grab bag

jon and i shadowdancing outside of applebees, captured 17 july 2009

-i have this theory that, when it comes to clothing, the phrase "i can't pull that off" is a myth.
i am totally wrong.
i definitely cannot pull this off.
i should know.
i spent thirty minutes making one and felt like a little girl when i put it on.

-the past two days i learned that inspiration cannot be forced.
it either happens or it doesn't.

-today i ate the most delicious lunch. here is the recipe:
1. saute summer squash with some onions and garlic and cook wacky mac and ravioli.
2. eat for dinner.
3. put leftovers into containers and leave overnight.
4. at precisely 1:45, reheat leftover pasta and squash in microwave for one minute.
5. wash and slice a fresh tomato from the garden.
6. mix up pasta/squash combination and add tomato.
7. pour 1.5 tablespoons of newman's own garlic balsamic vinaigrette salad dressing over concoction and sprinkle parmesan cheese on top.
8. pour yourself a tall glass of water and bring outside to eat on the patio along with a gordon korman novel.
9. bon apetit!

-speaking of, has anyone outside of the jorgensen family heard of gordon korman?

-HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE IN THREE HOURS.
i've heard mixed reviews,
but i'm still excited.

-if you are a girl and have recently run out of body wash and are looking for a new scent, pick this one.
you will not be sorry.

-did i mention that i got a haircut?

you're a part of me and i can't wait to see you again.

so, i'm back home.

to celebrate my homecoming [and reclamation of my room], i slept in until eleven, ate chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast, stayed in my pjs until 5, visited the orem library [which was a little disappointing], and ate pizza for dinner.


i'm feeling better about not being in idaho.
it was really hard saturday and sunday, but i know why i'm here and i'm so excited to start this new adventure!

i spent the whole day [pretty much] unpacking and cleaning and organizing and de-junking.
it feels good.
and i like how my room is looking.
it feels more like my room instead of a guest room.
i like that.


au revoir.
i am off to work on a top secret project.

we're the coolest kids and we take what we can get.

beautiful people captured 17 july 2009

i've been holding them in since monday, july sixth.
i built a dam in my eyes and made sure it wouldn't burst.

but the sudden realization that another last had just occurred broke down the dam walls [haha] and the tears spilled over my eyes onto my cheeks.

i felt it.
another ending.

i saw my friends run alongside justin's car and i rolled down the window to grasp fingers and everything i had tried to hold in came pouring out.

earlier that night, i told justin that "up" had ruined me because i had cried in every single movie i'd watched since then, but me being emotional had nothing to do with pixar and their innate power to control my tear ducts.

the blame is all on me.


i have never had such a wonderful summer.

and i have the people pictured above to thank for it.

friends,
it was the best summer of my life.
thanks for the night bike rides,
scenic drives,
spray park adventures,
ramirez runs,
hugs,
laughs,
and sunday walks.
i love you all so much.
i told most of you that last night, but if i didn't,
please know that i truly, truly do.
love koko

on repeat.

nights over kortedala

on saturday i bought a camera for one dollar and fifty cents [not including tax].
so today, i bought two rolls of film for three dollars and seventy-seven cents [this is starting to sound like a mastercard commercial].
and my new project is to use up that film and take pictures of people and places and things i love [and will miss] in rexburg;
i'm really excited for this project!
so excited, in fact, that i don't think i will go anywhere without this camera hanging around my neck for the rest of my time here in idaho.
i feel like a tourist.
and i love it.

in other news, i never thought i would feel the way i do right now.
i have never [NEVER EVER] felt sad to leave rexburg.
usually i'm done with this place after two semesters.
but i came back for more.
and i'm getting to be so sad to leave.
experiencing all these lasts lately have really begun to hit me. i mean, i know i'm coming back in january, but that feels so far away [probably because it is].
it's like the end of an era.
when i come back, things will be different.
everything will be different.
but i know that it will still be great.
[are these words really coming out of my mouth fingertips?]

heard today at the rexburg opinion center

"i really appreciate you talking with me for this long, sir. it means a lot. ... i said 'sir'?! ... oh, i could've sworn i said 'ma'am'! i'm so sorry, i meant to say 'ma'am'!"

nice save, gretsky.

feliz cumpleanos!

today is my dear friend lyndee's birthday.
she is 20 years old
and she is marvelous.

she is always, always there for me.
she cheers me up when i'm sad,
listens to me when i'm upset,
laughs at my stupid jokes,
and constantly thinks of others.

and i'm so glad she's my friend.

love you, crazy toes!
happy birthday!

absence makes the heart grow stronger

captured 4 july 2009

i apologize.

i apologize for the lack of posts,
pictures,
and thoughts.

but know that this dear blog never strayed far from my heart.

after a small pyrotechnic display brought on by my computer charge cord
and three days without access to the universe via interweb,
i am BACK.

and i had a lovely time at home.
it was blissful, fun, amazing, and family-filled.

i will properly update with pictures and such very, very soon,
but i just wanted to let you all know that i am alive, well, and ready for more steady blogging.

ps: in three weeks, i will be in south america. how crazy is that?

