3 R's

So, I am going to start a little trend on my blog, where every month or so (possibly more or less) I recommend three things to my readers. These things can be anything and everything, but I will always explain why I recommend them so you are not left in the dark. Ready for February's 3 R's?

First, I beg of you, please read this book.
It is amazing. I flew through it, despite all the other tasks and things calling my name, and loved every page of it. I will try not to say too much, but in short, it is a wonderful love story. It's about a girl, Cassia (which, by the way, it's pronounced cash-uh), who lives in a futuristic society where the Society determines everything about your life, including your job and who you are married, or matched, to. At her Matched Ceremony, she is matched with her best friend Xander, but later, another boy's face appears on her computer screen in place of Xander's, and that boy is Ky, another boy from her neighborhood. And it is after that event that Cassia begins to understand the joy of making your own choices and the oppressive ways of the Society. The writing is spectacular; it's almost like reading a song. I am so glad I picked it up one day and decided to start reading it. Now all I have to do is wait til November for the sequel... Sigh.

Second, I recommend the movie I Am Number Four.
I saw it last week with Brad and his parents and I was totally pulled into it. It is everything I love about fantasy and sci-fi and romance all mashed into one thing. This one is about nine Lorien children from a different planet who are sent to Earth after their planet is destroyed by a violent alien race (the Mogadorians). These children were meant to someday protect their people and all are gifted with 'legacies' or powers that they must learn to control. The Mogadorians have tracked them to Earth and have begun killing them in order. They have already killed three and the main character, John, is number four. I can't say any more other than I really enjoyed it. And OK, it was described (by Brad and his parents) as 'lame' (that was Brad) and 'teenager' (his more polite father). But if that is so, then I am a 'lame teenager', cause I loved it. Now I just can't wait to read the book!

Third, I suggest one of my favorite comfort foods if you are feeling a little bit down or just in need of something that tastes happy. And that thing is peanut butter toast.
I don't think that needs much more of an explanation. Yum.

Actually, I just realized I have a fourth thing for this month. And that is a song. "Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not?" by Thompson Square. Brad and I both love this song, which I realized when I heard him singing it today. Basically, it's a great song. I am putting it on my playlist.

So there ya go, my first 3 R's (or 4, whatever). I hope you like them!

XoXo

I love Valentine's Day. I know, it's cliche and it's overdone and it's a consumer-driven-holiday. Whatever! I still love it, because how can you not love a day about love? And yes, you should be showing your love to you family and friends everyday, not just Valentine's Day, but still, it's nice to know that you are loved and to have a day to openly show that.
Not to mention the flowers and chocolates. I don't get those everyday, so when I do, it's meaningful. This Valentine's Day, Brad himself came to my work and gave me a gorgeous bouquet and some divine chocolates. He is wonderfully thoughtful, so much I cannot explain. Let these pictures do the talking.
So, how was your Valentine's Day?

A New Year

I cannot believe we are halfway through January already! As always, time has surprised me by passing much more quickly than I thought. I wonder how I am perpetually shocked by this? You'd think I would learn... Oh, well.
As it is the new year, I guess I am supposed to have some New Years resolutions. However, I don't think I have anything concrete, nothing like 'I am going to get straight A's this year' or 'I am quitting eating sugar'. I think my resolutions are more like... guidelines. (Hee hee, name that movie!)
Anyhow, here are a few things that I would like to see myself improving in my life this year:
1) I would really, honestly, no-joke like to blog more. I love blogging and writing and playing around with themes and photos. I want to promise myself to take a little bit of 'me time' to simply blog. Even if nobody out there even reads this.2) I want to improve my health. I want to drink more water, eat healthier, and exercise more. And by 'exercise more' I mean my form of exercise, which excludes running and push-ups, but includes yoga, walking, and possibly some pilates.3) I want my life to be more peaceful. And no, I don't mean more boring. I still want excitement and crazy activities and surprises, but I want my inner self to be more at peace with my life. I am really starting to believe that the more optimistic you keep your thoughts and mind, the happier you can let yourself be.4) I want to stop neglecting my journal. The poor thing has been sitting in my backpack for quite a while now with no new entries, and I am starting to feel bad. I definitely need to write in it more.5) I want to stop wasting my time. And yes, this sounds weird, but I have realized that I have a habit of filling my time with stuff I don't need to be doing! For example, flipping through channels on TV when nothing is on when I could be reading a good book, or drawing, or blogging. I need to seriously improve my time management skills.So there are some of my 'guidelines' for this year. I am sincerely hoping that by following them, I can see a difference in my life. And so far, it's been going good. We'll see if I can keep it up!

