What I've Learned- part 2

The girls in LDC have been so influential in my life that I don't even know where to begin. I am someone who believes in eternal friendships and I know that some of the friendships I've made with these incredible women will last into the eternities. These beautiful ladies have taught me...

* That you don't have to fall into the world's trap of immodesty to be considered beautiful. The way a girl chooses to dress is one of the biggest indicators of what is happening inside of her. I absolutely LOVE seeing beautiful girls who choose modesty over "trends". I truly believe that if you choose to be modest, then the Lord really does make you look more beautiful, and that is why all of my girlfriends are such pretty girls.


Emily Hinkson, Sierra, Claire, Courtney King, Lydia Money, Draya Salcido, Julia (Sister Sanchez), Heather. They're crazy!! Haha



* That happy girls really are the prettiest girls! We all know what it's like to be friends with "Negative Nancy," and that just sucks the life out of everything and everyone. It is so refreshing being around girls who can maintain a happy and positive demenor despite of the kind of day they may be having. It makes it SO much easier for me to be happy all the time when I'm surrounded by such happy girls!

 I love her so much. Best friends forever.

SO, so, so much. :)

*Along with being happy, that so much of being a woman is about how you treat other people. I think about my mom everyday and I'm still amazed that in my 22 years of life, I have never heard her utter a negative word about another person- EVER. These girls in LDC are not perfect, but they come pretty dang close when it comes to how they treat people! Choosing NOT to gossip is one of the most femininie and beautiful things you could ever do. That has been my #1 biggest goal as of late, is the way that I treat others, which in large part is defiend by what you say about others when they aren't there. Ladies, thank you SO much for your constant examples of being genuinely kind to every person and to me. You treat others so well and you are all truly living up to Pres. Ucthdorf's latest challenging of "Stopping," the gossip and negativity. Every single one of you!

Lauren Anderson, Kenna Smith

Meredith Rogers. This girl has one of the BIGGEST and most loving hearts I've ever experienced. No wonder why she was chosen to play Mary in "Savior of the World," this past Christmas. :)

 * That purity and virtue, and love just might be the 3 defining characteristics of womanhood. I wish I could elaborate more on this, but watching your examples of these 3 attributes over the years has been nothing short of inspiring. I wish I could thank you for your constant examples of integrity and love.

Sister Teddy Wright. Currently serving her mission in Hawaii!

Heather, Julia, Sierra, Draya, Claire, some crazy pioneer, Emily Hinkson

Heather Esplin. Another one of my very best best friends for eternity. I love you so much.

Amy Alder! Such a great girl.

Sierra, Lauren Merrill

 Laruen Anderson and Emily Bennett

Sierr, Natalie Haight, Kenna Smith, Lauren, Brianna Call, Sarah Flinders

Please excuse Sister Sanch. and her offensive face. Lol.



 LADIES. All of you. Pictured or not pictured. I hope you know how much I love each and every one of you. I will never ever forget you and I will be forever grateful for the profound impact you've had on me. Thank you so much for "rising to our Savior's call," and choosing to be women of God and not women of the world. I'm hoping to be at your level some day. I love you all so very much.

xoxo,

Alliecat



What I've Learned- Part 1

This is my last week in LDC which is pretty crazy to believe. Where have the last 3 years of my life gone?! "When you're busy and having fun, time flies!" That is so true, right?? My bff, Sierra, and I say all the time that if you haven't been in LDC before, you just don't understand that this choir literally changes lives. I am not the same person that I was 3 years ago because of this choir. It would be impossible for me to say everything I've learned in my 3 years, so I'll start with what I have learned from the MEN of LDC. These incredible men have taught me...

* To make your personal relationship with Jesus Christ the #1 most important priority in your life. It is evident in the way each of these men live their lives how much they love this Gospel and that they sincerely love the Lord more than everything else in their lives. They honor their priesthood and live this Gospel to its fullest each day.

Tony Merrill

* That there is nothing more masculine than KINDNESS. Ladies, men with geninely kind hearts do exist! If you don't believe me, come watch LDC sing at a rest home and watch how incredibly tender the men are with these sweet widdows and widdowers.

