Last update

Yes I am doing well still! I'm down closer to my original weight, before I was married and eating at the rate my husband ate. Which is all well and good for him, he is far more active than I am. And by reason of elimination, I have found the food that causes problems for me: dairy. And I have also discovered that I could easily live without it. I won't eliminate it entirely, but I will no longer consume it every day. I will more than likely do this cleanse again. It's taught me a lot about my eating habits and myself.

Day 7

Yes, I am still going, even if I didn't post every day. It has been quite the learning and even rejuvenating experience.

I have more energy, I'm less tired, I have less intestinal problems. It's beautiful!!! Who knew that your body would work better on better food. Ok, lots of people. Too bad I'm an experience-it-for-yourself kind of person.

I did have sugar on my 3rd day. 3 rolos and a handful of skittles. It was an interesting and unpleasant experience afterward. I got a headache and was dizzy for a few hours afterward, not to mention the guilt. That was interesting. I didn't have sugar for the rest of the week. Until yesterday when the sugar as actually agave. It was so surprisingly sweet! It was so sweet that I did not want any more.

I have not had processed food. And the longer it was, the less I wanted it.
I'm thinking this will absolutely be a lifestyle change for me. I'm really enjoying this food plan. But what I'm really enjoying is not being listless and exhausted all the time. It was a really downer.

I intend to finish my 10 day detox and then let small amounts of processed food back into my life. I don't think it's wise or helpful to eliminate it completely. But this has been about overcoming my addiction to food. I've done that and I want to continue practicing self-control. So I'll add back processed foods, not by buying them, but by allowing myself them in social situations.

Here are my measurements for the days.

Day 2
153.4
W: 35
H: 38 1/4
T: 23 3/4

Day 3
152.6
W: 35 3/4
H: 38
T: 23 1/2

Day 4
152.6
W: 36
H: 37 1/2
T: 22 3/4

Day 5
152
W: 29 3/4 (I realized this day that I wasn't measuring my  natural waist previously)
H: 36 1/2
T: 23 1/4

Day 6
151.6
W: 30
H: 36 1/2
T: 23 1/2

Day 7
152.4
W: 29
H: 36 1/4
T: 23 3/4

Day One!!!

Morning Measurements
Weight: 154
Waist: 34"
Hips: 38 3/4"
Thighs: 23 1/2"

So this day I learned quite a bit about myself. I LOOOOOVVVVEEE food. It's a problem, I'm super addicted. Which is why I am doing this detox. I learned the difference between being hungry and wanting food. I wasn't hungry all day but I was craving snacks all day. And I was warring about following through with the cleanse. So I'm determined to keep going and mind over matter.

Prepping Again

Toxicity questionnaire! I forgot to record this yesterday, so I'll record it today instead. For the detox that I am doing, there is a questionnaire about symptoms that affect me. These are numerical to note how grievously affect my body is by the foods I consume. I won't note the symptoms, just the totals.

t9, t3, t10, t9, t10, t6 t5, t7, t10, t1, t3, t7, t0, t5, t4 = 89

So pretty bad actually.

Measurements

Weight: 153.4

Height: 5'8 1/2" (I won't add this any more).

Waist: 36"

Hips: 39 1/2"

Thighs: 24 1/2"

No exercise as of yet today. But there was a pot luck at work and I did not overeat. Yay!

So overall not too much better than yesterday. But tomorrow is another day. 

Back Again

Yes, I know it's been over a year... Sorry about that. I just didn't feel that I needed it. Either that or I was too lazy. You can choose. :)

