Can't Steal Happiness.

I'm All Grown Up.

2011-11-26T01:36:00.000-08:00

Don't you worry, I'm alive! I'm now attending Brigham Young University and LOVING it! School is so fun. I kind of forgot what it was like to meet new people - considering I have lived in one town my entire life and I grew up with all of the same people! Don't get me wrong, it was the best time ever. But it's so fun being out here!

I love:

Mountains

Dorms

Campus

Friends

Sister

Family

Haha it's definitely a lot different being out here on my own, but I'm getting used to it and I love it! Can't wait to get back to good old Ohio though, it'll always be my homeeeeee :)

Happy Birthday Sister Bear.

2011-03-22T14:13:00.000-07:00

Yes! It's my big sister Ashley's birthday today. She's all grown up! I love her a lot. Here's why:

She's my best friend. Ashley is an awesome friend. She cares so much about all of her friends and she makes sure that everyone feels welcome. She always calls me just to see how I'm doing.

She is such a great example. To everyone she knows and meets. Seriously, I look up to her so much! I don't know anyone who doesn't see a light in that girl. She just sparkles!

She takes photo shoots with me. Ash is always willing to have a good time and most of the time every time with her is a fun time. Don't get mad at me guys, this is cheesy and I don't care.

She's cheetalicious. Ashley has set the bar high for the Eckel kids, and we couldn't have asked for a better oldest sibling. She made a good name for us. It's true!

I am so glad to call her my big sister. I love her to pieces and I am SO excited to live so close to her next year. It's been too long since we've lived in the same state! Ash, I love you so so so so much and I wish you the best 23rd birthday ever! You are the best big sister I could ever ask for.

Happy. Birthday. Cheetah.

Lalalalalala

2011-02-01T16:53:00.000-08:00

I just feel like singing. I don't know, it's weird, I don't even like to sing. ...yeah.

Anyways, the snow is seriously coming down. Like legit. Someone even created an event on facebook that said "Blizzard 2011." There was something like 3,000 people attending, and it was made like an hour ago. This is out of control! I am loving having this day off though haha and maybe even having another day off tomorrow! Wooohoooo! Senioritis is kicking in big time haha.

Lalalalala. Love life. And snow.

The Christmas lights are gone, but the Spirit is there Always.

2011-01-02T18:46:00.000-08:00

Christmas break was a success! It was great spending time with family, SKYPING with Austin (yes, we were that lucky!), and being with friends. I'm so happy to have the Spirit of Christmas in my life always!

2 more months till I see JD and Ash again :)

Whoa, We're Halfway There. Hi 2011.

2011-01-01T15:59:00.000-08:00

It's the end of first semester alreadyyyy! SO weird! Time is flying by! It's weird to think that 3 years ago, as a freshman, we thought 2011 was so far away, and it would be so funny to say we're graduating in "twenty eleven." Well peeeeps, it's here! Haha cheers to a new year and a new look on life!

Welcome 2011, we've been waiting for you :)

Friends

2010-12-23T13:18:00.001-08:00

are great.

Fam[ily].

2010-12-04T12:20:00.000-08:00

I love them. That's all.

Senior Rah, Senior Rah, Rah Rah SENIORS!

2010-09-12T11:19:00.000-07:00

Senior year has arrived! It is so awesome, everything I thought it would be and more! ...Alright it's only been 3 weeks. But they've been GREAT! Football season is kicking off and we're undefeated! Besides the fact that it's college application season, I'm pretty stress-free right now! Also, my Buckeyes are doing awesome, but what else is new?

Austin's been gone for a little under 2 months, but we hear from him every week! (If you want to read his letters, check this out! http://austinalbania.blogspot.com/ - my sister's blog she made for Austiboy's mission!) We sure do miss him, but he's doing so well and we know he's so happy!!

Wellllp, this year is going great. That is all.

We like football season.

Can't Steal Happiness

2010-08-08T18:43:00.000-07:00

I figured I might as well explain the theme of my blog haha. Happiness. It's great. Seriously, I am so grateful for everyone in my life. This is not gonna be corny, I promise haha. I was just thinking about how many things we take for granted in our lives, I mean seriously. My friends and family are the GREATEST! I love how little things happen that make a huge impact.

