Yippee!!! :)

Yes! I finally got my laptop fixed. Up until about ten days ago, I was working on a laptop countless times a day that had a crack the size of a crater in the screen. It was impossible to see what I was doing. Now I can finally see everything!! Its a dream come true, really. ha.

Anyway, for future reference, this blog will also include simple entries of things that catch my eye throughout the day. Whether it be a lovely article of clothing, a great pair of shoes, a gorgeous piece of art, interior design inspiration, wedding inspiration, pretty much anything that will further articulate me and my many interests. Here are some lovelies that I have recently found, enjoy:





Vera Wang Spring collection...yes please.



Christian Dior








Anthropologie. Need I say more?

sometimes songs speak better than we do....

I don't want to
Talk about it to you
I'm not an open book
That you can rifle through
Cold hard truth that you'll see right to

I'm just a basket case without you

He's not a magic man
Or a perfect fit
He had a steady hand and I got used to it
And a glass cage heart and invited me in

Now I'm just a basket case without him

Begging for the truth
So I'm saying it to you
I've been saving your place
And what good does it do

Now I'm just a basket case
Now I'm just a basket case

I don't say much and it'll stay that way
You gotta steel train touch and I'm just the track you lay
So I'll stay right here, underneath you

I'm just a basket case and it's what we do

You're begging for the truth
So I'm saying it to you
I've been saving your place
And what good does it do

Now I'm just a basket case

Won't someone come on in and tug at my seams
Or send your armies in
Robbers and thieves
To steal the state I'm in
I don't want it anymore

You're begging for the truth
So I'm saying it to you
I've been saving your place
And what good does it do

Now I'm just a basket case





It started out as a feeling
Which then grew into a hope
Which then turned into a quiet thought
Which then turned into a quiet word
And then that word grew louder and louder
'Til it was a battle cry
I'll come back when you call me
No need to say goodbye

Just because everything's changing
Doesn't mean it's never been this way before
All you can do is try to know who your friends are
As you head off to the war
Pick a star on the dark horizon and follow the light
You'll come back when it's over
No need to say goodbye
You'll come back when it's over
No need to say goodbye

Now we're back to the beginning
It's just a feeling and no one knows yet
But just because they can't feel it too
Doesn't mean that you have to forget
Let your memories grow stronger and stronger
'Til they're before your eyes
You'll come back when they call you
No need to say goodbye
You'll come back when they call you
No need to say goodbye

after a long time....

I have officially made a summer goal to be an expert blogger by the start of fall semester. So much has happened since I last entered and I have no documentation of any of it. So, the endeavor towards perfect blogging begins now....





It is officially summer!! I could not be more ecstatic! The weather has been so lovely lately. I have been loving every day that I can take off my shoes and just walk, for how ever long I feel like going. Although nothing drastically awesome has happened since summer's arrival, I feel like this is going to be a summer full of good times.



As far as school goes, some things have changed. After much prayer and long, hard deliberation, I finally decided to change my major. In the beginning, there was nothing I wanted more than to be a Music Dance Theater major at BYU. I had worked so hard and had finally gotten to the point where that dream was becoming reality. The more time that passed, however, I found myself in a position, looking onto something that was unfamiliar to me. As much as I wanted this, there were so many things that came along with it that I did not want; the overall atmosphere, the social attitude, the wavered focus. I saw myself continuing on this path for the next four years, and I did not like what I saw at the end of the road.

So, I have since moved on to declare myself a Theater Art Studies major. I could not be more happy and at ease with my decision.I feel I will be able to get the education and experience that I desire to help me reach my personal and professional goals. Looking back on the long time I spent in such uncertainty and pressure, I can see so clearly now that the Lord was simply testing my faith. It is amazing how he knows just how far to push our limits to let us grow, and then reaches out his hand to comfort us and place the solution right in front of our path. It is life lessons like these that remind me how fortunate I am to have the gospel knowledge that I do.

Things have since taken shape with a professional path as well. Since the start of the summer I have been working as a teacher at a local daycare center. I love every minute that I spend with those children. Once again, the Lord has given me a wonderful challenge to better myself and to teach others. I could not be more grateful for the blessings that I have received.

Its been quite a few months now, but I also finally bought a car!! It is the most perfect thing for me that I could have ever found. I absolutely love it! Her name is penny. Yes as in Penny Lane; yes as in The Beatles. haha. I just had to. Even though she's a German car, she's got European class written all over her. ha:)






Well, that's whats been happenin, in a nutshell of course. ha. More to be posted soon! You'll see all my thoughts and interests in regards to life, love, fashion, the works, ha, as time goes on; more often now than, well, not. ha.

