Dinosaur Day

So pretty much I'm in love with dinosaurs. If I had to pick a moment when the love affair began I'd pinpoint this sunny day in Murray, Utah when Kendall and Rachel let me take pictures at the Sinclair gas station.

Life since then has been a blur of growing obsession as I slowly purchased almost anything dinosaur and snapped pictures of dinos anywhere I could find them. For some reason both of these dinosaurs were discovered in Boston when I was there in May.


One day at work I received the following email from Joshua.


"Mallory!

Can we finish our hoodies on Friday so that we can have dinosaur day on Saturday? My idea of dinosaur day is that we wear dinosaur t-shirts and dinosaur hoodies and watch dinosaur movies or something. Does that seem like a good idea?

Joshua!"


When Saturday came around we did just that. We got together in the morning to work on our hoodies and then met Kendall and Josh for J-dawgs. After that we went and got Jurassic Park, Dino nuggets, and our own choice of 2 liter for dinner. At the end of the day Joshua presented me with my very own dinosaur puzzle, a puzzle that he'd made all by himself! 53 pieces of wooden dinosaur beauty. It has been fascinating for me to see what sort of creative things he comes up with.


Here is a glimpse of what my finished hoodie looks like.

So pretty much dinosaur day is my favorite day and I wish it could be everyday.

Let Freedom Ring

As promised here are some of the pictures from the longest 4th of July ever. Seriously. We celebrated the greatness that is the United States from Saturday morning to Monday night. It was an awesome weekend.

Saturday morning started with blueberry pancakes with strawberries on top. Very patriotic.

Okay so Joshua and I totally didn't plan on matching but when I saw his red striped shirt I knew I had to wear blue. hahaha. Later in the evening we waited to watch stadium of fire and played a lot of Uno.


Sunday was church and then once it was dark outside we lit sparklers. Call me old fashioned but they're still my favorite.



On Monday Julia and I went to see Eclipse. It was awesome. We made a delicious french silk pie and went swimming later with some friends. Basically my life is awesome. I've been spending a lot of time with my (to put it in Aunt Cheri's words) "special friend" Joshua. He's in our ward and we've been dating for the last few weeks. It's been interesting to experience life with a boy involved. Happy 4th of July again world! Oh, and I get to be an Aunt again. Hooray!

Blast from the Past

It's been forever since I've blogged and blah blah blah but I'm ready to be committed again. Well at least for the rest of the summer. And what just happened to me is way too cool to not blog about it. Okay so I signed onto Facebook this morning to one new message. Here's the message...

okay so you probably dont remember me but as you can tell from my fb profile im Adan Banda haha ring a bell? i was in your first grade class Mrs Gaches hahah
yes i realize it was a long time ago, but little do you know a certain memory resounds through my mind from that time. it may sound silly and insignificant but when we were at recess one day at KDN i said some things to you that were not particularly what a "whatever-old" should say. Being newly baptized into the LDS church i didnt realize the significance, i was a rude nasty little kid...
you said something i never have forgotten,
"you should probably be a better example of the church... and be a better Mormon."
That day stood out to me more than ever and now I will be serving a mission for the church. ive come a long way from that little kid.
I depart next wednesday for the Paraguay Asuncion North Mission.
Thank you for putting me in my place that day. You dont even know how much i've wanted to do better from that day forward.
Thank you

Isn't that the coolest thing ever?! Who would have ever guessed that sassy little six year old Mallory could have influenced someone's life forever. I am glad that I was a good enough kid to set the example even though I don't consciously remember setting it. I am grateful that I had parents to teach me what it meant to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at such a young age. I guess what they tell you is true, you never know when someone is watching you.

I promise a 4th of July blog with photos will be up in the next few days.

So Much for Which I am Grateful

This Quesedilla maker...love G+G


The Temple Lights




My New Coat


Snow to Eat


Good Friends and my Christmas Tree Pin


And that Christmas is only 18 days away! I am so excited to see everyone.

Ingrid and My Fanny Pack

It has been an exceptional last few days I must say. I've finally started to feel like this is my real life and I'm not just at summer camp. Not that I've ever really been to this fancy of a summer camp but still, you get the point. Saturday night was the Ingrid Michaelson concert in Salt Lake. Sophie borrowed her brother's car and we drove up to the big city. We had a lovely little visit with G+G. Grandma had some little eclairs for us that were delicious and we had a nice little rest. Sophie keeps telling me she wants to go back and visit with them and I'm all for it! haha
We drove over to the concert and Sophie did the best parallel parking job I've ever seen. There were literally eight inches in front and behind the car. Needless to say we had a pretty awesome parking spot. The concert was amazing! I loved it. I wish I could go to a concert every weekend. Too bad I'm a poor college student.

Sunday night Kendall & Josh were kind enough to take me with them over to Alaina's house to watch the Proposal. It was SO good to be in a real home and eat real food. Alaina made flapjacks and I think that counts as real food.

