A.J.N.

Aubrey Jo Nilsson...
That name makes me smile none other.
I adore this girl.
Our story is the best.

My sister Jessica and I were in Clayton Productions.
Throwing me in that studio was the best thing my parents ever did for me.
It's how I met Aub.
I remember this day like it was yesterday.

Jessica and Austin {Aub's brother} were in the same group.
They were performing at Trolly Square.
I had just gotten done performing.
I was anxious to go play or do anything that a typical 4th would do.
I turn around and saw the escalators.
There was a little brunette there playing on them.
Playing on escalators the only way you can.
Up the down.
Down the up.
It's brilliant.

I ran over there and started playing.
This girl asked what my name was.
I found out that Austin was her brother.
We had one thing in common that we knew of...siblings that did Clayton.
That's all we needed to become instant friends.

I left that night and told my mom about my fun night with my new fun friend.
Unfortunately, I didn't see this new fun friend for a long time.
My mom signed me up for group vocal lessons.
I went and made some friends.
This girl got up and sang "I Just Can't Wait to be King".
She was dang good.
She look familiar.
It was AUBREY!
We starting talking again.
She told me that Chad Nilsson was her older brother.
Chad was my best friend in "Good News".
I was stoked.
I found out later on that Aub finally joined Clayton.

We were never in the same group, but we did go on some pretty fun tours together.
Denver.
Branson. {roomies}
Orlando.
I quite Clayton for my senior year of high school.
I ended up going back for Synergy.
Aubrey and Chad came to a lot of the performances.
I loved seeing them in the audience.
I was able to be an unofficial chaperone on the NYC tour.
Aub was there and we made memories!
It was a good summer.

Aubrey and I had mentioned something about living together if we both got into BYU.
I wasn't enjoying the U and so I was looking into different schools.
We both didn't get it.
So UVU it was for Aub.
and USU it was for me....or was it?
I couldn't decide.

I used to teach at Clayton on Monday nights for technique.
It was always a joy to see Aubrey.
She mentioned that she decided to go to UVU.
She gave me the idea to apply.
With the hope that I would decided to go and that we could live together.
She was so amazing and patient with me.
I could tell that she wanted me to go to UVU sooo bad.
She never pressured me.
She let me make this decision all on my own.

I was praying one night.
Begging for some sort of an answer since I had to decide soon.
I called up my sister Jessica for advice.
I told her that Aub and I would live together if I went to UVU.
She said, "Well Annie, you will make it fun no matter where you go...but duh!! This is Aubrey!"
Okay okay....
I was driving home from school the next day and I was on the phone with my mom.
Without any sort of hesitation I told my mom that I made my decision.
She was stoked.
I was stoked.
Next phone call was to Aubrey.
She didn't answer.
Voicemail: "Hey best friend! I was just wondering if you still need a roommate this fall! Because I need one too! Call me back! Love you!"
She was in St. George and she texted me back.
She was sooooo excited.
Which made me even more excited about my decision.

We made arrangements and toured Village on the Parkway.
Signed up and got in.

August 24, 2011.
We moved in.
I remember walking into our room with boxes and boxes of things.
There was Aubrey and her mom waiting for us.
We hugged and hugged!
It was the start of a new life.
I didn't start living down there for a few days but once August 28th came about, it was an amazing life for me.

I knew from the first post-it note that Aub left on my desk that this would be a fun year.
It was so easy to live with her.
If her side of the room was messy....it was most likely that mine was too.
We had some good laughs.
We had some good cries.

Our first semester was a semester for us 2.
We weren't very social.
We kept to ourselves and I was honestly more than okay with that.
Second semester was a completely different ball game.
We made friends.
TOGETHER!
It was so easy.
People would always ask us, "where have you guys been for the past year?"
Well....just around....in our room....hanging out....with each other.
It was so much fun to finally make friends and to do it together.
Whenever she went somewhere without me people would ask, "where's annie?"
Or whenever I went somewhere without her people would ask, "where's aubrey?"
I never got sick of that question.
Never have.
Never will.
She my other half.

