Positive Thinking

I read in a book somewhere that the power of positive thinking does nothing for you. I thought that was strange since the power of positive thinking has done EVERYTHING for me. Let me tell you what I mean..

(Also, can we talk about how this picture is THE BOMB?!)
I woke up this morning at 6:45 AM to get ready for my 8:30 class. I went to go get in the shower and one of my roommates was already in. "Grrrr" I thought. "But it's alright. She usually takes short showers anyway. I'll just wait. No big deal." Right then and there, she popped right out. "Cool." I thought. I got ready and went to my 8:30 class. I walk into the classroom and NO ONE is there. Strange, right? That never happens in college. I quickly looked around to see if the class was hiding. Nothing.  Was it my birthday or something? I had no idea. Then I started to become irritated. I woke up super early to get this class on time and no one was even there! BOOO!!! "It's alright. No big deal." I thought. "This way I can get some homework that I didn't get done yesterday." And now, I sit here writing this blog post in the library thinking about this could have affected my day. I could hold onto my irritation and annoyance and let every little thing annoy me. But it won't. Because I have the power of positive thinking.

To Be Honest

I really dislike driving back to Logan, but to be honest...Logan is my home now.
I think school is really, really hard, but to be honest...I learn so much and when I learn, it's magical!
I see everybody having babies and getting married and I think "What?! Why?!", but to be honest...I think it's wonderful!
There are days when I absolutely hate my roommates, but to be honest...they are truly awesome and I'm so lucky to have normal girls as roommates.
Sometimes my family drives me crazy, but to be honest...I love them with all my heart.
I wish I was better at saving money, but to be honest...spending is just so much easier.
I get way jealous of celebrities, but to be honest...I wouldn't want their life.  (The only thing I would want is to wear a bangin' hott, sparkly dress on the red carpet, but really, who wouldn't want that?)
Sometimes I think that my blog doesn't mean anything to anybody, but to be honest...I have so much support and I know people love it!
I always think new year's resolutions are really stupid, but to be honest...I just suck at doing them.
I'm SO nervous for this upcoming semester. It's going to be really hard, but to be honest...I think I'm going to learn more this semester than I ever have in my entire life!
I'm really worried about finding a job this summer that pays enough so that I can pay for college next year, but to be honest...I just worry too much.
I love music, but to be honest...there are days when all I want is to hear silence.
I always thought I was a big people person and I totally am! But to be honest...I need my alone time.
Shopping is really frustrating sometimes, but to be honest...when that shirt fits just right, the heavens open.
I want so badly to be a big blogger, but to be honest...it kind of scares me.
What do you need to be honest about?

Why I Like Being the Average Height of a Man

I had a reader e-mail me a couple of months ago and she asked this: How do you feel about being tall?   Well, I've been tall my whole life.

  (Point of comparison: this best friend of mine is 4'11")
It's not easy being the average height of a man, but ya know...I deal with it. Most times I don't really notice it, because well, a point of comparison isn't always available.   But when I DO notice it, it makes me feel a little self-conscious. There are only so many boys in the world who are taller than 6 foot and let's be honest, the boys that are taller than 6 foot are sometimes really weird. Like "I hide in my man-cave and I can't talk to girl if it kills me" kind of weird.

However, through all the toil & strife of being tall, the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.
-I don't have to ever ask my husband to get that cup down from the top shelf. I can be independent!
-I don't have to worry about getting lost in a crowd. Just look for the tall girl with glasses!
-I have the option of being married to a basketball player who's like 7 foot. Because really, what 5 foot something girl wants to be 2 feet shorter than her husband? Kissing would be an adventure for them.
-When I wear high heels, I'm a boss.
-I have the designated job in my family to put the star on the top of the Christmas tree.
-I never have to worry about having my view blocked in a movie theatre.
-The little old ladies at the grocery store always ask me if I'll help them reach something. I get to do service!
-My legs are like a million feet long. And that's sexy!
-I get places a lot faster than most people because my stride is HUGE.
-I never have to worry about not reaching a bar to hold onto on the bus. Halleujah for that!
-People always assume I'm like 24, which is awesome because then people assume that I'm super mature. (Ha! I'll let them think what they what to...)
-I have better access to oxygen.
-I never get called shortie. Take that Justin Bieber.
-When someone asks "how's the weather up there?" I can really tell them.
Sometimes it's hard to be tall...like when every boy in your ward is shorter than you. That's always a riot.  However, I've learned a lot from it. I've learned to accept myself for who I am and I enjoy being tall!! It's truly part of the person I've become and it's a characteristic I would never trade for anything. And that's why I like being the average height of a man. 
Why do YOU like being you?

