thx

What is school? I am sitting at work refreshing social media tabs and debating whether or not I will attend my 3:30 class. It is looking doubtful. Going home last week was the best and worst because after I came back I'm like CHRISTMAS. Yeah, not even Thanksgiving. So after I took a test on Thursday, I said byeschool. 

This weekend was funzies. Our friends Zach Kacher and Kelsey Jones-now-Kacher got married. They had the most beautiful reception at the Sundance Resort. These pictures are from that evening. I get a kick out of the pics of us looking confused. I'm wearing a dress from H&M and Calvin Klein shoes. I should do a guest WIWT with Preston cuz he's always looking flyyy. The reception was really lovely and Sundance is so beautiful. I always forget that I live in ski wonderland. Not that I ski or anything. But I'm sure when the time comes to leave Utah, I will miss the mountains. Weddings make me giddy and I'm so happy for Zach and Kelsey. They are both such sweet, righteous people who love each other and the Lord and there's nothing better than when two such individuals come together for time and all eternity :) :)

This evening I'm leaving for Denver to spend Thanksgiving with the Baker family. I'm so looking forward to a week of calories, books and naps. Here is what I am thankful for in no order:

-Mommy, Daddy, Alyanna and Nic Padilla. Duh duh duh. They're everything to me. Everyone says this but why wouldn't you? Families rule and are forever.

-The gospel in my life. A living prophet. The scriptures. The Church gives me direction and purpose in my life and is the source of infinite happiness and joy.

-My health. Not only can I walk, but I can run and exercise and help people. Having poor health really limits the things you can do for yourself and others. I'm thankful that I can run to the gym even though getting myself there is like studying for finals, walk to school, eat (usually) what I want, do yoga and dance when I like the music.

-Modern technology that allows me to keep in touch with everyone I love, especially my family in Pennsylvania. I get so sad and excited at this time of year because I start missing my family and house HARD. I just talked with my mom last night and it was probably the best part of my day. She's crazy like me and I miss her so much when I'm gone. Last night's conversation was particularly hilarious. Shoutout to my iPhone (LUV U BEB. U COMPLETE ME) and my Macbook Pro (MY SOUL IS UR SOUL).

-My roommates Blythe Beecroft and Brooke Zollinger. These girls are an example to me every single day and I notice a difference in my life because of their sweet presence. They are both the most kind and patient people I know.

-Preston Kutney. He's my best friend and makes my days brighter. To me, Preston is more perfect than not.

-My friends that I didn't mention specifically by name but make this whole college experience what it is. Social gatherings really exhaust me. I don't like going to parties and I really hate mingling. I don't have a lot of friends, but the ones I do have are my favorite people to be around. They're special to me and make me laugh and make me feel loved and listen to my problems and send me weird texts and go out to eat with me. 

-Brigham Young University and the wonderful education I'm receiving. BYU has my heart and always will. The glory of God is intelligence y'all.

-Naps. Nothing better than sleeping after eating and waking up warm and hazy. Sorry that I would rather nap than do anything usually.

-J.Crew for clothing me. Luv u boo.

-Books. Especially the ones that make you feel things and the ones that have so many marks and underlines because they spoke to you and put into words what you've always thought and felt. I finished reading the Bible last night which was one of my 2012 New Year's Resolutions. I'm really proud of myself for it. I will be honest, I could probably have read it more thoroughly, but I did get something out of it besides completion. I know that it's an essential part of my religion and testifies of the existence and life of Christ, who makes all of this make sense.

-Treats. Candy, cookies, ice cream, cake, pie, donuts etc. etc. Here's an absolute blatant hint: The person to buy me a box of assorted macarons for my birthday will receive a kiss and probably a foodgram with their name tagged. 