So, I will be doing a 10 detox starting Monday May 9th. I was going to go through this processes roughly two years ago with my mother and brother but didn't have the will power to do so. Now I do. This will be my detox journal because it will help motivate me to do what needs to be done.
The first thing to start with is answering the questions from the detox book.
1. Why am I doing this detox? What is my dream for my body and my life that this detox will make possible?
I am doing this detox to purge my body of the junk I've eaten over the years, to help me become more healthy and to stop fighting my body. I have had gas for a large portion of my life, once so painful I thought there was something seriously wrong with me and visited a few doctors only to find out it was gas. How embarrasing... So, I want to reset my body's health and find out what is adversely affecting me. I want more energy and strength and this detox will help my body re-calibrate and get onto a healthy and stronger track. And lastly, I want to get a healthy body so that I can be healthy and strong and provide the nutrients a baby may need. I'm not pregnant, but I would like to be soon.
2. What are 3 specific goals I have for these days?
Wake early, prep meals in the evenings, gain control over my desires to eat.
3. What are the top 3 things holding me back from losing weight?
My love of taste and consuming way too much when I find one I like. My aversion to exercise even though I know I feel better and even enjoy exercising. My lack of control over eating even when I'm not hungry because I am 1) bored, 2) reading, 3) watching Eliot/anyone eating... period.
4. What beliefs do I have that might hold me back?
I don't have time to prepare these meals.
5. What is my relationship with food and how would I like to nourish myself?
I love food, I want to eat it all the time, I love the way it tastes, I am addicted to the taste of food. I would like to nourish myself when I am hungry with good foods that won't upset my body, and I would like to eat controlled portions and not feel like I am missing out by not eating.
6. How does being overweight or sick diminish or detract from my happiness and my ability to fulfill my life's purpose?
I don't have a lot of energy when I don't eat properly and I get pains in my stomach, almost every day. It is distracting and depressing, I don't want to get out and interact with others and I don't feel happy. Poor Eliot is such a sport, but I want to treat my body better so that I can become an enegry filled being who isn't limited by poor choices.
7. How do I see my life changing by learning to properly nourish myself?
I see more laughter and energy, more service and joy. I see Eliot and me not being held back from adventures by my limitations. I see less worry about the pains I feel.
8. What positive experiences have I had in the past from eating well and nourishing properly.
My mother almost always had a healthy meal set on the table and I was full of energy and life in my childhood. I only started feeling the pains in high school when I took more food choices into my own hands. I remember having energy and feeling positive no matter what circumstances shaped me. I want to get back to that person I knew.

Ok, now to measurements. I am not starting until Monday, but I will start today by choosing my eating practices with more care. Stopping when I feel full and eating only when I feel it is necessary. And eating less junk and processed foods.
Measurements:
Weight: 155.4
Height: 5'8 1/2"
Waist: 37"
 Hips: 37 1/2"
Thigh Circumference: Left & Right - 27"

Exercise for day - 15 min yoga for beginners.

Feelings: I felt some minor abdominal pain today at varying times throughout the day. I over ate on snack foods and didn't eat a very healthy lunch. Mood was oppresive during the morning but I remembered that I have a choice on my mood and chose to be less somber through the rest of the day.

I will be prepping my mind and my pantry for the next few days but I will continue posting my measurements and how I am feeling.

Here we go! Wish me luck and strength.

Can I Be Any More Awkward?

So, there's a boy... It's always a boy...
This particular boy is adorable, and funny, and always makes me laugh. Last week he invited me to do a movie night with him. I'm not even going to pretend like I wasn't freaking out, because I was. This little girl doesn't even begin to cover how excited I was.

During the week I would tell people I was watching a movie with a boy on Friday and they would inevitably ask, "Is it a date?" To which I would respond,

"How do you not know?" 

"Well, there might be other people there, I just don't know! It doesn't matter! He INVITED me to a movie night!!!!!" And then I would gush about it for a while longer.

Friday night arrives and I am beyond excited. I go over to his apartment and it turns out there are other people, but do I mind? You got it, nope! Before the movie even starts the group is standing around in his kitchen and he keeps making eye contact with me and sharing little jokes and I'm just deliriously happy.

But, I also want to get this started and so does he, so he grabs the movie and goes into the living room and I follow him with the popcorn. There are two couches, a love seat and a three cushion couch. He plops down right smack in the middle of the 3 cushion couch and solves my problem of figuring out where to sit.

