"The Help"

I just watched what is now my new favorite movie.... 

I listened to this book last summer during my long runs and was SO excited for it to come to theaters, but somehow I never went. This past week my dad bought it on tv and let me watch it. OH MY GOODNESS!!!!! It was incredible. I sobbed (which is saying a lot for me because I'm pretty sure the last time I cried was two months ago and it wasn't really crying and can't remember the last time I really cried before that...) Anyway, the point of that all is- it was amazing- if you haven't watched it yet.... do! I love movies about independent and strong-willed people who do not care what others think but will do what they believe to be right, even if it's at the expense of "fitting in". This movie re-emphasizes the knowledge that there is something special inside every one of us and if we allow it to work and work for it, we can accomplish great things. 

When I grow up....

So, I was reading this blog and found....
 idea. I want to do it SOOOO bad! You can find instructions here. I want to do it this year, but something tells me my mom would be upset with all the confetti all over the floor after all the presents have been piled ;) so, this is how I want to wrap presents for my future family and I think I might do it for my roommates this year.

On another note, I had to share with you my latest obsession. Apparently everyone on the earth knew about the "tim tam slam" but me and my roommate Kate and other roommate Ashley. Ok, story time... So, Ashley had a friend show her the tim tam slam and she couldn't do it- tragic. Then, it was our friend's birthday and to celebrate he did the tim tam slam (his favorite). So, our friend showed Kate and I how to do it and we were SOLD. We did the tim tam slam almost every day for a week (went through about 1 1/2 boxes per day), then we decided we were going to get rather large if this love affair continued, so we had to put a stop to our obsession, but before we did, we made a movie for our dearest Ashley to show her how to do it...Ps: don't judge- I have a rough time keeping a straight face for more than 1 1/2 seconds and it was a bad hair day, but just go with it...

"It's Better to Look Up"

I am a very level-headed person. I do not get overwhelmed very easily, but when I do, I am very overwhelmed. Last night I went to bed around 9:15 and layer in bed until around midnight. It felt like everything had combined against me and I just felt overwhelmed. (It doesn't help that it's finals week). I felt like I had failed at school, wondered if I would be able to achieve my dreams of attending law school (BYU's law school hopefully), and many personal things in my life seemed to be falling apart right now. Some people I love very dearly are not doing what they know they should and it is breaking my heart. As I was laying there thinking of how I could ever help these people I love so much, accomplish everything I hope for in school, succeed in my job (if I'm going to succeed in school), and of course just wondering what life holds for me after I have done all that I can. This was so overwhelming and luckily about two hours into my little crisis, my roommate came home and just listened to me vent for about an hour.

My Nana (grandma), who is one of my heroes, has a saying of a good nights rest, a good meal, and a good work out can brighten any situation. When I woke up today, I felt a surge of motivation- I knew I could still achieve my dreams of school and law school if I was willing to work for it and felt so much better. I had a very long study of the Bible, and then read two talks by authorities of my church. This talk made me feel so much better and do you know what I realized? Life is hard- Duh. THIS is why I am here- I KNEW that life would hold it's challenges, but with challenges brings great growth. This is a great part from the talk We will not feel incapable of doing what we are called to do or need to do. We will be strengthened, and our lives will be filled withpeace and joy.³ We will come to realize that most of what we worry aboutis not of eternal significance—and if it is, the Lord will help us. But wemust have the faith to look up and the courage to follow His direction.
 I know that we will encounter difficult times and there will be times when we wonder how we can accomplish all that our heart yearns to accomplish and how we can fulfill what we are called to do, but I know that we can. I know Heavenly Father asks things of us beyond our capacities so that we can turn to Him and so we can grow. He would not ask anything of us without knowing how we can accomplish it. In the Book of Mormon one of the ancient prophets said, "I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." (1 Nephi 3:7). I know this to be true. I am grateful for challenges above what we can accomplish so we can turn to our Father in Heaven and accomplish them. 

Ok, I just had to say that, but now I have to get back to studying for finals. Yay!

