TMI alert...

Guess what!!??? As I am writing this, guess who is flying on a plane and arriving in just a few hours?  That's right - STEPH IS COMING TO VISIT!!!!!!! I'm pretty much stoked out of my mind.  I haven't seen her in what feels like years and I am about to pee my pants in anticipation! Oh, and speaking of accidents in the pants, let me fill you in on a lil fun fact about me....this happens on a regular basis. Like last night, for example.  My friend and I went to Airborne Trampoline Arena which is pretty much the COOLEST place ever. Its a huge warehouse-looking room with nothing but trampolines! The floors are tramps, the walls are tramps, and they have foam pits you can flip into! Pure Bliss. The whole situation excited me.  I don't know if it was the combination of drinking too much water at dinner, the general excitement, and the constant jumping that did it or what, but I tinkled.  Like kinda a lot.  Enough to leave a little wet mark on the tramp.  Hi, my name is Susanna, and I'm still not potty trained.  I blame my parents.

TMI??

Sorry.  You'll get used to it. 

Til Next Time,

susanna

SAS Fact: We like to make chocolate chip pancakes and gobble them up like cookies, with no syrup.  But only when its midnight or later.  We don't believe in pancakes for breakfast. 

Let the Hate Mail Commence.

Hey everyone! Of course I'm the one making us late to post...and I don't even have an exciting outfit to show you...but my excuse is that in the past week I've moved and tomorrow I move again! And then again on Friday! That's right, I no longer live in DC. It's really sad, but a necessary evil considering I get to go back to school!!! That's right, tomorrow night, The other S in SAS and I will finally be reunited!! We've still got a few months to go before A gets back, but I'm so excited to see Suze! She's one of my faaaaavorite people and trust me everyone, we've been counting down to this day for MONTHS. Possibly ever since we last saw each other. She's the best!

Then, on Friday, we'll strap my suitcase to the top of her little wagon (say a little prayer and cross our fingers it doesn't fall off) and make the 4 hour trek up to the tiny village of Rexburg, Idaho that we call home! Can you say CAN'T WAIT?! But anyways, now I must go back and pack (it's after midnight right now and my flight leaves at 3:30 tomorrow). In memory of DC though, here's a typical day of nanny chic for me:

Don't judge me, I get thrown up on and change poopy diapers! A girl can't look cute all the time!

See you on the flipside everyone!

happy as a clam.

Boys and girls I am happy as a clam. I can’t stop smiling and it’s wigging me out. Maybe it’s because I just got this awesome long polka dot sweatshirt with a teddy bear on it, or maybe it’s because I got a wee bit of a sunburn which was much needed, or maybe it’s because we just found vanilla at the market which allowed us to make no bake cookies! I’m not sure which piece of the equation it may be but one thing’s obvious, I am happy happy. You know... life is really good. I think it’s pretty stinking rad that everyday I am able to roam the streets of China, freaking out when I see another white person and wondering to myself “WHY ARE YOU HERE!?” only to realize they are probably thinking the same thing about me. I am so blessed. I am blessed for amazing friends who help share my burdens and can give me a talking to when I’m being ridiculous. I am thankful for my family who supports me no matter what. When I called my dad up to tell him I was most likely going to China he answered “I am 80% okay with it and the other 20% is me just being a dad” I mean how great is he. Some parents would have freaked out and grabbed that dream right out of the air and threw it under their shoe. My family rocks. My friends rocks. China rocks. 

The pictures above are from our weekend trip to Shenzhen. We went to Splendid China which has all these famous Chinese sites in MINIATURE version! We also got to attend church :) Can I just tell you I have never been happier to sit for 3 hours! It was the best. My outfit was... Subpar but I figured these pictures are WAY more fun to look at then one of me standing by a tree or something lame like that. Bon Appetite! 

SAS FACT: There is this little place in Rexy that we like to call Diagon Alley, and they serve only the most delicious pretzels known to man. We love to go get a pretzel and chat for a good chunk of time in that magical place.

I need a doctor.

Guys, I'm really worried about my good friend Weather.  I think she may be {gasp}

bipolar.

