HaPpY BiRtHdAy!

Today is the birthday of a very very important young lady! I don't know if you are all aware, but this beautiful woman is 99 YEARS OLD TODAY! Can you believe it?

(Grandma Judy, Mom, Great Grandma Nora, Me)
How did she celebrate you may ask? By having a little open house so she could visit with her 100's, yes 100's, of decedents! I wasn't able to visit with Grandma Nora, so i'll have to visit her in a few weeks when i'm home from school. But I heard that she practiced her Jitter Bug and informed everyone at her party that if you didn't know how to do that dance back when her and my Grandpa Ernest were courting, then you couldn't go out dancing, which meant you had no chance at getting a cute boy/girl!

It's a shame that the dating world isn't the way my grandma remembers it.

Happy Birthday Grandma Nora, and here's to another spectacular year to come ... and keep dancing! :)

ReAsOn 1,473

Why do I love school today? Because I was having a stressful, tiring, slightly frustrating day and then I went to class and we...

Built towers out of drinking straws!

I was the manager of my team, and we came in second. It was the most enjoyable therapeutic learning moment of my day.

Isn't Grad School Great?!

How 'bout them Utes?!

Yes, It's true that I go to a school down south, but when it's time to show your true color you better believe mine is RED!

Thanks to this beautiful lady I had 3rd row seats right between the 30 and 40 yard line in the MUSS. It was the most wonderful time I've had, while freezing my bum off, in ages!

I must admit that I was so excited to discuss the game in great detail on Monday morning, but I had a hard time finding anyone who would talk to me about it ... strange, I know.

I'm just SO HAPPY!

What the Blog...

Ok boys and girls, I know it’s been a while, but I’m BACK! Aren’t you excited? I sure am! At this moment I should be studying for yet another midterm… or editing a group paper…or updating the blog that I started for BYU Grantwell. But instead I’m taking some ‘me’ time and watching Mr. & Mrs. Smith while updating you on my life. :)

This is a picture of my desk, which is a pretty accurate representation of my life. Apparently I’ve never understood the true meaning of midterms, but oh am I learning. On the bright side, I’ve made it to midterms! I’m half way through my first semester of grad school, and I’m still LOVING it!

As it turns out there’s a lot more to this school thing than just school. I’m learning what it’s like to live with 3 girls instead of 6 boys (I think I prefer the boys); I’m learning what it’s like when you don’t live with your running buddy; that the question ‘what’s for dinner’ isn’t a question that only moms dread; that the quote “time fly’s whether you're having fun or not” is SO true; being sick sucks even more when you have to go out and buy yourself medicine and make your own chicken noodle soup; and that one true friend is worth a thousand acquaintances! Basically I’m taking a crash course on life! :)

What an adventure!

Speaking of which – I’ve never been happier to be a cougar than at this moment!
‘Catch a cougar’ has never been so fun.

Thanks for visiting girls! Come back soon!

So this is Grad school…

Well, here we are. I have officially made it through my first month of Grad school (if you include orientation of course)! And might I just say that overall it is wonderful! That’s not to say that its been easy in any way, but I’m very excited for what is ahead.

So, I could tell you all about it in the traditional form, but in the spirit of school, I thought it would be more fun to have you take a little test! Don’t worry, this won’t count toward your grade as a friend, but you should still do your best!

1) I got my first calling in my first student ward
a. The very first day I went to the ward
b. Within one week of attending church
c. I have somehow avoided a call as of now
d. 3 days before ever actually attending my ward

2) Grad school is
a. Overwhelming
b. Thrilling
c. Slightly frightening
d. Exciting
e. All of the above

3) My new roommates are
a. Adorable and clean – couldn’t ask for more
b. A little on the crazy side and make me a little nervous
c. I rarely see them because I spend so much time at school
d. A & C

4) BYU overall
a. Isn’t quite as bad as I expected it to be
b. Has already converted me to Blue side
c. Is full of crazy people
d. Makes me want to live in P-town forever

5) Over the past 3 weeks
a. I’ve done more reading than I’ve done in the past year
b. I’ve learned more about me and the world around me than I did in a year in my under grad
c. I’ve loved sitting in class and gleaming information from some of the most intelligent people I’ve ever met.
d. I may have developed back problems from carrying a huge backpack around all the time
e. All of the above

