Hot air balloons!

Last week on Twitter I saw details about a hot air balloon festival and I immediately texted Ryan and told him we were going. So Saturday evening we went to the park, sat on our blanket and watched as the first few balloons were set up. I was in the middle of researching on my phone how much hot air balloons cost when we were approached by an event coordinator who asked us if we would like to help one of the pilots. I gave her an enthusiastic YES and jumped up to follow her, pulling Ryan behind me. The lady introduced us to the pilot and her husband. We were given gloves and helped unload the equipment from the trailer. At this point I had no idea what was going on and kind of stood there taking it all in: the equipment and the other hot air balloons that were popping up all over the park.

After everything was unloaded we laid out the balloon and I couldn't believe how big it was! And it was all packed into this bag. I helped hold the balloon open while the fan started to blow it up.

When it was big enough we tip it right-side up and filled it with the hot air from the fire. It was about sunset at this point and all the balloons in the park were starting to glow. It was too dark to fly the balloons so Ryan and I helped hold the balloon down. There were a few times when it tried to take off. Each balloon pilot had a radio and we followed synchronized patterns to make the balloons glow. SO COOL! So we spent the night hanging and leaning on the balloon chatting with the pilot. I learned way more about balloons that I thought possible. Like the type of balloon our pilot had can carry close to 2000 pounds! Crazy! 

At the end of the night we helped tip the balloon on its side, squeeze all the air out of it and fold it back up into the tiny bag.

Definitely a fun experience! Here's to being in the right place at the right time.

I've moved!

I am so excited to be writing this from my new home! And from my new mattress which is on the floor surrounded by lots of boxes. The move went about as well as could be expected. Expect for the delivery people not bringing my bed frame with my mattress. And I'll be getting my dresser and nightstand tomorrow so I can finally start unpacking. This whole living out of boxes thing is getting old really fast. But I am so happy to be here!

Even though I was so excited to move, for some reason I just couldn't bring myself to pack up my stuff. I seriously procrastinated it and when I finally started packing the night before the move, I only had half a box packed. I didn't sleep much that night.

My roommates are pretty cool and they are way nice. Last night we all just sat around and talked and ate brownies from the pan. Maybe this is the start of some new friendships?

My bedroom is pretty big but I am a little worried about my dresser fitting. I got one of those long ones with the mirror on top and I'm worried there won't be enough space for it. I guess we will find out tomorrow. I am lucky enough to have the master bedroom and it is so nice to have my own bathroom again.

I went to my new ward on Sunday and they seemed nice enough. But my church is at 9 am! Not too thrilled about that. When sacrament meeting started there were only about 20 people there... YSA wards should not start that early. My opinion.

You know how when you move to a new place and there's all kinds of sounds and noises? Yeah, I'm still trying to figure those out.

Married Man

His nickname is Married Man.

At least that's what Ashley and I call him.

And this is my story:

First, let me set the scene. I was a young, nervous and carless college freshman. I didn't have a bus that year and I had to take the bus to work. One day, I was just sitting on the bus when a guy sits down beside me. (I cringe every time I remember that I was kind of excited about this. Little did I know what would happen later with him.) He starts talking to me and soon asks for my phone number. And me being the naive little freshman that I was, gave it to him. The bus arrived at the station and we went our separate ways. And I half expected never to hear from him again.

1 day later...

To my surprise, he texts me and tries to get to know me. He seems genuinely interested and like a nice, honest guy so I start asking some questions about him. We text back and forth for about a week and that's when he mentions that he has a 1 year-old daughter. Then I got curious so I ask about her. And he let his slip that he is married!!! I remember being one hundred and ten percent shocked. It's not like he was some middle-aged man. No, he was probably around 24. I had no idea what to do. I had never really had a ton of experience with single guys let alone married men! I tried to ignore him but he kept texting and calling me. When he asked me on an official date was when I called him on the whole marriage thing. His excuse/rationale was that he wanted a divorce. Oh, well why didn't you say so before? That makes everything okay. Umm... Are you kidding me? That was the lamest excuse.

Over the next few months...

He continued to text and call me just to talk or to ask me out. Finally, I told him straight out that I wasn't interested. He told me something along the lines of this: "Are you sure? I'll give you some time to think that over. You don't know what you are giving up. But don't take too long because I won't wait around forever." He made it sound like he was doing me a favor. I told him I was sure.

3 months later...

