tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22711047112455918032024-03-18T21:42:58.939-07:00Meraki[may-rah-kee] adj. Doing something with soul, creativity, or love; putting something of yourself into what you’re doingAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772790864832816652noreply@blogger.comBlogger127125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271104711245591803.post-50375549305834481242015-07-18T11:58:00.001-07:002015-07-18T11:58:28.780-07:00The week from H-E-double-hockey-sticks...Enclosed are a myriad of gifs that I feel scratch only the surface of how my week at work went:<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-U1MF-s_t1tfCiziAK_fKpb7Xvhh8nb3u-MUkGnZeJUxkQ1fcdezZ4ByHngmou4Jq9QzUX7xMz0M5A914a3DpbFytbOsD2_AysmYy5Un_WUT5paNBZ7ikHRWA65wIoqETWHkF_657NC3h/s1600/GOING+HAM+ON+THE+LAPTOP.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-U1MF-s_t1tfCiziAK_fKpb7Xvhh8nb3u-MUkGnZeJUxkQ1fcdezZ4ByHngmou4Jq9QzUX7xMz0M5A914a3DpbFytbOsD2_AysmYy5Un_WUT5paNBZ7ikHRWA65wIoqETWHkF_657NC3h/s320/GOING+HAM+ON+THE+LAPTOP.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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Overall, pretty dang crappy. Many many tears were shed and my coping mechanism took the form of a sarcastic monster. But I am sending a resounding MUCHAS GRACIAS into the Ether to my favorite chat-pal. Without you, I would have gone down in flames on Day 1. </div>
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And I get to see my family in a week, so things are looking up :)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772790864832816652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271104711245591803.post-11325811244373766042014-11-13T21:16:00.000-08:002014-11-13T21:16:44.817-08:00Magazines and Other ThingsFor my English class (of all classes...) I have to create a magazine spread about the topic that I have spent my entire semester researching. I have written about this topic in every context and form you can think of. I've chosen parental responsiveness and its effects on attachment and later prosocial behaviors. Super interesting, by the way. And very handy for real life! Anywho. I have started putting together this spread. As I love design, I've already created the layout and I haven't even started the writing the article yet! It's a work in progress, but I'm getting rather proud of it. Just wanted to show you all a little glimpse of what I have been working on! <div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpxp9eH-48UsDSH8oWZkZp3ROHFtiOf2yKBMMg8pwnf0Siwi9Jrid5ZAh_oVi9UxshhxbsgxsGJf-wLPTQ0mY6nAfptqTuheK8HqlTM_C172-mvFyZcOY03MFcA0JxIZnjAsDdwQSXbn3n/s1600/magazinespread.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpxp9eH-48UsDSH8oWZkZp3ROHFtiOf2yKBMMg8pwnf0Siwi9Jrid5ZAh_oVi9UxshhxbsgxsGJf-wLPTQ0mY6nAfptqTuheK8HqlTM_C172-mvFyZcOY03MFcA0JxIZnjAsDdwQSXbn3n/s640/magazinespread.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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That image is blurry... Sorry about that. But I think it is really coming along nicely. Still need to add a couple call-outs in the circle at the bottom and at the top of the right page, as well as, you know, my actual text... But hey! I'm a fan so far. </div>
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In other news, I have a professor who is really trying to convince me to go to Grad School... The only problem is that I hate research and that is all you ever do when getting a Masters in my field. As a sort of compromise, I have agreed to do research with him this next semester. I think he is hoping that it will be a gateway drug to convince me to apply for the program, but we'll see. Technically I will already have graduated, but that doesn't really matter apparently! </div>
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So here's to continuing education, I suppose! </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772790864832816652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271104711245591803.post-78804796047042934652014-09-28T11:25:00.000-07:002014-09-28T11:25:14.411-07:00DesignTo those who have not given up on me through my hiatus from blogging, I thank you. I have found that I am THE <i>worst </i>at keeping in touch or writing things down. An optimist would say that I am living in the moment, but I'm afraid that just isn't good enough. It just doesn't do anyone any good. <div>
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Over the last year, I've really grown to recognize my love for design. I'm drawn to things that are aesthetically pleasing. I love interior design and graphic design most of all. If I could decorate homes for a living, I would. If I could dress sets for a theatre every day of my life, I would. If I could create branding and logos for companies all the live long day, I <i>would. </i>I love bringing elements together that create a beautiful whole. I love knick-knacks and old things. I love fonts and graphics. I love color schemes and office supplies. I love it all! </div>
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I tell myself that if I could go back and start school over again, I would do graphic design. Unfortunately, I'm afraid I'm lying to myself. I'm not confident enough in my abilities to throw myself into such a competitive field... But I keep finding my thoughts drawn to design. So, I'm looking for an outlet. I decorate my own home and luckily I get to do a little graphic design for my job. But I wanted to try my hand at some other things as well. So yesterday I threw together some images. Nothing awesome, nothing that even takes skill. But I loved it! So I thought I'd share with you guys. Don't judge haha</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772790864832816652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271104711245591803.post-70970791761399441182013-08-09T18:50:00.001-07:002013-08-09T18:50:33.158-07:00CharityIt wasn't anything huge, but it keeps coming back to my mind and I smile every time I think about it.<br />
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Today I was sitting in my wee little cubicle (typing that out it looks like it reminds me of icicles... like ice cubes and icicles combined! Those would hurt... And I digress...) doing a project that my supervisor had assigned me. I was pretty content with my life because special projects make me feel special! And I didn't have to be on the phones while I was doing it so it was great. I had my headset on, listening to some awesome possum music while I mundanely typed a bunch of numbers into Excel.<br />
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Whilst I was doing so, some of the new trainees walked past me on their way out the door. They had finished for the day and were heading back home to enjoy their afternoons, or whatever was left of them. Let me describe for you the average person that works here: young adult, usually students. Most of us are young and single, engaged or newly married. If you are older than 30, it is just barely and you have a young family, but that is pretty rare. Most of us pretty much fit into the same category, which makes for a lively office. I find it so interesting to watch all the training groups coming in and seeing the new personalities that are being brought to the company. It surprises me every time who gets hired, and yet everyone somehow seems to belong once they get on the phones.<br />
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This time I was doubly surprised however. In this current training group, there is a very.. I don't want to say old, but he is quite aged, man. He has tiny hearing aids in his ears, only visible if you look closely. His hair is all white, but neatly combed despite the fact that he is thinning out. He stoops over a little bit, but not much. He walks slowly, and carries a briefcase with him to work. At first I was very skeptical, wondering if he could even hear the people on the phones. He sat in the cubicle next to mine one day while he was shadowing my co-worker. He sat hunched in his chair with his hands pressing his headset closer to his ears so he could hear. My skepticism continued until he spun around in his chair to face me in order to make a joke about the last call he had listened to.<br />
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He has the sweetest face, his wrinkles marking every smile, laugh and good time he ever had in his life. His eyes sparkled as he joked around and his mouth broke into a little grin. There was no trace of being old, except for the slight crack in his voice. He wasn't slow of speech, he could remember things very well and could hear us perfectly fine. I didn't worry about him after that. I didn't even really give him a second thought, until he walked past my desk today.<br />
