Ring It In

The New Year is not far away, and everyone is rushing to make New Years Eve plans or make their resolutions. Ciara on the other hand is not doing either. I already have plans set in stone. Resolutions? What is the point. The overall goal of them is to become a better person, which we should strive to do everyday anyways. I am just going to continue making everyday an opportunity for growth. 

I really like how Facebook has that option that shows you your year in review, basically the statuses and pictures that got you the most likes and such. When I saw my year in review I was amazed by all the awesome things I accomplished and experienced. It made me think, dang 2013 really was a great year. My Aunt Tammy passing away was the only exception. As big as that was for me, 2013 was still awesome. Come on, I graduated high school this year and started my so called "adult" life. It is crazy to think all that has happened in just 12 months! 

What do I hope to get out of 2014? I hope that my friendships continue to flourish and that the thirst will always be there. I hope to make new friends. I hope to make the Shimmer Sparkle Shine Project continue to grow and spread its message. I hope to get those butterflies in my stomach. 

What do you want to get out of 2014? You can only get what you put in. 

Keep it Thirsty 

With Love,

Ciara Ann 

Tis the Season with Mariah Carey

There is no better way to describe my feelings about the Christmas Season than with Mariah Carey's Christmas song. In case you live in a rock and haven't heard the song, here you go!

All I want for Christmas is my family. It was hard not being home for the holiday season. One of my favorite things is taking Sunday naps on the couch in the living room with Christmas music playing, the family tree lit, and with my mom cooking in the kitchen. I didn't get to experience that, but I made it home just in time for Christmas! I already knew I loved being with my family but being at school made me appreciate them so much more! 

On Christmas Eve I always spend the first half with my Uncle Jason (my dad's side). Sometimes my other family from that side is there, and for the past few years my dad's other brother, Uncle Steve, was there. I also got to see my cousin. It is always great to spend time with them because, us Neills, have a type of humor that only other Neills can appreciate. I eventually came home to enjoy the Christmas Eve gathering at my home. Tradition has been made that the Nemnich side of the family comes over for our festive celebration. My house is on the smaller end of the scale, therefore on Christmas Eve my house is FILLED. Despite the two cousins, who are on missions, not being there I still had a great time. I really enjoy seeing my niece. She is just too cute and my mommy sense start to tingle. 

Christmas morning starts off with just my household (mom, Doug, Uncle Byron, and I). We do stockings and open the gifts we exchange between one another. We don't even get out of our PJs, so we all look pretty ratchet every year. After all that we normally relax, help mom with some last minute food prep before the family comes over. We always have the Solis family with us, along with my step siblings, and of course my niece! I have personally made it my responsibility to be her personal paparazzi. 

With all this fun, there was still one person on my mind, who couldn't join us. While opening my household Christmas gifts I opened up this ornament from my mom. It holds so much meaning to me.  My Aunt Tammy was filled with just as much holiday spirit as my mom and I. She was always wearing Christmas colors this time of year, accompanied with some Christmas brooch. Anyways, back to the ornament. Every year since I was born my Aunt Tammy gave me a Precious Moments Ornament for one of my Christmas gifts. Her big thing was that it had to have the year on it. Last year she said this Christmas (2013) would be the last year I got my Precious Moments ornament since I was an adult now. Needless to say, her giving it to me wasn't going to happen this year. I was delighted and struck with a mixture of grief and remembrance of my Aunt when I got my "last" ornament from my Mom. We found it very ironic that this year the ornament with the year on it was an angel. I don't think her passing will get any easier anytime soon, but one day I can enjoy an eternity of Christmases with her. 

Don't take your family for granted, and the time you have with them. The love of Christ lives within our family. 

Happy Holidays!

With Love,

Ciara Ann

One Down

I have finished my first semester of college. I think I learned a lot about myself and other stuff in general. I thought I would share these things with you!

• I do best when I am super busy. I had a really open schedule and that gives me more time to procrastinate, so next semester I have a way busier schedule. I was trained to function on no down time... thanks IB!
• I am more domestic than I thought. It takes a lot of planning, which takes practice. I am getting there though.
• I thrive off of social activity. If I don't have plans than I get sad. In order to make plans I really need to get out of my comfort zone.
• I seem to be more productive at night time, which I think is the case because everyone else is in bed and I pretty much have the whole apartment to myself. I think even with my social tendencies, I appreciate quiet moments way more than I thought. 
• I work best with clean environments. At home I had my mom to always keep things clean. At college I had to do that for myself. Luckily I had SUPER clean roommates, but if it wasn't for their efforts and the little stuff I did I don't think I would have felt nearly as comfortable in my own home. 

