"You is kind, You is smart, You is important"

Oh boy it's been way too long since I've written! ok, that's a lie...I write all the time (essays, that is). But it's been months since I've actually written for enjoyment. Now, if you don't understand the title of this post, obviously you haven't seen the movie, The Help, which I had the chance to see yesterday (yes, it was at the dollar theater and yes, it has taken me way too long to see this movie!) However, I finally got to see it and it was INCREDIBLE! I highly recommend it (make sure to bring some tissues along though). Although it took me quite awhile to make it to a theater to see this movie, It seemed to me that I just happened to see it at the perfect time with it being Thanksgiving and all. I walked out of that theater with my heart full of gratitude for my freedom, the era I live in, and all the courageous people that came before me. It is so easy for me to get caught up in the demands of life and forget to take a step back and thank God for everything He has given me. So this post is inspired by this movie which reminded me of how remarkably blessed I am. Besides gratitude, I was also struck by the courage these women showed in the movie. At one point, the mother of the main character tells her how proud of her she is. I thought about that for a moment--I don't know if my own mother has ever said something like that to me. Not that I'm a disappointment or anything (At least I would hope not! ha) but it made me want to do something that would make her proud of me. I'm not one to take risks but it dawned on me that the essence of courage requires risk-taking--hence, why it's called "courage." So tonight I'm praying to God and thanking him for everything that I have been blessed with and asking for the strength to show courage when the opportunity presents itself. With that in mind, Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Quotes, quotes, and more quotes...

"It is curious that physical courage should be so common in the world and moral courage so rare."
Mark Twain

"Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point."

C.S. Lewis

Short Lived

The Slurpee. 

I found this delicious flavor of slurpee and poured myself an entire cup full. Unfortunately, 7-11 only carried extra small cups so that deliciousness was sucked up through my straw shockingly fast. Now I'm at the bottom of my cup desperately attempting to sip just a few last drops of that sugar filled delight. Quantity can be so unfair sometimes...whether its the amount of slurpee you down in ten minutes or the amount of time you have to spend with a person before they leave you for 730 days... 

It's like a really good song you wish was longer than just 3 minutes and 47 seconds. That last night together, you wish that it could last forever...yeah, time is cruel. 

Like a flicker of light in the darkness, it lit up the room in which I was standing, stimulated my sight, but before my eyes could adjust to the brightness it was gone. However, a colored outline of the light remained imprinted before my eyes long after the light ever existed.

Although the experience was short lived, the memories will last forever.

There's my metaphoric/poetic reflections for the day.
The End.

Words from the Wise:

"It's a strange thing, but when you are dreading something and would give anything to slow down time, it has a disobliging habit of speeding up."

~J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Nothing is as far away as one minute ago.

~Jim Bishop

Fading Daylight

Can someone please tell me where the summer went!? I move out in three days and start school in a week! There's still so much to do, I feel as if every ray of sunlight is precious time. The days of bare feet and suntan lines are gradually slipping away. My goal this summer was to not allow myself to be bored for even one day. Well, I'm happy to say that I definitely accomplished that goal. However, I've been so busy that the thought of "hitting the books" again is no where in sight. But with only limited days of freedom and sunshine, who could blame me? My favorite part of summer is the beginning. The excitement for the unknown of what adventures will occur in the 2 1/2 months of careless fun. Never is one summer quite the same as another. And as I look back on this past summer, it may not have been what I had anticipated or expected, I might not have spent it with the people I intended or done the things I assumed I would; but it was no less enjoyable, rewarding, or spontaneous than the last. And although I'm going to miss my numerous trips to Seven Peaks, Snowasis, and my beloved cabin on Hebgen Lake; I couldn't be more excited to begin and document a completely new adventure--college.  So until next time (which will probably be when I can officially call myself a BYU Cougar!!!) That's all folks!

Huh?

Alright so my internet has been having issues for what seems like EVER!!! It just happens to be working at this moment so I thought I better take the chance to quickly write before it gets all screwed up again. So I went shopping with a friend today and I swear every time I go somewhere with this person something random seems to happen--something that just makes you want to say, "Huh?” Today, we were on our way home and I was in the middle of telling a story at a stop light when the car in front of us suddenly opened it's doors and the passengers ran around the car, switched drivers, and then drove off. After this sudden event we both realized I had stopped mid sentence for about two minutes just staring at what was going on in front of us and I had completely forgotten what I was talking about. Who knows? Haha. Anyways, it got me thinking about the numerous amounts of random things that happen in one's day that we don't even notice. If we paid attention to all the "out of the blue" sort of things that happen each and everyday, I think (at least for me) my life would consist of lot more humor and laughs. It just shows that when you really pay attention to your surroundings and take into consideration how ironic and comical life can be, it makes for a much more enjoyable day. So that is my new goal, to notice all the silly moments in my life that I would have usually over-looked.

