A New Found Love

Once upon a time I had a terrible accident when I was six, and since then I haven't ridden a bike. Since May, that is.

At the beginning of the summer I decided that learning how to ride a bike was an essential. I would need it for college, and I had already signed up for an olympic distance triathlon. So there was no getting out of it. However, after the first couple of times on my brother's mountain bike, I fell in love. I rode that thing quite often, until my mom said it was time for me to learn how to ride a road bike.

I was more than terrified this time. A road bike has much skinnier tires, goes a lot faster, and you have to click your feet into the peddles. So one day at the end of June, my mom took me to the park by the cemetery and taught me how to ride a road bike. My love for biking only increased from that point on. I loved going up the canyon and feeling the breeze that you only get on your way down, because up is a beast. But it was worth it and I went quite frequently all the way up until the end of July. That's when I did my triathlon.

Now my road biking days are over until the summer hits again. Instead, I have my sister's bright orange beach cruiser, and let me tell you, that thing is amazing. I can't tell you how many times I've gotten compliments, and I always pretend that the bike is mine. It's a good conversation starter. Plus, I look cool now. On the mountain bike I had a helmet that didn't fit me, and on the road bike I looked like I didn't know what I was doing (which was partly true).

Anyway, the point to this story is I fell in love with biking because it is the best. And I'll miss it when the cold hits...oh nope. I have my spin class every tuesday and thursday so I'm good.

The End

I'm guessing based on the title that you thought I was going to write about a boy...you were wrong. But there is one...he looks like he's twelve but he wears a belt buckle, cowboy boots, and the same baseball cap every day. Oh and he also has an extremely thick southern accent...

Life at BYU

Once upon a time I signed up for new student orientation. It was pointless. I went for a few hours thursday morning, stayed for the free lunch, and then went off by myself to buy my textbooks. The rest of thursday I took a nap, then hung out with some friends. As I was on my way out to meet my friends, the bishop and about ten other guys ambushed me. They all introduced themselves at the same time, and then they invited me to the ward get together on saturday. I then got into my friends car where they were all laughing because apparently it was hilarious. One minute I'm walking freely to meet up with my friends and then the next minute I'm surrounded.

Friday morning I helped Karli move in across the hall. I then biked to campus with Annie and found my classes. After that I met my peer mentor (kind of ridiculous that we're all required to have one) and explored campus some more. Then, Alyssa, Sharissa, Karli, and I proceeded to Sharissa's for dinner, where we had french toast and drank all of Sharissa's milk. After that we went to Shaundra and Mallory's apartment. And then we went to see Tangled at the Helaman Field, again only for the free ice cream.

Saturday I went to the ward party and had a blast (who knew?). Really though, I only went for the free lunch (I guess I just really like free things). Then I went to the grocery store with Annie to buy meat, and then Annie, Karli, Annie's roommate Jessica, Amanda, and I made lasagna and salad. While cooking, we saw some people playing volleyball so we went out there and met a ton of new people. I'm kind of excited about where I'm living. Anyway, lasagna was delicious and we inhaled it. That night, we went to the big freshman party at the wilk that was kind of ridiculous.

Sunday we had church at 9, but I only went to sacrament meeting, because I went to Kolton's farewell at 11 (kind of awkward, but that's another story). I then went home home, not my apartment, but to my parent's house, and took a nap. I was basically there all day and I loved it. At 6:15 Karli picked me up and we went to our RA meeting. I kind of hated that because we played a "get to know you" game. Funny, I don't remember one single girl's name...or anything about them. We then went to ward prayer. As we were standing there, I turned to karli and said, "I just want to avoid Sean." Not even 2 seconds later I found myself in a huge bear hug with none other than Sean. Great. For those of you who don't know who I'm talking about, Sean is a boy that grew up on my home ward and not even a month after his mission, he dated my sister. Awful. And then he broke up with her because she told him that she didn't want to get married anytime soon.

And then later on that day I got locked out while my roommates were at singing in the tunnel to I stayed up late and talked to Heather and Karli at Karli's apartment.

Today was the first day of class and I have to say, I love college already. My professors are all really cool and interesting and I only have 4 hour long classes. But, I'm sure after a week I'll hate life again. Just give it time.

