STOP IT.

Lately, I've noticed myself stressing about certain things that I hadn't paid much attention to previously. As I've taken a step back to evaluate my life and where I'm at and where I'm headed something came to my attention. One philosophy I've always tried to remember in my everyday life is to "Live in the world, but not OF the world." Recently I have felt I've kind of gotten caught up in things that weren't necessarily bad, but my reasons for doing them were of worldly gain. I feel like girls for example have a lot of pressure on them about looks and self-esteem (not trying to discredit guys, but I'm a girl so I can more easier relate to my own gender :)) For example... do my clothes reflect the latest style? Am I skinny? Am I attractive? Am I smart? Am I dateable? Am I successful? So many stupid questions run through our minds everyday and although we may realize we over critique ourselves, we are SO hard on us. Always comparing ourselves to others thinking they are better when we don't even realize they may just as well feel the exact same way about us. The phrase, "the grass is always greener on the other side" totally applies in this situation. We want what we don't have and don't always recognize what we do have. So all I can say is STOP IT!! I think of President Uchtdorf's talk when he uses that phrase. I've been trying to be better about reminding myself to stop worrying about how other people portray me and more about how my God sees me. Do I go to the gym and try to eat more healthy so I can look more as the world thinks I should or because I want to live the Word of Wisdom better and take care of my body? Do I work so I can be rich and successful or to learn self-reliance and better my education? Does my dress and appearance reflect how the world thinks should make me attractive or what the Lord feels makes me a strong, confident, and pure woman of God? Are my choices a reflection of how I practice my religion or what the world expects someone of my age to perform? I encourage everyone who may have negative thoughts or who may be discouraged from trying to be "perfect" to STOP IT, recognize those feelings you have are not from God, and look to your Heavenly Father who LOVES you and figure out what is most important and focus on small little steps you can make to better connect with him. Nothing big will change overnight, but if we try to recognize better each day who we are trying to become, it will help us in the long run to be happier and will ENABLE us to do the great things God has in store for each of us.

ADAPTION

ADAPTION... This word has been stuck in my head for awhile. I always think change can be a fun and exciting thing, but at times makes me feel sad at people or things left behind. One thing I always have to keep in mind are there are better things ahead!!

In the dictionary it defines ADAPTION as: Change in behavior of a person or group in response to new or modified surroundings.

Something, such as a device or mechanism, that is changed or changes so as to become suitable to a new or special application or situation.

I always think of President Monson's phrase. "Be of good cheer. Your future is as bright as your faith." I just love it because there is so much to hope for because our Savior Jesus Christ came to this Earth to redeem us so we may also be heirs to the Kingdom of God.

I recently read a great talk that puts into perspective our life here on this Earth and what our focus should be....

http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2001/04/first-things-first?lang=eng&query=adaption

I hope as this new year begins I can strive to keep moving forward with a happy heart and a proactive spirit. 2014 should be filled with lots of fun, adventure, growth, challenges, new experiences, and changes!

Living Life and Loving it!!

You think I would get better at this whole updating my blog more often so I wasn't always playing catch up on so many things!! These last few months have flown! I am amazed it's already 2014!! This fall semester has been an absolute blast. 

In October, my roommates and I packed in as many activities as possible. From pumpkin carving, haunted houses, Frightmares, bonfires, weddings, masquerade balls, scary movies up the canyon... we did it all! One of my favorite months this year.

       

  

As far as work goes, I've been trying to further my skills and get more experience in different departments. I helped with a health clinic at Gossner's and gave flu shots and did finger sticks to check blood glucose and cholesterol levels. I also have been volunteering in the OR and have gotten to see orthopedic and ENT surgeries. I have loved working back there even if it has been free labor. Surgery is so fascinating to me!! As long as I'm not the patient ;)

My family has had a lot of exciting things happen lately!! My parents got new flooring in the house, my cousin Jake left on his mission to New York, my cousin Libbi moved home from Hawaii, my dad outdid himself again with the amazing Christmas lights, and my cousin Britt had her baby Talon. We also not only celebrated Brett's 20th birthday without him, but he hit his year mark on his mission! He is loving Florida and his new area.

The past month or so has been filled with family and roommate Christmas parties, birthdays, reuniting with old friends, movie nights, and just spending time with those I love. I am such a lucky girl and blessed to be surrounded by some pretty amazing people!

Also this cute girl is gonna be my new roomie!!! Kylie and I played volleyball in high school together and then ended up becoming best friends in nursing school and now work together at Cache Valley Hospital. She is one of the sweetest, most funny people I know! We always have a blast together and have countless stories and crazy experiences we have shared together.

I can't wait to see what the new year brings :) I've already got some good ideas!!

Fall means FATE

The joys of being young and single..... lots of unknown and nothing set in stone. Although it can have its benefits of being spontaneous and fun, often times it can be scary. But silly me I should know by now that things always work out how they should. This fall has been no different.

