Panic Attacks in the Apple Store

[Warning: The following post contains some serious first world problems.]

My computer died this weekend.  I went to turn it on, and nothing happened.  No screen of death, no beeping.  Just silence.  Just black.

Symbolic, really. 

Five years worth of photos, presentations, assignments, papers, projects, resumes, applications, silly PhotoBooth pictures, music, QLab files--a whole lot of work, a bundle of memories, and all of it went black. 

Oh, and I graduate in two weeks.  Bye college career. 

The magic-genius-bar-humans at the Apple Store told me there was a problem with my logic disk, and they would have to send it in and blah blah money money blah numbers blah.  So, after walking in and out a couple times, phone calls to Dad, milling around the container store with Bianca, somehow I was buying a new computer.  AND OKAY.  Usually I am prepared for these kinds of things.  Big purchases, y'know.  But no.  And then, trying to help, magic-genius-bar-humans keep asking me this:

"What will you be using your computer for?"

Excuse me, what.
Instinct answer: allllll the school things.
Real answer: WHAT.  Wait, I'm graduating so I don't know maybe I will be writing maybe I will be just on Facebook and Netflix for the rest of my life maybe I will need to program sound for some shows maybe I will need to do big projects oh shoot you close in seven minutes maybe I don't even need a computer do I just want an iPad but no I want a computer but what kind good question and I really would like to answer that for you but I can't right now because you are asking me to see the future and as much as I want to help with that and yes I realize that I'm not breathing right now is that a problem for you...what...macbook air...ok and you need money for that well lemme see how much is in my account ok drama well goodbye money hello adulthood yes I'll just come back next week to see if you can save all of my precious memories but in the meantime I'll continue to hold my breath unknowingly...  [brains have no filter, structure, etc.]

It took me almost 24 hours of glancing occasionally across the room at the Apple Store bag before I could open it.  I don't really know why.  Because, um, hello...new computer--how fun!

Anyone think that this mini panic attack has nothing to do with a computer and everything to do with graduation? NAH.
   _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
RIP MacBook Pro 2011.  Thanks for seein' me through my undergrad.  Because you're probably the only one who truly knows it all.

Hello, MacBook Air.  Thanks for giving me a fresh start, wherever that may lead.

Update: Data migration was successful, and all my wonderful documents, photos, etc., are safe.  But I will be purchasing an external hard drive and backing everything up x1098382394.

Andddd, here we go again.

Isn't it funny how we always seem to find ourselves at the end of one thing and the beginning of another? Here I am again. Done with Winter Semester (and halfway through spring term) Which...I kinda thought might never happen.

Sooo, the past four months have been a lot of things. Mostly wonderful. But.

Note to self: 17 credits + 7 classes + 1 job + 2 shows = ...........too much. No matter how much you love it.

And, who knows if I'll remember that note in the future ;)

There's not really a good way for me to summarize all that I've done, learned, felt, and experienced this semester...slash this whole school year. So, maybe I'll have a lot of different posts reminiscing on it all :) No promises, though.

But, I will say this. I am so blessed. With people, opportunities, doing what I love, and so much learning. Still trying to find my place in it all...but, I'll get there.

Here's a teensy overview:

The lovely Emma and silly McKenzie (With Chauntel
hanging out in the background!) as we pay close
attention in directing.

These are sheep, couldn't you tell?
Brittni and Jenna's best work ever ;)

Even though I spent quite a lot of time in class, I got to learn some pretty cool things...and with some pretty cool people :) My lovely classes were: Stage Management, Voice Production 2, Makeup 1, Directing Fundamentals, Neutral Mask, Acting Explorations, and Joseph Smith & the Restoration.  How did I ever go to school when I didn't love what I was learning? It's pretty great, lemme tell ya. 

I am a bearded lady. Rock on. 