Married Man had been silent for a few months now and I thought that I was in the clear and that he had forgotten all about me. One day, I was eating lunch with Ashley and her boyfriend when someone mentioned Married Man. They both got a kick out of this whole awkward situation and were curious as to what he looked like. But I didn't know his last name so we couldn't facebook stalk him. So they convinced me to start talking to him again. He took that the wrong way. He thought I was completely interested. I was asked to go to the movies with him. And to go to his house to "relax" after a long day at school. I was even invited to his kid's birthday party! I kept ignoring him but this guy was persistent. That summer he even wanted me to go to California with him and kids!

Earlier this year

At the beginning of his year, things eventually calmed down with him and I heard from him less and less. One might assume that is where the story ends. But no. My life wouldn't be complete without regular awkward encounters with him. Almost every time I go to Wal-Mart, I see him. I'm literally afraid to go by myself because I'm worried about running into him. One day, Ashley wasn't home and I really needed some groceries. So I put on my big-girl shoes and went alone. Bad idea. It was the most awkward of awkwardest encounters. It was a full-on shopping cart collision. I tried to get out of there as fast as possible but he wanted to talk. And of course, ask me out again.

From this point on, I will always go to the Logan Wal-Mart with a shopping buddy.

I had the Time of My Life with You

Wonderstruck.


If I had to sum up the night of Sept. 28, that would be the word: wonderstruck.


That night was a dream come true. I GOT TO SEE TAYLOR SWIFT IN CONCERT!! :D


I went with my sister down to Salt Lake and we took A TON of pictures and videos (I filled up my entire memory card).

This picture was tricky. It took us like 5 minutes to balance the camera on the back of my car on top of our purses

We got makeovers from Covergirl. Maddi's turned out so much better than mine. BUT, we got FREE makeup! Mascara, lip gloss, lipstick, EVERYTHING. They were just handing it out to everyone. I won't need to buy any for a long time :)

Just waiting for the concert to start. And being very impatient.

This band was so bad that I don't even remember their name.

Needtobreathe was actually pretty good.

Taylor coming out on stage. FINALLY!

Some (of the the better) pictures of Taylor

Taylor Swift's cover of Animal by Neon Trees. She said she chose this song because the band is from Provo.

Haunted

This was my absolute favorite part. She ended by singing Love Story and she got in this balcony looking thing and flew around the arena above the crowd. And there was sparkly confetti all over. Amazing.

I can't wait for the next concert! =)

**Sorry for the poor quality of the videos and pictures. We were pretty high up and the zoom on my camera just wasn't good enough.

Neglect and an Excuse

I will admit, I have neglected my blog over the last month or so.  And the only excuse I really have is that I've been busy.  So I guess it's up to my readers to decide if that is a valid excuse or not.

So what exactly have I been so busy with?  I went to Canada for two weeks, which has definitely has been the highlight of my summer.  We had our own little 'Gregson Family Tour of Alberta', stopping in Magrath, Calgary and Edmonton.  And even taking a day trip to go to Banff and see the Canadian Rockies and Lake Louise.  Plus it was great to see all of my family again and to just have a vacation and leave life and all responsibilities behind in the states.  Now I am back to working everyday and trying to plan a bridal shower for my one of my bestest friends.  I still can't believe she is getting married!!  I have been super stressed with this and I know I shouldn't be but I want it to turn out perfect.  And this isn't your typical bridal shower either.  It will be an open house for friends, family and ward members.  So basically all the different types of showers combined into one big one.  And then on top of all that, the fall semester starts in two weeks!  I am so freaking excited!  I won't have to be a boring and super responsible adult anymore; I can be a fun and somewhat responsible student.  So I'll be saying goodbye to working full time and hello to friends in just a few short weeks!

Mr. Right

Who I'm waiting for...

A man who is a follower of Christ.

A man who loves children.

A man who is faithful, reliable and trustworthy.

A man who has a sense of humor.

A man who understands me.

A man who has a positive outlook on life.

A man who has goals and dreams.

A man who shows compassion for others.

A man who is easy to talk to.

A man who loves to go on adventures.

A man who is romantic.

A man who can make me smile.

I'm doing my best to the the woman that this man would want.

