Do not fear the cinnamon roll.

The long awaited day, has arrived. I have finally perfected the art of the cinnamon roll. No more spilled filling, no crispy dough, no over buttered (as if there is such a thing) pans. These babies are pure bliss--filled with that sweet aromatic product harvested straight from Madagascar. *I actually don't know if my cinnamon comes from Madagascar but I would assume as much. Just bear with me here. It's poetic, and stuff. And the frosting. The frosting, people. Ah. I can't.

Tackling this feat makes me want to take up arms and attempt the perfect chocolate chip cookie, or homemade brownies. The possibilities are endless. I could probably try bungee jumping, windsurfing, cliff diving. Maybe I will learn the guitar, sing in front of people, finally tackle all those programs on the Adobe suite, or brush up on that sad, rusty Spanish of mine. In the middle of my elation over cinnamon rolls, I realized that I had accomplished something that seemed at first to be cryptic and confusing and almost cruel. (Seriously, if your yeast has even been killed before the little babies even get a chance...you know what I mean.) Think about this one--we can do all sorts of things that at the first go around we would never think of being capable of. So yeah, it was only cinnamon rolls. I was in a kitchen. This is all very tame. But the idea is the same, is it not? Whenever there's something you want to accomplish, you might as well just cover yourself in flour, kill a bunch of yeast, burn a million pans of the things--and keep doing it--until you end up with a gloriously perfect pan of cinnamon-y goodness. It doesn't make sense to never try just because you've convinced yourself things won't end up as good as you want them to be. Just figure out what you want, work really hard, and go for it. Do not fear the cinnamon roll.

Ra(ndom)mblings.

 How many times do we find ourselves trying to fit into this mold of something or someone that we think will make us more attractive or more desirable or more popular in the eyes of someone else? How often do we allow comparison to be the thief of the joy and accomplishments and successes we work so hard for? It's the easiest thing to do. You take yourself at your worst and compare it to everyone else at their best. And it doesn't help that on top of that, you deal with a barrage of social media from facebook, instagram and twitter. It's the perfect platform for comparison. Because let's all be honest here--usually people shy away from broadcasting their circumstances if they don't feel good about them. But that doesn't stop you, when you're feeling like your life is less-than documentary worthy, from scrolling and clicking and sorting through pages and pages of content that can make the life you're trying to balance (and build) seem less than enthralling. Suddenly you question what you're doing, criticize why you're doing it, and unhappiness, complacency and negativity corrodes your ambition and skill until there's not much left of you. 

So what's the point of it all? There's this idea that to be something worthwhile, we have to beat out everyone else, make ourselves stand out from the crowd, be different, unique, noteworthy, exciting. And there's nothing wrong with that. Not at all. But all too often the motivation behind that desire isn't to make ourselves the best we can be to live with a positive image of our own life, but to beat out or one up or feel more accomplished than another. The grass is always greener, right? Except for when you're on the other side. All we can really do is work our very hardest to be the very best we can be for the right reasons. The root of all unhappiness isn't going to be fixed by trying to attain some trait or skill or quality or look that someone else has because you think they're better off than you. The root of YOUR unhappiness is only fixed by taking the time to really understand what you want and why you want it, then working your butt off to get it because that's the only thing that can make your circumstances better and make you happier. Basically it all comes down to what makes you a better person, because to be perfectly honest, no one contributes anything to the world if their mindset is downtrodden and shackled by thoughts of comparison, envy and negativity. So understand what you're doing, and why you're doing it, and if you're unhappy, stop. If you want something else, change. Work hard to accomplish the things you really want, and take the time to stop and think and make sure those things are getting you where you want to go, not where you think someone else is going because they seem happier or better or more successful than you.

Because let's be honest, none of us really know anything about anything in the long run. We can plan all we want, but stuff happens. And I for one, am going to be in the thick of what makes me happiest if or when that occurs. At least then you know you're living a life in no one's shadow, and making the most of it. 

"Love is not blind, that is the last thing love is. Love is bound, and the more love is bound the less it is blind" 

Thoughts on change.

There was a quote I heard recently which read:

"You are perfect exactly as you are. With all your flaws and problems, there's no need to change anything. All you need to change is the thought that you have to change."

