A Sentimenal Season

 

Geofferson (my camera) made me proud today :}  Hah I finally figured out how to use all of his epic zooming capabilities.

But yes.  Today I spent a little while wandering around Plaza housing, stopping by some of the places that I used to love so much in years past.  It made me kind of sad... like I've been neglecting the tiny little base that I've called home for so long.  Though small, in my opinion, Plaza is a magical place. It's full of forests and hills and children and creatures and I find that every time I go looking, I manage to find a new adventure within these gates.

I also visited this little piece of art again.

It also made me remember the first few weeks we were here.  I was a lonely soul, dragged here on Christmas eve from everything I knew and loved.  I had only one friend for the first few weeks, and that was Alicia.  I remember we spent all day every day together, wandering around plaza, talking about everything under the sun.

It took off so quickly and so naturally.  Whoodda thunk she'd still be one of my best friends almost 3 years later.

Winter break is a time full of emotion and memory for me.  This was the time when I was forced to leave my favorite duty station before this one.  This was the time when I was thrown into a foreign country for the first time after never living outside of Southern California.  This has always been the time the world mainly celebrates the birth of Christ and the new year.  This was the time when I made my first friend on Okinawa.  This was the time when I had my first real taste of childhood freedom and adventure.

This was the time when my life changed forever.

A Recipe for Yesterday

Ingredients:

5 scoops of Christmas
2 cups full of hugs
a pinch of dancing
2 Tbsp. acting
1 smidgen giving
5 cups of getting
a couple dashes of adventure
1 dollop of adrenaline
a brand new, unopened, bag of freedom

Pour all ingredients into a bowl, one at a time.  Add the bag of freedom first, otherwise the rest don't have nearly as much flavor.  Make sure you take time to appreciate what each one does.  Feel free to spread those hugs around after each new ingredient is added to make it a little sweeter.  Scoop little dollops onto a cookie tray and bake at 62 degrees for 24 hours.

mine is a good life ♥

She

So.  After today I'm feeling quite inclined to tell the world about how awesome the girls in my little group of friends are.

Because really, honestly, they're super stars--every single one of them for different reasons.

And sometimes I'm a cranky person.  Sometimes I'm immature and selfish and antisocial and ungrateful.  But, today, I want them to know that no matter what mood I'm in I really do love them so much and I know I would be nothing without them. 

So, if you'd like, watch this little video I made of them.  Get a little peek at the wonderful daughters of God they are.

Merry Christmas, Sarah, Bailey, Michaela, Abby, Alicia, Molly, and Alison.  I love you.

(And I tried to coordinate the pictures with the lyrics the best I could, in case you didn't notice xD)

Quote of the Day:

Patrick: "Nah, Coree's just crazy.  Ignore her."
Me: "Gee thanks for throwing me under the bus, Patrick!"

Sarah O: "Oh my gosh, YOU THREW YOUR SISTER UNDER A BUS???!???"

Aren't I Enough?

The moment I reveal that last little bit of my soul to you.... the moment you know me better than anyone else ever has, ever could--even better than I know myself...

...you tell me to change.

Well I'm so glad I decided to open up to you.

Yes, I know I have some problems.  Who doesn't?  I'm aware that there are some traits of mine that make daily living more difficult than it has to be.  Believe me--I get it.  Maybe you're just trying to look out for me.  This is probably the case.

But there are some things I just have no control over. 

Oh well.  You want me to change, I'll do it.  You do know me best, after all. Who am I to question you?

You There.

Hey there, Best Friend.

If you ever need for me to wear an outfit that coordinates with yours and pull you out of a small field of fluffy grass by the hand then I'm ready and willing.

Hmm... that could make a good metaphor.

Dear Future Husband,

-please be more attractive than this schnozy dragon- 

I know you're out there somewhere, though you will never read this post on my highschool blog.

Still, I feel heavily inclined to write a small note to you.  Just in case you're my most dedicated follower or something.

I just wanted to say that I really hope you're everything I imagine you to be in my head and better, though I'm sure you are.  I bet you're really funny and like to tease people.  Of course, when you meet me, you'll know just how to have fun without hurting me.  We can pick on people together, if you want. 
I wonder if you'll be childish like me, or really mature.  I kind of hope childish so that we can have lots of fun together, even when we're old and sipping applesauce through a straw (even though I do that now.)
I wish you were here right now.  I wish I knew who you were and who you are and who you and I would become together.  It would make the whole worrying about finding a highschool boyfriend thing much easier... I'd have perspective!

But I'll know it's you.  I can tell the moment I meet someone what they will mean to me.

