Passion.

Guess what?!

I'm in psych again. 

Except it's "Developmental" Psychology 

[as opposed to "General" Psychology] 

and it's not with the Trunchbull 

[hallelujah]

and it's actually interesting. 

[finally] 

Instead of studying for my upcoming Psych Exam 

I saw this quote and had the urge to photoshop:

 

Now I can study. 

Dog Days.

First 15K in the morning. 

Getting pumped.

Too many distractions to worry about studying or homework. 

So I made this: 

On Your Mark. 

Get Set. 

Go.

Third Times a Charm.

Yes. 

It's possible, 

In fact, it happened. 

Three times.

Today, I locked my keys in my car for the third time. 

Like they say, 

"Third times a charm." 

There I was - in downtown Gainesville, 

going to get my Maude's application - 

I literally stepped out of the car - shut my door and 

"SHOOT!"

I had no idea what to do. 

Luckily I have really helpful slash reliable friends

because without Joanna and Kate I think my car would have been towed. 

Joanna picked up Kate on her way to work -

Kate skipped a class - and waited with me for AAA. 

[again] 

I can't say "thank you" enough. 

You guys really pulled through for me. 

So - thank you - again. 

and again.

Well I guess now it's only fair, 

each car has had their turn keeping the keys. 

I will say - 

each time has gotten progressively less embarrassing.

1. Parker

During the summer MacGraw ran away. One of very many occasions. 

So, as usual - I ran, got my keys and got in the Jeep. 

MacGraw happened to be going caca in his favorite neighbor's yard - 

So I jumped out of the car - put the leash around him and went to drive him home,

Except all doors were locked. 

It wouldn't have been that big of a problem - except that I 

left the keys in the ignition, engine running, with the jeep in the middle of the road. 

Seriously. 

Ran home, got my dad, ran back, and waited for half an hour while he 

coat hanger picked the lock. 

A not so funny part of the story: 

Before I ran to get my dad - I tried to pick the lock with a paperclip - 

bad idea. 

The paper clip broke inside the lock and for almost three months after 

 I had to unlock the passenger side of the jeep to unlock the drivers side. 

One day the little piece blocking my key just fell out. 

Wonderful day.

2. Sabrina. 

Listened to Sister Johnson's goodbye. 

Sat in my car to compose myself. 

Left my keys on the seat. 

3. Sal 

I was picking out change for a parking meter and 

accidentally put the keys in the cup holder with all the excess change.

 It won't happen again. 

[hopefully]

Well, I miss the beach, my siblings and Kados - tons. 

[Hence all the photos] 

["Yeah - Hence!"]

I wanted to go home this weekend and just breath some salty air. 

But instead I'll be running my first 15K with Cynthia. 

[a nice friendly competition] 

The beach will still be there when I cross that finish line.

and there I will go.

KL Photography.

I'm jobless. 

I don't like doing homework. 

and I left my camera at the Snider's. 

I don't know what to do with myself. 

On the bright side,

My schedule is SO much nicer than last semester. 

I planned it out so that I could have a job - but no one is hiring. 

I'm not giving up. 

More job applications tomorrow.

I asked Kelly to send me some of her photographs because I was super bored 

and wanted something to photoshop. 

But the more things I did to them - the more I liked the original. 

So I ended up not editing them too much. 

Kelly is an awesome photographer, 

and I wanted her to know how much I admire her work.

They're all film and processed in the darkroom. 

I miss silver gelatin film so much. 

and don't even get me started on the dark room!

Also, because I went through this stage where 

I really wanted to take cool photos slash thought everything I was doing wasn't good, 

Melissa Robel gave me a photography book and I love it. 

So many good tips. 

[p.s. Kelly - the photo below is my favorite, everything - so great]
I want to use film again.

Can't wait to get my camera back.

Polaroid Film Four.

My fourth roll of polaroid film. 

I'm not exactly sure why this roll turned out the way it did. 

Bummer. 

It started off good - but went quickly downhill.

Polaroid One.
View from my jail cell - I mean - dorm room.
I have to say the cold weather is starting to grow on me - I like being all bundled up -
but just for like ten seconds, then I miss the sunshine again. 
I look at photos of summer and just wish I could swim in the warm blue ocean right now.

Polaroid Two.
Harry Potter World with Chris and the Sniders.
The Flying Car.

Polaroid Three.
Fisheye attempt and failure.
The archway that separates Hogsmeade from the other islands.

Polaroid Four.
Chris in front of the Hulk.
The Hulk was my first front row roller coaster - eighth grade.
Such history.

Polaroid Five.
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Why aren't you real?!

Polaroid Six.
Chris in front of the Universal Globe.  
Why it came out blurry - I'm not sure because it was focused and there was plenty of light.
But I did catch "Universal" at just the right moment. 

Polaroid Seven.
Sunday after Church.
Again - blurry.
Emree shook her head on "Three" -

and apparently Rett really had to use the bathroom

Polaroid Eight.
Rye was supposed to be holding Emree, who was supposed to be holding Rett.
Um. It kind of turned out like that.
Except that Rett saw something under the dock and went to look at it and
Rye moved his hand up at the last second.
It's funny though, at least it's not super blurry right?

