Something September

Hi, guys.
It's kind of weird not writing under the guise of a blog-a-day... and Ellie showed me this link to a "Blogtember" deal and I might do it. I did this blog's Blog-A-Day May and it was pretty fun and I found a couple new blog friends doing it, but at the same time, I don't know if I want to just be known for doing challenges.

I think I might check the challenge and do a little of it every day but idk if I'll do every day. There's my disclaimer.

Today's prompt is: "Describe where or what you come from. The people, the places, and/or the factors that make up who you are."

I was born in the nice part of a city known for being kind of ghetto. From there we moved back and forth from there to another small town on it's way to big city. I think all this moving around is what made me such a grown-up so early on, because I had to learn that figuring out my identity was fairly important in introducing myself to the new classes and situations. 


When I was 9, we finally bought a house in the same school boundaries as our last duplex and that was nice, not having to make new friends from who I went to school with. My parents are still living in that house with my sister who is on her way to college in only one year (wowza) and it's a pretty nice house where I got my own room and shared a bathroom with my dad. 

These people I lived with for 18 years are a looney bunch, but I love them. When Sean and I were visiting yesterday for Labor Day, we hung out in a very green-painted room and watched TV and then had delicious dinner, all the while cracking jokes and cheering on the American Ninja Warriors competing for 1/2 a million dollars. My dad loves cooking and so does my husband, luckily. 

Since February 2012, I has turned to We. Sean has joined the bunch of crazies and I couldn't be more grateful. Ever since we were put in with a big group of 18 mo. to 3 year olds at our church, we've been talking about parenting styles and how we want to raise our kids. I'm never afraid to say my ideas to him because he always agrees and then adds to it in some way. I feel like we're going to be great parents in a few years. 

And that's all, I think.

There was another thing aside from the blogtember thing... 
OH. I'm thinking about selling my artistic abilities for money. I'm not totally sure yet though because it's hard to come up with money for supplies and stuff. I'm thinking of having people send me black and white photos of them (the higher the contrast, the better) and I'll send them that picture in a 11x14" drawing, like the one from my last post unless they want it bigger and then charging some money for labor, shipping, and supplies. So maybe like $4 for supplies, however much shipping is, and then $10 an hour for however long it takes me (promise, I'm honest). 
Let me know what you think and I'll see how well it would do then decide. 
Thanks!

love, Ellen.

Minnesota? Nice.

Hi, everyone! Guess where I am. Minnesota! Sean is in the shower and I thought I'd just post a little bit about what's going on. So far this trip all we've really done is gone through old pictures, played video games at Sean's friend Bloom's house, had dinner with our friends Marcus & Whitney, and gone to a graduation party. Woo fun!

But now the real fun stuff starts. Today, we're going up to the Twin Cities (Minneapolis/St. Paul, for those of you who are wondering) and shopping the Mall of America! And we're probably going to see the aquarium in the mall and maybe I'll get a new outfit. Woohoo! Sometime after we go to the mall, we'll drop our stuff off at my brother-in-law, Damien's house where we're going to sleep tonight. Tomorrow, we're going to bum around the cities and then go to a Twin's game! awwwww yeah. I can't wait for the delicious stadium food and game! Apparently, we have really great views of the city skyline from our seats. We're going to the game with Marcus, Whitney, and 5th wheel Bloom. I'll take some pictures or something for you.

Our last leg of the trip will be a family reunion on Sean's mom's side where we're going to be camping (with beds and showers... but it'll be in the wilderness!) and then we're on our way home.

Let me know if you know of anything fun to do in the cities tomorrow so we don't just end up sitting on the couch all day. It probably won't happen, but it might.

love, Ellen

May 18: Childhood

I feel bad for posting this so late but it's been quite a day. Sean and I took a box of junk to the DI and then got a bunch of records for cheap and then ate breakfast at The Park Cafe in SLC. Seriously, guys. If you are ever in the mood for breakfast foods and you're in the SLC area, go there. Everything is so delicious and quick and it's worth the wait. It's just across the street from the Tracy Aviary so you can make a day of it. Then we went to Sean's brother Jeremiah and his girlfriend Kayla's house and ate tons of junk food and watched Star Wars and just hung out. So much fun.

Anyway... Today's topic is on a story from my childhood. How about the time I kicked my sister in the mouth and her teeth fell out.

One day, Abby and I were at our neighbor's house playing games. A common game we would play with these particular neighbors was gymnastics. We set aside an area to practice our hand-stands and marked it off with barbies. Everyone was supposed to stand behind the barbie while the person in front of them did a handstand.

