massage drunk

I have the best visiting teacher ever! 

When she found out I was stressed with finals, she asked if there was anything she could do.

In my head I'm thinking that while I love treats and junk food, I was dying for something a little more relaxing.

Then I remembered that my visiting teacher is a massage therapist. 

Think, think, think. 

I couldn't resist... 

I asked her {in the nicest way possible} if I could get a massage when all was said and done with finals.

 And because she is so wonderful, she readily agreed!

Thursday was my last final! {huzzah!} 

Just before 8:00, I rode my bike quickly to her house, where she pleasantly greeted me. 

Then, for an hour or so, I received my first, official massage.

It was uh-mazing!

The atmosphere was perfectly lit, calm music played in the background the whole time, and my visiting teacher is pro.

When it came time to leave the room, the weirdest sensations came over me.

My visiting teacher handed me a bottle of water and had me sit down on her couch.

She looked across at me and asked how I felt.

Then, with the cheesiest grin on my face, I responded, "good."

"Why am I smiling like a doofus?" I thought to myself. I tried to act more natural.

My visiting teacher then expressed that she was worried for me to ride my bike home.

 I didn't understand. Why was she worried? I can ride my bike just fine! 

She then explained that I needed more time to "come back down to earth" because I was most likely experiencing what she likes to call "massage drunk."

I was so excited to hear this that I blurted, "Is this what getting high feels like!?"

{confession: I have secretly wanted to know what being high feels like}

My v.t. smiled and further explained that most people are constantly in "flight or fight" mode. Getting a massage is a healthy way of temporarily relieving ourselves from this mode. The drunk feeling is also due to the releasing of toxins and from stimulating the nervous system which releases endorphins. I had no idea getting a massage could make a person feel so elated and tipsy all at the same time. 

{Go to this website to read more.} 

After my v.t drove me home, Ammon's brother Nephi was over. The three of us played monopoly. I don't think that game has ever been more "thrilling" than it was that night. Every time I rolled the dice, I just felt really lucky. I was also very talkative during the game; when I'm usually not. 

Thursday was a great day. I did well on my last final. I finally got to experience a tiny taste of what getting high feels like. {a healthy version of it} And I also ended up winning Monopoly. 

california (behind the scenes)

A couple weeks ago, Ammon and I had to opportunity to tag along with some of his cousins to california for a  wedding. I already posted pictures on facebook, but this blog post includes some behind the scenes action! 

vegas!

view from our hotel

This little lady's name is Leah. I loved her the moment I met her! 

San Diego Temple

I told them to make the far off look

Alright. Here's where the behind the scenes action happens. After Rachel and Jason were wed, we went to the beach for their reception. (best idea ever!) While there, Ammon and his cousin Matt were dying to try out the boogie boards. However, the water was freezing cold. To cope with this obstacle, they decided they would borrow cousin Ben and cousin Kayla's wetsuits. (they were the only ones available). Matt called dibs on the tall, blue suit. Since Ammon respects dibs, he was left with Kayla's pink wet-suit. The following video illustrates the difficulty of this dilemma. 

 Tuh-duh!

Oh man! I seriously love this guy!

"This is literally as high as I can lift my arms!"

 After catching a wave or two, another cousin told us about a nearby shop where we could rent wetsuits of all shapes and sizes.

Ahh... much better!

like a boss

I love the beach. I'm going to tell everyone I know to get married in California so I have an excuse to keep going back. 

if this won't make your day better...

then i don't know what will...

want to see a magic trick?

A slightly long time ago, in a not so far away land, Ammon and I were were really bored. 

The month was August, which meant the weather was far too warm to go outside.

Thus, the following pictures proceeded: 

We thought it was the coolest thing. And now that it's been two years, we still think it's cool.  The following pictures were taken at my Aunt's house in Riverton. We were visiting for Easter and couldn't resist. :)

fail

success!

Oh man. Some things never change. Like my love for Ammon. Because I'm not the only one that thinks doing dumb things makes us really cool. :)

one of the greatest feelings...

is getting a new pair of running shoes!

i guess this is also a good time to mention that i'm running a half marathon in september!! 

it'll be my first one ever so i'm pretty stoked about it. 

and you can bet your bottom dollar that i will be blogging about it when all is said and done. :)

harry potter movie marathon!

Check out what I got for Christmas:

That's one more thing crossed off on the marriage bucket list
{it took us only 4 days}

I love, love, love the following song. Listen to it. Love it with me. And thank me later.

gingerbreadless graham cracker houses

I am done! My last final was on Thursday. As I was walking to my apartment from the bus stop, feelings of accomplishment, joy, and a little bit of angst swarmed in my head. I had done it.I had finished my first semester in the Elementary Education program! Now I'm just waiting to find out my final grades. (That's where the angst comes in).

The rest of the day was filled with Christmas music, Spongebob episodes, and gingerbread house making.

WARNING: Photo overload!

      

 Ammon's house

Matt had the idea to put Ammon's house on top of Mark's tower. Of course we all jumped out of our seats in amazement. The best part is that when it fell, Ammon's house survived.

 My house

 Nephi's house

Becca came a little late and so she worked with what she had.

I think she said this was an Indian reservation, but I think it looks like a prison. :)

Rachelle's house. 

I can't think of a better ending photo for our gingerbread making evening.

The next day we went Christmas shopping at Walmart. It was really foggy and cold. 

Here's me waiting for our dumb bus that was running 10 minutes late. The bus driver must have been new to the route because he was holding a map in front of him while he was driving the whole time! We were relieved when we finally got off the bus.

That night we went and saw the Hobbit with my family and Ammon's friend Doug. 

And because I forgot to take pictures at the theater, I figured I would just take a picture of my ticket. 

But I think ticket pictures are kind of boring, so I improvised.

 I mean, which one is more exciting, this one:

or this one:

I think this one's a keeper for sure.