.mlh.

MLH: i'd be lying if i said i didn't miss you, didn't think of you every day, and didn't wish you were still here! i can't believe its been so long since we've been together but when i think of it, i remember it like it were yesterday. i went and visited your grave earlier this week, you give me extra strength on those days that i can't quite do it myself. i miss our talks, your example, and your infinite love. not only the love you gave me but to all of those lives you touched. you were an example to all of us and you are still in each of our hearts. i know its no coincidence that i've thought about you more then normal especially at this time when all of our friends are spread across the world, some coming home, and some just leaving. but no matter where we all go i know that we have a rare bond that has come from you and the person you were in our lives, and the experience of your passing away that you left with us. i'll never forget that week mads, it was life changing and of course the selfish part of me wishes that you were still here, i know you are too good to be down here and were needed for especial responsibilities where you are. i still look back on those good times, the notebook that we passed back and forth daily, ABE, new years, bedroom chats, love notes, nicknames, italian sodas, rice parties, and just the essence of you i miss terribly. i love when i catch glimpses of you and your example in our friends, and when i see their accomplishments i know much of them have to do with the person you were in each of our lives. it gives me comfort to know that no matter where we go around the world or who we meet and what we do, we have a deep rooted bond that comes from you. thank you for being you and for changing me in the amount of time that i knew you. you were always so mature in your actions and i aspire to be more like you each day. i hope that your big 21 was everything and more that you thought it would be! i love to think about what you would be doing in your life if you were here and try to mimic my life to parallel it. it has helped me through some of those tough days and the life changing decisions that have to made. mads we are getting so old! when did we grow up?? i can't wait to see what is to come in this crazy thing we call life, and will always keep you in my heart! i miss you and love you and wish you a happy happy birthday! x's and o's

thanks cc for inspiring me to do the same on my blog, i love you and you remind me so much of mads. i miss our times together, our "thursdays" and the crazy girls we were! xo

-

{good}

i have been flooded with emotions lately. i had a lovely weekend and got to spend some quality time with sister and an old friend. i loved all of it and it really was what i needed. i feel on track. i've already accomplished a few personal goals or am working towards them. slowly but surely things will be great.

one thing i have been pondering is the word "good." i hate using it because it sounds mediocre or just average, but i've realized that being good or doing good is much much more then average. a good person is aiming for perfection, they run deep with emotion, have good intentions, know what they want, and i believe that if you are a good person you will succeed. i want to be a good person. to do good things always and to want to be a good person in every aspect of my everyday life. i am surrounded by some of the loveliest and what i believe are the most talented and kind people right now. friends and family members who want to make a difference and who inspire me each day to dream bigger and to believe in myself.

overwhelmed

do you ever have those moment where you are so completely overwhelmed you don't even know where to begin? i do. especially right now.

i had a chat with a good friend and while we talked about how thrilling and exciting life can be at this age, there is no doubt that it is one of the hardest.

why didn't anyone tell me that i would be this young when i had to make such life changing decisions, face some of my biggest fears, overcome the hardest challenges, and want to give up so frequently. probably because i would've thrown a fit and chances are someone (my kind parents) did warn me but i decided that i was an exception or they were nagging a little too much.

school is going to be the death of me, my job/s seem like they are never going to run smoothly, my money goes in my hand for about 5 minutes and has to go to someone else...so not fair, i feel lazy and unproductive and therefore i've decided that rather then thinking of who i want to become i need to just become these things now, because "now is the time"

i want to be a better person, i want to get more done.

i want to be on top of things, follow the schedule i set for myself.

i want to conquer my fears and reach my goals.

i want to cook more, i want to be a gourmet cook so that one day i can prepare beautiful meals

i want to recover a chair

i want to sew my own clothes

i want to get good grades

i want to save money. and spend money unfortunately

i want to buy my own car

i really want to blog more

i want to study the scriptures more frequently

i want to make smart decisions and feel good about them

i want to serve more. especially those i'm closest too

thats enough for now, but really...i need to stop feeling overwhelmed and just be productive.

{fridays}

its been one of those weeks where all i can think of is a break. a break from school, work, stress, and life. i know that is unlikely and i also know it isn't going to happen but i heard a quote that kept me hanging on:

"even the worst weeks have fridays in them" and it is finally friday! luckily. i had those brief moments this week where i honestly thought i was going crazy, and if i was mean to anyone who reads this, i'm sorry. i will be better, promise. i also have been waiting for friday BECAUSE...drumroll.....Juddy gets home! Oh how i have missed that boy. I hope that it all goes well, he is the first of all the boys to get home and i'm literally dying to see him. i love fridays!

.happy friday.