It is no secret that I struggled a lot at first. I was so lonely, and I would wish every second that I was home. I don't know why but my surprise trip home in October did wonders. If it wouldn't have been for my Uncle paying and planning that whole trip, I don't know if I would have been able to experience the joy of BYUI afterwards. I made some awesome friends, and did some fun things with them! I dated more. I was just happier in general. I started talking to my friends from home less. This may seem like a bad thing, but it really isn't. It meant that I was more busy living in the moment and not holding on to the past.

I am glad to be home for Christmas though! Next semester shall be great. I will have my cousin with me, even in the same apartment complex! I have a nice class load, and I even took a fun class! Fashion Design and Merchandising. 

Enjoy your Christmas Season!

With Love,

Ciara

Catching Up

This seems to happen to me every holiday season when it comes to blogging. It is the time of year I want to blog the most, but it is also when I am most busy because of holiday gatherings and finals.
Here is a general update:
Life is good right now. I am content. I hate that the semester is almost over and I am just now at this point, but its okay. I think it is possibly a good sign that I haven't been blogging as much because it shows that I am actually out there, creating memories instead of living in a state of nostalgia. I have friends, and the blessing is that these include both new and old friend. You know what else also makes Rexburg seem more homey? The Shimmer Sparkle Shine Project has a workshop scheduled on my birthday. That is just pretty great in itself. Thanksgiving happened, and it gave me a chance to come home for one full week. I saw all three of my best friends, and that feeling of comfort you get with them is nothing in compassion to anything in this world. It was needed.
With Thanksgiving in the past, it was time to swing full force into the Christmas season. Mother nature is also fully aware of this because she wasted no time bringing snow to Rexburg. Apparently once it starts for the winter, the snow is just a constant. That is perfectly okay with me! I love looking out my window and seeing snow flakes gracefully landing on the sidewalk. I LOVE IT! Another thing I love about the holidays? Sparkles! Wearing sparkly jewelry and clothing is most acceptable around the holidays and winter season. Needless to say that is a just a bonus.
Of course, who could forget the holiday decorations! I am lucky to have roommates who enjoy Christmas too! Between all of our efforts we have a pretty awesome apartment. We have a tree! I brought stockings! We are leaving goodies for each other in them throughout the season! We also have cups that have enough Hersey kisses for us to have one every day till Christmas. Not going to lie, it is hard not to eat the whole cup! I am also continuing my tradition with Shae, with our advent swap! It is nice that I can carry these traditions with me!
Just remember to keep a spirit of giving in your heart, through all the rustle and bustle. Keep the thirst strong my friends!
With Love,
Ciara Ann

Newer Piece

This is one of my creations from the night. This is inspired by various posters based around the 60s. I have tried this concept before, with the aid of misc tutorials but this one I did all by myself. Hope you like it!

With Love,

Ciara Ann

Making a list and checking it twice

My mom has already encouraged me to make a Christmas list, so here is one. I just want a little little things this year. Things that are for comfort and "adult" like, and others are just for fun. BUT if you consider buying anything off this list, consult with my mother because she deals with all that and always has something going on that I don't know about it. So here it is, my 2013 Christmas List!

Nice Thermo Cup

Nice Water Cup with a straw (with designs tho)

Automated Picture Frame

Pull Over Sweaters (not hoodies)

follow this link to the one I REALLY WANT
 ( http://www.zazzle.com/stay_thirsty_my_friends_t_shirt-235633879660210898 ) 

 

Scategories

Just Dance (3, 4, 5, 2014)

Brown Moccasins 

Wireless Remote for my Camera (to take cool self portraits and such) 

Honestly, it is only November. Maybe more important things may come into mind, but these are things I have been thinking about and if I come up with stuff my mom will be the first to know, so she is the go to! Lol

With Love,

Ciara Ann

That Colorado Sunrise

This is how my Halloween went; I got a package from my Uncle Byron that was FULL of homemade goodies. I was pretty excited about that, and I called to thank him. Somehow during the duration of this phone call we bought plane tickets for me to come home the next day. Did my mother know about this? Nope. Did anyone? Not for the most part. I couldn't hold my excitement in, so I had to tell a few friends.
Anyways, the next morning I was in a shuttle to Salt Lake City, where my plane would be to come home. I like last minute adventures and I love Colorado.

