denial?

My sister leaves Sunday night for her first year of college and it hasn't really hit me yet...the extent of that statement. Maybe it hasn't affected me yet because I haven't given myself the chance to think about it. Or maybe it's because I'll be away at school too, and I'm already used to being away from her. That's a possibility. I think it'll hit me when I see my mom break down and cry for a week. And then she'll do it again when I leave a week later. I'm sure it makes my younger brother and sister feel fabulous, especially when she says her "girls are leaving her" What? Like she doesn't have 2 other kids to keep her busy while we're gone?
I seriously can't wait to get back to Provo, have my own CAR, my freedom (again), my own room in a great townhouse...I'm not so excited about starting school again, but hey, I'm gonna make the most of it and work hard to get the grades I need, but not be totally lame. I'm going to pick and choose the events/activities I attend. I don't HAVE to go to everything. I can be a homebody every once in a while. Once season starts though, I'm gonna have to make a LOT of time to board. *sigh* I cannot wait for winter. It makes me happy. I think when I get married/older, I'm gonna have to live somewhere that has a real winter. Or at least, own a house somewhere like Utah or Colorado that I could go to during the winter. I'll do the opposite of birds...I'll go north for the winter, instead of south. Yeah that sounds like a good plan.

On another note, I just finished the second and third books in the Twilight series. New Moon was good, but not as great as Twilight (for those that haven't read it, don't worry, I won't spill anything). Eclipse was FANTASTIC. Still, not as amazing as the first, but a close second. I think I enjoyed the first so much because it was a new story, something different for me to read, and easier to relate to (well, except for the whole vampire thing) But seriously, Bella's complaints and confusion and trials are easy to relate to, and I sympathize with her and her story. Plus, as my mother pointed out to me last night (but which I already knew, consciously and subconsciously), I'm a hopeless romantic, so Bella's and Edward's love story is to die for. It just makes me gush. Which is why, I think, I liked Eclipse so much. And thank goodness Stephenie Meyer is writing the fourth one as we speak. I don't know if I could handle the story ending this way. It's not finished. It leaves so many questions unanswered.
The way this series is going, I have a feeling it's going to become Harry Potter-esqe in the number of books and the following/craze it's accumulating. But it's for a more mature (or most likely, more feminine) audience. I don't think the male population would get as much out of this novel as the female audience already does. Which is fine with me. I've fallen in love with these books, with the characters and the drama that center around this little town in Washington. (what is it with hot guys and washington??)
Anyway, if you haven't had a chance to grab a copy of this book, go get one and read it. I'm sure you'll get as addicted as the rest of the Edward Cullen fan club (since I can't really imagine any other fan club for this book...although, I'm sure they exist, even if only in small numbers)

Another note...Sabra is America's Favorite Dancer! I can't say I'm surprised. The judges loved her from the beginning and she's shown immense strength, personality, and TALENT. And this coming from a girl who has only danced 4 years!! I've danced for 5 and I'm no where NEAR as good as she is. I wish that wasn't the case. I should've dedicated more time to dance...I'm so determined to take more classes this year. Even if it's not through BYU. I'd gladly pay to take classes in Orem. And it's possible too (well except for the whole lack of money thing...) with my newly bought car (hence the reason for my lack of available money)
I wasn't shocked when Lacey was the first eliminated out of the Top 4. I mean, honestly, if she had won the whole thing 1) there would be a lot of rumors and controversy floating around about the show being rigged (or something to that effect) and 2)she went the WHOLE season without being in danger of elimination...she really couldn't think she'd be able to hold out for much longer, now could she? I mean, i LOVE her, think she's a fabulous performer and dancer, she has so much spark and energy and she's so dang cute, but I really couldn't see her winning the whole thing.
Neil. I was sad that he was the second eliminated, but I wasn't shocked about that either. As much as I knew the girls LOVED him because he's so dang hot, it's not entirely about that. He's a great dancer and got better and better as the competition moved on. He just didn't have enough of America behind him to give him that extra push that he needed. And what does it really matter if any of them won anyway? They were on the show, that's prize enough. They get their name, and their abilities, out there. People know who they are now and they're going to get a lot of job opportunities from that. As soon as it was down to the last 3, I called who would be the top 2. I'm super glad a girl won this year. The boys have dominated 2 years in a row and it's about time we had a strong class of girls.

today

Today was a good day. Not because anything exciting happened (that's rare in my life) but because I had some things to do at work, no one bugged me (too much, at least), and i found my new favorite author's website and learned much about her series of books that I've recently fallen in love with. (Twilight) There were "outakes" of her books, mostly chapters or sections that she had written, but left out of the published book for one reason or another. I read those and fell even more in love with the stories. I'm glad she thought to post those for us avid readers to appreciate. That kept me busy for a good couple hours. In fact, when I looked at the clock, I realized it was almost 2 and I had yet to take a lunch break. I wasn't hungry for food though, I just wanted to satisfy my thirst for reading. Most grudgingly I left the comforts of my desk (which I spend most of my 8 hour day at) and went across the street to get something to eat/drink. It's a nice warm day, warmer than yesterday, so I ventured to the back patio of my building to read more of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (even though I read it in the 10 hours after I had purchased it, on the night of the release). How comforting it was to sit in the sunshine, drinking my mahalo mango robeks and read Harry Potter.
Now, I'm debating whether I want to stay for happy hour at work, considering the friend that was going to stay and then take me home isn't going at all anymore in order to get home to Santa Barbara earlier. My only motivation to going is to hang out with AJ one last time before he's gone from OMM forever. (morbid, but it shouldn't be. Today is his last day of work) However, if I do plan on staying, I could only stay for 15 minutes before having to leave to catch my train, which would get me home later than I would like. What a dilemma. I really like the idea of leaving early, vegging on the couch and falling asleep. I'm in desperate need of sleep.

On another note, I've recently discovered that billboard.com has a radio section that allows one to type in a favorite artist or band and then it will find (according to it's music genome project) other bands that are similar in musical tones, instruments, sound and then playing it for you. You can then state whether you like it or not and from that it can recommend other bands for you to listen to. It's quite enjoyable, plus it opens me up to new music, according to my preferences. Quite the project.
I also found project playlist which my younger sister has been using for a while. It lets you search for and add music to your own playlist which you can post on myspace, facebook, anything. I took some time out of work to perfect mine, only to find that it's all the same stuff I listen to regularly on my iPod. I tried to post it here earlier but it didn't work, so maybe I'll try later when I'm not being watched from behind.
With that said, I'd like to get your suggestions to new bands/artists/genres/albums. Anything you enjoy. I want to hear about it. I'm getting semi-bored of the music I have right now and would like to open my ears to new sounds.