I am Awesome

I have determined that I sleep in too late

That I need to start exercising again

Clean the Van

Be more patient with ALL

Do more for others and LESS for me.

I am home to be on vacation. FALSE. I am home to go back to the simple things in life. To not focus on what used to be, but to move forward and look to my future with a smile (even if it might be a scared one).

I need to be happy! Happiness is a choice and I can change this face to ---->>>

A much better face!

I am so grateful for everything I have in my life and those who are in it. WHoop Whoop!

I am AWESOME!

New Addition

I have a new addition to my life's motto...

Up until now I have replied to hard times with, "it is what it is" with the thought, I can't change it, I have no control over the situation, "it is what it is."

Today, in my busy of a a life (not, I really need a job) I have come to an add on...

leave IT alone...

leave those mean thoughts alone

leave those bad thoughts alone

leave what she/he/it/that just said alone

leave IT alone... walk away and let IT roll into nothing. Life is too short and there are so many things we let bother us or offend us... just leave IT alone and move on.

Have a great Tuesday!

Fact

FACT:

I live in the most beautiful place. No argument please because I will not be listening...

FACT: My dad mentioned this bridge to me a million times on the hike down. Yes, I went on a hike with my parents this weekend. Needless to say I am sore.


FACT: Life is short. Love it and live it with those you love.

Brief Kitchen Encounter

Before coming home I made a list of a few things I wanted to accomplish. I have wasted times in the past of my breaks and decided that I needed to make this one different (cause otherwise I might go crazy).

Some of my goals are: (1) become better at cooking (2) read for pleasure ALOT (3) learn how to play the piano again and (4) be a better person! The latter being a more complex one, but the others I have started already! Last night I began my piano lessons with my mom. I believe I was called rockstar more than once... but I really have a lot of practice ahead of me. I am already on my second book of pleasure (reading the hungry games trilogy) and cooking.... well I am on my second week of that....

Being home there are five capable adults (yes, I am one of them). Because I am one of them I have been put into the rotation of cooking. Wednesday nights are my night. I decided that I want to document this for all those who know... I AM NOT A COOKER! So here is the first..

BRIEF KITCHEN ENCOUNTER

Why brief kitchen encounters... let's just say it has something to do with my attire while cooking ;D

Today's meal... Sloppy Joes (a request from my Dad).

I used Jesica's (my brother Marc's wife) recipe. Never done it before, wasn't even sure if we had everything. But I did it! It turned out great and everyone seem to enjoy it. Here are a few pictures and a video of my encounters in the kitchen...

Here is the recipe I followed. I had to double it because I didn't feel like 1 lb. of beef would be enough for this family.

I even defrosted the meat all on my own. I was weird watching it. The blood was boiling.. ugh!

Not done yet! It was really difficult cutting the meat out of the bag thing it was in and getting it into the pan...

Yeah for me I did it! I added green beans (my favorite) and french fries. Yes, this was super simple. But I like to keep it simple. I am all about dumping things into a pan and making magic. Until next Wednesday... What should I make? Any suggestions?

Quick Review

I have now been a graduate for a week a

nd a few days. It is a weird feeling being home and having to worry about finding a job and saving money again. There never seems to be an end to making decisions, determining the important things to focuson and moving forward, not backwards. Being home has its advantages.... I get my own room, bathroom (my dad uses it but he is a good person to share it with), house to myself to walk around wearing whatever I want (;D thanks Sarah), endless voice messages from Ally and books to read... FOR PLEASURE! I am getting restless so I have began applying to places. Keepme in your prayers, thoughts, ANYTHING in finding a job that will help me reach my goal before I head off to teaching...

Now... here is a quick review on my last days in Rexburg (real quick).

I decided that I needed to go fishing in Idaho before I left. Therefore, a few of my roommates (Clara, Chantell, Taryn and Jacqui) went with Porter (so nice of him to take us annoying girls) to a DAM! It was dam cold and the dam fish were not biting. We didn't last long, and might have gotten the line stuck in the rocks and power-lines (Jacqui). But we came up with an amazing song... not repeated for mixed company and saw a few deer

.

We also went M&M bowling (which is nothing like skittle bowling DAN!).

