of my stomach.

but -- i didn't crawl out of bed to the computer and gain every ounce of strength i have to talk about alka-seltzer. and no, i didn't even get on to talk about zac efron, and how seeing him in me & orsen wells this afternoon reaffirmed my ginormous crush on this human being.

i'm getting on here to say that although this was not a part of my plans this past weekend,
at least there's hot chocolate and marshmallows in the kitchen,
and rain outside my window.

wishing you all a happy (and healthier) october!
it's my favorite time of year.

i love love love.

Danny & Annie from StoryCorps on Vimeo.
"and we don't got many romantic things to say,
but they stir my heart."

well if this isn't the cutest thing i ever did see, i don't know what is.

and what is it about me lately that makes me so gosh darn excited for my own wedding one day? is it possibly because i live in provo, utah? the most-likely-to-be-married-before-you're-22 capitol of the world? is it because i go to byu, and am reminded of it every day? is it because i spend most nights talking about being in love with my darlingest best friend in the entire world? even when it's two in the morning and our alarm clocks will be going off in t-minus 5 hours? oh, possibly.

but i'm engaged to be in love today, even if it's just for the day.

ps. brandon (the cute book delivery boy) made another delivery today. i thought about showing him this video... maybe next time.

just because.

my $6 dollar thermos from walmart makes me happy.


that is all.
thank you.
and goodnight.

mi familia.

see those two good looking people?
they are my parents.
and when they're not deep sea fishing in fiji,
or traveling to remote islands in the south pacific by boat,
they like to stop by every now and then, and say hi to me and my kid sister.

(...just kidding. sometimes i think they actually like being home with us more than they like living in new zealand.)

and today?
today i get to see them.
and i am so, so, so happy.

my boyfriend's back.

with season 2 of the buried life starting soon --
i debated on whether or not i should take down the zac efron poster hanging above my bed,
because my boyfriend is back and his name is duncan penn.
he happens to be the cute blond boy on the left hand side of the picture.
i love him
and i love this show.

as for glee?
tuesday can't come fast enough.

another little memory.

Summer Twenty Ten. from Kelsie Christensen on Vimeo.

this little film (although now it seems more like a documentary) was made for my special friends to remind us of summer 2010. since i was just barely able to finish it last night, watching it now makes me feel like this past summer was ages ago (when in reality i just unofficially declared it to be "fall" a few days ago) -- but because one day we'll be "old and senile," and because every one of us might just go off onto our separate ways in the world, this was worth posting for the sake of another hundred memories: thelma and eleanor, thomas jefferson, crush soda, 3oh!3, cafe west, konstantine, and of course, my best friends.

"witches boots"

i still remember the days when going to the mall was a living nightmare,
but that was a long, long, long time ago.
now it seems like whenever i have a free afternoon,
or my morning schedule clears up,
(if i could) i'd only give myself the following option:
shopping.

--and it definitely didn't help when my little sister showed me ruche online last night. these outfits make me crave fall even more. (and although there are certain friends who say those shoes look like witches boots, i am still loving them.)