We looked a little like this couple and halfway through the movie I realize that I'm analyzing his every move trying to find some hidden message and I have to tell myself to STOP! I shifted positions and every time I did it took me closer to the edge of my cushion, but I never crossed over the line. The whole movie, whenever he shifted positions he stayed right smack dab in the middle of the cushion. I cursed the fact that everyone either wanted to be on the floor or the other couch. Why can't we all just pack in like sardines? It would be perfect!

The movie ends and he heads back into the back rooms of the apartment. Needless to say I was a lottle disappointed. Luckily the entire group except my best friend and me leave the apartment. I take my time gathering my things. Suddenly, my best friend points out his phone just sitting there on the couch. She and I have always been pranksters so we gather up his phone and start devising a plan of attack when we hear his voice in the kitchen. We immediately go to the door way trying our best to look like this:

but end up looking more like this:

He was immediately suspicious and I couldn't handle the pressure so I just held out his phone as I blurted, "We didn't have time." My friend cracks up laughing. The three of us chat for a couple more minute before she makes her way out and saying, "Come say goodbye before you leave." (She lives in the same complex he does).

Just how am I supposed to get him to walk me to my car a block away if I have to come visit you!?

The boy and I talked for a good half hour before he had yawned enough (twice, for the record), and I felt better for the awkward movie experience because we had been nonstop laughing for those thirty minutes, that I slowly said my goodbyes. 

I ran over to my friends apartment and could only talk to her for a couple minutes before telling her of my foiled plans. She immediately grabbed my arm and dragged me back to his apartment before knocking on the door and walking away. It was torture standing there at his door for those 30 seconds. Then, his roommate answered and said, "Yes?" Really? I am NOT saying, "Oh, I just want your roommate to walk me to my car..." Instead, I replied, "Nothing,

" and ran screaming back to my friend's apartment. Yes, I did straight up scream in his face before I ran. Along the way I said out loud, "I hate you! I hate you!" My friend stood in her doorway waiting for me with the food I'd brought over earlier. She handed it to me and said, "Love you."

"No you don't!" I harrumphed, and I walked back past the boy's door. His roommate was still standing in the doorway and as I passed said, "What's up?"

"Nothing" I mumble. All the while making awkward squeaks and grunts from embarrassment. 

"It'll be easier if you just start."

"Umm, squeak, grunt... Where's your roommate?"

"What?"

"Where's your roommate?" I hissed.

"Do you want me to get him?"

 (:17will reveal exactly how I sounded)

I pulled a Fat Amy and he said, "Let me go get him."

I thought I was going to pass out. It took 2 whole minutes before the boy came to the door. Two whole minutes!!! The entirety of which I ran through possible explanations of why I had come back in my head and debated just leaving and never coming back... Ever.

Finally the boy appeared and the doorway with a quizzical brow and I blurted,

"I'll give you hummus if you walk me to my car so I don't get dismembered by Ted Bundy." Holding out my hummus to him like it's a gift to forgo my execution.

With no hesitation he said, "Deal, let me get my shoes." Woah, really? Just like that? Ok... Ok... I can do this.

When he got back I pointed out his spider friend just making a web on the railing just outside the door before we headed off to my car. The entire time both of us were just going off each other back and forth and he had the cutest grin on his face and I'm sure I looked like this:

We finally got to my car and I gave over the promised hummus. We talked for a little while longer and said a slightly awkward goodbye. I didn't know if I should hug him or not so I just said, "Bye, thank you for walking me to my car. Don't die."
"I'll say hello to Ted Bundy for you."

"Haha" and turned around and opened my car. Then I got in and had some serious words with myself, mostly about how ridiculous and awkward that was. But really, could it have been any more awkward? Or perfect? 

