grateful

grate·ful

ˈgrātfəl/

adjective

feeling or showing an appreciation of kindness; thankful

There is no greater feeling in the world than gratefullness.  Seriously.  There are alot of things in the world that I am grateful for. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, famliy, a warm home, my education, nature, Utah, Lake Powell, Christmas, the list could go on for miles. But one thing stood out to me this weekend more than anything. Friends.  On Friday, me and Carly tagged along to a haunted house, with a group of friends that we don't usually hang out with.  We will call this group of friends, THE BLUE CREW. (I don't want to name names here) The Blue Crew is a group of girls who hang out every weekend, and they call each other their best friends. But there is something missing. When I am with these blue crew girls individually, they are gossiping about each other. They talk about each other badly, and they fight over everything.  They have let so many things come between them.  When I am with this group, all I can think about is Drama, and this makes me sad. Today was Sunday, and it was a farewell day for my cute friend Austin Birch. Carly, Kelsey, and I made our way into the chapel and found an empty bench. When we sat down, I noticed the Blue Crew plopped down on the bench directlly in front of us. That's when it hit me. These girls were miserable. They all had sad faces, they weren't happy to be with eachother. They were hardly even taking.  These girls weren't even friends. They may call each other that, but they do not know the meaning friend.  These girls make each other cry, they hurt each other, they fake their friendship, and then destroy one another behind eachother's backs.  It hurts seeing a friendship like this.  My mind wandered off during the sacrament meeting.  I wanted to yell at these girls, tell them to be nice and to shape up. But all I could feel was gratitude. My heart felt warm, and although I felt bad for the blue crew, they made me so grateful for my girls. My Cats. My Best friends in the whole world.  My friends would never hurt eachother, nothing negative was ever said about my friends.  They know what the true meaning of friendship is, and I wouldn't trade my friendship with them for anything. Because of them I am happy. Because of them I am a better person. Because of them, I am truly grateful. I wish they didn't have to move away, I wish college never came. But sitting here now I realize that I don't need to make new friends. I will carry our friendship throughout my whole life.  These girls will be the bridesmaids at my wedding, they will be there through my trials, and they will be in my heart forever! I couldn't ask for better friends! So thank you Courtney, for always having my back, thank you taylor, for always having someting postive to say, thank you Zoe for being there to talk, thank you Tessa for helping me become a better daughter of God, thank you Ruby for inspiring me every day, and thank you Carly, for making me laugh every single day. xoxo LOVE YOU CATS!

Thing's are looking up

Well I am going to officially give a warm welcoming to fall.  The past few weeks have been hard for us Salt Lakers, the weather is just so Bipolar! You wake up and you don't know whether it is going to be a dark rainy day, or a hot sunny day! I personally hate it, I want it to be cooler in the valley. I want fall badly, so I can wear my new leather riding boots, and bright colored scarves (that distract from the fact that my hair is greasy and in a sloppy bun on top of my head)  and most of all I am excited for Thanksgiving! That's when Courtney is coming, and honestly, four weeks is way to long without a hug from your best friend.  So back to the point...whatever, I have already forgotten my point of this intro paragraph. Hello Fall, and Hello short term memory season!

 

Stress doesn't even begin to explain this week. I was preparing all week for my presentation in communications, an exam in sociology, and a test in math.  Throw in the fact that I was sick with a cold and a sore throat, and you have the perfect combo for the perfect STRESS STORM! I may have broke down this week, so thanks to mom for taking me shopping (we all know that's the cure to anything), thanks to Taylor and Tessa for the very helpful random video call that was very much needed, thanks to Courtney for always being there to make me laugh, and thanks to Netflix and Pinterest, for hours of entertainment.  Thanks everyone who made this week better for me than it actually was, now that the cold has passed, and the tests are over I can sing and dance, and be happy.

 

"I can see clearly now, the rain has gone..."

 

(why do three blind mice come to mind whenever I sing that song)

 ....I'm loosing it.

 

 

Friday was honestly the pain killer to this slow week though, I got home and just relaxed with Netflix and a Diet Coke.  Then me, Zoe, and Carly got together to go to REDFEST. Redfest is a concert at the University of Utah.  Student's get in free.  This year a few bands performed, Andy Grammer, Luna Lune, and Karmin.  We went, and on the way we picked up a cute girl named Anna. I was kind of afraid because lot's of the people I have met at the U so far have been kind of intimidating, and sometimes rude.  But the minute Anna got in the car, I could tell she was a great person.  We got along great, and she has a great sense of humor!  So Friday was a blast with the concert and everything.