с днем рождения!

today is kirk's birthday!

kirk is my brother and he is now thirty years old.

he is also a truly awesome brother.

here's why:
1. he picks up languages like nobody's business.
2. he has seen the world.
3. he is very loving and kind.
4. he used to have blue and purplish-pink hair.
5. he used to be in a band with a couple members of the all american rejects.
6. he is a very talented musician and can play a lot of different instruments.
7. he loves loves loves soccer.
8. he's super funny.
9. he has a lot of faith.
10. he introduced me to borscht.
11. he has the best music collection ever.
12. i'm pretty sure he was the one who convinced me that charles barkley's name was charles "broccoli".
13. he once rode his bike from his house in salt lake to our house in orem.
14. he's easy to talk with.
15. he's generous.
16. he stands up for what is right.
17. he lifts me up in weird family photos.

kirk, you are one cool dude.

happy birthday!

never can say goodbye.

i have always loved michael jackson.

one of my earliest memories involves me, our big gray van, and a restrictive carseat.
i was riding in the van on the way home from something and my favorite song at the time [besides the beach boys' "kokomo"], "abc" by the jackson five, came on the radio.
unfortunately for me, we stopped the car before the song ended.
i waited impatiently in my carseat for my dad to set me free so i could tear into the house, turn on the big stereo in the living room, and finish listening.
and when every buckle was unbuckled, that is precisely what i did.

earlier tonight, while watching a heartfelt tribute to michael jackson nigel lythgoe gave, i expressed my sadness that he had gone, and that his death was so sudden. in response, a roommate of mine said, "i'm glad he's dead."
i understand why she said that.
what i don't understand is the reasoning behind expressing joy at the death of another human.
what a judgmental, wrong, and disrespectful [albeit stupid] thing to say.

of course he made mistakes.
he's human.
he had no childhood whatsoever.
his dad was extremely abusive.
yet he turned it all around, made a success of himself, and became an inspiration to music-lovers, dancers, and people everywhere.

if i learned anything from michael jackson, it is that we are to love each other, care for each other, and do all we can to make the world a better place.
that is something to believe in and work for, no matter who you are.

baby michael jackson has one of the most powerful voices in pop history.
young adult michael jackson revolutionized the world of dance.
and his legacy will live on forever.

RIP MJ

"but they told me
a man should be faithful
and walk when not able
and fight till the end
but i'm only human

everyone's taking control of me
seems that the world's
got a role for me
i'm so confused
will you show to me
you'll be there for me
and care enough to bear me"

don't worry. i'm wearing sunscreen.

today is the first super warm, sunny, no-cloud-in-the-sky day rexburg has had in weeks.
the last three weeks of rain have made this place beautiful and green and full of new life.
it's absolutely wonderful.

i've really been loving pandora lately.
as i write this, i listen to my favorite sunny day station [camera obscura].
it's the perfect soundtrack for today.

did i mention that i'm writing this in the comfort of my own front yard?
it's perfect.

last night i played in the spray park again and enjoyed a quesadilla from ramires with salsa verde and pickled carrots on top.
it was the perfect summer activity topped by a perfect summer meal.

i'm really glad i stayed.

two things + one photo

captured 20 june 2009
while riding my bicycle

1. i am loving thrift stores right now.
this weekend, i purchased three new shirts, a pair of shoes, four albums on vinyl, a polaroid camera, and a book all for twenty-five dollars.

2. i just love sundays.

right away, great captain

disclaimer: i know this blog post isn't a card with a necktie on it or some crazy artwork made with macaroni and elmers glue, but just like those gifts from the past, this one comes from the heart.


me as a baby with my dad and a cabbage patch kid.

this is my very favorite picture of me and my dad.
the expression on his face and my near-consumption of a cabbage patch kid combine to create a beautiful photo.
i love that this photo captures what a great dad this man is. it captures the fact that my dad loves me no matter what.
even if i eat sidney the cabbage patch doll.

i guess the simplest way to say it would be to say that my dad is the greatest.

