The Blonde Adventures of Amanda

Not Resolutions but Goals

2012-01-09T17:49:00.003-07:00

I ~~HATE~~ strongly dislike resolutions.

Resolutions are made for breaking and forgetting.

I do however love setting goals.

2012 Personal goals:

1) B Average GPA

2) Scriptures everyday

3) $100 extra savings each month

4) Learn French

5) Make "All Shook Up"

6) Take GMAT

7) Fall in Love

8) Read 5 books for FUN

9) Visit a new state

10) Learn a new word daily

11) Wake up with a SMILE

12) Complement someone daily

2012 Fitness Goals:

1) Lose 2" around waist

2) Get a better 6 pack

3) Run EVERY day

4) Drink at least 64 oz water daily

How to Survive Finals week....

2011-12-15T23:07:00.002-07:00

Tools Needed:

~ Sharpie pens (blue, red, black)

~3x5 cards (lined on one side, blank on the other)

~Retractable Ultra Fine Sharpies (in every color possible)

~MacBook Air

~Scratch paper (LOTS OF IT)

~2 sharpened pencils

~White board with markers

~SODA (I've never had this much soda in my life)

~Streaming movie soundtracks

~A POSITIVE attitude!

Countdown Until I am FREE from this semester:

Last final of the Semester: Friday @ 3:30.

(PS: What Professor has a 2 hour final on a Friday afternoon?

Oh ya, my Accounting Professor, who btw wont even be attending)

ALEX MISSION CALL

2011-11-23T21:05:00.001-07:00

At 5:58 am (yesterday), the Post Office called to let us know there was an envelope addressed to Elder Alex Denning. All day we waited to hear where my little brother would be called.

To find out here he is going...click HERE!

Alex has amazing Friends.

The boy at the bottom right (in the white)...

He also got his mission call yesterday.

He is going to Portugal.

Yay for righteous boys!

I love my brother and am so proud that he chose to serve a mission.

He will be a wonderful missionary!

Occupy Wall Street

2011-11-02T16:36:00.001-06:00

All I can say is ditto! This article by Dave Ramsey definitely says it BEST! Thank you Dave!
I'm considering putting this article on the tents of those camping out at Pioneer Park.

Occupy Wall Street
By Dave Ramsey
"I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it anymore!" Yeah, that's great. But what do you want? What are your goals? What are your demands? What result are you looking for?
The beauty of being vague is that anyone who has any emotion can get caught up in the excitement and join your crusade. They'll just get mad at something and assume that you're both mad about the same thing. Put a few hundred of these people together, and boom. You've got a crowd, a headline and a lot of attention … but no message.
A lot of people on Twitter are saying I totally agree with the Occupy Wall Street (OWS) demands and goals. The only problem is that I have no idea what their demands and goals are. And neither does anyone else. If all you ever do is stomp around, yell and hold up signs protesting a million different things, sure you'll get some attention, but over time, you'll just look foolish. You end up coming across like a three-year-old having a temper tantrum.
This is what's happening to the OWS movement. They're being discredited because no one has stepped forward and really stated what it is they're after. The whole group is coming across like a bunch of jacked-up, jobless, wannabe hippies. That's not going to change anything in this country. You've got to state your goals clearly if you want to accomplish something.
So in the absence of any clear goals, let me comment and offer some helpful advice in some areas that seem to be getting a lot of disorganized OWS attention.

"No Government Bailouts!"

Banks and big companies should not receive taxpayer money for a bailout while their CEOs are making hundreds of millions of dollars. If that's your gripe, then you're protesting in the wrong location. Pack up and head to Washington, D.C., to deliver your message to the current administration. Don't get me wrong—I totally support a company's freedom to pay their leaders well. I just don't believe that I, as a taxpayer, should subsidize those huge salaries in the form of taxpayer bailouts. I pay my own team members; I don't need to pay everyone else's too.
By the way, you may be shocked to learn that the Tea Party agrees with you on this one—and so do I.

"Down With Corporate Greed!"

Gordon Gekko was wrong. Greed is not good. Greed is bad—very bad. It's a spiritual disease, and it is a disease that sadly affects a lot of companies across the country. If you believe a specific company is acting purely out of greed, then don't just get mad—do something. Point out where and how they're greedy and let the world know. Stop doing business with them. If enough people listen to you, the company will get the message because you'll hit them where it hurts: the bottom line. If they don't get their act together, then they'll go out of business and another business will take their place.
But if you're saying that all businesses are greedy and that capitalism itself is evil and ineffective, then I'm sorry—you're just being stupid. You're being misled and misinformed by some of the louder voices around you. Are you wearing clothes? Have you eaten any food lately? Do you have an iPhone in your pocket to check in with Twitter and Facebook while you're out marching around? Good. All of those products and services are brought to you by quality companies dedicated to serving you well in a capitalistic system that works just fine.

"Wall Street Is Evil!"

If you have this painted on a sign, well, now you just look ignorant. Wall Street is a street that people drive on. The New York Stock Exchange is a building where people exchange stocks in New York. This is the flea market of the financial world. Don't turn Wall Street into some terrible monster attacking American citizens. It's just a road with some buildings on it.
But here's what happens. Sometimes when people don't understand something, they start to fear it. And as the fear grows, it turns into anger. But just because you don't understand something, you shouldn't see it as bad or frightening or a conspiracy. You should just think of it as an opportunity to learn something new—something that could actually be a blessing to you.
For example, imagine a group of natives out in the jungle in the farthest part of the world. I mean, picture a group of people who have never seen anyone outside of their tribe and have certainly never seen any kind of machine. What would they think if they saw a Red Cross helicopter land near them? And what would they think of the strange-looking men and women who jump out of the chopper and start walking toward them? They'd be freaked out! They wouldn't know or care if the Red Cross was there to help them with food or medicine. They'd think it was the end of the world or something because their minds would be totally blown!
I hate to say it, but a lot of OWS protestors are just about as uninformed as those jungle natives when it comes to how the American financial system works. A road and an office building. That's Wall Street.

