Tradition Passed and Passed

raised and ready to bake

HOMEMADE rolls have always been the staple for all Lind holidays/special occasions. Mom always made them, while we drooled, eagerly awaiting the soft goodness.  Those rolls are one of the most prominent memories I have...and my favorite too.  Aside from those delicious clouds of (insert your own word here), hard-crust European bread is one of the only breads I enjoy.  This year, the roll-torch was passed to me.  I was terrified by such an overwhelming task of living up the expectations of perfection in EVERY SINGLE BATCH.  I've made them for roommates and friends, but never dared for my family - too much pressure to follow the expertise of mom and grandma.  BUT, they requested and trusted me anyway.  I guess they're trying to observe my transformation to being a dream-making mom.  I know the recipe by heart, but with all the stress of having two experts' eyes watching every knead, I still needed the scarp of ancient paper.  The rolls turned out "exactly like mom's" (as everyone gleefully exclaimed through crumb-encrusted lips).  Needless to say, they were scarfed down at dinner...and sneaked off before.  Then late that night, when Baby Brother came back from spending the day in Salt Lake, he and cousin J polished off the last 9 without anyone knowing.  When the rest of us awoke, we were devastated to discover we'd have to endure a roll-less breakfast (we were ALL counting on having at least one in the morning).  Grandpa demanded more so I spent the afternoon baking, and literally hiding them throughout the kitchen/cupboards in separate batches, should one be discovered...just like mom and grandma have done for years.

How to Move Forward

The worst part about the past is dwelling on it. And the worst about dwelling on it is, it seems to jinx us and reoccur in our future, even though we’re trying really hard to avoid it.  As though to teach us a different lesson, or even reemphasize what we should've learned the first time, the ugly head of the past shows up and knocks us back down.

I've made the mistake of giving too much in my relationships - with friends, guys, family, even myself.  Sacrificing me, in order to promote them.  I put everything I am on the table for them to peruse, only to find that the most delicate and important parts are brushed aside or overlooked.  I do everything I can to make sure the other person is taken care of and happy.  Their needs always come first, no matter what I must give up.  In so doing, I forget my own needs.  I’m guilty of overcompensating, as a way to encourage others to stick around. I guess it comes down to my belief that if I am alone forever, it is because I didn't do enough.  I was never the first picked on the playground, never the first to have a partner in projects, never the one asked to dance, never the one excitedly chosen for games, and never the girl any guy would even consider.  I was just the shoulder to cry on, the one on the side who observes, gives advice, listens for countless hours, helps get ready, but the one that silently aches for someone to find me.

But the most destroying thing I did to myself was stay around a bunch of damaging people, and convince myself that doing so was the key to being accepted, the key to happiness, the key to success for my heart.  While I was doing everything for them, I let them control every aspect of the relationship, just so they’d stick around. In order for the other person to shine, I'd muffle my talents.  I'd give up my own time, to make them smile.  It’s a damaging cycle to fall in...and I do it every time.

I didn't have anyone close enough to me to sit down with me, lovingly show me my true worth, and work with me so I'd want to shine - want to be noticed.  I never had anyone help me figure out what was really going on, and help me work towards what was better - more worthwhile, and overall, what I desperately needed.  I thought I was doing it right, thought I was making it so people would see me as worth being noticed.  Except, I wasn't the only friend in the equation, not the only girl on the bargaining table.  This led to my feeling that I was not good enough for anyone, which then leads to another path of overcompensation to prove I AM worthwhile.

Despite the unbalanced nature of my childhood (because I felt I was doing the best I could at being a friend) it wasn't until very recently that can I see my relationships through untainted lenses. When I came to college, leaving everyone and everything I ever knew, I was blessed with true friends - best friends.  My trust and love grew, and I learned how important it is to be honest with myself, and allow people to love me and be my foundation.  I began to open the doors of my deepest feelings, unlocking the painful past, and even encouraging those closest to me to come in and pick up the broken pieces.

Now, those friends approach me and state the facts of my failing relationships, but for some reason I just cannot get on that same page.  I just cannot allow myself to feel special.  That is the part of the story that I just can't let go of.