“I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells.  Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, it's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope.  Which is what I do, and that enables you to laugh at life's realities.”  ~Theodore Geisel

“Discovery consists of seeing what everybody has seen and thinking what nobody has thought.” 
~Albert Szent-Györgyi

The "F" Word

"Doesn't designing all these wedding dresses ever make you think about getting married again; or at least make you think about the "f" word?
The "f" word?
My father!"

If you don't know what movie this quote is from, then I don't know what planet you live on! Lindsay Lohan depicts a young teenage twin deprived from knowing her father in the classic movie, "The Parent Trap." Well unlike Annie James (Lohan's character) I do know my father! And since it's Father's Day, I found it only appropriate that I post something about my dad. So this one's for him, even though he doesn't even read this blog. 

From the the first time he held me, to the tickle fights as a toddler, piggy back rides, bedtime stories, letting me drive the boat, calling me "little princess", dancing to when he played the piano, my baptism day, gifts from all his travels, our midnight snacks of nachos and caprese salad, oldies music education until 1am, finishing Spanish homework--also until 1am, extensive amounts of sarcasm, and the act of giving a hug and asking him how his day was that drew me to tears are just a few of the sweetest moments I ever spent with my dad. My dad has never been one to share a lot of affection or emotion towards his children but through his hard work, strong testimony, and desire to make his children into strong and respectable people, he has shown me more love than he'll probably ever know. It's not as common these days to find a father who comes home from work to a wife and kids and fulfills the duties of a provider, protector, and worthy priesthood holder. So thank you Dad! for being all those things, all my life, and being the greatest example to me. Here's a poem that I found that basically sums up exactly what I wanted to say...and it even rhymes! haha

Life Lessons

You may have thought I didn't see,

Or that I hadn't heard,

Life lessons that you taught to me,

But I got every word.

Perhaps you thought I missed it all,

And that we'd grow apart,

But Dad, I picked up everything,

It's written on my heart.

Without you, Dad, I wouldn't be

The person I am today;

You built a strong foundation

No one can take away.

I've grown up with your values,

And I'm very glad I did;

So here's to you, dear father,

From your forever grateful kid.

By Joanna Fuchs

I am so beyond grateful for having the Father I do, and I know for a fact I don't let him know it enough. So I hope whoever reads this, even if it isn't Father's Day, to let your Dad know you love him! And I promise I'll do the same :)

Love you Dad,

Happy Father's Day!

Reliving the Past

I went to the Orem festival last night with some friends. I think the last time I went to the Orem festival I was around ten years old. As we drove down the streets that I've ridden on for 18 years and walked through the park that I spent my childhood summers at--climbing trees and going to baseball games. A flood of memories streamed into my mind. I got that empty feeling in my stomach that you get when you miss someone or something. I thought it was the place that I missed...but I realized it was my childhood. Then I smiled a little inside when I thought, I had the best childhood anyone could ask for! Usually we express grattitude for the things we have...well today, I'm grateful for what I had. I'm grateful for the chance I got to live a worry free childhood. Several people close to me did not have that same opportunity and my heart goes out to them. I'm lucky to be able to go back to where I grew up and have pleasant memories of that place. It's one of the sadest things for me to hear when someone says they had a hard childhood. No one should have to go through some of the things these people had to go through as a child. So from this day on, I'm making it a goal of mine to make sure my future children have the best childhood I can provide them with. Once again; you get one life, one chance, one childhood--so live like you'll die tomorrow and dream like you'll live forever.

 

Food for Thought

Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose.
~ From the television show The Wonder Years

The greatest poem ever known
Is one all poets have outgrown:
The poetry, innate, untold,
Of being only four years old.
~Christopher Morley, To a Child

We do not remember days; we remember moments. 

~Cesare Pavese, The Burning Brand

Nothing is more memorable than a smell. One scent can be unexpected, momentary and fleeting, yet conjure up a childhood summer beside a lake in the mountains; another, a moonlit beach; a third, a family dinner of pot roast and sweet potatoes during a myrtle-mad August in a Midwestern town.  Smells detonate softly in our memory like poignant land mines hidden under the weedy mass of years.  Hit a tripwire of smell and memories explode all at once.  A complex vision leaps out of the undergrowth. 

~Diane Ackerman, A Natural History of the Senses

Conversations

I just love long conversations! Whether its on a long walk, drive, or just sitting on the porch. Afterwards I heave a satisfying sigh and get that sweet feeling of accomplishment, like I wasn't just wasting minutes of my life--I learned a little bit more about someone, strengthened a friendship, and lived a moment that won't be forgotten. People are so interesting to me. I am intrigued by their behavior and fascinated by their past.  We never truly know a person absolutely, but discovering what life has thrown at them and how it has impacted their life, amplifies my appreciation and respect for individuals. We all experience such different journeys in life and yet, so many situations are the same! We all have different stories to tell that contain wisdom, advice, and experiences that others can relate to and learn from. All we need to do is open our mouths and share! If you diligently watch American Idol, then you'll have heard of a man named Chris Medina. If you haven't--then I encourage you to look up his audition on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehb5nQk5xCo). His inspiring story is one of many I've been impacted by. I think that we go through hard times in life not only for ourselves but for others benefit as well. So even if it's as casual as a conversation in the car...share what you have to say, because you don't know when you'll be changing someone elses life because of the changes made in yours.