"Wealth Redistribution Is the Answer!"

I've heard a lot about wealth redistribution over the past few years, and I'm sure you've heard it too. Call it whatever you want, but this is how it usually sounds to most Americans: "We are the 99% of Americans who don't have as much as the 1%, so we're mad and think the government should take their wealth and property away so that we can have a piece of it. Wealth inequality is a moral breakdown! We should all spread the money around so everyone gets a fair share!"
I have my toughest critique for those who believe this: You are a thief. When someone takes my money and gives me no say in the matter, that's called theft—whether they're using a gun or the government. At the core of this demand is envy. And that's not the same as jealousy. Jealousy just says, "I want what you have." Envy is a different beast. Envy says, "I don't think I can ever have what you have, so you shouldn't have it either." Decades of horrible economic teaching and the politics of envy have kept this monster alive and growing and moving forward.
This way of thinking makes you assume that all rich people are evil and have scammed their way into wealth. That may be true in the tale of Robin Hood, but I choose to live in the real world. Sure, there are some scoundrels, but the vast majority of successful men and women got that way by working hard and serving people—lots of people. Steve Jobs and Bill Gates changed the world in ways we're just now starting to realize. Their positive impact on the world has helped all of us live better lives, and they made fortunes for themselves by doing so. Why is it that you're holy if you help one person but evil if you help a million? That's just stupid.

A good friend of mine is a country music legend. He's made a bazillion dollars over his career, and he just bought a $400,000 car. He's worked like a crazy person his whole life, spending decades in tour buses, writing songs in the middle of the night, and entertaining enormous crowds of cheering fans. He paid a price to get there, and I'm happy for his success. Would it be right for me to walk into his house and demand my "fair share" of his wealth? Heck no! I'm a terrible singer! I didn't do one thing to contribute to his success, so why would I be entitled to a share of his wealth? He's given me years of entertainment through his music. That's my fair share of his hard work.
My problems aren't his fault. And my problems aren't McDonald's fault or Home Depot's fault or Walmart's fault, either. My problems are my fault! And the more people these companies serve, the more money they make—and that's none of my business! If you don't like McDonald's, then here's an idea: Don't eat there. But don't walk into the restaurant and demand a portion of their proceeds for the day.
When you scream, "I'm in the 99%!" you just look like a whiner. Those of us willing to pay the price to win look at you and shrug. Heck, when it comes to the music business, I'm in the 99% myself! But that doesn't mean I have to tear Toby Keith, Brad Paisley or even Kanye down. Oh, and a special note just for Kanye: Capitalism has been pretty good to you. I celebrate your success, but you look a little hypocritical protesting capitalism while wearing a $50,000 watch.

Celebrate the Land of Opportunity

This is the greatest country on the planet, but even here, you're not guaranteed wealth, talent, fame, a full head of hair or six-pack abs. Those things are not in the Constitution. You are, however, guaranteed the freedom to make your life what you want it to be. And when you do that, when you build your life around your dreams and passions and hard work, you're guaranteed the right to keep it. No one has the right to take it away from you.
So to summarize, I'm not very impressed at the moment. I'm not impressed by your temper fit. I'm not impressed at your lack of goals and focus. I'm not impressed by the fact that the only thing I see about your movement is ignorance, immaturity and envy. Grow up—and get a job.
Yes, there are jobs out there. There are jobs out there that haven't even been invented yet. Go create the next Facebook or Weed Eater. Go pick up so much dog poop that you can start your own fertilizer company. And stop complaining that companies are TOO RICH while also complaining that they aren't RICH ENOUGH to hire you! I've seen a lot of you guys. I wouldn't hire you, either. But if you take all of that energy and excitement and pour it into something new and creative, you'll get the chance to serve a whole lot of people really well, and over a decade or two, you'll get to become the very thing you're now protesting: rich people who actually earned their money.

Logan

2011-10-30T20:52:00.000-06:00

Ali and I headed up to Logan Friday night to hang out with my goofball sister and roommate.

We had a great time cleaning the sink at Angie's. Let me tell you....it was delicious for the first 5 bites. But by the 80th bite I was ready to throw up!!

I got my bumper sticker, never again will I attempt cleaning the sink.

Ali and I headed up to the Wind Caves Saturday morning.

We have decided we are becoming old farts,

We had to stop a few times.

I have had 3 great weekends in a row! And it's all because of my

BEST FRIEND: ALISON!

San Francisco

2011-10-27T22:36:00.000-06:00

On Thursday, Ali and I boarded a bus. A 13+ hour bus ride to the wonderful city of San Francisco.

Why a bus ride? .... It was the Muss bus to the Cal vs. Utah game.

Even though Utah got their butts kicked we still had a blast!

My favorite part was the ice cream from Ghiradelli. Oh, and the $20 bag of chocolate we bought.

It was a fantastic trip!

What I've been up to...

2011-10-05T16:41:00.001-06:00

This semester I am taking Accounting and Business Stats. Can I just mention how badly I HATE Accounting. Okay, maybe I don't HATE, but it is kicking my butt! Late hours studying... not my favorite thing.

Green Smoothies have become my obsession! Kale, spinach and fruit blended... mmmmm!

Don't feel too bad for me though,
I have been enjoying UTE FOOTBALL!

September 11th

2011-09-11T10:13:00.003-06:00

I Remember

I remember where I was,

the day those towers fell.

I remember what I was doing

when New York turned to hell.

