they say no mind i wanna stop the time

 On Thursday I saw Band of Horses with Emilee at the Twilight Concert Series. I've said it before, but indie music will always have my heart. Gimme obscure band names, beards, dirty, marijuana infested fans, folk-y tunes and swaying any day. I hate it but I love it.

 On Friday Blythe threw an Olympics party. Not pictured are the creative treats prepared by Blythe, Grace, Emilee and me. Mostly Blythe and Grace. I think if you search "olympic party" on pinterest, you will have a general idea of what was featured. My heart was very full watching the opening ceremonies and seeing the countries with one or two athletes. I felt so proud of them. And even though winning a medal is the ultimate honor and goal, I hope all of those athletes go home knowing that they competed with the best in the world and are among the best in the world.

I am so excited to watch women's gymnastics. It's the closest event to dance for me and the little dance flame in my body is always sparked when I watch those girls, especially during the floor routines. Seriously in awe of all of them and the training that they go through to make it there. It's also fun to watch, discover and learn about all of the sports I had no idea were in the Olympics. Go USA!

Preston and I are obsessed with the smell of coffee and have been trying to figure out how to capture the scent and bring it to every room in our apartments and car. Then we stumbleupon-ed "coffee bean base candles" and this weekend we made our coffee smell dreams a reality. All you need is a small non-flammable container of some sort, coffee beans and a votive candle. Fill the container almost full of beans, place the candle in the center and light. For your car, fill pantyhose with beans and tie a knot at the top. Seriously.

Also on Saturday night I hiked the Y for the second time that week! Can you believe that? It was also probably the fastest I've ever hiked it. As if that isn't shocking enough, I watched a proposal happen on the Y. Crazytown. I'm really judgmental about proposals, so I'm not going into detail about how this one went about, but I will say the only proof I want from that moment are my ring and my personal memories of the event(s).

It's almost August! I can't even think about it. I'm going to be a SENIOR. My word. I want to press pause and fast forward.

my weakness please forgive it at least i hold on when i get love

This is one of my favorite pictures I have from this summer. I just love all the different blues and I love the people I'm floating with. On Saturday Emilee, Blythe, Preston and I went to the Spanish Fork reservoir again. We were later accompanied by Blythe's mom, little sister and little sister's friends (who were enamored with Preston. Cutest college boy they've ever seen! How lucky am I?). It was another lovely day in the water and this time we were even more prepared with the family pool. I sure do love summer.

 I recently got hired at The Awful Waffle. Today I had an orientation where I learned how to make 2 types of waffles and crepes. We were allowed to eat our creations so there I was eating my spoils and then everyone at the orientation left and I was alone eating 3 desserts like a sad fat girl. Then an FHE group came and I knew a few people, so that was fun too.

I found this picture today and it's one of my favorites I've ever seen. (There's a lot of favorite pictures in this post.) I really miss ballet and dance in general and would love to take a class again. I love the three pieces to this look- pointe shoes, men's dress shirt and topknot.

Also I can't stop listening to "Hold On When You Get Love and Let Go When You Give It" by Stars.

I recently finished Visit From the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan. It won the Pulitzer last year. It was ok. Definitely well-written, but not my favorite. I think I'm still mourning the end of the Steve Jobs biography. Does that ever happen to you? You read something you love and you can't get into a new book for a while? I'm going to start Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut next.

Instead of The Bachelorette, I have been finishing the 4th season of Breaking Bad. Preston and I watched the finale last night and it is GNARLY. I'm anxious to start season 5. BB has made me so excited for the return of Dexter as well. I would also like to watch a really great serial killer documentary. Do you have any suggestions?

stay hungry, stay foolish

I finished the Steve Jobs biography on Saturday and it was excellent. It has been my favorite book I've read this year. I spent some of Saturday afternoon listening to his commencement speech at Stanford and watching Apple ads from the 80's and 90's. So much inspiration y'all!! I've always liked Apple products, but mostly for the design and user friendly capabilities, but after reading this biography, I have newfound appreciation for my Apple devices. I even took the cover off my Mac and cleaned it and now it feels like I have a new laptop. One of my favorites parts about reading this book was reminiscing about the launch of the different products and where I was in my life. For example, I remember receiving my iPod for my 13th birthday or when I updated my little red Samsung flip phone to an iPhone 3G. I recognize so many little nuances of my Mac or iPhone that I never noticed. Most of all, I recognize the creative genius that Steve Jobs was. I'm don't think I would have actually liked him as a person, but I admire his creativity and determination to create and provide the world with beautiful, well-made and easy-to-use products.