Today (monday) I donated blood. It's something I've been thinking about for a while and it just happened part of my church calling to promote the blood drive, so I figured now was the time to give it a try. Long story short, I survived! I'm really glad that I tried and I don't think I would be opposed to doing it again in the future. My finger prick is bruising a lot but my arm feels alright. I'm starting to understand the people that told me there would be a lot to choose from at college. Here's a picture to sum up my last few days. Ingrid shirt, fanny pack, track marks from blood giving, and a smile on my face.


Oh, and just in case you didn't know I'm bringing back the fanny pack. It is the most practical invention ever and I don't know why people don't use them more often. I mean the eighties are coming back so why not bring the fanny pack along for the ride? My fanny is black leather so pretty much it's the definition of class. Pass the word along. THE FANNY IS BACK!

Something New-ish

It is late; I am still awake. Just thought you should know. Oh and I wanted to tell you I now know how to use semicolons. (See first sentence)

College. is. awesome.

Harrison Hero

Last Fall I had a little obsession with Harrison Ford. Mom, Dad, and I watched about every Harrison Ford movie there is except Star Wars. The list includes such gems as Working Girl, Witness, The Fugitive, Clear and Present Danger, Air Force One, Patriot Games and many other works of cinematic genius. While watching these movies my very astute father made the connection that Harrison Ford seems to frequent the role of reluctant hero. He never wants to chase down the bad guys but eventually ends up doing it anyway to save the people he loves.
So I'm sitting in my English class the other day, ironically thinking about Harrison Ford (you see, I kind of have a little bit of a crush on him and I didn't know his frequent role would also make it's debut in my own life) when we got put into groups of four for our next unit. I think to myself, "Great, another group of quite kids and we'll get nothing done." As I started talking and making things happen I couldn't help but remember my old man crush Harrison Ford and the reluctant hero that he plays in his movies. I guess I'm the reluctant leader. I hate taking the lead in a situation but if no one else steps up I eventually will. I couldn't tell you why I am so reluctant but I think I want to change it. Someday maybe I'll be with it enough to be able to take the lead on my own but for now I'm still a little reluctant like my BFF Harrison.

And for the record I am in love with the Harrison Ford from the eighties and nineties. Not the old man that's married to Calista Flockhart and has one earring.

Fun Fact

Since I've come to the great BYU approximately 30 days ago I have been counting. The count is up to 31. What exactly have I seen about one of everyday? The answer is pregnant women. I know it seems weird but it sort of fascinates me. So next time you see someone that's preggers maybe you should start counting.

Does anyone else count weird things or is that just me?

Adventure in Sundance

After the fastest week ever came friday! A girl in our ward has a cabin in Sundance and invited us all (the girls from both the 1100 and 1200 halls) to have a sleepover. I went up later with my friend Sophie and Hillary because we wanted to get some homework finished. After some adventures in finding the right road to get us to Sundance we finally made it to the house around 10:00pm.
There were a ton of girls there. More than twenty for sure but past that I'm not the most accurate estimator. After a few annoying name games we sat around the table (like 10 of us) and talked forever. At 1:00am about half the girls at the table left to go back to the dorms and then our conversation evolved into some of the best conversation I've ever had. It was so great. Now I have a reason to be connected to some girls and I love it.
When we finally got around to going to bed Sophie and I found a spot on the floor to sleep. We had to snuggle because it was so cold. Someone said something about the world's largest ball of twine and I quoted Drop Dead Gorgeous and we spent the next three minutes, in fits of giggles, quoting lines from the movie. When we were done laughing she said, "I think we're meant to be friends". I couldn't have agreed more.

PPParty Everyday. Party Everyday

Finally a weekend! haha. It was another busy night at the college dorms. We finally had our ward social and got put into our family home evening groups. I am so psyched about my group. I feel like it is such an answer to prayer. For one thing Draco Malfoy is in my group. Not the actual Tom Felton boy but one that looks exactly like him. The funny thing is I pointed him out to Kendall the day before in the Cannon center and then the next day he is part of my family. Oh it is so great. The best part is he is super normal. You know like not a jerk. I'll sneak a picture of him as soon as I get to know him a little better. :)
After the social we went the Fall Fest on campus which is I guess the opening social of the school year. There were SO many people there. We spent some time dancing and just wandering around seeing what there was to do. I played with Julia for a bit and met all her crazy roommates. Then as our new tradion would have it we went back to the dorm and watched a movie in McCall and Stephanie's room which happens to be Erica's old room 1108. We all brought our collection or junk food and had a little girl party and watched 13 Going on 30.
Right now I'm sitting in the bottom of the library taking a little break from all of my studies. I've already finished Anthropology and Physical science homework and next I'm moving on to English 150 and Nutrition. Life is still a party!


Oh I forgot to tell the story about my toe! Well it's not really that exciting but I'd just left Julia to try and find my dormmates. I was wearing the only shoes that are comfortable since I got giant blisters on the back of my heals from another pair of shoes and to make a long story short some boy was dancing crazily, shuffled backwards and took my big toenail with him. Oh man it hurt. It was a little bloody but I think I'll survive.

