The Secret Life of a Grown-Up

Warning: This blog may contain unnecessary ramblings of my currently-boring life. For those of you who enjoy my odd stories or just enjoy me in general, thanks for reading my blog, and read on :)

If there is something you should know about me, it is that I am a planner. I plan out my day everyday when I first get up, and before I go to bed I write down things I need to remember for the next day even though I usually remember anyways (I guess that makes me a worrier, too?) I also tend to make future plans, which include wedding ideas, ideas for my future family such as traditions I want to do, etc. I'm sure a lot of girls can relate to my planning ways, right? I hope so, since I don't want to be considered "weird" in any way! This is why I am so grateful Pinterest exists... I can turn my future planning ideas into visuals to look at! I am a very visual person too :)

But anyways, the point of me telling about my planning personality is because my internship will be ending in a couple of months, which means I have been attempting to make plans about what I'm going to do once my internship comes to an end. This includes job hunting, and a lot of it. I think I apply for about 5 jobs a day on average, even ones I don't feel I entirely qualified for. Because as a planner (and a worrier),  I want to make sure I have a job lined up so I can still be making money and support myself. I don't doubt a lot of people have or are going through the exact same situation as I am now!

Something else you should know about me is that along with being a planner (and a worrier), I am the type of person that gets excited about one particular thing and it is all I can focus on for a while. For example, this past Monday I had an interview at Winder Farms for a Web Administrator. As a planner (and a worrier) and a person that gets excited and wrapped up into something, before my interview I kept telling myself "This is the perfect job for me. I know I will get it. It is the perfect driving distance from where I live. The environment is exactly the type I see myself working in." Who knows what other things I told myself before, during and after the interview. But I got so excited for that one job, I didn't even think about the possibility of not getting it. Because that job is where I saw myself working.

I ended up not getting the job. And was depressed for the rest of the day I found out!

As a planner (and a worrier) and a person that gets excited about something that is exciting at that time, I then started telling myself "If I wasn't the one for this job, am not good for any other job. I'm not going to find the perfect job for me. I'm going to end up working at McDonald's. I'm going to be homeless!" Silly thoughts, right? Well they weren't silly for me at the time I was telling myself things! I really felt like a failure and started worrying about the future... because I'm a planner, and that is what planners tend to do.

Then I happened to find this quote on Pinterest... another reason why Pinterest is so great:

This is definitely what I needed to hear. I need to stop worrying so much about my future plans. I've learned that even though I can make future plans to keep me focused and working hard, 99% of the time, those plans won't happen. The Lord already has my future planned out and I need to focus on HIM more than my OWN PLANS. As long as I am happy and stay positive, I know things will always work out.

I guess what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I've had a couple of job interviews now that haven't landed me a job, but at least I am learning what it takes to do well in a job interview. I just have to keep my head up, and look forward to an unknown future!

True Love

Happy Valentine's Day! I've been in a blogging mood so much lately, that I figured why not blog on Love Day as well?

I found the sweetest article today about a 100-year-old couple celebrating Valentine's Day together. You should read the article.... it can be found here.

This couple has been married for nearly 71 years, and a similar struggle of having their fathers die (on the exact same day, too), they seem to love each other more and more everyday. Their relationship has what I want too someday, and that is meaning.

This couple does the littlest things to show each other their love, even after being married for so long. I think their cute little sayings they say to one another are the best.

"I love you," says one.
"I love you more," says the other.

"Grayce, I think I am very old and that I am going home soon. Will you follow me?" asks Clarence.
"Like the tail of a kite," Grayce responded without hesitation.

Precious, right? Their daughter describes in this article that her parent's secret to happiness was simple.

"Their mothers were survivors and taught them important values such as family, a strong work ethic, and being grateful for every day and moment you have."

Also, Grayce describes how her and her husband have gotten through the hardships they have.

We just always got along -- we came from similar lives. We were raised by mothers who taught us what was important to have a valuable life, simply put -- take care of each other and your family. Life was not meant to be easy, so you surround yourself with good people and always have a strong faith that will help you through the hard times."

This article reminded me of a few valuable life lessons.

