iphone

I don't really care for iphones. Not becuase I dislike them - they're cool - but I don't need one to get by in life. Like, instead of playing on my iphone, I talk to the people around me. Plus, I also know that in a couple of months it'll be outdated and I'll be wanting to buy the better one (for example the iphone 4g)

I'm not jealous of your iphone and I don't really dislike that you have one, I just dislike the fact that you bought one when I know you struggle to pay rent and buy food - maybe you should consider the people who have helped you and recognize that they were able to help you because they don't pay extra to have internet or silly games on their phones.

MMM

It's finally here. The rain and the best smell in the world. I have been listening to the thunder for the past 20 minutes in anticipation. I have always been impatient and I'm just now noticing that I am impatient with just about everything.

Why can't I just be doing what I want to do now? Sometimes I have to remember that the journey is the most important part.

A Vagabond Soul

I want to go somewhere new just about everyday. Today, it's the northern coast of the US. I want to take a road trip from San Fransisco up to Seattle and hit all the places in between. Actually, why stop? I want to go all the way up to Alaska.

Yesterday I wanted to be back in Vienna.

The day before that, it was New York.

I don't know where this desire to travel came from. Actually, that's probably not true. My parents moved every 2 years. It was before I was born, but I think it's kind of in my blood. My mom would probably disagree with that, but she has to admit it - How many places did you live?

I just like going new places, meeting new people, seeing all there is to see. I mean, aren't you just dying to see this?

What I've been up to

Well, a long time has passed and a lot has happened. I...

- learned to play guitar. Really. And I don't know why I didn't start earlier.

- started going to salsa again. During my break, I magically got better. Odd.

- had my most embarrassing experience. Ever. I'll probably write about it because it'll make you laugh.

- within the same week I had a couple of other embarrassing moments (now, I don't get embarrassed that easily, so the fact that I had memorably embarrassing moments. within a week of each other! That's out of the ordinary.)

- tried new activities such as snow shoeing, cross-country skiing, snowboarding and rock climbing. Some turned out better than others (see above)

- called of my plans to study in Berlin, Germany this summer. Man, that was one of the biggest things I've had to deal with in a long time. Remind me to write about it.

- celebrated the beginning of spring quite colorfully - at the Festival of Colors!

- started my 23rd year - for those who don't get that, I'm 22.

- went to the happiest place on earth and was happy, although I'm not sure everyone with me was as happy.

- changed my major...again....and then I decided to change it back, maybe.

- started a new hobby which you will read all about.

- set some pretty awesome goals for this year, which I'm determined will work out. You'll have to help me with them.

In case you forgot...

I look like this





It has been a while for most of you. If you possibly remembered what I used to look like, you might notice the change in hair color. I'm no longer blonde. It's been a good thing. I can go about 3 days without washing it. 4 if I push it. Also, I don't get hit on by Mexicans as much as before.

I'M BACK!!!

Apparently I've had a hard time updating this...

not for lack of material...

or time really.

I guess I just wasn't quite motivated. I've found a lot of other things to do, which you'll get to hear(read) about. Blogging has been on my mind lately and I've decided to commit. I have so much to say, with so few of you to read it.

Awesome.

Everyday's a great day!

I'm always confused with what I'm doing with my life BUT there are certain things I am very sure about and am thankful for. You should definitely watch this.

Really, everyday there are little things that make my life so fantastic!

Today, I passed a very good looking stranger and decided not to hide the fact that I was looking at him as I passed him. Well, he looked at me and we smiled and he said hi as we passed. Thanks stranger for making my day better.

Have you ever ....

...been so tired you can't think straight?

...been so stressed out that despite being tired, you can't sleep?

...had your feet hurt so bad that, even though you really want to shower, the thought of standing for a minute longer almost hurts worse?

...been so busy that you haven't had time to wash your hair in 3 days?

...had a day long enough that it feels like an entire decade went by?

...almost been hysterical because you were so happy to be home?

...taken a long time to write even the shortest, simplest blog?

'Cause that all happened this weekend with Parents' Weekend.

