2012 in a nutshell

once upon a time about a year ago (or maybe it was exactly a year ago), I was reminiscing about how the last year had flown by so freaking fast. so, a great idea crossed my mind, that I would grab my journal (Emma, you would understand this), and write down the key happenings of each month. so after writing it all down, I decided to take what was in the journal and blog about it. so, because I've been sick ever since Christmas was over, I've been in bed a lot, coughing my brains out and sneezing out my eyeballs and losing my voice. somehow I managed to stay at the party last night. but once again, a year later, I have been reminiscing about this year and how it had flown by so freaking fast. 2012 has been a pretty adventurous year, the biggest I've lived through. a good 4 1/2 months, or 1/3 of the year was spent in Japan. another good 4 1/2 months was spent preparing for it. not easy stuff there. and a good 3 months was spent re-adjusting to the States. (it didn't take that long.) so, I've learned so many things this year that I'll never regret! i learned how to be grateful for all you have, not needing more, and not taking everything for granted. I learned how to survive in a foreign country. (pretty much sums that part up.) I have gotten so much closer to my little brothers. I've learned who my friends are, who will support me, and how to be a better friend myself. I survived junior high okay. I've learned how to survive high school as a freshman and get perfect grades. (that statement was a lie.) let's look at 2012, one month at a time.

JANUARY- I turned 14 and had an awesome party with all my awesome friends! I started a new semester and got pretty decent grades for the last semester. I met a lot of 7th graders that month because I had electives with them, and looking back, they had it easier.

FEBRUARY- no matter what, February is always my least favorite month. crappy weather, tons of homework, and Valentine's Day, my least favorite holiday. (must I even explain?) so I thought this picture of me snogging a giraffe was quite appropriate, as he was the closest thing to a Valentine that I could get. and this picture was actually taken in February, on one of my adventures with Callie. but that was a rare occasion- I found out that I had made Seussical the Musical,so I was booked with stupid rehearsals each week.

MARCH- I don't think I ever stopped singing. Not because I had play practice everyday (which I did), because I only sang in 4 songs, but because McCall and I were in Centennial Idol! because it began in March, we sang on different days, so our friends could vote for both of us to make it fair. funny how that all worked out. other things.... The Hunger Games came to the theaters! such a great movie. 

APRIL- General Conference, my cousin Savannah's baptism that I had been asked to play piano at like 5 minutes before it actually started (a little disorganization there), going to the temple with Raquel and other adventures, Easter celebrations, One Direction Infection, more Centennial Idol, and Seussical pretty much summed up the month of April. Rachel and I obviously didn't take it very seriously. I mean, I was a Who in Who-ville. how serious can you get? not very. 

MAY- Big Going Away party for Japan. Packing for Japan. Flying on an airplane to Japan. Arriving in Japan. Utterly terrifying month. we had some major adjusting to do, so we saved all the super cool stuff for later on and went to like 100 museums and the Imperial Gardens. I was literally in shock for the entire month of May. Living in a foreign country can be pretty scary, especially the first few weeks.

JUNE- June was a lot better than May, despite a few emotional breakdowns here and there. (I was homesick, okay? don't judge!) but this was when we started to really do stuff. we went to Sendai, where the earthquake was. it's amazing what a years difference can make. the city looked as good as new! the biggest highlight was our trip to Kyoto and Nagoya, where we saw many shrines and temples and learned about the history of Japan. we ran into a few geisha and samurai while we were there. after being here a month, I had gotten the Asian Peace Sign pose down pretty well, as you can tell. we also ate several interesting foods, such as octopus, raw fish, calamari, sesame ice cream... not too tasty.

JULY- Terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad month, if you could tell by the gross looking picture of Wes eating something disgusting and me looking disgusted. for one thing, it was so bloody hot, we were all sweating profusely. the AC didn't do much help. everyone in our ward had gone back to the States so it was very lonely. but the worst thing that happened was Wesley getting sick and going to the hospital. And that's all I'm gonna say about July.

