Many Thanks

So the other day I found a picture online that made me chuckle. Those of you who know me may understand why:

Yeah. The words stress-muffin, drama-queen, and worry-wart get tossed around during gentle teasing quite a bit at my house... And I know, I know, it's silly to end sentences about academic choices with "...and it could ruin my whole life!!!", and yes, it does seem strange to have personal emergency plans for airplane flights, but hey, I promise I'm working on it! Anyways, when I start to get stressed out or overwhelmed or WHATEVER by life, I find it's usually due to a lack of perspective.

So since today is Thanksgiving, thought I'd gain some perspective while contemplating the things I am grateful for. Slightly cliché? Perhaps. But that doesn't affect my sincerity.

FIRST OFF: My family. Seriously, they are my most favorite people in the entire world. There's something special about being part of a family--something wonderful about knowing that you are loved just for being you; that your existence makes a difference in someone's life; that you are safe with them to laugh and cry and be silly and just be 100% WHO YOU ARE. And at the end of the day no matter what, they'll always love you. It is the best feeling in the whole wide world to know that there are people who will pick you up when you fall, and who you know you would be willing to do the same for. My family is the best part of my day, whether I get the chance to talk with them or just think about them. I am who I am today because of my family--I learned patience from my mom as she listened on a daily basis to my after-school chatter growing up; I learned the value of time from my dad as he watched Saturday morning cartoons with me or read me my favorite books (over and over and over...); and through the example of my sisters I have learned to be confident in my decisions, to love deeply, to not be afraid of being silly or being a little bit different than everyone else. Today I got stuck working two 4-hour shifts, but the fam decided to celebrate with me and make the drive up. And Thanksgiving with family... well, that automatically makes it the best ever.

SECONDLY: My friends. Call me ridiculously lucky, say I'm blessed, either way the truth is that I have incredible friends! They are all so very unique and talented in their own way, and I am so grateful for the chance to be a part of their lives! They make me laugh when I'm grumpy, they give me a clear perspective when I'm hung up on stuff, and they show me everyday that the world is an incredible place full of new things to learn. And sometimes, they give the ultimate gift by just listening. They are examples to me of all the best things in life, and I hope I can grow up to be as amazing as they are.

A lot of other stuff: a job where I get to serve others, a car that gets me everywhere I need to go safely, a warm apartment, good roommates, an awesome ward, the chance to attend BYU, hazelnut creamer to go in my hot chocolate, soup & grilled cheese sandwiches on cold days, a ukulele, so many more shoes than I need, a nice mattress (finally!), covered parking (no more scraping my windows!), living in the internet age, a computer, good music to listen to, that it's almost the end of the semester, and sooooo very much more!!!!!

In the October General Conference session of 2010, President Thomas S. Monson said:

"Regardless of our circumstances, each of us has much for which to be grateful if we will but pause and contemplate our blessings... sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings, but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God's love."

It's so very true. Anyways, I hope you all have an incredible Thanksgiving.

Much love (and many thanks for your role in my life!),

me

Really Quick...

So. Last weekend Mo-mo came to visit me. Sisters are the best EVER! We spent probably 5-6 hours shopping. Which translates to some serious sister-bonding time! Her bf was playing in the state semifinals (or is it quarterfinals? I can never remember which one is right before the state championship...) so Saturday we bundled up and headed out into the cold to watch. Football is kinda' a big deal in my hometown (I mean, where is football NOT a big deal?) so half the city was out there supporting the football team... tons of fun! People at school ask me all the time if I ever hated growing up in a small town. The answer--NEVER!!! There's something incredibly cool about being part of a community; about knowing your friends and their cousins and their grandparents and being able to rattle off their family trees; about knowing the people in your life not only as they are now, but as they were in high school, in elementary. There's an incredible sense of being CONNECTED. I love it so much.

Anyways, here's one of me and the little sis at the game:

The cutie-patootie on the left of the cheer line is another very talented and beautiful sister:

Later that day I was able to go support a high school friend in his improv-comedy premiere:

So yeah. Life's pretty awesome. And if you thought things couldn't get any better, get this--

I BOUGHT A UKULELE!!! That's right. I am one step closer to being as cool as Israel Kamakawiwo'ole... now all I have to do is gain about 630 pounds and absorb the essence of Hawaiian. Yeah, not entirely sure how that's gonna' go, but at least I have the uke!

(Here she is!)

Oh, bonus shot of the view from my balcony... even though it's cold, there's something lovely about fall turning into winter.

Well, sleep well everyone,

me