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Briefcase in hand, he slowly walked past on his way out. Before we left however, he stopped at my coworker's desk, the one he had shadowed, to ask her how she was doing. I don't know what it was, but a sudden wave of love for this man came over me. He wasn't even doing anything but being himself, but I just wanted to hug him and tell him he was great and that I admired the kind of person he was. I started tearing up people, that's how strong this was! I got a little taste of how Heavenly Father feels for each of us. Unconditional love. No reason, no earning it, just there. And I am so grateful that I could feel that for just a moment for one of my brothers. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772790864832816652noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271104711245591803.post-60843541184603348932013-07-14T04:40:00.001-07:002013-07-14T04:40:20.698-07:00Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm sure all my avid readers (Mom and Joe) really want to know what I've been up to, so here is a little update :) What have I been doing you may ask?<br />
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Nothing. A fat lot of nothing.<br />
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Life is pretty simple here - I wake up, I go to work, I come home and I sleep. Same old same old, day in and day out. Wahoo! So exciting, right?<br />
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Right.<br />
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The thing is, I like routine, I don't mind it at all! I also thought that I would like an office job, and maybe that is still true, but answering phones is definitely not what I had in mind I don't think. Give me some memos to type up, have me organize stuff, I'm great at that! But I have a hard time convincing myself that I love answering the phones when people just yell at me and there is legitimately nothing I can do for them, which is the majority of the time here.<br />
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Don't get me wrong, I love talking to the nice people! That's just fine and dandy. I don't hate my job, I just hate parts of my job... That's okay, right?<br />
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The worst really is Sunday mornings though, bright and early. I don't even know why they need me here because no one ever calls. It is dead as a doornail and there are three people manning the phones. If I fell asleep at my desk, would anyone notice? No. Shhhhhh, don't tell anyone!<br />
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In other news, today is actually the last day that I have to do this 5am shift! They are taking me off Sundays starting next week, and I will work Saturdays instead. Huzzah!! I cannot even tell you how excited I am :) <br />
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I also have been painting a globe! I tried to tell my mother about this, but I don't think she really knew what I was talking about... It sounds kind of crazy now that I think about it. Who has even really owned a globe in real life? Like no one. So I could understand her confusion. Mine will look something like this:<br />
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But mine is black and it doesn't say "this" it says "Adventure is out there!". It is turning out a lot better than I thought it would! I'm pretty excited. I'll post a picture when I'm done. I just bought some paint and brushes and I'm free-styling the rest so cross your fingers it works. My OCD kicks in whenever I do crafts though and it is bad because it <i>has </i>to be perfect, which makes things very difficult.<br />
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So that is pretty much all that is going down up in here. Nothing too exciting or extravagant. Just the quiet life for me! weeeeeeeeeeeee <br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772790864832816652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271104711245591803.post-691311624185144452013-06-16T04:47:00.000-07:002013-06-16T04:47:15.204-07:00Gradumicated. Can we please talk about something for a minute?<br />
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My sister just graduated from high school. Yeah. That's weird.<br />
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I look at the pictures of the whole event and I still don't believe it. It doesn't seem real! She keeps telling me she is "going away to school", that she "has to register for classes", that she's all "grown up" and I'm over here like "uh-uh sister! (literally) I don't think so! You must stay perpetually in high school forever by royal decree."<br />
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Is that fair of me? No.<br />
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But it would still be nice...<br />
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There is something scary to me about the thought of my younger siblings growing up and leaving home and being adults and stuff. Why? I don't know. It's not like it makes me that much older, I'm still <i>pretty </i>young over here. It's not like I think they aren't going to be able to take care of themselves because I'm sure they'll be just fine. It's not like by them going away to college it really affects my life <i>whatsoever</i> since I don't see them ever anyways!<br />
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I don't know what it is! But I think I am in denial about the whole situation. It weirds me out. But I need to learn to accept it because just a hop, skip and a jump down a couple months she'll be leaving home. Little Broski is going to be an only child! Weird...<br />
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I'm so proud of my sister for accomplishing what she has. She is an amazing girl and I can't wait to see what she does with herself :)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772790864832816652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271104711245591803.post-71914166524033665672013-06-02T04:15:00.001-07:002013-06-02T04:15:05.931-07:00Sunday, Sunday, Sunday!!(to be read in a big trucker, announcer voice)<br />
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Well, here we are again folks! Round two of the early Sunday shift! There is some sort of adrenaline rush I get from getting up early before the sun and getting ready before anyone else is up and driving away into the dark night. BUT it has to be early <i>enough</i> because 7 o' clock? Not early enough to give me the rush but still way to early to be awake in my opinion. Same with 6 o' clock and almooossttt 5 o' clock. That is pushing it. But anything before then, there is definitely that excitement of "oh this is new! I have to be real quiet! I'm like a spy..." kind of a feeling.<br />
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I blame this feeling on the many times that we would get up early to go on car trips and whatnot not. Those were the best days because we would get up super early, everyone would be <i>freezing</i> because we were used to our warm beds and then were thrown out into the blistering cold nights (it wasn't really that bad... it just felt like it) whereupon I remember much shivering was done. But it was exhilerating because we were going on a car trip! We were going somewhere new! Somewhere fun and different and exciting! And so now, when I get up early early to go somewhere, I get the same feeling, like wherever I'm going is exciting and the rest of the world is missing out on this wonderful secret because they are asleep so I alone get to enjoy it.<br />
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Until I realize I am going to work, at which point I realize that the rest of the world has got it right and I should have stayed in bed. <br />
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But you know? Sometimes these mornings are still my favorite, even if I'm not excited about where I'm going. I can't help it! Family vacations were my favorite thing growing up! We took so many car trips, we had the system worked down to a science. Boys in the back, wherein much gaming and contortion-izing occurs; girls in the captain seats, with pillows up against each of the windows for numerous naps; snacks at the foot of the girls, accessible without too much trouble by all except the boys (mwahaha); random stuff shoved between the middle seats for extra storage and all items meant for entertainment (that the children hadn't already packed in their individual backpacks) were located by the foot of the passenger seat where my mother could distribute them as she pleased. <br />
