Shark Attack

My husband is a pretty adventurous guy-it's one of the things I like most about him. While we were dating he told me that at the top of his bucket list was swimming with sharks. I smiled, and secretly thought that it would never happen.

I was definitely wrong.

When we decided we were heading to Hawaii Nate immediately started talking about swimming with sharks. At first I was pretty nervous about the idea-I didn't want him to get eaten by a shark! However, once I learned you were in cage, and that everyone does it (I know, I succumbed to the peer pressure!) I decided that maybe it would be alright to swim with sharks. He was pretty convincing too because I decided to give it a try too! By the time we were in Hawaii, buying tickets, I was pretty excited!

We left Waikiki by 5:45 am, and by 6:30 we were on our way. Once we got out to the spot, we could see the sharks coming up to the boat. At that moment, leaning over the boat to get a good look at the sharks, I realized that I was about to get in the water with them. It hit me then that all that stood between me and a flesh eating monster was a small cage and a little plexiglass. I was officially nervous.

Once we were in the water though, there was no energy to be nervous. The water was rough, but we had a wonderful time diving down to get a closer view of those sharks. There were probably at least 10 of them, each about 8-12 feet long. We had a blast! It was one of the most adventurous things we've ever done together, and I must admit, one of the most fun things we've ever done together too!

I'm so glad we got to check this off the bucket list! Now, if only I could convince Nate that diving with Great White's isn't as cool as people make it sound....

 So glad that we could do this with Edward and Natalie.

 The view from the boat

By the way, this is our "we survived" look.

And-just in case you prefer a video....

Provo Progressive Dinner

When Natalie and Edward came to town I knew two things had to happen:

1) Late night chat sessions with my long lost roommate
2) We had to cram all the best Provo food in during their 1.5 day stay

Of course both of those things happened, what kind of hostess would I be if they didn't? However, with such a short stay we had to be creative with how we consumed the best food of Provo. So N squared put their heads together again, noticed all the signs from the universe and came up with their best idea yet-the Provo Progressive Dinner.

Appetizer: Guru's Sweet Potatoe Fries
Drinks: Sodalicious
Dinner: Zupas soups
Dessert(s): Sweet Tooth Fairy cookies for tomorrow, and Graham Canyon for tonight (we couldn't choose just one...)

#fgp

(PS I'm writing this post like a month after the fact and I'm so sad-Natalie please come back)

Things I'm Terribly Thankful For

Family. Hot showers. My car. Prayer. Chocolate. Missionary letters. Diet Coke. Rainy afternoons. Cozy sweaters. My boyfriend. Good books. The gospel. Lazy Saturdays. Beautiful words. My job. Sunday dinners. Friends. Temples. Twinkly lights. Traveling. My home. Kind strangers. Good dreams. A cozy bed. My health. Unexpected notes. My education. The Book of Mormon. Weekends. Technology. Long phone calls. 

How incredibly happy I am.

The Best Things Take 9 months...

Once upon a time, my roommates and I went to Break the Fast. With a new semester beginning we had the opportunity to meet all sorts of new people, but lets face it we really just wanted to meet the guys. We met this one guy who seemed pretty friendly, especially with Natalie. Honestly I only remember two things about that Break the Fast:

1) This nice guy named Edward was trying to eat grapes with a fork
2) As we walked away Natalie said "I think I have a crush on Edward."

Coming from Natalie that was a very big deal. I knew from that moment that she must really like him.

After a disastrously wonderful first date they kind of didn't talk for awhile. For about eight months actually. During those months, from time to time, I'd bring up Edward and ask her if she still had a crush on him. She insisted that although she did, it would never happen and that he probably didn't like her. I hated that answer though, being the crazy optimist that I am, and I insisted that you just "never know what will happen." Although that probably definitely annoyed her I just refused to give up on the hope that Natalie would eventually date the only guy I'd ever heard her say she had a "crush" on.

Eight months later, after we befriended his roommates, Natalie and Edward started spending more time together. Within a month they were dating. Once they started dating Natalie and I decided that the best things must just take nine months.

I guess we were right, because their relationship really is one of the best things.

During the last year I've had a front row seat to watching two of my dearest friends fall in love with each other, and to be honest it was kind of a privilege. I've never seen Natalie more happy than when she is with Edward. As Natalie and I sat together last week-having our last Nsquared sleepover before she got married-I told her that I could not be happier for her. Seeing how happy she is with Ed, how good he is to her, how kind and brave they are together fills me with so much joy. Individually I love both Natalie and Edward, and cherish the relationship I have with them-but that doesn't even compare to how much I love Natalie & Edward together. They bring out the best in each other.

