my imaginative effort

awkward family fotos

2012-02-13T10:50:00.000-08:00

the other day I was laughing out loud looking at the fotos on the awkward family photos website. My dad walked over to see what was so funny. I showed him what I was looking at, he laughed along with me, and then we got to this picture:

and dad says

wait... what's wrong with that picture?!... oooh dad. This is why you don't get wardrobe choice privileges when we get our family pictures taken..

and for your enjoyment, some more of the awkwardness:

blegh. dating.

2012-02-12T23:30:00.000-08:00

my friend shared this quote with me. and sadly, it's true...

...people, we need to fix this.

ranunculus

2012-02-11T10:12:00.000-08:00

{future husband take note:}

ranunculus are my favorite flower.

to see more of this arrangement, go HERE

happy news

2012-02-09T23:06:00.000-08:00

I got into the Italy Study Abroad Program!

I've known since November, but still hadn't really made it known on this here blog. It's been a really long time coming and is a miracle/dream come true in more ways than one.

I leave in May and I'll get back in June. I cannot wait.
While in Italia, I'll be studying all sorts of Art History. My emphasis will be in Baroque art and architecture (one of my favorite art periods) and Art History to the Renaissance.

I'll be visiting these places (to name a few)

hiking in Cinque Terre

Roma

Florence

Venice

Any of you been to Italy before? For those of you following me on Pinterest you've probably already seen my board dedicated to Study Abroad {Eep!} but I would be oh so grateful for any tips or insight you have on the subject.

1. Things to get me even more excited than I already am

2. Help me get prepared. (ie long flight, traveling abroad tips, art history books to read, saving money....)

needless to say,

I am more than excited.

Not going to lie, I cried a little thinking about it today.

PS thank you to those of you who have helped at all in getting me to go. You know who you are, and I love you all more than you know.

for those of you who watch the bachelor...

2012-02-07T17:50:00.000-08:00

kelly ripa's courtney impression is just... uncanny.
and daniel radcliffe is simply amazing.

{anyone going to see The Woman In Black?}

oh courtney and your crazy lips!

sorry about the sound.. this is the only vid i could find!

post no. 601

2012-02-06T15:46:00.000-08:00

ha. i must think i have a lot to say or something with that kind of number! i'm actually really glad i have all of my random thoughts down. i've told friends before that i love blogging more than journaling sometimes because blogging captures my everyday cares and worries along with my personality. fun times!

anyway, this is not what i wanted to tell you about!

many of you know i've been on about a million dates. i've joked (mostly being serious) that i could write a book about all my first dates alone. oh, the awkwardness that occurs!

well, dear Brittany over at Really-He's Just Not That Into You asked me to write about {just} one of the worst dates I've been on.

if you are curious and want to read all about it,

go HERE.

also... plenty more where that came from! i may share one or so on this blog coming up!

good times!

amigos de mi hermana!!

2012-02-02T20:42:00.000-08:00

Hola, y'all!!

Soooo

Anna sent me the link to her companion's blog! Kinda fun to get a different perspective from her!

Anyway, go HERE to watch some videos.

Man, I miss that girl A TON. Srsly, she's only been gone 6.5 weeks. It seems like it's been eternity!

For those of you who have sent missionaries/served missions: Please tell me this gets better?

k thanks, adios!

toms ballet flats? okay!

2012-02-02T08:01:00.000-08:00

i just want these.

maybe for my birthday.

making pies!

2012-01-31T17:25:00.000-08:00

Oooh the shenanigans Anna Amilia and I had whilst in Walt Disney World

days like today I really miss Anna and her... quirky little quirks.

also, for a good laugh check out the sheer terror caused by
DINOSAUR
aka the most ~~scary~~ terrifying ride I have ever encountered!

night out

2012-01-30T10:31:00.000-08:00

with a slightly crazy life right now, a much needed girls night was in order. the spontaneous kind. my favorite kind. we all met up and had way too many laughs over hot chocolate and hot baked ice-cream-covered cookies! it was delightful to say the least! Thanks ladies!

also, i'm trying this new thing where I document a little bit more with pictures.. we'll see how long this lasts!

so this one time I went and bought a ukulele

2012-01-29T14:56:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to learn how to play some songs, okay?

and actually, for someone who cannot for the life of them read music, the ukulele is perfect.
chords are so easy to learn!

I know{ish} 5 songs! Already! I've only had it for a little more than a week!

want proof?

watch this:
{but please don't judge. i am a BEGINNER, after all.}

hey you.. kuh-lay-lee?

2012-01-29T10:56:00.000-08:00

umm. so i watched this video:

and now i have this insane desire to learn to play the ukulele.
and sing a duet with joseph gordon-leavitt.

that is all.

i shall keep you updated on my pursuits to learn. and sing with JG-L.

art card!

2012-01-27T10:20:00.000-08:00

Heya!

You guys should go on over to

no two fish are alike

she featured an art card I sent her awhile back!
i'm obsessed with watercolor and the color scheme i used.
so much fun!

yay for creating artwork and sending it to friends!

if you would like to send her an art card, go HERE for more info!!

tinsel 'round his neck

2012-01-26T08:16:00.000-08:00

sometimes my friends show up on my porch singing Santa Baby wearing ...festive clothing.

and sometimes they run away when I break out my camera

but they always run right back.

some are more willing to have their picture taken than others..

looking good, boys!

just a thought: wealthy words.

2012-01-24T08:21:00.000-08:00

Someday, when I'm wealthy I will use fancy words.

heck. when I'm not wealthy I will use fancy words.

today.

instead of saying Dave's house, i would say the Bowie estate.

or the word

ravishing

sounds pretty fancy to me.

and to use it in a sentence;

what a ravishing estate you dwell in...

my time managment attempt.

2012-01-23T07:39:00.000-08:00

i am a woman of lists. i make lists for e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g. goals. daily to-do's. homework assignments to complete. people to write letters to. places i want to go. things i need to buy. wishlists. you name it, i've got a list for it!
well, for now i'm talking specifically about to-do lists. and sometimes these lists get a little out of control and overwhelming. especially around finals week when the list seems to be never-ending. i've tried planners to organize my time, reminders on my phone... and even though i'm a list/organization maniac, when it's all written out I tend to do nothing because it's so overwhelming.
this is what i discovered works for me! If you are a procrastinator and list-writer like me, maybe you'll like this little tip that actually works. I write my to do list for the week, but for each day, I write a top 3 priority list to get done for that day. (or if i'm really ambitious, a top 5).

for example:

Weekly:

1. 2D design assignment

2. Write Anna an email.

3. Grade 100 papers

4. Clean room

5. Clean Bathroom

6. Do laundry

7. Sculpture homework

8. Essay for lecture class

etc. etc.

