"Do something to make me hate you!" "Um, go Hilter?"

I'm feeling really chipper today. Normally this wouldn't be out of the ordinary, but I've been having a terrible week in the midst of some rough months. It started with a fender-bender last friday, (Dori is still in the shop, gettin some new grillz) and a parking ticket, stupid boys, and a rough test later, I was ready to ask for a refund.
BUT, yesterday, the 29th of September was the end of my bet with a friend. This bet included that I would go one month without Dr. Pepper. If I lost, I had to go running, (which is the most horrible form of torture I can imagine) so I was pretty bound and determined to win this bet. Now, if you know me, you know that I have a slight . . . well, okay maybe not so slight addiction to Dr. Pepper. It may be the taste, but it's probably the caffeine. Anyway, the month ended yesterday and to celebrate my success, Hilary and I made a trip to our local Sonic for a Route 44 Vanilla Dr. Pepper, my heaven on earth. It was about 10:00 pm by the time we were able go, and I have been trying to get to bed by 11 each nigh (unsuccessfully) but nothing was going to stop me from my DP.
I was only able drink a little over half of the 44 ounces before my better judgement took over and told me I needed to go to bed. It was 12:30 am and I needed to get to work at 5 am. Oddly enough, I woke up on time for the first time since the semester started, AND I've been happy ever since! Dr. Pepper is critical for my happiness. ;)

"And I like to party."

Love this picture. It's in one of the dance department offices. Whenever I see it, it just makes me smile. :)

Oh My Holy Snickers Bar....

I discovered a new blog. I'm not super into blog stalking, (except for family members) and people are always talking about these great crafting/baking blogs that apparently every girl in the Mormon world knows about except me. So, doing a little digging on Pinterest, (of which I'm now slightly obsessed) I found a blog with the name: Eat Cake For Dinner. I'm already in love. Looking through her blog, I've already found a bajillion recipes I'm just dying to try . . . if only I had oodles of time to spend cooking . . . :/
Anyway, I was going to wait to make these before I blogged about them, but I'm just too excited to wait. And, the blogger RAVED about them, and they look fantabulous, so I said, why not?

Homemade Snickers Bars
adapted from: Mrs. Bettier Rocker
(Printable Recipe)

1st layer:
1 c. milk chocolate chips
1/4 c. butterscotch chips
1/4 c. creamy peanut butter

Melt together all ingredients in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds until melted. Spread into a lightly greased 9x13 inch glass pan. Put in fridge to cool.

Filling:
1/4 c. butter
1 c. sugar
1/4 c. evaporated milk
1 1/2 c. marshmallow cream
1/4 c. creamy peanut butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 c. salted peanuts, chopped

Melt butter in saucepan over medium heat, add sugar and milk, stirring constantly to dissolve the sugar. Bring to a boil and stir for 5 minutes (I only did 3 min.). Mixture will start to follow your spoon. Remove from stove and stir in marshmallow cream, peanut butter and vanilla. Mix until smooth. Spread over first layer and sprinkle peanuts over top.

Caramel Layer:
1 (14 oz.) bag Kraft caramels
1/4 c. whipping cream (I used evaporated milk)

Unwrap and melt the caramels with the cream in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds until melted. Carefully spread over filling layer.

Top Layer:
1 c. milk chocolate chips
1/4 c. butterscotch chips
1/4 c. peanut butter

Melt together in microwave, stirring every 30 seconds until melted. Spread evenly over caramel layer. Store in the refrigerator until cooled and hardened. Cut into small bars. Keep refrigerated.

Jenn's Notes: This is very easy to make, it just takes a little time to prepare each layer. I cut this in half and layered it in an 8x6 inch glass dish. I had to make the nougat/filling recipe twice, because the first time I cooked it the entire 5 minutes like the recipe suggested, but it ended up being too hard and crumbly. I tried again, but this time only cooked about 3 minutes and it was perfect. When it slightly thickens and starts to move around with your spoon while you stir it, I would quit cooking. Remember, it will be thicker when you add the mallow cream and peanut butter. I also used evaporated milk instead of the whipping cream in the caramel, because I didn't want to spend money on a carton of cream to only use a small amount and I already had a can of evaporated milk open for the filling. I added slightly less than the recipe called for, so it would still be as thick. I like these right out of the fridge. I think they taste most like a Snickers when they are cold and chewy! When they get to room temperature, the chocolate gets pretty soft and melts all over your fingers (I don't know if that is a bad thing)? You will LOVE them!

here's her address if you want to find more!
http://eatcakefordinner.blogspot.com/

"I've got a dream! I've got a dream!"

At my first concert with Jamie and Kelsie.

Okay. So I've kind had to re-evaluate my life and what/where/who I want to be since the whole mishap with me not getting married shook up all my plans. That's what happens when you plan your life around someone and it falls through. I won't make that mistake again. Nope, from now on, I'm living my life for me. Until I get married and start having kids. Then I'll live my life for them. Anyway, I've found that a lot of my conversations lately have included things like "At some point in my life, I'm going to do this..." I've started to create a bucket list without even realizing it. So, here is my [developing] list:

1. Write a book. I've got to put my English minor to good use, right?
2. Become a painter. Like really. Tons of oil paintings!!!
3. Master the guitar and write a song.
4. Go to India. It's a strange new attraction I've developed.
5. Skydiving. Maybe a graduation present???
6. Own a bakery. Cupcakes make me happy.
7. Run a marathon. I'd even settle for a half marathon.
8. Eat sushi. I hate fish. But you've gotta do it at least once right?
9. Drive a motorcycle
10. Surf/SCUBA in Hawaii
11. Be in a flash mob
12. Ride the Chunnel.
13. Learn French. Enough to feel comfortable ordering food.
14. Kiss someone at the top of the Eiffel Tower.
15. Make a build-a-bear.
16. Go to a concert. Oh wait . . . I've already done that! SCORE
17. Take a Yoga class. Or Zumba.
18. Meet Will Smith. A girl can dream.
19. Make a quilt. A legit quilt.
20. Hit every temple in the state. If that's too easy, I'll try the country.

The end is...somewhat near

Wow. School. Life.

How the heck am I supposed to do this?

So school started. And I don't think I've really slept since. I decided to keep both my jobs because, if I can balance it all, by the end of the year I will be in pretty good shape financially. As good as a recently-graduated-with-a-student-loan student can be. This is my typical schedule:
Wake up at 4:30
Leave for work at 4:45
Work until 8
Go to school from 8-3 (my first class is a dance aerobics class)
Break time from 3-4:30
Head back out to work from 5-10:30

With homework and trying to have a semblance of a social life, I typically get 4 hours of sleep each night. I know. When I graduate, I'm take two weeks at least and spending them on a beach in California and not doing ANYTHING.