I was up above you,

looking from the sky.

You called to me

from down below,

I heard your anguished cries.

You asked me where I was

in that time of need.

You wondered what I was doing

during that terrible, terrible deed.

You thought that I had left you

to handle this on your own.

I watched my children

come together to help the unknown.

America came together

UNITED once again.

Enemies became friends

and friends were once again.

Now you can see

I didn't leave your side

I was really here the whole time.

I wanted everyone to come together

like they were once before.

So when you think back on this terrible day,

Remember I was with you

and now America is home to stay.

~Written by Me: September 11th, 2003

September 11th 2001:

I was in 8th grade, 13 years old. I remember getting on the bus to go to Centerville Jr High. We were listening to FM 100 and Peggy was talking about a building being hit in New York.

I didn't think anything of it...

until I walked into the school.

The secretaries in the office had the tv on,

the image will ever be engraved in my head.

The World Trade Center was on fire.

As I watched this in horror, out of the corner of the screen came another huge plane. I watched as it crashed, with no mercy, into the 2nd tower.

My first class was Science with Mr. Gardner.

We watched the terror unfold throughout the whole class.

I watched the towers collapse, I saw the desperate people jumping out of the towers.

I was terrified. I went to the bathroom and cried, not knowing what to think. They told us it was terrorists. What the heck was a terrorist anyway?

I found out pretty quickly.

The whole day I was scarred, emotional, I even had to call my mom.

I grew up that day and my love for this country became unwavering.

September 11th 2001 will NEVER BE FORGOTTEN in my life.

Change:

2011-09-04T00:23:00.003-06:00

So remember a few days ago how I wanted a change in my life

well 2 things have changed.

1) I changed my hair color.

2) I gave my 2 weeks notice at Pier 49 Pizza.

I have been working there for 7 1/2 years....

This has been one of the hardest decisions for me.

Pier 49 has been my 2nd home for 7 1/2 years.

It's my "fun" job. I love it there.

But after much prayer and consideration

I felt that it was time to let go and move on.

So there you have it...2 BIG changes in my life.

Hopefully more to come one day

I need a change

2011-08-30T06:34:00.003-06:00

Have you ever seen the movie "Groundhog day"?

Well I feel my life is just like that.

The same thing EVERY SINGLE DAY!

I wake up @ 6:16 on the DOT.

Do the usual morning routine.

Take the same road to work.

Sit at work.

Then,

I head to school or to job #2.

I come home,

run a few miles.

Go to bed.

And then it starts over again at 6:16.

It is time for a change! I am not satisfied anymore.

And it's not something a hair color change will fix.

Boondockin' it

2011-08-26T16:42:00.003-06:00

There is nothing that makes me happier than acting like I am 5 years old!

Boondocks is one of my favorite places to go.

They have spinning wheels at every other hole...

yup, it makes us look RIDICULOUS!!

A little Family Lovin'

2011-08-21T10:36:00.004-06:00

I spent this weekend with my family.

We took a road trip to Yellowstone.

This could possibly be our last vacation all together.

I am so grateful for my family!

Girls night...plus some

2011-08-18T15:02:00.004-06:00

Tuesday night Kat, Steph, and I had girls night.

We treated ourselves to Biaggi's

and to a movie!

I got myself my first ticket!

This is my first time ever being pulled over...

don't cops usually give warnings for firsts?

of course they don't!

Luckily he only put me down for 5 over when I was going 60 in a 45 (Beck street speed trap).

Josh^2

2011-08-14T12:54:00.003-06:00

This saturday I spent the night with two Josh's!

2!!

This Josh (below) took me to the.........

Josh Groban concert!!

Yup that is right!

He is soooo amazing!! His concert was FANTASTIC.

There were several times where I wanted to bawl my eyes out!

Oh... and my dear friend Mikall was 3 rows in front of us.

Pretty much one of the best nights ever!!

Coolest Thing EVER!!!

2011-07-22T14:04:00.003-06:00

Preface:

I LOVE water!

I think it is the greatest thing in the world.

I ALWAYS have a water bottle with me.

I found this AMAZING water fountain at the U Marriot Library!

All you do is stick the water bottle under the tap

and the sensor just fills it up!!

No more waiting forever to fill up my water..

I don't have to worry about more water going out than in when filling it up!

Conclusion:

Coolest creation ever!!!!

First Ride

2011-06-11T15:11:00.005-06:00

Cliff has been determined to get me on his motor cycle

from the day we met.

Well, he FINALLY convinced me.

We went for a pretty long ride along Bountiful.

DivaDerme lash extensions

2011-06-08T20:00:00.003-06:00

I just bought this product and I love it!

I have very short lashes...and eyelash extensions are too expensive.

So the lovely Dr. Oz suggested liquid lash extensions.

$20!

Apply a coat of mascara

apply a coat of divaderme

apply another coat of mascara

and Viola!!

Graduation

2011-06-02T07:35:00.003-06:00

My Brother and sister are graduating today

I am super emotional!!

They are still 5 years old!

Alex will be attending BYU-I beginning in July.

He will then go on his mission in March.

Ashelle will be attending Utah State in the Fall.

She wants to be a nurse...

She was voted "most likely to be married with children in one year".

Yup I agree with that award!

Love you both!!

Meeting Mr. D

2011-05-07T16:25:00.006-06:00

Mr. Donny Osmond came to

Centerville Wal-Mart today!

I got to shake his hand..

I was seriously hyperventilating!

So was my mom!

He is such a handsome man!!!

Best day ever!

Military Ball

2011-05-01T14:06:00.004-06:00

Last night Cliff and I went to a Military Ball.

He is SO handsome in his Blues.

