Merry CHRISTmas!

Christmas in my family is not a HUGE thing.  But, this year was different.  

We haven't put up our Christmas Tree in about 6 years.. I think my brother and I got lazy during high school & we never really gave gifts so we felt that there would be no point for a Christmas tree.  When I came home from Provo, our Christmas tree was up & we had Christmas lights! It felt like a Christmas miracle! I have a feeling that my stepsister who lives in Vegas wants my family to be more "Americanized."  We even did Secret Santa.  WEIRD. 

The truth is.. I wish my family REALLY knew why Christmas is celebrated.  My mom is Atheist & my step-dad is somewhat Buddhist? I'm the only 'Christian' member in my family.  It's hard to come back to Vegas and live a material lifestyle.  Provo --> Vegas = BIG culture shock for me whenever I come home.  

Today, when I got on social media, I quickly passed through the pictures of what people received for Christmas.  But, when a picture of a missionary Skyping their family showed up in my news feed, I literally 'liked' it because that's what Christmas is about! Christmas is about being with the ones you love the most and thinking about Christ, our Savior.  I have spent a lot of time with my new baby brother since I've been in town & his birthday is close to Christmas, so whenever I looked at his beautiful face, I sometimes think of Jesus. I love my family so much & I truly wish they could know the true meaning of CHRISTmas.  

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night! 

Xoxo,

Liz

Tender Mercies.

I think as human beings we always think negatively.  As in "I wish this could've happened" or "I hate that I'm so ____." But I think we need to stop and realize the positive things that are happening in our lives.

Lately, I've just been so consumed in negative situations that are happening in my life that I look over all of the wonderful things that have happened to me the past few weeks.  So I think it's a tender mercy to actually realize my potential and who I am capable of becoming.

1. I got offered a paid position in the Adlab.  (All of those Adlab projects are volunteer & now I get to do something i LOVE.  Honestly, There was a reason why I quit Wells Fargo because a) I was NOT happy and 2) It's so I can focus more on advertising and furthering my career.

2. I got accepted into the New York Internship Program!!!! I love life! It would be with Y&R and I am soooo excited to live in New York City. I'll be leaving at the end of April!

3. My baby brother is finally born! He has been overdue for the past week and a half.  I am already in love with him and I can not wait to see all of my family for winter break!

So these 'tender mercies' are pretty big.. But, thinking about them gives me faith that it will all work out.  We all need to just stop and think about all of the good that's happening in our lives and NOT the bad. Seriously, It'll make you feel a LOT better.

XOXO,
Liz

Post Workout Yumminess.

Hello whoever is reading this,

For those of you that don't know me.. I love fitness & nutrition.  I have this yummy recipe I found on Pinterest that I've been drinking for every workout literally for the past 3 weeks.

We'll call this the flat-belly smoothie:

Recipe:

• 3 oz. Vanilla non-fat Greek Yogurt
• 1 tablespoon almond butter (if you don't have almond butter, a handful of almonds will work)
• 1/2 cup of Frozen blueberries
• 1/2 cup of Frozen pineapples (it gets pretty pricey with frozen fruit, so I just buy canned pineapple chunks & freeze them)
• 1 cup Kale or more if you'd like
• 3/4 cup water

Kale is the largest high-protein vegetable out there.  1 cup of Kale is 67 grams of protein!! This is a great post- workout smoothie & is sooooo tasty.  You can't even taste the Kale.  Follow my blog to read about more fitness & nutrition tips in the future. :) 

xoxo

Liz

I am a walking expiration date.

OKAY. Let's face it.  I'm graduating in 5 months.  It's scary but exciting as hell at the same time.  Excuse me for my language.  I feel like a walking expiration date.

Provo Stereotype:

"Oh you're graduating and you're not married yet?"
"Don't move to NYC, you're not going to find anyone there!"
"If you don't meet someone in Provo, it's going to be really hard once you leave..."
"I don't want to be selfish and date this girl/guy and make them wait for me until I'm done with school."

SHUT UP EVERYONE.

I don't know where I'll be once I graduate, but I know i'll be doing SOMETHING. I just recently quit my job at Wells Fargo because I was unhappy & I felt like I wasn't going anywhere with that job.  Lately, I've been saying goodbye to things that get in my way of making me my best self.  I want to do advertising & I was stuck at a bank doing deposits for old people. Don't get me wrong, I love Provo.  That's why I'm so scared to leave.  Who knows, what if I want to work in SLC? I DON'T KNOW what i'm doing, that's the problem.

