Ice skating, zombie massacre, food at diverse places, BOISE!!!

I love Idaho. I never want to leave.
I wish I had a better scholarship to BSU.
Or just that my KFC one would transfer to BSU.
I love Boise.

Lakeside was really enjoyable. Taryn didn't come, but Aaron and Mel were awesome to spend time with.

On the way there. So pretty.

L

My little Aaron :)

MATEO'S!!!! With Mel, Aaron, and my Dad. I love this place.

Mel and I at the DQ in Payson

Mi padre y yo.

I hung out with Abbey and Nicki- we watched Knight and Day which was a good movie. We also went shopping, but didn't buy anything.

Then the next day I hung out with Camri, Olecya, Tahna, Stephanie, Autumn, and Summer. We went to lunch at El Farols. Then I hung out with Camri some more and her dad fixed Sir G so he doesn't squeak anymore!!!

Its fantastic. I also hung out with Kelci. We tried to take awkward photos and send out a Christmas card. Most people didn't understand that they are supposed to be awkward, so instead it just looks like we're smiling stupid. :)

Note the props. A live cat, a snowman sign, a fake dog. And the shirts. Reindeer, Santa, and snowmen.

It also snowed while I was in Lakeside. (I don't understand... The snow just follows me. It snowed in Mesa tonight too! Ridiculous.)

Christmas was fantastic. It was little Luna's first Christmas with my family. She's adorable. She got a blanket from the Prestwich cousins and a brush from Mel. I got some AMAZING UA gear. I love it. My mom made the hoodie and the pants-- she's so talented.

  

Luna and her blanket

New pajamas!!! :)

From the Flannel Fairy. I love flannel. and plaid. and pajamas.

LUNA!!!! :)

My wonderful hoodie and sweatpants!

After presents were opened and cousins were seen I FLEW TO BOISE!!!!!!!!!!! I love Boise.

My flight was delayed an hour. So my layover in SLC was cut VERY close (I had about 10 minutes to get to the other plane, I was freaking out- but it worked out fine). I met a very nice lady on the plane from SLC to Boise. She owns and manages a bed and breakfast. I wanted to do that until I was like 14. It was great hearing her perspective on it. I'm glad I changed my life plans.

I was so extremely happy to see Wade. It was great. His apartment is really cute. Unfortunately Adrian stayed in Lakeside longer than planned so I didn't get to see him, but its been nice catching up with Wade and Sam and meeting new people and seeing old friends.

We went thrift store shopping, mall meandering, campus touring, we've killed a lot of zombies, ice skating, eaten a lot of delicious food, watched more movies than I have the rest of the year combined... Its been great.

I got to see Lishane and Becca Helms. They're so sweet. I missed them! They went ice skating with us, but left before the group picture. I also got to see Sarah-- I hadn't seen her since 7th grade. (Back when I was bald- which Becca didn't remember haha.)

Wade installed Left for Dead and Left for Dead 2 on my computer. :) I love them. Seriously, I never thought I would enjoy gaming as much as I do. Especially on Steam- we've played with Adrian and Alex a few times. Its just so enjoyable.

I have met Kelsey- she brought Wade and I creme brulee. Chris- he's funny, there was immediate animosity between us. So we fought and insulted each other the whole time. But I always won the wit contest. ;) I met Bo, Wade's friend from EA. He's a giant (hahahah, a lady at IHOP actually called him that). I also met Tim, who actually graduated from Blue Ridge the year I was a freshman. He seemed familiar but I didn't really know him. He has a G6. We rode around in it. Love.

I've had so much fun. Idaho is just so pretty. There are trees everywhere. And a river. How fantastic is that? Running water! :)

Friendship Bridge! Right next to campus on the greenbelt :)

The Blue and Orange store. I fell in love right then.

Sam, me, Wade, Chris. At the Boise Co-op, which is a really cool place that I am fond of.

Although, I hate some pasta and I was allergic to something in it. Hah.

The Greenbelt by campus. :) :) TREES!!!!

Driving down a random road. In the G6. Its so beautiful.

Wade and I on Christmas!!! :)

Sam, Chris, me, Jared, Wade- ice skating.

The G6. So lovely. We rode with the top down for a bit. It was cold. But Wade and Chris let me have the front seat, it had a butt warmer. That was convenient.

Sam, me, Chris at Flying Pie after ice skating

Jared and I at Flying Pie!

I love ice skating, but I'm really terrible at it. I found that I do better if I am forced to do it on my own. I only fell twice (once I brought Chris down with me. hahahah).

I was also given insight into how other people perceive me. Chris kept calling me a hipster (doesn't fit). And everyone acted surprised when they found out that I like L4D. Also, it was assumed that I am a theater major (probably just by association though, these people know Wade..).

