.lindsey.taylor.walker.

This girl FINALLY made it to India and I am stoked to have her here!!!! 

.bangalor.

What I love about being here and working our tails off is being able to take a break every few weeks to go on weekend vacations around India. First stop. BANGALOR! After a 10 hour bus ride and no sleep, we finally made it to beautiful Bangalor. It's so interesting how different one city in India is from another. Bangalor is really green and just full of life! We spent out first day settling in, shopping, swimming and eating out at TGI Fridays. You all know how much I love that restaurant and to be honest....I was a little disappointed. The Jack Daniel's sauce is a little sad tasting. But it's all good! The next day we headed to Mysore! This is a city just 4 hours outside of Bangalor. We went to Mysore palace. This is where the emperor lived and where people would come visit. It is BEAUTIFUL!! Best part of this visit? Riding and elephant AND a camel!! Two items on my bucket list have been crossed off! It was unreal standing next to such a beautiful animal...the elephant that is...the camel was....well interesting looking. haha But it really was so rad standing next to animals that I only see in movies and pictures. Riding them was an experience! The elephant was way fun! Eric and I rode the camel and it was actually quite uncomfortable. When I got on the camel I thought "hut hut!" from Prince of Egypt...but I don't understand how they could ride on a running camel. It was painful just riding one that walked around. Man I still can't believe I rode these amazing animals!! India has been too good to us!

Still in shock!

The elephant even posed for the camera!

Me and the roomies!

Hut! Hut!

Mysore Palace!...so sad we couldn't say pictures inside because it was BEAUTIFUL!

.G.L.O.W.

Our second project that we started working on this summer was G.L.O.W. Girls Leading Our World. This was an opportunity for us to teach some girls in the slums self esteem, goal setting, maturation and hygiene classes and many other things to help them feel confident with themselves. I wasn't sure how successful this project would be. Only because the first 2 classes didn't go as planned and the girls were younger than we had anticipated. But looking back on this project I found that the girls taught us more than we taught them. My favorite lesson was the self esteem class that we taught them. We compared your self esteem to an apple. Having negative thoughts about yourself and others is compared to dropping an apple on a hard surface. Slowly, the apple is getting bruised. However, due to the apple peel, we aren't able to see those bruises. When you cut open an apple you will find a star shaped center. Everyone is a star inside no matter your circumstance. We taught the girls to speak kind words of others and yourself. I loved the looks on their faces when they understood what we were talking about.

We then asked the girls to write down 3 things that they love about themselves. As I went around taking a glance at their lists I found an incredible pattern. Almost every single girl in the group said: "I want to help poor people." and "I love my India." This really hit home for me. These girls have nothing and yet they still want to help those who are less fortunate. They are so proud of their beautiful India. This is a country where the citizens love and cherish it. I love that. I love how much love is shown from these girls. They want to succeed in life. They want to change the world. They want to be special. And they are. I will forever be grateful for our G.L.O.W. girls.

Hooray for good self esteem!!!

.summer.camp.

Our first project we started on was our summer camp up in one of the slums in Hyderabad. Day one came and all 5 of us volunteers were beyond stoked and ready to start the work!
We were planning on having about 50 kids there between ages 5-11. Turned out that we have about 70 kids on our first day and a good number of them were toddlers. We didn't mind though! We had an absolute blast! We had lessons plans made and everything but due to the number of children and the chaos, we ended up playing A LOT of games and dancing around A LOT. We were also able to throw some lessons on the ABC's, 123's, colors and fruits. I honestly loved being there.
*Funny story...so on day one of summer camp we arrived not really knowing what to expect. We walked into this one roomed church building with all of the children sitting there boys separated from the girls. The children were so confused when 5 Americans walked into the room. Eliza, Eric and I just started playing with the kids and running around with them. After a few more minutes of confusion they found what we were doing to be rather fun. When it came time to separate into groups with the volunteers we asked the kids to pick a volunteer. Most of the boys ran to Eric, half of the group ran to Eliza and the other half ran to me. I had kids wrapped around my legs, stomach and arms. This is when it hit me. This is happening. I'm in India. Let's do this.

