Wow, i have come to find out that i am really horrible at blogging... haha

Things have been wonderful for me! I'm still dating the amazing Rick and things are going really good! We just celebrated Valentines Day, and it was pretty much the best day ever! He gave me a gorgeous heart necklace and i absolutely love it! We had a homemade steak dinner and just stayed in and spent time with each other.

Also, i just recently celebrated my 7 year anniversary of becoming a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He bought me a church CD as a present! He is super sweet! :) I am so glad that i have had the strength to remain a member of the church after so long! Without the church i know that i wouldn't be as happy as i am today. I'm grateful for all the blessing i have recieved for being a member.

I'm really excited for tonight cause i'm going to see Te Deum performed by the Salt Lake Choral Artist which my friend Blythe sings in! I haven't been to a choir concert in a super long time so it'll be nice to go there and here some of the things that i love so much! :)

Such A Long Time...

It has been such a long time since I have blogged!!! So many wonderful things have happened!!

I am currently in a relationship with a wonderful guy! We started dating on January 25th, so we just passed our 2 week anniversary! haha He is such a sweet guy! I always feel like a princess around him! His family is completely awesome too, and my family seems to really like him as well. We've been having a lot of fun, and I'm looking forward to Valentine's Day and spending time with him.

My friend Ted left on his mission to San Jose California. He made me a CD before he left, and it is the best CD ever!

Well, more to come later!

A Little Catch Up

Wow, it has been quite some time since i have written on the blog, and so much has happened!

To update you one the boy situation...
Rick and i went out to dinner at a place called Cafe Trio. Its italian food, and it's super good! After that we went to a chocolate shop and got some delicious hot chocolate. Then we went to Gateway to see a movie. We got there around 8:30 and our movie didn't start until 10:40, so we walked around Gateway. He still had to buy a birthday present for his dad, so we went inside of Dicks and bought his dad golfballs. We seen Paul Blart: Mall Cop, and i must admit that it is a super hilarious movie! It was such a fun night! I had a wonderful time! Well, we hung out again on Monday and watched August Rush, and we're hanging out tomorrow, and on Saturday! I'm totally thrilled! Its going to be awesome.

School is also going really well! I love all of my classes! I have a friend in almost everyone! I'm taking a Psychology 1220 which is for infant to adolecense, Math 1010 with my friend Whitney from Zeta, Astronomy 1060 with Carlos and Tiffany, Institute, and ASL. Things have been going really well, and i think i'll be able to bring up my GPA and everything!

I went to Zeta last night and we made magnet boards! They are the coolest things in the entire world! Mine is pink with flowers on it, and has this super cute quote: While i wait for tomorrow, i'd like to spend today with you. I thought it was really awesome!

Wicked is approaching rapidly and i cannot wait! Unfortunately, we ran into a bit of a problem...Michael and Blythe have large choir festival that same night!!! Thankfully, Pike is going to let them leave really early so we'll be able to make the show!

Also, my 8 year anniversary for my baptism is coming fast as well! It's so wonderful to have been a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints! I'm so grateful for all of those who introduced me into the church, and have kept me going strong. Without them i don't know where in my life i would be. THANK YOU!

Spring Semester

Well, today is the last day of winter break. It was wonderful while it lasted, but now i'm going back to school, and i can't decide if i'm super excited or not. I want to go back cause i'm taking some really fun classes like: Astronomy (with Carlos)Psychology, Math 1010, and ASL. I'm really excited! Yet, i'd rather be relaxing at home and not having to worry about doing homework or taking exams, but it must be done. I've been having fun over break though! :) I've met two really nice boys!
One of them is Rick, who is Liz's nephew. I went to her house to watch the Utah v. Alabama football game and he was there. We didn't talk much, but were friends and he asked me out to dinner!! :) i'm really excited to go, so i hope he writes me back soon! :) i can't wait to see what happens with that. :)
The other one is Chris, who's Julianne's cousin. She set us up on a blind date and we went to her house and ate pizza. Then we just played games! :) It was a blast! He's a really nice guy, but i'm not sure if things will go anywhere. Brett, who's Juliannes husband, was hilarious!!! We could not stop laughing about things he did or said! :)
Well, here i go back into the college life... haha! Wish me luck!

