en mi corazon vivirás.

Because I love Spanish.  Because I love this song.  Because I love Tarzan.  And because I love Phil Collins.

the bradley fam.

David Bradley.  Drinks milk from the carton.  Loves his donuts.  Almost-advanced Spanish speaker.  Expert air-guitar player.  Ex-misionero.  Soccer player.  Ronaldo fan (for different reasons).  Freakin' hottie.  Muy inteligente.

Laura Bradley.  Luscious locks.  Heart-breaker.  MA's sista from anotha mista.  Fists of steel.  Españolablante.  Freakin' hottie.  Chem genius.  Exercise science major.  World traveler.  Pro Irish dancer.  Avid sports fan.

Matt Bradley.  Muy simpático.  Practically perfect in every way.  Soccer player.  Future misionero.  Intelligence beyond compare.  Chick magnet.  

techy.

I never thought I would break down, but the time has come.

I am getting a kindle.

I still don't know if it's totally worth it to buy an eBook reader when I could be working toward getting real books for my future library (it will happen) but I know it definitely will be worth it over Thanksgiving break and when I head to Peru next semester.  I now have a whole extra half of a suitcase that I can use for clothes that would have otherwise been used for books.  Thank you technology.

In other news.... well there really is none.  Let's be honest, my life isn't too exciting.  However, with the help of several ISys 201 TA's, I did complete my programming project and finally have a glimpse into what it's like to be a computer programmer like my dad.  Final conclusion: that is most definitely not what I want to do with my life.

halloween 2011.

So here's some insight into my life.


MA and I were walking home from the library Thursday night and it just so happened to be that time of month when every girl receives a monthly gift from her Aunt Flo.  We were talking about various problems that generally come with this gift (quite loudly, might I add.... sometimes we forget that we're not at home) when a boy walked right past us.  We looked at each other and just burst into giggles like twelve-year-old girls when he turned around and said, "Yep, I heard it!"  I expected him to just keep walking but he waited for us and we then proceeded to walk all the way down the ramp having a typical conversation.  And here's the best part: when we got to the bottom, he asked for our numbers and invited us to hang out with him and some friends the next night.  I don't think I have ever laughed so hard at such an awkward meeting.


In other news: we ran in the Provo Monster Mile & 5K on Saturday morning as Harry Potter and Hedwig.  We didn't win the costume contest (not that I'm bitter or anything...) but it was still fun.  

the burg.

"Idaho."
"Yes, you da ho."

"Michael-Ann, what was it that you said the other day that had me rolling on the floor laughing?"
"Rofling, perhaps?"

I think these two quotes accurately describe my weekend trip to Rexburg.  It was fun to be back with the whole family (and by "whole family" I mean the five people I toured all of Spain with).  The trip up and  back were just like old times--David and Michael-Ann driving each other crazy and Laura and I singing along to the tunes.  Oh and don't forget our family dinner: taste testing everyone's meals, struggling to split the check, and just enjoying each others company.

The whole weekend was pretty much just a fun excuse to hang out with each other and reminisce about our fun days traveling Europe.

Basically, I can't think of anything to blog about right now.  Except that I went to my first haunted maze this weekend (thank you Laura for holding my hand the entire time).  I was scared out of my wits.  I actually shed a tear when we got separated from Kailie and David.  And I almost peed my pants several times.  But it was definitely fun and got me in the Halloween spirit.

And I think I decided Idaho is actually a pretty nice place.  I mean, I would never live there and I'm glad I chose Provo over Rexburg (it's way too cold up there), but I actually kind of liked it.  I would go back to visit Kales.

my first encounter with the cops.

Picture this: it's raining outside, I'm walking up from the parking garage with my roommate (Michael-Ann, of course...see previous post) with a huge pile of clothes in my arms.  I walk up to my door to see a policewoman standing there.

Policewoman: Is this your apartment?

Me: Yes..

