Thursday, August 26

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?


Thursday, August 19

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

These sure make me feel better.

Wednesday, August 18

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!





Tuesday, August 17

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. ;)

Monday, August 16

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. :)



Thursday, August 12

Invictus

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



Tuesday, August 10

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! :)