Free and Easy

Dierks Bently says "Free and Easy down the road I go" this is how I want my life to be.  Not necessarily easy but free....free of choices, thoughts, goals and opinions.  Right now with engineering I feel like I'm living in a glass box.  Everything is so tight and planned out. I want to be happy mentally and physcially,  I want peace and balance and I just want to help people.  I want to go to the gym, skate more, volunteer more, play more football, just LIVE more.  I have to finish out this quarter of engineering but then I'll probably switch to something else.  It's tough to find out about yourself this way; the way of thousands of dollars, heartache, tears, lack of sleep, mood swings, weights shifts, and changing of friends.  To say I've learned a lot about myself since coming to college is an understatement in all sense of the word.  I've learned that there are just some things I'm not very good at and no matter how hard I try I never will be good at them.  I've learned that you can't trust everyone; no one really is always going to be there for you through thick and thin.  I've learned that having a stuffed animal that you sleep with is one of the best cures to any problem.  I've learned that it's okay if you switch your mind. I've learned that nothing, nothing in this life is going to be easy but that's the way it should be.  I've learned that people are really here for themselves and everyone is selfish no matter how much they'd like to deny it.  I've learned that sleep is a luxury and privilege not a right. I've learned that most everyone comes into your life for a reason.  These realizations have made me a stronger person from the inside out. I've learned that you can learn so much about yourself from the people you're around.  Garret has taught me how to have fun and still be a child, Nick has shown me that opening up to someone is really okay, Rachel has taught me to spit my thoughts out of my head and justify my answers, Annie has taught me about family and loving them, Ryan has taught me that it's okay to be happy without pursuing a career for money, Billy has taught me that there are some people you can trust and tell things to knowing they'll be secure, Allison has taught me to look at nature and see life and beauty, Gage has taught me to find my passion and live it and let everyone else live it, Brittney has taught me that a little drama never hurt anyone, Landan has taught me that sometimes the truth hurts because it's real but it's what needs to be said, Scottie has taught me that showing emotion actually is important, Schutte has taught me to pursue a dream, Hannah has taught me to smile, Thomas has taught me that sometimes a self reality check is the only way to go, Becky has taught me how to love your friends honestly, Lizzie has taught me to love life and show others that you do too, Annalee has taught me to embrace the changes of nature and life, Mia has taught me to go out and experience new things, Collin has taught me what it's like to have a true friend, Hannah B. has taught me to take religion seriously and live it, James has taught me that good hugs are sometimes the best way to help someone, Max has taught me that being a nerd who plays the saxophone is still sweet.  There's so much more I have learned from all the people I've come in contact with here.  I take a little of each of them with me all the time. And to conclude from Dierks "You only get to go round one time, sit back and enjoy the ride"

Skiing

It snowed today!!!!!  I went to Keystone to ski with Wyeth, Patrick, Susie and Ali.  We had such a great time.  We all got up at about 7 and got ready to go. It was nice to be awake before everyone else.  The whole drive there we just talked and sang songs.  The jokes began and now we have so many inside jokes and little quirks.  I got my Epic Pass picture taken and we got on the gondola.  We skied over 10 runs and just had a blast. Keystone is a lot like Park City mountain resort. It's pretty easy stuff where you can ski super fast. I like the steeper, more challenging stuff but that's okay we had a great time just laughing. We left to come home at  4:30. There was a sign that said it was going to take 3:55 to get to Denver; I didn't want to believe it. ha We just drove and sang some more and told more jokes and stories. After 2 hours we were at a dead stop and Patrick got out of the car. He started walking and it was hilarious because people just looked at him. He came back to the car and then we went to Dairy King which is a little mom and pop restaurant. I had hot chocolate and a grilled cheese and then we continued our journey. We got back at 9:30. it was crazy but such a good time. It was so nice to be away from everyone; especially everyone in plp for a little bit.  I think PLP is getting really close but drama is beginning. I still love it though. Good times. I'm so happy to be here

Back to school

I'm back! I got back to Denver yesterday and Garret came to the airport to pick up Blair and I.  I have soooo much stuff that I brought back but it's all useful stuff.  It was a weird feeling flying back knowing I won't be home for 4 months and even when I am home it's for a lacrosse tournament.  It's crazy that I have a solid 5 months of school now but it's exciting.  Walking in the dorm was such a great feeling. Everyone came out to give hugs and say hello and how we've missed each other. These people truly are my friends.  I unpacked my stuff and hung out with Rachel for a bit.  More people started getting back so I got to say hi and hang out with them and then finally went to sleep.  This place feels like home.  My 8am physics lab was cancelled so I got to sleep till 9. I then had electrically engineering and found out that we don't have a final in that class so I hope I do well in it.  Right after engineering I had Calc II.  My professor has a french accent and he's a puggy little guy.  He loves math and the class was quiet so I hope that it works well with me.  I'm going to work hard.  I was done with classes by 11:50 today.  So nice just to come back and chill and take care of some stuff.  I'm going to the gym later too.  Yipeeeeeee. it's good to be home :)

Christmas

yes it is indeed 3:40 in  the morning on Christmas day!  Of course my parents are still awake but I'm going in to sleep with TJ in just a few minutes.  I love being home for Christmas. My mom is crazy about holidays and traditions and it's great. We always frost cookies, always look at lights, always have a big Christmas eve dinner, go to midnight mass, play games, and stay up super super late wrapping presents and finishing the final touches on presents. I love it! 
    Bill, Allison, Karen and Matt came over for dinner before mass. It was good to hang out with them and be friends. Then Derek Montgomery and James Carrigan came to Midnight Mass with us.  I was happy they came. I think they enjoyed it. I hope they did anyway. They came back with us and frosted some cookies before going home.
    Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight :)
~Erin

growing.

