Baby Seal Goes Surfing

My dad showed me this video today--totally want a GoPro Camera, but anyhow... this is the cutest thing I've ever seen!

Sunday Sweets #8--ICE CREAM

YUP! :)

[http://pinterest.com/pin/193423304/]

America actually DOES have talent!

Seriously, I am so ready to road trip it down to Vegas just to see this man--then I could die happy--most beautiful voice I have ever heard. Every time he opens his mouth I am blown away with sheer awesomeness. 

Sunday Sweets #2

I haven't been linking up and posting quite as much these days, because... drum-roll... I finally got a job! (P.S. this economy is not my friend at the moment) It's been over a year looking with much frustration, but now that it's finally happened I can see why I needed to wait--I needed to wait so that I could get this particular job, because let me tell you--IT'S THE BEST JOB IN THE ENTIRE WORLD! I'll have to tell you about it sometime, because everyday it just makes me smile. :)

However, for now I just want to quickly focus on the frustration beforehand part--sometimes things don't work out like you think they should, or hope that they should, and you just keep wondering what you're doing wrong, or what more you need to do, or you dwell on the mistakes of the past, or you remember better times and wonder if happy days will ever be here again... it happens to everyone, don't worry. My advice is simple, but it's the best advice I've ever received: KEEP MOVING FORWARD. Have you ever seen Disney's MEET THE ROBINSONS? If you haven't, I very highly recommend it--feel good movie, funny, and has a great message-->KEEP MOVING FORWARD! The main character is a cute little boy with some serious self-confidence problems (yes, none of us can relate to that I'm sure), and he has to learn that everyone makes mistakes--what's important is that you keep moving forward in life, because there are so many wonderful things yet to come.

[http://pinterest.com/pin/132879746/]

Butterfly

Lys Agnes is my favorite contestant on America's Got Talent--she's beautiful, inside and out, and her audition totally blew me away. She came in, dressed in street clothes, dreads, etc., and I totally expected her to start rapping or sing some gospel something or whatnot--but then she started singing, and it was like nohting I ever could have imagined. I guess she used to sing, but after her fiance was killed in a car accident, she stopped--there is a sad beauty to her voice sometimes--and it's just been such a treat to watch her come back and become what she is today. Check out this clip--it totally made me cry (what can I say, music speaks to me)--she's amazing!

Sunday Sweets #1

 [http://weheartit.com/entry/7734625]

[http://weheartit.com/entry/10051542]

[http://dianhasan.wordpress.com/2011/08/20/quotes-thoughts-on-being-unique/]

I have nothing more to add than a huge AMEN to that. <3

Bloom Where You're Planted

Not too long ago I spent a weekend at my Grandma's house--she just had open heart surgery, about a billion complications, some more surgeries, and about two weeks in the ICU. Fun times--I was asked to stay with her to help, but when I got there she was up and about and doing (to me) ridiculously well--I couldn't believe it! She's one tough lady, that's for sure. I think the saddest thing for me was that she was just getting ready to plant many of her flowers the day she went into the hospital--my Grandma always has the most beautiful flower garden, she just loves gardening--so I know she was discouraged a bit that she hadn't been able to complete her planting yet. However, as I was doing dishes one afternoon I discovered this gorgeous hot pink hollyhock flower growing outside the kitchen window:

Isn't it just GORGEOUS?? I love the bright color--and this thing is HUGE!

I went outside to check it out, and upon closer inspection I realize that this plant isn't growing quite like I originally thought--these aren't the best pictures ever, but if you look closely you can see that it is growing out of the window well!

Yep, all the way down there--several feet I might add--is the start of this beautiful flower--growing up and out of the window well into the sun! My Grandma informed me that she hadn't planted this particular flower (obviously), but it had grown up on it's own, and she left it where it was because it was just so amazing and beautiful.

So, besides that I pretty much just though this flower was awesome, there is a moral to the story of course: I feel like there are so many things in life that are out of my control, and as a control freak and perfectionist this is very troubling at times--I want to help, I want to initiate change, I want to make the world a better place--these are all wonderful desires, but there are some things in life that honestly are out of our control--you can't make life perfect, there will always be things and circumstances that we may not like yet are completely out of our hands. However, that doesn't mean that "Life sucks, then you die" (a favorite quote of mine, admittedly); you can enjoy life, and you will never be denied any joy or blessing, no matter how bleak your circumstances may seem, just as long as you keep trying--Look at this flower? Falling into the dark, cold rock bed of a window well probably wasn't the ideal circumstance and placement for it, but did that stop it from growing into an amazing and beautiful flower? It's the most beautiful flower in the entire garden! So, as cheesy and cliche as it sounds, the saying continues to hold true: 

BLOOM WHERE YOU'RE PLANTED. 