here are some reasons why:
1. he is extremely supportive of his children.
2. he is really, really funny.
3. when he was working at spokane falls community college, he got caught once on a weekend in his office listening to music super super loud.
4. he is young at heart.
5. he loves riding his bike.
6. he has a book on how to speak klingon.
7. he's really thoughtful.
8. he is really, really, really smart and loves learning.
9. he is the best teacher. ever. i've had many of his students tell me so.
10. he collects antique math textbooks.
11. he is a worthy priesthood holder and is always willing to give me a blessing [i ask for one pretty much every time i go home].
12. he loves songs with a good beat.
13. he likes his food slightly charred.
14. he makes the best aebbelskivers.
15. he is a great writer.
16. he has a great interest and passion for family history work.
17. he has been EVERYWHERE.
18. he can always make me smile or laugh no matter how upset i am.
19. he has a sweet tooth just like me!
20. he likes to experiment with food [i.e. orange juice + mint chocolate chip ice cream].

dad, i love you, i look up to you, and i'm very proud and thankful to be your daughter.

happy fathers day!

plaidplaidplaidplaid.

today
i went to DI and bought a plaid button-down in honor of aaron patrick mcgregor's birthday.
happy happy happy birthday, my friend!

two letters.

dear old secret crush:
justin says you are a pompous jerk.
crush ended.
sincerely,
kellie olivia jorgensen

----------------------

dear new secret crush:
when i saw you earlier this week, my heart pounded and butterflies invaded my stomach.
that hasn't happened to me in a very long time.
i hope that someday we can have a real conversation.
sincerely,
kellie olivia jorgensen

tonight was glorious.

i finally [FINALLY] got to play in the spray park tonight.
and it was even more fun than i thought it would be.
and afterwards i played four square.

thank you jon, justin, and ryan for making my summer dream come true.

i think i'd be good for you and you'd be good for me.

captured 15 june 2009

earlier today i was listening to some music on shuffle while getting things done and every song was perfect.

i love it when that happens.

one hundred.

captured: 14 june 2009
the foot clan in action.

i had big plans for today.

i was going to
wake up at 8:45,
go for a quick run,

bike to broulims,

finally tackle the ever-growing pile of laundry,
get caught up on my secret project,

take a shower,

eat a good breakfast,

clean my room,
and maybe play in the sun for a bit if it's warm enough before work.

i doubt much of that will happen today.
a terrible, vomit-inducing headache last night + four hours of sleep + waking up at five am = havoc on my body.
---------
in other news, the foot clan is back in business.

mission:possible

remember this post where i shared my goal to identify all of the piano covers that are fed through the headphones at the roc in between calls?
well, i not only did that...

[the ones missing from the list are:
1. like a boy//ciara
2. lost without u//robin thicke
3. make love in this club//usher
4. how do i breathe//mario
5. buy u a drank (shawty snappin)//t-pain
6. because of you//ne-yo
7. kiss kiss//chris brown
8. and the kanye west medley (my personal favorite--posted below)which includes flashing lights, champion, good morning, stronger, everything i am, can't tell me nothing, big brother, and good life]

i ALSO found the guy who does the covers on youtube.

what a momentous occasion!

consider this goal accomplished and THEN SOME!

ps: SYTYCD is going to be amazing this season. i just know it.

boom boom POW

captured 10 june 2009

down the street from my house, there is this beautiful cottage surrounded by the most beautiful flower gardens, shady trees, and broken-down pickup trucks with flowerbeds planted in the bed.
i love walking by it every day.
if i could, i would transport the cottage and the land to a different area [let's say.... oregon] and live there forever and ever.

----------------
in other news...

1. did you know that this movie and this movie [both in its entirety] are on youtube?!
2. new favorite thing: brushing my teeth in the shower. don't knock it til you try it.
3. the temple is great. it really is.
4. kellie needs a haircut.
5. my roommate is writing a book and one of her characters' names is kellenna and she said that whenever she types it, it reminds her of me.
6. speaking of names, lyndee and i wrote down our favorite baby names during the sexual harassment meeting yesterday at work.
here are my favorites: abigayle olivia, evangeline anne, oliver james, elijah marcus.
i also really like almond. maybe i'll use it for a middle name.
7. i'm ready for sunbathing/spray park weather again. i love the rain and all, but come on! it's june! warm up a little!
8. i am SO EXCITED for SYTYCD tonight!
9. who vacuums at seven in the morning?
10. i think i might take a short nap.

this song revitalized me.

earlier tonight, a miracle occurred.
after getting out of the car, i stepped onto the sidewalk and started running a little.
i was so surprised and bewildered and happy that i said, "LOOK! I'M RUNNING!"
just in time for three missionaries exiting their apartment to hear three year-old kellie state the obvious.
what they didn't know, however, was the fact that this was the first time pre-crash that i had run without [much]pain.

so later, i put on my abandoned and neglected sneakers, put on the song posted above, donned cut-off sweats and a ponytail, and ran around porter park.

as a result, my foot hurts a little bit, but i don't care because i realized that:

the only thing more amazing than running outside for the first time in a LONG LONG LONG time is running outside in the rain.
and the only thing more amazing than that is running through the sprinklers before making my way home.

