Beauty and the Beast

So. I am sitting here and watching one of the best classic Disney movies ever created. Wait for it...Beauty and the Beast. I have to tip my hat off to Mr. Walt Disney, even though he passed away before this wonderful movie was made. He set the foundation for what I believe to be the best set of movies to be drawn.

Granted, the majority...ok ALL of Disney movies involve "once upon a time" and "happily ever after." With all the nay-sayers and "realists" out there, they will actually blame Mr. Disney for getting girls' hopes up that they'll meet their prince charming. Given that it won't be Prince Eric on a large vessel or Prince Phillip riding in on his white horse, but why shouldn't we believe that our Prince is out there?

I have to admit, my favorite Disney Princess movie is Aladdin. However, Beauty and the Beast tells a good story and has the most wonderful moral I think is out there; Beauty is only skin deep AND beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Think about it...if you were Belle and you had just traded your freedom in exchange for your dad's life. Now you have to live with this ANIMAL. What is he even? A lion crossbred with a werewolf that is jumped up on steroids?

Then look at Gaston...here is a MAN's MAN. Tall, dark, dangerously strong and handsome. You can't blame those three barmaids for swooning. I would too considering he apparently has impecible dental hygeine! All the same, as you know he is a straight up douche barrell. Guys like Gaston are only in it for themselves and the only want girls like Belle to be arm candy and a trophy wife. Come on, he had Belle's dad locked up just to make her marry him. Desperate much?

Look at Beast (I have to wonder why they never told us his real name...hmmm.) . True he was a bit of a jerk in the beginning. I personally think he wasn't held enough as a child. D: But once Belle got to know him and Beast melted that heart of ice, we found out he's really just a huge teddy bear that wants to be loved and will do anything to protect his lady.

So ladies, I ask you this. Why don't we give the guys that maybe aren't the best looking a chance?? I remember being friends with the guys in my high school that other girls didn't consider cute and they turned out to be really cool. I'm bummed out that I didn't get a chance to get to know them even better. It's kinda like Princess and the Frog. You gotta kiss some frogs to find your Prince Charming.

I'm talking about deep, meaningful, head-over-heels, his-n-hers towels, let's-grow-old-together L-O-V-E.

"The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and to be loved in return." "A life without love, that is terrible!"-Moulin Rouge

Obviously, my post tonight is about love. For the past few years until recently, I wasn't entirely sure I believed in love, or even deserved love. But ever since I moved back home, I have come to realize love is all around me! I have Heavenly Parents who are constantly watching over me and guiding me day in and day out. My parents love me more than anything else. I have a sister and a brother-in-law who love me and would do anything for me. I have 3 little nephews who are so sweet and innocent that love me despite all my faults because that is how children love- unconditionally. I have love from my friends who will hang out with me if I'm feeling down and we'll do silly stuff and laugh into the night. Romantically, I'm not quite there yet. But it doesn't bother me! It will happen when it's supposed to happen for me. Now that my life is back in order (for the most part), I can envision myself having a happy life with a wonderful man when before all I could see was me getting hurt and left. Since I have learned to love myself, I know that I desereve the best and that is what I will get!

Love conquers all. Even when everything seems lost, love conquers!

Don't Read This if You're Feeling Sick to Your Stomach!

I'm pretty much obsessed with this website called StumbleUpon.com! It's so much fun. Well I "stumbled" on this website http://www.thisiswhyyourefat.com/. I suggest you don't look at it when you're feeling sick to your stomach like I did! Hahahaha.

It's really sad and disgusting what people come up with to eat. No wonder America is the fattest country in the world! D:

This is called Paula Deen's Ladies Brunch Burger. It's a sausage pattie with egg, and bacon between two glazed donuts, and drizzled in what looks like maple syrup. EWWWWWWWW.

And this is one of the nicer looking creations on the website!

Oh the places you'll go!

I've been meaning to write for a while since I don't seem to have caught the blogging bug quite yet. A lot has happened lately and right now I am at a major fork in the road of my life. I want to keep going straight on the path I've been on; however I have not been happy as of late. I moved into an apartment with my best friend the Saturday before Memorial Day and at first it was a lot of fun and liberating. I so enjoyed my new freedom and the independence that living on my own brought me. I was so blinded by this shiney new package that I didn't take time to see what was lying underneath all the shine and glitter.

