Christmas in London pt.1

January 7th, 2019

It’s currently 5:15 p.m. in London, 10:15 a.m. at home in Utah, and 1:45 p.m. in St. Johns which I am currently flying over.  I have just under 4 hours of this flight left before I have to catch a flight from Chicago to Denver and then Denver to SLC.

To put it simply, this has been one of the hardest days I’ve had in a long time, if not ever. So many poor strangers have been freaked out about why this random teenage girl keeps crying…on the train… and in the airport…and on the plane.

In case you didn’t know, I spent the last 3 weeks in London with my boyfriend and his family for Christmas. And today I had to leave him there and go home, which is over 4,000 miles away.

This morning I woke up at 6:45 a.m. for one last cuddle sesh before we had to get up. I said goodbye to his parents who were amazing to me the whole trip. I’m so grateful that we both have families who are extremely supportive of our situation.

These last 3 weeks have been some of the best of my life. The 4 months we spent apart were worth it within 10 seconds of seeing him. I want to write about everything we did (and I will) but I’m just making myself cry even more thinking about it right now. I pray these next few months fly by.

January 11, 2019

Update: It’s a few days later and I am currently back at school in St. George (unfortunately). The days are still really hard, but they’re getting easier. I really want to write about the trip while it’s still fresh in my mind BUT there’s a ton so I think I may do 3 separate posts, one for each week.

Update pt. 2: It’s now the end of January, and it is still getting easier although some days are really hard as they always will be, but I had such a blast and I want to make sure that I have record of it here!

• Dec. 18th

After landing at Heathrow airport, I had to go through customs which I swear took about 5,000 years. I finally got to see him and may or may not have actually ran into his arms *cliche, I know* and I was honestly in shock. We headed back to his house after a few pigeon jokes and lots of hugs.  Nothing much happened other than I got to meet his sister and mom, and then later that night his dad came out to say hi while we were in the hot tub!

• Dec. 19th

Wednesday morning we got up and got ready to go into London! We decided to walk around Embankment which is where we went the first time we met! We walked over a bridge, past Big Ben and Parliament and then down to Trafalgar Square and into Covent Garden. It was all decorated for Christmas and it was so so cute. We went into a little fancy shop for afternoon tea a.k.a hot chocolate and scones with clotted cream and jam (I’m in love). Later that night 2 of his friends came over and we played pool, and even though I’m horrid it was still really fun.

• Dec. 20th

We stayed at home and watched Back to the Future, one of his favorite movies that I had never seen before (I know it’s basically a crime). The rest of the day we just hung out and had a chill day spending time together.

• Dec. 21st

Earlier in the day we went to Sainsbury’s to pick up a few last minute gifts for his family and on the way home we picked up shakes and they were so good (even if I was freezing). Later that night we went to a pantomime of Beauty and the Beast with his whole family and I met his older brother and his wife. The show itself was really funny and I’m really glad I got to experience it! Especially since it included getting a picture of Ewan wearing a sparkly headand (I may have forced on him) and a Christmas sweater.

• Dec. 22nd

Saturday we got up early to meet two other bloggers at waterloo station. After walking in circles for a good half an hour we accidentally found embankment. Just like a few days earlier we walked to Trafalgar square and Covent garden. After that we went to Leicester square, Oxford street, Regents street, and Soho which was all decked out with a Bohemian Rhapsody theme. There were huge neon signs of lyrics going down the streets, it was so cool. Eventually we had to say goodbye to them and headed to meet his other friend and his girlfiend to go ice skating! While we almost got taken out by a few children (and adults) it was still a blast and I loved hanging out with his friends.  

• Dec. 23rd

In the morning we woke up to him getting a uni offer! It was the first one so it was really exciting! After that we got ready to go and meet his dad’s side of the family at his grandparents house. I met his cousins, grandparents, and aunt and uncle who were all so nice.  I was nervous at first, but they made me feel welcome immediatly. Afterwards, Ewan and I walked over to Primrose hill which has this really pretty view of London. The lights were all on down the hill and I just remember being so content just holding his hand. On the way back we got caught in the rain and ended up speed walking back to a train station, still laughing of course. Later that night we watched my favorite Christmas movie with his family,  How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

• Dec. 24th

During the day we just hung out, but later that night we went to dinner with some of his family friends! They were all really nice too and the food was really good. Even though I was sick, I had a great time (especially since the waiter was really nice and brought me some mint tea).  I couldn’t stop coughing so we went back home to rest and I got a Christmas burrito (A.K.A. wrapped in blankets) which is one of my favorite thing, especially when mixed with cuddles. Honestly I was a coughing mess for a lot of the days but I didn’t even mind because he was there taking care of me and getting water approx. every 15 seconds.