Polaroid Nine.
Harry Potter World round two.
Thanks Eva for suggesting we stay until Monday - it was definitely worth it.
Also, thanks to everyone for being troopers and staying at the park in the pouring rain,
 I think that was one of the best days to be at HPW.
I love Hogwarts.
Emree turns 11 this year - and you know what that means -
she'll be getting a letter of acceptance from Hogwarts soon.
I thought it was only right to take a photo of her in front of her future school.

Polaroid Ten.
Not exactly how I like to end my roll of film.
Blurry.
Rye and Rita with Hogsmeade in the background.

Thanks for the memories.
Better luck next time polaroids.

Peace.

"I wish that I could bake a cake made out of rainbows and smiles and we'd all eat it and be happy..."

"She doesn't even go here!"

Mitchell sent me the Mean Girls Quote. 

I thought it was appropriate. 

and Aleksi asked me to make the above photoshop for her.
and I made this flier for my mum.

I need a job. 

My Super Fun Weekend.

Harry Potter World twice in one weekend?! 

I couldn't believe it either. 

It was almost too good to be true.

Chris and I took advantage of our three day weekend and 

went to the Snider's house.

It was a crazy night:
We danced with Taylor Swift, sang with Florence and the Machine [Dog Days are Over],
made potions with Harry, Ron and Hermione, and then later [after all the kids went to sleep]
figured out our identity with Jason Bourne.
So nice to not have to be locked in a dorm room.

We woke up on Saturday not worried about what time we were going to get to the park.
Eva told me, she and Joey were planning on surprising the kids and buying them all season passes.
And they did!
Like a magical dream come true.

Chris and I took Emree on the Hogwarts "Forbidden Journey" ride.
I tried to think of things Mitchell would say to make her get excited like,
"When you walk through the Hogwarts doors - you will officially become a witch"
and talking in an English accent or shouting,
"Troll! In the dungeon!"
I laugh every time I think about when she said to me,
"is this ride almost over" in a panicked voice at the part when the dementors try to kiss us.
"Bloody Hell!"

 Chris and I went to Universal and rode our favorites: The Mummy and the Rip Ride Rockit Roller Coaster.
So.Much.Fun.
On the Rip Ride - you get to pick a song and listen to it while you ride,
I always pick the Black Eyed Peas "Pump It"
I never thought it was possible to dance, sing, and ride a roller coaster all at the same time.
It is.
Riding the Hulk and Dr. Doom after nightfall was f-r-e-a-k-y
But nothing compared to our last ride of the night -
Dragon Challenge - Hungarian Horntail - Row 1 - with Eva.

 
Little side story -
Chris and I got in line for Dragon Challenge after we saw that the wait was only 25 minutes,
Eva texted me and asked if she would be able to get up to us so she could ride it with us.
After Chris and I got in line - it seemed everyone else had the same idea -
so there were lots of people behind us.
I told Chris to wait in line while I went and got Eva to bring her up to us.
True Love.
"Excuse me. Sorry. Excuse me"
Hundreds of people moving out of my way - and this was just on my way out of the line.
I found Eva - and dreaded the journey back to Chris.
Everyone hates the person that cuts in line to "get to their family" or "find their son"
and now - that person was me.
So. Awful.
"Excuse me. Sorry. Remember me? Excuse me."
Evil glares.
Rolled Eyes.
People weren't so eager to move on our way back to the front.
One guy even held his arm out in front of us - and asked, "Where do you think you're going?"
"I -uh - had to get her - I came through - uh - remember?"
Eva was no help - she just kept smiling - thinking of how funny the whole situation was.
Finally, we made it back to Chris and waited in peace.
It was so worth it - but I wouldn't do it again.
[sorry Eva]
Nothing beats the front row.
Best.Ride.Ever.

Hogwarts looked even more magical at night.
What a fun day.

Sunday was - interesting.
Chris and I came downstairs all ready to go.
"Oh - did I forget to tell you - our ward starts at one this year"
Oh well.
I was wondering why everyone was still in their pajamas.
Church was alright. I didn't feel like it was giving Chris a very good first impression.
I survived though.

After Church, I tricked Eva and said,
"Can we actually hurry up and get home - because I just want to get back to Gainesville"
Seeing her expression I knew I couldn't keep the joke for very long.
She looked like she was going to cry.
"Just kidding - we're staying until tomorrow!"

 

Monday was one of the best Universal experiences. 

and to think - we almost left. 

It was pouring rain and stormy - so we were having second thoughts.

Most people did leave the parks, but we stuck it through - and it was worth it. 

Every ride had a 5 minute wait - we literally walked straight onto whatever ride we wanted. 

So amazing. 

If only everyday was like that. 

Harry Potter World was the least packed I've ever seen it. 

Again we ended the day with Dragon Challenge front row. 

Seriously, I don't know who said money can't buy happiness. 

Because buying that season ticket has made me pretty darn happy.

Oh and Aleksi - don't worry - I gave Rita lots of kisses - part of the reason 

her runny nose has been passed on to me.