--------------------
today was wonderful because:

1. i got to sit next to lyndee at work.
2. president eyring gave a beautiful devotional.
3. it was sunny in the afternoon and rainy in the evening.
4. i ran and ran and ran.
5. i watched girls just want to have fun while i got ready this afternoon.
6. i wore a skirt.
7. i laughed so hard i almost threw up.
8. work wasn't half as bad as it was yesterday.

what a beautiful day!

expect a happy post from me tomorrow because it is a) my day off and b) temple day!

joyeux anniversaire!

this is supertessa, my wonderful niece.
and today is her ninth birthday
[and by "today," i mean that it's only her birthday for the next eight minutes].

i remember the day i found out i was going to be an aunt. i never had a little sibling [even though i prayed for one every night] and i always thought having a niece or nephew would be a great substitute for that because if i got sick of being the "big sister", i could just send them home with their parents!
it's genius!

the funny thing is, though, i never get sick of the amazing tessa. ever.

here's why:
1. she is the smartest girl i know. she's way smarter than i am.
2. we were in a band called the red hot firecrackers. our one and only hit was a cover of the bangles' "manic monday".
3. she never walks... she dances everywhere.
4. she has the wildest imagination and always comes up with the craziest storylines.
5. when most little girls grew up playing house, tessa played "bomb shelter".
6. she is so caring and loving and gives the best hugs.
7. she lets me crash on her floor when i come to visit.
8. one time i babysat her and her brothers and i let her stay up WAY past her bedtime so we could finish watching enchanted and i don't think she ever told on me.
9. she is a very talented writer/author/dancer [as i mentioned earlier]/pianist/baker.
10. she's learning french.

when i first met tessa, she was a tiny, hairy, adorable, big-cheeked little alien-baby and it's been so amazing to watch her grow up into a beautiful, intelligent, talented girl. i can't wait to see what the future has in store for her. i know she will do amazing things.

but for now, she will just keep being my wonderful "little sister"-niece.

i love you so much, tessa!
happy birthday!

la blogotheque

i am obsessed with these videos right now.

dawn viewed from the rear window

this photo is kinda crappy.
but i like it anyway.
taken at approximately five am 23 may 2009

--------------

i almost threw up five times today. i hate headaches.
current goal: listen to every single song in my itunes library that i have never listened to before. only 281 songs to go.
i'm going to the temple again tomorrow. so excited!
today i got sent home from work and i decided that the blue skies and hot weather were perfect for sunbathing. so i went inside, put on my swimsuit and some shorts, grabbed a towel/book/ipod/sunglasses, put on some flip flops, and walked out the front door to find a suddenly overcast sky.
tonight, after sytycd, i'm playing in the spray park. and no one can stop me.
speaking of sytycd, the top twenty will be selected TONIGHT! i cannot contain my excitement. i am SO pumped. and if those adorable brothers aren't in it, i will cry. i have a major crush on evan [the one who did the flea hop after the mia michaels routine--is that the right name?].
is it possible to go to the temple too much? i'm thinking about going every morning. i have the time to do it and i always feel so good afterwards.
i crossed off one more thing on my osso checklist! consider the FAQ quiz aced!

today's blessings

1. being given a different survey. i never realized how big of a difference that would make in my work experience. the time FLEW BY today and six people took surveys from me.

2. rain. i loved this today. i loved it even though after i arrived at work [transportation:bicycle], i realized that it looked like i peed my pants because my butt was so wet with rain.

3. explosions in the sky. the perfect soundtrack for today.

4. knowing that tomorrow is my day off! and the day of my kitty playdate with alyx, temple work, so you think you can dance, and a bikeride to walmart [or kmart] to purchase a new gluestick because i am fresh out and am three days behind on my daily project!

5. talking to a cute boy. he is a coworker of mine. and we had to talk because he had just monitored a call of mine and needed to talk to me about it [don't fret, don't fret... i didn't get into any trouble. it's all routine]. but, he is cute just the same. i just cannot resist a boy in glasses.

6. finding my copy of waiting for guffman. i've been looking for this dvd for a month now.

7. being told that my very first paycheck will be given to me on friday. i like this whole money business.

8. knowing that one month from now i will be readying myself for quite an amazing fourth of july weekend.