Tyler Beagley

Mike Shepherd (LDC president this year)

* That men with motivation, drive and the ability work hard for the things that you want, actually do exist! I am constantly so impressed with the work ethic that these men have. In LDC functions, their work, school, dating and Gospel lives. There is something so attractive about a man with a purpose in life...

Mark Gordon, Sam Bowcut, Mike Shepherd, Adam Steele, Paul Peterson, Casey Keele

Skyler Mann, Mark, Adam

* That chivalry DOES exist!!! These men just get it. They get how a woman should be treated and it comes naturally to each of them. It's never something they do for show or something they have to be reminded of; they just get it. If there is a man around, my hand NEVER touches a door handle, if I have anything extra in my hands, it is quickly taken away and carried for me, girls are always served food first, girls ALWAYS have a chair, if I'm cold a suit coat or any jacket is quickly on me and crude or dirty jokes are never cracked around me. There is nothing more attractive than a naturally chivlarous man.

Mark (again... haha.)

RJ Idos (one of the best guys I've ever known.)

* Simply, that good men exist. They ARE out there and I have been surrounded by them for the last 3 years! The things that I look for in a man and that I'm attracted to have changed a lot since being with these men. You know that "list," that you have of what you want in a future husband? And how sometimes it's really hard to believe that a man with all of those qualities actually exists? They DO exist! A man who loves the Lord more than anything (and anyone) in his life, a man who will love YOU as much as you love him, a man who is motivated and hard working, and a man who can make you laugh, all packed into someone that you are attracted to...? THEY. ARE. REAL.!! Every single man I've known in my 3 years has proven that to me time and time again.

All of my sweet sweet men. (Please excuse Mark and his white socks and stupid walk...lol)



MEN. I wish I could thank you enough for everything you have taught me and done for me. Because of you, I am a completely different person. YOU make me want to be a better woman every single day. You make me feel more loved, confident, appreciated, and beautiful everyday. Thank you so much for living your lives in the way that you do. I love you so incredibly much, and I know that we will be friends forever. I love you!

xoxo,

Alliecat

BLAH.

Today I made the mistake of putting off studying for my hardest final that I have to take tomorrow morning to go play in the BEAUTIFUL sunshine and to go swimming for the first time this season. Now, I'm sitting here needing to cram all of this into my brain.... Ya know, I'm sure one day it will be probably be important for me to know "about the AIDS epidemic and how the Preecede/ Procede model and the Health Behavior Model can help solve the problem to educate and motivate individuals to positive behavior changes... blah blah blah...," but for right now, I. DON'T. CARE.!!!!!!!!! I have shoved so much into my brain this last week (like the rest of us students) that all I want to do is be in the water from sun up til sun down... THURSDAY. Just get to Thursday...

xoxo,
Alliecat

Tagged!

Here is how it works!

1. Post these rules.
2. Post a photo of yourself and 11 random things.
3. Answer the questions set for you in the original post.
4. Create 11 new questions and tag people to answer them.
5. Go to their blog/twitter and tell them you've tagged them.
6. No saying "If you're reading this, you're tagged!"

11 random things about me!

1. I feel so blessed every single day of my life for the incredible people that our Heavenly Father has put into my life! My family and friends are what makes my world go round, and I could not ask for better people that to be surrounded by.

2. I'm a Junior at UVU studying Community Health with an emphasis in Education and my hopes are to go on to get my Masters degree in either Public Health or in Education and then become a professor.

3. My least favorite chore in the world is vaccuming... I will do anything to avoid it!

4. For the last 3 or so years, I've fallen in love with listening to church talks/ conference talks/ church books/ regular books on CD. Most of the time, I'm listening to something in my car rather than to music.

5. I had the once in a lifetime opportunity to record and shoot a music video with my choir (LDC). If you haven't seen it yet, PLEASE do. It's easily the most inspiring and uplifting song I've ever heard.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FQb-cVwbKE

6. I scare SO easily that it's just pathetic! Anytime someone pops out to scare me, I will either scream bloody murder, collapse to the floor, or pee my pants. (or simultaneously do all 3... that may or may not have happened last week.)

