I Think I Can

You've all heard about the little engine that could. If not, let me give you a brief overview.

When the little engine that helps a big engine pull a huge load that the other big engines wouldn't help with. He beings helping by saying, "I think I can." As he gets to a large hill he moves slower, but he still keeps saying, "I think I can!" Each time he repeats this phrase it's drawn out and stressed, but he finally makes it to the top. While he is going down the decline he shouts, "I thought I could!"

When I hear this story I reflect on my life and where I'm at. Right now I'm working on finishing my fourth semester of college. I have 15 credits, and I work at the local grocery store, Broulim's. Sometimes I get overwhelmed with staying on top of everything... there's just not enough time!

Sadly, this is SO true! And it doesn't even involve everything that you need to do!

I need to force myself to be like the little engine that could. I need to constantly tell myself, "I think I can!" Sometimes, things just go crazy and don't work out, but the more positive I am, the better things work out. So just keep telling yourself that you can, and you'll be right!

Good Life

I've realized that I started this blog and I didn't even explain why or what or how come or anything of the sort. Well, I want to fix that and share with you my reasons. First, I love to write. However, I HATE writing with a structure. I wish I could just write essays and all of those English assignments with my own style. Obviously I can't do that, so I conform to pass the class. My journal is my one escape from this structure. I love to just write every detail and thought that I can fit. I'll write page after page after page for just one day, and sometimes just for one moment! I love doing this. Nobody reads my journal though because I do put personal thoughts that I usually don't share. I wanted to start a blog because I enjoy hearing what others think of my thoughts, or even just the way I write. So that is the main reason I started this blog.

I also want to share with you why I chose the title I did. To start it, this song is the inspiration...



I love this song because it describes how life can get you down but you need to focus on what's going right. My favorite section of this song is...

Hopelessly
I feel like there might be something that I'll miss
Hopelessly
I feel like the window closes oh so quick

Hopelessly
I'm taking a mental picture of you now
'Cause hopelessly
The hope is we have so much to feel good about

I've always liked this section just because of how it's sung and played and all that jazz. However, I was looking up lyrics one day on metrolyrics.com and they had a meaning behind this verse that, I think, is put perfectly.

"Life is short, and sometimes we see it pass us by. The window that is our lives can close too quickly. There's too much to worry about, so take a mental picture of right now and live in the moment!"

Live in the moment. I love that saying, and, a lot of times, I find myself not living by it. So, I named my blog after this song so that I can have that reminder of how good my life is and to live in the moment.

It's a Beautiful Morning

You know those mornings when you wake up and you can't help but smile?

Well, this morning was definitely one of those days, and it just keeps getting better. I went to my first class at 7:45 and it was freezing! I just wanted to crawl back into my warm bed and sleep some more. Unfortunately I couldn't do that, and so my day began. After my first class, Doctrine and Covenants, I sighed as I knew what was coming when I walked out of the Taylor building. As I walked out the door I just grinned ear to ear; it was gorgeous! I even walked slowly so that I could enjoy the clear skies and the SUN! Whenever there's a morning like today I always sing, "It's a beautiful morning!"



With the sun shining, no wind, and the weekend in sight how can you not be happy? :)

Part 2

So today happens to be my other best friend's birthday. Yay!!! :) This other best friend is named Tanner, and he's pretty much awesome. However, at the moment, he's a little frustrated at me because I broke up his birthday present into parts... and he doesn't know how many or when or anything about it. Lately I've been trying to advise him on how a woman's brain works so he can try and understand. Part 1 consisted of a letter that gave him something to make him irresistible to women...it consisted of a cat mask. :)

Come on, now all you guys want one too, I know how this works. ;)

Well, this blog post is Part 2 of his gift for the week. I just wanted to let y'all know that Tanner is basically the coolest! We have so much fun together, and it's nice not to worry about trying to impress him or worrying about what he's thinking. He's super patient and puts up with a lot of crap from me, and that's what makes us such good friends.

So basically, I want to wish Tanner a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! And you better have a a happy one...or else!!

Keep Your Head Up!