It went well. I'm alive and now I don't know what to do because I'm so far behind in everything - school, church, friends and SLEEP!

I don't have any time. I'm only on the computer as I quickly scarf down food - rice, beans and salsa because it's the only food I have since I don't have time to go shopping. Then I need to finish studying and take a German test. Then I go straight to Salsa Club which goes until 10. Then I need to come home, do homework and try to catch up in Spanish, especially since I didn't go to class today in order to study for my German test.

Then tomorrow, my day is packed full, as well as Thursday. Then I don't even get a weekend because this weekend is Parents Weekend. I've been planning this for months and it's actually here! There is so much to do and so little time! I've been spending my days at work trying to prepare for it, but I keep getting interrupted with phone calls from stupid parents. Really, how hard is it to understand what's on the website. It's not confusing. Ok, not all of them are stupid, but a few of them are. And don't worry, I don't tell them they're stupid to their faces.

Today, while I was waiting for my friend to study, I got to people watch and it was interesting. I saw man boobs that were in need of a "bro." I watched 2 EMT's run into the Library, looking slightly like superheroes. One was putting on gloves as he was running. I watched boys flirting with a girl who was playing dumb blonde....or maybe she was just that dumb. I can't stand it when girls act dumb on purpose and I think it's worse when boys like it. I saw a lot of other things, but those are the ones that stand out in my mind.

I got the coolest assignment today. I'm going to write a magazine article for a children's magazine and then I'm going to submit it to try and get published. How cool is that? I could get published and get paid for it, for an assignment.

K, I need to go study even though I have so much more to write about.

Therapy Session

You know, I love writing and I love staying connected with people, but I just can't seem to get this blogging thing down. Throughout the day I think of great things I want to write down, but I never get around to actually writing it. I also think that blogging could potentially be a therapy session. Well Doc, I'm laying on the couch spilling out my guts to you.

Today was the International Fair that the Kennedy Center put on. I shouldn't have gone. I want to go everywhere. As my roommate put it, it's like a crack addict going into a drug house.

I'm an addict and traveling is my drug.

I picked up a couple of really good flyers and I talked to the professor going to Vienna next fall about going as a facilitator (I would help run and organize things as well as teach the prep class next semester). Man, so many places to see and so little money.

Here's the real plan though (I think). My professor is taking a group to Berlin in May. It would be 2 months of intensive German at the Goethe Institut (yes, that is spelled right). He is planning to end the program with a tour of Germany. Being shown Germany by a German himself - sign me up! Then I would stay in Europe and travel a little before September when I'd start the Vienna program. Oh, I left my heart in Vienna. It is one of the most beautiful, efficient, clean, and cultured cities and I am dying to go back. Now, I'm just trying to figure out how to pay for it. I'm going to take out a loan for it, try to get a grant or 2, but I'm still worried I'm going to fall short.

If you are willing to donate to my cause, I would really appreciate it. It's not just me gallavanting around Europe (ok, maybe just a little in between) but this is my education. I am a German major and I think the only way I'll truly learn is by being there.

Oh, so the International Fair was just one part of my day. Other things worth mentioning

We did a group assignment in class today and it went well. The girls I worked with were nice. Then at the end, the two of them started talking about Lord of the Rings. At first I tried talking to them, but it didn't really work out. They somehow sensed, before they got deep into their conversation, that I was not obsessed with Tolkien quite like they were. I wasn't even in the conversation when they started it, but then within a couple of minutes, I learned that was a good thing when they started talking about learning elfish. I walked with them, listening to there conversation and before I left them, I overheard the cherry on top - "Oh, I'm actually the sectretary of the Quill and the Sword."* I laughed....out loud, but don't worry, I was far enough away that they didn't see or hear it. I'm judgemental.

There was a pair of black panties in the huge square in front of the Joseph Fielding Smith building. I hate the word panties, but I feel the word adds the effect needed. Yes, I thought it was hilarious. I'm immature.

Recap: I'm an addict, give me money, I'm judgemental and I'm immature. That was a great realization today. Could we have another therapy session this time tomorrow?