• Dec. 25th

I woke up to E’s grandma telling me that it was Christmas! We grabbed the pillowcases/ stockings from in front of the bedroom doors that were filled with presents (it was a different tradition I got to experience!) and headed down to the kitchen with the rest of the family. We spent the rest of the morning opening presents (which his family spoiled me wayyyy too much and I’m so thankful for everything). I brought over a few different foods and it was fun to see everyone try them. The salt water taffy was specifically a hit which was cool because it is made right in Salt Lake! Although my favorite part was giving Ewan his gift (a wooden watch with the day we started dating engraved on the back) and my favorite gift was obviously the earrings he got me (they’re super cute and heart shaped and yeah I haven’t really taken them off tbh).

Later in the afternoon I got to skype my family and saw my brother get the crested gecko he wanted really bad. It’s name is Mushu and he’s so cute! After his dad’s parents came over and I got to experience my first English Christmas dinner! It was really good but it was SO much food ( even though Ewan ate like half of mine).

I missed my family a little bit, but overall it’s one of the best Christmases I’ve ever had! His family was amazing and I had so much fun meeting everyone and just being able to spend time with him. We did a lot of other things in the next two weeks that I can’t wait to write about next.

-A.K.A. The Author

 

 

 

 

 

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College Update!

Hey y’all! I’m currently writing from inside the Science building like a true college student.  If you didn’t know, I’m currently a freshman at Dixie State University. Today is my 3rd day and so far I’ve really liked it! This year I’m taking Intermediate Spanish, Biology and the Biology Lab, Kundalini Yoga, Psychology, Human Development through the Lifespan, and Medical Terminology.

Saying goodbye to my parents and little brother was actually pretty hard, especially when my mom started bawling immediately. Watching them drive away was a really weird feeling because I was really sad… but also really excited at the same time. I haven’t gotten home sick thus far ( go me xD) but I did tear up a little this morning while texting my brother because today is his 16th birthday. It’s the first birthday/holiday that I’m not home for which is a little sad, but since I’m the best sister ever (obviously) I ordered the game he’s really been wanting on Amazon so he has something from me to open.

I live in a little house with one other girl who I really like! We spent one of the nights watching TLC (can someone say guilty pleasure television?) and it was super fun! I also got a new mattress and I looooove ittttt.

Welp I am also great at procrastinating and so now its the weekend after my 2nd week of college and the homework is starting to flow in (help plz).

On Saturday I drove an hour out to my grandma’s house with Lauren to see my baby cousin! She’s almost 9 months now and she’s so so cute! She is starting to get a sense of “stranger danger” but still let me hold her for the most part thankfully. My uncle from Arizona and his girlfriend also came and brought this really good pie from a small shop in the middle of nowhere essentially xD

Oh, also! My allergy to high fructose corn syrup has decided to show up again which means that I had to get rid of all the food that has it since I’m trying to keep myself alive over here.  Thankfully I got in the habit of buying certain brands that already don’t have HFCS in it like ketchup and bread, but basically all the candy and sweets and stuff like that had to go. (Oh and btw for those who live outside of the U.S. high fructose corn syrup is in like everything).

Overrall everything has been going pretty good and I’ve really liked living on my own and going to college instead of high school. I’m hoping to be able to keep actively blogging, so we’ll see how that goes!

Love y’all! -Aspen AKA The Author

From 4, 858 Miles to Zero

Hey y’all! Since the last post I have now moved to St.George and finished my first week of college! It’s been crazy, and fun, but that’s a post for another time. I’m clearly behind but I thought that I would still write about when my boyfriend, Ewan, came to Utah a few weeks ago!

ALSO QUICK INTERVENTION: In the midst of all the craziness going on, I didn’t even realize that I passed the THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF MY BLOG. When I started writing as akatheauthor 3 years ago I never thought it would have led me to all the things it has today. I’m so thankful and I love you all! 