To me, I'm still the second best, still the one left out, still the one they'll never choose, still the one who doesn't quite fit the bill.  The worst thing I've done to myself, is compare myself to others. In every friendship, I've compared myself to someone they have spent more time with, dated, commented on, or admired.  It's emotionally consuming and draining, but it's human nature, isn't it? So how can I fight that? In a perfect world, I would recognize my true worth and exude confidence. I would see myself as great, and know that anyone who doesn't think so, is not worth my time.  In this world, in my reality, that hasn't happened yet. There are good days when I feel awesome, but I’m not 100% awesome all the time. Feeling and accepting that I'm the duckling that doesn't match is a confidence-sucking state.  It didn't take me one day to get to this point of self-doubt, so it'll take time to build myself up.  Most days, I climb up, but then just one thought, one word of discouragement, one glance over the shoulder, and I slip further down than where I started.

I have to believe everything happens for a reason, and that what happens in life affects who you will be.  I also believe that who you allow to influence your heart, also provides the greatest indicator of how you continue to grow.  So, I sometimes have to reflect on the bad, and realize that it has made me a better person for having survived. And then, I think how thankful I am that my life has gone the way it has, and where I am today. I couldn't imagine myself surrounded by anyone else.

Thoughts

You have the hair of a goddess. It has to be a German goddess....like...like Brumhilda!

My coworkers could be family

Two of the crew left the MTC so we decided to throw a party...a surprise party!!  B Skid was the only male in on the surprise.  He arranged for them to have a "boys' night" where we'd all be waiting.  He has the hardest time keeping secrets so we worried, just a little, that our cover would be blown.  Day of, no sign of a leak!  Ladies arrived and made this wonderful banner.  As they walked in J Full and J Am were so surprised.  We're going to miss them!

 

Kismet or Curve-ball

I've always been one of those people who find it hard to believe in anything that I can't see, feel, or know for sure.  I believe in people, in love, and in friendships, but not in fate or some random power making out my destiny.  But, lately, something has started to shift in me.  The choices I've been faced with, the completely unexpected route my life has taken, got me thinking.  Every once in a while I find myself thinking "How did I get here?"  I know how I got here, it all makes perfect sense, yet, it doesn't make sense at all.  Do you know what I mean?  I'm constantly surprised by the way my life has panned out, and I can't even imagine what lies ahead.

People often say if you have a clear vision of your future and work toward it, you will eventually get there.  And I believe in visions, in goals, and especially in dreams that take us further.  But, what I've come to realize is that we don't know how to create that vision, because we can't possibly see the curve-balls life has in store for us.  When I think back on my dream and vision that I had 5 years ago for my present day, I can only laugh, because there is not one single thing from that vision that has come true.  Except me still being alive.  But, I'm not complaining.  My life now is actually better than I envisioned.  It's completely different, but so much more fulfilling.

I'll still be dreaming and visioning my future, but I'm starting to happily welcome those curve-balls, because they often take me to a better place.  Even if it is through a challenging time.  I know that a beautiful life is waiting for me on the other side.  Life is good.

Come On, Get Happy!

It's amazing how days can flip back and forth, and by that I mean one day will be the best day of your life and the next seems like nothing is going right. It doesn't make a lot of sense but being able to recognize when I'm having a bad day and the reasoning behind it really helps calm my inner storm.

I've had a rough couple of days in the past few weeks and sometimes a little, good ol' sunshine and a nice, long walk really helps, but here's a few other things that can help turn that frown upside down.

1. Be Optimistic.

I know this can be hard to do when you're having a down day but there's a few things I do that really help me out:

• I often try to see the glass as half-full instead of half-empty. If I'm having a bad hair day, I think of something positive about it like how I like the length or the color. When work becomes suffocating and stressful, a walk outside in the fresh air reminds me of how lucky I am to have such good job. 
• Add up the little things that have gone right. The sun is shining and I can go outside. I didn't spill any lunch on my white sweater. I get to leave work a little earlier. 
• Avoid situations where things can go wrong. (This is silly but...) If I try to return something I've bought and I know the salesclerk is going to give me a hassle (and she does!) I always end up in a bad mood afterwards. Ask yourself beforehand, "Am I setting myself up for success or failure?" 
• Remember the quote: "Be kind; for everyone is fighting a hard battle. Remind yourself that some other people have it worse than you do. Ask yourself, "Is this really that bad? Will it matter in a few days, a week from now?"