I found this quote really interesting. Because, where is the line between changing yourself because you feel insecure, inadequate, or insufficient, and changing yourself for the good of bettering yourself, and improving who you are? I set a goal, and want to get there; I want to improve, be better, look better, try harder, do more. Isn't that all change? Where I see the real issue come in, is when we base our self worth on the changes we want for ourselves, and not in the small, daily accomplishments we achieve while working towards something much, much bigger. I can't change everything about myself that I would like to in a day, but I can work every day to get a little closer towards positive change. And I can love myself for doing that. LOVE, people. We beat ourselves up so much over every little crack in the walls. If we see ourselves not doing enough, fast enough, and don't see the results quickly enough, we immediately place that blame on ourselves.

Change, when it comes down to it, is the driving force behind all the good that comes in life. Its what helps us to progress, make goals, change goals, find ourselves, become who we want to be. But in doing that, it's remembering that change doesn't happen overnight, and it doesn't happen in one fell swoop. But as long as you're trying, you're changing.

And that's really all that matters in the end. 

Confession.

I think I have an addiction. I'm not a very healthy eater. I usually eat mac n'cheese and chocolate chip cookies...and cake...and sweets...at least once a week. Does the chocolate cake I ate at 12:30 last night count? 

I'm the worst.

Anyways. I think I have a problem with eating well. And well balanced. If I'm not stuffing my face with the aforementioned foods I'm usually eating an egg toast for breakfast and a bowl of cereal for dinner. I'm a mess!

This. Ends. Now.

I am going to try to test myself, to see if I can really keep track of what I'm nourishing my body with, as opposed to just eating. I'll probably take pictures of my food a lot (that's a big change for me, I know, because it's not like I take pictures of food always or anything) and I am going to really track what I'm eating for my health in the big picture! The journey shall start tomorrow. I'll keep you people posted.

(Starting tomorrow...because the waffluv truck is out by the duck pond and it's calling my name). But really, anyone who knows me knows I am defenseless against waffles.

Oops.

Real life, guys.

Hey all. So I haven't died or anything...I just suck at maintaining a blog and not failing finals. So maybe I fell off the side of the technological Earth for a few...months. So sue me.

Anyways. Yesterday this happened:

My best friend in the whole world is going to PARIS, FRANCE for 18 months to serve as a missionary for our church. 

The emotions I could use to explain this event include: happy, thrilled, elated, excited, and a billion other synonyms, which I'm happy about because that masks the tinge of extreme sadness at the thought of surviving life without my best friend for 18 months. But it is all so worth it in the end. I can't even really write out how I really am feeling about all of this right here, because I will start crying and I am not really in a crying-friendly environment at the current moment. That sounds sketchy. But you know, like that ugly cry...the one where your chin starts to quiver all attractively and your face gets splotchy and you start to gasp for breaths? Yeah you don't want to see it. 

So I'll just leave it at this. 

Paris, you are one lucky city. 

Here's the thing.

What do you do when you get hit with a gnarly stomach virus that keeps you immobilized in bed?

Watch TV. 
Read. 
Listen to Music. 

So in the case of that last point, I have a little problem in that when I hear a song and love it, I LOVE IT. And then I play it on repeat for hours and hours and learn all the words and play it everywhere I go because it just becomes my anthem.

Exhibit A:

Jacob Artist, MARRY ME.

A very special birthday

Heyyo. So, this model right here is my mom. She's pretty great.

I wish there were words that could express the influence a mother has in their childs life. Their unique mixture of strength, example, wisdom and love makes truly astounding change in the moldable hearts, minds and spirits of their children. My mom is one of those such women, and has taught me innumerable lessons in my life. I've learned how to be brave, strong, caring, loving, how to make a mean gumbo and that you never go to a party without some kind of treat in-hand. I've learned that people who are the hardest to love need the love the most, and that through charity and love you can change lives. Thanks momma, and happy birthday. You're a remarkable person and I love you more than a warm Chicago Fire pizookie.

"Napoleon is quoted as having asked Madame Campan: “What is wanting in order that the youth of France will be well educated?” “Good mothers,” was her reply. The Emperor was forcibly struck with this answer. “Here,” he said, “is a system in one word—mother.”