Yes... that's part of an Andy Grammer song, and it's totally relevant, but that's not what I'm focusing on today :)

Recently I've been trying to be more positive, and I've decided that it's kinda hard when you can't think of anything to be positive about. I came across this quote that put things into perspective for me...

I've decided that this is very true. If you are so focused on not being able to do something, then you won't be able to do it. However, when you are positive and shoot high, then you are usually happy with where you get because you tried your best. It's something I've got to work on, but I have more motivation now. Just be positive! It could always be worse ;)

My cuz...

So basically I have this cousin who's name is Clint. He's from Woodburn, Oregon and he served his mission in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Instead of stickin' it out in Oregon he decided to come to BYU-Idaho to get an education. Now. This means I see A LOT more of him than I am used to. In fact, I've probably seen him more times in the past month than I have my whole life. Yes, that's the truth, even though it's kinda sad. However, he definitely makes up for everything we've missed out on over the years.

He's definitely off-the-wall crazy, but he always has fun. We've done a lot together from lunch to chats to late night Jamba runs to just chillin'. Most of the time he's convinced that I don't like him. Maybe because I am constantly teasing him, pointing out mistakes, punching him, calling him gay or a dork... and he could probably make the list a lot larger. Actually, there's no probably about it; I know he could make it longer, but I keep it up. I tell him that's my job. Even though he doesn't believe me, it's true! I have to keep him on his toes and make sure he doesn't get too full of himself! I thoroughly enjoy every moment. :)

However, just because I tease him and punch him doesn't mean I don't love him. I've never had an older brother, and he's kinda filled those shoes for me. It's nice to know that if I'm ever in trouble he would be there for me as quick as he could. If I want to chat or just hang out with someone, he will sacrifice his time to do something with me, and he never shows that it's an inconvenience. I'm sure sometimes it's not the best timing, but he always makes the time and acts like he really enjoyed himself. I don't know how true that is some of the times, but I appreciate it.

I may punch him and call him gay, but I'm sure glad he's here to be my 'older brother.' I love you Clint!

Long Weekends!

Can I just say that I love long weekends?

I love long weekends!

Like seriously. You just go to class week after week after week, and then you do homework day after day after day, and then you go to work again and again and again for FOREVER! Well, at least it seems like that. This has been one of those weeks where I just doing want to go back and back and back to all of those same things. When this gets to it's worst it seems like I receive a tender mercy in some form. This week it's a three-day weekend! I just want to relax for a couple days and not have to worry about homework. So, with that I'm going to work hard and get all homework done so I can just chillax.

Sometimes we just need to chillax; even when there's not a three-day weekend... those just make it better. :)

Andy Grammer ♥

Basically I've decided that I'm going to marry Andy Grammer.

He's cute, he plays the guitar, he can sing, and his music is AH-mazing! You can see it right? I think we'd be a cute couple. :)

Haha, okay, I am totally just kidding... well, about the marriage part at least. I just want you all to know that I bought his album named after him because of one song... Fine By Me



Yeah, there's where amazing comes into play. However, there are 10 other songs on there, so how the heck was I supposed to know if I would like them enough to make it worth it. The answer is... I didn't. I just bought it and listened to the whole album. Conclusion. I love Andy Grammer and all of his music.

Lunatic

LOVE it!

Ladies

Incredible!!

Okay, I'm not going to post all of his songs... mostly because I would rather there be a music video with it, but just know that they are amazing. I've listened to his album about 10 times since I bought it... about 24 hours ago. I know, a little ridiculous, but it really is that good!

Now go listen to his music!!

Take Chances

Recently I came across a quote on Pinterest (yes, I do Pinterest :) ), and I absolutely love it...

Take chances! Most of the time I get caught up in making right decisions and worrying over what the outcome will be. You could say I'm... indecisive in a way. I make decisions, but sometimes it takes me way too long, and then I worry about it forever. I know that I should just go for it, but I hesitate. This little quote reiterated to me in a profound way that I need to just jump right in. It includes great things: laugh until your stomach hurts, tell someone how much they mean to you, laugh at stupid jokes, apologize; but it also has things that aren't considered 'great;' such as: spend all your cash, date someone totally wrong for you, tell a jerk what you think of them. I love that it includes both sides! Of course we should strive to make the best decisions, but if we make one and it ends up being wrong, or not the best, don't worry so much! I make lame choices everyday and I stress way too much over how it's going to affect my life.