7. I think I was a mermaid in a previous life. Summer time is to be spent in the water from sun up to sun down in my opinion! Put me on a boat in Lake Powell with my fam and friends and you will not find a happier person!

8. With the exception of fast Sunday's, I don't think I've missed eating breakfast since I was in 5th grade. It's just something my mom was pretty consistent on growing up, and it's become a ritual rather than a habit.

9. As passionate as I am about my school and my career right now, nothing excites me more than the desire I have to be a mom one day.

10. I have a water bottle with me AT ALL TIMES and if I don't, I almost feel panicked!

11. Since I was about 12, I've had an obsession with perfume and I always ask for a new scent for Ibirthday and Christmas. My current favorite is Dark Kiss found at Bath & Body Works. Promise, it is to DIE for and I get complimented almost every single day because of it!

Questions from Heather!

1. What is your favorite cereal? I would have to say that Honey Nut Cheerios are probably my classic favorite of all time. You can never go wrong with them!

2. If you could buy all your clothes from one department store, where would it be? Forever 21, Anthropologie and J. Crew

3. What is the last book you read and did you like it? Besides the Book Of Mormon (which is the book I'm always reading. Want a free copy? Leave me a message and I will GLADLY send you one!) the last book I read was The Alchemist. I didn't finish it, so that obviously means I didn't love it.

4. Nsync or Backstreet Boys? Backstreet Boys 4 life!

5. What is the farthest from home you've been? Probably somewhere in Central America? Nicarauga, Belize or Grand Cayman?

6. Who did you want to marry when you were little? Devin Sawa!!! He was in Wild America and Now & Then! Grace and I were IN LOVE with him hahah.

7. Do you have any strange phobias? I've mentioned this several times before... but LOOSE HAIR. I've had too many experiences finding loose hairs in my food and I seriously gag every single time. HATE IT.

8. What was your first job? Well, if we're counting my very first job, Grace and our friend Ashley Stroup and I started running our own Dance Camps every summer for little girls in our neighborhood/ wards! We actually made a decent amount of money for 12 & 13 year olds and we had a blast doing it!

9. What is your favorite quote? Man that's hard to say, because I've been collecting quotes for years. I have journals filled with just quotes! But my current favorite is this....

" God is eagerly waiting for the chance to answer your prayes & fulfill your dreams, just as He always has. But He can't if you don't pray, and He can't if you don't dream. In short, He can't if you don't believe." -Elder Jeffery R. Holland

10. What is your pet peeve? People who REFUSE to let you into their lane on the freeway. Is being one car behind REALLY going to make that big of a difference!? I also hate when people clap at the end of movies in the theatre!

11. If you had to choose between never washing your bed sheets or towels, which would it be? Oh, sheets for sure. I feel like they don't get nearly as dirty.

My Questions for YOU!

1. What is one accomplishment that you are proud of?

2. What are 3 qualities that you admire & appreciate in others?

3. Early bird or night owl?

4. Describe what your PERFECT day would be like!

5. Without getting too personal, what is a goal that you are currently working on?

6. What is your favorite snack?

7. What are your favorite bands/ artists?

8. What is your favorite holiday and why?

9. Have you broken any bones or had any crazy injuries? If so, what were they?

10. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

11. If you could pack your bags and drive to the airport right now without giving a though about money, where would you go?

TAGGED!