First, the choices I make today can and will affect not only the rest of my life, but my future family's life as well. Grayce said how both her and her husband's mothers, after losing their husbands, were able to still stay strong and be the perfect role models for their children. I hope I am able to be an example in my children's lives.

Second, as Grayce's mother taught her, life was not meant to be easy. I know that for a fact after going through some hard times. I have learned to do exactly what Grayce's mother taught her, and that is to realize that life was meant to be challenging at times. The best thing we can do for ourselves to get through the hard times is to be strong and know that everything will work out in the end. Also, I've learned that people come into our lives for a reason. We never know when a person, whether for a short or long while, can be the answer to our prayers. We should never be afraid to accept someones offer to help us with anything. I truly believe that everything happens for a reason!

Third, we should have values that are meaningful and bring true happiness such as family, having a strong work ethic, being grateful for the life we have, and realizing every moment we have and every experience we go through is a blessing. These are all values that are important to me, and I always am striving to be the best I can be because of these values.

Last but not least, remember that words are very powerful. It means the world to me when someone says something nice and meaningful to me. Expressing words of encouragement, love, kindness, and appreciation are simple acts we can do to show others they are special.

I can't wait until I can share meaningful moments with my husband, just like Grayce and Clarence. Going through life with someone and finding happiness along our journey together will be the best experience ever!

But, until then, I will continue to better myself in the best ways I possibly can.


Have you ever wondered why these popular Valentine Candies have existed for so long? I now believe that it's because even the littlest sayings can be the most meaningful to someone.

Lesson Learned: just be happy!

This week at school has probably been the most stressful for me. Mainly because I cannot figure out how to do what I need to for my Web Development class. It is so hard for me! We have stuff due today... stuff that is worth more points than all of our other assignments combined... and I am going to bomb the grading and I'm just hoping and praying it won't make my grade completely drop!

I have gotten straight A's for the last 4 semesters, and I wanted to keep that record going. But with class that is ridiculously hard, I don't think that straight A streak will last much longer :(

Here are a few more reasons why this week has turned out into an awful one:

1. Biggest Reason: I woke up on Tuesday with a missed phone call and a voice mail. So I listened to the voice mail, AND IT WAS GEOFF. I missed talking to Geoff on the phone while he was at the airport going to Long Beach, California! He told me last week he wouldn't have anytime to call anyone at the airport, and so I wasn't expecting it at all. Basically I was a wreck all morning and didn't want to get out of bed! Also, I don't know his new address yet, and not being able to send him a letter this week (which I have had written for a week now) makes me super sad!

2. My tutor for my Web Development class bailed on me twice this week! And yesterday when he tried to help me, he couldn't figure out what was wrong with my coding. If he (who is a SUPER genius by the way) can't even figure it out, how am I suppose to? I don't like going into my teacher's office for help, because although I love him as a teacher, he just expects me to know the answer to every question he answers. Which yes, I should, but it's embarrassing when I ask him for help when I don't even know how to answer his questions. This is why I am doing so badly in this class!

3. I burnt my finger so badly yesterday, that my mac sensor pad that senses my fingers doesn't even recognize my finger as a finger! I don't know if that makes sense... maybe to mac users? But basically I use two fingers to scroll up and down, and I can't do that because my pointed finger is burnt! I have to now use my middle finger and my ring finger, which is just plain weird.

4. I think from all the stress I have had this week, my body is not happy with me. I go to bed not tired because I just keep thinking, so then I don't get enough sleep and am in a bad mood in the mornings. I haven't been eating like I should either, or drinking enough water, which is probably another reason why I have been tired a lot. I need to fix that!

Those are a couple of things that have made my week one that I never want to reminisce about ever again!

Don't worry, I am going to end this blog on a happy note!

I am working on a final for my photojournalism. I have to do a photo essay. My theme I chose is "Happiness is...", and a bunch of my friends have been helping me out by taking pictures to fill in the blank. Some of them are so good!

I think it was interesting that I chose this topic, this week, even though I have not been happy at all. I mean usually you do things that reflect how you're feeling, right? So maybe I was inspired to do this topic to help me find happiness in the little things.

