super unnatural

I'll be honest.
I have no consistency anymore.

All I want to do with free time is either:
1. Watch Reality TV on Food Network
or
2. Sleep

But. I have some good news.
Actually, I have a lot.

- My goofy brother is home from his mission. It's like he never even left. He's still Hilary Duff's biggest fan, enjoys chick-flicks with as much gusto as I, and is still the same peacemaker brother that I love.

- Kelsey just got hired at Menchie's. Which makes me life 10 times brighter. She's just a doll, and I'm ridiculously excited.

- I turn 19 in 43 days. But I leave the country in 44. How fantastic is that? So fantastic. Don't be surprised when I never shut up about it.

- I decided that I want to be involved in traveling. Just so I can travel. For cheap. Or for free. That would be so great.

But hey. Here are some pictures.

If that first picture doesn't make you squirm...

I worry for you.

Oh hey.

I'm still somewhat alive.

I just took a "soul searching break" as I would categorize it.

Don't worry, you don't need to write my obituary yet

(speaking of, they are not the funnest things to read).

PAST

In my soul searching journey, I discovered many things about life. 

Particularly my life. Obviously.

But I thought I'd share some of them.

Ten to be specific.

Or just put them down on record somewhere, so I don't forget.

1. Satan freaking hates me (oh, and he hates you too).

2. Jesus Christ loves me (oh, and yes, he loves you too).

3. Family relationships are second to my relationship with Christ,

and they always should be.

4. Friendships &relationships (or lack thereof) 

are third to my relationship with Christ.

5. Music has a tendency to calm my heart, and always will.

6. I'm nervous/scared/terrified of my future. Because of Satan.

7. Scriptures also have a tendency to calm me.
Weird right? Psych. Not even.

8. Sometimes I just need a big bear hug. Usually on a daily basis.

9. Kitten pictures never fail to make me smile, giggle, smirk,
or all of the above.

10. On rare occasion, it's okay to wear PJ's all the time, and not shower for days

That was learned in the past, and is now applied in the present.

PRESENT

Currently working here:

(and yes that is me)

Currently learning here:

Currently coaching this:

Currently counting down the homecoming of this guy:

(17 days!)

Currently writing this funny fellow:

Currently anticipating this:

Currently enjoying this

 on a daily basis:

Oh, and this:

January-25-2012-02-45-58-ZBiJZ.gif

Yes I am a child, and I love it.

Say it how it is

Why hello there.
I've been gone a while.
But I'm back now. And it's marvelous.
I've learned a few things while I was "away."
Things that I feel others should know.
Why? Just some words of advice.
You know. From my experiences.
So they might help you.
Here they are:

1. Hot cocoa is great. But it's ten times better 

with peppermint sticks in it.

2. Watching Avatar: the Last Airbender saved me from going insane during finals week.

3. Dancing to Skrillex now and then is good for you. 

Especially with your younger siblings.

4. Christmas shopping is the worst. Online shopping is the way to go.

5. Movie nights are so much better when it's cold outside. Or should I say movie days...(Four movies in one day. I'm not lazy at all.)

6. Being single is wonderful. I'm enjoying it while I can. I don't have to take care of anyone else. Muahahahaaa. Brilliant.

7. "The best way to spread Christmas cheer 

is singing loud for all to hear."

8. Making gingerbread houses is not a good idea for two inexperienced girls, who have no idea what they're doing. Ahem... Alyssa...

9. Missionary letters are one of the best ways to make me smile.

10. Leaving our world to be sucked in a fantasy world is totally okay. 

I do it on a regular basis. 

Narnia and Alagasia are my second homes. It's fine.

11. Video games are the greatest self esteem booster. PSYCH. Not for me, but my gracious I sure do enjoy them.

12. Family dance parties are the best way to get an ab work out. Let me tell ya, my papa sure knows how to boogie.

13. Christmas time is the perfect time to watch "The Testaments." Especially when you need a testimony boost.

14. When you have a heinous ward calling, for example ward music chairman, and have to do some crazy project, like write the christmas program, rely on the spirit. It makes things much easier. Trust me.

15. If life really is like a box of chocolates, life isn't too good to me. I always get stuck with the coffee filled dark chocolate ones. Gag.

Ta-duh!
There you have 'em.
The lessons i've learned that saved me from depression this month.
Okay. Maybe not depression. But insanity & sorrow? Definitely.

Oh hey. One more thing.
CHRISTMAS IS IN 5 DAYS.
Just in case you didn't know.

Mittens

Well. I just fell out of the blogosphere loop for about a month.
But thats okay. Because I did some pretty splendid stuff in that month.

We visited Adam on his birthday.

I snuggled with my kitty.