The End

Music Friday

Once upon a time I came across this music video while watching GAC late at night. It's fantastic, in fact I've watched it quite frequently since I first saw it. My favorite part is the end, because it leaves you wondering if the dream is going to happen and the guy and the girl are going to end up together or not. Plus I think this guy is really quite good looking. Not at the beginning, but give it time. Trust me.

The End

Moved Out

Once upon a time, I'm not quite sure when, I grew up, and now I'm living on my own. Yikes!

Yesterday me and my family moved in to my first apartment. We moved in, unpacked my clothes and then went grocery shopping. By the time I got back, I had only met one of my roommates, Jessica, for about 2 minutes. I got back, went to Karli's apartment, went to Annie's apartment, and then came home and started to organize my things. By then it was 11:15 and my roommates were no where to be found. I began to wonder if they weren't real and the RA just put some stuff in their room to trick me. But no, at around 11:30 they came back from a party and we stayed up talking until 1:30. I think we're going to get along quite nicely.

Now it's breakfast time and I'm waiting to use the bathroom. Another yikes. I haven't had to share a bathroom in a long time. This might get interesting.

After that it's new student orientation. I doubt I'll go to the whole thing. Wish me luck!

The End

Oh Steamer

Once upon a time I was two and my mother told me I was going to have a little brother. A little while later he was born and he's been ruining my life since. Actually, I'm going to miss him, but it's hard not to be resentful to the child responsible for sending me to three years of pre-school. Anyway this is a tribute to him only because I want to be able to look at these pictures whenever I want to.

We were basically adorable at one point

Weston always had to ride in front of dad

so I got stuck with the back

Christmas in Mexico

He hated having to listen to me read, but my mom

was tired of it, so he was the lucky one

At the zoo with the Jessicas

The zip line in Mexico

Playing in the fountains in Salt Lake

Strawberry Lake

Feeding baby sheep in New Zealand

Ward christmas party

Brazil ironman. I won.

China

Sophomore Prom

Lagoon day with the family

Before he grew

Saying goodbye in Spain

At a rugby game this year

Glacier

Yes, I'm going to miss this kid. Especially all the peanuts comics he puts in my room that remind him of me (he thinks I'm Lucy). But I'll see him on Sundays, well most Sundays so we're good. What I'm most excited for is not seeing his friends anymore! They insist that they are going to visit me, but no, not if I can help it.

The End

The Waiting Game

Once upon a time I made a mistake. I told someone something I should not have told them. Now I'm trying to fix it and it's killing me. Just waiting and waiting to get a response back. I should be in bed right now dreaming of sugarplum fairies, but instead I'm searching my room endlessly trying to find something to occupy my mind. I hate the waiting game.

The End

Music Videos

Once upon a time I fell in love with music videos. More specifically, country music videos. There are some that are just adorable and then there's some that make me laugh every time. Confession: I watch the top 20 country music videos on GAC on Friday nights as often as I can. A

Several years ago I fell in love with Josh Turner's song, "Would You Go With Me". And then I saw the music video while watching the top 20 and my love for country and music videos jumped about 3 floors.

So tonight I wanted to start something new. I want to make friday night, video night. Every week I'll post a new video and explain why I like it. Because yes, I do know that many. Let's first start with the video that started my obsession, shall we?

I love this video because it's adorable, it's my favorite song, and it's one of my favorite artists. Plus, I think the little couple at the beginning alone make this video worth watching.

The End

Relationships

Once upon a time I was a hopeless romantic. Yes it's true. I was. There you go Sharissa, the truth comes out. But those days are over. They kind of ended when I got to high school and realized how awful relationships are. They change people. Sometimes in a good way, but most of the time in the worst ways possible (This is still the high school age relationships I'm talking about). So I stopped wanting a relationship. Of course, that didn't stop me from liking boys...oh no I have liked plenty of boys in my life, but I've never wanted a relationship with any of them.

Ok Ok Ok, so I did have a relationship at one point in my life, and I don't regret it. However, now that that's over with, I can see that this isn't the time to "fall in love." I have goals that I need to accomplish, things to do, life to experience and I don't need to be tied down. I know that sounds like the typical thing you hear girls that can't get a boy to like them say, but that's really how I feel.