Perception

I started reading this book today:

Stephen Covey talks a lot about perception. He explained one instance when he was on the subway in New York. The car of the subway was subdued and quiet. When the train stopped, a man and his unruly kids got on the subway car. His children were being disruptive and obnoxious and Covey leaned over to the man and said, "Sir, can you contain your children? They are being quite disruptive." The man gently responded "Okay. We just got back from the hospital where they're mother just died. I guess I can try to contain them..." Covey was immediately filled with compassion and sympathy. That experience of Covey's got me thinking about my own experiences. How many times have I done that? How many times have I judged and not known the situation? Covey explains that it's what we see that's flawed. Our perception is based on outward appearances and lacks real and authentic truth. Covey also goes on to explain the Character Ethic and the Personality Ethic. The Personality Ethic is based on outward appearances. Things that are very temporary and short-term, while the Character Ethic is based on integrity and your character and is long-term. Covey explains that perception is only based on what we see and we think that if people don't see it that way that they are wrong. I do this all the time. I think that there is only one way...the way I see it is correct and there can be no other correct way, which isn't true! Example: Yesterday, I texted one of my friends and I asked him about one of my other friends. I was frustrated with this particular friend and wanted to know why they were being so obnoxious. I can't give specifics, but he told me a detail about my friend that changed my perception. Instead of being annoyed or frustrated, I felt like I needed to be kinder. Because I knew that back story about my particular friend, I was able to see my situation clearer.  Perception is SOO important! Harsh judgments can be made about people and those harsh judgements will stick with us forever until something changes our perception. Crazy, right? Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to snuggle up and read my book!

My Name Is Usher

"Everybody scream YEAH!!" Okay, I'm not that kind of Usher...no, no. I work AS an usher at a performance hall.

I get paid to watch events like The Piano Guys:

and Alex Boye:

I am so incredibly blessed to work in a place that invites the spirit and where I can meet people (like Alex Boye) who break the limits of life and show me what I can achieve by just believing. I love my job!

Chivalrous Ninjas

I was babbling with a co-worker the other day and we observed an older couple walking into a concert. The man held open the door for his wife and my co-worker exclaimed: "I like to think of those types of guys as chivalrous ninjas." I would have to say that, that is very correct indeed.

Mackin' Out in the Museum

I work in an art museum and I LOVE it! It's such a great job. I love looking at art and interpreting it. Whether it be an interpretation like: "my four year old sister can draw that" to "Wow. This piece has such good lighting and is sending me a rad vibe", I just love it!

(My roommate, Naomi, and I touring the museum)

However, there are a couple downsides to working at the museum. First and foremost, making out. Now, I've never actually seen anybody making out in the museum, but it could definitely happen. There are a ton of creepy corners where such saliva-switching grossness could take place. Mostly, my co-workers have told me about the horror stories of nahstee couples hiding in the corners. (To all public makers outers out there, you are disgusting. Thanks for making the world your bedroom.) But the other day, I was guarding in the museum and a couple came in. They were holding hands (like normal couples) and they seemed super nice. I didn't think anything about it. But as they began walking upstairs. The guy put his hand in his girlfriend's back pocket. I wanted to say: "This is a public place, yo. Keep your hands to yourself." But being the nice person that I am, I decided against it. Oh, the things that happen at the museum.

Can I Share Something With You?

Guys. I'm a genius. I just wrote an amazing essay for my English class and I just want to share it with you.

Stories

            I believe in stories. Storytelling and stories are what make up the backbone of society and not just stories from books, but stories from people.  There are countless stories about the world, politics, and wars, how two people meet and fall in love, stories of best friends and stories of history. I believe in storytelling because storytelling offers me, as a reader, a new and refreshing perspective on life as well as an escape from the bullets of reality.

