Brown Hair

Wednesday texting conversation with Braden...

Braden: "so what have you been up to?"

Me: "Well I have brown hair..."

Braden: "Picture. Now."

Thats right. I dyed my hair brown people!
This is a big deal apparently. When I sat down in my stylist's chair I honestly had no idea dying my hair a different color was such an event.
I really didn't think to much about the decision, it was very impromptu. My sister and the hair stylist said "You should dye it brown!" and as it turns out, I am very susceptible  to peer pressure.

6 hours later...
(yes six actual hours, no exaggeration.. )

Brown.
But it some lights it looks a little black.
My 80 year old grandpa, uncle, and boyfriend keep calling it black. Not my favorite.
In fact, after spending 6 hours sitting in the salon and coming home to a LIVID mother telling me she hates it, I am NOT loving it..
I'm actually feeling a little emotional about it, and I spend a good 1o minutes crying.

A good nights sleep and a shower later, I am feeling much better.
All of my friends and family (minus mom, dad, and Gladys) love it.
Or at least they say they do, and thats fine because I cannot handle hearing anything else at this point. Im feeling a little emotionally unstable.

I am beginning to really love it though.
I tell myself it's very Rachel McAdams, if you will.
I realize I look nothing like Rachel McAdams, but like I said, emotionally unstable.

Give me about a week and I will be loving it, and no longer in denial about the fact that I do not look like a celebrity.


Because some of my friends thought I was lying when I told them, I have proof.
Pictures of my hair and Thanksgiving that I don't hate...

6 hours...

we're ready for christmas

My cute cousin

My cute, but not thrilled, parentals

And no I didn't dye my eyebrows too. They have always been this dark. I hate to break it to the haters, but Im not a natural blonde. Sorry Grandma.

If you don't like it, try to remember my emotional state and tell me some other time.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Doing Nothing

So I am a little bit morally opposed to even mentioning this brooding "storm", that is apparently big enough to shut down BYU, because EVERYONE has been talking about it. I didn't want to be one of those people.
But here I am. Mentioning the storm.

I only mention it because Braden and Alysha are out of town, and CC is popular. Meaning, I have very little to do on this winter break, during this HUGE storm.

Though you all had some valuable suggestions on my last post, I have yet to get around to doing any of them... sorry..
The reason why though, is because I have discovered I like doing nothing.

Today I spent some quality time at Borders with my mom, then ate dinner with Dad, and finally spent the rest of the night wrapped in a blanket by my mom's cute new christmas tree, reading.
Reading a book that I bought and will also finish tonight. Thanks to a suggestion by a friend :)
I thought I would be bored, and lonely, missing a few of my favorite people, but I am perfectly content. My house is quite, the storm outside makes being inside even more satisfying, my book is entertaining, and my parents are adorable.

It is so easy, at least for me, to get caught up in the stress of school, my unhealthy desire for new clothes, and feeling the need to spend all my free time having fun with friends. I am one of those annoying teenagers. How depressing.
My day of family, reading, and relaxing has been refreshing. I honestly feel healthier, like I had a little life detox.

So on day 1 of my official thanksgiving break, I am Grateful for the simple things.
Like my cute family and a good book :)

What are you thankful for?

Cheap Ideas

To no surprise, I am coming home again this weekend.
It will most likely be a long weekend, since Thanksgiving break starts Tuesday evening.
So all I need from you, my 13 followers, is to tell me some things to do this long weekend home?!
I don't have a lot of money, so please make some suggestions I can afford to do.
Also, if these suggestions had something to do with the holiday season, even more fun!
No suggestion is beneath me..
I need some ideas people. Comment away! :)

Almost Famous

I had another run in with fame since my appearance on USPN.
My sister is in the film program at BYU, and had to make a little movie this weekend.
It just so happened that Braden, CC, and I were the actors in this production.

When the movie is cut and ready to be viewed, I will post it on here for you all to see. Until then, I am not going to explain the complicated plot so you are all on the edge of your seat when you finally see it.

