This. Is. Halloween.

Halloween is never really my favorite holiday.

Ya, I loved it when I was little.

Getting all dressed up.

Trick or treating.

Eating candy until my belly ached.

Parties at school.

It was all a dream for me.

For a few years, I was not a fan. 

I could do without the holiday.

But ever since I moved down to Orem, 

my feelings of Halloween have softened.

I love dressing up with my roommates and making my own costume.

Makes me feel a little creative.

Happy Halloween everyone! 

I can't get over how lucky I am to have such amazing roommates.

 I love them to death.

The "Guys"

So last semester, Aubrey and I didn't make very many friends in our ward.
This semester....we've got amigos!
What's really funny is that Aubrey and I have been doing the EXACT same thing we did last semester.
Yes, we do go to our ward more and we are actually going to ward prayer.
We have gotten to be good friends with some amazing people.

We'd like to introduce you to the "Guys".

Nick: He plays the bass. He's funny and we keep up with Jazz play by plays during stake conference.
Landon: He plays the drums. The guitar. The cello. He's legit.
Brandon: He is Nick's brother. We have good convos on the shuttle.
Jono: He is a photographer. He likes Friends. His laugh is contagious.
Chance: He plays the guitar. He likes hats. He feels bad when girls cry. He likes grape juice.

Man we love these boys!
They have made life down here so much fun.
They watch High School Musical with us.
They jam with us.

I loved walking into their apartment last night and having them say:
"Annie! We made you gluten free brownies!!"
Best thing ever!

Aubrey and I find it hilarious when they say: "Seriously...where have you girls been?"
Our response?... "Well...we've just been here...ya know...."

LIfe is good down here!
New friends.
Love it!!

Updates on life.

Hello world.
It's been 3 days since my last post.
(Must say above sentence like Bruce in Finding Nemo)
Finals finals finals.
Not fun.

So yesterday was our ward Christmas program.
I'm the ward choir pianist.
They did a really good job.
My roommate Katie played the cello and did very well!
My mom surprised me!
She told me she wasn't going to make it.
She was the first person I saw when I walked out of Sunday School.
She is amazing!
Trent come too!

It was my mom's birthday too!
She is turned 29!
....just kidding...
She really turned 50.
She looks like she's 29 though.
We threw a surprise party for her at my aunts house!
I had told my mom that I wasn't going to make it because I had to play at a stake fireside.
I got someone to cover for me thank goodness!
So she was surprised to see me there too.
I love my mom!
She is so incredible!
It was fun to see some of my parents' friends there that I haven't seen in a while.
I even saw some of my cousins whom I haven't seen in ages!
Man I love my family!

Came home...
To study...
Did I?
Well not at first.
All of my roomies were home.
Except for Kat.
Katie was playing Zelda.
Aubrey was facebooking and pinning.
Hoa and Elise were studying hard for their last final!
I was going in my room, when Katie said,
"Annie just study out here and be with us!"
So I did.
Took me a while to finally crack open my science notes and study.
I listened to Pachelbel Meets U2....one of my favorite Jon Schmidt songs.
While clapping along with the piano on Aubrey's hand....
Weird?
Yes.
Helpful?
You betcha!
Thanks Aubs for letting me be so weird!

Took my science final today at 7!
SOOOO happy to have this class done!
1 down....3 to go.
Now I'm off to take final numero dos!
Wish me luck!

Live your Life

Lately...I haven't been Anna Marilyn Pinnock.
I haven't been feeling myself at all.
I haven't been happy with some situations in my life.
I get moody, discouraged and disappointed.
I feel the most let down then I have ever felt in my life.
I have been trying for weeks and weeks to figure out how to live my life in such a way where I won't feel so lost and alone.
Every time I get to a low point, I sit there and think about the people who help me be happy.
The things that make me happy.

I'm so grateful for my amazing roommates.
All 5 of them.
I'm so grateful for my family members.
All 8 of them.
I'm grateful for my mom's phone calls and her "I love you's"
EVERYDAY.
I'm grateful for Aubrey and her amazing hugs and snuggle times.
All BILLION of them.
I'm grateful for my education.
All of it.
I'm grateful for the Book of Mormon.
All 531 pages of it.
I'm grateful for this gospel.
Forever and all eternity.

Last night in Psychology, my amazing professor started out the lecture with a movie that changed my whole perspective on life. People will come in and out of your life. Your feelings will get hurt here and there. It's up to you whether or not you let that affect the way you treat others and live your life. Focus on those who are consistent in your relationships. Focus on the spontaneous moments in life rather than the dull. I now know how to live my life in such a way where sadness and discouragement doesn't exist.

Live your life...

"For we need a little (more) Christmas!"