Girls Day Out!

Have you ever felt like you just need to get out of the house and just have a girls day out? Or like you just have to talk to someone? It doesn't matter what its about but you just know you need to talk? I've been feeling that way alot lately, and when i feel this way there are only a couple of people i know that i can turn to, and Blythe happens to be one of them. I'm so grateful that i had the oppertunity to hang with her!

On Tuesday we went and got pedicures which turned out super cute! :) While we were sitting in the chairs the ladies asked us if we wanted our eyebrows waxed. At first we were a little nervous, but decided to go for it! It really didn't hurt all that bad, but we had silly red lines across our eyebrows... So, we went to Cafe Rio for lunch right after that, and we were in line about to pay and one of the workers standing there could tell that we had our eyebrows waxed so he asked us if it hurt and all that stuff... It was pretty much the most hilarious thing ever!!!! To make matters even better, there were two cute missionaries eating lunch there too.. how embarrassing! After we went to the mall so i could get an outfit for my blind date next week! We pretty much had the time of our lives! :) We picked out 2 good outfits and even bought matching rain boots!!!! We even went into a store for baby clothes and looked at cute outfits for when we have kids of our own! :) After our shopping frenzy we went to my house for a little, and then on our way to take Blythe home we stopped of at Michael's house and dropped of some goodies! :)

Pretty sure that it was the best day of my life!!! (so far) Blythe is pretty much the best person to go shopping with!!! :)

Brave...

I guess this is kinda a sequel to my post about qualities... I love this song!!!! Ted let me listen to it on our way to school one day and i feel in love!!! Its called Brave by Gavin Mikail. Not only is he AMAZING at playing the piano, he has a wonderful voice!

One day i want a guy to tell me something like this...I was to hear these kinds of things from a guy...I'm only 18, but i feel lonely. Not like i don't have any friends, but that i need a companion, like a boyfriend..Do i need one right now?? Should i be looking?? A couple of people that i know what to set me up with some of their relatives, but should i get my hopes up?? I HATE questions like these... They never seem to have answers... AHHHH! Anyways...

Brave by Gavin Mikail

I am not as brave, beautiful, and patient as you are,
But I am safe in your arms I listen as you say
"I'm proud of who you've become and the person you will be tomorrow..."
And I know I would give anything up for you...

I'll follow through I promise to hold on I'll never let go won't let you down
if you can stay proud I'll be brave somehow...

I am not that brave Sometimes I need to hear you whisper
"Everything's O.K... You'll be fine I'll help you find your way..."
And I have nothing but faith in you
All that I am is what you are and we are I would give anything up for you...

I'll follow through I promise to hold on I'll never let go won't let you down
If you can stay proud I'll be brave somehow...

Whisper... You can save me I am listening
I am waiting for your best to come alive
And help me understand the reasons why
I'm here now living a feeling unlike my fear
Outside of this life I am here now for you...

I'll follow through I promise to hold on I'll never let go won't let you down
If you can stay proud I'll be brave and
I will follow you I promise to hold on I'll never let go won't let you down
If you can stay proud I'll be brave somehow...
Somehow...
Somehow...

December has come and gone...

Wow, i can't believe that the month of December has come and gone so fast. I've had a lot to do between finishing up my first semester of college, work and Christmas shopping. This December has been sort of an emotional one. Just recently, a member in my ward passed away. He only lived 2 houses away from me, and he was the sweetest man i've ever met. He loved the youth with all of his heart, and he let us use his cabin for youth conference. He was such a kind and gentle man. Giving him a hug was like hugging a teddy bear-they were sincere and genuine hugs. He will be dearly missed!!!

I also was able to get my mom and dad the best Christmas present ever! :) I went in with my sister and we got them tickets to see Jeff Dunham at Energysolutions Arena and a gift card to Cold Stone! so in other words...a CHILD FREE date night! Something that they have been needing! I also got my mom her favorite movie-Rocketman, and i bought my dad a Utes hat! I have noticed that the older i get the more excited i am to give instead of recieve. I love to see peoples faces light up when they get things that they have wanted. Its so cool!!! :)

This December has also been kinda hard because i wasn't singing with my wonderful friends in Madrigals. I missed SO much being with my friends and singing. It was totally depressing not doing all the fun performances and getting to know everyone a little better. My December felt so empty and lifeless... haha. Oh well, its time for me to move on and let go of those kinds of things.