Also, I'll know it's you because you'll propose to me with a ringpop.  My real ring will be inside the candy ;)  (Yeah, Sarah came up with the idea, but I'm not marrying her.  I'm sure she sent the idea to you through a brainwave or something so that you can use it on me in the future.)

Please hold my hand a lot and let me lean my head on your shoulder.  It will be reassuring to me that you actually love me.  Please tell me I'm beautiful and small and cute... because I'll need it.  I promise I'll tell you what a stud you are every day, and when it comes to manly things, you can always win.  I'll make us dinner and such but I hope you know you're going to be helping me with that on occasion... just so that we can be one of those cute couples who cook together.

You can buy as fancy of a car as you want, just as long as you don't let her take my place.

I'll even watch football with you! (or baseball, if you're more into that)

Just so you know, we're going to coordinate our outfits sometimes.  Not match.... matching is for squares.  Just some nice color coordination.
Our kids are all taking breakdance lessons,
the oldest boy is going to be named Louis,
we're visiting Africa,
and we're going to have a dog.

Just never call me a name.
Never make me feel like dirt as so many men have done to me in the past.
never hit me,
help me with chores around the house if I'm too busy with our feisty children,
and hold the priesthood worthily.
Oh it would be nice if you could be black.
At least have swag.

Ours will be a beautiful friendship :}

Please Treat Him Well

 

He's always talking about how he uses me to practice for how to treat his future wife.

My gosh she already doesn't deserve him.

A Taste of Christmas

 

 'tis the season....

It totally feels like Christmas in my house right now.  We're getting out all the decorations.  It's definitely not the same as years past, considering Troy's gone and none of us kids are really that enthused with all of the traditions and sappy family togetherness, but it's still good.  Jacob and my father are going to the states so that Jake can get surgery, so there are only going to be three of us actually at home.  We'll have to make do.

 

 This little dude is probably my favorite decoration we have.  His name is Deiter.  You probably can't tell too well from the picture, but he's a little German wooden elderly man sitting on a tree stump, holding a frothy mug of beer, a pretzel, and smoking a pipe.  You can take him off of the stump and put a little incense cone thingy on it and then put him over it and the smoke comes out through a little whole in his mouth, making it look like he's actually smoking his pipe.

Not exactly the best example for the word of wisdom, I know, but he's so cute and weird. 

I try to remember the real best part of Christmas, though.  

Happy almost birthday, Jesus!

Dear Abigail,

Hey there lover/twin. 

You're one of my favorite people :}  I love that I can be absolutely crazy and childish around you and you won't judge me for it or think less of me.  We have so much fun together--whether it's dancing or skipping through the halls, arms linked, shouting "MAKE WAY! We are free spirits!" or walking to get garlic rice, or even staying up 'til one in the morning talking about deep issues, I love our quirky relationship. 

Grawr

 

Even when about to be eaten by a giant green monster, I'm smiling.

Trololol

On the Bright Side...

"Things with this friend aren't going so hot.  What's this??  Mom just yelled at me!  I am a horrible child.  So stupid and incapable.  I think I'll curl up on the floor and pout rather than do something about my problems.  SHOOT!  I have a performance tonight that I'm totally not prepared for!  Oh and even after that's over with I have to memorize lines for drama and then prepare for the 3 tests I have on Monday.  Oh how horribly awfully stressful.  Wasn't I supposed to buy a ton of cheese for the performance?  How much?  Dang it, I think they needed it a few hours ago.  I am so getting yelled at by several people for this.  I should do something that makes me happy.  What is it I do again.... write?  Dang it.  I have a book I should be working on.  Writing would make me more stressed. 

WAIT A SECOND!  I can go eat!  That makes me happy!  Okay so today isn't so horrible after all."  

I find my logic greatly disturbing, to say the least.

Things That Make ME Happy

I feel just making this list might make me happy?  We'll see how big it is.

