Ode to Ballet

So basically I don't know how I would function without ballet. This past week I was having the hardest time convincing myself to go to class and I'm ashamed to say that I missed it twice both which ended up not being very good reasons. I couldn't figure out why something I previously loved so much I now didn't want to go to. So I rededicated myself today at dance and it was fantastic. When I really focus inward and just kind of forget everything but ballet I kinda reach my Nirvana. :)
School and life in general is so crazy that I have a billion thoughts flying around inside my head. I'm constantly thinking, "I have to get this and this done...ok now I have to get an A on that test....wow he was really cute.....I have to make sure I start that paper.....mmmm ice cream sound really good right now......ooooh another cute boy....k focus on homework.... hey he smiled at me.." So you kinda get the picture. Many many distractions some good some bad, but when I go to ballet it's like all that falls away and I'm able to calm down and see, not necessarily an easy way, but an easier way to get things done so I don't fly into a million pieces.
I was trying to explain to my roommate how ballet made me feel, but I really couldn't and I don't think I'm doing it justice here. Just know that without ballet I would probably be a lot crazier than I am now. It is kind of like ballet is an integral piece of who I am and without it I can't function to the best of my ability. Funny, huh? So ya this is kind of my Ode to ballet. :)

Oh Superman

Over the past week I have added many men into my life. Three to be exact. As you read this your jaw drops, "McKayla has not one, but three men in her life....is that possible?" Well before your mind starts to hurt from trying to accept this I will clarify. I have added them as my dream dates: Hugh Jackman, Hugh Grant, and Dean Cain.
These are the men many women spend their Friday nights with, along with a canister of Ben and Jerry's. Wooing these women into the belief that men like these guys actually exist. When in reality these fictional characters are only dooming these women to a life of searching and never finding the perfect man. Despite this depressing thought I still am gladley wooed by these men. Hugh Jackman in Kate and Leopold... oh my gosh a guy dressed as prince charming that sets up a romantic date on a rooftop. Need I say more?
Hugh Grant in Two Weeks Notice. Of course he kind of starts out as a butt, then in the end he gives up everything to just be with the woman he loves. Even though he can walk across the apartment in six seconds.
Then we come to the cherry on top of the sundae: Dean Cain.
I have only recently been introduced to Dean by my roomates through the adventures of Superman. A man of steel that saves lives, while looking amazingly good. He adds a whole new dimension to slow dancing through his ability to fly.
To say it simply, I'm in love. It's possible, though, to see my feelings for these men as not actually loving them as human beings, but loving the ideal they represent. To think that there could be someone out their who would love me even if I lived in another time period, if I left him, or if I acted self absorbed like Lois Lane. This thought is golden and is probably what makes many women (myself included) go ga ga eyed around these good looking, seemingly perfect despite their imperfections men. Hmmmm....well I kinda lost where I was going with this, but I think my favorite tv series is now the Adventures of Lois and Clark. :)

The Fray and the Fireside

So not much has happened lately. I continue to work a lot and summer is getting closer and closer to being over. I did have the opportunity to go to the Fray concert a few weeks ago which was AMAZING. It was tons better than my first concert, mainly because I knew more of the songs and went with people I knew better. I love music and recently I've been more motivated to actually learn who sings what song so I'm not musically illiterate. I have gotten better and realized that I really like Daughtery and the Dave Mathews Band. Crazy what paying attention can do, huh?

I also was able to go to the YSA summit thing this past weekend. Well I only went to the last event which was the fireside because of work, but it was fantastic. Alex Boye spoke/sang about his conversion and about staying strong in the Gospel. It was really inspiring and made me realize how blessed I am to be raised in the Gospel so I know these truths and don't have to worry about what happens after I die and other of life's conundrums. Alex Boye is from England and I went with one of my friends Jesus E. and his friend Tyler M. and Jesus is actually going to England on his mission. So after the fireside Jesus wanted to meet him and he was so scared to go up and talk to him which was really funny. Tyler and I were so busy making fun of him that we actually got lost on the way home. So this would be my second time getting lost in Salt Lake. Ya think after 19 years I would know my way around. Oh well I'll eventually figure it out.