I'm looking forward to this next year. It brings a lot of hope and promise i think. I have several friends who are getting married: Brock and Aubrey will be married on May 15th and Heidi and Andrew will be married on June 23rd. Also, Julianne and Bret will become first time parents! i'm so excited for everyone! :)

I'm also going on my first blind date next year (well, like the 2nd or 3rd of January) I'm very nervous. i don't want this boy to get the wrong impression of me because i'm so nervous and act like a nerd. His name is Chris Kennedy and he is Julianne's cousin. i'm also very excited! This could be it...we could start dating, and maybe i'll marry him!!! Who knows though... i'm not getting my hopes up because honestly, i'm in that big of a hurry. i wouldn't mind it, but i would be okay being single or at least not married for a little while longer. AHHH! There's just so much to think about...what do i do after the first date? Do we exchange numbers? Do i call him first or does he call me first? What if i'm interested, but he doesn't think that i am so he gives up and doesn't talk to me any more..? Well, i guess we'll just have to see how it goes... Don't worry, i'll post the news wether it be good or bad...

Qualities!

I think that every girl is entitled to the right to have a guy who has the qualities that she wants. Wouldn't you agree? She shouldn't have to settle for someone she doesn't deserve. I don't think that any girl could ever set her expectations too high, because if they are picky then they'll get everything they wanted in a guy. I mean, you can't be so picky that you won't date them because they laugh weird or something ridiculous like that. When it comes to qualities like trustworthy or punctuality thats where a girl has the right to be picky. Am I wrong to think that?
I have my dream guy in mind and what I want him to be like, and it probably seems like a really picky list, but its things i can see will bless our future family. Things like: I want him to be able to help with finances because i'm horrible at math. I also want him to be an on time kind of guy-i can't stand it when i'm late to things.... i have no idea why. I want him to have a wonderful personality so that we can always laugh and have a good time, but on the other side i want him to be able to recognize when to be serious, and when we can joke. I also don't want him to joke all the time either, i want to know that i can talk to him about serious things and know it won't be turned into a joke. I think that the most important quality that i NEED in a guy is that he is willing accept my family as not being members of the church. Also, that he won't force the church on to my family. He needs to be understandable enough to accept thats who they, but that they still love and respect me in my decisions.
Everyone says that they want the perfect guy. No guy is perfect, but they can be perfect for a certain person. Does that make sense?? Girls also have to be willing to be so picky, because you might not find a guy that fits everything you want. Just keep in mind: DON'T SETTLE FOR LESS!!!!!! No matter what...Girls, you're worth so much and you deserve the best for you!!

A Christmas Story

Its finally Christmas time!! My favorite time of the year! I love the spirit it brings and all the wonderful songs and lights! Its so beautiful to see the snow on the ground (but only once its on the ground, not when its falling). I enjoy having the oppertunity to celebrate our Saviors birth and his love for us. So, i thought i would share my favorite Christmas story to spread the spirit!

THE CHRISTMAS STRANGER

At Christmas time a there was a man who looked so out of place as people rushed about him at a hurried sort of pace.

He stared at all the Christmas lights, the tinsel everywhere, the shopping center Santa Claus, with children gathered near. The mall was packed with shoppers who were going to and fro, some with smiles and some with frowns and some too tired to go.

They rested on the benches or hurried on their way, to fight the crownd for purchases to carry home that day.

The music from a stereo was playing loud and clear, of Santa Claus, and snowmen, and funny-nosed reindeer. He heard the people talk about the good times on the way, of parties, fun and food galore, and gifts exchanged that day. "I'd like to know what's going on," the man was heard to say. "There seems to be some sort of celebration on the way. Would you tell me who this is, all dressed in red and white? And why are children asking him about a special night?"

