.mmmbop.

If you don't like boy bands,  then this is not the post for you. Because I am about to go all girl crazy about Hanson and you may even hear my 7th grade self scream over your  computer screen, so turning down the volume is recommended!  Now, let's talk about Hanson, shall we?  Back in 1996 (my 7th grade year) Hanson released their major debut record, Middle of Nowhere, which had their HUGE single, MMMBOP, on it.  I'm just going to say this now, but Middle of Nowhere is an AMAZING album.  I still listen to it as an adult and love every song AND I think they should re-record it as adults....it would be SOOOOO good!!

Since their first release, girls have been crooning over the boys and picking their favorite brother. Lots of girls were Taylor fans, some were Zac fans, and a few were Isaac fans. (let's just say though...Isaac is now a hottie!) Me, I was and still am a Zac girl!! I remember talking about Hanson with friends about how cute the boys were, what our futures would be like when we married one of them, and how we would love to go on tour with them...making all the other girls jealous of our love! 

I can't say I'm a crazy Hanson fan, like some, since I stopped listen to them for a few albums. I have been back on the bandwagon though since 2004, when they released Underneath. Every album they have released over the years is better and better. They continue growing with their sound, writing, and always meeting their fans expectations. I have seen them a few times before (or every time they are in the area) and always I am blown away.  This summer they played for FREE at the Minnesota State Fair...for FREE...yeah, FREE!!! 

I couldn't pass up seeing my boys for free two nights in a row...so naturally me and my other crazy friends headed to the state fair.  The best part of the nights was getting to be FRONT ROW for HANSON!!! AHHHHHHHHHH...yes the 7th grade girl went freaking crazy!!! I was singing at the top of my lungs, screaming like I was a teenager, and dancing my booty off! 

Seriously, I couldn't have been closer...since I had my water bottle on the stage! AAHHHHH!!!!  Can I tell you guys, those boys grew up to be beautiful men!! Men that are all married and with children..but let's not get lost in the details, shall we!?!? The sad part though of liking the drummer, is that you rarely ever get to see him (insert sad face). 

At the end of the first night I had touched a few of the Hanson brothers...and couldn't think it could get better than that! Then the second night, I touched ALL Hanson brothers hands and was satisfied with my outings!  BUTTTT...not my friend, if she had the chance to meet Taylor Hanson, she was going to take it. So like youngsters we waited outside their bus for the opportunity to see or meet them.  And can I say.....I would do it all over again!!! Cause not only now have I touched Hanson...I have now MET HANSON!

See...just look at how handsome they are! Okay, girls these are not the little boys that you remember from Middle of Nowhere, they are now men. Men who play great music, who are nerds about music, and who love their fans. My recommendation is you check out a few of their albums (my favorite is SHOUT IT OUT) and see for yourself. 

this guy....right here...

.the one on the left (not the crazy husband).

I'm SOOOOOOOOOO freakin' excited to see this guy today! 

Josiah has been one of my best friends for a long time,

actually all the way back to 8th grade honor pass, to be exact! 

Josiah has been part of the BIG things in my life, he was even our roommate when SHOAVE moved to Virginia. 

When Shoaved moved from Virginia to Australia in summer of 2011,

we had to say "see ya later" to Josiah. It has been since then that we have seen Josiah. 

THIS is FAR TO LONG...I can't wait for our reunion today!!

(even if it's only for a few hours)

We could maybe even have a spoof of the Cruel Intentions...

.friends.

This week has been really about FRIENDS (not the tv show..the real thing).  It's been about hanging out with them, talking for hours, helping one another out, jumping around like college kids at concerts, and even working out a bit. Every day time was spent with someone who means a lot to me! This is definitely something that doesn't happen all the time and I truly wished it did. This is one of the reasons why I have loved my last few weeks of unemployment..hee hee! 

I think we all get busy with life; working, running errands, spending time with partners, etc. We sometimes forget how important our friends and that we need to nurture those relationships as well. Our friendships are just important as our partnerships, friends are there through the thick and thin of everything (hopefully)! 

WHY is ZAC EFRON on the blog today?

because I have an awesome friend (not sure which one!) 

who taped it up to our living room window 

when I was out running.

He was a birthday wish...and it was granted!

.Snapshot Sunday.

Continuing with flashbacks this weekend...here is a picture from October 2007!

I'm super duper excited to see this lady today!

After living miles and miles and MILES apart..I finally live close enough to visit!

It's been far to long since we have been able to hang out

and just be our stupid selves! 

(oh my glasses...thank goodness I finally got some style)

.What I Want: Relationships.