I Love this picture! My mom was taking too

many pics and we were upset

and funny enough she got this picture!

He ordered for me.

2011-04-26T21:27:00.002-06:00

Went to Biaggi's tonight

the waiter came and the convo went like this:

(this is the abridged Amanda version).

Waiter: Have you been here before?

Me: Nope

Waiter: Can I order for you? You seem too

traditional. Like you would order spaghetti.

Me: (blushing...laughing)

How did you know?

Waiter: well I am going to order you

....(some noodle thing, with some sundried tomato and mushroom thing)

Me: okay, it better be good.

Well in the end

the adorable waiter did well.

Oh and ps: I had a piece of lobster! yay me!

Just a random thought

2011-04-23T11:39:00.001-06:00

I find it humorous that the

minute I give my heart to someone...

they throw it in my face

and I get hurt.

I tell myself every time

not to let the concrete wall break.

I am always right,

I will never give my heart to anyone.

The small highlights of NYC in pictures!

2011-04-14T17:30:00.001-06:00

3 words....

2011-04-04T17:39:00.000-06:00

NEW YORK BABY!!!!!

My attempt to be creative...

2011-03-25T06:28:00.003-06:00

Mr. Johnson (below)

Is going away for his military weekend.

I decided to TRY and be creative.

I made him these cute sayings!

Eventful weekend

2011-03-14T18:05:00.004-06:00

This is what I did this weekend

Because I've always wanted to be a model...

2011-02-19T16:12:00.002-07:00

I have always wished I could be a model..

so here I am pretending I am one! :)

(Yes I know I am a nerd)

It's my Birthday!I

2011-01-27T16:43:00.004-07:00

Today is my birthday..

I am 23 years old (yes I am old!)

I have the best family in the world!!

My brother and sister bough me the most adorable Juicy ring

My parents and sister bought me clothes

The best present ever......

My mom bought me this picture in New York.

It has EVERY SINGLE NAME of the people who died on September 11th.

I got really emotional when she gave this to me!

Thanks mom! I love you!

Okay.. so the cute ladies at my work made me a delicious cake

and made me wear the birthday hat!

Don't mock me I think it is sexy!

Thanks everyone for making my birthday great!

Sociology Assignment

2011-01-18T17:22:00.001-07:00

Hey everyone!

I need at least 30 people to answer a questionnaire for my sociology assignment. It is only 5 questions and is completely anonymous! Click HERE to participate!

XOXO!

Persist...Persist..

2011-01-09T16:45:00.003-07:00

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,

When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,

When the funds are low and the debts are high,

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,

When care is pressing you down a bit,

Rest, if you must--but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns

As every one of us sometimes learns,

And many a failure turns about

When he might have won had he stuck it out;

Don't give up, though the pace seems slow--

You might succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than

It seems to a faint and faltering man.

Often the struggler has given up.

When he might have captured the victor's cup.

And he learned too late, when the night slipped down,

How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out.

The silver tint to the clouds of doubt--

And you never can tell how close you are,

It may appear when it seems afar;

So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit--

It's when things seem worst that you mustn't quit!

~Author Unknown

My Favorite Christmas Presents

2010-12-26T12:59:00.003-07:00

My two favorite presents

1) My Doris Day style hat

2) My Lady bug pillow Pet!

Jesus Christ lives

2010-12-21T18:55:00.005-07:00

This picture was pulled out of the ruins of the Provo Tabernacle.

Everything in that place burned to pieces..

EXCEPT

This picture of Christ.

Look at the picture. Everything around it is burned but Christ was not touched.

For those of you doubting in Christ

or claim Christ and God do not exist~

Look at this picture!!!

Jesus Christ lives,

he is the son of God.

This picture proves it!!!

Boys, just so fun!

2010-12-15T22:17:00.002-07:00

The boy on the left (in the red)

and the boy on the right are the same boy.

His name is Neil.

The left picture is when he was a senior in high school

and I was his EFY counselor.

Look how nice my boy turned out!!

He went from a "BANGARANG" to a gentleman :)

POSITIVITY!

2010-12-07T16:41:00.003-07:00

I am a TRUE believer of

KARMA

and

UNIVERSAL VIBES.

Lately I have been sending out completely

NEGATIVE vibes to the universe.....

.......

which has made me lonely and unhappy

(I am creating my own fate..

a sad, lonely, negative fate).

Therefore..

As of RIGHT THIS SECOND...

I am NEVER EVER sending out negative vibes again!!

And karma will return to me in a nice, happy way.

BRING ON THE POSITIVITY

AND HAPPINESS

AND

FUN!!

And in Elder Worthlin's words....

I am going to

"COME WHAT MAY AND LOVE IT"

Feel Again

2010-11-27T11:28:00.002-07:00

Thank you to Tailo Cruz for this AMAZING song....

I believe that int ime my heart will heal again

And I believe that in time my heart will feel again

So I keep on holding on
So I keep on being strong

'Cause I know one thing I'm gonna feel again
I know one day I'm gonna feel again
And I know although my heart hurts now
I'll find a way to get up off the ground
'Cause I know one thing I'm gonna feel again

I believe that this heart of mine can make it through
And I believe that my heart can make it over you

So I keep on holding on
So I keep on being strong

'Cause I know one thing I'm gonna feel again
I know one day I'm gonna feel again
And I know although my heart hurts now
I'll find a way to get up off the ground
'Cause I know one thing I'm gonna feel again

And though it's hard for me to breathe
And even harder to believe
I know the one thing I'm gonna find
I'm gonna be just fine

'Cause I know one day I'm gonna feel again
I know one day I'm gonna feel again
And I know although my heart hurts now
I'll find a way to get up off the ground
'Cause I know one thing I'm gonna feel again

I KNEW Tonight would be WONDERFUL!