I've become so unhappy and a slave to my paycheck, always worrying if I'll be able to pay the electric bill, or the Qwest bill or my rent. So much stress was being heaped on me. I wish I had listened to people who told me, "Don't move in with your best friend, cuz you'll end up hating each other." I don't hate her, but living together has torn us apart instead of bringing us closer. I knew something was wrong when I started to want to go home to my parents instead of going home to the apartment after work.

I'm moving back home to live with my parents. I'm rather excited about it. I've missed my family, especially my mom, while I've been living in Mesa. Weekly visits and dailt phone calls just don't cut it. I'm a mama's girl and I have no shame admitting that. This is a healthy choice for both her and me. I value our friendship way too much to continue living the way we have and slowly kill our friendship.

I can now focus on my most reliable alli: ME. I haven't focused on myself in only Heaven knows how long. I want to get my degree and find my future eternal companion. I want to pay off my debts and be able to rent or buy my own place and find some good LDS roommates who lift me up and encourage me to live the standards of the Church. I want to increase my testimony of Institute and tithing, and Temple attendance. I want to live a good and obedient life so I can receive all the blessings I am promised in my patriarchal blessing.

So instead of going straight on the path I'm on, I am going to CTR and choose the right fork that leads to joy and eternal happiness!

New Year, New Start

2010. Holy Crap, another year and another decade has gone by. I am now officially in my twenties and i aspire to make my twenties the best years of my life. I'm not terribly fond of making resolutions at New Year's since they always seem to be broken. However, I do want to make a few for myself that are little and attainable and therefore will be stepping stones towards bigger goals.

So. Of course, there is the cliche resolution- Lose Weight. Idealy, I would like to lose 50lbs. But that number is very overwhelming, so i've decided to take it in chunks. By the end of February i would like to have lost 10-15 pounds. I got a Wii Fit Plus for Christmas and I've enjoyed doing it so far. Right now, my goal is to do it for 5 days out of the week.

Also, I would like to take up a new hobby or refine an old one. I would like to learn how to decorate cakes more professionally or learn how to dance a social type of dance (ie salsa, samba or swing dancing).

Lastly, I would like to be a 3.0 student or better.

As for love, I'm going to take whatever happens. If I happen to get a boyfriend or dare I say it? get engaged...then GREAT! but if I don't then it's just not my time.

Here's to you 2010! May you be filled with happiness and joy!

i can't believe it's gotten this bad. i played my part, yet i apologized. i'm still getting knives in my back and treated like i'm Satan's spawn. now i've come to the decision that i'm done and i'm closing the chapter on this part of my life; i'm starting a new one where i can fulfil my hopes and dreams in peace and where people actually respect me for who i am. i won't turn back and give in to empty words and promises. i realize this new chapter in my life will be hard and difficult, and lonely at times, but i can do it.

no more drama from nasty girls!
no more saying sorry for being RIGHT!
no more taking on other peoples problems!

this time, it's about me.
it may sound selfish, but it's time i focused on myself.

i'm ready.

Life. GAH. at times i love it. but right now...it's driving me crazy and pushing me to the breaking point. this pre-calculus class i'm taking is really testing my nerves, emotions, and spirit. i've never been so frustrated in my entire life! when i go into class, i feel like everyone in there is speaking chinese or something and i'm the only one who speaks english. all this math is a foreign concept to me. and i still have the joy of taking calculus I in the fall... anyways, i have two tests this week, one of them being my final, and i am so ready for this class to be over!!!

i think i'll just finish off by doing this survey my sister did on her blog.

Tag You're it...5 things
5 Things I was doing 5 years ago
1. in my sophmore year of high school
2. being excited about being an aunt for the first time
3. hanging out with Kristi, Meagan and Alisha
4. being a complete Harry Potter nerd
5. working on being first chair flute in orchestra

5 Things on my to do list
1. PASS PRE-CALC!!!
2. save up enough money to buy a new car or apartment
3. decide where i'm going to transfer
4. find a hobby that makes me happy
5. finish decorating my room

What I would do with a Million dollars
1. Pay off my credit card bill
2. Pay for my schooling
3. buy a house and a new car
4. savings
5. buy a new wardrobe

5 Places I have lived
1. Chandler, Az
2. Chandler, Az
3. Chandler, Az
4. Chandler, Az
5. did i mention i've lived in Chandler, Az???