Ours

finals week!!! Therefore, I can't really blog for long, but I heard this song the other day and LOVE it- listen- it's great!

Daydreamer

So, I've always been a pretty hardcore daydreamer, but lately I've been feeling a little panicky like I'm doing enough to progress towards them or I'm going to forget them. I have the craziest dreams and that's alright with me as long as I am willing to progress towards them or they are replaced by dreams which mean more to me. Soledad is one of my favorite songs about dreams-listen you'll love it. Click on the link, then click on Soledad and you can listen :) So I have a bucket list on my phone, computer, and in my head, and in my journal but none are completed, so I'm going to put part of my bucket list here to compile those lists- but I'll leave some things out that are too personal :)

• Get married in the temple and be so in love beyond what I thought was possible
• Have a family (these first two I recognize will never be completed but I want to progress towards them and constantly be striving for it)
• Run the Boston marathon 
• Read biographies of all the Presidents
• Move outside of Utah (Hopefully to the east or south :)
• Read all of Jane Austen's books
• Start a non-profit organization
• Learn to play the guitar 
• Practice piano and get to the level where I can play on the spot
• Overcome my awkwardness of singing in front of people that are important to me and be able to sing on the spot 
• Get season tickets to the Yankees (I realize this one is a little far-fetched but a girl can dream right?;)
• Continue on to some form of graduate school 
• Learn how to paint

• Haha this is a painting I did for a class today as a replica of Pollock's painting but don't worry I wasn't serious haha, but I really want to learn to paint because I REALLY love it- paintings move me so much more than photographs so I would love to participate in that.
• Run the cliff to cliff or whatever it's called across the Grand Canyon
• Read biographies on all the prophets
• Do triathalons 

I have many more on my bucket list- but I won't bore you :) Anyway, hope you have a great day! And good luck with finals!

Observant? I think not...

So, some of you may have noticed- or not, but I used to have music on my blog and I wanted to listen to it today and just realized it isn't there!!! AND I have no idea how long it hasn't been there and no clue what the site was where I made the playlist because I did it so long ago on a different computer! haha so maybe you were grateful you didn't have to listen to my country music anymore, maybe not, but I'll get music back on here! As of right now, I'm listening to lots of songs because I have a paper due tomorrow on 3 pieces of music and my reactions- cool right?! I'm excited to write this paper!! So, I had to choose from public radio's top 100 songs that were the most important for American 20th century and here are the three I chose :)
1) I have always loved this song, but reading the background story made it even more great!

2) This song is so cute!!! I had never heard it before- this will be at my wedding reception- LOVE IT!!

and 3) "Don't be Cruel" by Elvis Presley- I am a HUGE Elvis fan-ps: I just found this out from having to watch his stuff in my class- anyway- I like it :)

Yikes- I should start my paper now!!

Coldplay - Fix You (Boyce Avenue feat. Tyler Ward acoustic cover) on iTu...

Ps: love this song- there are some songs that are so pretty that they make you want to cry. This is one of them- it's beautiful!

Beck - The New Pollution

The above movie is not really my style, but it did make me laugh a bit. I was required to watch this for class. Even though it's not my style AT ALL, I love seeing how people use their creative selves and what they like!

THIS below is more my style- it's one of my favorite songs and makes me SO happy every time I hear it!