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Every car trip now, we immediately fall into this routine, no matter how old we are. It took us a while to figure it out, especially because the boys couldn't accept their fate of being in the back seat every time. But they figured it out eventually :)<br />
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I miss those days. I'm afraid it might not happen ever again.. With Cam and I off to school and Laura too in the fall, we are all over the place and not together enough to all get in the same car and go! Even this summer, if we do end up going on a certain vacation (that I'm pretty excited about if it works out...), Cam and I will be coming from school and meet our family there so it won't even be the same! But I'm grateful for the memories and the times we were able to all cram into our van. I'm grateful for the experiences that brought us closer together as a family, both emotionally and proximity wise (I'm telling you, sometimes there is just not enough breathing room in there!). Those trips will always have a very special place in my heart. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772790864832816652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271104711245591803.post-87113090208988046452013-05-26T05:07:00.000-07:002013-05-26T05:07:27.634-07:00Tall, Dark and SleepyAs most of you know, since I know you in real life (what? since when...), I recently started a new job! I now work for Property Solutions. Now this sounds big and intimidating as I've been told, but let me just tell you - it is.<br />
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But what is even better is that it is not at the same time! There are 5 values here at PSI, ones that I feel have been branded into everyone's brains to the point where people actually follow them! Crazy! They are:<br />
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1. Talk to Me Goose.<br />
2. Be Excellent to Each Other <br />
3. Business in the Front, Party in the Back<br />
4. Be the Real Deal<br />
5. Be the Joneses<br />
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And there are a bunch of really dorky training videos and whatnot on these that are actually pretty hilarious because, well, we are hilarious. I love this company, and I will tell you why.<br />
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Business in the Front, Party in the Back.<br />
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It is legitimately a party here every day. It isn't the office atmosphere that you would expect, at. all. We play games, we joke around, we win prizes, we watch youtube the majority of our days. It's great!<br />
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And it gets better. There is a kitchen here that is fully stocked with food. And I can eat all that I want. All of it. All the food. That I want. This morning I had oatmeal and pudding. Who does that? Me. Because I can.<br />
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Which brings me to my next point - why I am even here this early to be able to partake of the pudding and oatmeal I just mentioned? It is because I have the early morning Sunday shift. That's right folks, I work at 5 in the morning every Sunday until noon when I get to go to church. Icky? Yes. BUT. No one calls that early in the morning. No one in the right mind is <i>awake </i>that early in the morning! I was the only bloomin' person on the roads on my way here. It was rather eery... And while I'm talking about it, let me just say that going 25mph that early when no one else is around, you feel like a speed demon! I don't think I drove the speed limit the entire way here because that felt like <i>far </i>too fast.<br />
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But as I was saying - the great thing about working this early is that I have nothing to do, so I have no excuse not to blog. So from now on, till I get switched off this shift, you can expect a blog post on Sunday mornings to wake up to cheerily at 11:30 when the rest of the world wakes up. Enjoy. And I'm going to eat more pudding. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772790864832816652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271104711245591803.post-38294044315449964292013-05-26T04:53:00.004-07:002013-05-26T04:53:53.078-07:00On.. Moments. "What?"<br />
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"She's alive?!"<br />
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"I thought she'd been killed or kidnapped a long time ago!" (let's be honest, bad things happen to Amanda's in the news recently... It is plausible!)<br />
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I know these are the exact thoughts that ran through your head as you saw that there was a new blog post from me. Or you did not see that there was a blog post and you merely stumbled upon this unintentionally, in which case I'm glad you are here and I am just fine, as you, an accidental visitor, would expect. <br />
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As much as I would like to say that nothing has been going on to explain why I haven't updated <i>anyone </i>in my life, that is not quite true. Quite a bit has gone on since I last blogged. But alas, my memory is much too short to be able to recall it all. Honestly, it's a lot of grown up stuff! Stuff I wasn't quite prepared to take on as I desperately held on to being fed and taken care of instead of paying thousands (okay, exaggerating... it's only hundreds.) of bills and being up to my eyeballs in major life decisions. <br />
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Life is tough, man. Making decisions is hard, man. Being grown up is the worst, man!<br />
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But you know? There are things that make it worth it. And I consider myself so blessed to be able to go through this point in my life surrounded by those who support me, who tell me they love me, that I can do anything hard and that they are proud of who I'm becoming. You know how I feel after those conversations? Like I should be wearing a cape.<br />
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Because you know what? They're right! I <i>can </i>do this. I <i>can </i>make the right decisions. I <i>can </i>be the kind of person that I want to be and I <i>can </i>do what I want to do. There has never been a time when I wasn't able to make due. There has never ever been a point in my life when I didn't have everything that I needed. There has never been a time when I was not able to, eventually, get what I desired, as long as I was patient and willing to work for it.<br />
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There are moments when things seem overwhelming. Believe me, I have been there for a good solid couple weeks. There are times when you just want to crawl under a rock, eat delicious food that you don't own, and never ever emerge again unless someone pays you truck-fulls of money. I. Have. Been. There.<br />
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There are times where you just want to sell everything you own because then you would have the money to pay for school and whatever else you want until you realize that you would have to buy all the stuff you sold back in order to make what you want to buy relevant and then you find yourself in an endless cycle of buying and selling and that's just ridiculous. That's what some people call "a pickle".<br />
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And there are times when all you want, the only thing in the whole world that you could ever desire, is to go home. To not be on your own anymore. To not have to figure things out by yourself. To be surrounded by people who know what in the heck they are doing and can help you carry what you feel so incapable of carrying by yourself. To know that, no matter how you mess up or can't seem to do what is needed, you have someone(s) to fall back on who will never give up on you or tell you you are not worth it. To have someone there who you don't have to pretend you are alright with, who you don't have to be strong for, who already knows your best and worst so there is nothing to hide.<br />
