Glow Sticks + Camera =

We were due for a late night distraction. And I wanted to play with my camera. So we did.

Hilary's halo

Then, near the end, Shanna and I got in an EPIC light saber fight. I was blue, and Shanna was green. It was the greatest thing I have ever done. I'm fairly certain that I was a musketeer in another life. Glow sticks flying, being deadly wounded, and killing your opponent are wonderful sensations. I found out exactly why little boys love this so much, and I'm greatly sad that I never experienced it as a little girl. This will be repeated. :)

Here are the pictures of our reenactment:

We both died

Thank you Hilary, Michelle and Shanna for being my dummies and for your creative ideas! And thanks especially to Shanna, for being a worthy opponent.

Ode to Guernsey

Can I count the ways? This book has captured my heart in every conceivable fashion. I want to move to the Channel Island of Guernsey. I want to meet Eben, Isola, Remy, Dawsey, and especially Juliet and little Kit. I want to make potato peel pie even though it is revolting. I want to somehow wish Elizabeth into life, and save all those poor people from the heartache of the Occupation. I have never had such a desire to crawl inside a book and never come out. This book felt like home, a world of sweet people each with distinct personalities that I absolutely fell in love with. My feelings for this book cannot be expressed, I love it with my whole being and I want everyone that I know and love to read it. You will not regret it.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

The 20th Birthday of Our Dear Melissa

Birthdays are such happy occasions, and to make Melissa's extra special we planned a grand adventure to the dollar store. We searched high and low for party hats and even asked an employee, but there were apparently none to be found. But one last glance unearthed the most wonderful pirate party hats the world has ever seen! We also gathered a grand array of dollar-gifts and party accessories.

As 11 o'clock approached we watched Tarzan and waited for the arrival of the birthday girl. The plan was to dead bolt the door and listen for the sound of it being unlocked so that we could turn off the lights and scamper into the waiting kitchen. And that is what we did.

I HATE doorbell ditching for that terrible feeling you get in your stomach, and this was no different. So I was freaking out, a little. And shaking, a lot.

But the poor, confused Melissa DID eventually enter the kitchen and heard the yell of "SURPRISE!" And was promptly given a party hat and a lighted cake to spit on. 

Michelle, Melissa, Me, Jessica, Shanna

Hilary and Melissa

We have such wonderful friends!

Peach Days 2010

The idea started with my photography teacher. We had an assignment on motion and the carnival was a perfect opportunity so he suggested it as an idea for our pictures. It just sounded like a whole lot of fun to me, and my roommates (and Mallory and Kaitlin--practically roommates) were in agreement. :)

Everytime I pass through Sardine Canyon I've watch for the little store that says "MIDWAY ANTIQUES." It sits in the middle of nowhere, miles from Logan or Mantua, and you can only reach it when you're going South. A couple months ago I noticed a neon "OPEN" sign in the door, and ever since it has been my dearest wish to visit. Going by myself was lame, but since we were going to Brigham as friends anyway it was a perfect opportunity! I might have had to do some coercing, but we did indeed stop at Midway Antiques.

Inside was a treasure trove of everything...well, mostly junk. But it was so fascinating! We talked with the adorable old couple that own it. Apparently they bought everything on their various trips, which astounded me. Every surface was littered with tinkets, so tightly packed in that little store. I'm sure you could find anything in that store, several times over. Frogs, ballerinas, Betty Boop, china dolls, tea sets, Beatles posters, and HATS! We discovered a cabinet full of hats from the perfect Era--the 20's! I tried on pretty much all of them. I bought an amazing one too. It kind of looks like a brown wig, but it wasn't as torn apart as the others... I love it mucho though. Even though no one can come to a concensus on how to wear it exactly.

That was a most wonderful adventure and I felt very accomplished that I had finally visited that store!

We continued our journey to Brigham City and found Main Street in enough time to see the last two floats of the parade. Main Street held displays showcasing the best-of-show pieces for the various contests, that were all so amazing. A sweet old man was giving rides to children in a train that I assume he made himself from colored barrels. He was completely bald and had one of those terribly wonderful umbrella hats on blowing a train whistle. He pulled his train behind his fourwheeler and drove in crazy loops all over the street. It was just about my favorite thing. I can see my dad doing this when he gets old. :)

After smelling the sweet aromas of expensive food we decided that we were all hungry, and so we hunted down Domino's Pizza. People just left their parade chairs on the sidewalk, so we borrowed a couple so the seven of us could sit. The pizza was delicious, and afterward we left a note on a napkin for the owners of our chairs.

Pizza is only partially satisfying without Root Beer, and I was definitely craving some sweetness. Smith's was within walking distance and $2 later we had cups and a 2-liter of goodness.

Next stop: the Carnival!
I brought my new camera and tripod so I could take some motion shots of the rides So my patient friends waited and talked through the cold while I took hundreds of pictures of the carnival rides. It was far to expensive to actually ride any of them, but we had fun anyway. It got pretty cold once the sun went down, but everyone was a good sport about it. So here are my favorite pictures of the lights.

 Long exposure of the Ferris Wheel!

This is a terrible picture, but it's the only one I have of the ride. The next picture is taken of the same ride, but it's so much cooler when you realize what the ride really looks like, because they are so different!

 

Shanna was my "bouncer," making sure no one ran into me or bumped me. Some of the places were pretty crowded, and she was such a help, because I was looking through my viewfinder and couldn't see anything else. Thanks Shanna!

This was the picture I ended up using for my photography assignment on motion. I like it a lot, and I got an A!

I love my friends! It was a spectacular night, thanks to everyone!

Totally 80's

USU's Week of Welcome is pretty much amazing. Concerts, movies, comedy acts, everyday there is something great to do. And it culminates in the most grand thing of all: the 80's Dance.

My dear friend Amy invited me and I accepted, because there was absolutely nothing else I could imagine spending my time doing. After classes Amy, Wally, and I visited the immense wardrobe of Deseret Industries. We spent a long time laughing at the great clothes, gathering outfits, and trying on the craziest things we saw. Tight leather short-shorts, miniskirts galore, shoulder-padded jackets,... fantastic.

We gathered our outfits and went home for a few hours before the dance. As I started to get ready, panic set in. I don't do this. I don't do dress ups, I don't do crazy things, I don't wear eccentric clothing. I might profess to do such things, but I am so very conservative on the inside. As much as I love the 80's I wasn't prepared to go out in public! This is definitely not within the limits of my bubble. 

After much encouragement from Jessica, and calming myself down I dressed and left, and prayed that I could pull it off without looking like a total dork.

And here is the getup: purple miniskirt and black leggings, silk shirt and jean jacket with rolled up sleeves, failed attempt at poofy hair, and the crowning jewel: high black heeled boots with leg warmers attached. The shoes were the best part of the day, and the only real reason I went through with anything. :)

The walk to the dance was brutal in high heels, so I walked most of the night in socks. My heels were just too amazing to not wear! Dancing was fun, especially with our group of summer friends. My feet hurt all night, but it was worth it. The music was better than any dance I've been to in a long time, even though they remixed Journey and kind of ruined it. But I forgave them when they played Bon Jovi and Def Leppard. :)

Me, Amy, Joanna, Wally

This night most definitely expanded my bubble, Wally made sure of that, but I'm so grateful. College is a wonderful time for finding yourself and expanding your bubble. Each and everyday I learn something new about myself, and a lot of the time it suprises me. I'm finally becoming Taylor, and finding out exactly who that is. Thank you friends for helping me find me. :)

So, let it be known that Taylor played dress ups, and went out in public, and loved it. I love college!!!