make someone's day.

I hate February more than any other month. reasons being:

1. we live in The Arctic  Provo, Utah.
2. it's still snowing. like could it please just stop after January. I'm sick of all this.
3. it's in the middle of Term 3, which has always been my worst term. this one being especially horrible because I got all my nice electives last semester. now all my classes are either extremely boring, pointless, or extremely challenging. 
4. I swear some idiot teacher decided to make February "give all your students extra homework that is impossible and make them start crying" month.
5. my least favorite holiday, Valentine's Day. the last 2 ones, when I was in Junior High, pretty much sucked. but in high school, it's different. so many "couples" everywhere. I have never seen so many students kissing in my life. and I never noticed that at my school until February. and no I don't have a boyfriend so quit asking.

it seems that every February, it's these same 5 things that bug me the most. some more than others. it really depends on the year, or how old I am. this year, 3 and 4 have been the worst. I know, I'm a freshman. please do not say "oh, it's nothing" or "just wait until next year" or "quit being a baby." 

you were all freshmen at one time or another. so shut up.

number 5 actually wasn't too bad. I stopped liking the person I'd liked forever a few weeks prior to the 14th, so I wasn't involved in tons of drama. I just like to flirt with everyone and be really good friends with them. even though I prefer some to others. it was actually a good day. the cheerleaders sold carnations and you could choose the color, write a message, leaving your name is not required, they don't even see it, and they delivered them in class. 

i got these 2 wonderful flowers, and neither person left a name. gosh, I hate mysteries! but then again I'm too scared to leave mine, too. yellow means friendship and purple means crush. anyways, on my purple one, I got a cute little poem that went like this: 

"Roses are red, violets are blue, you dress really cute, and I think you coooo."

 on my yellow one, it said, "Miriam! Never lose that smile! It brightens others' days!" 

so both of these were so sweet. I like being coooo. and the yellow one made me so happy. I've gotten a few compliments on my smile before, and some people have said that they love how I'm always happy. Interesting because I don't think of myself as one of those girls who is happy all the time. but I try. 

I did get a flower for one of my really good friends and yes I did leave my name because it wasn't supposed to be a big deal. his reaction was priceless. he told me that I was really sweet, and that I made his day.

I made someone's day. big accomplishment there.

so because I'm not the most pleasant person to be around in February (or anytime, just ask my parents), I have decided to smile more because some mystery guy (that might not be a mystery because I have a pretty good idea of who it is) said my smile brightens others days. I will try to be a more positive, upbeat person and not complain as much. and when someone says "you made my day!" it really does make my day. and I guess it makes me a happier person. so, I invite all of you non-existent blog readers (who even reads this anymore?) to just go and make someone's day. try to make it a daily goal. it doesn't have to be huge: small compliments, saying hi, or even just a simple smile can go a long way. and though it may seem like it isn't a big deal, it really does mean something to people, even if they don't express it. and the best thing is that it will make you a happier person. I've learned this in the past week, since I've made it a personal goal. 

so just go ahead.

make someone's day.

on a somewhat related note, this made my day. my friends Brooke and Madi spent all afternoon watching this video over and over again, and we watched other videos from this YouTube channel as well.

Parker Allred

last Friday in seminary, my teacher announced that Parker Allred, a sophmore football player, just got life-flighted to Primary Children's the night before. It started out with the flu, turned into pneumonia, and got worse really quickly. He told us to remember him in our prayers, and then we moved on with the lesson. but for the whole day, I couldn't stop thinking about it. I knew who he was, have heard lots of good things about him, knew what he looked like, and that he was my best friend's cousin. But I didn't really know him. yet I felt like praying for him was the most important thing in the world. as the day went on, I got several texts reminding me to pray, and I found the link to a blog his sister was keeping for him, http://sweetblueeyedboy.blogspot.com/ So as I read about Parker, I would like to say that I had the faith that he would be okay, he would improve and get better and come back to Timpview. but all I felt was confusion and worry. From what I read, some people were hopeful, but in reality, his chance of making it through the night was small. He needed a miracle. I prayed lots, but I didn't feel any better about it.

