My Family is Dope

Before I start this post I want to say that the titles of my blog posts are now gonna be songs that remind me of what I'm writing about. I'll also start posting pics which will be mega cool so you guys know that you aren't being catfished.

So this post is going to be about the people who make my life better. The people who inspire me to be a better person and at the same time keep me grounded and confident in who I am.

These are the ride or dies. The homies. The crew. I don't know how I was so lucky to find people who love me the way these guys do but I did. So without further ado and in no particular order, here are my besties.

We'll start with the original homies, my family. I'll probably end up doing an entire post about how cool my mom is so for now I'll just talk about my sister Brynn.

Brynn



If you know me and Brynn you will also know that this photo describes us perfectly. I think that my relationship with my sister is something that I cherish so much because of what I had to struggle through to get it.

I used to think that Brynn and I were opposites in every single sense of the word. I mean, she is girly, I am not. I love football, she loves One Direction.

Brynn was not kind to me as a child. In fact, I lost my first tooth when Brynn tried to put makeup on me and in the process, ripped my tooth out. We would play teacher but unsurprisingly, I never got to be the teacher.

After high school Brynn moved out and for once in our lives we actually got along. Now I call Brynn on the regular and actually care about her opinion... Who knew?

I've Never Been So Nervous

Anyone who knows me know that I love Advertising. I think it's the coolest thing in the world. This Friday, I will apply to the creative track within the advertising program. I don't think that I've ever been so nervous for anything in my entire life.

I mean, it's not like my whole future is at stake or anything. Right? I know that whoever is reading this probably doesn't really care about whether or not I am admitted into this program.

Despite this, I am going to talk about my problems with you the way I talk about them with others, assume that you care when you clearly don't. 

I have HELLA papers due in the next two weeks. I also have my portfolio due. In every sense of the word I am freaking. But over the last couple of days I've realized something. Everything will work out. It will all be fine. I'm so blessed to be where I am, to be with the people I love.

There are girls in third-world countries who have to fight tooth and nail to be able to go to school, to vote, to be the best that they can be.

If the worst thing that is happening in my life is that I am stressed, I am blessed. Whoops, that rhymed. My bad. I know that I'm cheesy but I'm not THAT cheesy.

Tonight I called my mom and I ended the call saying how stressed I was. My mom has a knack for making me feel dumb by showing me how dumb I am being. She said "Charlotte, if I can be a single mother of four for 11 years, you can do this."

And I know I can. So, if I can quote the great Drake...

WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYY UP. I feel blessed.

Good Old Fashioned Fun

I love humor. I love jokes and laughing and watching videos of babies covered in peanut butter. Recently though, I have noticed a slightly disturbing trend in social media. Humor now seems like a contest between who can make fun of someone in the most unique way. 

Someone in the media that refuses to operate that way is Ellen Degeneres. Ellen is hilarious, but never at other people's expense. I love how kind she is.

The other day I was doing what I always do. Watching YouTube videos of Ellen interviewing inspirational people and doing inspirational things, and I got caught in what I like to call an "Ellen Wormhole."

I probably watched about four hours of Ellen before I realized that it was 2 A.M. and I had school in six hours.

It was awesome though because I went to bed feeling happy, inspired even. When I see people doing kind things and promoting pure and unadulterated happiness I feel good. I hope that everyone can feel like this at least once a day.

This clip shows that Ellen is the bomb. Also if you've never seen Kate McKinnon on SLN you need to watch her. She is hilarious. Hopefully you can try to find your own "Ellen." Because this one is taken. By me. 

Come On America.

If there is one thing that I can't STAND in this screwed up world it's racism. I've never really gotten the point of it, I guess.

Like, "You're less than me because your skin is darker?" It just doesn't make sense. I love going to BYU and I love this gospel, but sometimes I feel like there's this sinister feeling here. That, "I am better than you" feeling. Sometimes I feel like it stems from race.

My mother always taught me that I don't deserve anything. The world has no obligation to me. I think that attitude has truly changed the way I look at things. So when I hear someone in class say "I hate that they are still letting Muslims into America" it bugs me. A lot.