When we were at the pawn shop on Monday this old man came up to us and said "You boys [Wade and Chris] are lucky to be around such pretty girls [Sam and I]." Chris then put his arm around me and told the old man that he knew. At that moment Chris and my relationship became solidified. Incessant mocking and insults, irony, condescending looks, pet names in British accents [dahling and dear], and sarcasm at every corner. It was fun. We were likened to an old married couple. Chris lives in Oregon now.

In conclusion (ha ;) my english teacher would kill me), I love Boise. I want to move here. KALEE JUST SHOWED UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Gotta jet.

Hanging out at Taco Bell doesn't make me a taco. --Josh Shipp

Guilty by association is stupid.

Putting people in boxes based on predicted actions and reactions, whether accurate or not, is stupid.

I have a lot of friends.

I love them all dearly.

We have fun together.

We have things in common.

We also have differences.

So how do people justify guilty by association? How can they assume that they know who I am based on my friends?

Bryce Addison, my best friend for life, and I were always put together. Bryanda. Or Bryce and Chanda.

If I wasn't associated with him it was with Keegan. Keegan and Chanda.

I was okay with that in high school. Because I love them. And I didn't care about being independent.

But now I'm not okay with it.

I want to be just Chanda.

I want to be independent.

I want to be known for the things I do.

I want people to recognize what I think. Not what the people around me think.

I don't want people to put other people's words in my mouth.

Take ME at face value.

No one can predict how I am going to react to things based on other people.

I came to UA. Alone.

I made new friends.

I've only known these friends for like, 5 months.

Knowing someone for less than 5 months doesn't mean that I act the same as them.

I have yet to meet a friend who shares all of my beliefs and thoughts and motivations.

Even my friends that I have known for forever aren't the same as I am.

Just because Bryce is gay doesn't mean I am.

Just because Keegan is Catholic doesn't mean I am.

I'm not the same as my new friends either.

Just because Sarah doesn't like video games doesn't mean I won't play them.

Just because Becky is shy doesn't make me timid.

But still, if one of my friends does something to upset someone I am associated with it too.

That is ridiculous.

The other part of this is, where is the line? I want to be a loyal friend. I love my friends and they've done so much for me. But I love my other friends too.

I never realized how much drama can be caused between friends. Probably because in high school it was Bryce and Chanda. If one of us didn't like someone in our friend group...... well, we were the only people in our friend group so it would have been very difficult to do.

Maybe that is why I am having such a hard time handling this.

The current situation as I see it:

A got mad at B. A sent B an angry message. Me, C, didn't want anything to do with this.

A's message was harsh. But A was hurt and had been hurt by B more than once before. Thus, angry message was justified.

B asked me if I agreed with A.

I sent a nicer message pointing out things B could work on.

Not something anyone wants to read, but the truth as I saw it and worded nicely.

My reasoning: I like A and B. I think both A and B are good people. I didn't agree with everything A said to B. However, I wanted to back A up because I had seen A hurt by B so many times before. There were things that I did agree with in A's message.

BUT! Something went wrong. B took both messages as being from both A and myself. Now B won't talk to A or me. Stupid.

Problems? I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH A OR B!!! Well, now apparently I do.

I just don't get it. I'm very similar to both of the above mentioned friends.

I'm very different from both of the above mentioned friends.

Why does B have to put me in the same box as A?

Not that I don't like A.

I love A.

But I want my own box.

I want to be just Chanda.

And I hate that I hurt B.

I think B is a good person.

B and I seem to have a lot in common.

Nothing I told B was groundbreaking.

Its not fun to hear, I've been told the same things.

But isn't it important to recognize how people perceive you?

I love my friends.

They are wonderful people.

I respect them.

I want to be loyal to them.

But I also want to be separate from them.

And I don't want to hurt them again.

Just give me my own dang box.

Chanda C.

Happy Holidays!!

:)

Monday night finished late at 1PM... Tuesday afternoon. It was so much fun! :)

On Tuesday night I stayed at home and relaxed. I took a nap and when I woke up I saw a shadow in my doorway, my first thought was classifying the type of zombie that it could be. Not even whether or not it WAS a zombie, just what kind it was. Haha. That was when I realized I'd been playing too much L4D. Hahaha. Then I went and got Sarah and she and I hung out and she slept over at my house.