*The Quill and the Sword is the Medieval Club on campus. It is frequently made fun of by Divine Comedy.

You see them on campus with their capes, funny dresses, swords and when it's warm, they're barefooted.

Quite often I will ask my roommate "Why I can't get a boyfriend when the Medieval Club is all married?" which is usually answered with "yeah, but they're all married to each other."

Maybe this is why I can't get a B-friend - I'm an addict, I'm judgemental and I'm immature.

This day just keeps getting better

This is great!


As if the snuggie wasn't bad enough, they had to make This too!

I rarely ever feel hopeless, but a few days ago I did. Camille and I could not seem to catch a break when it came to looking for an apartment. Every place we could find kept falling through. People would send application/contracts right before us. I was very discouraged.

Then today happened. We got an apartment. Not just an apartment, but an awesome apartment with vaulted ceilings. We will also be sharing this apartment with my friend Bekah and her friend. It worked out perfectly and I feel so lucky to have all those other places fall through. Now we're living with Bekah, we have an awesome manager, the apartment looks great for what we're paying, and supposedly the guy to girl ratio is 2:1. I'm looking forward to a fantastic school year.

Speaking of school...I'm trying to decide what classes to take. I have a couple of set ones, but I really want to take a second language course. What language do you think? Russian, Italian, French, Arabic? So far everyone says Italian, but the other ones might be more useful...but I want to take a romantic language because once you learn one, the other ones come pretty easy.

Somedays I feel inspired to be a better person.

Whether it be watching a movie, or talking with someone I look up to, I absolutely love hearing others' stories.

I feel so blessed to know some pretty great people.

I feel even luckier to be given the opportunity to serve them, even in the smallest ways.

Then it makes me feel like I was a part of their story.

Plans

I may be insane.

Do you think I could handle working full-time and school full-time?

I really need the extra money for my idea of what I want to do next year. My plans are...big. I mean BIG. In case you don't understand, they are BIG, HUGE, GINORMOUS! But, until I think about it more and find a second and possibly third job, I'm not telling what they are.

Nostalgia at its worse!

Mein Wien

Oh, how I long for Oesterreich and all it has to offer. Oper, men in scarves, Kuchen, and the U-bahn.

I remember riding a bike through the Austrian countryside. Hiking in the Alps. Walking through the shady Karlsplatz station. All of it went by in the blink of an eye. Memories that are too splendid to really think are real.

I'll only believe them when I'm back there again.

Highlight of this week (before going home of course)

For work I had to deliver something to a physics professor and I stood around waiting for him for half an hour. I knew he had a meeting at 3 so I headed down to the room where the meeting was supposed to be. It was 3 o'clock and no one was there. Then a couple of guys came and looked in the room. I could over hear them talking. "Do we have group meeting today?" "Maybe they forgot like last week."

I went over and asked them if they knew where the professor was. They thought they had seen him downstairs in the lab. I sat and listened as they talked about whether or not the professor remembered they had a meeting. They were quick and funny and obviously smart and pretty nerdy/geeky guys.

They offered to show me where the lab was. As we were walking towards it, some of their friends met us at the top of the stairs. One of them said "Chicks dig physicists." I think it was in reference to one of the guys shirts - but it was really random, and I don't think he had noticed I was there yet. The group told us the professor was on his way and I could wait for him - but not before I heard more of their funny, nerdy, jokes and jabs. As I was standing there listening, I realized the geekiest one of all - the one that blurted out that "Chicks dig physicists" - was staring at me. I noticed it and then looked back to see if it was true - yep, still staring. Not that really creepy kind of stare, it was more like he was staring in astonishment. I had to hold in a laugh. It was like he had never seen a girl before. It was kinda cute.

I walked away thinking I had met some of the coolest guys (in their own way). They obviously loved physics and lived in the lab, but they were funny and friendly.

It reminded me of the movie Sydney White. That movie reference is for my sister and I'm slightly embarrassed to be sharing it with the rest of the world, but..... I'm Danielle and I'm a dork! haha - that's a movie reference.

National HolidayS

Last week was a busy one.