I love you, mom. Happy Birthday :) 

How I feel about a little thing called a sugar fast:

Oops.

Prezidentz Dayyy

Hello people! First off, I love you all. Seriously. Second, I have learned some interesting things this weekend.

1. Hiking redrocks are sooooo fun. (see below)

2. I have found the love of my life, a butter-laiden carbohydrate twisted around a dowel. True, sweet love. (Pizza factory breadsticks, people. SO GOOD)
3. Doing my hair is way overrated.
4. THIS GIRL has a BLOG!!!! My heart is so so happy.

Also, I'm giving up sugar for a month starting tomorrow. So I'll be posting about that here soon, I'm sure. Anyone who knows me knows that if I go a day without chocolate things get interesting real quick. It's gonna be an adventure.

Stay classy kids, til' next time! Eat sweets for me!



Oh. Yeah. And Happy Presidents Day! I love all of them, too.

Hard things, great things.

Life is a hard thing. It is. There are lovely moments, (and many more of those than the bad or hard moments), but life is not a piece of cake. Having established this, I firmly believe that having a positive outlook, and being able to spin things so you don't sweat the small stuff makes our lives a whole lot easier. But in doing that I think sometimes it's easy to begin to feel that you aren't allowed to have a bad day, to feel sad, to have a moment where you're just having trouble spinning things and you kind of just want to cry into your roommate's shoulder and eat a gallon of ice cream. That's completely okay. Were not perfect as much as we try to be. We cant fix everything as much as we try to. We can't heal everyone as much as we'd want to. All we can do is put our best selves out there each day and try to make the lives of others a little better, and make our lives better in doing so. A positive attitude doesn't mean you aren't ALLOWED to be sad. You are allowed a bad day. You are allowed to get knocked down. So long as you let others help you get up and you move on with an even greater determination to make your life everything you've ever wanted. 

Go and do and be and love. 

(Officially off my soapbox.) 

Did we ever talk about the time I went to California?

Because that happened. I meannnn the time I went to Southern California. For New Years Eve. It was glorious and wonderful and I want to go back right now. Mostly because it involves 80 degree weather, tanning, ocean, making good food and other things that make my heart full...whereas I'm currently in -2 Provo with cracked and dry knuckles trying to stay above water with a growing disdain for accounting and a bagillion tests coming up.

But. A few things have made my life a little better lately and I would love to share them with you all.

1. Random treats. Last week we had a birthday at work and I had a wonderful sugar filled breakfast. Also, one day when I had skipped breakfast and was absolutely famished with nothing to eat, this happened:

This sweet sweet baby girl in my arms for three hours. She was born on Thanksgiving to these wonderful people and I was blessed to be able to watch her for an afternoon. I love her and she's not even mine. I really just can't even fathom the love that you can have for a little human with such a sweet, pure spirit. I just love her. Seriously. Look at that face. 

These shoes, which were TWO DOLLARS. TWO DOLLARS, PEOPLE!!!! I now can be twinzies with my roommate and and one of our besties so we're gon' be soooooo cute. 

Let's just look at a picture of California. That place has my heart. 

Yes. 

It's a little moment of peace in my heart.

Honestly.

My life lately (not solely according to instagram)

Some of the more glorious things about being home for Christmas break are as follows:

First off, I have been eating an obscene amount of these waffles. They are so ridiculously good. I feel many a waffle Sunday, waffles-for-dinner, waffle Wednesday, waffles every day theme emerging. Did I mention I have an obsession with breakfast food? P-town friends, when we're back at school, if ever you have a hankering for these guys let me know and I would be more than happy to oblige.

My name is Allison Garvey, and I am obsessed with Downton Abbey. But really, have you seen this show? It's amazing. Addicting. It's almost as great as Grey's. Don't worry, almost. You really should take a second (or about 55 minutes, to be exact) and watch an episode.

Getting to see this cutie again. She's so weirdly flexible. Really. Joints shouldn't move like that on a dog. 

Polar Express. Cocoa. Favorite mug. Christmas. 

Bringin' the 84604 back to the 916. Maybe we scrape every crumb we can out of pizookie tins. Is that so wrong? 

