Sierra's View

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Wednesday, March 6, 2013

My Name is Sierra and I Like to Party.

10 points to you if you know this movie.

February and March has (apparently) been the month of missionary farewell parties, birthday parties, holiday parties, etc. It's been really fun.

And that's all I'm going to say because I'm tired and I want to go to bed.
(You thought I was going to continue, didn't you?)
It's fine. My 4th graders writing skills are becoming apparent in my own life. Uh oh. 

Let's be honest, you just wanna see pictures anyway, right?


























My life is fun.
k. bye. 

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

LINK UP Bachelor Thoughts: Sean's Season {Episode 9: Women Tell All}




Good News, Friends!!! 
I have decided to make this a button only link up party!
 I have been reading SO many Bachelor posts and I thought--Hey! Why not? Let's all get in on the drama, eh?
Here are the rules: 

1. Follow Oh, Just Living the Dream. 
2. Put the Bachelor button at the end of your post and somewhere in your blog link it back to mine! Easy enough, eh?
3. Leave a comment telling me that you linked up!!!! 

HERE'S TO SOME JUICY DRAMA POSTS.
Oh, yea. 




--Tierra's Interview--

This is so fake--with the set up of Tierra coming out and stuff. Blah blah blah.
It sounds like Tierra really was that bad though, they are all sitting here bashing her.

What was with the random backstage scene? That was awkward. And this horrible silence. Yikes.

The live audience is even fake. Ugh.

"It is difficult for me because I light up in a room...When I walk into a room, I bring this joy...."-Tierra bahahahahaha

Tierra. Shut up. Everything that comes out of your mouth is fake and manipulative. Even in this live interview. I seriously think she cannot even be honest or real, even in this circumstance. She is a master manipulator.

I told myself: "Put your blinders on and focus on the prize." --
Two things wrong with this quote.
1. A prize. She thought she Sean was a prize. That's the issue.
2. That's fine if you want to focus on Sean, but you need to at least be somewhat cordial with the other girls. You need to know going on this show that you have to be at least kind to the other girls; you don't have to be their best friends, but you still need to be a somewhat nice person.

Tierra is not helping herself. At all.
She cannot even apologize. Wow.

She may not have said anything to Sean, but she definitely said things to the girls faces---whether or not that's better than speaking behind eachother's back, it was still unkind.

Yes, Tierra really was that bad. She was not the victim of a conspiracy. Oh my goodness.

These "pre-shots" are awkward and unnecessary.

"You are delusional."-Robyn.
AMEN SISTA.

Ugh, Tierra is such a victim. Stop playing the victim card.
She can't even admit that she did one thing wrong. Not one thing. She can't even admit that she's at fault at all. She isn't even making sense! 


There ya go, that was kind of an apology. And then she stopped. So close, Tierra. So close.


Of course you were Little Miss Nevada, Tierra. Of course you were.

--Sarah's Interview--

I feel like they are making Sarah to be "America's Favorite"; that it was so sad to see her go, but I was not even upset when she left. I knew that her and Sean were not compataible from the beginning. It was sad to see her response, but it's not like I was devastated. I was much more sad when Desiree left.
Uh, I think Desiree has touched America's heart MUCH more then Sarah. Much more. I'm confused why they are playing her up so much?
I'm gonna say it: It's just cause of her arm. Come on--we know it's true. She's adorable and sweet, but I was not in love with her. At all.
Don't get me wrong, I thought she was adorable and sweet and awesome, but I had zero connection with her. I thought she was really boring and self conscious. 

She's still crying. She's still not over him. Sad :(

I feel like she should not be this upset over going home. It's the nature of the show and she wasn't even in one of the top, ya know? Like I understand being bummed and a little embarrassed, but she is like devastated, when other girls should probably be way more upset than her.

Like she can't get over it. It's not personal; Sarah, he didn't send home because you're not funny, great, or nice...he just didn't see you being his wife. Simple as that. 

--Desiree's Interview--

I love how articulate she is. 

I wish she was more open about her brother and able to express what really happened. 

Other than that, I just love watching her hilarious facial expressions. 
...Sean's an idiot. 

---Ashlee's Interview---

Holy cow, Ashlee's dress on the first night was incredible. 

Yes, Ashlee, we know you fell in love. You have expressed that many times. 

It sounds like she still pissed with him. I think she still does have feelings for him. 

Of course he's gonna be a frat boy, he has 25 women fighting for him. What do you expect? What do girls really expect by coming onto this show? That he really is only saying to them? You have to know that he genuinely has feelings for other girls. 

--Sean's Interview--

He's such a shmoozer. Stop being so like friendly and fake, Sean. Just talk. 