--------------

i think tomorrow i will take photos on my gluestick pursuit tomorrow because i haven't posted a new picture on this blog in a very, very long time...

how boring!

sometimes you have to take a step in the dark.

carrying two loaves of bread i rescued from the dumpster and a bag kris got for me in guatemala, i slowly walked home, savoring every step.
sporadic raindrops fell on my hair, glasses, face, and i welcomed its presence.
as i walked, i went through my day and felt so much warmth and happiness. and i realized, it's not what i surrounded myself with, but who i surrounded myself with that made me feel the way i do right now.
i thought of this morning's broulims/library run with alyx and our plans to play with the kittens again on wednesday,
i thought of lyndee's constant support and optimism, especially in regards to working at the lovely rexburg opinion center,
i thought of how hard i laughed listening to jeff and aaron sing "stand by me" in the weirdest way possible,
and talking music with ryan and joe,
and losing track of the time talking with hannah, nikki, and lyndee [just like the old days],
and i breathed deeply.
this semester has not been one without its struggles and i have been tempted to turn back and quit,
but today, more than ever, i'm so grateful that i'm still here.
life truly is beautiful.

progress!

today marks the 20th day of my secret project.
that means there are one hundred reasons to be happy,
grateful,
and optimistic
pasted on scraps of paper
and tacked to my wall.

[i think what excites me the most is seeing this bare wall covered in lists (in other words, seeing something stark and boring covered in my most favorite pastime).]

i'm reading over the lists right now as i type this.
i'm thinking back on each day and remembering what went on and remembering how there were days where i couldn't think of five good things. days where i almost gave up and told myself that four was enough.

but i'm so glad i didn't give up.

because now i have learned that no matter how difficult life is,

there are always five things to be happy about.

juice squeezed from my mind-grapes.

1. i learned monday night that the best feeling in the world is riding my bike downhill at night with the sound of sprinklers in my ears and the smell of newly-blossomed flowers in my nose.
2. unexpectedly not having to work is wonderful.
3. taken is an INTENSE movie. if watching a bad-butt liam neeson kill a thousand guys in pursuit of his kidnapped daughter in paris is your thing, i recommend seeing it.
4. there's always next year.
5. it smells like hot dogs in my house right now. that's a gross smell to wake up to.
6. on the way back to idaho, i listened to this song* twice. it is that good.
7. i also rediscovered this song** and this song***
8. and this song**** and this song*****.
9. this song****** makes me think.
10. i spent fifteen minutes painting my fingernails yesterday and they're already chipping. what gives?! i think this is the last time i will ever paint my nails big apple red creme.
11. shaving your legs in a hurry with a brand new razor with cold water and conditioner [in lieu of shaving cream] is a bad, bad idea. i lost a lot of blood yesterday.
12. yesterday i got really frustrated with a roommate because she spent [no exaggeration] two hours in the bathroom yesterday doing who knows what. i really had to go to the bathroom and the other bathroom in the house didn't have any toilet paper. even when three of us knocked on the door and asked if she was almost done, she stayed in there for another hour.
that's when i realized that i'm done with the living with five other girls biz.
13. last night i had a dream that i had a polaroid camera and i took pictures of babies and a mystery man and i woke up wishing i had one for real.
14. this is my 90th post.
15. today in the shower i was standing there, thinking, and i realized that i hadn't sung in a long, long time. so even though there were other people home and the window was wide open, i sang one song. and i sang it loud. and i immediately felt better.
16. will someone teach me how to play bass? or just let me borrow a bass for a little bit so i can figure it out on my own?


*a friend told me once, and i confirmed on wikipedia, that this song was written by lindsey buckingham after he broke up with fellow bandmate stevie nicks. can you imagine singing a song like this with the very person who inspired it?
**i love that girl's voice.
***speaking of love, i'm in love with glen hansard. this song is genius.
****i almost linked to a recent performance on a television special that the casinos did. i still will. here it is. these guys have still got it. i got chills watching it.
*****the beach boys' version of this song is good, too.
******this made me giggle. it was the only video that had the original song in it.

it's official!

i received word today that i have been officially accepted to be an OSSO volunteer!

i leave for ecuador july 30th!

and i cannot wait.

on a completely different note...

confirmation

as i was sitting in the temple today, waiting to do confirmations, i opened up the book of mormon to a random page and began reading.
this is what i read.

"Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will boast not of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things..."

"Yea, he that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually without ceasing--unto such it is given to know the mysteries of God..."

"Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions and I will give unto you success."