The Story

Ok... So it has been more than a few days. My bad... But now that I am done with school for a couple weeks, I have the time to post the story of how Brad proposed to me. It's not a very long story, but I still want to tell it.
So, on Thanksgiving day, we spent the morning at my mom's, the afternoon at his family's, and for the evening we went to my dad's side of the family's Thanksgiving dinner at my grandparents. It was just a normal Thanksgiving day... Lots of yummy food and playing games with the family and just relaxing and having fun.
We had brought Brad's favorite pie to take to my grandparents, but when we got there, he insisted we leave it in the truck. I thought, well, whatever, so we did and went inside and pretty soon I forgot about it. Then, a while later, everyone started clamoring for pie, so Brad suggested we go get the pie in the truck. Still, I did not think anything of it.
We put our coats on and walked outside, only instead of heading in the direction of the truck, Brad pulled me towards the backyard, saying he wanted me to show him. Even though he's seen it before. STILL, I did not think anything weird was going on. I took him out to the backyard and he stood behind me with his arms wrapped around me and we looked out at the snow covered trees lit up by some pretty bright stars. It was really a gorgeous night, so we just stood there for a minute.
Then, he asks me how much I love him. Still not out of the usual. So I tell him, more than anything, of course. That's when he turns me around, kneels down with something extremely glittery in his hand, and says," Then will you marry me?"
I think I was in shock for a minute, cause I'm pretty sure that all that came out of my mouth was oh my goodness, oh my goodness. Then I said yes of course and he put that beautiful ring on my finger.
And one of the best parts? On the drive back to his house, he tells me that it was not planned at all, he simply woke up that morning and figured that would be a good day to do it. :) I love the simplicity of his plan, because it honestly made everything perfect.

Catching Up

I know it's been a while... what can I say, I have been busy. Ha ha, what else is new. So here is my Thanksgiving post, as well as a bit of news. I am going to give a little list of everything that I am thankful for this Thanksgiving/Christmas Season.
I am thankful for my family. And friends. And loved ones. I am so grateful for the love and support, friendship and good times we all have together.
I am thankful to live in a wonderful country where we have the freedom to choose our own futures and live in safety and comfort.
I am thankful for yummy holiday food!
I am thankful for all the opportunities that I have been blessed with and for a great new job that I love.
I am thankful for wintery weather that make the holidays feel like the holidays.
I am thankful for fun games with the family, girls' night outs, and cuddling at home with my honey.
And last but definitely not least, I am thankful for Brad, who is now officially my fiance!I am so excited, and in the next few days, I'll have up a post of exactly how Brad asked me to marry him! :) Until then, see ya!

Good News and A Bit of Randomness

I will start out with the good news, which is, I finally found a new job! I cannot even describe how happy I am to be starting something new, especially when it just seems so perfect. I got a job working as a teller at Central Bank in Pleasant Grove. A few of the best things about this job? I have a nice, set schedule (so I will no longer go crazy not knowing when I am supposed to be working!), with people that seem super awesome, and be getting paid a dollar more than I was getting, just to start out! It works with my school schedule and is in a great location for me, which, I'll be honest, works because it is between school and Brad's house (I am never at my own house >.< ha ha). So that is my good news!
And a bit of randomness. Ok, so I have been dating Brad for almost exactly a year and four months now, and I am still not over how stinkin' difficult it is to get him to take pictures with me and/or let me take pictures of him. I know, I post plenty on my blog, but have you noticed how they are always the same ones? I finally got a new one up, but that is the exception to the rule. So, I decided to post some pictures of me trying to get him on film. Oh, he would probably kill me for this. ;)See how he's not looking at the camera?? I love the way he smiles. :) This one is actually pretty darn good. This is what I usually get!!

Gotta love that I-am-avoiding-that-dang-camera-using-my-sunglasses expression on his face... *sigh*

Ok, this one is just cute. :) But still!

Oh, By the Way...

I also am trying out an extra, on-the-side blog on tumblr.com just for fun. I've been putting some neat pictures, quotes, and videos on there if you want to check it out. It's caitlinskye.tumblr.com. Take a look and tell me what you think!