So I know this is a little late in coming, but I wanted to do a "2012 in Review" for me. So here are the top five, in no particular order:
1. I declared as an English major. I started my class this week and I am loving it so far. My literary theory class is probably my favorite one, so far. We've talked about the reasons why we read (a lot more complex than you think) and are going to talk about the ethics of reading tomorrow. Sounds boring, but I am loving it. And I'm taking ASL (American Sign Language) as my language for my major and am loving that, too. I know it's going to get harder, but I love it.
2. I became a Mary Kay Beauty Consultant. This has helped me grow more as a person by stretching my boundaries and helping me get out of my comfort zone more. One of my fondest memories with Mary Kay this year was at Career Conference in April. My group of Mary Kay friends and associates were chosen to perform a dance in front of everyone and it was a blast. I kept getting comments the next couple of days of how enthusiastic I was and how it looked like I was having a lot of fun. I was. And I'm still having fun with Mary Kay - and here's to more adventures this year in Mary Kay.
3. I became friends with so many amazing people. I stay in Provo for winter semester, spring and summer term, and fall semester, and I have loved every minute of it. My wards have been amazing and the people in them are so sweet. They helped me when I needed help, we had fun together, and we got to know each other so well. Some of these friends include: Kelsey, Emma, Kelly, Ashley, Michael, Spencer, Megan, Kandi, Garrett, the 80th ward (I would write out all the names, but there are a lot of people), and so many others. Love you guys! You're amazing and I'm so glad to have met you all!
4.I have grown to appreciate my family a lot. I've lived in Provo since the end of August in 2011 and I've only been home for a couple of Christmas's, a family reunion, and a Thanksgiving. I love my family, so much, and I am so grateful for the times I do get to see them. They mean so much to me and I love them. I love how I can talk to them whenever I need help with something or just to talk and catch up. And I can count on them. They are an amazing family and I am so grateful I get to be a part of it.
5. I have spiritually grown so much this past year. From numerous experiences with friends and personal experiences, I know that the Atonement works. I have felt its' power in my life and I know that Jesus Christ suffered for our sins so that we could return to Him and Heavenly Father. They love us with a love that I can only barely begin to understand. I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the true church on the earth today and that President Thomas S. Monson is a true prophet, seer, and revelator, as well as the rest of The Twelve Apostles. I know that The Book of Mormon is true and that we truly are happier when we read and study it on a daily basis. I know that missionary work is important and that the age-change announced in October at General Conference was revelation. It has blessed so many people's lives already and it has only been a few months. I know that we are here on earth to grow and make choices, to use our agency, and to try our best so that we can return to our Heavenly Father. He is there to help us and we cannot do it alone.
2012 for me was a year of growth and personal understanding. I learned so much about myself and I think 2013 is going to be even better than last year. Tough goal (last year was brilliant), but I think it will happen. So here's to this year being even better than last, probably harder than last year, and more amazing in experiences!
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Friday, October 19, 2012
"The future is as bright as your faith"
Yesterday, I did something huge. Something life-changing. Something that helps me have more faith in the future and in what I am doing with my life.
I declared as an English major.
Now, for some of you, this may not be a huge deal. To me, it is. I almost ran to the bell-tower to declare it to the rest of the school. And I was practically skipping on the way home. After a year and a half of searching, I have an official major. I have considered thirty majors (and yes, that number is correct, not an estimate - I just counted) at one time or another during that year and a half. About a week ago I realized that the only major that was continually there was English and the only thing holding me back was taking a foreign language. For those of you who know me well, I don't do well with learning languages other than English. But I talked with someone about it and they suggested ASL. My friends also thought that it was a good idea. One of them told me, "Well, you already talk with your hands, so why not learn ASL?" I love writing, whether it be stories, essays (most of them), or just writing in general. I love reading something, dissecting it, and giving my opinion about it. I love this stuff. And after thinking about it, I decided to declare as an English major.
When I walked out of the humanities office, it was like a huge weight was lifted from my shoulders. I now have a major. I now know what classes I'm taking next semester. I have a general direction that I'm going in instead of deciding which way to go out of the thousands of options. I know I'll have to work hard - that's a given with college - but I know I'm going to do well because I have faith that I am going to be dedicated to this major and faith that Heavenly Father will help me when I need help. It feels right and I feel good about it.
The reason I chose this quote by President Monson for my title is that this is a true statement. I know it is. As my faith increases, my future becomes brighter and brighter. I know that there will be hard times in life - when is there not? - but I have faith that everything will be alright in the end. It will all work out. Trials are a part of this mortal life - we're here to be tested, after all. But I know that my future it bright and I'm excited to dive into the realms of the English major.
I declared as an English major.
Now, for some of you, this may not be a huge deal. To me, it is. I almost ran to the bell-tower to declare it to the rest of the school. And I was practically skipping on the way home. After a year and a half of searching, I have an official major. I have considered thirty majors (and yes, that number is correct, not an estimate - I just counted) at one time or another during that year and a half. About a week ago I realized that the only major that was continually there was English and the only thing holding me back was taking a foreign language. For those of you who know me well, I don't do well with learning languages other than English. But I talked with someone about it and they suggested ASL. My friends also thought that it was a good idea. One of them told me, "Well, you already talk with your hands, so why not learn ASL?" I love writing, whether it be stories, essays (most of them), or just writing in general. I love reading something, dissecting it, and giving my opinion about it. I love this stuff. And after thinking about it, I decided to declare as an English major.
When I walked out of the humanities office, it was like a huge weight was lifted from my shoulders. I now have a major. I now know what classes I'm taking next semester. I have a general direction that I'm going in instead of deciding which way to go out of the thousands of options. I know I'll have to work hard - that's a given with college - but I know I'm going to do well because I have faith that I am going to be dedicated to this major and faith that Heavenly Father will help me when I need help. It feels right and I feel good about it.
The reason I chose this quote by President Monson for my title is that this is a true statement. I know it is. As my faith increases, my future becomes brighter and brighter. I know that there will be hard times in life - when is there not? - but I have faith that everything will be alright in the end. It will all work out. Trials are a part of this mortal life - we're here to be tested, after all. But I know that my future it bright and I'm excited to dive into the realms of the English major.
Friday, October 5, 2012
20 Lessons I've learned (in no particular order)
I know I've probably talked about some of this stuff in previous posts, but
here's twenty things I have learned in the past twenty years:
1-Sometimes you just have to laugh at yourself
You know those days that are just like a comedy of errors? That was definitely last Saturday for me (even though the day was amazing). As you go through it, as you're late for stuff, and as you trip over nonexistent things (admit it - it happens to you, too), you just have to smile and shrug it off. I have definitely been in the position where I hold onto it for such a long period of time that it bugs me for weeks or months. It is so not worth it. Just let it go, shrug it off, and if you have to, laugh at yourself. It's a lot more fun to laugh than to cry, promise. I've done both and laughing cleanses your soul a lot faster.