On Wednesday I went to my aunt and uncle's house to do laundry. My uncle was sick (poor guy) but I really enjoyed talking with my aunt. She taught me how to make some seriously delicious alfredo sauce. Mmmm, it was like eating heaven on noodles. After I finished my laundry I picked up Jenkin, Derrick, and Sarah and we went to my apartment where my home teachers came and then David came. My home teachers are so nice. It was good seeing them again. Once they left the rest of us went to Albertson's and got stuff for dinner. Derrick made sliders and sweet potato fries! Lyndsay joined us also. It was really fun. We watched a super cheeeeesy Hilary Duff movie (Raise Your Voice I think it was called). Lyndsay liked it, and the rest of us liked making fun of it. :) My house smelled like a burger place for the rest of the week. Haha. It was super tasty though and we had a lot of fun. Sarah stayed the night at my house again- she's so thoughtful.

Lyndsay, David, Derrick, Jenkin

Lyndsay, Derrick

Sooooo tasty.

On Thursday I slept in for the most part (slight interruption when I brought Sarah to work, but I don't even really remember it) and then got up, cleaned my house, ran some errands, and then went shopping. Derrick finished his finals so we had a little celebratory dinner for him. I made carrot cake (my first time and I did it without a recipe, it wasn't too bad considering..) and french bread pizza. Derrick made a delicious pasta bake. Amy, Brian, Bert, Jenkin, and Sarah came. We really didn't do much other than talk and eat. Amy, Brian, and Bert left early though. Then Sarah fell asleep and Jenkin, Derrick, and I talked and wrestled (I'm practicing in the event of an attempted mugging). It was really fun. They stayed really late again.......

Sharing the love. Sarah, Derrick, Jenkin

The GRAD!!!!!!!!! :) (note: UA colors. Woot)

Attempt at a group shot. Haha. Jenkin, me, Sarah, Derrick

Derrick, Sarah, Jenkin

Then we said goodbye to Derrick (it was so tragic, he's gone now..). Then I went home and Sarah and I started running some errands. I got Sir G's emissions tested (he passed, phew.) and then she and I went to Costco and Target and maybe Walmart too. I lose track. Then I dropped her off and went home and went to sleep early.

Saturday I woke up late and packed and cleaned and paid rent and utilities for January. Then I went and picked Sarah up and we drove to the valley. I dropped her off at her friend Tori's house and then went home. :) It was nice to be back with my family and my dog.

Sarah! My car was SOOOO packed.

My stuff. Seems like I like the color blue eh?

On Sunday Aaron, Mel, my mom, LunaBug, and I went to Snowflake (where we met up with Taryn) to go to our family's annual Christmas FHE. It was so cute. I love my family. They're so tender. Oh boy was it cold! Goodness, its no wonder I live in the desert now! We didn't get back to Avondale til late. It was a good day.

Our Angels

Lamb and Angel-- precious moments moment.

Mel on the car ride

LUNABUG!!!!

Mary and Joseph

We drove through clouds outside of Payson

Aaron on the car ride

My family is so talented.

The audience :)

Monday was a lazy day. Mel made ice cream, Taryn and I went shopping for some last minute things (lotion!!!), we all played Karaoke Revolution. (I won, but I was on easy and Taryn and Mel were on medium, so actually they probably won...) I also spent a lot of the day with LucyBean and EzraBenjamin. They're such tender young souls. I'm not used to being around such little people. Lucy has waaaay too much energy. I just don't know how to handle her. Haha. But she's cute and I love her dearly. Ezra is also getting so grown up. I LOVE his smile. So tender.

He's so cute.

I love his expression in this one.

Today was another lazy day, even lazier in fact. Lucy and Ezra have been over all day. Taryn and I practiced a song a bit (Count on Me by Bruno Mars). She is so talented. I want to just sit behind her and bask in her glory. Ha. :)

Tomorrow I'm going to drive up to Lakeside with Aaron, Taryn, and Mel. It should be fun. I hope to see Bryce Addison :) :) :) I'm also going to see Jisella and Abbey and hopefully some more of my friends. Its weird that I haven't seen them in so long.

I can't wait for Saturday-- I'm going to BOISE! It seems so soon!!! :) :) :)
 :) :) :)

Fantastic times are ahead.
Chanda C.

4AM Ramblings

I hope to not make a habit of this... But I feel like writing.
Maybe I'll delete this post when I'm done.
I guess it depends on what I say in it.

Well, this year I have realized how blessed I am with the people in my life.
My family is great.
I love them. They love me. It is a good feeling.

My friends are great.
And it is more than us just having fun together.
I love them. And I know if I needed anything at all they would do everything they could to help me.
Knowing that people care that much about me makes me soooo happy.
Infinitely so.
Being happy makes me have even more fun.
Which then makes me love my friends more.
I hope they know that I want to help them as much as they help me.
I just adore them.

