I shred coupons for a good time.

I was sitting on the couch. Just minding my own business. And then I hear (insert paper ripping sound). My roommate had just ripped the Arctic Circle coupon in half!

Excuse me!?



To say the least, it turned into a coupon-shredding-dancing-yelling-stress-relieving-PARTY.

That's what normal people do, right? Shred coupons to relieve stress?

Here's to finals. And us losing our minds.

Finals Week. Feat. Court & Bai

This will be my last time listening to this song as a student. We've got this guys. Finals week is almost over. 

p.s. I've never slapped Sharwan's hand for luck before a test. Today, I will give Sharwan a little love. 

Thoughts at 3 AM.

How come you never seem to know you have cuts on your hands until after you put the hand sanitizer on?

I should never ever end a sentence with a preposition. And how many times can I say "you" in a sentence?

Tomorrow's to-do list keeps getting bigger and bigger while I lay in bed. There are 27 hours in a day on the 30th, right?

I miss my little brother like crazy. He's been the only one missing lately at family functions. Including graduation this weekend. Man he's the best. And I miss him.

My sunburn is starting to peel. Shoot. I'm going to look like a lizard with dandruff on graduation.

If I win money playing Bingo, do I need to pay tithing on it? Awkward.

Why is it 3 AM, and I am still awake?

I have major hiccups right now. Like the shake-your-whole-body-hiccups. So excuse me while I hold my breath, upside down, and swallow a glass of water.

For the first time in two years....

I am not going into work at 8 AM on a Monday morning.



Hallelujah.

What do you think of Thailand?

Tell me people, what do you think of Thailand?

Thailand is a serious consideration for Fall 2013. You all know I still have absolutely no plans, and graduation is in 6 days. So I'm thinking. Work summer job. Work another summer job. Maybe work a third summer job. And then travel, travel, travel come September. I think I would like to start in Thailand. And teach English. And get paid to teach English. cause ya know, it's a 'big deal' when you have a degree. Then go to the next country of choice. And repeat. 

Just until I know what I'm doing with my life. Ya know? 

Anyway, what do you think? Also, do you know of any good programs that would pay to teach? Because I really am serious about this one.

Introducing Dallan Wright: "Please don't ever grow up."

Have you ever wondered...Who is DW? Well today is your lucky day.

I've invited DW, also known as Dallan Wright, to be a guest on my blog. Listen up. Because here is what he has to say.

Today, it is my greatest pleasure to have the amazing opportunity to write for the wonderful Jenna as a part of her fantastic blog. I am Dallan Michael Wright. I am a son, brother, writer and friend to a few and it has been my delight to have grown close to Jenna over the past couple years. It brings sorrow to my soul to think that my charismatic friend, Jenna DeGering, will be graduating in a few short weeks. I know this time in an individual’s life can be very stressful and often over whelming as the reality begins to settle that they are “all grown up.”  

Now, I am not so ignorant to think that after graduating from University that growth ceases and we become stagnant. But, in the mind of a soon to be graduate, I can imagine that they feel like this is last big step in their development into adulthood. I want to express to Jenna and all the graduates this year or for years to come, that we should never feel “all grown up.” I am not referring to the Peter Pan version of the sentiment of never growing old, but instead I want to compel all those who read this to always keep your sense of innocence intact.  

Never forget the nights you stayed up till the sun began to light the sky again, just because you couldn’t tear your eyes away from a special friends’ loving gaze. Don’t be so quick to forget the magic in lying around in sweats all weekend just because you felt like you “deserved it.” Remember what it’s like to live off ramen or eat ice cream by the carton. Mentally freeze frame the excitement that came with finding out who was in your new classes and whether or not the one good looking guy or gal would sit next to you. And always stop late at night to go outside, lay on the grass and stare up at the stars, pondering the universe’s secrets.  

So to Jenna and all those moving on from your university experience… Graduate, but please don’t ever grow up.

 

> Less than moments.

> when you have to get a new phone for the second time in 10 days

> when you accidentally lock your bank account

> when Costco only takes American Express credit cards

> when you need $1.19 in cash and you have $1.00

> when someone walks off with your grad announcements

> when you live in Cedar and everything you need to do is in St. George

> today.


<<<<< when you have really really great friends.


Peace out Tuesday. I am done with you.

Binge Blogging.

To all of my loyal followers, all 20 of you,

I will be binge blogging for the next few days. I'm sorry. I know you wait diligently for my next blog post, but this might be too excessive. Please let me explain. I'm taking a class. A social media class. I need to have posted on this blog a certain number of times. 30 times.

I have 16 posts.

If you went to any kind of school in your lifetime, you know that I have 14 more posts to go. Within like...the next couple days. cue the music. dun.dun.dun.