Well, now my approach is going to be more positive! I'll try something new, I'll text that person, I'll go somewhere crazy, I'll stay up way too late and get up way too early, I'll say what I think no matter who's listening.

I'll take chances, and regret nothing.

Just stopped by to say...

We all have those things that we say all of the time. Sometimes it's just because we've heard it all the time, or we saw something hilarious and so we just quote it. These are some of my favorite things to say and I usually never tire of them...

When you feel like something is going to last forever, my mom always says, "Remember! It never said it came to stay it said it came to pass."

 

You can do it!

However, by far, one of my most favorite sayings was stumbled upon by a commercial, and I love saying it.

Woo woo!

My Bestie

 Basically, I know this girl who is pretty much awesome; her name is Brandi. I've known her since first grade and we were best friends then. However, I moved into town and we didn't strike our friendship back up again until seventh grade. Best decision ever. We were like two peas-in-a-pod and we've been best friends ever since! We always did a ton together and we have a lot of fun. A ton has changed since first grade and we are definitely different people, but we're still best friends. I don't know what I would do without her! I love ya Brandi! :)

From Disneyland...

To girl's choice dances...

To graduation...

To her wedding...

'til were old ladies!!

Basically. We're awesome. :)

Stronger!

Sometimes life gets you down. You think that you're not going to be able to make it through the next day let alone the next couple hours. You have a ton of homework, you have to go to work, you need to get your house clean, you have a test (or 2!), and sometime within all of that you are trying to have a social life. :/ This doesn't really work out most of the time. Instead of getting everything done and feeling relieved you feel overwhelmed and stressed. Nothing is working out, and you've reached that feeling of hopelessness. Well. I have found the song for you (and me).



Isn't that great! What doesn't kill you makes you stronger! Just think about it. You are who you are today, because of EVERYTHING that you have experienced in your life. Not just the easy things either; all of your trials, tears, and pain define you. All of it. Take out one experience in your life, and try and think of the person you would be today; you would be different. Doesn't that make it all worth it? At least for me, it makes everything worth it. I may want to change a few things in my life (we're all striving towards perfection, right?), but I love where I am right now and I'm excited for what life will bring me to shape the person I will be in the future.

Adventure is Out There!

I hope all of you have seen the movie Up.

If not, it would be beneficial for you to go watch it right now and then come back. :)

I love Up, and I love the little messages within it. My favorite is "Adventure is out there!" I love this so much, because it's true! Everyone always wants to go on an adventure, but they never seek it out. This little phrase implies that YOU need to go find an adventure! It's 'out there,' just waiting for you!

I've decided that this should be my new motto when I am confronted with something new. I should go for it! I mean, you only live life once, right? Right. I think if we try and do everything that we can, we won't regret it. One of my biggest adventure this far in my life is that I attended Brigham Young University-Hawaii for a semester. Yeah, I lived in Hawaii. Pretty much it was one of the hardest things I've ever done... being away from my family for 3 months (and a week), being in a TOTALLY unfamiliar place, and having none of my close friends to confide in person. I struggled, and I am not afraid to admit that. However, now that I look back on it, I loved every day I was in Hawaii. I loved the weather, I loved the people, I loved saying aloha to everyone,I loved the adventure! I'm definitely going back to visit one day!

Another adventure that I decided to go on is snowboarding. Now, let me give you a background of my life on a snowy mountain. I did ski school 3 times, and each time I skied. Each time I skied I almost killed myself. Result? Never ski again. So, my snowy mountain experience consists of that and sledding. So what inspired me to try snowboarding, you may ask? I'll be straight-up honest with you. First off, a cute guy was involved. Definitely a plus. And that's pretty much most of my reasoning. :) My brothers snowboard and I've thought before that it might be fun to learn, but I've never really done anything about it. So when this attractive guy (yes, he's a double-take) asks if I want to go and he'll teach me, of course I'm going to say yes!

