Sweet

Every girl should have this song sung to her by a guy. It's my new favorite.

San Fran

This past weekend I was able to go home for a few days (which was wonderful because, is it just me, or is Provo getting old? Maybe it's because I feel like hardly anyone has been here this summer). But while I was home we took the lovely 1 hour and 45-minute drive to THIS place, and it was here that, in the case of me not being married/engaged/dating someone by the time I graduate and leave BYU, my future was decided. Ladies and gentlemen, in the possible event of me leaving BYU by myself, I'm moving HERE.

Don't ask me how, why, or when, but at some point I'm going to find a way to get myself here. Don't ask me how I'm going to afford it. I'm still juggling around a few career options that will hopefully help me pay to live in this fantastic place. They are: a public relations professional somewhere, an editor at HarperCollins, or a student at the California Culinary Academy. Granted, as a student I'm not going to have any type of good income, but maybe I can persuade people to pay me for warming their hearts with my wonderful culinary masterpieces. Who knows.

But anyway, I fell in love with this city all over again. I love the culture, I love the museums, I love the shopping :), I love the houses, and I love that it's right on the bay. I love the Bay Area in general. I was born there, so maybe that causes the ties that I have to that place. But there's just something about it that suits me. I love the weather. No snow, no extreme heat, but cold enough that I can wear cute boots and jackets. Wow, I'm slightly pathetic. I didn't realize my outfit options are a huge factor in where I want to end up someday. But seriously, how can you beat this?

Music

I really identify with music. What I listen to usually reflects how I'm feeling at the moment. And because I've been feeling kind of down lately, I put together a playlist of songs that help me know it's going to be okay. So I thought I would share them with you if you're having a bad day, week, or month, too.

1. Dream by Michael Buble

2. Keep Breathing by Ingrid Michealson

3. Stand by Rascal Flatts

4. Everything'll Be Alright by Joshua Radin

5. Breathe by Taylor Swift

6. Someday We'll Know by Mandy Moore/Switchfoot

7. Lullabye (Rockabye) by Shawn Mullins

8. You've Got a Friend by James Taylor

9. Hand in My Pocket by Alanis Morisette

10. You Learn by Alanis Morisette

11. No One by Aly & A.J.

12. Let It Be by The Beatles

13. Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles

14. Three Little Birds by Bob Marley

15. Letter to Me by Brad Paisley

16. Ever Ever After by Carrie Underwood

17. Don't Stop by Fleetwood Mac

18. Defying Gravity from Wicked

19. Free Falling by John Mayer

20. Don't Stop Believing by Journey

21. Don't You Know You're Beautiful by Kellie Pickler

22. Looking Forward to Looking Back by Mandy Moore

23. Somewhere Over the Rainbow

These sure make me feel better.

Optimism...Pass It On

Tonight in one of my Education Week classes, taught by Barbara Barrington Jones about how to make positive changes, we watched this video, which was way too cute to pass up on sharing!

A Weekend Full of Growing Up

So, last night while taking a break from my solo dance party, I promised to discuss my life. Get ready for an avalanche. What a wonderful weekend! It was one of those weekends where I learned tons about myself, people, and the gospel. On Friday night I stayed with my fantastic friend Jenni. We kidnapped our friend Lisa Ann and went to Outback, where we shared a steak, mango pomegranate lemonade, and TILAPIA! Yes Mom, after years of turning my nose up at it, I ate Tilapia. My new resolution is to be brave. And it wasn't too bad! No fishy taste at all. After dinner, we got ourselves a Coke (essential), some candy, and a movie. Sometimes nights like that are just what I need.

On Saturday morning I drove Jenni to the airport. We talked the entire way up about life, choices, the gospel, etc. Is it funny that I thrive off of discussions like that? Because I do. Being around good people who understand makes a huge difference. We talked about wanting to be an influence in the lives of others. In my morning prayers, I've started asking Heavenly Father to put me where He needs me. I ask Him to let me help someone each day. Some days I see where that happens, other days I don't, and I just hope I was able to make someone's day without knowing it.

Afterward, I went to my friend Cailey's, which was followed by a day at the mall to celebrate our friend Miriam's 21st birthday (after years of searching I found the perfect pair of Aviators. For $3). We saw "Eat, Pray, Love," which I've been dying to see because I really enjoyed the book. It was well done, but proves once again that the book is always better than the movie. If you've read the book or seen the movie, you understand the significance of my new blog title. I like the symbolism behind it. And someday I am going to Bali.

Sunday was what I would call a "girl's day." We went to church, followed by a delicious dinner full of pasta, laughter, and some boy stories that had happened the previous night for some of the girls. Oh, and who knew that whipped cream tastes fantastic on watermelon? After this, I was invited to my friend's apartment, and he and his wife made me a delicious second dinner! When I came back to Cailey's we listened to some Michael Buble. You just can't beat those lyrics and that voice. :)

Yesterday I became an adult and did some hard things. Moving into my new place by myself, getting the water/gas/electricity set up, and doing some other things made me feel like I can handle anything. I was little Miss Independent yesterday. I had some very heavy boxes in my car that I couldn't lift, and after searching for some help and not finding it, I decided to try it myself. Well, I failed at that part because I almost killed my back trying to lift them. So those will have to wait. But at least I tried, right? No giving up here!