Please find it in your heart to forgive my binge. And I mean...if you still have it in you to look at every post, it will help my grade. (insert puppy dog eyes, followed by a kissy face). I think you are all wonderful human beings. 

I'll make them good. Promise. Quality posts. 

And maybe I'll make every one cookies. Cause I make some dang good cookies. Loooots of butter in those bad boys. 

Anyway, love you all. 

Let the binging commence.


<3 Jayduh.  

Bryce. Arches. Cedar Breaks. Zion. FREE!!

Listen up people. This is important.


Starting today...it is FREE National Park Week. And in honor of free National Park Week, I am going to bombard you with a gazillion pictures in efforts to convince you to go. I don't bombard with picture often. So you know it's important. 

I live a pretty rad life. Now go get your free on at a National Park. Serious. Parking is free too. I'm even giving you permission to blow off that study session. Cause I can do that. Take your friends that you aren't going to see all summer, and take a break from studying.
Just go. Really.
Why are you still here?

Saturday. I love a Saturday.

I love me some weekend time.

• I'm playing soccer in 15 minutes
• My parents are coming in 4 hours
• Old roomie is here
• I get to try on pretty dresses
• My room will finally get cleaned
• Packing up all my crap...moving.
• TBird Awards!!!!!!
• The Thunderbird Ball (masquerade style!)

Yay.

Also...I slept until 9:00 AM! The best.

Hatred will not have the final word.

I woke up this morning at 4 am. I couldn't sleep. I didn't sleep. I think it's because my heart is heavy. And I kept having mini dreams that I was experiencing mourning for so many people. People that I didn't know. People I would never know. The police officer's wife. His little girl. The mother of the bomber. The sister of the missing college student. The man who lost both of his legs. The 12 families who are missing a loved one in Texas.

Tragedy. That word. Suffering. Grief. Sadness. Catastrophe. Loss. That word.

Why is it when tragedy hits so far away from home, I feel as if it is in my own backyard?

It happens so often, and I have such a hard time dealing with it. I don't really show or tell people all that much. I don't know why. I should. But I don't. I guess I disconnect myself with those emotions outside of my bedroom, because maybe, just maybe, if I don't show it, it won't happen to me.

I am 21 years old. I have lived for only twenty one years. And yet I feel as if I have seen so much tragedy in my young life. I remember the Unabomber, or at least talking about it. I was five. I was scared to go to school in second grade because of the Columbine Massacre. I cried for days after 9/11. And the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary left me numb. All of the events this week have left me numb again.

But I think I hit a turning point last night. My good friend Dallan invited me to watch a play on campus. The Women of Lockerbie, it is called. A tragedy written by Deborah Brevoort. The play is a historical dramatization of the aftermath of the Lockerbie bombing of 1988. A powerful dramatization.

I cried. I felt sorrow and pain. I briefly mourned for the fictional characters with a true story. I connected their story with the people suffering today. And instead of numb, I became responsive. The theme of the play is powerful.

“When evil comes into the world, it is the job of the witness to turn it to love.”

This is what I have thought about since 4 AM.

Choose love over hatred. Change hatred into love. I've witnessed so much tragedy in last 21 years. And it is my our responsibility to choose love over hatred. To help repair the damage and heal the broken hearts. To serve one another. To remember the lives of those who died. To find the strength to do what we must do. Of course I will never know what it feels like to lose someone I love so dearly in such a tragic way. I have never had to pick of the pieces of my life and start over. I want to make it clear that I don't equate my trials to such tragedy. They are different for me than they are for anyone. But let me also be clear that I have a responsibility to make sure that "hatred will not have the final word." As Olive Allison in the Women of Lockerbie made sure that hatred did not have the final word. Love is stronger than the bonds of hate and bitterness. And because I have witnessed the pain of other, even from across the country, I have a responsibility to love.

We all have our reasons to choose love over hatred.

I choose love over hatred because I know my Heavenly Father loves me and loves all of his children.  I choose love over hatred because the person next to me is my brother or my sister. I choose love over hatred because people take care of me when I am weak. I choose love over hatred because I have been blessed with a loving family, and they have taught me to choose love. I choose love over hatred because I am human, and I am connected with each human on this planet. I choose love over hatred because hatred will not have the final word.

Tragedy will always occur. But love will always abide. So in my therapeutic efforts to mourn for those who are dealing with that word, I ask you to love. To serve. To be kind to one another. To put forth any and every effort you can to make sure that hatred does not have the final word.

The to-do list of a graduate.

TO DO:

• Spend as much possible time with my people. 
• Make the snow melt. 
• Fly kites. And sidewalk chalk.
• Eat at all my favs in Cedar. 
• Make one more fort in my living room. 
• Tag the sheep tunnels.
• Make two batches of cookies and deliver happiness. 
• Stay up late every night.
• Get a killer dress for graduation.
• Finish 20 million homework assignments. 
• Passport. Passport. Passport! 
• Grad announcements & thanks yous. 
• Maybe like..get a job.  
• Eat Lunch.
• Walk under the Bell Tower.