The next day, Saturday, I woke up and checked my Instagram. the first picture was of Parker, saying some beautiful message and ending it with R.I.P. I felt a bit guilty crying over someone I barely knew, but that didn't stop the tears from coming. Parker was gone. I couldn't process the whole thing. but after seeing one of my friend's facebook posts, saying "Guys, Parker made it. He made it back to Heavenly Father", I finally felt a little better. How lucky we are to know that we can be together after we die. it isn't the end. Because our Savior died for us, we can all be together up in Heaven. He gave us the greatest gift possible, to be able to return to Him and Heavenly Father. I guess that it was just Parker's time to go back home, and that his time on Earth was well spent. It is at God's will, not ours. If a miracle was necessary, it would've happened. but Parker is now in a better place, and it feels so good to know that it's the right place for him. Everything happens for a reason.

"Today's trials are tomorrow's testimonies."
-Thomas S. Monson

On Monday, I had no idea what school would be like. It broke my heart to see students crying. But it made me feel so happy to walk into a school full of students in their Sunday best, signs everywhere, and blue ribbons honoring Parker. His football gear is in a display case in the commons where everyone can see it. everytime I walk past our memorial to him, it reminds me to work hard, like Parker did. To smile, like Parker did. to be kind, like Parker was. I feel at peace, knowing that Parker will always be in our hearts forever, and that we will be able to see him again.

This is Parker's KSL news article. Please watch the video, and try not to cry!

15.

January is a very busy month. I've been to birthday parties, my brother turned 10, my dad turned 40something (42? 43? I don't even know), new term with new classes and the worst, new homework and maybe new friends? oh yeah and I turned 15 on January 23. scary stuff.

like all other holidays, I didn't get the iPhone I wanted. but to make up for that and for not having a party, my mom took me shopping at City Creek up in Salt Lake on Martin Luther King day. normally I don't spend too much on my birthday but because I didn't get a party and that I'm older now and like picking out my own stuff better, I got lots of cute stuff. I got 3 dresses, a sweater, a really nice navy blouse with a bow, leopard pants, 3 pairs of shoes, and sweats. pretty great if I say so myself. the best part was picking out everything myself and going up to Salt Lake instead of just going to the University Mall here in Orem. and I spent tons!

on my actual birthday I didn't do anything special that morning, just went to school in new clothes. but the big difference was that somehow, everyone knew it was my birthday and I didn't really mention it much. so like everyone was hugging me and telling me Happy Birthday and it was legit. I loved all the attention, but mostly I loved that all my friends remembered and it made me really happy! a few of my classes sang to me, which in some cases was awesome; in others, humiliating. but it was all good. for Young Womens that night, along with our activity (I honestly don't remember what we did), we ate frozen yogurt to celebrate my birthday. my whole ward knows my weaknesses are muddy buddies, sugar cookies, and frozen yogurt. after that I opened all the presents I picked out myself, ate brownies with peanut butter frosting, and did homework like nothing happened. but even now that it's the tuesday after, people are still telling me Happy Birthday and asking me how it went!

also, 2 days after my birthday (also my dad's birthday), Timpview played Provo, our biggest rival in basketball. it was a pretty intense game and Provo is supposed to be one of the best teams. they have won more basketball state champs than any other school in the state, and they're pretty cocky. last year, they threw eggs at us, so they aren't the friendliest people out there, and they take it very seriously. I wasn't the least bit scared, all I cared about was watching the game with my friends, and hoping that we won. and of course, we did!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 64-35. Can I just say, Timpview is famous for its athletic program, and now I know why. so a great way to add to the celebration!

as for being 15, I don't feel any older really except now I can get my learner's permit and eventually start driving. pretty scary stuff. I just need to finish the stupid handbook, take the tests, and I'll be driving! watch out!

all my friends wishing me happy birthday. left to right: Kaitlyn Harber, Brooke Christen, Brooke Olsen, me, Malia Patching, Callie Ogletree, Olivia Stenquist, Susie Clawson, and Seth Santiago and Ty Guzzo photobombing us in the back. lovely.

my new dress

not to mention I can date in a year.

