oh the days go by so fast

January Highlights

• Field Trip to SLC
• Hanging with the gang. (KC, Trent, Christian, Sarah, and myself) 
• I wanna say Junior Jazz games (That might have been February?) 
• Basketball games

February Highlights

• More hanging out with the gang 
• bought my first iPhone for Valentines day
• Valentines dance with Trenty 

March Highlights

• Apparently the Color Fest.
• Apparently that's it.

April Highlights

• Getting citations at the Hot Pots with Stuart, Travis, Sarah, Connor and Bryson
• Spring Break with Travis James Tylerand Sarah Louie Thayne
• Karaoke with Nicky Boy Gledhill and the beach resort with wardies 
• Morp with Stuart
• Prom with Jake

May Highlights

• Spontaneous half marathon with Dania
• Les Mis with Nielsen crew and Shazz Matazz Faber
• Field trip with the Madsters 
• All nighter with my girls (hiking the y at 5 am, krispy kremes, senior all night party clean-up)

 June Highlights

• Moving to Maryland
• Watching a billion movies
• Calleva
• DC and Mount Vernon 
• Travis Pastrana's house

July Highlights

• Chilling with Becky Miller and Ashley Barney
• Mountain Biking and HBR 
• Surprising coming home! 
• Wicked

  August Highlights

• Student Gov Camp
• Football Games 
• Making up a bunch of crap about high school traditions at Frosh Orientation with Lyd

 September Highlights

• Cross Country trip to Idaho
• Beginning of Millie
• Volleyball Games
• Hanging out with the E-RIC 
• Football Games

 October Highlights 

• Leadership Conference VIPS! 
• My kick-a assembly for homecoming
• Homecoming with Travis James Tyler
• Halloween adventures
• Going to Eric's family party: games, football, wassel. 

 

November Highlights

• Best birthday ever!  18!!
• Big Booty, yummy food and mafia 
• 11:11 on 11/11/11 with Dania
• Experiencing my first yearbook deadline
• Sadies with Ben 
• Millie, Millie and more Millie  

  

December Highlights

•  Best friend party:dollar store, grey's, things
• Getting Netflix
• Christmas! 
• Awkward moment after awkward moment

A year of change, of hope, of tears, of smiles,  of experiences, of growth. Just another year of life. 

What will 2012 bring?

(Disclaimer, I have been working on this, I was just waiting for December pics, I really didn't just copy Dania. Great minds think alike I suppose) 

there's something 'bout love

Love.  

My favorite word so far on the 50 week challenge. I have started and restarted trying to express my thoughts on love. I can't put it into words. Partly because I have no idea what it really is. Partly because I am more afraid of love than heights. It confuses me. So for today, my thinking will be done in pictures.

Simply said, I love my family. We are a crazy clan. But we stick together. That's saying something. Each person in my family means a lot to me. Can't live with them, can't live without them. Time and all eternity. That's how long we are stuck with each other. I think it will be an entertaining one :)

 

Simply said, I love my friends. (Dania there was a pic of you but it just wouldn't work) I have other friends I love dearly that aren't in the pics. I just love that my friends are so caring and dear to me. They treat me so great. I have been blessed in my life to grow up with some of the best people ever. Because of my friends, I am the person I am today. They say, " A good friend will bail you out of jail, but a true friend will be sitting next to you laughing at what you did" I would say, each of these people are true friends.

Simply said, I love going to dances.  These are a few pictures from the dances I have been to. I love dancing, I love boys, I don't really love dancing with boys. (Who does? No matter who you are with slow songs are awkward, unless they purposely make it awkward then it's just fun) Dates are so fun. I just feel so good when I am on a date. (I also am craving a date, it's been awhile)

Simply said, I love running. It's good for my soul, and my body. It has taught me a lot and it has changed my life. 2 half marathons down, many more to go. Maybe someday I will even conquer a marathon. But for now, I will stick to another season of XC. 

Simply said, I love high school. Whaaat? Gasp?! I love high school?! Yep. You got that. I love high school, especially Timpview. I am not the type to countdown to graduation or think I am too cool for it. In reality, I love it. There is so much to be involved in. Bring in on 2012. We got this. 

