The Eighth Wonder of the World

Otherwise known as, Sliding Rock.

At least to the community surrounding Alpine.

For all my life I have heard about The Magnificent, The Beautiful, "Sliding Rock".

It's in my backyard but I've never been! This week was my chance. Not only Sliding Rock, but, glowing-with-candles-and-glow-sticks Sliding Rock. It had an eerie/romantic effect.

In the words of The Bachelorette "Sliding Rock(or insert place here) is the perfect place to fall in love!".

Ha. It was enchanting.

The pictures don't really capture the "romantic" environment, and the CERTAINLY don't capture the COLD.

I couldn't speak, or move, or think after I was plunged into that freezing mountain run-off. Survival instincts kick in. It was hilarious to see everyone scamper out of the pool.

That splash of water? That's me. :)

Climbing up the treacherous cliff to get to the nature-made slide. This was the scariest part in my opinion. 

So fun to do with friends. And a warm burrito afterwards helps a lot. 

Now all I have left to do in Utah is the Grand Canyon! ;)

Three Dreams Minus One Plus Another.

I was almost invited to sing with a Jazz quartet today...

That was until they realized I was going to be in Europe when they performed.




WHY ARE TWO OF MY DREAMS CLASHING RIGHT NOW?!

Also.

I've been at rehearsals the past two days. Singing until my voice hurts. The songs are beautiful. The people are talented. I've made a couple new friends. I'm exhausted. But SO ready to see the world. I'm already packed. My plane leaves in 4 1/2 days.

Here I come London, Paris, Venice, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, and Lichtenstein.

Shelby Alyse Frampton is on her way.

(Hey. Hey you. Remember how I'm a HARRY POTTER FANATIC. I get to go to King's Cross. AND Diagon Alley! WOO WOO!) 


(Oh also. My THIRD dream is to see Phantom of The Opera. I'm seeing it. IN THE LONDON THEATRE)

(Now I'm just REALLY getting pumped!)

(I guess Phantom is my Fourth dream because boarding Platform 9 3/4 is my third)

(LOOK OUT EUROPE!)

A Tale of Two Bunnies

Once upon a time there was a girl named Shelby.

She came home one night and
THIS:

Awaited her in the kitchen. 

To find out who the mysterious pursuer could be, she read swiftly through a clever poem (something about a bunny getting it's eggs stolen. She wasn't really sure what it said....she was too excited to open the eggs)

She opened the eggs and what to her wondering eyes did appear,

"Will You Go To Prom With Me?"

CHRISTIAN.

"REALLY?! ME?! NO WAY! WOOHOO! YIPEE! THAT WOULD BE SO MUCH FUN!"
(Most of the excitement coming from the Starburst ;)

The next day she thought long and hard how to answer. There's no way to top flowers, chocolate eggs, a stuffed bunny, and a witty poem.


Then it came to her.


She waited patiently at her door for her little sister to arrive. As soon as she did she gave her the biggest hug and asked her for the HUGEST favor.

This is what came of it:

Isn't she the best?

"I was Hoppin' you'd ask!" (Clever, I know)

Asia practicing her "hop". We found out hopping with lots of light Easter eggs doesn't turn out too well...

As Asia turned around and hopped out of sight....TA-DA! The answer: YES! (For some reason Asia thought this was the most ingenious thing to do)

(Asia had no knowledge these pictures were taken... Don't tell her please. I just HAD TO. I HAD TO! They are priceless. No offense meant. Let's just say the outfit was a tinsy winsy bit too small. As long as she didn't "hop" away too enthusiastically, I think it'll be alright) 

I can't wait

Food! GLORIOUS FOOD! (04)

Day 04: What you ate today

Once upon a time there was a beautiful baby girl. Born with moonlight on her golden hair she was the jewel of her parents' eyes...

Alright, you caught me. You've heard this story.

Well. This story has a sequel.
An alternate ending...if you will.
Let me refresh your mind.

Flowery meadows. Beautiful blossoming girl. She loved food. Jealousy. Unknown-hated-hidden-allergies. Blood-passing-out. Waiting. MILK. GLUTEN. EGGS. Denial. Fight. Scorn. Family disease. Unknown-hated-hidden-allergies laughter. SHE WILL CONQUER. She starves and dies.

