Honestly.

I just had to take a second on here to really emphasize something that I really strongly believe in. I had honestly never thought about having a blog, before I moved here to the States, because it's just not really what people do back home! It's definitely becoming more of a trend nowadays, and I think that it's great to have a way to read funny real-life stories, look up cute outfit ideas and great recipes to try (and fail) and try again. 

I never really knew what I wanted to share with this blog, and so far, it's a fun way for me to share thoughts and feelings (that I think are funny) and just to record my adventures in a fun way. Over the past few days, I've really been thinking about the Internet, and how it's definitely a blessing in our lives (seriously how many times can Google save the day?), and it's a wonderful way to stay connected with those that we are apart from, but when used in the wrong way, the Internet can be dangerous, and especially with things like blogs and Facebook, it can become a bit of an identity thief!

What do I mean?

Well, I feel as though the blog culture can create an image of perfection in the eyes of a lot of people. I literally say it ALL THE TIME! "Oh my gosh, she's perfect"... "her life is literally perfect", and deep down, I'm not naive and I know that no-one has a perfect life, but the words just come out! (and no doubt they will again really soon). 

While we aim to show off the best version of ourselves, I just don't want anyone to lose themselves in this realm where you can literally be ANYONE you want to be!

Take me for example. How do you even know that I'm British?

Obviously I am. Because you probably know me, but my point is, that it would be really easy to fabricate a great story just for the fun of it... because it would be a better read for other people.

I'll hop off my little soap box now, but I just wanted to say that in deciding to make this blog, I'm going to be as honest about the things that I write, as I can be. I really want this blog to be a real representation of who I am and what I stand for.

And tonight?

I stand for High School Musical.

If you live anywhere within the 10 mile radius of my apartment, you heard Krysta and I literally acting out the entire production. Literally.

Yes, I'm twenty going on twenty-one.

No, I am not ashamed.

Spring Showers

Yesterday we had the Bridal Shower for our beautiful Rachel, who's getting married to Eric in just 4 short weeks!!

Like a lot of my friends who have recently become bethrothed, she was absolutely glowing!!

Rachel is one of the sweetest, greatest girls I've ever had the pleasure of rooming with, and I'm SO excited for her!!

The shower was held by Cydney Allen one of the most creative people I've ever met!! Want proof? Check out her company Afton Photography and tell me you don't want her documenting every moment of your life!!

Well here are a few snaps from Rach's festivities...

Adorable right??

There are also baby showers, and more bridal showers ahead!! Call me a girl, but I just LOVE them!!

SPEAKING of Bridal Showers... not to take away from anyone else's perfect moment, but I cannot wait for the wedding of the year... that of my best friend!!

Literally we've been wedding planning for like 2 years... but now she has a cute boy to fit in the equation 

You should check out more of her adventures at her awesome bloggy blog, To & Fro. Literally. She's a babe.

________________________________________________________________

Meanwhile, this little Brit is running around doing school, applying for exotic internships in California and just trying to enjoy life on this side of the pond!

I don't think I say enough how grateful I am to be here, with the opportunity to have an education and be taking big steps in my life!

When people talk about how much the early 20s are a crossroads in life, I didn't fully understand until I got here! Not only are there choices in terms of finding the right career, and knowing what I want to do with my life, but things like knowing where I want to live, who I'll marry and have a family with.... BIG THINGS.

But I feel as though these decisions are coming together rather nicely. It's hard to not know what's coming up in the future, but instead of what I would usually feel.. (fear, anxiety, basically wishing I had  the premonition powers of Phoebe in Charmed... did anyone else watch Charmed?? I'm side tracking...) BUT now, all I feel is excitement and anticipation. It's great.

Well, my New Years Resolution this year, was to be fearless. So I'll let you know how that goes! 

Four Really Easy Steps to becoming a N.E.R.D.

It took almost 21 years, but I have finally come to the conclusion that I am a complete nerd. And that's just fine.

As much as I love fashion and a good Bachelor finale, I LOVE SCIENCE!

I've been a Pre-Med student since the age of 4. Literally. As much as I've tried to act cool, and talk about how much I dread studying, or can't stand the library. It's all lies. I LOVE THE LIBRARY. Why else would I spend so much studying there, then proceed to get a job there. I have even found myself laughing hysterically to science jokes that my professors tell. The kind that you hear and feel sorry for the professor because no-one is laughing except the weirdo sitting on the front row. 

World, meet Weirdo on the Front Row.

As you know, I'm hoping to become a paediatrician, but I've recently taken a shining to Neuroscience. Yes, the Queen Elizabeth of all nerdy science emphases. That fact was really proven today, as I willingly took the time to tell people all about the brain and how AWESOME it is. 

But if you'd like to join me in this realm I call NERDOM, here's how.

Step 1: Join the University's Neuroscience Academic Society, and pose with a human brain in a jar during Brain Awareness Week.

Step 2: Pose again, this time with gusto

Step 3: Buy a brain candy mould and fill it with chocolate.

Step 4: Proceed to made brain shaped candy to hand out to classmates during your presentation on interactionism and the Mind-Body Problem.

Welp. That'll do for now. But more N.E.R.D. tutorials to follow, including How To Scare Away Potential Friends With Shameless Dad Dancing.

p.s. not so nerdy... but I do love a good peplum. 

So this morning, I looked outside and grumbled about the down-pouring snow.

I grumbled some more about the fact that I had to wear my wellies instead of my preferred option that have no friction that would surely lead me to my death, or worse, humiliation.