Today:

1. Start 2D assignment:  Make 30 thumbnails

2. Write Anna an email

3. Grade 40 papers.

then obviously the next day some things carry over, and the list adjusts as I go.

Weekly:

1. 2D design assignment Scribble/paint and cut out squares/rectangles.

2. Write Anna an email.

3. Grade 100 60 papers

4. Clean room

5. Clean Bathroom

6. Do laundry

7. Sculpture homework

8. Essay for lecture class

I have to be realistic about what I can get done that day and often get done with a lot more than I thought I would! My reward is when i'm done with my list i can blog, be on pinterest, watch Modern Family, hang out with friends or whatever I want. Seems super easy and really lazy right? It's brilliant I tell you! Mostly because something amazing started to happen. Like I said, once I was done with my top 3 priorities for the day, I started to get even more done and had more free time by the end of the week which is a miracle for me!

Let me know if you try it, if this works for you or if you have other suggestions. Feel free to share!!

lazy laundry

2012-01-22T10:16:00.000-08:00

remember my never-ending laundry pile that i despise? i hate laundry so much that i have literally worn every article of clothing i own to avoid having to wash clothes until the very last minute. thankfully today is Sunday, so i get to wear a dress and put off laundry one more day..
although i probably should do that today... or not.

nothing can change this love!

2012-01-20T22:14:00.000-08:00

how cute is this song?! i mean seriously. i can't get enough of it!

my imaginitive effort

2012-01-18T22:13:00.000-08:00

I'll bet many are thinking this is going to be a fashion blog when they first see [the old title], fashionista{in training}. And, well, once upon a time it may have turned into one.

After getting most of my generals done, I still didn't know what I wanted to do with my schooling career. I took a semester off to consider everything. I remember coming home from taking my final in Biology just sobbing. I hated school. I didn't know what I wanted to do but I wanted to get out of what I was doing. I contemplated everything. Social Work. Hair School. Elementary Education. Nail Tech. Not going to school at all. Travel Agent. Real Estate. Everything that wasn't me. I had considered and was always interested in Fashion Design but didn't want to make any big move to California or New York(no fashion schools in Utah at the time). I didn't want to spend a boat load of money and I was far too scared to be out on my own quite yet. So, I took a break. I didn't know what I wanted and didn't see any sense in wasting my time or money doing something I didn't love. I got letters from Aunts and Uncles about the importance of education and how dropping out wasn't the answer(which offended me and made me not want to do school even more... I'm really stubborn that way), even though I wasn't really planning to be completely done done.

After taking a year off from any kind of school, a dear friend told me about a fashion program she was enrolled in locally in Salt Lake. Brilliant! Immediately(after talking it over with my mom) I applied, was accepted, and over the course of the next four semesters I was enrolled in fashion school; studying fashion illustration, pattern making, sewing, fashion history, and textiles. I was making lots of new friends and actually enjoyed my classes; something I hadn't experienced in a long time. I had it all planned out: I was going to finish my Fashion degree and move somewhere glamorous like New York City to pursue a bachelor degree in Bridal Fashion. I couldn't wait. In the midst of all of that, I also started a new blog. Hence the title: fashionista{in training} (because I was going to fashion school. so clever, i know...) Of course, life has a really awesome way of working out ~~according to plan~~.

My last semester of Fashion school, Fall 2010, I just knew I was in the wrong place. I have always gone with my gut feelings and knew that if I wanted to go far in life, fashion was not where I needed to be. I went through some of the same feelings I had before with uncertainty, trying to come up with new life careers, and frankly, feeling like a failure. Something needed to change soon.

Then, that same semester on Thanksgiving, my family went to see a movie as is tradition. The movie was Tangled. [I know I go on and on about how much I adore the film. {here is my first post about that} And now you'll know why!] During I See the Light, I cried. Cried! Okay, a lot of movies made me cry, but this one made me cry because A. it was super cute. B. she was realizing her dream of seeing the lights and C. I knew at that moment I wanted to create again. I wanted to be a part of something big. And it wasn't until I saw the movie that it really clicked for me. I went home and immediately looked up on the Disney Animation site the concept art, and qualifications/degrees/experience needed to become an artist for Disney.

I knew I needed to go back and finish what I had started pre-fashion school.

That week, I went down to the University. I talked to a counselor about what my options were and before I knew it I was enrolled in Art classes for the next semester. Everything just seemed to fall into place. I know it was where I needed to be at the time. I am so grateful for the experiences and life lessons I learned while going to fashion school. I know everything happens for a reason. I don't quite know yet why my school life had to take a small detour, but I do know I am where I am supposed to be now because everything keeps falling perfectly into place {good indicator, yeah?}. I still don't know exactly what I want to do with my BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts), but I do know I will be creating. Which is something I am completely passionate about.

so in this process of trying to come up with an updated more relevant blog title, I knew it had to incorporate creativity. Literally.

dictionary.com is brilliant. So for ideas one day, I decided to look up the definition.

cre·ate (kr-t)tr.v. cre·at·ed, cre·at·ing, cre·ates

1. To cause to exist; bring into being. See Synonyms at found¹.

2. To give rise to; produce: That remark created a stir.

3. To invest with an office or title; appoint.

4. To produce through artistic or imaginative effort

imaginitive effort. of course! those words spoke to me.

so now, I am introducing to you

my imaginative effort

this is who I am, and this is my journey to create and put forth my imaginative effort.

watch this video to be inspired to be creative yourself!

happy creating!

{ ENGAGED peeps! }

2012-01-18T15:11:00.000-08:00

remember my dear blogging friend Jalene?

well, she is a most fabulous photographer.

{she photographed Anna and I

and also our Family Fotos!}

check her out at j. taylor photography

***

well.

I have fantastic news!

She is hosting a contest on her photo site.

for FREE WEDDING DAY COVERAGE.

FREE, people!

(valued at $1200!)

So. If any of you lovely readers are engaged or know of anyone who is engaged,

I would HIGHLY recommend checking this out!!!