Simply said, and not all so simply pictured, I love food. I love babies. I love history. I love music. I love talking. I love being around the people I love. I love naps. I love quotes. I love movies. I love my computer. I love sandwiches. I love blue powerade (especially from the fountain!) I love crazy cores. I really love candy. I love home. I love Utah. Oh and I love Oz.

But mostly, in the simplest way I know, I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I love everything about it. I love our Prophet, as I do previous latter prophets and the prophets of old. I love the way the gospel has changed my life. The gospel is my anchor. It is my happiness. It is my purpose in life. It is my life. I love our Savior, Jesus Christ. We cannot even begin to comprehend the love he has for us. My seminary teacher once said "No one in the world will be able to love you the way The Lord loves you, so why put anybody else first?" That changed me. I love that the gospel is in my life today. I love that it changes me daily for the better. I love that no matter who you are-- black, white, asian, male, female, skinny as a twig, fat as a horse, talented, coordinated, or not so much, 4.5 or 99-- we can turn to the gospel.  I am eternally grateful that I was raised in a Latter Day Saint home. I love the temple and the feeling it gives me.  I love the gospel. I really do. 

PS. Expect lots of thoughts on love this week, I have a lot to say and think about. :)

you don't know me at all

People are too quick to judge.

I am guilty of this. I have a goal to give everyone the benefit of the doubt. I want to see the best in people. So I will find it.  Sister Hinkley said. "Judge everyone as if they are trying their best."

That's my goal. 

I say this because I know of some people who have never liked me, ever. I didn't do anything to them but for some reason they don't like me. I know not everyone can like me and be friends with me . (Although I would love that) But these people pretty much hate me. Why is that? I have some ideas but honestly, I don't get it. At all. It bums me out. I have tried with these people. I have been nice. I just don't get it, it makes me sad. Oh well. 

Looking forward to Maryland. :) I keep forgetting its twenty minutes away from DC. 

That will be wonderful! 

On a side not, the word of the week is faith. I have faith that my math grade will go up. I have faith that I can be kinder to people. I have faith that everything will be splendid. 

I HAVE FAITH. 

Life's About Understanding

My cousin Ellen and I share a love of the band "The Script", she showed me their new album. As I listened to a selection of their songs, I discovered a mutual feeling in all of them- - he had lost someone, missed them, and wanted them back. The best feeling in the world is to not feel that way at all. The best feeling in the world is knowing those stupid "pity-party" songs do not relate to me in any way shape or form. The reason I love that is because once upon a time, I lived off those songs. 

But that's not happiness.

Understanding that the choices we made a year ago would effect this year so significantly is a good thing, and understanding things happen for a reason is key to pleasure.  Understanding, I am okay and will be okay is the greatest thing. Understanding, that I am so beyond happy with life right now, that's a good conclusion to come to.

"I couldn't be happier,  though it is I admit, the tiniest bit, unlike I anticipated. But I couldn't be happier, simply couldn't be happier, well not simply. . . 'cause getting your dreams, it's strange but it seems a little well, complicated. There's a kinda a sorta- - cost. There's a couple of things get - - lost. There are bridges you crossed you didn't know you crossed until you crossed.  Who wouldn't be happier? Because happy is what happens when all your dreams come true, well isn't it? Happy is what happens when your dreams come true." 

Isn't it? I love how the happy, perky, Glinda (the Ga is silent!) questions what happiness is. 

Happiness is all about understanding.

Understanding the Lord's timing is crucial to our lives. Understanding why he lets hard things happen makes us who we are. Life is all about learning to understand.

"When you are compelled to give up something, or when things that are dear to you are withdrawn from you, know this is your lesson to be learned right now. But know also, that as you are learning this lesson, God wants to give you something better"- Elder Busche

And he does.

as the day hits the night, we will sit by candle light. . .

I love my bucket list for the year. I really should just call it a list of things to do this year, but I don't want to. Here's my weekend...