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And you know? As much as I hate those moments... when they are over, I could not be more grateful for them. Those moments are the moments that you realize what you are capable of. When those moments have passed and you have overcome what you thought was impossible. When all the problems have been taken care of (till new ones pop up...) and all the worries settled, you look back and think "I did that." "That wasn't so bad" (even though it was!). And suddenly, you have a new trophy to add to your shelf - "Tough as Nails Trophy". "I'm a Big Girl Now Trophy". "I Can Do Whatever the Heck I Want Because I Just Got Through That Trophy". Suddenly, you are a new person with new limitations (or lack thereof) who is stronger than you thought, greater than you thought, and awesome-er than you thought.<br />
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<i>Those </i>are the moments we should be looking for, searching for, <i>working </i>for. Those post-trauma moments. Those "how in the name of all that is good did I do that" moments. Those wonderful "and I thought I was great before" moments. Push through those icky moments to reach these moments and it will all be worth it.<br />
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I promise. <br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772790864832816652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271104711245591803.post-56016094834434595332013-02-23T15:49:00.001-08:002013-02-23T15:49:12.398-08:00All I want. <br />
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I am not an outdoors-y person. In fact, I would much rather stay inside on any given day, watching a movie - cozy, comfortable, not wind-swept... But today? Today I want to be in the forest. I want to be out in the middle of the world's beauty, admiring all that this world has to offer. Somewhere quiet, somewhere peaceful, somewhere where the atmosphere almost sparks, where my thoughts can run wild, where I don't have to think about school or people or the future. Somewhere still. </div>
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I want a blanket, I want a forest, and I want my thoughts. That's all I want right now. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772790864832816652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271104711245591803.post-25204151917928276472013-02-23T14:42:00.002-08:002013-02-23T14:42:51.318-08:00<div style="text-align: center;">
This is just too good not to share!!</div>
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="480" src="http://www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=598657223495353" width="854"></iframe>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772790864832816652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271104711245591803.post-6860589100450779762013-02-23T02:30:00.000-08:002013-02-23T15:21:27.750-08:00Le Futuuuurreee... Dun dun duunnnn!!!!I haven't been blogging, and it is quite honestly because I have been on overload mode. I have this terrible habit of biting off more than I can chew and I had to let something go! And that something was this blog, I'm very sorry. But a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. Now I'm back (for today, I'm not making any promises for here on out), to tell you about my life. Try not to get to excited... Because I'm excited enough for the all of us!!<br />
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I have been really struggling to figure out what in the name of all that is delicious I am going to do with my life. I decided my major because I knew I wanted to work with non-profit organizations that work with orphans institutionalized internationally. I didn't even know if that was a real thing! I wasn't sure if it was a possibility or if I was pursuing something that was unattainable.<br />
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And then recently, all these opportunities and changes have been popping up! My school is opening up a program in the fall that is called The Academy, which will, if I'm accepted, make me super competitive when applying for graduate school because I'll be taking graduate level classes as an undergrad. "But do I want to go to graduate school?" I asked myself. Who knows! "Is the Academy even going to prepare me to go into what I want to go into?" "Do I really want to put up with the research that is involved with The Academy? You know you hate research..." I told myself. I also learned about another program that is being started here that will allow me to graduate with my Child Life Specialist Certificate. What is that you may ask? Basically, a Child Life Specialist works in hospitals as an advocate between kids and doctors, making sure that they get everything that they need, are comfortable and understanding what is going on and making the surgery or treatment experience go over as smooth and un-traumatic (is that even a word?) as possible. What is so exciting about that possibility is that I can go right into the work force with my undergrad rather than going on to get a master's like I thought I was going to have to do, no matter what career I went into. "But do I want to work in hospitals?" I asked myself. I don't know. Or do I want to major in Human Development and Minor in Psychology with the possibility of going on to get my Master's in Child Psychology and then work with kids with mental disabilities? That was another possibility for a while.<br />
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So. Many. Choices. I had no idea where I was going, what I wanted to do, if I was even going to be able to do what I wanted to do. Quite honestly, I just want a family. I've never wanted a career, I've never wanted to work. But here I am, trying to figure out what I'm going to do with my life, as if my future family isn't in the picture. It's hard for me! At the same time, I want to do everything. I want to do the Academy, the CLS Certificate, my minor and work three jobs! Ain't nobody got time for that! And yet, I sit here trying to figure out how I can fit it all in with my schedule.<br />
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But guys. I've finally figured it out.<br />
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I'm going to pursue the Child Life Specialist option. I am going to do the Academy as well, if I can get in. I'm going to intern at the hospital to see if that is the environment that I really want to be in and get my name out there and make some friends. I am going to try to TA and work for another professor of mine to network and make as many friends within the department as I can to get references and whatnot because it is all about who you know. I will also be paired with one of my professors to do some research and hopefully get my work published in a journal (which means I need to figure out something to research...). I will graduate with the Graduate level classes under my belt and I will go right into my career as a Specialist. After a couple years, I will go back to school (potentially) to get my Master's in Human Development, so I can move up the ladder of success in my profession. Somewhere in there I will have a family I'm hoping... If so, when my kids are all grown up and moved out, I will have the experience and the education that would be required to work with non-profit organizations and do what I have wanted to do all along. It's a long term plan, but I am super stoked about it all! I hope it works!!<br />
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What's even better: you know how I was saying that I didn't know if an organization even existed that did what I wanted to do with orphans? Well, yesterday I found them. It's called One Heart Bulgaria, and they are PERFECT. They do everything that I wanted to do. And, what's even better, is that they have an internship program! I can INTERN WITH THEM!! Which is necessary for me to graduate anyway! I am so freaking excited right now.<br />
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Everything seems to be falling into place. I am going to be able to do everything that I want to do, and I don't have to justify any of it because it all has a purpose! It is going to be a lot of work, and I am still trying to figure out the schedule of it all. It pushes back my graduation by a bit... Without any of the extra stuff and just doing the classes for my major, I could graduate next summer... But you know what, I'm not in the big of a hurry to get out of this place, and if it means that I can graduate with that many more doors open to me than if I didn't pursue this course, then it is worth it to me. Who knows where I am going to end up, or what I'm going to be doing, but this way I can leave here knowing there is nothing more I could have done to prepare myself for the adventures ahead.<br />
