Monday, February 21, 2011

i'm such an amazing shopper.. ;)

I went to smiths today--pretty much my favorite store ever--and they PAYED me to take pizzas off their hands! Five cents a pizza actually. And I bought gushers fruit snacks for only a dollar a box. On top of that, a coupon was spit out for THREE dollars off my next purchase! Ka-chow!! I was super excited! Guess what's for dinner tonight?

Today I had the day off and Jeni didn't have school because it's President's day. We went shopping! Usually not a fun idea for me, but I was really in the mood for it! We took Megan along too. All three of us found a cute pair of shoes. Mine are RED. It has been so long since I've had a red pair of shoes and I am super excited about it! Jeni found a pair for her interview dress for the pageant. They're grey peep toes.

Friday, February 18, 2011

inspiration.

My cousin Jeni is participating in a pageant soon. A few days ago I went to a mock interview with her so I could take notes on how she was answering the questions. One of the things an interviewer told her was to think of two people who inspire her. One has to be a woman that is not a family member and the other a character from a book. I've been thinking about these two people who might have inspired me in my life.

First: a woman. I've always loved and admired Coco Chanel. I know I'm not all that into the latest fashion, but Coco Chanel is a huge inspiration to me. When she was little, her mother died and her father shortly left her and her little sister all alone in the world. Coco, then Gabrielle, took it upon herself to take care of her sister. She had nothing. No job, no money, no schooling. Gabrielle worked her way up the chain, taking many many risks and using her skills to become one of the most famous fashion designers of all time. She took huge risks--wearing pants when women were only wearing skirts and sewing with jersey material when only male workers wore that kind of cloth. Her sister died when they were both very young, and Coco was able to pull through. I admire her strength and courage very much.

Second: a character from a book. A favorite book of mine is called Red Midnight by Ben Mikaelsen. In this book the main character, Santiago, inspires me. He too was forced to take care of a little sister after both of his parents died from a guerrilla attack in Guatemala. Santiago sails across the sea to America with his sister to find freedom. I've always admired Santiago's courage and love here too. He keeps himself alive to save his sister because he knows she will not survive without him. Through all of his trials like escaping the village, learning to sail, encountering pirates, and maintaining food level for his sister and himself, Santiago remains hopeful of a better life. In the end, he accomplishes his task and finds a better life for his sister.

I admire these people who are faced with so many hard things in their life and pull through them. I know everyone has trials in their lives. What defines a person is how well they pull through--and if they can pull through them. When I look at other's trials, I see how good my own life is. I have so many blessings, and often I don't even recognize them. One of my favorite songs I sing in church often is called 'Count Your Many Blessings.' It states, "count your many blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord hath done." So, here it goes. My top ten blessings as of today.

1. Family
2. Parents who raised me with love and everything I could ask for
3. My aunt and uncle
4. A house to live in
5. The gospel in my life
6. Food!
7. My car
8. Temples close to me
9. The education I have received
10. A job. Especially in this economy

I feel like I should be having turkey tonight :)

Overall, I'm grateful for where I am in life. I'm grateful for all of the blessings Heavenly Father has chosen to give me. I'm grateful that I have both of my parents in my life and my brothers and sister are all healthy and doing well. I'm grateful for the knowledge that I will live with my family forever, even after we die in this life. I am grateful for Christ, who suffered for my sins and sicknesses. I know that I am a child of God and that He knows me and loves me.

Namaste.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

suuunshine, i'd really like to tell you oh my suunshine, even though your skies are blue

Oh where to begin, where to begin...this morning I woke up with what I was thinking was completely enough time to get to classes and realized after I got out of the shower that my classes were starting in four minutes. Thirty minute drive, five minutes fixing the hair...NOT gonna make it :) I decided to bake cookies instead of going to class! This required a stop at the local grocery store. I needed milk anyway. Results: yummy chocolate cake mix cookies to send to a missionary in the MTC. At Smiths I saved a bundle on rice a roni! YUM. I love that place. They always have great deals! Once I even obtained ten, yes TEN, cream cheeses for 24 CENTS (tax). Props to my sister for being all coupon savvy and telling me about the best deals...

After shopping and baking and cooking and cleaning, I worked the night shift. I haven't done that in ages! It was really nice to get a lot of stuff done this morning and then go to work. The night shift makes me so tired! I loved to see my co-workers that I don't often see though! Seriously. I love everyone I work with! It's wonderful.