The Sweetest Thing...

There never seems to be too many simple pleasures in life. It's been a long week. I'm tired and sort of ponderish. Maybe its in our weakness that we feel the most humbled. Those little beauties all around me were not as appreciated in my hectic schedule but now that I breathe with full awareness that life IS ok, I want to think of my favorite things. I love walking when the weather is beautiful like it is today. There are so many beautiful flowers on campus. I love seeing these flowers... they're my favorite. Tulips- tulips are my true favorite. Tulips and daisies. Daisies really are friendly flowers. One of my favorite memories as a child was picking berries in Seattle. It may have been the feel of family gatherings, the smell of that old creeky house, or the touch of my Grandma's soft hands that put me in a state of euphoria. Or maybe it was just the pure taste of raspberries. Mmm how I love berries. I have a pretty family that I love so dearly. What do we do with our charismatic fathers or our gentle mothers? What do we do with our ever-fulfilling brothers who want nothing but goodness for you? We love them. That's what we do. "Ain't love the sweetest thing?"

It's a time for more gratitude.
It's a time for more noticing.
It's a time to smile and to love a little bit more.

Riddle me THAT.

I have a bone to pick. Ok what does that even mean??? How about I have a case to rest; a quarrel to settle.

Ever since I can remember, I have been the child displaced from children my own age and, either by choice or chosen upon, has played with the big kids. This has NEVER dissatisfied me. In fact, I actually prefer it. My older brothers have shown me a thing or two about being tough. My parents never settled for immaturity and juvenile attitudes. I have been guided well in the big kid world. Because of my young quasi training, I became very observant of the world around me. Now for present tense. I still am always aware of my surroundings. In social settings, I MOSTLY act according to what is appropriate and what is beneficial for myself.

Now for my point.

My behavior seems shocking to most people. They feel it doesn't act in accordance to their standards of how THEY think I should. Why? Because apparently, there is some direct correlation, probably devised by Archimedes or Barbara Walters, between behavior and age. This principle of Behavioral Tendencies of Age clearly defines that if I, a 19-year-old girl, am placed in situation A, the results will always turn out with the answer of Y. As in, Y on earth is she so immature?!? Believe you me, I know how teenage girls act. I know how they are. I know what they like and I know how they like it. I am NOT suggesting that I am completely above and removed from these stereotypes. Fact: I am a fan of BSB. I can name every member of their band as well. I love the early years of Britney. The "Hit Me Baby One More Time" album got me through some of the hardest points in my life. Including last weeks Sociology paper. I understand the importance of abbreviating words to better emphasize a point. For instance, that girl last week was buggin' but whatev. I owned every color scrunchie in elementary school only for the sake of sporting it on my left wrist. Non-dominate hand rule. So I state again that I am not trying to disregard my role as a teenage girl. I am boldly stating in opposition to this principle of behavior and age that not every girl will blame their tempermental ways on PMS or emo influences. I CAN have intelligent conversations and I DO have aspirations and goals for my future. If I could count how many time guys here have asked me I were either going into Communications, Elementary Education, or Beauty School then I'd be a rich woman. There is nothing WRONG with these professions- I know a lot of respectable women who do the above and seem on top of the world. But I can pick a desirable line of study outside of these choices.

Please don't think I'm looking for extra compliment comments on my blog the next time I log on. Although that IS the highlight of having my own account. (Comments are priceless). I guess I'm just tired of the same reaction from people. From adults who trust their children in my care but once my age is disclosed, all respect is lost. Or from guys who will get to know me and do one of two things when the number 19 is brought to their attention... A.) Tell me I'm lying. Because no 19 year-old can behave like this. Or B.) Change their mind about asking me out. Give me a break people!

I have thought about this for some time now. And because I am a problem solver, I have made an idea list for possible solutions to this unsettled score. Such as legally changing my age or learning how to drop-kick. But as the reader... I am also open to your thoughts. Maybe the best idea would be to swallow my words and let Britney heal my wounds.



Can't people just take me SERIOUSLY!? :)

Where in the world?

In a desperate effort to keep my blog updated, exciting and unique, I feel I fall short many times to accomplish all of the above. I may need some help and ideas.