6) On the days that I’m not at school
a. I go to the Tanner building anyways to work on extra-curricular activities and attend study groups
b. I wake up and start studying right away so I can take my test online before the deadline
c. I run away to SLC to regain my sanity
d. All of the above – as applicable

7) Some highlights from the Y campus thus far have been
a. Watching someone get proposed to in Brigham Square
b. Finding out that there is a flag rising and lowering ceremony everyday. When the National Anthem comes on everyone just stops where they are and puts their hands over their hearts. It was a strange and frightening experience.
c. Going to Regional conference in a basketball stadium and deciding it looked more like a mini session of general conference. (Holland, Packer, Scott, and Sis Beck were all there)
d. Watching someone get busted for disobeying the honor code
e. B & C
f. A & C

Answer Key:
1 – d – I’m a Relief Society Teacher
2 - e
3 – d – and I’m oh so grateful for them!
4 – a – If you said d we probably shouldn’t be friends and it would probably be best if you just stopped blog-stalking me RIGHT NOW! ;)
5 - e
6 – d – I thought my light load on Fridays would allow me to run away to SLC all the time, but over the past 3 weeks my Fridays (and Saturdays) have gotten just as busy as the rest of the week. :(
7 - e – I’m still waiting for the other two. I’ll be sure to let you know as soon as they happen!

What's in a Name?

Yesterday I met a girl with my SAME NAME!!! Now this may sound like a very lame everyday event, but this has NEVER happened to me! She is 16 years old and adorable. She plays the electric guitar amazingly, which was fun but still rather strange.

Any time someone called out her name I felt so strange because I knew they weren’t talking to me, but it was MY NAME they were calling out. So now I know how it feels, and I just have to say that I’m glad to have an original name and don’t have to deal with this ‘multiple person, one name’ issue very much! :)

P.S. She spells it Starlie so technically our names aren’t completely the same… I don’t know why, but this was important to me.

Cougarmail?!?!

Umm ... I get 'Cougarmail'. This is very telling of what my life is going to entail in the very near future. I'm a little excited (aside from the whole drab BYU blue thing - you would think they could come up with a better school color.)

By the way, I didn't buy football tickets at the Y (duh, who do you think I am?). But I was also unable to buy U football tickets, so if you ever have an extra ticket and want to let my inner Ute free, give me a call - I'll be there in CRIMSON from head to toe! :)

My 'Devil wears Prada' moment

In the movie, The Devil Wears Prada, everyone calls the new girl in the office, 'the new Emily'. Whenever Andy is introduced everyone just asks where Emily is and then calls her 'the new Emily' anyways.

Well, after almost 5 years of working at the University of Utah, I'm moving on. I'm training the new girl, and as I introduce her everyone just says, 'oh, so you're the new Starlee?'. It's nice to know I've made my mark on the University Information Technology department, and that she'll just have to be the 'new Starlee' until she makes her own place among all of these techies and nerds I've come to love!

PS - Only 7 work days left :)

Long weekend at the Cabin

I used to worry about what I was missing back in the 'real world' whenever I was at the Cabin. But I must say that i'm really getting this whole relaxing thing down. Life can actually be a lot of fun without cell phones and computers...for a little while at least.

Who Wouldn't love the cabin when you get to spend time with this hunk!

Mostly I just hang out and read/sleep/have hammock wars with people who get on the hammock next to me.
This trip was a truly special one because I shot a gun for the FIRST time.

This is me pretending I know what my dad is telling me to shoot at...

I was a little bit terrified but my dad is a pretty good teacher. He got mad at me when I closed one of my eyes and told me to keep both eyes open. This immediately reminded me of that scene in Pocahontas when John Smith says the same thing. The fact that i'm making these kinds of inferences will show you about how much experience I have with guns.;)

Oh ya, that is the shell from my very first bullet! I think i'm pretty hardcore, but Landen said I looked sort of pathetic when I actually shot the gun. "Very non-Sarah Walker'esk" in his words (reference to Chuck). Next time I go shooting i'll wear a miniskirt and high heels - I bet my aim will be better that way, and then i'll really be able to show off my MAD Secret Agent SKILLZ!

23 years...

Yup, that's how many years I've been hanging around this beautiful earth learning lots, and experiencing more than I ever thought possible. I've been blessed with wonderful opportunities over the past year and forced to break out of my comfort zone a lot. I have a feeling this year is going to be another one of those years full of experiences that I wasn't sure if I was ready for, or if I even really wanted, but that will help me grow into a better more understanding person!