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Bring it on, world. Bring it on.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772790864832816652noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271104711245591803.post-25721261657058331302012-10-06T13:25:00.002-07:002013-01-21T16:35:12.971-08:00NineteenToday I was just minding my own business, watching General Conference, Saturday morning, no big deal. I was laughing it up with my roommates when the prophet starts talking. At first we weren't listening because he was just welcoming everyone and whatnot, nothing really life-changing.<br />
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Wrong.<br />
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President Monson, this morning, announced that they were lowering the age that missionaries are allowed to submit their papers and go out into the field. Boys are now allowed to serve at age 18 and girls can go out at 19.<br />
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19!!! That's two whole years earlier than they were allowed to before.<br />
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Suddenly, my apartment exploded. We all started talking at the same time, freaking. out. Whitney and Kyle, who wanted to go on a mission anyway could all of a sudden go next semester! My other roommates started wondering if this is what they are supposed to do and if they should put in their papers. Everyone around me is talking about how they are going to go on a mission, as early as Christmas.<br />
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And then there was me. I knew, as soon as he said that we could go at 19 that, even though it was exciting, it wasn't what I was supposed to do. I was supposed to stay here, do school and go to Romania. I know for a fact that that is what I'm supposed to do, but I was freaking out on all of their behalves.<br />
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And then it started sinking in. All of my roommates are leaving, going around the world and I am going to stay here. I'm being left behind.<br />
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Not that I'm upset about not going. Quite honestly, I know I am supposed to be here and I'm not even angry at the slightest that I have to stay here. But when I realized that I would be here at BYU without them, I knew that I needed new roommates and that was not okay with me.<br />
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These girls mean the world to me, and I'm not really sure how I am going to be able to survive without them. New roommates - great. I love new friends! But it won't be the same and I know I'm going to miss every single one of them.<br />
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This change in missionary age changes so much, and it means wonderful things for the members of the church. No longer do the girls have to worry about deciding between getting married and serving a mission because now they can do both easily. Boys don't have to decide about going to school or waiting and going on their mission. Now they can go right out of high school and not have that headache.<br />
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Guys, I know it sounds funny or weird or whatever, but I legitimately believe that the Second Coming is on its way. The Lord needs more missionaries, which is why this is happening. Now is the time to be preparing for what is to come and for sharing the Gospel with those around us. I know this is true, and I know that my roommates are doing the right thing, but I am going to miss them.<br />
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But they are doing what they need to, and I am doing what I need to. Our paths may be branching apart, but we are doing what's best :)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772790864832816652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271104711245591803.post-9970402478592123412012-09-09T19:54:00.002-07:002012-09-09T19:54:22.372-07:00I don't even know where to startI haven't blogged in forever, SO much has happened and there is no way I'm going to be able to remember it all. <div>
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But quite frankly, I don't even really want to talk about that all! Not that I'm not enjoying every second of it, but I have something very specific that I want to write about. (this is going to be long, I'm sorry)</div>
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My major. </div>
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Guys, I love my major. LOVE it. Not because of the classes I have to take because quite honestly, so far, Human Development (the class) has been extremely boring. But I will tell you why I love it so much. </div>
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I have never been passionate about anything but music for as long as I can remember. I have no desire to teach, I don't want to work in an office, I don't want to create a business or save lives in a hospital. None of that has ever appealed to me and I have never had even the thought to go into those fields. But I always thought that that is where I would end up anyway. Going into school, I thought for sure that I would end up getting a degree in something or other that I don't really enjoy but is practical. Something significant to the world, but not to me. </div>
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I've never had the desire to change the world. Here, I am surrounded by people who have huge dreams, who are surrounded by stress and pressure trying to achieve their goals. I guess I've just never dreamed big enough for them to scare me. </div>
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I don't want to change the world. But I don't want to change <i>someone's </i>world. </div>
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So here I am, trying to decide what to major in, what to do with my life - and then it hits me. </div>
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I love people. I'm <i>passionate </i>about people. Communication, getting to know them, helping them. I love it. I love children. I love working with them, taking care of them, learning about them and how they think and work. I'm fascinated with the mind, with why we think what we think, <i>how </i>we can think what we think, what makes us tick. </div>
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So I went into Human Development, to get to the bottom of how we all... happened.</div>
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My second day in my human development class confirmed that this is what I want to do, that this is what I <i>need </i>to do.</div>
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What really cinched it was the movie we watched about the Romanian orphans. There are 100's of 1,000's of orphans in institutions across Romania because their dictator made it a law that those who have less then five kids in their family get taxed heavily. So the people had children, and then gave them back to the state because they couldn't afford them. This has all been kept under wraps, but this video was able to get in and show the world. These children, without the proper care, attention and affection they need, are not developing the way that they should. They are in buildings being looked after by people who don't know how to take care of them. Many of them haven't left their cribs in <i>eleven years. </i>Because of this, they have stopped growing. Their bodies shut down. They may be eleven, but they look like they are three. They sit in their cribs sucking their thumbs, rocking back and forth because it is the only stimulus they have ever known.<i> </i>They don't know how to talk, they don't know how to walk, most of them don't know what a friend is. Things that we take for granted like motor skills, these children lack. They are deformed, they are underdeveloped and they are sad. </div>
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I cried through that whole movie. </div>
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And then my professor said since the discovery of this situation, BYU has started an internship where they send students over to Romania to work with the orphanages, to help this kids. They spend just 45 minutes a day with each kid, holding them, talking to them, teaching them to walk, <i>helping them</i>. These kids just need a hug, to know that someone loves them and is there for them. Someone to show them what to do, what it means to be human because so far they've been treated like animals. </div>
