Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Hush little baby...



I have this big giant huge fear.  It's the fear that I will be able carry around my husband, pat him on the head, lean on his shoulder, you know... I might as well tuck him in at night and sign him nursery rhymes.

I had a dream last night that this was my destiny.  

I'm praying hard that it turns out a little more.... beautifully!

Sunday, June 12, 2011

In a World I Would Love to See

"Though difficult and painful, death is an essential part of our mortal experience. We began our sojourn here by leaving our premortal existence and coming to this earth." - Thomas S. Monson

Essential part of our mortal experience.


"Through tears and trials, through fears and sorrows, through the heartache and loneliness of losing loved ones, there is assurance that life is everlasting. Our Lord and Savior is the living witness that such is so." - Thomas S. Monson

Life is everlasting.


On a beautiful day that I dream about
In a world I would love to see,
Is a beautiful place where the sun comes out
And it shines in the sky for me.
On this beautiful winter’s morning,
If my wish could come true somehow,
Then the beautiful day that I dream about
Would be here and now. 

“The Beautiful Day,” from the movie Scrooge

For those of you that know me and who/what this post is referring to, go back and re-read the lyrics.  It is the most beautiful thing.  He will be able to see.

I don't know how to prepare for this, or if preparation is even possible.  All I know is that it is hard.  

I have never known more that the Gospel is true more than I do now with this forthcoming experience.  It just makes sense.  And, it's all true.

Saturday, June 11, 2011

The End Is In Sight

I applied for GRADUATION.  Yes, I said graduation.  You know, after you've spent millions at a university where they teach you things for years and years so you can walk around in a black gown, throw a square cap up in the air and they give you a piece of paper saying you are AWESOME.  Yeah, I applied for that this week.  Come December 2011, I will be ALL DONE with school.

 Yeyeah!

Once I graduate, I will have taken me 4 years (in school) to do this (6 including time off for being sick stuff).  So, I guess that's okay.  It would've been an easier road minus that 2 year sick break.  But whatever.  I'M ALMOST DONE!  I'm so excited I'm already job hunting.



I know, I think it sounds fake and unreal too.  I really wont believe it until I actually throw that square cap up in the air.  

Do they really do that in real life, or is that just in Legally Blond?  





Can I also say that Summer School is AWESOME?  Seriously.  Everyone told me I would hate it, BUT I wish I would have done it every summer now.  Maybe that's just my graduation motivation speaking... I don't know.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

"Stop looking for the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight."

"I believe that the very purpose of our life is to seek happiness. That is clear. Whether one believes in religion or not, whether one believes in this religion or that religion, we all are seeking something better in life. So, I think, the very motion of our life is towards happiness." - Dalai Lama


Happiness has always been one of my favorite words.  It was/is that thing that I have to always buy when I see it in a frame, or a rock, or a necklace.  I once bought a charm with a Chinese symbol on it.  The store had it labeled as "happiness" so, I was pretty excited about it.  A few years later I started dating a guy who spoke Chinese on his LDS mission and one day asked me "Sarah, why do you always wear a necklace that says delight?  Excuse me, did you say delight?  Fail.  I really just love all things happiness.  Maybe it's because it's one of those things that myself and many others I know struggle with frequently.  Overall we're a happy people, but then you have a day that just makes you feel like you're world is going to end and you feel unhappy about life.  Luckily, the sun rises again the next day and it's a brand new start.


I recently came across a fantastic article called "60 Small Ways to Improve Your Life in the Next 100 Days".  It splits the 60 ways up into different aspects in our life (home, happiness, finances etc.).  I'm going to start implementing some of them into my own life.  Starting now.  


Here are some of my favorite ones:


1.  Follow the advice proffered by positive psychologists and write down 5 to 10 things that you’re grateful for, every day.
2.  Make a list of 20 small things that you enjoy doing, and make sure that you do at least one of these things every day for the next 100 days.  Your list can include things such as the following:
  • Eating your lunch outside.
  • Calling your best friend to chat.
  • Taking time to sit down and read a novel by your favorite author for a few minutes.
3.  Set your alarm for one minute earlier every day for the next 100 days.  Get out of bed as soon as the alarm rings, open your windows to let the sunlight in and do some stretching.
4.  For the next 100 days, make it a point to feed your mind with the thoughts, words and images that are most consistent with who you want to be, what you want to have, and what you want to achieve.  
5.  Connect with someone new everyday for the next 100 days.  

This is just a glimpse of the article (the full article is here).  I have it saved and have looked at it everyday for the past week.  I think that for the most part, we are a happy people.  We need to replace those down days with things that are improving and benefiting not only our own lives, but others as well.  

