Thanksgiving!

Hooray for Thanksgiving! Who doesn't love Thanksgiving? Honestly it is the best! The mashed potatoes and the pie....Yum....Anyways....So on behalf of Thanksgiving I would like to make a list of some of the things I am thankful for.

Gratitude List:

...My supportive and loving Family,My Mom, Dad, Lindsay, Ryan and Megan...My awesome friends... Sleep... Food... The Gospel...My testimony... The Beatles... Technology...My Education... Classic Movies.... Karaoke Revolution... The Prophet... Soda!... My Ward and neighborhood... Books... My senses... Twilight... Music in general... The Lion House... Laughter... I-tunes... Joseph Smith... My dog Molly... Bear Grylls... My Health... Good Teachers... Young Women's Leaders... Sun Chips... Jane Austen Novels... The clothes on my back... My beautiful home... Bobby pins... The Scriptures... Harrison Ford... Prayer... The beautiful and truly amazing creations of Heavenly Father... Google... Smiles... The Fall Leaves... My bed... Missionaries... Curly Hair... This Country

And the list goes on and on!

"I've got sand in my trousers which is not ideal."

One of my favorite things Bear Grylls (Man vs. Wild) has ever said is the above title. I know this quote seems entirely random but it has been very applicable for me lately. I relate the sand to small irritations (hehehe) in life, the things that are little that drive you insane and you can't shake them. There have been many small things that bug me and I have no idea why. Half the time you feel the irritation but can't find the source of it, which is entirely how I feel.

So with that being said I will face this "sand" with the attitude of Bear Grylls. Even though it is not ideal to have some irritations driving you mad, you need to keep going and work through them because let's just face it, there are ALWAYS irritations and it doesn't help to dwell on them. Bear Grylls just keeps going on his mission for survival in the african dessert and doesn't let that sand get to him so neither will I. I won't  let my tiny annoyances ruin the big picture!

A Hairless Rapunzel

Is it important to have hair to play Rapunzel? I would say the answer to that would be yes. At our final dress rehearsal on Tuesday this week, Bailey and I were laughing because we counted the attempts to find me an appropriate wig. Up to Tuesday night there were five attempts and still no decision on what I would be doing with my hair. 

Attempt #1. Renting the Wig from Pioneer Theater Company. This idea became quickly squashed after we actually saw the wig (and after I had brushed out all 12 feet of it!)

Attempt #2. Use my real hair and find a way to attach the long piece from PTC to it. That got dashed straight away.

Attempt #3. Buy a 250 dollar wig from a wig shop that could be braided. It turns out the wig couldn't be braided. There goes that idea.

Attempt #4. Borrow the long braided wig from Hillcrest (who did Into the Woods ten years ago). I am pretty sure the wig had dust mites in it....gross.... In the end we did not like the top piece it attached to.

Attempt #5. Getting a braided short wig from the wig place for the top piece and using Hillcrest's braid for the bottom piece. No way Jose.

And so finally we have arrived at attempt #6 which took place on Wednesday for the parent preview: Use my own hair on top and connect it to the braid from Hillcrest (after we brushed it out and made it look pretty of course) My mom was able to find a way to attach it with velcro and the director ended up really liking it. I was so happy with the final attempt and I am glad it passed the directors inspection because I don't know what we would have done. This week the "wig situation" was a source of frustration to me and now looking back on it I think it is hilarious!!! Good times in the play...

(Bay Girl's wig count on the board in the drama room. Hahahaha...Oh good times)

ODE TO THE ELVIS SHIRT

A terrible thing has happened...My beloved Elvis Presley 30th anniversary shirt (all the way from Graceland baby!) has gone missing! I cannot find it anywhere and I am worried that I left it in Lake Powell! AHHH! So depressing was this event that I have decided to write an Ode to my shirt...Here goes:

Me and My Elvis Shirt made a great pair,

On T-Shirt Fridays people would stop and stare.

My Elvis shirt made my heart feel happy

and was not at all sappy.

So many good times were had 

and I am just a tad mad

Oh Elvis Shirt come home soon

or I will feel like a loon...

Ok so I am not a poet but I felt some tribute is necessary! That shirt meant a lot! 

P.S. Elvis Presley why did you have to die?

Sarah,Sarah,Sarah, Mara,Terra...