I no longer like the word "change".  I like to think of people as they are "growing".  and part of that growing means that my best friend is ENGAGED.  Tiffany Earl is engaged to Mark whom she's been dating for over 2 years now. It's crazy to look back on the past 14 years of our friendship and see how we've grown as girls.  I really do love her no matter what and I want the best for her. I'm so thankful that I'm not at that point in my life but I do wish them the best and am so happy for them. Cheers!!!

the last three days

           It was a great weekend. I worked for Grant Friday morning baking 16 batches of sugar cookies, 6 batches of mint brownie cookies, 6 batches of shortbread cookies and did more chocolate dipped pretzels.  So much baking! Good thing I don't eat white flour our I'd be HUGE working for him. After that I went to Park City to babysit. The family had a boy and girl but the girl had 3 of her ice skating friends over for the evening.  Their dad built a little ice rink in their back yard. I happened to have my skates in the car so the kids begged me to skate with them. I got on and spun them around. They loved it and seeing their faces was priceless. I thank God for letting me stay healthy and skate all these years so I can play with kids like this. The girls talked all night about skating and it made me think of all the sleepovers, camps, competitions, clinics, movies, practice sessions, seminars and classes that I have experienced with my best friends Angie, Caitlin, Kylee and Tiffany.  Some of us have known each other since we were 5 years old and have experienced so much together. The girls I babysit have no clue where there life is headed the next 11 years.  Skating is incredible and has taught me more about life than anyone or anything could have. Determination, persistance, dedication, passion, and love are just some of the qualities I have learned from the sport. Thank you to my parents for always supporting me through my journey as a figure skater.  After skating outside with the kids we went in to make Ginger Bread houses.  Their dog had thrown up twice so I had to clean it up. Yuck. Those of you who know me know that I do not like dogs/animals for that matter. I don't mind throw-up so I just took care of it.
        After babysitting I went to Yogurt Stop to meet up with Steph, Miranda, Katie Tominoga, and Anna Cassell.  It was so so good to see Steph and Miranda. I gave them big hugs! Allie Thorpe was also there with her ring. So insane that she's getting married. Grant was there too and they've set a date for their wedding in June. Us five girls went to see New Years Eve. It was an awesome movie. We all liked it a lot. I always snort when I laugh so I had to plug my nose during the movie to be sure not to upset anyone.  I want to start a list like they did in the movie.
      Saturday I went to the ice rink for a little bit and then went to get my car washed. It was super dirty and Tyler Gee was so nice and said he'd wash it for free. So nice of him!  It's now clean.  Saturday night I babysat for a different family in Park City. Their kids are so cute and they went to bed really early. 
      Sunday I baked a lot with my momma.  We made caramels, fudge, cookies, and truffles. Hopefully everything tastes great. I ate way too many sweets yesterday and had to take a break today. I also babysat yesterday for a little while watching a 4 month old boy. We took a little nap which was nice.  I baked once I got home until 1am just listening to some good old Keith Urban.
       Today I worked for Grant for a few hours putting together pretzel boxes. I then went and babysat the 4 month old again. Tonight mom and I went shopping and I got more cute clothes at Old Navy. It's great because I got lots of sweatshirts and coats.     

Tonight.....I cut 10 inches off my hair.  It was the first hair cut/trim since July 15, 2010 when I cut off 12 inches.  I donated it to Locks of Love.  There are so many people in my life who have lately been affected by cancer and this is the least I can do. Cindy Wallace, Richard Tamburrino, Julie Overholt, Jolyn Hansen, and more.  It seems like more and more each day I hear of cancer patients and my life is so good. I don't have any major problems and I thank the Lord for that. This is my way of hopefully being able to brighten someone's day.

great day

Yesterday was a great day....
       I got to sleep in until 7:30 ha and then went to work for Grant (the caterer).  I made gift boxes and delivered them to a restaurant.  I came back and finished up a few things and had teriyaki  chicken and rice for lunch.  I came home to hang out before going skating.  Tiff came and skated! So much fun since I haven't skated with her in months.  We're going to do a show program with us 2 and Angie at Park City's Christmas show which will be loads of fun.  Tiff and I went shopping at Khols, Dollar Tree and then the good ol Thrift Town.  Kohls had some great deals. I never fully appreciated all that Dollar Tree has to offer and am definitely going to go there more often.  At thrift town I bought an awesome sweater that I'm stoked to wear and a really cool windbreaker.  Life is good.  I'm excited to do more thrifting over break.
      I got to hang out with Cole after that and that was really great. It was so so good to see him and his family. We went to Mocha Salsa, well it's called Hector's now, and ate.  I was supposed to buy him dinner for his birthday since when we skyped he was eating a burrito but the silly boy bought. What a good guy.  We drove around aimlessly after sitting at Hector's for awhile and then drove up Little Cottonwood Canyon.  I haven't been up there since August so that was cool and the sky was so clear. It was 16 degrees though so we didn't really walk around, just sat in the car and talked. It's crazy to think that we've been friends since 7th grade and to see how much each of has grown is really cool.  Considering this break is the last time that I'll see him in at least 2 years makes me realize how much some people mean to me.  I can't believe that we're to the age of him going on a mission.  We've done such fun things in the past 7 years and they're memories that I'll never forget like prom, jumping on the tramp, celebrating my 16th birthday, Sweethearts, lacrosse state games, AP American online tests every Sunday, driving around in the jeep, MUN.....So many fun times.

It was a great day to see 2 friends that I haven't seen in awhile; two friends that I really like and wanted to see.

  Me, Tiff, and Ang...friends forever