All of this is not by Chance

It's been a long time

2011-02-12T21:19:00.000-08:00

So I once again suck at blogging. But here's a summary of the past six months in pictures cause let's be honest, who likes reading anyways?...

Sometimes I'm like TOO gangsta for josh

Sisters :)

Me and Josh have gotten real good at Jenga

He loses Every Time!

BYU basketball...

Bundled up for the cold

LOVE this dress from Josh's sister Phebe in NYC :)

Celebrating Birthdays with some bloomin onions

family

and free dessert :)

So... yeah there have been fun times. At the moment, school occupies my life more than ever. It's insane and I wish I had more time for family and friends and the Lakers who have all been seriously neglected as of late.... but I'm just pushin through till graduation next year. Next month I find out where I'll be doing my internship next Winter... so essiting! Me and Josh are doing great. He's a sweetie. He should be receiving his mission call for this summer :) and I'm way excited for him.

June

2010-06-27T15:42:00.000-07:00

Spring term is over! I finally have time to sleep, read and have relax. June has been wonderful. The day finals ended I flew home. Bakersfield wasn't unbearably hot yet which was lovely. The Lakers won the championship AGAIN :) I got to see the ocean again, I went shopping with Mom and Beth, got a lesson in cooking authentic Indian food from some friends, watched toy story 3, hung with my girls who i miss so much :) I got to visit old family neighbors and friends, went to dinner with Monavie and the girls for her birthday, me and mom made Dad a father's day breakfast, I attended my home ward where I was asked to give the prayer in Sunday school (its tradition now i guess) and then after church I flew back to Provo. It was an awesome trip.

After my quick visit home I got to come back to this sweet boy who has brightened up my life. He's a beautiful person. And he's been teaching me how to cook! Haha.
What could be better?

That's a wrap

2010-05-29T19:37:00.000-07:00

After an exciting/tormenting series,
the Lakers won the West in Game 6 tonight in Phoenix.

All I have to say is...

Really McCain?

Really Sasha?

WHOOooOO. My main man.

Symbiosis

2010-05-27T18:05:00.000-07:00

Symbiosis describes close and often long-term interactions between different biological species.

In my infection and immunity class we've been studying the three different kinds of symbiosis. I couldn't help but compare them to relationships in general. Isn't it true that every couple relationship falls into one of the following categories?

Mutualism:

Both parties benefit. Clown fish need anemones, anemones need clown fish.
They complement each other like Beyonce and Jay-z.

Commensalism:

One benefits, the other is indifferent. Barnacles need whales, whales don't give a crap.
Same with Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron. He doesn't need her. He'll dump her eventually and she'll disappear into obscurity.

Parasitism:

One benefits, one is harmed. Yeah... you get the picture

They've Got So Much Things to Say

2010-05-22T13:26:00.000-07:00

This week I've realized an important lesson. There are a lot of hurt and angry people in this world. In life we will be offended by others and we will offend others whether or not we mean to. We're all different, we were all raised differently, we all have different beliefs about the way things should be and the way people should act. We have different perspectives, but no one ever knows the whole story, no one can completely understand another person's point of view or see the end from the beginning. Sometimes you'll want to speak your mind, give your opinion, get something off your chest and you may really believe in what you have to say. But words are a deadly weapon and you can't take them back or undo the damage they cause. I've been guilty of saying too much in the past but being on the receiving end during some of the events of this past week have driven home a message that I will live by from now on. You can't always change people's minds so before you speak, consider whether or not your words will bring about any change for the better. Some things are best left unsaid.

Chocolate High

2010-05-13T09:49:00.000-07:00

So... after walking up to campus half asleep this morning, I went into the office to clock in where I was pleasantly surprised by the sight of a handsome, young, dark skinned addition to our crew. He introduced himself with a slight accent. Turns out he's from Ghana! He speaks 4 of their dialects in addition to English, he's a computer science major, he's beautiful, dresses well and seems really sweet and sincere (a hard to find characteristic in guys these days). New motivation for getting out of bed=giving this fine gentleman a friendly Jambo! every morning :)
Guess who's work attendance percentage is about to skyrocket?

There are two types of people in this world

2010-05-06T17:53:00.000-07:00

There are people who listen to good music,
and people who don't know what good music is
People who watch anime, and people who use more than 2% of their brain
There are people who do what they say they're gonna do,
and there are people who suck
People who are liberal, and people who wear shoes
There are people who think you can be just friends with an ex and people who admit you can't
People who love cats, and people who are loved by other people
There are people who like GLEE and there are people who accept reality
There are people who go to BYU and there are people who are cool
There are people who believe there are two types of people in this world and people who are wrong

It blows my mind

2010-04-28T19:28:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I can hardly believe some of the events that happen in this world and the craziness that has occurred in the not so distant past. Tuesday was the first day of my Cell Bio class. My professor, a brilliant and hilarious guy, let the class ask him 15 questions about anything we wanted. Topics ranged from his research work to his waist size to the mummies he excavates in Egypt. Somewhere in between, he told us a little about his family. He and his wife have 2 daughters. The youngest, he informed us, is a freelance artist in New York city, married with 3 kids.
Then he briefly related a story and I was a little surprised at how objectively he did so. When his oldest daughter was born, there was a brand of infant formula on the market with extremely low levels of chloride-an essential nutrient for developing babies. As a result she had suffered significant brain damage. She lives here in Provo in an assisted living facility. He concluded by saying, "She's been a great joy in our lives" and moved on to a new topic.
I was so shocked by this I decided to do a little research...