Oh and for those concerned that I'm just wasting my time in pointless classes (cough mom cough dad cough especially dad), I promise that I'm learning...lots and lots. And, more importantly, I love it ;)

Hey everyone. Check out my wonderful roommates. Hailey, Madi, and Kristi. I'm a lucky girl to have lived with these lovelies. Haha, they put up with me in lots of ways...especially since I didn't have a lot of time (or desire) to clean my room...oops. 

Oooookay. So, on the first day of my Stage Management class, my teacher told us that we would have to assistant stage manage one of the mainstage productions for that semester. And, every day after that, I wondered how I could be so blessed to work on Servant of Two Masters. I got to know some amazing people. I learned so much from the very best. It wasn't easy. Haha. And it took a lot of time.  But, I wouldn't trade it. What I gained definitely outweighs all of the other stuff. So grateful for this experience, for these memories. 

Since the missionary age change in October, lotsss of my friends have put in their papers :) I had a semester full of mission call openings and farewells:

They're headed all over the world. Indiana, Chicago, Argentina, Arizona, El Salvador, Belize, Brazil, Japan, and everywhere else basically ;) So glad and proud that such amazing sisters are sharing the gospel across the globe. 

Anyways, that's a pretty lame recap, but I'm over it :) 

Bottom line. I get to do wonderful things with wonderful people every day. 

Updates and Uploads

Obviously I'm fantastic at this blogging thing.

Seeing as it's been several months, I feel as though some brief updates are in order.

Spring Semester. 
My friends up and left me this spring. Understandably so. I have no idea why I was in Provo for two extra months when I could have been in the lovely mitten state enjoying my summer. Oh yes, that's right. I do know. Work. I wanted to make sure I had a job to come back to. And, I'm pretty sure that working for three and a half months and then leaving for four doesn't ensure employment. So, I stayed May and June. I picked up 8.5 credits which was definitely not the smartest decision of my life.  Every day was class class class class work work work work. But I survived.

I lived with the wonderfuls that are my brother and his wife.  Watched King of the Hill every night. Introduced Bianca to Glee.  Shot a gun for the first time.  Watched my brother CLEAN his gun everyyyy night.  Partied at Trafalga.  Did homework? Eh.

They were fabulous hosts and didn't complain about the mess in my room. Seriously, it looked as though a tornado hit in there. I finally cleaned it a few weeks before I had to leave. Typical.

Home.
After a fun-filled week of finals, I finally got on a plane and headed east :)

Ah. Michigan. I'm a fan. I stepped off of the plane and could just feel the humidity in the air.  And I didn't mind it. Not one bit.

I didn't do anything incredibly exciting this summer. But, it was just good to be home and relaxing. Instead of giving some terribly long descriptions of my summer festivities, here are some pictures :)

I don't know what Eric's face is doing, but I had some pretty wonderful times with these people right here. Eric, Emma, and Emily.  I'm kind of the odd one out there without an E name. Watching movies, eating food(it's what we do), going into ...interesting stores. Anywayssss...Here we are at Eric's grad party! 

Oh Emily. Way to use him. What are fake boyfriends for? Scratching your arm of course. Oh wait, I did that for you, too. But, you returned the favor so it's fine. Look at the snuggling during our Mary-Kate and Ashley marathon. #tender. 

HARRY POTTER. Cried my little eyes out. Here we have a Patil twin (I don't remember which one), Bellatrix, and Trelawney at the midnight premiere. This movie. I don't even know what to say about it. Saw it four times. No judging. I would pick my favorite part, but there are a few. There are just so many perfect moments...The score is also fantastic. Loved everything about this movie (almost).  

Harry Potter isn't over, of course. Because people will still read the books, still watch the movies. And when others ask, "After all this time?" They will respond, "Always."

So, we decided to camp in a tent. In Emma's backyard. Fun times :) Buttttt, the first night a huge storm chose to pay a visit to Northville, so we came inside. And it's a good thing because......

   

This is what our tent looked like when we woke up. That would have been an adventure. So, we decided to try it again that night, and it was quite a fun time--watching Goonies, making 1 am pizzas, and listening to every.single.ringtone that Anne Pertner had on her phone :)

So. Emma and I are getting married. Clearly. And obviously we're getting our wedding dresses at Salvation Army. 