Her: I'm looking for a Luisa Chil.

Me: (heart drops to stomach) That would be me.

Her: The laptop you are currently in possession of is stolen property.

Me: (about to vomit) Um...what?

She went on to explain (quite menacingly) that my laptop had been stolen in 2008 and, because I took it to the bookstore to get fixed, Apple contacted the owner who then called the police who traced it back to me.

I explained to her that my mom had bought the computer for me from my sister before I left for Spain.  She kept asking me how my sister got the computer but I didn't know so finally I just asked if I could call her.  I've never dealt with a police officer before so I had no idea what was okay and what was going to get me in trouble.  I called my sister and got my brother-in-law.  He answered the phone and all I said was, "Sonny, there's a police officer at my apartment saying my computer was stolen..." and that's about when the tears came and I ended with, "I don't know what to do, please help me!"  I explained the situation to him and then just relinquished the phone so that he could explain to the officer that he bought the computer from Craigslist three years ago.

Anyway, I guess the officer finally came to the conclusion that we were both innocent, (as I am sitting in the zebra chair, crying) so she called the "victim" (personally, I think I am more the victim than this lady was), and told me I have until Wednesday to clear the computer and take it to the police station.  Oh, and might I add, I need a laptop for all of my classes (except this one...thanks Shayne!) so my dearest mother has just shipped her laptop to me express to get it by Wednesday.

I don't think I have ever experienced anything so scary as having a police officer at my door looking for me.  Needless to say, it's been a rough day.  But hey, at least I have something good to blog about this week.

meet MA Oslund

I don't like blogging.

So I have this new roomie.  Her name is Michael-Ann (boy's name, right?).  We have bought Dran-O three times in the last two weeks.  I don't sit on our floor anymore (she has really long hair).  She likes to do things on the internet under my name.  She says ROFL.  Her voice can reach decibel levels never before reached by mankind.  She has a smart mouth.

But she makes me cookies.  And meatball rolls (I know they sound gross, but I swear they're delicious).  By the way, meatball rolls consist of frozen meatballs and frozen rolls.  She can't cook.  And she almost just died in our room.  She is an amazing singer.  Her milkshake brings all the boys to the yard.

We've crossed the Atlantic ocean together.  And we've jumped out of a plane together.

Roomies para siempre.

   

the watter bottle.

This is an obituary for my old water bottle (may it rest in peace).

At the beginning of sophomore year, I went to Target in search of a water bottle.  After researching all my options, I chose a stainless steel bottle with a greenish tint, flowers on the outside, and a red lid that popped open with the click of a button.

May you rest in peace.

That water bottle has been with me through thick and thin.  It endured all of fall semester with me, chose to go on a study abroad with me, and traveled all through Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, and England with me.  I used that water bottle all summer.  It was perfect.  I never spilled when I was drinking from it (unless I was laughing).  It always kept my water nice and cold even after being in a hot car for a long time.  I love that water bottle.

And now I take you back to that fateful day: August 6, 2011, in the Atlanta airport.  I had accidentally left a tablespoon of water in my water bottle but failed to realize so until I went through security and they told me I had two options: empty the water bottle and go back through or throw it away.  Obviously, I wasn't going to throw away such a prized possession, so I went back, emptied the bottle, and proceeded through security.  I put the water bottle back in my backpack that was about to burst open because it was so full.  I got on the tram and headed toward my gate then headed to the bathroom to brush my teeth and wash my face (it was like six in the morning).  As I reached back to take a drink of water, my beloved water bottle was nowhere to be found.  I searched the whole bathroom and then backtracked all the way to the tram and found nothing.  I started panicking a little bit and tried to think if I had heard it fall out.  Nothing.  My precious water bottle that had been with me through so much was lost forever.  I almost cried.

Creating new memories with the Camelbak.

Anyway, I have since purchased a new water bottle that I am satisfied with.  It's a purple camelbak--BPA free.  But nothing will ever quite compare to the experiences I shared with that perfect first water bottle.

because it's an assignment.

