Fly away to Neverland
Maybe we'll never land
Just take my shaking hand
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Sunday, September 1, 2013
I'm Starting a New Adventuuurrreee!!!
Guess what! I'm starting an Adventure.
Yes, I did move into my new apartment in a new place with new people, that is an adventure but not the one I'm talking about.
I going to write a full -fledged novel in a month... "full-fledged" as in 50,000 words. Impossible, you say? False, people have actually completed this insane task and I'm about to too.
I have to write about 1,600 words a day and if I don't I give you full permission to ridicule me like no other until the end of time.
So, here I go... as you can tell, I already have bags under my eyes but you cant miss the enthusiasm on my face and that, my friends, is what counts.
Yes, I did move into my new apartment in a new place with new people, that is an adventure but not the one I'm talking about.
I going to write a full -fledged novel in a month... "full-fledged" as in 50,000 words. Impossible, you say? False, people have actually completed this insane task and I'm about to too.
I have to write about 1,600 words a day and if I don't I give you full permission to ridicule me like no other until the end of time.
Friday, August 23, 2013
Create Bold New Paths
Todays Focus: BE BOLD & CREATE NEW PATHS
There have been times in my life where it was easy to be bold, those times happened when I knew without a doubt what I was standing for. When our confidence in life waivers I find it's harder to find that courage to be bold.
This summer I had the most amazing opportunity to work as an EFY counselor. EFY is a youth camp for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Youth ages 14 to 18 come for a week to be spiritually uplifted, strengthen their testimony of the gospel, meet kids who are striving for the same things in life, and realize that living the gospel is cool. I went to EFY every summer from when I was 14 to 17 and had "Being a Counselor" on the top of my bucket list.
Going into my first week as a counselor, no matter how much I had looked forward to the opportunity, I was terrified. I was scared that my kids wouldn't like me, that I would say the wrong things, that I wouldn't click with anyone, or that I down right wouldn't be able do it. But, the Lord prepares us for the tasks that are put in front of us, I know that without a doubt. The second I walked on to campus, terrified and all, I knew that was where I needed to be.
The next month flew by, I cannot think of a time in my life where I learned so much. I learned what it really meant to love, and love everyone. I learned how to rely completely on our Heavenly Father and to do and say the things we are prompted to. And, I learned that with His help, I can do hard things!
I was bold.
Since then, it's been back to the real world. Real worries, cares, concerns instantly found their way into my mind. I am a college graduate without a plan in the world and this scares me. I don't know exactly where I need to be or what I need to be doing, none of the plans or ideas have given me that "Ahah" moment.
But I realized that maybe that moment wont come until I legitimately take that step in the dark or that leap off a cliff. I realize I need to move.
Literally.
So I'm being bold and creating a new path for myself... by moving to Utah next week. I know, I know. Utah is never somewhere I thought I would be going. Paris, Venice, Bangladesh sound more like it but this is a means to an end.
Heres the plan: Fly into Utah on Tuesday, Stay with aunt and uncle until the 1st, Rock my second interview with this job I really want in SLC (while using public transportation due to not having a car...yet), Move into my new apartment in Provo, Become the best of buds with my new roomies, If I get the job I'll do a happy dance and eat tons of ice cream, If I don't get the job I'll skip the happy dance and eat tons of ice cream anyways... and then job hunt in Provo, Save up mucho bucks, Either buy a car/move into SLC/or travel to unknown lands.
And there you have it. Wish me luck!
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
come to the edge
Come to the edge.
We might fall.
Come to the edge.
It's too high.
Come to the edge.
And they came,
And he pushed,
And they flew.
-Guillaume Apollinaire
my life in bullet points...
I haven't posted in months, so here's to making a long story short.
- My last full semester of college was good, aside from a huge case of senioritis.
- In April the time had finally come for me to graduate from Brigham Young University-Hawaii. My amazing fam-bam got to visit and we gallivanted around the island in search of adventure.
