Happiness. For Him :)

I have a favorite quote...I have loved it for a while now. "If you want to be happy, BE." --Ghandi. Is that not the statement of the century? :) Happiness is so personal and personally induced! My mom used to tell me when I was little and often grumpy about my lack of barbies or not being able to play when I wanted that no one could make me happy but ME. I always have better days and an easier time putting a smile on my face when I think about those who don't have nearly as much as I have. I have a beautiful, living family, a knowledge of my God and Savior, an opportunity to be educated, enough clothes to last me 3 weeks without doing laundry (I save it and bring it home ;), a healthy body, food to eat...the list only goes on and on and on and on....you get my idea. Just think, if every single person in the world decided to be happy one day, amazing things could happen. Service would sky-rocket, suicide levels would plumet, people wouldn't feel the need to go out and buy extravagant Christmas gifts to give temporal joy to others...just a thought. :) I am not saying that gifts are bad, but as we near the day that we celebrate our brother Christ's birth, let's remember to be happy for one day for him. Let's be happy and remember that many don't have what we do and to show thanks for it. Christ exemplified his life through service. Let's do the same! Let's pay it forward a little and make the world a little brighter and better in the next few days.

Smiles for miles!!

I had a really super duper awesome day today....and it got me thinking. I started thinking, "What if every single person in the entire world smiled at just ONE stranger, or even a friend, EVERY day?" With 6,973,738,433 people in the world currently, think of how many smiles could be passed around!!! I know from personal experience that when I am having an icky day, a stranger's smile brightens it just a little. Let's all make an effort today to make sure that there are smiles for MILES and MILES!!!! :)

Innocent blue eyes. :)

Occasionally, I write because I must...because the words just want to jump out of my buzzing head and onto a blank page. Today is one of those days. Earlier, as I was lying on the bed with my cello at my feet and my darling, 1-year-old sister in my arms. I looked into her big blue eyes, and it was as if time just stopped and was hanging there, suspended, waiting for me to grasp it once again. I realized that she would only be this age once. Tomorrow, she would be older, different, and once again, only that new age for a moment. This sparked me to think about all of the things that I do not look upon with adequate appreciation, and I came up with a few: a knowing look between two friends, an off-handed joke, October skies, warm laundry, time spent with someone I love, trials, my belief in God, the meaning behind every holiday, sticky notes on my laptop from friends, compliments, the first signs of winter, a healthy body...the list only goes on. 11:33 was the perfect time for me to realize tonight that my life is simply splendid. I have an amazing, supportive family, friends that I don't deserve, and an entire future calling to me. 

I know the heart of life is good. :)

I had kind of a rough day today, as everyone does every once in a while. :) I am a music major, and so I have the biased opinion that music can cure most things. I went in my room and just turned on one of my pandora stations. A song by John Mayer called The Heart of Life came on. One line really stuck out to me. I know the heart of life is good. How true it is. How beautifully it boosted my emotional state. Life is hard. Everyone says it, and everyone has a different definition of and relationship with the word 'hard'. There is one thing we can all be sure of...the heart of life is good. :) The bad days will no doubt be there, but the good ones are truly the heart of life. If we just take the time to look up and feel the sun shining on our faces, feel God's love raining down on us from above, we will feel that heart beating, keeping our lives alive and going. Life is so bittersweet. Just remember that sweet comes along with the bitter, though. Good times are coming. They are coming for YOU. I know they aren't visible yet, but they are there. I promise. Love life. Don't let it bog you down. Let it ONLY build you up!!!!! 

Sometimes it just takes a step in the mud...

Yesterday, I was having one of those "I am worthless and I can't do anything" sort of days. It was really my own fault, though. I had a terrible cello lesson because I hadn't practiced much, I was behind in history because I skipped the lectures to do the little practicing that I DID do, and the world just seemed more gray than usual. Today, I was ABOVE cloud nine. My practicing went beautifully, I accomplished a ton of studying, and I EVEN had time to hang out with some friends of mine. I learned that sometimes God shows you how to be a better and more responsible person by letting you fail sometimes. Sometimes, all it takes is a step in the mud to get you back on the right track. :)

This one is to today. Not yesterday, not tomorrow, TODAY. :)

It's 2:30am, but I have some things that need to be blogged--some serious peach fuzz problems. :) This post is dedicated to moving on. It is dedicated to new beginnings and fresh starts. I had the most AMAZING conversation with my roomate tonight, and we both just vented all of our worries about the future and relished on the sweet memories of our pasts. I realized that my past is beautiful, but it is gone. My future is hopefully beautiful too, but no amount of worrying in the world is going to improve my future in any way. I told her how I was having trouble moving on past a fantastic relationship that I really missed, but she simply told me that it is time to let my newest crush take over. "Just go with it! Just crush on him and love it!" is exactly what she said. She encouraged me to realize that there is a time for a fresh start and that time is now. Fresh starts are so scary. It is really hard to wipe clean that slate and prepare to fill it with fresh, new experiences. Coming back to college was especially hard this weekend. I left so many people at home that I really didn't want to...family, friends, love interests. ;) It took all of my power to walk up to my room and pack my laundry to go and then to drive out of my neighborhood. Life is so easy where everyone takes care of you and where my memories are beautiful, easy, and sweet. However, even though it is hard to move on past old friends, relationships, and memories back home, college is making me a more beautiful, mature individual. Paige, thank you for your conversation, and here's to new beginnings. Let's just say, I'm crushing on someone I probably won't ever have and who lives two hours away, but I am LOVING it. :) 

Just put one foot right after the other, and soon you'll be walkin out the dooooor. :)

Over the past 5 weeks, I have successfully drained a large amount of money out of my bank account, gained some ridiculously sore fingers, mailed my very first package, and done so many dishes that my hands turned all pruny, like when you stay in the bath tub for too long as a little kid. All of these things are components of a bigger picture--college life. One might ask why I talk about draining money and pruny fingers as part of it, but I will tell you why. I am gaining a lot from that money lost and fingers gone pruny. I am gaining experience. I came home yesterday for the weekend, and I ended up bringing my cello home with me. When I played for my mom and she cried because I have made so much progress in the past 6 weeks, I was overwhelmed with joy for those sore fingers and lack of money. I am grateful that I have the chance to pay for college, to practice my fingers to death, to mail packages, and to do dishes.
It is hard sometimes to gauge your own progression in life--we live minute by minute, day by day. Our sense of time is so limited. I feel like it was just yesterday that I picked up my instrument for the first time and squeaked out a horrible, nasty first note. Now, almost 10 years later, I am attending a university and studying the trade of my dreams on that same instrument. My progress has been great over the past 10 years. Don't judge yourself on a day-to-day basis. Give yourself a week, a month, a year, 10 years...then see what you have accomplished and what you can do. It takes time to develop skill, character, habits. I think that oftentimes, as is common to human nature, we are too hard on ourselves. Don't get me wrong, forcing yourself to do things that you don't necessary want to and that are hard is good. However, we have to remember that we are not super heroes. We are just simple, struggling human beings here on this earth to be tested, tried, beaten down, and lifted back up again. Progression is essential, but you can go to bed at night having only made a little tiny bit of progress, and still be satisfied with yourself, as long as you did your best that day. Music has taught me this like nothing else. Even if I only have one measure in-tune by the end of my 4 hour practice session, I have made progress.  That is enough for me, as long as I tried my best.
All in all, let's just say that college is teaching me a few things.