Oh tis the season to be jolly!
Have yourself a very Merry Christmas!
Jingle freaking bells!
Monday night was one that I'll always remember!
I usually hate Mondays...
Oh but today was so much fun!
Early morning class was cancelled...work was alright...the rest of classes went well too!
Psychology was interesting...we had a death and dying lecture.
I couldn't help but cry in the middle of class with the thought of any of my loved ones dying.
Friends...family....roommates....I would be heart broken.
I came home and walked straight over to Aubrey in tears and gave her a hug.
We stood there in silence...she let me cry. I am so grateful for her.
We talked about how beautiful the plan of salvation is and how we are so grateful for the Atonement.

We decided to have a fun night!
We got on our freaking awesome Christmas sweaters, leggings and boots and headed off the Walmart!
We needed hot chocolate!
After Walmart, we goofed around on photo booth and then headed over to Breann's apartment.
She is one of Aubrey's best friends!
It was fun to show her our Christmas get up and sing carols to her!
We came back and Addison was there!
We popped some popcorn...made some delicious hot chocolate...got in our PJ's...and watched the Polar Express!
Another one of my favorite Christmas movies!
I just love Christmas.
I love how Aubrey and I are making it our own...TOGETHER!
This Christmas wouldn't be so magical if it wasn't for her!
Thanks Aubs!

We are known as Santa's favorite reindeer!

Christmas in 1149...

Today as Aubrey and I were shopping at Savers for our amazing Christmas sweaters, I said to her, "This has been a really good year as far as Holidays go...I guess it's cause we've done stuff together to make it fun." This is a true statement! When I was little...Halloween was the bomb! I love gettin gmy costume all put together and trick or treating with my dad! During Christmas, I would deck my room out with lights and my mini Christmas tree with presents under it. Yes the presents were actually toys from my room that I would give to my American Girl dolls on Christmas Day! Throughout the years, I grew up and the magic kind of sizzled. Now that I live away from home, I make holidays my own! Aubs and I were minions and we went to several parties for Halloween. This year for Christmas, I've  made it my own as well! Aub made us count down calendars! Each day we eat a piece of candy! We set up a VERY mini Christmas tree. Our room has lights around the window and across the wall. We always wear our Christmas PJ's. We have stockings hung up. We are constantly playing Christmas music. I guess all we need is snow...rumor has is it that it never really snows in Orem...sad day. But that's okay! I love that Aubrey and I have made this year Christmas ours to share! Now onto watching The Grinch a bunch!!

Here's to the amazing memories I've already had this Christmas season!

Soothing Sundays...

Day 6 of a good month...

Today I am grateful for quite time. Got home from an interesting ward choir practice and decided I need Annie Time. I usually spend that time eating popcorn and watching a movie. Today I decided to sit in my room by myself, read a book while sitting by a mini heat fan while wearing my new favorite fuzzy socks! I did this for a few hours and it was a good way for me to calm down and relax. I am so grateful for books, heat fans and socks!

To Sum Up The Week...

This week was pretty good! Some stressful times here and there but I got through them!

So I took my science test on Monday and get a 74%. I was really excited about it because science is a totally different language to me. Then I go to class on Wednesday and found out that with the curve, I got an 87%! Good day!

On Thursday, Aub Dob and I went out to shoot some pictures for our photography class. We spotted a piece of land and decided to shoot there. Aubs noticed a tree house off to the side and so we stopped there and took some amazing pictures! It was like Neverland! We thought it was so cute!

Photo taken by me!

Photo taken by Aubs!

Then off to institute....you can never go wrong with institute. We love our teacher and he loves us! :) He knew my grandpa Hugh. It's always fun meeting people like that.

After institute, my sister Bethany and I went out for sushi! We get dinner every Thursday! I love my sister!

Friday came. TGIF! Work. Then off to photography lab! Me and Aubrey were really proud of ourselves for shooting some pretty awesome pictures! Our lab instructor liked them too...especially Aubrey's! When we got home, we put on some sweet eye-liner and made ourselves some awesome Egyptian snake type head bands. IT'S NATIONAL KING TUT DAY!! Aubrey has this sweet calendar with random holidays and today was King Tut day! Here's to King Tut!!

My friend Todd came and picked me up and we headed off to Salt Lake for the Olympus-Bountiful football game. His brother is on the team. Unfortunately, Olympus didn't win...BUT it was a good game. Todd, Andrew, Maddie and I headed up to Emigration canyon for dinner at Ruth's Diner and then to their old boss' house. His name is Rich. NICEST man I will ever meet.