Alma 26:12, 22, 27

prayers are answered.

a goal

at work, instrumental piano versions of hip-hop/pop/rap songs play continuously between calls.
so far i've identified eight of them.
[1. apologize // onerepublic
2. don't matter // akon
3. umbrella // rihanna
4. what goes around // justin timberlake
5. stronger // kanye west (this one is really, really funny)
6. say goodbye // chris brown
7. champion // kanye west
8. flashing lights // kanye west]
my goal is to identify them all before my time there is up.

growin up

this is megan haslam.
and today is her birthday.

megan was my roommate from fall 2008 and is a great great friend.

here are ten reasons why megan is so awesome:

1. when i was sick last semester, she brought me dinner.
2. she is HILARIOUS.
3. her blog is inspiring.
4. she also dreams of living in nyc.
5. she went to ecuador last year to help the orphans.
6. she's very positive and optimistic.
7. she listens.
8. she gives great advice.
9. she loves to travel.
10. she has the funniest anecdotes ever.

happy birthday, may-may!!

i hate the interweb.

i have been sitting here at my desk staring at an empty text box for five minutes now with tears rolling down my cheeks and manchester orchestra ringing in my ears.

and the only thing i can think of to say is

everyone who says that these years are the best years of your life is completely delusional.



i wish i could start all over again.
move to a new place
start studying something i actually like
meet all different kinds of people
become acquainted with a new place

there are good things in my life right now, and i'm trying so hard to acknowledge and show gratitude for them,
but that doesn't seem like enough anymore.


i don't know what else to do
other than listen to this song on repeat
close my eyes
and wish i were somewhere else.

just one thought and then off to bed.

sometimes it completely astounds me to think that as my day is ending,

on the other side of the world,

someone's day is just beginning.

sometimes

i'm convinced i was born in the wrong generation.

this music makes my heart skip a beat.

it's not personal. it's business.

this is an example of my newest art/life appreciation project.
everyday i make a list of five good things from the day before,
rip it out of my notebook,
rip out a corner of an old national geographic,
glue them together,
and stick it on my wall.
it's helping.

-----------------------

simple joys:

1. getting two people to take a survey from me while everyone else only got one [or none].
2. a chocolate-chip-frosted chocolate cupcake from visiting teachers.
3. downloading a free live album. thanks, coldplay!
4. waking up at nine and watching the newest episodes of parks + recreation [it's growing on me], the office, and 30 rock.
5. hearing cheesy instrumental piano versions of justin timberlake's "what goes around" and chris brown's "say goodbye".
6. the knowledge that i only have one more day of training left. hallelujah!
7. arizona. large house. monday night.
8. getting home from work right when the song i'm listening to ends.
9. being able to pedal standing up on my bike once again.
10. wearing a t-shirt backwards. on purpose.

the computers at the ROC = dinosaurs.

today wasn't so great because...

i missed out on an amazing opportunity to see one of my favorite bands in salt lake because of my own stupidity,
my application for osso is still being processed. i get phone calls almost daily from them asking for more references, better references, references who know me well, [what if i don't have anymore? what if this doesn't work out? what if i'm stuck next semester?]
working at the ROC will be awful... i just know it [not half as bad as apx, but still...],
i woke up at 4:30, 5:40, 6:15, 7:30, and finally 8. i gave up on sleep and stayed awake. i'm still wondering if that was a good choice,
and my roommate's decision to listen to books on tape AS LOUD AS HER STEREO CAN GO is driving me insane.

but today wasn't so bad because...

i watched some 30 rock,
lyndee and i left notes for each other on our bikes at the ROC,
i got to eat a strawberry-topped, vanilla-iced, chocolate cupcake courtesy of justin,
i listened to "little lungs" on repeat,
my room is SPOTLESS,
i will FINALLY have my own room next semester,
ecuador [assuming i get accepted] isn't too far off in the future,
the sun was shining today,
and my foot doesn't hurt nearly as bad as it did last week.

just take it one day at a time...

stuck in my head.

baby michael jackson is incredible.

why i'm happy

yesterday was wonderful.

i...
heard a weird talk in church about how girls spend hours getting ready so that they look good for church and all they're looking for is a compliment from a boy in return,
had an epiphany during relief society,
ate two cookies after ward choir,
called my mother on her day,
ate couscous,
took a three hour long nap,
talked to nikki on the phone,
made up a handclapping game,
hung out in the front yard with my gang,
wore my huge sweater,
took a walk,
had a brawl with a rival bike gang,
made up gang names for my friends [jonny vulture, two step],
visited my old house,
witnessed a fireman try to take a splinter out of sam's foot,
was christened with a gang name of my own [coco],
wrote a mothers day blog,
stole a brownie [they were sitting out!],
talked to hannah banana,
watched the pilot of freaks and geeks,
ate a pink lady apple,
and fell asleep promptly.

life is good.

mothers day.

i have the best mom in the world.
let me give you a list of reasons why.