2010-11-09T19:45:00.002-07:00

How did I know this....

well for starters.

I was able to run BEFORE class tonight.

On my way to class I stopped by Starbucks

I asked for:

"A Tall non fat tan hot chocolate,

with whip cream and caramel drizzle"

THEY GOT IT RIGHT!

It tasted PERFECT!

Driving to school I blasted Michael Jackson

AND SANG LOUD!

PERFECT!

Sitting in economics, (last second studying)

Professor was 20 minutes late..

so what does she say...

"I didn't finish your test, so tonight you will write 3 pages

of the things you studied.. and everyone will get full credit"

Tonight was a GREAT night!

Oh so much fun!

2010-10-30T12:06:00.005-06:00

Ali took me to the Jazz game last Friday

night...

(no we did not mean to dress the same)

Last night (October 29) Ali and I attended a few HALLOWEEN parties!

I was a witch.

She was Amy Winehouse.

Girls Overnighter

2010-10-17T19:50:00.010-06:00

A few girls in Park City....

This is what we did....

Quote on Prayer

2010-09-26T20:32:00.002-06:00

"When Heavenly Father answers yes, it is

to give us confidence. When he answers

no, it is to prevent error. When he

withholds an answer, it is to have us grow

through faith in Him... We are expected to

assume accountability by acting on a

decision that is consistent with His

teachings without prior confirmation. We

are not to sit passively waiting or to

murmur because the Lords has not spoken.

We are to act. Most often what we have

chosen to do is right. He will confirm the

corrections of our choices His way. That

confirmation generally comes through

packets of help found along the way. We

discover them by being spiritually

sensitive... If, in trust, we begin something

which is not right, He will let us know

before we have gone too far"

~Elder Richard G Scott~

The Return of Ali and Amanda

2010-09-20T16:17:00.002-06:00

Ali and I have too much fun together.

Amazing video!

2010-09-13T17:46:00.001-06:00

Budweiser commercial re: 9-11, aired only ONCE!

This is the commercial spot Budweiser produced after 9-11.

They only aired it once so as not to benefit financially from

it - they just wanted to acknowledge the tragic event.

This is so consistent with a company who always does things

with a ton of class!!

Can you imagine what the cost was considering production,

air time, etc.?

I never saw this commercial until now .... it is quite moving.

Wow! Talk about a picture being worth a thousand words!

Did this video not bring tears to your eyes...

If it didn't you are un-American!

Disarray/Disappointment= Tender Mercy

2010-08-16T18:06:00.002-06:00

The past few weeks have been full of
Disappointment
Grief
Pain
Heartache
Tears
Uncertainty
Depression
and a LOT of praying!

Last night I was cleaning out my desk and a piece of orange paper came floating in my lap. The paper was full of quotes but my eyes went directly to this one by Richard G. Scott:

"Just when all seems to be going right, challenges often come in

multiple doses applied simultaneously. When those trials are not consequences of your

disobedience, they are evidence that the Lord feels you are prepared to grow more. He

therefore gives you experiences that stiumlate growth, understanding and compassion

which plish you for your everlasting benefit. To get you from where you are to where

He wants you to be requires a lot of stretching and that genreally entails discomfort and

pain."

This quote was certainly a tender mercy and a huge answer to my prayers! Even though I am going to through all of this pain and heartache... I can look towards Heavenly Father and know that the reason He is letting me go through this is because He needs me to grow! I am now thanking him for this amazing trial I am going through!

Officially Re-UTEnited!

2010-08-10T17:23:00.003-06:00

For those of you who don't know....

I am obsessed and addicted to the

University of Utah!

The day I graduated from the U

I had a hard time leaving...

but because life doesn't work the way

I planned...

I have found myself back at

THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH

I am happy with the way things turned out.

I guess my shopping spree of University Of Utah attire and everything red

will pay off :)

Something to think about........

2010-08-04T19:05:00.001-06:00

Imagine that you had won the following prize in a contest:
Each morning your bank would deposit $86,400.00 in
your private account for your use.

However, this prize has rules, just as any game has certain rules.

The first set of rules would be:
Everything that you didn't spend during each day
would be taken away from you.

You may not simply transfer money into some other account.
You may only spend it.

Each morning upon awakening, the bank opens your account with another
$86,400.00 for that day.

The second set of rules:
The bank can end the game without warning; at any
time it can say, Its over, the game is over!

It can close the account and you will not receive a new one.

What would you personally do?
You would buy anything and everything you wanted, right?
Not only for yourself, but for all people you love, right?

Even for people you don't know, because you couldn't possibly spend it
all on yourself, right?
You would try to spend every cent, and use it all, right?

ACTUALLY, this GAME is REALITY!

Each of us is in possession of such a magical bank. We just
can't seem to see it.
The MAGICAL BANK is TIME!

Each morning we awaken to receive 86,400 seconds as a gift
of life, and when we go to sleep at night, any remaining time
is NOT credited to us.

What we haven't lived up that day is forever lost.

Yesterday is forever gone.

Each morning the account is refilled, but the bank can
dissolve your account at any time....WITHOUT WARNING.

SO, what will YOU do with your 86,400 seconds?

Aren't they worth so much more than the same amount
in dollars?

Think about that, and always think of this:
Enjoy every second of your life, because time races by
so much quicker than you think.

So take care of yourself, be Happy, Love Deeply and enjoy life!

Here's wishing you a wonderfully beautiful day!!!

~Friendship~

2010-08-01T16:03:00.003-06:00

"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born."
- Anais Nin

"A friend is one who believes in you when you have ceased to believe in yourself."

"A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart, and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words."

"A friend is someone who is there for you when he'd rather be anywhere else."