5 Things I want to be doing in 5 years
1. have my B.S. in Psychology
2. engaged or married
3. have a great job
4. starting my own family
5. be back to a size 6 or even 4!

The definition of Devree

"No two people are alike". What makes a person so different from everyone else? It should be obvious but really what is it? I decided to make a list of what sets me apart from everyone else...what makes me special...what makes me Devree.

-if i find song that i really like, i will put it on repeat about a hundred times
-i don't like vegetables
-i have a birthmark on my left hand that looks like a star
-i've never had braces before
-i dance and sing at the top of my lungs when i'm driving
-i pose like i'm a model when i'm getting ready
-i only make my bed once a week
-i think feet are disgusting
-i always have a pack of gum in my purse
-i'm a sucker for blue eyes
-most of my skirts that i wear are actually my moms
-i buy perfume mainly for the bottles
-i have never eaten sushi and i dont plan on ever eating it
-my dream date would involve me and my date just chilling at one of our houses, making dinner and then watching an action movie while he gives me a foot rub =]
-i hate large groups of people
-i don't know what my natural hair color is
-i bite my nails when i'm watching movies
-i have an addiction to mexican food
-i like going grocery shopping
-i have a scar on almost every part of my body; most of them i have no idea how i got it
-i sweat more than the average girl and i hate it
-i know an unhealthy amount of Harry Potter facts
-i wish i could go back to high school
-i cry a lot. sometimes for no apparent reason.

wow. that turned out longer and differently than i thought it would, haha.

Oh Happy Day!

i did not have by any normal standards a spectacular or sensational day. but on the inside...in my heart i did. i got to vent and set goals as i usually do once a month with the lovely Cami. =] i then came home and snacked on string cheese and grapes while watching my new favorite movie of the week- Hairspray! (Zac Efron= YUM!) and then, since my parents are always making me dinner, i thought i would make them dinner! YAY! i ended up making a friend's recipe called jazzed up tomato soup which has dried onions, garlic powder, bacon chunks and cheese in it. it is SOO good and it turned out to be a hit with mis padres! *commence dancing and spinning in chair in celebration* we also had grilled cheese sandwhiches which were also yummy!

and then finally to top the night off, I went over to Becca, Debbie and Steph's house to watch Stardust! it was quite funny at first because Jessie did not want to watch it at all. but as time went on, she was literally on the edge of her seat and squeed with the rest of us girls while the guys just laughed at us. we were all slapstick happy and making jokes the entire time. i haven't laughed that much in a long while and it felt great!

i'm happy with my life once again even though it's not quite what i want it to be. i have the light back on inside of me! =]

Letting go with Love

it never really occured to me until recently that in order to move on, you have to let go with love in your heart. This concept was completely foreign to me until i had a discussion with one of my good friends. there i was hurt and distraught over something that was completely out of my control and she told me that in order to move on, i have to let go with love in my heart. and until i am able to do that, i cannot fully move on. and last night, i was finally able to do that. i feel so much happier already! it still stings a little, but that is overshadowed by the joy i feel!

in other news, school is almost over. GAAAAH. so much to do with so little time!

Dear Future Husband...

recent events have really made me think of the kind of husband i need/want and what kind of wife i might be. so i decided to write my thoughts down so that maybe i can make sense of what is going on in my brain.

Dear Future Hubby,
First off, I am a handful. There is a lot of emotional baggage that comes with me. I will do my best not to blame you or get mad at you for what previous jerks have done to me. It is not your fault. But I expect you to be understanding and loving should I slip. I am a physical person. I don't just WANT you to hold and hug and kiss me... I NEED you to; I need you to show me that you love me even when I don't look great and that you appreciate me. In return I will give you the love and affection you want/need. Please make me laugh...That is the way to my heart. When I rub the back of your neck in the car, I want you to talk to me. However, if you should come home and find me frantically cleaning the bathroom and muttering to myself, it's best not to ask me what is wrong until I come to you in tears for a hug. Please don't laugh at me when I am having a difficult time doing something; you will most likely end up on the couch that night. But just a warning, I just might laugh my butt off when you burn dinner on the grill you put together yourself...and then I will apologize profusely for laughing at you when you start chasing me with the spatchula. On a more serious note, when things get rough I more than likely will say I can't take it anymore and want out. But do not fret. Give me 24 hours and I will come running back to you saying how sorry I am and that I didn't really mean it. I like to be early to appointments and such, so please dont make me late. I am incredibly jealous and posessive, but the only reason I am is because I know I have someone wonderful and I don't want to lose you.