So here I go, marching into my 23rd year with head held high, ready to embrace whatever comes my way!

I know I'm a little slow, but here are the highlights from my birthday weekend, that I just happened to share with my wonderful family, adorable boyfriend and very favorite country - AMERICA!How many people have a brother cool enough to make them a birthday smoothie (complete with lit candle - very tricky)

Spencer wanted to make sure that I had my own fireworks that weekend so I didn't get too jealous of the 4th of July madness.

BEST-GIFT-EVER
Words fall short when trying to describe how cool this is, so I'll just leave you to imagine what it would be like to get a portrait of yourself for your birthday, that your boyfriend spent hours working on! But let me assure you, it's rather AMAZING!

Birthday at the Cabin!
Yup, I had a colorful Rice Crispy treat cake so that my dad could join in the festivities!

Overall my birthday weekend was WONDERFUL! Thanks to all those that made this weekend memorable!

Miss Utah Scholarship Pageant

Well, it came and went in the blink of an eye. The week that I had spent months preparing for was over before I realized it had begun. It was harder than I thought it would be, I made more dear friends than I would have thought possible, I learned wonderful lessons about myself and others, and found myself in a much better place physically, spiritually, mentally, and intellectually than I started. I know you are probably having a hard time seeing how this could be, considering I left Capitol Theater on Saturday night exhausted, drained and thinking about earthquake prevention (one of the funnier answers that came out in the on-stage question).
But in all honesty it was an experience that I will take with me throughout my life and helped refine who I already am. It showed me my weaknesses and my strengths and helped me overcome some of my own personal fears. I didn't win anything in the competition, however I left the experience with more than I could have ever asked for. It was the ride of a lifetime and I couldn't be happier with my performance. If given the chance to do it all over again I would, and I wouldn't change a thing! :)

So now on to the fun stuff...PICTURES!

This is my evening gown. It was quite the experience finding and remodeling the dress. If you ever need a really good seamstress just ask because I found a WONDERFUL one who made this dress possible.
Interview! My very favorite part of the competition. I also like the on-stage question...even if mine was the dreaded 'gay-marriage' question. Good thing I was prepared for everything they threw at me! :)
oh swimsuit.... my least favorite part, but it was still fun.
Talent! I performed a classical Tarantella on pointe. The judges didn't seem too interested in the classical performances, but I sure had fun. Dancing on that stage is like coming home for me. I don't even get nervous because i've performed there so many times. The memories I have on that stage have all been so fun, and now I have a few more. :)
Just a few pics of me and some of my friends for life. Who knew pageant girls were such fun, kind, genuine, helpful girls!

There is no way I could have done any of this without all the support of my wonderful family and friends. I couldn't surround myself with any better people, and I appreciate all of the hours that were spent helping me prepare. Each time I was on stage I knew I wasn't alone, I was just the representative of all the hard work that many people put in.

Thank You Thank You Thank You for all of your love, patience, understanding and support. It means more than you'll ever know!



And just so you all know, my platform is the Strengthening Families Program. I'm trying to raise awareness about this wonderful program that will be available to all Utah families that will strengthen our families, and in turn strengthen our communities and nation as a whole. Please watch this short promotional video to find out more!

My little train ride

You know how when the train is leaving the station, it's moving rather slow? You're excited to get where you're going but just as excited about getting there and seeing what adventure that brings {if you wanted to get there fast you would have taken a plane}. You settle into that window seat and look out at the life you are leaving and imagine what this same window will be framing when the train stops again?

Well that has been my life for the past 6 months or so. I had my destination in mind, had my ticket and a window seat so I could take everything in...but then that train started to speed up. I didn't have a chance to do all the things I thought I would. In fact looking back on the trip, most of it was a blur because I was moving so fast. And the funny thing is that at times I don't think I was moving at all, and yet life propels you forward.

So here I am. I've reached my destination and it's now time to make my mark on this new experience i've brought myself to...or let it make its mark on me.

Regardless, i'm in a different place than I was 6 months ago. It's new, different, exciting and scary all at the same time.

I'm looking out the window and i'm seeing wonderful things! Just as I'd hoped. Now it's time to get out of the train and explore!

Wish me luck!