What I will say is that it was a lot of fun, but mostly really tiring.
I underestimated the task of being an actor.
My body was aching after hours of trying to be an even mediocre actress.

I felt a little ridiculous and I was tired of doing the same scene over and over, in multiple camera angles.
But, I had a good time dressing up and laughing non-stop with my best friends.
I hope Bri has time to make a blooper video, cause there was LOTS.

It was a fun little experience.

Suzy and Carl

The Film Crew

Suzy and her best friend Bonnie

The Actors :)

In the end my secret dreams of becoming truly famous were crushed.
You will see why when I post the movie.

Tender Doggy

So if you didn't know, I have the cutest dog EVER.

I think dogs are kind of like babies, you always think yours is cuter than all the other babies. And lets face it, some babies really are cuter than the rest.
My dog is one of those babies. 

The best thing about my dog is that she is such a tender!

Sometimes my dad has to give my not so cute cat a bath. The cat doesn't enjoy it, and likes to complain the whole time. He is dramatic like that. 

The tender part is that Dallas, my dog, is so concerned about my cats welfare. 

Dallas has some serious motherly instincts.

I am the worst videographer ever. I like to turn my camera so when I upload it to my computer you have to tilt your head to watch. It's also 20 seconds too long.

Sorry about that.. 

Is it a little sadistic that I am laughing?

The cat is okay, and as soon as he gets out of the bath, Dallas licks her clean like a sweet tender mommy dog. 

Tell me my dog isn't the cutest!?

BOGS

I already finished my paper, minus a few revisions here and there.

so here I am blogging, a day later. You guys all knew I couldn't stay away huh?!

The cold weather has officially set in here in Logan. 

It snowed yesterday, and it's supposed to snow today and tomorrow.

Even without the snow, it is FREEZING outside. 

Normally when winter season rolls around I am not too torn up about it, because I am sick of the in between season wear. I am ready to wear my winter wear!

Not a little combination of spring, fall, and summer wear, my wardrobe has been confused!

So now that it is time for just plain winter wear, I am a little disappointed to learn that I can no longer wear clothes just for the fashion, I have to consider the function. BLAAH. 

Determined to mix fashion with functionality, I have bought myself some BOGS.

(well mom bought them actually...)

I wore them all day today and yesterday, trying to break them in for when the weather gets real serious. 

(I have blisters now)

I get some strange looks, and I even get people asking some questions.

But, my roommate and my friend down the hall want their own pair now.

You could say I'm a trendsetter. 

What are BOGS?!

They are the greatest shoes ever. They are so comfortable, supportive, snug and warm. They supposedly keep your feet warm and dry in -40 degrees, but i'd rather not test it. They are the boots to get me through this Logan winter with all 10 toes intact :)

And I took some pictures to show you, of course!

You know you want some :)

Busy

Braden's birthday weekend was a success! 

We spent time with family, ate out, went rock climbing, and saw Megamind. Twice.

(It was that good of a movie, I highly recommend it.)

Blowing out his candles 

Megamind Tats!

Rockclimbing

Megamind, AGAIN!

 

Now that I am back at USU, I am not sure how much I will be blogging.

Between burning off the cake I ate for every meal this weekend, writing a paper for humanities, and studying for another Statistics test, I am going to be a little busy. 

Plus, I have to make time for a nap or two. :)

So wish me luck on my busy week, and if I find the time, or a topic, to blog about I will be sure to update you, my plethora of followers... Joke. 

A Fly.. or Two

So just a little disclaimer for this entry, it might gross you out a little bit.
But, what I am about to share is, sadly, very pertinent to my life up here in Logan.

There is a bit of a fly problem in room 404. It might be a problem in every room, I wouldn't really know, but it's definitely a problem in ours.

The first week or so that we moved in, it was very nice weather outside. I made the mistake of opening my bedroom window. I was immediately, no exaggerating swarmed by flies. They were so loud, and there was so many of them I was pretty sure I was being attacked by bees. When I recovered and realized they were just flies, I tried to get them back outside. Didn't work. I was forced to let them die a slow, painful death in my blinds.