I didn't think I would say this any time soon, but I sooo wish I were engaged right now so I would be eligible to enter.

Like, even if you happen not to win, you should hire her as your photographer anyway. Her beautiful photos speak for themselves. I have told her on many occasions that I will be hiring her for my future wedding day. She is so wonderful to work with! I cannot say enough wonderful things about Jalene.

so what are you waiting for! Go! Enter!

gah.

2012-01-13T07:18:00.000-08:00

this is so adorable.
and true.
good men are dang attractive.
good men who want to be good, loving fathers
are even more attractive.

songs i am in love with right about now:

2012-01-08T15:46:00.000-08:00

the fast food place

2012-01-05T09:12:00.000-08:00

sometimes at my lil fast food place of employment it gets very slow.

so we have to get a little creative in ways to entertain ourselves

to pass the time.

once upon one of those times{two years ago}, we got to talking about a common favorite tv show, the office.

perhaps you've heard of it

we decided that so many hilarious things happen at work, that our workplace would be the perfect setting for a television show like that.

so what did we do?

that's right. 

we came up with our cast list. which i just found after 2 years! i can't believe i kept it, but so glad i did!! 

for those of you who work/have worked there {i know there are quite a few of you}

you will appreciate this post. !

Greg: Steve Carell (naturally)
Owner: Dick Van Dyke
Owner's Wife: Prof. McGonnagol
Marge: (oh, Marge): Betty White/Professor Sprout {we like HP, okay!?}
Jared: Matthew Perry
Anna: Amanda Bynes
Lindsey: Megan Fox
Easton: Michael Cera
Kalin: Corbin Bleu
Megan: Emma Watson
Me: Amy Adams/Courtney Cox
Lil Nicole: the friend on Princess Diaries/ Miley Cyrus
Keren: Sam from iCarly/ Selena Gomez
Jenny: Taylor Swift
Chelsea: Kristen Chenoweth
Kiley: Drew Barrymore/ Phoebe from Friends
Leslie: Dakota Fanning
Robert: Spencer from iCarly
Sophie: Alexis Bledel
Natalie: Jennifer Anniston
Kristen: Natalie Portman

with guest appearences by

Ryan C: Neville Longbottom
Chandler: Kanye West/ Lil Wayne
Kati: The girl from The Village (now I know her as Bryce Dallas Howard)
Justin A: Adam Brody
Justin C: Ryan Reynolds
Cheeseburger/mexi/small coke lady: Cloris Leachman
Von: The guy from Rat Race
Melissa: Claire Dunfy (a nicer version)
MB Burrito w/ nacho cheese kid: Joe Jonas
Jeff "the phone in guy": Adrian Brody
Todd: Leonardo DiCaprio
Amanda R: Britney Spears
Taylor H: 11yr. old Daniel Radcliffe
Kelsi: Beyonce
Ben: David Schwimmer
and
Heather: Pam from the Office.

there you have it!

good times.

ruby woo!

2012-01-04T13:32:00.000-08:00

i bought

this lipstick

recommended by

this lady

and because of

this article

i found

via googling

best red lipstick ever

and voila

i love it.

like, love.

really missing my sister today, y'all.

2012-01-02T09:09:00.000-08:00

such a sad face. hopefully the sad goes away soon and the happy starts to dominate. i hate this feeling of sadness i've been feeling in this rut! sheesh.

my NYR 2012

2012-01-01T09:04:00.000-08:00

review>2011

2011-12-31T17:36:00.000-08:00

january

mormon bachelor adventure.

first semester back at a university in 3 years.

discovered my love of spency perfumes and bold lipstick

february

watched the jazz play some more. and mostly lose. such a sad time.

decided i am not an illustrator. change in the school plans.

created a profile on mormon.org

march

one of my pieces made it into the student BFA show.

won juror's top pick!

called to be in YW Presidency, serving with women who were my leaders. scared to say the least.

april

decided to get my business license and make floral design by erin official.

turned 24!

finished another semester! about 7 to go!!

may

started growing my hair long. for reals this time.

started selling my wedding gown fashion illustrations

fell in love with kid history

june

my first official wedding of the season

participated as a counselor at youth conference!

figured out how to schedule posts. amazing, i tell you.

july

YW Girls camp. 100% a blast.

i love Adele. and Ingrid. nuff said.

busy every single day! that summer went by way too fast.

august

2nd semester back at the university, an actual goal and end in sight.

busy busy with weddings

started grading papers.

september

disneyland trip with the fam!

went back to the singles ward after 18 months.. scary!

ten years since 9/11. crazy how time flies.

october

pinterest addiction.

Anna gets mission call.

sculpted Jordan's face.

november

applied for Italy study abroad

got accepted to Italy study abroad for 2012. (yayyy!)

discovered my love of oil painting!

december

started to learn how to parlo italiano

said goodbye to sis for a little bit as she left on her mission (more bitter than sweet so far)

cried a lot

it's been such a fun year full of big accomplishments. i just remember how horrible 2010 was and how i was so afraid of 2011. 2011 was really good to me. hopefully 2012 has lots of wonderful things in store!

here's to new years resolutions, fun, and more bright lipstick!
love, erin

i don't know you either.

2011-12-29T08:56:00.000-08:00

about a month ago, my dear ecclesiastical leader forwarded me an email

this message:

Hello my friends and Ward Missionaries,

Between the 6 of you, can two of you plan on attending this pizza party?
Sounds like a good chance to associate with some of the home stake YSA's and maybe a few less actives.

the forwarded message was this:

We would like to invite 1 young woman and 1 young man to represent your ward to visit and associate with the youth in our ward on Thursday, Dec 15th at 6 pm - 8pm.
If you would please let me know who would be able to come, we would greatly appreciate it.

Note a few things

1. I am a ward missionary. Read about my responsibilities here if you so desire.

2. The forwarded message says associate with the youth

So after reading this I thought.. Okay. I need to go. Anna will be gone and I'll have nothing to do. I also was in the YW Presidency for a bit so this can't be completely horrible and it will be fun to go hang out with some YM/YW again! Right?

...

so at 6pm the day of the activity I left my house, not really knowing A. where I was going or B. who these people are I was supposed to be associating with! Nobody was going to look familiar. I knew this going into it.

oh the good times never end.