Messy

Dating is messy any way you slice it. It's like an ooey gooey piece of cake with caramel and chocolate sauce drizzled on top and you have to eat it with your hands. Depending on the slice, it might have a little too much baking power... Causing it to errupt in your mouth in a semi-unpleasant way. Or it might have too much salt... And be a little too off flavor. Sometimes it has to much flour and the other tastes don't show through because the cake is just too bland. Or it's too rich and you can't eat it all at once. Or maybe it's too crumbly and it's slipped through your fingers before you've even had a proper taste.The goal in scarfing down these decadent pieces of cake is not greed, but a hungering for the perfect piece where all the lumps were made smooth and the perfect amount of every ingredient has been mixed together.
I found a slice that seems to have been made by the world's most meticulous baker and I think I might have dropped it on the ground. In my defense, the previous piece seemed like perfection until I got to the middle and then it was like a mix of all the wrong, bitter, surprising flavors and I had to stop eating. So it is understandable that my hands are shaky and uncertain. I just hope that I can scoop it up and make it work, if not, well, then I've learned to be more confident in the slices I chose. I am learning to spot the choices slices and I'm getting better and better at it.
Ah cake. :)

New Favorite

So, partway through the end of my class a headache decides to rear its ugly head. Then during work it gets worse and worse until I am forced to leave because I am having trouble even thinking. Luckily for me I had to get some food items for dinner group and I picked up a bag of on sale valentine candy. Chocolate. I had a few pieces and wham-O! Bye-bye headache. New favorite medicine? Chocolate.

Valentine's

Day of love, laughter, and stealing juice from the neighboring party.

So my ward had an awesome Valentine's partly last night that was filled with frosting cookies, making valentines, decorating bags, and picture booths. The weather was nice so I decided to forgo wearing a jacket and putting on real shoes. Instead I wore my mismatching Pirates of the Carribean socks and two different colored flip-flops. Needless to say I was not the height of fashion, though I did wear my "LOVE" shirt! Yay!

My bag died a little. The first one I made had m&ms glued on it but they melted all over the bag, some sort of chemical reaction from the candy coating and the sparkly glue. So I tossed it and made a cuter one with pretty paper on it.

Here's the cookie I decorated. Isn't it lovely? Yes I know, thank you.

I didn't win the cookie decorating contest but the cookies that did are very cute. Congrats girls! There was a neighboring dance party that was pumping their music and Emily and I couldn't help but dance it up a couple times. The photo booth was fantastic though, Emily and I are pro at taking awesome pictures. Don't believe me? Check it out here. Here are just a few of the really cool people at the party. Can you spot Mark in the background?

There were some very adorable drawing on the board so of course I had to add to them.

At last the party drew to a close and Em and I found ourselves very thirsty and the juices from next door calling out to us. We had a ton of cupcakes left over from our party that she had made so we devised a plan to trade the cupcakes for juice. Not so sneakily we placed the cupcakes on the table and snatched a half drunken bottle of cranberry juice. We made an immediate dash for the door and heard a man call out behind us.

"HEY!" After my heart skipping a few beats and collapsing into a fit of giddy giggles with Em we found out it was only Devin, a boy from our ward. We swiped some cups from the Cougareat each (Emily, Mark, Devin, and I) drank some of the juice, were reminded that cranberry juice is bitter and carried the rest of the bottle home with us. Who puts cranberry juice out at a dance? No wonder it was only half empty while all the other juices were gone.

Upon reaching home Emily and I decided to ditch the bottle. Bridget was home from her date so she came with us. We left the 1/4 full bottle on a doorstep, knocked and scattered. No one answered even though the blinds were open and we could clearly see the boy sitting on the couch through the open blinds. So I ran down and knocked again, pounded really, and dashed back upstairs. The boy came to the door and stared at the bottle of Cranberry juice (which I should add, didn't have a lid because we were in too much of a hurry to search the table for it's lid) for at least a full minute. Then he took it inside with him.

Good times, good times.

Crabby Patties... Anyone?

Funny how after my last post I just had a miscommunication, one that made no sense to me. Only this one made me upset and I got offended to boot! I hate days like this where I can't take any kind of criticism or rudeness without wanting to bite someone's head off. It is not the natural me, but I guess that is just what happens when you feel low in spirits. Everyone has those days, everyone. I'm allowed to as well. Silly though, I always feel guilty later. Bleeeehhhhhhhhh.

But seriously, who says they would like a ride down to Vegas with a complete stranger and expects them to find room and board for them? I just wanted a ride to Vegas so I could go home. I do NOT need you to find me a hotel. Seriously?