Gordon B. Hinckley said "Stop looking for the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight."  
Oh, he's good.

Here's to setting my alarm 1 minute earlier (or just waking up at the first buzz...) and opening my window to enjoy the sunlight and stretch.

Just like the Dalai Lama said, [one of] "the very purpose[s] of our life is to seek happiness".

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Marriage Advice From an Eighth Grade Graduate

When it comes to dating, or getting married in this case, I typically think of a progressional pattern that slowly leads itself to eternal bliss.  You know, something like this:


Maybe I'm way off when I think this, but... I thought it was the way to go.

Turns out, I've been mistaken my WHOLE LIFE!  It's actually a LOT easier than that.

Friday night, I was with a boy.  I know, right?!  He is honestly the most adorable thing ever.  We spent a lot of the day together - hanging out, dinner, then frozen yogurt.  Perfect night?  Yes!  We even got a few minutes alone in the car to chat.  About you know, life, what he wanted to eat for breakfast the next morning, his recent experience of recording his own song he wrote, and MARRIAGE.  

Yep, Marriage.

Oh, did I mention the adorable boy was my cute cousin Devin?  He's 14.

I sure got the hit about not being married.  Geez!  I'm only 24!  But, I told him that it just wasn't a very easy task to just do.  His response?  "Oh, come on!"  

Okay, really?

The rest of the conversation went like this:
So hilarious that I recorded it.  Here it is, word for word.  

Devin:  (slightly disappointed tone) Okay, Pink (Pink is my nickname), This is your marriage assignment from me.  It's your homework.  You need to find the perfect guy.  A worthy guy.  Then you have to ask him if he is interested in marriage.  (Okay... what happened to the flow chart?  I guess in order to get the job done, we're going in for the kill.  First question. And, what happened to guys asking the question?  I have to do it?) If he says yes, then you decide what day you are going to get married.  When that day comes, you will go to the Temple in your regular church clothes and you get married in them.

Pink:  Wait, I can't get a wedding dress?
(boys... not knowing important details)

Devin:  Oh, you ARE supposed to wear a wedding dress.  (phew) So you'll go to the Temple in your wedding dress as well as your church clothing.  (Attractive, yes.)  Then, there will be a lot of family who will be there.  And, I will.

Pink: Perfect!

Devin: Then, once you are married...

Pink: Then what do I do? (I'm digging for the awkward 13 year old "please, lets not talk about this face...)

Devin:  Then you start having children.

Pink:  How does that work?"  (Still digging...)

Devin:  Oh, I know how it works!  (Yes.. here it comes!)  God grants permission to only those who are married to have children.

Pink:  So, what do I do?
(I'm trying.. really)

Devin:  Well, sometimes after people get married, the wife gets pregnant. (I tried to dig again, but he was clueless.  Adorable.) When you get pregnant, that's when you discover your first born child.  Then, your husband, whoever it is, will bless it.  And, that is when you will have your own little family.

Pink:  So, what should I name my firstborn child?

Devin:  How about.... oh wow.  Well, you don't want Charly.
(I don't?)

Pink: Oh?  What if it's a girl?

Devin: Hm... probably Lisa?  (hmph....) And Britton for the boy.

Pink:  So... where do I find my perfect, worth guy?

Devin:  Probably, well I guess you'll find a lot of worthy men at church.

Pink:  Uh... where else?

Devin:  Hm, maybe at an activity.

Pink:  What kind of activity?

Devin:  Like, a movie, or swimming.  OH I know!  Your apartment!
(Guys, my address is....)

Pink:  Great ideas!

Devin:  Oh, and Pink.  The due date for this homework assignment is July 30th.

JULY 30th!?

Normally a conversations that alludes to the fact that I'm not married I don't let go far.  Because, gosh!    But, this was one of the most sincere conversations he and I have had.  

He's truly concerned for my well being :)


Turns out dating flow charts aren't the way to go.  Next perfect, worthy man I see, I'm asking him if he's interested in marriage.  However, there was never any mention about a ring.  Another important yet forgotten detail.  Do I have to buy my own since I'm asking him to marry me?  I'll have to clarify with Devin and get back to you.  But, Dev is convinced it will work

So, it must!

... Movies, Swimming or my apartment anyone?

Saturday, June 4, 2011

I gained 1 million pounds because...

I was bored, okay?


P.S.  They are TO DIE FOR. 

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Reading is to the Mind What Exercise is to the Body

I once was in a book club.  Not too long ago.

We met once.

So now I need good ideas on books to read.  Although, I have zero time to do that this summer, I still want to read as many books as I can.  For when I go out to the pool, beach, and the pool again.


 Any ideas on a good book?