What I do when i'm not blogging...

It's been a little while, so here is the update on my life:

Most of my time is spent working...yup, I sit at this desk for 8 hours a day.

Someday I will have a treadmill in my office. Then I won't have to just sit all day!

But as for now i'm quite happy in my new little cubicle in my new building. But mostly i'm happy that this adventure is about to come to an end! I've loved my time working in the IT department, but lets face it - I still struggle with how to turn my computer on/off, so working here has been a stretch for me! ( ok, ok...I can now turn my computer on and off, and I know a little more about html and java, and how giant computers run the entire university web infrastructure - so i've learned lots...but it's still a stretch).

I have also been working on Miss Utah stuff! This has somewhat taken over my life, which i'm totally ok with. So among the daily duties of any twenty-something i'm spending my evenings reading newspapers, going to dress fittings, dancing my little heart out, making shoes that represent my title (Miss Pioneer Valley), working on my platform, running up mountains, practicing being interviewed, running down mountains (because as we all know, what goes up, must come down), volunteering for CMN, going to community events, and trying to keep a little balance in my life!


I went to a Miss Utah service day for the Children's Miracle Network a few weeks ago, and it was so much fun! This day was especially great because I got to spend it with my Little Miss, Michaela.

Making fun jewelry for the children at Primary Children's Hospital.
Puppets - who new they were just as fun to make as they are to play with?!So that's what i'm up to. If you don't hear from me in the next few weeks, i'm not dead....just a little busy. And if you want to come to Miss Utah you can get tickets HERE. And my schedule is as follows:

Wednesday: Evening Gown & On-stage question
Thursday: Talent
Friday: Swimsuit
Saturday: Final night (the top 10 are named, and they compete in all areas of the competition again -then they crown the queen - so exciting!)

Thank Goodness for my girls!

Thank goodness for girl friends.

*Someone who always knows how you feel (or is at least willing to act like it's ok that you feel the way you do)

*Someone that understands your struggles and fears

*Someone that makes you laugh when you want to cry

*Someone that always has your back

*Someone who understands that some paths have to be traveled alone, but stays on the sidelines just to cheer you on

*Someone that isn't afraid to laugh at/with you

*Someone who will tell you that sweater DOES make you look fat

*Someone that will answer the phone no matter what time it is

*Someone who will tell you No when you're wrong

*Someone that will tell you Yes when the world is saying No

*Someone that can understand where you're coming from when you're not even sure

*Someone who pushes you to your limits to help you realize your potential

*Someone who still loves you on your bad day...or early in the morning....or really late at night

*Someone you can sit in silence with and completely understand what they are talking about

*Someone who understands when advice is needed and when you just need to talk

*Someone that supports your dreams even on the days you don't know if it's worth it

*Someone who calls just to see how your day was and share a funny experience

*Someone you can share your deepest darkest secrets with

*Someone it's ok to cry with

*Someone who makes you your very best!

*Someone who can make the everyday jobs extrordinarily fun

God didn't give me any biological sisters because he knew I would always have such wonderful girl friends. I love you girls and thank you for continuing to be there for me. I'm looking forward to all the fun times still to come!

*MUAH*

Lets just clear this up right now!

I'm participating in the 'old world' classy competition that feels no need to keep up with the times. Instead, the Miss America Organization likes to support women who plan to become doctors and lawyers with the largest scholarship for women in the world. I don't ask you to understand why we do it - just understand the differences! Not all pageants are created equally! Thank you!

Watch this

you'll hear from me again soon...

To make up for my lack of blogging, my friends started doing it for me.

{what would I do without them}

I have plenty of updates that will be coming soon, but for now please visit here.

Did you visit? Isn't Jessica amazing?

If it's time to get your family pictures taken, give Jess a call! I promise you'll be happy you did!

Oh, and I just had to include this so you would know why I look so happy in all of these pics.

Gotta LOVE those Red Rocks

This past gymnastics season was wonderful! Nothing better than good food, great entertainment, and AMAZING friends.

I'm always fascinated by the talent these young women have, and the discipline it takes to do what they do. I'm pretty sure i'll be a gymnast in my next life....actually I plan to be a Broadway star in my next life... or a Rock Star, but maybe the one after that. ;)Anyways, though I do not have the extreme talent it takes to do a cartwheel on the beam...