And I would like to add that it doesn't say GROW where you're planted, or SURVIVE where you're planted--those things are easy; what's hard but what is definitely most important and most fulfilling in life is to BLOOM where you're planted--it is very clear: BLOOM. Don't ever think that you can't do it--because you can, and you can do it beautifully. Do your best, and in the end it will all work out.

Wow, there's a fix for everything...

Wow, apparently there really is a fix for everything--every problem that you have, and every problem that you didn't know that you had...

Seriously--hive five to all of the awesome women who have to put up with the world telling them they're not good enough every single flippin' day.

The supply of good women far exceeds that of the men who deserve them. ~Robert Graves

Why do Women love these popular trends?

I found an interesting article today through grosgrainfabulous entitled: Why do men hate these popular trends that women love? After reading it, I though, "Why do women love these popular trends that men hate?" I guess it's just all relative. I'll admit that some of my fashion sense isn't always the greatest--yes, I actually do love wearing warm boots ALL the time, but in my defense I have had/have frost bite and I am always so darn cold!--but it does make me feel better to know that I'm not the only one that hates the following trends... I may be the only woman who does, but at least the men out there seem to have some taste.

1. Ugg boots

The on-set footwear of choice for celebrities (how many times have we seen photos of the “Gossip Girl” crew in gowns and Uggs?) is admittedly hard on the eyes. But in the right situation and when worn with jeans (NOT jean shorts), they’re worth it. If more guys tried on a pair, they’d understand. It's the shoe equivalent of comfort food.

2. Oversized sunglasses

Guys think they make us look like bugs. I think they add glamour and drama. But, I’ll concede one point: It’s important to find a size and shape that actually fits your face.

3. Jumpsuits

Even stylish and svelte women like Blake Lively and Kourtney Kardashian can barely pull them off. I understand the retro appeal, but they’re awfully hard to look good in. Guys win this one.

4. Red lipstick

This one was a surprise. Apparently, some guys find the un-kissability factor a turnoff. I think there's nothing sexier than red lips, gold eyeshadow and extra long lashes.

5. Harem pants

Celebrities like Julianne Moore and Jessica Alba have tried their best to make them look halfway decent, but there’s no way anyone can honestly say there isn’t a more flattering option then a pair of pants that look like they come with a built-in diaper. Guys win this one, too.

6. Socks with sandals

Respected indie fashionistas like Chloe Sevigny and Alexa Chung valiantly tested the trend but I say the sexiness of a strappy sandal is undercut by a wooly underlayer.

Talent

Does anyone else out there enjoy blowing straws? Like when you go out for fast food, and the straws are all individually wrapped--tear off one end and shoot the thing at your siblings? Well, we totally do--but you know who is absolutely pro at this game? My little brother Sean, he kicks butt. He can shoot any straw, any distance, and almost always hit his target... personally, I think it takes some seriously talent to get the straw wrapper all the way to the ceiling--and to make it stick! :)

Get It Right

I'm a Gleek--who isn't? Anyway... I always love Glee music, of course, but this last episode really hit home for me: I absolutely adore this song. I'll be totally honest, it really got to me:

Interesting

Interesting Article--not that I believe that ALL guys are like this of course, but there does seem to be a growing trend these days:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704409004576146321725889448.html

"Not so long ago, the average American man in his 20s had achieved most of the milestones of adulthood: a high-school diploma, financial independence, marriage and children. Today, most men in their 20s hang out in a novel sort of limbo, a hybrid state of semi-hormonal adolescence and responsible self-reliance..."

one last breath

Yeah, I should be studying, but you know what? I have been sitting in this chair for Heaven knows how long... hours, days, dare say even weeks. This paper is killing me, slowly but surely. Fortunately death is only a day or so away, so not all is lost completely. I would gladly take on all of your seven testing center finals you are all complaining about--trust me, they are a million times easier, or at least kill less brain cells. Oh well, what can you do; I chose this route, so I will put up with the ulcers that come with it, and in the end I am actually rather proud of myself--if I ever finish. Anyway, yes, I have been sitting at my desk for hours on end for the past two or three weeks working on this theology research project; the only breaks I get are to go to the gym and shower. It's quite the life, let me tell ya.