At the end of the summer my living situation had fell through last minute and I wasn't sure where I would be living. After a couple days of apartment searching and somer arrangements I moved to Logan Landing with 4 girls I knew from growing up, work, and mutual friends. Together, us 5 have made the best match... it has been more fun than I could have ever imagined. I live with 4 amazing, beautiful, fun, and spiritual girls. We all get along with so well even though people are surprised we have 5 in our apartment (it's only 3 bedrooms). We are all very similar, but have our different quirks and personality traits that make us mesh even more. This year has been fun so far and it's only October!!!

So to introduce my roomies....

Ashlyn and I have been neighbors since middle school. We grew up going to Young Women's together  and have stayed good friends since. Ashlyn is definitely the life of the party and is always looking for crazy, adventurous things to do. She's a dare devil, but also one of the sweetest girls I know. Always thoughtful and genuine. She's always looking out for the "one" to make sure no one is left out. I love that about her. This pic was from on of our pool days this summer.

This cute girl I met through work. Miss Emilie and I work on the same floor at the hospital and being 22 and an RN, most people are older and married so we figured we'd stick together and what a blessing she has been in my life! Emilie is so kind and giving as well as one of the funniest people I know. We can joke and laugh for hours. We have very similar personalities and I enjoy spending time with her and her family. This was our "first day of school" pic. We didn't want to feel left out from everyone else. haha

This pic is from the annual 80's dance at USU. These wonderful ladies and I had a blast!! There is always so much fun to be had when I am with these girls! Emily and I have known each other since elementary school and have been good friends since, especially in high school when we had an interior design class together and now Emily will be graduating in interior design this year! I love how "go with the flow" Emily is. We have had so many good times and she sure says funny things that make me giggle. She keeps us all from going too crazy haha and she is absolutely beautiful inside and out!

I am so glad Jett decided to move in with us last minute. I didn't know Jett that well before she became my roomate. We met through some mutual friends getting sushi and would see each other occasionally at parties, but I never really had talked to her much. I have loved getting to know her more!! Jett is so much fun and is always happy and smiling. Everyone loves to be around her and she's always on the go! I'm grateful for the wonderful friendship that we have.

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So as the "Girls of 101," we are trying to be good and have roomate nights since we hardly ever see each other with work and school. For this month we decided to get in the Halloween spirit and carve pumpkins, pizza party, and watch scary movies! It was a success.

Excited to see what other Halloween activities are in store for this month!!!!

As Summer Fades...

WOW. Another summer come and gone. I would be lieing if I said I wasn't sad summer was over. It definitely is my favorite season. This summer was a little different for me. Lots of changes. People coming and going. Officially working full time. And most importantly stretching myself and trying new things. It's definitely been unforgettable.

Kind of backtracking, but I got to skype my brother for Mother's Day and my cousin Brooke left on her mission!! Although it is so hard to have family on what seems to be the other side of the world. I wouldn't have it any other way. Missionary work is the absolute greatest! So proud of them and their decision to serve with all their hearts. Truly grateful for my wonderful family of mine.

This summer I got to try a few things I've never done before which was super fun: Bridge boarding was one of them. A co-worker of mine Emilie who is now one of my dear friends and roommates invited me to come with her and her sister and some boys in her old student ward to go try out what they called "bridge boarding" (Idaho boys are sure creative!) So we went down on the island and tied up a wake boarding rope and they had a surf board and we each took turns learning how to conquer the fast moving water. Not gonna lie I was pretty scared, but walked away successfully being able to ride the waves and move back and forth across the stream... with just a few cuts and bruises ;) We had so much fun and the boys were pretty much pro and great teachers! It's too bad no one's allowed to do it anymore... cops always ruin the fun haha

Every year for my birthday I spend the day at Bear Lake and this year was no different. We took a girls trip up to the lake and this year learned how to paddle board and ride kayaks and all that fun stuff! We managed to fit 4 girls in a 2 maybe 3 person kayak and had fun on the paddle boards and only fell a few times... haha we had a blast!

I went on a few hikes this summer. Both firsts for me; the Crimson trail and the Wellsvilles (yes to the very top of the Wellsville Mountains) Pretty impressive for me since I'm not a huge hiker. The views were spectacular though and I somehow managed not to die even though both of the hikes we ended up coming down in the dark. One thing that was super cool is that I watched the fourth of July fireworks from the top of the Wellsvilles. A lot of people can't say they've done that so it's pretty cool and was a great opportunity!

Another first and very exciting part of my summer was my girl's trip to NYC and DC!!! It was a trip of a lifettime. We literally ran all day every day to see everything that we possibly could for 8 days and loved every moment of it! Between national monuments and memorials to broadway shows, museums, site seeing.... it was absolutely incredible! Not to mention the fact I surprised my old roomate and one of my best friends Hailey who was serving her mission at the DC temple and I happened to show up and see her just a few days before she returned home. It was priceless. I actually ended up running into a couple other people from home back east as well, which was a total surprise and so much fun! Someday I hope I can go back... until then it's time to plan my next adventure... :)

Finally some of my last "firsts" this summer included riding the redneck waterslide in Wellsville, attending the Utah art's festival, watching the Brigham City fireworks, swam in the Midway Crater, and overall just had fun trying to fit in as many fun things as possible and as work would allow!

YEAH I'D SAY IT WAS A PRETTY SUCCESSFUL SUMMER :) GOODBYE SUMMER 2013