{little tender moments}

yesterday i had a tender moment. a tender moment that was much needed, and even though that person expressed that i am an example to her, she is an example to me. i admire the integrity in my friends, the good people that they are, and the intentions of their heart. my night was better after this little tender moment and my attitude brighter, hopeful, and restored. i love those moments, how ever little they may be, they mean the most. after all its the little things that count right? i believe so. thank you good friend for the little tender moment that made me so happy, i love you.

oh so lovely.

this weekend was lovely. i got to sit at home, with my family and listen to the words of our modern day prophets. how lucky we are to have such profound examples in our lives who lead and guide us in these latter-days. i live for these 2 days. i look forward to them, they come so slow and go so fast!

i always sit up straighter and listen more attentively when President Monsen stands to speak at the pulpit. this year he taught me much that i needed to learn, and to apply and adapt in my life. if only i could remember to prioritize my life in the way that i know is so right, but i'm human and i make my fair share of silly decisions, really they are silly. he said so graciously, "we leave as better people then we came 2 days ago" and i hope for myself that this is the case, i intend to shape my life in the right way, the way that i know i need to. i want to make it my own personal challenge to do a good deed each day. so that i can ask myself, "what did you Brooke do for someone today?" and i will most definitely have an answer. how fulfilling that may be. i've been lucky to travel around the world and have found that those times when i have had the opportunity to serve others, i am my best and happiest self (more on that later!)

Enjoy all the conference talks here at lds.org

falling hard for fall

the first day of fall is one of my favorite days of the year. especially this year, i seem to be more then ready for it.

i love: crips air, changing leaves, fall fashion-the clothes are my favorite, halloween, thanksgiving, pumkin carving, spices, rain, crunching leaves, soup, friends coming home, i love it all.

i'm so excited to be living with friends this fall, we already got some cute halloween decorations and i know we will be making some fun fall treats!

happy first day of autumn!!

what do you love about fall?

{DREAM BIG}

i get discouraged, not easily, but lately its happened a lot. i tend to dream, and to dream REAL big...ask my dad, it kind of makes him crazy. i think i just believe that if you dream big you will still be left with something pretty great even if you wishes don't come true. at this point i am still dreaming, but my dreams are scattered. all over the place. and in no certain direction. and i don't really know what my dreams are!

{but i do love this little song}

When you cry be sure to dry your eyes,
cause better days are sure to come.
And when you smile be sure to smile wide,
and don't let them know that they have won.
And when you walk, walk with pride,
and don't show the hurt inside,
because the pain will soon be gone.

And when you dream, dream big,
As big as the ocean blue.
Cause when you dream it might come true.
So when you dream, dream big.

And when you laugh be sure to laugh out loud,
cause it will carry all your cares away.
And when you see, see the beauty
all around and in yourself, it will help you feel okay.
And when you pray, pray for strength
to help to carry on when the troubles come your way.

i didn't even need music.

last night on the drive home from salt lake i went to turn on the radio, but i didn't. i didn't need to because these two were in the back seat giggling. giggling so much that i was giggling in the front seat just listening to them. its times like these that make me smile and make me realize what is most important in life. i need to giggle more.

i'm dying.

i'm dying right now for some london. i miss it terribly right now. i think its the fall fashion that has hit america that i got to be apart of spring 09' in london, the chilly weather that is just around the corner, and the fact that i'm neck deep in homework here and wish i could just get away. take me away! i love london.

sleeve=puff

my favorite trend of the season. puff.the.sleeve. so classy

this month.

in one month

i think i have
gotten more blistesr, bruises, and cuts
had more changes
more disapoinments
gotten less sleep
many spontaneous moments
stressed about having enough classes
loved DG
bummed for more rides
and all my plans I set for myself fail at once

this month is only half over and it can only get better!
this is perfection to me right now:
"if you don't like how things are, change it! You're not a tree."
-jim rohn

dew drop

ever wondered how to get the perfect "dewey" glow make up look? i did. today (not in my spare time) i decided to accomplish the look, and much to my surprise i was pleasantly happy with the outcome. here are a few tips i learned along the way. enjoy!

1. before doing anything, make sure you are exfoliated, that way you will have a "fresh palate" to work with.

2. begin with a tinted moisturizer, i love this bobbi brown pot. its got a lovely scent and it should last you several months.

3. with a good brush (i recommend eco tools sold at your local target) and lightly brush bronzer across your entire face.

4. key step: with a white highlight pencil generously cover the high points of your cheek bones, your brow bones beneath your eyebrows, and the bridge of your nose. Rub in lightly.