I met some pretty amazing children who I wanted to take home so badly. I loved spending a few hours a day for 2 weeks with these beautiful children. It made me really excited to be a future teacher. I think I found a new kind of love for children. These children have nothing and yet they love so unconditionally. They are so humble and happy. Being up in the slums for this project was an eye opening experience. You see slums in movies and pictures, but physically being there was something else. The homes were made of tarps and cinder blocks. The roads are super bumpy and dirty. Although it was a slum, it was a beautiful place to be. The love that came from the people made being there a beautiful and positive experience for us all. This was a perfect project to start an amazing summer with. Very humbling. I wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

This is Divya. One of the brightest and smartest girls I know.

This is Angel....she truly is an angel.

We taught them how to blow kisses...they love that!

This is my little Vanilla. She stole my heart the second I saw her.

Putting their hand prints on posters for their school!

Blowing kisses with my Vanilla!

Okay....This is who I call the "Wild Child". The second I saw her I wanted to be her friend. I had been calling her the wild child because...well she's wild and a typical little 4 year old! I later found out that he name is Nora...I still call her my "wild child".

SUMMER CAMP 2013!

I miss these children each and every day. I know I'll see them again. They will always have a special place in my heart!

.healing.power.

I had an eye-opening conversation with my sister, Jessica, the other day and there were things that were said that I will never forget. Our conversation involved so many topics but a topic that really hit home for me was the topic of missionary work. A few months ago I started and finished my mission papers. All that was left was my interview with my stake president and bam. They were done. However, I never had that interview. I needed to take a step back and figure out WHY I, Anna Marliyn Pinnock, was wanting to serve a mission. I needed to figure out WHY I was wanting to put my life on hold for 18 months to serve my Heavenly Father. I found myself confused and discouraged. I decided to take time to figure this out. Mission papers were put on hold. This was one of the hardest decisions I had made in a really long time. But I knew it was what I needed to do. I then auditioned to be a young performing missionary in Nauvoo. After receiving an email saying I hadn't made it, I called my mom in tears. I was scared to tell her I didn't make it. My biggest fear in life is disappointing people and putting my mission papers on hold and then not making this audition was a huge disappointment to me and I would hate to disappoint my own mother. After telling her the news, she immediately comforted me and told me she loved me and was proud of me. Her next comment came as a shock to me. "Let's look into India. Let's get you over there this summer!"....India...of course! My next course of action was applying, getting accepted, interviewing and preparing. It felt like preparing for a mission almost. 

Now this is where my conversation with Jess comes in. There are still times I feel like I have disappointed people by choosing to not continue on with my mission papers. I told Jessica that I still feel like I have disappointed loved ones by choosing India over a mission. I said, "I know that I won't be PREACHING and TEACHING the gospel to children of God." Jessica then said something that really hit home for me.... she said, "Ya, but Annie, you will be HEALING the souls of children of God."...wow. Wow. HEALING the souls of children of God. This really put it into perspective for me. 

When Christ walked this earth, he taught and taught and taught. He shared the gospel and taught people gospel principles. Not only did Christ teach, but he HEALED. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to HEAL. Will I make the lepers clean as Christ did? Will I be able to make their sores go away? No. BUT. I will HEAL their hearts and souls. Thank you Jessica for helping my focus on my current mission in life. 

Healing the souls of the children of God.

.india.

As most of you know, I have the amazing opportunity to go to India this summer. Last week we had a huge training day and that is where it really hit me. THIS. IS. HAPPENING. There is no turning back. Heck! I don't want to turn back! As I sat there in the training course, I couldn't help but think about how blessed I am to have this incredible opportunity to go to India and do something I have always wanted to do. For THREE months. When I tell people I am going to India for a humanitarian trip they usually assume I am going for 2 weeks or so. 95% of the time I need to correct them and tell them about this whole 3 month "schpeal". And 95% of the time the reaction is "3 months?! Seriously?! That's a long time!"...or..."3 months?! Good for you!" Yes 3 months is a long time and yes I am extremely terrified. Anxious really. However, the feelings of excitement overpower the anxiety I get from this trip. 

I cannot wait. 

.fortune.favors.the.brave.