AUGUST- things got much better and a lot of stuff happened. beware of the long post. Olympics, Kamakura, Yokohama, Monkey Park, and Youth Conference and hiking Mt. Fuji is what we did. I made tons of friends and had the time of my life hiking it with my mommy! what a painful, awesome experience. all my friends came back from the states to start school, so I wasn't as lonely anymore! however, in Provo, all my friends started school while I was crying at the top of Mt. Fuji, so that meant homeschooling, which meant death. can I just say, never do homeschooling. it sucks. also, There are 2 kinds of fools in this world: those who never hike Fuji, and those who hike it twice. some words of wisdom here.

SEPTEMBER- (okay, I lied. this one is longer than August). let's get this over with. Girls Camp! Hokkaido! Hakone! Tokyo Disney! Shopping! Early Morning Seminary! Friends! Went home! School! More friends! Homework! Missed all my Tokyo friends, but happy to see my Provo friends. k there that was quick.

OCTOBER- Possibly my favorite month that wasn't spent in Japan. I just love everything about it. General Conference and the new missionary ages, we're kind of settling in school and getting used to it and making more friends, Halloween falls at the end of the month, the weather is still pretty nice, and football, football, football. I went to tons of games with my friends, and we won every single one of them. Go Thunderbirds! 

NOVEMBER- My parents went to Hawaii and left us with our grandparents, and it snowed. I was stuck at a football game with no gloves or handwarmers all the way in Salt Lake, but the best part was that we won the semi-finals. the next week, my parents come back, it doesn't snow, and Timpview wins state champs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! no big deal. okay, that's kinda a big deal. for Thanksgiving, we went down to Phoenix to see our adorable cousins. the end of the month I had my dance concert, which I admit, I was pretty sad when it was over. 

 DECEMBER- obviously, football season ended, and basketball season began. I went to one Timpview game with my friends, I went to the BYU vs. Utah one with my family, and the Jazz game with Wesley and Dad. both Timpview and BYU won, but the Jazz lost. (why don't we have Jimmer?) It snowed a ton, and we ended up having a white Christmas after all! I've been pretty sick for like the whole month with a cold, so it's been kind of miserable. but last night I was able to get out of the house and go to the multi-stake youth dance! perhaps the best part was seeing 2 of my best friends who I hadn't seen in forever. Emma (the tall blonde Aussie with curly hair) just moved back to Provo from Maine, and I have missed her more than I can explain! So glad she is back!!!!!!!! I knew that Emma would be there, but if things couldn't get any better, my friend Rachel (the tall brunette with perfect silky hair) from California came and surprised me! she left for California before I left for Japan, so I hadn't seen her for even longer. I was so happy to see both of them! we partied until after midnight.

as for new years resolutions, mine are to get only A's and B's, get a Learner's Permit and pass on the first try, serve people, get on the Timpview Tennis Team, maybe try out for cheer but that's probably a no-go, and to be a happier, more positive, and (yes, I'm actually saying this) quieter person. I live out loud, and sometimes it would be better to not have all the attention. so I'll work on that.

HAPPY NEW YEARS!!!!!!

sometimes, I just want to go back.

I just had to choose the silliest pictures to put on here. we went a lot of places this summer, and we were able to really enjoy ourselves and just have a great time. and I just miss it. so much. and that's all I'm gonna say.

Sayonara.

"there are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind."
-C.S. Lewis

"You can't start the next chapter of your life if you keep re-reading the last one."

"Promise you'll never forget me, ever," said Pooh. "Not even when I'm a hundred."