In the mean time, I send my love and best wishes to all of you. May you continue to work hard and achieve happiness. Never ever lose sight of what is truly important.:)





These are the words of a paper doll. Smile. Always:)

-MandaBrie

Never Take Anything for Granted

-These were the last words that my grandfather had for me before he passed away on Christmas morning. The words hit me like a semi-truck as I stood there, holding his hand, trying to make out what he was saying through his shortness of breath. The whole experience was a blur. The events of the past few weeks have yet to really sink in through all of the chaos. The only thing I can really make sense of is the very last thing that he said to me-"Don't take anything for granted."
How is it that we go through each day, taking in fresh air, walking with two feet, laughing and living as we do, without stopping to comprehend the glory and wonder of each little blessing in our lives? This is a question that I know I will never be able to answer, mainly because these little blessings are ones that I too often take for granted. With the many misfortunes and disappointments that we face in life, we tend to overlook the things that are truly important. It took a very large wake up call for me to realize how truly blessed I am. I will never forget my grandfather and the love that he had for things that, to me, appeared to be small and meaningless. He was the kind of person that could make something wonderful out of nothing special.
Among my many new years resolutions, my most important resolve is to take in the simple joys of life and appreciate them for the blessings that they are. For those of you who are experiencing trial or hardship: look around. Feel the air that fills your chest, soak in the beauty of God's creations, embrace the people who are dear to you, live each day like its your last. Life is hard, yes, but it is a blessing in and of itself. I hope we never fail to realize how fortunate we truly are. My dear friends, never take anything for granted.

"Yesterday is history, tomorrow a mystery, but today is a gift; that is why they call it the present."

I love you all so very much.

-This is from the pages of:

Manda Brie:)

My Family

I couldn't possibly describe myself to anyone without mentioning the most influential people in my life: my family. I love them so very much. They are the ultimate source of love and support. I could not have asked for a better group of people to be with for eternity. They are the most amazing, fun, energetic people that I know. We confide in each other with everything and have the greatest of times together.

I am the oldest of the four children in our family, but next in line is Camille. She and I are only thirteen months apart. When we were younger, we were often mistaken for a set of twins. We behaved that way too. We were always together, doing everything together. Now that we have both grown up, we could not be more different. It sometimes amazes me how two people with such different personalitites can get along as we do. We have our arguments, of course, but we always seem to run off skipping and laughing in the end. I do love my Shishta. :)

Next is the only boy of the group, Mckay. I could not have asked for a better brother. Even though he is over three years my junior, he has very quickly become like the older brother that I never had. The kid is a six foot two monster and gives amazing hugs. ha. He is always the happiest to see me when I visit. I can always be honest with him, its almost like we are on the same brain frequency, we have a lot in common. I absolutely adore my buba:)

And last, but certainly not least, is my Boo Boo, Rebecca. She is the wittiest thirteen year old you will ever meet. She has the greatest sense of humor, she and I can laugh over just about anything. We get along so well. For a pair of sisters who are almost six years apart, its amazing how well we can relate to each other. I tell her some things that I dont tell anyone else, and she confides in me just as much. We can be incredibly loud and abnoxious together, but we are always having fun. She is, without a doubt, the best kid sister in the world. :)

I love my family more that anything in the world. I have so much to write about my parents, so I will do that later, I just wanted to let my siblings know how much they mean to me. Love you guys!! :)

-Amanda

Hey everyone. The past couple weeks have inspired me to talk on trials. We all face times of disappointment and sadness in our lives. Im not alone, Im sure, when I say that death in the family, heartbreak, rejection and lonelines are things that have summed up an entire year of my life. There have been times when life seems so low, youre not sure how it will ever get better. These feelings of hurt and dissatisfaction are ones that I would never wish upon anyone.
Joseph B. Worthlin said, "The way we react to adverstiy can be a major factor in how happy and successful we can be in life." In his last general conferance talk, he recalls an experience he had with his mother-
"When I was young I loved playing sports, and I have many fond memories of those days. But not all of them are pleasant. I remember one day after my football team lost a tough game, I came home feeling discouraged. My mother was there. She listened to my sad story. She taught her children to trust in themselves and each other, not blame other for their misfortunes, and give their best effort in everything they attempted. When we fell down, she expected us to pick ourselves up and get going again. So the advice my mother gave to me then wasn't altogether unexpected. It has stayed with me all my life. "Joseph," she said, "come what may and love it."This talk has inspired me in many different circumstances. I encourage all of you to read it.
The time will come when we are all faced with serious trials. But it doesnt matter how hard we stumble, this does not define our character, it is how well we rise after falling. In D&C 24:8 it reads, "Be patient in afflictions, for thou shalt have many; but endure them, for, lo, I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days." We are not alone in our adversities. I hope all of us will trust the Lord to assist us in times of need. And whatever you do, don't ever give up. There is always a light at the end of the tunnel. Best wishes to all of you.


These are the words of,

Your Traveling Gypsy:)

I have realized in the past couple weeks how little time I have to keep up a blog. I guess being sick in bed does have its advantages in this case then. So, just a little update: still no word from the MDT department; none of us are planning to hear from them for at least a few more weeks, so we are all still hoping for the best. Volleyball is going well. Ive been working consistantly and bringing in the money that I need to keep me from starving, ha. I actually worked late last night instead of going to an audition for a summer theater up in Jackson Hole. It would have been a great opportunity with great financial benefits, but there are still plenty of other options for summer work. I am auditioning for Scera's summer production of Once Upon a Mattress this coming weekend. Hopefully I will be in full voice by then, right now everything is still fuzzy and stuffy and gross, ha. If anyone has any insight on how to cure a cold quickly, PLEASE let me know!!

With love, and a lot of cough drops, :)

Amanda