Aubrey is:
Beautiful.
Unselfish.
Loving.
Nurturing.
HILARIOUS.
Smart.
Dedicated.
CONSISTENT.

I couldn't have asked for a better friend.
Aubrey and I became best friends the day we met at Trolly Square. There was no doubt in my mind. It didn't take much effort for us to get to the point where we are at now. I would greet her as my best friend every time I saw her. She is special.

Aubrey and I have a friendship that is very rare.
It's sacred.
It's a friendship that you don't see very often.
It's our own.
Aub and I have NEVER gotten in a fight.
Why?
Who needs that?
I have found fights to be worthless.
And I know without a doubt that IF we were to ever get in a fight that we would work it out in 3 minutes.
We are able to make friends with other people and not worry about losing each other.
I never get jealous of her.
Boys worship this girl.
I sit here as a proud best friend loving it all!

We made so many amazing memories together and it makes me happy that there are more to come!
I get to see her all the time this summer.
Performing.
Sleepovers...a lot.
Dinners.
Summer list activities.
Road trips.
Ecuador.
I guess you can say that it will be an amazing summer!

I love Aubrey Jo Nilsson.
I love the little things I have learned about her this year.
She doesn't like ketchup, mayo, etc.
She LOVES rolls.
She LOVES Paris.
She bites her cheek a lot.
She isn't a morning person...just like me.
I already knew that she was funny before...but man...she really is HILARIOUS!
She has been to J-Dawgs...tee hee.
She is just amazing.

It was an amazing year and I can't wait to live with her again in the near future!
I love you Aubrey!
You are amazing.
Thank you for being my
roommate.
best friend.
sister.

Last Night.

Aub moves out tomorrow.

It's not fun to think about.

I can't believe it's already been 2 semesters since I moved in with my best friend.

We went to church together which is always fun.

It was her last Sunday down here.

People are going to miss this girl like crazy!

I know I will.

I left after church to go listen to my brother Hugh speak in his ward {he did amazing}

Came home to a sight no one wants to see.

Your best friend packing up her side of the room.

I wasn't expecting it to be honest.

I thought she would wait a little bit longer but her desk was all packed up and cleaned out.

We said nothing.

We both went in for a big hug and just stood there.

Half of the room packed up.

We stood there in tears.

Nothing was said.

Nothing needed to be said. We both knew exactly what the other was thinking.

Some amigos came over which is always fun.

Had dinner at that apartment that I'll be moving into.

Went to ward prayer.

Aubrey and I decided to make it a memorable night.

So we did.

Pushed beds together.

Popped some popcorn.

Ate our favorite candy {milk duds for me...junior mints for Aub}

Watched Lion King {we are both Disney fanatics}

Movie ended.

I was really sleepy.

Aubrey pulled out her laptop and opened up her blog.

"Let's reminisce on our year together!" she says.

I was no longer sleepy.

We sat there on our blogs and laughed at the fun times we had.

Watched some videos of us.

Laughed.

Cried....a lot.

Hugged.

Best friends.

I am so happy that we had the night we had.

It was a happy/sad night.

Happy in the way that we got to spend it together and look back on fun memories.

Sad in the way that it was the last night in a long time that we will be sharing a room.

I love this girl...so much.

 

A Voice..

The Golden Living Center.
A senior center.
You think it would be your typical smelly ol' place with a lot of old people who are grumpy all the time.
Not the GLC.
Synergy performed there last night.
It was good to be back.

I remember walking into GLC when I was 6.
I was in a blue dress with a big blue bow in my hair.
Ready to perform with To The Top Blue.
I was terrified.
It smelled.
The people scared me.
This big guy in a jazzy on the front row scared me.
I didn't like it.