Well, that day was today. I was scared. I was nervous. And I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. However, no worries. I made it to the resort, and I made it to the bunny hill... where I fell, and fell, and fell.....and fell. After many unsuccessful attempts to remain standing for longer than 3 seconds, my teacher asked me if I wanted to get on the lift and just go for it. "No. I don't actually. Have you seen how well, or in my case, horrible I've been on this teeny tiny hill?" Of course, that didn't work so I found myself on a lift going up the mountain. It's safe to assume that I almost threw-up. I started to learn on this bigger, yet still beginner, mountain and I could not stay standing. However, I'm a little prideful and I wasn't just going to sit there and complain that I couldn't do it.

Once we got on the bigger, yet still beginner, hill I realized that it was a lot easier to stay standing once I got there. This does not mean that I did not fall, because, trust me, I can feel every single fall that happened... and there was a lot. We started this craziness around 9:30 in the morning, and I worked my butt off trying to stay standing so that this guy wouldn't think I was an idiot, until 4 in the afternoon. Can you say long day? I. Am. Exhausted. And sore. I'm scared for the next couple days because I will definitely be feelin' it. Overall, I think I did alright, and by the end I wasn't falling nearly as much. But don't you fret, I still got my epic biff in at the very end. As we were heading back, I fell asleep and then we went to Wendy's. After I was dropped off I thought back on the whole day.

It was worth it.

It was worth every fall, every face-plant, every belly-flop, every embarrassing moment, every person I ran into, every fence I ran into, and every single sore part in my body for the next few days. It was worth it.

Although I cringe at how I will feel in the morning, I would definitely do it again. In fact, I plan on going again because I really enjoyed myself (and not just because of the guy). It was so much fun to learn something new, and I consider it an accomplished adventure.

Life is full of adventures and we can't always sit around worrying what might happen if we take one on. Just go for it, and you'll never regret it.

Double Take

I tend to call people a 'double take' if I consider them attractive. It's kind of like when you like someone and your girlfriends ask you if you 'like, like' them. When I'm explaining a cute guy I'll say something along the lines of, "he was extremely attractive...like a double take!" Everyone who knows me understands where I'm coming from and the conversation continues as normal.

Lately I've been thinking about double takes a lot; however, it's been in a different perspective. I've realized that I do double takes everyday as I get to know people for the first time, or just know more about an old friend. Upon first encounter, or even just looking from afar, I judge how a person is and what I think of them. Rude, right? Well, it's something that can't be helped... and I'm pretty sure that you do it too; unintentional or not.

As I see the guy with his pants sagging to his knees, beanie, shades, and his earphones in and I still can hear the music; I automatically assume he's a punk and thinks he's too cool to associate with people. I roll my eyes and return to whatever I was doing before trying to figure out where the music was coming from. Before I can get into my work I hear the crash of books falling to the ground, and as I look up there's Mr. I'm-Too-Cool helping someone gather up their life of homework.

...there's my double take.

As I am walking across the street and the girl whizzes by in her car I'm sure her daddy bought, I instantly think she's a brat and doesn't care about another soul. When I get to my destination and I see the same car in the parking lot; I audibly sigh and trudge to work while she walks in. I just pray that I don't have to help her. As I walk out the door to help a customer I see her quickly open her car and throw her groceries in; however, she cups her hand to her mouth and yells if someone wants a ride. After a brief discussion of being too far away, Miss Fancy-Pants grabs a young couples groceries and puts them in her car.

...there it is again.

Now, am I writing about these double takes to prove that we need to keep an open mind for all people we encounter? Heavens no! Some people are downright creeps and we need to have some pre-judgment for our own safety. However.... however, we can't always judge a book from it's cover.

To refer to the old saying about books and judging; I've also realized that you can't judge the last book in a series by the first book. We people are in the habit of changing throughout our lives, and, sometimes, I think we get caught up in what 'used to be' instead of 'what is.' Is that right, or just, of us? It's a great question to ponder.