2-Be confident in who you are/Make new friends and be social/extroverted - it's really fun, promise
If you had told me a few years ago that I was going to be a very outgoing person by the time I was twenty, I would have laughed. Hysterically. I would have asked, "Me? You're kidding, right? Have you not seen me in situations where I don't know anyone? I don't talk, I don't meet people. I just stand there and keep to myself." Looking back on the past year where I have made it my goal to meet people and be more social, I am amazed. I do not regret that decision, at all. I love my friends and I hope they are still up for putting up with my weirdness. I love the people I have met and gotten to know. Those people have blessed my life so much since I have started college and I hope that I can remain friends with them for a really long time.
And just be confident in who you are, what you stand for, what you look like, and why you are the way you are. Confidence is a liberating thing. Once you have found your confidence, use it. It's kind of like a testimony - if you don't use it, you lose it. Don't lose your confidence. Or you testimony, for that matter.
3-Heavenly Father is always there for me and truly loves me
True fact. I know that He is always there for me and is truly concerned with how I am doing in my life. He knows me better than I know myself. He knows my weaknesses, my strengths, my true desires, and how (and who) I really am. He wants me to return to Him and wants me to be happy. I know that by following His commandments, I can be happy. I know that - I have tried it for myself and know that is true.
4-My family is amazing and they love me so much
My family - what can I say about my family that can be expressed in words? I love my family so much. That has been realized in the past year since I have come to college. They care about me and love me. I love them, so much. Did I already say that? I'll say it again - I LOVE MY FAMILY! They are the best family that I could have been put with on this earth. I love my parents - they are always there for me and I can tell them anything. I also love my siblings and their spouses and kids. My siblings - you get us together, with our parents, and we have a blast. Humor, sarcasm, and music abound when the Conovers get together. We had a family reunion in July and all of us (except one of my brother-in-laws) were home. I forgot how fun it is when you get the original family together with all their kids and spouses. It was so fun. My brother-in-laws and sister-in-law are amazing - they fit right in with our family. One of my nephews said a couple of times, "Michelle, I missed you so much." I almost cried. I said I missed him, too. I love my nieces and nephews. They are the most adorable kids in the world. I'm an aunt - I can say that. =]
Family - they're important, amazing, and I love them. For all time and eternity, I'll love them. Through thick and thin, I'll love them.
5-My friends are just as weird as I am and it's perfectly fine to BE weird/Friends are some of the best people to have in your life to experience stuff with
I love my friends. They put up with my quirks, oddities, weirdness, and just me in general. And doing stuff with your friends makes the friendship that much more awesome. Examples of stuff you can do with your friends (and stuff I've done with mine) - photo shoots on a random swing in Pleasant Hill, watch Thor in 3D and sneak in cookie-dough to a movie theater, stay up till 2 in the morning just laughing, lightsaber battles, make fun of Twilight, quote Harry Potter and every Disney movie in existence, sing "We Are Young" at the top of your lungs, play with sparklers, dance in the rain, pancake breakfasts, Costco trips, homework in the library (do only during finals...), ultimate Frisbee, snowball fights, go on a zipline, go down giant water-slides, make a movie list and watch all the movies on that list, go to Jamba Juice, sing Muse at the top of your lungs in the car, stay in Disneyland for 18 hours straight, play Truth or Dare, go bowling and be awesome at it (as in bowl backwards and get a strike), go country dancing, go to Brick Oven pizza and drink root beer, fit seven people in a five person car, go disco roller-skating, go ice-skating, go to Olive Garden, get Creamery ice cream together, watch fireworks, have a BBQ, and manage to stay alive through all of it. Just have an awesome time together with your friends.
6-Moving on is one of the best feelings
Emotionally letting go of the things is the best thing in life. Or, one of the best things. Especially when the stuff you were going through was especially bad. Just moving on from bad experiences feels so relieving and liberating that you wonder why anyone would think of the bad stuff. (then you remember that the bad stuff has helped you learned about life)
7-Enjoy the little things in life
"It's the little things that count" as my high school freshman biology teacher said one cold day when my friend and I were appreciating the heater in his classroom. Enjoy the little things, people! The little things in life are the things that make life awesome. "Tender mercies" if you want to use Elder Bednar's phrasing. I love the little things in life - a pretty sunrise/sunset, little flowers, someone wearing yellow shoes, bubble-wrap, a hug, Hans Zimmer music, finger-painting, an old book, whistling, and sourdough bread. Enjoy the little things and look for the blessings in your life and life will be a lot happier.
8-Play nice and share
Sharing is caring and not sharing is just lame. End of story.
9-Stress is important and it's good to know how to handle it
That might sound counter-intuitive. But at Education Week, my mom, sister and I went to a class and we learned that stress was divinely inspired. Yes, you read that right. It’s there to help us grow. It might not seem like it, but it’s true. I’m still getting used to stress as much as the next person, but I know that it will help me grow as an individual.
10-You can be a science nerd and a science-fiction writer at the same time (hard sciences and liberal arts DO mix)
I love physics, chemistry, and biology. I also love music, writing, baking, and dancing. So when it comes to choosing a major, things get tough. But in everyday life, those things can mix. You can figure out the acoustics in music. You can talk about the momentum and torque in dancing. You can talk about chemistry in baking cookies. I love how the hard sciences and liberal arts CAN go together and work hand in hand.
11-Music is good for the soul
I love music – it was my middle and high school experience. Trips to Seattle, San Diego, Disneyland, Reno, and Washington D.C. have shown me how wide-spread the language of music is. Music has helped me through some pretty hard experiences. Music can always make me feel better (especially if it is the Mormon Tabernacle Choir or Hans Zimmer). Music – good music – can heal an emotionally wracked soul (that and prayer). Music calms the soul – maybe dubstep doesn’t – but good music does good things for the soul. Like chicken soup for the soul, except in music form.
12-Smile - it's good for you.
Smiling is amazing. Did you know that by smiling – even if you force yourself to smile – it releases endorphins that make you happier? So, literally, smiling is good for you. And it makes other people smile, making other people smile, and making other people happy, too. So it’s a perpetual machine of happiness. So it’s good for you and those around you.
13-Have a hobby you love to do and do as well as you can at it
My hobby is writing and music. I know that I am decently good at music and music theory. Jazz and wind ensemble have told me that much. Writing, I only know what my friends have told me. I love both of these hobbies. Writing helps me work on writing essays – even though writing is always a work in progress – and music calms my soul (see point 11). I consider these two of my main talents and I will always work to be better at them. I love both and I am determined to continue to work on both of them.
14-Working feels a whole lot better than sitting around and doing nothing
This past summer I learned that when I work really hard on something, I feel good about myself and I feel like I am accomplishing stuff. I know that when I am lazy and am not doing anything, I get sad and self-absorbed. I know that when I am “anxiously engaged in a good cause” – whether that be service, education, Mary Kay, what have you – I am in a better mood and am a better person.