1. i call her nearly every day and she never complains.
2. she makes the best chicken enchiladas/cinnamon rolls/apple pie/bean burgers/crescent rolls/pizza ever.
3. she gave birth to six babies. that's a lot of babies. [and a lot of pain.]
4. she endured four painful years of waking me up for seminary. [my mom is an angel.]
5. she's a neat-freak.
6. she sings in the ward choir every sunday.
7. she is faithful.
8. she gives the best advice.
9. she makes me laugh every day.
10. she's forgiving.
11. she's humble.
12. she can sew a formal in a day.
13. she is an amazing grandma. [i can't wait to share her with my future children. i know they'll love her as much as i do.]
14. she has a rock-solid testimony.
15. she gives the best mom hugs ever.
16. she always has the spirit with her.
17. she loves music.
18. she's friendly and treats people she doesn't know very well like family. [all my friends love her.]
19. she is very service-oriented.
20. she's selfless.
21. when she gets mad, she doesn't stay mad for long.
22. she's AMAZING with kids.
23. she's always there for me.
24. she ends every phone call with "i love you". [sometimes more than one "i love you"!]
25. she is loving, patient, and kind.

mom, words cannot adequately express how much i love you.
you are my best friend and the best mother in the history of the universe.
happy mothers' day!!!!!

smoke signals + one complaint

last night we had a party for sarah in the backyard of some very nice and accommodating girls.
they have a fire pit in their backyard.




captured 8 may 2009

---------------

i hate how expensive laundry is.

i smell like campfire.

tonight,
as we parked the cars,
got out,
threw rocks,
and looked at the "city" lights,
i felt closure.

i'm not sure why i needed that,
or why i felt it,
but i'm glad it happened

because now i feel whole.

currently enjoying:

1.


2.

3.


4.

5. my newest art project.

6. hairspray/gel/mousse-free hair.

7. waking up at eleven after getting five hours of restless sleep the night before.

8. stream of consciousness writing.

9. ee cummings.

10. the sun in the sky.

this is pretty ridiculous, but i have so much to say today.

today was interesting.

i took it easy until 1,
took a shower,
spent an hour primping,
finished a new song,
had an "interview",
got a [crappy]job,
met some new people,
read ten pages of zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance,
took a thirty minute nap because i don't sleep at night anymore,
woke up from said nap,
watched the new [funnier than usual] office episode,
laughed and laughed while watching the new 30 rock episode,
took a slow and steady bikeride to broulims,
ran into old friends,
bought celebratory [haagen daz' peanut butter+chocolate]ice cream and pink lady apples,
went dumpster diving at great harvest,
found nothing,
took the long way home,
thought and thought and thought,
dreamed and dreamed and dreamed,
watched some of the special features off the school of rock dvd,
and listened to mates of state and beyonce and death cab for cutie until i caved in and started this post.

sounds like a normal day, right?

wrong.

there wasn't a single instance today when i felt despair, impatience, or desire to fast forward my life.
on my way home from my adventure earlier tonight, with the wind in my hair and a jenny lewis song stuck in my head, i thought about my life and how i've been wasting it away by wishing i was somewhere/one else doing something different.
i've talked about this so many times with friends and family and it's really frustrating how i never seem to really get it, but it occurred to me [again] that true happiness comes from appreciating and enjoying the stage of life you are in at the moment.

and even though circumstances are not ideal at the moment,
i think i'm [slowly]getting there.



that's something to be happy about.

list + news

i have decided/discovered that:

1. i will ride my bike to my job interview in an hour and twenty three minutes.
2. when my hair is curly, i feel pretty.
3. headbands/ribbons should be incorporated more in my everyday ensembles.
4. i will never wear flip flops and ride my bike ever again.
5. there will be a dumpster diving adventure tonight.
6. flying solo is not always a bad thing.
7. change is inevitable, inescapable, difficult, and necessary.
8. i am for sure going to eastern europe [or scandinavia] after i graduate.
9. i can wait.
10. boredom is sometimes wonderful for songwriting. two new songs in one week!
11. newborn babies look like aliens. beautiful, miraculous aliens.
12. before the end of the semester i will play a song at music outlet.
13. things aren't always what they're cracked up to be.
14. i am ready for warmth.

---------------------
in other news...

my foot feels/looks better,

there is a new 30 rock on tonight,

i have a new niece,

i can't stop listening to "halo",

music appreciation is wonderful,

and i am inexplicably optimistic.

bienvenidos!

welcome to earth, lucy marie jorgensen!
i'm so excited to meet you!

not for the faint of heart.

this is how gross my foot is right now.
it's bruising very nicely, don't you think?
captured 6 may 2009

what my foot has been likened to:

1. harry potter's arm in the second harry potter movie when he breaks it and lockhart "fixes" it but really ends up making his arm boneless.
2. a toad-foot.
3. an old diabetic woman's foot.
4. a turtle [i don't get that one, either].