Ehemmm, for example. Last year, while EFY signups were going on, I wasn't quite sure how the whole roommate situation was going to work out. So I'm just facebooking (nothing new), and I get a message from this girl saying that her roommate plan didn't work out so maybe we should room together at EFY. I was thinking, "Yesssss! This is perfect." So, even though I didn't know her that well, we signed up. EFY rolled around, and we had the best time ever. This "girl" is my good friend MarLeice haha. (Alright, so maybe this is a little corny, WHATEVER PEOPLE! :) I can honestly say we have become such great friends haha. It's so crazy that something that wasn't even supposed to happen changed SO much!! Life is just grand. Sure, it throws some challenging stuff at you sometimes, but how boring would it be if everything was easy?! ...don't answer that. Haha.

p.s. I get to see MarLeice in t-minus 3 months! yesssss.

p.p.s. I know this sounds like I'm heading off to college or something, but don't worry folks! I'm only a senior, we've got a good year until the sappy posts start coming ;)

Goodbye Austin, Hello Elder Eckel!

2010-07-26T17:14:00.000-07:00

As many of you may already know, my brother was called to serve as a missionary of our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, in Albania. He will be spending the next 2 years of his life there! It's a big commitment but we're so excited for him. Here's a few pictures from the last day we got to spend with him before he left for the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah (where he will be learning the language and preparing to go to Albania).

a family picture with everyone!

me, Austin, and Ash!

All of the siblings!

our last picture for 2 years!

(not sure why this is underlined haha...)

Good luck, Austin! See you in 2012! :)

I Allllways Do This!

2010-07-26T16:39:00.000-07:00

Once again, I waited like 2 months to update and I have to cram all of my pictures into one post haha. I promise I will try not to do this anymore. Ughhhh well this is my summer so far. I would say summer 2010 is definitely one of the best yet.

HILTON HEAD ISLAND 2010

Night Swimming. Tradition.

Twinners.

EFY 2010.

I would say this is by far my favorite week of the year.

hold on, there's more!

2010-06-02T19:21:00.001-07:00

Okay so here come the prom pictures! Such a fun night with all the girllllsss! :)

sophie being my date until aaron got there haha

wonderful people.

hahaha my mother.

just a little car pic with the girls

me and evan at the dance!

me and my date aaron! :)

hello blog, sorry I left you for so long!

2010-06-02T18:52:00.000-07:00

Alrightttttt so a lot has happened! Sorry I've slacked off for so long! My life has been a little hectic, but no big deal. So here are some pictures from my birthday, SPRING BREAK, and the musical haha. Here's a little review of my life over the past 2 months, enjoy:

a few pictures from my birthday! so fun!

Alright, now the beloved spring break pictures. This is just a select few!

sweet sweet reunion.

friendship bracelets.

just having fun on the beach in Haiti! :)

Me and the boys! Marleice's brother and cousin haha so cute!

rockclimbing. on a cruiseship. our favorite pastime.

a picture from one of the formal nights!

Spring break was AMAZING! take me backkkk!

oh and by the way, get to see this lovely girl again in one month! :)

and now, the musical. don't be alarmed when you see the hair.

me and tay!

Christy and me!!

the boys and me!

SB.

2010-04-03T15:03:00.000-07:00

(First of all, yesterday was a greattttt birthday! Thanks to my big sister Ash who created a wonderful post about it haha LOVE YOU!)

It stands for spring break. I am so excited. I get to see my long lost friend MarLeice. It's been too long.

looooove.

Happy Birthday to the Greatest Sister Ever!

2010-03-22T17:42:00.000-07:00

So, it's Awesome Ashley's 22nd birthday. I'm just so excited. Here's why I love her:

5. She is just so classy.

But seriously folks.

4. She is very patient. She waited a whole two years for her man. That's love.

3. She is SO generous and giving.

She took a visit to Peru after her sophomore year at BYU

and totally made a difference in the Peruvian children's lives. Awesome girl.

2. Ashley is always happy!

Plus, she always seems to make it home for homecoming pictures! What an amazing sister!

1. She absolutely loves her family!

So even though some of these might seem like jokes, they're seriously all true! Ash, you're a great sister and HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I love you!!

La Primavera

2010-03-02T17:50:00.001-08:00

Springtime is coming! I can feel it in the air! Haha, but really. The snow is melting, and we have exactly one month till spring break, and then there's not much school left after spring break is over! And then summer, and then my first day of senior year, and then I graduate 9 months later. Wait, I'm getting a little bit ahead of myself. Back to March 2010. It is just wonderful.

Rach, Claire, Juan, and me last year. Can't wait for spring ayayayay!

Here's to enjoying Spring, warm weather, and sunshine.

Winta.

2010-02-23T15:54:00.000-08:00

So Winter Ball was this weekend! Here's some picsssssss!

Me and the gang!

All the ladies!

I'm not really that awkward. Candid.

Me and the best friend, Sophie!

...And that's about it.

Excitement.

2010-02-15T11:19:00.000-08:00

Two Words:

Spring Break.

Two More:

Eastern Caribbean.

Wait, two more:

April Fourth.

