An ode to new friends and a beautiful baby sister.

Let me make something clear; I don't have a "baby" sister. Hannah will be 17 in October, but she will always be my baby! Even when she has kids of her own. She is my only sibling and even though we are very different, we have been partners in crime for as long as I can remember. When I was 2 years old I informed my mom she was pregnant. One night I was sitting in my highchair munching away on some dinner when I looked up at my mom and simply said, "Hannah's coming." I'm sure my parents were slightly confused seeing as I had never been one for imaginary friends and I didn't know any Hannahs, but it would take a few weeks until they figured out who "Hannah" really was. Soon after my mysterious declaration my mom found out she was pregnant, and when they found out it would be a baby girl they decided to name her Hannah. So...in essence, I named my sister when I could barely talk. Cool right? When Hannah was born I was very protective of her, and informed anyone that would listen that she was MY baby. Hannah and I have a mutual respect for each other despite our differing preferences for music, sports, food, movies, school, relationships, clothes...and just about everything imaginable. I just got back from school and one of the biggest shocks has been to realize that Hannah is not the baby I label her as any more. She probably hasn't been for the past 14 years, but that is beside the point! I love her SOOOO much and it is insane to think that my baby is growing up....eh. I'm going to brag about her for a minute :)

She is beautiful. She has amazing style-really, I don't know how she comes up with half the outfits she does, but she rocks them! Especially the colored tights. She is an amazing dancer-she hits up BSOB 6 times a week for ballet classes. She plays the viola AND mandolin. She just made the Utah Youth Symphony. Most of the musicians who audition wait and receive a letter telling them whether or not they made it. While Hannah was auditioning the lady stopped her in the middle of her second piece and told her she was in :) That's my girl! She has an INSANE school schedule and she is only a lil squashmore. Next year will be even crazier with all AP classes, early morning seminary, and on-line courses as well. I guess someone has to do it, and I'm glad it's her and not me! She has the voice of an angel. Sometimes she tries to hide it...good thing I have supersonic hearing and she belts in the shower. She is creative. She makes her own jewelry, paints, draws, sews stuff-like halloween costumes...if its artsy, she does it. She is sensitive! I'd much rather be related to someone that has a heart than an evil witch.

That's it for now. My sister's a pretty neat gal...what a shame she's related to me and not you!
Pause the player, we're switching tracks! The topic is: "Cool new friends"

Aight, so last night was an "Untalent Show" for my singles ward. I decided to bring 2nd in command, Sydney Rose Robinson. (Her middle name isn't Rose, and she's really not 2nd in command. We're on an equal playing field but saying 2nd in command just sounded more eloquent.) ANYWAY, I brought Syd along. The talent show was great, there was a lot of untalents, a lot of popcorn, and a lot of people to socialize with. At one point I was feeling a little parched so naturally I went to find a drinking fountain. I came across one and on the way I happened to come across Connor and Jeff; the coolest nose flutists I have ever had the privilege of meeting. We chatted in the hall for a while and then decided to relocate ourselves to North Canyon Park for a game of Ultimate. While at the park I had 2 significant lightbulb moments. 1) I don't miss high school and 2) Ultimate frisbee really is not my forte. The frisbee we used lit up and resembled a UFO. I'm going to scratch the bottom of the barrel here and say that all the color changing and blinking was the source of my frisbee retardation. I could catch it on occasion, but could not throw it to save my life. In order to be a functional member of society, I feel that having the knowledge necessary to throw a circular disk is mandatory. If you consider yourself a pro, hit me up. I'm growing desperate!

Even though the world didn't end today, our frisbee game had too hahah that was a Rapture joke for all you who are slower than most. Things led to other things and we found ourselves sitting on the ***cold***steps discussing the complexities of life. Meh...maybe that's an exaggeration. I was mostly talking with Connor and we were just discussing things. No complexities. I don't think Squidward and Jeff were either. This is what I heard of their conversation "aaglhdglhaga dgdafhdfghfj bh adfhdfn khopihf gBiggest Loser! aghadkgj fkajob bnjkvhafpioghg dhgiihie38r3y3yr 83ytyigalkh Patches! (Here Connor interjects with a witty rebutle in his cat's defense) agkh ggoah John Mayer. Pilot. 9th grade officer. ahgalgh adgh adghfih j" And that about sums it up from what I can tell. We covered quite a few topics but finally I had to say it, I was ***freezing***Connor may have mentioned it earlier, but there is a good chance I said something about him being a wuss and the confiscation of his man card. Once again we relocated, but this time it was to the boonies. RB's hot chocolate maker was broken, so we hit up some obscure 7-11 for a midnight hot chocolate run. More talking, more laughing, more incoherent jokes...I vaguely remember mocking Jeff's laugh and then cracking up over it. When it's late I tend to think I'm a lot funnier than I am....I like my friends, I'm glad I made new ones, I'm glad they forced the Grinch run out of me! Here's to a tightly knit bond because of it; and here's to things I like about them. It's a progressive list obviously. Just a little tidbit for starters.