            Take Jane Austen for example. Her novel Persuasion is my favorite story. Austen tells of the endless hope that captures Anne Elliott’s heart. Austen is relatable and her story offers an escape from the real world. Her story helps failing girls to justify their need to believe in hope. The story she tells cuts into real life and bleeds the relief of a fantasy world. Persuasion gives me the ability to see myself in a different light. Should I be like Anne Elliott? Pining over a lost lover? Or does it give me liberty to say that I don’t want to be like her? Maybe I want to finally move on. That kind of story gives me the permission to interpret it as I wish. That refreshing perspective is what keeps me hooked on stories.

            Storytelling not only offers an escape from reality, but it also helps others change. While reading Animal Farm by George Orwell, I saw that change. Orwell was offering another perspective by using animals as a metaphor for the political realm. While Animal Farm wasn’t my favorite story, the ingenuity of his writing is why I kept reading it. The story itself is interesting, yet wildly inappropriate. That kind of story is able to create a positive environment for people to relay their beliefs and find that change they may be looking for.

            Not only do I believe in stories in literature, but I also believe in real life stories. The kinds of stories told by girls and boys alike that present secretive or informative information about their lives. My favorite kinds of stories are about the dubious, untold, individual love stories. When talking to my girlfriends, I often ask the question: So, who are you crushing on at the moment? Then the spitting of love begins. They tell me about how cute this particular person is or how nice he was. I usually get the specific stuff too. The “he held the door open for me” and the “he held my hand while we were cuddling” kind of stuff. Those stories intrigue me and give me my own kind of palpable pleasure. These stories offer the escape as well as the refreshing perspective that I whole-heartedly believe in.

            Storytelling and stories are wonderful. From George Orwell to the girls next door, I believe all stories should be told. The perspective they give as well as the escape they offer gives human beings the liberty to change and to procrastinate the bullets of reality.

I've Never Gotten Flowers

There are thousands of different guys in the world. Hipsters and Nerds, Football players and Church-goers. But all I want is a nice guy. The kind of guy that will go out of his way to say hi to you. The kind of guy who genuinely cares about the well-being of others around him. The kind of guy who is just.....nice. He's amiable, pleasant, and well-mannered. I want the kind of guy who will have the courage to walk away from a fight when needed, but the determination to stand up for what he believes in. I want a guy who's ethical and fair, who will give me flowers because I've never gotten flowers before.

Old Men & How They Taught Me About Modesty

I must have some kind of aura around me that says: "Please! Every weird person in the world, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE come talk to me!" Because ya know what? I talk to odd people on a daily basis.

It's taught me a lot about my social skills, let me tell ya. I bring this up because of an experience I had today. I work at an art museum and it usually closes at 5:00 p.m. But today was an exception. There was a special presentation and I had to work later.  After we closed at 5:00, I went home to eat food then I had to be back up on campus at 7:00 to re-open the museum. My manager told me to meet her at a specific building for the presentation and then we would walk back to the museum together. Well, sometimes people make mistakes and my manager told me the wrong building, so I was walking all over campus trying to figure out where this presentation was being held. As I walking, these two random old, balding men stopped me and asked if I knew where this presentation was being held. I told them that I was looking for it myself. We conversed a little more and then began the trek to the science building where we collaborated that, that would be the most sensible building to house this presentation. As we began walking towards the science building, one of the old men said "Back in the 60's, I hated chemistry." He then points to the other old guy and says "Bob here is a chemistry whiz! I took the class with him so I would pass. Did you know that Bob is from Boston?" Me: "Oh really? That's way cool! One of my friends is going to M.I.T." Bob: "Wow. That's impressive." Me: "Yeah, he's a very intelligent young man." As this conversation took place a herd of girls in matching t-shirts and short shorts walked across the sidewalk and onto some grass. The other guy (not Bob) then exclaimed with ferocity: "Gee! With the style now a days, I have to look up at the sky!" Bob started laughing hysterically. And so did I. Because really, he's SOO right! All these girls were basically wearing their underwear. Long story short, I did find the building where the presentation was held, however, I was very impressed by these old men. They had character and integrity. I'm sure they weren't Mormon and they were---what seemed like--a hundred years older than me, but they taught me a powerful lesson. Modesty really does make a difference. People notice how you carry yourself and what kinds of messages you are sending by how you're dressed. These guys might have been old and odd, but they taught me something. And that's all that matters. Right?