After a couple of years of performing there, it got easier and a lot more fun.
The people were sweet and loving.
I recognized the big guy.
In the jazzy.
On the front row.

Christmas time.
He was there.
Spring time.
He was there.

Finally learned that his name was "Shrek".
If you ever meet him, you will know why.
The biggest teddy bear in the world.
Looks like the guy too!

I have now performed at the Golden Living Center 22 times.
22.
And all 22 times...Shrek is there.
On the front row.
In his jazzy.
Clapping his hands.
Singing along.

It was amazing to see him there last night.
He told Kim, "It's good to see you guys....it means that I've made it another 6 months"
Incredible.
HE. is incredible.

This could very well be my last performance at the Golden Living Center.
Made sure I made it count.
I love it there.
I love the sweet spirit there.
We didn't have a big audience last night.
BUT.
We had Shrek and a few others that were able to attend.

I was able to talk to the man himself after the show.
He didn't remember my name.
I didn't care.
He was happy and that's all that mattered to me.

I had blown him a kiss after our bows.
He saw it.
Loved it.
Remembered it.

It's because of people like Shrek that I perform.
They inspire me.
They uplift me.
They make me happy.

Synergy is a Voice to the World.
A way to change lives and be changed ourselves.
During our rehearsal last night, Vanessa talked to us about our final song.
A Voice to the World.
Our show wasn't complete at the GLC because we didn't have our final song ready.
Tears were streaming down some of our faces as we ran through and through that number last night.
I was one of those.
I saw the children in the Philippines as I closed my eyes.
I saw their hungry tummies and bare feet.
I saw Shrek.
His big smile and love for life.

That's why we perform.
To lift up others and help them know that they are loved.
That there is hope.
That there is peace.

"A voice to the world. You can hear their laughter. You can hear the words they pray. A voice to the world. It's up to you and me to show them the way."

Good Friday...

Man.
Fridays are my kind of days!
First official day of no school.
Loved it.
No work.
Loved it.
Started off the day with something that everyone should start off their days with.
Baptisms.
I haven't been to the temple in a while so it was nice to finally go.
Trent came down and picked Aubrey and I up.
Provo temple here we come.
There was barely anyone there.
First time that's happened in the Provo temple.
There was such an amazing spirit there.
Being there with 2 of my best friends was really special.
Trent was able to confirm and baptize us.

We went to Zupas after.
PAY DAY!
Got some lunch and blew outta there.

Headed up to SLC.
To the Olympus High please.
My little brother ran for SBO and it was the announcement assembly today.
Aubrey and I gave a standing-O when they called his name!
So proud of him!
That's 5 for 5 for the Larry and Tammy Pinnock family!
I love the little guy!

It was fun to see old friends there!
I was the Girl's WAMO Co-President when I was an SBO.
We were in luck with 4 generations of Girl's WAMO Co-Presidents were at the assembly.
We HAD to take a picture!

Annie: 2009-2010

Anna: 2010-2011

Jessica: 2011-2012

Eden: 2012-2013

I love all of these girls!

It was fun to see them.

Headed home to get ready for our Synergy Performance!

It was a good show.

Not great.

But good.

We had a lot of fun.

It was at Golden Living Center.

It was good to be back!

Rehearsal here we come!

It was a fun one!

Got some pieces cleaned up and ready to perform tomorrow.

Aubrey and I decided that we are bring the 90's back...

Tucked in shirts.

Shirts hanging off the shoulders...(more of an 80's deal)

"We're bring 90's back....yeah!"

(Sexy back)

What's a Synergy rehearsal without a little Belgium Waffle run after?

It was Jessica Johnson's birthday and so we decided to celebrate.

Belgium Waffle is over by the old studio and is loved my students of Clayton Productions.

It's your traditional breakfast/lunch diner that is open 24 hours.

Loved it.

Happy Birthday J.J.!!

Headed back to Orem.