2. Spend time with people who love you.

Hands down, the best thing on a rough day. For me, I don't think there's anything better than just hashing it out with a friend. A friend because they'll likely understand and listen better to what you have to say. Sometimes all you need is a good ear but spending time with people you love and who love you too reminds you that there are people out there who have your back and a shoulder to lean on.

3. Serve others.

Growing up whenever I was down, my mom would say, "do something for others." At the time it was frustrating to hear but doggone it she was always right. Forgetting about yourself and doing something for someone else always helps. If it's hard to think of what exactly to do, remember it can be anything no matter how small. For example, my mom would always suggest things like "go make Taylor's bed," or "Dad needs his shirts ironed" or she'd even throw in some for herself like "you can sweep the kitchen floor." (Loved those ones!)

All in all, being happy is up to us. I can choose to wake up and let one little thing ruin the rest of my day or I can stop and say to myself, "I am going to be happy today." We get to decide and I hope this will help you decide to have a good day too and better days to come as well!

Love Yourself

Most of us can admit to loving things about ourselves, but do we love our selves? The parts that make us, us? “A woman’s happiness is in throwing everything away to live for love,” says Ai Yazawa. But this living for love does not mean throwing away our dreams and desires. No, it means fully entering oneself, while ridding of any pre-conceived notions about beauty and value and worth. It means embracing our crooked noses, snorting laughter, the stretch marks, saggy boobs, tea-bag eyes and warty feet. It means accepting our humanness, but more than that. It means approaching ourselves like author Anne Lamott does: with kindness and laughter. “Age has given me what I was looking for my entire life,” she writes. “It has given me me. It has provided time and experience and failures and triumphs and time-tested friends who have helped me step into the shape that was waiting for me. I fit into me now.”We each have a shape. It may not be perfect, but it’s ours. A unique space in history to fill.

Quote of the day

"Being tender and open is beautiful.  As a woman, I feel continually shh'ed - too sensitive, too mushy, too wishy-washy.  Blah blah!  Don't let someone steal your tenderness.  Don't allow the coldness and fear of others tarnish your perfectly vulnerable beating heart.  Nothing is more powerful than allowing yourself to truly be affected by things.  Whether it's a song, a stranger, a mountain, a rain drop, a tea kettle, an article, a sentence, a footstep, feel it all.  Look around you.  All of this is for you.  Take it and have gratitude.  Give it and feel love." - Zooey Deschanel

My Childhood Love of Books Began Here...

Want to Know Me?

Refashion - - - in a New Way

This weekend is the Ward Campout.  I'm super excite for two reasons: 1) I absolutely positively can't get enough of camping and 2) it's at the Lake House.  Growing up, we did LOADS of camping, but this is going to be really the first time I've done the prepping alone.

These basic steps I know I can handle:
1 - Tin foil dinner
2 - Make bedroll
3 - Gather equipment
4 - Load car
5 - Pitch tent
6 - Start decent fire (including prepping the coals)

THIS, is the newest and most foreign step in the process - Seasoning a Dutch Oven.  I've always known and had experience with Dutch Ovens as they were an integral part in our family camping, but what I didn't realize was the amount of work it takes to get it ready.  Another something to encounter - the Dutch Oven is MY Dutch Oven.  When talking with my grandma about how I excited I was for the campout, she asked if we were doing anything with Dutch Ovens.  When I said we were, she told me there was probably one or two old Dutch Ovens out in the garage (glorified machine shop junk yard, more like).  Off I went to scour and discover.  The oven is a smaller sized one and completely coated in rust.  What normally should be black was a bright coppery-orange.  When I brought it inside, my grandma immediately set me to work on cleaning as much of the rust off as possible.  It was a brand-new, never been cooked in Dutch Oven that had been set aside and forgotten, before it could even draw the first smoky breath of fire.