Turns out there used to be an infant formula called Neo-Mull-Soy made in Palo-Alto California. In March of 1978 they decided to lower the chloride content not realizing that the chloride levels in their baby formula would be significantly below the recommended level babies need. The tens of thousands of babies drinking this formula were basically being starved. The lack of chloride in their diets resulted in a condition called hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis which manifests itself in ways such as: learning disabilities, stunted growth, crumbling teeth, problems with speech, memory and attention span. The worst part is that the company making Neo-Mull-Soy was informed of possible detrimental effects of their product months before it was finally recalled in July of 1979.
I think it's wonderful that my professor and his family have been able to accept, forgive and not let their knowledge of the mistake that resulted in tragedy make them bitter. It would be a hard thing but some people are just amazing I guess.

Savvy Old Dog?

2010-04-28T16:48:00.000-07:00

You could say that

God grant me

2010-04-21T13:13:00.000-07:00

the Serenity to accept the things that I cannot change
the Courage to change the things that I can

the Wisdom to know the difference

And God give me the Courage
to love with an open heart

The Tight Pants Diet

2010-04-20T18:48:00.000-07:00

If you know me, you know that my eating/not eating/exercising/not exercising habits are wack.
Haha don't worry, I know it too. But I've recently begun the Tight Pants Diet. What is this diet you ask? Why have you never heard of it? That'd be because I invented it.
I have this weird thing where I just kinda adjust my food intake and exercise to fit and feel comfortable in the clothes I wear. Buy a pair of pants online that end up being a bit too big and I'm quite capable of compensating. As you can imagine, this phenomenon is also responsible for the crucial flaw in wearing sweats too often... but that's another story.
So spring is here and summer's on the way which means shorts, T-shirts, and bathing suits replace long coats, jeans and baggy sweatshirts. Hence, the topic of this post. How does it work? Simple, you just wear a pair of jeans that are slightly (don't get carried away) too small for you. Thoughts that come to your mind throughout the day like, "hmmm wish i didn't have this muffin top" will provide constant reminder to eat healthy foods in reasonable proportions and will encourage you to exercise until you feel comfy and confident in those jeans. I know I'm crazy but it works for me. And I think it's funny/ridiculous so I thought I'd share.

What's in a sigh?

2010-04-20T12:27:00.000-07:00

a) an unspoken complaint
b) self-pity
c) a cry for attention
d) ALL OF THE ABOVE

If you have ever spent a significant amount of time around a sigher (yes this is a roommate vent) you will agree that excessive sighing is ANNOYING, immature and rude. A sigh is usually a way of saying "my life is so hard" or "I really don't want to do this" or "I'm tired" or "I'm sad" or "please ask me what's wrong cause I'm dealing with so much more in my life than you are and i wanna unload my crap on you".
Well guess what? The only question I'm going to ask you when you let out your 17th sigh in one morning is: WHY do I have to listen to your overbearing dramatic exhalation of air and then be considered rude when i don't ask you why you're unhappy today?
I know I sigh every once in a while, everyone does and that's fine, it's normal, it's healthy. But for reals, i wish some people would use some freakin discretion.

Utah

2010-04-15T18:21:00.000-07:00

Where 50-60 year old women are the main culprits when it comes to inappropriate hair height

but thanks to the bumpit it's becoming a family affair!

Where people are trying to be like Jesus with the exceptions of:

while behind the wheel...
(hence you see this like eryday)

and when it comes to their favorite sports teams

and last but not least... where the bigger and more colorful the flower on your head the BETTER!

Oh and fugly's gotta count for something too right?

Why wouldn't I love this place?

Reading Days=

2010-04-14T13:27:00.001-07:00

2 hour naps during the day :)
baking
writing letters to friends
wearing shorts
actually having time to exercise!
no quizzes
no classes
no campus
happy

I've decided to make reading days my spring break since BYU doesn't give us one. Finals start Friday which means i should be stressed but i haven' been this relaxed all semester. Soon they'll be over, NBA playoffs will start and spring semester will be here. I'm feelin GOOD

tired

2010-04-07T09:23:00.000-07:00

according to dictionary.com:

tired
–adjective1.exhausted, as by exertion; fatigued or sleepy

i think urban dictionary's definition is funnier:

tired

-What any woman in a long-term relationship claims to be when sexual advances are initiated by their still eager male partner. Goes hand in hand with a "headache" or "that time of the month".