Mission Accomplished

This blog post is going to be a little short because I'm super tired and have a migraine, but I just had to say real quick- I LOVE my life!!! I have always firmly believed this, but it has been confirmed even more so lately that we have a loving Father in Heaven and no matter what religion you are, if you believe in Him and sincerely pray, He hears and answers our prayers. I love Him and am so grateful for everything He has seen fit to bless me with. I was walking around BYU the other day or maybe it was today (long days lately ;) just thinking to myself- I GO TO BYU!!!! and just thanking my Father in Heaven that I do! I love that I get to go to school every day and sit there and have some expert basically pour knowledge into my head (I wish I could remember everything), but I truly am so grateful for it!!
Then I thought about my roommates and how they're every bit as weird as I am (this is a rarity) and how I could seriously sit there for hours and laugh until tears are coming out and my stomach hurts and have serious talks and they UNDERSTAND what I'm talking about!!! They listen to me for endless hours and never ask me to just be quiet!! How in the world am I so blessed to have such great friends who also are my roommates. (I also love all my friends who are not my roommates ps and feel the same about them!!)
And then I thought about my jobs and how fun it is and how I live in Provo and how much I love that, I have a lot to say, but I'll stop here because my quick post is turning into a not-so-quick post, anywho, I just wanted to say I know that all of these things are put in my life by my Heavenly Father and that He puts things such as this in everyone's lives because of how He feels about them and when He temporarily withholds them, it is also because He loves them and has things they can learn from them.
And for the mission accomplished part... so if you have ever been to University Gold's gym in Orem, you probably have noticed these... the floor is grey and then as you walk out of the doors of the rooms its a step that gradually goes up and blends into the floor. So, here's my story... pretty sure EVERY time I am at the gym here is what happens.... So, you know the area with all the weights and machines? Well I never venture into there because I feel awkward so I go into the other room where boys aren't allowed- I know, I'm mature ;), anyway, I walk to the drinking fountain to fill up my water bottle and to get there you have to walk past this weight area- I always feel so awkward because everyone just looks up and stares at you- not because they think I'm attractive or anything, but because I'm in their area and there are few things I really dislike more than being the center of attention, therefore, to avoid all this awkwardness, I just keep my eyes straight forward so I don't have to make eye contact with anyone (brilliant, I know), however, I always somehow forget about this little step and as I'm calmly walking, careful not to make eye contact- BOOM I trip over this thing- but people can't tell what you're tripping over because it BLENDS INTO THE FLOOR PEOPLE!!! Then I have to face the decision, do I pretend like nothing happened and I meant to do that? Or do I laugh a little to myself? (I do about half and half), anyway, Monday, I am pretty sure was the first day EVER that I did not trip over the little grey step. You may now be very excited for me because I surely was when I realized this- anyway- good night- so much for a short post- and sorry again for the many words- I need to learn to start taking pictures, there will be no document I lived haha anyway- night.

Let Us Be Men

This video was so sweet. What a wonderful example of a husband and Father.

Thanksgiving weekend recap

What a great weekend! My brother and his darling family came out to visit us for Thanksgiving. Have you ever seen While You Were Sleeping and My Big Fat Greek Wedding? Well my family is a combination of the two and I absolutely love it. When my whole family gets together we talk from the time we wake up and see another human in the house until we fall asleep and in between the talking we laugh like until our stomachs hurt and tears are coming out kinda laugh and we eat. Everyone is talking at the same time and there are about 50 different conversations going on yet somehow everyone knows exactly what is being said and can turn to one side and laugh at the funny story then turn to the other side and give their opinion on the serious conversation- if you know me very well you probably know I'm not really one fight for the floor or talk in large groups of people so my favorite part of all this is to sit back and just listen to the buzzing of everyone talking and laugh at all the funny things I hear once in a while if I really want to say something I'll raise my hand-literally... Some reading this would say it sounds like chaos- it is. Some would say it sounds wonderful- it is. But most of all, to me- it's home. Home has never been a quiet place for me and I love it because it's my home. Wow- that was a really long tangent- my apologies- but not really because you chose to read it ;) So here's the quick recap...
They came in Saturday but everything didn't really start until Wednesday because I didn't get home from work and school until about 7:30 Tuesday night. Wednesday is our cooking day so all day we just baked. Typically I help cook almost everything but this year I decided I wanted to try new pie crust recipes and it took up most of my time so I spent the majority of the baking time with pie crusts- which if you know me super well, you also probably know I have the attention span of a squirrel. Needless to say, with my 2 favorite nephews running around everywhere, I got distracted a lot and chased them and played hide and go seek and and had tickle wars. It was great. So, for the pies we used an olive oil crust for the coconut pie- it was disgusting- never try it if you like the people you're feeding it to. For the pumpkin, we had a butter almond crust- that was delicious- the recipe is here. Scroll down to the all butter crust almond recipe. Then...drumroll.... for the final one and my personal favorite of the year, THE APPLE PIE!!! We used my aunt's incredible recipe that she uses in the pies she bakes and sells for a business that her and her son started. This is their link. I tell you, they are the most incredible pies- I think about them all the time!! And for the crust we used a buttermilk crust. Everyone was in love with this pie. So after all the baking we had family pics (I will post all the pics once I retrieve them and the rest of the pics from the weekend!)