I cleaned my room ever so beautifully.

But sadly it doesn't stay this way for over a week.

Organized my closet...

Found out I have a ridiculous obsession with blue and yellow.

Also yellow bags.

I stepped on Alese's perfectly vacuumed floor. heh heh. 

She was mad. 

I got my book signed by the one and only CHRISTOPHER PAOLINI!!

(he's the author of these marvelous books)

Went to Megan's bridal shower. And only took one picture.

Naturally it had to do with Pride & Prejudice.

Ahhhhh. Sorry, but this was the most exciting thing at the bridal shower.

SWOONING.

Oh yes.

How can I forget.

I also got to see my bestest friends in the world.

I love them. 

I'll post a picture.

IF I get them from Bro0oke.

Also... I BOUGHT MITTENS.

And for some strange reason, I went crazy with them.

I blame the dessert from Chilis at 10 pm. WAY too late for sugar.

And the fact that they are lined with wool from heaven. I'm sure of it.

It's softer than a newly born sheep (cause obviously I would know).

I made up several mitten dances,

one of which is titled "the mitten crotch grab."

Or the crowd pleaser "the mitten worm."

I played mittens with Kate.

I wore mittens for over an hour.While inside Adams house.

And danced to Shakira.

You just had to be there.

And be on a sugar high.

And have your own mittens.

So as you can see, my month has been quite productive.

Even if I'll most likely fail my math class.

And barely pass my German course.

But honestly I could care less.

Because I'm happy.

Hollah! Hurray for happiness and ignorance.

A recommendation of good literature

Well. This is where I've been the past 3 weeks.
ALAGAESIA.
If you haven't read the series, you wouldn't understand.
This series has been my Harry Potter (if you will),
since I was 11 years old.
I recommend these books to anyone who seeks adventure.
But be warned. If you have a queasy stomach..
They are extremely gory. EXTREMELY.
But absolutely mind blowing.

Currently rereading the third book, ^ Brisingr,
It's my excuse to not doing anything important. Like homework.
Or things not so important. Like blogging.
I yet to have read the final book of the series.
And it's been out for almost a month!!

Holy smokes, I can't even comprehend what's going to happen.

1/1,000,000

One in a million.
If someone ever refers to you as being this,
you have every right to smack them in the face
and/or punch them in the bladder.

If you are one in a million,
then there are 7,500 people just like you.
(Hence the seemingly unnecessary violence ^)

Don't worry. That's not the case.
Because you are one in seven billion five hundred million.

A true gem of a person.

"Be yourself; Everyone else is already taken."

Sew Awesome

It's Saturday. What I've been looking forward to all week.
But it's ruined. Obviously no one wants to play with me.
No one is answering their phones. Which is a joke,
because that's why they have them.
So people (and best friends) can contact them!
Ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous.

But here I am, Saturday night, bored out of my mind.
I do some homework.
Eat some dinner.
Watch my younger siblings play with their friends, full of jealousy.
Then watch everyone in my family slowly leave the house,
eventually leaving me alone.
Video Games? Nah.
Facebook? Pass.
Make baked goods? Definitely no.
Sew a pillow made of fabric from the 90's??
Naturally.

Ain't in cute? Too bad it matches nothing I own.
Brilliant.

Highlight of my day, obviously.

Surprise, surprise! I got a phone call today at 2:15.

It was my co-worker asking me where I was.

Apparently I was already 15 minutes late.

So I hauled my buns to work. It was a mess.

I almost fell asleep while cutting strawberries.

Ended up eating a life supply of yogurt samples,

just to satisfy my screaming stomach.

(Literally. I think it scared a small child.)

And received a present from the acne man,

right on my forehead under my super cute work hat.

Wonderful. Not only are my feet pounding, 

but I'm almost positive my stomach will never forgive me

for feeding it all that fro-yo.

Don't worry, I'm not complaining.

Here come the tears. Literally.

"There are good ships and wood ships,
ships that sail the sea,
but the best ships are friendships,
may they always be!"

This made me choke up a bit after I read it.
But I wasn't sad for too long because I saw that it was an Irish Proverb.
Then I imagined a leprechaun saying it, and it made me laugh.

Everything is going to be okay. We'll all stay in touch.
I KNOW it. We get along much too well to just move on,
and try to forget about each other. But honestly, who would try to forget?
We have the greatest memories. And they're strong. Probably stronger than diamonds.
No, wait. They ARE stronger than diamonds, and from what I hear, those things are pretty strong. And valuable. So is our friendship circle.

So here's to growing up, because I know we'll all be doing it simultaneously and together.

Sometimes these make my day.