Sehee's baptism

this cute girl is Sehee Lee. she is an exchange student from South Korea, and she is a freshman, like me. (don't let my height fool any of you.) I don't even remember how we met, but moment I saw her, I knew that I loved her. She's always smiling, she's super outgoing (and I thought I was outgoing, but wait until you meet Sehee. Friendliest girl on the planet!), happy all the time, bubbly, full of energy, kind, sweet, and compassionate. Every day at school, she always makes sure to say hi to me and give me a hug. it makes my days a whole lot better! when I found out that she has been meeting with the LDS missionaries and decided to get baptized, I was literally overjoyed. It made me so happy to know that she had accepted the gospel and was ready to be a member of the Church. every day I'd get at least one snapchat from her saying, "so excited to be baptized!" and it only made me more excited as well. I couldn't wait.

but there was a problem. Uncle Aaron and Annie were visiting Provo for the New Years weekend and my cousin Ammon would get baptized on the same day. it was a very tough decision to choose which baptism to go to. I was expected to play piano at Ammon's, so I had to explain to Sehee that I had to play piano for my cousin. but it all worked out. she told me that her baptism date got changed to Wednesday evening, and that I would be able to go!!!!!!!!!!!! I was so happy how it all worked.

On Wednesday, I was running late because of all this end of term homework, so I walked in during the opening prayer. not the best time to walk in. but I saw a lot of my friends saving me a seat, so I sat down with them. The missionaries gave really good talks, and we could all feel the Spirit really strong. Watching Sehee get baptized and receive the Holy Ghost was so powerful. I forgot about all the homework I had to finish. being there for Sehee was the most important thing.

After the baptism, we all ran up and hugged her and congratulated her. then, it was instagram time. and  my iPod camera isn't the greatest, so sorry!

Shelby Mower, Callie Cordon, Sehee Lee, Megan Nelson, and me

the instagram version (the same, but different lighting)

I have a testimony that I know the Gospel is true, and that Sehee's great example will be one that many will follow. I am so sad that she only has 4 months left at Timpview with me, and that we are sure lucky to have her right now, and that Korea will be super lucky to have such a great girl. Sehee, if you ever read this, we all love you so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

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!!!!!!

Merry Christmas

Christmas came way too fast this year. none of us were prepared. I wish it went slower, but.. oh well. So, each year, my parents always ask what we want. wait. that's how it's supposed to work. it works with my brothers. with me, i just start asking way before Christmas. and the conversation is kind of the same every time. let's rewind back to 2011 and listen to the conversation.

Me: hey Mom, Dad. I'm almost 14 and a lot of my friends have iPhones. and since I've had my phone for a year now and no one has that kind of phone anymore, could I please get an iPhone?
Mom: well an iPhone would be nice. I'm okay with it. go ask your dad.
Dad: You haven't even had a cell phone for a year yet actually. and actually, most of the year you've had it, you've been getting grounded. How will having an iPhone change this? and smart phones cost money that I don't want to pay.
me: well all my friends have iPhones and they don't have to pay for their phone!
Dad (the classic pissed-off parent response): Well, I'm not your friend's dad. I'm your dad. You're fortunate enough to have a phone. some people in your ward don't even have a cell phone and they're in high school.
me: well, my friends have iPhones. and with an iPhone, you can do so much more than just call and text. there's Instagram, FaceTime, and you can play games. and it's just so much better. and if I get an iPhone, I promise I won't be a brat! I won't get grounded.
Dad: Miriam Elaina Castle. You are not getting an iPhone. end of story.
me: well could I at least have an iPod touch? it's not an iPhone but it's almost as good.
Dad: No further discussion.