Joe: "Honey... I've been thinking 'bout you aaall day."
B****Wife: "Not tonight Joe, I'm tired."

haha either way, when I'm rich I'm buying SLEEP. lots and lots of it. I can't think of a more worthwhile investment.

We can therefore conclude...

2010-02-07T18:56:00.000-08:00

i SUCK at blogging. so what has happened the last 6 months... a lot of crap. I moved into a new apartment (hampstead) with cuzzin candice aaand we've had some WILD times, its always a party so i guess i can't complain. I got through my 1st semester of Organic chemistry. Kindof a big deal. after this semester i have only 1.5 more years (thats 3 semesters!!!!) till i graduate. WHOOOA. LOVE the sound of that. Also... The library has recently become my new best friend. After Christmas I was terribly sad to come back up to Provo for another cold semester of sleepless studyful blah BUT i got to bring hannah aaand hello A CAR. life is much bettabettabettabetta now that i got my bestie with me. Also.. i cut off all my hair a few months ago. And i turned 20 last month. i'm old. me and hannah and Zachy are doing luau. its FUN. also, i hate boys. BUT this wednesday will be one of the most amazingly wonderful memorious days of my LIFE. Lakers game here we come. I can't wait to see kobe doin work. I will report on zaat later!

let's do that again!!!!

2009-08-27T13:23:00.000-07:00

Zach and Stacie were married on August 1st in the Los Angeles Temple and she looked BEAUTIFUL!

After lunch at el cholo (haha) we headed back to bakes and the reception in stacie's backyard was gorgeous!

We are sooo thrilled for Zach Stacie!
:)

son of a BEACH!!!!!

2009-08-04T20:13:00.001-07:00

han and me under the umbrella ella ella,
me and beth goin in the ocean, my hardcore dad, me and beth being tight :)

SF trip!!!!!

2009-08-04T18:50:00.000-07:00

Yaaaay!!!! yay for 6 hour train rides, lots of muni buses, crazy people with aids, the aquarium of the bay, the BEACH cold and jelly fishy, bus stops, faggy view of the bridge, WICKED!!!!!! ahhhhhhh, harry potter, crepes, slumdog zillionaire, leopard sharks, beautiful rooftop views, johnny rockets mmmm, FRIENDS :) :) fun fun fun!

thanks sooooo much Blake for showing us san fagcisco!

a guy worth falling for

2009-08-04T17:51:00.000-07:00

LITERALLY!!!!

anne hathaway

2009-07-18T17:33:00.000-07:00

SUCKS!
career highlights: princess diaries, ella enchanted. the end

LOVE is in the air

2009-07-16T21:48:00.000-07:00

oh my happy! what a wonderful summer!! i am so so happy for Garrick and Brittni!! they're a beautiful couple who bring out the best in eachother. married in the salt lake temple i wish them the bestest. couldn't have hoped for a more perfect fit for my amazing brother who i love :)

A Tribute

2009-06-28T21:58:00.000-07:00

To my Loved and Cherished Uncle Robert
I didn't know him as well as some of my other uncles and aunts, but growing up in New Zealand I remember visiting him and his family in his home in Hastings- where my father and his siblings were raised. He was loved by his wife, children, grandchildren, mum, dad, siblings, nephews and neices. He was talented and made many works of beauty in woodwork. He had a love and respect for the maori culture. A learned man, his thoughts and opinions were valued. Though he was inactive in the church for sometime, he came back and had a testimony of the gospel that was and will be a strength to his family. Even as a child I knew that my father loved and respected his older brother, and though I didn't know him too well, I do too. We will miss him, but we'll always remember him for the good he did and the positive mark he left in the lives of all who knew him.

Goal: get an A or A- in a college chemistry class

2009-06-28T21:44:00.001-07:00

Sadly they just get harder and harder with each course and I'm way scurred for organic chem in the fall. So why am i majoring in pdbio? My major requires me to take so many chemistry and physics classes-the subjects i struggle most in. But I'm stubborn and I refuse to back down to anything difficult and so far I love the biology and anatomy classes. So for now its only a far off dream but i hope to accomplish my goal and bask in self-fulfilment

2009-06-21T23:53:00.000-07:00

LOVE this face! hope to see it many times to come in the not too distant future. this is victory. this is don't f with me cause you'll just make yourself look bad son. this is epic.

2009-06-21T23:19:00.000-07:00

my name is rachel and this is my blog. that i am writing to no one in particular. there's something liberating about being able to write anything you want. say anything you want or feel or believe and put it out there for all the world to see without having to worry about offending anyone. without caring what anybody thinks. so hello world and hello no one. i am me and if you don't like what you see i don't give.