Then I grumbled about my breathlessness after hiking up to the Benson 

If you are not a BYU-I student I can lie and say it's really strenuous.... but I'm just shockingly out of shape

But as I walked with my trusted brolly in tow, I realised that I was the only person carrying one. It was literally chucking it down with snow, and I was the only person who felt like it was appropriate to carry an umbrella. It was at that precise moment my friends, that I felt completely and utterly British. I had spent the morning moaning, I was cold, wet, and a tad moody. But I was also British. Down to my little quilted jacket and my Wellington boots, I was British.

In my mind I heard the Hallelujah chorus and felt like the happiest girl alive.

Sounds silly I know, but as much as I deny it, I really do miss that quaint little island of mine. 

I thought it should be documented, so here it goes.

Grey Skies

Little Quilted Jacket

Wellies

I even found one of these!!!

Twas a good day

DISCLAIMER:

Now, before you start rolling your eyes and thinking that I'm going to attempt to be a haute couture fashion blogger, I can assure that I'm not; here's why. Firstly, my clothes are definitely not interesting enough. Secondly, I am awful at taking serious pictures. Want proof? Here are some bloopers

(if you're lucky you will someday see me doing the "LA-LA-LA-LA dance that inspired this pose)

(BIG thanks to my roomie Ashley who was long-suffering and took some snaps for me).

Happy Anniversary

Well fellow bloggers. 

Can I call you that? Probably not, seeing as this is practically my one year anniversary since my last post, and I have undoubtedly been chased out of the blogging community with pitch forks and torches.

But in a dire attempt to earn back your acceptance I give you the one year recap to top all one year recaps. 

Ready?

Ok.

Candace and Steve got married

I played with some paint

I wore the same outfit as my friend

 

I wore a British t-shirt on the 4th of July

I returned to the homeland

I saw my friends at a dance

I saw my bestest

And of course, this lady

Then I left again

Took roommate pictures with my new roommates

I finally found some Ethnic Hair Care (please excuse the wretched pixelation)

I spent Christmas and New Years with my Klumpps 

Then I went Rollerblading for the first time

Saw Ed Sheeran in concert with this beauty

And then there's these fellows...

always.

So that's it! You really didn't miss much after all.

Until next year.

Just kidding.

We'll see.

Italia

Here's something that you may not know about me:

I love languages. I love hearing different languages, and I love the way that different languages have such a huge effect on people. One of my favorite things to hear is a prayer in a language that I do not understand.

Why? Well, I know that even if I don't understand the prayers, Heavenly Father does.

When my mum would be really stressed out or praying about something really serious, she would pray in her native language (twi), and this always warmed my heart. Even if it was a simple prayer, the knowledge that she felt like she had to go back to her first language really showed that she was being herself COMPLETELY.

I have taken French and Spanish, and I feel like I can get by in both languages, but....

It's just not enough!

Thus brings me to my next point. I have decided to learn Italian. Now, I'm not usually the kind of person to tell the world/blab about my goals, but I feel like this is one that YOU can help me with. I have a horrible habit of letting myself get busy with school/extra-curricular activities, and I forget to give myself an outlet. Whilst this may seem like a nightmare to most, my outlet is learning languages. So, don't see this as yet another thing that is going on my never-ending to-do list, but more like Leanda's way of taking it easy. Therefore, this is what I ask of you... when you next see me, ask how the Italian's going. Though seemingly simple, this will be a constant reminder to me to keep it going!!

p.s. Another passion of mine= TRAVELLING! Hopefully I'll be able to put the two together :)

Love Month

I love love. Really I do. If there's anything to know about me, it's how much I LOVE love. It's perfect! Sometimes it's awful and hurts like heck, but I am a strong believer of love overcoming all! There are all kinds of love, but to me, February is about LOVE love. you know... boy meets girl kind of love.

Love can, does and will last forever. I think that the notion of loving lasting as long as this life, is the worst thing ever. I CANNOT comprehend the idea of a Heavenly Father who would have us build such amazing relationships, for us to be left all alone in the end!

Another thing I think is that the right love is worth EVERYTHING. Yes there are temporal things in life that might seem more important, but at the end of the day, the things that make this life are memories and the wonderful people that we are blessed to share them with.

Granted, I have never been in love myself, so I can see how I would be relatively unqualified to talk about this subject. But I don't care. This is my blog, and I'm a HOPELESS romantic. For me, love is the one thing that makes everyone the most vulnerable. Why else would it be called falling. You don't step into love. Or skip into love. You have to become dependent on someone and that's scary.

But so worth it.

I think.

I hope.

Well in being the optimist that I am, I'm constantly looking for moments that show that love is real and GOOD.

I recently read about a photographer called Lauren Fleishman who embarked on a project that shows love at it's best. Here are just a few of her images, and I think you should definitely check out the amazing thing that she's doing. It's called love ever after

Now imagine these couples over fifty years ago, in that amazing moment when they realized that they wanted to spend forever with one another. I'd think it would look a little something like this...

 

This would be my roommate Candace Emerson, and this week her best friend asked her to marry him. I have never seen such an AMAZING example of love and two people being so RIGHT. It wasn't forced, or naive, it was just right.

So living with a bunch of girls... you can only imagine our feelings...

So after the excitment of Candace's engagement, and the AMAZING time I had at my friend Carlie's Bridal Shower...

It's pretty safe to say that love is definitely in the air

Just as it should be.