September was my month to figure out who I wanted to be, October I worked on getting healthy and November is going to be all about working on relationships. I even have my playlist ready for the month with a friendship theme!

What I Want...Relationships:

• To be an engaged and active member of the community
• To continuously nurture and grow the relationships I have
• To be someone that is trusted and relied on
• For my love never to be doubted or questioned
• To find my "tribe"
• To be open to new experiences and new people
• To control my anger and not push others away
• To feel 100% comfortable with myself and with others
• To give love so deeply that it hurts at times
• To be vulnerable

My gansta wedding party

From the list above I am going to be focusing on: To Continuously Nurture & Grow the Friendships I Have. If you ask any of my friends you will find out that I am not the best person at keeping in contact with others. I don't call (.ever.), write emails, text..I always seem to get wrapped up in my own life and just assume my friends are also wrapped up in theirs, so I never put the effort in. But that needs to change because my friends are truly like family to me, they love me and accept me as I am...that is a HUGE thing and they deserve more love and respect from me.

I plan on doing this by:

• writing e-mails at least twice a month to say hi and check in!
• Sent surprise gifts or snail mail to let them know I have been thinking of them.
• Open myself up more/be more vulnerable with them...really tell them how I am doing and when I am struggling.
• express how I feel about our relationship and what it means to me
• build a relationship where we can challenge and hold each other accountable when needed
• be honest
• make time: friendships are as important as other relationships in my life

To be honest, I 'm really really excited about this month and working on my relationships! I know this is going to be both rewarding to me as well as the others I hope to reach out to! I will keep you updated on how things go during the month!

Does anyone else struggle with this?

How do you keep connected with friends?

November Mix Tape

Sometimes you just need to dance it out! Throw your head down, your arms out, and just move to the groove and the best people to do this with are your friends. This months theme is friendship and remembering all the good times I have had with my friends. This month I really want to work on reconnecting with my friends and building stronger relationships and I believe this mix will help me do just that!

1. Ready Fuels - Anberlin

2. The Call - Backstreet Boys

3. Irreplaceable - Beyonce

4. Sweet Dreams - Beyonce

5. The Curse of the Curves - Cute Is What We Aim For

6. Shake It - Metro Station

7. High of 75 - Relient K

8. Always and Forever - Good Charlotte

9. My Wish - Rascal Flat

10. All For You - Sister Hazel

11. Baby (feat. Ludacris) - Justin Beiber

12. Elephant Love Melody - Moulin Rouge Soundtrack

13. Mmmbop - Hanson

14. Tick Tock - Ke$ha

15. You Got It (Right Stuff) - New Kids On the Block

16. If Today Was Your Last Day - Nickelback

17. Here It Goes Again - Ok Go

18. The Only Difference Between Martyrdom and Suicide Is Press Coverage - Panic At the Disco

19. I Want You - Savage Garden

20. Taste of Ink - The Used

Even while listing the songs I did a little LOLing thinking of different memories!

Do you have any songs that remind you of a certain friend or memory? 

I would love to here about them!

 If you want to take a listen to the Mix Tape here you go:

ENJOY!

Reunited and it feels so good

So Dave and I have been in MN for about 4 days thus far and it feels great to be back. Nothing really beats on seeing your family, friends, and getting into the flow of never have been gone. It has been a year or so since I have been home, and then it was only for a few days for my cousin's wedding. But now we are here in MN for two whole weeks visiting everyone and saying our "See Ya Laters" before heading down under.

Saturday was the IMPACT (Innovative. Memoriable. Programming. Activities. for Campus. Togetherness. ( MSU's Program Board)) Reunion. We met for a picnic at the park near the college and had a great time eating tons of food and joking around like old times. Later that evening a few of met to go hit the town like to good ole days! There was drinking, laughing, running in the rain, feeling old in a college town, and dancing galore. I love my IMPACTers, they truly are my second family. I started becoming the woman I am when I was with these people and they love me for all that I am, that is true friendship.

Here are some pictures from our visit thus far:

Introducing: Malia Grace Mackie

Proud parents, my cousin Melissa and her husband Jeff!

IMPACT Reunion

ASA Pledge Class

E has a BABY!

.heart. blue bricks

President and VPs!

Brunch at Rounders!

leaving kato in our dust

Niece Kenzi and I at Minneopa Falls

Minneopa Falls

Dave and Kenz discussing the bobbing 'head'

.shoave.

4th grade Arbor Day tree in my grandma's yard

Niece Emma with Devil Dog their new puggle puppy, Oreo

Hope you had a great weekend!

What are you plans this week?

Check back later this week to see all the people and things we are doing while in MN!