and this is why I need to date JGL

25 before 25

duh duh duh duuuuuuuuuh! here is my list of 25 things I am going to do before 25! let's git-er-done!

1. dye my hair red

2. learn to golf

3. go to san fran 

4. hike the Y

5. raft the green river (done)

6. take a self defense class

7. make sushi

8. hike the Timp caves

9. learn to love running 

10. eat lobster/crab (done)

11. get a henna tattoo

12. finish my novel

 13. take a truly amazing picture

14. have Ellen Degeneres call me from her tv show

15. read Les Miserables 

16. read Utopia

17. read a Steinbeck novel

18. watch Casablanca

19. go to the Festival of Color

20. meet Ellen (after #14 of course)

21. adopt a puppy

23. recycle my weight in plastic

24. take a cooking class

25. watch the sunrise

a-ma-zing

this man is amazing! I've been listening to him non stop since I saw him on the Hope for Haiti telethon. do yourself a favor and check him out! you can purchase his mp3 album on Amazon for $8. well worth every single penny!

there.are.no.words.

I have been taken before

You're not the first to rob me of my peace and my sanity

You've taken all my peace and my sanity

You must have been kidding with that romantic love spell,

or maybe I just didn't hear you right

You run over my heart, and then ask for it back

You must think that that's alright

Well it's not alright

But you're not even human

You're just the lovely idea of one who I accidentally loved

and gave everything to-

become the girl on the piano bench,

singing all of her tears away

So did you feel sorry for me

or was I some charity case that you thought you could save?

Well I was better off, not even knowing your name

I was so much better off

(Angel Taylor "Not Even Human"--Love Travels)

Hey you, I hope you're happy. I honestly do. Good luck. Peace out, sucka!

Refugees Among Us

So...I've started a new project. I was in downtown SLC yesterday for a photo shoot and as many of you know there are MANY homeless living on the streets in Utah's capitol.

I've always had a soft spot in my heart for those living in poverty and try to help in any way I can. Usually if I have a few dollars on me, I hand it over. They need it more than I do. (I know, I know, people always say they buy drugs or alcohol with it. But ya know what I say, that's on their heads, not mine. I do not judge.)

Anyway, so yesterday the girl I was shooting, Amanda, and I passed someone sleeping in front of an abandoned theater right in the heart of SLC's busiest areas. It literally broke my heart. I felt so sad. Sadly, I did not have any cash on me or it would've been theirs.

This leads me to my new project: Refugees Among Us. I've started a series of photographs featuring the homeless and other "real people" in need of help. I hope to raise awareness and hope for those in need of love. All it takes is someone to care. Right now, it's only 2 photos. But to me at least, these photos hold SO much emotion.

Please join me. Everyone can do something. Help me help others.

Sweet Silver Lining

in 2009 I...

loved schooled

learned who my true friends are & how much words can hurt

learned what not to do/how not to act by watching others

leaned on my Savior

turned 24 and had no problem with it

started freelancing my photography

had amazing talks about life with amazing people

had days SO beautiful

worked on being healthier and happier

in 2010 I...

will recycle my weight in plastic :)

will amaze myself

will watch a lot of loved ones get married and perhaps welcome some new babies!

will try to influence others for good

will make every day better than the last

will learn to focus on the good and leave the past behind

will let my creative side run amuck

will turn 25 and relish every moment of it

am going to love too much

will become even closer to my best friend and Savior

shall be even more awesome than I've ever been before!

Peter Pan Syndrome, Living in Neverland

A few years ago I attended a concert of a local band, Julia Bills Band. Miss Julia performed a song that possibly changed my life forever, "Peter Pan." I had long forgotten about said song until Monday night. I was engaged in a conversation with my dear friend, Ana Pilar. Our discussion turned toward the lack of adult 20 something men these days. We recalled many of our male counterparts who tend to get a disease I refer to as Peter Pan Syndrome. The observation was made that..."We're stuck in a vortex of Neverland-y-ness."

Ironically, an old acquaintance of Ana P's and mine used to play with Miss Julia and is cresting 30 and as single as can be, without feeling any hurray or need to change. I understand that he is also a BYU grad, working at a call center... seriously?

Now, don't get me wrong. I am fully supportive of those who are rebutting the typical Mormon stereotype of teenage wedlock. But when these Peters are 25+, still taking generals in college, undecided major wise, working jobs which should be reserved for pre-mission freshmen, and feeling absolutely no need to woo the ladies. That is when I wanna face-palm myself.

Fellas- here's the dealio. You need not marry as soon as you are freed from your missionary duties, but for Pete's sake (hehe, pun!), grow up! Go to college, but don't just go. Pick a worthwhile major that will earn you money (not MFHD!), actually try and pass your classes so you're not repeating Math 0990 for the 4th time at age 23, and get a degree in under 5 years, please. Once said degree is obtained, USE it. Do not revert back to your early RM days and float job to job. Nothing is more of a turn off than a late 20s-early 30s man still trying to act like they're pre-mission. Buy a car, a house, something. Travel-get out of Utah! Don't stick around Neverland hoping a Wendy will fall into your lap. If she's got a brain of any worth Wendy will find a real man. In short, ditch the lost boys and Tink.

You're welcome! :)