Last night Trent and I decided to try out a new Chinese restaurant. If you know me and Trent...we LOVE trying new things. And this was totally worth it. Along with the bill came fortune cookies. (My favorite) My fortune read the following:

Trent and I just looked at each other and started laughing! How crazy?! I was so excited and happy to get a fortune that was soon going to be coming true. INDIA!!! May 14,  2013 will be the start of something pretty amazing and I cannot wait!

**p.s. that night I had a dream that I was packing up for India and I woke up so excited and happy!**

.life.is.complete.

I had an amazing opportunity to go up to Sundance and help make food for a dinner/concert up at the film festival. I was hoping to meet someone famous...preferably Ryan Gosling or Bradley Cooper...and get a picture with them. I have never really met anyone famous so I wasn't sure how I would handle that kind of situation. Would I be so starstruck that I wouldn't be able to talk? Would it feel normal? I didn't know what to expect. Well an hour or so had gone by and I was ready to go home. A headache was coming and I just needed to get to bed. This older guys comes up to me and says, "Harry Potter is downstairs."...I say, "Harry Potter?...Like Daniel Radcliffe?" As luck would have it, Daniel Radcliffe was downstairs. He was taking pictures with some fans so I decided to get one myself. He asked my name and shook my hand. He told me his name was Daniel *DUH*. He was really nice and charming. I feel like I held myself together pretty well. Now I'm not a Harry Potter fanatic. I will be the first to admit that. I do love the movies though. It was on my bucket list to meet someone extremely famous and welp...there ya have it! I had the honor to hug and meet THE Daniel Radcliffe! He is a lot shorter than I imagined him to be and there was no scar on his forehead. But he was nice!

 The rest of the night was amazing. I met some incredible people and was able to reconnect with some old friends. I loved helping my friend Jory out in the kitchen. He is an INCREDIBLE cook so it was fun to watch him an action and to be apart of his pasta masterpiece. I loved the concert and the amazing talent that was shared. This is a night I will never forget. Thank you Jory and cousin Kim for making it possible! 

Me with Jory (chef) and my new friend Seffy!

Music was amazing!

Me and new friend Seffy! We bonded over frosting cupcakes! Love her!

               

Numero Quatro en NYC

What a day! Man, I am just falling in love with this city.
I can see why Jess and Jake are loving it here and never want to come home.
I told them that I would be okay if they chose to stay here for the next few years.
Then I get to visit more!

Let's see...
Woke up. To the Hurley dog right by my face.
He is a child.
Who I love and adore.
Jess and I headed to Union Square.
This is probably my favorite part of the city.
So open and clean and friendly!

We started out by going to Forever 21...
What's that?
Shopping?
For those of you who know me...I HATE shopping.
Ya. I'm a female of this world who dislikes that activity.
BUT...I was looking for some new shoes.
Forever 21 didn't have the ones I wanted.
BUT...Jess found some heels that made her a whole inch taller than me!
She had to embrace that short period of time.
For it will be the ONLY time she is ever taller than me.
Off to DSW.
Failure.

Annie got a little tired...shopping does that to me.
So Jess and I headed over to Barnes and Noble.
Her and Jake do this all the time.
Grab a drink of Starbucks....Vanilla Frap for me!
Grab a book....Hunger Games for me!
Find a spot....the floor for us!
And read!

After regaining our energy we were out!
We stopped by this market called Dean and Deluca.
A-MAZING!
We sampled some cheese and lots and lots of soup.
People were very generous.

We went into H&M.
Last pair of shoes in the whole store? MY size? $10?....okay!
Last flanel shirt/hoodie in the whole store? MY size? $10?....OKAY!!!
A total that would have come to $46 came down to $20....man I'm good!

Done with shopping.
We found a stand that sold sun glasses.
$5? Okay!
I bought me and Jess some poser specs!

Off we were for more adventures!
I was challenged to find the cheapest street vendor item.
"Let It Snow" wooden Christmas decoration: $1.

I needed some gluten.
Ya....Dunkin Donuts....HELLO!
Hopped onto the subway [p.s....i LOVE the subway]

Met up with Jakie for "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying."
We get into the theater and we are guided to our seats.
We were led to the box seats.
Second row.
Umm....keep in mind...these tickets were $30 a piece.
Box seats are usually about $150-200.
Ya....we  were stoked!

