Lessons to be Learned

It's been tooooo Long since I've blogged! 

Summer is FLYING by, and I just haven't been good at recording it.

I have learned a few lessons here and there I guess.

In Raymond's Got Talent - I choreographed a routine that, crazily enough, ended up placing 1st! 

The amazing girls that put up with my insane choreo

One of the judges spoke to me after and gave me some amazing compliments. But one thing he said really hit me hard:

"Most people look at a competition like this and think I should've done something. Or I could've done that. The reason you are where you are is because you aren't a "Should've/Could've"  person. You went out, choreographed it, taught it, and won it."

WHOAAAA... Am I really a "Go-getter"? I didn't think so. 

Too many times I've had to reflect on situations where I missed an opportunity to share the gospel & I think for days after about how I "SHOULD'VE" said this or that....

How many weeks go by where I think I "SHOULD'VE" exercised more or I "SHOULD'VE" eaten better...dang it.

I "SHOULD'VE" done more service today...

I "SHOULD'VE" been a better friend & called someone to ask them about their day.

I "SHOULD'VE" cleaned my room/done my laundry...

!Oh Dear!

I need to work on being the person 

Mr. Judge said I am......lesson #1.

Lesson 2.

Nature is the BEST place to meditate and strengthen your testimony. Nothing. this. summer. has helped me feel better than running on gravel roads by farms, hiking up mountains, or traveling. 

It's AMAZING.

So beautiful eh?

Lesson 3. 

Being spontaneous is the fastest way to fix a bad day.

Spontaneity cures heartache and boredom.

It's better than ice cream.

Get yo'self on a bike & go... 

Get on a cliff & JUUUMMMPP..

Life is too short!!! Especially summer...

don't miss out :)

Live It. Laugh at it. & Love it. 

Father's Day

To a man that has put up with living with only women for the last 24 years of his life. 

We admire your PATIENCE & your HARD WORK. 

Sorry for causing you so much stress that you have lost most of your hair... & gone crazy

Just know -- it was worth it to have raised 3 perfect children -- 

I hope you have the bestest Father's Day ever!

HERE'S A SONG DEDICATED TO YOU :) 

I LOVE YOU DADDY!!!! 

~Live For The Moment~

I LOVE LIFE...
This is VERY true.

For those of you who know me well,

you know this...

This is my sister & I... We Love life together ... A LOT.

Last weekend

we decided to take a very spontaneous road trip down to Rexburg, Idaho...which led to a trip to....

Down there we got to visit some of our old friends & favorite places.

12 hours in the car - both ways....OF COURSE, I got to reminiscing.....

WHERE HAVE ALL THE GOOD OL' DAYS GONE??

REMEMBER WHEN...

1. Mom would do your hair?? But you HATED the pulls & tangles...

2. Mom would make you EAT those NASTY beans & Veggies...

3. You came home from school & all your clothes were clean & folded, but you had to put them away in your drawers...SUCH A hassle!!!

4. You HAD to get your 1st job to "afford" slurpees & Christmas presents for friends...the parents had finally "CUT YOU OFF". :O

5. Your 'boyfriend' talked to another girl in the hallway at school. The NERVE.

6. The High School teachers told you that if you didn't get an A in the class your future would be DOOMED! 

7. The only drama in life was "Who is going to be the next American Idol?", "Is *NSYNC REALLY breaking up??", & "What is our dance team going to wear for our Sugar Bowl routine this year??" (Oh dear...that was actually a VERY dramatic situation).

NOW I SEE IT....Those WERE the good ol' days. 

I never worried about my hair (mom did), dinner was made for me & it was healthy, clean clothes, no bills, boyfriends weren't ever prospective husbands, high school was a PIECE OF CAKE, & I survived the Nsync break-up :) ... barely

So....

Am I living the "Good ol' Days" right now??

They don't always seem so "GOOD" at the time.

But the answer is....

                         YES!!!!!!!

Don't sit around waiting for life to get better. Live for the moment & remember that these ARE the good days. 

Remember, I'm still imperfect... I long for the good ol' days & wait for better days still.

This trip made me LONG FOR & MISS:

Rexburg...where I met my best lifelong friends.

** DON'T TAKE THE EVERYDAY MOMENTS FOR GRANTED**

Dancin' Through Life

Why does Jimmer play basketball? Why does Justin Bieber sing? Why does the President of the United States run for office? Why would anyone volunteer their time & energy to be a Bishop of a ward? 