The making of the best dang chicken tortilla soup you've ever had in your entire life, I promise you.  (Before)

After! (I'll save you the image of me eating four bowls of  the stuff.)

On top of all that, it is windy and rainy and stormy here (crazy hur don't cur) which makes all the Christmas time fun a bit more wonderful. But I won't lie, I'm a little more than stoked to visit this girl in sunny, warm, rain-free socal in a few days.

Wishing everyone a very Happy Christmas! (Harry Potter style.)

To be grateful.

This post might seem a bit dull for some of you. For the most part, this is more of a reminder to myself that life is precious and fragile and we need to be the best we can, while we still can. I'm taking a moment to humble myself, to appreciate all of the amazing people and opportunities and things I have available to me. Taking a moment to appreciate all of the things I have been blessed with. To appreciate that I am alive, that I am here, that I can wake up again each day and try to be better than I was yesterday. The horrific occurrence that happened in Connecticut is what prompted this post. I have been thinking a lot today about that, and a thought came to me which has been hard to get out of my head.

I am still on this earth. There are 20 sweet, innocent, beautiful spirits whose time on this earth ended all too soon. But it got me thinking, I am still here, so what am I going to do about it? I have been given an opportunity each day that I wake up to make a change, to make a difference, to be a force for good in the world. We all have. It's a crucial and important responsibility we have to be the best we can be, for ourselves and for others. To be the kind of person that makes a difference, that does what they can to make even a small positive change in this world that is so ridden with different kinds of evil.

We can't stop those acts of evil from happening, as much as we'd like to. We can't take away the pain from tragedies we, or people that we care about experience. But we can make an effort each day to be our best, and do our best for others. I want to be the kind of person who takes full advantage of the fact that today, right now, I have been given a precious gift: to be here. To be present. To make a difference. That means something to me, and I'm not going to waste another day forgetting that fact.

The little things...

It's that time of year again. When my home suddenly turns into the library, there are study groups that keep me on campus until it's dark and I have to speed-walk my little self back to my apartment because I'm not appropriately dressed for when it's cold at night.

But. All of that aside. There are little things that I am truly so so grateful for. We're talking all my heart and soul, grateful for. And when I stop to think about it, I am immensely grateful for the opporutnity to go to school, and kill myself during finals.

1) This girl (and her cute lil' sista). They are truly two of the most exceptional people I know and I am beyond blessed to have them in my life. And the fact that they feed me honestly once a week, at minimum. I LOVE THEM.

2)The fact that I get to move in with this girl. She is also one of those exceptional people. She's unfailingly kind, generous, funny, and loving. And she also feeds me often. So good to me.

3)That I get to go home in about a week to meals that include glorious carbs and sweet treats abound. I love my momma and the fact that she loves to spoil me with wayyyy too much food.


4) I get to be reunited with my best friend in the whole world, who has been living in France...I know...for the past bagillion years. Or four months. Same thing, right?

SHE'S SO CUTE. 

Long story short, I am one lucky girl. It's interesting to think about how great our lives are when we take a second and think about those little things.

Snow happens?

There is snow on the ground, people. Snow. 

I realize that this is a usual wintertime occurrence, but I grew up where winter boots and coats meant it had dropped to the 50's. HAUL OUT THE UGGS,PEOPLE. THIS IS SERIOUS. 

While the first snow has been an absolutely magical experience, I have to say, California did not prepare me well. I spent the majority of my day yesterday panicking about layers (or my lack of layers, if we're being precise) and I promise, I thought I was going to slip and die with every step I took. 

So. Things I have learned:

-When it comes to snow, not all boots are made equal. 
-There is nothing better than hot chocolate when it's cold outside. Really, nothing. 
-Layers are your FRIEND. 

All that aside, this snow is actually wonderful. I have shamelessly taken all kinds of photos to document the white fluffy goodness, which I'm obviously going to share with all of you. I know you're all just as excited as I am to see pictures of white trees and such. 

Never in my short little life have I woken up to such a pretty sight. 

These were my original choice for shoe wear yesterday. My roommate gently
reminded me that snow generally means you get wet. I learned quickly.

NOVEMBER.

Oh how I have missed this wonderful month. 