Received a text from Mummy in the morning.

"Did you sleep over at Aubrey's last night?"

Oops.

Forgot to the the parentals where I was going! :)

Love them!

Loved Friday!!

Mi Ancla....

Such an amazing day.
No school.
No work.
Just me, my best friend and a beautiful day down here in O-Town.

Started off the day returning our books.
(Saw Peter Parker in line....we all know he had his Spidy-Man suit on under his clothes)
Ran some errands to our lovely Walmart.
Bubbles please.

Got ready for our upcoming adventure.
Roommate pictures.
Dear friend Trenton James came down to be our designated photographer.

Drove to good ol' Utah Lake.
Never been there.
I was quite impressed.
It was a beautiful place to take pictures.
Overcast so no sun in our eyes or shadows on our faces.

It was a lovely day full of lovely pictures and memories:

Our photographer and BFF

For Sophie Rose

Oh how I love my roommate....best friend....sister....

We decided to go on another adventure!
Find a restaurant where none of us have been to.
Okay...Banana Leaf.
Sri Laken (spelling?) food!
SOOO yummy!
We were impressed.

Ended the night with a special showing of "Sandlot" in a park....
Okay maybe it was just on my laptop.
BUT it was a fun way to start off the summer.
Down in O-Town.
On a beautiful day.
With my best friends.

I am truly blessed.

That Moment...

That moment you are listening to the album "With Love" by Sophie and Tessa Barton.
It makes you emotional.
So you reach your arms out to your best friend.
She comes in for a hug and holds you.
She crawls onto your bed and let you lay on her lap and cry while she tickles your back.
That moment of silence.
Where the only sound in the room in the music of angels coming from you laptop.
Nothing needs to be said.
You can feel the love in the room.
A soft "I love you best friend" is said.
Not only verbally but spiritually.
Through tears and actions, love is shared.
That moment where she reaches over and grabs your hand to hold.
You know what the other person is thinking.
Feeling.
That moment when an overwhelming feeling of peace comes over you.
That security.
That love.
That friendship.
The knowledge that someone is always there for you no matter what.
The hope that they will never leave you.
That you will never leave them.
That moment that takes your breath away.
That makes you grateful to be in the presence of such a human being that makes you feel loved.
That moment.
That moment you will never forget.
A memory that you want to forever keep in your mind.
That moment with you, your roommate, your best friend, your sister.

Flawless.

flaw·less/ˈflôlis/

Adjective:

Without any blemishes or imperfections; perfect. Without any mistakes or shortcomings. Celine Dion (My personal favorite) This woman is flawless and stunning.  She's takes risks. Her lyrics are brilliant. What happened to music like this? Let's get rid of JB's "Boyfriend" and bring back some CD!

Ohhhh no.

Ohhhhh no...
It's that time of year.
Allergies.
Ohhhhh yes...
It's that time of year.
Summer.

I didn't get allergies at all last year, but they hit me this year.
Hard.
Resulting to a sinus infection.
Pounding headaches.
Sleepless nights.
Throat pains.
Congestion.
Runny nose.
I got it all.

Bad timing for all of this to occur to my poor little body?
Yes.

Finals are here and I am exhausted.
3 down my friends.
2 to go.

Am I ready for my last 2?
You betcha!

Wish me luck!

**On a side and more positive note: the first thing I do when I go back to work is give Miss Katie Gerky (Catering coordinator) a huge hug for giving me time off this week to study and get some rest.**

FRIDAY!!!

I love Fridays.
No work.
50 minute long class.
Jam ride to Salt Lake with my best friend.
Synergy rehearsal.
It's just too much fun.

Today was a good Friday.
Woke up pretty early to get ready for my sister's graduation.
That's right.
GRADUATION.
My sister, Bethany Anne "Beefy" Pinnock Brown, graduated from BYU.
She was in the BFA Visual Arts program.
We have a lot of artists in the Pinnock fam.
I am often asked by family friends..."so are YOU the artist?"
Nope...no sir I am not.
My beautiful and talented sister is though.
So proud of the only blonde in my family!