------------------

i watched twilight today.

i laughed the whole time.

edward is creeeeeeeepy.

------------------

i can't wait for thursday.

new 30 rock!

speaking of television, does anyone know when sytycd starts?

-----------------

newest food obsession:

cinnamon applesauce mixed with vanilla yogurt.

massaman curry + stick in the mud

consumed last friday.
this picture doesn't do it justice.
man, that stuff is goooooooood.
captured 1 may 2009

----------------

i am super frustrated at the moment.
with everything.

1. i went to the doctor today and found out that my foot is "badly strained".
thank goodness there were no broken bones/fractures.
but there's nothing i can really do except for walk on it and take tylenol and soak it in warm water.
i feel like an idiot walking around because it takes me forever to get anywhere
and i'm a little worried about riding my bike again.
i don't want to crash.
again.
anyway, my foot looks like "an old diabetic woman's foot" [thank you, jon] and i guess it will for a little while longer.
i'm praying it heals quickly.

2. my plan for today was to go to campus and talk to a career advisor about my options.
i don't want to be a spanish teacher.
i don't think it's right for me.
and i've come full circle and realized that i just want to be an elementary school music/esl teacher.
so, i'm thinking my options are to either
a. keep going to school here and graduate with a BA in spanish ed/english ed and be completely miserable
b. keep going to school here, but try to petition to change my major [since i have a lot of credits, that could be difficult/near impossible]
or
c. transfer to uvu [which might not even be possible because of the amount of credits i have].
i talked about it with a couple of friends and just got discouraged.
i feel like my dream will never come true.
i feel like i made a huge mistake.
i feel out of place and unhappy.


basically,
i feel stuck.



i'm sorry for the downer post.
tomorrow will be better.
i promise.

two posts in one day.

dear secret crush:
hi. my name is kellie olivia jorgensen and i think you are cute.
i talked to you for the first [and maybe only] time last week and i couldn't breathe
or speak, really.
maybe someday i'll get up the courage to say something to you again.
but until then, i remain
sincerely yours,
kellie olivia danger huxtable beyonce jorgensen
ps: i like your glasses. don't ever get contacts.

kittens + injuries

today alyx and i got to play with some cute, cute kittens.


i cried a little.
i really miss kiko.


this little stinker kept trying to crawl inside my pant leg. he was almost out by the time alyx shot this.


i loved these two.


this one never left that toy thing.


three at once.
the one on the far right was my very favorite.
i wanted to take her home with me.




this little one loved curling up there.
weird.


captured 4 may 2009

----------------
in other news...

i fell off my bike again.
and i'm pretty sure i did something bad to my foot because i can't walk.

AND

i have a job interview on thursday.
and i'm pretty sure they'll offer me the job on the spot because it's a call center.
finally i'll have something to do to occupy myself during the day.
although i don't know how i'll get there if i really messed up my foot.

life is fun.

He answers quietly, reaches my reaching

these words strengthened me tonight.

"Where, when my aching grows,
Where, when I languish,
Where, in my need to know,where can I run?
Where is the quiet hand to calm my anguish?
Who, who can understand?
He, only one."
Hymns 129, "Where Can I Turn for Peace?"

sometimes it's hard to pay attention in devotional

and art masterpieces like this one are created.
[this one is a map created by justin and myself of my journey from the top of mt. everest to the hart auditorium.]
captured 28 april 2009

adventures in the middle of nowhere

photo credit: aaron patrick mcgregor

dead[sacrificed?] animals were discovered as this photo was captured.
photos captured 28 april 2009

---------

so, my roommate just applied to be an english teacher in the czech republic for a semester.

I WANT TO DO THAT.

---------

i had a dream a few nights ago that i got married in a white cocktail dress.

i woke up the next morning and the first thing i did was sketch it.

it's beautiful, if i do say so myself.

dream kellie has great taste in clothing.

-------

my breakfast is frozen.

and that's just how i like it.

-------

can't stop listening to this song.

it's blissful.

-------

have i mentioned lately how much i love my bike?

her name is lynette.

and i very rarely go anywhere without her.

-------

i'm taking a cue from this blog and this blog and listing

ten things that make me happy.

1. arranging paper on paper in an aesthetically pleasing way.
2. making/giving little gifts.
3. riding my bicycle on main street where the sidewalks are wide.
4. postcards in the mail.
5. thrift stores.
6. the bumbling jorgensens' rendition of "redemption song".
7. long road trips with good music.
8. pet sounds.
9. burt's bees beeswax lip balm.
10. phone calls.