I've realized lately, I am not normal.
I don't handle emotions well.
I really empathize with people.
But I don't know how to handle it.
I don't know how to show that I care.
And I don't usually know how to help.
So I sit there and listen to them, and feel like a terrible friend for not having the right thing to say and being awkward.
Even when I try to be comforting it comes across as forced. It isn't. I just overanalyze. I worry too much. I miscalculate.
It is sincere. I just don't know how to show that it is.
And I never, ever, ever know what to say.
Usually it comes across as "Well, if I .. yeah, I know... well, like... if it .... yeah... I don't know what to tell you."
Never helpful.
So awkward.
I apologize.

Another thing.
I don't remember details.
About anything important.
I could be hanging out with someone all day and not be able to tell you what they were wearing.
Not that that is important.
But I could tell you what kind of car they drive.
Or the mileage on my car.
Or my best friend's phone numbers.
But not the obvious things.

This makes life difficult.
Because I don't handle emotions well (including my own) and don't remember details... I don't hold many grudges. There are few exceptions.
Mostly, if I get upset with someone I'm over it the next day.
And I mean that.
Unless its a repeat offense-- I just drop it.
People don't seem to understand that though.
They usually think I secretly hold grudges.
I don't.
I either don't think its worth it to hold onto those feelings, or I don't remember enough details to justify staying upset.

This also means there are probably a lot of people that are upset with me for things I don't remember doing.
I know there have been times when I've been falsely accused of things. I'm not counting those.
But when I actually offend someone. Or when I am mean to them.
I forget it. Because I probably did it when I was angry.
But they don't forget it.
So I'm sorry. I would apologize individually, but I don't know who I've done it to.
Please understand, I'm not upset.
Right now there are only 3 or 4 people that I don't like or that I am upset with in this world.
If you are reading this I can almost guarantee you aren't one of them.

Anyway, enough of my 4AM nonsense.

Get some sleep :)
Chanda C.

Nights of Awesome :)

Friday night Jenkin, Becky, Dillon, and I watched Harry Potter at my apartment. It was so fun!! :)

Then Saturday.

OMG.

That concert was perfection. I am in love.

Sooooo much fun.

Plain White T's, Sara Bareilles, Ingrid Michaelson, Ryan Starr, and Christina Perri.

They all did a fabulous job. The concert was hoppin. The people I was with were fantastic.

Right before Sara Bareilles went onstage a kind gentleman gave our group of 9 tickets to sit in the ninth row. FANTASTIC!!!! :) :) :)

Oh man, it was just great. We didn't even get lost going to the concert. It was great.

Pictures!! :)

We went to IHOP after the concert. So delicious! Mmm..

It was wonderful. I heard a lot of really cool songs. Very tender.

Then on Sunday I went to church in Sarah's ward because she sang. She did such a good job. Then I went to my ward's last two hours and our linger longer (so tasty!!! tamales and cupcakes..) then I had tithing settlement. And went to Bethany's. And then went to Sarah's. And she came and spent the night at my house. :)

Today was really fun. I ran some errands with Sarah and then went to the Institute and hung out with my friends there. Derrick and I played ping pong and fooseball. And Jenkin played ping pong, I buckled under the pressure though and he won. It was shameful. Then Derrick and I went and got Dillon's xbox from Amy's house and played L4D at my apartment. I LOVE that game. SOOO much. Dillon joined and then we went to FHE which was going to Winterhaven- a fabulous neighborhood with lots of Christmas lights. Then Dillon, Jenkin, Derrick, Lyndsay (that was our group at Winterhaven too) went to Five Guys. Yum. Then all of us except Lyndsay came back to my apartment. I went over and ate dinner with Sarah and talked to her for a bit. And now Jenkin and Derrick are studying for finals while Dillon plays Bioshock and I blog. :) its fun.

Jenkin and I just went and ran outside to stay awake.. It is getting difficult. Haha.

More pictures!!

Usually I hate pictures that don't have people in them. But I tried to capture the spirit of Winterhaven. This yard had a water/light show. This turned into...

THIS!!!: WATER!!!!!

Dillon and Derrick playing L4D. I do so enjoy shooting zombies.

And then: GNOMES!!!!!!!!!! I love gnomes. So much so.

A panda at Winterhaven. ChinaPanda=Chanda :)

This is the Wishing Tree. Everyone can just add wishes to the chain :)

Five Guys after Winterhaven. So delicious.

Me giving Jenkin a piggyback ride. Because I'm that hardcore.

Awwwh! I love this picture. It is in front of a life-size gingerbread house.

Jenkin, me, Derrick, Lyndsay, Dillon

Lyndsay giving me a piggyback ride :) She is so tender. I adore her.

I was told I have nice feet today. That was good to hear. Hahaha.

Anyway, its almost 4:00 AM and I am probably not making much sense.

Suffice it to say, I love my life.

And my friends.

And right now, I am not unhappy with anyone on this planet.

:)

Chanda