Because of this it felt so right on Saturday, seeing them come out of the temple, finally married. They glowed with happiness as they kept looking at each other, and that happiness was contagious to all of us there.

Dear Mr. & Mrs. Houstman,

Thanks for giving each other each another chance after the Skeleton Key/rock hard caramel apple incident. What can I say? I've just been the biggest fan of you two from the beginning. I could not be happier for you, even if it means I lost a roommate. I kind of feel like it was worth it because I got a great new friend/spider killer in the process. You two are too good to me, and I love you guys more than I can adequately express. Now, since I know you hate the attention I will end this public display of affection toward you two.

Love always,
Nicole

P.S. Thanks for my Provo bedroom. I can't think of any other people I'd rather have as occasional "roommates".



Photos from my iphone, Michael, and RyHop.

I heart NY

Basically it was too perfect to not happen.

Jet Blue has no direct flights from Boston to Salt Lake, they all go through New York City. And I'm the kind of girl that hates the idea of just "going through" New York City. There is something tragic about being there, but not getting to experience it. New York is to be enjoyed. It is a destination, not just a layover. So it was only logical that I simply must spend some time there.

Even stronger than my belief that New York is grander than a layover though is my belief that dear friends should see each other as much as possible.

And the Holt sisters are some of my dearest friends.

Therefore-it only made sense that instead of heading home after Boston, I simply must spend a few days in the Big Apple, with my dearest Brooke and Ash. It was perfect.

Luckily for me, they agree about both of my above points and were happy to open up their hearts, apartment, air mattresses, and schedules for me.

Three days may not sound very long, and trust me it is not-especially for New York. But wow we got to do a lot there! Since I had been to New York City before I didn't feel pressured to do all the touristy stuff and instead I got to explore more of the hidden gems of the city and see there favorite parts, which is really the way I love to travel.

We waited hours for discount tickets to Once, and then enjoyed this beautiful piece of theater in our coordinated J Crew pencil skirts. 

We went to church in one of our most stunning church buildings I've ever seen. We enjoyed delicious dinner with their family, and cute niece. We took in the sights from the Staten Island Ferry.

We stayed up late, and talked all night. We went to the 9/11 Memorial. We got pedicures. We shopped canal street where we got-you guessed it coordinating purses. We explored the C. Wonder shop that is such a big part of Brooke's life.

We ate at delicious meals. We walked the Highline. We enjoyed Central Park. We sampled the best of New York's bagels. We brunched. 

The best part though-that "we" did all these things.

Seriously, the very best thing about this trip was getting to spend quality time with Ashley and Brooke. I love each of those girls and I love being their "next door roommate"Both of them, although very different from each other, are such sweet, fun, wonderful friends.

Ashley is one of the most self-less people I've met. She is someone I love being around, not only because she is so much fun, but because she is so caring. She is always so interested in me, my life, and is truly one of those friends who feels for the people she cares about-my happiness is hers as well. Getting to spend so much time with her in New York, catching up on her life, was exactly what I needed and made me so very happy.

Brooke is one of my very kindest friends. She made me feel so welcome with her and Ashley while I stayed there, and was so interested in me and my life. She is so hardworking, and very talented. She is getting to do some really great things there in New York, and I absolutely loved seeing and understanding more the things that she is passionate about. Also she wins the award for the funniest comment for the weekend-her honesty kept me laughing all weekend.

Basically it was a perfect few days with these girls.

Ash and Brooke-I can't thank you enough for having me and for showing me your New York. I can't wait to have you both back in Utah. I miss you already!

Disclaimer: the majority of these pictures were taken by the Holt girls. Also Ash did a much better job blogging about this trip here.

Summer Fun

Lately, things have been pretty fun around here. 

It's sunny, I'm surrounded by the best people, and some great projects.

In fact it's been so fun that I've hardly had any time to worry about the fact that I don't have a job.

(despite searching for them daily)

So, here is a glimpse as to how I've been keeping busy and keeping the worry at bay....

 Chalk dates

Afternoons at Seven Peaks

Family pictures

Rocking out to country music

Perfecting my homemaking skills (homemade enchiladas and hand picked flowers)

Shopping at the Sister Missionary Mall with Abbie

 Teaching these cute kids how to build proper blanket forts

Watching Duck Dynasty

 Introducing this guy to the pie

Going to the zoo

Cheering on Real Salt Lake from stellar seats

Reading great books

and mostly just hanging out with my family.

Obviously it's been a pretty great summer so far.