At least he's being honest. That is a brutal response for Sean, but it's true. She was so dramatic and too serious for Sean. I have said it before.

She wanted him to check on her? Oh my lanta. She is so needy.
He's like: "yea, I made the right choice," during this interview. Haha. 

Did Sean really say that?!?!?! He did not know what to say in that moment. So incredibly awkward. I think Ashlee totally called him out. He was shocked. He was totally panicking. He had to have said that to Ashlee, that he didn't have feelings for other girls.... 
He totally said it. I actually believe Ashlee on this one...you could tell by the look at his eyes.
He really is an idiot.

I'm liking Sean less and less through this episode.

Oh, awkward, he's engaged and he's still totally flirting with Des...

Again, Sean is an idiot. Haha. 


please choose Catherine, please choose Catherine, please choose Catherine.
Lindsay is just annoying and childish.
Catherine is crazy, but you can tell that she has real depth. 
Let's hope Sean uses his brain today.


Monday, March 4, 2013

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Happy Sunday

I took these photos a couple of weeks ago on a beautiful (cold) Sunday winter afternoon.
Amidst the freezing wind and wintery weather (three points for alliteration), the sun was shining and it was a clear blue sky.
Although the LDS Provo Temple is known to be not the "prettiest" temple, it was quite a site against the majestic snowy mountains.
Enjoy.

Haven't put my name on these photos so don't steal, please :)












I am currently watching the CES Broadcast {this is where the leaders of the church speak to all the young adults} curled up in a blanket on this rainy Sunday afternoon.
This weather reminds me of home.
It's been a wonderful Sunday.
I am so grateful for the strength that the Savior has given me through some of the most difficult months of my life in the past year.
I love Sundays :)

Here are some amazing quotes from the broadcast from Elder Bednar:

"I have learned that not shrinking is more important than surviving."

"It is through sorrow and suffering that we gain the education that we came here to acquire. "

"The Savior did not shrink in Gethsamene."

"Do you have the faith to not be healed?"

"Please give me the faith to understand and believe whatever outcome thou has for me." 


"Do I really believe that Christ calmed the waters? Or is it just a nice story to read about? The answer is, I do believe. And because I knew that he calmed the waters, I instantly knew that He could heal me."
"I had to believe that He could heal me--and whether or not that happened, I knew and understood that He had the power the create miracles; that it is in fact in His hands."


To watch this wonderful broadcast click here.

Also, I sang in a devotional a while back. Apparently people saw me on the prelude and it brought back so many wonderful memories of singing with my choir! 

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Thoughtful Thursday.

This week:
I have posted about the Oscars.
I have posted about The Bachelor.
I have a post about MEETING THE CELTICS (I bet you can hardly wait to read that...)
But, today, at this moment, I feel the need to share this with you all; something with substance.

Enjoy.


PS: 10 points for alliteration for my title.

Oh, and I need to go watch some BYU basketball now. K bye. 

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

LINK UP Bachelor Thoughts: Sean's Season {Episode 8}


Good News, Friends!!! 
I have decided to make this a button only link up party!
 I have been reading SO many Bachelor posts and I thought--Hey! Why not? Let's all get in on the drama, eh?
Here are the rules: 

1. Follow Oh, Just Living the Dream. 
2. Put the Bachelor button at the end of your post and somewhere in your blog link it back to mine! Easy enough, eh?
3. Leave a comment telling me that you linked up!!!! 

HERE'S TO SOME JUICY DRAMA POSTS.
Oh, yea. 







Overnight Dates. Totally inappropriate. And I am so not okay with it. But I love it. Here we go.

"I'm not thinking about a date...I'm thinking about _______"
Sierra: sex.
Sean: my future wife.
I'm right, you know it. He's closing his eyes while daydreaming on a hammock. These pondering shots are awkward 

In the intro, Sean explains that he sees "a home with kids running around" in every girl. Uhhh...

Lindsay's Date:

Nope. Cannot do Lindsay's voice. So annoying.

He cannot stop kissing Lindsay!!!!

"Normally, I would show you my bargaining skills, but...."
As sean pulls out a wad of cash that the show gave him.

"Oh my gosh! I just ate a bug. That's out of control."
Uhhhh not exactly out of control, honey. haha. You looked really out of control. CALM DOWN. I CAN'T BELIEVE SHE JUST ATE A BUG. SHE IS SO SPONTANEOUS (INSERT SARCASM).


She takes this "serious," guys. but she doesn't take grammar that "serious", clearly. IT'S SERIOUSLY.


Uh oh. Lindsay could be the winner, Ladies and gentlemen! He really likes her. And she reeeeally likes him.