"I saw a flock of birds flying north today. If they can move on from summer, so can I."

well, fine, Pinterest. if you want me to forget the best 4 1/2 months of my life, then good for you. unfortunately, my adventure in Japan has come to an end. I'm all packed up and ready to go. all I need to to is get on the plane tomorrow, and then I'll start the next chapter in my life, which is called "for real highschool." homeschooling is one of the things I'm not going to miss about Japan. I'm flying away on Tuesday in Japan, cross the international dateline, and land in Provo on Tuesday. so, in 2 days from now, I will be back in the same house I've lived in for the last 8 years. I will have my own bedroom again. my cellphone will finally start working. I'll have all the food that I have missed. I will be able to see all my friends again, start school, and get back into a normal life. I will be able to walk to school and church. I will finally be able to practice piano after a long 4 1/2 months with only playing in church. and most importantly, I will be able to read and understand what everyone's saying!

but I have got to admit that I will always remember my adventure in Japan. I have changed so much while I was here. I have grown up. I have learned not to take everything for granted. I have become closer to my brothers and my parents. I have been more motivated to go to church and seminary because I've been socially isolated all day with my brothers, and it's good to get out of the house and see real people. because of that, not only have I made so many new friends, but also strengthened my testimony. but most of all, I have learned to appreciate Japan.

On my last Saturday here, our ward had a Country BBQ party with line dancing, sheriff badges, and dessert. not a ton of my friends came, but at least some of them did! I hung out with my favorite Aussie of all time, Scarlett. we had a great time talking and eating and playing with the little kids! we helped all the young ones make sheriff badges and played with them. my favorite family ever, the Gottfredsons, especially enjoyed this. Kylie and Renae, ages 6 and 5, made about 100 badges each for themselves, me, Scarlett, Liam, their parents, and everyone! and because both of the girls look up to me as their fashion idol, Kylie turned 2 of her badges into "big earrings like Miriam's." she drew me a picture of a basketball and said, "if you are ever sad, look at this picture and make a wish that you will see me again!" Renae wrote me a little note that said "I love you." and Liam, being cute little Liam, just ran around and went crazy! he did make a badge for himself ("just as long as you write my name, Miriam! I'm only 3!"), said thank you, and said, "You can have it! Your name can be Liam!" I will miss all 3 of them soooo much! In the summer, all my friends were on vacation, and my main motivation for going to church was to see the cute little Gottfredson gang!

oh, and cute little Isaac the Cowboy wanted a picture of him because he was "just so cute!" I told him he was the rootnest, tootnest cowboy of all of Japan, and he said, "Thanks, but I wanted to be the rootnest, tootness, cowboy in the wild, wild west!" he's darling, I know.

when we weren't entertaining the kiddos, Scarlett, India (my other favorite Aussie of all time), a few other girls, and the bishop all did the Footloose dance together! it was soooo fun!

Sunday, everyone in Sunday school and Young Women said goodbye, and in YW, we got treats. All the girls gave me a Sayonara Doll, which is a farewell custom in Japan. if you untie the ribbon around the doll's kimono, it opens up as a huge roll of paper where everyone writes their wishes to you on your next journey. all the girls and the leaders signed it! I named it Takeshita, because it needed a Japanese name, and Takeshita is a street in Harajuku where all the crazy dressed people march around on weekends. kind of like New York. and also because I just like that word... (I won't even go there).

after seminary, I went to my friend Jayne's house for one last lunch. this time, our whole family ate lunch there. it was a nice way to say goodbye! after lunch was done, Jayne did some homework, my family walked to the train station, and Mary May gave me a little keychain and a card to say goodbye. she said that I was like her older sister, which means a lot! she has become a younger sister to me! when Jayne was done with homework, we went to seminary for one last time. everyone was sad about me leaving, so to "celebrate/mourn", they made me play piano and say the prayer! all the boys wanted to sign the Sayonara Doll as well, so Takeshita took a long journey around the seminary room in the hands of many teenage boys with handwriting worse than mine. (which isn't too bad.) a few of the best notes in there (won't be saying any names; these aren't all from boys):

"I love you, even though you like BYU! PS. GO UTAH!"

"It will be soooo much more quiet when you leave :("

"Don't hit your head with a bird and don't laugh at the buffalo!" (I love you, Sarah.)

"We may have only known each other for a few months, but those months have seemed like FOREVER, and they were the best few months ever!"

"Hope Provo treats you well again!"

"You are LEGIT!"

I will miss going to seminary and mutual and sunday school and Young Womens! everyone in the ward is soooooo nice, outgoing, and friendly! I will miss everyone more than I can even explain! from all the girls who have reached out and made me feel at home to the crazy, cheeky boys in Sunday school, I just love my ward so much! Church will for sure be different without all my best friends!