Then there was graduation. My WHOLE family came. Some through skype, but everyone was there. It still hasn't hit me that I graduated, but I have always been ahead of the game ;D

I now miss people that have been a part of my life and become a part of me. But it wouldn't be life it things didn't change. Here's to change... and all the struggles that come with it.

p.s. I have to give a hollllaaa to Ally for making my blog as bomb.com as it is. Thanks girl! You should probably wash your yoga pants soon.

Wednesday

Have you ever wondered why Wednesday's seem to be so annoying?

Let me tell you...

Wednesday's are in the middle of the week, which means... you are not close to the beginning or the ending.

Wednesday's are longer than ALL other days (fact)

Wednesday's rarely have any good shows on

Wednesday's mean clean checks...

Wednesday's are usually not sunny days.

Wednesday's remind you of all that you still have to do before Friday

Today it so happens to be Wednesday.

What have I been up to today?

Let me tell ya.........

homework

horckleys

voice messages

headaches

code red

teacher work samples

reflections

treat runs (get her now ally)

Hair curling ( Heather I am getting pretty good at this)

Costa Vida (raspberry chicken BUENO)

flip flops

curling up on the couch.

I hope everyone has had a great Wednesday and that it has been memorable. I only have one more Wednesday in Rexburg...

Realization

Today has been an interesting day...

I have realized something that I did NOT think would happen to me.

I was sitting in the gym at the Hinckley today, watching the VARIETY of people walk by me

when it dawned on me... I am leaving in 3 weeks! Rexburg will no longer be my home away from home. I have been here for 6 semesters; a year and a half. I have met SOOOO many people. Created life-long friends and friends that I will always look back on with a smile and a laugh.

I have had great roommates and HORRIBLE roommates. Roommates that have been there for me when I had a great day and ones there for me when I had a hard, horrible day. I have had classes I have loved and classes I have despised (Capstone!). Teachers that have touched my heart, made me want to barf and motivated me to be better. I have thrown water balloons at Porter Park, bonfires at the Sand Dunes, been four-wheeling, sledding, guitars unplugged, soccer, flag football, baseball and basketball games, shooting, fireworks, blowing things up, hiking, the drive-in, cheap theatre, bowling, golfing, MOVIES GALORE, Horkley's, I.F. runs, Winco, Devo, temple, ward activities, amazing dates (and not so amazing dates) and curfew.

There are so many memories here. Some I want and will keep with me forever, and others that I wish to forget or have already forgotten. I think I am actually sad that I will be leaving this place. I even teared up a little. It has been such a blessing to my life being around others that believe the same as I do and strive for the same things I do. Rexburg and the people I have come in contact with have helped mold me to be who I am and who I am becoming.

Looking back over the 2 1/2 years I have changed SOOO much. And unfortunately, I know I have hurt some along the way to my change. This past weeks devotional was amazing! Probably the best in the past year. The topic was on forgiveness, something that is so hard, yet so necessary to our lives. I wish I knew how to put the link on my blog to the talk, but I will just give you the blurb that touched me.

Learning to forgive is of great worth in this day as well. Forgiveness is a prime ingredient of love. It is a function of love.

If we truly love others then we have no choice but to believe, trust, accept, and hope that our love will be returned. But there can never be any assurance, never any guarantee. If we wait to love only until we are certain of receiving equal love in return, we may wait forever.

Someone once said, Just because the message may never be received, does not mean it is not worth sending. We love and forgive others because we want to, because it gives us joy. Because we know that growth and discovery of oneself depends upon it.

“Forgiveness of others for wrongs—imaginary or real—often does more for the forgiver than for the forgiven. That person who has not forgiven a wrong or an injury has not yet tasted of one of the sublime enjoyments of life. The human soul seldom reaches such heights of strength or nobility as when it removes all resentments and forgives error or malice.

“Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don’t judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet. Charity is accepting someone’s differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings; having patience with someone who has let us down; or resisting the impulse to become offended when someone doesn’t handle something the way we might have hoped. Charity is refusing to take advantage of another’s weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us. Charity is expecting the best of each other.”

I know that there are so many people that deserve so much more than this........ but I am sorry.

Here is to the weekend.. a Happy Birthday to Kelsey... and 3 more weeks of life in Rexburg.

p.s. sorry about my background... It is ugly and hard to read things. I will get someone on that asap.