Why do we do the things we do? 

Think about it...what do you enjoy most about the hobbies/jobs/activities that you have in this life!? I don't know if I would enjoy any of the aforementioned careers, but that's what is so great about individuality! Every person is different.

As most of you know, I consider myself a dancer. Not necessarily a "good" dancer, but a dancer nonetheless. :)

Just like these gentlemen 

Lately, as most of my time is consumed with dance, (YSA choreography, show choir choreography, zumba choreography...whoa) I stopped and thought about what is so appealing about this activity to me. Why am I so fascinated with movement to music? 

Let me explain to you the joys of dancing! 

DISCIPLINE

"Discipline is the bridge between goals & accomplishments" -John Rohn

If we find ways to discipline ourselves, all of our ambitions can be met & we can find success in whatever endeavors we take on. 

*It takes hours & hours of excruciating practices to perfect a routine*
BALANCE

Not only does it require physical balance, but it helps you to develop the ability to balance emotions, trials, and events in your life. Dance is my temporary escape from stress :) 

INSPIRATION
I can only hope that I can one day inspire someone to pursue any desires that they may have to dance, like I have been inspired by so many others! - Not only dance, but any talent or dream they hope to pursue. It definitely takes time & dedication, but if it brings you happiness, it's so worth it!

TESTIMONY
This may sound ridiculous, but remember, I did attend & dance at BYU-Idaho. Somehow the choreographers had such a great ability to share their knowledge of the gospel through music & movement. The Lord gives us each talents. He wants us to use these talents to further his kingdom on this Earth. Dancing allows us to use our earthly bodies - another precious gift given to us - to proclaim the gospel & uplift others. My absolute favorite dance routine was one done by a team at BYU-Idaho that involved the plan of salvation... I wish I had the rights to post it, but it was BEAUTIFUL!
"I see dance being used as communication between body and soul, to express what is too deep to find for words."
-Ruth St. Denis

DEDICATION

FUN

Check out a fun little routine I did in Rexburg


CHALLENGE
Every routine is different and challenging in its own way.

"Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

These are just a few reasons why I love to dance. Now it's your turn to ponder why you love your hobbies. 

How many of us go to dance parties and just go WIILLLDDD?

This plaque can be found on my piano in my living room. DANCE as though no one is watching you!!  Please please please do not stand at a dance party on the side lines & watch (one of my pet peeves)...even if you have no rhythm...dance is designed for everyone to have FUN! :) If this girl can do it (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWpHqRu7r7c)...so can you! 

Heard of it?
Here are some lyrics from the musical...

"dancing through life
mindless & careless
make sure your where less
trouble is rife
woes are fleeting
blows are glancing
when you're dancing through life"


Dance leaves me carefree!


Last thing I want to post on today's blog...My dance that I worked on for 3 months. The girls were so patient with my choreography & they put so much time & effort into this routine. I love it so much! And the girls are amazing :) :) :)

TOP 5 HIGHLIGHTS!!


1. TALENT SHOW WAS A BLAST
2. I'M GOING TO REXBURG NEXT WEEK
3. KODIAK BOYS PLACED 2ND AT NATIONALS!! & COMETS WON PROVINCIALS FOR BASKETBALL
4. I AM OFFICIALLY "ZUMBA" CERTIFIED
5.EMILY WAS CHOSEN ON THE BACHELOR :)

- Hey, Uhhh...Wanna go out sometime? -

The Dreaded awkward first date....

I have been on one too many of these.

This is my way of avoiding another game of "20 Questions" & skipping to the fun part of dating! Being my crazy self and REALLY getting to know one another. I'm going to take you through the typical questions I get asked when meeting a young man & my responses haha. Hopefully you find some entertainment in awkward-ness and are able to relate. AAAANNNNDDD get to know me a little better ;)

QUESTION #1:

Did you play sports in High School?

My thoughts:

Shoot...I always hate this question. I feel like a failure. Or a nerd. Or completely unattractive. Does he REALLY care? Crap!

My response:

Not exactly...Unless you call the 'dance team' or 'swimming' a high school sport. But I had school spirit :)

[Yup, it's official. I'm a nerd]

QUESTION #2:

What was the best date you've ever been on?