Here are two of many favorite lines:

"Folks who want porn can buy an Android." (On how people were complaining when the iPhone blocked pornography and it was a violation of their user freedoms. I lol-ed)

"I like to think that something survives after you die," he said. "It's strange to think that you can accumulate all this experience, and maybe a little wisdom and it just goes away. So I really want to believe that something survives, that maybe our consciousness endures." He fell silent for a very long time. "But on the other hand perhaps it's like an on-off switch," he said. "Click and you're gone." Then he paused again and smiled slightly. "Maybe that's why I never liked to put on-off switches on Apple devices." (Maybe my eyes watered after reading this. Maybe not)

This weekend was pretty dreary and cold, but I liked the change from the 95+ degree weeks. Preston and I built a fort (Villa de Prestynna) and watched a lot of Breaking Bad.

Not pictured are the $3 Sperrys I found at DI, mini cupcakes Emilee and I made and my emotional breakdown while studying for the quantitative section of the GRE.

Also new XX single and they are coming to Salt Lake October 16 weeee!!

i love you, but you have no idea what you're talking about

Last night I saw Moonrise Kingdom. I thought it was darling. My favorite outfit was Suzy's yellow one pictured above. I'm looking forward to seeing all the variations of Sam and Suzy this Halloween.

Before the movie Preston and I went to Cubby's. Guys, this place is great! I remember when it was being built we would bike by and I thought it was just a butcher shop since it said Cubby's Chicago Beef. But it's actually delectable sandwiches! I got the tri-tip steak sandwich and Preston got the cock-a-doodle-doo (I'm serious). Both were great. It was funny because we saw this couple at Cubby's and then they were in the same theater for Moonrise Kingdom. Guess we both had the same hipster date planned.

I'm almost done reading Steve Jobs. I think I want to read the other biographies Walter Isaacson has written because this one has been so excellent. I underline parts that I like or want to learn more about and I'm constantly underlining. I'm gonna go ahead and recommend it before I finish it. Seriously so fascinating and I get chills reading about how they developed different products. Right now I'm reading about the iPod. I'll probably talk about it more once I've finished it, so I'm gonna stop now.

This week has been so HOT. Today is supposed to be 99.

Yesterday was the birthday of someone in the office so we are celebrating today with gingersnaps and chocolate covered strawberries. Chocolate covered strawberries are among my most favorite foods. If you were curious, here are my favorite foods in no particular order:
1) mochi ice cream
2) buffalo wings
3) chocolate covered strawberries
4) sushi
5) pancit

Also, Frank Ocean's Channel Orange. If it was possible to be seduced by an album, this would be the one.

that place that i think of so often but now never mention

I know I promised to not blog for 6 weeks but I came across this entry whilst meandering the Internet and I saw the above image of the DC temple and my heart started to ache and my eyes started to water and I have half an hour before I leave and that's enough time to talk about my weekend and my love for this temple.

Everyone has their temple that's only theirs and no one else can have it. DC is mine. My family was sealed here when I was 7 or 8. I'm ashamed I don't remember the exact day. I'm going to ask my mom when I call her this afternoon. I don't have much to say about it except I remember such random aspects of that day like the giant cookies they gave us in the nursery or the family in my ward that accompanied us when we went and how much I love them and how Sister Hume always gives me the biggest hug every time I see her at church or how my brother was still kind of baby-sized and slept the whole time.