First things first. A little update on my little life. School started up again and classes are shooting off like a rocket. I'm taking a couple generals, a Social Theory class and a prerequisite for Art History. Fourteen credit hours. And 16 hours of work a week. Not too bad. Those two are my favorite classes ever. It's so fun to just learn. I love being in school. I love all of it. I think going off to college makes you appreciate the ability to know and to develop an understanding of the world. I have been so intruiged by my sociology book about the early and modern philosophers of our time. I could really feel strongly the other night that these men like Socrates and Aquinas, even though they were missing HUGE key elements to important truths, they honestly created a vast opening to pure knowledge and what I believe in today. Such good men.. regardless of their wackiness. My roommates are AMAZING! Absolutely incredible girls. I live south of campus in a trashy little apartment with 5 beautiful girls and we have so much fun all the time. There is never a dull moment when they're around. We eat together, we pray together... it's just an incredible and completely different experience than last year. Tomorrow I'm going to my first ever BYU football game! HOORAY. My ward seems pretty good. So all in all everything is well. I have people ask me about dating... and that's NOT something I like to post on my blog. So in short... dating is good :).

Ok. So that was a hit-it-up-quick version of my life. I am thinking of ideas for my next ones... really awesome ideas. Ones that just blow your mind away. Please, if you have any, let me know. I'm up for all ideas. Until then!

My Summer Update!

I do apologize to all of my fans and blog-stalkers that I have not written a new post pretty much at all this summer. It has been such an incredible summer for me. I'm still trying to pinpoint why... but until I do, I'll just be grateful. Some things I've done this summer:

-Went to Safford/Thatcher for my first time ever. Not the WORST place in the world. No really it was fun. My ward is having this mass influx of people moving from there and I've been so curious as to what the talk of this strange land was all about. I really REALLY loved it! I went for the 4th of July with Alissa and Limher. Perfect little getaway.


-I quit my Lifetime job and then went back after a week. Due to a crappy situation I threw away 4 years of working for that company. And then I went into the garbage can and took it back out for round 2. Maybe it was round 3, or 4... who knows how many times I've REALLY quit that place. The children were AWESOME this summer though. You spend enough time with the same kids and they really become a part of you. I would go home after 11 hour work days and still be thinking about them, if they were ok, if they were going to behave the next day. I'm sad this is my last and final summer doing this. It makes me wonder how much of an impact I've made on them because I can only tell you the impact that has been set on me. Here's our traditional food fight... I got SLAUGHTERED.


Swimtime. Its awesome.


Our also traditional talent show. Counselor talent = eat donuts with no hands.


-Bought the new Coldplay album!! Holy moly. Please, everyone, everywhere, BUY IT! Their other albums- Parachutes, Rush of Blood to the Head, X & Y (whatever else I'm missing) & millions of bsides have been the building ground for this album. Viva la Vida. "But that was when I ruled the world..." And GREAT news! They are coming to Phoenix for the US Tour- guess who's going?? That's right. Yours truly... November 26.


-My best friend, Limher Montoya, left on his mission. I thought it would be a lot harder than it is. I just love that kid and I truly do miss him. And in all honesty, I did cry the night I said goodbye. But I just feel SO happy for him and where he's at because I know HE'S happy! I got my first letter from him. It was better than any missionary letter I've ever received. Ever.


-I fell in love with my cute singles ward. I made so many friends. Got a fun little calling (I can say "fun" now that its over... blasted ward directory) and just really enjoyed myself. I know that if you put yourself out there and make the effort to meet people and have a good experience, it CAN happen.

-I went to two awesome concerts. Joshua Radin/Vanessa Carlton/Alexa Awesome... and PARAMORE! So sweaty, but so awesome. I always tend to run into this problem at concerts...


-I went to Oceanside, Californ-i-a. AH! It was incredible. I only was there for a couple days because my dear friend, Mrs. Dawnee Ray Godfrey, married her Robert the same week. I tell you what- after doing the same thing all summer long and working hard and long through it, its nice to have a vacation. I have had this trip planned since March. Motel booked and everything. The beach was 5 minutes walking distance from our motel. The weather was PERFECT. Beach, shopping, eating, guitar, bonfires, pier sitting, morning jogging on the beach, beach, beach, beach, evening olympics, hotel workers... all of the above made for the whole experience. Here's me, Jackie, & Katie eating on the pier at Ruby's. Bliss.


Dawnee's Reception!


-Wrote my first couple of songs. I feel so awesome after writing a song! If you ever ask me to play them, I may act like I don't know what you're talking about or claim to have never memorized them. This is because of my fear of embarrassing myself. Sorry friends.