 Amanda and me! this is a weird picture. but we have become great friends while I was here! she is one of the sweetest girls ever!

 me, India, and Scarlett Aalders. both the Aalders sisters have been like sisters to me! They always look so cute, both of them are super friendly and happy all the time, and have wonderful Australian accents! (Justin said that India is Australian, and Scarlett is British. Well, he got that wrong!). India was one of the first to reach out to me, and is always so nice to everyone. Scarlett and I just immediately clicked, and is very bubbly, energetic, and super talented! She also adores my brothers and can't stop talking about how cute they are! Oh, how I will miss these girls!

 This lovely girl is Savannah Napierski, the first friend I made here! We met at the first ward party (before church!), and I thought she was 16 instead of my age, she's so gorgeous! and also extremely tall... she is absolutely amazing in every way, and we will for sure have to see each other again the next time she comes to Provo!

Oh, and we can't forget Sarah! she has been around all summer, and we really got to know each other at youth conference, camp, and riding the train together from seminary! she is absolutely hilarious and super smart, and we talk about the ramdomest things! I am so glad that we were able to bond over the summer when no one was in town!

to anyone I haven't mentioned, it's because I don't have a picture with you, and this post would last for eternity. I love you all, and thanks to everyone who made Tokyo the best time of my life! The next time I will post, I'll be in Provo. It's crazy. and you better be reading this blog, Tokyo people!

Sayonara,

SECOND happiest place on earth

4 more days.

and because none of my stupid teachers are getting back to me for school (which doesn't even really matter anymore because I'll be back at school in 5 days), we decided to ditch the original "do-schoolwork-and-get-stressed-out-and-pack-and-go-crazy" plan for this week and ended up here instead....

yeah I know. a really crowded subway. how exciting. sorry for the false alarm. the really crowded subway took us here.

The whole time we've been in Tokyo, we talk about other vacations we could've gone on. and Justin keeps on reminding us that "I've only been to Disneyland twice and I don't even remember it! Why wasn't I born in California?" Well, he's actually been more than once. But I remember it the most because Wesley was just a baby when we lived in California. and we knew there was a Tokyo Disney, but both Mom and Dad weren't too excited about the idea because "you've never been to Japan and you've been to Disneyland so many times, it defeats the whole purpose of being in Tokyo because you can do that in California. Plus, it's much smaller." well, I grew up at Disneyland, and it has to be my favorite place ever. everytime I go, I love it even more than I did the last time. I asked all my friends here what it was like. Most of my friends said that it was super fun. Some said it was kinda lame because it was so much smaller. and a few of them said that Disney Sea, the other park here, is better because it has bigger rollercoasters and stuff. But I'm a Disney girl, my mom's a Disney girl, my brothers are hopefully Disney guys, so we finally decided to only go to Tokyo Disney for one day. And since it was so small, we could do pretty much everything we wanted to do!

the very first thing we did was get a fastpass for Space Mountain, one of our favorites (and Wesley's absolute favorite). while we waited for our fastpass, we went on Buzz Lightyear, the car ride, and the Monsters, Inc. ride that they don't have in California! It was super cute, and it was hilarious in Japanese! one of our favorites at Tokyo Disney. and Space Mountain was sooooo much better here as well! It was darker, faster, and it felt more like flying through space should feel. Justin and Mom absolutely hated it because it was faster, but it made it so much better! after that, we headed down to my favorite ride of all time to pick up a fastpass. but unfortunately, my favorite ride is everyone else's favorite ride as well, and by 12:00 noon, every single Fastpass was sold out. but because I'm crazy and it was so hot, we waited in line for Splash Mountain for an hour and a half. it didn't quite meet the expectations, because the drop wasn't as steep as the other one and only my face got wet, but I still enjoyed it very much!