Didn't help my day, nor did that stupid work computer acting all uppity in my face. I really like technology that does exactly what I tell it to and no more. NO MORE!!!!! I don't like the technology that decides to be a brat. Speaking of which... Anyway.

On a happy note... Mark made a really delicious and filling dinner for dinner group. Thank you dinner group for being a bright light at the end of my day. And Bryan, always being a bright light in my life.

Personally... I'm impatient

So people are posting one of these a day for 30 days. But, I'm impatient... So I'll just give it to you all at once!

Day 1 - 5 Things about me no one knows:

1. I used to be a very insecure person with a very bold personality.

2. When I was a child I used to get a thrill from stealing candy from my family and not getting caught.

3. I am actually afraid of a good deal of things. I just never let anyone see.

4. I still wish vampires were real.

5. I face away from the shower head so I can see the door and make sure no one walks in on me.

Day 2 - A picture of you last year and now and how you have changed since then

Halloween last year After Christmas shopping

Hmmm, still have a flare for the theatrical.... Perhaps a little less dramatic though. My hair is no longer black. I have matured and expanded my view. Spending 9 months at home serving other people does that to you.
Day 3 - A favorite photo:

look at us awesome creepers

Day 4 - Something I crave: books, Salt & Vinegar Chips, friendship, excitement
Day 5 - Top 10 pet peeves:

1. condescension (I will mentally mock you)

2. telling me what to think

3. telling others what to think

4. that snorting noise when someone clears their nose (not nose blowing though)

5. someone else eating my food without my permision

6. people who slack off at work

7. treating me like a child

8. video games

9. talking more than the teacher

10. freaking out about small stuff

Day 6 - Something I bought recently: fruit loops, salt water taffy; clementines; fruit snacks
Day 7 - Something I want to buy:a brightly colored motorcycle
Day 8 - A favorite song: Any song my man sends me currently "Make You Feel My Love" by Adele
Day 9 - A favorite movie: Inception; Ever After
Day 10 - A favorite food: Beef Stroganoff
Day 11 - A favorite book: The Morning Gift by Eva Ibbotson
Day 12 - A favorite quote: Don't take life too seriously, no one gets out alive.
Day 13 - What did you do today??: Went to the temple, auditioned for a play, homework
Day 14 - Your dream house...: A small yet elegant home. Red brick with wood trimming, a basement, a turret, and a floor to ceiling library for me to store my books. And a quaint garden out back. But really, any place with my family and my love.
Day 15 - Next 3 on “Bucket List”: wing suit diving, hunting, live 1yr or 6mo in Austraila, Ireland or Scottland.
Day 16 - A photo of my family:

Day 17 - A habit you wish you didn't have: eating while I read. It will most likely lead to an exponential gain in weight when my metabolism slows down. Granted it has already done so. Thank heavens for yoga and a HUGE campus.
Day 18 - Put your iPod on shuffle and write 10 songs that pop up:

1.Make You Feel My Love - Adele

2. Nintey and Nine - Michael McLean

3. Don't forget my Unicorn - Irish Rovers

4. Stay Beautiful - Taylor Swift

5. Which Part is Mine - Michael McLean

6. The Saltwater Room - Owl City

7. Whataya Want From Me - Adam Lambert

8. Black & Gold - Sam Sparrow

9. Sunray Smile - Amber Van Vleet

10. Vincent - Josh Groban

Day 19 - A hobby of mine: trying new random things
Day 20 - A favorite recipe: cheesy chicken and potato with mushrooms
Day 21 - Nicknames I have, and why I have them...:

Bad T - I was an amazing badminton player once upon a time

Tigger - I have a tiggerish personality

Babybot - My older brother was Tigerbot

Teags - It sounds cool

Tegan the Vegan - it helps people remember my name

Tegelstien - Ask Ali on that one

Teggles - Not sure

Penguin - :)

Love - :)