15-Write in your journal - you'll want to remember the good things and what you learned from the bad things
Even if you're just writing five blessings that happen in your life during the day, that's better than not writing anything. I need to work on this, but I notice that when I recognize the blessings in my life, I am so much happier. During devotionals the past couple of weeks at BYU, I've noticed a theme of staying positive and being optimistic about the future. In those talks, it has been mentioned - multiple times - that a journal should be kept of blessings throughout our lives. I believe in this and know it to be true. And even if you write down the bad things, you'll be able to know what you learned from those experiences. Learning is a good thing. It's hard to go through the bad stuff, but it's so worth it.
16-Learn to love yourself
No, I don’t mean this in a selfish or self-absorbed way. I mean be confident in who you are and what you look like. I have only just recently felt comfortable walking around without makeup or wearing my crazy curly hair down without really doing anything to it. I feel comfortable as myself around other people. Learn to love your personality and rock it. Be awesome at who you are. Yes, don’t completely scare potential friends with people by being your full-on crazy self that usually occurs at 11 at night or later, but don’t put on a fake mask and then completely change who you are. Love yourself, and others will learn to love you, too.
17-Read everyday - it helps you stay imaginative and it's a lot better than video games
I love reading. Of all the hobbies and things I have done in the past however many years, reading is the only one that has stayed consistent during that time. As my roommate says (really bad paraphrase coming up), reading gets you out of your own situation and puts you into someone else's and it relaxes you. Even if that book is about a post-apocalyptic society where children are forced to fight to the death (Hunger Games) it's still "relaxing" to think about something else other than your own problems.
And writing helps, too. Creating a new story that hasn't been created or written yet is an amazing feeling. And again, it helps with relaxing and getting out of your own problems.
18- Sometimes life doesn't do what you think it will do
True fact. For example, I didn't think that I would ever be a Mary Kay consultant. But I am. I never thought that I would be undecided about my major in my second year of college. I still am. I have realized that life throws curve balls at you and you just have to "roll the play-dough" (as my sister says) and "sometimes we do hard things". Life is good, everybody. My philosophy right now is that, in the short term, life is hard but in the long run, everything is going to turn out all right. Promise.
19-Unplug once in a while- just have fun with who you're with and with what you're doing
I know that everyone has a cell phone and...wait - where's my cell phone? [looks frantically for five minutes, then finds it - really, this did happen]
I know I feel lost without my phone and that's how I stay connected with a lot of people. But, sometimes, you should unplug from texting, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media to get to know the people you're with. It's fun to interact with people in person and to talk with them. (wait, talking? In person? What is this madness?) Yes. Talking in person. You learn a lot and there's less confusion as to what the person actually meant. And it's just more fun in general.
20-Sometimes you have to fail before you succeed (like learning to walk and riding a bike)
Sometimes, failure is definitely an option. You may have to fail at some things before you get them right. We’ve all been there. I doubt that there are any people that succeeded at walking the first time they tried it when they were a little kid. Or riding a bike – we’ve all biffed it at one point or another. I’ve learned this through little failures that I’ve been through. I think, if you don’t fail at some things, you’re not branching out enough. You’re not taking many risks. Life is a giant risk so if you don’t intentionally take some, then you’re not living to your full potential. You sometimes have to step out into the dark a few steps before you fully know what you’re doing or know where you are in life. Take a few risks and if you’re going to fail, fail fantastically.
Reason for this: it's my 20th birthday! Yay! And I thought I'd share some of the things I have learned in my mere two decades of being alive.
Hope everyone is having an awesome day today! And thank you for all the birthday wishes.
1-Sometimes you just have to laugh at yourself
You know those days that are just like a comedy of errors? That was definitely last Saturday for me (even though the day was amazing). As you go through it, as you're late for stuff, and as you trip over nonexistent things (admit it - it happens to you, too), you just have to smile and shrug it off. I have definitely been in the position where I hold onto it for such a long period of time that it bugs me for weeks or months. It is so not worth it. Just let it go, shrug it off, and if you have to, laugh at yourself. It's a lot more fun to laugh than to cry, promise. I've done both and laughing cleanses your soul a lot faster.
2-Be confident in who you are/Make new friends and be social/extroverted - it's really fun, promise
If you had told me a few years ago that I was going to be a very outgoing person by the time I was twenty, I would have laughed. Hysterically. I would have asked, "Me? You're kidding, right? Have you not seen me in situations where I don't know anyone? I don't talk, I don't meet people. I just stand there and keep to myself." Looking back on the past year where I have made it my goal to meet people and be more social, I am amazed. I do not regret that decision, at all. I love my friends and I hope they are still up for putting up with my weirdness. I love the people I have met and gotten to know. Those people have blessed my life so much since I have started college and I hope that I can remain friends with them for a really long time.
And just be confident in who you are, what you stand for, what you look like, and why you are the way you are. Confidence is a liberating thing. Once you have found your confidence, use it. It's kind of like a testimony - if you don't use it, you lose it. Don't lose your confidence. Or you testimony, for that matter.
3-Heavenly Father is always there for me and truly loves me
True fact. I know that He is always there for me and is truly concerned with how I am doing in my life. He knows me better than I know myself. He knows my weaknesses, my strengths, my true desires, and how (and who) I really am. He wants me to return to Him and wants me to be happy. I know that by following His commandments, I can be happy. I know that - I have tried it for myself and know that is true.
4-My family is amazing and they love me so much
My family - what can I say about my family that can be expressed in words? I love my family so much. That has been realized in the past year since I have come to college. They care about me and love me. I love them, so much. Did I already say that? I'll say it again - I LOVE MY FAMILY! They are the best family that I could have been put with on this earth. I love my parents - they are always there for me and I can tell them anything. I also love my siblings and their spouses and kids. My siblings - you get us together, with our parents, and we have a blast. Humor, sarcasm, and music abound when the Conovers get together. We had a family reunion in July and all of us (except one of my brother-in-laws) were home. I forgot how fun it is when you get the original family together with all their kids and spouses. It was so fun. My brother-in-laws and sister-in-law are amazing - they fit right in with our family. One of my nephews said a couple of times, "Michelle, I missed you so much." I almost cried. I said I missed him, too. I love my nieces and nephews. They are the most adorable kids in the world. I'm an aunt - I can say that. =]
Family - they're important, amazing, and I love them. For all time and eternity, I'll love them. Through thick and thin, I'll love them.
