If you had a stuffed Panda...

So once upon a time there was a girl*. For the sake of the story, let's say her name is Aubrey. For her birthday, Aubrey received this bad boy:

*It's a pillow, it's a pet...*

 *It's a PILLOW PET!*

Needless to say, Aubrey was overjoyed with this amazingly thoughtful present. She hugged her panda and gave it all the love a pillow can receive, but then a problem occurred. People that will go unnamed (Ahem... Molly...) started calling this amazing creature 'Peter the Panda'. Aubrey was shocked. What kind of name is PETER for a stuffed panda?!!! So Aubrey searched high and low for the actual name of her panda. She asked her friends, she asked her peers and she even asked complete strangers, but with little luck. She received suggestions like Po the Panda, Dong Chung the Panda, Bob the Panda and Panda the Panda. Although Aubrey was grateful for the help of her friends, peers, and complete strangers, she has yet to find the true name of her beloved panda. She now turns to you for help and guidance. Aubrey and her extra-squeezable animal ask for your help in finding the true name of this exquisite creature.  There are only two guidelines. 1) This adorable pillow is obviously male and will be offended if a girl's name is suggested. 2) 'the Panda' is the last name of this beautiful bear.

Will you be the one to come up with the best name for _______ the Panda?! Aubrey and ________ cry for your help!**

*This story may or may not be true.

**There may be a nice prize for the genius that comes up with ______ the Panda's perfect name.

Well excuuuuuuuuuse me!

So I haven't really been in love with my bloggy look and I'm still learning my way around blogger (I'm kind of a slow learner), so please excuse the messy mess and just make up a cute blog look in your head and think of that when you think of my blog, okay? Okay. I think we're all agreed. Also, could you please enjoy this umbrella background because well, I think it's adorable and it will not be here too much longer (hopefully!)

Have the loveliest of days.

Sometimes.

Sometimes there are days where I just look like this... (notice the baggy eyes, pimpled forehead and greasy hair... On second thought... Maybe you shouldn't notice these things. In fact, you may just want to look at this picture through your peripheral cause this is a leetle scary!)

Sometimes when I look like ^this^ I need to where a feminine color to remind myself that I am, in fact, female.

Sometimes being sick 2 completely different times within 3 weeks is not cool. (Okay, reread that, but take out the sometimes, cause we all know that it just sucks.)

Sometimes I just need to suck it up and finish a project (like sending those letters! Seriously. I am awful!)

Sometimes a handful of chocolate chips after an awful day is necessary/mandatory.

Sometimes it's okay to flirt with the cute guy sitting next to you... (And by sometimes, I'm pretty sure you all know I mean ALL the time... well unless you're married, then you should change "the cute guy sitting next to you" to "your husband")

Sometimes you shouldn't read a book about dying when you're sick... it's kind of depressing (BUT it was a really good book! Entitled 'A Summer to Die' by Lois Lowry. I would definitely recommend any of her books.)

Sometimes you need to pray that your prayers get answered.

Sometimes you just need a cute/happy song to make you feel better.

"Sometimes adversity is what you need to face in order to become successful." -Zig Ziglar (apparently he's some author or something...??)

Sometimes you just need to share your own 'Sometimes' list. With me. In the comment box. Yup.

Love.

So you know how I write a blog post probably once a moon cycle? Well, I do not love that, but I will tell you what I DO love.

I love the smell of Apple Cinnamon Tea. Seriously.

I do not love that it tastes like dirty water. Gross. (Unless you add honey with it and then it tastes like dirty honey water... Yeah. Still gross.)

I love reading funny blogs. Seriously. Please read this one that my friend's little brother writes. If you do not laugh at least once then you probably don't have a soul. Just saying...

I love finding things that inspire me/make me happy... Wanna see?

This is a day calendar where you can draw in how you felt that day... I want one, but it seemed kind of expensive so maybe I'll try and make my own.

So I may or may not be obsessed with a website called etsy. If you have not already, CHECK IT OUT! Seriously. It has so many cute things and gives me a lot of crafting ideas. I found this DIY project there and I feel that I just might have to do it.

Also on etsy:

Moostache Mugs (Yeas, I know this is not how 'mustache' is spelled. No, I do not care.) Love and love.

Okay so I don't actually remember where I found this, but I just thought it was so cute... Plus I may or may not be obsessed with cupcakes... They're just so cute!

Again, I don't remember where I got this pic, but I sure wish I did!

Something else that LOVE is learning something new. This semester I am taking French. What's that? You're not sure if you read this correctly? I AM TAKING FRENCH!!! I am so excited to learn this beautiful language!