I've been talking to a lot of other girls and even guys who are debating about leaving Provo because they haven't found "The One" yet.  We can't let this Provo stereotype stop us from doing what we love.  You want to travel the world?  Move to a big city?  Move back home?  Do what's best for YOU.  Live your life in the present.  We are always worrying about the future, but I know that if you're doing the right thing everything will work out.  It's probably easier said than done, but just have faith.  EVERYTHING WILL WORK OUT.

xoxo,
Liz

Thanksgiving. Every day.

It is officially Thanksgiving as I lay in this HUGE bed at a friend's house in Centerville, Utah. So the last time I updated my blog was on May 15th... Ooops.

One of my goals this week was to start up my blog again. So here I go:

What I'm thankful for - not just today, but every day of my life.

1. I'm thankful for families. Even though I've seen my family only twice this entire year, I look up to every single one of them. Lately, I've been thinking how my family is growing.  My brother Mark is ENGAGED. CRAZY. My cousin & his wife just had a baby girl last week in China.  My DAD & my step-mom are about to have their baby boy next week.  I'm going to be an older sister. WTF?! Honestly, nothing exciting happens in my family.  But all of this is sooooo exciting!

2. I'm thankful for friends. My friends, whether in Las Vegas or Provo, are my ROCK. My friends have helped me through a lot of ups and downs.  I've been blessed all throughout my life with groups of friends that I care about.  Yes, I call a lot of people my 'best friends' but seriously, I can literally call a lot of them my best friends.

3. I'm thankful for the Gospel.  Through all of my ups and downs in my life, the Gospel and the Church have made me the happiest girl. I know that having the Church as a foundation in my life has helped me out when I needed comfort.

4. I'm thankful for BYU. I go to an AMAZING university with top notch students all around me. I love my major. I love my professors. I love EVERYTHING about BYU. I'm thankful that BYU gave me the opportunity to have my ideal college life and to help me move out of Vegas.

5. I'm thankful for my apartment.  I was talking to my roommates about this one while sitting in my living room.  I live at The Village @ South Campus in Provo, Utah and it is seriously one of the nicest apartment complexes in all of Provo.  I think we take things for granted especially the places we live in.  I'm thankful that I have a roof over my head during those cold winter nights & hot summer days.

6. I'm thankful for my health. I'm thankful that I can be able to go on a run or go to the gym to maintain my health.

7. I'm thankful for life.  Right now, life is crazy! But so exciting! I don't know where the HELL I'm going after I graduate, but I know for a fact that I'm going somewhere in my life.

Remember that Thanksgiving is not just one day of the year, it's every single day of your life.  Be thankful for not only the big things but all of the little things.  Say thank you to family members or friends you rarely thank.  Just be grateful for everything you have, because you never know when it can be taken away from you. Thanks for reading this & welcome back to my blog!

P.S. What are you thankful for?

xoxo,
Liz

It's 2:48AM.... LATE NIGHT POST

I met this random guy on a balcony over looking all of the Las Vegas Strip... He was married, had 2 kids, and we started chit chatting. I think he was drunk but he told me... "The BEST relationships start off as friendships." & then walked away. 

Xoxo,

Liz

I'm TRYING to keep up...

So, it's been about a month since my last post.  I honestly don't know why I blog. It's hard to keep up. But, hey at least I try? Right now.. I just feel anxious and antsy about something.  I don't know what that is... I'm just EXCITED FOR LIFE?! Anyways... currently, I'm unemployed. I quit both my jobs- Wells Fargo & Vans.  Not because I found a better job or I hate working at those places.. it's because I'm going on a study abroad in 10 DAYS.  & I'm pretty freakin' stoked about it. Since i've been unemployed... I have NOTHING to do.  Except to go to California with my best friends & spend time with my family and friends in Las Vegas. So if you care to keep reading... here's a little overview of the past 2 weeks of an unemployed college girl.