2hrs of steel-wool scrubbing and the light silver color was showing up.  Next, the "Seasoning" of the oven.  Over time, Dutch Ovens build up their own protective coating from the oils released by the foods.  Because this little guy had been set aside instead of prepped for use, I got to do this step from the very beginning.

Reader's Digest version of the process
*more scrubbing, this time with a milder scrubber to remove any residue - 20min
*bake on the self-cleaning setting of the oven - 4hrs + the time it took for the oven to let me in
*allow to cool enough to handle the Dutch Oven - 1 1/2hrs
*thoroughly rub-down/coat with shortening - 5min
*bake - 50min
*allow to cool - 15min
(at this point it was super late so the rest of the steps are the next day.
*rub-down #2 - 10min
*bake - 20min
*allow to cool - 20min
*wipe off excess oil - 5min

I like to say, this little guy went from day to night.  These kinds of projects/hobbies/transformations are my favorite because I like to see the progress along the way; not wait till it's all over.

Pic #1 After the 2hr steel-wool exfoliation (you can still see loads of rust...picture that, but all over)
Pic #2 - READY TO COOK

What Makes Baseball Appealing...to ME

Well, all I can tell you is why I like to watch them.  Of course, they are way better when you are actually in the stadium.  For me, it is a slow game that with one swing of the bat everything changes.  You instantly have action.  The batter trying to get to first as fast as he can, and the fielders trying to catch the ball to get him out or catch it and throw him out at first.  Watching the pitcher interact with the catcher to try and fool the batter on what he is about to pitch, whether it be a fastball, curve, slider, change-up, etc.  Then, seeing if the batter can guess right and make contact.  Then, ever so often the batter makes solid contact and anything can happen.  It can be a home run or a fielder that can make a fantastic play and get the batter out.  Or occasionally, the fielder makes an error and the batter is safe.  A game can be turned around by one single play on the field.  Hard to explain why this game is so much fun to watch.  You really have to be there to understand.

My Lips Only Better

I've discovered tutorials!

Not Pinterest or YouTube; more personal - BLOGS.  I get excited as my feed gets peppered with step-by-steps or video stills.  That's when I know I've got something to do tonight if no one wants to play with me.

One of my favorites posted about "Your lips but better" lipstick.  I was intrigued and dared myself to try it out.  Following her post, this is my version...

Lipstick was scary and I never touched the stuff.  As long as I can remember I've only ever grabbed for chapstick, (cherry-scented, of course) and for special occasions I'd break out the sparkly stuff, which was just a clear glossy.  Lipstick was for old ladies and fashion models, and don't even ask me to wear lip-liner.  My mom wears lipstick; not me!

Now, I've seen the light!

Recently, I've put my toes in the water and experimented with colors. Even my nails and eyes begin to be dotted with small dabs of colors that I've been brave enough to try out.  Give me a blue or a pink shadow and I'll blend it all over my eyes, but hand me red lipstick and you'll find me in the next town in no time.

"Anything from a bright pink to a bold, rich red can totally change your "look" and may, in fact, be the boldest accessory".  I, myself, only use one lipstick for now.

"Other than the fun colorful shades, it's good to have a 'your lips but better' shade as well. Basically look at it as the color of your lips, but slightly bolder/more pigmented. Get it? Your lips but better? Finding this shade may require a roommate with fashion tastes/friend who's a little more daring than you/an employee at a makeup counter--but there is NO reason why you can't figure out the shade, apply it to your lips, walk out of the department store, kiss the back of your hand, and then swatch some different brands that are in your price point."

This is my story--

When it comes to makeup, I always am a "my face only better" kind of girl.  In December, some switch flicked on and I've been going for more daring looks ever since.  Last week, I walked in the Bare Minerals store to restock my basics and noticed the lipsticks.