I have never appreciated a dishwasher more in my entire life. :)

What a beautiful life.

Fall settled in here. I am blissful. My darling roomate and I went on an incredible run this morning, and I can honestly say that I am on top of the world. When we got back, we sat in our cozy living room drinking wassail/hot chocolate, and I just started thinking. Why did God give us such a beautiful earth? In general, we are all selfish, prideful, and sinful. In general, today's population thinks of themselves before others and doesn't appreciate the many things that they have. I am guilty of all of the above. Why does God care enough for us to bless us with beautiful things? Perfect, rainy weather, vibrant red leaves, thunder storms, gray crisp mornings perfect for running...the list goes on. There is no logical reason to why He does what he does, but love isn't logical, is it. He loves us so much that he gives us things we don't deserve. I don't deserve my fantastic life, my wonderful roomates, my incredible opportunities. I guess the only thing to do is give back in any meager way that I can--build others up, pray constantly, and do my very best to take advantage of everything that I have been so graciously given. 

Bad to good in a moment. :)

Do you ever have days where you just feel like the entire world is against you? Do you ever feel like everything you stand for is being challenged? I am having one of those days--one of those days when the devil is really succeeding in making me question every aspect of my life... people who say something that upsets you and it gets you thinking on whether or not it is true... things that don't go the way they were planned to go... thoughts that creep into your head and eat away at every decision you have ever made and whether it was the right one or not. These are the days that make me want to curl up in a ball in some dark place, fall asleep, and not ever have to deal with the world again. Nothing exceptionally bad happened today--really. It is just one of those moments where you wonder whether or not you are in the right place doing the right thing at that moment. However, someone was inspired to help me tonight, and they shared a scripture with me. It says, "A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps." --Psalms 16:9. After a long inward battle today, I pushed all of those crazy thoughts out of my head and let my mind be at peace. I think I like it here. I know that there will be more of these days to come, but I know that no matter what, the Lord will always direct my steps if I trust Him to. I am going to wake up with a smile tomorrow and a little more confidence and trust than I had today. I know that He is up there, not puppeting my life, but watching it and nudging me in the better direction. Always. 

I'll finally introduce you. :)

I've been blogging for long enough...maybe you should all have a sneak peak on who I am. :) I am 5'2", and I have finally come to accept it. My favorite colors are orange and turquoise, and I love wassail in the fall. I like hugs better than kisses, and I am obsessed with music. I love God, and I know that He is always there for me. I am the blessed sister of 6 beautiful siblings, and I miss them every day more than they could possibly imagine. I love building forts. Fall is my favorite season, and I can easily say that I am a hopeless romantic. I have the best roomates in the entire world, and I have no idea what I would do without our late night talks. I want 6 kids someday, and my husband will just have to accept that. :) I constantly overanalyze everything, and it proves to be a problem sometimes and a good thing other times. I have a love for leather jackets and warm scarves. I never get tired of running through the sprinklers, which is something that my roomates always make fun of me for. :) Sunsets are better when I've had a productive day. I love small things, and I love long walks and fall colors. 

A word my roomates tease me for. :)

I think that I use the word "classy" much too often, but I suppose it is because that is the way that I want to live my life and the way that I wish the world could be. According to Merriam-Webster's online dictionary, to be classy is "having or reflecting high standards of personal behavior."It depresses me to see the way that the teenage population of today's world lives and acts. To be entirely honest, I am very much sick of hearing about how so-and-so made-out with who. I'm sick of hearing dirty jokes and crude language, and it kills me to see 18-year-olds smoking all around campus. I know that I can't avoid it all, but sometimes I wish that teenagers could just see the light. I am still a teenager, and I know that I still have a lot of growing and maturing to do, but there are just certain things that I feel are common sense. Those who are classy in their behavior stand worlds above those who don't to me. I appreciate it when boys don't tell crude jokes, I appreciate it when they hold the doors open for me and watch their language because I am around. The whole "I don't care" attitude is driving me crazy! :) This has been built up inside of me for the past 5 weeks as I have lived up here in Logan, and I am finally just taking out my steam via blogger. It is so fascinating to watch the way teenagers live once they are free from parental direction. Some take the higher standard and better themselves even more, and some take full advantage of the fact that there are not many rules that they have to follow anymore. It's sad, really. Wake up, generation!! Get your head in the game! We have to be the next world leaders and business men and women of tomorrow. Sluffing off school, making dirty jokes, and taking on an irresponsible attitude are not going to help you. 

Simply fantastic. :)

Do you ever just have those amazing, totally normal days? I had one of those today. I played the most beautiful instrument, learned some jazz piano techniques, had dinner with a newly-found friend, and went on the most entertaining, long run. There was absolutely nothing spectacular about my day, it was just simply beautiful. Life has so many ups and downs. There have been some hard days up here. Days where I didn't think that I could live one more day without seeing my beautiful baby sister. These days are the ones that keep me going. I live from good day to good day. They re-energize me for the bad days that come after them. You don't have to have amazing things happen to you to have a good day. The simple things are most often what make for amazing days. I hope that you can all have a day as wonderful as mine was today. In fact, make it TOMORROW. :) 

