That One Time I Was in the ER

Do I bring you joy? Probably.... But my guess is because you read this weekly (okay... we all know I don't really blog weekly!), and you find my life so outrageous that it brings you said joy. It's okay... I don't care how you find that joy, as LONG as I am a part of it ;)

Did you perchance see on facebook I was in the ER? Do you not have facebook? Are you perplexed by the even thought of me being in the ER? Well, thank you for your concerns. I appreciate it. People obviously don't think about me enough... so I thought i'd take a trip to the ER, just for kicks. KIDDING. But allow me to start from the beginning...




Well once upon a time, Elise (formerly Gorbutt) was about to have a baby. And because as a society we have showers for unborn babies, Natalie and I drove down.... well up... to Logan, UT where the beautiful Elise lives. It was a suuuuper easy drive there. Went easy peasy. Found the place and made perfect timing to make it to the shower on time. We were thinking "man! we have great luck! way to go us!" The shower was wonderful and I'd just like to point out that my adorable gift (which I regretfully didn't take a picture of) got THE BIGGEST "awwwwwwww" of the whole shower! Let me tell you... It was WELL deserving of those aww's. In fact, it really was the best gift. (Okay, now, i'm probably a little biased.) So, as the shower ended, Nat and I said our farewells and hopped in the car. We were pretty sure we knew where we were going. In fact, Natalie was suuuure of it. I trust my big sister. Well, not any more ;) Actually, I'm gonna be honest, I totally thought she was right, even down to the obscure smell she pointed out we smelt on the way up. (I did remember the smell....) Weird that we both remembered a smell we hadn't passed before.... Oh well. So eventually we turned on our GPS to realize we were definitely NOT going the right way. So naturally, we turned around and started following the GPS. yes, we looked at directions on the gps before we followed them- they made perfect sense. UNTIL we started driving. I swear God had it out for us that day. The journey home started with laughter, soon turned to just plain irritated accompanied by frustration, followed by straight up fear. It was pretty, all the fall colors.... Then bumpy..... Then rocky.... Then just freaky. Imagine for a second driving stick shift on a super narrow, steep, downhill, ROCKY road with a drop off one one side. Yep, that was like half our trip. Amidst our freaking, I stayed calm so Natalie could freak. It was when we realized we had no cell service that it got intense.

WELL. Confession. I have a very unique relationship with God. In addition to the prayers I respectfully pray each day, God and I have conversations. I will say out loud, "Oh hello God, its been a wonderful day. Thank you for the sun!" or "Well God, that was a clever one, one point you, one point me." We have these conversations daily. SO, the entire drive in the Logan wilderness God and I chatted. Natalie thought I was loco. I told God that he was a funny one, and appreciated the humor in the situation. I told God that I recognized that he was probably protecting me from some car accident by driving randomly, or that he gave me the opportunity to see such beauty I would have never seen otherwise. God and I became real close on that trip.

Well, to make matters worse, I have no AC. Imagine driving in the heat of the Utah summer with no AC. NOW imagine your windows rolled down for some nice fresh air, and then BAM tons of dust flowing into your car. Now, just for kicks, lets say you're allergic to dust and you stop breathing. And, you get to borrow your sister's inhaler so you can breathe.

Then, all of the sudden, as you think the GPS really is just leading you to the depths of Logan, you turn and see a road! Not a fake rocky dirt road, but a for real road, with lots of cars and even lines and cement. And in an instant, cell reception. QUICK. Call mom, call kenny. Text lover boys. Be told adoooorable things by said lover boy. Feel better. Get excited. Find the real road, and get home!

The pretty scenery in the beginning...
When we still thought we were on a "real" road.
The view to the left (other side was the drop off)...

The time we finally SAW THE ROAD!
aaaaand found hope :)

Well, as we were driving back in the hot, dusty car, I started feeling really sick. Like really sick. I was nauseous the ENTIRE trip and even threw up. I was in a lot of pain, and seriously just wanted to give up and just live on the side of the road, or die. Well, when I got to Natalie's home, Kenny gave me a priesthood blessing, and I headed home.