I know our marriage is going to be dificult, but after everything we go through... we will laugh at all of our crazy times. I promise. =]

Love,
Your Eternal Companion- Devree

picture time!

i noticed i don't really post any pictures up here, so i thought it would be nice to put up a pretty recent one. i love this picture because i'm with my best friend kaytie and we were having a ladie's night with our friend shea. we all got dolled up and just had a blast!! you can't tell, but i'm wearing my extensions and it's all pulled into a side ponytail. i will try to be better about posting pictures on here!

Decisions, decisions....

i fell off the blogging bandwagon for a little bit, but only because i've been busy with school =]

anyways, i've been thinking a lot about decisions. big decisions, little decisions, medium decisions. decision making is a scary thing for me. a good choice or a bad choice no matter how small or big it may seem can effect the rest of your life. i made a big decision in my life tonight and i'm still a little unnerved by it. i know i made the right choice, but sometimes i wonder why choosing the right has to hurt so much. i've never really felt this alone before...like i can't fully count on anyone. the only thing that is keeping me from turning back at this point is knowing that the one person i can rely on no matter what is my Heavenly Father. He will keep my secrets and comfort me when no one else can or will. i love that feeling and the power that knowledge gives me! and also the knowledge that my savior Jesus Christ took upon himself the sorrows and sins of the world! he KNOWS exactly what i'm feeling right now and he understands better than anyone! how remarkable is that?! i love my savior and i know that he lives!

this past week

This past week I had the opportunity to stay at home by myself for a full week. It was an interesting experience and I learned some things. Some are silly and some are serious.

-dirty dishes don't clean themselves...and neither does the dirty laundry or the dirty bathroom
-it doesn't matter how many times you change the channel...nothing different will be on
-new alarm systems suck
-ordering pizza gets so old, so quick
-i love and appreciate my mom a lot more
-living TRULY on your own is highly overrated and really boring

i had a strange epiphany yesterday when i was watching shrek 2 yesterday with two of my friends. it was at the part where the Fairy Godmother tells Shrek that if he really loves Fiona, then he'll let her go. and afterwards i was like, "Excuse me but that is a load of bull." When you love someone and an obstacle comes in the way, YOU DON'T LET THEM GO! You freakin' hold onto them like Hell was nipping at your heels. You FIGHT to the death.

today has been a real....off day for me. i feel like my body is declaring war against me. i have cramps which i haven't had in months, a splitting headache and i'm feeling very lethargic. i walked into my mom's bathroom for no reason and she looks at me and was like, "What's wrong sweety?" And i replied, "I don't know. I feel very sad and I feel like I'm going to cry. And I don't know why..." i still haven't figured out the reason. i'm just going to go sleep on it.

Just for Fun =]

My cousin Brittney did this, so I thought I would do it too. Way to kill boredom!

Here are the rules:1) Post rules on your blog2)Answer the six '8' items 3) Let each person know by leaving them a comment

8 Favorite TV Shows:
1) The Biggest Loser!
2) Grey's Anatomy
3) Friends
4) Reba
5) America's Next Top Model
6) King of Queens
7) Cold Case
8) CSI

8 Things I Did Yesterday:
1.) Went to school
2) ate a wrap for lunch
3) watched tv
4) wrote the rough draft for my theatre paper
5) took a nap
6) made cookies for my grandpa
7) sprayed weeds
8) watched the biggest loser

8 Things I'm Looking Forward To:
1) turning 20 in october and celebrating it in disneyland with my friends
2) seeing my boys!
3) switching my major
4) getting a job
5) meeting my true love
6) going on a date
7) losing this weight
8) To get married in the temple

8 Favorite Restaurants:
1) Logan's!
2) Olive Garden
3) Applebees
4) Sonic
5) Fleming's Steakhouse
6) SUBWAY
7) Abuelos
8) Cheeburger

8 Things on my wish list:
1) a new car
2) MONEY
3) Wii Fit
4) losing this weight
5) scholarship/grant
6) a new cell phone
7) A trip to Fiji
8) clothes

Friendship

Lately, I have been pondering the meaning of friendship. I think for most people, they only want to be friends with someone when it's convienent. I have two friends who have been close for years, and now they've come to this bump in the road and things are difficult. One of them is extremely frustrated with the other and doesn't understand why she can't make time to hang out and/or talk. However, the other is very busy with school and work and does not have a lot of extra time. It breaks my heart to watch these two girls that I love very much go through this. The good news is that they both are trying.