I stood in line right in front of Abby and, eventually, it was my turn to hand-stand. I stepped forward and did the lunge and went for it. As my back foot went up, my heel whacked Abby right in the mouth. I came back down and turned around and noticed that Abby had stepped in front of the barbie (or so my innocent mind believed... as far as I know, I might not have been far enough past the barbie). With eyes welling up with tears, Abby put her hand up to her mouth and caught 2 baby-sized teeth as they fell out as a result of the kick. I grabbed Abby around her shoulders and walked her home where my mom could calm her down and teach her the wonders of the tooth fairy.

And that wasn't even the first time I had ever whacked Abby in the face... there was another time where I ran into her with a gate we would swing on and caused her to need to get her forehead glued.
Oh, my life as the older sibling. I'm sure other older siblings have similar experiences right? Probably. And here is my public apology to Abby: I am sorry for all the times I whacked you in the face.

love, Ellen

aww... isn't she pretty? also, her birthday is at the end of this month! 

It's Christmas Eve, Not Christmas Steve! volume 2

Merry Christmas Eve, all!

This is the first Christmas that Sean and I have ever spent and I think it's going to be number 1. I can't wait to see his face when he opens all his fun gifts and for him to see mine when visa versa and whatnot.

I'm so grateful he's here to enjoy this holiday with. So far, he's made me a christmas (eve) ham which was super delicious, and we drank sparkling blueberry grape juice, also delicious, and we've given each other pajamas and 1 gift each. I got him an awesome rifle lighter and he gave me a super cool microfiber hairbrush that dries your hair when you brush it! Awesome.

Anyway, I'm sure you don't want to be reading some blog on Christmas Eve. Go enjoy your family and stuff! okay,

MERRY CHRISTMAS TOMORROW!

love, Ellen

Happy Thanksgiving!

just a few thoughts on this day of gratitude (in a bulleted list, like i like)

• as cliche as it is, i'm the most grateful for my incredible husband. He takes such great care of me and cooks and takes out the trash and listens to my ridiculous dreams and makes me laugh. he's so great and I'm so blessed to have found such a handsome fella to spend forever with.
• I'm also grateful for my wonderful family who i can't wait to chow down with in a few short hours! I love them!

• and, as stupid and annoying she is a lot of the time, i'm grateful for my kitty who makes me laugh and (occasionally) cuddles with me. 

I hope everyone has a most excellent Thanksgiving and stuffs their faces with tons of super delicious grub and then takes a big ole' nap. at least that's how i'm going to spend my holiday. 

love, ellen

Utah Reception

okay, i know it's super late, but i'm gonna do a watered down version of the Utah reception. It really was amazing and i appreciate all the beautiful decor and donations of cookies and chairs and time.
My cousin, Malea, was our Utah reception photographer. These are all her pics and her daughter, Emma's (she was our super cute paparazzo).

like i did with the Minnesota reception, here's a bunch of pictures in (mostly) chronological order with captions. These first few are just couples shots of me and Sean before the party.

 cute. 

 Love!

 Just LOOK at his eyes! my mr. handsome.

 haha marti hands. we have fun. 

 My guys!

 Our cussin' awesome cake topper!

 Sean's groom's cake! Handmade by my dad. (impressive,right?!?!)

 the guest gift table! cute!

 refreshments, anyone? cookies and milk and water and cream cheese mints!

 This is an advice box. we got a lot of good help and tips and stuff!

 one side of the stage in the room 

 middle of the stage

 the other side with super cute shutters and picket fence!

 guest book and the big D from the MN reception and a handmade paper 'D' made by my cousin (super awesome!)

 The entrance to the party! (and a funny play on our name)

 Bench outside the reception room

 My mom and brothers-in-law!

 Brothers!

 the wall behind the line. we have 2 banners that Sean and I wrote You're the ___ to my ____.

 A cute frame we got from the Penny's at our MN reception. SUPER cute!

 Gift table and envelope birdcage. See! AMAZING decorations!

 cutting the cake

 cute. we're the clean kind.

 toasts!

 Scandinavian cup drinking 

 bouquet toss! 

Second first dance

Then we went to the hotel our best friend Jayme got for us and relaxed. The next day we went to my parents' house to have brunch and open gifts. It was really a beautiful reception and lots of fun. 