All 4 of my other roommates made the same opening the window mistake after me, and ever since there are flies EVERYWHERE.
I have 10 dead flies in the light in my room. It blows my mind that they manage to squeeze in there, but there is a new one every day or so.

No we do not have a fly swatter yet, but every once in awhile we take a rolled up magazine and try to exterminate.
The really gross part is, stop reading now if you feel the need,
we are 6 dirty girls.. and we never clean the dead flies up... We let them sit on the widow sills... until they end up on the floor.. and then eventually we vacuum.
I know. I'm ashamed.

Alysha and I are beginning to get used to the flies around here. They buzz us to sleep when we take naps. And when we are extra bored, like today, we watch them try to escape the blinds, and wonder what they are thinking about.
Do you think they know they are dying? are they scared? or do they have such small brains they think they are flying around in the sky?

I've thought about naming them.

I am listening to a fly buzz around my room right now. He is the last one left today, and he is disgusting.

This whole entry was disgusting.
Buuuuuut, I already wrote this whole gross story, so why not share with you some even grosser pictures!

You are all excited I know.

No captions necessary. 

I promise my next entry will be gross free :)

Halloween Shmalloween

Halloween has always been my least favorite holiday.

My parents tell me that even when I was a kid I didn't really enjoy tick-or-treating.

I'm an old soul. 

All I remember of the Halloweens of my early years is that I always wanted a skimpier costume than the weather and my parents permitted. 

I just wanted is to be a genie with my tummy showing; no leotard underneath mom! I mean, who doesn't want their 7 year old child's costume to be described as sexy?! Every parent's dream come true. 

Anyway, with the cold weather, the moderate exercise, and the forced modesty Halloween just never made any sense to me.

and it still doesn't.

So being the lame, super mature woman I am, I skipped Utah States most famous party, the Howl, and came home. 

By what my friends said about it, I didn't miss out on too much. They all had fun, blah blah blah, but it was overrated.

Instead of partying, I carved a pumpkin and watched a scary movie with some friends.  

It was the BEST pumpkin I have ever carved in the history of Halloween. 

and it was an incredibly stupid movie, which I was thrilled with. 

(I recently discovered, I don't really enjoy being scared to the point where I have to sing church songs over and over in my head just to try and get some sleep.)

I had fun. 

It was a nice, costume-less, suuuuper mature, Halloween weekend :)

Don't be confused by Braden holding the knife, he didn't carve a thing.

All me :)

Finished product. I am proud, okay?!

The whole group and their pumpkins

The closest thing to dressing up all weekend! :)

Now the worst holiday of the year is over, and it's time for the best ones!

Thanksgiving and Christmas are just around the corner people! 

I am one of those annoying people who listen to Christmas music BEFORE Thanksgiving is over, because Christmas is obviously such a better holiday. 

The only reason I am even recognizing Thanksgiving on this blog is because it involves getting a break of school and going to Disneyland!

The rest of this year is downhill from here! woo-hoo!

BriAnne Borup

I know, two posts in one day.
My addiction is verging on annoying.

Tomorrow is my sisters birthday, and I wanted her to wake up knowing that someone was thinking of her this whole time. So I am giving her a blog to wake up to.

Bri is turning the big 2-1 tomorrow!
(or today, or last week, depending on when you are reading this)
I cannot believe she is so old.
Time just flows by quickly. seriously.

My relationship with my sister has not been the easiest one. Growing up we didn't always get along, but as we have gotten older things have only gotten better.
I consider her one of my best friends these days.

She has so many qualities that I admire.

She is so smart. Ridiculously smart.
She set the standard for my grades in high school.
Sometimes I wish I could call her up to take my Stats quizzes for me :)

She is BEAUTIFUL.
She has a perfect smile, perfect lips, and PERFECT hair!

She is a singer, a film maker, an actress, a student, a skipper, a daughter, a friend, a leader and a great sister.

