Sunshine

Summer is here which should=more time to do the things I love, but really=an equal amount of stress trying to squeeze every summer activity that I want to do into the few short months of summer.  I have done a few fun projects so far though, and will hopefully get them posted soon.  Here is one I worked on this evening.  I really wanted to make a headboard for my bed because we live in a small cinder block box, and the blank back wall above our bed certainly adds to the prison-like feel.  I couldn't think of a way to hang something as heavy as a headboard, so I compromised by designing these cute signs on photoshop.  I figured I could print them out really large, make fake  "foam" canvases out of them and have no problem getting them to hang on the wall. Can't wait to see how they look all finished!

Read more...

Les Miserables: Movie

CBS news recently reported that Taylor Swift may have been offered the role of Eponine in the upcoming movie interpretation of the popular broadway musical.  Now I normally wouldn't post about something so "popculture" but I am interested in seeing the response.  Taylor Swift beat out Lea Michelle, Star of the television series glee, and Scarlett Johansen for the role.  (Don't know if I spelled names right, I'm not much of a star follower...)  Anyway.  Reading comments of multiple articles, people are in an uproar.  Many people think that Swift can't sing and has no talent, while Lea Michelle has performed on broadway previously, in fact, she played young Cosette in this very musical.  I don't agree to the same extent.  I think that Swift is very talented, in fact I have seen her perform twice and have throroughly enjoyed myself.  I also think that there is some relevance to the claim that she "can't sing," she did have some poor television performances in her earlier years, but those have altogether disappeared as of late and her performances of "Back to December" have been powerful and very emotional.  Having seen her in concert she is very "theatrical" in nature and loves to put in a show, a quality which I think could help her with her lack of acting experience.  I do question her ability to sing with a Broadway power and range.  Most of her songs are sung in a low and very limited range, which isn't to say she CAN'T do it, she just hasn't proven herself yet. The director of the movie has reported that he wants all characters to sing live as a part of the movie, so too much help for Taylor shouldn't be a possibility.  I also question whether they will have turned off all the broadway lovers from wanting to see the movie on it's release by not choosing a broadway star for the role.   Lea Michele has already recorded a version of Eponine's power number On My Own in the musical and sings it BEAUTIFULLY.  She does however play a rather cheesy and annoying character on glee, so it's hard to envision her in the deep role, but she does play her part perfectly on glee.  One would hope that the directors saw some serious potential in Swift and that she will not disappoint, Eponine is my favorite character so I'm excited to see how it all works out.  Other stars in the show will be Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean (love this choice) Russell Crowe as Javert, Anne Hathaway as Fantine, and Amanda Seyfried (from Mamma Mia) will reportedly play Cosette.  What do you think?  Please be courteous in your thoughts! :)

Read more...

A year in photos

The dietetics program has essentially forced me to neglect my blog...but I do like reflecting on the past year and thought you might all be interested in seeing my year!

January- Started the year off with a bang with a Puerto Rican vacation...I miss it!!!

February-Got engaged! What a wonderful and life-changing experience that was

March-I don't have a single photo that I took in march....so it must have been consumed with wedding planning...here is an engagement photo taken in march.

April-I got accepted into the dietetics program! One of my many dietetics projects, an interactive myplate poster to be used to teach elementary students about healthy eating.

May- Married May 21st in the Logan Temple for time and all eternity! Can't believe we've been married for over 7 months!

June- Moved into our very first apartment together

July- Attended the first temple wedding since our own, one of my best friend's Paige was married in the Draper temple.  I had a great time taking some wedding and engagement photos for them.

August-Ended the summer the right way with a vacation to St. George.  We saw the little mermaid, and went to sand hollow.  I also got more tan this summer than ever in my life.  I couldn't wear my old makeup and I still have tan lines, guess that's what you get when you lifeguard full time!