so I got the iPod touch, which I love dearly. I was so happy that I got something I wanted. but fast forward to a year later, and I have the same conversation with my parents. the only difference is
me: dad, I'm in high school now. I need a new phone
Dad: I don't want to pay for it. it costs money. name 5 friends who don't have to pay--
me (names all my friends)
Dad *sighs*, same pissed-off parent response, but this time adds: You need a job to pay for it.
me: that isn't gonna happen.
Dad: Miriam Elaina Castle, if you ask for an iPhone again, you're grounded. end of story.

so to make things simple, I asked for clothes and nothing else. on Black Friday, I picked everything out. but how fun is it knowing every single present you got? so, I hoped my parents would slip in some surprise (er, an iPhone 4S).

we got a Wii with Just Dance 4, Zumba, Mario and Sonic Olympics, and I don't remember the other games. Just Dance 4 is really fun though. Justin is the high-scorer, even though he's sick with the flu. We all enjoy our new Wii, I love my new clothes, and I admit, getting on Facebook and Instagram and seeing endless posts of "new iPhone!" did make me jealous. but hey, at least I have an iPod and a phone and that will do for now.

Christmas is about more than just...... stuff. it's about service, it's about Christ, it's about celebrating His birth. this year, I made a ton of Christmas cookies. it took a whole weekend, but it was sure worth it! I took a plate to the Special Ed class at Timpview that I peer tutor in. they were all really happy! and since I had leftovers, I just randomly handed them out to my friends. they all looked really happy! it felt good to know that I made other people happy. also, our elderly neighbors needed people to shovel their driveway. normally their next door neighbors do it, but they were out of town, so our family volunteered. Let me tell you, my whole body kills from shoveling their driveway. but after I finished, heck did it feel good.

so, I hope you all had a merry Christmas. new post coming soon. and I'm sorry if this one was full of complaints!

overheard from the bros

 these two stud muffins are my brothers. they're the cutest, right? I love each of them unconditionally and they make me smile everyday, and they say the craziest things! Sometimes, I pee my pants laughing! (that doesn't really happen, but I've cried before). so, for your enjoyment.....

"Miriam, is it normal for girls in high school to like boys? It seems kinda strange to me."
-Wesley

"Sure, girls have drama and stuff, but boys get hurt more because we play sports!"
-Justin

"I love One Direction. They are my favorite band. I like all their songs and I love singing. But I don't want to be a singer when I grow up because... I'd rather do sports."
-Justin

"So that one Skrillex music video with that magical 2 year old dancing and doing magic.... what's that song called again?"
-Wesley

"Guess what I did? I watched the Utah Valley Sympathy Orchestra at Timpview!"
-Justin

"Why do I have to dress up to see the sympathy orchestra? It's not like they're gonna see you in the audience? They'll only see the first 2 rows or something! It's too dark to see me anyways."
-Justin (later on)

"What goes up.....must come down. Miriam, I had no idea!"
-Wesley

"Imagine Dragons are Chinese, right?"
-Justin

"Cookie soup is the solution to everything."
-Wesley

"One Direction took Human Biology because they're singing about anatomy!"
-Wesley

Justin: DUH, everyone likes Subway, Wesley!
Wesley: You don't.
Justin: Yeah, I don't. Everyone but me.

"Sometimes, I feel like I'm the only normal one in my family. Everyone's too goofy for me."
-Justin

Wesley: Justin, why are you screaming in the shower?
Justin: I'm singing a song about cleaning my feet!

"We aren't eating at McDonald's! That place is for losers!"
-Wesley

"Miriam, everyone likes boys. I like boys. I am a boy!"
-Justin

"If artichokes are chicken, how can they be a vegetable?"
-Justin