Zoomed off to work.
I usually don't work on Friday's but they needed some help on a big order today.
Took the order.
Stressful.
Most stressful order I've ever worked with.
I left work as frustrated as I could ever be to meet up with my family at Mimi's Cafe.
There sat my family.
Already done with their meals.
Along with a plate of 2 yummy fish tacos waiting for my mouth to dig into.
My family was so great and patient.
We sat around.
Laughed.
Talked.
And just enjoyed our time together.
It helped me forget all about my crummy day at work.

Got home and went to my last psychology class.
Got together with our groups to go over our final presentation.
Best part?
Aubrey came with me!

After class, we headed to Salt Lake.
Stopped by my house to make some yummy meals for our dinner that night.
BBQ pulled pork sandwiches for Aubrey.
BBQ pulled pork salad for Annie.
They turned out to be scrumptious!

Aub opens the pantry.
"Can we make some Nesquik chocolate milk?"
Well is the sky blue?!
Aubbie made us some chocolate milk.
Yes people.
We are 5.
We are young.
And proud.

Headed off to Synergy.
Good rehearsal.
Long rehearsal.
Woke up on Saturday feeling like I had been hit by a semi.
Worth the pain?
We'll see....just kidding.
Of course it is!

Sometimes...

Sometimes dreams don't come true.
Sometimes you walk away in tears.
Sometimes you are let down.
Sometimes you are disappointed with yourself.
Sometimes all you want to do it cry.
Sometimes it's hard.
Sometimes....just sometimes.

BUT...

Whenever God closes a door, somewhere He opens a window.

I can't wait to look out that window and see what's in store for my life.

Friends with Friends

Today was a munch and mingle. 

Last one of the semester for our ward.

Cafe Rio knock off it was.

We enjoyed ourselves thoroughly.

Me and Aub know how to do...run to the front of the line and nobody gets hurt.

While on our way out, we were talking to our friend AJ.

She mentioned that she has all 10 seasons of FRIENDS on her apple TV.

We all insisted that we get together after church and watch it.

Next thing you know,

We are all over at apartment I-1133 watching friends.

Mattresses are brought out to the family room, 

blankets galore.

pillows and snuggling with each other.

Ashley, T$$, AJ, Ryan, Joseph, Gavin, Carson, Bobbie, Jono and myself were content.

After several hours..(and when I mean several, I mean 4 hours)...of watching friends and making delicious cookies, we decided to call it a day.

I always told myself that I wanted my life to be like this TV show:

And it most certainly has turned into that!

I love being able to just walk into your friends' apartment without knocking.

Having everyone welcome you as if they haven't seen you in years.

Feeling like you finally belong.

I love my friends down here.

I love how spontaneous they are.

I love how funny they are.

I love our connections we have with each other.

I love how welcoming they are.

I love my friends down here.

19...

April 9, 2012
A beautiful angel turns 19 today.
It's not always fair when someone has to go at such a young age.
But Sophie was ready.
Always has been.
I feel her in the wind.
I feel her in the rain.
I think of her when I look at the moon.
She is still here with us.
Singing for us.
Smiling for us.
She is beautiful.
She is innocent.
She is kind.
She is perfect in every meaning of the word.
She is an angel.

Happy Birthday Sophie Rose Barton.

The angels are lucky to have you up there.

I love you beautiful girl.

It's about time...