5-My friends are just as weird as I am and it's perfectly fine to BE weird/Friends are some of the best people to have in your life to experience stuff with
I love my friends. They put up with my quirks, oddities, weirdness, and just me in general. And doing stuff with your friends makes the friendship that much more awesome. Examples of stuff you can do with your friends (and stuff I've done with mine) - photo shoots on a random swing in Pleasant Hill, watch Thor in 3D and sneak in cookie-dough to a movie theater, stay up till 2 in the morning just laughing, lightsaber battles, make fun of Twilight, quote Harry Potter and every Disney movie in existence, sing "We Are Young" at the top of your lungs, play with sparklers, dance in the rain, pancake breakfasts, Costco trips, homework in the library (do only during finals...), ultimate Frisbee, snowball fights, go on a zipline, go down giant water-slides, make a movie list and watch all the movies on that list, go to Jamba Juice, sing Muse at the top of your lungs in the car, stay in Disneyland for 18 hours straight, play Truth or Dare, go bowling and be awesome at it (as in bowl backwards and get a strike), go country dancing, go to Brick Oven pizza and drink root beer, fit seven people in a five person car, go disco roller-skating, go ice-skating, go to Olive Garden, get Creamery ice cream together, watch fireworks, have a BBQ, and manage to stay alive through all of it. Just have an awesome time together with your friends.
6-Moving on is one of the best feelings
Emotionally letting go of the things is the best thing in life. Or, one of the best things. Especially when the stuff you were going through was especially bad. Just moving on from bad experiences feels so relieving and liberating that you wonder why anyone would think of the bad stuff. (then you remember that the bad stuff has helped you learned about life)
7-Enjoy the little things in life
"It's the little things that count" as my high school freshman biology teacher said one cold day when my friend and I were appreciating the heater in his classroom. Enjoy the little things, people! The little things in life are the things that make life awesome. "Tender mercies" if you want to use Elder Bednar's phrasing. I love the little things in life - a pretty sunrise/sunset, little flowers, someone wearing yellow shoes, bubble-wrap, a hug, Hans Zimmer music, finger-painting, an old book, whistling, and sourdough bread. Enjoy the little things and look for the blessings in your life and life will be a lot happier.
8-Play nice and share
Sharing is caring and not sharing is just lame. End of story.
9-Stress is important and it's good to know how to handle it
That might sound counter-intuitive. But at Education Week, my mom, sister and I went to a class and we learned that stress was divinely inspired. Yes, you read that right. It’s there to help us grow. It might not seem like it, but it’s true. I’m still getting used to stress as much as the next person, but I know that it will help me grow as an individual.
10-You can be a science nerd and a science-fiction writer at the same time (hard sciences and liberal arts DO mix)
I love physics, chemistry, and biology. I also love music, writing, baking, and dancing. So when it comes to choosing a major, things get tough. But in everyday life, those things can mix. You can figure out the acoustics in music. You can talk about the momentum and torque in dancing. You can talk about chemistry in baking cookies. I love how the hard sciences and liberal arts CAN go together and work hand in hand.
11-Music is good for the soul
I love music – it was my middle and high school experience. Trips to Seattle, San Diego, Disneyland, Reno, and Washington D.C. have shown me how wide-spread the language of music is. Music has helped me through some pretty hard experiences. Music can always make me feel better (especially if it is the Mormon Tabernacle Choir or Hans Zimmer). Music – good music – can heal an emotionally wracked soul (that and prayer). Music calms the soul – maybe dubstep doesn’t – but good music does good things for the soul. Like chicken soup for the soul, except in music form.
12-Smile - it's good for you.
Smiling is amazing. Did you know that by smiling – even if you force yourself to smile – it releases endorphins that make you happier? So, literally, smiling is good for you. And it makes other people smile, making other people smile, and making other people happy, too. So it’s a perpetual machine of happiness. So it’s good for you and those around you.
13-Have a hobby you love to do and do as well as you can at it
My hobby is writing and music. I know that I am decently good at music and music theory. Jazz and wind ensemble have told me that much. Writing, I only know what my friends have told me. I love both of these hobbies. Writing helps me work on writing essays – even though writing is always a work in progress – and music calms my soul (see point 11). I consider these two of my main talents and I will always work to be better at them. I love both and I am determined to continue to work on both of them.
14-Working feels a whole lot better than sitting around and doing nothing
This past summer I learned that when I work really hard on something, I feel good about myself and I feel like I am accomplishing stuff. I know that when I am lazy and am not doing anything, I get sad and self-absorbed. I know that when I am “anxiously engaged in a good cause” – whether that be service, education, Mary Kay, what have you – I am in a better mood and am a better person.
15-Write in your journal - you'll want to remember the good things and what you learned from the bad things
Even if you're just writing five blessings that happen in your life during the day, that's better than not writing anything. I need to work on this, but I notice that when I recognize the blessings in my life, I am so much happier. During devotionals the past couple of weeks at BYU, I've noticed a theme of staying positive and being optimistic about the future. In those talks, it has been mentioned - multiple times - that a journal should be kept of blessings throughout our lives. I believe in this and know it to be true. And even if you write down the bad things, you'll be able to know what you learned from those experiences. Learning is a good thing. It's hard to go through the bad stuff, but it's so worth it.
16-Learn to love yourself
No, I don’t mean this in a selfish or self-absorbed way. I mean be confident in who you are and what you look like. I have only just recently felt comfortable walking around without makeup or wearing my crazy curly hair down without really doing anything to it. I feel comfortable as myself around other people. Learn to love your personality and rock it. Be awesome at who you are. Yes, don’t completely scare potential friends with people by being your full-on crazy self that usually occurs at 11 at night or later, but don’t put on a fake mask and then completely change who you are. Love yourself, and others will learn to love you, too.
17-Read everyday - it helps you stay imaginative and it's a lot better than video games
I love reading. Of all the hobbies and things I have done in the past however many years, reading is the only one that has stayed consistent during that time. As my roommate says (really bad paraphrase coming up), reading gets you out of your own situation and puts you into someone else's and it relaxes you. Even if that book is about a post-apocalyptic society where children are forced to fight to the death (Hunger Games) it's still "relaxing" to think about something else other than your own problems.
And writing helps, too. Creating a new story that hasn't been created or written yet is an amazing feeling. And again, it helps with relaxing and getting out of your own problems.
18- Sometimes life doesn't do what you think it will do
True fact. For example, I didn't think that I would ever be a Mary Kay consultant. But I am. I never thought that I would be undecided about my major in my second year of college. I still am. I have realized that life throws curve balls at you and you just have to "roll the play-dough" (as my sister says) and "sometimes we do hard things". Life is good, everybody. My philosophy right now is that, in the short term, life is hard but in the long run, everything is going to turn out all right. Promise.
19-Unplug once in a while- just have fun with who you're with and with what you're doing
I know that everyone has a cell phone and...wait - where's my cell phone? [looks frantically for five minutes, then finds it - really, this did happen]
I know I feel lost without my phone and that's how I stay connected with a lot of people. But, sometimes, you should unplug from texting, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media to get to know the people you're with. It's fun to interact with people in person and to talk with them. (wait, talking? In person? What is this madness?) Yes. Talking in person. You learn a lot and there's less confusion as to what the person actually meant. And it's just more fun in general.