Not that I don't love my name...but wow! TOO many people are named Sarah. To be honest it is slightly ridiculous. I had never noticed how many Sarah's there are until 7th grade when there were seven Sarah's in my choir (4 of which were in the second soprano section alone). I also noticed when there just happened to be 5 in my orchestra class as well. At this point I became bored with my name, not that I don't love it ( I mean how could I not love a name that means princess) but I was hearing it all the time. Speed time up just 4 short years and now I am in the same situation. This year in the musical there are 6 Sarah's. AHHHHH! hehehehe! We always laugh because there are 3 Sarah leads plus a Mara and a Terra... a lot of rhyming going on. I guess what I am trying to say is that I love my name and am proud to be one of the many Sarah's in the world... but at times like this I would love to have a random name like Shannequa that not many people have! I even appreciate the slight different variation of Sarah Jane. That brings so much joy! I am seriously considering making a legal change to Sarah Jane....or even Shannequa....

 

(The three lead Sarah's....and Adam)

So Cupcake=SO YUMMY!

Last Spring, my mother discovered a cute cupcake shop here in Holladay called So Cupcake. Ever since it has been my favorite place and cupcakes have become my favorite dessert! They have so many flavors to choose from and every time I go there is a flavor I have never heard of before. My personal favorite is apple with maple frosting, SOOOOOO GOOD!

Yesterday morning I was able to go to the temple. I love going early morning because it always makes your day so wonderful. However by the end of play practice the tiredness hit me like a ton of bricks and my tummy was saying "feed me!!!" I got home and saw the most beautiful sight in the world....A box of so cupcakes (not to mention they were the big kind!!!) sitting on the counter. Oh how happy to see 6 of those delicious cupcakes and to know that one of them was going to be in my tummy! It was one of those moments where you say to yourself "The church is true!" hehehehe! The Temple+So cupcake=Eternal bliss!

The Fifty Yard Line Oath

Tonight a few of my friends and I ended up at the football field. We went to surprise a friend who was running around the track and afterwards ended up running around the field. I felt better than I have felt in a while and couldn't understand why, then I came to this conclusion: For the past little while I have been worrying about things that seemed so important that really aren't. I had been letting a stupid boy ruin my confidence and ease at school and I decided that I was done letting it get to me. What is the point in waiting around and being sad? Being on the field was strangely therapeutic (which is weird because this boy happens to be a football player) and I was able to just let it go. I was able to believe the things people had been saying to me like "he doesn't deserve you" and "it is good that you stuck up for what you believed in." I finally came to a realization that even though what I had done was hard, I HAD done what was right.

This small group of friends huddled around the fifty yard line and each put a foot on the line. We all went around and told everyone goals that we really want to accomplish this month. I had two #1. To not over stress about school, work and the musical and to take the time to really enjoy it! and #2 To have the confidence and ease that I used to have. The amazing sense of support and love in that circle was amazing. I am glad that I have friends that I can share goals with and that I know they will support me!

When thinking of something deep to say my friend Bailey profoundly said "Curly fries are Arby's gift to the world." Hehehe, next time we make an oath on the fifty yard line we are definitely bringing curly fries!

"A friend is someone who knows who you are-But loves you anyway."

Thoughts, Feelings and other such Rantings...

--I can't understand how you write your notes on the board, so messy.

--I am really excited for my tower and long haired wig.

--Know your part and be prepared, especially at 6:30 in the morning.

--I am entitled to two Lion House rolls today.

--Airborne is a miracle worker.

--"Tell me that you've got everything you want and your bird can sing. But you don't get me, You don't get meeeee."

--Football games are torture, and no one seems to understand why.

--I wish I owned Across the Universe.

--Why can't you just see the light?

--I don't enjoy fake-bakers. They look orange.

--Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ahhhhhhh

--Sophomore boys should really keep their shirts on at football games.

--No one will play Clue with me.

--I am in the mood to watch Pocahontas!

--Is Columbus a hero?

--You can't just tell me to fix something, when I don't know how you want me to fix it.

--I don't learn by reading a text book.

--Musicals are so much fun!

--Pick a pitch any pitch.

--So close and still so far.

--Elvis Presley, why did you have to die!

--Why do the Jonas Brothers wear weird clothes, they are so hot, no need for strange clothes.

--"This is your life. Are you who you want to be?"

--I miss Elvis Peanut Butter cups!

--Curly Fries are Arby's gift to the world.

--I love old school Nintendo.

I know I promised to have positive E, But I really had to get the negative E out of my system. Some weeks are just like that, you know? Very RaNdOm I know...

Into the Hood...