I was very impressed by the show.
Nick Jonas was the lead.
Loved him.
Loved the whole night!

Came home to the Hurls.
He gives the warmest of welcomes!
With a little tinkle here and there :)

Jess made dinner.
A-MAZING...as always.

Jess and I watched some Friends together to end the night.
Couldn't have asked for a better day with my 2 favorite people!

Adios peeps!

Day 3 in the Big Apple.

Day 3.
Monday.
Oh Monday.
I hate Mondays.
But...not in New York!

Woke up and got ready for the day.
Jess and I skyped Aub before heading out!

In "Something Borrowed", there is a place where they eat.
The SHAKE SHACK!
Jess and I went there last year for ice cream but we decided to get lunch this time around.
However....
The line:

As you can see...this is a popular place!

We waited for a while and finally ordered!

We had burgers, fried AND out very favorite....Concrete Jungle shake!
It's tradition!

We took a walk around that park and talked and talked.
Jess is a really good listener.
I updated her on life, friends, family and school.
I love my sister.

We met up with Jake.
He opened up an email with us regarding his application for the PHD program at the U of U.
UTAH MAN SIR! A UTAH MAN IS HE!
We were so excited for him!

Off to Ground Zero.
Such a quiet and amazing spirit there.
It's almost like you can't hear the hustle and bustle of the city while there.
Both of the fountains are complete and they are still working on the museum and the tower.
It was a good time for us 3 to stop and feel the spirit of those who lost their lives on 9/11.

To finish out our 9/11 pondering,
we headed out to Staten Island on a ferry.
There is another memorial there for those who lived on Staten Island.
The theme of the memorial was "Postcards from Staten Island."
Again, a hushed spirit was there.

I love how New York shows their love for those who lost their lives.
It was a day that may have changed the world,
but I think it changed New York City alone.

We were getting Hungry so we headed back over to the city.

Dinner time!!

We went to Jake's favorite place.

Araga.

It's an Indian place that Jake loves.

In celebration of his Ute victory, we enjoyed a nice meal there.

What's a dinner without dessert??

We went to this gelato place called Grom.

It. Was. AMAZING!!

Ended the night the way we do.

Took Hurley out for a walk.

Popped some popcorn.

Watched Friends.

It's a nice tradition Jess and I made last year when I visited.

Why not carry it on?!

Good night big world!

I'm in a New York state of mind...

Think of being in the greatest place on earth.
With the greatest people on earth.
New York City.
With Jessica and Jake Garrett.

Last summer I went to New York for my birthday.
It was the best week and the highlight of my summer.
Seeing the city and living the New York life with Jess was amazing.
Jake was out of town the whole week so I got my sister to myself.

Fast forwarding to January 2012.
I thought to myself..."Annie...it's time to head back over to the Big Apple."
Without any hesitation, I looked up the dates for my Spring Break and call Jess.
Her spring break was the exact same week.
Tickets were bought.
March 10, 2012.
I was on a plane heading to what will be known as the best spring break ever!

Flew into Denver at 4:00.
What's this I see?
Flight to NYC delayed?
Can't be too  long of a delay.
Welp...3 hours later, I was on my way to NYC.
Got in at what I thought was 2 AM.
No Annie....it's daylight savings.
3:00 AM it is.

Took a taxi to Jess and Jake's apartment.
As I pulled up, Jake, Jess AND the Hurley dog were waiting outside for me.
We hurried upstairs and there was the pull out bed all set up for me with a nice welcome note and a chocolate on my pillow.
Jake and Jess really know how to make me feel right at home.

Slept.
Until 11.
Woke up and Jake had already headed to church.
Jess and I got ready and headed off to relief society.
Oh wait...the subway stop by their apartment was closed for the day.
Uptown we go!
Get on the subway.
Right as it starts to go, it made an immediate stop.
Causing a man to fall over.
We were stuck for a good 15 minutes.
What's the emergency? Everyone was thinking?
They finally let us off saying it wasn't going to run.

We just want to go to church.
We aren't doing anything bad!
Why is this all happening?