I Believe

I believe in rejection. I believe in taking risks that will lead to failure. I believe in stretching your comfort zone to outrageous limits. I believe in these because I have never done them. I want to though. I want to take risks. I want to stretch my comfort zone. What's holding me back? Fear. More specifically, fear of people. I'm afraid of ridicule and humiliation. I'm afraid that people will un-friend me on Facebook. I'm afraid people will stop being nice to me because I failed. I'm afraid people will tarnish my well-earned respect because of one meaningful act of strength. I see other people become the people they want to be and I'm envious. Covetous, even, because those people have what I so desperately crave. It isn't about love or getting a successful job or climbing Mount Everest. It's about the little things. The girl that is kind to everyone no matter who they are. The boy who holds the door open for every person, not just girls. The human beings that make other people feel wonderful by just being in their presence.  The girl who knows without a doubt that there is a God. These people stand up for what they believe in and they take risks for it. It's easy to stand back idly and have a neutral response to situations. It's easy to agree with someone just so there isn't contention. But what's really hard is taking a stance. What's really hard is being the person, deep down inside, you know you can be. What's really hard is treating others the way you want to be treated, no matter how socially awkward they may be. What's really hard is believing.

Girls Need Friends

(Inspired by Little Miss Momma) When I was about 17, I asked my dad who his best friend was. "Your mom is my best friend." was his confident & simple reply.

(This picture of my parents is hilarious.) He also told me that he doesn't really have super close "guy" friends.  He doesn't need them, I guess. My mind was boggled. How could you not have friends?! Then I asked my mom who her best friend was. She was less quick to answer. Not because my dad wasn't her best friend, but because she has lots of friends. Friends from college, friends from the school she works at, friends from our ward, etc. She definitely has friends. I've often wondered why girls need friends and I think I've come up with something. Girls need friends because we like having someone to relate to. Someone to tell us that we're not crazy. Someone to reassure us that we're not alone in this wild, unpredictable world. Someone to be the mortar to our bricks. Someone to tell us we're doing the best we can and that's all that matters. As women, we need that special bond that only other women can give us. It makes us feel loved & cared about in this world.  I have friends because they enrich my life.

(These girls are my best friends in the entire world!)

They make me laugh.

They give me a reason to smile.

They know me inside & out and still want to be friends with me.

They love them unconditionally & have never let me down.

I think that's why girls need friends.

I'm Too Dramatic, {Since It's} Sunday

If you have ever gotten the esteemed pleasure of knowing me in person, you will quickly find that I am a dramatic person. I tend to blow things out of proportion, think too much about social situations, and look down upon myself. I am often too quick to see the negative and I take life too seriously. I have had a lot of spiritual experiences today. Experiences that are wonderful & magnificent, but I got dramatic. I started thinking too far into the future: What's going to happen? Should I change schools? Should I get a better paying job? Should I serve a mission? What I need to realize is that although those are very valid and important questions, what I should be focusing on right now is the present. I need to pray more NOW. I need to read my scriptures more NOW. I need to meet new people. Experience life. Become who I'm supposed to be NOW. I need to be single. Stay up late. Flirt with boys. Have fun. I'm often so dramatic and future-driven that I forget to experience what I have NOW. It's not always going to be that way, but living in the present is a lot less stressful than living in the future. In the future, I'll actually have responsibility (read as: kids) and I'll look back on my college days and think 'why didn't I just have fun?!' Yup. Present goal: No more drama & a lot more fun.

I Like To Go Barefoot In The Park Too!

I just watched this on Netflix the other day. Have you ever heard of this show? It's stinkin' hilarious. But mostly kind of weird. Hysterical, yet anticlimactic. There was a lot of this:

However, I did like it.

Robert Redford is beautiful...

 and Jane Fonda is extraordinary slash also gorgeous.