Let's just say that seeing my mother was ah so exciting. I miss my Momma, I mean the longest I had been away from her was two weeks. 2 months has been rather hard. I got to see my Step-dado (yes, I even missed him teasing me), and my Uncle Byron. My family already had plans to take my cousin out to dinner, so I saw her as well. Being home was amazing. Nothing like sleeping in your own bed. On the way home form dinner I surprised Zach at work. He knew I was coming into town, but he was expecting to see me on Saturday night. I had less than 48 hours in the great 303, so I spent every minute of it busy. After dinner I did a quick visit with my closest school buddies; Marissa and Ashley. It was so nice to see them, w/o it being via Skype.










Saturday was busy!  I knew what I wanted to do, and who I needed to see. Never take having a Target for granted because it SUCKS not having one in Rexburg. My mommy and I did our normal Target shopping routine. I got a few goodies of course. The lack of Mexican food around here is ridiculous, so I wanted some enchiladas. We had lunch at a local restaurant with Shari and Shae. They were just as surprised to see me as well.

After that I did some misc things with my mom, my dearest friend Anna stopped by, then got ready for a night on the town. I miss going out dancing, so that was something that was on my list! Plus it would be so late that it wouldn't interfere too much with family time, and I could see lots of my friends. I got to see Zach, Leandra, Maria, Flor, and Chris (Flor's significant other). Seeing all of them was a miracle in itself. It was an amazing miracle at that. We hit up Vinyl and had a great time. I miss these people so much so saying goodbye was not my favorite part, but one small act really touched me.
When I was saying goodbye to Zach he gave me a hug and kissed me on my head, and it was so comforting in a big brother way. I haven't shared this with him, but it made me feel like I was going to be okay.

Only a few hours later I was back at the airport on my way home. It was a quick trip but so nice! Seeing my mom was the greatest part by far. Seeing everyone else was just another joy in itself. I miss home everyday, but through talking it out with some family I came to a few conclusions;

• I need to start living my life here. Getting to the great friendships I have to leave behind in Colorado took effort and time. I need to start investing that same amount of effort and time here.
• I should take more advantage of those spiritual pick me ups here at BYUI. We have devotionals every Tuesday, and the whole student body doesn't have class so we all have the chance to go. I have only ever been once, so I made it a goal to start going. I am glad to report that I went yesterday.
• I should stop trying to make friends that are JUST like the ones at home, because truth is no one can be like them or replace them. It will be an infinite task to find people who fill certain shoes. Instead I need to open my eyes to friends who bring new fun and adventure in my life.

These are just a few of the conclusions, and so far since I have been back my spirit has just been better. I am so grateful that my Uncle took the time and flew me out. I can't wait till Thanksgiving when I am home for a few more days, and I will get to see Konner. (I don't think Bruna will be home). Until then I am ready to make my impact on Rexburg, so keep it #thirsty. 

With Love,

Ciara

I am the cliche fish..

I am happy to report that I am finally starting to make some more friends. It isn't to how I would want it, or similar to how I felt during high school but it is something.
I mean I started out in High School not knowing anyone, but as far as I remember I made friends so fast. Then again, that was four years ago and I am getting old now, so my memory could be groggy. Totally just kidding.
All those cliche sayings about being thrown into the real world, for example the most overused, "I feel like a little fish in a big sea" is the best way to describe this. I can see why it is overused now, since everyone experiences this at one time or another. Luckily, I found my self in High School, so I don't need to do self exploration with different groups of people. I know the kind of people I mix best with, and I know when something/someone isn't helping me be who I want. That does give me an advantage when trying to find the right current of the sea to swim in.
Joining clubs is a nice way for this, because you find people with similar interest (yes I am sure you have heard this a thousand times). The biggest thing, is being kind to everyone. Talk to the people you sit with in class, offer to go out of your way to help them. People do not do this anymore. Service only happens when they need service hours for some club, or when it doesn't throw them out of their normal routine. Therefore, when you make the extra effort, it matters. Don't follow my advice if you don't mean what you are saying or if you are not doing sincerely. I have been told growing up that I am good at being there for others, so I guess I need to do what I do best, and I will continue to make friends and gravitate towards the new people I want to be around.