Side-note: Whenever I go shopping, I tend to avoid all eye-contact with store employees because I don't want anyone to help me.  I'm fully capable of wandering around the store to find whatever it is I'm looking for (or not looking for)  No, I don't need you to hover while I browse the merchandise.  Don't be my shadow or I'll leave your store  

Anyways, this time I decided asking for a professional opinion might be more helpful than just doing it on my own , since I'll just go for the plainest possible.  I mean, this is a nice store of people who are trained to do makeup, not the random high-schooler pulled off the skate-park.  So when she came up to me, I gladly said "I'm looking for a lipstick".  Between the two of us, we found 3 different colors; I picked nude (naturally) and she picked a pink and a purple.  "Whoa" I said, "I don't know if I'm brave enough for those."  Still, she won out and I sat down in the makeup chair to test out the foreign objects.

In the end, I was so pleasantly surprised at the results.  I still turned down the purple one, but I was intrigued by the pink.  It was definitely a "my lips only better" lipstick.  My eyes popped more, my smile looked more dazzling, and I felt more confident (not to brag, in any way).  I was so happy with the results. 

Reader's challenge: Find your "only better" color
Me challenge: Discover cinnamon/hot/fire-engine red

Friends for Always

Words are powerful

I got to attend the Worldwide Leadership Training live in the Marriot Center. The meeting was focused solely on missionary work and Elder Holland teased by telling all the missionaries that this will be the biggest Zone Conference they will ever attend. It was really neat and powerful all at the same time. 11 of the 12 Apostles were there as well as all the missionaries currently in the MTC. Thousands of members also attended which merely added to the power in the room.

President Packer's talk really put a lot of deep thoughts into my heart. He taught about teaching. Since he is one of the most profound teachers I have learned from in my life, his counsel was ideal. He said "there are principles that we can learn, among them — perhaps the hardest one to learn — is to live so that you can abandon yourself and not read the script, just depend on the Spirit. I wish there would be a way to promise you that if you studied earnestly and seriously, that you would be better. It won't hurt you, but it won't make you better or even as good as if you trust in the Lord and trust in the Spirit."

Here's the entire broadcast

Next Craft Project

This summer, I've done A LOT of DIY and refashion projects, and now it's time that I get some outside ideas and do them, instead of creating/design the ideas myself.  Jojo and Eloise have the inspiration for my next projects.  Of course, I never just do exactly what's been done, when it comes to crafts, they're just giving me a springboard to tweaking my own designs.

It's really real now...for reals

If you haven't heard me say it before (and I say it often) I LOVE MY JOB!!  I never dreamed I'd love a desk job, because I was always going to be a teacher of some kind.  Today, it was confirmed to me that I really am an adult now.  At work, I got my own official company email, my own username for the computer, and I will soon be getting manager access for software and security.  OH MAN!!

My Bucket List - Let me elaborate #5

Win a ribbon in the state fair

"Our state fair is a great state fair, it's the best state fair in our state"

It's no secret that I love musicals, but one in particular is the basis for this Bucket List item.  Rodger's & Hammerstein's State Fair is not necessarily the most catchy, the funniest, or the most dreamy musical, but it is the most American - as American as apple pie.  State Fair tells the story of the Frake family who all have different experiences at the fair - Mom enters food competitions, dad has a prize winning boar, the son tries to outsmart a booth owner yet falls for a singer, and the daughter just tries to figure out love.  I've always wanted to win a prize but, somehow, that opportunity has always run away from me.  I love doing crafty things and sometimes enjoy having others recognize my talents, but sometimes I have this little flicker in my ear that tells me I want to win something at a fair.  Maybe someday I'll get up the courage to enter a fair, but till then, I'll stick with "...it's a grand night for singing." 