 There, I said it.  And I have proof. 

The following pictures were taken {I swear} one day after the next.  Please note the differences in the sky:

Friday, April 1: The guy in the background is wearing shorts. And I'm not even wearing a sweater.  Happiness.

Saturday, April 2: Overcast. Pretty dreary but again, I'm not wearing a coat.  It was mildly warmish.

And day 3 {Sunday}, you might ask?  Well, let's just say I was too baffled by the 8 inches of snow on my car to even remember to reach for the camera and snap a photo. It made me decide on this outfit for Monday:

Complete with fake Uggs, scarf and headwarmer, I braced myself for the treacherous temperatures that today would surely bring. 

But Weather pulled a fast one on me.  She decided to make it 45 degrees out today. So I look like I just stepped off a plane that came from Antarctica. 

I rest my case.  Weather has got some major personality problems. Can someone just prescribe her some meds and a good dose of therapy so we can have a little consistency in our lives??  

Please and thank you.

Alright, I've ragged on Weather enough.  Today my thoughts and heart is with my friends, both close to me and far away.  I realized that I have wasted oh so much time focusing on my wants, my needs, my problems, and basically just ME.  ME ME ME, all the time.  I had a certain personal experience last night that acted as a wake up call for me and I realized I need to make a conscious effort to forget myself and reach out to others.  Regardless of what I am going through, there is always someone that is hurting just a little bit more than me.  There is always someone who needs a hug, a phone call, or even a quick smile.  Sometimes the people who need it most are the people that you are closest to. But because we are so close to them, sometimes we tend to overlook how much impact the little things do and we end up neglecting them.  Not that this happened or anything.....

badly done, susanna.

So, in an attempt to redeem myself and start fresh, here's a little shout out to one of my favorites.  

greetings from the good ol' USA!

Ansley,

Thank you so much for being my friend. You mean more to me than you know.  When I think about my relationship with you, the song "For Good" plays over and over again in my mind.  You know the song, you know how much we all love it, so please know this: every part of that song I can apply to you.  

You are beautiful, you are creative and talented {I mean, you even crocheted the headwarmer I'm wearing!}, and you have a heart of gold with hair to match.  I know you being in China means the world to those sweet little kids, and I can tell by the pictures you have shared that they already consider you their hero.  You are loved, sweet girl.  Don't ever forget it.  

You've set the bar high. I can already see how much you've grown into an upgraded version of your best self; I can't imagine what 3 more months will do! Stay strong, and keep on growing.  I'm proud of you for allowing yourself to change, but don't be afraid to actually make those changes.  

God is smiling on you, and He'll help you through anything :) He wants you to succeed!

 

And so do we.  We'll be waiting for you to return safe and sound.  We love you.

 

Til next time,

                             susanna

SAS Fact:  We once reenacted the battle scene at the end of the first Narnia movie....can you guess who's playing who?

 

Saucy.

This was my Saturday night going out outfit. You know those nights when you're just feeling sassy? That was last night. I slapped on my red pencil and made my first foray into the real world with RED LIPSTICK. It was a big risk ladies and gents, but it paid off. You should try it sometime. Please ignore how messy my room is and how awkward I am when I'm trying to pose. Just go with it.

SAS fact: We LOVE Nutella. On almost everything.

Hi! I’m awkward, it’s nice to meet you.

I know you are all DYING to know what sweeps me off my feet, but before I get to that I simply MUST tell you something. Ladies and gents... I’m awkward. I am as awkward as a fresh RM stepping off the plane about to see his family again after the long 2 years. Or when that RM is about to take a cute girl on a date for the first time after his mission. Yeah, that awkward. Want to know how this happened? Well I have had friends previously come to China and they informed me that after being away for 5 months in a foreign country, you come home awkward. I thought to myself “Psh YEAH RIGHT! I am not going to be that way when I come home!” Oh how I was mistaken. Now, want to hear how I found out I was awkward which, in turn, shattered my world? If not, I am going to continue on anyway. We have a girl named Skylar that we teach and her parents are originally from LA, so you can bet their English is impeccable! Skylar’s mom invited us over to hang out the other day, and we jumped at the chance to hang out with someone who spoke English! To our shock, we caught ourselves speaking really slowly and using language that we do with the children. Not only that but we just didn’t know how to act! I was super fidgety and giggly because it was SO bizarre to be having a normal grown up conversation. It’s a good thing I have 3 more months in China, just enough time to become completely incapable of knowing how to act around people. Life is really funny like that. 