- We found it, in the form of a plane that Chase, Logan, and I jumped out of! By far, one of the most wonderful moments of my life. Check for the Bucket List.
- I stayed a few more months to finish up 3 of the most exhausting classes of my life (aside from Anthropology, I quite liked that one).
- My dear lovely wonderful roommate Taylor got married to the love of her life, Grant, so me and the girls made a pit stop in San Diego, on the way home, for their reception.
- I got to be home for a week before my next adventure began... EFY
- I spent an entire month bearing my testimony, dancing my heart out, praying like mad, and enjoying the company of some of the dearest spirits on earth. By far the BEST job I have ever had.
- After EFY I spent another week in Utah visiting lots and lots of family.
- Brittany, one of my absolute best friends from high school got married this summer as well. Her and David are so perfect for each other it's beyond words. (Pics to come).
- Now I'm home, prepping to hopefully move to Utah within the next week or so and start my next adventure.
Saturday, March 23, 2013
safe haven
Dont tell me you can listen to this song and not want to dance.
A few weeks ago I went and saw the new nicholas Sparks movie, Safe Haven
(see trailer below)
and they danced around the room to this song and my heart melted.
Love love love.
Friday, March 1, 2013
Friday, February 15, 2013
dream big
A few days ago I was thinking about the prompt: DREAM BIG
So, I'm a huge planner/goal setter. Not saying that I am good at sticking with them. No. But I love the feeling of having something to work towards.
A few semesters back I was re-reading The Secret and The Success Principles and I decided to make a Dream Box. Inside I put pictures of things that I wanted to have, do, or be. I have pictures in there of everything from a pair of TOMS to a a gondola in Venice.I even have trinkets of things like business cards and foreign coins that remind me of things I want as well.
I hadn't looked in that dream box for quite a while and I was only reminded of it once I read that days prompt. So I decided to open it up and have a look. A few things had actually come into my life, which I thought was really cool but the best part was that I had forgotten I had put $30 in there to remind me even when situations might be dire financially, things always work out. You don't know how much I needed that $30. What a blessing.
Monday, February 11, 2013
have fun
This last weekend's purpose was: HAVE FUN
I know that sounds super simple but, at times it was actually quite difficult. Last week was super busy for me because of classes, work, and other projects and even though I had the prompt in mind, I found it hard to have fun while not feeling like I have time to do so.
I find that I struggle with that in life. I need to be more apt to seeing the fun in the day to day or I'll be always focused on the weekends that tend to pass too quickly anyways.
I also realized through trial and error what is actually fun and is not for me. A few friends and I went to a techno concert this last Friday and it was fun. Just not quite the kind of fun I'm into anymore. Back when I was first out of high school, something like that would've been the highlight of my year but now, even though the music was awesome and the people were so very nice, I don't think it's really my scene.
On Saturday there was an open mic night at the Compound (two houses across from Hukilau Beach with a fire pit in the lawn in between them) and afterward we had a group over to watch "Taken" cuz Jodo and a few others have never seen it, which of course needed to be fixed. It was such a blast. I love music, especially when people I know are playing/singing, and I love movies. So that, to me, was fun.
Speaking of FUN I thought we could listen to a little bit of it:
I know that sounds super simple but, at times it was actually quite difficult. Last week was super busy for me because of classes, work, and other projects and even though I had the prompt in mind, I found it hard to have fun while not feeling like I have time to do so.
I find that I struggle with that in life. I need to be more apt to seeing the fun in the day to day or I'll be always focused on the weekends that tend to pass too quickly anyways.
I also realized through trial and error what is actually fun and is not for me. A few friends and I went to a techno concert this last Friday and it was fun. Just not quite the kind of fun I'm into anymore. Back when I was first out of high school, something like that would've been the highlight of my year but now, even though the music was awesome and the people were so very nice, I don't think it's really my scene.