My thoughts:

Are you just trying to compare your date to my favorite? Should I respond by saying THIS is the best one EVER!! WOO!!!?!?

My response:

Any date that is super creative, I love! Usually the "cheapest" dates are the most fun actually! But if I had to pick one, I'd say the time I spent 2 days with my boyfriend-at-the-time's family in California.

We went to Disneyland one day! and then dirt biking for my first time ever on the other day & had a picnic in an alley by the beach. Sooo much fun!

 
Guys, get creative with dates!

• sledding, exploring, making dinner, playing games, picnics, service (baby-sitting, visiting old people), trips around Wal-Mart, dress up parties - ALL cheap ideas but SOO FUN!

QUESTION #3:

How many children do you want to have?

My thoughts:

ARE YOU SERIOUSLY ASKING THIS QUESTION ON OUR FIRST DATE?!?!

(Yes, it's happened to me).

My response:

4 seems like a good number. ?

QUESTION #4:

What do you like to do for fun?

My thoughts:

[This shows you how really nerdy I am] - I enjoy learning, working out, reading, & setting & achieving goals. I DO NOT enjoy baking [I would never say this to a guy ha]

My response:

I love to dance & do choreography, play piano, & try to be social! 

A few pics of my

BYU-Idaho Dance Team.

 I miss it so much!

 My verbal responses are not lies or a mockery of the questions being asked, they just avoid the completely brutally honest truth. People are so afraid of judgment. I am guilty of this. I won't deny it. But just understand, a first date cannot always foresee a future with someone or lack of. Be willing to get to know your date on other levels. I actually believe that questions are great! It's a quick & easy way to learn about a person.

I am ultimately writing on the inevitable.

QUESTION #5:

One final chance at love on the 1st date!

If you had a million dollars, what would you do with it?

My thoughts:

 

 With a little bit of....

Are you Fo' Real boy??

My response:

 Pay off my parents' mortgage, pay back my student loans, and TRAVEL baby!! 

I figure 5 questions is good enough to give you a taste of my single, 22 year old life. I'm sure I have plenty more experiences to have in this department. Can't wait!!

Just DATE..............................DATE........................DATE

This week's highlights:

- Got a $70 tip. Not too shabby! Thank-you young man for making my week.

- Celebrated daddy's 45th b-day. Happy Birthday!!!

- My littlest sister got a boyfriend...YAY!
- I just found out it's Justin Bieber's birthday today! Another Happy Birthday!!

Good Things Come in Small Packages.

I love stories.
I wish that I was a good story teller - you know the kind?
The people that make the most dull story in the world become edge-of-your seat thrilling!
How do they do it??
I definitely do not have that talent.
But I'm gonna tell you some stories anyway...brace yourself.


Story #1
This week I got a hang nail. Yup. A little dinky hang nail that ruined my day. I was at work when I felt the pain. Finally, this stinkin piece of skin was really getting irritating...soo...I ripped it off in haste. I was rushing around taking people's orders and didn't have time to really think about it. Then, after going to punch in someone's order in the computer, I realized it was bleeding everywhere. Noooo....I didn't have time for this! I had to go search for a band-aid before I could even THINK about touching someone's plate of food. The restaurant was just starting to get busy so naturally... I fell behind and once you're behind, it's hard to get yourself "unflustered" again.
All because of a stinkin little hang nail. Grrr...


Story #2
I started off the week with a completely clean bedroom. It was beautiful. Supa relaxing, peaceful, carefree, ya ya ya. So Monday comes around and I decide to throw my socks on the floor - it was only my socks. Big deal. I could pick them up later. The next day the socks were still there cuz I got super busy ok? And then I was so tired before bed the next night that I decided to just kick my shoes off at the foot of my bed and leave them for later. Big deal. They'd take 2 seconds to put away in the morning. Well...morning comes around and I'm running late, so I just tossed my pajamas on my bed to clean up after work...umm...big deal? NOW...I have a giant stinkin mess covering my room once again... Dang it!
I swear, I dont know how it happens.


Story #3
On Friday, I started feeling pretty rundown. Work didn't go so hot that day and I was just overly tired for some reason. People invited me to come play games, go hot tubbing, watch sports, be social...but I was just feelin like a bum. Anyway... one of my friends was way sweet. He brought me over a Mr. Big (my favorite chocolate bar). Big deal right? It was!! It was a huge deal to me. Something so little meant so much and made my night. He probably didn't even think much of it, but it made me smile.


