Lessons learned in a day...

1) Always make sure that your alarm is set and the volume is set on HIGH before you to to sleep.

2) If you arrive at the bus stop and the bus is there, it will not wait for you...
3) When an eye doctor says you should have a contact in on a certain day, don't trust that it will come in on that actual day and don't plan your day around picking it up.
4) Stop carrying pens in your purse, start using pencils...you never know when the pen is going to become upset and explode!

Music Monday

Here is the link for "You are loved" by Josh Groban.
The video on you tube wouldn't give me the embed code of the video that I really really love.

For some reason this song came in to my head this morning. I think because I am feeling really grateful lately for all of the wonderful people in my life. My family, my friends, and people who I don't know that are doing good in the world.

I was feeling really grateful yesterday, to have the gospel and that General Conference is this weekend! I am so excited and can hardly wait. I started reading more of the October conference talks yesterday and want to try to read all of them before this weekend.

We really are so blessed aren't we?

This one isn't my favorite video but at least you can hear the song from here. If you want to see the video that I love you will have to click on the link above.

Smile :) You are loved!

Hey Hey

So...I wanted to post this about a week ago after having a conversation with my roommate about dating (specifically the guys that we both recently liked).
You know how it goes right? Well, my roommate and I do. We both have a tendency to be interested in guys for maybe a day and then once they open their mouths it seems we automatically lose interest. But, once a year or so it seems we meet a guy that we just like! Crazy like!
Well this is what happened to us recently and leads me to comment on the phrase Hey Hey...

What does that phrase mean anyway?
My initial thought when I saw this as a title to a message that I received on face book was "Oh he thinks I am pretty and is flirting with me". Which I do think was accurate, since the Hey Hey had a little ;) on the end.

Well, after a few weeks of putting myself out there and responding to his flirtations, I have decided that Hey Hey means...I am a flirt, I like almost any girl who can dress herself well, has a pretty face, and most importantly has a body...and all I really want is to spoon with you, maybe make out, and then I will freak out and never talk to you again.

Maybe I should submit my definition to the Urban Dictionary...

So, beware my good friends of the friendly Hey Hey...you might have a good looking, "friendly" boy heading your way...

p.s. if he mentions spoon on the first date, as in spooning, big spoon, little spoon etc. You might want to consider it the last date, because he probably is not talking about the band...

Target or Wal-Mart

I usually shop at Wal-Mart because I have always thought that it is cheaper than Target. But I just saw this article on Yahoo, which is leading me to think I might just start shopping at Target more often. Check it out.

Where do you shop? Target or Wal-Mart?

Music Monday

Honestly, I didn't feel that happy this morning. It all started last night when I found out that a guy I kind of liked around this time last year is engaged. I am not sad that he is marrying someone else, just frustrated that everyone finds there match except for me!!!!

So, I was listening to some John Mayer on the way to work and feeling kinda sad. But, I decided not to focus on that so instead for music monday here is a fun, light, happy song. Thanks to my good friend Jason Chesney for stating that if he could have a theme song, this one would be his. Now every time I hear it I think of him.
Thank you Jason :) I got the magic in me...

Diets

I am so sick of driving down the street and seeing signs advertising liposuction, or hearing on the radio about the newest pill you can take to make you lose all this weight. Can our society just stop being so dang vain and focused on such superficial things?

I am a big fan of being healthy by eating well and exercising because it makes me happy and strong, but please stop making me feel like I have to be a size 0 or only drink liquids to be the perfect size!

My co-worker sent me this article this morning about some twinkie diet which is maybe what got me all fired up. I just think it's time to focus on things that actually matter...

The article makes some good points, don't get me wrong. Watching your calorie intake is important but it is also good to make sure your eating nutrient dense foods, whether that leads to weight loss or not. I don't think eating Twinkies and Doritos is the answer.

Music Monday

I am posting this a little late, but I love this song and was listening to it while cleaning my bathroom on Saturday. The best part about it is the video. I think it's cute and secretly really want to go on a date to a parking lot, ride around in a shopping cart, and look at the sky while laying on the hood of a car. Sounds romantic to me :) and FUN!

Enjoy the song and dance if you want to :)

The Adjustment Bureau

I went to see The Adjustment Bureau with some friends last night. I thought that I would like the movie but liked it more than I had expected. It really got me thinking about so many different things like free will/agency, fate/meant to be and also the power of love. I don't believe in fate because I believe we are free to choose and that we are responsible for our choices.
This movie was pretty thought provoking and made my friend think of the movie Inception. I might end up watching Inception tonight but I actually would be okay with watching this one again. :)

Here is a little behind the scenes from the website

Grief

This morning I searched Google on the topic of how to deal with death. Last night, sweet little Sophie (my roommate Kellie's puppy) was hit by car and passed away. She was such a sweet, cute, and playful puppy. We miss her already! She was so naughty sometimes, constantly stealing socks, tearing up books, eating jelly beans...you name it :) She was a puppy, excited to be alive and curious about everything. But, most of all she was so loving and was always so excited to see and be with people.