Well folks.
It's spring.
And I couldn't be happier.
I packed up all of my fall/winter clothes and took them home to Salt Lake.
Brought my spring/summer apparel down to O-town and this girl is stoked.
While people enjoy the classy yet pricey spring clothing options....Aub and I stick to our classy yet CHEAP clothing options.
Ahem:

Aubrey's outfit for today:
Trucker hat: Saver's $2
D.A.R.E T-Shirt: elementary school $free
Denim Shorts: Walmart: $12
White keds: Annie's closet $10

My outfit for today:
Head wrap: Jamaica $3
Denim shorts: Target $8
Baseball Shirt: Forever 21 $FREE (Thanks to Katie Flynn)
Gray High Top Keds: H&M $10

Yeah...we are ready for summer.
Bring it on ya'll!!

And LOVING this song:

Thank you Rascal Flatts.
What a perfect way to start your summer with a new Rascal Flatts album?!

"Ours"

Best friend T. English and I have been working on this song for a LONG time now.

We finally found time to record it and make the video for it. 

ENJOY!

A special thank you David Root for your mad videography techniques!

And another special thank you to Aubrey Jo Nilsson for your behind the scenes interviews!

E and A

I love my Erika.
She was the catering coordinator at Zupas down here.
I was nervous to transfer to a different store but she made it such an easy transition for me!
She is going to  Philadelphia on her mission and I couldn't be happier for her!
And who guessed where she was going..?
THIS GIRL!

She is taking a break from Zupas while she is gone so this week is our first week without her.
She came to make a lovely visit today!
Made my day!!!

I can't wait for her to serve her mission!
The people over there are going to LOVE her!

She is my celiac buddy! :)

Tale as Old as Time...

Have you ever wanted something so badly that you can just taste it?
That all you can do is think about it and it keeps you up at night?
That you imagine yourself getting that certain something that it makes you so excited just imagining it?

Ya....I'm feeling that right now.
This is going to sound so childish but I don't really care.

I want to be her:

I audition for a Disney princess in 2 weeks.

Nervous?

Yes.

Excited?

Yes.

More nervous?

Yes.

It's a long shot...but I'm going to try.

Heck! I was Belle for Halloween once upon a time!

We'll see how auditions go...

Either way....it will be a fun experience!

Oh....and I love this version of this song by the one and only...Celine Dion!

Living and Loving Life.

Last semester, Aub and I took a photography class together.
Honestly...Aubrey's idea.
I only took it to be with her and to get an art credit fulfilled.
Ya...I learned a lot about photography and it was fun.
But I learned a lot more about life in general.

Jake Buntjer was our lab instructor and boy did we get lucky!
He is a legitimate photography and his work is incredible.

Anyways....it was his birthday today.
He invited us to his party tonight over at The Velour.
There was food, music, photo shoots with crazy hats and sumo wrestling going on.
It was quite the party!
Mista Jake Buntjer know's how to have fun.
We met some of his friends who are also amazing photographers.

Aubrey and I had a blast tonight.
We couldn't stop talking about how amazing those people were.
They find joy and happiness in everything.
I hear about people who just own the camera and take pictures and give themselves the title "photographer".
The people we met today were true artists.
They love life.
Life loves them.
They are accepting of other people.

Aub and I had photography assignments last semester that were nothing compared to Jake's work.
Yet....he loved our pictures and accepted them.
Some even brought tears to his eyes.
I respect Jake is so many ways.
Not only as a photographer...but as a friend.

On our way home, Aubrey said, "Being a photographer isn't just about being behind the camera..."
I finished off that sentence by saying, "but it's about being apart of the story."

I love it when we do that.
Tonight was amazing.
Thank you Mista Jake Buntjer for showing us how to live and love life.

Couldn't have said it better...

I love General Conference.
I love being able to stay in my PJ's and gather around the TV with my family.
I love spending time with my family and eating yummy food.

My favorite talk was by Elder Holland.
I know that I am not the only who felt this way.

"The best part about being God is that you show mercy."

I think that overall, this year's conference was amazing and every talk spoke right to me.

I just love everything that Elder Holland said.
I felt like it was something that I needed to hear personally.
I learned a lot from conference this year.

How lucky are we to be able to hear from our loving prophet?