Let's just say, though, that' i'm glad we're done getting married. It was a lot of work (for everyone, probably more than me), a lot of stress and headaches, and i was just ready to be married to this super handsome, incredible guy. Now we can start up all our holiday fun! 

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! 

love, Ellen

You wanna be on Top?

oh. hi again. It's been some time since i last graced this blog with words and wit. Since march 20, i've done quite a lot a lot of stuff. mainly, though, i went to Phoenix with Sean to meet his family. Good news!
They're cool and funny!
Here is a brief overview of things we did (mainly because it's late and i'd like to sleep):
drove drove drove, transmission broke so drove some more for about 7 more hours at 35 mph, got to his brother's at 8:30 in the morn, took some naps, showered, ate at Oregano's (pizza. yum), met his Mom, Dad, sisters, Great Aunt, Great Grandma, Grandma, Grandpa, talked, ate birthday cake, watched the guys drink O'Doul's (then Sean kissed me...eugh. ;) ), went back to Dustin's and talked and slept. Then Saturday his family came over in the morning and we just sat around and talked for a while and rested and then went to Red Robin and had burgers while Brady's car was in the shop, went to the fancy car lots, went to walmart for a spell, went back to Dustin's and chatted and slept. Sunday we woke up early and went to his Grandma's and then on a hike in the desert and it was hot and i got sunburned and then we went to (what Sean and i now call) Hell aka Tortilla Flats, went to his grandma's place and had a nap, then went to the second level of Hell aka Organ Stop (where this organ rises out of the floor and plays all kinds of hokey whatever. imagine chuck e. cheese for old people) and then we went back to Dustin's and showered and then went to bed. Monday, we woke up, showered and packed and then went to get the rental car (Mazda 6. which was NICE) from the airport, came back, loaded up our things, went to his Great Aunt's and said goodbye to everyone, and drove drove drove more until 3:30 in the morning, frantically searched my luggage for my keys which were soon found on the floor of the rental car, drove to Midvale and dropped his brother Brady off and his stuff and got gas and then went to the SLC airport and then drove home and got to his house at 5:30, slept for 2 hours, and then he went to work and i went home for 2 more hours of sleep before heading to work.

that was much longer than i had intended. but it was all necessary for you to know. i suppose. Anyway...
I bet by now you're wondering what the cuss the title of this thang is all about.
i'll tell you.
Remember how a few weeks ago i went to Bountiful and did a fun photo shoot with my amigo, Emily? Well good news! She finished the photos! And they're MAGNIFICENT!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/emily-mensing/7039662691/in/set-72157629357144472/
there's a link for you to go look at them. Seriously, though. they're so good.
I can't wait to shoot with her again!

okay. that's all.
i'm going to bed.
love, elle

Is it Friday yet?

because it seriously feels like it has been weeks since monday and will be months until friday. aka the longest week of my life. not that it's uneventful or stressful or busy or boring or any of that, it's just been really long and i'm not 100% sure why.

i'll tell you probably why. i'm super excited for this weekend. It's been almost 3 weeks since i've been home. (oooh, yeah 3 weeks... she's a wuss... i can stay away for like a whole 4 months...) yeah but i like my family and sometimes i just don't want to be in Orem. *cough*. no, to be really honest, i love orem.

some other times. or something. i don't know what i'm saying. i finished my french homework and i have all weekend to read a really long thing called Utopia (shoot. i hate all utopian things. blast.)

i've been watching parks and rec lately. it's really great. uhm. some other stuff...

well. it's been great.
and i'm going to probably go to bed soon before blah blah blah.
i love you or something.
and
yeah.

~Ellen.

musikz and other recent likes.

This is a really great song by a really great band that i kinda know some of the people in kind of. They're super hip and their music is really good.

http://childrenofthenorth.bandcamp.com/track/im-a-pilgrim-im-a-stranger

go to that link. just do it.
Also listen to the song Dirt. both very good.

Also, whilst i'm here: check out my friend Emily. She's this Super amazing photographer that i want to photograph my future wedding in the future.

her blog is this:

http://undecidedlybeautiful.blogspot.com/

check it out. do it.

Uhm.. and i'm not 100% sure why i'm thinking this.. it could be due to the fact that i'm really tired and don't know it or the fact that i bonked my head pretty hard on my car door frame earlier today or that i'm just prompted by something beyond my immediate comprehension.. or maybe i've just been really homesick lately..

anyway. I love my family. And i want them to know that. And i'm grateful for them every single day and think about them often. I know i don't ask about your lives enough when i'm home because i'm so excited to tell you about my adventures.. but it might just be because i like to think everything is the same as it always has been back there and that nothing ever changes. Thanks for all that you do for me and everything always. I love you!!
and i can't wait to be back on the 27th. at least for a visit.
{wow.. that turned around fast...}
anyway, Here's to a fabulous [rest of the] new year and all that. It's had an extremely rocky start.. but i guess in like a lion, out like a lamb. hopefully.


