We've got More Bounce in California...

After battling ice, snow, and finals,  I am finally back home in Modesto!

It's nice to be able to wear short sleeve shirts again... and see the sun for that matter! Yay for sunny California!

I've mostly been helping my family with their many projects and helping to care for my little sisters.

Alex visited last weekend and met the family. :)  That was a really neat experience to have him here.  He was very sweet and made a great impression.

Well, now it's back to work!

The Pursuit of Happiness

“We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have."

The last few weeks I've been on a constant quest to make myself truly happy.  I generally try to be a happy and optimistic person... but I also know life isn't perfect.  I've tried all kinds of things, and recently, I always feel like there's a little something missing. However, for the longest time, I couldn't put my finger on what it was.

I started off by learning more about myself... Such as my likes and dislikes.  I decided to make a list of silly little things that make me happy:

Kiwi Strawberry Snapple

Blue Raspberry Jolly Ranchers 

Hugs

Starburst Jelly Beans

Pictures of fun memories

Colorful sharpies

Minty gum

My HOT PINK laptop

Zupa's sandwiches

A nice text message

Sweat pants

Writing (blogs, news, etc.)

Meeting new people

Dancing around for no reason

Smiles from strangers
Sunshine and warm weather
Surprises
Good songs on the radio
Hot chocolate
A good book
Chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream
Cookie dough
"Miss Me" jeans
My senior sweatshirt
"10 Things I Hate About You"
Cinnamon sugar or blueberry bagels
A song with clever lyrics
"My Life is Average"
Goldfish
Orange Juice
My 3 glow fish
Ted (my childhood teddy bear)
Belting the lyrics to a favorite musical

It was great to realize things that I like and that will make me momentarily happy.  That got me thinking though... what about when I'm not happy?  How do I make myself happy then?

Here are a few simple things to keep in mind:

You can't change a lot of things... so build a bridge and get over it!  It's easier said than done (believe me, I know),  but it's a lot healthier than holding on to a lot of unhappiness and negativity.

Negativity... is unattractive and unbecoming. Stay clear of it.

Mind your manners... A lot of times if we're having a bad day or something doesn't go the way we planned we take it out on people around us. This can make you look rude, but more importantly, it can ruin someone else's day.

Take a deep breath... Don't confront someone when you're angry or upset.  Wait to cool off.  Nine times out of ten, once you're calmed down, you'll regret the things you said and did while you were angry.

The Golden Rule... Sometimes we like to gossip or talk about others behind their backs... especially if we don't like someone or if we feel like we've been wronged. We're all guilty of this, but it doesn't make it right. If someone starts it, diffuse it by saying something nice about the person that is being talked about. Don't you hope someone would be courteous enough to do the same for you?

Mind your own bees wax.... You don't need to go looking for a reason to be angry or gossipy.

Learn from others' mistakes... Remember that time someone did or said something that tore your heart in two?  Don't do it to someone else in the future; That's called being a hypocrite.  We go through a lot of things so that we can be prepared to serve others in the future.  Don't make the same mistakes as those who hurt you.

Give the benefit of the doubt... A lot of times there are people around us who do things that hurt our feelings.  However, half the time, they aren't thinking, and years down the road you won't care anyway.

Staying happy, even when it's hard, and remembering the little things that keep us happy are both essential.  However, there is one sure way of being truly happy, and I was slightly embarrassed that I hadn't thought of it before.

It's so simple that it's sometimes easy to forget...


It's not all about me... After some fasting and praying a few Sundays ago, I came to several conclusions about what I was missing.  I was focusing on what made me happy...what made me feel good... what made me look good... I'd forgotten what I had been counciled by a wise friend to do... to go forth with great love and joy in my soul... to serve others.

The key to happiness isn't about my favorite flavor of jolly rancher or if the sun is shining today.  Though those are nice things, there's is so much more to it. It's about how I used my day. It needs to be about blessing the lives of others.  The thing that was missing was service.

In  Matthew 10:39 it says: "He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it."

These videos are from the "Mormon Messages" YouTube site, and they are great reminders of what we need to be doing.


I've found that my quest is ongoing and that I will seek many things throughout my life.  However, I feel blessed with the knowledge that true happiness can only come through the Gospel of Jesus Christ and by following his council:

"As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you." -John 15:9-12

I don't know about you, but starting tomorrow I'm going to "wake up, and do something more." :)

Sophomore Year-- Video Blog!

Sophomore Year; So far so good!! @ Yahoo! Video

Bring it on 2010!

"Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey, and share our love with friends and family."