Ashlee's Date: 

The stupid cave date...being vulnerable...letting go of control...blah blah blah. Ugh, these silly date metaphors. She sure seems very comfortable with falling in love with Sean very quickly. That seems like letting go control to me ;)

Why is Ashlee's voice so annoying too? What's wrong with all of these girls voices?

"What if he says, you're amazing, but you're not the one."
Honey, that is very likely. 

He treats Ashlee very different than he treats Lindsay. He isn't as lovey dovey with her. He doesn't seem near as excited to see her.

yep, I can't stand Ashlee.
I said it. I can't do it.

Aaaaand she just explained her ring to him. Exactly. She's a DIVA. hahahahaha.

Guys, it's okay, he's healed her. So she's fine now.

Catherine's Date
Yes, she's my favorite. I will say it. She is. She's the most real.

I love that she is willing to be open even though it is uncomfortable for her.

Sean asks really good questions...

That kiss in the rain? woooo hoooo HOT.

"I can tell you that I can see myself marrying you"-Sean
Uh, boy, I hope so. Haha.

Look at the way Sean is looking at Catherine! whaaaaattttt. Holy adorable.

"You know what my intentions are"-Sean
SOMEBODY TELL ME WHAT HIS INTENTIONS ARE. HE KEEPS SAYING THAT. 

I wish there was a way to know if they did it in the fantasy suite. TMI?

Rose Ceremony
One thing that I love about Sean is that he knows how to verbally express his thoughts.

Catherine just said wiggles. ha.

Ashlee is going home. I can tell by the way he is watching that video. And she's crying...

blindsided count: 3.

Uh, Hi Ashlee's Breasts. How are you?

yep. knew it. Ashlee's gone.  I am actually kind of shocked that she's going home. Earlier in the season, I thought she may be the winner. But holy cow...home girl is a bi---not a nice woman. And I'm sorry, but her response just made it clear to me that she was supposed to go home. We saw her true colors. She is PISSED. And suuuuuch a diva. haha. Is it terrible that I don't really feel bad for her?

I cannot believe the final 2 are Catherine and Lindsay. I honestly could not have picked this. Never. Not in a million years!

Opa!



Tuesday, February 26, 2013

I Want to Talk about the OSCARS {Version 2.0}

Yes, again.
Version 1.0 HERE (2012)
I love the Academy Awards.
I do.
I have watched the Oscars every single year since I was about 9 (probably before). I think there is something so magical and classic about it. 
And every year, without fail, I dream about being able to wear a beautiful dress and participate in this event.
After I make my major motion picture, right? 

There weren't a ton of dresses that I liked this year. 
With that being said, there weren't very many dresses that I strongly disliked. 
So that's good, eh?
Forewarning: I am, by no means, a fashion expert. I love clothes, but, I am the type of person who goes to work without make 50% of the time, so if that gives you any indication, yea...
And can I just say, here's the reality: All of us have different fashions sense. So just because I think it's beautiful, doesn't mean you will. Let's just all keep that in mind and keep the peace :)
Here are my top 5 favorites dresses from The 85th Academy Awards. 

Kristen Stewart
Yep....I said it. Her hair was a huge struggle but I loved her dress. I know her face looked like she got ran over, and oddly enough, her teeth are really yellow, but I thought that her dress was really pretty. 



Jennifer Garner
I loved the color of her dress. The back of it was so fun. 



Jennifer Aniston
Such a classic, beautiful red. It is the ultimate "princess" dress. I thought she totally nailed it.
Homegirl needs to stand up straight though.



Jennifer Lawrence
(apparently Jennifer was the theme! Haha) 
Perfect. Just perfect.





Charlize Theron 
Okay, so at first, I didn't like her dress at all. In fact, I tweeted about it how much I didn't like it. But, as I continued to see more dresses, it really, really grew on me. But maybe it's the fact that she is absolutely stunning no matter what she wears; she could put on a sheet and it would look beautiful. 









(can you tell I have a style? Classic, classic, classic!)

Note: I liked Amy Adams dress but I feel like the color really washed her out. Same with Jessica Chastain's. 