Love, Ellen.

le jour de l'action de grâce

which means thanksgiving in French. lots'o words for one thing. and yeah, this really is just another Thanksgiving-themed post.

This i am thankful for:

1. My family because they're always there for me, they're hilarious, and they always make really yum-tastic foods. 
2. My ward because they definitely give me something better to do than sit around in my lonely apartment all day. this comes with being thankful for Del Taco for after FHE.
3. My friends for supporting me and not hating me even though i can definitely be super annoying and a pain sometimes. and sometimes going out to sushi with me and walmart and just chill and let me riffle through their foods. 
4. My laptop to keep me company when i can't have anyone else as company. and helping me with all my homework. and containing all my fave music. 
5. clothes. for doing the job of clothes. and looking awesome. same with shoes. 
6. food. for being food. Delicious, nutritious, tasty, happy, filling... the best. There's so many kinds and flavors and brands and recipes and temperatures.. just the best. especially holiday food. nothing like it.
7. college. as much as i am in love-hate with it, i'm glad i'm there and that i have classes and professors and am learning and whatever. i mean "yayy!" hah.
8. My job. I actually really like my job. as much as i don't want to spend 4 hours on my feet making people i don't even know happy with food and then taking their money and all that, i really like making people happy and getting money and getting to know regulars and just chatting and hanging out with my hilarious co-workers. It's really great, especially for a first/food-industry job. 
9. bathrooms. for obvs reasons. (and i kinda hafta pee right now. lol.) 
10. my silly kitty. that makes me want to squish the bajeebers out of it regularly. and making me laugh cuz it's funny. 
11. movies. that pass the time and make me happy and entertained. and also for their ability to connect people of all kinds. "Oh, i don't really like this movie because blah blah." "duude! me neither!" like that.
12. my car. that works. and even though i'm certainly beginning to save up for a new one eventually, i'm glad i have this one and that it takes me places and makes me feel safe and happy and all that. 

yes. all these things. and I just wanted to finish with a picture of a happy thanksgiving turkey deal. so that's what that was.

Happy Thanksgiving, All! hope your turkey is as good as mine. because mine is cussin' delish. 

amen. 

Love, Ellen

#ldsconf

how many people can live-tweet General Conference? too many.

But i really enjoyed this one. it just kept reminding me "hey. you need to bust out that p. blessing and have a read or two." so as soon as i got home, went to ward prayer, washed the dishes, cleaned my room, and got some sinus relief herbal tea, i got it out and read through it.

I am amazed how many times i am reminded of my Heavenly Father's love lately. It's like every day. Even when i don't have FHE or Institute or church or anything. I just feel him walking with me to my classes and sitting with me during my lunch break while i'm reading my homework due in less than an hour (it's okay. it's just reading. and it's better if i read it closer to the class because i remember more).

I am constantly being reminded of his infinite power too. Like in my French class. I am learning a lot about this whole new culture and i can't believe how Heavenly Father just created everyone and gave them each different adventures and like even knowing different languages is incredible.

And Dr Who! (you know i had to tie it in somehow. just wait. it gets better.) It just reminds me that He made worlds without end. We don't even know those worlds or how they live or what they speak or what they look like. Well.. they're going to look like us most likely because we are created in his image and after his likeness but we don't know what they're skin color will be. Just take the diversity of the earth and make it on a larger scale.

And he put this most incredible prophet on Earth just for us. It really feels like Thomas S. Monson was chosen to speak to us in this generation because we all love his stories and his humor and his genuine love for each and every one of us. I'm sure if i went up to him that he would treat me like a cousin. because that's just how he is. He's the perfect example for us to follow, really.

And of course, i have to mention that i went home this weekend. You may think i'm a sissy for going home bi-weekly but i have reasons every time! never just frivolity. Although i do enjoy spending time with my fam and seeing my high school mates. I guess I just feel a lot more comfortable there because i don't have to work around non-relative people with different lives than me and put myself out there a mil. I can just enjoy the company of my mom and dad as we watch a movie or talk about my future wedding (no, no. I'm not dating anyone or anything. i'm just planning like every other girl.) or getting gas with my dad's money and having a DVR and i know where everything is and i can navigate the walmart and target fairly well and i have people i can see without travelling a million miles and planning days in advance.