I pulled up to this house and waited there for what seemed like 9 years (2 minutes) and finally a car pulled up behind mine. We got out of our cars at the same time as I said to the young lady

hey! are you here for the pizza party!?!

a less enthusiastic response, yeah.

cool. me too! I'm Erin.. Nice to meet you!

(trying to make the best of the situation.)

hi...

we both get up to the door. she knocked. I waited.

a particularly good looking guy answered the door and I thought, He is not in YM. There is no way.

he hugged the lame girl, soo good to see you! blah blah blah. Then turns to me and says (complete with confused look)

I don't know you.

I don't know you either...

uhh.. come in?

Thanks.

So I walk in, naturally.

And who do I find?

The parents who had sent the email.

the attractive kid.

4 or so other very attractive kids

and the lame girl.

all standing around.

Cue the mother

I don't think I know you!

to the group

Hi! I'm Erin, I'm from the Singles ward.... (classic)

to which the mother said something like

Oh! Yes, this is Erin, she's over the activities in the Singles ward! I asked her to come to tell us all about the activities happening in the area!

Uhh.. no? I'm actually a ward missionary. ...and I hardly ever go to any activities... sorry!

long pause followed by a subject change! awesome.

...

meanwhile cute boy and his friends start speaking some crazy language to each other.

say what?!

As it turns out..

this wasn't a youth party after all.

no no.

this was a homecoming party for cute boy and his old companions! I don't know how lame girl fits in..

So what did I do?

I stayed. And mingled. And left finally feeling so completely awkward.

situations like this are just the story of my life, though, so not to worry.

what would you have done?!

a few ideas to keep you occupied

2011-12-26T16:39:00.001-08:00

untitled...

2011-12-20T20:22:00.000-08:00

Anna is a unique individual.

in many ways.

before she left she kept saying

Erin you better be married by the time I get home...

and by kept saying. i mean every.day.

i kept blowing it off, naturally.

Anna. I'm not going to get married while you're gone.

she didn't like that answer.

so what did she do?

she decided it would be wise to tell everyone (this is a rough estimate, there could be more I'm unaware of)

that their goal while she's away is to get me married/seriously dating.

and so far, surprisingly, people have been following through with her challenge.

in the last two weeks, I have had five people tell me they have someone in mind they want to set me up with.

five!

and I'm blaming Anna.

that little weasel.

she's got great intentions.

and i've got to admit..

i do love a good blind date story!

(awkward+hilarious is what they are.)

i'm going to get her back for this. you can count on that. i've got 18 months to plot this out perfectly.

maniacal laugh.....(muppets, anyone?)

color!

2011-12-18T16:08:00.000-08:00

colors are wonderful. but colors are always better when they are presented together, rather than one at a time, in my opinion. mmmm. yes. here's a small colors blip.

monochromatic

this is when everything gets all matchy-matchy.

complimentary

this is when opposite colors on the color wheel are put together. they make each other stand out.

analogous

this is when colors next to each other on the color wheel are put together

and of course... all the colors presented ROYGBIV style.

my favorite.

enjoy. and remember. it doesn't have to match it just has to go!

do you have a favorite color scheme? or maybe just a favorite color?

this is my go-to color scheme

i'm doing okay

2011-12-16T16:25:00.000-08:00

and it can only get better from here.

I'll be even better once I get a letter or an email from her!

but

Heavenly Father takes care of His missionaries.

so we're all going to be just fine.

just wanted to tell you that.

***

I've got some funny stories to share, so don't go away just yet! Once I get caught up with everything I'll be back!

a picture's worth a thousand words

2011-12-14T15:35:00.000-08:00

ch-ch-ch-changes!

2011-12-13T11:07:00.000-08:00

with the new year coming, it is a habitual and traditional practice to reflect and review the past year and to look ahead with new goals to the new year. as i have thought about this next year and all the many adventures and changes it will bring, i'll be honest. i am nervous. really nervous/anxious/excited. the anticipation of something new always makes me nervous. you know how i mean, i'm sure. and i'm excited, don't get me wrong. but. i'm most nervous about not having my little sister around for the entire year of 2012. as many of you know, she is leaving tomorrow to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. i am so excited for her! but. i cannot remember a time when i couldn't just call or text her and ask her a stupid question or have someone to hang out with. i know i will be okay. i know she will be okay. change this suddenly is never fun. but i will learn and grow and be better for it! and hey. i have a lot to look forward this next year, so it can't be all bad! and plus, i'll get to write her and send packages(and hopefully recieve letters and packages in return. hint, hint, anna!). any of you have any great ideas of what to send a missionary? you can check out a few of "my" ideas via my pinterest board dedicated to my sis as a missionary. {view here} okay. that's enough for today. can't dwell or i cry. i've been so good and haven't even cried yet today. i'm sure that will change come tonight/tomorrow. wish us all luck!

ps. get her address here and write a sister!


she has always been the spaz of the family...

7 days.

2011-12-06T17:29:00.000-08:00

and no, i'm not talking about the movie the ring.

my little sis is leaving on her mission next week.
life is extremely nuts right now to say the least.

last minute shopping
mission prepping
finals studying
house cleaning
homeworking
actual working
christmas cheering
church going
and family picture taking

we asked the beautiful Jalene Taylor to take our family pictures. If you need a photographer, go to her! She is phenomenal.

here are a few of my absolute favorites from the shoot:

happy holidays!

i probably won't be back on here for at least a week.

another thing on my list is anna time spending

the disturbing facts.

2011-12-02T09:31:00.000-08:00

This info shocks me. Just take a look. (i can't remember where i found this... sorry! i saved this post as a draft ages ago..)

How Do You Feel About the Way You Look?

(The most-selected from a list of nine descriptors)

60s:

Grateful: 52.2%

Satisfied: 46.1%

Self-conscious: 32.6%

Dissatisfied: 28.7%

Happy: 27.4%

Teens:

Self-conscious: 50%

Satisfied: 42.9%

Grateful: 40.5%

Happy: 36.9%

Dissatisfied: 26.2%

"I see in magazines how my hair should look, and girls on TV who are 20 pounds lighter. If I had someone to do my hair and a trainer, I could be like that. But it's hard to both think that way and be happy with how you look."—Kateyln Labarre, 18, Southborough, Massachusetts

Have You Ever Used Photo-Altering Software to Change a Photograph of Yourself?