The ABC Guide to Surving USU

A-Always wear a coat!  Coats are a must for the Logan sub-arctic temperatures.  This is global warming at its best!
B-Basketball at the spectrum.  You will just have to experience yourself.
C-Classes.  Just go.  It will (usually) be worth it in the end.
D-Dating.  Before you know it, everyone will be engaged.
E-Exercise.  Don't forget to stay fit.  And you can always check out the eye candy while you're at the gym!
F-Fluffy white stuff.  Don't be surprised when it is April and the grass is white instead of green.
G-Graduation.  Time flies by faster than you think.  I can't believe how fast it has gone.
H-Homesickness.  It's a very common disease, and everyone gets it at one time or another.
I-Ice Cream.  Okay, three words: Aggie Ice Cream.  Get some!
J-Journal.  Write everything down somewhere.
K-Keys.  You will realize the importance of checking to make sure you have keys BEFORE  you leave after you get locked out once or twice.
L-Library.  The library is actually a cool place to be, believe it or not.  It's a great place to sleep, catch up with friends, eat, or maybe even get some studying done!
M-Marketplace Food Poisoning.  It really does exist.  Just letting you know.
N-Needle.  I helps to be able to use a needle and thread.  It takes too long to wait for your mom to sew things for you.
O-Old Main Hill.  You have to go down that hill on something.  At least once.  There are multiple options: sleds, mattresses, shopping carts, longboards, pretty much anything!
P-PDA.  Expect to see some things you wished you hadn't.
Q-Quarters.  Every penny, nickel, and quarter is important.  And so are dimes!  Spend money wisely.
R-Roommates are pretty much the best!  Take the time to get to know them.
S-Sleep.  Just say your good-byes now.
T-True Aggie.  Got some chapstick?  It's always best to be prepared.
U-Undergraduate Research...  If I had a quarter for every time I heard that phrase I would be one rich girl!
V-Variety.  There is definitely no lack in variety among individuals.  If you want to meet a lot of different people then you will.
W-Walmart Runs.  Always better after dark.  Go between 11 pm and 1 am for the most enjoyment.
X-X-Boyfriends/Girlfriends.  Just know that the most awkward of awkward run-ins with your ex will occur when you least expect it.
Y-Young.  Have fun while you're young!  Before you get old and boring...
Z-Zombies.  Once a semester the Zombies come out to play.  People chasing each other with nerf guns is the norm.

memories :)

memories. some happy, some not so happy. i can look back on those that were positive and smile, and learn from the negative.

-dancing in the rain
-playing at the park
-high school dances
-playing the piano until my fingers hurt
-laughing until we cried
-all those hot tub margarita parties
-late night talks with the girls
-singing along to "don't trust a hoe" as loud as we can
-childhood playdates
-swimming in the summer
-ballroom dancing
-skipping spanish class to go to the mall
-watching "what not to wear"
-staying up all night worrying
-getting Naked at the coles
-tennis
-driving around just becuase
-senior trip to my city-NYC
-sledding in winter
-laying under the stars
-worrying about AP testing
-filling out numerous scholarship applications
-graduation
-laying awake at night thinking of him
-meeting Jon Schmidt
-the trip to canada with the best friend
-moving out and going to college
-modeling and fashion shows
-spending hours in an elevator
-the car accident
-the disappointment at not recieving any scholarship applied for
-andy adams park
-the florida beaches
-all those fights and apologies
-secrets
-daydreaming
-football games
-over-the-fence borrowing
-dancing around singing to the radio
-learning to play the organ
-tiger hunts
-rumors
-mission farewells
-girls camp
-my first job
-afternoons on antelope island
-making music videos
-school lunch hour
-pillow fights
-mormon taquilla
-all my friends and family

firsts.

since this is my first real blog, i have realized that i have had many firsts with here at college. i have learned to play poker. riding in a shopping cart down old main has become a frequent occurence. this is the first time i have actually needed to study and put a lot of effort in my classes. all throughout high school, my classes came easily for me but now they require more work then i am used to. another first would be going grocery shopping on my own. the first few times, i just walked into the store and looked perplexely at the many isles wondering what i should buy and if things were a good price or not. i am slowing getting the hang of it. while being here at logan, i have ridden the bus for the first time. it was scary at first but now it is just a pain. it takes forever to get somewhere! and the buses dont run very late either. another first for me is sharing a room. i have shared a room long ago when i was very little but i barely remember it. sharing is different from having my own room which is what i am used too. but i love having roommates! i have become friends with most of them and we usually do everything together.

all in all, i love college life! and i am sure i will have many more firsts! :)