nice note

so i have this little "kindness" calendar that mom gave me and the thought for today was "be nice - we're all trying to get somewhere." i don't really think that it was meant to be religious, but i thought how true is that! everyone we meet, even if they don't know it, is here on earth for one purpose - to get back to heavenly father. i think if we remembered that we'd probably spend more time helping them get there and just be a little kinder.

some thoughs

So I was just reading the April Ensign and there's like a million articles about making the marriage decision. Not always the topic you want to read about when you're single and living in Provo, but they actually pertained perfectly to my own little relationship situation that I have right now because they were all so focused on faith. Its so easy when you've been dating for almost a decade to really get discouraged and lose hope that anything even remotely resembling a healthy relationship will actually come your way. But I'm just incredibly grateful that right now, I'm in a place where I'm not scared or fearful or hopeless. I know that even though every relationship I have has ended in heartache, anger, and even betrayal (I know that word sounds dramatic but so true), I've been lucky enough to have teeny tiny little glimpses of what will be someday. And I know that even though I don't want to get hurt again, its always worth it to give it another try. I never know how it's going to end, or even what the beginning or middle is going to look like. But I do trust the Lord. I do know that every experience He gives me really is for my good, as long as I continue to follow Him. Even the really sucky, really painful, really I never ever want to do that again experiences. I'm really grateful I've had those experiences because I've learned so much about who I am, and one part of that is that I can get through them. Only because I have a Savior who loves me. I know that I can always move forward with faith, I can always try, I can always work towards what I want, because with Him, I can do anything.

Oh and this is a random picture of my tater-tot shaped octopus. I'm in the process of naming him.

following in daddy's footsteps

Festival of Colors

Just some photos from the festival of colors at the hare krishna temple in spanish fork - Lots of fun, even though i was blowing pink out of my nose for days, and my hair ended up a greenish gray color.

well its official . . .

philadelphia here i come!!!



the deposit's been paid and i'm officially headed to Drexel to become a family therapist! it's kind of crazy where my life is at right now - i don't think anyone ever ends up where they expected to be, but somehow it ends up being right. when i started college i though i'd be chasing gorillas in africa, not doing therapy! it was really hard to lose my job, but i've been surprised at how much joy i've found in other parts of my life. i still don't have a job and i'm still a little nervous about leaving my home for the last 5 yrs and finding a way to pay for it all, but i'm excited. i've come to realize how blessed we are no matter what happens in life - there's always so many amazing things around us if we choose to look for them. thankful for good friends, fun surprises, supportive family, the gospel. thanks to all who've influenced me to get where i am today. i wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

just a question

anyone have $60,000 I can use for grad school? just wondering.

So i've been working all day on my grad school applications and my head is very close to exploding! I'm so sick of writing essays and statements of intent and letters of application and blah blah blah. It's crazy to think that my life is going to be totally different in 9 months - no more job and back to school (although it feels like I never left). I'm really hoping I only get into one program because I really don't want to have to choose between them. Temple, Drexel, LaSalle, or BYU. I really wish I could pick BYU and move it to Philadelphia. I love the school and its way cheaper than any other option, but I'm not sure I want to spend another two years in Provo. I think I'm ready for bigger and better things than the bubble. Well we'll see, for now back to convincing the committees that I'm the most amazing person on the planet.