Slacking

For the record, I should be doing homework right now. But I can't get myself to function. I figure if I can get writing, then transitioning into essay mode should be easier.
This week has been insane. Pretty much, I can't wait for Thanksgiving break. It's gonna be pro.
Today was the first day that I went to my new ward. It was pretty good. They have an interesting set up in the institute building. It was pretty cool to sit at a desk during Sunday School and Relief Society.
I made some goals for this week. Hopefully it helps me. Next week I have a crazy week, and I'm not so excited for it. I have exams on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. I'm hoping the goals I've made for this week will help me with studying and preparing for next week.
Time Change: some love it, some hate it. How do you feel about it? Personally, I don't really care. It's something that happens every year, and worrying about it isn't gonna change anything. I ended up getting 10 1/2 hours of sleep last night, which was wonderful. And if the time hadn't changed, I would have missed Sacrament meeting. :D Yay me.
Halloween was fun. I dressed up as a witch, and it was way cool. Probably my favorite costume I've ever had. And I can use it again! Sweetness.
Alright, I should stop procrastinating and get some work done. Homework time.
Ready. Set. Go!
*corky*

Crash Course

Today's Top Five (so far..)
1. My US Institutions class was cancelled.
2. Katie and Molly chilled with me for a bit.
3. My Halloween costume is gonna rock.
4. I had waffles for breakfast.
5. I watched House last night. :) The happiness carried over.

I was gonna do ten, but the day is only half over, so I have plenty of time to find the next five. :)
This weekend was really interesting. I always love going home, cuz my familia pretty much rocks my socks. But home is just weird. It's different. It's not really home anymore. My dorm room definitely isn't home either. I'm kind of a floater, I guess. And that's ok. It just gets awkward sometimes.
Dallin and Dave came home with Katie, Molly, and me. They had never carved pumpkins before!! So I gave them a crash course in one of my favorite Halloween activities. Too bad they're both way better at it than I am. And I've had 18 years of practice. ;) It just shows that my artistic abilities are totally lacking.
I'm kind of excited for this week to be over. It's just a nasty week. And cleaning checks... Seriously, what's up with that?! I promise, I haven't trashed my dorm in the few weeks that I've lived here. Oh well, it's gonna happen. There's no point in complaining, cuz it won't make it go away.
US Institutions was cancelled today, and that's totally cool. That class gets really boring, and it's totally abstract assignment wise. We're never quite sure what she's expecting from us, which makes studying really hard. We learn some really cool stuff, and I've met some really cool people through that class, so it's worth it. It's just hard to plan for.
Taylor's farewell was yesterday. I have an odd relationship with him. I've known him for 11 years now, and while we've never been particularly close, I've always had a special place for Taylor. I definitely gained a new respect for him when we went on Trek. He's a good guy, and I'm excited for him to go on his mission and I'm excited to see how he'll change while he's gone. But I really am going to miss him. He's awesome, and we've had fun times together. I wish him the best. I know if he puts his heart into it, he'll be an amazing missionary.
Alright. Life is life, ya know? And it's mostly good. :) Things are looking up. This week is going to be interesting in many ways. I'll let you know how it goes. :D
*corky*

New

Ok. Wow, I haven't done this in a long time.
Life is so crazy, I don't even know where to start. Basically, I'm starting this back up because Jaron convinced me. :) Because Jaron is just cool like that.
Some of my old posts are really embarrassing... Wow...
When I'm writing like this, I realize how scatterbrained I am. I guess I should just go from the beginning.
I am now a freshman in college at the oh-so-wonderful Utah State University. And I'm absolutely loving it, for the most part. I love being in Logan, and I love being at Utah State. I've dreamed of being here my entire life, and I wouldn't want to go anywhere else.
But, of course, there's been a lot of change. I miss some things about high school. (I never thought I would say that...) I miss knowing that when I walk into the school in the morning, my friends will be sitting at our spot in front of the madrigal lockers. These days, I don't have many friends. Or at least not ones that I get to hang out with as often as I would like to. I miss how easy things were in high school. I had things figured out, I knew what I was doing. At this point in my life, I feel like I'm making things up as I go along.
But I know those things will soon correct themselves. College will just take some getting used to. I love a lot of things about being in college. I love the freedom. I love being able to leave at anytime of the day or night. It's not like I stay out all night partying (most nights ;) ), but I have the option to. And that rocks! I love the new friends that I'm making. It's just a great experience, and I know that over time, I'll love every aspect of it. :)
But I guess that's the update for today. Hopefully I'll remember to post more often.... Maybe Jaron should keep reminding me! Have a wonderful night, everyone!
*corky*

