a steal.

December 20, 2010


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.

December 19, 2010

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.

December 17, 2010


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.

December 15, 2010


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

December 14, 2010


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.

December 11, 2010

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.

December 8, 2010



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.

December 7, 2010




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.

December 5, 2010


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.

December 1, 2010

"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.

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