Unfortunately for ME. I was now 2 hours late to pick up 3 people for a j.wride/allred concert that was in SLC (which I had passed an hour before), and I was super sick. BUT, my roommate Kailee drove and we picked everyone up and started our drive. Jesse Wride let me know they were already on stage, I freaked, and we drove. We made it there in time for their last song. SUCH A MAJOR BUMMER. But, we got to hear Allred. Not gonna lie. He's kind of amazing. I loved it when I wasn't puking.... Even moooore unfortunate for me I ran in and out of the room probably two dozen times, throwing up in the bathroom, cooling off, and going back in. I swear, everyone thought I was nuts.

Kailee, John Allred, Me

Court Eccles and I
(He and I went to HS together, for the record.)

Court, Casey, Jesse, Jenna, Austin, Kailee
(the girls w/ j.wride)

Melissa + Nate Smeding + Me

Melissa, Kailee, Casey, Me
(before Allred performed)

We finally got home, and I was SUPER ill. I didn't really sleep at all, but when I got out of bed in the morning I felt as sick as I think i've ever been, and was in ridiculous pain. I called Blue Cross and they told me to go to the ER immediately. Rani picked me up and drove me me to the hospital. The admitted me and put an IV in and started me on morphine and who knows what. Apparently abdominal pain is pretty scary/serious. After over 5 hours in the ER, they diagnosed me... Word on the street is that I have a stomach ulcer. One good thing though- I had lots of visitors. Rani stayed with me the whole time. Megan (my roommate) visited. Two boys from the Elder's Quorum visited me. And then Michael Slawson, and Kailee, Brooke and Dani (my other 3 roomies) all came. It was great. Well, NOW I am on the most ridiculous diet. I pretty much eat saltines, applesauce, and mashed potatoes all day every day. That's it. Look at what I CAN NOT eat. It'll make you laugh in disbelief.

Well, its been a pretty crappy week. Simply because I haven't been able to go to any classes, and I missed half a work week (Sunday in ER = missing out on 80$). And i'm foreeever behind and I have just been sick, and I got called a boy by some lady in Wendy's.... And it's just been rough. But Monday I get back to classes and I am SOOOO EXCITED. Seriously.

Anyways, thats all for now. More confessions to come.

- J

f.y.i. Next time I post, it will no longer be teenage drama .... SAD.

That One Time I ALREADY Forgot To Post Every Week....

Once upon a time I was a lonely blogger. Just my mother and the occasional sister to read about my dreadful life. Then I came to Utah and BAM! Just like that I all the sudden became a cool person and had real things to blog about. Therefore, I have been an avid poster, even if its just my mother reading my blog (Thanks Mom!). BUT to my pleasant surprise I looked today and I had 11 followers. Yeah, that's not a ton! But hey- that's more than I thought I had, so I'm satisfied. And by satisfied, I mean that I feel like the COOLEST person right now:) To quote a rather brilliant musical, "Whenever I see someone less fortunate than I, And let's face it, who isn't less fortunate than I? My tender heart tends to start to bleed." I am going to be completely honest for a second. I do not think I am as cool as I seem to think I am. Aka, It sounds like I think I am the most awesome person around, but in reality, I'm pretty much a loser:) So I may get a chuckle out of you when I boast of my wonderful talents, but in reality you the reader are probably about 15.437 time cooler than I. (Take into consideration that this was an average, so you could be much cooler.)

Enough about how UNCOOL I am. Let's go back to the fact that I adore you because you read my blog and comment on it, and you even think I am funny sometimes. THAT is the best part of my week... When I get on and see that someone got a laugh out of something I said, OR thought I was funny.