So it all started when he flew in on Tuesday night, *flashbacks to me freaking out in my car in the airport parking garage and snap chatting Lauren frantically about how to not get lost*. Luckily I actually figured out where I was going and even remembered how to get back to my car (yay me) all whilst my brain was going 100 million miles an hour xD. After the airport we had to head straight to meet my parents at the movie theater to watch Mission Impossible Fallout, which was actually pretty good even though I’m pretty sure we spent most of it whispering to each other. Also like can you say that your first kiss with your S.O. happened at the airport?? Didn’t think so…

The next day we spent the morning dancing around the kitchen while making pancakes before driving downtown to see Temple Square. We also got a tour of the conference center from this really cute old lady. After finally tracking down my car in one of the 5 zillion parking garages we headed to hike Ensign Peak which has a view of all of Salt Lake City! That night we went to Texas Roadhouse, one of my favorite places for dinner with my parents and I may or may not have been the mean (but hilarious) gf and told the waiter that it was his birthday so he had to sit on the saddle and have everyone sign to him.

Thursday we met my mom, and some of my aunts and cousins at Silver Lake and then hiked to Twin Lakes. All of my cousins are little girls so it was funny to see their reactions to him and at one point the youngest, Ivy (who I was giving a piggy back ride) whispered in my ear to ask if he was my boyfriend.

Friday we went to Lagoon, which is an amusement park. I love love roller coasters and heights and everything that most adrenaline junkies and even though Ewan isn’t the biggest fan of heights he was a good sport and let me drag him around. We even went on the scariest one, Cannibal and he only told me he hated me a few times xD. My cousins were also there and by the evening Ivy had completely warmed up to him ( it was adorable) and we had done whoopsy- daisy with her across the entire park. That night my family made the 3 hour drive to Bear Lake in my dad’s truck so in the back seat I was in between Ewan and my little brother who both proceeded to pass out- on me.

Saturday we woke up in my favorite place on Earth and went boating. Ewan and I went tubing together and everyone on the boat thought it was hilarious because he was just sitting there taking the waves whilst my body was flopping all over the place as per usual, but it’s still tons of fun. On the way back to the marina the waves were crazy bumpy so my back started hurting really bad and I had to lay down across the seats, but he was so sweet about it. I tend to grip my arm really hard to try and distract myself with pain in a different area but when he noticed he grabbed my hand. Later that night we got to go to a demolition derby which is essentially where a bunch of crappy cars go into an arena and crash into each other until only one can still move – and yes its just as western and redneck and American as you think it is- and I love it. It was so fun to be able to show him something he had never experienced before but was something I have really liked growing up.

Sunday morning we drove into Idaho to hike Bloomington Lake which is super pretty. We also got the best shakes ever from the gas station in Bear Lake (it’s a hidden gem) the raspberry is the classic favorite but turns out they have a really good mint one too! I proceeded to get my butt kicked in even more rounds of Go Fish ( I blame my bad luck) before the boys went golfing and I just tagged along. I did get to drive the go cart which is really fun but it doesn’t go fast enough, and at one point I was elbow deep in freezing water with soaking wet shoes to get one of my dad’s golf balls.

Monday was Ewan’s birthday! It was really fun to be there for it even if I got beat in even more card games (seriously people). We had a long drive home which we spent listening to music and sing/dancing to each other whilst my parents gave us weird looks, but it was so much fun. We stopped at a really good restaurant called the Beehive Grill for lunch and I got to talk to his mom and sister and they’re so sweet, I’m really excited to meet them!! Before going home we stopped at Sam’s Club to get a cake and tried on these really funny costume animal heads which is now one of my favorite pictures of us because it’s super silly. Then fast forward to my mom walking in on us making out (yikes man) and then falling asleep watching Insidious because we stayed up way too late way too many times before some really yummy cake. And completely random fact but we were playing some NBA game on the PlayStation with my brother and I somehow made a shot from all the way across the court on accident (#baller).