My favorite thing about this gospel stems from "As I have loved you, love one another." Sometimes I feel like we forget that. Well not on my watch.

I saw a post today that was DRIPPING with racism. I didn't know how to respond. For a second I thought about doing nothing, but then I remembered a quote from Albert Einstein.

So I did what I do best, I got myself in trouble. I know that the internet is not usually the place to take a stand. I know that someone won't see an internet comment and decide to change their opinion on race.

Despite this, I don't know what else to do. I want to change the world. And if the way I do it is through naive Facebook posts then SO BE IT.

Obviously I am going to make sure that I try to stop hated and injustice in all aspects of my life, not just online.

In the coming weeks, I am going to make sure that I reach out to those different from me so they can feel my love, and the love of the Savior.

Sooooooooooooooo peace. Peace out brotha.

It's Magic.

When I was fourteen I was lucky enough to fall in love with a TV show called “Chuck” that had amazing music in it. As I watched the show I began to realize that though I loved the show and it’s characters it was the music in it that really impacted me.

Suddenly something inside of me changed. I started to realize how music made me feel. How it made me ache. How it made me cry. How it could bring me the highest of highs and the lowest of lows.I remember feeling really free when I first fell in love with music. I was 14 but for some reason I felt like my soul was 100 years old.

Music let me feel things I had never felt, see things that I had yet to experience. The first song I ever fell in love with was Skinny Love by Bon Iver. I distinctly remember listening to this song for about a week straight…ok maybe like a month. Music is in my blood. It makes me feel deeply and it is something that I am grateful for everyday. My favorite lyric in the song is:

“And I told you to be patient

And I told you to be fine

And I told you to be balanced

And I told you to be kind” 

For some reason this spoke to me more than anything in my life ever really has. And THAT right there is why I love music. In my mind one of the most intimate things that someone can do is to bear their soul in song. That may sound cheesy or cliche but it’s true.

That is why I love writing music. Because though I know I will never be famous and that I will never have thousands of fans screaming my name, I do know that I will always have the feeling that playing and listening to music gives me. The feeling that there is something bigger than myself, and that I can do incredible things.

My Favorite Picture on the Internet.

This picture makes me a better (and fatter) person. I saw this my freshmen year and thought that it was the funniest thing I have ever seen. I hope you enjoy it too.

Every single time I feel sad or down, I look at this picture and it makes me laugh. It also makes me feel really, really hungry.

Internet humor is by far my favorite type of humor. I love how dumb it is. Sometimes I can't help but get caught up in the "adultness" of my life. It's nice to laugh at something dumb every once in a while.

I Am

I am impenetrable. I am building walls and then breaking them down only to build them up bigger. Stronger.

I am water tight. No tears escape my muddy eyes except on on anniversaries of days purposefully forgotten.

I am a steady hand. Or maybe I'm only steady when other people are watching.

I'm indecisive. No maybe I'm not.

Music I Am Diggin' On

This week I am going to keep my post short, sweet, and to the point. Throughout this week I found some songs that could be deemed as, "hella dope." Here is my comprehensive list.

1. Outlaws- Alessia Cara

This song is a banger. That's really all there is to it. Alessia is releasing her album November 13 and I could not be more excited. At the ripe age of 19 she is killing the music game. Her music is relatable, fun and the beats are amazing. Listen up.



2. Hello- Adele

Adele released her new single this week and the world exploded. Okay the world didn't literally explode but the internet sure as h*ck did. After almost five years of radio silence, Adele hopped back into the music scene in a way only she could. With a BANGIN' ballad. I was crying within seven seconds. Let's see how long you last. By the way. This song has been out for four days and it already has 67 million views online. Adele is queen.



3. Safety Dance- Sleeping At Last

The last song that rocked my world this week is a cover. If you haven't ever heard "Safety Dance" you are missing out. It is an 80's anthem. This week I saw that one of my favorite indie bands had done a fantastic cover that blew my mind. I don't want to give too much away though, so just listen.

Doing Dem Good Deeds

In class on Wednesday we were challenged to, "Buy a Coke" for a stranger and then write about it for our blog.