That guy I met at salsa... he's a good guy. I hung out with him a couple of times, thought he was cool and then he got overeager/needy/annoying when he would text me 5 times in one day. I got busy with my sister being in town, so I couldn't see him over the weekend and then Monday I get this text.

The 4th of july is gone. But the desire 2 salsa with u is still there. I really wanna c u danny. Give me a call when u get a chance.

I told him I was busy this week, since I'm going out of town. That gave me another week. I'll just procrastinate like I do with everything else, and figure it out next week.


My sister came up to Provo. It was so nice to be with "outsiders" - people outside of the BYU bubble. We had a Canada Day BBQ, watched Indiana Jones, went to the temple open house, went out to eat, had a 4th of July BBQ and watched fireworks, and went to a dinner.

Sidenote: Do you notice the theme of food? I don't think people can socialize without it. Even if an activity isn't centered on food, it's still in there like eating popcorn while watching a movie or the great cookies they hand out after seeing the temple.

It was a great week filled with family and I can't wait to go home to see the rest of them.

Highlight of Last Week

I was able to attend the Utah Symphony Friday night and they played Jupiter, my favorite movement of The Planets. During the movement, I could hear humming coming from my left. I knew it wasn't my date because he had just told me he didn't know the song. It was pretty loud humming considering we were sitting in the 3rd row and I could here it over the symphony. Then I noticed out of the corner of my eye, my friend and another guy in our group look at each other and start laughing. Their roommate Dustin was the one humming and he didn't realize we could all hear him.

Books, Languages and Family

Yesterday, Sunday, was quite a busy day for a Sunday, but I loved it! The highlight was seeing my professor, Cindy's family. Yesterday had been her oldest son's mission farewell. Her family was with us in Vienna and I can't believe how much I've missed them.

It was so nice to be around family rather than the typical single's scene here. We ate food, were surrounded by chaos of kids running around and watched an intense game of Diplomacy (well, part of it anyway, since it's hours long - if you don't know what it is, think Risk, but WORSE)

My favorite part was just to be around so many smart people. Now I'm not saying my friends aren't smart, but these people are geniuses. I heard German, French and Spanish being spoken and I heard some great jazz and classical piano being played. I also listened to books, politics and history being discussed. Man, I wish I was that smart AND cool. I think in order to be that smart, I'd have to hide myself away from the world to study it all, which would negatively affect my social skills. I'm already having a hard enough time being cool.

If you can figure out how to balance it, let me know. In fact, if you know how to just be cool, I could really use some advice.

A New Beginning

I feel I should start documenting my life.

I'm sorry if you're reading this and you find my life boring, but I find it hilarious.

And I'm sorry to the people in my life....because I'm going to write about you.



If you didn't already know, I'm vice-president of BYU Salsa Club - a title I'm still confused by. I'm white, I don't speak Spanish and I'm still just trying to get past the basics of salsa dancing. BUT, until my President Ana realizes that there are much better people for the position, I'm going to enjoy every minute of it.

Last night I went to the local salsa club, Salsa Chocolate. It's a great place where no alcohol is served and dancers - beginner to advanced - are welcome. This time was a little different than it usually is. I went by myself! Usually I have the security of my friends or a "wing-man". Surprisingly, I found it to be a liberating experience. While I was slightly insecure of being there alone, I wasn't insecure of whether or not my friends thought I was lame or if they were bored.

Well, last night was also a little different because

1. I actually gave my number to a guy I don't know. This guy Joe asked me to dance a few times and he was really nice. I think I've seen him before and I figured - why not?

2. I wasn't asked to dance by a million old mexican men who are a foot shorter than me. Well, I didn't dance with them, but I still got hit on. A couple of them kept smiling at me as they walked by car as I was about to leave. Then before I had the chance to pull out, one guy pulled in next to me and tried to get me to roll down my window to talk to him. Maybe it was rude, but I declined.

Man, even if they are creepy old mexican men, it feels good to know I was looking hot last night.

But then again, I always look hot.

Haha, that was a joke. You should see my hair when I wake up in the morning.