So.

There are officially 16 days until I sit my little bootayyy down on those teensy little Southwest airline seats and fly home for my favorite holiday of the entire year. Yeahyeahyeah. I'm pretty stoked about the whole deal.

Bear with me as I give y'all a little homage to the exciting-ness of this month:

These colors. Everywhere. But actually I'm pretty blessed to live in a place
where there are plenty of trees and plenty of color. Woot. 

This needs to explanation. When else do you get away with making a turkey cake? Exactly. 

YES.

Get excited kiddos! This is about to be the best Thanksgiving season y'all have ever had. I have a good feeling about it....even if you have to deal with lot'sa peeps and some weird casserole thing or some funky tradition you've never really understood. Embrace it. Love it. Ohhh yes.

I think I need to learn some time management.

It's confession time. I have a few pretty large assignments that I have to get done that I am currently not doing. Instead I am here, writing to all of you. Look! I love you all more than I love my schoolwork and therefore good grades and therefore my future!

Too much?

Anyways. You know that saying that goes something like if you have way too much to do you just shut down and take a nap? Well when I have too much to do I play this song over and over and over again. Who knew T-swizzle could make a song with dubstep! Baby dubstep. But still. I dig it. I haven't hit the 24 hour non-stop listening mark though, so we don't need to worry yet.

Happy listening my loves!

A bunch of happy stuff.

Hey kids! It's me again. Nope, I didn't die if that's what any of you were wondering, I just fail at blogging. Slash I've noticed that lately I spend every free minute between class and studying and working taking cat naps. Oops.

But uh anyways, I doubt many people want to read about my irregular sleeping habits! Onwards!

This is a very special post. It's a double-whammy of excitement and happiness so you peeps better be ready for it.

This beautiful creature's name is Brooke Eddington.

She is the older sister of my very best friend in the world, Annie. Here's a pic of them together, just so you have a visual.

They're cute, right? 

So. Brooke just got married to one of the nicest people I've ever met. And they're soul-mates. Seriously perfect for each other. Here's a picture of them together, so you have a good visual of that, too.

They're precious! Brooke is honestly one of the sweetest most wonderful people I've ever met. She's beautiful, kind, caring, and will make you laugh harder than you know you can. She and Mike are like the superstars of newlyweds. They're just awesome. Stalk them, meet them, get to know them.

Okay. Maybe don't stalk them. But you catch my drift. They're great people!

So here's the double whammy part. Brooke was kind enough to ask me to do her hair for this joyous event; I happily obliged!

It got me thinking, I love people, I love doing hair (I seriously do, its a weird characteristic of mine), and I love making joyous events more joyous (Because who doesn't love joy. That's just silly.)...so why not start doing... a little hair-...doing!

Bad grammar aside, I'm pretty excited about it. If you need your hair done or know someone who needs their hair done, for an event or for no particular reason at all, lemme know. I'll post pictures on my blog of hair I've done so y'all can see what you're getting yourselves into, and feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments or requests or you just want to talk about life.

Now to show you pictures of pretty hair and happy married people. Yay!

Throwback to high school. We were so cute! 

Ignore the underbite I've got goin' on and look at the hair.
I do weird things when I'm focusing. 

Just because they're way too cute and I may or may not be completely obsessed with them. 

Congratulations Brooke and Mike! 

You two are like peas in a pod. Oreos and cream. Perfect for each other. Thanks for letting me join in on the fun :) 

Maybe I should get a hobby.

I have been trying to be a little more proactive with my days lately. Mostly, I would like to avoid the I-ate-a-dozen-doughnuts-and-now-im-too-full-to-do-anything situation which I so frequently put myself in. 

Oops.

Anyways. Today I was very productive. I flew home, unpacked, reunited with my lovely friends, went grocery shopping and cooked the fambam some dinner. But then I decided I needed a reward so for the past hour I've been sitting on my couch listening to this song on repeat, doing little else but staring at the ceiling. Again, oops. 

I promise this post has a point. I think. Basically, Imagine Dragons is one of my favorite bands. Their ability to be happy and haunting and hopeful and mournful all at the same time gives me the heebie jeebies in the best of ways. 

Well, friends. I hope you enjoy!