Day 22 - A favorite Youtube video: Kids History (Don't punch... ... our car)
Day 23 - A travel story: On the way to Bullhead the ten people in my car agreed that it should become a party wagon with neon lights a disco ball and a bed and we could call it the shaggin wagon... I secretly vetoed that idea, except the neon lights and disco ball
Day 24 - Something that makes you feel better... : The words "I love you." spoken to me with absolute sincerity and feeling. Food, food is always a happy thing. The temple. My best friends, yes I have 2, so sue me.
Day 25 A funny (true) story: My life. :) I spent the first hour of the 2011 New Year in a car with broken doors that had to be held closed. I also broke the passenger side door handle, well, actually it didn't break, it s h a t t e r e d in my hands. And me, being me, laughed really hard because it was funny and I was nervous.
Day 26 - A child I love: I have to pick one? Kelly, Cody, Chase, and Rachel (all adorable children)
Day 27 - A place I love: BYU, the mountains
Day 28 - A person I love: brYan
Day 29 - Testimony: I know the gospel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is true, Joseph Smith is a true prophet. The Book of Mormon is the word of God. Thomas S. Monson is the prophet of God on the earth today. My Heavenly Father loves me. Jesus Christ died for my sins.
Day 30 - Hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days: Finish as much school as possible, maybe even graduate next April. Possibly buy a car. Hold my nephew in my arms. Meet my boyfriend's family. Finish at least one of the many stories I've started. Share the gospel as much as possible even though I am not going on a mission. Continue loving my favorite person and best friend.

10 Hours of Overflowing.

I don't generally go to 10 hours of church, ever.

But, I had to go to my parent's choir practice (10:00 am) because they asked me to accompany a piece for them. I don't mind, really, I like to share my talents. So, because my mom was giving the lesson in Sunday School (12:00 pm) I thought I would just stick around for their sacrament meeting (11:00am) as well.

Of course the testimonies shared were uplifting and deeply spiritual. Three young children got up and shared their testimonies about how the church was real and Heavenly Father loves them. From the mouth of babe.

Of course my mother's lesson was amazing, she's an amazing teacher. End o story.

After her lesson I went to the Young Single Adult's sacrament meeting (1:00pm). The testimonies shared in that ward we just as pure and uplifting as in my parent's ward. The only thing I did not love about the meeting was the heat. Ugh, it was hot.

After this I had the happy fortune to teach the same lesson (2:00pm) my mother did! Imagine that! The Sunday School lesson was on Ezekiel, shepherds and the temple. Both beautiful topics. Surprisingly enough Mom came to my lesson too!

The final block meeting (required meetings of which there are three) was Relief Society (3:00). My favorite, I love meeting with the Sister's in the ward and sharing of their sweet spirits. I had the privilege to sing for that meeting.

After the block meetings was mission prep (4:15pm - 4:40pm) taught by an amazing spiritual giant.

After mission prep you say? Break the Fast! (5:00pm) Where the food is delicious and I don't feel guilty eating as much as my shrunken stomach can handle.

And as you know there was the First Presidency Broadcast (6:00pm), which was spectacular even though I dozed a tiny bit.

And after the Broadcast I practiced (7:00pm) a song for a meeting in the future. I made it home at 8:30 pm, happy to be home but refreshed and renewed none the less.

I wouldn't recommend 10 hours every week, but at times it is quite pleasant.

Catchin Up...

Soooo, yeah, I take so many pictures thinking, "I'll use this for blogging. Eventually." I could just do a billion posts, but I don't think I will, I'll just do one big one with lots of pictures. (Well, more pictures than I normally do.)

Rain in Kingman is a rare thing and a beautiful gift. I couldn't help from taking the photo to share with others the happy experience. It rained for a week, not heavy steady rain. It would rain light, for a long while, heavy for a minute and then stop for a few hours. Oh Kingman with all your quirks, we love you still.

"Tegan, come make some shoe pastry with me."

"Some what?"

"Shoe pastry for Kevin's birthday, he wants cream puffs." I was highly confused, what do shoes have to do with creams puffs?

Here's what:

Choux is pronounced shoe. Gotcha. We made some "shoe" pastry and it was delicious! I made the pudding and stuffed the little buggers while mom gobbed melted chocolate all over them.
The birthday boy and me. Happy 18th. Ack, yes, he is an adult!!!!

