quote of the day

To realize the best possible future for yourself, don't look at it through a box containing your own past.

- Steve Chandler

100 Ways to Motivate Yourself

how can i love you less?

This is probably the cutest music video I've ever seen!

Part of me can't wait to grow old

Knowing I'll always be a child at heart. :)

family love

Conversation I got to witness tonight...

Mom (from the other room): Goodnight family
Dad: Kiss me when you say that
Mom: Well I can't, I'm in my BVDs
Dad: Your what?
Mom: I don't know what it means, my mom used to say it.
Dad: Honey, those are men's underwear.

I love my life.

a little bit of love

Here's a little inspiration to go out and serve others this holiday season. 

connell e-gals

So, back in high school I was on the Drill Team... and LOVED it.
For my senior project I decided to document our adventures that year and distribute the video amongst the girls for happy memories.

Well when it came around time to distribute I couldn't burn it on to anything as hard as I tried, and it was too long to fit on youtube. Lame I know.

But now... Ta da ... 4 years later, I found Vimeo and can now share it with the world. So here it is folks, the bane of my existence in high school.

Lady E-gals Connell High School Drill Team 2008

I hope its not too choppy for ya, its acting kinda lame on my computer.

brene brown...

In school I am minoring in Peacebuilding. And I LOVE it! You might be thinking... oh no not another tree hugger, world peace type... but we don't just learn effective ways to wrap our little arms around tree trunks, no it's much more than that.

In my online class this semester we have to listen to a lecture a week and explain what we learned and how it effects our view of building peace. It has been one of the best classes I've ever taken.

Thus far we have had two lectures by Brene Brown and I've just loved her as a speaker. She's funny and super enlightening. Give her a listen and I'd love to hear what you think.

liebster award

My friend/Cambodia comrade, Aria from So, today... nominated my blog for the Liebster Award. 

Cool huh?

I'm stoked!

The Liebster Award is given to bloggers who have less than 200 followers (yeah, I'm getting there ;}).

Here are the rules:

1. Post 11 things about yourself 

2. answer the questions the nominator made for you

3. create 11 more questions for the blogs you nominate

3. choose 11 people and link them to your post 

4. go to their page and tell them too 

5. oh, and of course, no tag backs.

I think it'll be fun, so here goes nothing. =)

11 things about me:

1. I love music, at this very moment I am listening to the Catch My Breath cover by Alex Goot and Against the Current... AMAZING!

2. I go to school at Brigham Young University- Hawaii and I love it. But I graduate in April and I couldn't be happier (and slightly terrified) to figure out what life has in store for me. 

3. My favorite ice cream is Almond Praline, if you haven't tried it... don't you'll become instantly addicted.

4. I have a few all time favorite movies. #1 Something Borrowed #2 Just Friends #3 SHES THE MAN#4 Fast and Furious(all 5 of them)

5. I love cats. Like I want to own at least 5 of them. 

6. My friends are great! Love them.

7. I want to travel the world and serve

8. I want a brown baby, a black baby, and a red-headed baby, oh and blonde-haired blue-eyed baby... either I need to get married lots or adopt lots.... we'll figure that one out later. 

9. Ever since I watched Chris Brown's Kiss Kiss music video I've desperately wanted to dance on a bus.

10. I kind of am addicted to self-help books lately. I am currently reading The Success Principles by Jack Canfield

11. I'm somewhat afraid of the dark and fall sleep to Owl City, Animal Documentaries, or my recent favorite, my Christmas playlist on youtube.

11 questions from Aria to me:

1.  Do you like your hair up or down (may be substituted for long vs short)? When I want to look like I actually dressed up I always wear my hair down, but lately since its at that awkward growing out phase it is up... constantly.

2.  If you knew you could not fail, what would you do? Ah great question! EVERYTHING. I would write an amazing song that could be played on every instrument at once. I would write a novel, the good kind that fits every audience. I would become a dancer. I would make up my own harmonies to songs that actually sound like they fit. I would help save the world.

3.  What actor would you like to play the lead romantic role in the story of your life? Ryan Gosling... can't get over Noah in The Notebook.

4.  Do you ever get lost? Like literally? Actually not really, I've found I'm pretty good with realizing where I am. 

5.  What is your favorite kind of toothpaste? Minty

6.  Right.....*now*......are you happy with where you're going? At this very moment. I'm happy that I have about the next maybe 8 months planned, then pretty worried about what's gunna happen after that.

7.  If you could live in a foreign country...... I couldn't choose just one if I tried. My heart was left in the beautiful landscapes of Italy when I was 16, I would love more than anything to live in France and REALLY learn the language, but I also would love to go back to Cambodia someday. So I could never choose just one.

8.  Did you watch the Presidential debates? No mam, I know I know I'm a horrible citizen. Actually I started watching them with Aria (the one who wrote this question) but I made her turn it off cuz it was making both of us angry. 

9.  What is the one thing that you are best at? Compassion, I hope that doesn't sound conceited, because I really am not trying to be. I just know that my heart aches every time I see someone hurt, or be hurt. 