(Sara, Kyle, and I at ABOVE & BEYOND concert)
On Saturday there was an open mic night at the Compound (two houses across from Hukilau Beach with a fire pit in the lawn in between them) and afterward we had a group over to watch "Taken" cuz Jodo and a few others have never seen it, which of course needed to be fixed. It was such a blast. I love music, especially when people I know are playing/singing, and I love movies. So that, to me, was fun.
Speaking of FUN I thought we could listen to a little bit of it:
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
laugh/dance for no reason
Yesterdays purpose was: LAUGH OUT LOUD
and todays was: DANCE FOR NO REASON
Both of these are pretty self explanatory but I had kind of a hard time with both of them. I'm not the type of person that really wants to stand out at all, I completely fine with sitting back and letting others have the attention. Therefore I've never wanted to be the type of person that laughs all the time or feels the need to bust out in random dance moves that make people feel uncomfortable. But after thinking about it a bit, these are not prompting me to try and pretend like I'm a wild and crazy person, they are to make me realize that life is fun.
If I feel the need to laugh, I should laugh. If I feel the need to bust out a crazy dance move, I should dance. Not for attention but for me. Plus both being expressions of happiness and joy, lift my heart just a little bit each time.
Here's a little something that makes me laugh
... and here's a little something that makes me want to dance
and todays was: DANCE FOR NO REASON
Both of these are pretty self explanatory but I had kind of a hard time with both of them. I'm not the type of person that really wants to stand out at all, I completely fine with sitting back and letting others have the attention. Therefore I've never wanted to be the type of person that laughs all the time or feels the need to bust out in random dance moves that make people feel uncomfortable. But after thinking about it a bit, these are not prompting me to try and pretend like I'm a wild and crazy person, they are to make me realize that life is fun.
If I feel the need to laugh, I should laugh. If I feel the need to bust out a crazy dance move, I should dance. Not for attention but for me. Plus both being expressions of happiness and joy, lift my heart just a little bit each time.
Here's a little something that makes me laugh
... and here's a little something that makes me want to dance
Monday, February 4, 2013
it aint paradise
Last night I performed at Open Mic for the first time in my life. I was so super nervous.
My friend James joined me, and helped me turn my original song into awesomeness with his impromptu lyrical skills.
Here is just a clip of it. Now, no making fun ;)
embrace authenticity
Todays focus: EMBRACE AUTHENTICITY
Now, no judging, but I have to look up the word 'authenticity' in the dictionary to understand a little bit more. In there it says that authenticity is something that is genuine, something that is not a copy or fake.
There are not many things in life that are truly authentic, things throughout time have progressed and developed to the state that they are now. Take technology for example, back in the day people had to write letters to each other that were delivered on foot which could take months just to say hello. Whereas now we have the happenings of other people's lives in our faces all the time with email, cell phones, and social media.
But I think this focus was perfect for a Sunday, because what is more authentic than our Savior, Jesus Christ? In a world where authenticity is hard to find, I know that he can be our rock and our foundation.
Just the other day, my roommates were talking a woman who had attempted to restore an old painting of Jesus Christ. I don't know what she was thinking when she did it, but it went horribly wrong and turned into, what is now called, the monkey Jesus.
Now, people all over the world are making fun and making light of this painting. But, to me, it's just sad. Why must we feel like everything needs to be made new and improved. Though the original painting was damaged and worn, it was absolutely beautiful.
I think that's what is meant by embracing authenticity. It's being appreciative of the wonderful things people before us have left behind, it is recognizing the genuine efforts of the people around us, and it's stopping for just a minute, without the hustle and bustle of today's world, and being thankful for all the beauty around us.
Now, no judging, but I have to look up the word 'authenticity' in the dictionary to understand a little bit more. In there it says that authenticity is something that is genuine, something that is not a copy or fake.
There are not many things in life that are truly authentic, things throughout time have progressed and developed to the state that they are now. Take technology for example, back in the day people had to write letters to each other that were delivered on foot which could take months just to say hello. Whereas now we have the happenings of other people's lives in our faces all the time with email, cell phones, and social media.