I'm also in love with clothing. Dresses to be exact. This isn't in the 'Like OMG! Did you like see the new dress that my daddy bought for me? *smiley face* *winky face*' (Think valley girl.) sort of way, but in the 'I want to design a dress someday.' sort of way. Look at what I've found recently.*

*Disclaimer: Yes, I know some of these dresses are short. Yes, I believe in modesty. These are just some dresses that had distinct parts that I love. ie. a ruffle or the way the fabric is folded. Do not judge me.

What is something that you love/something that inspires you? I would love to know!

P.s. to everyone that I am suppose to send a letter to, I apologize! I'll hopefully be sending those out REEEEAAALLY soon.

Scattered.

So this post is going to be a little all over the place (Hah! Like the other ones aren't...) Sooo... this is me apologizing ahead of time. Sorry.

Starting with the most exciting news probably ever I'M ENGAGED!!!

not.

Hahahha! Did you have a heart attack? Yeah, me too.

No. The real exciting news is that my brother just got home from his mission yesterday.

He was suppose to get home around 3, but there were SO MANY difficulties and he was delayed until almost 10. That is seven more hours of anticipation. We were going crazy waiting but it was all worth it!

We went to the airport in the Brazil soccer jerseys that my mom got when the world cup was going on... and since they're ridiculously bright a little noticeable, people were asking what was going on. I even made friends with an older couple that I talked with. I don't know, but maybe this is why Drew was delayed... Maybe someone needed to know about the church.

It's so good to have him home. Today we looked at his pictures and watched UP. (Because obviously, he hasn't seen it.) It was perfect.

The second most exciting thing also happened yesterday. We had another baptism for my ward. I love going and participating in those. We've had 3 baptisms this last month and each time the Spirit has been so strong. Baptism truly is beautiful.

Okay. So I don't know if you've heard of ModCloth, but I love it so much that I follow the blog. That isn't what I wanted to talk about, though. What I did want to mention is this post.

If you don't want to feel like reading it, or you're opposed to cute blogs or whatever... I'll just sum it up for you. It is Universal Letter Writing Week (It's capitalized. That means it's official. Obviously.) ANYWAYS, I want to participate so if you want a letter or drawing or pictures or a surprise, please leave me your address either as a comment or email it to me (ajgibso2@asu.edu)Even if I don't know you, I would love a pen pal!

Welp. That's it. It's been an exciting week so far. School starts next week and I can hardly wait (Weird. I know.) Ultimately, life is great! You too, no?

Christmas and... oh what?? It's cold? That's right.

Hey! So I know you are just DYING to know what I got for Christmas. What's that? You really are? Well, who wouldn't be, right?

Okay. Here it goes.

A Cricut! This was definitely the biggest item. Want to know a secret? My mom and I got this for me together and I used it before I 'got' it (by my mothers request). I'm kind of a Christmas Cheater like that. Don't hate. (P.S. If you want vinyl words for your walls, I'm you're girl!)

I LOVE reading. There is nothing better, so of course I got lots of books. A few days ago I finished I am Number Four. It definitely wasn't what I expected, but it was really good and I definitely recommend it.

My parents Santa brought snack-sized Bugles bags and put them on our Christmas tree. Awesome. Oh yeah, except for the part where they don't fit on my fingers... Or my cousin's 2 year-old's finger. That is just wrong.

I also got clothes and scarves and gift cards and the coolest alarm clock of my whole life, so pretty much I now have a lot of cool stuff. And how could I possibly forget the best part... a phone call from my brother who's in Brazil on an LDS mission. He comes home in 12 days! Aaaaahhhh!!! I can't wait! This Christmas was the TOPS!

So... not to switch topics or anything (I'm totally switching topics. Hah!) Do you remember that time that it SNOWED in Mesa?? Oh yeah. That was today! Unfortunately, I didn't see any of it! Dumb!

Anyways, needless to say, I am freezing here. Please don't make fun of me. I have lived my entire life in Mesa and I enjoy spending a day in the snow MAXIMUM. I hate feeling cold especially when my toes are cold because it takes forever before they are warm again. Seriously. 34 degrees here? Not acceptable.

So I woke up this morning and I had 'Far Away' by Ingrid Micahelson stuck in my head all day. I was definitely not mad! You should watch it and enjoy. (I tried to upload it on here, but guess what... I am stupid when it comes to most forms of technology. True story.) I figured the main reason I have been singing this song all day long is because it is so cold here and I like to keep my mind on the 'island in the blue bay.' Can I please live there? Yes? Okay!