September-thus begins the craziest semester of my life.  It was very busy, but also very fun and rewarding, I got to know and bond with a lot of people and am looking forward to the completion of my degree. (Cheesy picture, this is the picture that is on my name badge when I work at the hospital as part of my internship program)

 

October- We celebrated our first halloween together, Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez...oh embarrassing!

November- a much needed break from school and our first Thanksgiving, we welcomed Kyle into the family with family pictures...he got teased for being so TALL!

December-Our first Christmas together, what a fun year of firsts it has been.  We spent the first part of our Christmas break with Kyle's family in Las Vegas, we had a blast walking around the strip, shopping, and we even got to see the Phantom of the Opera, a gift from Kyle's parents.  We spent a lot of time just talking, laughing, and relaxing. Christmas Eve, Day, and a few days after we spent with my family. 

Hoping to make as many memories next year!  Some new year's resolutions this year....

To focus on doing my best in school NOT my letter grades

Perform visiting teaching and my calling better

Focus on serving others more than comparing myself to others

Learn to be happy with myself, not what other people think of me or what I think other people think about me

Read more...

My First Photoshop Project!

So I've worked with photoshop for photos a LOT...but I have never done anything with all the design things that you can do....it truly is such a versatile program.  I wanted to start to learn all about that....so this project is WAY WAY simple, but it was a lot of fun, I think I will start using it for cards/flyers a lot more because they sure turn out cute! ...I did this one for a school project! ...there are a lot of things I would change doing it again...like not a polka dot background so it's readable...but I was pretty proud of it!

Read more...

pinterest...my weakness

So, I got through my first round of tests and have had a WEE bit of spare time this week...which...I have morphed into a LARGE bit of spare time...because I discovered pinterest.  Oh my.  I love it. (Although I am currently panicking about what color my cabinets are going to be when I build a house...which will probably be in...well...at least 5 years...but if you have an opinion, let me know.  These things are important).

Anywho...I just started on a few little projects, I have A TON more in my head, but this is it for now...take a gander!!!

Aw...drawer organization! I bought these cute little baskets at Dollar Tree...and my drawers look so much better!

Scarves....please, PLEASE don't judge how many scarves I have (or how much jewelry or headbands or any other item you may see by the end of this post).  I bought a sturdy wood hanger because I knew that the weight of all of these scarves would make a plastic hanger bow in the middle.  I bought a five pack of hangers for about 4 dollars, and shower curtain rings for...1.00...I made another one for my purses so everything is nice and organized in the closet, and they cost about 2.00 each!

My first attempt at this project ended up in this...no bueno...but alas...

 Isn't this BEAUTIFUL!  I hate storing jewelry...hate it hate it hate it...This is wonderful.  I used 2 Command Hooks, about five dollars a piece (this project is just a titch pricier...) and a wooden dowel from the craft section. (1 dollar)  I painted them to match each other.  Then I got more shower curtain rings, cute ones this time, they were about 4.00.  They come unhooked to release whatever necklace, bracelet, or headband you want to wear!  The inspiration for this item is listed below, they used a curtain rod, which would also work, but this was better for a poor college student who doesn't want to drill holes in the walls! (Sidenote: the reason I made this is because I used to keep all my necklaces on cheap hooks with double sided tape on the back...they kept falling down...and when the package says DO NOT USE ON PAINTED WALLS...they aren't joking around...it really does ruin the walls...as you will see in the next pictures, so spend the ten dollars to not ruin your walls...it's worth it!)

....yeah...see those spots on the wall....that's where my necklaces used to hang....yuck! gonna have to figure out how to fix those before the landlord sees!  Anyway, my last project is this earring holder.  It's actually a work in progress...but I wanted to test it out....I need a staple gun to get the wire on nice and tight....and probably two more rows of wire.  It looks a little bare though....think I need more earrings?

I had so much fun with these projects, I wish I had more time (and money) for more!  Look for soon...

Mason Jars for storage on the bathroom vanity, a magnetic makeup board, and photo organization!! I can't wait til I get to do those projects!!