Tuesday we went with my best friend Lauren and little brother Spencer to the Great Salt Lake and met up with my aunt and cousins who live nearby.  We climbed black rock and then went to a rope swing in the middle of nowhere where I proceeded to not only trip over a log, slip down the entire side of a mud hill, but also get rope burn and massive handprint size bruises on my thighs (pure talent I’m telling you) Ohhh, and then on the way back to the car I’m pretty sure I got bit by a spider but my toe swelled up really big and it really hurt. After that whole ordeal we swam in the mill pond and then went back to my aunts house to watch my uncle and his cousins rope some cows on horseback which is always cool. Then we rushed home and threw some pillows and blankets into the truck before heading to the drive-in movies for our first official date! We stopped at 7- Eleven for some snacks and it sounds cringy and stupid and I’m not generally one for cutesy things, but that night was honestly perfect. Just laying in the back of the truck watching the movie all cozied up was something that you could literally dream about (and there were even stars out!)

The next afternoon he helped me brush up on my soccer (football, sorry) skills, that don’t exist. And then we went to Topgolf with Spencer and Lauren again (another sport I have exactly zero skill at), but it was still so much fun. After we picked up Lauren’s little brother and went to my favorite type of store on the planet- a cookie dough shop called Dough Co. The flavor of the month was butterbeer and it was actually really good! Later that night all my friends came over to meet him while we roasted marshmallows (S’mores are another thing he had never tried before). It was pretty funny because they were all saying how weird it was to see being affectionate even in the slightest because I usually wouldn’t even hold hands with someone in front of them, but with him I didn’t even care. They all really liked him (which I knew they would) and I laughed way too much going over all of our old inside jokes and more.

Thursday was our last full day together so we opted to do something just ourselves and head up into the canyon again. We stopped at Wal-mart (for the true American experience) to pick up some snacks (raspberry filled, powdered sugar donuts for the win) before driving to Little Cottonwood. The road was closed so we ended up finding a little river just off the side of the road to have lunch at. It was so much fun to just sit there talking about the trip and the future and making a bunch of dumb jokes. Literally no matter what we’re doing he can always make me smile or laugh, its a little ridiculous to be honest (like let me be moody… jk, jk)  After our hiking adventure, I took him out to meet my grandparents where we played more card games before heading home to my favorite dinner everrrrrrrrr, 7-Up chicken!! Ewan liked it (and goldfish) so I didn’t have to break up with him, thankfully 😉 Then I realized that he had still never had an ice cream sandwich so in order to stop a full on crisis we ran to the grocery store to grab a box and 2 journals which we now write in (almost) daily to each other because we’re just super cute that way.  Before heading home we made one last stop at a lookout point in just off the highway to *ahem* look at all the city lights (the view is actually amazing).

The next morning was bittersweet from the get-go. I turned on Thor but we ended up just cuddling and falling asleep which in my book, is pure bliss. Eventually we had to face reality and pack his bag to go home. The last stop before the airport was a little restaurant called Iceberg that has really good fries and fry sauce, but most importantly Grasshopper (mint) shakes which just happen to be Ewan’s favorite. (Sidenote: he actually ate the fry sauce-so proud). The shake was amazing (and HUGE) as always, we didn’t even finish it between the two of us. We had one last car jam session that involved me driving with one hand because I didn’t want to let go of his (drive safe, kids) xD. Once we got to the airport all hopes of not crying kind of went out the window and I’m sure I looked like a mess. I definitely hugged him one too many times, but walking away was honestly one of the most difficult things I’ve ever had to do. I already hate goodbyes, but this was a particularly difficult one.

However, as sucky as that was, overall the trip was an ABSOLUTE BLAST and I can’t wait til I see him again because ever minute was a party and I laugh so much there’s a chance I may actually have ab muscles at some point. I’m not one for sappy lovey dovey stuff but then this one boy came along and now “aw” is part of my regularly used vocabulary, Skype is my most used app, and couple things don’t make me want to throw up xD And I know you’re reading this so just thought I would say I miss you and I love you, I have literally zero patience so having to wait so long to see you is killing me, but it’s all worth it. Don’t forget that goldfish build character and that dino nuggets are life, truffle butter is my fav, and you know the rest 😉

 

 

Congrats if you made it to the end of this super long post! Thanks for reading, I love y’all!

-Aspen AKA The Author

Why the Second-Half of Senior Year Sucks

Hey y’all, it’s been a little while…again. I just got back from a weekend trip to the college that I will most likely be attending in the fall.