I decided to drive to Vegas a couple days early to get my car fixed because my AC and speedometer broke.  My best friend Stormy Moniz and her boyfriend Mario hooked us up at the Marquee Day club & Night club... you all are wondering.. how did I get in to a 21+ club? Maybe, it is a plus that all Asians look the same ;)

CALIFORNIA DAY 1: Picked up Haleigh, Devin & Lauren from the airport and spent a little day trip at the Santa Monica Pier & the beach. Haleigh and I got a little excited about our little photo shoots :)

CA Playlist of the week: 

• Gone Gone Gone By: Phillip Phillips
• Youngblood By: 3Oh!3
• Come on Eileen By: Dexy's Midnight Runners
• White Walls By: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis 

CALIFORNIA DAY 2: Thanks Laguna Beach on MTV for being our inspiration for the day. Well... we obviously spent our day at Laguna Beach :) I picked up my best friend Andrea Merrell from Murrieta, CA & from there- WE HAD A BLAST. Then, Kari, Myunghee & Brian joined us for today's festivities.  BUT WAIT? WHAT ABOUT CALIFORNIA CLINGER & HIS 33 YEAR OLD FRIEND? hahaha if you're still reading... ask Haleigh Hoffmanner about it ;) 

 CALIFORNIA DAY 3: We left the OC & drove up north to Ventura area, where we had the chance to stay with Kyle Bergsma and his wonderful family.  Seriously, I want to be parents like his cuz they are so cool. We saw up close a wildfire happening in Kyle's home area & went to Zuma Beach and dug up sand crabs! We didn't stay long because KYLE GOT HIS MISSION CALL!!! HE'S GOING TO MONTEREY MEXICO EAST IN AUGUST. To celebrate, Kyle's parents took us to Macaroni Grill & I got to drive a Vintage convertible FIAT. It was awesome.  We ended the night @ Oxnard Beach, helping Andrea check off one of the things on her bucket list, have a bonfire at the beach :)

CALIFORNIA DAY 4: May 4th, 2013.... Me & some other people have been waiting for this day... KENZIE AND BLAKE'S WEDDING! This day was full of the LA temple & Kenzie's reception.  & let me just tell you something... Kenzie looked stunning & she was literally perfect. The weather was sunny & being at the temple when they came out just reminded me that.. yes, I want to be married so bad to my future husband.. but also to be sealed for time & ETERNITY with my best friend.  The church is TRUE everyone. 

Okay, now if you're still reading this... I commend you.  Probably the next post you'll see is my first adventure on my study abroad.  I'll make sure I keep you guys posted :)

Xoxo,

Liz

Late night blogging.

A lot has happened in the past few weeks. Some bad. some good. Pretty much a mix of both.

1. My best friend Kristine Wait left for the MTC today! She's going to the Adriatic South Mission- which is Albania, Macedonia, Kosovo, & Montenegro. Okay. She's pretty cool. I'm going to miss her so much though. She's going to be an amazing missionary.

2. I won 2 pretty cool things in the past month:

• A Men's Tungsten Wedding Band
• Free plane ticket to Belize

3. I went to General Conference with my best friends

4. I got to spend Easter Weekend with my beautiful mom

5. I made a cool friend & we share the same love for Provo Bakery. Shout out to Kyle Bergsma!

& now to the bad stuff......

HA! yeah right. I can't let those things bring me down. What is this? I am NOT a negative blogger. #idonthavetimeforthat

Okay, have a good night everyone. 

xoxo,

Liz

The Light at the End of the Tunnel

Graduation date: April 2014

So, I met with my Advisement counselor yesterday & I can finally say that "I see the light at the end of the tunnel!"  The last time I met with Rosemary was last year was when I first got into the Advertising program.  I feel like somehow everything is finally falling into place.  I decided to get a minor in business management!  So I only have 2 semesters of school left & an internship.  Don't forget that I'm also going to travel the world Spring 2013 :)

I really really hope I can get an internship this Summer, but if not I'm just going to keep working in the BYU Adlab. & if I have to I'm going to postpone my graduation date till June 2014 and apply for the New York Internship for Spring 2014!! &  With Spring/Summer approaching, I have to make decisions on when I'm going to quit all of my jobs, where I want to live, and how I'm going to spend my SUMMER BREAK! One thing I told Rosemary yesterday was that I'm really not in a rush to get out of college but I do not want to be a super super senior.

Anyways.. I honestly don't know where I'm going with this... but I'm just excited for the future!!

xoxo,
Liz

Find Joy in the Ordinary.

What if everyone noticed the little every day things in life? What if you missed that opportunity to talk to that one boy or girl?  Lots of people in the church always say: "Stop & smell the roses" or "Enjoy the journey." Are you ready for some rambling? 