Best Therapy ever....e

2010-07-25T20:44:00.001-06:00

Talking on the phone to your best friend

until 3:30 in the morning

.......

PRICELESS

.....

and the best therapy ever!

Lava Hot Springs!

2010-07-18T16:51:00.009-06:00

This weekend my family took a camping trip to...

Lava Hot Springs!

The weather was beautiful!

I HATE camping... so I was very excited to see

Clean bathrooms and showers at the KOA!

This is before risking our lives in the river......

This was risking our lives in the river....

This is what happens when you risk your life in the

Rapid River!

This is my knee.... I have huge rock burns on my arm

and random bruises all over my body!

I am Happy that I survived to blog this :)

....To Do List....

2010-07-13T18:20:00.002-06:00

This is my To Do List:

To Do by Friday Afternoon (16th)

This List doesn't include my 40+ hours of working

Oh the JOY of having to Grow Up!

Life is like a box of chocolates....

2010-06-22T22:38:00.002-06:00

IT'S FULL OF DISAPPOINTMENTS!

okay okay I know that's not the real saying

BUT........

Remember when you get super dooper ooper excited about something

and that something comes...

AND IT IS NOTHING LIKE YOU EXPECTED?

Why is that?

Is it to help us learn to be disappointed or what?

Okay complaining I know....

But I really HATE being disappointed!

Toms and Zumba!

2010-06-20T15:58:00.003-06:00

My Tom's Shoes FINALLY came in!

I have waited for these shows to stock back up!

For those of you who don't know about Toms

Let me explain...

for every pair YOU buy

a NEW pair of shoes goes to a child in need!

How awesome!

Toms can be found online.

I found mine at LolaBella and JMR.

They are super comfy!

2nd matter of business:

~ZUMBA~

I started a new workout class with my mom.

It is called Zumba.

HARDEST WORKOUT EVER!!

It is latin dancing with aerobics too.

I HIGHLY recommend Zumba.

It is so much fun and it

kicks your butt!

Being single and being okay!

2010-06-10T17:40:00.005-06:00

Lately life really hasn't been going as planned.....

Mostly I am referring to my "love"life!

Basically...

I AM SINGLE WITH NO POTENTIALS!

I have been having a hard time lately because of this.

But thanks to the WONDERFUL Gospel

I can be COMFORTED!

I just listened to a talk given by

John Bytheway (LOVE HIM).

It is called "Especially for young single adults: Who, When, and Why we marry"

(CLICK HERE TO LISTEN)

The second thing is a talk from: Brother Wells

"Breaking up without going to Pieces: When Dating Doesn't End in Marriage"

I think the most important things I have learned:

1) DON'T BE OBSESSED WITH BEING SINGLE.

2) CONTROL WHAT YOU CAN... HAVE FUN!

3)PERHAPS THE WRONG ONE IS THE RIGHT ONE TO

LEAD YOU TO THE BEST ONE.

I have really learned to rely on the Lord because of my broken heart!

So for those of you who are struggling, (with anything) just remember

HEAVENLY FATHER LOVES YOU!

AND

EVERYTHING WORKS OUT IN THE END!

A Day of Fun!

2010-06-10T17:19:00.005-06:00

Monday I went to Lagoon with my family!!

The stupid Log ride only got the back of my butt so

it looks like I wet my pants!

Quote of the day...

2010-06-06T15:46:00.003-06:00

"To be one's self and unafraid whether right or wrong,

is more ADMIRABLE than the cowardice of surrender

to CONFORMITY."

~IRVING WALLACE~

Just the Denning family acting normal....

2010-05-31T15:04:00.002-06:00

This is a video of us on our way to Vegas...
we are high off of candy!

This is Ashelle being silly!

Patience.......

2010-05-17T20:30:00.001-06:00

......Or lack of!

It's official,

Amanda Danielle Denning

has NO PATIENCE!!

She is sick of waiting!

Plus she thinks it's rude

for someone to leave for 2 years

and then leave for 2 weeks

just as things started becoming!

Trip to the Doc.

2010-04-28T16:11:00.002-06:00

Today I had quite the experience...

Yesterday I had a lump on the back of my head.

It hurt like crazy!!!!

So I go to the doc....

I find out that I have a condition called

Occipital neuralgia
a pinched nerve in my head

The cure:

A SHOT IN MY HEAD!!

So the doc took a needle and vicoden and cortisone and shot it in the back of my head.

Result:

Super numb head!!! (totally awesome)
and NO MORE HEADACHES!!!!

Update on Amanda's Life

2010-04-13T17:21:00.008-06:00

It's been a while since I've had time to update this blog here... so here is a QUICK update!

1~ I signed up for one whole class at Weber. BioMed core!

Small start for a long few years of school

2~ Kevin and I celebrated our 1 year of knowing each other..

we went to the Jazz game!!

3~ I just got back from CALIFORNIA!!!

My Family and I went for vacation!

We stayed in Vegas on the way there

This was my first time ever gambling!

This is on the way to the beach

This is me at the beach

Eating the famous chicken dinner at Knott's Berry Farm

So Basically that has been my life the past few weeks!

PeAcE OuT! (until next time)

I support Food Revolution

2010-03-23T18:26:00.006-06:00

I SUPPORT Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution!!

If you want to help reduce the obesity rate in America

(especially in Children),

click here!

Baby Emery makes everyone GIGGLE!!

2010-03-16T19:15:00.004-06:00

Warning: YOU WILL LAUGH AND SMILE!!

This is a video of my cousin's little girl Emery. She has started making super funny noises. In this video Emery is telling her Aunt Kenzie off!

This video is of Emery playing a game.
Her daddy holds her and she bends at the waist
and falls down. She thinks she is so funny.