On Friday night I had the strange notion to suggest going on a hike for that evening's activities. I've only hiked the Y once and it was hard. Like really hard. I know it's just a quick one and people can run it and whatever, but I am not that fit I guess and found myself gasping for breath and whimpering for 98% of it. Sweet Preston was my life coach the whole time and even though I wanted to smack him, I'm glad he was patient with me and waited for me even though he could have easily ran up and down in the time it took me to get to the top. One of my favorite things about BYU is the fact that people call it the Y and there is a Y on the mountain and you can buy sweatshirts that have giant Y's on them. Y is for Ynna. After hiking we spent too much time in Target and then had ice cream. 

On Saturday morning I decided I wanted to go to a lake. Blythe, Emilee, Preston and I went to the (a?) reservoir in Spanish Fork. It kind of reminded me of where a UFO would land because it was just a bowl shaped body of water surrounded by concrete and sand. We had a good time and it was a nice change from swimming pools. Also I became more aware of how terrible of a swimmer I am. It's ok though. I'm surrounded by former swim coaches.

 Date me?

count on me to misbehave

 Hi. Sorry for blogging every day. I really need to start remembering bringing my book to work. I've just exhausted all my social media for the day and have absolutely nothing to do.

Currently I am reading Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson. It's fascinating and makes me appreciate my Mac and iPhone so much more than I already do.

 Aren't these images weird? They're by Maia Flore. I like them though.

Last night I saw Beach House at the Twilight Concert Series. I won't lie, it was kind of boring. I like Beach House, but they're not the most exciting band to listen to and certainly don't put on an extravagant show. I also think knowing the songs plays a big part in the level of enjoyment at a concert. For example, Iron & Wine is pretty mellow and boring, but I know and love so many songs so I'm very much looking forward to them in August.

Also yesterday Preston thought of alternate meanings for YOLO. Here are the ones we have come up with. I take credit for the last one:
Ynna Only Likes Oranges
Ynna Over Looks Otters
Ynna Openly Lays Outdoors
Ynna Observes Little Ones

Let me know if you think of good ones.

I could easily live off watermelon.

I want to find/meet everyone who has ever taken the username "ynna."

I type out every card I ever give and handwrite my typed message. I also save all of the cards on my computer and look back on them occasionally so I can remember what I tell people.

I'm trying to find another job in addition to my current one.

I'm studying for the GRE and am a lot worse at reading comprehension than I thought.

I should probably not blog for 6 weeks.

sweet land of liberty

 I have never been in Provo for the 4th of July until yesterday, and I think it was one of my favorite Independence Days to date. It kind of started the night before when I watched boys braver (and more reckless) than me set off fireworks and rode my bike up and down University Avenue to gawk at people. It was such a spectacle- hundreds and hundreds of people, mostly high schoolers, all dressed up, walking around. Granted, I was not much different, except for I was on a bike, but I just found it so weird and funny. 7-11 seriously looked like a baby frat party. Seeing all the people with tents and such set up for the parade made me remember all of the families that live in Provo. I have this mindset that Provo is composed of college kids, but the past 2 days have proved otherwise.

I got up on the morning of the 4th to watch the parade. Then I went to a barbecue with the Bakers. I'm not sure there was ever a more perfect example of an all-American family celebrating America than those beautiful people. Afterwards Preston and I went swimming. Then we walked around the carnival and ate treats. Then we swam some more. Then we watched most of the The Patriot, which is such a good movie! I had completely forgotten about all the dramatic parts right at the beginning and the fact that Heath Ledger was in it. Then we ate dinner. Then we watched the Stadium of Fire fireworks. Then we watched fireworks bought by people in Preston's ward, which were surprisingly impressive.

Yesterday felt like Saturday and all day I kept thinking, hm how shall I spend my Sunday? While watching fireworks, I got an overwhelming sense of nostalgia that has occasionally hit me on random nights this past summer. It's worse when I'm listening to music. But sometimes I just get so sad because all I can think about is how I will probably never be as carefree as I am this summer. This time next year I will have graduated from BYU. I'll probably be in grad school (please please please) or something. Something more stressful and grown-up than I am now and the thought almost makes my heart burst.