Words of wisdom.

You thought I was dead, didn't you? Well, I am was. Not only was it FINALS time (gross.), but I was also sick. Like nasty lie on the couch and cough-a-lung-up/blow-your-brains-out-your-nose sick. It was bad. I may or may not have thought I was going to die, but I'm better now.

Anyways, things have been a little crazy, but super great! Especially today when I found out my semester grades. Two B's and four A's! I'm definitely okay with that!

Seriously.

Well, besides finals, I've been busy getting ready for this Christmas concert, making Christmas presents, getting texts from strangers.... Oh, wait, what is that about strange texts? Well, let me tell you.

So on Thursday, I get a text from a number that I do not recognize inviting all "U5"-ers (people in my ward) to a party at their house that night. This isn't too uncommon... I mean I DO go to a singles ward and there are lots of parties and we DO have a ward directory so it is possible that this person got my number from the directory, so I'm not too worried. Well, I text back asking who's texting me. His name is Jake Lastname... No idea who this guy is. Still not a problem, I would just ask around and see if any knows him. Turns out NOBODY does... Freak-y! So my friend Angela and I decide to go to the house just to find out who the heck this guy is. We get there and this is in front of their door.

What the what?! Don't they know it's Christmas and not Halloween?!!! Well, Angela and I were dumb fearless and went up to the house and rang the doorbell and... nothing. We heard voices, but no one answered the door. Angela deemed this the perfect creeping spying opportunity and peeked through their curtains to see if we recognized anybody. Seeing how this story is going, is it really a surprise that nobody looked familiar? Of course not.

So what do we do? Hide in the car and spy on who is going into the house, of course. Every time a car passed we'd lie on our seats and peek out the window so we woudn't be detected. We looked stupid, but it worked. Unfortunately, we didn't recognize anybody. Are you surprised? Yeah... neither am I.

Well, we decided once more to be stupid brave and go in. As we get out of the car, the car alarm goes off, and blows our cover. After everything we had done to stay hidden... Freaked out, we decide to just leave and go to a friends house and watch Prince of Persia. Which I was definitely okay with... Yuuum... Jake Gyllenhaal... Just don't look at his greasy hair... Yeah.

So anyway, the moral of this story is do not go into a house with a freaky inflatable cat in front of it ESPECIALLY if it is Christmas and not Halloween and if the person that invited you is a stranger then that's a triple no.

The End.

Life update and a gratitude check.

So I have been busy, busy, BUSY with school and life, but it has been just fantastic. What have I been busy with, you may ask? Well, let me show you!

On Veterans Day (Yeah, remember that day so long ago?) I was able to hang out with my fam. We went to Maine street/ downtown Mesa for a look around. Did you know that they had an auction place there?!? I sure didn't!

After that, we went to this place(also on Maine street):

It was so cool! They sell their goods based on how much it weighs. It was so fun to walk around and see all of the cool things that they had there. I'm definitely gonna have to go back soon!

After that we went to a yarn store which was a tragedy because I RAN OUT of some of the yarn that I was using for my slippers and I can't find it any where! RIDICULOUS!!! Seriously! I went to several Michael's I went to Joann's I went to Wal-Mart I even went to Target and NONE of these places had the black and white yarn that I needed. Of course, they had two different kinds of brown and white, a blue and white, even a grey and white, but no black and white. Whatever. I'm over it. I just had to substitute with a white yarn and a black yarn that I knit together. *Sigh.* Let's just not mention this ever again...

ANYWAYS... so the weekend after wonderful Veteran's day, I went to a wedding reception in Peoria with my good friend Blake. It was ridiculously long and we may or may not have gotten lost 4 or 5 times, but we had lots of fun and afterwards we went to a place called Paragon to dance. This isn't like turn on a rap and we'll just jump up and down for a ridiculously long time... No. This is legit dancing. We danced the Salsa, the Meringue, the Cha Cha, the Rhumba, the Tango and East Coast Swing. I have to go for my dance class, but it was SO fun and it only costs $5 to get in with a dance class included at the beginning! If you like dancing or even want to learn how to dance AND live in the valley, you should definitely check it out! Google "Paragon dance Tempe" and click on the first link for details.

The very next day was the Gilbert Temple Groundbreaking. What a great experience and it was so fun to be there with my friends!

Afterwards, we went and played mini golf at Golfland and it was super fun, but let's just say that if you want to feel REALLY good about your golfing skills, you should definitely take me along... The highest that my friends got was a 55. Mine? Yeah... it was a 75. Awesome. It really was so fun, though!