Giraffes (duh)
my brothers
Christmas
cold weather
dogs
good books
Twilight
freckles
the beach
Molly Hagen
climbing buildings
cute photos
music videos
my friends
acting
playgrounds
theme parks
pretty flowers
hide and seek
scarves
little black children
long hugs
Abigail Erdelatz
Where the Wild Things Are
Disney movies
trench coats
Jesus
The Office
long walks
new car smell
FamilyMart
Bailey Lisk
hipsters
whistling
The Lion King
pretty blogs
cute couples
plaid shirts
coordinating colors
love notes
singing
peanut butter and jelly sandwiches
buttons
smoothies
Halloween
chocolate covered cherries
Sarah LaBanc
writing
songs with snapping/clapping
preventing others' sleep
Arthur
blanket forts
David Archuleta
Oprah
EFY!
holding hands
snuggling
Patrick
Michaela Hunter
Lord of the Rings: Extended Edition
the way Jacob runs
people who snort when they laugh
tidy desks
clean rooms
huge couches
giant piles of pillows
sleeping in class
burrowing
school spirit!!
when teachers talk about pointless things and forget their lecture
breakfast in seminary on Fridays
when teachers just don't show up
synchronization
80's music
The Proposal
fairy tales
talking animals
adventures
breaking the law
being mean to Cody
when people rub my back
Billy Joel
barbershop quartets
shaped clouds
telepathic moments
knowing answers in class
school uniforms (not in the randy way...)
red gloves
balloons
baby animals
dinosaur impressions
the smell of coffee
secret handshakes
music I can't help but dance to
ringlets
shiny black shoes
hairbows
things in 3-D
giant purses
Elmo
couples who wear matching outfits
THE GOSPEL

Planking

 

This is Coree's view on planking.

*Thwhack*

Dear World,

I'M INSECURE.

Maybe you already knew that.  I know some of you did.  

I'm tired of worrying about every little thing that anyone says.  I'm tired of doing a mental facepalm/headdesk/headshake every five seconds at my own stupidity. 

Maybe I have no reason to worry.

Maybe I'm the definition of perfection.

Maybe I'm actually a cool kid who people look up to.

Maybe people like my clothes,

think my hair is pretty,

admire the unique tint to my eyes,

think my freckles are cute,

wish they were more like me.

Wouldn't that be nice?

Unfortunately...

 I'm Coree.

I'm insanely awkward,

far too clingy,

immature,

plain,

unmotivated,

selfish,

lazy,

unspiritual,

my clothes are plain and few,

my hair is gross,

my eyes are plain brown half the time,

my freckles are faded,

and I am not someone taken seriously.

Some of those things you might argue to be false if you're feeling generous.  However, even if they aren't true, that's how I feel.  I could have the most stunning wardrobe ever but I'd still feel like I was wearing an awkward homeschooler's outfit.  I could have the strongest testimony ever, no fear of sharing the gospel with the world, and I would still feel like a Child of Hell spawned from Satan.  I could have the shiniest, bounciest hair ever and I'd still feel like I had rats nesting atop of my head. 

And you know what?

It's driving me crazy.

Runs Thicker Than Water

 

 I can't tell you how much I enjoy this picture.  My face is kinda scrunched up into a weird position because it was soo sunny, but I love getting to pick out little facial features on us that match up perfectly.  Our lips, our noses, our chins... out of the four, we're the two who resemble my dad's side of the family.

Sometimes I need to take a step back and remind myself that these ones are the relationships that will last forever at least to some degree, no matter what.  

I am so thankful that I have not just one brother as you see here, but three brothers who all treat me like a princess compared to many siblings.  Those guys have always been my closest friends and I hope it stays that way as we age.

We as a unit have the kind of relationship where we can talk about how awesome it will be after we find spouses and have kids, getting to gather at our parents house and get all the little cousins (who are going to be best friends.  Decision made.) together, without it being one of those awkward, forced scenes like you see in movies.

So even if I do cause contention in the home, even if I do make you guys wait on me hand and foot, and even if I'm super moody and dramatic at this phase in my life (or my entire life thus far...), please continue to be patient and be my real best friends, brothers.

Window-Shopping Dinosaur

Even if she is going to turn into a window-shopping adult, I'll always remember the days when we used to pretend we were  

D I N O S A U R S together.

Life is Like Climbing a Tree

 

Life is like climbing a tree.  The best way to achieve such a goal is to look straight forward at what you're doing.  Look down and you'll be filled with regrets and doubts.  Look too far ahead and you'll become overwhelmed with what lies before you still.

Just take it one step at a time.

Of course, there will always be those people who start laughing at you because perhaps your form while climbing this tree isn't quite up to par.  They might even go as far as to throw bricks at you, sending you backwards in your journey.  Maybe you decide to climb a really smooth tree with few branches, thinking that because this tree looked the nicest, it must be the best choice.  Or, maybe you were just thrust at the tree and forced into climbing it. Either way, there isn't much to support you and you're going to slip fast.

You have two choices:

Fall, whether by giving up or by slipping, and plummet to your death.

Or stick with what you've got and endure the potential pain and frustration.

Only the latter of the two will get you to the top, where you can crouch among the shining green leaves so that you can survey a glorious horizon and start to plan your next climb.