This fall brings a really big treat for me...the school musical. I love musicals and since I don't play any sports,play any instruments,dance or cheer, I really enjoy the opportunity to be apart of a school activity. I love singing in front of people and just performing in general. This year the musical is "Into the Woods" and I am playing the part of Rapunzel (Ironic cause some people say my hair is too long) (Yes Amy, I am talking to you!). To be honest the first time I heard the music for the show I thought it was really ugly, but as I have listened to it more I have come to love it. If you have any doubts just listen to the song "No One is Alone" and you will change your mind.Even the strange story line doesn't bother me any more. I am just really grateful to be apart of an amazing cast, especially as a Jr. In a few weeks I probably will be stressed and tired and too busy to realize how grateful I am, so I better soak it up now. I know it will be hard and a definite challenge but I know once we perform it will be worth every minute!

New School Year....AHHHH!!!

It is painful to realize that tomorrow I will be starting school and this summer is over! Oh so so sad! But even though I am so so sad that summer is over, I have resolved to make Jr. year FREAKING awesome! Last year was not so great so this year I am determined to have a blast. I have heard that Jr. year is the hardest because you are trying to get all of your hard classes finished but I have also heard that Jr. year is the most fun because you have finally come into your own.

Here are some goals I want to accomplish this year. I figure if I put them on my blog I will feel more motivated to accomplish them. Some of them are obvious goals and some may sound lame but oh well!

11 Goals for 11th Grade
1.Get good grades...It was kind of scary to see two AP classes and 2 honors classes on my schedule since normally I have neither. I really want to do well and in those classes and stay on top of my school work.
2.Stay Healthy...Well receiving my part for the play I was told that I must stay healthy and keep my voice in perfect condition. That is pressure when you are a part that sings a high B flat and screams a lot. I am just going to have to be very careful with my voice and staying away from germs, which I usually don't care about.
3.Positive Energy...That is a slogan that my friends have adopted. Last year I did not do so well with that and I want to improve.
4.Get my Driving Permit and License...Ok so I am way behind, I should have both by now.
5.Try to look good at least 3 days of the school week...It is so hard not to just throw on some sweats but I have noticed that I feel so much better about myself when I actually get dressed. He he he!
6.Read at least eight books outside of class reading...I love to read! I also like to set a goal each school year of the amount of books I want to read.
7.Conquer at least two fears...I have many phobias (see my phobias list) and should probably try to conquer some.
8.Grow as a Vocalist...I want to get better at certain aspects of singing, particularly part singing and classical music. I love to sing Broadway and try to steer away from classical but I think it will really help me become more well rounded vocally.
9.Finish Personal Progress...I really don't want to have to work on it my senior year, he he he!!!
10.Collect More T-Shirts...I have a pretty good t-shirt collection but there is always room for more.
11.Save at least 1,000 dollars...Now that I am working at the Lion House I have some money to spend and I really want to save up instead. I know to most people 1,000 dollars does not seem like a lot but we you are used to saving your babysitting money, it doesn't amount to much. I don't know if it is a realistic goal, we shall see!

Peace Out, wish me luck on my first day of 11th grade!AHHHHHHHHHHH!

So FREAKIN' Complex, it could be the Da Vinci Code!!!!

Today was one of those days where nothing makes sense. Do you ever feel like you are totally missing a key point in something? That is how I felt. I was so confused and people were just talking in circles and not telling me the straight answer to weird situations.  I am one of those people that gets really annoyed when I am not told exactly what is going on so you can imagine that it was a very long day. I love having a blog to vent about situations like this. He he he!

I don't really feel like spilling all the details but wow, it was just odd all around. It was just like trying to put a puzzle together with out 3/4's of the pieces. The more I tried to figure it out the more complicated it got and the more wild the plot in my head became. I admit that I let out my confusion on a delicious peanut butter cup shake at Shivers, which made me feel better for a while.

Then from out of the blue, one phone call explained it all and I went from being utterly confused to being not confused. It felt so good, maybe even better then my Shivers shake...But then again maybe not!

CRANFORD...My dream town...

Cranford. Cranford. Cranford. Ok so I admit it sounds weird, but it is my current obsession. It is a TV Mini Series based on the novel by Elizabeth Gaskell. It is all about this town called Cranford (obviously) in the 1840's. I love the funny things that happen, the romances and how much you grow to love the characters. There is a good balance of humor and drama. There are also many actors and actresses that I recognize from other movies, which is always fun. It just makes me so happy...true it is long but definitely worth it! I really would live there, is it because of the attractive doctor? I can't be sure...

"There's a flap underneath."

"My sister does not care for the expression...suck."

"Let us eat our fruit in solitude."

"Women are not equal to men...they are SUPERIOR!"

"I dreamed of a boat turned upside down on dry land. Why did I dream that?" "Because you are not going anywhere."

"She will not allow me to reapply the black ink, she has a great big gray streak running down the middle."