I'll tell you what happened this weekend because i think it's cool. My super rad boss and i were chatting and i told her that 1 of my 2 friday classes was cancelled and that i could go home early friday for a long weekend besides the fact that i have work. And she said she could cover my shift and Yungmuk volunteered to take my Saturday. Yay! So i left home at about 10, grabbed some gas, and headed home for a fun surprise. I came in through the back door to see my mom waiting at the bottom of the stairs. She said "I saw you sneaking!" and i said "I left my keys at my apartment and i was hoping the back door was open..." and then i went down and hugged her and we watched most of an episode of parenthood.

 then i went to my Alma Mater to surprise Abby. I got there and chatted with my old jewelry teacher for a mint about how i won $2 at the county fair for my necklace and some other stuff and then i went into abby's french class and chatted with my old french teacher for a mint until the bell rang and i saw abby about to walk out and then her friend said "hey, isn't that your sister?" and she was all "Heeeeey!" and came over and hugged me and then i took her and Lex and Reese out to lunch. and then i bought abby a super rad foam finger like "live long and prosper" but viking-y. you'll have to see it. then she ditched her last class and her, me, and mom went to Dilly Dally's and abby got some sunglasses and we bugged mom a bit and it was fun. then we picked up some maddox (<3) and came home.

and then we also did the conference stuff, played the game i got dad for his birthday and we had a turkey dinner and we watched Whip It (LOVE! I would definitely want to buy this movie. It's SO cute and it's just great. recommend frosho.) and Megamind (also pretty good but not as good as Whip It) - not in that order. oh, and me, Mom and Sharla went to their cousin Leslie's son's wedding reception and chatted and ate some yummy refreshments and then went to HomeGoods and Sharla bought me a really nice side-table storage thing that i'm so excited about.

and now i'm home, blogging, and i'm about to go to bed. i just made myself a cute lunch for tomorrow of a peanut butter sandwich, a granola thing, cookies, and an orange juice thing. awww! reminiscent of youth and all that. i'm excited. it's even in a princess lunch box. yay!

here's a link to my song of late.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwOjsYNcUW0
or this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdghL1NGk0g&feature=related
either way.
i wish i could, like, make the vids actually on here. but it never works for me.
ugh.

okay. night!
-Ellen of Utah
p.s. Pres. Monson quoted the Beatles! heart.

BestLife

is how i am. what? my mind is still not working at full capacity. I think it's part euphoria, part sleep deprivation.
I'll tell you why.

Graduation. That happened. ANd it was fab. I got my diploma and I didn't fall asleep and I got a lot of money from my family who loves me and I thank you so much for it! It will for sure help me in college. Which is coming up. wholey canoli. what? yeah. The only bummer about graduation is not being able to see all those i associate with all the time every day anymore. but that's okay. Another door about to open! And my geometrical rediculous cap kept falling off. ugh. but still yay.

I've been staying out super late lately. Because my parents are awesome. And because Matt Smith is amazing and awesome and kept inviting me to fun and it rocked. Also there was an all night party after graduation. And it rocked! I played games, won some prizes, and got the best hugs ever :). This is where euphoria meets sleep deprivation. I think I hear a summer romance? (is that a thing you can hear? probably). Anyway. I had a blast and stayed up all night (went to bed at 5:30 am. woo.) and it was just amazing. All the way.

I haven't been feeling up-to-par in the health department lately, but my mom says it's because of the euphoria. I haven't been eating well and nothing sounds good and I'm just pooped out all the time. BUt she says she didn't eat for like 3 weeks after she met my dad and felt the same way. So we're going with that. The illness of euphoria. hah. I love it.

oh. and seminary graduation happened. I spoke, people congratulated me. it was cool. not much to report but i did it. hooorah.

Here's some shout-outs.
-First, to my incredible family who have helped me to get here and always loving me, no matter what.
-To my Granny for attending both my graduations and supporting me all these years.
-To my Grandpa for making a huge donation in my favor for college. Thanks, G-pa!
-To Lexi for showing me how you never know what will happen until you try and for supporting me and being an incredible friend.
-To Matt Smith for making my last days of high school magical and for just being amazing.
-To Erin, Maggie, Mandy, Ashley, Karlie, Hannah, Teresa, and Rachel. May we always be besties and bridesmaids ;).

Love, Ellen