And.........

• Graduate. 

14 days. 22 hours. 40 minutes people. 

dimes, peristalsis, $100, gravity, & Harry: random facts you'll never need to know.

Tonight my roommates and I stayed up late exploring the mysteries of life. These are the things we learned...

Dimes are the best piece of US currency. They are cute. "You can fit it in the palm of your hand perfectly. It's just in there." Because no other coins can do that. A dime is 10 cents. Even numbers are good numbers. They are thinner than any other coin. FDR is on the dime. AND in the Parent Trap, the girl brings in all dimes to play poker. Inspirational.


YOU CAN DRINK WATER UPSIDE DOWN! Peristalsis allows the body to drink while you are upside down. Yeah. Who knows what peristalsis is? I do! Suckas.  try it. oh. and it's only water. you can only drink water upside down. i'm lying. try milk or coke. still works the same. i think.


Benjamin Franklin is on the 100 dollar bill. He is the only individual on US currency that is NOT a president. But of course there is Sacagawea. She is on the one dollar gold coin. But who uses those? I'm talking about the currency we actually use.


Veins can defy gravity. You have veins in your legs. And those veins take blood to your heart. That means they go up. don't i sound so smart. Can you imagine your veins singing "I'm through accepting limits, 'cause someone says they're so." That's right gravity! What's up now?!
And Hillary Clinton has a problem with blood clots. But I think she will be okay.


This is a fact you really might need to know.
Hairy, as in my mole is hairy, is spelled H-A-I-R-Y. Not harry. That's Mr. Potter.

The Proposal.

I was just sitting in the Rotunda today, like any other Thursday, chatting with a friend.

And then I heard the music. I instantly looked toward the west and saw him coming up the stairs. All black suite. Handsome as ever. Rose in hand. My heart stopped. Was this really the moment?

Then I was lifted up, in my chair! And taken to the center of the Rotunda. Seconds seemed like forever as he grabbed 10 single roses, making his way toward me. He got down on one knee, handed me the elegant roses, and with the sweetest words recited, "Oh darling, I love you so much. Will you  marry me?"

Time froze....

What are you lines Jenna. What are your lines?! Oh yeah..."YES!" 

Of course I was supposed to say yes. What was a mock proposal PR stunt without the yes? 

The rest of the stunt went off quite well. We talked about how I don't have time to plan a wedding. He said there was a bridal showcase. We rode off into our decorated car with hearts all over it. Blah. Blah. Blah.  And the whole school thought for about 10 seconds that I was getting engaged.  

I would just like everyone to know that I am NOT engaged. Although we planned a stellar proposal (future Mr. take notes) and Ryan is a hunk, we're not getting married. But I am here to tell you that there is a 

Brides Unlimited Showcase from 2-6 PM in the Hunter Conference Center tomorrow 

sponsored by Power 91 and Wedding Decor & More.

And if you are in Cedar, you should definitely come. Because this was my first PR stunt for my first real PR campaign. I know you are going to say, "But Jenna, I'm not getting married." Or, "But Jenna, I've already been married." I don't care. I just got engaged. Fake engaged. So you can come and win some cool prizes. Married. Not married. Gonna get married. Brides Unlimited is the place to be. 

And I know you are all dying to see my proposal. So I will post a video shortly.

And remember. Jenna is still single.  

My People.

Remember that pity post yesterday? And I asked to bring on the love. Well I'm definitely feeling loved. This is why.

my people. 

The kin. Let me tell you, I have the best family ever. FaceTime, texts, surprise visits, bribes to get me to live next to them. They are constantly telling me they love me. And I'm not just talking about the sibs. I have pretty rad parents. I told my mom I wanted to backpack Europe for a month, and she was way excited for me! My dad will just randomly put money in my account when he has no idea I'm on my last $10 for the month. They have this amazing ability to support me in any capacity. So my family is like aca-awesome. And don't even get me started about how adorable my nieces and nephews are. I could go on for pages.

The besties. Marci and Sara have been my best friends since I was two. 2 That's a long time. They know me better than anyone, I dare say. The great thing about them, they aren't going away. Even if they wanted to. They're like oxygen to my flame. hahahahaha CHEESY! And they WILL be wearing those embarrassing bridesmaid dresses on my special day. Muah!


The teamies. aka Roomies. Don't judge us because we have a cool handshake, talk about how much we love SUU every day, and practice saying all of the US Presidents in order. I also only send the ugliest of snapchats to them. That's true friendship. Annnnd....we all have nicknames. Multiple. I've also been through 75% of my college career with Whitto and Bai. Solid. Right?