10.  If you could re-live a day in your life, which would it be and why? The day I visited the temple Angkor Wat. I love love love being surrounded by marvelous things, and Angkor Wat and the temples around it are just that... marvelous. That day I was also surrounded by marvelous people. And what made that day most special, wasn't that I got to see actual monkeys like a foot away from me, but that that was that day I realized that all my dreams really can come true (dont judge me, but I'm kind of crying just thinking about it). That day was sure special. 

11.  What song would you like sung at your funeral and who would sing it? Thats a hard one. Maybe, Dont Wake Me Up by Chris Brown himself.

11 blogs I nominate:

1.Jaki (my mom) at I Can So Do That

2.Taylor at like water

3.Jovanna at To Whom it May Concern

4.McKenzie at the good vibes

5.Anna at It's All How You See It

6.Laurel at It's Laurel, Not Laura

7.Lauren at Cove & Grey

8.Chelsea at Wanderings and Ponderings

9.Lucy at After all, it's only make believe

10.Paul at My Bitchin' Life (excuse the profanity)

11.Clark at Modest Conquest

...and here are the 11 questions going out to them:

1. If you were reincarnated as any animal what would it be?

2. (I'm going to have to steal Aria's question) If you knew you could not fail, what would you do?

3. My number one dream in the entire world would be...

4. Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall?

5. What is the one quality you love most about yourself?

6. If you could write 5 words to a 16 year old you, what would they be?

7. One thing I would change about the world would be...

8. How do you feel when the "Happy Birthday" song is being sung to you?

9. If you could listen to one song on repeat for the next month, what would it be?

10. How do you feel about twitter?

11. If you could have lunch with one celebrity who would it be?

art in circulation...

Hey bloggers! 

My friend Sarah and I started a art blog and we'd LOVE for ya'll to check it out. We have art tips, pinterest projects, inspiration, daily doodles, and local artist spotlights. 

You can find us here on blogger (click the link or use the "artwork" tab above), facebook, twitter, pinterest, instagram and etsy as well. 

Thanks so much, Love you all!

home lovely sweet happy home...

I've been home for about a week now...

and I'm LOVING it!

My tummy is doing pretty well, which is a miracle. 

For those of you who don't know... I was on a in internship/ humanitarian project in Cambodia for a month but had to come home because I got super sick. :( 

But I'm doing good and simply reveling in the family time!!!
and maybe, just maybe, enjoying the cold.

Tender mercies.

Taken 2 with Dad & Lil Sis

 Lil Sis Shaunessy                                                 Coat Weather

 Painting Pumpkins with Ma & Lil Sis

up to you...

"God determines who walks into your life. It is up to you to decide who you let walk away, who you let stay, and who you refuse to let go."

-Ruth Beltran

how about you?...

Now I'm not usually a "oldies" music fan, 

but I had the Michael Bublé station playing on Pandora 

and this song came on. 

I love it, makes me feel all happy and tingly. 

videos of cambodia...

I just spent the last month in Phnom Penh, Cambodia helping to start a project called ICHope at the CICFO Orphanage, where we taught English and Computer skills to the kids there in order to help prepare them for college when the time comes. 

While there, I made weekly videos to help document what an amazing experience we had. I thought I would share them with you today. If you want to learn more just click on the Travel Writing tab above to check out my other blog Word Meets World. 

music = life...

I love music!!!

Here are a few of my faves at the moment...

...and a few all time faves I can't get enough of

insta-smiles

Need a little pick-me-up???

These videos have to be the best things ever invented!

and this picture...

hot foot forest...

Ok this one tops the Twilight one like no other

I cry laughing every time!

blogging about cambodia...

Hey, I haven't written on here much because I've been focusing a lot on keeping up my Cambodian blog. Check it out!

You can access it through the Travel Writing tab above. 

Feel free to follow it as well =)

duuudde... you slapped a fishhh

Sarah showed me this yesterday while we were "shelving" (aka sitting in the stacks laughing our hearts out)... and we DIED! I cannot get over how funny this is. 

If you do not think this is absolutely hilarious

We can no longer be friends. 

Disclaimer: Watch it late at night with someone who loves twilight and it'll be a whole lot funnier.

opportunity of a lifetime...

Guess where this girl's gunna be in a month and a half!!!

{CAMBODIA}

I just found out last night that I am one of two chosen

to spend three months in this beautiful country

teaching English and Computer skills to children

ages 4 to 18 in an the CICFO orphanage. 

I am stoked beyond belief to be chosen for such a wonderful opportunity

and I couldn't be more grateful.

More info to come =)

da burg in a nutshell...

I just realized that I didn't talk much about my trip to the Burg!
Except for the earlier post about moving on (...)
But, on a happier note... it was such a BLAST!

First of all I got to stay with one of my besties, April
She's such a doll and always knows how to have a good time. =)

Wether it be lounging around watching movies litereally all day, scoping out the hotties at the Crossroads, shopping at craft stores, or watching fireworks, we always have so much fun.

Some things never change... thank goodness ---->
(left- 2009 right- 2012)




April and I also got to spend time with my brother, Chase, and his friends on the 4th of July.

Among them was his girlfriend, Jovanna, who I got to meet for the first time. Shes GORGEOUS! and so much fun. I'm super duper happy for both of them. 