My insignificant pile of rubble on 9/11

This post today is dedicated to a woman named Ganelle Guzman-McMillan. As I sat down this evening I realized that tomorrow is 9/11--a day that still vividly lives in my memory. I was 7 years old, and I did not have a clue what was going on. My dad answered a phone call, and his face blanched. He ran downstairs to our ancient tv, and I heard the high-pitched buzz as it came to life. He knelt to the ground and just stared at the screen where a big, gray tower went up in smoke and people were screaming. "Daddy....daddy what's going on?"I said as I tugged at his pant leg. He told me to be quiet and that he would explain later. My mom shortly joined us, and I watched tears fill both of their eyes as they watched those beautiful towers tumble to the ground in smoke and dust. I will never forget those tears that fell from my father's face to the ground as he watched a part of our country crumble. To help myself remember how fantastic my own life is, I went online today and began to read stories of people who had lived through the tragedy of 9/11. Ganelle made a deep impression on me. This woman is truly a survivor, and she came away from her awful experience with a better attitude. She worked on the 64th floor of the North Tower. After the plane hit she watched as the "..ground [was] falling out beneath me at the 13th floor as I was racing to get out of the building.." Can you imagine watching the floor crumble below your feet from 13 stories off of the ground? I cannot even imagine. This woman ended up trapped under a pile of debris for 27 hours before she was rescued. That 27 hours must have been the longest of her life. Earlier today I was complaining to myself about how much I had to do and how much stress I was under. Now, I sit here, and I am praising God for the wonderful, easy, blessed life that I have. This woman's pile of debris was truly terrifying and life-changing. My pile of "debris" and stress is so insignificant compared to those who suffered in the 9/11 attacks. After 6 weeks in the hospital, 4 surgeries, and hours and hours of physical therapy and rehabilitation, Ganelle is still alive today. She carries this memory with her, and she carries it with her head held high. She turned her pile of debris into a foundation on which she can stand with confidence. Maybe someday I can turn my small, insignificant pile of debris into something half as amazing as hers must be. Let us all pray and thank our Father tonight for the wonderful, blessed lives that we are living. Let's thank him for all of those who suffered for this country and for us, and for those who still do. 

Nutella can be motivating.

For the past 15 days, I have walked into my apartment around 10:00pm sweaty, red-faced, and racing to the sink for water with a smile on my face. Why? Well, my running habit has picked up again, this time with my fantastic roomate as my companion. At the beginning of this school year, we set a goal that we would run 30 days straight (excepting Sundays), and then we would get to go buy one new clothing item at the end of it. Well, a few days later while we were at the grocery store, we set an impromptu goal after we saw that jar of Nutella--15 days straight and it was ours. Well, today marks that 15 day streak. It has never been sweeter to achieve one of my goals. I think that it is important to take our goals in baby steps--one day at a time. If we set goals that are way above our capabilities, we will fizzle out quickly because the project is too much to handle. Cassie and I don't run marathons, we don't run for extremely long amounts of time, we just do what we can. Our distance is usually about 2-3 miles. However, we do it EVERY day.  I have also learned that providing yourself with a reward (even if it is as simple as a jar of Nutella) gives you motivation to keep going, no matter how small the reward is. Let's be honest. Is one new shirt worth 30 days of running? Probably not, but I have a goal. I have a goal and a simple reward set for myself when I achieve it. My life has been so much more fulfilled because I gain a sense of worth and accomplishment over completing and still working on my goals. So, next time YOU want to achieve something, bribe yourself with some Nutella. It works. :)

To the boy I high-fived today. :)

It's true. I get those little stomach butterflies every time your face pops into my head. You have beautiful eyes, and your kiddish smile is perfect. I have facebook stalked you...please don't be alarmed. My baby crush just gets a little bigger every day. Maybe someday I'll tell you. Maybe not. :)

In a journey to the past.

The weather up here in Logan was beyond perfect today. So, I obviously went outside and enjoyed it. As I was sitting on the half-dead lawn in front of my brown apartment complex, I closed my eyes and took a trip. I traveled back to the very first day I entered elementary school. It was my 3rd grade year, and I was scared out of my mind. I went back to the cold basement family-room of my old house where my brother and I would spend hours building extravagant hot-wheels racing tracks. We would put car after car after car on those tracks and watch them accelerate to their eventual, unavoidable crash. I continued my journey to my sophomore year of high school: first dates, new experiences, and lasting friendships. I skipped to this past summer. I have never traveled through so many changing scenes. First "official" job, first love lost, college preparation, packing, goodbyes, excitement. Then I traveled to today. Right here. I opened my eyes and the sun was just beginning to face behind the western mountains, enveloped in vibrant pinks, oranges, and blues. I thought about all of the reasons I have to smile, and I went back inside. I had a pretty good trip. :)

Trying to cling to an ever-receding tide.

Why is it that sometimes the good things seem to disappear the fastest? Dates, dances, an amazing meal, a fantastic talk with a close friend...they are gone as soon as they begin. I feel like I am constantly trying to cling to these memories. The ocean tide comes in and goes out every single day. My precious moments are when the tide comes in, but, just like the tide always recedes at the end of the day, so do my memories, without fail. I have learned that it is good to remember these sweet memories, but don't live in the past. Don't try to stop the tide from completing its natural cycle. Simply look to the next day with hope, determination, and excitement. I am so excited to welcome new opportunities as I go throughout the next 4 years of my college experience. I had some fantastic high-school experiences, but it is time to let go of some of them. My life is about to take an exciting new route. So, as far as I am concerned, there WILL be new, beautiful tides every single day that I will welcome and let go. My past will be a blessing that I won't live in (just maybe glance back on for guidance every once in a while), and my future will be something to look forward to. Meanwhile, I will just enjoy the tide while it is here. :)

It has begun again, only this time at 10:00pm.

Little did I know what I was getting myself into when I moved in with Cassandra Childs...weeks and weeks of running. ;) My pavement pounding has begun again. As much as I love to start out my day exercising, it just so happens that I have an early class, and I'd rather not get up at 5:00am, so we go in the evenings now. Tonight, as we ran, I could feel that my body was stronger than it was two weeks ago. I felt like I could go forever. As if by magic, it started to rain right at that moment. Cassie and I both just lifted our heads up and let it come down on us. It was such a beautiful, spontaneous moment. I am so blessed to have a roomate who motivates me to push myself and who helps me to become a better person in every aspect of my life. College, bring it on. Cassie and I are on the run. 

18 years of a beautiful life.

When I was little, I helped my mom grow cabbages twice the size of my head. Sunset was the end of my day, and sunrise was the beginning of it. I loved riding in the car when it was dark, and when it rained I would choose two small raindrops and pretend that they were racing each other, excitedly watching for which one would reach the bottom of the window first. I had indian-dark skin and white-blonde hair. Discovery park down the road was like a whole new world; so many nooks and crannies to hide in. My brother and I would spend hours and hours building elaborate hot-wheels tracks. Forts were our first sleeping choice, but not necessarily my mom's. My dad would give me one scoop of ice cream each night, and then brush my teeth before bed. I have lived 18 years of a beautiful life, and I hope that I live many, many more. 

Inspiration given through a cello goddess.