I keep procrastinating writing on my blog and it's becoming a problem.  The truth is, I just can't think of anything to write.  My life hasn't been too interesting lately.

My roommate has been out of town all weekend.

BYU lost the game (miserably).

I thoroughly embarrassed myself in front of my entire class.

I have done little to no homework this weekend.

I just really want to move to Peru and escape the awful winter that is soon coming.

My parents have bought their tickets to come for Christmas.

But overall, I am happy.

I was reading the Ensign today and came across an excellent article about missionary work.  It inspired me.  My favorite part was this quote by President Thomas S. Monson:

"Some of you may be shy by nature or consider yourselves inadequate to respond affirmatively to the call to serve.  Remember that this is the Lord's work, and when we are on the Lord's errand, we are entitled to the Lord's help.  The Lord will shape the back to bear the burden placed upon it."

Happy Sunday!

decisions, decisions.

As most of you already know, I just got back from a study abroad in Spain this April.  I had the best semester of my life this past winter living in Spain and traveling to France, Portugal, Italy, and England.  I came back to Provo grudgingly but prepared to take on the next two years in Provo until I graduate and am home free.

But after visiting with my director from Spain the other day, I may have revamped my life plan yet again.

First of all, I decided that I think I want to go on to get an MPA.  I had never even considered graduate school before now.  I just wanted to get my Bachelor's degree and be done with school forever.  But then I realized that I will still be young when I graduate so why not keep trying to get as much education as I can?  Plus, I don't really know how to live my life without school, so I kind of want to prolong it as long as I can.  And on top of all that, an MPA will help me take my business degree and channel it toward something more productive than looking good on a financial statement.

The second thing I discovered is BYU's student exchange program.  The Marriott School has a program through which you directly enroll in a business school in a different country and live there for a semester or two.  And here's the best part - the only extra costs are for airfare and visas.  Aside from that, I just have to pay BYU tuition, food, and housing.  So, needless to say, I have been unable to focus on my classes this week because all I can think about is moving to my grandparents' house in Peru or creating a whole new life for myself in Portugal.  I really just don't think I was ever meant to stay in one place for too long.  But if it means I get to live in a different country again, I think I'll take it.

mockingbird.

So remember how my last post was all about how I can't write so I let others more talented than myself do all the writing for me?  Funny how things work out.  I have now been given the assignment by my M Com 320 professor to not only blog every week but also to "tweet" on a regular basis.  Hopefully this won't be too bad of an assignment.

To begin with, I'll just make it known to the entire blogosphere: my favorite book of all time is To Kill A Mockingbird.  I'm reading it right now for the millionth time and it just gets better each time.  I love reading about life in the 60s from the perspective of a young girl such as Scout.  I love reading about the adventures of Scout, Jem, and Dill and comparing them to my own adventures from when I was a child.  Basically, just everything about this book makes me happy and I am very emotionally attached to it.

Okay, that's about all I have to say for tonight.  Till next time!

a little girl with great big plans.

So part of me wanted to write out a super long blog post about my life as of late.  But then I realized that it would end up getting too personal and I'm not very good at talking about my feelings on life with my friends let alone the blogosphere.  So I decided to get some professional help from some people you may have heard of: Taylor Swift,  Missy Higgins, James Morrison, Adele ... just to name a few.  I spilled my guts and told them everything on my mind and they kindly put my feelings to words and music.  Thank you Heavenly Father for giving these people such amazing talent.

Jar of Hearts - Christina Perri

Someone Like you - Adele

Love is Hard - James Morrison

Whole Wide World - Mindy Gledhill

Words I Couldn't Say - Rascal Flatts

Where I Stood - Missy Higgins (I swear, this song is on every playlist I ever make)

Daughters - John Mayer

Wonderful - Everclear

Mean - Taylor Swift

Never Grow Up - Taylor Swift

Enchanted - Taylor Swift

Let It Be - The Beatles

izzer bizzers.