Momentarily Back From The Dead

It's a strange thing to realize that you're leaving people that you've loved behind. It's even stranger to realize that you're ok with it. Life is made up of beginnings and endings, and where something ends, something else surely begins. Life is not meant to be stagnant. It is in human nature to grow, to develop, to progress. Maybe life isn't always what you expect it to be. Sometimes it hurts. Sometimes it stinks. But, believe it or not, there is a reason for everything. Life is not supposed to be lived in slow motion. Rather, it's fast-paced and impossible to escape. And sometimes that means living with regrets. I know that I've done things that I've regretted doing. For that matter, I've not done things that I've regretted not doing. But part of life is taking those regrets and learning from them, living with them, and doing better next time. I've changed a lot in the past few years. And while others may not like the changes that I've made, I do. I try my hardest to be the kind of person that I know I should be. All that I ask of myself is that I be the best me that I can be. I'm happy with the life I'm living. I'm excited for my future. I know great things are coming.

Utah is Bipolar.

What the crap!! I'm so sick of snow. I think I'll move to Mexico. That's right, back to the home country. ;)

*corky*

10 Good Things

Jaron challenged everyone to make a list of 10 things they like. So here it goes:
1. warm weather
2. laughing until I hurt
3. dates with friends
4. water
5. showers in the dark (seriously, you have to try it...)
6. t-shirts and flip flops
7. brushing my teeth
8. sitting with friends
9. manicures and pedicures (I know, I'm a girl. :))
10. walking in the sand

So there's 10 things I love. I have a lot more. I might even go for 100 sometime, cuz that would be cool.

I love warm weather. Seriously, it's the best thing in the world. Hawaii has the perfect weather. It's a little big humid, but not overly humid. Waay better than Utah. During the summer, the hottest it gets is about 85. During the winter, the coldest it gets is about 70. And there's always a breeze coming in from the ocean. Sounds nice, huh? I love that I have a tan in February. It's the best.

I'm not gonna lie, I'm excited to come home, tho. I miss everyone, and I'm excited to get back to my life.

Ok, exciting news!! I got my scholarship!!! I got a letter from USU Admissions on Tuesday informing me that I met the requirements for the USU Presidential Scholarship, which is 4 years full tuition and fees. :D :D :D :D You have no idea how excited that makes me. It's absolutely incredible. I didn't think I would qualify, because of my ACT score. But hey, I'm not gonna argue! I am so set. :D

Well, that's all for now. I've got homework to go and procrastinate. ;) Adios, Amigos.
*corky*

"Courtney's hair is shorter than Nick's!"

I chopped 11 inches off. What do you think? I actually really like it. :) Sarah and I are crazy, what can I say? The title for this post comes from Thatcher's first reaction. :) It amused me, I'm not gonna lie. We took a ton more pictures, but I really don't feel like posting the rest. Waay too many. Plus you'd get bored. Anyways, that's all for now. ;)

mwah.
*corky*

Update-eriffic

Alright, here's what's goin' down:

1) New Job: I have 2 jobs now. I still stuff envelopes, but I also work at a daycare. It's pretty fun, I've only worked 3 days, so anything could happen. It's not amazing pay, but better than nothing. And most of the kids are really cute. I work Monday through Friday, 2-6. No weekends, and most of my evenings are free. So that's nice.

2) Half Days of School: Since I had most of my credits taken care of, I got home release for a bunch of classes. So I have 2 classes each day, plus seminary (if i feel like it. ;) just kidding). I get home at about 10:40, unless I go to seminary. Then I get home at 12. It's nice. I like it. :D

3) Chocolate. I eat too much of it.

4) Housing for College: I now have an apartment for next year! It's great, I'm so excited. I'm rooming with Sarah... even better!!

And that's about it... my life is grand. But time is passing slowly, I'm not gonna lie... Next year should come. :D

Love ya!
*corky*

Scholarship Blah

I hate applying for scholarships. No really, it sucks. I mean... How am I supposed to write 500 words on why I deserve a scholarship? I mean, seriously, when I think about it... I probably don't deserve this scholarship. I haven't worked harder than anyone else. I haven't done something great. I haven't done anything, really. But I want this scholarship. Who wouldn't? It's free college. I want Utah State more than almost anything. And having a scholarship would make it all the sweeter. Not only would a scholarship help my current family, but it would help my future family. I mean, money is one of the main things that families fight about, especially newlyweds. How great would it be to not have to worry about paying student debt? I want this scholarship, I really do. But how am I supposed to write 500 words on why I deserve a scholarship that I really don't deserve?
There's tonight's rant.
*corky*

Random Thoughts

I wish I was creative. I really do. I know so many creative people, and I'm jealous.

