extreme makeover

Remember this?

I am proud to announce that the peach barf room exists no more and has now been turned into a Holly oasis of sorts. I am loving it! It's big, it's clean and it's perfect to study and relax in. Last week we even put up a projector on one of my walls and watched a movie. It was a fun and grueling project and boy am I glad it's over! Most of the furniture is hand-me-downs from friends and accessories and bedding from IKEA and Target. Can't say enough about how much I heart those stores. The Chinese lamps only cost me $3! My cute interior designer friend Amanda told me that you can never get enough pillows and I couldn't agree more.

My most favorite part about my room is my roommates/the best landlords in the whole wide world. Bryce, Mindy, and Dale have been so helpful and pleasant and fun during this entire transition and I am so grateful to live with such an awesome family! They just announced that they are having a baby in July and I can't even wait. It's been such a pleasure to watch their family grow! They have also done an incredible job fixing up the house.

Take a look!

saturday night live (acoustic) in park city

If you know my friend Camille, you may have a small inkling of how really random her life is. So, last night she gets a call from some guy from L. A. asking if she'll come play music at his dinner party in Park City. Camille released her CD on Tuesday and he had heard her music on MySpace and decided to call her up. Pretty cool right? Also pretty random! Anyway, E and I (aka, the groupies) joined her at her the dinner party gig and it turned out to be quite a stunning evening. The guy (Jeremy) who was hosting the party had invited some other artists from California to come play and my goodness they were talented! First we heard Cameron Rafati. His voice is like butter! After dinner Camille played four acoustic songs including the new one she wrote this weekend, yeah…she's pretty much amazing! Then, we were privileged to hear a couple of song writers who were also professional skiers. Super cool guys and extremely talented. I didn't catch their names (so bad I know) . Mostly it was just fun to see Camille show off her talent a bit and to meet other musicians. Thanks Camille for letting us come with, we had a lovely time!

unforgettable

No matter what your take on politics, inauguration day was one I shall always remember. To be honest, for the first time in a long time, my heart is full of hope for America. If you didn't get the chance to hear the new President speak, you can watch it here.

bon appétit

it has been brought to my attention that I am slacking on my recipe blog, so…i have decided to kick off january with nine new favorite recipes. nine! can you believe it?

you will find them when you click on,

Sweet. Savory. Spicy. Saucy

happy cooking!

***side note. jacey, now you have to share that salad dressing recipe you said was so divine.

my word for 2009…

I stole this idea from another blog of course, but some people just have such neat ideas! Instead of setting resolutions this year, I have decided to pick a word that will become my theme for the year and to work on. So, without further adieu, my word for 2009 is…

 

l e a r n

 

There are so many things that I want to learn about and to do this year. To name just a few…

I am excited to go back to school and learn how to teach high-school students. In order to do this though, I need to learn how to build a curriculum, more about the subjects I will be teaching, how to pass state exams and how to interview and work with administrations. I also need to learn more about teenagers in general…that's an overwhelming start.

I can never learn enough about the gospel, but in particular this year I want to focus learning more about Jesus Christ, His life and The Plan of Salvation. I don't think I can ever know enough of this.

I really have the desire to learn about biking and swimming and to make both forms of exercise a part of my life. My cousins are on this triathalon kick and I would love to join them.

I'd like to learn how to make lots of new recipes of delicious goodness to share with friends and family, especially things to bake since I have focused more on cooking in recent years.

I don't really have the desire, but since I have to for my schooling this year I will learn how to sew. Wish me luck on this one!

I want to learn about a new culture, and place this year. Maybe South America or India or a Polynesian Island…we'll see what opportunities present themselves with school in the way. Best way to learn about them is to travel there, but I may have to settle for an internet special from afar!

I would also like to focus my learning to relationships with self, family, friends, and acquaintances. I want to learn more about the people that are already in my life.

I definatly need to learn more chess moves. I keep getting beat by all the kids I work with, that's embarrassing!

Lastly, I plan on learning from the many mistakes I am sure that I will make this year and to take advantage of second chances and new opportunities.
 

 

inspiration...

I couldn't be more excited about the release of
Camille Nelson's
CD, "First Words"

Camille and I have been best friends for over ten years now. We've traveled the world together, taken classes together, started a non-profit together and have discussed our dreams endlessly. Camille has always accomplished everything that she has set out to do, from marathons to missions to master's degrees and finally her masterpiece…music! This CD is worth buying and listening to over and over and over because I truly believe that she means each word that she sings and I have seen her in action! She wrote all of her own lyrics and guitar parts and her voice sounds just lovely! I am so lucky to have such inspiring and talented friends! Thank You Camille for your drive and constant push to follow dreams. You really are one of my heroes and I am so proud of your newest accomplishment!

To sample some of Camille's songs go to Camille's my space page

The official release date is Tuesday January 20^th and you can purchase the CD at the official Camille Nelson Website

You can also pre-order it on Amazon.com, and iTunes. How cool is that?

If you are in the area, Camille's will be performing and promoting her CD on Friday February 20th at 7pm, at the Fort Douglas Theater in Salt Lake. Tickets are $5 and CD's will be sold at a discount price for concert goers! Get tickets on her website or at the door! Bring your friends!