I also went to... THE MIDNIGHT SHOWING OF HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART I. (Dun dun dun!)

I loved it! Seriously! If you have not seen it, I would definitely recommend it! Also you should tell me when you're going so I can tag along... I would love to see it again! :)

So that's been my life so far, but it would be amiss if I just stopped there! It is nearly Thanksgiving and I have so much that I am thankful for! In Sacrament Meeting today there was a talk on gratitude and one of the speakers said this quote (I don't know who it's from please forgive me)

"Having gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a gift and not giving it."

I loved that, so I decided that I should probably follow that advice.

1. I am grateful for my family. (Who isn't, right?) I seriously love them, though and I'm so happy to be sealed to them for eternity!

2. I am grateful for music. I love music! I am grateful when I hear good, clean music and right now I am especially grateful for Christmas music! 99.9 baby! :)

3. I am grateful for my ward. I have never felt the Spirit so strongly and consistently as I do in this ward. It also seems like I am meeting someone new each Sunday. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming. I love it!

4. I am grateful for my friends. I talk about them so much, so I'll just leave it at that.

5. I am thankful for missionary work. It has been such a blessing that I have been able to have a mini-mission while all of my close friends are all over the world serving their own mission. I love telling them what's going on and I LOVE reading their stories!

6. I am grateful for uncooked tortillas! Seriously! Go to Sam's Club or Costco (They're at both... that's how good they are!) and buy a package. Cook it. EAT! They are my favorite thing ever!

7. I'm grateful for my body. Isn't it weird that we don't fully appreciate something until we don't have it anymore?! I have been feeling sick the past week. You know, headaches, aches everywhere, sore throat... The whole deal. I am so grateful that I am able to get better!

I am so grateful for so much more, but I am also exhausted, so maybe you could help me out! Leave a comment and tell me what you are thankful for and why. It could be something serious... or not. It could be original... or not. Just let me know! :)

The attitude of gratitude.

I am so grateful for so much, but I want to write about what I'm most grateful for today and it's this...

Weird right?! I'm sure you're scratching your head and thinking, "Why the heck is this girl thankful for a jury summon?!" Well, to be honest, I'm not. Actually, when I got it in the mail about a month ago, it took me two days to have the courage to open it. Yeah...

So being the busy college student that I am, I kept wondering how on earth I was going to fit jury duty into my 7:30 a.m.-4:45 p.m. schedule... and that's only for school! So today I called the number that tells me where I'm suppose to go, what I'm suppose to do, blah, blah, blah. Well, when I called I was informed that my group was dismissed! DISMISSED, I TELL YA!

I am so grateful for tender mercies that are a small reminder to me that my Heavenly Father does know and love me.

I'm am also so grateful for my sweet elderly neighbor who just called up my mom and asked if we wanted some bread that just came out of the oven... Yes, please and thank you!

Warning: The following pictures may cause covetous thoughts.

Don't say I didn't warn you!

What are you most recent thing that you are grateful for?

'Tis the season... and a weekend update.

Can I just start off by saying that I love my stake and I reeeaaally love my ward? Well. I do. This past weekend we had a MAG (Multi-area-group... or something like that...) activity. What did we do? We went to

Camp Lomia of course! I forgot how much I love that place...

You're probably sick of hearing about them, but Blake, Dayton and Jessica are my road trippin' buddies so of course we went up together! We listened to rap on the way up like the true gangsters we are (Hah!) and we all got ring pops on the way back. Yeah... we go to college.

Although it was pretty cold up there (Born and raised in Mesa, I'm kind of a cold wimp...) It was really beautiful! The leaves actually change colors! I love it!

On Monday, for FHE my ward hosted a Halloween party for the stake! Supreme dance party! It rocked!

This is me and my good friend Charlynn. She was a ringmaster (although some people thought she was Lady Gaga... What??) and I am Perry the Platypus. If you don't know who that is... well, first you should shed some tears and then you should watch this. Basically, he rocks.

What did you do this weekend?

As it is now November, I thought it'd be suiting if I started giving thanks for all that I have. It's never too early to start, right??

I am so grateful for the Gospel. I don't know where I'd be without it and I know for a fact that I would not be as happy as I am if I didn't have it in my life.

I am so grateful for missionaries. Having an older brother on a mission in Brazil (Who comes home in January! That was fast!), several friends on missions (and some that will be leaving soon), and a calling as a ward missionary, my heart has been filled with love for the missionaries. They do so much and it is so fun to read about many of their experiences and watch how it helps them grow in the Gospel.

What else am I grateful for? You just might have to wait and see...

What are you most grateful for?