So, I work at Wells Fargo and sometimes the customers can get really needy and there's just days where I don't want to be there.  A customer who usually comes in, I see her about 3-4 times a month, her name is Mele.  Don't know her last name but she's from Samoa.  I started to get in a conversation with her saying that my good friend Jacob is on a mission in Tonga.  So basically some small chat & the the next time I saw her, I told her that the same friend just got back from his mission. So we started talking about missionaries and she told me about a missionary in her ward right now and he's a convert & his whole family disowned him.  (So I'm talking to her about this in a low voice, while trying to do her transactions) She then started tearing up and told me that her whole ward raised enough money for his entire mission.  Mele started tearing up & told me that THE CHURCH IS TRUE! & after hearing her story, I kinda looked back on my life and that I am soooo thankful for my family and how they are so supportive of me in whatever I do. Mele told me this story in the bank while there were other customers but she didn't care who heard her.  I don't know why she told me this whole story, but I'm glad that I stopped and listened.  I'm glad that I didn't just do her transaction fast so she could get out of the way.  

We need to learn to "enjoy the journey" & even though times get tough, there's always a light at the end of the tunnel.  I went to a dessert party tonight & I ran into a friend & we were talking about how you just sometimes have to get over what you're going through. & even though it's tough and it happens to the best of us (break ups especially) you just have to slap yourself & tell yourself that things will get better.  I honestly don't know the point of this post but this has been on my mind lately. 

Xoxo,

Liz

Live forward in the BEST way you can. Hello 2013!

New Year's Resolutions:

1. Don't go out to eat EXCEPT for: 

• 1 new restaurant a month
• A Date
• Birthdays

2. Always take the stairs.. So, My apartment complex has an elevator, but I live on the third floor.  My goal is to never take the elevator there & on campus as well. Gotta burn those extra calories!

3. Drink more water

4. Score an internship

5. Attend ADweek in NYC

6. Skydive

7. NO SODA.

8.  Talk to everyone I meet, because someone always has a story to offer.

This is a really good Mormon Message I came across from about New Year's. Watch this if you'd like, i thought it was pretty funny but also very touching with the message the church is trying to convey. 

xoxo,
Liz

Blast from the Past- 2012

Yes, It's almost February... BUT, I still haven't written my New Year's resolutions down and I seriously need to or else I won't resolve anything for 2013. But before, I start.. Here's a blast from the past. AKA. 2012:

January 2012- 

I got this babe of a roommate! hahaha love you Andrea Merrell!

Paint Fight! 

February 2012-

Lady Antebellum Concert on Valentine's Day with my girlsssss

I GOT INTO BYU'S ADVERTISING PROGRAM.

March 2012- 

Rang in Justin Bieber's Birthday on March 1st, 2012!

Festival of Colors. 

April 2012-

Moved into my Spring/Summer place- KING HENRY!

Hot Springs... smells like rotten eggs. lolzz

May 2012-

Threw the biggest Cinco De Mayo Fiesta Provo has ever seen.  Meet Jose our "Taco Man."

Cabin Fever. 

MOAB 2012!

 

June 2012-

The start of our zip-lining escapades...

Tony & Jen get HITCHED! 6/9/12

Seven Peaks & boating ALL day long.

July 2012- 

July 4th, 2012- probably my FAVORITE holiday in Provo, UT.

<3 'Merica!!!

Cruisin' around Seattle & Southeast Alaska with the fam bam. 

August 2012- 

Weddings on weddings on weddings! 

Jenn & Taylor got Hitched @ the LA Temple 8/3/12- Whaddupp I'm a bridesmaid!!

Justin & Dani got hitched in the Mesa, AZ Temple 8/11/12!

US Open of Surf- Huntington Beach, CA

Megan & Tyler get hitched @ the Mt. Timpanogas Temple 8/21/12!

New Roommates. New Village. New Semester. 

September 2012-

Birthday Weekend- baby Liz is growin' up!

Zion's trip- Labor Day Weekend!

October 2012-

Halloween in Provo is a month long...

Halloween Half Marathon- 13.1 miles!

November 2012

Thanksgiving duhhhh..

December 2012-

Christmas Parties!

Christmas in Vegas :)

Okay, sorry for the NOVEL of a post.. haha i hope you liked going through my memory lane in 2012.  It has really been an AMAZING year. It's crazy how time goes by so fast, but i'm ready for change and i'm ready for a new year.  BRING ON 2013!

xoxo,

Liz