Overview of the night:
  • Music in the movies theme? I'm so about that. 
  • Seth Mcfarlane was a hilarious host. 
  • The line about Rihanna and Chris Brown just about killed me. So perfect.
  • "The Boob" song. Prime. 
  • I love love loved the part when Channing Tatum and Charlize Theron danced. Kind of cheesy, I know. But two beautiful people dancing? Yes please. 
  • Joseph Gordon Levitt and Harry Potter dancing and singing together? This night is getting better! 
  • Whyyyyy did Christopher Waltse win for best supporting actor? I am so over Quentin Tarantino movies. I did not want Django to win anything. So stupid. 
  • This is the first time I have actually seen one of the animated films for the Oscars. And it was Paperman! So I am happy that it won. Haha.
  • The guy who won for Brave is wearing a kilt. He is wearing a kilt. Yes. He is. Fitting, eh? 
  • Claudio Marino definitely should have won for Life of Pi for cinematography. It was such an amazing movie. His hair, however, is not. 
  • I love that they play Jaws for the cut off song for speeches. Thats hilarious. And when Nicole Kidman goes, "Oh, poor thing!" to that guy who they cut off. So funny!
  • Woman who won for makeup design for Les Miserable was wearing pink pants. NO, PINK LEGGINGS. OH MY LANTA. So pathetic. 
  • I love all of these performances!! Chicago, Dream Girls, Les Miserable, etc.
  • Jennifer Hudson, you are freaking amazing. ......and then you ask, "Why did she not win American Idol?" hahahaha
  • Samantha Barks is freaking amazing in Les Miserables. Cool performance! 
  • Anne Hathaway's speech for best supporting actress was so sweet. I used to not be able to stand her--she is totally growing on me. 
  • I'm bummed Argo won. That's all I have to say about that.
  • Jennifer Lawrence's fall up the stairs at the Oscars just makes me love her even more.
  • Of course Daniel Day Lewis won. He was incredible in Lincoln. Blah blah blah.

I would make a link up for this, because I know all of you fashionista's out there are going to post about this amazing night, buuuuuttttt.....
I'm too lazy. 
So, yea. I'll link up with all y'all when I find them. :)
K thanks bye. 

OH WAIT. BEST VIDEO OF JENNIFER LAWRENCE EVER.


K, now, really...bye.

Saturday, February 23, 2013

We Will Be Stronger Because of Our Pain.

I miss Kenya. A lot.
I'm not entirely sure why. 
It may be that it's 2:30 in the morning and I have been sleeping all day so I am wide awake at night and my thoughts just go to other places (run on sentence anyone?). 
It may be it's because I am in my bed and am feeling sorry for myself because of multiple broken relationships, a horrible migraine and stomach flu, and dealing with this awful snow. (I have watched half a season of Grey's Anatomy today. Pathetic much? So addicted!) 

Whatever the reason is, I cannot seem to stop thinking about Kenya

In the summer of 2011, I had the opportunity to live, teach, and do service in the village of Taru, Kenya. (talk about the middle of nowhere!) For many weeks, I was literally removed from the world. I saw things that I thought I would never experience. I felt things that cannot be put into words. My whole world was rocked. I came back a completely different person, with a completely different perspective of my life.

Fast forward a year and a half and I find myself in a rut.
Frustrated with many of the closest people in my life, hurt over a stupid boy, dealing with death, and stupid sickness, I find that my problems, although they are big, are nothing to the constant battle my friends in Kenya face every single day of their lives. 

This has been a hard year and a half for me.
I don't say that to get sympathy. I simply say that because it's been a huge transition. A lot of physical ailments have brought me down: kidney stones, flu, strep throat, stomach flu, migraines, etc. My fellow teachers keep explaining to me that it takes a few years for your body to adjust to being around kids all day. And now, I completely know what they mean. I have been more sick in this past year than ever in my entire life. And let me tell you, it is not fun. I have transitioned into working full time. And it's not just a 9-5 job. Teaching is a career that sucks a lot of energy out of me. It is 12 hours a day. I know that other people see me and believe that I have more energy than anyone, but I assure you, I do not. And I come home every day after teaching, completely exhausted because I put my everything into those kids. And I have had to learn to balance my life. I have been hurt by many guys in the past year and a half. And I know that may seem trivial, but I am convinced that heartbreak and feeling inadequate to the opposite sex is one of the most aggravating, difficult feelings in the world. 
And I have dealt with a lot of death. Friends, nieces, etc. I have felt a wave of millions of emotions throughout this past year and a half...and I have, yet again, had to remind myself that my struggle in this life is learning how to deal with those emotions

As I have been praying, literally all day today, I kept saying: "Please help me remember that these trials have been given to me so that I can come out stronger."
Because, Faith is all we can hope for at the end of the day, right? Faith to be better the next day. Faith that He will take care of you. Faith that everything in this life is happens for a reason. 
At least, that is what I explained to many of my dear Kenyan friends about. I reminded them of that many times as they sat on the ground and cried over the death of one of their fellow villagers due to AIDS. And, now, although my trials may be different, this is what I keep telling myself:

We will be stronger because of our pain. 






















Aren't they beautiful? 
I will get back there!
My classroom is currently working towards saving money to send to my students in Kenya. Every 10 days that they read, is a dollar towards this student. This has really motivated my students to practice their reading and to help change others' lives. 


xoxo.