My Bucket List - Let me elaborate #4

Travel to India, ..., ..., ...

fascinating since childhood, intriguing now, adoring forever

In my young mind, the culture was nothing but colorful, the landscape extremely foreign and exotic, the people naturally happy, and the food perfectly spicy.  The more I learned, the deeper my intrigue grew.  On the first day of fifth grade, we were each assigned a country to do a big project on.  We were to work on it all year and present it the last week of school.  My whole class wanted me to get America because they figured I'd give them all the juicies on Hollywood, NYC, and Coca-Cola.  Lucky for me, I pulled my favorite country out of the hat instead.  From Bollywood to Chicken Curry, from Sari to golden bangle, it is beautiful to me.  To this day, I have a deep pocket of dreams about India, though I may never get to visit the land of colors.

12 Tips & Tricks To make clothes look luxurious

1. Sometimes inexpensive clothes lack the weight that a better fabric can provide, or simply lack a lining. You can’t change the fabric itself, but adding an underpinning to create a lining is an easy fix.

2. Mix inexpensive items with pricier ones, so the overall effect is balanced. The expensive ones will elevate the whole look.

3. Keep your color spectrum narrow. If you wear every color in the rainbow, nothing will look chic, it’ll just look like a mess.

4. When buying something inexpensive, make sure it looks rich. Are seams finished? Does hardware feel heavy? Are colors deep and saturated? Just because it’s cheap doesn’t mean it has to look it.

5. It’s hard to do heavy embellishment in an inexpensive way, so watch out. This may not be the item you want to scrimp on.

6. If you find something inexpensive and you’re not sure it looks right, chances are it’ll look best in black.

7. Those iconic styles “think big logos” are not the things to buy cheap.

8. It’s hard to make certain synthetics look great, the edges don’t finish well, the seams look too thick. It’s easier to fake a rich look in cotton, linen and silk.

9. Too tight, too big, too short. The too’s will always cheapen your look.

10. T-shirts, white button-downs, khakis, jeans are all things that are not worth spending on.

11. Buy inexpensive faux skin accessories, you get the look for a fraction of the cost. Small touches are best (belt, clutch), and natural colors are best.

12. As long as it’s a color combination that flatters your skin tone and in a cut that works on your body, it’s anyone’s guess as to how much you actually spent.

I psych myself out...every time

I'll admit it, I'm as guilty as a lot of ladies at watching what I say to a guy for fear of appearing “too forward?”. The other day, while talking with a good friend, he explained to me that when girls do this they might be accidentally sabotaging their chances of meeting and getting together with a great, available guy…and what does work to capture his interest.

Tell me if you’ve ever done this: you come across a guy who’s your type, but pretend not to be too into him because you think he might not be into you. Or perhaps you automatically assume he must already be taken. So you play it safe.  You look away when he looks at you, you get busy in a conversation with someone when he approaches you, or you distract yourself with something right after you talk so he can’t see how nervous you feel. And you do these things hoping he’ll make a “move” or do or say something that will send a signal that he’s interested in you, too.

If you’re thinking, “Yeah, that totally sounds like the kind of stuff I do when I meet someone I’m attracted to!” then you’re not alone. And you’re probably feeling pretty frustrated. That's how I feel!

Advice I was given - - WHY WHAT I'M DOING ISN’T WORKING
When you play it cool with a guy because you don’t want him to know you’re interested, guess what happens? You come across as disinterested – maybe even cold! Not the way you’d want a man you’re interested in to describe you, is it?

Most guys have been through the ringer – and have been rejected countless times by women. So a guy won’t automatically assume you’re interested in him. And he won’t attempt to decode your behavior. He’ll think you’re giving him the brush off, and he’ll try his chances elsewhere – with a woman who is warm, open, and shows him it’s safe to approach.

Start changing now - - SHIFT MY MINDSET…AND INCREASE MY ODDS
Now, I know why I play it cool – I'm trying to protect myself. Just like it’s hard for a guy to drum up the courage to approach me and risk rejection, it’s equally scary for me to put myself “out there” and not get anything in return. But here’s the thing. When I play it cool, I also unconsciously switch off that open place in my heart that captures a man’s genuine attention and interest. Instead, I end up taking in the attention of the men who choose me while limiting my ability to be the chooser...aka, nothing happens.

I miss the opportunities with all of those wonderful, emotionally available men who are out looking for a woman who has the confidence to find them.