Disclaimer: That was sarcasm. I have to clear this up because after these pictures were posted on the Facebook, my cousin commented, asking when I was getting married. Yep. 

bridesmaid dresses? Perfffff. But, we did actually find a few cute things to add to our wardrobes, so that's pretty exciting. 

I owe a wonderful summer to this girl (among others, don't get too jealous). Thanks for hanging out with me like. Every day. You're welcome for driving you places. Like. Dropping you off at work and stuff. Just that one time :) Love our many sleepovers watching scary movies, creepy TV shows. Photoshoots. Oh. And eating. We like to eat. We're kinda best friends. 

Miss driving with the top down, blasting the radio, and not worrying about a thing. 

       

Summer 2011. You are missed <3

Harry Potter | Marchin On

Goosebumps. So excited :)

Can't believe this is almost over. 


Here's the trailer! http://www.digitalspy.com/movies/news/a316474/watch-the-deathly-hallows-part-2-trailer.html

Lessons Learned

Text on Mon, Apr 25th at 12:07 PM
To: Brittany: ...I'm tired because you drained the energy out of me for eight months
From: Brittany: Eight wonderful months. Best 8 months of your life. 

She's probably right. The past eight months have been fantastic. I've also never had so much drama in my life (or so it seems), but everything good outweighs all of that :) 


This is what I believe: 
"...people come into our lives for a reason, bringing something we must learn.  We are led to those who help us most to grow, if we let them, and we help them in return..."


I've learned so much this year. Some accounting (sort of), american heritage, tap, ballet, jazz, and contemporary, art, literature, and music history, Spanish.  And, while that's great and all, I learned a lot more from what happened over the months and the people I was with. 


This is what I want to tell my amazing friends:
"...So much of me is made from what I learned from you. You'll be with me like a hand print on my heart. And now whatever way our stories end, I know you have rewritten mine by being my friend."


So, here are some of my "lessons learned" and the people who taught them to me. 

Brittany

be yourself. always. don't think a minute what somebody else may be thinking about you or what they might have said about you. don't let people walk all over you. learn from your mistakes and never be afraid to change, but only for the better.

Jenny
have fun. laugh out loud.  again, it doesn't matter what people think, be happy with who you are.  there are some things in life that you're just meant to laugh at. always have a good sense of humor and don't be afraid to lighten the mood.
Emma 
never forget your best friends. no matter how long it's been since you've seen them. no matter how far away they are. (thanks for making it so easy).
Tamee
love your family. they'll always be there, and you should be there for them, too.
Kirra

care for the people you love and make sure they're happy. make sure they know you love them. pay attention to your friends and include everyone, no matter how you feel about them.

Jackie
dream big. set goals and don't be afraid to fulfill them.
Beka
work hard and know what's important to you. if you want something, go and get it. love your old friends, love your new friends.
Madi
set your standards high. love the Lord. there's a time for work, and there's a time for fun--don't have too much of either.  serve others, but in small ways. again, be yourself and don't let anybody change that. make funny faces :) 


And...

• don't overlook anyone, you never know who's going to end up being your best friend.
• stand up for yourself. stand up for the people you love.
• don't worry, be happy. 
• be a good friend, but know who your friends are. figure out who loves you and love them back. 
• listen.
• laugh at yourself. don't get embarrassed too easily.
• sometimes you have to do what's best for you, even if it's hard, even if you feel bad, and even if you have to give up something or someone you love.
• forgive. never hold grudges.
• it's okay to have fun, be silly, and act like an eight year old sometimes, but never forget who you are and where you came from. 

Thank you. Thank you to everyone who taught me something this year. I'll never forget it. Everything's about to change (more for some than others, cough Kirra cough). But, I'll always remember our crazy times and how happy they were :) More to come? You bet. 




*long live.

r.i.p. 2121 Stover Hall (just for you, Britt).