Following the request of Miss Stephanie Chidester... First can I just say I am HORRIBLE at dating, I think I might still have cooties. However, just because I have cooties doesn’t mean that I am not able to get the giggles like a little school girl when a boy does something to make me blush. Let the list begin!

• I love it when a boy will call me versus text. It lets me know you care.
• Open the door on a date please. I am typically not picky but I once had a guy not open my door and then ANSWER his phone all in the first 5 minutes, you can bet I was disenchanted quickly.
• I LOVE it when a guy will hold his hand out to me when he wants to hold hands. I like a man who takes charge and it shows me they want to be with me.
• Be nice to my friends. It’s not too difficult boys because they are the best as you all can clearly see.
• Punctuality. It drives me crazy when anyone tells me they will be there at a certain time and don’t waltz in until an hour later. Your word is everything.
• SHOW ME YOU CARE!!! I don’t need to be fawned over every second of the day but it’s nice to be told I am pretty every once in awhile otherwise my brain starts to kick into overdrive and I think you don’t like me... Girls think WAY too much so help us out a little. Save us the stress. 
• I love to be caught off guard. I try to always have my ‘cool’ on, but if you surprise me you will get to see how I am really feeling.
• I love to be called babe. I don’t know why really but it makes me feel all mushy inside. 
• I love it when a guy pulls me close, especially by the belt loops. I love me some physical affection.
• I know guys need to act macho in front of their friends but I really enjoy it when they turn that off and are themselves in front of me, even if it is just when it’s the two of us.
• Fishermen and Hunters are sexxxxxy. My family is big into that kind of stuff so when I find a guy that is too, I know he will be able to get along with my family.
• I need a guy that I can joke around with. My family is also super crazy and can sometimes be vulgar, so I need someone that can keep up with all of our weirdness. 
• I am kind of controlling... I know it’s bad but I need someone that can put me in my place if needed.
• Lastly, BE CONFIDENT! I don’t like reassuring someone I like them over and over, just know who you are and be yourself

10 years later.... There you go! Now you know what makes me Ansley, awkward and cootie infested, blush. Wan An everyone!

SAS FACT: We have a obsession with scarves, like we wear one with almost each outfit.

color me happy.

I was actually a little scared of this outfit at first.  It was the first time I have tried mixing prints together. If you can't see by the pictures, my little blazer is white and blue pinstriped.  Paired with the scarf, its a bold move.  Think I pulled it off?

And yes, I am posing on the shower/bathtub.  Give me a break...self timer is trickier than it seems!

As per request, here is the way to win said fair lady's heart:

~   I’m a planner. Get over it.  I will plan things down to the last minute.  Which means if we don’t have a plan, I get stressed.  Not that being spontaneous is a turn off, because I totally love playing it by ear sometimes, but if it’s a date…dude come on. Have a plan!

~   I really really like kissing you. Please kiss me back. Preferably when I’m least expecting it. But also when I am expecting it. Cuz if you don't I might get worried. I'm totally insecure when it comes to stuff like this.

~  Guitar.  You got that up your sleeve and its over. I’m yours.

~  Be reverent and sing in church.  It’s not impressive when the deacons in my ward act more mature than you.

~   I’m weird. I’d appreciate someone who not only tolerates it but embraces it and does weird right along side me. A partner in crime {or weird}, so to speak.

~  Don’t be afraid to tell me how/what your feeling.  That shows me you care enough about me to be honest. Even if the truth hurts, it’s better than being left in the dark or being lied to.

~  Take me out for Mexican food. Or better yet, cook me up some Mexican food.