60s: 8.5%

Teens: 59.1%

Have You Ever Considered Plastic Surgery?

60s: 43.7%

Teens: 45.5%

"More teens have considered plastic surgery? One possible explanation: As you age, the trauma of elective surgery is less enticing."—Valerie Monroe

Have You Ever Had Plastic Surgery?

60s: 15.4%

Teens: 4.5%

Do You Think You Have a Healthy Body Image?

60s: 62.1%

Teens: 56.8%

Are You Happy With Your Body?

60s: 37.7%

Teens: 43.2%

"How can you believe you have a healthy body image...and not be happy with your body?"—Valerie Monroe

Why Do Your Exercise?

To Stay Healthy

60s: 65.5%

Teens: 28.6%

To Lose Weight

60s: 11.6%

Teens: 33.3%

To Change the Shape of My Body

60s: 6.5%

Teens: 19%

How Do You Think Others Would Describe the Way You Look?

Attractive: 60s: 63.2% / Teens: 39.8%

Approachable: 60s: 57.4% / Teens: 49.4%

Kind: 60s: 55.2% / Teens: 65.1%

Confident: 60s: 55.2% / Teens: 33.7%

Smart: 60s: 42.6% / Teens: 53%

Interesting: 60s: 32.3% / Teens: 33.7%

Pretty: 60s: 30.5% / Teens: 63.9%

Average: 60s: 25.6% / Teens: 49.4%

Sexy: 60s: 13.9% / Teens: 19.3%

Beautiful: 60s: 12.1% / Teens: 33.7%

Plain: 60s: 8.5% / Teens: 16.9%

Old: 60s: 6.3% / Teens: 2.4%

Exotic: 60s: 5.4% / Teens: 9.6%

Unattractive: 60s: 1.3% / Teens: 8.4%

Ugly: 60s: 0.9% / Teens: 2.4%

How can we change this thinking that there is only one type of beautiful? This post will have to continue another day. I have many thoughts on the subject. Who's with me?!

take risks!

2011-11-27T20:59:00.000-08:00

i just need to learn how to tell my fear to shut it.

i'm accesible.

2011-11-23T08:16:00.000-08:00

1You're comfortable expressing yourself in words and actions, with no self-censorship. You believe that if someone doesn't like what they see it's not your problem, but theirs. A high score on the "accessible" trait suggests that you have a lot of friends, socialize often, and enjoy rap/hip-hop music.

You don't see the need to keep your thoughts to yourself, or to have a zone of privacy that encompasses only yourself and a small circle of friends and relatives

i love that we're both glaring in this picture. ha

@fashion_jedi Erin

I'm going through a rap phase.. like.. all I want to do is rap. Even ask @DerekCarter

bahaha. thanks again, pinterest.

2011-11-22T22:22:00.000-08:00

via

maybe YOU stuck the gum under the table!!

2011-11-21T16:27:00.000-08:00

i laugh out loud whenever i watch these clips. enjoy. the first and last are from baby mama.. one of my favorites.

please go die now.

2011-11-18T22:09:00.000-08:00

dear
headaches
snow
wind
~~diet coke~~
homework
tests
haters
fat
my never-ending pile of laundry
and
dana carvey regis impersonations,

please go die now.
okay thanks, bye.

love, erin.

ps, diet coke. i actually don't want you to die at all. i think i am borderline addicted to you, however, so i'm going to go without you for a whole month. i'll miss you lots. we're on day 3 and so far so good.

burning huts

2011-11-15T09:15:00.000-08:00

i've been thinking about this a lot lately. how life never really is how we imagine it will be. it's never how we plan it out to be. it especially hit me yesterday in sunday school. we were talking about joseph and the coat of many colors. on the stink-o-meter his life just got progressively worse... let me explain.

he starts out being the favorite child, and being adored by everyone in israel. his brothers despised him for that, especially after the dreams joseph had about him eventually ruling over his brothers. so his brothers hate him. bad, right? well then his brothers decide they want to kill him. that's never fun... but instead of killing him, the bros decide to sell him as a slave! okay. his life is like a 6 on the stink-o-meter at this point(10 being the worst). and then the whole thing with potipher's wife, and then he's put in prison for something he didn't do. oh man. yeah. i would say that would be really crappy. despite all the crap happening, he keeps doing what's right even though he doesn't know why he's having all these trials(ever heard the saying why do bad things happen to good people? yeah).

but.

because he was eventually thrown into prison, he meets the baker and the butler. remember them? he interprets their dreams, and eventually the butler tells pharoh about joseph when the pharoh starts having crazy dreams. joseph interprets pharoh's dream and basically saves not only egypt but all of the countries surrounding egypt. naturally, joseph is made second in command of egypt and eventually saves his family from starvation. amazing, amazing blessings. none of which could have happened had the bad stuff not happened first, along with his faithfulness and diligence.

i'm sure you've also heard the story of the man who was shipwrecked. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements, and to store his few possessions. But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened; everything was lost. He was stung with grief and anger.

"God, how could you do this to me!" he cried.

Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him. "How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers.

"We saw your smoke signal," they replied.

...

i also just finished watching the diane sawyer special on gabby giffords and her amazing recovery story thus far. (seriously, i cried... i cry a lot lately.)

at the very end of the program, diane says this:

{you need to have} courage ... when the life you live isn't the life you planned. and you learn there have to be many definitions of a beautiful day.

i need to remember this the next time i'm having a bad day. i need to remember to be happy now, and that my Heavenly Father is in control and knows what's best for me. and for you. And sometimes what i think is the burning hut is actually an answer to my prayers.

the hunger games!

2011-11-14T14:37:00.001-08:00

i have no words.

who else is so excited?!

i'm friendly.

2011-11-13T05:18:00.000-08:00

You would rather hang out with others than spend time alone, and you'd far rather be doing something with your friends than just sitting around. You're happy in a crowded room, club, stadium, or auditorium.

You're not a private person who is ill at ease in a group; you don't view excessive socializing as a waste of time.

call me! let's play! remember game nights? i haven't done these in a while. who's in?

i like this picture because we're all glaring at my bro. who is now a foot+ taller than me now... i can't glare anymore, he'll eat me!

i'm optimistic.

2011-11-12T17:19:00.000-08:00

You are a "glass half-full" kind of person, always on the lookout for the silver lining. Your happiness is contagious, which is why others like to be around you.