Plus, this show was made in 1964!! Holy crap! That was back in the day when married couples slept on different beds. Also, did you know that Robert Redford was the one that started the Sundance Film Festival?! This guy is a legend! I'd go barefoot in the park with him any day.

What I Feel: My Viewpoint on Missionaries

Today I feel happy, ridiculous, and vulnerable. How all those emotions can co-exist, I'll never know. I've been thinking a lot about missionaries.My heart aches for the well-being of all the missionaries out there.Last night, I prayed for missionaries.Yesterday, the Relief Society lesson was about missionaries.Today, I wrote a missionary.Next week, I'm sending packages of letters to 12 missionaries.SO MUCH MISSIONARY-NESS!!I love it!My viewpoint about missionaries has flipped 180 degrees.All the hype and fluffiness has died and  the reality that there are boys on missions has hit me hard.Missions have always seemed so intangible and irrelevant to me. They seemed so far off in the distance and I've always thought "they'll get here eventually" never really believing that they would.I sincerely pray for missionaries every night. I hope they are having joyous experiences that will change their life for the better.

Since It's Sunday...

I'm co-hosting Since It's Sunday today!! Go ahead and link up and go check out Courtney @ Thoughts From The Birdhouse & Shaylee @ Mother At Heart
I absolutely LOVE Sundays.It's my day to chill, drink some lemonade, and indulge in a cookie or two (or four).A lot of what I've been thinking about lately relates to missionaries.As I was driving in my car, I had a brilliant idea begin to formulate.Me and some of my girlfriends have decided to make packages to send to all the boys from our high school that are currently serving missions.It's going to be a neat experience.Missionaries have such a divine role in Heavenly Father's plan and I'm so extremely grateful for the sacrifice and service that these young men have gone through so that they can do what the Lord wants them to do.Today in church we talked about missionary work (which I thought was extremely ironic considering what I'd been thinking about the whole week). We talked about the money that goes into it, the death that occasionally occurs in families while the boys are gone, and how hard the actual mission is.It's such a big testimony to me of the work that is happening here on earth because of the sacrifice of valiant young men.
 
A little thought from Courtney:

My Doppelganger?

I had someone tell me I look like Ingrid Michaelson.

I'm definitely taking that as a compliment.

I can only really see it when she's wearing glasses though.

What do you think?

Could she be my legit doppelganger?

P.S. Thanks everyone for your feedback about writing missionaries! It was extremely helpful and you guys gave some great advice!! :)

Writing Missionaries

As an average 19-year old girl, I am at the age where writing missionaries is kind of a big deal.I know there are some missionaries I should write to.However, I don't really want to.Ehhh..I don't want to because I don't want to get caught up in the hype of writing a missionary.Explanation: I don't want to write a missionary to expect something to happen when he gets home. Ya know what I mean?People always tell me that missionaries LOVE letters.But I'm not so sure.If they love letters then why don't they write back?Or better yet, why do we put missionaries all in the same category?What if some missionaries are so popular that they are constantly getting letters from girls and they hate it?I don't want to get put in that "every girl writes to me" category.What are your opinions?Yay or nay to writing missionaries?I'm very stumped on this subject.

There's Something About 'Um

There's something about an elderly couple walking hand in hand towards the temple that lifts my heart and makes me smile.

There's something about running your guts out and smelling the light May breeze that makes me think about all of God's magnificent creations.

There's something about a boy smelling fabulous that makes me giggle inside.

There's something about thinking of going on a mission that makes me beam with joy.

There's something about getting a text message that makes my mind incessantly excited.

There's something about working at Quiznos that I thoroughly dislike.

There's something about knowing that a boy thinks I'm cute that gives me that self-confidence booster that I need daily.

There's something about realizing that my favorite bloggers read my blog. You guys are my idols. :) Thanks!

There's something about reaching deep inside you to find the courage to be happy.

Embrace It.

Snippet from a couple of weeks ago:

Me: College is so awkward. I HATE awkward.

Dad: Elisabeth. I'm 45 years old & life is still awkward. Embrace the awkwardness.

Best piece of advice I've ever gotten.