When you're sad at you know it....

2010-03-09T16:53:00.004-07:00

Are you feeling:

SAD?

ANGRY?

LONELY?

SOLUTION:

FIND A BABY!!

ONIOMANIA

2010-02-02T16:41:00.005-07:00

Oniomaniac (from greek onios: "for sale" mania: "insanity"):

A compulsive desire to shop!

A.K.A.

Shopaholic!

Shopaholic can never resist a good bargain.

"My name is Amanda and I am an oniomaniac"

Shopping is my hobby and my life!

Saturdays are usually my shopping days.

The things I cannot resist are:

Steve Madden heels

Boots

Jessica Simpson jewelry

American Eagle

Hollister

Dresses

I currently have 103 pairs of shoes & 50 handbags/purses

Recently my favorite purchase was this:

This bracelet is from the Jessica Simpson line

I also bought a beautiful pair of boots from AE but... I want these ones too:

Aren't they beautiful!

It's official: I am a SHOPAHOLIC!

Comic Strip courtesy of Elder Moon

2010-01-28T18:26:00.004-07:00

For my birthday Elder Moon sent me a letter, on the back of the letter included these 3 pictures:

Here's the story behind this. In high school, Spencer and I had our own special "mountain". We would go there all of the time to hike and just get away. Well one day we decided to go hiking and I decided to wear flip flops. I saw a snake, I freaked out, and I fell, literally fell, down the mountain!!! I was hanging on for dear life on a branch. Seriously the scariest and blondest moment of my life! It took Spencer ten minutes to figure out how to get down to me without sending us off the cliff! Yup, welcome to the Blonde Adventures of Amanda

I have found him.. has he found me?

2010-01-16T19:39:00.002-07:00

Today I would like to refer to Jalene's story of Him. It goes as follows:

I'm asking you to do something.
I'm asking all of you that have HIM...

the one who sold his car for a least expensive one so he could buy you a ring...
the one who drove many miles through rain, snow, or shine just to see you...
the one who holds you when you cry...
the one who brought you soup when you were sick...
the one who supports your dreams, no matter how unrealistic they are...
the one who jumps on beds, swings on swings, and skips with you...
the one who watches chick flicks with you and secretly likes them...
the one who cleans out the shower drain...
the one who takes out the garbage...
the one who works two jobs so he can support you...
the one who came to see you in your show more than once...
the one who carries you up to bed after you have fallen asleep watching a movie...
the one who changed schools and moved to a completely different city so he could be closer to you...
the one who patiently taught you how to drive a manual transmission...
the one who went out early and scraped the ice/snow off your car...
the one who fixed your car...
the one who drove all the way back home to get you a sweater because you were cold...
the one who killed spiders/bugs for you...

the one who stuck around after things got hard...
the one who no matter what curve balls you threw at him is still by your side...
the one who tells you are the most beautiful girl he's ever seen...
the one who loves your more than anything else in his world...

because you are worth everything to him...
i bet he would even swim the ocean for you...

he gets it.
he gets that you are a divine woman.
and he really does love you.

hug him a little bit longer today...
kiss him a little bit harder today...
take in his smell and savor it...
look into his eyes and say, 'thank you for choosing me.'

my dear friends, you are blessed
to have HIM...

One day, Ill have him too

I know that I have found Him. I just pray that it wont take him very long to realize that he has found me!

Ode to Dad

2009-12-31T17:29:00.002-07:00

This post is dedicated to my dad! He is the best! Every morning, even in the cold and snow, at 6:30am he goes outside and scrapes the snow off of my car and warms it up. He even makes me a sack lunch to take to work almost every day! How awesome is that?! Without him, I would be late and cold every day!

THANKS DAD!

A New Chapter.....

2009-12-13T19:44:00.008-07:00

As one chapter ends.......

(May 2009, I graduated from the UofU in Health Promotion

and Education)

Another one begins......................

(Nursing school? Marriage? Mission?)

Continue turning the pages........

You never know what might happen next!

"Love the moment. Flowers grow out of dark moments. Therefore, each moment is vital. It affects the whole. Life is a succession of such moments and to live each, is to succeed" ~Corita Kent

The Winter Formal

2009-12-08T21:45:00.003-07:00

Kevin wore a purple tie

Kevin and I went to my LDS sorority formal dance!

What I was Grateful for over Thanksgiving Weekend

2009-11-30T19:34:00.022-07:00

1)My wannabe Tom Cruise brother Alex

2)My supermodel mom

3)Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen sisters! (AkA: Ashelle and Alissa)

4) Mr. & Mrs. Prego (Whittney and Crif)

5) Tom!!!

6) Easy access to exciting entertainment!

7) PEACE AND QUIET!

8) Geriatrics 9) Pediatrics

10) THE LORD'S TENDER MERCIES!

AKA (Abigail Emery Perry)

My First Dinner

2009-11-14T12:57:00.010-07:00

All of you who know me, know that I hate cooking! You know that I have NO IDEA how to cook. Well..... Tuesday, November 10, 2009 I made my first meal. This is how it goes:

1st: I get on the sexy apron

2nd: I study the recipe

3rd: I find all of the ingredients needed

4th: I mix all of the ingredients

5th: I get ready to put my Enchilada's in the oven

These enchilada's actually turned out to be DELICIOUS!!!

Next I had to make dessert:

I stuck with the easiest dessert ever... Apple crisp!

As you can see... I really had to concentrate on sifting the flour

The Final Product!

Blonde Moment #9,253

2009-11-14T12:53:00.002-07:00

I find it appropriate that I share with you my blonde moment because my blog title is "The Blonde Adventures of Amanda". So here is the most recent blonde moment:

I was on a date and my date wanted me to listen to one of his

new favorite bands named Barcelona. I asked him if it

was like the country Barcelona in Spain.