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I can be that person. I can be the one to tell those children what they are worth, what they mean to me and to their Heavenly Father. </div>
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I may not change the world, but I sure as heck can change their's. </div>
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<i>This </i>is what I want to do. <i>This </i>is what is important to me. Helping kids so that they can live in this world the way they are meant to.</div>
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So yes, if I can help it, I will be going to Romania next winter with the BYU internship. And yes, I will change their worlds. Because I can, because I have been blessed with the ability, because they need me. </div>
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I've finally found purpose. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772790864832816652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271104711245591803.post-59734240321897338342012-08-27T06:50:00.001-07:002012-09-15T21:18:24.758-07:00Back to SchoolToday it begins!!<br />
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Classes start up again and I'm having mixed feelings about it. Just thinking about going to class gives me little butterflies in my stomach, which is silly because it's nothing I haven't done before. I mean, seriously! But meeting new people, learning new things, finding classrooms in buildings that make no sense, all of it is exciting but nerve racking at the same time. Will I be able to handle my work load? Will I be outgoing enough to sit by new people and talk to them? Only time will tell!<br />
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But I've moved into my new apartment, and it's super cute! It wasn't when we got here, it was actually a dump... But I absolutely love it now :)<br />
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Of course my roommates are super duper amazing, as usual, and our newest addition, Kyle (because we lost Kim... :( ) fits right in! She is really nice and adorable. </div>
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Yesterday was our first Sunday with our new ward and it was kiiiiind of weird, but that's just because we don't know anyone yet! It's always like this. Everyone seems really nice though so I'll be social in no time! </div>
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Can't wait for this year, it's going to be a good one, I just know it :)</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772790864832816652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271104711245591803.post-81464434143243998962012-08-20T07:06:00.004-07:002012-09-15T21:18:36.455-07:00I've figured it out<div style="text-align: center;">
This must be why I had such a hard time picking a major!!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772790864832816652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271104711245591803.post-46229037919477079682012-08-19T21:50:00.003-07:002012-09-15T21:19:04.557-07:00It's the deep thoughts that make life worth it<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yesterday, I went to the Brigham City Temple Open House, and let me just tell you, that place is beautiful. Of course, my favorite part was the chandeliers. C'mon people, I like sparkles!</div>
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I don't have much to say, it was gorgeous, as was expected. It amazes me the details that go into those wonderful buildings. I feel so blessed to be in a place where the temple is never more than 20 minutes away. To be in the same country, let alone state, is an amazing blessing that I will never take for granted. </div>
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My favorite moment in the temple however was walking through the Celestial room. There were four kids walking behind me who had down syndrome. One boy has so handicapped that he could not walk and was being pushed in a wheelchair. He could not even speak, he just moaned the entire time. </div>
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I walked into that beautiful, peaceful room, admired the tables and chairs, the chandeliers, the details on the walls, and I read the sign that read "the celestial room represents the peace that will be found in the presence of God" (or something to that effect). My thoughts: how very nice. </div>
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At that moment, the boy in the wheelchair moaned. </div>
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Suddenly, everything looked very different. I turned and looked at the boy in his wheelchair and started to cry. No longer was I preoccupied with the peace or the details, but I was over come with the thought that one day, some time in the eternity to come, those kids walking behind me would be perfected, would be released from their captivity and be given a body that can function properly. One day, in a place far more magnificent than any Celestial room, those kids' parents will get to meet their children for the first time. One day, that boy will no longer moan. </div>
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My friend in my ward told me I am always a hot mess because everything makes me cry. Why should going to the temple be any exception??</div>
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I love this Gospel. </div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772790864832816652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271104711245591803.post-43723757650365521762012-08-16T22:43:00.001-07:002012-09-15T21:19:25.161-07:00Cray-Cray Birthday TODAY WAS CRAZY!!<br />
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I don't have pictures of anything, and I apologize profusely. I meant to take them, I really did. But I guess you'll just have to do without since, well, we have no other options at this point.<br />
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Today, yes, is my birthday, and it was way weird all day long. It isn't like having your birthday at home because, quite frankly, the world doesn't evolve around you on your birthday in the real world. But it was still fun! I had to get over my six year old "but it's my birthday!" mentality at first, but then everything was lovely :)<br />
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To start off the day, I spent a couple hours at the Driver License Division getting my license! That's right, I am now a licensed driver! Pedestrians, beware! I only have a temporary license for now and I'll be getting my real one in the mail in 4-6 weeks, but still. I did it!! Thank good that is done with, the process took forever and many headaches.<br />
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Then I went to work. Nothing special or out of the ordinary..<br />
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Gwamma made me chicken pockets for dinner, like I have every year (yay!) and a white cupcake with chocolate frosting, my favorite :) I ate it in the car on the way to the theatre because we went and saw 9 to 5 tonight.<br />
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IT. WAS. AMAZING. Honestly, if you have any chance of going, DO IT. I was blown away. I'm a musical theatre junky, I admit, and I was expecting to like it, but not that much!! I loooooooved it. It made me miss theatre so much. I just wanted to get up there and sing my heart out with them. Note to reader: If you are reading this and thinking "I'll go listen to the music on itunes to see what she is talking about", don't do it! The music is filthy apparently and Hale had to clean it up a ton so that they could perform it. I'm really bummed about it because the music is amazing. But ah well, you win some you lose some...<br />
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All in all, a super day :) I am now 19 and I can... do nothing new. Except drive! Huzzah!! :)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772790864832816652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271104711245591803.post-11532844000400129412012-08-14T07:35:00.000-07:002012-08-18T07:35:56.874-07:00<div>
This morning, I had an epiphany and it made me so happy.<br />
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I love change. <br />
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That's it, that's what I realized. Once I embraced it, I felt so light, so.. awesome! I was talking to my mom, dad and brother this morning (my sister always seems to be absent during these skype dates...) because finally we are no longer eight hours apart. Now, it's only one, and it is in my favor because they are an hour earlier :) I miss them terribly.. talking to them always cheers me up. Especially when my brother is there, he makes me laugh. We all have the same sense of humor, which makes for some great conversations! I can't wait till christmas :)<br />
