the day I contracted Alzheimer's disease... or maybe just a case of severe forgetfullness.

yes.

Today i forgot almost every constructive and quite important thing I was supposed to do.

okay... it wasn't THAT bad but I seriously forgot a few important things that were supposed to happen today.

Here's a bit of what has been on my mind.

I remember how awesome my mom was growing up. She successfully trained me in the ways of brilliance by teaching me a few life-altering secrets... Some of them including:

a. Drinking milk is good for your bones

b. Eating carrots helps your eyes

c. Spinach will give you popeye muscles

(How did popeye get his name?... I'd say he's more of a buttchin)

Well... the question I pose today after a successful epic fail of a day is:

What the heck can I do to to prevent severe forgetfullness (or maybe even an early case of Alzheimers)?

Where's Momma when you need a question like THAT answered?

My current solution:

1. Write everything down...

But in today's case... what if I wrote it down and STILL forgot?

Just call me Dory.

And then send me to a TRIPLE A MEETING where I can confess the issues that consume my life.

It's early alzheimers... I swear.

Oh, and after you do that you could seriously shoot me some advice.

Love, the little blue fish who forgets almost everything and makes incredibly accurate whale sounds.

Sunny Rays & Summer Days

Hello my dear friends! Today I officially had....

My first Slurpie of the summer.

It was an exciting and a momentous occasion.

Please, do hold your applause.

How about all that sunshine today?

It was enough to brighten ANY cloudy mood.

I caught a bunch of those lovely endorphins today.

I also did a photo shoot with one of my Brother's awesome friends.

Graduation day is nearing for all those seniors.

Hit me up if you need some quick senior pictures!

 I promise they'll be lovely.

$50.00 for all Senior Picture Shoots!

Well...

 That's all folks!

Good evening to you then!

Love, the Sun-Happy-Slurpie-loving darling

Task # 35: Turning Japanese I think I'm turning Japanese I really think so...

Weekdays I am blessed to live with the most adorable family ever.

When I first took the opportunity to Nanny for this family I was nervous and excited.

They are a Japanese family and are the most humble and gracious people you will ever meet.

I feel so blessed.

They are truly an incredible family.

Now... because I am living with them I have been able to partake of their culture and to learn a little bit about things in Japan. Yesterday I learned two characters... White and Rice... Yep... Super cool.

The other day I was inspired by the seven year old boy Yoshi as I watched him eat noodles with chopsticks.

He was seriously Pro.

Today I decided to try for myself to eat the entire bowl of curry and rice that I made. Except for instead of using a fork I had to use chopsticks.

Because of the blend of rice they use... it makes the rice a little bit more sticky... which in turn makes it easier to eat with chopsticks.

Success!

I really may be turning Japanese!

Love, The (straight up and down) Japanerican

Task # 34: Bake a Cake Completely from SCRATCH

Done and DONE!

And to be quite frank..

It was delicious!

(forgive me for the terrible pictures taken with the ghetto phone...)

Sare and Ray are my two Lovely Helpers.

Easy CAKE RECIPE! (Click for the link)

Ingredients

• 1 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup butter
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 cup milk

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x9 inch pan or line a muffin pan with paper liners.
2. In a medium bowl, cream together the sugar and butter. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Combine flour and baking powder, add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Finally stir in the milk until batter is smooth. Pour or spoon batter into the prepared pan.
3. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes in the preheated oven. For cupcakes, bake 20 to 25 minutes. Cake is done when it springs back to the touch.

Make-Shift Frosting Recipe

(This turned out to be deliciously genius)

Key Ingredient?:Raspberry Jello Mix (Genius.. Thank you Google for the idea.)

Pretty much made up the recipe on our own...

Ingredients:

Package of Jello

Lots of sugar

two egg whites

and a few other last minute forgotten ingredients.

Love,

The Creative & Courageous Gal

to be or not to be: is no longer the question!

I love this year called 2011.

So far it has been a lovely one.

Not to mention it is the year that I move on from those beloved and not so beloved

teenage years.

I am in the midst of my 20th year being alive

and I couldn't be more grateful.

I still can't believe that 20 years ago tomorrow... I was a tiny 6 pound baby being held in the arms of those who love me most.

It's one of those times in your life that your mother will never forget.

The day you were born.

This year is one of reflection.

In the opening line of a soliloquy in Hamlet, William Shakespeare wrote:

"To be or not to be: that is the question...."

I have always loved that phrase, and through out my life I have always found myself asking this question.

Well my dear friends, as I sat and thought about it over the past few days I have decided that "To be or not to be: is not longer the question..." I know who I am and why I am here on earth. I know my purpose and that God has a plan for me. This testimony was made firm in my heart yesterday as I began my studies in the 1st chapter of "The Book of Mormon" (my favorite book).

As I read these verses:

1 Nephi 2:20&22

  

   20- "And inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper, and shall be led to a land of promise; yea, even a land which I have prepared for you; yea, a land which is choice above all other lands."

   22- "And inasmuch as thou shalt keep my commandments, thou shalt be made a ruler and a teacher over thy brethren."

We all have our purpose here on earth and to be that or to not be that should not be the question. We must choose to be righteous and choose to be the kind and considerate people we are supposed to become here on earth.

This year I have decided to DO something more with my life. I am becoming a more accomplished person and it has never felt better.

Ready, Set, ACTION!

Thanks for reading!

And for HANGING in there with me.

Keep loving

Keep blogging

Love,

The 19 year old (until tomorrow)