Food for Thought

“It is good to have an end to journey towards; but it is the journey that matters in the end.”
-Ursula K. Le Guin

“Every day you may make progress. Every step may be fruitful. Yet there will stretch out before you an ever-lengthening, ever-ascending, ever-improving path. You know you will never get to the end of the [journey]. But this, so far from discouraging, only adds to the joy and glory of the climb."
-Winston Churchill

 “Everyone has his own specific voaction or mission in life… Therein he cannot be re­placed, nor can his life be repeated. Thus, everyone’s task is as unique as is his specific opportunity to implement it.”

– Viktor Frankl

Dear Elder...

So I went to a mission call opening tonight. I couldn't imagine what my friend felt like, holding that large white envelope in his hand, knowing that it contained his entire future for the next two years of his life. Doesn't it seem like life can be that way sometimes? When you're waiting to see if you got a job you applied for, or a team you tried out for, or what college you'll get accepted to; and as you open that letter, you hope you don't get just a box of confetti because hey, it only determines the direction your future will take right? Not a big deal. All this made me think of the song, This, by Darius Rucker. If you haven't heard it then open a tab right now, go to YouTube and listen to it. This song has been extremely influential to me this year. Especially during tough times, it helped me remember the saying, "Everything happens for a reason." Anyways, speaking of missions--I was talking with my dad about his mission (My dad and I really don't have these deep conversations all the time ha, I guess he is just one inspirational man!) and he said, "You get two years to do it and eternity to think about it." It made me realize just how important it is to serve a mission right! Whether that be a religious excursion of some sort or just life's mission; you get one chance, so do it right. Sure, we will all make mistakes--we're human. It is what we take from our mistakes and growing from them that is important right? So with that in mind...live life to it's fullest and have no regrets!

Food for thought,

(I have a “slight” quote obsession…and I think sometimes others say it better than I can. So here are just a few quotes that I thought went well with what I'm trying to say, hope you enjoy.)

"You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough."
~Joe Lewis

"You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of.  You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life."

~Albert Camus

“I would much rather have regrets about not doing what people said, than regretting not doing what my heart led me to and wondering what life had been like if I’d just been myself.”

~Brittany Renée

"I never regret anything. Because every little detail of your life is what made you into who you are in the end."

~Drew Barrymore

Apple Shampoo

According to Blogspot, I have been a blogger since July 2008. Since then, I have written a total of three posts on a blog that no longer exists. Wow am I diligent! As life takes a turn in a new direction for me, I've decided that my goal this summer will be to keep a current blog that focuses on the small simple things that makes life such an extraordinary adventure. As a fresh-out-of-high-school graduate, I have had several opportunities to reflect upon the most drama-packed, hormonally-heightening, mentally-draining, and most exhilarating three years of my life. Looking back to that first day of high school; trying to blend in with the sea of other students, and attempting to hide the frightened look of a sophomore on my face, it's crazy to think that was only three years ago. It got me thinking about all the friendships I've made, some that I've lost; teachers who've inspired me and others that I was giddy by the thought of stepping out of that classroom never to return. Every friendship, relationship, trial, test, midnight study (cramming) party, weekend with friends, enlightening moment that I ever experienced in these few short years have accumulated and made me who I am today. This all reminded me of a rather strange comment my dad made to me a few months previous. He said, "Do you ever think of what your life will be like when your shampoo bottle is empty? I looked at him, with eyebrows raised, as if to say, "Are you being serious?" Who would've ever thought such an odd thing? If someone out there has, besides my own father, then cheers to you! Your mind is much more complex than mine. Ironically enough, I happen to have just bought a brand new bottle of apple scented shampoo and...Yep, you guessed it! I began to think about how my life would be when I am standing in my shower with my herbal essence shampoo bottle upside down impatiently waiting for the last few drops of liquid to ooze its way out of the bottle and into my hand. Would I still have the same friends? Will I have a new job? Will I be madly in love with someone? Will I have lost someone close to me? Will I be healthy or sick? So many questions! And the realization that every one of these questions could occur within the lifespan of a shampoo bottle was pretty incredible to me! Then I took it to a new level and thought, who will I have become when those last drops of apple scented shampoo become suds spiraling down my shower drain? Will I have made more mistakes? Probably. Will I have made an impact on someone's life? Hope so! Will I have learned another life lesson? Will I have changed for the better? Definitely. Who would've thought that measuring your life by shampoo bottles would be such an eye-opening event. So, until next time, when my shampoo bottle is a quarter size drop less full than before and I’ve experienced just a smidge more of what life has to offer...Adios Amigos!