I decided to instead go to McDonald's and buy a whole bunch of items off of the dollar menu. Last Friday was payday and I was feeling like the big man on campus, Mr. Moneybags.

I was going all out. I received some pretty confused looks as I walked out of the store with eight McDoubles and a ton of other things but I was determined.

This weekend I was at home in Bountiful which was beneficial because I know where all of the homeless people tend to stay when it gets colder. I have driven past them hundreds of times.

Usually I try to give them a dollar or some spare change that was in my car but this time I knew I would do so much better. I drove there, hopped out of my car, and distributed the food. The looks on the people's faces were priceless.

At first many of them were confused, but after a few seconds they realized what I was doing and were very grateful.

One man did complain that he didn't want pickles but he took the food anyway. The best reaction that I received came from a woman that I had seen a few times.

She had tears in her eyes and seemed to be eternally grateful for the food that I had given her.

I am pretty sure the feeling I got after giving them the food was the same feeling, if not better, as winning the Super Bowl and marrying Chris Pratt the very next day.

Needless to say, an amazing feeling. Even though I can't serve like this all the time, I'm pretty sure I pulled a major Grinch. My heart grew like 11 sizes.

The growth was rad, except now all my favorite sweaters don't fit.

How Does the Other Half Live?

Yesterday I went grocery shopping. As a college junior it was not my first time grocery shopping, nor will it be the last. The one thing that was unique about yesterday was the price. It was $98.

Let me back up a bit. I literally been living off of granola bars and old cans of chili for the last two weeks due to the fact that I am: 

(A) Poor

(B) Lazy

(C) Terrified to leave the lot by my apartment out of fear of losing my precious parking spot

Because of this I waited far too long and had to buy way more food than normal. But that is not what this post is about.

I wanted to focus this post on the fact that I can barely afford to buy food even though I am working as much as humanly possible.

I work 20 hours a week and attend school full time. I can barely make ends meet. My question is how do others who do not have jobs that pay as well as mine, and tuition that is next to nothing survive?

How do the kids who have hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt make ends meet? How do they function?

I know that people often roll their eyes when they hear politicians talk about how student loans should be easier to come by and that when they do come they should be offered at a far lower rate.

My dad always says, "I paid for my own school, why can't everyone else?" 

I get it. It's a valid question. But I guess I just think, "so what?" Just because you are or you were better off than someone does that mean that you get to write them off entirely without helping them?

I'm honestly not saying this for me. I'll be fine, I like beans, so living off them every couple of weeks isn't too bad.

But isn't it about time we decide to help others just because we can? I could be wrong though. I don't know. Think about it. 

Take Me To Chvrch.

I am so incredibly excited. I get to see one of my absolute favorite bands in less than a week. Heck yes.

The band which I am referring to is Chvrches. An awesome, indie band that has been my favorite for quite some time.

Their music is anthemic, electronic happiness in a compact bundle. I love pretty much everything about them, including their lead singer Lauren Mayberry. She is kind of the cutest person to ever exist.

Needless to say I am pumped beyond belief. I bought my tickets today and had them sent to my phone which felt like the future was knocking on my doorstep.

My favorite part about Chvrches is the way they spell their name. Even now as I type this, my computer is freaking out about all the spelling errors in this post.

WELL JOKE IS ON YOU COMPUTER I MEANT TO SPELL IT THAT WAY.

Anyway, here is a taste of some of their newer stuff.

Wait until the two minute mark. THAT BEAT GOEEEEEEEEES.
  

Grammar iz easy.

We hab been stdyin grammar in my class that my proffessor shayne clark teachez.

I don't really know why peeple think that grammar is not an eazy thng to learn, I'm real, good at it and I don't evn study.

All dem rules that people know are not complimentary to bein a smart and wordy student. All yous need is a brain and some paper and yous got yourselves a gramma expert.

I don't wanna brag but I thnk that my grammar is off the charts. There is nuthin I'd rather do than grammar da heck outta some words on a daily basis.

Fer example:

ALWAYS use there is at da begginning of a sentence to introduce what your gonna say.