**Attention future husband, if you are or will read this at any time,
if you think I am funny... You are a shoo in. Seriously.
Thinking I am funny, and being funny yourself.
THAT is the way to win my heart:) **

This week I had the ultimate pleasure of going to Ask for the Future's LAST concert as a band. They broke up recently, and Monday night was a birthday party for Porter who passed away a little time ago. It was kind of depressing as we sang happy birthday to him and ate some cake... It felt wrong. But all his friends and family were there, and it was a nice way to remember him. I love that band. There is something SO great about good music produced by good guys that is appropriate, fun, and just enjoyable. You don't see much of that anymore. It's a shame.

Me, Em and Kay

I love us :)

Ask For The Future
(p.s. their t-shirts are THE coolest!)

Us at the END of the concert/party.
They are SO good for coming with me:)

Kay, Em, and I were quite chilly!
The t-shirt quilt my mom gave me SAVED the day!

Last weekend we also watched the BYU vs. Air Force football game. HELLO BYU?! What the heck was that?! It was awful... BYU played such a crappy game, its just kind of sad. Maybe they will do better THIS SATURDAY when they play florida state. An apartment in my ward threw a viewing party. We packed the room (pictures do NOT do it justice.... my camera died before the masses showed up), and all brought lots of good food to share. It was AWESOME.

The 'loyal' viewers.... BYU fans ALL THE WAY.

Em and I (Air Force supporters)
Let me clarify... I was SOOOO conflicted.
Do you vote for God (byu) or AMERICA (Air Force Academy)???
Really though... It was 9/11 .... I had to cheer for Air Force.
It was a tough choice though....

Jon, Em and I watching the GAME

Michael supporting America
(while still cheering for BYU!)

Sailing in Deer Creek!!

My RMYL 123 class :)
* well... half of it anyways..

After sailing, I was cold and wet....
SO naturally, I laid out while everyone else finished sailing :)

Me and my sail boat and boating partner....

So, in my Intro to Outdoor Recreational Activities.... We learned how to sail. It's a LOT more complicated than I ever thought it would be. And, the water was freezing... so I hated it when our boat would tip a little and I'd end up soaked. BUT it was super fun, so it's okay!

Michael Slawson and ME

I love him So much...
He's like the brother I was never lucky enough to have:)

Michael, Me, Corbin, Ethan :)

Michael, Me, Corbin, Ethan and Brittany

My good friend Corbin Sterling (who's actually an incredible musician) came in town for ONE night, so naturally, we HAD to see him! (Wow... I just used "so naturally" more than I ever have in my life IN this blog post.) We all met up at denny's to play. There were people from the past 3 years (freshman in 2008, freshman in 2009, and freshman in 2010) that had known Corbin one way or another, and came to see him. It was super fun. Eventually they kicked us out because only like 5 people ordered and we were taking up space... BUT it was great.

Anyways, that's all for LAST week.... Aka the week I forgot to post about. BUT this past week is coming up tomorrow with all the goodness from this past week. You'll love it.

More confessions to come, soon NOT to be teenage drama ;)

- J

Slacking Off and THE Best Days of Our Lives:) ... Thanks to j.wride!

So loyal followers and eager readers... Your wildest dreams have come true! I will now be weekly blogging. Are you shaking your head and laughing at me in disbelief??? How dare you:) I come in peace, and in hilariousness. School has started. Therefore, I actually have things to say, pictures to post. And fortunately for YOU, my life is rather awesome this year. Just you wait and see! I'm serious though, if I forget to post one week... well.... It just won't happen. I will set a reminder on my computer, my ipod, my phone, AND my itouch. And just for kicks, I will also put it on my calendar:) Remember, this is for you, the reader, and for my posterity, whomever they may be in the distant future (at least I sure hope distant)!

So, on behalf of bloggers and followers everywhere, we all, yes ALL, apologize for the fact that I have slacked off the past 4 months. And I, on behalf of myself:), promise to never slack off again. Unless I am ill and in the hospital or my computer blows up, or my dog dies. (For those who were curious, no I do not have a dog. It was simply an exaggeration.)