~  Talk about your mission.  It's super attractive.

~   I’m a cuddle bug.  If we aren’t cuddling while watching a movie/similar activities, I’ll wonder what is wrong.  Which probably is immature/dramatic, but sorry. That’s that.

~   Put emotion in your texts.  It makes alllll the difference.  But don’t overload the J…that’s a little gay.

~   I will fall for you in about two seconds. After that, I’ll want to spend all my time with you.  Don’t let me though; it’s good for us to have time apart so we can appreciate the time that we do spend together.

~   I have a super hard time expressing myself.  Please be patient with me.  It takes me awhile to formulate the response that I feel is adequate so if I shrug off a serious question or act indifferent, just know that in the back of my mind the wheels are turning. And I will get back to you.  I just don’t want to butcher it.

~  Chivalry is HOT. Not just being mr. manners with me, but with your friends, with your family, with your teachers, with strangers! I’m watching you like a hawk.

~  Please be prompt.  I hate waiting, I’m super impatient. I just want to see you ok!!

~  Ok I love it when guys offer to pick me up from places, like after class. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world walking up to your car instead of having to walk home. 

~   It means a lot to me when you do things with me regardless of if you like the activity or not.  It shows me that it doesn’t matter what we are doing, it’s just being with me that makes it fun.

~   Back rubs/massages/playingwithmyhair = melting.

~   Please use clean language.  Swearing or crudeness is so not manly. It's disgusting.

~   Make a fool of yourself in front of me.  It puts me on your level.  Perfection in my opinion is being imperfect.

~   BE YOURSELF.  Trust me, the real you is better than anything you can fake. 

~    I’ll die of melting if I see you with kiddies. Or at a park. Yes, take me to the park and swing with me. Then chase me around and fall down the slide with me. Then fall asleep in the grass with me in your arms.

~   Being able to fix things is super attractive. Especially when it’s your car. And let me help you with/teach me your trade.  Working together is soooo fun.

~   Take pictures with me/of me. It lets me know you want to remember this moment.

I could go on foreverrrr, but I think this is enough for now. Now if only guys could make a list like this for us girlies......life would be so much easier!

Anyways.

 Want in on a little secret? I had a 4-day sleepover with a boy. eeek. Before you report me to the Honor Code police,  here me out. 

 I mean, who could resist this dreamy little charmer?

This is Marvin.  He's a chameleon if you weren't sure. We've been keeping each other company while his daddy-o  is out of town.  Stupid business trips. Isn't he a stud though? Those horns and green complexion are totally working for me.  I'm even thinking about adding those requirements to my "broom" list above.  We've had an excellent time together - you know, watching crickets being slurped up and hearing them being crunched and eaten while putting on your makeup is the perfect way to start the morning.  Actually I take that back.  Its disgusting and it makes me want to gag.

In other news, I, along with every other person aged approx. 14-30 living in/around the state of Utah, took part in the Festival of Colors last Saturday! It was glorious.  The Festival of Colors, part of the tradition of Holi, is an Indian celebration of life.  Every year they gather at their temples for a variety of rituals and celebrations.  The main event is the Festival of Colors where you throw colored chalk on each other.  It sounds lame but its actually probably one of the funnest things I've done.  They have chalk throwings every 2 hours where they have a countdown and then everyone in the crowd throws up chalk and you can't breathe. You can't inhale. You can't see. CHALK IS EVERYWHEREEE.  its glorious. and horribly uncomfortable.  But oh so worth it. Because you end up getting pictures like this:

Me failing to look happy...cuz about 2 minutes previously I got a handful of chalk chucked right into my eye. Yes, it was as painful as it sounds.



The Hindu temple in Spanish Fork, Utah





Holi Krishna!



Besides. Who doesn't want to be multi-colored?? 
That was rhetorical.

Til next time,

susanna

 SAS Fun Fact: We have a friend who had admitted that he has an undying love for all 3 of us. He would and has dated all of us. Like he once offered to take up polygamy so he could marry all 3 of us.  I'm pretty sure his life long ambition is to be included in the SAS trio. 

Poor guy.