I went through something similar about a year ago when I was having a hard time accepting Kristi getting married. I felt as if I had been replaced or pushed aside. However, now I look back and I realize that I was just feeling very hurt because my best friend was going on with her life and I couldn't come along for the ride. I think that's what is going on with these two girls.

In high school, it's so much easier to be friends when you see that person everyday and you don't have a demanding job. But when you get into college, you're thrown into the real world. You can't hang out like you did in the good old days. This is life and life is not fun. It's tough. When I step back and look at my life in this aspect, I realize that just because you don't hang out often or talk all the time does not mean you aren't friends anymore. I am still very good friends with Kristi, and I am thankful for that. Another example is my sister Kamee and her best friend from High School, Faith. They were inseperable in High School, yet now they both are married with kids and Faith has moved to Tennesse. Obviously, they don't hang out like they used to, but I do know that they keep in contact and try to talk as often as possible. That friendship is still there. It will always be there.

Friendship or any kind of relationship should not be defined by distance or time. It is the bond you share and what you do with that bond that counts.

"Whenever you're in conflict with someone, there is one factor that can make the difference between damaging your relationship and deepening it. That factor is attitude." -Timothy Bentley

WOOHOO!

School has just been absolutely wonderful so far! And I say that with no sarcasm. I love each of my classes and I go into each class, just wanting to learn more. I think my Theatre class is my favorite though. We watch plays in class and then discuss them. It's a lot of fun. All of a sudden it's like something clicked within my head that I need to buckle down and focus on school. I'm actually spending more time in the library and looking for more resources for me to use so I can do well on my tests. It's like it's a whole new me! =D

Yay for Motivation?

Today has been...busy? hahaha. I've been doing homework almost all day and I've been feeling really motivated. I'm also really cracking down on myself about this working out thing. (I just hope I continue to stay motivated to do that hahaha!) They say that if you're wanting to lose weight, you should have a piece of clothing as a goal. Well, I've made my Prom dress from my senior year my goal. It's a size 7. I believe I can do it!! I'm going to hang it up in my room so it will stare at me everyday, almost saying, "I WANT YOU TO WEAR ME!" hahaha. =] silly me.

Here's a picture of the dress. It's pretty =]

Anyways, I have spanish flashcards to make. Peace out!

I don't know why I'm even writing right now. I am so tired, I'm having a difficult time seeing the screen and typing. There's been a big storm here tonight and I've loved it. I don't like driving in it though. But I've been sitting here doing homework and the sound of the rain is so peaceful. It has helped calm me down. I think the Gospel is a lot like rain... if you let it wash over you, it cleans away all your worries and cares and you're left feeling clean and refreshed.

well that was my little rant of thought for tonight. night!!!

25 Random Things

My sister did this, so I thought I would too. =]

25 Random Things
1. I am in a lot of pain from snowboarding yesterday
2. I'm still trying to decide what I want to do for a living
3. I want to move out badly, but money is an issue. and so is my fear of being alone.
4. I love my three nephews. They make my world.
5. School is a lot more enjoyable for me now.
6. I wish I was the same size I was my senior year of high school.
7. I'm turning 20 this year, and I can't believe it.
8. I haven't been on a date in about 6 months, and I'm dying to go on one.
9. I'm really craving enchiladas right now.
10. I'm so excited Curtis is home! I get to see my best friend again!
11. I wish I spent more time with my sister.
12. I really need to put up my clothes. and clean my room haha
13. I can't wait to have kids of my own.
14. I need to lay back down.
15. I'm really confused about where my life is going.
16. I'm seriously considering going on a mission.
17. I'm addicted to Hot Cheetos.
18. I can't wait to be done with Chandler-Gilbert.
19. I want to go to BYU-I
20. I love my family even though they drive me up the wall about 80% of the time.
21. I'm going to Texas for spring break and I'm actually excited about it.
22. I'm a momma's girl and always will be. I love spending time with my mom.
23. I love my big truck but I'm ready to have a smaller car
24. I need and want a job, but the economy is making it difficult to find one.
25. It's time for me to go lay back down. My hips and my back are killing me.