Thanks for reading my list. Thanks for reading my blog. Hope your holiday is perfect!

lend me your wispy frame

 Guess what I did this week? I had to renew my passport for grad school things and to renew a Philippine passport you need to go to the actual consulate. The closest one to Provo is in LA, but once in LA, I would have no way of getting around, so I flew home. It was a spontaneous, much-needed break. I always start to miss home a lot when Thanksgiving time rolls around and it was such a treat to spend a few days in Lancaster. I had a pretty action-packed few days. Tuesday I flew all day. Wednesday saw my babies and then we took a train to New York that evening. Thursday we went to the consulate and renewed our passports. We did that first thing in the morning which left us a few hours to wander around the city. I didn't get to go to all the places I wanted, but it was fun just walking around and shopping for a little. Our train left at 3:30. We had a 2 hour layover in Philly and then arrived in Lancaster around 8. The 30th Street Station in Philly is a fun place. I don't know if I've said this before, but it is what I imagine King's Cross station to be like. I am probably very wrong, but that's ok. Friday I ran errands and shopped alone, which is one of my favorite activities. Today we woke up very early to go to the temple. It made me so happy to go to my favorite temple. It is a beautiful one. Now I am home, in bed, blogging and watching Gossip Girl. My flight leaves tomorrow morning.

Here's one of the only pictures I took in New York. In front of a giant naked statue. When we arrived in New York it was snowing hard, but by Thursday afternoon before we left, it had warmed up. It was nice in D.C. and in Lancaster. Apparently it's supposed to get warm again on the east coast but Provo had its first snow. And when I left Provo, it was 70 degrees. No warmth 4 Ynna.

This is what I wore to run errands yesterday. Ralph Lauren shirt, Zara jeans, J.Crew belt, Cole Haan loafers, Marc by Marc Jacobs bag, pseudo J.Crew necklace.

Seeing my family has been great. I'm so excited for Christmas break. Preston will be joining me which makes it doubly more exciting.

On the plane and to New York, I read Joshua Foer's Moonwalking With Einstein. It's a book about memory and Foer talks about his journey to the U.S. Memory Championship. It was a really interesting read and made me want to implement some of the skills he used to prepare for the Memory Championship in my own life. I recommend it. And I know I'm 4 months late, but I really love Purity Ring's debut album Shrines. They need to come to Salt Lake.

Luckily my flight gets into Salt Lake early evening, so I have time to lie around the house and not have to go straight to bed and back to reality in the morning.

i never walked the party line

 Happy Halloween from Pikachu and Ash!

Pikachu was one of the coziest costumes I've ever worn. Maybe I will use it for pajamas. Last night was fun because Yogurtland was giving 5 free oz. if you came in costume and then we danced with our friends. Dressing up with Preston is one of my favorite things because it is never a half-hearted process.

Halloween is a funny holiday to me because when it's done it's IMMEDIATELY November. Like Christmas you have a few days before New Year's which is like, duh, it's January. And Thanksgiving you have a few days before December starts. Same with Valentine's Day and St. Patrick's Day. I'm so excited for these next two months because they are my favorite times of the year. It always feels like after Christmas is over it will be an ETERNITY before next Christmas and nothing in between could ever be that good, but I've been having the best year!

 This past weekend I had a trophy-wife Saturday. I mean I woke up, went to the gym, then brunch, then got my nails done, then saw a movie, then went home to make dinner. All that was missing was playdate for my babies while gossiping with other mommies. So a few things. I love brunch. Do you want to win my heart? Take me to brunch. The Perks of Being a Wallflower was very, very sweet. That book was one of my absolute favorites in middle school and I was totally like, "Omgzzz Stephen Chbosky YOU GET ME. I JUST WANT 2 FEEL ~*iNFiNiTE*~" But it was honestly a big part of my growing up and I thought the movie was well-made and well-cast.

 All I want for my birthday is a trenchcoat and black patent loafers. I want Alexa's Valentino flats in slingback style for my wedding day. I've always loved the Valentino Rockstuds, but lately I cannot get them out of my mind as wedding shoes. AM I CRAZY? The answer is absolutely.

Important. Is Clemence Poesy pretty??? Yesterday I was on Tumblr and I liked 10 pictures of her in a row. But I would look at her and be like wait. Are you pretty? Or do you just have the best wardrobe? Alyanna and I came to the conclusion that she is very charming and has excellent style but is not actually pretty. Except in this picture. In this picture she is so pretty.

53 DAYS TIL CHRISTMAS