BA-kini's in Lake Powell

Last week, my family was invited by two other families to go to Lake Powell. We stayed on a house boat in a beautiful cove area.  I had so much fun! There was so much to do and so many funny things that happened. Once again I will just make a list (it goes so much faster that way!):

-I finished Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant

-Movies under the stars (Penelope and The Count of Monte Cristo)

-Haven's chip tantrums

-Tom breaking a chair

-Swimming and washing my hair in the lake

-Learn to Surf behind the boat

-I discovered my dislike for wake boarding

-Hiking in the beautiful Arizona desert

-Haven's BA-kini's

-1,000 Mile Celebration

-Lake Powell mixes 1,2 AND 3

-Alan's grilling skills

-Helen singing "Let My Love Open the Door" and eating bugs

-Sleeping on the top deck

-Ryan and Tom's special friendship (hehehe!)

-The sisters who swim

-Baby Porter

-Getting some sun

-"Take like 10 pictures of everyone else and then like 30 of me"

-Sipio

My Phobias!

For the record I want to say that I know that my phobias are very strange and irrational but isn't that what phobia's are supposed to be? I am constantly telling people about my phobias so I decided to make a list for reference.

1. Birds (Except for penguins)

2. Sharks

3. Squirrels

4. Jelly Fish

5. Roller Coasters

6. Venus Fly Traps

7. Vacuum Cleaners

8. Slow Elevators

9. The Open Ocean

10. Public Restrooms

11. Navy Blue Cars (hehehe, just kidding!)

12. Driving a Car

13. Scuba Diving

14. Hippos

15. Heights

16. Disease

17. Wake Boarding/Water skiing

18. Walmart

19. Going anywhere alone

20. Choking/ Drowning

21. The Big Freezer at the Lion House

22. Crossing Streets

23. Sanjaya from American Idol

24. Robots

25. Fish

 

The End...I think...

MMMM....Cake

One of my favorite shows on the Food Network is the Food Network Challenge show, especially the cake challenges. While flipping through the channels the other day my mom came across a cake challenge with Elvis Presley cakes. I was so excited, two of my favorite things in one: cake AND Elvis. It couldn't get any better then this. I couldn't believe I had never seen that episode before! Here is a picture of the winning cake, which also happened to be my favorite:

....And it looks delicious too....

Choking on the Grapes of Wrath...

For Honors English next year, we are required to read "The Grapes of Wrath" this summer. I know it is a classic and that you shouldn't dis the classics but I really really REALLY REALLY did not enjoy it at all. At first it was slow and boring and then I got very excited because it started to speed up. However, the speeding up thing did not last long. Steinbeck is an amazing writer and I love how he writes but I need more of a story line in an 619 pages of book. I was also really disappointed by the end or in this case lack of ending. Maybe it's just me but I think I will stick to my Jane Austen and Harry Potter.

The one good thing is I only have one more required book to read this summer "Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant" by Anne Tyler. I hope it will be good. Really I am just looking forward to being able to read the books I want to. I have a pile I still want to read by the end of the summer!

Penelope

One of my favorite movies right now is Penelope. If you haven't seen it, go rent it! It is an awesome movie! It has an amazing cast including my personal favorite James McAvoy. Penelope has a little bit of everything comedy, drama and romance! It is a fun movie with a good message which is so rare these days! It makes me happy inside :D! 

Favorite Quotes from Penelope:

"It's not the power of the curse, it's the power you give the curse."

"Ok come with me. I gotta pee and I can't leave you alone with the phones."

"Edward don't lick Max"

"You know, you inspired me, doing what you did going off on your own like that."

"Of course they run, when you FLING yourself at them like that"

"Think pig." "So she's a fat girl?"

Celebrity Morph by MyHeritage

MyHeritage: Family trees - Genealogy - Celebrities

THE DARK KNIGHT

WOW! Batman was amazing! Me, my Dad and my sister all went at midnight and like I said WOW!  I absolutely loved it. I would say that my favorite part is probably Christian Bale and not just because he is attractive (although that is definitely a large part of it!). He was the perfect fit to play batman and personally I like him even better then George Clooney (I am probably going to get in trouble for saying that!) I was also blown away by Heath Ledger's performance as the Joker. He was funny yet sick and twisted at the same time. I was creeped out and I think that since he passed away it was even more creepy. He better get nominated for an Oscar, he was amazing!

I would definitely recommend this movie but one warning if you get creeped out easily don't see it! I love BATMAN!

What Would Bear do?