20-Sometimes you have to fail before you succeed (like learning to walk and riding a bike)
Sometimes, failure is definitely an option. You may have to fail at some things before you get them right. We’ve all been there. I doubt that there are any people that succeeded at walking the first time they tried it when they were a little kid. Or riding a bike – we’ve all biffed it at one point or another. I’ve learned this through little failures that I’ve been through. I think, if you don’t fail at some things, you’re not branching out enough. You’re not taking many risks. Life is a giant risk so if you don’t intentionally take some, then you’re not living to your full potential. You sometimes have to step out into the dark a few steps before you fully know what you’re doing or know where you are in life. Take a few risks and if you’re going to fail, fail fantastically.
Reason for this: it's my 20th birthday! Yay! And I thought I'd share some of the things I have learned in my mere two decades of being alive.
Hope everyone is having an awesome day today! And thank you for all the birthday wishes.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Time certainly does fly...
NOTE: I started writing this two weeks ago, so the timing is a little off in the first paragraph...
This time last year, I was procrastinating the packing process and trying to deal with anxiety that was in me almost everyday. What would college be like? Would I get along with my roommates? How would I handle school? Would I survive living on my own? Would I still be shy? What would my freshmen ward be like? Would I like my Family Home evening family? The questions and concerns seemed endless last summer.
So skip ahead two semesters, a spring term, and a few months of summer to the present point in time. Now I think, "What? It's only been a year? Really? Feels a lot longer than that. College has been awesome and will continue to BE awesome." I seriously cannot believe that it has only been a year since I was stressing over what college was going to be like. I have grown so much in this past year. I think back to who I was a year ago and I cannot believe how much I've grown since then.
The changes have been good changes. Here's a "short" list:
1. I'm not so shy anymore - if someone had told me my senior year that I was going to be an out-going person in college, I probably would have laughed. Hysterically. That wasn't me until I came to college. Then I realized that I wanted to make more friends and to have fun in college (in between calculus, biology, and American heritage...and all the other classes that aren't especially my favorite). In the past two weeks, I have met so many wonderful people. Hopefully, I will remain to be friends with them and the people I became friends with over the spring/summer. I'm realizing that with all the friends I have made recently and the friends I have made in the past year, I am going to have a difficult time seeing all of them on a somewhat-regular basis. So many people to be friends with already and so many people that I have yet to meet!
2. I can live on my own - being thrown into a situation where you have to shop, cook, and do things without being reminded to is a life-changer. Or, at least for me it was. I could - and still can - talk to my parents for help or consolation (like when I would get sick...) or call my sister for help but on the whole, I was on my own. But the nice thing is that I had people to help me that were going through the same thing (like my awesome roommates that I had in Heritage! Love you guys!).
3. I realized you don't have to have a major right away - that's right. You don't. You're going to change it, anyway. Most likely, at least. Of my roommates that knew what their majors were coming into college, four of them changed what they were doing. And I personally have thought of - about - fifteen majors for me. At the moment, I'm seriously considering food science, the management track. How about that, Kylie? We could - possibly - be in the same major... =]
4. I am a Mary Kay consultant - yes, I sell makeup and skincare to people. No, I did not think that I would ever do this as my job. But I love it. I'm still getting used to working my business at the moment, but so far, I love it. Thanks, Kelly, for helping me learn and understand my business better.Looking back to last year, I never thought that I would be doing this as my job, but when I think about this decision that I made back in February, I am so grateful that I have the opportunity to have a job. And I'm realizing (as I'm taking an intro. to entrepreneurship class) that this might be one of the best decisions I've made in my life.
5. I have made so many wonderful friends that I cannot even BEGIN to describe my appreciation for them. To my awesomely amazing Heritage roommates, Audrey, Katelyn, Juliette, Natalie, and Kylie - I love you guys. I loved our talks in the middle of the night, the movies we watched, almost constant Youtube video quotes (Julian Smith, Tobuscus, and Kid History), the jokes we had/have, and just getting to know each of you. Thanks.
To my other wonderful friends from Harris Hall - I'm so glad we met and that we had special times, too (like Once Upon a Time and cookies, Dr. Who in the middle of the night, clogging in the basement, group dates and bowling, Disney conversations, surprise birthday parties, and numerous other fantastic adventures).
To my friends I've made in the past few months in Glenwood - oh my gosh. You guys are great. I had no idea spring/summer term could be so fun and jam-packed with movie nights, group dates, and ultimate Frisbee.
And to my family - thank you for supporting me in coming to college and helping me along the way. And helping me not freak out over little things that I would worry about.
Basically, to all the people I have become friends with in the past year, thank you. Thank you for being wonderful people that put up with my nerdiness and shortcomings. Thank you for helping me grow into the person that I am today.
6. Definitely not the least in this list, my testimony has grown so much since coming to BYU. It's still a work in progress - when is it not? - but I have come to understand so much about the Gospel and Heavenly Father's love for me. He knows who I am and He cares about me. He is always there for me and He will never let me down. I think it's comforting to know that. I know that the Atonement works and that Jesus Christ suffered for my sins so that I can repent of them and return unto Him and our Heavenly Father. I know that there is a prophet of Heavenly Father on the earth today, President Thomas S. Monson and that he receives revelation from Heavenly Father for the members of the Church and for the whole world. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and I have grown more and more to love the words on those pages. Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon by the power of the Holy Ghost and by the Urim and Thummim. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the only true church on the earth today. I know that God lives and that He loves me and cares about me. I - one of seven billion people - am "known and remembered by the most majestic, powerful, and glorious Being in the universe! [I am] loved by the King of infinite space and everlasting time!" (President Dieter F. Ucthdorf)
I know that I have been blessed by this opportunity to come to Brigham Young University and I am realizing this more and more. So here's to more time flying by in the passage of time and to getting the most out of my time wisely spent.
This time last year, I was procrastinating the packing process and trying to deal with anxiety that was in me almost everyday. What would college be like? Would I get along with my roommates? How would I handle school? Would I survive living on my own? Would I still be shy? What would my freshmen ward be like? Would I like my Family Home evening family? The questions and concerns seemed endless last summer.
So skip ahead two semesters, a spring term, and a few months of summer to the present point in time. Now I think, "What? It's only been a year? Really? Feels a lot longer than that. College has been awesome and will continue to BE awesome." I seriously cannot believe that it has only been a year since I was stressing over what college was going to be like. I have grown so much in this past year. I think back to who I was a year ago and I cannot believe how much I've grown since then.
The changes have been good changes. Here's a "short" list:
1. I'm not so shy anymore - if someone had told me my senior year that I was going to be an out-going person in college, I probably would have laughed. Hysterically. That wasn't me until I came to college. Then I realized that I wanted to make more friends and to have fun in college (in between calculus, biology, and American heritage...and all the other classes that aren't especially my favorite). In the past two weeks, I have met so many wonderful people. Hopefully, I will remain to be friends with them and the people I became friends with over the spring/summer. I'm realizing that with all the friends I have made recently and the friends I have made in the past year, I am going to have a difficult time seeing all of them on a somewhat-regular basis. So many people to be friends with already and so many people that I have yet to meet!