The games crew. I play games with these fools...like every night. Till 2 am. I wasn't really a 2 am kinda gal until they introduced me to kemps. And not only do I play games every night with them, but they've adopted me into their little family. Like they came and watched me play intramural soccer in negative one billion degree weather. Intramural. They're the bees knees. Oh. And I've only really known them for about two weeks. Can you ask for cooler people? No. No you can't.

The peers champions. Peers sounds so...academic. And yes, I met them all while I was at school, but they're not just my peers. They are champions. Champions of being awesome people in my life. Some of them are graduated, graduating with me, and others are gonna be at SUU for some time. But it's everything they have said to me the last four years that have really kept me going while I've been at SUU. They remind me to make lemons when life hands me lemonade. i love modern family.

The professors. My professors are the bomb dot com. Specifically Ellen and Matt. sorry not sorry about the first name basis. They have made my academic college experience outstanding! Hats off to their incredible ability and efforts. They are remarkable human beings.


So pretty much the basis of this post?

I am surrounded by so many people who are cheering for me to succeed. And that is more than I could have ever asked for.

I'm going to say that you do as well. There are so many people who love you and want the best for you. One of my friends said this yesterday after I posted about joining the circus:

"Life if forcing itself at us, and we have nothing else to hold on to other than each other. And we will hold strong."

Yeah. Hold strong people. Take a moment to see how many individuals are actually cheering you on. It's overwhelmingly powerful. And it truly helped me today. So thanks to

my people.

p.s. it's hump day! half way to the weekend.

Maybe I'll Join the Circus.

23 days. 12 hours. 50 minutes.
I am a college graduate in 23 days, 12 hours, and 50 minutes.
COLLEGE freaking GRAD! Awesome right? Yeah, way awesome.

Except for the fact that I have 1,000,000 zero plans come 23 days, 12 hours, and 50 minutes. If you ask anyone I've talked to in the past week, they will tell you that I am freaking out. I mean, I've always been the girl with a plan. And a stellar plan, if I might add.

And now nothing. Nada. Zipadeedooda zilch. Panic mode. Can you tell? But...this blog post isn't just about me freaking out. It's about a break through.

Let me rewind a little bit. I've always known that I'm going to be okay. I know that I'm not going to whither or instantaneously combust because I don't have a plan right now. There are worse things that I could be dealing with, and I am grateful to live such a wonderful life. I'm okay. I do know that.

I think the reason I'm in this baby ridiculous panic mode is because it feels like everyone else and their pet hedgehog, Dexter, has a plan.

I have the same conversation every day.
Insanely nice person, "Oh, Jenna! You're graduating! That's exciting. What are you going to do next?"
Me (wearing my sassy pants), "I DON'T KNOW!!!!!! Join a convent, or the circus. Travel to Antarctica."

Okay, maybe I don't entirely yell at them in caps lock. And I'm never serious about any of those options. But it seriously is the same everyday. I. Do. Not. Know. efff. 

Here is the breakthrough portion. Today I stumbled upon a blog called The Unlost, and I found a post entitled, "Why It's OK to be Lost and Confused." Man did it come at the right time! This girl, Therese is brilliant. She wrote about how it's okay to not have it all figured out. In fact, more than okay. Which I think I know, but coming from a complete stranger, who doesn't know me, was real.

And when I say real, I mean like John Mayer talent real. Not like Taylor Swift..."real."

The jist of her story: 1. same sitch   2. realized it was OK   3. went and did remarkable things anyways.
So...breakthrough. Ask me what I'm doing after graduation. Really ask me. I still don't know.

But my reply this time (without the sassy pants), "I have no idea. But whatever it is, it's going to be remarkable!"


And if you have any suggestions on what remarkable might be for me, I am taking them openly. Bring on the love.

Ragnasty.

There are exactly 78 days until I WRECK IT at the Wasatch Back. Or it wrecks me.

Almost two years ago, I ran Ragnar: Wasatch Back with my incredible family. It was an amazing physical, mental, and spiritual experience. I thought I was somewhat ready and trained to run this monster, but in reality I only finished because I was carried across the finish line by a few running angels and my family.

Come June 20th, I will be running through the beautiful terrain of the Wasatch Back. Again.

I've never been more excited to run 20 plus miles, get 5-7 blisters on my feet, get 5 hours of sleep in 2 days, and be unable to walk for 2 weeks after. I am STOKED! i really am though.

Running isn't my best physical activity. My sisters are waay good at it. Not so much me.

But don't be fooled. I really am excited. Mainly because I get to spend an incredible time with the most amazing people. And Ragnar is an amazing experience in and of itself.

Anyway, I should have started hard core training like a century ago, but just in the last week has it become super serious. So send the prayers my way. Cause I'm about to get RAGNASTY.

i have the best family ever. really i do. GO TEAM MAKING MEMORIES!