When my older brother Ryan first introduced me to Man VS. Wild, I had my doubts. Now however I can say that I am fascinated by it and it has definitely been added to my long list of obsessions! I was even inspired to make a shirt with Bear Grylls picture and the title "What would Bear do?" which I wore to Youth Conference this summer. 

What is it that is so fascinating?Is it the fact that he will try anything? Is it the attractive british accent?Is it that he can survive anything? I am still unsure but I know for sure that I am going to keep watching!

Girls Camp 2008

Oh ya, I have a blog. To be honest I had totally forgotten... He he he! I need to keep up better with this. I will start by telling you about girls camp.

                                

I have to say that Girls Camp this year was amazing! I love being a Laurel. It makes me feel more at ease around all the girls and I love to already known what to expect from camp. I also loved being the camp photographer, it was more fun then I expected to be the paparazzi. Here are the highlights (sorry I always do it this way, it is just so much easier!)

*Me and Eliza's Motown mix

*Laurels Tent discussions

*How I will meet my future husband stories

*Presenting the Skit

*Testimony Meeting

*The day at the Reservoir

*The food!!!

*Singing in the trees

*My signature hippie look

*The award ceremony

*Making Tie-Die shirts

...and of course being up in the beautiful mountains with my awesome young women's leaders and friends!

New York, New York

 Last week ,myself, my mom, my sisters Megan and Lindsay, my aunt Holly and cousin Annie went to New York City. New York is my favorite place to vacation. I love the shopping, the musicals, the park, all of it! Here are some things we did and places we went to:

• Times Square
• Macy's
• The Little Mermaid, Curtains, South Pacific and Mary Poppins
• The Stardust Diner
• Norma's
• The Met
• The Museum of Natural History
• Central Park
• FAO Schwartz
• The American Girl Doll Store

It was a great trip!

Sarah has a rebellious side!

Shocking, isn't it? I, boring and predictable, Sarah Jane have a rebellious side. Tonight was the first night it has ever shown itself but everyone was surprised it was there.

My friends and I decided to play some pranks, which obviously we don't usually do. It wasn't major or extreme but we were very proud of ourselves. I had the time of my life! It made it even more worth while because I got to rub it in my friend Sam's face since he always teases me for being too afraid to do anything out of the ordinary. He was very proud and surprised!

It was a great way to start off the summer!

Squashomore No More!

Since it is the last week of my Sophomore year, I want to look back on the things I learned this year.

The 1st thing I learned (and probably the most important) is that boys don't have cooties. It sounds strange that it has taken me up till this point to realize it but I had always been afraid of them until this year. I realized they are fun to hang out with and they make awesome and understanding friends.

The 2nd thing I learned was that it doesn't matter what people think about you. In Jr. High that was all anybody cared about. I always felt like I had to be perfect and always look good. Now however, I feel comfortable in my own skin and enjoy being different from the crowd. It is nice to not feel judged and not being ashamed of who you are!

The last thing I learned was that I have some amazing and very loyal friends! This year was hard for all of us and it took awhile to adjust to high school but my friends were always there for me. Although some of them got boyfriends and a different group of friends, they still cared about me and made an effort! I am a lucky girl!

All I can say is that I am grateful that this year is over and that I made it through! It was tough for awhile but I am really grateful for the things I have learned and the good friends I have made.

Sweet Sixteen!

Yesterday was my birthday and I am proud to report that I am sweet sixteen! It feels great to be sixteen, although I am not sure that it differs much from being fifteen!

I spent my birthday with my family and of course it was Beatles themed! I even had wrapping paper shipped from London, England for the event. Call me crazy but I thought it was fitting! The cake was a chocolate tribute to Abbey Road and tasted delicious!

My favorite gift was my pink Daisy Rock guitar. I can't wait to start lessons so I can actually play it properly. My family also got me some other awesome things and my best friend Eliza got me a cute shirt, wallet and a burned copy of the Beatles Love Show. (She knows me so well!)

 

It was a great birthday!

Who is your favorite Beatle?

I thought it would be good to explain my poll, "Who is your favorite Beatle?" Ever since my fascination with the Beatles began, I have wanted to know who everyones favorites are. It started out as the need for help to choose my favorite Beatle but I learned that you can learn a lot about people by knowing who their favorite Beatle is. For example, if someone says their favorite Beatle is John Lennon you know that they have a greater understanding of his talents and abilities and don't linger on some of his more strange traits. Personally I made the decision that Paul McCartney was my favorite and I assure you that it was no easy process. I think it came down to the fact the Paul McCartney wrote my all time favorite Beatles song...Hey Jude.

Hey there! To be honest I don't know anything about blogs but I thought it would be fun to try out... Wish me luck!