We went on a campus tour and all of that fun stuff, and I think that I’ll really like living down there, even if it is warm most of the time.

But at the same time… I don’t really want to go to be completely honest. I got a full ride scholarship and my best friend is even going, but I’m so stressed right now that I don’t feel confident in any decision that I try to make.

My grandparents even live down there and offered to let me live with them for free, or I could pay for housing and room with Lauren (my best friend), but I have no idea what to do.

At this point my 18th birthday seems like something I’ll never make it to, let alone graduation, or the whole craziness of trying to plan my 3 week senior trip to Europe.

And I’m really not trying to complain, I’m so lucky to have parents taking me on that trip in the first place and it will be amazing, or to have the chance to even graduate and continue my education, let alone get a full ride scholarship.

But at the end of the day I don’t know how I’m supposed to choose.

Let me know if you have any ideas, I have a feeling I’ll be writing more about all of this soon.

Love y’all.

-Aspen AKA The Author

My Summer Bucket List!

Hey y’all! Since this is my last summer in high school *gasp* I decided that I might as well make it a good one, so here’s my summer bucket list! 

P.S. The pictures are from Lauren’s yard- we had a rose petal fight. 

1. Do a bike race 
2. Go to a drive-in movie 
3. Go camping with my friends
4. Make a photo album
5. Go to the mill pond by my aunt’s house 
6. Have A bonfire WITH all OF my SCHOOL papers
7. Read “Jane Eyre” 
8. //Amp up my blogging game //
9. Leave notes in library books
10.  Go zip lining
11. Go on LoTs and LoTs of bike rides
12. Play some good old foursquare and tether ball 
13. Take my cousins to the splash pad 🙂
14. Spend some nights playing {video games} with my brother 
15. Dig up the time capsule I buried the summer before 10th grade….

I hope you liked my summer bucket list, I just got back from the spa (yeah, you heard that right, THE SPA) Amy took me for my birthday and we got massages and facials, and just let me say I was in heaven. Everything was so fancy and calming and smelt amazing. It was also a great way to recuperate from the bike race we did on Saturday! 

I did it with Amy, my mom, my aunt Julie, my cousin Sienna, and a bunch of other ladies. We decided to ride 40 miles and just keep it relaxed and fun which definitely worked. BUT the first 9 miles of the ride my mom was dying, (we were seriously going 9 miles an hour) and it was her first race and all but we were so confused as to why she was so tired. Come to find out, her back tire was rubbing the brake so bad that it wasn’t even moving. Now I have no idea how she even went as far as she did like that. 

 That’s enough of my rambling, comment down below something on your summer bucket list! 

Love y’all! -Aspen AKA The Author 

//The Mountains Don’t Make Me Smile Anymore//

It rained today.

It came pouring down, hard against the roof of the car as I drove.

I turned off the radio so I could hear it pound as loud as I wanted to cry.

I ached for the tears to run down my face,

but there I sat, out of the storm, in the confinements of the drivers seat.

Watching, experiencing the emotion through a glass windshield.

I used to smile when I saw the mountains, because they reminded me of you,

just like the rain.

But today when I turned down my street and saw them there,

my heart sank.

It was just another rainstorm on another Sunday on another road in suburbia, USA

yet to me it was just another sign that the rest of the world will never stop even when I fall,

Even when it makes no sense for life to carry on at all.

So for now, I’ll drag myself along on scraped hands and knees until I can stand on my own two feet,

Taking the bad days and the good days one by one farther down this street.

 

Brit Takes The U.S. Citizenship Test-

Hey y’all! A few weeks ago I had to take the U.S. citizenship test (the one given to immigrants) because it is now required to graduate. While looking at the basically pointless study guide, I was thinking that it could be funny to have someone not from the U.S. take the test.

And who would be better than one of you? Mit agreed to take the test on my behalf, (thanks again btw) so welcome to a british boys version of the U.S. citizenship test!

(The questions are normal, his answers are highlighted/ bolded, and mine are in italics)

1. What is the supreme law of the land? 

   a. The Declaration of Independence

   b. The Bill of Rights

   c. The Constitution 

   d. Executive Order 9066

One particular executive order doesn’t seem worthy of ‘supreme’ so I can rule that out. It’s the Constitution that Americans seem to bring up when anything regarding guns is mentioned, so that seems like a the right option. 