Story #4
Ok, the last story for now.
So I still get nervous to go to work. I'm not 100% confident in my abilities to keep up with the customers at Boston Pizza and I kinda psych myself out each day before my shift. Weird, I know. Yesterday, I got a text from a friend in Rexburg right before I was about to start a shift. It was the simplest text ever but he complimented me and just let me know he was thinkin about me. It was sincere. Immediately, I felt better about life! I was a lot more pleasant to my co-workers than I might have been otherwise, and more excited to serve others because of the simple service I was rendered. It was so nice to just hear from a friend, especially positive, uplifting things.


Tying it all together:
What do these 4 stories have in common?
I believe that little things can bring about great things.
Sorry about starting with some negative stories, but I do believe that the little negative acts we do each day will have a big impact on our attitudes and outlook on life also. Let's focus on the positives each day!


Today, I heard a couple of talks about the Golden Rule. Do unto others as you would have others do to you. We've all been raised to know this rule, but do we always apply it?
A text, a chocolate bar, a hug, a smile....Are those things a big deal to those giving them? Not really. But they are to those receiving.
I heard a saying once that goes like this "To have a friend, you must be a friend"
There are days where I sit at home and get down on myself - - those are the days that I need to most take my own advice. Get out and serve someone. Even a text, phone call, shoveling sidewalks, or waving at someone can be great evidence of friendship and genuine care.


My mom used to tell me that good things come in small packages...I think she did this because I've always been the smallest person everywhere I go. But I believe that good things start in small packages to become great, big, giant things. Start with the small simple acts. 


Alma 37:6 "By small and simple things are great things brought to pass".

Top 5 Highlights from the week:

•  Valentine's Day actually turned out fun! 
• My "dance crew" (ha) auditioned for the talent show. It wasn't a total bust and we find out next week if we make it :) 
• Michelle got kicked out of the Bachelor FINALLY!!! I love this show...it's my guilty pleasure.
•  I got to go shopping with my littlest sister Shelby!

The #1 Highlight...

My twin, my other half, my best friend, my sister

came home for the weekend!!! HURRAY!

I'm so lonely without her! 

Love Is A Battlefield

VALENTINE'S DAY!!! WOOOO!!! 

I debated on writing a big ol' bitter blog on how love never works out and how this day is just another day to be reminded that I'm single....buuuuutttttt.... I decided that Valentine's day can be a day to show love to anyone and everyone! 

I LOVE my family so so much! I LOVE my friends! I am so blessed. 

Our ward is doing a bunch of Valentine's for the old folks in town tomorrow. What better way to celebrate a day of love eh?? They deserve it & need to feel it more than my selfish little body does :) 

For those of you searching for love like me - - I think it's important to remember a couple of key things!

1. Don't get down on yourself EVER. You are beautiful and amazing and given sooo many special gifts unique to YOU.

2. Fight for what you want in this life. "Love is a battlefield". (Yes, I'm watching 13 Going On 30 at the moment). I've seen too many good relationships end because one person didn't share how they truly felt or they were scared to get hurt. 

3. Patience. Good things take time. 

4. Be the person that you want to marry. Strong work ethic, respectful, good sense of humor, optimism, have fun, and keep yourself in good shape. We all know we want someone that looks good - don't deny it ha.

Yes. Love is a battlefield. I fight in my mind every day to come to the conclusion every night that I don't need a man to make me happy. One day, I will rely whole-heartedly on one man for eternity, but for now, life is GREAT! I am happy!

And for those of you in love or willing to share your love....

Top 5 highlights from the week:

- Finished choreographing our talent show dance for YSA~ sooo dope.

- Didn't lose my mind working a crazy shift at Boston Pizza. I think I'm getting better. Phewf

- Lost some bets when the Steelers lost the stinkin Super Bowl. What was that??

- Completed the 2nd book of the Hunger Games series.

And the #1 highlight...

- I witnessed the most epic movie in HISTORY on opening day. Never Say Never. Justin Bieber is such a cute little character. We wore Bieber shirts and screamed our little hearts out with all the 14 year old girls haha. I was inspired after that. I know that I can accomplish whatever I set my mind to thanks to a 16 year old Canadian boy.