But I think this focus was perfect for a Sunday, because what is more authentic than our Savior, Jesus Christ? In a world where authenticity is hard to find, I know that he can be our rock and our foundation.
Just the other day, my roommates were talking a woman who had attempted to restore an old painting of Jesus Christ. I don't know what she was thinking when she did it, but it went horribly wrong and turned into, what is now called, the monkey Jesus.
I think that's what is meant by embracing authenticity. It's being appreciative of the wonderful things people before us have left behind, it is recognizing the genuine efforts of the people around us, and it's stopping for just a minute, without the hustle and bustle of today's world, and being thankful for all the beauty around us.
Friday, February 1, 2013
celebrate life
I know I've posted this picture before but I absolutely love it. The other day my friend James was trying to describe me and the word "hippie" didnt quite do me justice so he settled on "free spirit"...
and I kinda like it. :)
So, in order to live up to the expectations that have now been placed upon me I've decided to follow this How To. It's like the epitome of good advice.
And its the perfect time to start thinking a little bit differently.
I'm at a point in my life where I feel like I have no clue about what's to come, I graduate in April, finish up classes in June (maybe August) and then ... who knows what. There's a quote I found on Pinterest the other day that says: "When nothing is certain, anything is possible."
I'm going to figure out what's my possible.
Today's focus was: CELEBRATE LIFE
You know what I did to celebrate life? I slept in, skipped class, decorated my walls with pictures and Cambodian scarves, read a book on the beach and made Oreo Truffles :)
Maybe not exactly what they had in mind... but then again maybe it was. Life is about loving where you're at and making the day-to-day monotony interesting. Therefore... HAPPY ALOHA FRIDAY! lets all forget our responsibilities and have some FUN.
Here's a little jam to get the weekend started.
(Wait until you get to 1:45... so awesome!)
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Thursday, January 3, 2013
2012 in review
I got this wonderful idea from a friend's blog (Traveling Triplets). Her and her sisters did a super cute year in review so I thought I could try something like it.
January- I got back to school and got to meet and live with some of the most wonderfully interesting roomies ever. What a semester it was, so many ups and downs but it was definitely one for the record!
February- A month full of love! We hosted a Sweetheart Soiree at our Canal House which was so much fun! But loveliest of all was the marriage of one of my bestest friends in all the world Paris to the love of her life Robert. Taylor and I got to fly to Cali for the weekend and had such an amazing time (my first time in Cali)!
March- We had many a party and many Mallow Roasts at the Canal House. So much love with good food and good company. Plus we discovered the heavenly deliciousness of the Banana Boat and it is never to be forgotten.
April- I spent the most amazing week island hopping to Maui with 6 friends. Im so thankful to be alive after quite a few intense hikes and cave crawling. For once, being in Hawaii actually felt like a vacation. Such a great trip!
May- I turned 22 and now have Taylor Swifts song "22" playing on in my head. Describes me so well. As does this birthday sign Taylor Rippy (my amazingly wonderful roomie) made for me.
June- The first night of summer I went to the Hawaii state fair and met this guy. RJ introduced me to the wonderful Philippino crew, who are some of the best people you will ever meet. Sarah, Yao, and Kiram soon joined us and we made our own summer crew.
July- I was so overjoyed when I was able to take a trip to my old stomping grounds of Rexburg, Idaho. My family was able to drive up from Washington and so we all had a wonderful getaway from pressures of life. I also was so stoked that I got to catch up with old friends and my dear cousins. I even got to spend some time in Provo with some old Hawaii friends as well.
August- Summer was the best time ever! I worked a good 40hours at our college library for the first half and then played when I wasnt working or going to classes. Once a month we would only have to work 19hrs so our crew would try to cram everything we possibly could into those power weeks. Best time EVER!