-Thomas S. Monson

The new year is seen a shining opportunity to refresh the page, turn over a new leaf, to start a new chapter in your life. It is customary on New Year's Eve to reflect on the previous year and to make any improvements.  


Since I was about fourteen, I have made a list of resolutions, and I carefully post each list on the bulletin board in my bedroom.  A small stack has accumulated over the years.  This year, I decided to reflect on the last several years rather than just 2009.  Several examples of past resolutions include: "Be on time to everything (FYI Seminary.)" "Be the kind of friend/companion I want to have."  "Try new things." "Delete my myspace." "Listen and learn more from Mom and Dad."

The idea of a fresh start and 5-10 new goals seems quite exciting at first.  However, a slap from a sibling and one alarm clock malfunction later, and those resolutions are going, going, and gone. 

Sure, you'll accomplish maybe 2-3 of the list, but what about the other 7-8?  Aren't they just as important?  Is there a surefire way to try and knock out 9-10 of your resolutions?  


Where there is a will, there is a way! This year, I made my usual list of ten resolutions.  However, I am not going to try and tackle them all at once.  Each is a stepping stone to one large goal or motto that I want to keep.  One of my favorite quotes is one by the Prophet Thomas S. Monson, and it reads:  

"Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey, and share our love with friends and family."

This simple quote embodies all that I wish to accomplish this year.  With joy, love, and an optimistic outlook, who is there to stop me?  NO ONE! 


BRING IT ON 2010!!

Welcome to Finals Week

I just keep waiting for the elephants to show up...

The Harold B. Lee library at BYU is a circus tonight... and I mean that quite literally.

Friday will mark our first "reading day" before finals. I can just smell the stress and desperation hanging heavily in the air.

Something is different.

Tables are full.

No light music greets my ears as I sit on the second floor in the history section.

The regularly hoppin' periodicals section which is known as a social haven is silent.

This is a bit freaky...

Just when I thought all hope was lost, the circus rolled into town.

I saw the monkeys- I was met with freshmen running around in Santa hats... dropping pens then making farting noises.

Tide rope walkers-Next, I felt like I was surrounded by the fifty million engaged couples that push their chairs together and attempt to cuddle. Look, I see a sign next to them! It reads: "Please don't feed the engaged couples, they will bite...or hold your hand." Man, I don't know what's worse...

Here are the tigers-Then note to my left the married Asian couple that fights in Chinese. The wife slaps her husband several times as he tries to move her computer. They then proceed to storm angrily in and out of the library.... over and over. Get over it people!

I'm in a quiet zone, and I keep busting up... probably embarrassing my boyfriend. Everyone turns their eyes to give me annoyed looks. I cover my laugh with a cough...

It's not my fault! I guess they don't know we're in the middle of a circus...

As my boyfriend and I were leaving he put on his HUGE coat. With me being a California... and it being 5 degrees outside... I put on my first two jackets. I then put my HUGE jacket on.I was so chubby, Chad had to put my backpack on me. Then we left....laughing....

And there you have it folks, the finale... the elephants. :)

The circus is leaving town...

Wow! Harold is on a role tonight!

Learning Life Lessons

In the past week, I have been looking for something meaningful to blog about. Something that has come up with several of my close friends is something that I myself went through last year. It was something I did not really address publicly, and I do not wish to do so at the present time. However, looking back over what seemed to be one of the gloomiest times of my life, I gained several valuable messages. One of them was a message that the most important thing to do in every bad situation is to take a step back and to see what you can learn.

Sometimes our closest friends are the ones that hurt us the most. They have the most power over us of any of our other friends. Letting someone in is hard to do. Watching them run out is even harder. However, when a bad situation arises, we need to learn from it. Pick ourselves back up and try to stand; Even when all you want to do is fall back to the floor. Let the wound heal, and meet other people. Most importantly, let it go. Forgive the wrong. Someday, when the time is right, they'll remember what they did. Maybe you'll be friends again... maybe not. Either way, you get what you take from it. So, take away a lesson in life and a learning experience.

In order to do this, maybe it's just time to pray about it. The Holy Spirit is the way to gain closure. The Spirit can give you closure when you are in your darkest hour.

He's a great friend.

Though these experiences are hard, and it seems like you might not ever get over them you will. These experiences make us who we are and shape our personalities. They give you gifts. Gifts range from compassion, empathy, knowledge, a listening ear, maturity, charity, and many others. Everyone gains unique insights and gifts.

So, if you're having a hard time, pray for strength and look for the silver linings. There's always at least one.

Party at our pad in Provo...