I walked outside last night and just sat on the curb for a while. I was just sitting there, thinking about life and everything else along with it. I started to question my motives, my future, my reasoning, my decisions. I felt like I was sinking into a dark hole full of question marks and confusion. However, today my cello professor, the cello goddess in this case, (during our lesson) gave me some fantastic words of musical wisdom. Not only did they correct some problems in my playing, but they gave me a sense of peace when it came to all of my questions that I had running through my head last night, too. She said (not necessarily word for word), "The problem with teaching is this: too many times we fall into the 'giving instructions and following them strictly' pattern. Instruction is good! It is useful in so many ways, but you have to remember that this is YOUR voice. The instruction I give is to simply help you find that voice. Ultimately, your playing needs to express what you want it to and convey the message that you want it to."
What an amazing woman. Little did she know that she was solving my life problems by telling me that I needed to phrase my music how I wanted to. It is times like these that I treasure the most because they always come at the most needed times. College is big. There are boogie men, so many buildings, intimidating grocery stores, and so many other things out there to get me. ;) But, this is MY voice. It is my time to take instruction from those around me, but use it how I will and turn my college experience into something that will enhance my life and express me. I may only be 5'2", but I know that my voice can be  Thank you, God. 

I'm still a child, and this is my prayer.

Father, tonight I found out that a friend of mine was diagnosed with Leukemia three weeks ago. I went outside and cried for a while. Why does there have to be so much hurt in the world? Could she please live? I think that her family and friends would miss her beautiful radiance and light that she carries with her everywhere.
Father, would you please bless all of those who are serving our country tonight. They are sleeping in tents on the ground while I am in a comfortable bed, safe inside my apartment. Please let them return to their families. What courage they have to leave and go so far away to keep me safe. I wish I could thank every single one of them in person.
Father, would you watch over the small children in Africa tonight? They have so little, and they probably have nothing to eat. I may be a poor college student, but I have a house and plenty of food in my pantry. Please bless those beautiful, orphaned brown faces who are out in the dark tonight, scared and alone. I just wish that I could go and hep every single one of them.
Father, aI know that I am not perfect, but please help me to try my hardest. Please help me to bless the lives of those around me with love and compassion. Please help me to serve my roomates, friends, and family in any way that I can. Please help me to smile at those around me. I love it when others smile at me. Please help me to be genuine in everything that I do and to always be strong and stand up for what I believe in. Thank thee for my life, health, freedom, and safety. I am so blessed.

Two tears and a smile.

I'm not sure what to write tonight. I wish I could just convey what my mind is thinking in a beautiful, powerful, emotional way. I watched the movie Radio tonight with one of my roomates, and I am amazed to say that it is the only movie I have ever cried during. Two tears, but it was still crying. :) Why is it that we condemn those who are different than us; those who have mental and physical problems. As I sat here tonight, I was overwhelmed with a sudden realization. Those people do not KNOW how to do wrong. They are perfect, beautiful spirits trapped inside of crippled, non-functioning bodies here on this earth. They are celestial. Why do we tease and judge those who are so pure and innocent? What beautiful, beautiful spirits they have. Their spirits are not tarnished in any way. They do not have the capability to intentionally hurt, tease, and wound people as we do. I came away from this movie with a tear streak down down my face and a smile on it too. We have a few things yet to learn from those who have the greatest lessons to teach us. Open your eyes and seek those lessons. They are not hard to find. Most of the time they come at you with open arms and a smile on their faces. 

Angel sent to room #204. :)

She has beautiful, long blonde hair, and invisible angel wings. She sings with a celestial voice, and her smile is always-present. Lucky for me, she gets to be my angel for the next 9 months, informally known by the title of roomie. :) When I didn't show up early last night, she came to check on me, because I don't have a phone. She always knows how to lift my mood, and she brings a blissful, happy air into our apartment. We have spent every single night staying up talking about the cutest boys in our building (most common topic of conversation...), recent struggles, and future recipes that we newly-formed homemakers are going to try-out. I am blessed beyond belief, and I find myself wondering more often than not, "Why me?". :)

God bless us. :)

Our dorm walls? Brown with layers of dirt.
Food? Delicious, but the kitchen is a disaster.
Heaven help my roomates. They brought way too much stuff. ;)
We have already proceeded to spill an entire bucket of water and microwave a METAL CAN OF GREEN BEANS.
I almost cried today when I discovered no one had a pastry brush. Shush. I was spoiled in my last kitchen.
I might think that my RA is slightly attractive. Don't tell him that. ;)
No air conditioning. It's fine. Sweating is good for your pores, right? Cleans them out. Totally.
Laughing hysterically and trying to get the command hooks to stay on our walls. Beyond priceless.

Let's just say, I love college already.

for you(:

I'm awake. It's 2am. So help me, this is turning into an awfully awful habit. My kitchen is messy, there is a fruit fly buzzing in my face, and I am staring at my bright computer screen with blood-shot, please-go-to-bed eyes. Who's on my mind? YOU are. Each and every one of you. Every person who has brought me to this day in life--the day before I move out. College? I know, I know. Moving out is not as big of a deal as it seems. You have heard way too much about it from me. But this is a shout-out to each of you who did something, whether it be smiling at me in the hallways of American Fork High School, enduring my noisy, tell-me-everything movie questions, or paying my car insurance since I turned 16. I love each of you. THANK you for sending me off with fantastic, beautiful memories that I will always treasure and tell to my grandchildren someday when I'm 93 1/2. :)

Two years and two hours away...

Tonight, my only high school love drove away in a little blue car with a dent in the hood. Granted, it is high school love, but still. It has been two years since we first were seated next to each other in what would turn out to be my favorite class. We spent late nights studying, talked on the phone way too many times and for way too long, and made frequent Macey's ice-cream runs. Who knows when I will make it down again to see my handsome best friend. I hope it's soon. :) My life is about to change...and it will begin anew two hours away. 

I convinced a teacher once that we were twins...funny.

So, there is this girl. She's a little crazy, and maybe a little buff. She swims like a beast, and she eats like one too. :) This girl has way to many tear stains of mine on her shirts and way too many blackmail stories about me to even be legal. She has been there through the thick and thin of it all. She always makes bets with me, and then she loses first. ;) She is a beautiful daughter of God; one who I am going to miss a lot after I leave. I've heard it said that people come into our lives, for a reason...Camille, because I knew you, I have been changed for good. You go show BYU what you've got, and try not to forget me while you're at it? I love you. :)

It comes with every day that we live...