5. If you want to add a little more rose to the cheeks, add a liquid or gel blush to cheek bones.

6. Apply mascara, and keep it light on the lower lashes.

Your look is complete!

only because i know...

i've decided to make a new attempt with this whole thing. i feel as though i was on a break with a boyfriend and i'm deciding to date him again, but in my case its no boy its this blog. i'm going to give it a few weeks, if nothing changes then i am going to have to face the fact that my life really is the not-so-exciting life i am currently living in.

happy happy

I just wanted to give my parents a little shout out and wish them a Happy Anniversary! This is the only picture I could use because my computer crashed so it'll have to do. 22 years of marriage and 3 kids later, and they are still so in love. I wish I was there to tell you in person but I love you both so much and am so lucky to be your daughter. You both have been the greatest examples to me and I hope that one day I can be as happy as the two of you! I love you so much and miss you guys terribly! xoxox

sad sad sad day

today was supposed to end on a really good note. I got to visit the London temple, and it was beautiful and just an all around neat experience. The day was wonderful. I got on my computer after dinner...and my biggest fear came to pass, my computer CRASHED. Yes, it crashed. Uh hello?? Not ok. I'm so sad. I ran straight to the apple store on Regent Street (found out its the biggest one in the world) I thought they could do something for me, apparently not. So basically my pictures, my life and everything else on that computer are gone forever. Sad day. I think my postings will be minimal, as if they weren't already! I'm going back to the apple store tomorrow at 9 am when they open. Wish me luck.

mom I want to go to Brighton too!

Brighton is the "new barcelona" did you know that?

I did. 

And even though I've never been to Barcelona I would love to go, but Brighton was lovely itself. What a gorgeous day to be out on the beach. My dad told me I was spoiled, and I would say I've gotten pretty lucky here. 

We went to Brighton to visit the Pavillion built by King George the 4th. We were told it would be different then anything we've seen so far, and it was. Its so pretty, and to think it was his summer home! King George seemed to be a little rebellious, luckily he pulled it together before becoming King. (none of these are my pictures below)

i l o v e the beach so much 

I also loved that we are pulling out our warm clothes. It feels glorious. Its been in the 80's in London, can you believe it? We've been seriously blessed with gorgeous weather. 

After Brighton, we headed back onto the coach (one thing I'm not going to miss from London) to the Bodiam Castle.

It was too sunny and bright, but these pictures were definitely worth posting. Lauren and I, captured. 

{Moat and All}

success

London Spring 09' is full of some pretty great girls, hence 4 of them are engaged!

yup, 4. 

Shortly after arriving, I though it'd be fun to throw them a bridal shower, you know me always looking to make my life more chaotic! 

I think it was a success.  yes, it did taste good. our finished product. 

the leavitt girls and I. i owe them BIG time for spending those 5 hours in the kitchen with me. 

the women of the hour...

oo la la. i really wish I would've written down their reactions when opening their presents, classic. 

It was a fun few hours. we laughed, ate, discussed, ate, and enjoyed ourselves. 

thanks girls for being engaged! congrats, so excited for you. 

ok, but i HAD to add this. i know its self humiliation, but i admit it's funny. we were exhausted to say the least, and a little TOO stuffed

Ondine

{Ondine}

Monday we went visited the Royal Opera house and were able to attend that Ballet "Ondine." It was beautiful and thanks to Dr. D our tickets weren't too shabby. 

All dressed up.

Thanks Lauren for letting me steal these from you blog. xo

Scotland

{Edinburgh. Scotland.}

I loved this place. Never have I ever had the desire to go to Scotland, but I sure loved it. The best way for me to explain it is the way I originally pictured London, except much smaller. Here were a few things I learned while being there: 

1. I hate hostels, and I'm still recovering

2. The people in Scotland are the friendliest in the world

3. Its okay to pretend its your birthday if you can get a free dessert out of it

4. Climbing a mountain in Scotland is a good way to nearly get blown off a cliff

5. The "stair master's got nothin on us now" because of the hills and stairs all aroud

6. Everything closes at 6...7 if you're lucky, unless you're going to a pub! 

Here a few highlight from the trip. 

Traditional Bagpipers, but this man wasn't so traditional...
The Royal Mile  Pizza Hut, our first night...our 3rd dessert stop. It was out of control. Between unlimited soft serve ice cream and eating random mens left overs, we were loving it.  The one and only... where Harry Potter was "born" Royal Scotland Parade One of our days in Scotland we took a day trip out of Edinburgh. We visited the Stirling Castle, Wallace Monument, and wen to the only lake in Scotland. 

I didn't have to do ANYTHING to this photo, I used manual on my camera and prayed it would work, look at the sky...it looks fake. 

I'm loving Manual, if only I could figure it out more often :)Spring 09' on top of Wallace 

In love 
Stirling Castle 

Attn: Kevin

Picture taken just for you. I thought you would love to see this beautiful course in the heart of Scotland, the original home of your beloved game. (view from King Arthur's Seat)

Our hike up King Arthur's 

Love this girl. I have amazing friends. 

Royal Mile, in front of the Edinburgh Castle