We miss you Sophie and love you!

I also found out this morning that my sister's father in law's father (confusing maybe, I know) passed away last night. He was also a very sweet and cheerful man. Death is a very sad thing and it breaks my heart. I think we all can relate to this feeling and wish at times that we didn't have to experience it. So, this is why I was searching for an article of how to cope with death. Here is what I found and I think it is helpful. Check it out if you would like :) I also found a talk by Elder Russell M. Nelson which I found comforting. Cherish every day that you have. You just never know when that time will end.

with love, Lar

You are my hands

At my FHE on Monday a short thought was given about this talk by Elder Uchtdorf. I was grateful to be reminded of this talk and the message it gives. I met Elder Uchtdorf on my mission and have always felt such a strong spirit come from him. I wanted to share this with you because it inspired me when I re-read it. I hope it does the same for you :)

UTA- the bus

Yesterday, I decided to be brave and take the bus to work. One of my co-worker's, who is also my neighbor, told me that there is a bus stop close to where we live. It is about 6 minutes away, so I decided to give it a try. I also decided to check the weather report last night in order to dress appropriately. The weather said it would be rainy with a high of 45 degrees. (I had a bad experience last week with not checking the weather report. I had to stand in the hail in flats with no socks for 15 minutes during a fire drill because someone burnt their popcorn in the microwave on the 2nd floor.)

I left my house yesterday at 6:30 a.m. and made it to the bus stop for the 6:40 pick up. It was kind of exciting and scary at the same time. I am so used to driving myself to work that it is hard to rely on the bus system. It was great though, because I was able to get all of my scripture reading done on the way to work and also some reading for school.

I decided after making it to work this morning safely and after finding out that I get a free bus pass from work, to go ahead and turn in my parking pass and to commit to riding the bus at least for this month. Ahhhh!
Time to save some money, since gas prices just went up and will probably get even higher.

I was actually very excited about this choice, even when it was snowy and pretty cold this afternoon. Good thing I looked at the weather report, but too bad it didn't say anything about snow. My feet were pretty wet by the time I finished cleaning off my car when I got back to the park and ride. It had snowed pretty hard by the time I got off the bus at 6:40.

I guess its good to say I am committed to something? Even if it is just a bus trip to work :) I successfully took the bus to work again today and am very happy with my choice. It's nice to be able to relax on the way to work and to not have to drive in the snow. :)

Music Monday

I am a music lover/borderline fanatic...so I thought that Monday's would be a great time to spotlight music :)
I heard this song on my ipod this morning and remembered how much I like it. I was introduced to this band Calexico by a friend a few years ago.
Thank you Sam :)
The song is titled "Quattro" and I included the lyrics below.
Enjoy!



Love the run but not the race
all alone in a silent way
world drifts in and the world’s a stranger
in a light, eclipsed and alienated
in a time, occupied and invaded
can’t tell what’s right, better hit the ground running
in the hills where the tall weed grows
hands are tied and won’t let go
can’t escape this place without leaving the world behind
in a light, ashamed and humiliated
in a time, sacrificed for the sake of trade
the soul is bent, feels the weight of truth
falling through
left behind, no choice but to run to the mountains
where no poppies grow, you have to hit the ground running
in a light, paralyzed and spirits fading
out of time, must decide to fall or run
into the eye, of the storm no sign or omen
make it right, or fall to the other side
where fields are burning
from the day you’re born
you’ll always hit the ground running

Love on the Run

Yes I stole this title from an article that I found on Yahoo a few weeks ago. I couldn't help but laugh out loud (lol) when I read it.

It is basically the do's and don't for a running date and it also gives you a link to a dating site for runners www.runningsingles.com.

Here are a few of my favorites from this article:

-Do wear deodorant, but skip the perfume.
-Don't insist on making eye contact while running...
-Don't discuss past relationships or anything too personal.
-Don't spit or blow snot...(ok sick!)

You really should read the whole thing, it's pretty entertaining.

Oquirrh Mountain

This is the view that I have of the Oquirrh Mountain temple when I drive there for my Friday morning shift. For the next two months I get to play the organ in preparation meeting, which means I get to arrive a little bit early :) The best part about playing the organ is that I don't really know how! :) ha ha

I play the piano, so playing the organ is about the same right? The foot pedals get a little tricky. But, luckily all of the people that I work with in the temple are just so sweet and tell me what a good job I am doing :)

So, I will be working at incorporating the foot pedal during the next two months. I will try to make sure I update you on my progress.