Never change is an interesting saying. Don't we write that in our friends' yearbooks at the end of each dreary year of high school? "Love ya girl. Never change!" Change is such a foreboding thing in human nature--it has good and bad sides to it, and we can almost never know which it is going to be. I have a friend who is near to my heart, and I have watched the changes in his life take him down a sad, often-traveled path. He changed and good things did not come of it. I watched one of my relatives let change come into her life, and it has done nothing but improve. She is on the high road to success, joy, and happiness in her life. I am on an unknown road of change. You have heard way too much about college from me, I know, but it is obviously the biggest item in my life right now and therefore the most common theme of my blogging obsession. :) I have a lot of changes coming my way in the next few years, and I hope that they all turn out to be good. I know that I will have some hard changes; people to leave, people to avoid, money management (heaven help me)....but I know that I can make it through anything. God is always there to help, and I am ready because He knows I am. Love and live your life to the fullest, and let change come in! I propose a new saying...not never change, but only ever change for the better. Don't let your life slip away from you by doing things that you shouldn't...it is so much harder to pull yourself back up than it is to just stay up in the first place. However, you CAN pull yourself back up even if you have slipped down. :]

Boxes upon boxes upon boxes....

I told my mom this morning that I was going to stay here, never move out, and be a lazy bum for the rest of my life. However, unfortunately this is not true. In six days exactly, I will be driving two-and-a-half hours north to start my life as a young, inexperienced, 18-year-old college student--hence all the boxes. :) My room looks like a storage unit at the moment. To tell you the truth, I am a little scared to move out. I have to pay for so many things, meet new people, be responsible all on my own....but today as I sat at my kitchen table and looked out our glass door, I realized that I am not leaving forever. I will be home again. I also realized something else. No matter where I go, no matter where I am or what I am doing, I will always have my beautiful family to love and support me. College, here I come. :)

Just the little things. :)

We often remember the biggest, most amazing experiences in our lives--being on TV, graduating high school, going to college, our first love, our first kiss...these are all amazing, beautiful moments, but what about the little teensy ones that so often get looked over? I am the oldest of 7 children, and as I look back on my weekend, I realize that I had so many of these precious moments in the past few days. I took my darling two-year-old, trouble-making brother on a walk, and we just talked. Me and my two-year-old. :) I sat up and laughed with my little sister for WAY too long after our bed time. I went on this awesome, last-minute date that was totally unexpected, and I laughed so much. My best friends came over to my house, and we laughed a ton too. I won't necessarily remember all of these things 20 years from now, but they can mean so much right now. I am the person I am today because of all these small, simple, perfect moments. I am so excited to move out and start a new life in Logan in two weeks, and I will miss and appreciate all of the people who have brought me this far. I don't know where I would be today without my God, family, friends, teachers, and leaders. THANK you. Our small moments together have been my most favorite and VERY most treasured. :)

A weekend enjoyed and two lessons learned.

I would like to tell you a story today. There once was a little girl. She grew up in a home that wasn't perfect, but she was loved. She enjoyed a childhood full of bliss, church activities, and long summer days. When this little girl grew up, she went to college and loved it with all of her heart. However, when she moved out on her own and continued to go to church, people didn't sit by her anymore, and they didn't smile and wave when they saw her. This girl began to feel unwanted, and she became very sad. She fell away and didn't go any more. This girl felt like she had no friends, and she feels the same way today. She searches for happiness in her life by trying new things and buying new things, but all she REALLY news is the Lord and some loving people who can help her find Him.
I won't tell you who this story is about, but she is VERY close to my heart. As I spent my weekend with this amazing woman, I realized just how many people there are in the world who need friendship and love, and most of us TOTALLY overlook them. A smile and a wave can be more valuable than a million dollars to someone who is lost and searching for happiness. Lesson number one? God is ALWAYS there for us...even when no one else is. That is hard, I know. Really. Lesson number two? NEVER, EVER, let someone sit by themselves. Love everyone, and it will eventually come back to you. 

Daddy daughter talk. :]

So, tonight I was avoiding my cello practicing as usual, and I ended up in the kitchen with my dad while he was cleaning up after dinner (I happily opted to just sit at the bar). We got to talking politics and government as we usually do, and my practicing-avoidance turned into an excellent, hour-long conversation. As we got talking, it became apparent to me just how naive I am when it comes to our constitution and my rights as an American citizen. Our constitution and government crumbles more and more as time goes on, and it is because the people don't realize that their rights are slipping out from right underneath them. We need to be proactive and study the constitution and its amendments! It is so important for us to know our rights and privileges so that we do not loose the most amazing aspect of this country--its freedoms.
I also realized how important it is to be self-reliant and to earn what we have. Nearly 40% of Americans these days receive some form of government assistance. Don't get me wrong, some people REALLY need it. I know that. However, the majority are just not ambitious and like to live off of my tax money. Having to work a minimum wage job this summer and earn money to pay for my college education has really humbled me and taught me a lot about how much life costs, and it frustrates me that I am paying for those people who aren't willing to do that. It is so much more rewarding to get something when you earn it yourself! It gives you an amazing sense of accomplishment and independence. It also gives you a greater appreciation and respect for the things that you are able to have. I am very grateful that my parents haven't handed me everything and have made me earn things for myself even though they could have given me all of those things. I think I will take my education more seriously because of it. :)

I sure am going to miss my daddy when I leave in 3 1/2 weeks. 

Just a poem tonight. :]

Snow falls down
and cleans the polluted air
from the gases there.
A gray emotion hangs
over the small Polish town.

Young children cling
to the hands of desperate mothers.
Men in green prod them along
like cattle to the slaughter house.
The Metal grates leave stinging marks
on their naked feet.

Children become droopy-eyed
and shrieks sound through the forest
heard by none.
Sleep takes the terrified souls
and their cries rise from the dust.

By: Jessica

Note: 320,000 Jews were murdered in Chelmno, Poland between Jan. 1942 and Jan. 1945. They were crammed into vans and driven into the woods. All the while, exhaust was pumped into the over-populated vans. The innocent Jews were buried in mass graves, naked. 