Photo Booth, we love you.

Definition of us.

hahahaha

I love those two.

Sarah and Mayson took some pictures on Photo Booth, quite common thing we do. Then we went to Taco Bell, Days and Cariel's party. (Emily and Mady had joined by then). Then pretty much Eric, his cousin, Quinn (?) from Orem, KC, Trent, and Malcolm came over and we watched The Social Network. Ok, Mayson loves that movie very mucho. Macall, Andy, Shannon and Quincie joined too. Sarah left though. :(  So after that fun little party we went to Lauren's house, swam, and had a sleep over. That's pretty much it for Friday.

Saturday, Mayson slept again pretty much all day. I think Mayson is sick. Then Emily Curtis came over. I love Emily Curtis. We went and got some frozen yogurt, joined Sarah, Christian, Trent, KC and Reese at the bowling place. Then Mayson and Emily left and went home to watch Despicable Me. Shortly into that, Stookey and BJ came over. Yeah, they are pretty cool. Super exciting.

On a side note, Shannon made me laugh so hard at church. Quite funny that girl. LOVE HER.

33. Swim at Lauren's during the winter.

36. Go Bowling

38. Girl's Sleepover.

DONE.  

The word of the week is "patience", for starters check out this amazing talk.  I will definitely be quoting it throughout the week.

listen to learn.

The picture has nothing to do with the post. I'm tired today.

I discovered this talk about listening to learn and how if we just listen to what they have to say, we can learn what is best. At the end of each section it says one of these phrases:

Wise parents and teachers,  listen to learn from children.

Wise children, listen to learn from parents.

Wise partners, listen to learn from each other.

The wise listen to learn from neighbors.

Wise members, listen and learn from church leaders.

The wise listen to learn from the Lord.

Wisdom is much more then the educational side of us. " Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge? Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?"- T. S. Elliot. I have learned much about being wise this week. Wisdom is "the quality of having experience, knowledge,  and good judgment, the quality of being wise"  Wisdom is about the QUALITY of our experiences. I love that. There is much more to wisdom then we think.

We are wise when we decide not to watch that certain movie, or stop saying the things about the others.

We are wise when we learn from others mistakes, instead of making them ourselves.

We are wise when we go to school and get an education.

We are wise when we listen to our parents, family, church leaders, friends, and the Lord.

We are wise when we clean our room.

 It's a wise idea to wear your glasses if you can't see when you drive.

Knowledge is simply knowing something. Wisdom comes with a consequence, or with an award. If we miss out on knowledge, we could miss out on learning something. If we miss out on wisdom, we miss out on experiencing something. 

Wednesdays.

      Wisdom is being true to our inner self  - thus  bringing harmony and peace
into our lives.  It's discovering a new idea or solution that meets everyone's needs.
Wisdom is also  honoring people and caring about their rights. It is reflected in
the courtesy with which we treat others. 

Friends travel places. We traveled to Mars. Beat that.

I just keep having great days, surrounded by great amazing people. I have some of the best friends ever. Something has changed, I think it was my attitude. People notice that. I had a moment of weakness, and now I feel stronger, loved, and blessed beyond belief. I promise, if you are going through something hard the Lord has never been there more. I promise if you endure your trial, he will bless you. Sometimes the trial won't be over completely, not everything will be perfect or okay but through our Savior, Jesus Christ, the days will get better. I know this for a fact. Through Christ, everything will be made fair. Through Christ, we are made whole. How blessed are we? "Patience is not simply enduring; it is enduring well!"- President Uchtdorf One more thing, if you do not have an LDS.org account, I HIGHLY recommend getting one. I use mine daily. All it really takes is a membership number, get it ASAP. It has been the best thing lately. 

Friends are people who love you no matter what. They drive you home when you feel like dying. They pick you up at Wills Pit Stop. They play "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire" with you, watching TV after school. They give you the best back rubs. They make fun of your Call of Duty skills. Friends are those who support you and laugh with you. They are there to have a good talk about getting married, books, recipes, and everything. Friends are those who take you to their Jr. Jazz game with a total of like 4 fans. You are a friend in return by cheering as loud as you can in an empty gym. A friend calls you the moment something good happens to them, such as they get asked to the dance. Like I said, I love my friends.