All of my life I've grown up with Sister Ransom as my neighbor, and when one of my best friends (her daughter) went to college she gave us both this advice, "have fun, date lots, but don't seriously date someone until the friends you had in high school start coming home from their missions. If you date someone seriously now, you might get too involved before you see the rest of your options." I really do love her, because she's right.

Now I know many of you are thinking, well what's wrong with a casual relationship? And my answer would be...nothing if you're comfortable with just filling someone's canteen (assuming you're dating a future missionary, and if you're dating an RM, then it's never casual).

In some cases I can approve of relationships before the golden age, but only in very limited cases.

So Sharissa, these are the words I wanted to say to you tonight, to me kissing=relationships. ugh. Not good. It's not that I think kissing is gross, it's that I think relationships are gross. And there you have it. Feel free to ask any questions.

The End

The Madisons

Once upon a time my family took a trip to Glacier National Park about 4 months before I was born. On the way home, they passed through Yellowstone and Madison County, Montana and that is where I got my name. So it's been a tradition throughout my life to take as many pictures by anything Madison. Really, I have about 100 pictures. And this trip was no exception. So if you're ready for it, here comes the Madison pictures throughout the years...

1997 with the Nickles

1997

1997

2010 with the Spanish exchange students

2010

2010

2010

2011 with the family and Miguel

2011 and the rest are too

Weston wanted to get in on the action

The End

Montana and Glacier National Park

Once upon a time I went with my family on a dream vacation for me. Last Tuesday (the 9th of August) we packed our belongings and hitched up the tent trailer and set off on a VERY long drive. That first night we stayed in an unknown location to me (somewhere in Idaho).

Then we woke up early the next day and me and my brother drove each other nuts as we drove through Montana.

We stopped in Butte, or as Weston likes to call it, Butt. (Oh and his joke was..."how do people in Butte say good day? Bidet! hahahaha") There, we had a strombolli at Trimbo's, which was made famous by Man vs. Food.

We then stopped and camped in Kalisbell (no idea how to spell it).

The next morning we woke up bright and early and went into Glacier National Park! We decided to camp at Avalanche campground. I immediately got out the info magazine and found two short hikes that we could do as a family that day. So within an hour of arriving, we were headed off on a hike. The first one was Avalanche Lake and it was spectacular! The gorge before it was super clear water, the trees were huge and made the path shady, and the ground (minus the trail) was covered in green green green plants that had leaves larger than my head. It was perfect. But it was 4 miles, and that was apparently too much for Weston.

Avalanche Lake

Despite Weston's complaints, however, after we were done at Avalanche we drove up to Logan Pass and hiked to hidden lakes. There, we saw big horn sheep and tons of mountain goats. The hike was beautiful and it made you feel like you were on top of the world (cheesy, I know, but that's really what it was like).

On the way to Logan Pass

Hidden Lake

The next day we drove to Many Glaciers and did an all day hike to Cracker Lake. Again, gorgeous. We then got back, paid for 8 minute public showers, and ate pizza at a restaurant! But we didn't get back to our tent trailer until 10.

Cracker Lake

"Madeye is a hiking poopster"

By the time Saturday came along my family was hiked out, so I went on a 10 mile hike to Snyder Lake by myself. And it was fantastic! I didn't hear one complaint the entire time and I just got to enjoy the quiet, amazing, outdoors.

Snyder Lake

Sunday morning I got up early and ran to Avalanche Lake. It was just as good the second time, and there weren't any people, so that was nice. Then we packed up and left Glacier to go to Salmon Lake, Montana. Here we played in the lake, read, and relaxed. We also roasted marshmallows at night.

Monday we drove a lot. But we did stop at Jud's to get a 2 pound hamburger to share. Yes, another Man vs. Food challenge. We also went to Helena, Montana.

One day I will be a Senator here

And then Tuesday we drove without stopping until we reached our home. Yep. It was finally over.

And now I wish I could go back instead of staying here and getting ready for college. One day...one day I'll move there and go on as many hikes as I can...one day.

The End