A SHELBY STORY II (alternate take)

Once upon a time there was a beautiful baby girl. Born with moonlight on her golden hair she was the jewel of her parents' eyes. She rapidly grew up to be a senior. At the begining of the year Unknown-hated-hidden-allergies visited her and broke the news: she was allergic to gluten, milk, and eggs! She didn't know if she could ever survive again. All she could eat was corn chips and air(and muddie buddies). She did fight. Hard. And she conquered. UNTIL! She found out celiac's disease runs in her family. (Patience is a virtue, my friends: this is where it changes)

Her and her loving mother were worried. She went off gluten, milk, and eggs for a short period of time so that they could figure out how to eventually vanquish the Unknown-Hated-Hidden-Allergies.

She went to the doctor.

He took her blood.

She DIDN'T pass out!

She was put on some medication.

She got a horrible allergic reaction.

She itched herself so much she bruised.

She was put on steriods.

She feels a little weird...

But MUCH better.

And then guess what happens, my friends?

THE TEST RESULTS FROM THE DOCTOR CAME BACK.

Beautiful, lovely, blossoming, womanly, Shelby is NOT a celiac!

AHHHH AHH!!!!! AH! AH!!!!! AH!!!! AH AH AH AH !!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOOO! YIPPEEE!!!! YAHOO! YES. Food. Glorious food.

Confession: I am Shelby. Shocker, huh?

So guess what I have been eating? Rolls. Burritos. Bagel Bites. NORMAL cereal! Cake. Pasta. Cookies!

Ok....so not the healiest diet. But give me a break here? Too much doctors and sickness and emotions and only eating air has put me on a stress high. So I am splurging. But, no worries. I will begin eating healthy again...tomorrow.

All of you who thought writing about what you ate on this Day 04 of the fun-but-kind-of-lame-still-have-mixed-feelings thirty day challenge...you were WRONG!

I'm not a celiac!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOHOO!

Hopefully the desperation and excitement in this picture gives you a slight idea of my joy


Day 04: COMPLETED

Before and After

BEFORE
5:15 Made Won-Tons with Anna
6:00 Carlie comes over!
7:00 New Years Party. Hot chocolate and starburst.
7:30 I play with my food and create Harry Potter with Anna. Even signed with red just like Bob Ross!

8:00 I Swing around on this ladder in Brynne's library. I could not feet more like Belle--and life couldn't get better.

9:00 I am once again with Hannah.
10:00 Different New Years Party! Catch Phrase. Grapes.
11:00 Imaginiff...
11:45 Oh oh oh! 2011 is almost upon us. Finish up our "lasts". A few examples:

"Last text in 2010!"

"Last pretend murder in 2010!"

"Last hug in 2010!"

"Last scripture quoted in 2010!"

"Last time being tickled in 2010!"

"Last popping-a-grape in my mouth in 2010!"

"Last make-shift dance party in 2010!"

It seems to go like that each year...

Then. Suspense builds. We scream and yell and countdown and run around in circles and go outside in bare feet and watch our cellphones until we see the long-waited 12:00am... I always feel like I don't really know how to approach a new year. With gratitude: Yes. With remembrance and memories and nostalgia, almost? I don't know. Or maybe excitement and anticipation and looking forward to new adventures to come. Definitely both. I have been looking forward to 2011 ever since I entered Preschool. GRADUATION YEAR. How crazy is that? So. All these thoughts rush into my head the second before the clock turns and a new beginning...begins.

12:00 Then FIREWORKS... 

AFTER
...And screaming and yelling and dancing around in bare feet on the back porch on ice and running around in circles and wishing everyone near-by "HAPPY NEW YEAR!" Then we start our "firsts". A few examples:

"First broken necklace in 2011!"

"First picture taken in 2011!"

"First uncorked bottle in 2011!"

"First dog pile in 2011!"

"First received call in 2011!"

"First wink in 2011!"

"First cheesy smile in 2011!"

1:00 The funny thing about these firsts and lasts is that they really probably aren't the first and last. For instance: you know the whole kiss at midnight tradition right when the new year comes? I bet every lovey couple out there thinks they are the first people to kiss in the new year. Special right? But every other couple is doing the same thing! So they probably aren't the first. Or they just tied with a million other couples in one massive kiss-moment around the world! I guess that's kind of cool...