Connor

Great style-bike chain bracelet included.

He has gorgeous eyes.

We crack the same kind of jokes! Nice to know someone shares my sense of humor.

Jeff

Dimples!!! I am a SUCKER for dimples.

He's a "cautious" driver :P

Funny. Funny, funny, funny. You can get some quality jokes out of this one!

That's me, Miss Milan.

My days in the bat cave are OVER! 

In Laman's terms it means I'm done sleeping in the basement, and I finally have my room back! 

It has been an insanely long process but at 3 o'clock today it'll all be done :)

I parted with all the old furniture in my room. 

I spackled little holes from picture frames, hooks, etc.

I patched a mongo hole from a wall-knee collision. 

Sanded the spackle flat. 

Picked out paint colors. 

Was almost reduced to tears when told to buy paint and paint supplies by myself. 

Convinced my mama to have mercy and go with me!

Period Charm for the walls.

Darkening Sky for the closet interior and stripe.

WHITE for the door and trim.

When I told the guy I wanted white he laughed and pulled out a stack of literally1400 white color swatches. We started going through them, but they were all tinted with black or brown. None were a true white and that was what I wanted. When I said "I want plain white. Is there anything with a name like that?" He pulled one more card out. "White." It even said it on the card so I said I would take it; in high gloss. He looked at me like I was crazy so, maybe I broke one of the cardinal rules of painting by siding with "White" instead of "Sandune." He's the expert, not me. 

After getting Frog Tape, and roller pads it was time to do business!

I learned about this thing called cutting in. You HAVE to do it unfortunately. 

Since the walls in my room were previously green and I was trying to make them yellow, cutting in was a long process but 3 coats later it was over with!

I lived in spankys and a 2xl red t/blue super man one, for 2+ weeks! I didn't want to ruin anything else.

Tape baseboards, doorframes, etc.

Cutting on the walls and ceiling: CHECK.

2 coats of paint on the walls and ceiling: CHECK

Back to Kwal Howel to buy more yellow paint....

Third coat: CHECK

Reverse all the tape...

Paint the door, doorframe, closet doorframe, and baseboards WHITE. Not too strenuous. 

Did get some on the carpet though...whoops. 

Tape baseboards and shelf in closet.

After I finished the cutting in for my walls I had had a hair appointment. While I was telling Jen about about my project she asked if I had heard of this nifty cutting in tool. It's about 4 inches wide, has wheels, and all you do is dip it in the paint and roll it on the wall. I about died after hearing that. I had spent hours manhandling that stupid paintbrush!!! At least I learned an original trick of the trade right? 

Cutting in? Go get the magic roller thing!!!

Went to get the magic roller thing.

Cut in closet.

Make pencil markings for stripe.

This part was nerve wracking to say the least. When you have a 8 inch navy blue stripe going around your room, there is not a chance you want that bad boy to be crooked. The top of the stripe was even with the top of my windows so I used a ruler to measure down from the ceiling; about 27 centimeters, around the rest of the room. I made it all the way around and discovered that the other window wasn't in the same position! It was about one and a half centimeters lower. At first this kind of stressed me out, but when it came time to paint I did some clever disguising and you can't even tell! :) After measuring I taped the stripe with tender love and care and went back to painting.

Painted the closet.

Used the magic roller thing to paint the stripe. 

It was a genius idea to say the least. I didn't want to use a roller and risk getting those tiny dot splatters on the yellow paint underneath, and I didn't want to use a paint brush and risk seeing the stroke marks. So, I improvised. It worked perfectly! 

2nd coat on stripe and closet.

Reverse the tape...

Paint shelf and baseboards in closet.

Take off all the tape!!!!

Annnnnndddddd.......

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

When I taped the stripe I hadn't pressed it down hard enough in some areas so there was leakage. Not as much tender love and care as I though...I was so bummed! I was excited to be done painting and now I had some major clean up to do. UGH. Good thing I'm a force to be reckoned with! The second I saw what had happened I got the yellow paint out of the garage and went back to work. It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be! Luckily they weren't big drips. Just tiny spots on the edge of the line. I used the few bristles on the edge of the paintbrush and dabbed a drop of paint on. I finished in about 45 minutes and then I was really done!! 

***Que heavenly chorus and church bells ringing***

Next step, dresser assembly.

OH MY.

No one informed me that you have to put Ikea furniture together!! 

2 days and one power drill later, the dresser was a beauty!

Move clothes and other possessions out of laundry room and into dresser.

Move clothes out of storage bins on closet shelf and into dresser.

Move "sentimental" childhood possessions into 1 drawer of the dresser.

Arrange 3 flower vases, 3 books, 2 picture frames, and a tissue box on top of dresser.