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They are in the middle of moving though, and I'm totally jealous. I miss going through my stuff and cleaning out my room, packing everything up, staying in hotels,walking through empty houses, getting our shipment and having christmas in the middle of the summer as I rediscovered everything we owned, finding the perfect place for everything, meeting new people, new people, new schools, new everything. I love the whole feeling of it! I am really really sad that I don't get to be a part of it this year... it's been so weird. I read posts on facebook and stuff about where in the process of moving they are and I know exactly what they are feeling and want to be there. <br />
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But you know what? I get to do it next week :) I get to pack up all my stuff and move back to school, unpack and find the perfect place for everything, decorate - new home, new classes, new ward, new faces, new opportunities. I LOVE IT! It gets me excited just thinking about it!! I can't wait to get back, to start my own new adventure, just like my family is doing. <br />
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And to think, I can do this for the rest of my life! New beginnings happen all the time, even if they aren't moving around or starting school, there is always change just around the corner. And I want to enjoy it. <br />
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I want to make music videos and dance around my apartment with my roomies, I want to get back to my job at the Testing Center, I want to meet new people, love old friends, go on adventures, just enjoy where and who I am. I am so ready!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772790864832816652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271104711245591803.post-28980402472300204992012-08-13T21:52:00.000-07:002012-08-13T21:52:00.536-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
I just need to share some music that just came into my life tonight that I really enjoyed. First off, Erica just introduced this song to me, and I'm not usually a huge TSwift fan, but I love this in the same way I love Call Me, Maybe. It's just... too good not to love :)<br />
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This guy is just... so talented I cannot handle it. I don't know how all that sound came out of that one guitar, but it is magical. </div>
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And then this - I laughed out loud. If you don't know Star Wars, this won't be funny at all, except for the fact that they are dancing to absurd music... But for you quasi-nerds like myself, you will get a kick out of this. It's just perfect haha<br />
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The end :)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772790864832816652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271104711245591803.post-16810298807205196012012-08-12T16:21:00.002-07:002012-08-12T16:21:37.784-07:00Catch Up!!Welp, this summer is wrapping up rather nicely. I am finally getting my summer to-do list completed and getting ready to go back to school next week. NEXT WEEK! It's insane how fast this summer has gone. I thought for sure it would seem much longer than it was. I'm grateful for my time that I've spent here and all that I've learned and figured out, but I'm very ready to be back at school with my girls :)<br />
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Yesterday, I got my glasses! I don't know if I told you that my other ones broke... again... making it twice. I was very aggravated and pretty fed up with the whole thing. I went out looking for frames that would fit the lenses from that pair so that my parents wouldn't have to pay for another set all together but alas, commercial stores don't make frames that big. I guess I'm the only one who likes them? Where are all my hipsters to back me up?! Not that I'm a hipster because let's be honest, I'm about the biggest conformist you will ever meet hahaha But anyway, after exhausting all the possibilities, looking everywhere I could think to find the right lenses, I finally threw in the towel. With much guilt and worrying on my part about the money aspect of the whole thing, I found new frames that, quite honestly, I adore. And I even found them on clearance for 40% off the complete set (frames + lenses).<br />
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Initially I had selected a different pair from the clearance rack and the clerk had them on hold for me till I showed up to get them. When I got there, I had to wait for a computer to open up so I was looking around and I found another pair that I liked twice as much, and they were even five dollars cheaper AND also on clearance. It was awesome! On top of that, Lenscrafters has a One Hour Lab, and they make the lenses right there and my glasses were ready an hour later! I was thrilled! My gramma gave me a little bit of a hard time because I was so sure that I could never like glasses. But I can take it, I totally deserved it haha<br />
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Don't I look so scholarly?? :)</div>
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In other news, today was my last week teaching Gospel Doctrine. Kind of bitter-sweet. I really like teaching, but I'm not sad to be going. I am pretty sure I'm going to be called as a teacher again once I get back to school, but my grandparents say that is too logical. Apparently, if it makes sense, it's not going to happen, as far as callings go! Honestly, if this calling was just to teach me that I can do what I believed I couldn't, then three weeks of teaching is all that I needed. It amazes me that the Lord has a plan for each of us. I don't know if I touched anyone's life, if what I said even stuck with anyone. But I know this - I have learned that I can take on any calling, no matter how completely terrified I am of it. Even if I think I would die before I could fulfill what I was supposed to, I can do it with the Lord's help. If that lesson is the only reason that I was given that calling, it would be the only reason I need. I have such a testimony that the Lord does so many big things for so many small reasons, to affect only one person, because that person is worth worlds to Him. I am so blessed to know that I mean that much to Him and that He is looking out for me and has his hand in my life. </div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772790864832816652noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271104711245591803.post-7012228652637593342012-08-02T22:07:00.000-07:002012-08-02T22:07:11.851-07:00Clearly I don't exercise enough because, let's face it, I don't exercise at all. So I decided to integrate some working out-ness into my daily routine at the daycare! I mean, lifting small children over and over, throwing them in the air, walking around instead of sitting down, that's all fine and dandy. I need some more because what I'm doing isn't doing the trick. Well today I found a great way to work my legs and entertain the children at the same time!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWbTeIhWrNQQm_AAYBoKU4JqDRSE5TuSS_z3Sh-KqroIlVqcDgqtRb_3LS-LIoHFUl0eIhQoEBtZhG93c2mJg_6yBw2XSpJVDVeH1IxKHd4br_AjVBTZzr6h5lFvYCFIlKEdyE7rum0y-c/s1600/e1fb1790dcf111e1aeb3123138150f49_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWbTeIhWrNQQm_AAYBoKU4JqDRSE5TuSS_z3Sh-KqroIlVqcDgqtRb_3LS-LIoHFUl0eIhQoEBtZhG93c2mJg_6yBw2XSpJVDVeH1IxKHd4br_AjVBTZzr6h5lFvYCFIlKEdyE7rum0y-c/s320/e1fb1790dcf111e1aeb3123138150f49_7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I sit on a shelf or a box or whatever is nearby and they sit on my feet. This works my calves because I have to keep my feet flexed so they don't fall off. And then I swing back and forth, like the weight lifting machine at the gym! It's great!</div>
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The problem is, I can't make them stop. They just want to go on forever, and it burns! I can't keep that up for more than a couple minutes at a time. Silly children, let's switch places and then you can tell me how long you can go for! </div>