One year ago today my beautiful baby niece was born at 3 in the morning!  I still remember when my sister called to tell me she was preggers.  I screamed so loud I'm pretty sure all of Heritage Halls heard my excitement.  Even though I don't get to see her very often, our whole family has been so blessed by this beautiful little girl.  She has us all wrapped around her tiny fingers and I don't think I've ever met a human being more loved than this gorgeous girl.  So happy birthday Isabel, your Tia loves you!

Izzy Bellies at Christmas.  She was so tiny!

Izzer Bizzers

Izzy Bizzy Pumpkin Butt

I <3 this little girl.

madness.

Today at the mall, a lady in line asked my mom what school I go to.  My mom explained that I go to school  in Utah... because I am in college.  I met her shocked look and said, "I know I don't look it, but it's the truth."  She looked at me and said in her southern accent, "Well I thought for sure you were goin' into the eighth grade or somethin."  Thanks, Lady.  Thanks.

But little does she know, not only am I no longer in middle school but in twenty-eight days I will be starting my third fall semester at BYU.  I am officially an upperclassman.  

I'm registered for seventeen credits: one spanish class, five business classes, and an on-campus internship.  On top of all that, I am going to be a peer mentor (slash TA) for a freshman student development class.

And crazy as it sounds... I can't wait to start!

I miss school.  I miss studying.  I miss the library.  I miss doing something important.  I miss challenging myself.

So, even though in twenty-eight days I will become an anti-social, all I have to say is: bring it on.

And to all my friends: We have just a few weeks left.  Once this semester starts, I will see you in December... after finals.

...

Sometimes things just don't work out the way you were expecting.

Actually, in my world, things usually do work out the way I expected... just not the way I wanted.

But I just need to always remember that there will be sunshine after the rain, light after the darkness, and peace after the turmoil.

"Everything will be okay in the end.  If it's not okay, it's not the end."

harry potter business.

Well, today is the day we have all been waiting for.  7/15/2011


Today is the day the final Harry Potter movie was released.
Megan and I went and watched it last night and it was amazing.  I cried several times.
I jumped on the Harry Potter bandwagon very, very late... as in just last summer.  But I LOVE it just as much as those who have grown up with Harry.  I'm just glad I got to be there for the final midnight showing, to witness my absolute favorite line, delivered by Mrs. Weasley, and to see my imagination come to life on the big screen.  And I would publicly like to thank my best friend Emily Baer and my other best friend and sister Sharyl Evans for loaning me books, getting excited with me, and introducing me to Harry Potter in the first place.

Also, may I just say... I have always loved Neville Longbottom.  Since the first book, I have loved him.  I love his quirkiness, his story, his bravery, and his clumsiness.  And after seeing this photo... I have a new celebrity crush.  Marry me, Matthew Lewis.

And finally, I just found out that I have been accepted to the Marriott School of Management at BYU!

Which, to me, is almost as cool as Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.  I have been stressing about this for so long.  It is the biggest relief to know that all my hard work, all my tears and frustrations with TA's, all my "sorry, I can't... I have to study"s have paid off.  I am finally, officially, a business major.  Here's my proof:

Congratulations! You have been recommended for admission to the Marriott School of Management for Fall 2011. We commend you for your fine academic performance and look forward to your scholastic contribution to the program.

And I couldn't be happier.  <3

if i die young.

Well, two days ago I celebrated my first birthday away from home.  My family has never been very big on celebrating birthdays so I wasn't really worried about missing anything.  But the one tradition my mom has always kept is waking me up at six in the morning to wish me happy birthday and tell me how much she loves me (because it was 6:00 in Florida when I was born in Sweden).