The answer came in disbelief "I can't believe my ears! I can't believe you do not know that Christmas time is here. the time when Santa comes around with gifts for girls and boys. when they're asleep on Christmas Eve, he leaves them books and toys.

The man you see in red and white is Santa Claus, so sly the children love his joyful laugh and twinkle in his eye. His gift-packed sleigh is pulled along by very small reindeer as he flies quickly through the air, while darting here and there."

The children learn of Santa Claus while they are sitll quite small, when Christmas comes, he is the most important on of all.

The stranger hung his head in shame, he closed a nail-pierced hand, his body shook in disbelief, he did not understand. A shadow crossed his stricken face, his voice was low and clear.

"AFTER ALL THESE YEARS, THEY STILL DON'T KNOW"

and Jesus shed a tear.

Isn't this a beautiful story?? I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas, and keep in mind the true meaning. I love you all very much!! :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

The Weekend..

I had a wonderfully long weekend!!! 5 days to rest, relax and get my mind back together. :) My Thanksgiving was pretty good. I spent it at my grandmas house in downtown Salt Lake. While I was there i spent most the time watching Cars with my now 6 year old cousin Katie. She is addicited to that movie!!! :) We then enjoyed a delightful turkey dinner. I must admit though... i'm not a big fan of Thanksgiving.. mostly because of the food. I don't like turkey, so I pretty much just eat the rolls, corn and some stuffing. I do enjoy the pumpkin pie though!! :) After eating all the food and pie we headed back home and turned into bed early. haha



Friday was quite the boring day.. i did absolutely nothing! well, i did get a new back account finally! haha! Then Saturday was a little better. I seen Nick and Norahs infinite playlist, which wasn't my favorite, but still good. Then I went to Dan's house and we had a party for Steve who is leaving on his mission tomorrow! He's going to the Dominican Republic Santiago mission! GOOD LUCK STEVE! After the party i went dancing! :) Pretty sure John made my night that night!!! :) Sunday, i taught the lesson in my primary class which was quite delightful!! :) I then went to Brock's ward and listened to him speak! It was such a wonderful talk! :)

I'm really excited for this week though because i have to oppertunity to go back and sing with Concert Choir at Cottonwood in The Forgotten Carols! I'm really excited! :) I'll tell you about it after its done! :)

Inspirational

Josh Groban is one of the best singers in the world!! His songs are so inspirational and voice is so beautiful!! I found the lyrics to his song You Are Loved. They are so wonderful! Right now in my life i feel like they are talking to me...

Don't give up, its just the weight of the world.
When your hearts heavy I, I will lift it for you.
Don't give up because you want to be heard.
If silence keeps you I, I will break it for you.

Everybody wants to be understood. Well i can hear you.
Everybody wants to be loved don't give up because you are loved.

Don't give up. Its just the hurt that you hide.
When you're lost inside I, I'll be there to find you.
Don't give up because you want to burn bright.
If darkness blinds you I, I will shine to guide you.

Everybody wants to be understood. Well i can hear you.
Everybody wants to be loved. Don't give up because you are loved.

You are loved.
Don't give up. Everyone needs to be heard.
You are loved.

Three Boys...

I love my job so much! I work at a daycare center with some of the most wonderful kids i have ever met. I could be having the worst day of my life, but those kids never stop putting a smile on my face. Everyone of the kids I work with are amazing in their own way, but there are 3 boys who have been so wonderful i must write about them!

To start off there is this kid named Nick. As soon as he walks in the school and sees me he says: "Miss Sydney!!! How are you doing?" He is always so polite and willing to help out with anything he can. When he leaves for the night he always make sure he tells me to have a good night! I just love it! But, to top it all off i always get a hug, and when you've had a day when you feel like you're worthless these help tremendously!

Next comes Austin. He is quite the funny boy! He shows the same respect as Nick, and he loves to tell me stories! He's not quite a hugger though, and thats okay. His stories are definately the best!

Last but not least there's Kobie! He's quite the kid too! He also comes up and gives me the biggest hug with a smile. He has such funny jokes and stories!