Also never spell out #'s under 9. Always put them in the wordy form.

See? Grammar is easy. I don't need no book to teach Charlotte what she already knew.

Post 3

Maybe I'll Be A Gypsy...A poem

Lately I’ve been thinking that school is far too hard.

I mean I’ve heard a bachelor’s degree can only get me so far.

Steady money is severely overrated,

I think college is only making me jaded.

Maybe I’ll quit school to interpretive dance

Maybe I’ll quit and sell designer pants.

Maybe I’ll be a gyspy, live my life on the streets.

I can’t seem to get out of bed, escape the prison in my sheets.

Post 2

Post 2

I’m just gonna come out and say it.

I would be a hot 60-year-old retired woman.

Don’t believe me?

Check out this dope shirt I purchased at the DI for the low low price of $3.99.




BAM. My friends have always thought that I was odd due to how excited I am about becoming an elderly person. But let’s count up all the points here shall we? Elderly people get to:

-Eat dinner at 4:30 (and also get a sweet discount)
-Wear diapers and pee their pants as often as they please
-Watch T.V. all day long
-Pinch young people’s butts with little or no consequences

If you weren’t keeping track the score is 4-0 for the oldies. That is honestly all that I have to say.

Song of the day is Roman Holiday by Halsey. Her new album is my lifeblood.

School is fun, life is good. All is well in Charlotteville.

Post 1

DISCLAIMER: So I made these posts the last three weeks but my blog freaked out on me so I had to start a new one. I'm just going to copy and paste the first three posts that I wrote for class and then update it periodically. This was the one I wrote the first week of class.




Hello world. It’s me again. Remember when I started a blog last year and promised to update it all the time? Neither do I. I’m 99.9% sure that was all a dream. I think we all must have been hit with the Men in Black memory eraser thing because I would never say that I would do something and not follow through…


Mom if you’re reading this I will pay you twenty dollars not to dispute me on this.


Just be cool lil’ Mama damn.


Today is the first day of my junior year. I’m well on my way to becoming an adult. Albeit one that still watches Arthur, but hey, no one is perfect. Well except for Arthur. That little aardvark is a sexy thang.


So as I sit here at my computer in the glorious place that is the BYU library I am coming to a frightening realization. College is half over.


Like WUT. DA. HECK?


They say (ok well only me but it is gonna catch on) that “One man’s existential crisis is another’s thought process on any given Monday afternoon.” And I definitely had one this morning as I walked to my first class. All I could think about was my future and what I am going to do and who I am going to marry and what I am going to have for lunch. While in the midst of this crisis I didn’t look where I was walking and proceeded to nail a freshman girl with the left side of my body.


It was all okay though. She got up, dusted herself off, and proceeded to ask me where the Clyde building was. I didn’t know. I’m a junior not a genius. I also honestly have no clue how I’ve survived at BYU as long as I have.


I told my mom this last weekend that due to my “unique” personality and “different” political views and “interesting” looks that I will most likely die alone. Well I guess I won’t be alone. I will have six dogs that will most certainly eat me after I die making an open casket funeral very unlikely.


That is not the point though.


The future is scary. But so is the present. It’s also a myriad of other things. The present is exciting and new and chuck full of opportunity. Some people have problems with thinking ahead and preparing for the future. My problem is the exact opposite. I worry about the future the way my mother worries about me on dark freeways late at night.


So my goal as this new school year begins is simple. I’m gonna frick’ da future. Obviously I will plan ahead in my day-to-day life and schooling because my personality prevents such spontaneity and irresponsibility. I was that kindergartner who asked for homework…But aside from that, I am going to wing it. If I go on a date with someone I will not think about all his flaws and how we won’t work long-term or how he might go bald too soon. If I get a B on a test I will not immediately think to myself “Well I may as well find myself a nice bridge to live under because college is a bust.”


Instead I will try my darnedest to live in the now and enjoy my life.


I know that everything is going to be ok. I know that I will eventually find my way. But until that point I’ll be here. In the library. Eating cheese sticks the wrong way and watching Arthur.