{or on solid ground as it turns out}

I am able to dance my way onto the Jumbo-tron!Yup, those amazing moves got us up there.

So though I plan to move away to a place my friends don't like to talk about, Jessica told me she will still let me get season tickets to gymnastics and cheer on our Red Rocks no matter where I go to school.

SkYlEr

Sometimes I miss this kid a lot! And by sometimes, I mean {ALL the time}!

Only 1 year, 2 months, and about 1 week til I see him again...not that anyone is counting....

Oh Chuck

Two and a half years ago Skyler innocently rented the first few episodes of a new show that he had heard was pretty good. Little did I know that I was about to embark on a life changing experience and might I add Love affair that has lasted almost 3 years now…and is still running strong.

This seemingly small decision one late Friday night in the Blockbuster under Smiths has turned into a lovely little gem in my life. It was a bonding ground for Sky and I before he left me. The ‘Chuck Club’ commenced every Tuesday night around 9:30 or 10 when we finally had time to watch last week’s episode together. If both members were not present, the Chuck club was unable to move forward. Landen was an honorary member at this time – he was welcome to join, but not necessary {plus my bed doesn’t really fit all 3 of us very well}.

Team Bartowski now consists of Starlee and Landen, with Brock as our very eager honorary member {my bed still doesn’t really fit 3 very well, but Brock doesn’t let this deter him}. We also have some young ‘Chuck Club’ wanna-bes but due to their age, they are forced to watch the show when it is actually on TV and sleep when Chuck Club is being held.

Note: I’m not sure that this show is appropriate for my youngest brothers…but who can deny a person the right to view such an amazing show.

So I would just like to say that I count Chuck, Sarah, Casey, Morgan, Ellie and Awesome in among my very favorite people to hang out with. Is this slightly pathetic…maybe, but only if you don’t know them. If you have seen the show, you’ll understand. If not, there is something wrong in your life (and for heaven’s sake, start at the beginning – don’t just try to jump in, it won’t work)!

Dear Cast and Crew of Chuck,
I LOVE YOU! You’re doing a stand-up job and I think you should all get raises. Someday when I’m president, I’ll put that on my list of things to do. If our president can pass the healthcare bill I’m sure I can get one through to mandate that all Americans watch your show – and I bet I’ll get votes from both sides of the aisle. ;) Keep up the good work.

Love,
Me

P.S. I would love to be on your show someday. Even if I play one of the bad guys you kill – you would be amazed by my abilities to play dead…just think about it. Thanks!

NEVER say Never!

Hades is now an arctic tundra,

The Fat Lady is singing her final number,

and I will be attending BYU.

{for my MPA}

(please notice and appreciate my use of the word Hades instead of Hell due to my new honor code)

I know! This very minute you are checking your food storage, because you know the end is near.

Now you are breathing deeply into a paper bag with your head between your knees saying to yourself, 'but Starlee, how can this be?' And all I can say is that life happens...

Sometimes it is a nice Martha Stewart style planed out dinner with your favorite place settings, candle sticks and the works...

and sometimes it is a surprise party that you just weren't expecting. But none the less, it's a party, Right?

I will now be forced to take back all that I have said about how I wouldn't be caught dead living in Provo...well, I actually still hope never to be caught dead there, but alive is now a different story.

However, I do not plan to take back all of the things I have said about how disturbed Provo is. In fact, I feel it is now my responsibility to find proof to back up my claims and report on them in essay form (I'm a student again ... sorry)!

Congratulations and Condolences are welcome. I'll understand both. ;)

Here's to change ~ Cheers!

{side note: I googled images for the Y and didn’t find anything that I felt comfortable with posting on my blog – I then googled the U and found wonderful pictures, but didn’t know that it would be appropriate to put a beautiful big red block U at the end of this post. As you can see, I still have my allegiances in the right place. ;) }

Miss Utah then & now

I had to find a baby picture of myself this weekend, so I started going through some old pictures…

There were some real treasures in there, and I’m sure many of my amazing finds will end up on here at some point.

This first one seemed most applicable at the moment.

This is my mothers beautiful Miss Utah picture. She competed as Miss Sanpete County about 26 years ago! Good to know she looks just as glamorous today as she did then!

Here is my Miss Utah pic

I can only hope to look half as cute as my mom in 26 years, and accomplish half of the things she has! She is simply AMAZING!