...

• My professor called me "poetry lady" which caught me off guard, but it was a compliment and she made me feel like a rock star for a whole minute (nerd alert, I know). 
• I got a job! Thanks to one of my favorite people I'm now a mentor at a school for at-risk youth. I know, I'm growing up so fast. 
• My food cravings as of late have been celery with peanut butter and all sorts of breakfast foods. Serious cravings, I tell you. 
• My cousin called me a hipster. I think it's because of my new glasses. But I just wanted it in writing that I am really far, far from anything related to 'hipster'. 
• There are two 7th grade boys (at the school I'll be teaching at) who asked me if I knew their sisters because they go to BYU too. (Never heard of them, I felt bad).
• I have a professor that looks and sounds exactly like Robin Williams. No joke. I always want him to stand up on the desk and recite "O captain, my captain." I bet he'd do it. He's super into Walt Whitman. 
• Jeff & I started watching "The Worst Cooks in America" on the food channel and it is hilarious. It makes me feel like I'm not that bad in the kitchen. Which is a win. 
• I love my classes right now. I learn a lot every single day, but I'm really looking forward to Summer. And reading any book that I want. 
• My little brother comes home from his mission in Guatemala in less than three months. I. Can't. Wait. 
• March starts this week...whaaat? How did that happen?

day of hearts.

Sometimes I'm really good at being cheesey. I mean...I seriously loved High School Musical in high school...and I actually still love it. If that doesn't speak volumes of me, I don't know what will. So here's  a little cheese for you this Valentines day.

In 2010 I wrote a poem about this boy named Jeff (aka my husband). I tend to write poems when my heart aches. And he was dating someone else at the time...so I pulled out my words for comfort.
(judge if you want, I don't mind ;)


speckle stars.

speckle freckles. 

both my favorite.

without lights. up at the top somewhere. 

so I can see the speckle stars. 

in the back of your truck. faces together.

so I can see your speckle freckles. 

then hold me tight. 

tell me you miss me. 

not because we've been away from each other.

but because you hate every second we aren't touching.

tell me those words you've never told anyone else.

the words you know I won't say back.

not because I'm forcing you to.

but because you can't stand me not knowing the truth.

because it's the only thing left to do.

make sure you understand how

you scared me

to death.

and how I wish that night had 

lasted forever. 

I'll sing in your ear for the rest 

of your life.

if you'll let me.

it's part of the beauty.

of falling in love with you.

the fear.

you won't fall. 

I love seeing how much I've grown up since writing this. How many things have changed. How many things have stayed the same despite everything.

And basically this is this year's love note to the love of my life. I love you, Jeffrey and I have since the beginning (even though I tried hard to deny it!) You make me better and I can't wait for all the adventures life has in store for us. I'm so happy you let me sing to you still, it means a whole lot.

p.s. read my valentine for him last year here.

tumbling.

a few of my favorites from my tumblr as of late. 

I hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I do,

xo

total eclipse of the heart.

Today has been one of those days. You know, the kind where you spend 30 minutes driving around campus (unable to find a spot) crying your eyes out. And when I say crying, I mean full on weeping. The real, red face, ruined make up kind of stuff. Also the stuff of failed expectations, deadlines, and I'll just say it: hormones.

I kind of felt like Cate Blanchett on Bandits*. Even though I wasn't singing Total Eclipse of the Heart (probably would have been cooler if I had been) and I have a husband that cares about me a whole lot, I was getting pretty dramatic. I hate these days, but in a way they are also quite cathartic. Which sometimes I need.

Lucky for me I got to eat lunch with that husband of mine and he laughed with me at my ridiculousness. He's kind of the best.

*If you haven't seen Bandits, you need to. Right away.

a new name.

“Hope” is the thing with feathers -

That perches in the soul -

And sings the tune without the words -

And never stops - at all -

And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard -

And sore must be the storm -

That could abash the little Bird

That kept so many warm -

I’ve heard it in the chillest land -

And on the strangest Sea -

Yet - never - in Extremity,

It asked a crumb - of me.

For years and years I have had this line in my head--"hope is the thing with feathers." I'm not sure why, or when, or even how it got stuck there, but stuck it is. And I quite like it that way. I thought I would share it, because...well...I kind of love it.

Hope as the thing with feathers, the thing that flies, the thing that is always there. The tune without the words. Oh, Emily Dickinson, you knew how to say stuff that's for sure.

PS happy february! possibly one of my very most favorite months.