Sierra Ainge

Emily Bennett (Smith)

Megan Snyder (Madsen)

Tessa Mecham (Souter)

Natalie Sanford

xoxo,

Alliecat







 

"I Will Rise,"

It is 9:19 am on Good Friday. Last night, between the hours of 9:00 pm and 12:00 am, our Savior, Jesus Christ, walked into the Garden of Gethsemane and suffered for me personally and for you personally. By this time, the Romans had found Him and had taken Him up to the cross where He suffered even more and died for each of us. PLEASE take the time to watch  my choir singing with Alex Boye as we sing the our testimonies of the reality of Christ's Atonement, His death and His resurrection. HE has made it possible for all of us to rise! "I Will Rise," the Latter Day Celebration choir and Alex Boye.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FQb-cVwbKE

My Missionary

Everyone, meet my missionary..... Hermana / Herrr-man / Hermy / Hormones Julia Rae Sanchez. :)
She's become one of my best friends ever and I think we spent every single day together this last year of LDC. Like multiple times a day together.... Hours on end together! Me, Julia, Claire, Sierra and Heather all just became the best of friends this year. We have such a unique and wonderful friendship that I know will last forever! I don't know if it's possible for anyone to have laughed as much or as hard as the 5 of us did ALL. THE. TIME. The stories and the inside jokes are just endless.... and mostly inappropriate, so we'll just keep those jokes on the inside. :) lol. Sisters. We took her to lunch with her family and then dropped her off at the MTC yesterday for 18 months while she serves in Honduras. She is going to be the most incredible and most OUTRAGEOUS missionary there ever was!! All you Hondurans out there, hold onto your pants cause Hermannnninn Sanchez is coming to knock your socks off, sing your face off, and make you laugh your pants off! Gosh I all ready miss her so much. Yes, I wrote her this morning all ready and yes I'm writing her again before I go to bed. :) haha. Photo montage in memory of Hooulia Sanchers.
Love you!

One of the most talented people I've ever known. The first time I heard her belt, my jaw was literally on the floor.

This pic just perfectly embodies her! Hahahaha. Whenever I think of her, I think of this exact face. Love it. Hate it.

Gorgeous.

We can't be serious for more than 3 minutes at a time....

Mexican heritage... grossest picture EVER! Hahaha

And this is why she got asked out on average 2 dates a day the whole 3 months before she left. Not even exaggerating.

Heather, Sierra, Julia, Me, Claire... The whole gang dropping her off at the MTC yesterday!

Love you forever Jules! I'll be waiting for you. :)

xoxo,
Alliecat

Bet you didn't know....

* Bet you didn't know... that I have never seen any of the following movies: Indiana Jones, Jurrasic Park, ET, Star Wars.... And a whole huge list of movies.. Maybe I'll have the desire to see them one day.

* Bet you didn't know... that I cannot even open my bedroom door in the morning unless my bed is made. I HAVE to make it every single day no matter what, even if it makes me late!!!!

* Bet you didn't know... that I have lived in Utah Valley for 4 years now and I have never been booted or towed (KNOCK ON WOOD!!)

* Bet you didn't know... that coconut is my absolute faaaaaaavvvvorite flavor ever in the whole world!

* Bet you didn't know... that Carrie Underwood is now tied with Rachel McAdams for my #1 girl crush..

* Bet you didn't know... that I envy people who can draw. It's an amazing talent that I absolutely do not have!

* Bet you didn't know... that I have a pathetic HATE for loose hair/ hair-balls. Hate them!

* Bet you didn't know... that I have an equally strong hate for The Carpenters/ Karen Carpenters voice. I have the same reaction to seeing a big hair-ball on the floor as I do when I hear her voice singing... "Merry Christmas, darling...." BARF.

* Bet you didn't know... that I LOVE Phil Collins!! I could listen to him all day! (This is what happens when you grow up listening to classic rock!)

* Bet you didn't know... that when I get super tired and it's late, I become dyslexic in speaking.... I mix words up and say them backwards. It's weird! ahah

* Bet you didn't know... that when I get scared, like if someone hides then jumps out and screams at me, my immediate and instinctive reaction is to SCREAM bloody murder and collapse straight on the floor!! Every. Single. Time. I end up straight on the floor!

* Bet you didn't know... that a couple of weeks ago, me and my 2 roomates were up talking for a looooong time. We finally looked at the clock, and it was 6:00 am!!! Thank goodness we didn't have school the next day! lol.

It feels like spring outside, and life is SO great!

xoxo,

Alliecat