So, most people think the end of summer is a sad time. Not for us! BYU is the most amazing university in the world! Three weeks ago, I had the opportunity to move into my new apartment with five other amazing BYU students: Sarah Cluff, Elise Seniki, Susie Ingoldsby, Melissa Calkins, Sarah Duke, and me!

A picture's worth a thousand words

So, most of my summer consisted of working. However, I did have a few fun moments. A picture is worth a thousand words. So, here are some highlights from summer 2009. :)

KNIGHT'S FERRY WITH HYRUM

HORSEY- BLESSING

MELISSA CAME HOME FROM GERMANY

CALIFORNIA YSA CONFERENCE-- FRESNO

MARC ETCHEPARE- (METCH)

I ALSO HUNG OUT IN LAS VEGAS WITH JOSH, BUT WE DIDN'T TAKE MANY PICTURES. :(

Congratulations...

Yesterday, I was grocery shopping for my mom, and I decided to take my siblings with me. At the end of one errand, I let them each get a piece of candy. As we were walking out of the store I was stuffing Milky Way in my mouth, and I said to one of my sisters:

"I think I have a problem. I think I'm addicted to chocolate..."

She said in a very joking manner: "I'm so proud of you... you're admitting you have problem."

After this my youngest sibling pipes in and says "Congratulations, Kate!!"

Congratulations to me...

They're on a Mission...

So, I’ve been giving a lot of thought to this blog seeing as this is a topic that is very close to my heart for more than one reason.

Most people reading this know that I’m a student at BYU and that BYU is a religious university. The majority of students that attend BYU are Latter-Day Saints or (as we are commonly referred to) Mormons. Something unique occurs every year as freshman years ends. All of the boys that are or are turning 19 years old turn in papers to church headquarters. Several weeks later, an envelope comes for the guy. This envelope contains where the guy is being “called.” For some missionaries, they stay in the United States and others are shipped out across the globe. Some speak foreign languages. Speaking a foreign language, they stay in the MTC for a month or so. If they are speaking English, they stay in the MTC for about three weeks. No matter how long the missionary spends in the MTC, all the boys are supposed to be out for two years.

In my last year at BYU, I have made many amazing friends. A lot of those friends are guys. So, many of my closest friends (including my best friend and my boyfriend) are leaving/ have left. It might sound strange to people outside of our faith. Young men, having no contact except letters for their entire two years... all over the world... preaching our religion. However, I believe it is one of the greatest acts of service that anyone can do. These boys pay to go on their missions, and they serve others for two years of their lives.

I am so grateful for the missionaries. They brought my dad’s side of the family to the gospel. if it weren’t for the missionaries I might not be here! :) They also bring comfort and truth to countless people and change lives for the better.

I want everyone to know how much I love this church, and how grateful I am for missionary work. The gospel is amazing. I would not be where I am today without it. It is so comforting to me that I am never alone. Not only do I have other church members, but I have, God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. No matter what I do, or what others try to do to me, I will always have Jesus Christ. The gospel has helped me through many hard times in my life, and I know that it can change lives.

Finally, I just want to tell all my guy friends especially Josh Prince and Kurt Hanson how proud I am of them for their decisions to serve missions. Josh is going to Ukraine and speaking Russian, and Kurt is going to the Seattle, Washington Mission. I am so proud of you guys. You both have touched my life in so many ways. I will not be the same without you. I will miss you both so much, and I will be praying for you. Kurt will report on August 19, 2009 and Josh reports August 26, 2009. God Speed, Elders!

So, if you ever find yourself having a hard time or you need some questions answered. Let these wonderful missionaries come and talk with you. They are inspired by God and they can help. Also remember, these guys are my friends, neighbors, and classmates. They’re cool guys. :-) You’ll like them.

For further Information on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints please go to LDS.org or Mormon.org or just ask me! :D

STOP. Dollar time!

To beat the heat, my sisters and I hit the dollar store. I bought my normal haul of sugar while Lar and Liz looked for a toy. They sure did find toys. :)

Laura found some fun pictures that taught her about the "Happy Horse" and how cows go "Moo!"

I found some new and very stylish sunglasses. ;-)

Liz found her toy...but then Laura found this doll. We called it gangster baby... "What you lookin' at fool?!"

It reminds me of the hand gestures and facial expressions of a guest that a team member helped at Target. He kept talking about his "beat machine" and making this face and movement.

Ah, summer.

Every dog has his day

So, I was picking up Laura from something, and I brough our dog along. I was listening to the music Josh sent me and it made me smile and laugh. However, my dog... not so much...