Wednesday night we went to the Muppets movie (it was opening night- we're dorks but just go with it cuz it's cool). IT WAS SO GOOD- I LOVED IT!!!! But before the movie, I took my four year old nephew outside to see the reindeer because he has an attention span like mine so we get along well :) and a dad holding his kid came up to me and smiled and asked if this was my little guy. It took me aback a little. I smiled and told him no, it's my nephew, but it got me thinking- my whole life I've been really scared of marriage and having children. I have felt ready for marriage lately- still scared of it, but I know when I find the right one, God will give me a calm assurance and I will know that it will be ok, but children I am excited for and can't wait to be a mom, but haven't wanted to start my family for at least 3-4 years because I can barely keep myself alive much less a baby! But when he said that, I felt more ready. I felt so excited and my heart yearned for little children that are my own that my husband and I love and take care of and that I can run around the house having nerd gun wars with. I was really grateful for this experience because it felt like a tender mercy from Heavenly Father just gently letting me know my heart is ready and I am ready and when the time is right I'll be able to do it and be a great mom.

Thursday me and the boys went on a run then we continued prepping for dinner then we ate and ate and ate.

Friday we lazed around all day then went to Temple Square and Deseret Book for my Dad's book signing of his newly published book Jacob T. Marley. It's also available at Costco and on amazon and a bunch more places that I can't remember right now. It was so fun and I'm so proud of my Dad for following his promptings and aspirations to write this book- it is a phenomenal book. Then when we all came home finished 17 Miracles which we had been chipping away at the whole week. This movie was incredible. I am one of those annoying people who unless it's a super hero movie or chick flick I will talk to you the entire time or fall asleep, so unfortunately this was my third time watching the movie, but this time I paid attention and I LOVED it. It filled my heart with such gratitude and sorrow. Gratitude because of the selflessness of these people to give so much and the incredible faith they had and sorrow because of my selfishness- as I watched, I thought of some of the things I complain about (like how cold it is with my 4 layers of clothing on as I take the 7 minute walk to campus, boys, weight, etc. and I thought how in the world do I have the nerve?! I have so much- I should never find a reason to complain- life is better than I ever dreamed it cold be.

Saturday my brother and his family packed up and we drove them to the airport- when we dropped them off I just held my nephew and cried. I didn't want them to leave and I hate saying goodbye to people I love- especially because I only get to see them 2 times per year. I really hope whoever I marry does not go on a lot of business trips because that would be so hard to say goodbye to someone that dear to you a few times a month. Anyway, there's my weekend- sorry for the painfully long post with no pics, but I had a lot to say :)

Men's Hearts Shall Fail Them

I love this! I especially love the part where he says people fear because "they forget their identity and their purpose". I truly believe that. If we are doing everything right in our lives we never need to fear. I have been pretty overwhelmed thinking I have NO idea what I will be doing at this time next year. I was explaining to my Dad that nothing in my life is constant or set in stone right now, but then I stopped myself and said except for the gospel. What a blessing to have that be constant- what a blessing to know I may not know anything else about my life, but I know as long as I continue giving my all to the Lord He has a plan for me and if I continue putting one step in front of the other, He will guide me and I will end up at the destination He has planned for me and what a comfort to know I will be blissfully happy in that plan because He wants more for me than I ever could have imagined.

childhood dreams fulfilled and awkward moments

Anyone in my family would tell you my little obsession with Pocahontas. One day when I was little I told my Dad I was pretty sure I was turning into her and that my skin was turning brown- I knew all the songs and would sing along and still kinda wish I could be her ;) anyway, on Friday, my dreams came true... me and my friends all dressed up like pilgrims and indians and had a Thanksgiving feast. It was so much fun. There was much laughing, eating, snowball-fighting, picture-taking, and dancing. Here is a picture from that night. Ps: I have this talent of taking shockingly horrific pictures. All my friends told me I look like a dead fish in this pic. and sadly, I must agree but do not fret, someday with a lot of practice, you MIGHT be able to take as bad of pictures as me- just don't get your hopes up.