Maybe I am subconsciously trying to find duplicates of my friends at home... I hope I am not, because I might be wasting my time. I won't find anyone like them, but I can try to find people with the same values and attitudes towards life.
I won't find anyone as honest and hardworking as Bruna or funny and dependable as Konner. Probably won't find a friend as #thirsty as Zach, or fun-going as Marissa. Won't find another Mexican Mafia (honestly.... there are barely any here....LOL) or another Leandra to take all my jokes. I won't find another laid back person like Ashley, or find someone with as much history as Anna and I.
I can try to find those who are not like those at home, in hopes that I might be someone they have never met before. I mean, who likes repetition? Not me. Well I do...... but only for household stuff, LOL
Besides that, you get what I am saying. I couldn't think of a better way to end than with my favorite quote from my favorite book/movie;
“So, I guess we are who we are for alot of reasons. And maybe we'll never know most of them. But even if we don't have the power to choose where we come from, we can still choose where we go from there. We can still do things. And we can try to feel okay about them.”

With Love,
Ciara Ann

Don't miss the barking but I miss....

I am missing my little animals right now! I couldn't think of a blogging topic so I did a google search and one idea was to talk about your pets. I think it is a good one, so here I go.
I have 3 doggies and one kitty cat. You see, the 3 dogs together can cause havoc sometimes, well most of the time. They all have very distinctive personalities, but they share one common bond; BARKING AND WHINING ALL THE TIME BY THE WINDOW. I guess you could assume I don't miss that aspect ;)
Let me introduce you to my pets, and I'll start off with the dogs.

Couldn't find a good one of
Faith, but this

First off, there is Faith. After some unfortunate circumstances we adopted her when I was in 5th grade. Unfortunately she has developed an anxiety disorder from her past, but she is just a loving beast. Don't let her timidness deceive you. She wears the pants, and all the dogs know it. She is a typical women, very controlling. She is so fluffy and so adorable. She likes to give you her paw when she is comfortable with you. She also enjoys burying her head in your lap, causing awkward and uncomfortable situations at times.

Now on to Hoover..... This dog is the most pampered dog on the planet. We adopted him after our other Basset, Kirby, past away. We wanted to keep to the vacuum cleaner theme, so Hoover was the name! Anyways, when we adopted him his bio said, "not good for apartment, can be very noisy at times." YEAH NO KIDDING. He is a whiner, and you would think he would give up, but no he doesn't..EVER. If he wants on the bed, but you are someone else is in the way, he will sit there and whine until you adjust to him. This goes for anything. If he wants to go outside, he will whine by the stairs until we go up to open the back door. Oh, if you barely shift your feet or any part of your body when he is sleeping, expect a growl. He is my little princess, but hes chubby body and stubby legs make it worth it.

Then there is Juno. She is the little doggy that I always dreamed about as a little girl. I wanted a small dog that I could dress up, but my parents were awful and just got big dogs that couldn't fit in my purse ;) My mom found Juno running around on Washington (major intersection at home). My mom tried "so hard" to find her home, but after "much" effort we just had to keep her. She is a little cuddle bug, and full of energy. I think she keeps Hoover and Faith young. She is kind of Uncle Byron's now since he moved in. He spoils her rotton. She is just too darn cute to resist.

Now to my favorite, Chairmen Meow, the cat formally known as Dublin. I saw this poster that was a duplicate of one of Chairmen Mao. If you know my sense of humor, this was the best thing to happen to my life, so I renamed my cat right then and there. We adopted her after my childhood cat passed away, Velcro. Velcro was "my" cat that I got for my first birthday, but really it was my mom's cat. The cat stuck to her like....Velcro. After it kicked the bucket, she wanted a new cat that would be just hers. Well, life never goes how we want it, because this cat was glued to me from the moment we took it home. It hated everyone in my household, well scratch that, it hated everyone in the entire world but me. I think it's karma. For the most part she only gets cuddly with me. Every time I cry she comes and lays her paw on my hand, and man I just miss Chairmen Meow so much. I have no doubts that she is making sure she gets an equal share of attention while I am gone. She has grown to be a little more friendly without me, but I miss chairmen meow!