Uno and Alzheimers

Ever since I was little Uno has been one of the favorite games in my family. Probably because the concept is so simple. Match the color or the number. Well at my job as a CNA we are encouraged to keep the residents busy so that they are able to live a full life. So on a particularly slow afternoon one of the other CNA's suggested I play Uno with some of the residents. No problem right? Well here is a snap shot of how it went.
Me: Ok to play the game you match the cards in your hand to the color or number of the card on the table. Try to get rid of all your cards. Ok?
Mandy: Ok I think I get it.
Jane: Ok
So we go around the table and it is Jane's turn.
Jane: Now what am I supposed to do?
Mandy: Match the card or the number.
Jane: Which is better
Mandy we aren't keeping score so neither.
Jane: Is a High or lower number better?
Mandy: It doesn't matter because we aren't keeping score.
Jane: Ok I think I get it now.
Then we would go around the table again and the scene would repeat, almost word for word. Until finally Jane laid down the last card.
Jane: what do I do now?
Me: You won :)
Jane: oh really?
Then they both laughed at how many cards I had accumulated trying to extend the game. I love these old people so much they make me laugh. Not only have I have learned some pretty fantastic words and phrases like Jeepers, bonkers, and criminey, but I think or at least I hope I'm learning to be more patient.

What's a Birthday without decorations?

Wow, I think this must be a record, two posts in two days! I just thought I'd show you some of the cool pictures from decorating for Saydie's birthday.

In order to make Saydie's 17th birthday extra special two amazing decorators known for their creativity and perseverance in decorating were called in. Namely me and Cody. We began with the traditional birthday banner and then attempted some balloons, and finally moved to the cake. Cody and I learned quite a few things from this amazing decorating experiment.

1) We stink at being amazing decorators (took us five freakin times to get the happy birthday sign up)

2) Cheap balloons are extremely hard to blow up. I'm pretty sure one of my lungs almost collapsed. (All for love I guess)

3) Decorating is kinda boring...so tape balloons to the ceiling (much more interesting)

4) Cakes fall apart when you take them out of the pan. (Thank goodness for frosting....lots and lots of frosting)

5) If you persevere success may be just around the corner...maybe, if there is love and acceptance involved.

In the end Cody and I have decided that we may not have been meant to be amazing birthday decorators, cake decorators on the other hand....that opens up a whole new door.

The balloon wouldn't stick to the wall so cody

taped all around it. It finally stayed.

Balloon excercise for your lungs.

Ceiling art....we call it 'Three circle balloons

and two long balloons'

Not my best work. I ran out of frosting. Too much

surgery need to be done on the cake.

Success!!

One Good thing from College

I can't believe it has been over a year since I graduated. I remember looking at the kids who were seniors or who were going to college and thought, 'man, they are way old'. Now I'm the one that is way old, or so it seems. The time goes by so fast. I remember playing tag on the playground at my elementary school and now I have to figure out how to pay rent and who I want to be. Not to mention I have to find someone that I can stand to be around for eternity.
With the world going by so fast and everyone growing up I am so thankful for summer which makes it seem as if the world is stopping for a little bit so that I can enjoy the warm summer rains and ice cream in the shade. One thing that I especially enjoy is having all this time to spend with my wonderful family, especially my little sister Saydie. It's funny cause all through high school and junior high we really didn't talk much mainly, I think, because we were on different wavelengths so we thought we were too different. Now that I've been away at college she has realized that she actually missed me and I am more patient then I used to be. So we get to go running together and actually talk! I am so thankful she is my sister and for how many times she makes me laugh. She is amazing and if there is one good thing that came from college it is that I now have a better relationship with my sweet little sister. Happy Birthday tomorrow Saydie! I love you!

Who'da thunk old shows were so fun to watch :)

The semester has finally ended. Woot woot! I get to spend the rest of summer home (almost an entire five months at home can you believe it?). I love being home especially since it is summer. You get those wonderful summer evenings where you can stay outside and play basketball. You can go swimming and hiking. I'm way excited to go camping. :) Well along with the relaxation I have to work. I actually got two jobs this summer because I need to find a way to fund my education. I get to work at Coldstone again, mainly as a cake decorator and I also found a job at Canyon Creek Assisted Living.
At first I was really scared to take this job because it is my first CNA job and the lives of people will be in my hands (kinda). Now, though, I love it. :) I get to take care of little old people who are really sweet, but a bit forgetful. I spend my days playing solitaire, serving chocolate pudding, watching old movies (mostly black and white western), and reminiscing with the residents about their 'good old days'. It is a lot of work sometimes, but it makes me really appreciate the fact that I am only 19 and I have quite a few years before I can be thought of as 'old'. Plus it is nearly impossible not to love the people I get to take care of. It kind of goes along with the saying that you learn to love those you help. Also if I had never taken this job then I never would have known that old western black and white shows were so...interesting. :)