What I'm going to do - - A MUCH COOLER APPROACH
How do you think men would respond if you were that woman who believed that every man you start talking to could be single, interesting, and interested? And how do you think men would feel around you if they didn’t see that you looked at them suspiciously as though they might be like some of the other men who disappointed you in the past?

Here’s what I want to do: for the next week, go out into the world and behave AS IF every man I meet will likely turn out to be a good guy…even my Mr. Right. That means that instead of playing it safe, I'll become curious and genuinely interested in the men I come in contact with.

When I let my guard down and assume the best in a man, guess what happens? He feels comfortable with me and accepted by me. These are two key elements a man needs to feel in order to see me as the kind of woman he can have a lasting, connected relationship with.

My Bucket List - Let me elaborate #3

Become a fun/sassy/lovely/real/fantastic wife

Why marry? I made up 10 funny and important reasons why:

1. Dating is D-U-N...DONE!!!!!!

2. Someone to make you laugh!
3. Always have a date on Saturday night
4. Movie watching/cuddling buddy!
5. Don’t have to worry about what you look like when you go to bed
6...or when you wake up
7. Not having to think things through on your own, if you don’t want to
8. Slow dancing...in the kitchen...to a favorite song
9. Having a best friend for forever
10. Never have to worry about where you’ll spend a holiday or long-weekend

I want a marriage more beautiful than my wedding...but I'll still drool over and note the most glamorously beautiful wedding ideas.

Always Believe in Yourself

A bird sitting on a tree is never afraid of the branch breaking, because her trust is not on the branch but on her own wings.

I'm ENCHANTED

Gail Carson Levine, author of Ella Enchanted, came to Provo for a Children's Book Fair. Little One and I were NOT going to pass that up for anything, even if we weren't 8 years old anymore.  My favorite book of all time is "Ella Enchanted" and it is one  I have read and reread over a thousand times, since the moment it was placed in my hands. Whenever I went anywhere, the book came with and I'd listen to the exact same Westlife CD while reading.  Side note - to this day, I can't listen to the CD without feeling parts of the book poking between the choruses.  I have carried the book with me to Provo and lucky for me, I still have it. Levine signed my childhood book which thrilled me to death. I also purchased a new hardback copy so I have a nice one for my future home.

Gradu-mi-nation

I recently reached a huge life-changing milestone --- I GRADUATED FROM BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY!!!!  Not only did I graduate, but I graduated with a double major of English and German Studies AND was offered a staff position in my office at the MTC in Human Resources.

It's been a long and often insane journey, but it was definitely worth all the work, all the pain, and all the late nights.  Throughout it all, I had such fantastic friends and roommates who were there for each other and me.  We've changed so much since that first day in Fox 49.  We've grown up and hit some of our dreams.  We've served missions, found jobs, met husbands, and moved on with our lives.  Who would've thought we'd stick together as long as we have.  Each year brought with it new challenges, some heartbreaks, some new adventures, and, overall, a TON of fun.  This past semester was the last time we'd live together.  Domestic Goddess is in DC, Little One is engaged, CC attends Grad School in Logan, and AV is living a big-kid life and job, and EmJ is traveling the world and interning for reals.  We're all so different, but somehow we've stayed closer than any friends possibly could.  I'm so grateful for what we've shared.  They've been a few of the strongest forces in helping me become who I am today.  

Growing up, my parents have always stressed the importance of education.  We were lead by the example of two loving people who both achieved higher education and then continued to learn in many different fields.  I was raised in a beautiful mix of culture, the arts, math, and exploration.  I was always encouraged to do my best and not give up nor wait till the last minute.  Both parents infused in me the love of reading and music.  Because of their examples, I love to explore, I relish in reading, and I really feel so much joy in doing a task to the best of my ability.  Thank you, Mom and Dad!!!

I have no idea what life holds for me in the coming years, but I do know that I am well-prepared for whatever adventures I choose to take on.  Now, all I have to do is DO IT!!  I'm super excited to see what I'll be doing a year from now, but for this moment, I am so content with the life that I'm living.  Bring it on, Life!!!