Chairmen Meow

Obey the Kitty!
With Love,
Ciara Ann

Making and Creating

It has now been over a month since I have been on my own in Idaho, and I am experiencing mixed emotions. There are some things that I love about college and Rexburg! I love my roommates, I love spending more time with Monique, I love how everyday is like a weekend (I promise I am still doing all my school work), I love the independence (like getting my first pair of heels), and I love the weather here!

There are also the things that I miss like crazy; my family, my friends, Target, my Aunt Tammy, a big city, clubbing (LOL), and how my basement was a Micheals.
Seriously though, for the most part, whenever I wanted to craft we had anything I could want. This included paint, spray paint, stickers, the crickut, misc weird things, and so many other things that I can't even think of at this moment. When I want to craft I have to think about it now, and think of what supplies I do or do not have. I actually have to plan out crafting, and go buy the stuff and then finally make it.
We all know, Ciara loves things to be immediate. Needless to say, I am not a fan of not be able to walk down to my basement and get started.
Feeling kinda down, I just really wanted to craft. I wanted to make something to hang over our arch way in the kitchen into the living room, but other then that I didn't really want anything for me so I made a few goodies to be advent Christmas gifts for later. I just got a wood sign, and modge podged the paper on, then made my own stencil (helping me save a couple bucks) and put my favorite quote by Salvador Dali on it. "Intelligence without ambition is like a bird without wings." Here is the kicker, I had to buy the hook that I screw in the back, so I can hang it up with string. I screwed it in there all by myself! Pretty proud.

A few days prior my Mom sent me some basic Halloween/Fall goodies to decorate with. She sent me some fake leaves, so I thought it would be cute to make some garland with them!

I felt like coloring so I made letters that said Fall for over the TV.

We have a joke in my family where we hide plastic/fake mice and rats around the house because they are my biggest fear. Well, my family couldn't stop this tradition, so they sent plastic/fake rubber rats. They stuck right to the TV without tape or anything, so we made a rat-tastic border on the TV.

I also worked on my smash book, and Monique came to hang out with me to watch over me. I am so grateful that she is here. We decided last minute to go to the dance going on, so I did our hair, put on my heels, and went. It was great.

For now, I just need to keep taking this one day at a time. Maybe follow my own advice to Keep Calm and Carry On. My life didn't stop after High School, it just branched out to Idaho. I just have to remember that.
With Love,
Ciara Ann

The Click of a Button

It felt SOO GOOD to be behind my camera again! It has been a while, like since before I came to Idaho! I mean I have taken a few shots here or there, but not any sort of photoshoot. Having a mini shoot this weekend was pretty great! I am just so excited to be in my photography club at BYUI. I feel like it will make me do something I love, and I will have another community of people who love what I do. Anyways, without further ado, these are my favorites;

With Love,

Ciara Ann

"Hey guys, you want to go to Utah?"

My closest friends know that I love to plan everything, but nothing makes me happier than a last minute adventure. My mood goes from 0 to 1000000 in a matter of 2 seconds. This leads to the question, How did I end up in Utah?
I got home from class at 5:30, and two of my roommies were talking. Next thing I know, our bags were packed and we were on our way to Utah an hour later. It was general conference weekend, so out of all weekends this would be the time to go. We could have had tickets to watch conference in the conference center, but from our choice being so last minute we didn't have that option anymore. LOL
Here is how this went. Friday we got to my roommate's, Breanna, grandparents house. Saturday we woke up, watched the first session of conference. After that we got ready to head down to Temple Square to watch the second session of conference in the Joseph Smith Building.
You see, Rexburg is what you would consider a small town. Being in a city again felt so GOOD! I took full advantage of this, except none of my roommates were down for clubbing.....hahaha We the spent the rest of the night shopping at the mall, hanging around Temple Square, then dinner at my FAVORITE PLACE.
So the shopping was nice. I got a cute dress and coat from Forever 21. I got to take some portraits around temple square with my roommates who went on this adventure. Mhmm.. my mouth is slobbering typing about this; we ate at Cafe Rio. Seriously guys, so good. I got most of my hw done between the sessions of conference today. After dinner we plan on heading back to Rexburg, so I can start another week. Plus I get to see my Aunt and Cousin next weekend, and I am SOOO excited.
With Love,
Ciara Ann

P.S. The feelings of telling your Mom, "I am in Utah right now for the weekend" is such an awesome feeling. Why? you are an adult now. She can't stop you ;) hahahahahaha