Sunday, June 30, 2013
Sunday, June 23, 2013
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."
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."
Saturday, June 22, 2013
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.
Friday, June 21, 2013
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!!
Thursday, June 20, 2013
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."
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
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.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
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.
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.
Sunday, June 9, 2013
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.
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.
Friday, June 7, 2013
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:
Become a fun/sassy/lovely/real/fantastic wife
Why marry? I made up 10 funny and important reasons why:
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
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.
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
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.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
I'm ENCHANTED
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!!!
Birthdays Are Never Over
This year, Baby Brother and I got to celebrate our birthdays together. That hasn't happened since we both lived at home - - 6 years ago!! Because we were both crazy-busy on our actual birthdays, we set a date to party hardy on the weekend. All day Saturday was devoted to pampering each other. Here's how it went down...
We spent Friday night up at Grandpa's house doing the normal relaxing stuff that can only be done there. When I'm up there, I feel like I'm being recharged, literally. It's so stress-free, calm, relaxing, and I can just be me with no one to impress.
Saturday morning we mowed the lawn and cleaned the house, as well as a couple other little chores. Then, the fun could really be let loose
Phase #1
Mini-golfing at the course we used to go to as little kids with our parents - Mulligan's. As far as we can remember, other than the driving range, nothing much has changed. The water is still abnormally blue, the plasti-grass falling apart, and the rocks still hollow. Each hole had us making up a different strategy, different incentive, and a different prize for the winner. The loser of any hole had to use their non-dominant hand on the next one. Although I won quite a few holes, I also botched a few and, in the end, Baby Brother won.
Phase #2
Someone gave me a giftcard to Olive Garden (my favorite restauraunt). Because we'd had a late breakfast with Gma and Gpa, we had almost no room for lunch and therefore got to take most of it home. The only complaining about that....we had to be rolled out to the car.
While we waited, Baby Brother suggested we take some "situation pictures". He got to call out the situations. These two are the best of a weird collection of pictures. -- Utter shock and surprise/Spouse-catching smolder
Phase #3
As a family, we always take time to watch/go see a movie together so that's what Baby Brother and I decided we wanted to do for our birthday party. He got to pick the movie and chose "Now You See Me". I haven't kept up with new movies so I had no idea what it was about. We both LOVED it!! The whole day we just raved about it. Every few seconds, one of us would turn to the other and say "Whoa! That was awesome." It reminded me a lot of a mixture between "National Treasure" and "The Illusionist". I'm definitely going to go see it again.
Phase #4
Our next stop was ice cream; always a classic birthday treat. Luckily, I had a coupon for two free ice creams. Happy Birthday from Golden Spoon! No complaints there either. Each bowl was filled with our favorite flavor then topped with ultimate treats. I got Salted Caramel and Black Cherry topped with peanut butter cups, peanuts, and passionfruit jojobas (juice-filled bubbles). Baby Brother got Mango and Vanilla topped with brownies and tropical fruit jojobas. The sun was beating down so hard on us that we quickly saved our frozen treat from a fate worse than death. In return, our delightful dessert gave our brains an instantaneous and abrupt cool-down...accompanied by a headache. Even that could not deter us from finishing the day with a good laugh and remembering past birthdays.
Final Phase
After the temple, we took a side road up to explore and saw these GINORMOUS homes. Our jaws were dragging on the road behind the car, as we drove around. I can't believe anyone would want to live in such a palace let alone pay for one. No, thank you!
We spent Friday night up at Grandpa's house doing the normal relaxing stuff that can only be done there. When I'm up there, I feel like I'm being recharged, literally. It's so stress-free, calm, relaxing, and I can just be me with no one to impress.
Saturday morning we mowed the lawn and cleaned the house, as well as a couple other little chores. Then, the fun could really be let loose
Phase #1
Mini-golfing at the course we used to go to as little kids with our parents - Mulligan's. As far as we can remember, other than the driving range, nothing much has changed. The water is still abnormally blue, the plasti-grass falling apart, and the rocks still hollow. Each hole had us making up a different strategy, different incentive, and a different prize for the winner. The loser of any hole had to use their non-dominant hand on the next one. Although I won quite a few holes, I also botched a few and, in the end, Baby Brother won.
Phase #2
Someone gave me a giftcard to Olive Garden (my favorite restauraunt). Because we'd had a late breakfast with Gma and Gpa, we had almost no room for lunch and therefore got to take most of it home. The only complaining about that....we had to be rolled out to the car. Phase #3
As a family, we always take time to watch/go see a movie together so that's what Baby Brother and I decided we wanted to do for our birthday party. He got to pick the movie and chose "Now You See Me". I haven't kept up with new movies so I had no idea what it was about. We both LOVED it!! The whole day we just raved about it. Every few seconds, one of us would turn to the other and say "Whoa! That was awesome." It reminded me a lot of a mixture between "National Treasure" and "The Illusionist". I'm definitely going to go see it again.
Phase #4
Our next stop was ice cream; always a classic birthday treat. Luckily, I had a coupon for two free ice creams. Happy Birthday from Golden Spoon! No complaints there either. Each bowl was filled with our favorite flavor then topped with ultimate treats. I got Salted Caramel and Black Cherry topped with peanut butter cups, peanuts, and passionfruit jojobas (juice-filled bubbles). Baby Brother got Mango and Vanilla topped with brownies and tropical fruit jojobas. The sun was beating down so hard on us that we quickly saved our frozen treat from a fate worse than death. In return, our delightful dessert gave our brains an instantaneous and abrupt cool-down...accompanied by a headache. Even that could not deter us from finishing the day with a good laugh and remembering past birthdays.
Phase #5
Baby Brother has never seen the Draper Temple up close and since we were already in Draper, we decided to take a drive on over and check it out. I have been inside it during the Open House a couple years ago, but not since it was dedicated. It's in a beautiful location, up on the edge of the mountain overlooking the valley. As we drove around it, I couldn't help but be grateful for the Priesthood and the ordinances of the Temple. I can't imagine living without the knowledge that families will never end, or that God continues to speak with us today and expects our best so we can return to him. I'm grateful that my parents chose to raise us in such a way that with pride we can say that we will be together forever.
Final Phase
After the temple, we took a side road up to explore and saw these GINORMOUS homes. Our jaws were dragging on the road behind the car, as we drove around. I can't believe anyone would want to live in such a palace let alone pay for one. No, thank you!
Sunday, June 2, 2013
BBQ con KLN
Lime Mojito Chicken marinade is yummy! BBQ with Keri is way fun! Here's proof!
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| My Austrian Potato Salad |
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| Little One's Bean Salad |
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