2. I can live on my own - being thrown into a situation where you have to shop, cook, and do things without being reminded to is a life-changer. Or, at least for me it was. I could - and still can - talk to my parents for help or consolation (like when I would get sick...) or call my sister for help but on the whole, I was on my own. But the nice thing is that I had people to help me that were going through the same thing (like my awesome roommates that I had in Heritage! Love you guys!).
3. I realized you don't have to have a major right away - that's right. You don't. You're going to change it, anyway. Most likely, at least. Of my roommates that knew what their majors were coming into college, four of them changed what they were doing. And I personally have thought of - about - fifteen majors for me. At the moment, I'm seriously considering food science, the management track. How about that, Kylie? We could - possibly - be in the same major... =]
4. I am a Mary Kay consultant - yes, I sell makeup and skincare to people. No, I did not think that I would ever do this as my job. But I love it. I'm still getting used to working my business at the moment, but so far, I love it. Thanks, Kelly, for helping me learn and understand my business better.Looking back to last year, I never thought that I would be doing this as my job, but when I think about this decision that I made back in February, I am so grateful that I have the opportunity to have a job. And I'm realizing (as I'm taking an intro. to entrepreneurship class) that this might be one of the best decisions I've made in my life.
5. I have made so many wonderful friends that I cannot even BEGIN to describe my appreciation for them. To my awesomely amazing Heritage roommates, Audrey, Katelyn, Juliette, Natalie, and Kylie - I love you guys. I loved our talks in the middle of the night, the movies we watched, almost constant Youtube video quotes (Julian Smith, Tobuscus, and Kid History), the jokes we had/have, and just getting to know each of you. Thanks.
To my other wonderful friends from Harris Hall - I'm so glad we met and that we had special times, too (like Once Upon a Time and cookies, Dr. Who in the middle of the night, clogging in the basement, group dates and bowling, Disney conversations, surprise birthday parties, and numerous other fantastic adventures).
To my friends I've made in the past few months in Glenwood - oh my gosh. You guys are great. I had no idea spring/summer term could be so fun and jam-packed with movie nights, group dates, and ultimate Frisbee.
And to my family - thank you for supporting me in coming to college and helping me along the way. And helping me not freak out over little things that I would worry about.
Basically, to all the people I have become friends with in the past year, thank you. Thank you for being wonderful people that put up with my nerdiness and shortcomings. Thank you for helping me grow into the person that I am today.
6. Definitely not the least in this list, my testimony has grown so much since coming to BYU. It's still a work in progress - when is it not? - but I have come to understand so much about the Gospel and Heavenly Father's love for me. He knows who I am and He cares about me. He is always there for me and He will never let me down. I think it's comforting to know that. I know that the Atonement works and that Jesus Christ suffered for my sins so that I can repent of them and return unto Him and our Heavenly Father. I know that there is a prophet of Heavenly Father on the earth today, President Thomas S. Monson and that he receives revelation from Heavenly Father for the members of the Church and for the whole world. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and I have grown more and more to love the words on those pages. Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon by the power of the Holy Ghost and by the Urim and Thummim. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the only true church on the earth today. I know that God lives and that He loves me and cares about me. I - one of seven billion people - am "known and remembered by the most majestic, powerful, and glorious Being in the universe! [I am] loved by the King of infinite space and everlasting time!" (President Dieter F. Ucthdorf)
I know that I have been blessed by this opportunity to come to Brigham Young University and I am realizing this more and more. So here's to more time flying by in the passage of time and to getting the most out of my time wisely spent.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
"Space, the final frontier..."
"...These are the voyages of the Starship Enterprise." - Captain Kirk
No, I'm not going to be talking about Star Trek. As much as I love that series/movie, that is not what is on my mind. Nope - just the universe, quantum physics/mechanics, and black holes today, folks!
The universe - it just blows your mind, doesn't it? My dad and I always talk about infinity and how after considering it for about five seconds our brains are completely fried. And that's just the universe infinity. You can go the other way, too, into an atom. It goes on in both directions - outward and inward - and our human minds just cannot truly comprehend how it all works.
My physical science teacher was talking about how science and the Latter-Day Saint religion and how they relate. Somehow, he said, they match up. We do not quite understand how, but they do and they will. And there is no problem in trying to understand what is around us while believing in God and all that He has done for us. Personally, I am alright waiting until after I die to figure out how it works. I recognize that I will not know all things in this life - true fact - but I know that all things can be revealed to me. But I am alright putting my faith in God that they do match up and fit together. I cannot remember who said it but they said that in the end, Latter-Day Saint doctrine and science will match up. It won't be the religion that changes to match up - because it is true - but our understanding of science. Our comprehension of the universe and the laws that govern it are limited by the way our minds work. We cannot comprehend infinity. We do not know the exact way that things operate. It isn't that nature is wrong or cheats laws that man has created, nature just does what it does. It is right and true. Gravity works throughout the whole universe. The speed of light is the same everywhere. Elements are the same throughout the galaxies. Nature is right EVERY TIME. It is just our understanding of the way it works that throws us off of truly knowing how it works.
Think about it. There have been many models of an atom - changing over time with our understanding and technology - and we still do not completely have it right. There are still things that we are missing. Science is a changing form that changes as we - as the human race - grow in understanding and knowledge. As our technology grows, so does the information that we have access to to comprehend what goes on around us.
I love science. Or, the physical sciences (I'm still trying to get along with biology...). These things have interested me for the longest time. I love thinking of space and what is out there. And yes, I wanted to be an astronaut when I was little (and a part of me still wants that). It is so cool to think of supernovas and how it might relate to the creation. It is fun to think of parallels between the universe and church doctrine. I love thinking of how all of this is all related. I have no problem believing in science and my religion together in the same mind. It will all work out, I know it.
I am so grateful that I am able to be on this earth and learn what I am learning. We are here to learn, to grow, to gain experience, and to return to our Heavenly Father (yes, those are really broad, but it is true). I am appreciative of the fact that we have resources to learn about what is going on around us and that we can think of how it relates to the grand scheme of things. Theology and science do not contradict one another but fit hand in hand. I know there is a lot of debate over that, but I know they work together. It's just that we can't quite understand how it all works out.
Here's a video that kind of describes how religion and science are reconciled in real life:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbuHakabdMU
I know that we are here to learn about what is around us. It will all work out in the end and all truth will be reconciled and brought in the end. I love science and I love my Heavenly Father. I do not see a problem in loving both and being "a [person] of science and a [person] of faith". It all works out. Promise.
No, I'm not going to be talking about Star Trek. As much as I love that series/movie, that is not what is on my mind. Nope - just the universe, quantum physics/mechanics, and black holes today, folks!
The universe - it just blows your mind, doesn't it? My dad and I always talk about infinity and how after considering it for about five seconds our brains are completely fried. And that's just the universe infinity. You can go the other way, too, into an atom. It goes on in both directions - outward and inward - and our human minds just cannot truly comprehend how it all works.