My parents and I honestly wonder where she got all these qualities.
Not that my family and I aren't great, we are :)
just not in the way Bri is.

She has given me the tough job of being the younger sibling,
attempting to fill her shoes is an impossible task.

Bri, 

Happy Birthday! 

I hope it's a good one, though we all know birthdays are a little overrated :) 

I love you very much, I hope you know that. 

You are such an incredible example in my life. 

I couldn't have asked for a better sister. Our little family unit wouldn't be the same without you. 

Love,

ME :)

The View Today

The view out my window today..

Notice the mountains in the previous picture are gone. Bleh.

3 days... :)

Hey There Winter!

So I woke up this morning to SNOW on the mountains.
The first snow we have had this season.

This really only means three things to me:
A. that the bitter winter season at USU that everyone talks about is about to begin,
B. I get to go shopping!!!
C. my commute back to Orem is about to get more difficult, or if my dad has anything to say about it, non-existant.


The commute back and forth really isn't that bad.
(I make it basically every weekend, because there are some people I like a lot back home.)
Though sometimes the commute is long, somewhere near salt lake airport the air always reeks like rotten eggs, and my bum is, without fail, aching by the time I reach Lehi, the drive is always worth the weekend spent at home.

I get to see my family, Friday evening dinners, sleep in what I still consider my real bed, see my best friend C.C, and I get to spend time with Braden.

There is never a weekend I think, " ya know what, this wasn't worth the drive, I think I will stay in Logan next week."

The weekdays are usually more like a countdown for Alysha and me.
(only 4 more days people...)
Not that we don't have fun and love school while we are here, we do.
We just love the people back at home more than we could ever love anything up here.
I am sure my mom is debating how healthy she thinks that is for me.
But it's is true, and it's not changing.

Last night's commute back to Logan was the first of what I am sure will be a few rougher drives. It rained basically nonstop from orem to USU.
I mean, it REALLY pored.
Alysha and I may or may not have driven the canyon going no faster than 45 mph...

We made it back safe and sound with no problems, it just took a little longer than normal.

But I am afraid that my dad is about to put a hold on the gas money.
He says it's for my safety, but I am pretty sure he is just sick of me :)

The day that happens I will be very sad.
I will be up here, in the snow, without the people I love the very most.

The only thing that winter makes me look forward to is my not so far away christmas break!
I will be home for practically a straight month, and I could not be more excited.

(My dad on the other hand, I am not so sure about :).. )

So this is my Hello to winter, and my soon to be goodbye to Orem city..

I've never really liked the cold very much..

I know, I know, "then I picked the wrong school!"
Blah.


The view out my window this morning..

On a more positive note, you gotta admit it's beautiful!

Good Luck Lysha!

This is my Roommate Alysha Parsons

She is also one of my best friends. 

Isn't she adorable!? 

Alysha is an amazing person, for a lot of reasons. 

She is hilarious, and can brighten your day with one of her ridiculous laughs. 

She is so beautiful, in a way that makes it hard for me to just stand next to her.

She is smart, and when she wants something, she has ambition like you have never seen; to the point where it starts getting a little crazy.. :)

Which is why, of course, she is competing in a triathlon THIS saturday!

You may have noticed me mention that little triathlon on here once or twice, because being her roommate and best friend, I have been partly training for it too.. not necessarily by choice.

She has worked her bum off (and a little bit of mine as well) training for this little thing. This is where her ambition comes in. I can't even imagine myself doing something like this; I can't imagine pretty much any girl my age doing this. 

(there actually is only one other girl in her division of the race)

Leave it to Lysha to show us all up :) 

So this is me wishing my girl luck this saturday morning, on the world wide web! And I hope you will join me, not because she will need it, but because she deserves it. 

The girl in Alysha's division has no idea what this little 18 year old is capable of doing.. Poor girl.

I wish I could be there to cheer you on bestie :) 

I love you! 

GOOD LUCK!

A Little Reminder

After my very long weekend home, I was a little reluctant to leave.
I am always a little reluctant, I think it is beginning to worry my mother.