THERE YA GO. I hope you enjoyed your summer as much as I did mine.

Goals.

I like to challenge myself. I like to overcome certain areas of laziness. The other areas can remain in place. I've been thinking about doing this for a month now... and finally I've come to place, IN WRITING (or typing), my 1/2 year resolutions. It's almost the end of June... month 6 of our calendar year... and I'm ready to refresh those New Year's Resolutions. Why not take this 1/2 year mark and start again?? I'm a fan of starting new. A wise bishop gave three areas of goal making. I've stuck with his advice ever since.

Spiritual Goals:
-Do scripture reading in the MORNINGS. I know myself all too well and realize this will take serious training and extensive mental conditioning. I'm ready and willing. I think.

*Note: I heard an experience once of a mother and her growing family and the dedication and Spiritual upliftment she brought to them. When asked how she performed so well and managed to keep her sanity, she said she had thirty minutes EVERY DAY to herself. Her husband knew when this time was, and she would leave and go to her room to pray and read. 15 minutes of scripture study and 15 minutes of praying. What a great example.

Ergo...

-15 minutes of scripture study followed by 15 minutes of praying. Why wait until I have a family? Why not start now?
-Evening prayers will be VOCAL. I mean business.
-Keep up the weekly temple visits. Maybe pick a day other than Saturday... Saturdays are crazy...
-Continue on with my New Testament Reading. I've never really ventured outside of the Book of Mormon. It's about time to take that leap.
-Write in my journal every night. Yikes. Help me help me. I love how my BYU Boss (and friend :)) refers to Elder Eyring's talk on journal keeping and cultivating the past, present, and future. My entries will focus on how I've seen the hand of the Lord in my life.

Physical:
-Take one of the free classes offered at the gym! THEY ARE FREE! What more do I need? Oh, I know... someone physically putting me in my gym shoes and dragging me into the studio. I can be REALLY pathetic.
-I've never had to really watch what I've eaten before now. It's frightening what happens to the body with excess caloric intake.
-Workout atleast... 4 times a week. For starters. I am the next Karate Kid.

Emotional:
-My friends are wonderful. Keep on surrounding myself with people who only uplift me.
-Stay social! My church and ward is so great. I love the activities offered and have made so many new friends.
-Get enough sleep. I really perform SO MUCH BETTER with more sleep. The kids like me more too when Ms. Caraline gets her night's rest.
-Read more. I found myself becoming idle with my nights because I am too tired to do anything after work and want to "relax". I'm going to FINISH The Secret Garden by August. Hooray!

Wish me luck. I'm still learning about myself and I think that my biggest goal is to be able to define every end of who I am and live for what I know.

Brace Face? Yeah RIGHT!

For the last year and eight months, I have had nasty braces. There has not been a day that has gone by in those passing weeks that I haven't really hated having them. It made me very self-aware and just annoyed with the little tasks of keeping up with the braces. I'd rather keep up with the Jones', personally. Either way, I can stop complaining because today I got them OFF! I love having regular teeth and a regular smile. It's so fun! I'm sure those of you who have experienced the brace-face experience, know what I mean.

Summer love!

I found myself a fling! Yeah.. that's right. I have a little love interest and it involves me and big fat summertime! I love my summer. I love the Arizona sun and driving in my big brown truck with my windows rolled down. I love wearing shorts and flip flops and eating ice cubes hour after hour. Mmmmm. I love playing with Emma and Matthew in the pool and later taking naps with them on the living room floor. My fling consists of a real strong foundation of open-endedness. I know what to expect with this summer... a whole lot of working. I started work within two days of being home and will work up until I leave, but I truly am grateful for work. I also know that with my planned activities... anything is game. "Now all I wanna do is spread my wings and fly..." I love my summertime music tracks that give me that super excited feeling in my tummy and make me wanna go dancing in the middle of the street. Don't think I wouldn't do this. Been there, done that. Summer means seeing old friends and making new ones. I love that :). It means late-night swims and early morning jogs (thank you AZ heat). AND! Sonic trips, slip and slides, the camp food fight, field trips with millions of children, tan lines, summer institute, summer book list, library trips, weekly temple visits, tortillas, getting my braces off on june 17th!!!!!!, and just being happy.

My summer fling makes me happy and brings me contentment. Isn't that what every relationship should bring? I thunk so. So go make the most of YOUR summer! Eat a banana popsicle, go camping, be creative. And just BE HAPPY.