PS. I have a goal to give quotes/scriptures/thoughts about the word of the week. I promise not every time I share something that it will have anything to do with the post. It reminds me of the word, and I like to share for those of you who have decided to take on the challenge.

Another thing, I love my grandma. She did the dishes for me today :) 

new clothes. new schedule. new me.

glide away on soapy heels, promise not to promise anymore

After a long day of shopping, Firehouse subs, and three fish, came today. I was able to find tons of new clothes, I was excited for that. I knew I was getting new classes, TA, and English. TA became even better when I found out Lauren Faber was TA-ing with me. I went to talk to Van Orden about stuff. Coolest lady ever. She said she was making a seating chart for my new class. I told her who to put me by, and who not to put me by, I think she will listen. She asked why, I told her, we laughed. I went to math and got in trouble for quoting Dumb and Dumber at the exact same time as Sarah. "So you're telling me there's a chance!" We didn't even plan it. So I got moved to the front. Lame. English. English was interesting. The class was WAY different then my old one. Everyone was quiet and talked when it was their turn. Every little comment I made to someone around me made me feel like I was being so loud. Ok, I may seem like a loud one, but NOT in English. Then I went to lunch with Mady, Sarah and Lydia. Did you know Lydia is the funniest girl in the world? Everything she was saying was so funny. Yearbook-- we spent the first five minutes trying to find Lyd's class. Ok, not a big deal but it was fun. Then just worked, I made the weirdest, strangest noise/laugh. Oh man, I love those yearbookers... yearbookies... I don't know what to call them. They are all so funny. Ok, when Emma said we'd be like a family I didn't get it. But then I realized something-- ask yourself, would I be friends with my family if I wasn't their family? I guarantee someone said no, or not all of them. That's how yearbook is. Let's be honest here, I probably would talk to like none of them if it weren't for yearbook. We are all COMPLETELY different. A random group of students who just get together and work, yet, we always have a good time. I love the staff. They are hilarious, in their own way. Great people. ( That means 5 is complete)

Never forget the word of the week- WISDOM.

Photo Credit

“Be happy. It's one way of being wise.”- Sidonie

“Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something.” -Plato

“Never mistake knowledge for wisdom. One helps you make a living; the other helps you make a life.”-Sandra Carey

“The highest form of wisdom is kindness”-The Talmud

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”- Reinhold Niebuhr

Oh Be Wise

Photo Credit

Let me just say- I love the 50 week challenge idea. So far, so good.

John 14:27 reads "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid"

Photo Credit

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God"- James 1:5. This is the scripture that changed my life. As a young boy, Joseph realized his problem, he lacked wisdom. He didn't know what he wanted to know. He realized he needed to seek God. He made one wise choice, to gain the greatest wisdom. He prayed. "What happened there changed the world, let it change your life" Jacob 6:12 reads "Oh be wise, what can I say more" Sometimes wisdom is found in education, facts, and schooling. Sometimes it is found through experience. Every year we sing "one year older and wiser too" Think to yourself, am I getting wiser? What could I do to gain more wisdom?

Want some good talks on wisdom and being wise?

O Be Wise and Where is Wisdom?

Accomplished.

23. 32. Done. I love my list for 2011.

23- I cleaned my room the other day and got rid of 3/4ths of my clothes. It felt amazing to get rid of so much stuff.

32- I wrote a letter to Brother Olivas, my seminary teacher. Let's be real here, he was the best I have ever had. I admit it, I cried about it ending. Weird eh? Yes. But honestly Brother Olivas was the most amazing person ever. (I feel like he died hahaha)

44. Let me tell you about the 50 week challenge, I got the idea from Dania. Basically I am going to focus on one of those words every week, this week being peace. So I walk into Days, what do I see on their quote board? Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the ability to cope with it. What are the odds? I love the 50 week challenge. Such a great idea Dania! Thanks :)