I didn't cry though, this would be the first weekend goodbye without tears folks :)

I drove down all by myself this time, and it was kind of a lonely drive..

But the moment I got off the elevator onto my floor, I was literally attacked by like 10 of my closest USU friends. I was forced to change in about 30 seconds and was pushed out the door to a "paint dance"

It was more like the most intense mosh-pit I have ever been in. I don't think there was really any dancing going on, or breathing for that matter.
but there was paint, a lot of pain, and a lot of fun.

My girl friends and I lasted probably a good 10 minutes before we called it quits.

Well Barbie actually got lost.. It is now 3 hours later and I still haven't seen her..

It was short and sweet, but it was the perfect night to remind me that I love it here. Even though I love my home in Orem, I remembered I love my Logan home too..

Dirty Girls!

My dirty nasty feet after..

fun.

Fall Break

I am home safe and sound (BARELY) after a fun weekend in southern Utah.

Alysha, Jesse (alysha's boyfriend, braden's brother), Jill (alysha's mom), Ryan (alysha's brother), Braden and I went down to Cedar City for fall break.

Friday we went to Zions National Park and hiked Angels Landing. I am ashamed to admit I basically quit breathing at one point, but we made it to the top, and it was worth it. It was so BEAUTIFUL, and so fun! We also walked a trail by the river, a little less intense, but also very pretty.

Just starting out.

Checking out the view with Jill

Finally made it to the top!

Saturday we went to Sand Hollow, a mini Lake Powell I didn't even know existed. Alysha and Jesse did a little training for their upcoming triathlons, then we all swam, laid out in the sun, and cliff jumped the rest of the day. I was glad it was a little less strenuous than our hike friday.
Me and Braden may or may not have been the only ones with sore legs and bums.. We were a little ashamed.

Sunday we went to church in the oddest LDS church building I have ever seen, and then attempted to visit Cedar Breaks. It was freezing, raining, and then hailing. We basically barely escaped death when we tried to drive up a dirt road to a look out point.
I covered my eyes the majority of the time.
So with the bad weather ruining our last day, we decided to head home. It was probably the longest car ride in the world, and I almost killed everyone driving with me..

Long story short, we are all alive and home.

Besides burnt skin, hurt feelings, and a few brushes with death, it was such a fun trip!
I am so glad that Jill invited me to come along.

Back to school.
BLEH. :(

Last shots of the break, some of my favorites...

AMAZING

Ahh.. I miss the sun already.

My Dad

I am officially addicted to blogging.
I think even more than I am to Facebook.

So I have been racking my brain for something to write about.
I mean, I have ideas, I've got big plans for this blog; but every idea seems to have a specific time it needs to blogged, and none of my brilliant ideas fall on this day.
But I have an addiction so I HAVE to blog something.

I decided.
My adorable Dad keeps giving me ideas for what he thinks I should blog about,
some of which will appear at a later time, but his little comments gave me the best idea for today.

I will blog about HIM.

BEN BORUP

This is my dad. Isn't he cute?!

I am a daddy's girl. How could I not be?! I have the best dad in the world.

He drives me crazy with his curfews and guilt trips that work better than any punishment. At the same time, he brightens my day with his stupid jokes, his doggy-scarred smile, and his big hugs. 

He got stuck with two girls and no manly boys. To make it worse, me and my sister didn't get inherit one boyish characteristic. We have zero athletic bones in our bodies, and we don't camp, fish, or metal detect. 

We didn't give my dad much to work with. 

But if he ever wished he had a boy, he's never showed it. 

He works hard to give my mom, sister and me everything we want and need;

even when we are impatient and ungrateful. 

Anyone who knows him will tell you his world revolves around his girls. 

I will never be able to thank him enough for giving me my perfect life. 

I wish I could say I inherited any of his best qualities;

 his patience, artistic ability, work ethic, love for learning and selflessness, but I didn't...

What I did get is a combination of my mom's and his calves, and his sense of humor.

Can't complain about that :)

I hope you know how much you mean to me dad. 

I love you.