And you would be correct. I assumed you had at least heard of it, so good job.

2. What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?

   a. The Roosevelt Corollary

   b.  The Monroe Doctrine

   c. The Bill of Rights 

   d. The Articles of Confederation

The Articles of Confederation seem to refer to something else, so it’s between the first three. The third sounds familiar. 

Wow, two for two. The Articles of Confederation was the first version of the Constitution that was a huge mess basically. The Roosevelt Corollary was an addition to the previous Monroe Doctrine states that the United States will intervene in conflicts between European countries and Latin American countries to enforce legitimate claims of the European powers. 

3.What is the “rule of law”?

Something that states that if several were to commit the same crime, they would be seen as equals in the eyes of the law.

I’m starting to think that you looked up the answers or something…. but yeah everyone is under control of the law, even ze President. 

4. Name one branch of the government

Congress? That sounds about right but maybe it belongs so something else that I don’t know. 

Good guess, Congress is something else although it does have to do with the legislative branch. There’s 3 branches of government, executive, legislative, and judicial. 

5. The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?

“Self-government is real” I really have no idea about this one.

Hahaha, no. It’s “We the People” .  

6. What stops one branch from becoming too powerful?

   a. Checks and balances 

   b. Executive power

   c. A signed agreement from the head of each branch

Executive power makes it seem like a dictatorship, and I’m not sure if a signed agreement would work. 

Another one right. I really just kind of made up the other answers mostly. 

7. How many U.S. Senators are there?

   a. 35

   b. 100

   c. 50

   d. 25

One for every state sounds about right.

Close, but not quite. There’s two for every state so the answer is 100. 

8. How many voting members does the House of Representatives have?

   a. 100

   b. 435 

   c. 55

   d. 78

It’s much higher than the others.

I’m actually surprised you got this one right, but congrats. 

9. What is the name of the President of the United States now?

Donald J. Trump

Obviously. 

10. Which is a cabinet-level position?

      a. Secretary of Immigration

      b. Secretary of Territories

      c. Secretary of Energy 

      d. Secretary of Architecture

I think it’s between a and c as they seem more serious. I don’t even know if a exists, so I’m going to go with c.

I thought for sure you would get this wrong, but you’re right! 

11. Under the Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states?

       a. To print money

       b. To declare war 

       c. To provide schooling and education

       d. To make treaties

It’s a pretty big deal and I’m not sure anyone else apart from the state could do this.

Nope, the states can’t declare war. This is a power of the federal government. 

12. What is one right only for U.S. citizens?

The right to bear arms.

I mean you’re  technically not completely wrong, but people that aren’t citizens technically can too in their own countries… the answer is to vote and/or run in a federal election. 

13. What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?

It was a declaration that stated that all citizens of the USA should be emancipated.

Again, not entirely wrong. The Emancipation Proclamation was declared by Abraham Lincoln in 1863, and it freed all slaves in the Southern States. 

14. How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?

18

Yup. 

15. When must all men register for the Selective Service?

a. Only in times of war 

     b. Between the ages of 18-26

     c. Only when the president requires

C sounds a bit far-fetched (that the president alone decides you have to sign up to the army) if you have  and I don’t believe that every male citizen of the United States has to do military service.

The answer is actually b- between the ages of 18-26. And while every male is registered, it doesn’t mean that they will be drafted. That would only happen if there was a serious war and if  there weren’t enough volunteers. 

16. Who lived in America before the colonists arrived?

a. Native Americans/ American Indians

     b. Mexicans

     c. Spanish

This just seems right.

Right again. Native Americans in the correct term, but people say Indians all the time. 

17. What is one reason colonists came to America?

They thought it was India (hence ‘American Indians’ right?)

Ooh smart one, but you’re still wrong . That was how/why America was discovered. Colonists came for a few reasons, religious freedom, economic opportunity, freedom, etc. 

18. Who is the “Father of Our Country”?

   a. Abraham Lincoln

   b. Eugene Debbs

   c. Alexander Hamilton

d. George Washington

He was the first President, so it would make sense.