What have I been up to since July?? Well, August waaaaas QUITE the month! It's okay to be jealous while reading of my adventures. It happens to the best of us. Seriously, the best of America have called me up confessing of their jealousy. Now, I am not a fan of wanting what is not, or being jealous of someone you can't be... BUT in the case of wanting to be me?? I fully support that. I'm awesome, what can I say?

OKAY. Brace yourselves. They'll be pictures and a fun little description for each event. Enjoy:) Are you ready?!

Eating my GINORMOUS marshmallow...

It was really, really sticky...

With Emily Robinson and Tyler Hickok
roasting our big marshmallows

Em and I roasting starbursts (our first time!)

Em took these two pictures of my ward:

Aren't they so great?!! I loved this ward... SO much.

Brandi Fausett and I....
She was my roommate when I first moved into the ward in 2009!

Me and the OH SO WONDERFUL Alisha Hayden
I'm pretty sure she's the most amazing person I've ever met..
I miss her :(

Old and new friends :)

Jamyn, Em, and I

They are SO great.

I couldn't as for better friends...

I LOVE that they put up with me:)

TRYING to be sexy, I guess:)

SMILE :)

Best friends. She's the greatest... Seriously.

The marshmallow got the best of me.... Shucks ;)

What a night, right?! My old ward (BYU 56th) where I resided for over a year, had a social at our Bishop's Barn in Wallsburg (up Provo Canyon). It was awesome! There was a basketball court we all played on, a huge fire pit for roasting marshmallows and starbursts, a giant game of capture the flag, and a hilarious slideshow. I had a lot of fun getting to know a few kids, and just hanging with my people. You can probably tell I had a little too much fun... Those marshmallows were HUGE! While living at Alta Apartments, I made some of the best friends I could ever ask for. They have blessed my life in ways they will probably never realize. But really, I love you guys.

Em and I outside Avalon Theatre in SLC

With the one the ONLY Benton Paul!
(If you haven't heard his music, go and do that riiight now.)

With this craaazy band. They were awesome!
SUCH energy but they were insane:)

Emily was a DOLL and went with me to Benton Paul in SLC. Fortunately for usssss j.wride was one of the opening acts. I personally LOVE when my favorite artists perform shows together, it makes my life so great, and makes it less of a problem when I spend lotsa money on concerts. BUT for the record, I won a ticket to this show so I got in FREE! LOVE me some free shows:) Plus, we all know j.wride is pretty much INCREDIBLE live. If you haven't seen them yet, they are on tour with Allred the next couple months, so you should check out a show! Anyways, It was amazing, and at the end of Benton, we obviously shouted for an encore and he came out solo and sat on the edge of the stage and everyone ran up and crowded around and he played us an off mic song. He is amazing.

With Court Eccles-
the most talented Bass player i've ever known...
I'm lucky to know him.

Me with the LOVELY Lorin!
We are such big j.wride fans:)

With the bestie:)

DANG we are attractive ;)

With the majority of our group (only missing Kade+his crew)
LOVE them to death!

Em and Matt Bashaw, Me and Kalen (the Hope)

Do we look FLY or what?!

Posing for Kade the great:)

Aren't his photos AMAZING?!

The ONLY reason I let pics like this out in public...
Kade is brilliant. That is why.

So I JUST mentioned how I love when favorite artists play shows together... WELL. What about when favorite artists play a song together AND then have a show together. Ladies and gentleman you can love j.wride more now than ever. Jesse got with Matt Bashaw of Matthew Bashaw and the Hope and performed 2 songs together. One The Hope's, and the other j.wride's. Can I just tell you I am in LOVE with those two boys' voices. Seriously. And together... WOW. So this concert was AMAZING. My favorite j.wride concert by far. There was SO much energy, people were loving them! The energy was contagious. Seriously. Check out j.wride on facebook!

Kelsie, Me, Rani, Ashley
Meteorite Shower!!