Anyways, on my birthday, at six a.m., I woke up to Emily jumping on my bed, wishing me happy birthday.  She had driven all the way down from Aspen Grove to take me to breakfast!  Isn't she the best?  I seriously LOVE her.  So I was just telling her how funny it was that she came at six right when my mom called me to tell me happy birthday at precisely 6:05 a.m.  Thanks, Mom, for keeping the tradition alive.  And thanks also to Marissa & Karen for waking up at such a ridiculous hour to come with me to breakfast.


Actually, I would like to give a special shout out to Marissa Lang for being my friend, taking me shopping, teaching me the Hannah Montana dance, and treating me like a princess on my birthday.  


I had a a great first "independent" birthday with my friends and a special thanks to all my friends and family who called me from all over the world to wish me happy birthday and sent me birthday cards and packages.  I less than three all of you!  <3

bedridden.

Currently on my mind:

Umcka: The best medicine out there.  Not only does it taste good (yes, I am seven years old) but it also works like a charm!  And I'm sick so I could really use some of this right now.  Except I can't actually get myself out the door to buy it.

Harry Potter: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part 2) comes out on July 15th, 2011...IN LESS THAN ONE MONTH.  Midnight showing, here I come!

Joshua Radin: I love basically every song I've ever heard by this guy.  And I think I have a crush on him...

Isabel: I absolutely LOVE this little girl.  And I cannot wait to go to Georgia for her first birthday in August!

Spain: Well, Spain is always on my mind but right now it's mainly this beautiful girl Fabiola.  I miss her so much and I'm so glad I got to talk to her today!  

These Songs:

If I Die Young - The Band Perry

Follow Through - Gavin DeGraw

More Than Anyone - Gavin DeGraw

You Got Growing Up to Do - Joshua Radin

Chasing Pavements - Adele

Hold On - Michael Buble

spring term has officially been sucker-punched.

I WIN.  I just finished my last Spring final today and I can now say that Spring Term 2011 has officially been dominated by none other than yours truly.

For those of you who don't know (I've been trying keep it a secret) I had to retake Econ 110 this term.  I was not at all excited to retake it but it had to be done for me to have a chance at getting into the Business School (please, please, please, please accept me!)  
Anyway, I took my final yesterday, and with some divine intervention... I killed it!  I seriously was so happy, I don't think you even understand!  For two semesters, that class has made me cry, lose sleep, pushed me to my breaking point, caused me to throw things, hit things (sometimes people...), wish death upon my TA's, and scream in frustration.  But it has finally been dominated by moi!  What.  A.  Relief.  


It's kind of weird to go about my daily life without the constant worrying and drawing supply and demand curves with my hair in the shower or with my hands on the way to school.  But it feels soooo good to defeat that class and accomplish my goal.  I am so grateful for all the prayers said for me by friends and family and for my Heavenly Father who loves me SO much to understand how important this was to me.

And let me tell you, yesterday was such a beautiful day.  The blessings just kept on coming, one right after another.  I won't go into detail, but Heavenly Father knows me and loves me and understands what's important to me and for that I am so so so so thankful!


Loving life right now  =)

back from the dead.

Oh heyyy.

So I've decided to try my hand at this blogging business again.  I was pretty good at it when I was in SPAIN, but that's mostly because my life was a lot more interesting then.


But this week, my life just got a bit interesting again.  It's my finals week and this week I'm nannying for three adorable little boys who I already love.

Here are a few of the phrases I've heard most over the past few days:
"But mommy says..." or "Mommy lets me..."
"Bang, you're dead!"
"Nooooo!!!!!"
"But I want..." 

According to Truman, I am a master paper-airplane maker.  In fact, my paper airplane is so good that he doesn't want to take it outside for fear that he will lose it when it flies itself into the neighbor's yard. 


Confession: I am loving playing mommy.  I love the goodnight hugs and kisses, the early morning wake-up calls, and the constant begging to play army men and guns.  And I love the counting down to play hide and seek...."Nine, two, one, ready or not here I come!"

Less than three.