The first one to create something beautiful. :]

The little girl sat at her window staring at the rain-streaked glass. Her family was asleep, and the house was much too quiet to entertain a nine-year-old. She sighed and wondered what she might do to ease her boredom. All of her neighbors and friends were inside due to the dreary weather. She walked into her mudroom and saw her small, yellow polka-dotted rain boots. It was the beginning of a blissful two hours. She slipped them on and opened the sliding glass door that led to the cement patio behind her small, country home. She lifted her face and felt the first lukewarm drop roll down her forehead and off of her nose. She spread her arms wide and began to spin. It was then that she could hear the music...there were birds, raindrops, and her feet splashing in the little puddles. Her next door neighbor, and eighty-year-old man, looked out his window and watched for a moment as this young girl played in the rain. His heart ached over his wife who had died a few weeks earlier and the grandchildren he rarely saw due to their living a few states away. Although he did not have any rain boots and his arthritis prevented him from dancing, he stepped slowly onto his back porch and let the door swing shut behind him. The rain WAS beautiful. On the other side, a single mother of 3 who had not slept the night before looked out her window with tired, worn-out eyes. She had been working night shifts to support her children and hang onto their small, two-bedroom home. As she watched her neighbor dance in the rain, her heart smiled. She had a daughter of about the same age. She slipped onto her porch and began to spin, and her long shift last night and lack of money washed away with the rain. A beautiful smile spread across her face. One by one, each and every neighbor of the little girl's saw her dancing, and they too stepped outside to share in her joy. Eventually, everyone melted back into their homes, dripping wet, with smiles on their faces, the little girl's the biggest of all. 

A message from Dr. Seuss...

The crazy-genious, word-making man once said, "Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is you-er than you!"
I went to bed last night with this quote sneaking into every one of my late night thoughts, but I was too tired to pick my laptop, which was 2 ft. away, from the ground and blog about it. :) As I thought about this quote last night, I began to doubt the validity of its words. I mean, there are what, approximately 7 BILLION people in the world today? Why am I needed? What is MY purpose here? There has to be SOMEONE who could do everything that I have done without me being here...let's be honest. :) However, God didn't agree with me. I have a unique purpose here on this earth. EVERYONE does. Even if it is as simple as befriending one lonely person, sending a letter to a suicidal friend that made them change their mind, being an example to younger siblings....being a prophet. There is a reason for each and every one of us here. It doesn't matter how small of a task, the world needs every single one of us. Just think, if everyone in the world was like me, we would still be living in caves and simply practicing instruments ALL day long. No one would have any interest in science, math, or anything else (granted, we wouldn't have instruments without those things, but let's just pretend). How grateful I am for all of the different people who are out there, which brings me to another Dr. Seuss quote. "Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the things you can think up if only you try!" People today are so narrow-minded and opinionated. We judge those of different races, we do not look at situations from all sides, we judge too quickly. I learned an amazing lesson from a family-friend and violin instructor. She ALWAYS assumes the best about everyone, and she is never quick to judge. If only we could think right, left, low, and high like her! Everyone on this earth is different and needed because of it. Let us change today, RIGHT NOW. Let's show the world how accepting and loving we can be of others and their opinions. You don't have to make their opinions their own, you simply have to be nice and love them for what they are, for their infinite worth in God's eyes. 

Not even a crumb. :]

So, as many of you know, I am allergic to wheat and usually bitter and mopey about it. :) However, as I was thinking about my allergy today, it taught me a moral lesson. I went to girls camp a week ago, and I did not think to plan ahead and bring my own food for when I couldn't eat what was being served. Because of this, I ended up having to eat wheat on quite a few occasions, and I dealt with some mega-awful stomach pain when I got home from camp. After three days of a wrenching stomach ache, I was pretty motivated NEVER to eat wheat again in my entire life. I am proud to say that I have not eaten any for 8 days now....yes, I know. It is a minuscule accomplishment, but it is an accomplishment for me. :) Now, to the moral of my story. It is SO hard to avoid eating wheat, unbelievably hard, especially when I know it is not going to end my life if I eat it. ;) When I do not prepare ahead of time and plan, I end up in trouble and with an awful stomach ache afterwards. When I just simply give in and eat something that I want to that I shouldn't, it doesn't always affect me so badly, but then I've tasted it, and I know what I'm missing out on. I think that this is true of any temptation set out for us by the devil. If we do not plan ahead and have our standards rock solid before the situation arises, we will not be prepared and will end up in pain and misery later. If we give in just the TEENSIEST bit to our temptation, it is just so easy to go back for a little more and a little more until we end up in trouble. Once you have tasted of the temptation, it is not as easy to avoid it because you have tried it before, you know what you are 'missing out on' in a sense. Also, you have then weakened your sense of will-power at that point because you gave in, and so the second time the temptation comes around, you are a little weaker and more easily persuaded to let your guard down. Satan is out to get us, and I know it more surely than anything else. He wants to make us feel like we are missing out on all of the fun that the world is having while we are at church and obeying our standards. However, he is a wicked ruler. Those who are under his jurisdiction are slaves, not free, happy redeemed people. We CAN win the battle against him and rise to resurrected, beautiful glory. We must be strong and not even taste a crumb. :)

The story inside..the words on the pages.

I was beginning to be convinced that my only inspiration could come in the wee hours of the morning...but I guess not. :) We have all heard the saying "Don't judge a book by its cover", but how often do we actually go by it? First impressions can often create lasting, permanent impressions with the people whom we associate with. I have discovered something in the past few weeks. What is on the outside doesn't matter...it's what's on the INSIDE. I know that everyone says that, but it's true. Everyone has a beautiful, original story on the inside of their covers. Some are more boring, some intense, some romantic, some a little TOO interesting, but everyone has one of their own. Each story is beautiful and original. Every single person has the potential to make a difference in this world-- EVERY person. Think about someone who was stranded on the side of the road in a snow storm and was helped by a random passerby. That person made a difference. Think about the lonely person who opened their door to a plate of cookies or a sweet note and flowers. That secret person made a difference. Why do we not dig a little deeper and find those things? Too often we judge people by their covers, by what we think they are made of based on appearance. I have an amazing friend, and I would never have come in acquaintance with him had I not looked to the inner, sweet spirit that he possesses. I  have learned over the past few years to read the book first, and then decide how I feel about it. :)

He is my Foundation. :)

I find that these types of posts come every once in a while....probably more often than is interesting, but I can't help it. My emotions just start flowing in the middle of the night it seems. :) The past week at girls camp has been one of the best experiences of my life. Our theme was Helaman 5:12. As I realize more fully that I am moving out and that I will have to stick up for what I know is true, I realize just how much I need God in my life. He is my foundation in every way. I cannot even express how deeply I rely on the atonement and prayer to get me through hard times in my life. He has picked me up and carried me more times than I am even mortally capable of comprehending. I realized over the last week that I wouldn't be the person I am today without God. It hurts me so much to know how many people are missing out on this....it is such an amazing thing. I wish everyone in the world knew how good life can be with Christ. All those lonely people wouldn't be friendless anymore. :)

It's his job. Really. :)