We went to the Bishop's Barn where you could see ALL the stars
aaaaaand there were no trees or people or anything in the way:)

She is SO great. Gotta love Rani.

I miss my Moises:) He is awesome!

So I called up our Bishop and asked him if we could borrow his barn and property for the night. Rani invited a huge group to go watch the Meteorite Shower and I wanted some place away from the rest of the crazies that love stars. Therefore, we all drove up at 1 in the morning and all hung out on the top of this giant hill with nothing in the way- just a clear view of the Heavens. Made you really appreciate God and his masterpiece. It was a lot of fun, despite the pitch blackness and my INSANE flash:)

This may have been honestly one of the saddest moments of my whole summer...
Alisha Hayden. I love you.

SO Alisha was my roommate Winter Semester and became one of my absolute best friends. I have decided she is the most incredible person I've ever known. She just graduated with her masters and just moved down to Texas where she is working on her phd. She got up and packed everything- leaving her family, her friends, and drove down to Texas. I seriously miss her SO much. So many things remind me of her, and all the time I want to run over to her apartment and before I know it I realize Texas is a little TOO far to run. So I guess skyping is our next best shot:) I love her.

Em and I waiting in line at Velour!

We're looking all sexy for Cameron Rafati ;)

Yay for texting Lorin and inviting her!
Gotta love Kaylee and Lorin:)

Em and I in front of CAM CAM:)

Is Cameron Rafati gorgeous our what?!

Kevin was such a cutie:) He kept smiling at us from the stage...
He was so shy though. It was adorable.

He was so sweet:) Such a gentleman...
** Plus he kissed me! (on the head, lol) **

Em, Cam Cam and I
Is he candy to the eye or what?!

Classic Em and I...
Love, hate relationship
MOSTLY love!

Me and Jason Reeves!
For those who don't know who he is...
He sang Droplets with Colbie and Terrified with Katherine McPhee

Lorin, Em, Me, JASON REEVES, Randi, Carly, Kaylee

PROOF that my roomie Emily is amazing ^ .... She was online and saw Cameron Rafati was opening for Jason Reeves at Velour. We got to Velour an hour early and waited in line to buy tickets at the door. We got in, along with the other 4 ladies whom came along after I texted Lorin and let her know the love of her life was performing at Velour (I even told Jason Reeves that Lorin wanted to marry him... ha ha). Can I just say Cameron Rafati was even more amazing in person. You can check out his CD on his website. He actually has two CDs, and they are both amazing. You can also check out his music video for his song "1 in 10" here. He is gorgeous, he is tall, and he is 100% man. Em and I are pretty much in love. :) Seriously though, he was incredible live and we were playing off each other's energy the entire time he was playing. His band and Em and I.... We were all smile plastered the entire time. It was great. Em and I even got to know his brother Kevin (not the guitar player Kevin) who is pretty awesome too. He's hilarious, I'm a fan.

Steph and I with the incredible Nik Day
(Check out his facebook page to listen to some of his songs)

Steph and I... We are so stylish!
And is she gorgeous or what?!

We're the bestest of friends:)

Abraham, Chantal, Me

Stevie and I :)

SO, Steph invited me to join her at the Provo Town Square Rooftop Concert yesterday. They have this rooftop concert series... Benton Paul had said he was performing there when Em and I went to SLC to hear him play, BUT to my pleasant surprise Nik Day was also performing. And if you haven't heard his voice... It's beautiful. Makes you want to "fall asleep and make out with him all at the same time" (as I put it last night). Ha ha. He was great. We had such a good time together and taking modeling picture.. then we went to part of a BYU dance and it was craaaazy!

Anyways, I know you're thinking to yourself right now "why even live? I will never been as cool as she is!" Well, I've been where you are... But now I am cool, and I understand that its tough to get to where I am. But it is possible. Hang out with me, talk to me, think of me... And you will get there.

That's all from this teenage drama queen. More confessions to come.

- J