We started heading back downtown.
Trying to get a cab.
After 20 minutes and walking and cab hunting, we finally got one.
We made it right on time to Relief Society.

After church, we headed home.
Jess made us lentil tacos!
They were amazing.
Not to mention her homemade guacamole.
**Side note....Jess is an INCREDIBLE cook. We ate like kings and queens**
Jake and I were tired so we both took naps while Jess did some reading.

I woke up to her making dinner.
Best thing ever.
She made pasta for dinner!
She was amazing enough to make me my own GLUTEN FREE pasta!
We made our "toasties".
They are slices of toasted baguettes cream cheese and sliced tomatoes cooked in sugar.
A-MAZING!

We ended the night with watching "Something Borrowed".
What's a movie with Jess and Jake without some popcorn and mini peanut butter cups? :)

Yes the flight was long and miserable.
Worth it.
You betcha!

Stayed tuned for more N-Y-Cizzle adventures!

A Dream That You Wish...

I love having dreams.
I love working hard in life in order to reach those dreams.
It is hard when you are so excited for a dream of yours...
but not everyone else is.
When that happens, I push harder.
I focus on what ANNIE wants.
Not what others want.
This is what I want.
This is what I've worked my whole life for.
My dream.
All of that sweat, blood, tears, injuries and money will go towards this.
My dream.
It will take a lot of hard work to reach.
My dream.

Passionate.

Something I am passionate about...

DANCE.

I dance when I'm upset.
I dance when I'm happy.
I dance to find joy.
I dance to change lives.
I dance and leave the world behind.
I dance and find myself lost in the music.

Dance has given me opportunities to travel the world.

Orlando, Florida at Epcot

Philippines 2012

I have been able to change lives.

I have been able to have my life changed by others.

Synergy 2010

I have been taught by many amazing teachers. 

These are people I look up to in so many ways,

These are people I will never forget.

 Susan DeMille & D. Kim Clayton

Susan has worked with me through 7 musicals.

She is a brilliant choreographer and director.

Anyone who has done a show with her will agree with me.

She pushes me hard, but shows me that she loves me at the same time.

She has taught me dedication.

I love Susan!

Kim is a second father to me.

I have been under his direction since I was 5 years old.

He scared me when I first saw him.

Hey! He's 6' 7"!

But he is nothing but a soft spoken man who has so much passion for what he does.

He has had over 7,000 students walk through his studio.

He has changed many many lives.

It's because of him, I am confident enough to perform in front of 4,000 people.

I love this man.                         

Dance has made me work hard in life.

I auditioned for Olympus Dance Company 3 times.

I finally made it after that 3rd audition.

Worth it?

I think yes!

Olympus Dance Company 2010 Seniors

Dance has helped me reach out to others.

I was able to work with a group called Starstruck.

This group is for kids who are handicapped.

I love these kids.

I have been forever changed by them.

Allison & Jeffrey 

I was able to teach at Clayton with the dance company.

I was only able to teach for a year because I moved down to Orem for school.

I loved teaching dance!

Not only did I teach these girls, but they taught me many lessons as well!

Shanay, Becca, Ellie, Mikayla and Andrea became little sisters to me.

I loved this group!

Xcite 2010-2011

Not only did I get to teach a dance company group,

But I got to be in one!

I loved Monday nights!

It was a night where I got to teach for 3 hours,

and then dance for 2!

There girls became some of my best friends.

We all got so close!

Dream 2011

The dance company staff was amazing to work with.

Steph Dowse, Steph Wood and Megan became some of my best friends.

We are al in Synergy together and it is so much fun to be in a group with all 4 of us.

Vanessa was the dance company director. 

She did a wonderful job!

Clayton Dance Company Teachers 2010-2011

This past summer, 

I was able to be in my dream show.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

I was in the children's chorus when I was 6 back at Kingsbury Hall.

Being a wife/dancer in this show was a dream come true for me!

And I got to be in it with my brother Hugh and some close friends!

Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in Draper 2011

I guess you could say that I love dance!

I'm very passionate about it.

I love what it's taught me.

I love how it's impacted my life.

I love how I've changed lives.

I love how I've been changed by others.

I love performing.

I love learning.

I love teaching.

I. LOVE. DANCE.