 I didn't want my picture taken so I decided to ruin it.

while waiting for our other fastpass for Big Thunder Mountain, we decided to eat lunch and do one Fantasyland ride. so, of course. It's a Small World it was. sometime after Big Thunder Mountain, Mom discovered that we lost the camera, so she went back to the ride, but no one could find it. we were all freaking out: me because it's actually my camera and my iPod camera was being stupid, Mom because she has to take 500 pictures of us, Justin because he decided that he wants to be a photographer and he took "really, really good pictures", and Wesley because we were all freaking out. so, our plan was to go on Haunted Mansion, Mom and the boys go on some Fantasyland rides while I go to the lost and found, and to meet by the carousel. Haunted Mansion was great because they had a "Jack Skellington" theme with both Halloween and Christmas decorations. but Haunted Mansion is extremely far away from the Lost and Found, so it took forever to get there. the Cast Members had trouble understanding my "thick American accent" (they understood my mom, but not me), I had to speak very slowly, got sent back to Big Thunder Mountain, waited for a long time, then finally, they came out with my camera. I practically ran back to Fantasyland, found the family again, and had a little celebration by taking a ton of pictures, eating, and seeing a little dance performance starring Minnie Mouse and Japanese dancers wearing funky costumes.

The whole park was decorated for Halloween. we loved seeing all the cute decorations! the last thing we did was Winnie the Pooh, which was definitely the best. it was completely different than the one at Disneyland in California, and much better! we rode in little honeypots, saw scenes from Winnie the Pooh, but the best part was the Tigger scene. so, our honeypot stops, Tigger starts singing in Japanese, and our honeypot starts bouncing up and down to the Tigger song! it was just absolutely hilarious. no one expected that to happen, and for the Heffalumps and Woozles part, we were just spinning around and around, all very "confuzzled". and at the end, it even smelled like honey!!! they surely outdid themselves on this ride! good job, Tokyo! Cutest ride in the world. the best rides at Tokyo Disney were:

• Pirates of the Carribean: the one in California keeps changing and updating itself. this one was more original, pirate-ish, and like the Disneyland one, they had Jack Sparrow in there as well.
• Jungle Cruise: they had better animals and a better "jungle."
• Space Mountain: already explained it!
• Haunted Mansion: loved the Jack Skellington theme!
• Monsters, Inc.: super cute and exciting
• Big Thunder Mountain: went pretty fast 
• Splash Mountain: only because it's my favorite ride in the whole universe and it never gets old

they didn't have nearly as many rides as Disneyland. they didn't have Indiana Jones, the Matterhorn, Alice in Wonderland (not the spinning teacups), Star Tours, Peter Pan (closed for updating), and a ton more. but for what they had, most of it was pretty good! Except the Tiki Room was the worst. when I was little, we had to visit the Tiki Room every single time. and I knew all the birds names and all the songs. it is still one of my favorites. the Tokyo Tiki room was........... lame. 1. It was in Japanese, so you couldn't understand a word they were saying, 2. They had Stitch in there with the birds, 3. (which disappointed me the most) none of the songs were the same! they were all completely different!

but hey, if there's a Disneyland, I have to go to it! and it was pretty good for its size. but nothing can compare to California, sorry to say. Not even Disney World, which I've never been to. Disneyland is always gonna beat everything.

PS. none of the lines were too bad except for Splash Mountain and Monsters, Inc. but even for the short lines, my brothers were being very immature, wrestling each other, piggybacking each other, messing up their hair (both of them recently got haircuts, and neither of them are very happy about them. Wesley wants a mullet, which would look absolutely disgusting on him. Mom agrees, but Wesley's argument every time is, "Mom, Dad had a mullet once. and you still dated him." Justin is upset because he can't use hair gel and spike it up like he used to). and everywhere we go, at least 3 Japanese people ask if they are twins. they are adorable together and you can definitely tell they're brothers, but they aren't identical! but they look more alike than I do to either of them. Justin and I both have dark, thick hair, and we look vaguely similar, and I don't resemble Wesley at all. both of them got the tall, skinny genes and will both be taller than me. that's for sure!

PPS. everyone says that I look exactly like Mom, but with Dad's hair and eyes.

PPPS. someone thought I was Justin's mom. it was very weird.