Elder Robert C. Oaks

I had the opportunity this Thursday night to meet Elder Robert C. Oaks. My professor for a Leadership class this semester, Brad Agle, knows Elder Oaks and invited him to be a guest speaker this week. I did a little bit of research on google, prior to class. I am very impressed with Elder Oaks. Before I met him, he seemed to be a very genuine, strong, but kind man. I found this to be true as he spoke to us.

There are a few things I want to say about him that impressed me.
First of all, he has had a lot of responsibility and has done a lot of good in the world. You can look at his bio and see that. But, when he spoke to us it was as if he was just like us. He didn't make himself appear to be special or all knowing. He just has a good heart and follows basic and true principles of leadership.
When he was asked what experience in his life helped him most to be a good leader, he got a little choked up and said "I believe that I was taught best how to be a good leader by my mother." This really hit home for me and reminded me of how strong the influence of a good mother and father can be. I want to be that kind of mother some day.
Here is a talk about patience that he gave in 2006, which along with his bio's will give you an idea of what a wonderful man he is.

Also, after he was finished speaking I wanted to talk to him and find out if he by chance new my friend Mark Forester who was recently killed in Afghanistan. As I was waiting to talk to him, I noticed how aware of me he was. He knew I was waiting and kindly brought the conversation with the person in front of me to a close and came towards me with an outstretched hand. He did not know my friend but was very kind and easy to talk to. He spoke to us about how as a leader your responsibility is people and making sure they know that you care about them. He practices what he preaches and I am so impressed by that. He has had a big impact on me in a good way, for which I am grateful.

Purses, Purses, Purses

Recently while walking to the garage my purse fell to the ground. I thought maybe it had just fallen off of my shoulder, but no the strap completely broke! :(

I wasn't too heartbroken though because I was somewhat sick of my purse anyway. It only cost $10, and I got it from Target...so no big loss.

The only problem is that recently in one of my "I want to get rid of everything I own" phases, I got rid of all of my extra purses. So, all I had left was a purse that a friend of mine brought back from China for me. It's definitely authentic but not something I want to hang on my shoulder 24/7.

So, I am currently carrying China around with me and am on the hunt for a new purse. On Monday, I decided to check out Zappos, because you can get free shipping both ways 365 days of the year! Can't beat that, especially when a few weeks ago I drove to about 10 different stores and couldn't find a single purse that I liked!

Here are the three purses/bags that I saw online and decided to order. I love that you can order as many items as you want and not have to worry about paying for shipping. :)

Part of what inspiried me to order these purses is that lately I have been seriously daydreaming about spending a day at the beach...hence the Roxy brand. But also, Zappos has videos of people modeling some of the items you order. It just so happened that two of these purses were modeled. :) ha ha, good marketing and customer service is what I say.

Also. I read Delivering Happiness (written by the CEO of Zappos) and it talks about their culture and business style. I agree with a lot of the concepts it talks about and really want to go on a tour of their office in Vegas! :)

Well, just so you know they did deliver happiness to my doorstep today! Amazing, because I looked online Monday and found 3 purses that I might want. Yesterday they sent me an email saying that my order was going to be shipped that day. They even said "We hope that we have made your day by sending your order to you quicker". Well, they did.

I will not be keeping any of the purses I bought, because they were a little expensive and a lot larger in size than I had anticipated. But, this sure beats driving to a bunch of stores and wasting 3-4 hours and still not finding anything I like :)

Has anyone delivered happiness to your doorstep lately?

New Wardrobe and New Hair

Today I had good intentions of waking up at 5 a.m. (even though I went to bed at 12 a.m.) but I hit the snooze on my alarm and slept until 6 a.m. You would think that this would give me enough time to get ready and leave the house by 7 or 7:15 in order to get to work at 8 a.m.

Not so much...First of all, I got my hair done this past Saturday. I told the girl who does my hair that I would like some shorter bangs that I could sweep to the side ( the same style that I had, just trimmed). Also, I mentioned that I would like the same highlights that I currently had.

K, I have dark brown hair with some caramel colored highlights, that are a little chunky. And somehow now I have huge chunks of golden blonde hair, that make me feel like I have a helmet of bangs on my head. Ugh!

So, I am looking like something between the two girls on the right. My bangs are short but not curly and kind of straight like the far right picture. I am not liking it very much and for that reason was trying to figure out how to fix my hair in a way to not feel like it was a helmet.

I tried a few headbands, while trying on a few different outfits (which btw, nothing looked cute this morning! Everything I own for work seems to be black and gray, which is getting to be kind of depressing!) Plus I have a closet which is probably the size of a small coat closet...not very big. I used to have a walk in closet and over the years accumulated too many articles of clothing. So, now I have an overstuffed closet so full of clothes that I don't even know what I have.

So, basically super frustrating because I ended up not even wanting to get dressed, wanting to throw away all of my clothes, and put a hat on to cover this bleachness!!

K its probably not that bad, but it's just been one of those days...