You do not feel that the world is an intrinsically depressing place; you are not the kind of "realist" who thinks that only fools find joy in life.

this is true. just call me pollyanna.
and i'm pretty sure i have the gospel to thank for 100% of this personality trait.

girls camp july 2011. miss rileigh is the most optimistic ol' gal on the block

i'm assertive.

2011-11-11T07:16:00.000-08:00

You behave in a confident and forceful manner, take charge of the situation, raise your hand in class, stand up for what you think is right, and lead others. Among those who have a high score on the "assertive" trait, many have jobs in which they are valued for their organizational skills as well as their talent for supervising others.

You are not interested in fading into the woodwork, leaving everything to fate, taking more time than necessary to accomplish a task, or avoiding confrontation.

supervising others, sure. i was having this discussion yesterday with a dear friend. assertive, of course i am. in school. work. church. family. assertive when it comes to men? you bet i'm not. i'm as demure as they come. we're looking to fix this.

smize July 2010

ten things about me right now

2011-11-09T13:19:00.000-08:00

read nie's post here; she inspired this post!
here are things i think you should know about the current me:

1. i have been devouring this book the past week. complete with highlighters and sticky notes..
2. i feel like i'm constantly on pinterest brainstorming gift/package ideas for my sister who leaves on her lds mission 5 weeks from today. gahhh.
3. soft serve vanilla ice cream with oreos and caramel. need i say more?
4. i'm borderline obsessed with modern family. why have i never watched it before this season? it is hilar.
5. i'm noticing more and more my smile wrinkles. which, in my opinion, are the best kind of wrinkles.
6. been questioning whether or not i'm in the right major. this happens every year, so this is nothing new. still trekking along, and i'll most likely continue with where i'm going. not to worry.
7. honestly i don't know what i'm going to do when sister leaves. i have breakdowns weekly (it used to be daily. i'm getting better) how do you deal with life changes?
8. i can't wait for christmas this year. i asked santa for this. and this. and a subscription renewal to this.
9. been wanting to try out paper art for weeks now. i keep doodling thumbnails, but have yet to actually do it. hopefully soon.
10. i am extremely excited for the muppets movie to come out on thanksgiving.

go ahead, follow this trend and tell me 10 things about the current you! make sure you comment with a link to your post so i can read them! :)

awkward family photos

2011-11-05T06:01:00.000-07:00

i cried laughing looking at this.

enjoy.

two thoughts.

2011-11-03T18:01:00.000-07:00

1.

thank you to sweet lexi for this

and 2.

thank you to the beautiful megan for this

oh the awkwardness!

2011-11-02T07:45:00.000-07:00

my sister and i get mixed up all the time.

for example:

Some kid the other day in sunday school shook my hand and said

hey! congratulations on your mission call!

and rather than correct him i just said

thanks!

halloweenies!

2011-10-31T21:28:00.000-07:00

I was planning on being Miss Frizzle for Halloween.

and then last minute I changed my mind.

I started as Pirate

then that switched to Belle

from there quickly turned to Hot Nerd

but then I realized I look like that every day (heh heh)

and so what else was I supposed to be with only 4 minutes to spare?

(i am a major procrastinator.)

my grandpa.

yes, you heard right. not just any grandpa. my papacito.

it's uncanny how alike we look:

i understand this isn't a wonderful picture of my Papacito(actually this is one of my favorites of him and my mamacita.), but you can see in this picture his famous black rim glasses. and the hat I'm wearing was actually his. :) I'm sad I didn't get to know him while he was still here. Someday! Love you Papacito!

look how handsome he is!

what the creeper?

2011-10-30T18:28:00.000-07:00

today was an interesting day.

i woke up waaay later than i was supposed to. i changed my clothes at least 7 different times before wearing the dress i put on first. (isn't that always the case?) after being late for church but attending sacrament meeting and sunday school, a gal friend and i decided spur of the moment to drive to salt lake to visit our dear friend at her ward(and her ward has some attractive men. not gonna lie). so we're driving up (my friend was driving, i was riding in the passenger seat) and as i'm riding i like to look around. who doesn't? i was looking at many drivers and passengers of cars that were passing us and we were passing, not thinking much about anything. we had passed this guy in a truck a few times, and finally i look over again at this truck to see its driver holding up a piece of paper against his driver's side window. i looked more closely to see that it said "HI ERIN" bolded and upper-cased. completely caught off guard, i smiled awkwardly and waved (naturally) and still have no idea who it was. no idea. he had on a hat and sunglasses, and was two lanes away from me and we were driving so i couldn't get a good look. so mystery creeper driver knows who i am, apparently. who has time to write down a note while driving? whatever. fun times, right?

there's my weird story for the day. anything awkward happen to you recently?

and ever

2011-10-29T23:25:00.001-07:00

Sister Anna. But seriously though.

2011-10-26T21:33:00.000-07:00

she is one of the {weirdest} people i know.

quirky
hilarious
awkward
pretty

all describe dear Anna.

classic [mint]-in-place-of-anna's-teeth photo.

she just recieved her mission call.

Watch here:

or if you like spoilers:

she has been called to serve in the

Dallas Texas mission

Spanish speaking.

she leaves December 14.

holy moly. i can't stop crying. so sad, but so so so so happy and excited. let's be honest, i don't know how i'm feeling.

i am soooo excited for her.

but my insides are crying lots.

i'm selfish like that.

i need volunteers to distract me for the next 18 months. i only have 7 weeks to find a replacement

darn it...

2011-10-26T09:39:00.000-07:00

a little bit ago i went to the eye doctor

i walked into the office, and was given a form to fill out, similar to this:

I got to the question

are you nursing/pregnant? yes or no

without realizing what I was doing (I was hurrying to get through the form) i circled YES

i scribbled the heck out of that question. i didn't know what else to do!

...

kinda reminds me of the time when i was trying on bras (awkward already) at v.'s secret and the dressing room attendant says to me

oooohh so when are you due?

and i said

with that glazed-over-smile should-i-punch-you-or myself-in-the-face-look..

soon.

story of my life.

for the record. no, i am not nursing. or preggo.

i'm original.

2011-10-25T17:19:00.000-07:00

You are constantly coming up with new ideas. For you, the world as it exists is just a jumping-off place; what's going on inside your mind is often more interesting than what's going on outside.