This adorable little puppy tried to run me down at midnight on Saturday night. I was driving home just as natural as can be when this dog runs straight for my car! I pulled over and discovered that he had no collar, and he hopped in my car like, "Okay, I'm ready to go, let's go."

I chuckled and drove to the neighbors where I saw the light on. Alas, he was not the sweet old lady's dog and she had never seen him before. No one in that neighborhood had. So I took him home and he spent the night in my room. Sunday morning I tried again to find his owner. No such luck. But an old man with an accent took him in because he had food and water that he kept for his other dogs. I was going to pick him up today to take him to the pound but the man didn't answer the door. Mom will try again tomorrow.

Evidence that appliances do hate me. My shower likes to race me out of the stall. Today it won.

a moment of vanity when I dressed myself and did my own hair.
I LOVE picnik.com.

What you don't know really can hurt you.

Ode to a Birthday of 2 Decades

The best part about my birthday was my mom. Hands down. It was nice to start out the day with her and with balloons and a mirror message from Eliza. :)

The day went smoothly and wonderfully, I was able to finish the homework I hadn't done when my mom was here in time for my classes. Classes went quickly and a "tractive man" said hello to me and asked me how I was. Never met him before but I would not mind running into him again. ;)

Immediately after classes were over Katherine and I went to FHE, we rode with JC (driving), Jaxon, Mark, Emily M, Maren, Ali, and Jill. JC is an awesome person to drive 10 people around in a six passenger van because he loves to take turns ridiculously fast and he doesn't look before he goes in a round about. His first driving habit nearly killed some of us twice and the second, all of us would have been toast. It was soooooo much fun!

After ariving safely at FHE and eating the delicious dinner that was there for us I was sung to by everyone who came. I think I turned bright red. Driving home Madison, we switched cars, took the long way and then suddenly had to go to Target after we passed it a ways back. I had no clue what was going on. But in Target Emily R, Katherine and I went to the toy section and saw a lot of freaky dolls and some retro Barbies. Oh Barbie, you and I never were that good of friends. On the way home from Target Ali was telling us how you could train your laugh. She demonstrated the laugh she was going to have. "Hi-yucka, hi-yucka." So naturally all of us joined in. We were at a stop light, Madison's window was down, and a boy was walking by. When he reached the other side Ali barked at him. He probably thinks we are crazy.

Upon arriving back at Park Plaza all five of us in the car held a dance party to "I Gotta Feelin" and guess what? The night was a good night. Katherine said she had to go over to 310 to get some cookie sheets so I went in with her and she shoved me through the door. "I don't like that you just shoved me through the door..." "SURPRISE!!!!" At least thirty people were crammed into the living room of 310, at least! Katherine had made posters and a ton of people signed them. Wow, thanks guys!

Later that night Sean B and I snuck into the BYU preschool playground, went down a couple slides and set off the swinging pots and pans before hightailing it over the wall. Then we traversed into the underground parking lot and up to the Library to roll down the hill. Sean got kicked in the face because he wanted to hold my feet as I went down. Silly Sean, don't you know kicks are for people that hold feet when rolling down a hill? After I was dizzy and disoriented we posed with the Brigham Young statue. Too bad neither of us had a camera.

Thanks to all those who made my birthday epic!

What a Weekend

My mother appeared on Friday afternoon and left at nine Monday morning. Best weekend EVER!!!!

She arrived on Friday afternoon and came on campus while I took my test. After the test we wandered in the bookstore just cruising and enjoying the feel of the shop. Then up to the Marriot Center to get tickets for the game, only to find out they were completely sold out! So we tramped on to the Bean Museum and looked at the dead stuffed things. My favorite is still Shasta the liger. I love being with my mom. We went to class and she sat by herself while my group and I sat on the stage with my group. I invited her down but she was content to stay where she was.

That night my older brothers and sister-in-law came to dinner. It was great to see half the family together having a good time. My mother retired to bed so I went to play games, I went down to the car and found a boot on the wheel!!! I had gotten a parking permit, but the wrong month was put on the tag. I explained the situation to the boot man when he came and he let me off without paying. Joe's new apartment is quite nice with spacey rooms and a springy couch with a floral patterns. I learned a new game and Jared and I kicked trash at Cranium, that's right suckers!!!! ;) Also sundaes from McDonald's are way better at one in the morning.