I'm eating a coffee flavored sucker. I'm not sure if I like it or not, but I'm eating. So hey.

Chocolate is good. I had a chocolate fest on Friday, and it was way awesome. It was one of those days where you don't realize how much you need chocolate until you eat some, and then you think "Holy crap, why didn't I eat this earlier?!" Chocolate is just.... happy.

I never thought getting mail could make me so happy, but lately it's what I look forward to the most.

My room is a mess... I should clean it.

This post has no point whatsoever. Sweet.

Don't you love it when little things make you smile? Like... you find something in your room that you had forgotten about, and it brings back the sweetest memories. And you just have to smile. Even if you're not having a happy day, you smile cuz you remember happier moments.

Well, I really should be focusing on other things. Blasted computer...

peace out.
*corky*

No Regrets--Finished. New Rhythm--Just Getting Started.

Yesterday I got my acceptance letter to USU. I'm not trying to sound cocky when I say that I wasn't worried about being accepted. USU pretty much accepts anyone who can read and write their own name. It's not hard to get in. But... this is something I've been dreaming about since... I could dream, pretty much. This is something that I've wanted for my whole life, and now it's happening. And I am so, so excited! And a little scared. Getting this letter means I'm actually going. In about 8 months, I'll be off to college. I'll move away from home, and start making it on my own. It also means that I really, really need that scholarship. I'm taking the ACT (again) on the 3rd of January, and now it's time to study my brains out. I'm going to be the very best I can be, and hopefully that's enough. If it's not... well, I'll deal with that when I get to it.

Also, Scott is now on his mission. It's somewhat strange for me, because for the past month and a half I've at least talked to him every day. So it's really strange to me that I haven't spoken to him in 4 days. I know, I know. Big deal, right? Well for me it is a big deal. He is doing something really, really amazing. And I am so proud of him. These next two years will be amazing.

The past little while I've been hanging out with Sarah, Jamie, Mary, and Katie. It's really strange for me to be hanging out with girls, I'm not gonna lie. I've never really got along with girls very well, as Nathan can attest. ;) Mostly I hang out with guys. But it's really fun to be able to talk about girl things and to giggle and scream and not get weird looks. Or not notice the weird looks, anyway. I don't know how I got these great friends, but I really do love them. They're wonderful.

Well, tomorrow is Christmas Eve. I can't believe it; 2007 is almost over!

Oh, Nathan was talking about my song. I wrote a song. Jaron and Rachel put music to it. It's super cheesy, but when you hear the music, it's much better. Nick rolled his eyes when he read it. But hey, I like it. I don't know if I really want to post the lyrics up here, but if you want to read them, let me know and I'll see what I can do. ;)

Anyway, that's all for today. Hopefully I'll post again before 2008, cuz I've got some good ideas. Merry Christmas, everyone.
*corky*

Crystal Ball

It's official. I applied to Utah State last night. I sent my transcript to them today. The future is officially here, and I'm ready for it! I even started looking at majors last night, and I have two that I'm really thinking about. The first one is in physical education with a physical therapy emphasis. That means I would be about one step away from a gym teacher. Freaky, huh? The second one is in deaf education. How cool would that be?! I love sign language. I'm always learning random signs and figuring out how to incorporate them into my daily life. I think it would be awesome!! The funny thing is, I never even considered a career in education. I never wanted to be a teacher, or anything like that. But look at me now. I think deaf education would be amazing, and physical therapy... well, I've already said that I'll basically be a gym teacher in a hospital. But... I'm so excited!! Really, things are happening quickly. But I am so ready for them. I'm excited for graduation, I'm excited for my future, I'm excited for the changes that are going on in my life right now.

I'm retaking the ACT for the third (and final) time on January 3. If you are going to Utah State, you can take the ACT on campus and get your results the same day. I'm so close to my scholarship, I can taste it. And this time, I am not going in unprepared. I bought a Sparknotes study guide yesterday, and I am taking this test head on. College will be so much easier if I don't have to worry about paying for it. The study guide has good tips, and even though this will be my third time through the test, I think I'm learning for it. I'm going to get that 31. This is it!

