New Design

The blog needed a little less bling and a little more beauty.

You likey?

Adele. Obsessed.

Just a little kiss

You know the best thing about being in a relationship? Kissing :) 

Alas, my ode to the wonderful, innocent kiss. 

(Um, I promise when Ryan kisses me, I'm always wearing a shirt)

Sometimes kissing can be a little more colorful!!

And since Prince isn't cool enough to have his music videos on youtube, the next best thing is a clip from Pretty Woman. Go to 3:40 on the clip. I just love everything about this movie. It wasn't until years after I'd seen it that I heard the original version of this song. 

And here's the 3rd best thing: A glee remake.

And of course, an ode to the epic movie kisses.

And you can't forget our furry friends! Their kisses are so sweet!

::sigh::

Where's Ryan right now!? hehehe.

Lovey Dovey.

Who's in love?

:: raises hand :: PICK ME! PICK ME!

:: sigh ::

Good day to you sir.

Okay, so I remember when I used to see people playing this stupid games on facebook and I thought, "Psh. Facebook games are so LAME. Why do people get so into them."

Ugh.

Hello my name is Courtney....

and I'm addicted to ESPNU and Social City.



So, now, you all must get on and play these games to we can be neighbors and friends and stuff.



Or not.


Step one is just admitting there is a problem, right?

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

This is my valentine :) Ryan and I have been dating since the beginning of the semester. Today marks our one month anniversary since our first date and I can honestly say I've never been happier. I feel like we've been together forever so it's kind of funny to say that we've only been dating for a month. He is the BEST boyfriend. We compliment each other so well and although I was apprehensive to say it (even though I knew it) at first because I'm a total cynic and never believed it was possible, I love him with all of my heart and have since the first week! Crazy, I know. I guess my friends were right that "when you know, you know". We have so much fun together and he has helped me be a better woman already. Ryan is different than anyone I've ever met. He's crazy, and can be shy or loud depending on who he is around. He eats like a caveman and he has the heart of a child. He is dependable, on time, and is strong in all the areas I'm not. I am so grateful for him. I'm so excited to have a valentine as wonderful as him.

I hope you all are able to celebrate your love with someone. I've spent a lot of valentine's days celebrating the ones I love, and this year is no different. I'm so blessed for having so many in my life that I love and that love me in return.




And PS.....I have glasses now. Here ya go.

Whoa. It's been a long long LONG time!

My bad, y'all.

I have an entry I want to share with you...but alas, it must wait.

Season's Greetings!

It's the last day of Thanksgiving break. I can honestly say, almost guilt-ily (I doubt that is a word...), that I did, indeed, take a break this week. I watched a boat load of movies and food network, I did yoga a couple of times, I baked a ton, cooked Thanksgiving dinner for friends, slept...and I've looked at some of my school work but not that much. So now it's Sunday afternoon, and I'm attempting to relish in these last few quiet hours. The noise outside is picking up and the last three weeks of the semester will commence soon.

I got something yesterday that I haven't gotten in a long time and I'm super happy about it. A library card! I think that the library is a long lost treasure today. I'm not talking about the school library, which is equally as cool I know, but the public library. The Madison County library isn't really anything in particular to write home about (but I am writing about it on my blog...so I guess that counts for something) but the idea that I can go check out a book at no cost and enjoy it is a lost art in our society these days. We rely on the internet for everything. I am just as guilty as I tend to "google" everything! But I absolutely loved roaming around the library. It made my heart happy. It was quiet and neat and full of knowledge. I checked out three cookbooks (you're shocked, I know).

My health has been a little rocky lately and it has been a bit frustrating. Nothing life threatening, but definitely annoying and bothersome. Medication is not resolving the issue in a way that is suiting to me, so I am going to resort to something I've had in my back pocket. For the next few weeks (I'm not sure exactly how many yet...but at least two) I can only eat veggies, legumes, some dairy (although that is mainly limited to cheese), lean protein, and good fats. I have had for quite some time a condition called "Insulin Resistance". Essentially what this means is that my body does not know how to properly break down sugar correctly and is resistant to the effects of insulin. Those who are insulin resistant and allow it to go untreated can and most eventually develop type 2 diabetes. For someone who loves food (and carbs!) as much as I do, it is very difficult and expensive to do this diet, which is why I typically try to handle it in other ways, but what do I have to lose? At max, 6 weeks out of my life carbless isn't going to do anything but do good things for me. Luckily, due to my culinary knowledge, I am able to branch out and find good and interesting things to occupy my palette, but I know from past experience that it can be a challenge. I'm also choosing to do this through the holidays, but it really can't wait.

I'm looking forward to the next few weeks. They will still be busy and bustling but I can't believe that my fifth semester is almost done! I've started looking at graduate programs and have, as of right now, narrowed it down to the following schools -- Manhattan School of Music, Julliard, Indiana U., USC, Utah State (if they have a master's in my area by then) and Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester. It's a beasty list....but I'm excited at the idea of grad school. Julliard's program is free which would be fantastic, and there are other schools in which I could hopefully find an assistanceship or something like that to help with the expense. Manhattan is my top school offering a three year, double masters degree in music and in the arts of education. This would be that after I graduate from there, I would have a two masters degrees and be able to teach K-12 if I so desired. My desire is to perform for a while as I'm teaching private voice, but then eventually end up as a professor or something of the sorts somewhere. That is plan "not married". Haha. So basically, that's the plan!

Well, I'm just rambling on about nothing that is too exciting. The snow has been around for a good week now and winter is settling in. Christmas time is here!! Allow me to share with you my FAVORITE christmas song....



Happy and Merry!

Five New Temples Announced

Please take the time to read this article.

Today is a GREAT day! I can't even tell you the amount of joy I feel that a temple will be built in my hometown.

Five New Temples Announced

Jazz and Friday Nights

TGIF. Don't you just love Fridays?!

Here's why I currently loved this Friday.

1. It's an absolutely beautiful day outside. No clouds. High 84. Low 40.

2. The Farmer's Market in fall. Need I say more? Authentic Italian homemade Foccacia bread and asiago cheese bread. Artisan sheep's milk cheese. Mmmm.....

3. Cleaning my room and organizing the drawers in my desk that had become a disarray.

4. The scent of my cinnamon plum candle. 

5. Jazz music. Lots and lots of jazz music.

6. Talking to Adam on the phone for the first time in a week!

7. Only two classes and no work. YES!

8. Tomorrow is the weekend. :)

Happy Friday to you!


Courtney