Are you there world?...It's me Mallory

Wow wow wow! So much has changed since January. Right now I am sitting in my college dorm just loving life. Too much has happend lately to capture it all but I'll just update you all on a few things.
Toward the beginning of March I was accepted to Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. I have lived the college life for about three weeks and I am totally in love with it. Classes are different. I am loving the 50 minute class periods but I never knew that there was this much text book reading involvedin learning. I've made a few good friends and I cannot wait to see what the next seven months brings to me.
Today I took a little 20 minute walk over to Paul Mitchell the School and had Gabbe cut and style my hair. That girl really has a gift. hahaha. I added up the total time I spent walking today and it adds up to a little under 90 minutes. Take that obesity. Anyway...I came home, ate dinner with some friends and then watched SYTYCD and Glee with some girls from my hall. It is so great when I get all my homework done on campus. I'm already looking forward to the weekend because we're all going to watch HSM:3 Senior year in my neighbors room. I will close with a few pictures of my new girl friends.

Movie nights! Eight girls crammed into a dorm room watching some movies.
The middle picture is titled "Choosy Mormons Choose Jif" Thank you McCall.
The Hotty Potty. I think you get the point.

Starting Now

I feel a little bad for neglecting my blog so much lately. There was just too much excitement with the great snow storm '08 and with all of the family that I figured there were other things to do. So like a neglected journal I am going to forget all of the wonderful things that have happened in the last month and get right in to what is happening right now.

+Today was the first official day of rugby...ouch
+It finally hit me that I am a SENIOR! I am graduating and then I will be out on my own. It really hit me when my bf Michelle told me she was leaving for BYU-Hawaii July 1st. It freaked me out. That is so close! Some of these people I will never see again. It makes me unbelievably sad.
+Finals come next week and I am having a hard time coming up with the motivation to do well. I think the thought that I have not yet been accepted to BYU-Provo should be good enough motivation.
+Chipotle is my most favorite food in the world right now. If there is one in your town you should go. If not come visit me in Oregon and I will take you. Make sure you get chips and guacamole. They make them fresh ever day. AND the burritos are to die for.
+I love having a friend to talk to. For some reason I have been so chatty with one friend in particular and it is the greatest thing ever. It's almost as if we're becoming best friends all over again as we discover new things about each other through conversation.

Well I am going to try and take this slow so I don't get overwhelmed with the blogging world. Hopefully I'll be back soon. Oh and if you haven't heard the Ingrid Michaelson song Giving Up go listen to it. It's my new favorite.

Still Good

For some reason Natalie thinks this is hilarious but I am sure she has just built it up in her mind. Man do I love the thug life.

Life is so great. Honestly I am loving everything. Rugby starts so soon I cannot even believe it. Christmas is only two weeks from today (weird) and I only have to go to six more days of school before break. G+G are in Oregon right now and they are so fun! Boston was a blast. Life is just delicious. Just find a little something to love and then everything seems so much more lovely. I wish I could see you all and Christmas but I know that I can't. I love you all nonetheless.

Twilight

I was lucky enough to get to go to the Twilight midnight premiere with my friend Elissa. Oh dear was that exciting. I really loved the movie. It was so delicious.
We made matching shirts.

This is our really excited face when we were on our way.

Here we are waiting in line

Here we are tired of waiting in line. We did a lot of waiting since we got there at 8:00. But man our good seats were totally worth it.

After a long while the movie finally came.

The whole evening was delightful. Honestly I loved it. I can't wait to see it again this week. I've been reading the book out loud to Michelle--who's never read it!--and then we are going to see it together. We're almost finished. Oh my gosh this book never gets old.

Things I Love SO Much I Cry a Little Bit

I just finished my BYU application! I can't even thing about it, it makes me so nervous!
Tomorrow night is the Twilight premiere! AHAHAHAHAHAAAAHHHHH!
I get to go to Boston and see two of my sisters
Christmas is right after that and then I get to see all three of my sisters!
Listening to Christmas music with Michelle really loud while we drive to lunch.
Really deep sleep.
Kino...isn't he cute?
A Dad that will help me work really hard on my essays so I can go to college.
Facebook
Pizza
Rugby is starting. (First touch practice last night. My body hurts already.)
Each day that I live I see how much stuff for which there is to be grateful. Thanksgiving is one week from today and even though I won't be spending it in my ideal way I guess things could get a lot worse. At least I get to make the pies right?

It's Been a While

Life is good. Last weekend I got to travel to Seattle, WA for a Jazz choir festival. It was so much fun! I also got to miss a day of school so that was a plus. Friday we wandered around Pikes Market and then Saturday we sang in the Olympic Jazz festival. Our outfits looked good, my solo was sassy, and all was right in the world. We were chosen as one of three groups to sing again in the evening so that was good. The Mexican fiesta we had at the end (which is equivalent to we ate at a mexican restaurant) was delicious. I think growing up in Arizona has permanantly engrained Mexican food into my blood. For example, I believe that we could solve all the world's problems by getting everyone together and having a giant mexican food fiesta. That is how delicious mexican food can be. Anyway here are some pictures from my weekend adventures.

PS-Three days until Twilight