So, you know all those reasons that made my week awful? Well, I have decided to turn all those negative things into positives:

1. I am grateful that Geoff cares about me enough to call me in the airport. His voice mail was short and sweet, 34 seconds to be exact :) and I'm sure he didn't tell me he was going to call me the day before because knowing Geoff, he wanted to surprise me. So I am happy that he wanted to surprise call me, even though his plan didn't turn out exactly like he had hoped. But the best part is that I have his voice mail still, so I can listen to him whenever I want! He said in his voice mail that he was "super happy", which makes me happy for him. I know he is the happiest he has ever been by serving the Lord. Oh how I miss that boy.

2. I have always known that we need to makes mistakes and sometimes fail at things in order to learn a lesson and grow. My straight A streak can't go on for forever... no matter how much I want it to. But even though my Web Development class has been really hard and stressful, at least I have tried my hardest and can't say I didn't try. I get and A for effort!

3. Ok I can't really think of a positive with having a burnt finger. Maybe... it has caused me to try things in a different way? That could work, or not....

4. I have learned from not eating how I should or sleeping well how important it is to put my body's needs before my school needs. I think my overall health, which I will be dealing with for the rest of my life, is more important than my school needs which only last a few years! I am going to work hard next year to be healthy and be proud of my body!

I am so glad that I have this "Happiness is..." photo project. It has made me really see how the small and simple things in my life matter the most. You will understand more of what I mean once my photo project is complete! I will put it up on my blog once it's complete on Monday!

So if you're ever having a rough time, don't let whatever is causing you to be blue keep you that way. "Don't worry.... be happy." I love being happy, and from now on am going to do whatever it takes to stay happy and have a positive attitude no matter what troubles I have to deal with.

I live for my "me" time!

If there is one thing I have learned, especially recently, we all need to take a break from all the craziness life throws my way and take a break! Doing the same routine all the time eventually burns you out. And I don't think it is healthy at all to keep doing the same things over and over. What thrill do you get out of that? Deep down we all want to have an adventure or do something to boost our happiness levels. Which is why I decided last semester at school that I was going to have "me" times, where I do what I want no matter how stressed I am. And can I say that is was wonderful! I was great how I could do something completely random with friends but still be able to get my homework done at the end of the day. I realized that the time I spent having fun would probably have been spent sitting and being frustrated thinking about all I had to do anyways.

If I'm not doing something with friends, then typically my "me" time is spent writing missionary letters, skyping with friends that aren't in Rexburg, designing something fun from my computer, going on a walk or just going to apartments in my ward and visiting. I don't like how the world tries to brainwash us into thinking that in order to be on top we have to work non-stop with some eating and sleeping in between. I need to take advantage of all the fun I can have by having some "me" time too! If I didn't have anything fun to look forward to, I know I would soon be waking up in the mornings and dreading what the day will bring. But that shouldn't be something anyone has to go through. We need to wake up not planning out every single thing we're going to do and at the exact time we're going to do it at. Yes, it's important to have an idea and set goals, because you do need to get that 5-page essay that you're not done with turned in by midnight tonight. But don't let the thought of working on that essay bring you down and make your day not fun. Any day shouldn't be wasted; it should be a day worth living.

One of my new pet peeves is when people say "I don't have time for that", especially if it's doing something fun. If you make the time you will always have time! And you need to make time for fun no matter what. I understand if you're asked right at last minute and you have other plans or have to study for a test, but you shouldn't reject something when you're asked way in advanced because you tell yourself you have to be busy doing homework or living in the library all day. That is not a way to live life!

I write too long of posts... sorry about that. I just like getting my point across :) But go out there and live your life to the fullest without any regrets. Take opportunities and risks even if you don't know what will happen, because change is what helps us to grow. Be the person that people look at and want to be like by showing them that we all need to fit some fun into our lives every now and then. I promise it's the best thing you can do for yourselves right now.

Figure out what your "me" time could consist of. We're all mothers, fathers, students, busy bees or many other things. But we all can agree that we need a break once in a while. Do simple things that make you happy and can be an escape from your normal routine. It doesn't have to be a big vacation that costs a lot of money, even though that would be great. It can be just going on a bike ride or playing frisbee in the park. WE ALL HAVE TIME TO TAKE TIME FOR OURSELVES! Don't tell yourselves otherwise!