2:00 Anyway. I've always thought New Years Eve was a little anti-climatic (maybe it's because I don't drink?). Stay up all night and then in one second it's over. But it always makes for good times I suppose. And there is one thing about the New Year that is a WONDERFUL tradition. That is goal setting.

2:54 So here I am almost three in the morning; not wanting to go to bed until I have declared my goals. Setting them would be a good place to start...

Here goes.

1) Be more selfless

2) Keep the Spirit with me ALWAYS

3) Get good grades-4.0 would be nice.

4) Be more understanding and sensitive to the feelings of others

5) Sing AMAZINGLY PERFECT at Carnegie Hall

6) Pay off New York and Europe and save for College-be VERY frugal

7) Exercise and be fit

8) At college--stay strong. Embrace change.

9) Make a special effort to be kind to my mom

10) Make someone feel loved every day

I am satisfied. That is a good start.

3:03 Fewf! Goodnight. And Happy New Year :)

'Twas Two Nights Before Christmas

Twas two nights before Christmas, when driving down the road

No creatures were stirring, not even a toad.

The fog was hanging all around in the air,

And we decided St Nicholas should soon be there.

Our friends were playing-all jolly and fun,

While we thought in awe at what had to be done.

And Hannah in her boots, and I in my sweats,

Gave ourselves plenty of time—there was no need to fret.

We gathered our things to complete this grand plan,

Christmas music, a full tank of gas, and the attitude of a man.

The very same Santa Claus-who visited us each year

couldn’t we do the same? With a wheel we would steer.

Our plan was in execution. We knew what to do

Just like St. Nick we’d deliver gifts to our friends, family, and you.

All around the world in one night with gifts and with love-

Couldn’t we do the same to our cities below and above?

With me as the driver, so lively and quick,

We knew if we tried we’d be done in a jiff.

More rapid than eagles we sped down the streets,

And we ran, and delivered, and turned on the heat!

"Now Cedar Hills! now, Highland! now, Provo and Orem!

To Springville! To, Draper! To even South Jordan!

To the top of the state! We will skip over the mall!

Now hurry! Hurry! We must deliver them ALL!"

We drove as dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When we met with an obstacle, mount to the sky.

So up to the houses the coursers we flew,

With the car full of gifts, impersonating Santa too.

And when, in a twinkling, one house was complete

We would feel all a flutter and go to the next street.

Feeling giddy and excited as another gift was given

We felt just like Santa! (maybe a little less driven...)

We imagined us like Santa, dressed from his head to his foot,

And his clothes are all tarnished with ashes and soot.

A bundle of Toys he has flung on his back,

And he looks like a peddler, opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkle! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks are like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth drawn up like a bow,

And the beard of his chin is as white as the snow.

He brings cheer all around with his face full of joy

We wanted to do the same to every good girl and boy.

We drove and drove-it went on for hours!

We started to worry when it showed midnight on the clock-tower!

“We haven’t even done half!” Hannah cried in despair,

And I laughed and said “well, there’s always next year!

Or even tomorrow. Or even next week,

Giving gifts doesn’t end when the clock chimes creak.

We can give all year ‘round and feel like Santa every day!”

And as we contemplated this idea—Hannah said “OK”.

So we went on home and met our curfew,

Going to bed and feeling refreshed and anew!

In the morning we started again--finishing our one great goal

What could be better than giving, and giving more!

In giddiness we exclaimed as we drove out of sight,

"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

Being Santa Claus is not as easy as it may seem... It's actually quite impossible. But feeling even a little bit like Santa giving gifts and being jolly and secretive--that is fun. That's why we have Santa Claus. To show how joyful it can be to be selfless and give and love.

It's Christmas Eve.

You know what that means...

Santa is COMING!!!

And I'm sure he will do a better job than Hannah and I and reach every person all around the world.

Tomorrow everyone will be with their families and feel the love of Christ and the joy of Christmas.

Thank you Santa.

I promise I've been good.

I'll see you tonight?

MERRY CHRISTMAS!