The staple in Apartment 51 WINCO for the first time. I am in love. It was a major event. We got our groceries, then had a picnic at gorgeous nearby park. Sunshine+friends+strawberries+chocolate-covered pretzels=happiness Institute media expo Apparently I'm obsessed with documenting my food. I get quite creative with my Freshmen grocery haul. Brussel sprouts, bowtie pasta, pesto, and avocado. Strangely delicious. More Capstone performances Michelle brought me some healthy treats while she was down here. Thank you so much! Blood oranges are to die for. And those dark chocolate nutty bits? Worth dying, coming back to life, then dying for. I spent $40 for Safety and Emissions (#yayForAdultLife) so I figured I would get my money's worth and drink a Coke. Europe and car places are the only times I drink soda (specifically Coke. Although I'm starting to think I like Dr. Pepper!) When things got a little soapy at the car wash When my morni
Posts
I love lists and I love being happy, so.... The gospel! Jesus Christ My family Pink peonies Tulips The light at dusk Traveling Postcards Snow globes Apple cider Seasons Holidays Brunch Peaches Dark chocolate Sunshine Clean rooms Decorating/interior designing Calligraphy Colorful Sharpies Set tables Glitter Music Dancing Seacoast pizza Parisian crepes New dresses Sun hats Adorable blogs Strangers that smile at you Writing in my journal Teaching lessons Succulents Bath & Body Works wall plug-ins Twinkle lights
Registering my car has been quite the ordeal. I have class until 5 every day and rehearsals Tuesday and Thursday, so finding a time has not been easy. One of my rehearsals was canceled today, so I drove to an auto-mechanic to update my registration. I knew I could get Safety and Emissions done, but thought they could also register my car. Nope! I have to go to the DMV. Then my car was failed, not because of the fact that the rear-view mirror is cracked (I bumped it in my apartment garage on a pillar-not my finest moment) but because there is a smaller circular mirror in the corner of it. It seemed like a tiny adjustment to me and couldn't believe they couldn't repair it right then at the mechanic! But it's fine-plus the owner gave me a free car-wash! Not just any car wash, "The BEST Carwash". It was $9. So I pull into the car-wash and jets start spraying all over and I can't see through the window from all the soapy water. And I'm like this is so cool! I
You know those weeks where nothing significantly wrong happens but a bunch of "mini trials" just kind of overwhelm you all the sudden? Ya that's happened a few times this past week. I just feel overwhelmed, under-qualified, and discouraged. But my point in telling you this, is that it gets better! Every single time I have one of those rough days or hours, it gets so much better! The blessings for big trials and answers to significant prayers will not be as immediate, but tender mercies have continually been given to me after hard days. It is proof to me that Heavenly Father is aware of me and that He is eager to bless, comfort, and teach me. I am so grateful for a Father in Heaven that loves me enough to give me hard times and the power to help me through. I am grateful for a Savior that gives me comfort and confidence to keep going, to have hope, and faith in good things to come. I am grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ that helps me have joy in the journey, that hel
As I have mentioned before, I am a HUGE planner and list-maker. So I have learned a few things about goals and resolutions that have really been beneficial to me. Everyone is different, but these ways of goal-setting have been so helpful! RESOLUTIONS.... At the beginning of the school year, I pick a theme. I pray about it, study scriptures, find quotes, and think about what the school year will bring. I think about the possible trials up ahead, the kind of motivation I might need, how I want to improve that year, and how the theme will strengthen my relationship with Jesus Christ. Last year my theme was a quote by Thomas S. Monson: To live greatly, we must develop the capacity to face trouble with courage, disappointment with cheerfulness, and triumph with humility. I felt this quote was really applicable to my Senior year and the ups and downs, rejections and offers, and major decisions and good-byes I would face. This year my theme is simple: Grow in Grace
I had to go through my emails today because they were starting to get gnarly. There were like 3,000 of them because I have been very behind on deleting them since like, three years ago. ha! It was bittersweet to see all the address and subjects of the emails. Dance company reminders, Prom pictures, emails from various colleges recruiting me, high school teachers scheduling tests, ACT reminders, Young Women talks, flight information, conversations about Girls Camp, information from my driving school, notifications from my online classes, old chapters from my never-finished novel, etc etc etc. They were like little snippets of my life during Junior and Senior year. A lot happened during those years. A lot that was pretty stupid and unnecessary. A lot that was selfish and confusing. A lot that was amazing and fun. A lot that strengthened my testimony and created forever friendships. Time goes by so quickly. Parents always say that about their kids, and I'm like Dude I know!
When I was encountered by an incredulous, almost angry questioning of some of my life decisions the other day, it really made me think... In the end, what is most important? After some thought, I then asked... If in the end, something is important, it better be pretty darn important right NOW too! The gospel, my family, what I have cultivated, what I have given time to, what I have appreciated, what I have created, who I helped out, what I learned. ^^^^^ THAT IS WHAT REALLY MATTERS I love finishing a perfect pirouette, or getting an A on an essay, or cooking something really good, but you know what I really love? I love getting a text at 11 pm from my little sister who is asking for advice. Seeing the mountains on my way to school every day. Writing in my journal at night in my little dorm with the twinkle lights on. And I truly adore finding answers in the scriptures. Praying to an all-powerful Being who I know is there. Going to the temple where I feel close to heaven. Notici