Oh...and follow me on pinterest....yes yes yes

References: (Yup...I'm still a student...)

http://parkavenue-stacie.blogspot.com/2011/02/simple-scarf-storage.html

http://www.kevinandamanda.com/whatsnew/house-and-home/tutorial-shabby-chic-dangly-earring-display.html

http://www.fullmeasureofhappiness.com/2010/11/01/meatless-monday-spaghetti-squash-and-roasted-pumpkin-seeds/

Read more...

Join the Army

I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  Members of the church, and some others know that we gather as a Faith bi-annually in a large churchwide conference where we are instructed by men who we know to be Prophets, Seers, and Revelators much like the disciples in Christ's time. (I.E. Peter, James, and John)  In the Priesthood session of conference (a session held Saturday night which only the men attend) an apostle of the Lord, Elder Holland, asked for recruits.  He asked the men of the church, and it can of course be applied to all members of the church, to speak up and invite people to join us in the fight for what is true and what is right.  I for one am participating in this challenge, and we want to know if any of you are too.  If you intend to do ANY sort of work to invite people to learn of our Faith, we want to know about it, AND we want Elder Holland to know about it.  So we are collecting names and goals so Elder Holland can know that we are doing something about it.  After collecting names we will send this list to Elder Holland. If you are interested in sending your goal to Elder Holland, please send an email to kspackman34@gmail.com by October 15.  We will not follow up with you or send you any more emails, we simply want to know what you are doing!  An example of an appropriate goal would be.  I so and so will invite my friend so and so to a fireside by such and such date, preferably by the end of the year.  Join the army and let everyone else know what makes us feel happy and at peace in a world of turmoil.  

If you are not LDS, first I refer you to Mormon.org, there is a link to my profile on the right hand side of the page.  Mormon.org is a social networking site that allows anyone to connect with Mormons who come from similar backgrounds as they may have.  They can search profiles using any criteria.  The profiles answer questions and let you know a little more about who we are and what we believe.  You may also direct any questions directly to me through the email listed above.  Let me make it known that I am not interested in a debate, and I am happy with my faith, so if you are looking to argue please do not email and do not comment, I will delete all comments and will not respond.  If you are happy with your faith, or lack thereof, then I am happy for you and respect your beliefs.  If, however, there is just a little doubt in your mind, or even a little curiosity, then I invite you to look into the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  It has made every difference in my life and I can honestly say that I can get through every day and every trial knowing that there IS a Heaven, and there IS  a loving Heavenly Father who wants me and all of his children regardless of race, size, shape, career, to be with him in Heaven someday.  I also know that there is no person who he cannot influence and cannot change into someone better.  I know that what I have felt, you can feel too if you humble yourself enough to see what this church is all about!

...in conclusion...join the army

Read more...

past months review

So I'm a terrible blogger...I blame it on being a full-time student amidst an internship...so I'm going to give the reader's digest of my life over the last few weeks...(Okay months....)
Finished up work at the Aquatic Center
Moved...twice....
Jumped of Cliffs in St. George
Watched the Little Mermaid live...AWESOME!
Volunteered at Farmer's Markets (The dietitian in me says go to your local farmer's market and support your local economy before it gets too cold!)
Began a photo/food description project for an elementary school lunch menu website
Began my internship at Logan Regional Hospital and various food service operations around Logan
Cooked a LOT...I learned to make marinara sauce from fresh tomatoes...so easy and yummy
Succeeded at a bread product for the first time in my life, BREADSTICKS! 
Spent the weekend in the mountains eating hot dogs and playing games at the Ashcroft cabin
Went to the Taylor Swift concert....LOVE!!!
Got in a car accident at one in the morning, oh deer!
Got towed and home at 3 A.M. the day before my hardest test...aye carumba!!
Took my first round of tests 92, 92, and 94...Marriage has done wonders for my academics...I might not get a C this semester :)
Watched soccer games
Did hair
Went shopping 
Discovered Pinterest
Learned to Dougie
Did hair 


...and now for the proof :)

Read more...