Ya he looked at me like I was retarded and then laughed.

I kept talking about the country Barcelona in Spain

and I said "It's kind of like Canada and America,

"they might as well be one country"

I stopped talking for 2 seconds and the light bulb clicked!

That's when I realized... Barcelona is a CITY!

2009-11-01T14:36:00.002-07:00

Halloween is not my favorite holiday, but I decided to be a sport and dress up for my work party, if you can't tell I am a cat. Being a cat was fun, the little kids that came in loved me! But next year I think I will be a princess!!! I hope everyone had a fun Halloween!!

Things that entertain me because I am Blonde!

2009-10-20T16:23:00.002-06:00

~Graduation tassel hanging in my car~

~Slinkies~

~Sticky feet~

~Magnets~

~Misspelled words~

~SHARPIES~

~Making noises with my lips~

~Anything that makes noises~

~Surprise mix vending machines (the one with toys that cost $.50)~

~Silly Putty~

~Jumping in huge rain puddles~

~Automatic doors~

~Giggling babies~

~BUBBLES~

Attitude

2009-10-05T20:17:00.002-06:00

ATTITUDE:

"THE LONGER I LIVE, THE MORE I REALIZE

THE IMPACT OF ATTITUDE ON LIFE. ATTITUDE

TO ME, IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN FACTS. IT IS

MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE PAST, THAN

EDUCATION, THAN MONEY, THAN

CIRCUMSTANCES, THAN FAILURES, THAN

SUCCESS, THAN WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK

OR SAY OR DO. IT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN

APPEARANCE, GIFTEDNESS, OR SKILL. IT WILL

MAKE OR BREAK A COMPANY...A CHURCH...A

TEAM...A HOME. THE REMARKABLE THING IS

WE HAVE A CHOICE EVERY DAY REGARDING

THE ATTITUDE WE WILL EMBRACE FOR THAT

DAY. WE CANNOT CHANGE OUR PAST... WE

CANNOT CHANGE THE FACT THAT PEOPLE WILL

ACT IN A CERTAIN WAY. WE CANNOT CHANGE

THE INEVITABLE. THE ONLY THING WE CAN DO

IS PLAY ON THE ONE STRING WE HAVE, AND

THAT IS OUR ATTITUDE...I AM CONVINCED THAT

LIFE IS 10% WHAT HAPPENS TO ME AND 90%

HOW I REACT TO IT. AND SO IT IS WITH

YOU...WE ARE IN CHARGE OF OUR ATTITUDES."

Bunker Hill

2009-10-04T19:38:00.003-06:00

So you see this picture on the left... that is the monument at Bunker Hill. Let me tell you about this Bunker Hill Monument. Right as you enter, there is a sign that WARNS the visitor about the many stairs they will soon be climbing.

I thought the sign said 249 stairs... but as Steph and I are panting and about ready to die once we hit stair 250... it hit me!!! THERE WERE 294 STAIRS! Let me tell you... I felt that "small" climb for days!

Boston-The Green City

2009-10-04T19:23:00.000-06:00

Recently (Sept 16-21,2009) my friend and I (Stephanie) went to Boston! Let me tell you... IT WAS AMAZING!!

We visited the Freedom trail.... Cheers....Cambridge (which included Harvard) and Salem (where the witches STILL live) oh ya and Fenway Park (where the Red Sox play).

My First Blog

2009-10-04T19:16:00.000-06:00

Hi Everyone!

I swore to myself that I would NEVER blog... but I guess not every dream comes true right. So here I am starting a blog. I hope you all enjoy my ramblings of all the blonde things I do.

Love,

Amanda

The Blonde Adventures of Amanda

Not Resolutions but Goals

How to Survive Finals week....

ALEX MISSION CALL

Occupy Wall Street

"No Government Bailouts!"

"Down With Corporate Greed!"

"Wall Street Is Evil!"

"Wealth Redistribution Is the Answer!"

Celebrate the Land of Opportunity

Logan

San Francisco

What I've been up to...

September 11th

Change:

I need a change

Boondockin' it

A little Family Lovin'

Girls night...plus some

Josh^2

Coolest Thing EVER!!!

First Ride

DivaDerme lash extensions

Graduation

Meeting Mr. D

Military Ball

He ordered for me.

Just a random thought

The small highlights of NYC in pictures!

3 words....

My attempt to be creative...

Eventful weekend

Because I've always wanted to be a model...

It's my Birthday!I

Sociology Assignment

Persist...Persist..

My Favorite Christmas Presents

Jesus Christ lives

Boys, just so fun!

POSITIVITY!

Feel Again

I KNEW Tonight would be WONDERFUL!

Oh so much fun!

Girls Overnighter

Quote on Prayer

The Return of Ali and Amanda

Amazing video!

Disarray/Disappointment= Tender Mercy

Officially Re-UTEnited!

Something to think about........

~Friendship~

Best Therapy ever....e

Lava Hot Springs!

....To Do List....

Life is like a box of chocolates....

Toms and Zumba!

Being single and being okay!

A Day of Fun!

Quote of the day...

Just the Denning family acting normal....

Patience.......

Trip to the Doc.

Update on Amanda's Life

I support Food Revolution

Baby Emery makes everyone GIGGLE!!

When you're sad at you know it....

ONIOMANIA

Comic Strip courtesy of Elder Moon

I have found him.. has he found me?

Ode to Dad

A New Chapter.....

The Winter Formal

What I was Grateful for over Thanksgiving Weekend

My First Dinner

Blonde Moment #9,253

Things that entertain me because I am Blonde!

*Attitude*

Bunker Hill

Boston-The Green City

My First Blog

Attitude