Last Ones:

46 Days.

Cozumel, Mexico, I will be in your presence soon enough. I know you missed me.

The Good 'Ol Cayman Islands. Can't wait to return.

Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Ah.

I can't wait to see what sun feels like again. I've missed it!

Here's to Love

2010-02-12T22:46:00.000-08:00

"The Dreaded Valentine's Day Post."

I have no problem with Valentine's Day, I think it's fun to see red and pink hearts everywhere and go into grocery stores with heart-shaped cookies on sale. My favorite colors happen to be red and pink, so I'm not complaining, I'm 16 years old for heaven's sake. So pleaseeeee, let's be happy this Valentine's Day, whether you have someone or not because guess what guys, there's someone out there for EVERYONE, so that's pretty cool.

Here's to finding, or just chilling out until you find, loveee :) hahaha

Eckel Family love.

2010-02-12T17:36:00.000-08:00

"Our siblings. They resemble us just enough to make all their differences confusing, and no matter what we choose to make of this, we are cast in relation to them our whole lives long."

-Susan Scarf Merrell

This is us. We're pretty normal.

Hello Winter Storm.

2010-02-10T11:01:00.000-08:00

So according to the weather channel, all of northwest Ohio is currently experiencing a "winter storm." And let me tell you, it's great. We didn't have school yesterday or today, and we have a 4 day weekend. I feel like this can't get any better. It was so good to sit and do nothing all day yesterday, with an exception of playing in the snow and making hot chocolate. Love it.

Our hot chocolateee

Snow time!

Channing Tatum + Amanda Seyfried = Love.

2010-02-06T16:47:00.000-08:00

So I saw the new movie "Dear John" (based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks) today and I absolutely loved it. Channing Tatum is definitely one of a kind. Love love love love love. Seriously, I recommend it 100 percent.

I probably wouldn't mind if he dated me, just a thought though.

67 Days.

2010-01-27T14:57:00.000-08:00

My issues right now:

1. It's probably not good that I'm already craving spring break, seeing that it's only the end of January.

2. It's really sad that I counted the days till spring break, that's 5 minutes of my life I will never get back.

3. I'm sickly pale and I'm having dreams of sun and warmth.

Oh wait, all of my problems have to do with spring break, great. I will be taking a little cruise down the Eastern Caribbean with some friends and I'm very impatient. April 4 could not come any sooner, I'm sure of it.

I. Need. Sun.

Hello World, I Still Exist!

2010-01-21T18:54:00.001-08:00

I'm such a slacker, I'm actually really disappointed with myself!

So much has happened since I last updated, obviously! Hilton Head, Efy, cheer camp, SCHOOL, football season, homecoming, spirit week, Halloween, Thanksgiving, my beautiful sister's WEDDING, Christmas, the New Year, need I go on? It's a little ridiculous. I promise I'll do better! Maybe a little recap of the last 7 months might help... Here it is ladies and gents!

(actually, I'm pretty sure just ladies.)

The beautiful Hilton Head Island. My home away from home!

My roommate and me! And some girls on game nightttt!

The first day of junior year! I CAN DRIVE TO SCHOOL!

Varisty squad!

An action shot! Loveee cheer!

Homecoming!

Powderpuff Champs!

Spirit week pictures! 80's day!

Costume day! RAWRRR!

Pajama dayyy!

Ashley's wedding! Newport Beach, California! Perfect!

Ahhhh so here's 7 months in a nutshell! I wish I could of been more patient to put more up! I just got done with semester exams, only 3 more semesters of high school left! Time flies!

Summer.

2009-06-07T17:34:00.000-07:00

So it's finally summer as of June 3, and let me tell you it feels great. Ash came home for Austin's graduation, and we've been having so much fun! Scootering, shopping, volleyball, photo shoots, sitting outside at night, and much more have occupied our nights for the past week. Here's some picturesss!

the fam at graduation!

volleyball!

scootering time!

Austin doing some tricks!

haha my turn!

Ash!

hahahah propell and gatorade!

our new vans! :)

a little picnik of all of our new shoes!

So this has been my summer so far! Can't wait for more to come!

School's Out, Scream and Shout!

2009-05-21T16:28:00.000-07:00

Yes, I most definitely did use High School Musical 2 lyrics for my post title. But anyway, school's almost over! Our last day is June 1, and then we have exams until the 4th. I am so ready for summer!

Here's some recent pictures from the musical, PROM, and some randoms! Hope you enjoy!:)

The parents and I after Grease!

Me dancing with Danny!

Haha Sandy and me.

Me and Hannah in choir!

again!:)

Me and Sal before prom!

Only a small portion of the group! Karl, Kristen, me, and Sal!

Ashley wanted to be there with us too!