"The best day of your life is the one on which you decide your life is your own. No apologies or excuses. No one to lean on, rely on, or blame. The gift of life is yours; it is an amazing journey; and you alone are responsible for the quality of it." -- Dan Zadra.

Hello. Where has this Dan man been? And apparently he's not dead. I think I want to meet him, because he just cut to the core of my soul.

God shed His grace on thee

We have every reason to:
Rejoice. Celebrate. Defend. Fight. Share. Appreciate our rich Heritage.
We have every reason to be:
Happy. Grateful. Proud. Humble. Awestruck. Charitable.

The United States of America. It's a land of free people. Free people who don't even know what it means to be free. That don't even understand the true meaning, and rarity of the word "free". A People who associate the word "free" with receiving something that doesn't require any payment..
But our freedom was fought for, and the people of the past payed the price, and it's worth a lot more than we would think.

In memory of every person, male or female, that fought or is fighting for our country, this whole week should be a celebration of them, and what they did/do for our amazing country.
Celebrating our Heritage, and what it means to be free.
God has blessed America, and continues to everyday.
Thank Him, for preparing the people, who prepared the land that would be the home of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Let's not forget what it truly means to be an American.
Happy Late Independence Day.

Inspiration

I'm in desperate wanting for a giant white board for my wall, thinking that my personal revelation shouldn't be kept hidden in a book for me to look at every 3 months. It should be displayed all over my room for me to see. Because I think I need that constant reminder that my father in Heaven loves me enough to build my testimony and strengthen me when I seek Him. I think I need to see the proof daily, because I don't remember as much as I should.

The proof? These random thoughts that I never could conjure up on my own. These thoughts that are truly inspired by God, and are meant personally for me at the moments I need them most. But no. He doesn't think I need it. I keep them in my journal. Because it's what will be good for me.

The monthly reflections, contemplations, and ponderings are the things I remember, and leave a permanent mark. I couldn't do that on a daily basis. 

Sorry white board. Don't need you.

I steal quotes.

I found this quote in my scriptures today, and found it so inspiring. Here it is. Don't cry too much.

"I have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element. It is my personal approach that creates the climate. It is my daily mood that makes the weather. I possess tremendous power to make life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration; I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis is escalated or de-escalated, and a person humanized or de-humanized. If we treat people as they are, we make them worse. If we treat people as they ought to be, we help them become what they are capable of becoming."--Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Blessed. Not Lucky.

Here's a story about a girl.

She has everything she will ever need and more.

She has an eternal family, with strong relationships.

She has friends that support her in all she does.

She lives in the most lovely neighborhood in all the country.

She even has a comfortable home, that keeps her warm,

and cools her in the heat. She has a warm bed.

Equipped with a cuddly teddy bear, warm blankets,

and pillows to rest her head.

She has a room full of food,

and a faucet that disperses fresh water at her command.

She enjoys many more comforts.

So many, that they cannot be numbered.

But the most precious gift of all, that 99.8% of the world doesn't have, was knowledge. Knowledge of her true divinity. Of all that she can accomplish. Of the light she has inside of her. Light that can be spread like wild fire, if she let it burn. Of a man, who gave her that light. That, from long ago, died for her and all others on this earth, so they could return to live with their Heavenly King once again. So she could be free of sin and sorrow.

You might say it was luck that a simple girl can enjoy all these comforts. But she has a purpose to fulfill. She has a mission to accomplish, and that is to spread her light. 

She has the knowledge, and the means. She needs to find the people who are lacking the light. The people who are searching, and are prepared. But that requires readiness and a positive personality, in which she needs improvement. 

"Laugh a little now and then, it brightens things a lot. 

It helps you see the brighter side, if even if there's not. 

Don't go around gloomy and forlorn,

 but make your fellow men glad that you were born."

"What you do for yourself, dies with you, 

but what you do for others, lives on forever."

Slap to the face.

Today was the last full day that I could be considered a high school student.
It didn't hit me until now. And this is not a good reality check to experience,
especially after a day of sweet adventure.
I never thought i would have any regrets after high school, but I can already feel 'em coming.
My biggest one, is that I didn't get to know such fabulous people until now.
I have connected with so many more people in the past 6 months, than I did in my entire high school career. That's killing me right about now.

For example, this last weekend. I spent it in St. George with the funnest girls, and i didn't know half of them until this year. How pathetic. I feel like i've known these girls my whole life, and now the only time we have together before we move out, is this summer.

Let's just pray that the next 3 months of my life is full of those yearbook requests, to "party during the summer", that usually never happen. Because if any of those requests don't follow through, I am positive that I will be crushed in some small way.

So cheers to the Class of 2011. Tomorrow will be glorious. But let's be real. I'll be crying. Don't judge.