Alright. Here it goes. I have been thinking about this for WEEKS, and now I am finally going to blog about it. :) In the past year, I have discovered something about the boys of our age, for the most part. THEY HARDLY DATE. They always just have a desire to 'hang out', in other words an easy way of getting a girl to do something that doesn't involve any extra effort or planning ahead. Also, I feel like lately I initiate a lot of these 'hang outs', and I am the one who makes the first call. I am so tired of initiating things. I just want the guys to call me first. That's all. :) I want to go on dates, not 'hang out'. dates don't have to cost money...in fact, free ones are almost always the best kind! :) Now, I am not saying this about all boys, because I do know quite a few who are very classy and ask girls on dates quite frequently. For the most part though, boys, you really just need to man-up and ask girls out on dates. ;)

Chasing my sunset. :)

A few days ago, I was driving home from cello lessons, and I experienced something amazing. I watched the sun fading behind me, but it was still bright ahead of me. I smiled and had the small inkling of a desire to drive as fast as I could and just stay in the sun forever. It was catching up so quick though...I couldn't run from it. As much as I wanted to keep that day alive, it was gone. However, I knew that the sun would rise again the next day, and the next day after that. But each one would be new and different. Each day would bring new things. Today, my beautiful, sunny day brought me concern for those near Eagle Mountain and the fire, and a night with some of the most beautiful girls on the face of this planet. It brought me realization that people go different ways in their lives, and it can be hard sometimes. But nevertheless...the sun will come out. Tomorrow. :) It is hard to go to bed and leave a good day behind, but it is easy to welcome a new one with a smiling face and open arms. Forget the bad things, remember the good ones, and be ready for WHATEVER may come at you, even if it is 3 of your best friends leaving to a different college in two months. :)

a little something called perspective. :)

Today, I came home from work, and this is what was going through my head. "Great, I have a STUPID cello lesson tonight, my feet hurt, I can't eat those brownies that I really want, my house is too cold, my car doesn't have air conditioning..." blah blah blah. What is the problem with this situation? Let's think about it. OH YES. My attitude. I was hanging out with a good friend of mine tonight, and my perspective changed a little. I am SO blessed to have a job that pays. I can't even describe to you how lucky I am to take music lessons and have my parents PAY for them. My feet? They still work. I can walk, and that is something that not everyone can do. I may have a wheat intolerance, but what about those celiacs who breathe just a smidgeon of wheat dust and go into cardiac arrest? Air conditioning? I suppose I could life in africa and not have it in my house, and I certainly wouldn't own a car. Sometimes, God teaches you things in strange ways. Mine? Having a friend come over who said one TEENSY comment that changed my perspective on my day. :) Everyone? The glass is ALWAYS half full, no matter where or who you are. :)

I wish I was a four year old at heart. :)

Last night, I was out in my backyard with a friend pushing my little brother (Evan) on the swing. Out of the blue, he started laughing and laughing. As I pushed Evan, he just let his head hang back, he was smiling, and he just laughed and laughed. Why? I have absolutely no idea. I turned to my friend and said, "Why is this so funny? haha" We couldn't figure out the answer, but as I thought on it that night, I realized that children find pleasure and joy in the simplest of everyday things. They are so pure and naive that they don't know to look at the world in a negative manner, to judge others and have an unhappy nature. Maybe that's why I love kids so much. Also, they still have the most amazing imaginations. They think anything is possible, and they will believe almost anything you tell them. What happened to me?! Where did my imagination and trust go? I only wish that I could go back for a day with the knowledge that I have now, and feel what it was like to be carefree and so trusting again. I think that Evan and I will swing more often. :)

Love always comes out on top.. :)

I came across a certain situation a few days ago, and I was reminded of something that happened to me a year and a half ago. I was in an orchestra, and for a few months, our director divided us up into ensembles. I was put in a trio with the two best players in the entire orchestra. The piece that we were supposed to learn was much too advanced for me at the time, but I decided to try and work through it anyway. At our first rehearsal in front of the director, I was horribly nervous and did awful. He stared at me with a stone-faced, icy coldness that I will never forget and told me that my playing was unacceptable. I was scared to death for every single rehearsal after that. He ruled our rehearsals by fear, not love and encouragement. Granted, sometimes people need a little bit of fear to motivate them, but not like that. I have learned through my different leadership positions in my life and living in a family of 9 that scaring people into submission does nothing but ruin relationships and cause hurt. Why not love them instead, and get two things accomplished at once? :) Does not God take this approach with us? Each time we make a mistake, he doesn't send down lightning and strike it so close to us that we run away in fear. He let's us feel remorse and then encourages us to repent and come back to Him. He loves us, not strikes fear in us. That's my thought for the day. :) 

We've all got noses, ears, hearts....

So, it is 2:00am. Why am I up? I am a bookworm. I just finished reading The Help, and I have never had so much appreciation for my life and for the wonderful parents I have grown up with. I am so grateful that they taught me not to be racist. I realized during this book that the black maids in the deep south had to endure way more than we can ever understand. Did God not make all humans the same? We all have brains, noses, ears, hair...does color really matter that much? It is like judging a person by the color of their car--shallow and false. We were all made equally in God's eyes. If we are striving to be like Him, is it not our job to do the same, to view other races the same? We do not live in the 1960's, but there is always change that can be made for the better. :)

Pounding the Pavement at 6:00am. :)

I have started the beginning of what will hopefully be a good habit over the past week--exercise. :) I would now like to share my experience with you. I am the type of person who would generally only exercise if it was a choice between life or death. ;) However, as I have forced myself to get up and run every morning for close to an hour, I have found a little more balance in life. It is so wonderful to start my day out alone, or occasionally with my mom, in the cool, dewy air with no cares or things to worry about. It's just me and the road. I love the feeling of achievement after I walk into my house all sweaty and worn out--it's a beautiful thing. I also find time to think when I run. It is like my mental therapy session every morning from 6-7. It totally clears my mind, calms my emotions, and allows me to think rationally. I love it! Boring blog post? Maybe. I hope you are all inspired to run now, though. :) 

That crazy thing called love...

Obviously everyone has loved something in their lives. It could be a cat, a toy giraffe, a car, a neighbor, or something else. It doesn't matter what it is, everyone has felt it at one point in their lives. As much as I sound like an immature, adolescent girl, I found it. Two years ago in latin, I made the best friend that I ever could have when it comes to a boy. Amongst our long study sessions, star-wars marathons, and Sunday walks, I found a small part of what true love is. Love is sacrifice. It is kind, patient, enduring, and unceasing. It isn't all holding hands and kissing, it is talking and, more importantly, listening. It is giving advice, taking it, and always being available to help. I have the best friends in the whole world. I would not have ever made it through high school without them--Bekah, Camille, Kathryn, Brandon, Hyrum, and many others. Where would I be without their love? Ground zero. Nowhere. I love them with all my heart. College is beginning to sound like a bittersweet experience knowing that they won't be there with me. 