You don't feel that the road to success is to be a realist and stick to the program; you never stop yourself from coming up with new ideas or telling the world what you're thinking about.

you don't understand how much this describes me.

i am alllwayyys coming up with new ideas. but you knew this.

i'm always telling people(you) my idears.

new career paths
new business plans
vacation schemes
illustrations
new hair style ideas
updating my style in general
new boys to crush on
schooling plans
ways to earn money
i'm constantly changing my mind

and while most of the time it can be a good thing
a lot of times it hinders my progression.
i do need to stick to my gut and just go for it rather than change my mind so often.

what are some of your bright ideas?

amen to that!

2011-10-24T13:52:00.000-07:00

inspirations as of late.

2011-10-23T13:19:00.000-07:00

via pinterest.

this illustration was used in a short cartoon featuring lots of paper illustrations! oh my, i love it. i love retro disney. watch here!

lately i am loooving the layered paper illustrations. i would love to try this out soon. perhaps with tangled?...

i'm curious.

2011-10-22T14:31:00.000-07:00

You like to get to the bottom of things. You're not content knowing what someone did; you want to know why they did it.

You don't simply take things as they are and move on; you're not content skimming along on the surface; you don't feel you're wasting time by digging for the meaning of things.

i know i look like one of the young women... 1. i miss these girls terribly. 2. i was indeed a yw leader

i am someone who genuinely cares. i want a motive behind why people do certain things.

have you ever watched 48 hours: hard evidence (or just the news, for that matter)? i am never satisfied with the what. i have to know the why. i can't just watch bits and pieces of those murder mystery shows. i have to know why.
i am fascinated why people do certain things.

i also am a huge fan of people watching.
anyone else love this too?

one of my favorite things to do with my mom at disneyland is grab our favorite ice cream snack, plant it on a bench, and watch people. not in a creeper way.. i love stories, i love backgrounds. i'll often ask someone i've just met what's your story? [i know. i'm strange. but seriously. i'm interested!]

(does this explanation even fall under the curious category? who cares. i think it applies.)

schooling. a never ending quest.

2011-10-21T10:20:00.000-07:00

i looked up some classes to get all prepared for registration for next semester. i have one word for you: ugggghhhhhhhhhh

seriously. don't get me wrong, i'm reeally looking forward to the upcoming semesters. it's just a really long road i've got ahead of me. it's looking like instead of a little over one year left.. i have a lot over one year left. you know those days? today is just one of those days where i want to be done with school.

done!

hey. at least i will be one semester closer, right?

i haven't had to take out any student loans thus far. i work my tail off to pay for school.

but i need other options, i'm thinking.

who has taken out student loans? do any of my readers not work and just go to school? how is that?

anyway.

wish my luck in my seemingly never ending quest to graduate someday.

i'm extroverted.

2011-10-20T16:38:00.000-07:00

You are ready to talk at the drop of a hat. Whether you're in the office or at a party, you're likely to be found gabbing away in the middle of a group of people. If you have a high score on the "extroverted" trait, you are probably among those who enjoy communicating with their friends (on the phone, on line, texting…), hanging out, and finding the best parties.

You are not shy or unwilling to spend a fair amount of time socializing. People you meet generally do not feel they have a hard time getting to know you.

sunburn much? this is at my cousin's wedding back in june

this. is so true!

one of the gals i work with reallly dislikes me because i talk so much. (this is a true statement, believe it or not.) i'm just a people person, what can i say?

what do i do about this? nothing. i can't change who i am!

what should you do about this?

call me! text me! tweet me! leave a comment! email me! i want to get to know you, my friend!

i'm poised.

2011-10-19T06:50:00.000-07:00

You tend to feel at home wherever you find yourself, even in unfamiliar settings, with new people. It takes a lot to rattle you, and when rattled you recover quickly and gracefully.

You are usually not self-conscious or nervous when you're in an unfamiliar environment or with people you don't know.

usually, this is the case. usually.

until there is a boy i fancy in the picture. then i freeze up and turn all socially awkward and avoid all possible interactions.. hmm, perhaps this is why i don't date the same boy for very long? drat. we need to fix this. maybe i should try to be poised more often?

does this happen to anyone else? or am i the only 14 year old here?...

maybe it's just me

2011-10-16T16:01:00.000-07:00

but i find this video hilarious.
the slow march
the hair
that goofy grin
i just love it.

i promise i don't spend all my time on youtube. even though that's what 78% of my posts have been lately.

and if you loved that, you'll love this.

this is what i'll look like when she's gone:

2011-10-15T09:47:00.000-07:00

man, i'm going to miss this girl and all our crazy shenanigans. she gets her call in, oh, 11 days..

just sayin'.

make your guesses now!

personality shmersonality

2011-10-14T13:09:00.001-07:00

oh, hey!

here's that link!!

y'welcome.

i'm aesthetic.

2011-10-14T09:04:00.000-07:00

i took a happy little personality quiz the other day (i would share the link but i closed out of the website as soon as i was done with my results.. oops!) my results came in the form of 10 little paragraphs telling me about my strongest suits. I decided to make a small 10 part series out of it. hooray!

Aesthetic

You appreciate art, beauty, and design; you know that they are not superficial but absolutely crucial to living the good life. You have good taste, and you're proud of it. Those with a high score on the "aesthetic" trait are often employed in literary or artistic professions, enjoy domestic activities — doing things around the house — and are enthusiastic about the arts, reading, and travel.

You don't think it's pretentious to be moved by art and beauty. You're not one of those who believe it doesn't matter what something looks like as long as it does its job.

this is totally me. art inspires me.

here's something that bugs me, though...

one of my biggest pet peeves is when people look at artwork much like unto these:

and say something like

oh, a child could have done that
or
i could have done that in two minutes

really?
could you have?
then let's see you try.
i'm an art major and i can't even do that.

here is what a child has painted, though:

now do you see the difference?

i guess it just really bugs me because

A. I've learned to appreciate art from all walks of life, not just representational art.

B. Some of my best artwork has been abstract.

Artwork that I spend hours upon hours making. Who is supposed to appreciate my stuff if everyone thinks a child could have done that in two minutes? It's insulting, yeah?