My favorite thing about all these boys is that they're all Cottonwood Colts and Ute fans!!! We always have SO much to talk about and i love it! We all love to play football outside, and we just hang out!

These boys are great examples of brightening someones day by just smiling, giving a simple hug or asking how my day was. I wish everyone could be as amazing as these boys and i hope that they will stay that way forever! If only they could know the impact they have made on my life.

Friends!!

This is definately a topic you'll here SO much about!! Friends mean so much to me i can't explain it. I hope all my friends read this so they can see how grateful i am!! For example: when you had a bad day you need someone to talk to. Parents are good, but friends go through the same things you do and they are better to talk to because they totally understand. Also, when boys are being ridiculous you need a friend. (Thanks Blythe!!!) Our friends are so important!! I hope ALL of my friends know what they mean to me!

Another thing friends are good for are a shoulder to cry on. Its so great when people are there to listen to your problems, and they are such a comfort! I have many of those friends too! Making sure i'm not getting attacked after my robbery or letting me cry on their car, giving a loving and sincere hug after my dad went into the hospital! Thanks everyone!

I wish i could say thank you to each of you by name but i just know i would forget someone! Here's just a few: Blythe, thanks for listening to me complain about everything!! you're great! Britany, thanks for staying with me while my parents went out of town and eating ice cream! Ted, thanks for making sure i didn't die after the robbery, and making that sweet CD's. Mike W, thank you for being my friend even though sometimes i don't listen to you when i know you're right! Thank you to everyone i didn't mention!!! I LOVE YOU ALL!!! :)

I also have to take the time to say THANK YOU to all the Young Men and Young Women in my ward!!! You guys were the best!!! I love you all SO much! Thanks for making the impact on my life, and sticking it out with me even though i could be a bossy jerk!! Thanks Croz for what you said that one Youth Conference!! I'll never forget it! Jessi, thanks for being so patient!! I loved that we could work out our problems!! You guys are the best, and i miss you so much! Lets party super soon! See ya on Sundays!!! Also, thanks to the leaders! Your testimonies have helped me grow SO much! Thanks for your guidance and wisdom!! You're all wonderful too!!! I love you guys!! Don't forget me! :)

Crazy Death Dreams

Dreams are very random. They can be very realistic or very unreal. These death dreams have come to seem very real. To understand these dreams you should know a little back ground. About 3 weeks ago i had my purse stolen from me at church, and they got everything. I was really upset because they knew so much about me. Here are the dreams:

The first one was about a week and a half ago...

It started out with me teaching my cute little Primary kids when all of a sudden a man in a suit walked in and said "Are you Sydney Draper?" I said "Yes" and then his reply was... "I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!! YOU'RE GONNA DIE!" He then ran out of the room. I started crying and then the young men came over and asked what was wrong. I told them the story and told them to get the bishopric. When the bishopric got there i explained to them what was going on, so one of the memebers of the bishopric ran after the guy and caught him. When they caught him the stuck him in a room until the police could get there. Then the bishopric came back into my room and told me i could sit on the stand with them during sacrament so i would feel safe. They then told me the only way i could get to the chapel was to walk past the guy again. So as we walked to the chapel i passed the guy and once again he started yelling: "I'M GOING TO HUNT YOU DOWN AND KILL YOU! YOU'RE GOING TO DIE!!" and then i woke up.

The second dream happened just last night...(This one is much shorter)

I was working in a hospital as a nurse. I was standing around when all of a sudden a guy ran up and tackled me and took me out of the hospital. As we were leaving the hospital i some how made a connection that this was the same guy that tried to get me while i was at church. I started to kick and scream and get away, and i finally did. The dream repeated itself multiple times, and everytime the guy caught me i seemed to get farther and farther away from the hospital, but i would just black and it would start all over again until i finally woke up.

So these are my terrifying dreams that i've been having... If i have any more i'll be sure to post them! :)

My First Blog

I've been thinking of starting a blog for awhile, but haven't had the time to sit down and do it. As i was sitting in class today i seen my friend looking at hers and i became determined to start a blog... (Thanks Courtney!!) So here it goes.. i'm probably no good, but i'm going to give it a shot! :) Let me know what you think! Have a great day!!