Aubrey left early this morning to head up to Sandy. I was glad I was kind of awake when she left because I was able to give her a big hug good bye. Woke up late this morning...I needed it. Went grocery shopping...spent a good amount on food..but after 2 months of no good food, it was needed. Came home and watched "Eclipse"...by myself. Wasn't having a very good day so it was nice to have some Annie time. Then we had some friends over for the Alabama-LSU game! There were only a few LSU fans present. I was one of them. My roomie Hoa is an LSU fan...so I supported her tonight!

Me and Hoa!! Love this girl!

It was really fun! A good game with good food and friends! It was a good way to end a lousy day. We all missed Aubrey tonight....we always miss Aubrey when she is away.

The Bama-LSU crew!

The LSU fans in the house!!!

So happy they won!!

Then Carlos and I went in my room to talk about some stuff. He is such a good friend! He was able to give me some good advice. He brings such a sweet spirit to this apartment!

Then Kib joined us and we talked for a bit. I love my new friends down here!

Yep today was kind of lousy...but it ended with a good time with good friends...and good food :)

Someone Loves Me...

So I mentioned in an earlier post that last week was pretty darn miserable

Well it's the total opposite this week!

Holler!!...Me and Aubrey say that a lot.

Monday started off pretty well.

Went to science.

Went to work.

Went to Student Success.

Went to psychology...

NOT!

Our ward had FHE and I was stupid and signed up for Monday night classes.

I had the feeling to go to FHE so I followed that and went!

We went to Cornbellies at Thanksgiving Point and it was fantastic!

Me, Aubrey, Carlos and Kat drove together.

We did the corn maze first.

Nailed in. 10 minutes flat.

I will admit that we did cut corn...oops.

Losey and I "lost"

BUSTED!

The crew!

We ran into our friend Aimee from Clayton!

We also met her friend Jesse!

They came over to the apartment after FHE with their friend Daniel.

It's always fun making new friends!

"I'd drink to that!"

We love jamming in Carlos' stang!

Tuesday was a new day!

Woke up to go to work.

Work is getting a lot better compared to my first day.

Lots of change for me this year.

After work, Aubs and I were off to photography!

We took a quiz on an article we didn't read.

Luckily it was open laptop...so we dominated.

We left a little early...

My friend Trent came down for the night.

We dropped Aubrey off at class.

Off to the mall..

You know how much I love shopping..

Luckily we were only there for a good 7 minutes.

We bought Aubsie new guitar strings.

Trent is a pro so he noticed that her strings were worn down.

Then to panda!

Can I eat any of that food?..

NOPE.

But I was craving me some panda so we got some dinner.

Shortly after getting back, I left to go get Aubrey.

She took her psych test.

I know she aced it.

Always does!

We watched Across the Universe for a bit.

Then Trent re-strung the guitar.

I helped...sort of.

Saying goodnight to a dear friend is never fun.

I'm so blessed to have so many amazing people in my life!

Bed time came....at 2:30 AM.

Woke up as a zombie this morning.

Went to science, work and student success.

Mondays and Wednesdays are not my favorite days.

LONG.

Work was good today!

On my delivery, I noticed that I was missing an earring.

Not just an earring...Aubrey's favorite pair.

I told her about it and she was super great about it.

I offered to buy her a new pair.

As luck would have it, I didn't have to.

I got back to the store and the first thing I saw on the counter was the earring.

Blessings.

Then I turn around and guess who I see??

The one and only MINDY GLEDHILL!

She is one of my all time favorite musicians.

I taught her niece, Becca Winkle, last year at Clayton.

We actually danced to "Hourglass"...one of her songs.

I really look up to Mindy.

I ended up talking to her about her music and how wonderful her family is.

She was so darling!!

First person I had to tell was my best friend Elsa Jensen!

We talked on the phone about it.

Els is the one that got me into loving Mindy Gledhill!

I knew it was her because of her cute freckle under her left eye :)

Came home from work.

Opened my laptop.

Aubrey had left a post-it note on my screen.

We do that a lot to each other.

Today's note was extra special to me.

I was talking to her earlier today about some stuff that was on my mind.

She was nothing but supportive and amazing to talk to!

The note just made my life so much easier.

It's stuff like this that makes me so happy she is not only one of my best friends....

But my roommate AND little sister.

I look up to her in so many ways.

Now the title of this post is called "Someone Loves Me..."

That someone is my Heavenly Father.

Ya last week was lousy...but he is giving me this week to make up for it.

I've said my prayers every night without fail since I moved down here.

I feel His hand in my life every day.

All I need to do is live my life right so that I can continue to feel His spirit.

I'm so thankful for my amazing family and friends.

I've never been so happy.

I have amazing friends down here in Orem

I have amazing friends up at BYU-Idaho

I have amazing friends up in Salt Lake who come visit me down here.

I have an amazing and supportive family.

Ya...Someone Loves Me...