September- I had the best experience of my life as I got to travel to Cambodia with the ICHope program to teach English and computer skills to the darling kids in the CICFO orphanage. I soon realized I wanted to take every one of those kids home with me when the time came.
October- I got home from Cambodia and got to send some much needed down time with the family. I finally had time to explore my crafty side and work on Sarah and I's blog, Art in Circulation.
November- I got to spend Thanksgiving with the Joyner side of the family in Utah. We had a blast catching up and talking story. Chase brought his darling girlfriend Jovanna and Logan brought his roomie Cy to join in the festivities. It was so much fun having everyone around.
December- I was lucky enough to spend a large amount of time with this guy and I loved every minute. I am so very blessed to have Ryan in my life and I'm so very thankful to my dear friends Brittany and David for setting us up. Christmas wasn't like any other, spent with my entire family, Ryan, and some of Chase's friends from college.
I didn't realize how many amazing things happened in my life this year until I started writing this post. I love my life so very much. It's not perfect by any means and things definitely don't always go as planned but man it's a blast. I can't wait to see what is to come this next year!!!
2012!!!
January- I got back to school and got to meet and live with some of the most wonderfully interesting roomies ever. What a semester it was, so many ups and downs but it was definitely one for the record!
February- A month full of love! We hosted a Sweetheart Soiree at our Canal House which was so much fun! But loveliest of all was the marriage of one of my bestest friends in all the world Paris to the love of her life Robert. Taylor and I got to fly to Cali for the weekend and had such an amazing time (my first time in Cali)!
March- We had many a party and many Mallow Roasts at the Canal House. So much love with good food and good company. Plus we discovered the heavenly deliciousness of the Banana Boat and it is never to be forgotten.
April- I spent the most amazing week island hopping to Maui with 6 friends. Im so thankful to be alive after quite a few intense hikes and cave crawling. For once, being in Hawaii actually felt like a vacation. Such a great trip!
May- I turned 22 and now have Taylor Swifts song "22" playing on in my head. Describes me so well. As does this birthday sign Taylor Rippy (my amazingly wonderful roomie) made for me.
June- The first night of summer I went to the Hawaii state fair and met this guy. RJ introduced me to the wonderful Philippino crew, who are some of the best people you will ever meet. Sarah, Yao, and Kiram soon joined us and we made our own summer crew.
July- I was so overjoyed when I was able to take a trip to my old stomping grounds of Rexburg, Idaho. My family was able to drive up from Washington and so we all had a wonderful getaway from pressures of life. I also was so stoked that I got to catch up with old friends and my dear cousins. I even got to spend some time in Provo with some old Hawaii friends as well.
August- Summer was the best time ever! I worked a good 40hours at our college library for the first half and then played when I wasnt working or going to classes. Once a month we would only have to work 19hrs so our crew would try to cram everything we possibly could into those power weeks. Best time EVER!
September- I had the best experience of my life as I got to travel to Cambodia with the ICHope program to teach English and computer skills to the darling kids in the CICFO orphanage. I soon realized I wanted to take every one of those kids home with me when the time came.
October- I got home from Cambodia and got to send some much needed down time with the family. I finally had time to explore my crafty side and work on Sarah and I's blog, Art in Circulation.
November- I got to spend Thanksgiving with the Joyner side of the family in Utah. We had a blast catching up and talking story. Chase brought his darling girlfriend Jovanna and Logan brought his roomie Cy to join in the festivities. It was so much fun having everyone around.
December- I was lucky enough to spend a large amount of time with this guy and I loved every minute. I am so very blessed to have Ryan in my life and I'm so very thankful to my dear friends Brittany and David for setting us up. Christmas wasn't like any other, spent with my entire family, Ryan, and some of Chase's friends from college.
I didn't realize how many amazing things happened in my life this year until I started writing this post. I love my life so very much. It's not perfect by any means and things definitely don't always go as planned but man it's a blast. I can't wait to see what is to come this next year!!!
Happy 2013!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)