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But hey, I'm trying to be healthier. Once I get back to school and I'm walking a whole bunch, I think I'll be loads better :)</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772790864832816652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271104711245591803.post-92146066091248449172012-08-01T21:56:00.001-07:002012-08-01T21:56:53.286-07:00Happy Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day!To show my support of Chick-Fil-A, Grampa and I partook of the deliciousness for our dinner this evening. Little did I know that so many people were participating in this event as well! We drove up to the parking lot and I was surprised to find the multitude of other patrons also attempting to get in the doors.<br />
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This is where we were in the drive-thru line. Believe me we would have gone inside if we thought it would make any difference. I think it was actually faster this way!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyuXp-xtmfJL8ng4WwEwloWsWjq3bInnQkNK3E91PKuoqG2bqbGXcZJebO4P9D_qmd1oIPPfBM_bXfVr3IDfIgFJX0gL19pm6SOgPNc8MkP9iXT41MnobwEzXH2BRsCd4KxDFYQci4kh2x/s1600/addc7ed4dc3a11e1890a22000a1e8ac2_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyuXp-xtmfJL8ng4WwEwloWsWjq3bInnQkNK3E91PKuoqG2bqbGXcZJebO4P9D_qmd1oIPPfBM_bXfVr3IDfIgFJX0gL19pm6SOgPNc8MkP9iXT41MnobwEzXH2BRsCd4KxDFYQci4kh2x/s320/addc7ed4dc3a11e1890a22000a1e8ac2_7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And then the line wrapped around behind us out of the parking lot and around the corner! It was madness.</div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUfETfp7ZTUtAOpfz57QUvIteRGiw2aiCAizpTrhM1oJOzvOxFPgVi7Ty2xy59Uin-hxPB5artA8aV9ztRpJdEQhQ0S-2VhAfW-uHPW3ljtz_laQjGKfoPWbDv-UULIl-XgwennrbhBztr/s1600/e58e362cdc3c11e1a2fe22000a1e8a58_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUfETfp7ZTUtAOpfz57QUvIteRGiw2aiCAizpTrhM1oJOzvOxFPgVi7Ty2xy59Uin-hxPB5artA8aV9ztRpJdEQhQ0S-2VhAfW-uHPW3ljtz_laQjGKfoPWbDv-UULIl-XgwennrbhBztr/s320/e58e362cdc3c11e1a2fe22000a1e8a58_7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I got out of the truck and went inside so that I could get a picture. Little did I know that there was literally no space for me to stand long enough to get a good shot. I think I made a couple women very uncomfortable as I stood inches from them and took a picture. But whatever it takes! Mom, you should be proud of me and my picture taking prowess. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGrgHM5KIbxKQmVXjOXbVSWDPmj_dMX1705tzm2qLYZozZFS_3Jp4DchkSbrGALcJwtg3UnUcCoxNlV3Gjjr5OBlwPHTlVTps1AR5QBzidL0H_XpK6QKKyO01Hp8JGDKhuEWO_0N8XfHoP/s1600/179c140cdc3f11e18a411231381420b4_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGrgHM5KIbxKQmVXjOXbVSWDPmj_dMX1705tzm2qLYZozZFS_3Jp4DchkSbrGALcJwtg3UnUcCoxNlV3Gjjr5OBlwPHTlVTps1AR5QBzidL0H_XpK6QKKyO01Hp8JGDKhuEWO_0N8XfHoP/s320/179c140cdc3f11e18a411231381420b4_7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And then out the door... </div>
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And around the corner. At least we had air conditioning! These dedicated dodo birds stood outside as they waited for the masses to clear out to make room for them in the building...</div>
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I have never seen a fast food place so jam packed! But it was all for a good cause. People should be free to think whatever they want, as long as they don't shove it down the throats of others. What's-his-name from Chicago can support gay marriage and Chick-Fil-A can not, it's not that big of a deal. You think what you think and I'll think what I think and in good time we'll find out who is right. End of story! Honestly, I pity gay rights supporters right now because they are missing out on some really good food. </div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772790864832816652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271104711245591803.post-14812270178319052292012-07-31T12:32:00.001-07:002012-07-31T19:25:56.532-07:00<div>
Goodbye's have become a specialty of mine. They don't make me cry, never have. Everything, and I mean literally almost everything, else makes me cry, but not saying goodbye. I've found the place in my head and my heart where I have to store it so that it doesn't weigh me down. It's my way of coping I suppose. I've adapted an "out of sight, out of mind" outlook and it works for me. It makes me seem forgetful or heartless sometimes, but it's all I know how to do. <br />
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When I had to say goodbye to Greg though, this was not the case.<br />
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Let the record show that big girls do cry. <br />
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It makes it easier to know that he is going where he is needed most though, that he isn't just leaving but he's going where he is meant to be. <br />
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Greg, if you are reading this, I hope you know how proud I am of you, who you are and the choices you have made. Knowing you has changed my life and I've grown so much. The people of Spain don't know how lucky they are! Yet. They will soon haha The work you will be doing is eternal and essential. You will be changing many more lives than my own. <br />
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Go out there and give it your all. Treat every minute like you are in the middle of your mission, as Uchtdorf said. Stay focused, and love the people. It's not about numbers, it's about souls and every single one is just as enormously important as the next. If they slam the door in your face, go back and knock again another day. It's called determination, not annoying! <br />
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Be kind, thoughtful, caring and charitable. Sometimes the key to getting in the door is getting in their hearts first by serving them in any way you can. <br />
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Have patience, don't get discouraged, don't give up. You are doing the Lord's work, and he will help you in every way if you will but ask. Pray often, pray always and look to Him for what you should do. Strive to always follow the promptings of the Spirit because that stuff is gold. <br />
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Learn, grow, teach, gather the sheep and for goodness sakes, write your mother every week. <br />
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You're going to be an incredible missionary and I can't wait to hear all of your stories! You'll be in my thoughts and prayers :)<br />
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Goodbye and good luck. </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772790864832816652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2271104711245591803.post-37821256744869581052012-07-29T21:30:00.001-07:002012-07-29T21:30:02.681-07:00<br />
I have been told before that you only dream about people you know or who you've seen before. If this is true, then everyone you dream about that you don't recognize or have a name for is an actual living being somewhere in this world. It could be someone that you saw for a flash out your window as they rode their bike past your house, or the person crossing the street that you had to wait for before you could make a right turn at the intersection. It could be the girl that you always see walking across campus at the same time every day or the guy you bumped into at the library and exchanged hushed apologies with as you continued on your way.<br />
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And then in your dreams, they become villains and heroes, victims and survivors, clowns, friends, warriors, you name it! These ordinary strangers all of a sudden take on a new persona, they become someone new, someone they've never been before.<br />
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It's kind of magical if you think about it!<br />
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And here's something else to think about: If you are dreaming about these strangers, how many people out there are dreaming about you?? Think about how many people you walk past every day. Potentially, you could appear in any of their dreams! Right now, since it is relatively sleepy time, you could be fighting a dragon, running from a burning building, picking flowers, doing any number of obscure things and you would never know it.<br />
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If we consider all that we <i>could </i>be doing in someone else's dreams, I'm sure most of our bucket lists have already been completed!<br />
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The human mind, man, is an incredible thing..<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772790864832816652noreply@blogger.com0