Austin and me before prom!

Don't Worry, I'm Still Alive!

2009-04-17T17:24:00.000-07:00

Oh my gosh so it's been forever! I can't believe I have slacked off for this long! My apologies hahhah!

But I have some good news! I just got my braces off, and let me tell you, it feels great!

Kristen and me! My first picture without my braces on!

Aaaaaand I have some other great news! Our high school musical we're doing is next week! It's the production of "Grease" (hence our shirts in the picture). I'm in the chorus, and it's a blast. I can't wait until opening night!

Sorry I'm jumping around here, but I obviously have a lot to say considering it's been over 3 months since this little blog has been updated! Hahaha so spring break was last week. The Eckel Family decided to take a little cruise to the caribbean, and it was wonderful! Ashley joined us, and Austin brought a friend! It was great! Here are some pictures from spring break!

Me and Ash at the Cayman Islands!

The whole gang minus mom!

Ash and me before dinner!

Mother and me in Cozumel!

OCHO RIOS, JAMAICA!

It was reeeeally fun, and there a ton more pictures! I'll try to update more frequently with everything!

5 Day Weekend, Here I Come!

2009-01-15T14:33:00.000-08:00

So exams are over! Yes! I actually got done yesterday and I have a 5 day weekend! Tomorrow's teacher work day and Monday is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day so I'm ready to just relax! Haha I am so sick of studying!

So anyway, my friend Leah introduced me to the coolest way to curl your hair ever! She uses a skinny hair straightener to curl her hair, and it always looks so cute! So, I decided I would try it out. I'm not very good at it, but I'm progressing. Here's a picture of the wonderful straightener!

So I curled my hair today since I didn't have school and it doesn't look spectacular but it's a good start! Haha I realize how weird it is for people to put pictures up of themself - however, I felt it was necessary to have evidence of my hard work!

Snow Pictures!

2009-01-10T20:27:00.000-08:00

Haha Hannah's model picture.

Fierce Cheetahs

Sophie throwing snow on Hannah and me.

We love snow!

Hannah and me!

So these are some of the pictures my best friends and I took outside last night! We had so much fun. Also, notice our scarves! Haha we had our Christmas gift exchange and these were our wonderful gifts from Hannah!

Boo Exams.

2009-01-10T16:21:00.000-08:00

So yes, it's that wonderful time of year in high school when you get to take exams. Not only that, but with all of the tests crammed in at the end of the quarter and exams, I can't bear to study anymore. Yesterday I had this HUGE global studies test. Why make students take an end of the quarter test that's as big as the exam we're gonna have to take the next week? I don't know.

Anyway, I think I am experiencing my first blizzard. It's about 2 feet deep outside, and it hasn't stopped snowing since about 11 am yesterday. It's crazy! It's not a blizzard according to my mom (who lived through the Blizzard of '78, she says). But it's pretty insane to everyone else. So, I've been cooped up in my house all day because it's so dangerous to be on the roads. It's been pretty fun, not.

Well, this post has to end because you guessed it-I have to study. Woo hoo!

2009-01-05T15:54:00.001-08:00

And It Comes to a Close.

2009-01-04T15:36:00.001-08:00

Well, winter break 2008 was great. Shopping, gift exchanges, basketball games, cousins, family, and so much more made this break amazing!! We start school back up tomorrow, so now it's back to going to bed early, homework, and studying for tests, joy. I know I mentioned this in my last post, but the only thing that's keeping me upbeat is the game tomorrow! I can't wait!

And to add to the wonderful fact that we get to go back to school tomorrow, Ashley left today. And that means no more sleepovers, boo. I guess the next time we'll reunite will be in April for our cruise! No worries, it's only 3 months away.

P.S. Here's a cute quote I found today:

"The best way to prepare for life is to begin to live."

-Elbert Hubbarb

Let's Go BUCKS!

2009-01-03T11:43:00.000-08:00

Good evening! The big fiesta bowl is this Monday, and the Eckel family is getting pretty stoked I must say. I'm really hoping for a huge "W" on the charts, so we'll see what happens. I strongly dislike the Texas Longhorns, so I hope my buckeyes don't let me down.

Bring it on, orange.

The First Post!

2009-01-02T22:44:00.000-08:00

Well, I have to say Ashley inspired me to do this. Sooo I'm having a little bit of trouble with things to "blog" about. Ashley's inspiring words were as follows, "Just blog about what's in your mind, what's in your heart." This is coming from a girl who writes one blog each day, so we'll just see how this goes.

So, I'm a huge facebooker. Some may call me obsessed, and I'm okay with that. Ashley convinced me that I can have a blog as well, so I'm pretty excited about that!

So blogging world, here I come.