Apartment Hunting...and yes, it felt like hunting!

Cory and I found a place to live! I could not be more relieved. Here is a little run-down of how our apartment hunting went.
I scoured ksl.com and other online sites to find appropriate appartments in our price range. Then I transferred each apartment/house to a 3x5 notecard complete with a section for ratings. Ratings would go from 1-5 in the areas of location, kitchen, bathroom, cost and overall. I sorted these notecards by zipcode and address to make our hunting easier. Then we had to wait until a weekend when the weather wasn't awful to drive around the Salt Lake valley.

So finally the weekend came. Cory had to go to a service project for a class so we decided that I would take the west side of the valley and look at apartments there. Ugh, how awful. First off, I am so spoiled living in Logan. My apartment is huge considering what I pay for it, which is very reasonable! So in looking at all the other places the only thing that kept running through my head was too small, too expensive, too grimy, bad location. I'm so picky. The only place I really liked was in subsidised housing and because I have a degree and a full time job and Cory works too, we make too much money to live there.

Cory finished up at the project and I picked him up to continue looking. We searched downtown, Sugarhouse and Midvale. Nothing I liked. One place smelt so badly of cat pee I thought I would die. Another place that was okay on price and location was so tiny! I felt very dejected. Cory was sweet and let me pick where we had lunch so we went to my favorite--Paradise Bakery! After my favorite salad and a sandwich and, I admit, two cookies, I was ready to go again. No luck.

My dad had heard of a condominium that would be for rent soon through one of his employees. We called the guy but didn't hear back. Finally, we gave up. We decided to try again once the wedding was closer. But I was so stressed out about it. I wanted a for sure place to live so I didn't feel like I was in limbo. We went back to Cory's house. Then Cory's phone rang. It was the landlord for the condo. He and Cory talked for a good 10 minutes and we decided to go over and see the apartment (my dad had given us the wrong address before). When we walked in, it felt perfect! Good sized family room, the kitchen wasn't too small. There was room for a stacking washer/dryer, 2 beds 2 baths and a little balcony. And best of all, the current tennant was moving out May 15 so we could move in two weeks later.

Cory and I loved it, but we decided to say a prayer to make sure this was the place for us. We drove back to his house, got on our knees and Cory prayed. We received the confirmation that this was the place for us. Cory called the landlord and he said the place was ours! No crazy applications or background checks since he knows my dad!

I am so relieved! The location is great, Cory can get to the U in 20 minutes and it's central enough for wherever I get a job (that's the next big stressor!). Now it's all in the waiting, and packing. Yuck.

Engagment Pictures

Wow! It has been crazy since Cory and I got engaged. Wedding plans are going so well! We're having a CARNIVAL instead of a reception which is super exciting! Cotton candy, bounce houses, popcorn and other carnival games!

I just got our engagement photos so I thought I'd post some. We took them at Lagoon which was such a fun experience. We took pictures in the morning and rode rides all afternoon!

June 11, 2011

I'M GETTING MARRIED! On June 11, 2011, I get to marry Cory Robinson in the Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple. I am so excited I cannot even stand it! We are having a carnival celebration instead of a reception so that means no dressing up and boring lines! We're having cotton candy and popcorn and BOUNCE HOUSES! It is going to be amazing! Cory and I have known each other for 2 1/2 years, but started dating more seriously in December. I am so in love with him and have been blown away by my feelings for him! Cory picked out the ring all on his own--here's a picture!

December-January

I am such a horrible blogger. The holidays screwed me all up. Here are the updates-Reader's Digest version:

1. Thanksgiving was held at my house this year. Well, let me rephrase that--we had Thanksgiving at my APARTMENT. Everything went well except for me getting bronchitis and having to go to the hospital Thanksgiving morning.

2. December flew by with me being packed at school and getting ready for Christmas. Santa was good to me this year and brought me a new luggage set. It's so cute and is perfect for my travelling needs.

3. I loved spending time with my family over Christmas but it was really hard to be away from my grandparents. Luckily we got to talk with them over Skype. It was hard not to be able to give them a hug but we had a good time talking. They even sent us presents from Cambodia! I got a beautiful purple silk purse!

4. For New Year's, my cousin Jordan and his wife came over and we made candy sushi and watched a movie. Here's a picture of our super cute sushi.

5. I was able to go ice fishing with some friends. I was the first one to catch a fish! :-) It was freezing but really fun. And I brought a date which was even better!

Catch Up

So I haven't blogged since September. I'm a slacker. So here's the readers digest version.

1. Got a calling in church. I'm one of the ward organists. I love Sunday callings.

2. I went sky diving. Yes, sky diving. Falling 120 miles per hour--AMAZING!

3. School is crazy, but it's better than being bored with my job.

4. Halloween! I was Kat Von D. Smokin' hot if I say so myself. Ha ha!

5. I love spending time with my sister! Favorite night this last few months was the night when we went to the store and bought whatever we wanted and ate it all for dinner. Bacon, cinnamon rolls, garlic bread, lemondade/pepsi, apples and dip. Sounds gross but was delicious!

6. I caught up with an old friend that I haven't seen in 7 years! It was really nice!

Following the leader

So I decided to take my good friend Blake's advice and write myself an encouragement letter. I'm hoping it inspires some of you to do the same; it seems to be quite insightful. Here it goes:

Dear McKenzie Rae:

Congratulations! You have made some great strides this last month. You started back to school and didn't cry for a whole two weeks! You're eating more fruits and veggies and trying to cut out the sweets. Way to go on deciding to go sky diving and inviting a cute boy to go with you to boot!

For the next month, get back into the exercising mode. You loved doing that this summer and although school is crazy, take some time for you. Get involved in your ward and try to be friendly. Also, READ YOUR SCRIPTURES EVERY DAY!! No excuses. Cut back on the TV.

Don't be so hard on yourself. Take everything one day at a time and rejoice in the good moments. Laugh. A lot. Don't forget to email grandma & grandpa to tell them how much you love them and send them pictures! Save your money for Cambodia and New Zealand.

Keep thinking about grad school. Make some plans but don't be afraid to change them. Never pass up an opportunity.

Text Morgan funny quotes and Blake horrible fashion mistakes and always call your mom with the funny things your students say.
Love, me.

My Five

So my family has this quirk. We each have a list. This list contains five people that we can abandon all morals for. Inappropriate, maybe. Hillarious, yes. I was talking to my sister last night, discussing our "five," and I thought, I should share this. It's funny, it's odd, it reveals a lot about me. So here it is:

The first man on my list will ALWAYS be number one. While others may float in and out of the rankings, Michael Vartan will always hold me in his grasp. No questions. Want to know why?

Yum. I'm thinking about becoming a Mets fan just because of this picture.

Man number two, Jensen Ackles. Supernatural is a great show because of his smokin' bod and great wit. He makes my heart burn. And no, it's not indegestion.David Boreanaz is beautiful. I watch Bones reruns just to watch him. I'll admit, I've even watched a few episodes of 'Angel' just to stare at him.

Next: Cory Monteith. So hot. Amazing voice. Great story.

And last but not least, Joel McHale. He's hilarious and he's sexy. If you haven't seen Community, you should watch it. The Soup is also a personal fav.

That's it. Those are the men I am enamored with. Infatuation doesn't even describe it. So now I ask you, who are your five?