In addition to my nostalgia, I felt supremely grateful for the United States of America and the freedoms we do enjoy. I really love this country and feel guilty for not recognizing how lucky I am every day. I hope you all enjoyed your 4th of July and spent it with your favorite people doing American things.

Also I'm grateful that it's raining on this July 5th.

empty space that you create does nothing for my flawless sense of style

In 1 hour and 40 minutes I will be done with my shift. Today I attended an Excel class. I actually learned some handy tips. I'm taking it because every month we have a staff meeting and my boss asks me what skills I've been developing and I'm always the only one that has no new developments. So this month I will be able to proudly announce that I have significantly improved my Excel skills via 5-day course from BYU IT. My teachers are goofy and make terrible jokes.

Today is Emilee Crowder's 20th birthday. Happy birthday sweet girl! Unfortunately, I have no cute pictures of Emilee and me because our friendship has really blossomed this summer. I've known her for a while because she is an east coast elitist, so naturally we are attracted to each other, but I never really hung out with or talked with Emilee til this past year. Emilee and I both work in the Tanner building and she works a floor below me. Almost every day I come to visit her for 20 minutes or more to chat about our lives and eat candy. My favorite thing about Emilee is her carpe diem attitude about life. Emilee has an ongoing summer bucket list that she has consistently been checking things off. And these aren't just "go swimming" or "eat an ice cream cone." They're super specific like "hike the Y and eat cereal at the top" (which she did this morning!). The coolest part, besides how intricate each item is, is the fact that she completes them. Emilee has a contagious, adventurous attitude that I love and wish to adopt more in my life. Happy birthday lady.

So the first picture I chose I just found on Tumblr (if they're not from my Instagram, they are probably from Tumblr). I just found it wildly romantic and summer appropriate. The next picture directly above is what I wish I could wear every single day because PROVO IS HOT AS HELL. It's been in the 90's for weeks. Not to mention the forest fires that are consuming Utah and the west coast. The end is near.

Lately I've been pulling out random sundresses to wear because it's just too hot for anything else. I've gotten over the biking with a dress complex. I've accepted that it's not ladylike, but I'd rather be cool than proper at this point. Sorry Mommy and sorry Provo. I will say that I've tried to stay away from my shorter skirts and dresses while biking. There is some decency left in me. Plus side is, I'm getting a lot of wear out of dresses that are normally reserved for summer Sundays. 

I've been meaning to blog about this since I discovered it, but I keep forgetting with all the new music I've been finding and that's been released. Let me tell you about my #dark past.

I firmly believe that before there were hipsters, there were scene kids with Myspaces and bathroom pics. I was one of these QTs. No, let me tell you about it. I never really wore the scene clothes because a) I liked Abercrombie b) Still have a weird thing with black and pink. Not my fave combo c) My mom would never step foot in Hot Topic. But I totally embraced the scene accessories. I rocked the hair bows and pearls and not-so-witty t-shirts from Delias. Whatever. But perhaps the most memorable part of my scenester days was my excellent taste in music, including but not limited to Taking Back Sunday, Brand New, Fall Out Boy, The Used, etc. Kill-yourself-slit-your-wrists-my-life-is-so-damn-hard hits. The more I think about it, the more I could dedicate an entire post to this, and maybe I will some other slow day at work. Basically though, I still love these songs with their ridiculous lyrics and teenage angst and have a playlist just for them and alternate this playlist with a much more updated, upbeat pop one for working out. Yeah. I run to the drawn out screams of Jesse Lacey and I am not ashamed. It's awesome though. The first time I did it, I was feeling so nostalgic and just reflecting on my not-actually-sad middle school years that I finished the whole playlist and didn't even realize I could be done running. So if you were ever a peace-sign-gasping-face-in-the-mirror lil QT like me and loved blasting suicidal tunes from your 4th generation iPod, I suggest collecting these sweet melodies and creating your very own I Hate Everything running playlist. It's super angsty and emo and especially effective if it's raining or you're actually mad. Plus you burn calories and can stay sKiNnY 4 eVr