A frustrating current...at times.

Is that not what life feels like at times? A frustrating current? Sometimes you just want everything to stop, to pause and give you a little time. Other times, the current is your saving grace. It moves you through trials and helps you to avoid those stalker-ish people. ;) Today I feel neutral about this current...I actually am not sure how to feel. My life has brought me so many amazing experiences. I have loved the progression that I have made in the past 12 years since I started my oh-so-wonderful public schooling, and now I have to move on to start my next chapter. My current just rushed me through the past 12 years. I have fallen in love, had amazing experiences, learned new music, made new friends, lost some, and everything else along with it. My current helped me especially through this past year...days and days on 4 hours or less or sleep, one test after the other, college music auditions, a new tests every week, commitments, appointments, trying to have a social life, AP tests, huge decisions....the list goes on! But it isn't the destination, it is the journey there. I guess what I am eventually edging towards here is that we HAVE to just enjoy the ride. Enjoy your trip down the river of life. Admire the scenery, be patient through the rocky parts and storms, and let the whole world see your smile through it all. All in all, let God be a part of your life, and accept your circumstances for what they are. Embrace new change and growth, treasure memories, and live a beautiful, fulfilled life. 

What makes you beautiful?

Today, as I skimmed my Facebook news feed, I was admiring all of my beautiful friends. All of the amazing people that I know. I read a comment on a friend's photo of mine where her mother had written "beautiful, inside and out." I couldn't have agreed more with this comment about this girl. Even though she isn't a super-model with perfect hair and make-up, her inside is what shines out beautifully. So many girls think that they need make-up and perfect hair to be beautiful. How I wish they could see the truth. It is your INSIDE that makes you beautiful. It is the smile that you wear on your face, the time that you stopped and helped someone pick up their dropped books, the comforting hug that you gave to a friend who needed it....Do you see where I'm going? Your actions and compassion for other people are what shine out...not your shiny lipgloss and perfect eyeshadow. As these past few weeks have gotten busier, I have given up on the whole make-up and hair thing. I maybe go to school with make-up once a week. My friends who are truly beautiful look past it and love me anyway, even the boy that I love. :)
Girls, you will always make the truest friends by showing up to school with your hair in a bun, no make-up, sweats, and a smile on your face. Don't base your confidence on your looks, but rather your character. Those who are true and real will love you no matter what you look like. Believe me. :)

New Experiences EVERY Day

Do you ever have those moments where you learn something new, and it just hits you that it's a reality? It exists, it's real, it's TRUE. I had one of those moments today. My dad read me an amazing story about a young boy today, and it strengthened my testimony of angels and their ever-constant presence in our lives. (I would go to this link and read it...you won't regret it) http://www.snopes.com/glurge/birdies.asp
I felt the spirit so strongly as he read this story to me, and I gained a greater appreciation for the temple and for our deceased ancestors and friends. I know without a doubt after today that we have angels that are always with us. They protect, help, and comfort us. Isn't it beautiful to know that we are never alone? I also know that temple work is so vital to our salvation and the salvation of those who came before us. There are people waiting, yearning to have their temple work done. They want it so badly. I feel so strongly that we will be blessed for going to the temple and doing the work of our kindred dead. Just think about the day you were baptized, or the day you were sealed in the temple (I haven't reached that one yet haha). Imagine if you had gone your whole life without that, died, and then realized in heaven what you had missed out on! Would you not give anything to be granted those blessings? It is our duty and obligation to free and help our kindred spirits. I have no doubt that we will be blessed and guarded for helping them. 

Light at the end of the tunnel

As I was practicing my cello today, I was thinking about life, my future, etc. This tends to happen often when you are drilling the same 4 measures for 50 minutes or so. As I was thinking, I realized that I am excited to find new adventures in life. I have been scared to leave for college for a long time, and I think I am finally beginning to look forward to it. I have been working hard through high school with my grades and music, and it has all been focused on this--college. Now it's finally here! All of my hard work has paid off in scholarships and experience. I have gained so much from pursuing good grades and a talent on the cello. My instrument brings me more joy than I can express in words. I know for a surety that there is so much beautiful music on this earth that would not be here had God not placed melodies into the heads of Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Liszt, etc. Music is POWERFUL, and I get to study it in college; that will be my homework! All of my work has finally paid off, and I can at last see the light at the end of my tunnel. :) I will miss my friends who are leaving, but BYU isn't an eternity away from USU. 

Hard Work....who likes it.

I went to the Utah Symphony tonight and was blown out of my mind. I am every time. :) I watched a 13 year old violinist play the entire, 45 minute Tchaikovsky violin concerto. Her tone? Beautiful. Her intonation? Perfect. Her work ethic? Wilder than you can even imagine. This girl practices 5 hours every day, and she skips school to prepare extra for lessons and performances. She doesn't ever miss a day of practicing, and she smiles the whole time that she plays. As I watched this girl play, my confidence just shrank, and shrank some more. I have so much respect for people like this. Being an instrumentalist who struggles to get 3 hours in every day, I am just amazed at the level of dedication she has. People who are dedicated to something and give everything up for it are some of the most successful.
Then I got thinking about that. People who sacrifice more than they ask in a relationship always make it farther and enjoy the journey more. They have stronger bonds with their spouse/significant other. I hope that I can be more dedicated in every aspect of my life: relationships, practicing, school, and most importantly, God, my country, and my family.

Revelation...sweet moments.

I realized the other day what a true friend is....I mean really, don't we say "oh, she's my BEST friend" all the time...but do we mean it? I think I do.
A friend is someone who can appreciate silence. A friend is someone who pops in for random visits, unexpected, when you need it the most. A friend is someone who laughs at your silly mistakes and then does the same thing. A friend is someone who supports and respects your parents, someone who supports you. A friend always has a spare shoulder to cry on. Camille and Bekah are my favorite ones. ;) A friend always stands up for you EVEN when you aren't there. A friend can just smile and tell you an entire story. Although the list goes one, a friend shares their testimony with you and encourages you every day to be a better person by their actions.
I love and adore all of my friends. I will miss all of the ones who leave me for BYU this year.... :(

Why Peach fuzz?

I have finally given in. I love the whole idea of blogging...and yes, I will probably end up being one of "them". ;) I chose the title "Peach Fuzz" because I feel like my thoughts are often like Peach Fuzz. It's one of those things that once you get it on you, it is hard to get off. It is most often the part that isn't enjoyable to eat, and it stays there until you get it off. I often have thoughts that just stick to me and won't go away kinda like Peach Fuzz..therefore, I have created a blog in order to share some of my "peach fuzz" with all of you. :)