Lumineers Concert



Me and Carl at THE LUMINEERS (or you could just call it, Carly and Ashlyn with some turned around people and a Jumbo purse)

Andy Grammer (or just Sexy guy and a microphone)



Anna and Carly (or possibly, Carly and Anna screaming in the dark with demon hand and hair bush)

Me and Carly (or the black and white picture that was supposed to be super cute but ended up creepy because of the face in carly's hair on the left)

no caption (actually there is a caption. Why am I eating Carly's shoulder, was I really that hungry? and who are those Asians, can you say Asian Invasion?)



Karmin (a much cuter, much cleaner version of Lady Gaga)



I call this the Carly featuring Ashlyn and half of Anna. (again with the Asians!)

Leather Pants (I spy a bald guy with glasses on the left)



This shot makes me question if those Leather pants were a good choice for her.

I'm screaming because I don't have a chin in this picture, and Carly is screaming because she lost her shirt.

The Asians behind me really liked this picture, I told them I would let them have it if they did my homework and my nails for a full month. (Is that a compliment or is that racist? I will let them decide that while they are giving me a pedicure this week)

What's going on.  Why is Karmin doing that ugly dance? She's not even drunk, she has no excuse to be dancing like that.  Is the piano guy flipping us off? Plus, who wakes up and says "I am going to wear an Orange Polo shirt today!" Who owns an orange polo shirt? Unless you work at home depot you have no right to wear an orange polo shirt.

So cute she is laughing and having such a good, IS THAT A HANDPRINT ON HER LEATHER PANTS?

 

Well peace out readers. (even though I'm pretty sure my only readers is my grandma, and a Russian guy named Viktor)

 

xoxoxo

(those hug's and kisses aren't for you Viktor)

countdown QUEEN

I think everyone knows it. Ashlyn Christensen is the QUEEN of countdowns. Yep, I count down to everything. Last day of school, My Birthday, Summer Vacations, and Holidays.  The biggest most EXCITING countdown for me is always Christmas. I love Christmas so much! I don't think people realize how much Christmas means to me, I get so STINKIN' excited It's like a.... like a.... LIKE A LITTLE KID ON CHRISTMAS! That's how excited I get. My maturity level weakens and I turn into a five year old. When I was younger, I would get so overjoyed with Christmas spirit, the moment Christmas Day was here I would throw up from excitment.  Every. Single. Year.. Anway, Here is my Countdown chart for the day.

103 days until Christmas.

WOOHOO!

In other news, I went on a hike on Monday.  I went with my mom and dad and I know what you are thinking, THIRD WHEEL!!! But no. It was actually very fun.  We went to ensign peak, which is a walk up a dirt path more than a hike.  

Third Wheel Picture of the Year

I don't know how to spell tarantula, but that's one BIG spider!

So the third wheel date hike wasn't that bad, we had alot of fun! Plus we saw a tarantula and that was so freaky! I hate spiders, but I love hiking with my family! Scratch that...I hate hiking, but this time it was fun!!

xoxoxo

c o l l e g e

"Oh I don't wanna grow up, 

wish I'd never grown up

I could still be little

Oh I don't wanna grow up, 

wish I'd never grown up

It could still be simple...."

That awkard moment when I have been alive for 6,691 days.... 
Does that make me old?

I seriously don't know where the time has gone, I feel like I was sitting on the swing set at recess just yesterday, not having a care in the world. When my only worries were if I was going to get chocolate milk or strawberry milk at lunch that day.

first day of preschool

My first steps!

So now that I am sitting here, realizing that my blog posts are started to sound more and more depressing, I am going to get in a more optimistic mood! So HELLO college!

My First Day of School, Find Max (Silly Dog!)

GO UTES!

I have really been enjoying college. On Monday's, Wednesday's, and Friday's I have Sociology, Writing, Communications, and Math.  My day usually starts out with me hitting the snooze button. Typical, i know.

My first class is at 9:40 am and I usually get home around 3:00 pm.

On Tuesday's and Thursday's I work.  I am working at Fort Union Family dental right now.  The dentist is Brian Abrams.  He is Alice Abram's Dad, She is one of my best freinds since 3rd grade! Their family is also in my ward so I know them pretty well.  It is really fun to work there, I am excited to be a dental hygienist!

Last Thursday, It was the FIRST Utah football game of the season.  We played against Utah State University, and we WON!!!!!!!!!! woot woot!

Here is Jake Knight, Zach Clegg, Zoe Jefferies, Carly Bierman, Jeff and Me at the game! 

THE "U" Crew

So It has been a pretty good week, and I got to facetime my best friend in the whole world today!! COURTNEY I LOVE YOU! She is in Washington, which makes me sad, but she is going to be great up there!!!

I <3 COURT!

now time to GO TO BED