Go to Smith's for 3M Command strips

Hang up 3 picture frames and giant mirror. 

Sit on desk and stare at the wonder you have created. 

hahhahhahahhaah

I really did for probably 10 minutes! After spending hours working on my room I couldn't believe I was done! I learned so much in the process, and I was impressed it looks so professional! Now, it being May 18 at about 11:30 am, I have 3 and a half hours until I can FINALLY move out of the bat cave :) The bed delivery/assembly guys will get here at 3, do their thing, and it's home free from there! I already have all the bedding I need, It just needs to be thrown on. But before all that can happen, one last thing.

Move green desk out of room. 

I say it goes. Dad says it stays but goes to the condo. Mom says...? I'm not really sure what she says.

Guess we'll find out when she get's back from the gym.

Basically I am more than enthused to have my room again. I have been living in the "bat cave" for about a month now. I started calling it that because A) it's dark 24/7 and B) it's dead silent. I sleep in until about 10 on a daily basis which is unheard of for me! I'm generally up about 8:45-9ish...

Imma put pictures up of the whole process. Stay tuned! 

Until then...

Adios bat cave, hola dormitorio!

:D

Errands

Today my mom and I ran all over town.

Pier 1 Imports for picture frames.

Target for sheets, flower vases (They are really cups and candle holders!), a mattress pad, and a purse. 

Home Depot for outlet covers and a giant mirror.

Michael's for flowers. 

While we were at Pier 1 it was hoppin. One of the ladies there we saw at target-not such a stretch because it's just across the parking lot. Then I saw another one of the ladies while we were at Michael's having the flower arrangements made over an hour later! Small world right? 

Peeps with good taste know where the good stuff's at.

LBS

10 GREAT things about this weekend.

1. Slumberin it up with Becca and Lauren in Provo

2. Tulip festival. Nothing better than looking at pretty flowers with a pretty friend! It was Gorgeous! Oh my lanta...I would love to take bridal or engagement pictures there someday!

3. Becca's...unique...plies.

"Aaaaannddd, take it to the street! Take it to the street!"

4. It is HOT-3 times.

5. Sunshine! Sunburns! SUN SUN SUN :)

6. BYU baseball game wif ma papa.

7. Walking. We walked SO much this weekend! 2 something hours while looking at flowers, finding our way from the condo to Alpine Village, to Macy's,  back to the condo. Plus the normal walking that is necessary on a day to day basis! 

8. When a certain someone received a phone call from another certain someone. Jumping up and down. Ceaseless smiles. Holding of the stomach (I suspect butterflies). Giddy laughter. 

*spying*

aw...so precious. One day I will find someone that makes me feel that way. One day...

9. I found out that Becca's condo is directly across the street from my apartment!!! YEAH! Maybe not directly...there is one other building in the way but if you had x-ray vision it would be. But still, it would take like 30 seconds to get there-running. 

10. zip, zip, zip, bong, zip, bong, zip, aaahhhsspppaaahhhhhhhhhahahahahhahahahbhhhhaahehuhuhuhahahapshhhhhah

Translation: The evolution of Becca's laugh. 

"That's not how laughing happens, that's how barf happens!!"

Who knew a personal trainer could be your life coach as well...?

Life lessons and important facts according to Zack:

Missionaries get fat.
Some go bald.
A "Dragon Slayer"is someone who goes to dance parties and makes out with the ugliest girl they can find.
If someone offers to buy you a drink, let them.
Don't cut him in line. He needs his Red Bull, his blood sugar is low and he's grouchy...blah, blah, blah.
Some trainers are copy cats, some trainers are just plain stupid and old. Especially Janice.
*He really doesn't like her very much...
Don't get drunk, you'll probably end up pregnant in the back of someone's car.
Don't get pregnant!
Do something useful and let your dad turn your room into a man cave.
Play time is over.

Home sweet home.

From one house to another, this is what I have to deal with.

Step one: Pack

All the clothes that didn't have a suit case to go in were exiled to the empty bed. 

Desk full of random crap...

Closet full of suit cases, backpacks, purses, anything that could hold my stuff was put to use.

Step Two: Clean

Ugh. I had to clean EVERYTHING even though I had my own room!

My desk was so empty! The only things I didn't pack: Stereo-I needed it to listen to the songs for my Music 101 test, computer-also necessary to study, phone and grapefruit juice-necessary on any given day, and text books to sell back. Time to jet :)

Step three: Unpack

Since I am re-doing my room the only pieces of furniture I came home to were a desk and chair. Needless to say it made unpacking a little bit difficult.

Minus the storage bins my closet ended up looking pretty good!

As of now I have 5 lists.

"Things to do with Evan"

"Things to get done"

"Things to buy/do for room"

"Where is my stuff?"

"It's June! Don't forget it!"

Lists are just the greatest aren't they?