However, last night I decided to take a few hours off and attend Christian's band concert at Timpview--now that was definitely worth the effort. Their bands are amazing for sure, but this one piece really stuck out to me; just before it started, Sean turned to me to inform me that it was at least 15 minutes long. Great, that's a good 15 minute nap--but there was no napping here, in fact, this piece was so beautiful I ended up crying instead--not out of sadness or happiness, but out of the sure beauty and power that accompanied the notes. I loved it. I don't have a recording, but if you Google it you can listen to it and see how wonderful it is: It's called "Russian Christmas Music," by Alfred Reed, 1944. Reed was commissioned to write a piece of "Russian music" for a concert in Denver to improve Soviet-American relations through premieres of Soviet and American works. Prokofiev's March, Op. 99 was supposed to be played, but they discovered that it had already been performed in the United States just a few weeks earlier. Thus, Reed was commissioned to write a new piece--his first composition for band--with only sixteen days before the concert. Of course, he did it, and in only eleven days--they had four days to learn it. Amazing. And he was only 23 years old. Yup, pretty awesome.

If I don't make it to Christmas next week, a very Merry Christmas now with some wonderful music. <3

Feeling Chills

Kind of cool; according to this article, people who feel chills in response to music are more likely to be open to new experiences. In this study, people high in openness = creative, curious about many things, have active imaginations and like to play with ideas, much more frequently feel chills in response to music. Go figure--that would explain why I am seriously so cold all the time. ;)

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/12/101207191525.htm

Being Scottish Rocks

AC/DC just made my day--bagpipes and hard rock. I am especially loving the duet between the bagpipes and the electric guitar half-way through the song. Yeah. Awesome.

Stress busters (part 2) | Mormon Times

Guess what: sometimes stress isn't so good on us. I know, it's like a drug--some of us, myself included, are quite addicted--but there comes a point when it turns into a bad thing. Finals? What? Yeah. I just spent the past week, nearly all day every day working on one single project for one single class--I haven't even seen the outside world for days! It's nice to have a break this week for Thanksgiving, but all I can think about it what I need to have done before I go back to school on Monday--and that's not what the holiday is about! I've seen too many of us crash and burn this time of year, and we don't have to; take a breather and enjoy life amid the stress. It makes the stress much more enjoyable, and life so much more fun. :) This article has a few suggestions--just try them, what could it hurt?

Stress busters (part 2) | Mormon Times

Ask Dr. Elia: Stress busters (part 1) | Mormon Times

This is how I have been feeling as of late:

Yeah, I'm sure you know the feeling--it tends to come for me about this time of year, the time of impending term projects and crappy weather, so this article kind of hit home for me. I personally don't think stress is a bad thing--in fact, I am rather fond of it to some degree--but there comes a certain boiling point where it's just not healthy. Maybe I'm alone in this (although I highly doubt it), but I tend to believe that as a people today we are more stressed out than we need to be, so maybe it's time to step back and do something about it:

Ask Dr. Elia: Stress busters (part 1) | Mormon Times

Kid History

My Folklore teacher showed this video to us in class the other day, and thought it was pretty cute. Yes, I'm taking an academic class on folklore, and yes, we do study youtube from time to time. My major is awesome. :)

funny how we affect one another

it's never too late

Recently (as in the past few months, but especially the past few days/weeks) my mind have been blown by so much wonderful knowledge, I don't even know where to begin. However, as a mortal human being, once overloaded with such enlightenment, I suddenly find myself saddened, knowing how this knowledge would have helped me in the past. "If only I had known..." right? I know you've all thought that at one point in your lives. We all do. Because seriously, if I had only known ________ maybe things would be better.... WRONG! I may not be very good at it, but the thing is, the only way I could have learned all this amazingness that I have now was going through the past, sometimes the hard things or the dumb things or the heartbreaking--that's how we learn sometimes. A mistake is only a problem if you learn nothing from it. I know personally, I am a hands-on, experience-learning kind of person, so I should be grateful that I know what I do now. Maybe back then I wasn't ready--maybe I had to go through those things in order to progress. Instead of looking back full of regret, I am looking forward, applying what I do know now to the NOW.

IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO BE WHO YOU MIGHT HAVE BEEN.

-George Eliot-

Do I ever wish I had done things differently? Sure. Do I wish I were better sometimes? Of course (I am a reforming perfectionist, admittedly). But that doesn't mean that life ends here--there are such things as second chances! and third ones, fourth ones, and on into infinity. Does it really matter how many times it takes to get it right, if you do get it right in the end? Life has absolutely no room for regret. Look forward. If you've messed up (and we all have), get over it and keep moving forward. If you don't go forward, you're going to go backward, and that's not going to get you anywhere. I know what I know now for a reason--I don't know exactly, but I'm going to do everything in my power to apply it and make life the masterpiece it is meant to be.

Around here, however, we don’t look backwards for very long. We KEEP MOVING FORWARD, opening up new doors & doing new things--& curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.

-Walt Disney-