Logan, my younger brother, also goes to school at BYU-I. Im so jealous that he and Chase get to be at the same school. I've been trying to connivence them both to transfer here but... who would want to study in Hawaii right?

I was so blessed that the rest of my family could make it to Rexburg too during that time, and waiting till Christmas to see them would have been torture. So, I got to crash at their hotel in IF for a few nights. We swam at the pool, jumped in a warehouse lined wall to wall with trampolines (iJump), watched movies, and had a picnic in the park with all our friends.

(Thats Shaunessy on the far left hahaha, Me, Chase & Logan). I seriously love the crud outta my family!




Speaking of family, I was lucky enough to spend a few nights with my cousin, Morgan, as well. She's such a babe. We did a ton of fun stuff like going to FHE at Egin Lake with my new adopted cousin, Amy, or climbing on the roof of the Hart Building and almost getting caught by security guards. Needless to say, there's never a dull moment with this girl!
<-----(Right to Left: Me, Morgan, Amy, & Sarthak)

(Right to Left: Me, Morgan, Amy) --------------->









I got to see my friend Ikaika play a gig at a little place called Sammy's while I was there. We had planned on flying out there together from Hawaii but had schedule issues, but we did end up on the same flight back so it was all good. He's so super talented. You should give him a little listen, after all, he always is reminding me to... make Ikaika famous.

I even ran into a few friends from high school that I hadn't realized were there! One of them was Jarom! We got to catch up quite a bit through hiking R mountain, watching his dance compitition, and trying gelati for the first time. He is such a great guy. I never realized how awesome he was to talk to until this trip. I'm so glad I got to spend some time with him!

(Sunrise on R Mountain)

I also got to see some of my old fhe family!!!! It was definiately one of my favorite parts of the entire trip. I love those guys so much and it was such a treat to see how they've changed over the past few years. One thing I regret is not getting a picture of us all at Big Juds this time. But heres a little snapshot from the past.

(Katie, Chantel?, Brenda, Danielle, Shane, Steve, Angela, Me, Jason, Courtney, Kenny, and Kara)

Brenda, Angela, Steve and his wife, and Jason and his fiance all came. Such a fun evening!

But one of my absolute highlights of the trip had to be seeing this kid:

HUNTER!!! He's back from the mish! And what are the odds that we would be in the Burg at the same time, not more than a week after he got home. I've missed him so much and I'm glad he is now only a phone call away. =)

Anyways that was my trip in a nutshell. I did spend a few days in Provo, which I'll catch up on later. But, I seriously had the time of my life! I'm so glad I got the opportunity to go spend a little time with some of the people I love most in the world. I sure am one blessed girl!

everything we've ever wanted...

I am feelin' this quote tonight. 

How many times do we find that our biggest roadblock is ourselves?

We can do anything we set our minds to.

I believe that wholeheartedly...

So why not have everything we've ever wanted?

to experience peace...

"If you wish to experience peace, provide peace for another."

Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama

our gift to give...

The submission of one’s will is really the only uniquely personal thing we have to place on God’s altar. The many other things we “give,” brothers and sisters, are actually the things He has already given or loaned to us. However, when you and I finally submit ourselves, by letting our individual wills be swallowed up in God’s will, then we are really giving something to Him! It is the only possession which is truly ours to give! 

(Neal A. Maxwell, “Swallowed Up in the Will of the Father,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 22).

believe in all the possibilities...

May we stay lost on our way home

C'mon

C'mon

With everything falling down around me

I'd like to believe in all the possibilities.

floating alone...

Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone.

-Kelly Clarkson "Stronger"

a little bit of da burg...

 

I am simply having the time of my life!

I have been blessed enough to spend 2 weeks of the summer visiting friends and family in REXBURG, ID!

I love Rexburg!

I love all the memories that surround me here.

BYU-Idaho was where I first started college, where I got one of my first tastes of being an adult,

where I had awesome roommates and an amazing FHE Family,

and where I made my first life altering decision.

...to transfer to BYU-Hawaii.

A decision I don't regret one bit.

Because of this trip, I have finally come to the realization that my life has gone exactly the way it was supposed to.

No matter how much I love this wonderful place,

I would not have grown to be the person I am now if I had stayed.

That being said, thank you Rexburg, for sending me on my life's journey.

kape at gatas...

Summer is here!!!

And along with it came a little summer love.

Two weeks ago I met this stud at the Hawaii State Fair

and its been a roller coaster ever since,

where the lows are just as great as the highs.

I sure am one lucky girl.

Photo credit goes to the amazing Rommel Lardizabal

who got us off the couch to model for him

...and all I wanted to do was watch a movie

lindsey stirling... violin genius

I want to be her.

This is seriously my biggest dream.

Check out her other videos too

She's amazing!

jam sesh...

Todays an old school jam sesh day!

I never realized how much my music taste had changed until the "shuffle gods" picked these jams for me to listen to on my way to work.

My playlists today consist of Bon Iver, Ingrid Michaelson, and FUN. which are all quite a bit different.

But, I'm having a blast reliving my jr high/high school days with each one of these.