Saturday morning my mom and went shopping for a good eight hours. Don't worry, we didn't spend an entire fortune, but it was very nice to be alone with her for a long time. I learned a lot about myself and about her, isn't that what mothers are supposed to do? We made a cake and went to see Twilight: New Moon and the best part about the movies was the screaming girls erupting every time Jacob took off his shirt. Edward had some supporters but not as many as Jake. It was so amusing. Frankly I think the Volturi should have had more camera time.

If anyone hasn't met my mother, you are most definitely missing out. Sunday was a calm and peaceful day filled with introductions and speculations. My mother pointed out the man she thought was best looking in the ward. And told me which ones I should chase after. :) Man I love my mother.

Sunday night was filled with laughter, games, and excitement. Katherine and her mother joined us for dinner group, Katherine's mom came up with my own but Katherine and she stayed at her grandmother's. We played pit with my brother. Then it was off to ward prayer, where I got sung to. After all Monday was my BIRTHDAY! I stayed after ward prayer and stayed awake until 12:00AM. Then a group of us friends went to Wendy's to get some frosties to celebrate. What a way to ring in a twentieth birthday!

My mother left early Monday morning. Thanks for an awesome weekend mother. :) Can't wait to see you again.

Blah De Blah De Blah

I have a cooking class. Food preparation in the Home. I'm not bein funny. My professor thinks all of her students are morons. I'm not being funny. She rambles on for thirty minutes at the beginning of the 3 hour lab and then blames the students when they haven't prepared their food on time.

However, the food for the labs is exquisite!!!! I love sampling all the food in the class. Tonight the best recipe was a fish recipe and it was Fan-freaking-tastic! I loved it!

One thing I really can't stand it when people ramble forever or tell me to do something. Most of the time I don't mind helping people out when they ask me. But if I'm told to do something in a condescending tone, or to not do something my immediate impulse to do the exact opposite of their wish. For instance. Person : "Tegan, DON'T jump off the balcony." Even though I had no intention of jumping off the balcony in the first place my impulse is to just leap. Or whining. I hate whining. Don't you ever whine to me or I will hurt you. I'm not being funny.

Wow, maybe I shouldn't post this particular post... Nah, I think I will.

Don't worry, I am in a happy mood. :) :) See.

Peace, Home, and Comfort

Do you ever have those times when you are unsure and you just need to get away from the chaos and fast paced rhythm? Izzy and I traveled down to Arizona this weekend to get away from it. We left ridiculously early Friday morning. Both of us were pretty wired when we weren't sleeping and when we stopped in Nevada it was like the sun had zapped us with energy. We were alive for that moment in time. I felt so alive until 3 in the afternoon. This is when I passed out for three hours on the bed in my home. It's always nice to be in a home.

That night my mother, two younger brothers and I went to Mr. Jennings' production of MidSummer Night's Dream, which, by the way, was absolutely amazing! Kevin Grenda, Spencer Vandevier, Josh Shupe, and Anna Jennings played my favorite parts with astounding skill and gusto. Kevin played Demetri and he was GOOD. I was shocked at how well he acted. Spencer played Nick Bottom (perhaps my favorite character). He was hilarious! He has come a long way from two years ago. Josh was Flute and he had the whole audience in the palm of his hand roaring at his antics when he was on stage . Anna was just play amazing at playing Helena, props Anna, props!

On the drive home my youngest brother Alec said that he liked the whole play except for the satire. Mom and I were so confused. We asked all kinds of questions to figure out what he was talking about. Finally it hit me. "OH! You mean the satyr!" "Yeah the satyr (pronouncing it satire)!" Don't you just love Family?

Who needs a Valentine when you have Family? We made dinner and cookies together and played games. Everyone laughed and teased and joked. Honestly, What more do you need?

Thanks guys. You are the best! I am so glad I could go home over the Holiday of love to rediscover how much I love my Family.