Right again. Lincoln and Hamilton were presidents later on, and Eugene Debbs was a guy who broke a law and ran for President from prison. Pretty cool if you ask me. 

19. What are the 3 rights the Declaration of Independence outlines?

1. The USA has their own government. 

2. The government is to be elected by the people.

3. Colonists have to leave.

All good guesses but the answers are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Thomas Jefferson took John Locke’s natural rights and changed property to the pursuit of happiness because it can justify almost anything. 

20. What was the name of the war that split the U.S. from Britain?

The War of Independence.

Nope xD. It’s the Revolutionary War. Well at least here, do you guys call it that??? 

Okay, and just for fun… fill in the blanks of the Pledge of Allegiance.

I pledge allegiance to the government of the United States, and to the Constitution for which it stands, glorious Nation, under mountains of debt, indivisible with liberty and hamburgers for all.

I honestly think I might like your version better, my friends and I are all laughing.

The real pledge goes- I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. 

Over all, Mit got 10/20 right which is exactly half! I hope you guys found this funny/ entertaining! How do you think you would have done?

Love y’all! -Aspen AKA The Author

 

 

Goodbye 16

Hey y’all, as I’m sure I’ve mentioned before, tomorrow is my 17th birthday.

I currently have 55 minutes left of being 16. That’s crazy to me. T

hese past few years have been hectic but I’m glad to be where I am now. 

This is the year I learned what really hard trials can be, and what it takes to overcome them. I learned that the really difficult things can become really good things. 

I also learned that friendship is one of the most valuable things I posses. I am so exremely proud to call so many people my friends. You are what gets me through the hard things, you make life fun, and never fail to remind me of the beauty in others. 

And my family. Sometimes clueless, but always caring. Always willing to help me and support me in whatever I do. I wish I would have realized that earlier. My parents really do mean the world to me, and I’ve come to know how much they will do for me. And my pain in the butt little brother that I couldn’t live without. 

Horrible people are everywhere , but the world could never be a completely dark place when people like the ones I know exist. 

I’ve also had a renewed desire to do well in my schoolwork so that I can eventually become a doctor. Now it’s not just talk. It’s time to work, because my dreams start here. 

And as much as I complain about the massive loads of homework, I am very grateful for the educational opportunities I’ve been given. They are what will create the pathway to my future. 

I hope I’ll learn as much next year as I did this year. I hope I can stick to my faith with high spirits and know that everything will be okay. The hard times will pass. If I could give any advice to 17 year old me I’d say to take the work I do seriously, but to enjoy life and enjoy the people around me. 

I love all of you. Goodbye 16, hello 17. 

-Aspen AKA The Author 

My Favorite Quotes from General Conference :)

Hey y’all! It’s been awhile! Next week is finally my spring break, and it’s also my birthday on Tuesday! I don’t feel old enough to be 17 xD To celebrate,  Lauren’s family and mine are going to Bear Lake and staying at the cabin from Wednesday to Sunday (Easter!) and I’m excited to just get away for a few days 🙂

Anyways, the point of today’s post is that it’s April 6th! Which is not only my good friend’s birthday, and the day the church was organized in 1830, but also the day that my church celebrates (and believe’s it to be the actual day of) Christ’s birthday! We also had General Conference this past weekend where the prophet, apostles, and other leaders of the church speak to everyone and it’s broadcasted throughout the whole world.

So in honor of that, I compiled a list of my favorite quotes from General Conference.  I’ll have a post on my HOSA trip coming up soon (even though it’s been a month since I went) and then I also have another post in the making that I think y’all will get a good laugh out of, so stay tuned!

1. “As we learn to see others as the lord sees them, our love for them will grow, and so our desire to help them” – Elder Palmer

 

2. “Remember, it is by divine design that not all the voices in God’s choir are the same” – Elder Holland

3. “We are His Children. He loves us, and all He does is for our eternal benefit” – Elder Oaks

 

4. “Knowing where you are going and how you expect to get there can bring meaning, purpose, and accomplishment to life” – Elder Ballard

5. “Overcoming the world is not one defining moment in a lifetime, but a lifetime of moments leading to eternity” – Elder Andersen

 

Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed it! Leave one of your favorite quotes in the comments below.

Love y’all! – Aspen AKA The Author