And this one, is one of my favorites...please take note of the variety of faces hahaha

Now, for last night, we had a bridal shower for a good friend at work. After reading one of my favorites blogs, I decided to make a chocolate angel nut pie. It was a hit and let's just say I will most definitely be trying out more of her recipes in the future. I didn't have time for this but the next time I make it, I'm going to make little toffee chunks to sprinkle on top. Below is a picture of it for your personal enjoyment. The chocolate drizzles on top are supposed to be in neat lines, but I thought I would make it look more artistic, so I got a fork full of chocolate and flung it all over the pie- I was so excited for my creative twist, but then the finished product just looked like I had been running with a spoon full of chocolate and happened to trip and it landed on top of my pie :( oh well it'll look prettier next time!

Last, but not least, I had to leave you on a delightfully awkward note... So, for me, walking at the gym is always a little uncomfortable. You have to  walk past all the meat heads to get to the drinking fountain then stand there forever while you fill up your water bottle, so I typically stand up straight and walk right past them but keep my eyes glued forward so I don't make any eye-contact. Also, the floor is grey, but right as you walk out of the doors to from the classes the floor is slightly raised, but you can't see it because it doesn't change color and it gradually blends into the floor. Anyway, almost every time without fail when I have to walk past them I am working very hard on not making eye contact and giving off the "please don't talk to me" vibe when I forget about the grey thing and trip over it and then you have to make the decision "do I pretend like I didn't notice and just keep walking? or do I laugh and keep walking?" I typically do half and half- anyway- watch out for the camouflage raise in the floor and hope you have a fantastic Thanksgiving!!!

"Tomorrow Never Comes"

I remember being really little and sitting in the conference center for my church and listening to a general authority from my church speak. I cannot remember who was speaking nor what they were speaking about- I have tried looking it up and cannot find the talk but all I remember is they said, "tomorrow never comes". As a little girl this made me think so hard, "how could tomorrow never come?", but then I understood and it has been a phrase that has come back to me a lot throughout my life whenever I try to postpone anything. This is not the talk that it was from but I am assuming he must have been quoting this poem in his talk. I found this in one of my classes and was so excited. I love this and believe everything it says. I want to try harder to use my time more wisely and try so hard everyday so that I can say at the end of each day that I gave my all. Enjoy the poem :)

Today

Today is here. I will start with a smile, and resolve to be agreeable. I will not criticize. I refuse to waste my valuable time.

Today has one thing in which I know I am equal with others—Time. All of us draw the same salary in seconds, minutes, hours—24 Golden Hours each day.

Today I will not waste my time, because the minutes I wasted yesterday are as lost as a vanished thought.

Today I refuse to spend time worrying about what might happen. I am going to spend my time making things happen.

Today I am determined to study to improve myself, for tomorrow I may be wanted, and I must not be found lacking.

Today I am determined to do things I should do. I firmly resolve to stop doing the things I should not do.

Today I begin by doing and not wasting my time. In one week I will be miles beyond the person I am today.

Today I will not imagine what I would do if things were different. They are not different. I will make a success with what material I have.

Today I will stop saying, "If I had time," for I never will "find time" for anything—if I want time I must take it.

Today I will act toward other people as though this might be my last day on earth. I will not wait for tomorrow. Tomorrow never comes.

Elder John Longden (Assistant to the 12 Apostles) Conference Report, Apr. 1966, 39; or Improvement Era, June 1966, 512