When I go up to USU to take the ACT, my dad is taking a day off of work and my parents are coming with me. We're taking a campus tour, and I think we're even meeting with an academic advisor. My mom is going to introduce me to some of the people she knows that work at the University. We're also going to check out the housing. I am so ready for this. My mom keeps teasing me, saying I'm a squirrel because every time someone gives me something that I'm taking to college with me, I run upstairs and put it into my college box. Mostly I just have kitchen stuff, like pots and pans. Before I move up to Logan, we're even going to buy a little rice cooker.

I just feel... ready for this. Excited. Mature. I can't wait to have my "own" apartment. As weird as it sounds, I'm kind of excited to be poor. :D I want to have to buy my own food, pay for my own house, and depend mostly on myself. I'm looking forward to the independence. I'll be able to do what I want to, when I want to. I guess it kind of sounds bad when I put it that way. It's not like I'm going to stay up until 3 every night and do all sorts of crazy stuff, but I like having the option to do that if I want to. :D Does that even make sense? Who knows, I'm insane!

Life is so amazingly good right now. I am super, super excited for all that lies ahead. I am so excited for all that I have right now. The future is here, boys and girls. And I am oh so ready. :D
your soon to be college girl,
*corky*

Whatever Life

My life is NO whatever life, that's for sure. I love life. I really do. Things are going so well. I'm incredibly, incredibly happy. I don't think I've ever imagined being so happy. School is going well. I'm excited for the future. More so than I've ever been before. I have amazing friends. I'm doing things I've never even thought about doing, and I'm enjoying doing them. Isn't that what life is all about? :D I believe so.

Through all of this... things are moving so fast! And there are people that I haven't seen in awhile that I would love to talk to again. There are people that I want to spend time with. I'm resolving right now to email/call/visit them. :D I will do this. It can only make me happier than I already am.

Anyway, I really don't have much to say. Isn't it funny? I say that my life is insanely busy, but I don't have much to say about it. :D I guess that's just the way things go. Well, I better run. ;) Talk to you all soon!
Mucho Amor
*corky*

Long Time, No Blog

Hello, world. Actually, I won't be surprised if no one really reads this. It would serve me right for not blogging for so long. So much has happened lately. I'm not sure if the world around me is changing, or if I'm changing. Or maybe nothing's changed. Who knows.

School is insanely busy. I'm in the musical this year, as well as concert choir. As a musical cast we've been preparing for the musical lately (duh), and as a choir we've been preparing for our veterans day concert. There have been days that I've had musical rehearsals start at 2:30 and go until at 5:30 and choir rehearsals start at 5:30 and go until 9. Needless to say, it's quite exhausting. But I know it's all going to be worth it. The end products will be amazing, and I will carry these memories with me forever.

Last year when we registered for this years classes, I would have sworn to you that I had picked easy ones. Now I'm not so sure. Things are definitely a lot more difficult than I had planned on them being, but with that said, I wouldn't trade it. My classes are fun, and I'm learning things. Not just academic things, but things that I'll carry with me throughout my life. Things that I'll use after graduation.

Work... another challenge. Those of you who know what I do know that what I do is easy, and works well with scheduling. The only problem has been trying to find that time to work at all. I've had to greatly reduce my hours, which has greatly reduced my paycheck. I thought junior year was expensive, but senior year is definitely leaving a hole in my pockets... The smaller paycheck is not helping. But hey, the musical is almost over and then I can get back to my regular number of hours, maybe even more. That would be exciting. :D

Things are happening so quickly lately. It's hard to explain. I have one friend married, and one friend who leaves on his mission in December. A very, very dear friend who is leaving in December. I am so excited for him. Only good things can come of him leaving. But at the same time, I'm going to miss him desperately. But we've worked things out... I'll write to him while he's gone, and when he comes home he's coming up to Utah State with me. Wow, 2 years, tho. It seems like forever!

Do you realize that in August I'll be moving? I'll be away from home, in a place that I've known since my childhood, yet it's a place that is new and exciting. I'll be accountable for me. No more running to mommy and daddy when things get rough. It's up to me to be the good girl, it's up to me to be strong. I'm excited. I can do this. :D

This is my 100th post. It's taken me over a year to get here, and that's ok. I still love my blog, even if I don't get to add to it very often. It's a fun place for me to come to. It's a fun place to remember and a fun way to look back on all that I've been lucky enough to experience.

Maybe I have changed. I don't know, it's hard for me to tell. I just see the me that's here in the present. It's hard to remember the me in the past, and it's strange to imagine the me in the future. :D Am I making any sense? Probably not. It's a good thing this blog is for me then, right?