My physical science teacher was talking about how science and the Latter-Day Saint religion and how they relate. Somehow, he said, they match up. We do not quite understand how, but they do and they will. And there is no problem in trying to understand what is around us while believing in God and all that He has done for us. Personally, I am alright waiting until after I die to figure out how it works. I recognize that I will not know all things in this life - true fact - but I know that all things can be revealed to me. But I am alright putting my faith in God that they do match up and fit together. I cannot remember who said it but they said that in the end, Latter-Day Saint doctrine and science will match up. It won't be the religion that changes to match up - because it is true - but our understanding of science. Our comprehension of the universe and the laws that govern it are limited by the way our minds work. We cannot comprehend infinity. We do not know the exact way that things operate. It isn't that nature is wrong or cheats laws that man has created, nature just does what it does. It is right and true. Gravity works throughout the whole universe. The speed of light is the same everywhere. Elements are the same throughout the galaxies. Nature is right EVERY TIME. It is just our understanding of the way it works that throws us off of truly knowing how it works.
Think about it. There have been many models of an atom - changing over time with our understanding and technology - and we still do not completely have it right. There are still things that we are missing. Science is a changing form that changes as we - as the human race - grow in understanding and knowledge. As our technology grows, so does the information that we have access to to comprehend what goes on around us.
I love science. Or, the physical sciences (I'm still trying to get along with biology...). These things have interested me for the longest time. I love thinking of space and what is out there. And yes, I wanted to be an astronaut when I was little (and a part of me still wants that). It is so cool to think of supernovas and how it might relate to the creation. It is fun to think of parallels between the universe and church doctrine. I love thinking of how all of this is all related. I have no problem believing in science and my religion together in the same mind. It will all work out, I know it.
I am so grateful that I am able to be on this earth and learn what I am learning. We are here to learn, to grow, to gain experience, and to return to our Heavenly Father (yes, those are really broad, but it is true). I am appreciative of the fact that we have resources to learn about what is going on around us and that we can think of how it relates to the grand scheme of things. Theology and science do not contradict one another but fit hand in hand. I know there is a lot of debate over that, but I know they work together. It's just that we can't quite understand how it all works out.
Here's a video that kind of describes how religion and science are reconciled in real life:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbuHakabdMU
I know that we are here to learn about what is around us. It will all work out in the end and all truth will be reconciled and brought in the end. I love science and I love my Heavenly Father. I do not see a problem in loving both and being "a [person] of science and a [person] of faith". It all works out. Promise.
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Why am I still up right now?
Yes, I know it is 2:05 in the morning, but I cannot sleep for the life of me. There has been something on my mind for the past six hours and I need to talk about it somewhere. What is that topic, you may ask? Family.
I have not been home in California since December. I got to see my parents a few weeks ago, but those weeks have been very hectic and it seems more like three months ago. I don't know what it is, I just all-of-a-sudden had a burst of homesickness/missing my family. Maybe it was the fact that my oldest nephew was in the hospital a few days ago. Or the fact that my friend got to go home for Mother's Day (which is awesome, by the way. Her mom didn't know and her reaction was priceless). Or maybe it was that one video I watched of a dad coming home from Iraq and his son completely breaking down and crying. Or maybe it is the fact that I get to go home in July and I CANNOT WAIT!!! Or the fact that Mother's Day is this weekend and I miss my mom a lot.
It's a rarity when our whole family can get together. I kind of used to take family for granted (not completely, but somewhat) and now, being away from home has put that into perspective. I miss them, so much. No joke. I love my family. I always have, I always will. We have our ups and downs - like any family - but it's mostly ups when we're all together, I think. I love how someone can say a line from The Sound of Music and the rest of us can finish the scene that the line was in. I love how we have the same sense of humor and how it all meshes together when we start telling jokes or using our sarcasm. I love how I'm an aunt, a sister, a sister-in-law, a daughter, and a friend to my family.
There are so many things I love about the members of my family. To start off, my dad - race car driver, landscape architect, pilot, great example, best dad on earth, and an all around good person. My mom - where do I even begin? She's so many things that I can't even begin to list them. And she has done so much for me that cannot even be explained in words. Both of my parents, in fact. They have done so much for me to help me get to where I am today. They have helped me have opportunities that would not have been possible otherwise. Thank you.
My sister, Jen - pianist, flutist, my big sister, my Harry Potter movie buddy, former drum major, and likes to spoil me. =] She's amazing. Her husband, Adam - smart, went to Australia on his mission, loves golf and motorcycles (or anything with a motor attached, really). Their two kids, Andrew and Sam - I miss being able to play LEGO's with them and just playing with them in general. Apparently, when they go to my parents' house sometimes, they ask my sister, "Is this the time we get to see Michelle?" It almost made me cry when my sister told me that. I love you guys.
My second-oldest sister, Laura - drummer, family consumer science guru, and world traveler extraordinaire. She just blows my mind when I think of all that she has done. Her husband, Ryan - amazingly smart, speaks a lot of languages (I lost count), and a Scrabble devotee. Their kids, Audrey, Chester, and Timothy - they've all been born in different countries, but they're all still sweet and adorable.
My favorite (and only) brother, Seth - computer mastermind, fluent speaker of hilarity, and a great big brother. You get my brother, a bag of Costco rolls, and me in the same room for an hour, that bag of rolls will mostly be gone. His wife, Jenna - favorite sister-in-law, amazing cook, and one of the sweetest people I know. Their kids, Afton and Chase - they're also adorable. They both have dimples. Do you know how cute it is when siblings have dimples together? So cute.
My closest in age sister, Kelly - Mary Kay consultant (pretty good at it, too), history major, and a very good planner of anything. I get to see her the most out of my family, since she only lives about thirty minutes away from me and we have the same job right now. Her husband, Glen - English teacher, technology wizard, and amazing at cooking bacon/meat. Their kids, Sarah, Katie, and James - a blond, brunette, and a redhead. They're fun and very energetic. And adorable. I just have very adorable nieces and nephews in general.
So that's my family, in all their amazingness. I miss them incredibly but I am so excited that I get to see them in about two months. Definitely my motivation for the rest of spring and part of summer term. Sorry this post is so long - it's just, if you couldn't tell, family is really important to me.
I love all of my family, so much, and I just want them to know that.
I have not been home in California since December. I got to see my parents a few weeks ago, but those weeks have been very hectic and it seems more like three months ago. I don't know what it is, I just all-of-a-sudden had a burst of homesickness/missing my family. Maybe it was the fact that my oldest nephew was in the hospital a few days ago. Or the fact that my friend got to go home for Mother's Day (which is awesome, by the way. Her mom didn't know and her reaction was priceless). Or maybe it was that one video I watched of a dad coming home from Iraq and his son completely breaking down and crying. Or maybe it is the fact that I get to go home in July and I CANNOT WAIT!!! Or the fact that Mother's Day is this weekend and I miss my mom a lot.
