Lists. I happen to be the kind of person that makes lists of everything. I like them because they help me make plans.

I make lists of:

things to do

places to go

things to eat

books to read

people to call

dreams to achieve

goals to fulfill

friends to email

birthdays to recall

songs to purchase

restaurants to try

attributes to improve

chores to get done

movies to watch or re-watch

These days, most of my lists have been:

majors to consider

jobs to apply for

utility bills to pay

housing options to check out

habits to mend

classes to register

easter preparations to make

general conference talks to read

bridal showers to attend

and it goes on and on...

At the beginning of every new year the phrase, "a goal not written is merely a wish" is repeated over and over again in my home. My mom will make her rounds at night and come into my brothers room and then my room and ask us if we've written our goals down yet. When its New Years Eve and we get to the part where we share our goals, its always funny to hear my mom ask each our family members questions like, have you made a time frame for that? how will you measure your achievements? do you think thats specific enough? Most of the time we snicker at how seriously my mom takes goal making. But, her goal-making, plan-building, dream-forming obsessions have carried over! And while all these lists I make are just a small part of my planning addictions I like knowing that I have dreams and desires. Some are smaller than others, and some are pretty big and they stretch on into forever. But, i think this may be the best thing that has ever rubbed off on me from my mom.

Day Two I am Grateful for Zumba

So Becca and I have been trying to loose 10 or fifteen pounds come June 1st. One of our favorite things to do for exercise is Zumba. Last night, we went to our local RC Wiley where they had Zumba classes in their basement. The funniest part may have been that it was a Latin exercise club and we were the only non-latino college aged students there.

Day One I am Grateful for Bran Muffins

After a long day of studying, which culminated to the taking of a test that was way tough...I got the one thing that someone very thoughtful new would make my day. A Bran Muffin! Essentially, the best way to win me over is through food, next is, well, through more food. Its the perfect after-test-snack anyone could ever ask for. They are scrumptious. They have that perfect balance of sweet, crumbly, wheat and bran goodness that is oh-so-heavenly. And, unlike most bran muffins, these have a gooey honey topping that is soooooo good!

So yes. Today, I am thankful for Bran Muffins!

Back to Black

before

after

never again will i color my hair. i may have pulled that line a couple times already but I LOVE my black hair.

look at how fried it looked when it was brown!!! seriously. I don't know what it is about black hair dye, but it always gives my hair so much needed umph.

The semester is almost over and I decided that best way to end it would be with a gratitude blog challenge. I failed terribly at finishing my gratitude challenge when I tried to do it last semester and so I think now is a great time to redeem myself.

Orange Julius

Some People like Jamba. Others prefer Smoothie King. But I favor the ORANGE JULIUS.

Here are some random facts any true Orange Julius lover would know.

It all started with the creation of an orange juice drink that was less acidic and more light and frothy in 1926. The location? Los Angeles. Can you believe it an orange juice stand is what started it all!!!!

It became the official beverage in the 1964 World's fair.

44 of the 50 US states have OJ enterprises. I think it will be mandatory for me to live in a state where there are ample OJs.

Nicole's favorite OJ drink is Pina Colada.

I want one so BAD!!!! There's just nothing quite like the perfect medley of fruit, milk, ice, vanilla and oh-so-creamy-and-light-froth that you get when you sip on a OJ. Divine!

Dinner Group

Every night, at 6:30 a group of friends and I get together to have dinner. We rotate cooking responsibilities every night. Friday's is my night and this is what came of it....

How I wish we had another oven!

Happy Eating!

One of those days

This day started so great. Then i went to my anatomy class and as I heard my professor talking about the closed lecture quiz-- my heart sank. I forgot to take it! I sincerely, genuinely, honestly just, forgot. I don't know what this is going to do to my grade. I left my class early because i felt nauseous being surrounded by students who didn't forget to take the exam.

Ahh...Perspective Nicole! Perspective! This is so small (is it really though...???) compared to everything else thats going on and approaching. PERSPECTIVE.

I hadn't been on my computer since yesterday afternoon really and when i opened it when I got home a youtube video a friend had showed was still up. I watched it again, and it pretty much fixed my mood. I have NO idea whats going to happen. If I have to take the class all over again, I am sure there is a reason for it and all will work out.

On a brighter note, I got an obscure email saying my BYU ID was turned in....The one I lost in my wallet a month ago!! Thats right, my wallet was turned in! It turns out it was found in Forever 21. So yes, it is still a happy day and even though i forced the thumbs up, I am not gonna let this get to me!

Oh...and my comic relief for the day....I totally walked into the door at the breakroom at work today and then into the wall at the bookstore while being mesmerized by the Easter display :)