Cause everything is never as it seems

It's a Saturday night. I'm home alone watching 'This Is It' (which is turning out to be nothing like I expected but still enjoyable). I've just painted my toes. I chose for this night to be this way. And I'm glad I did because I'm happy being me. And more importantly, I'm grateful to be me.

We've all heard that when it rains, it pours. As I live life more, I think there's some truth to that, this week as a wretchedly perfect example. But rainy weeks have taught me something more- there's always rays of sunshine that peer through the clouds to let you know that eventually, the sun will shine. I know that's a cheesy metaphor, but it's true and I'm incredibly grateful. Instead of tallying up all the bad things of this week, I want to share the good things because they make life worth living and let me know that life is beautiful.

So here's a list of what makes life great:

- Missionary work and Jane Holbein.
- love
- The temple, which has the power to make sure my family will always be together, even if death separates us for a little while.
- apples
- my cell phone because I can call home or those who love me dearly
- Canadians :)
- my parents because they're incredible examples of everything I want to develop in myself
- Yozone
- the Opening Ceremony for the Olympics
- the beauty of other cultures
- chocolatey milk
- friends who care about me, listen to me and help me when I can't help myself
- jewelry
- dancing
- warmer weather and the guest appearance of the sun
- blankets ;)
- the ability I have to run, to exercise and to be active
- music/my ipod
- the scriptures and the peace they bring
- lula/skype/msn
- a place to live, even if it falls apart more often than it stays together
- sleeping in
- happy stories that my mom tells me because she knows I'm having a rough week
- reading and books
- things that smell good
- prayer and answers
- wendy's, the bacon deluxe burger and frostys
- febreze
- Harry Potter
- a forgiving heart and peace of mind
- disney movies

If you're reading this, feel free to share things that make your life great; I would love to hear them. And now, to watch 'Newsies' :)

something mildly amusing

Today, while driving to the San Diego Airport (holla), I saw this as a bumper sticker on a van. I thought it was humourous; my mom didn't.That's all. Just wanted to share :)

So This is the New Year

I'm usually quite dedicated to New Year's Resolutions, though I have no idea why. For the past 10ish years of my life, I have written down a list of resolutions the night of New Year's Eve (parties in Ivana's clubhouse on New Year's Eve? bahahaha) and kept them posted somewhere in my room where I can see them on a daily basis. But for whatever reason, I was a bit of a slacker this year and kept telling myself that I would get around to it when I got around to it.
And then the month of January happened. As beautiful and happy as January was, there were a few pitfalls and trying moments. But that's okay because that's how life is sometimes.
So here I sit (actually, honesty time: I'm laying down) with resolutions in mind that I'm going to write down and do my best to adhere to. I think there's something rewarding in resolutions because they're completely up to you and whatever you feel like becoming in this next year. I'm ambitious, I want to change and fingers crossed, these resolutions will help me do so. So, in no particular order, here are my resolutions:

- be more patient
- have more meaningful prayer and scripture study
- play the piano more often because I miss it. a lot.
- eat better and keep up with Jillian (level 3?)
- be on top of my studies and give it everything I've got (yes, that means you, Spanish)
- be more understanding of others and their situations
- paint/sketch more :)
- look past myself and give whatever I can to those who need it more
- read the newspaper and keep up with world events (Yahoo! news just doesn't cut it these days)
- spend more time with my dogs
- have a better relationship with the Lord and seek more earnestly to do His will
- establish more regular sleeping patterns aka SLEEP
- look for gratitude in everything so I don't miss out on life
- tell my family that I love them
- learn to sew


There's no distance to hold me back- let the new year begin :)