Anyway, I've got to run. I have the ACT tomorrow, and my dad should be home from Vegas very very soon. :) Much love to everyone, hopefully I'll get to talk to you all soon.
*corky*

Cool Stuff

Hey everyone! Long time no see. Things have been incredibly busy. I usually end up getting to school at about 7. But I don't end up getting hom until 5. That's 10 hours at school... plus homework and work and church. So it's a busy busy corky. Kim and Alan have got me involved in drama... and I have to say, I'm having a ball. I'm absolutely loving it. Each day is more fun and adventerous than the next.
Creative writing is also a ton of fun. Writing comes easier and easier each day. I love it. :D

Actually, here's something that I wrote in creative writing. Let me know what you think of it!

Bring back a memory
A dream, a wish
Bring back a hope
Or a childhood kiss
Bring back a moment
From a time far away
Bring back the music
From a distant day
Bring back a feeling
To enrich the soul
Bring back a story
We already know
Bring back a thought
So fond and so deep
Bring back a dream
From a sleepless sleep
Bring back a want
A need, a desire
Bring back a passion
Burning bright as a fire
Bring back a love
Beautiful and sure
Bring back a home
Warm, cozy, secure
Bring back a life
Too precious to lose
Bring back a something,
Whatever you choose.


I also got headshots taken at school... I'm not sure how they look. :D Let me know what you think! I love hearing people's opinions. Comment lots and lots!!!




Annnyway, there's my update. ;) Comment. I like comments.
*corky*

Walk Tall

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Isaiah 41:10

This has become one of my favorite scriptures. So much so that I carry it with me everywhere I go: in my wallet, in a note written to me by one of my best friends in a time of frustration and need. This is my testimony: He lives. He loves me, He loves you. And He is never far away.

Walk Tall

1. Right now I have a prayer deep within my heart,
A prayer for each of you there is a special part.
That you remember who you are and He who lives above.
Please seek for Him and live His way; you’ll feel His love.


Chorus:
Walk tall, you’re a daughter, a child of God.
Be strong—please remember who you are.
Try to understand, You’re part of His great plan.
He’s closer than you know—reach up, He’ll take your hand.


2. Long before the time you can remember,
Our Father held you in His arms so tender.
Those loving arms released you as He sent you down to earth.
He said, “My child, I love you. Don’t forget your great worth.”

Chorus

3. This life on earth we knew would not be easy.
At times we lose our way—His plan we may not see.
But please remember always—please—that you are not alone.
He’ll take your hand. He loves you! He will guide you home.

It's true. I know it is. I know it with all of my heart. He's always there. All we have to do is reach for Him.
I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

*corky*

Whew.

Holy Busy Week, Batman!!

Goodness gracious, can you say crazy? Cuz that's what my week has been. It's finally Saturday, and I've still got a busy busy day ahead of me, if everything works out right. I have to try on a dress for Stephanie, and Scott's randomly decided that he wants to go paintballing, so we'll see what happens! Plus I still have a box and a half to finish for work, I'm thinking I'll finish those Monday.

I swear, school is eating my paycheck. So many fees...

Football game last night. We lost, but it was seriously a good game. The Warriors definitely put up a good fight! I'm proud of our team. After the game, James, Dakota, and I went to Leatherbyes and got some yummy ice cream treats. It was HUMONGOUS!!! We shared it, and by the time we finished we were all thuroughly sick of ice cream. But it was still yummy. :D

*sigh* I haven't been on the computer much at all lately, I suppose that's what school is. Less time to waste, more time to work, right? Speaking of work... I have to clean my room before Steph gets here!

Much love!
*corky*

Wacky

Hey kiddies, guess what! I've been blogging for over a year and didn't even realize it... weird. Yeah, so you guys have had to listen to me for awhile now...

I apologize. ;)

But not really. So yeah. There ya go. This post is Nathan's fault. So there.
*corky*

As Promised...

Awesome Waves!!!

Beautiful Beach

At a Buddhist Temple

Sisters at a Luau

The Ocean on a rainy day

The Kona Temple

Pretty picture of the Island...

Beach Picture

I LOVE the ocean!

Best Shave Ice EVER!!!

More Ocean Views...

Aloha!

Hello Everyone. It's been awhile. Things have been CRAZY!!! And I've been loving every second of it completely. :D :D Anyway, I can't really think of too much to say right now, mostly I just wanted to say hi! ;) But I better run. The beach is calling my name...
*corky*

PS: there might be a picture later... I'm not 100% sure, but it's a possibility.