It's a rarity when our whole family can get together. I kind of used to take family for granted (not completely, but somewhat) and now, being away from home has put that into perspective. I miss them, so much. No joke. I love my family. I always have, I always will. We have our ups and downs - like any family - but it's mostly ups when we're all together, I think. I love how someone can say a line from The Sound of Music and the rest of us can finish the scene that the line was in. I love how we have the same sense of humor and how it all meshes together when we start telling jokes or using our sarcasm. I love how I'm an aunt, a sister, a sister-in-law, a daughter, and a friend to my family.
There are so many things I love about the members of my family. To start off, my dad - race car driver, landscape architect, pilot, great example, best dad on earth, and an all around good person. My mom - where do I even begin? She's so many things that I can't even begin to list them. And she has done so much for me that cannot even be explained in words. Both of my parents, in fact. They have done so much for me to help me get to where I am today. They have helped me have opportunities that would not have been possible otherwise. Thank you.
My sister, Jen - pianist, flutist, my big sister, my Harry Potter movie buddy, former drum major, and likes to spoil me. =] She's amazing. Her husband, Adam - smart, went to Australia on his mission, loves golf and motorcycles (or anything with a motor attached, really). Their two kids, Andrew and Sam - I miss being able to play LEGO's with them and just playing with them in general. Apparently, when they go to my parents' house sometimes, they ask my sister, "Is this the time we get to see Michelle?" It almost made me cry when my sister told me that. I love you guys.
My second-oldest sister, Laura - drummer, family consumer science guru, and world traveler extraordinaire. She just blows my mind when I think of all that she has done. Her husband, Ryan - amazingly smart, speaks a lot of languages (I lost count), and a Scrabble devotee. Their kids, Audrey, Chester, and Timothy - they've all been born in different countries, but they're all still sweet and adorable.
My favorite (and only) brother, Seth - computer mastermind, fluent speaker of hilarity, and a great big brother. You get my brother, a bag of Costco rolls, and me in the same room for an hour, that bag of rolls will mostly be gone. His wife, Jenna - favorite sister-in-law, amazing cook, and one of the sweetest people I know. Their kids, Afton and Chase - they're also adorable. They both have dimples. Do you know how cute it is when siblings have dimples together? So cute.
My closest in age sister, Kelly - Mary Kay consultant (pretty good at it, too), history major, and a very good planner of anything. I get to see her the most out of my family, since she only lives about thirty minutes away from me and we have the same job right now. Her husband, Glen - English teacher, technology wizard, and amazing at cooking bacon/meat. Their kids, Sarah, Katie, and James - a blond, brunette, and a redhead. They're fun and very energetic. And adorable. I just have very adorable nieces and nephews in general.
So that's my family, in all their amazingness. I miss them incredibly but I am so excited that I get to see them in about two months. Definitely my motivation for the rest of spring and part of summer term. Sorry this post is so long - it's just, if you couldn't tell, family is really important to me.
I love all of my family, so much, and I just want them to know that.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
The Newness of It All
Hello everybody! I cannot believe that it has been over two months since I posted last. It definitely does not feel like that. It feels like yesterday was the beginning of Winter Semester classes and today is the third day of Spring classes. Craziness.
So Winter Semester went well - it was a lot better than Fall (or, at least classes wise). Finals were not as stressful as last semester - which was helped by the fact that I actually studied throughout the semester and didn't have calculus and American Heritage at the same time - and I did very well on the tests. I only know my grade for one class so far, but I feel confident that I will have decent grades this past semester.
Spring Term is going well so far. I am taking Physical Science 100, LDS Marriage and Family (with my friend Chanel Cartier), and History of Creativity. I had them yesterday (no classes on Tuesday - it was awesome and will continue to be awesome) and I think I am going to have fun this semester.
I still have not chosen a major - at the moment I am going between English and Family History. It may change in a week - it has before - and the process of finding that elusive major continues on.
In February, I became a Mary Kay Beauty Consultant. If you had told me a year ago that I would be selling Mary Kay, I would have laughed. But it is one of the best things I have done. I have not really been able to run my business as of yet (there's a "No Soliciting on Campus" rule...), I was able to go to Career Conference with my sister, Kelly. It was the funnest twenty-four hours I have had in a long time. And those twenty-four hours motivated me to actually get into my business and think of it as a job. This is my job, now. And it has been - and will continue to be - an amazing ride.
My testimony while being here a BYU has grown so much. I still have my off days - everyone does - but my testimony is still there. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the true church on the earth today. We have a living prophet - Thomas S. Monson - leading the church today. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith translated through revelation. I am grateful for Jesus Christ and all that He has done for me and all of those who have lived, will live, and are living on the earth today. He was crucified for our sins and knows what each of us is going through in our lives. He knows me and cares for me. He wants me to return to Him and Heavenly Father. I love the Gospel and know of its' truth. I know that I can be with my family for time and all eternity and that we do live after this life. Without these truths, I do not know how I would be able to function in everyday life. I am grateful for my family, my friends - old and new - and I am grateful for this Gospel.
Hopefully, I will keep this blog more up-to-date and will keep all of you informed with what is going on in my life here at BYU. It will be a fun ride to discover the newness of it all.
So Winter Semester went well - it was a lot better than Fall (or, at least classes wise). Finals were not as stressful as last semester - which was helped by the fact that I actually studied throughout the semester and didn't have calculus and American Heritage at the same time - and I did very well on the tests. I only know my grade for one class so far, but I feel confident that I will have decent grades this past semester.
Spring Term is going well so far. I am taking Physical Science 100, LDS Marriage and Family (with my friend Chanel Cartier), and History of Creativity. I had them yesterday (no classes on Tuesday - it was awesome and will continue to be awesome) and I think I am going to have fun this semester.
I still have not chosen a major - at the moment I am going between English and Family History. It may change in a week - it has before - and the process of finding that elusive major continues on.
In February, I became a Mary Kay Beauty Consultant. If you had told me a year ago that I would be selling Mary Kay, I would have laughed. But it is one of the best things I have done. I have not really been able to run my business as of yet (there's a "No Soliciting on Campus" rule...), I was able to go to Career Conference with my sister, Kelly. It was the funnest twenty-four hours I have had in a long time. And those twenty-four hours motivated me to actually get into my business and think of it as a job. This is my job, now. And it has been - and will continue to be - an amazing ride.
My testimony while being here a BYU has grown so much. I still have my off days - everyone does - but my testimony is still there. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the true church on the earth today. We have a living prophet - Thomas S. Monson - leading the church today. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith translated through revelation. I am grateful for Jesus Christ and all that He has done for me and all of those who have lived, will live, and are living on the earth today. He was crucified for our sins and knows what each of us is going through in our lives. He knows me and cares for me. He wants me to return to Him and Heavenly Father. I love the Gospel and know of its' truth. I know that I can be with my family for time and all eternity and that we do live after this life. Without these truths, I do not know how I would be able to function in everyday life. I am grateful for my family, my friends - old and new - and I am grateful for this Gospel.
Hopefully, I will keep this blog more up-to-date and will keep all of you informed with what is going on in my life here at BYU. It will be a fun ride to discover the newness of it all.
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