C. I am a huge fan of color, and playing with color. What better way to show off color than in abstract art?

So, my friends, think outside the box today. Try to embrace the abstract a little bit more. I think you'll find that you'll like it. Okay maybe you won't today, but hopefully someday you'll like it a little bit more. Even if you don't love it. Try to resist the urge to say things like a child could have made that. it makes my artist heart hurt a little (okay, a lot)

sing hell and hallelujah

2011-10-10T14:54:00.000-07:00

i love my sweet mamacita. (my grandma) she is 97 years old. and she sings this song every time we visit

and by every time, i mean every. time.

isn't she the best?

another reason i will never be a teacher

2011-10-09T15:13:00.000-07:00

so

i picked up a job grading papers.

no big deal, right?
it's just a bit time consuming. which is good seeing as i need cash monies.

i just need to say that i am shocked at some of the crap that comes in.

these are college-level kids writing these papers. i didn't think i was a good writer until i read some of this stuff.

here are just a few simple guidelines to follow:

do:
follow directions. and then you'll get an A.

don't:
mess with the margins
mess with the font size
(i will notice!)
throw in a bunch of filler words to make your paper longer..
(I'd MUCH rather read a shorter coherent paper than a longer paper that has so many words in it that your brain may just turn to mush because of all of the extra words that really do not need to be there and that someone may put in a sentence which brings me to my next point about run on sentences.)

goo.

i now leave you with proof of the ridiculousness i get to deal with.

this is legit how one of the papers ended...

i'm sorry if this was your paper... you still got a decent grade.. but really? boo on you painting? really?

today's conversation

2011-10-08T17:28:00.000-07:00

went a little something like this:

friend: erin, did you change your hair?

me:  no... ...actually i did part it differently now that i think about it, maybe that's it?

friend:  but it just looks so shiny and beautiful!

me: well... i did wash and condition it today, maybe that's it?

turns out washing and conditioning your hair makes it look shiny and beautiful.... weird! 

musicals are brilliant.

2011-10-07T09:25:00.000-07:00

these next songs have been on replay. for at least the past 72 hours. i just love them. music like this just fills my heart and mostly just makes me melt. and tear up. or just. be happy.

The Impossible Dream
from Man of la Mancha
(this one mostly because I saw Brian Stokes Mitchell in concert.. He sings it beautifully. view here)

to dream the impossible dream
to fight the unbeatable foe
to bear with unbearable sorrow
to run where the brave dare not go
to right the unrightable wrong
to love pure and chaste from afar
to try when your arms are too weary
to reach the unreachable star

this is my quest
to follow that star
no matter how hopeless
no matter how far
to fight for the right
without question or pause
to be willing to march into Hell
for a Heavenly cause

and I know if I'll only be true
to this glorious quest
that my heart will lie peaceful and calm
when I'm laid to my rest

and the world will be better for this
that one man, scorned and covered with scars
still strove with his last ounce of courage
to reach the unreachable star

Anything Can Happen
from Mary Poppins

(I've skipped to the end..)

If you reach for the stars all you get are the stars
but we've found a whole new spin if you reach for the heavens you get the stars thrown in

if you reach for the stars all you get are the stars but we've found a whole new spin if you
reach for the heavens you get the stars thrown in
Anything can happen if you let it life out there waiting
so go and get it grab it by the collar seize it by the scruff one
you've started living life you just can't get enough
Anything can happen it's official you can choose the super
or the superficial sally forth the way we're steering obstacles
start disappearing

go and chase your dreams you won't regret it
Anything can happen Anything can happen

Anything can happen
If you let it

which are your favorite musicals?

okay. i will always

love

seven brides for seven brothers,

the sound of music,

my fair lady,

mary poppins,

and hairspray.

(and there are so many more. i love. musicals.)

makin sculptures

2011-10-06T07:35:00.000-07:00

just going for it. not really paying attention in class... whoops.

finally buckled down and followed some instruction.. i called this the Oprah phase

starting to look more and more like my friend.

you remember my friend jordan, right?
of course you do.

i really just love makin jordan-inspired artwork. ~~i don't know what it is~~ he just has an inspiring face. wouldn't you say?

just finished my sculpture of him! i've never done anything like this before, so it was really fun for me! especially because all i do in my painting class is paint boring still life all day every day...ugghhhh

how do you think it turned out? ps. i did get an A on this sculpture. thank the heavens.

airplane singin'

2011-10-05T14:42:00.000-07:00

and just so everybody is aware.. this is how anna and i are together. pretty much every day... you know, singing duets (i always make her be the boy) and singing in general.

somebody must learn the opposite parts to my favorite duet songs so they can replace anna for 18 months and i won't be deprived of this entirely while she's gone.

it's true

2011-10-04T17:00:00.000-07:00

i am still busy doing flowers! and did i ever mention to all of you lovelies that i looove it? because i most certainly do. this is my most recent creation. (don't mind the blurry phone pic) the bride is getting married next week--this is the bouquet i created for her bridal portraits which are going on today! i wish you all could smell that stock. it is seriously amazing. heavenly, if you will. other flowers in this beauty are dahlia, spray rose, and snapdragon. do you love how it turned out? i sure do!! be sure to check out my floral blog here and stay tuned for more flower pictures from this wedding coming up later next week!

playing with lipstick

2011-10-03T10:07:00.000-07:00

a little hard to tell in these photos..

coral. nude. heavy liner (ha!) and red.

i'm thinking i need to sport the red more often. what say you?

my sister and i

2011-09-29T23:33:00.000-07:00

we are joined at the hip.

i can't remember a time in all my 24 years (well, except the 2.5 when she wasn't born yet...) when i haven't been with her.

i understand she doesn't have her mission call yet,

but she has her papers turned in.

it's all becoming more real.

honestly, i don't know what i'm going to do when she leaves.

probably cry. every day.

just like i do now. and she hasn't even left yet.

remember me?

2011-09-29T08:01:00.000-07:00

yeah, don't worry. i really am still alive.

life has been nuts lately.

in a good way, if you can believe that!

it's just been a whirlwind and i feel like i'm holding on for dear life.

on a side note, ever smelled

daisy by marc jacobs?

i'm thinking next paycheck that i need it. smells so delightful.
and i need a new sunday scent.

i fell in love with perfumes last summer.
so i've got one special for sunday (which is running out--hence daisy)
one for dates (ooh la la!)
one for every day
one for work (only sometimes when i'm feeling extra fancy)

it's just a small obsession

okay. random post? yes. talk to you soon? absolutely.