Tonight through Thursday I'm going to be taking some Education Week classes, all by myself. And I'm so excited! The classes I'm attending are going to teach me so much. Just tonight I'm going to learn how to be a confident woman, how to draw closer to the Lord through service, and how to prepare for personal revelation. And I still have tomorrow and Thursday classes to look forward to! I'm sure there will be a post soon about what I've learned. But that's been my weekend. There's a lot more I could share about things I've learned and discovered, but that'll remain with me. If you want to know, just ask. ;)

Dance

I had a revelation tonight. Sometimes impromptu dance parties when you're all by yourself unpacking can be the best thing ever. Especially because today I'm celebrating my ascension into adulthood. Yes, by age I entered into adulthood 3 years ago, but I did some hard things today that made me feel grown up. More on that later. Until then I'm going to dance my heart out to some B.o.B. "Magic." Great song. :)

My wonderful friend Jenni shared this with me tonight after a long talk about my current life's situations. It's my new motto.

Invictus Out of the night that covers me, Black as the Pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be For my unconquerable soul. In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud. Under the bludgeonings of chance My head is bloody, but unbowed. Beyond this place of wrath and tears Looms but the Horror of the shade, And yet the menace of the years Finds, and shall find, me unafraid. It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll. I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul. William Ernest Henley

Friends

"If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together, there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart, I'll always be with you." Christopher Robin to Winnie the Pooh


"Are you upset little friend? Have you been lying awake worrying? Well, don't worry. I'm here. The flood waters will recede, the famine will end, the sun will shine tomorrow, and I will always be here to take care of you." Charlie Brown to Snoopy


"A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are."


"A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words."

I have been blessed with some amazing friends, who are more than willing to step up to the plate and go the extra mile when I need them most. This is just a little post to say thank you to those of you who have reached out to me, whether in a small or big way. None of them go unnoticed. I love you all! :)

Fall

I love Fall, and I'm excited for it to get here. There's something about a new apartment, a new ward, new classes, and new people that gets me excited. I just like the fresh start! (This would most likely explain why I love January 1, Mondays, and the first day of school. It's a chance to start over and do better. And I'm all about self-improvement!) So in honor of school starting in 27 days and moving into a new place in two weeks, I made myself some goals. I figured if I posted them here, and if you know me and I'm failing at them, you can keep me in check. :)

1. Say prayers morning and night on knees (I fail at this one)
2. Read the Scriptures every day
3. Go to the gym at least 3 times a week
4. Go to Institute each week (I'm sad that I finished all my religion classes)
5. Go to the temple once a week (I've been doing this all summer and it has made the biggest difference in my life!)
6. Go to all ward/stake activities
7. Create a budget/saving plan for myself
8. Always look my best! (Cheesy, yes, but I'm a firm believer that when you feel like you look your best, you really do feel good)
9. Do visiting teaching every month and go the extra mile (we had a lesson in Relief Society this Sunday about visiting teaching, and it inspired me to do better)
10. Become a better tithing payer
11. Find ways to constantly serve others ("The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." Gandhi)
12. Read/listen to a General Conference talk each day (the inspiration for that idea came from here)
13. Go to or at least watch Devotional every week
14. Fast meaningfully each month
15. Make bed each day (I struggle)
16. Keep room clean (everything I own has a proper place, but they just don't stay in that proper place)
17. Actually STUDY in the library (I'm a people-watcher and don't get much done there)
18. Write in journal often

There we go. My biggest goal is to actually do all of my goals!

Hardships

Have you ever felt like you've been hit with one trial after another, and you're left feeling like you just can't do it anymore? That's how I've felt these past couple of weeks. One challenge came, followed by another, followed by another. None of these challenges had anything to do with the other one, but they all seemed to want to come at the same time and knock me down. And I was left feeling very alone, like the sun wasn't ever going to shine on me again. But then, as He always does, Heavenly Father gave me some help. I came across a quote by President Hinckley, just when I needed it most, that says, "I too believe that God will always make a way where there is no way. I believe that if we will walk in obedience to the commandments of God, if we will follow the counsel of the priesthood, he will open a way even where there appears to be no way." And so far, He has. Even though I'm still dealing with many challenges, and I will be for a while, and the sun hasn't fully come out yet, He's giving me some rays, I think as a symbol that it's on its way. Slowly but surely, the clouds are clearing.

Yesterday I was able to attend the ward that I'll be in in the Fall, and I was surrounded by so many friendly people. It was a ray sent out by Heavenly Father. A wonderful friend of mine (you know who you are honay :), who recently went through a similar challenge, called me and gave me some uplifting advice. Another ray. Another great friend of mine did some wonders with my hair, boosting my confidence (I'm a girl. Good hair does that to you :). One more ray. I was able to find a place to live that I thought would be impossible to get into. Just one more ray. I've had family members, both immediate and extended, including very close family friends, who have reached out in amazing ways. The rays keep breaking through, and it's incredible. My testimony has increased so much. Putting your life in the Lord's hands is hard, and it's definitely taken a hit on my pride because I like to feel in control of myself, but it's what I'm trying to do.

In my Relief Society yesterday, we read this quote by Ezra Taft Benson. "When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives. Our love for the Lord will govern the claims for our affection, the demands on our time, the interests we pursue, and the order of our priorities." I really believe that. Putting the Lord first is a challenge, but I think it's supposed to be. By doing so we increase our faith. And it really is happening. Things are starting to fall into place for me. The sun eventually comes out, and it's getting there for me. The challenges are still there, and will be for a while, but the Lord gives us help.