Day 17

Someone you want to switch lives with for one day and why

This wasn't an easy one. I mean, did I want to switch lives with someone that I already know? Or a celebrity? Did I really want to switch lives at all? So, I finally settled on one:

JK Rowling.
Why?
Well, I will tell you.
I think she's an amazing writer with a phenomenal imagination. For one day, I'd love to be her and to have that imagination to create such a world as the world of Harry Potter. I would like to somehow have it all--the writer career, motherhood, a husband, and enjoy that. But again, only for the day. I'm kind of currently enjoying the ride that is my life. 

The Failure Experiment

So, last week I mentioned in my current goals that one of them is to live by my motto for 2011, "Make mistakes". I figured that maybe I should explain.

I'm a perfectionist. I'll admit that. I want everything to go smoothly and perfectly so I will bend over backwards to make that happen and then stress the whole time it's happening that everything is going smoothly. 
I also hate to fail. I don't like to fail. I want to win every time, get the prize every time. If I'm investing something, I should be rewarded (apparently, as I write this I feel like that's an attitude of entitlement and I really hate that about myself at this moment... oh well).

To get myself to try new things and to maybe "live" a little more and be a little more care free, I want to make mistakes. I'm giving myself that open door policy. I have to do everything, even if I screw up. Sing in church? Sure. If I sing badly (been there, done that) then so what. At least I did it. I experienced something new. That is what I'm striving for, this year. To no longer be held back by my own fear of appearing the fool. Instead, I want to simply live my life and enjoy what I have. 

When I visited New York last year (I can still say that!) I bought a plaque that said "What would you do if you knew you could not fail?" And there's another quote that I read often by Ralph Waldo Emerson "Always do what you are afraid to do." This is what my 2011 is going to be about. Doing what I'm afraid to do because I'm afraid of making mistakes. 

I guess I'll report in 1 year's time how my failure experiment went. Wish me luck!

Day 16

Another picture of yourself

Me and Lil' B on Christmas Eve

Day 15

Put your iPod on shuffle: First 10 songs that play

1. Bach - Cello suite in G major
2. Sawyer Brown - The Race is On
3. Jason Mraz - Love for a Child
4. Harry Connick Jr. - (They Long to Be) Close to You
5. Glee Cast - Any Way You Want It/ Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin'
6. Bryan Adams - On a Day Like Today
7. Zac Brown Band - Cold Hearted
8. Renee Olstead - Hit the Road Jack
9. Anne Murray - Someone's Always Saying Goodbye
10. The Carpenters - Oldies Medley

Resolutions

It's time to review my resolutions from last year and see how I measured up:

2010 Goal: I'm going to continue to try to lose weight during this coming year, and have set another "goal weight" for December. Here's to hoping that I can do it.
Nope. Didn't make it. I really stuck to working out and now I can run for longer than I ever have before. But I did not meet my goal weight.

2011 Goal: Make it to my "goal" weight for the family reunion. Then make it to my second "goal" weight by December.

2010 Goal: Start a book blog and read 100 books by December 31, 2010.
Ha! I started a book blog. But I definitely did not read 100 books. In fact, I KNOW I won't have read 100 books. I got to 80. That's pretty good. And I've neglected my book blog. 

2011 Goal: Recommit to the book blog. Maybe not be so ambitious as 100 books. Maybe 80 again? Or 85. Let's do 85. Or maybe I should just aim low and say I'm just going back to enjoy reading.

2010 Goal: Focus on school. Never do an all-nighter.
Finally. A goal that I accomplished. I never pulled an all-nighter. I'm pleased with my grades thus far. I think I need to continue to make school a focus, just not a major one.

2011 Goal: Get A's in my classes. Be on track to graduate soon.

2011 Goal: Live my motto (post to come tomorrow or Thursday about my 2011 motto)

As you can probably guess, my focus had to change about 4 weeks into the year. But I'm okay with that. I feel like I'm in a really good place. My life seems to be dynamic--changing every week or so with some new adventure. I'm definitely stretching and growing, for which I am truly grateful. I'd rather be on a roller coaster than sitting on the park bench watching other people scream and laugh and cry from the exhaustion of it all. Here's to hoping 2011 is just as amazing as 2010!

Day 14

A picture of you and your family

Well, this is as close to being current as it's going to get with my family.
Since this picture we've added 2 more kids: Lil' H and Lil' B. 

Day 13

I just couldn't post this on Christmas. Or yesterday. Really. Christmas is a time of forgiving and moving on. This post just didn't seem to be in the Christmas spirit. I wish I would've counted the days and figured out when Christmas would fall... that would've made things easier. And also, I feel like this letter shouldn't even be published because I'm over it, you know? The situation is better now. But as I'm trying to complete this 30 day deal... here goes:

Write a letter to someone who has hurt you recently:

It wasn't a big deal, you know? I said what I said so that I could understand where we stood and be done with it. 
What hurt is when you said that we could still be friends.  You do realize that I shared some of my darkest fears and deepest insecurities with you? When I triumphed over them, I wanted to share that with you because you would understand and you didn't even respond. You ignored me. And made me feel like I really had wasted my friendship on you.
And what's worse? I can't hate you. 
When I interviewed for my new job, they asked me what I thought my gift was. Did I have a gift with music? Or word? Or speech? My answer was simple: Love. And the words that came out of my mouth were not from me. They were from God. For some reason, God has given me this ability to love despite people treating me like dirt. 
Trust me. I've tried to hate you. I've tried to cry about this. And I've said that same prayer over and over--It's too hard. I can't be his friend. Let me just forget about him. The answer is always the same--keep at it. It will all work out. 
So while you ignore me, while you try to convince yourself that I still have feelings for you (don't worry, I don't) or try to convince yourself that I'm in love with your roommate (which I'm not either), I'll be here. Because that's what my gift is, and apparently my weakness. 
In my interview, they called it charity. I don't know if I would call it that, but I certainly do feel compassion and empathy. I don't even think that what I feel can be regarded as Christlike. Especially when I hate that I have this gift.
The truth is, though, that I will always be here. I just have stopped expecting you to respond to my texts or my calls. I just want to go back to the way things were.
Oh yeah. I also want my cd and my dvd back. Listen and watch them already, will you? 

Merry Christmas!

"This Christmas, mend a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust. Write a letter. Give a soft answer. Encourage youth. Manifest your loyalty in word and deed. Keep a promise. Forgo a grudge. Forgive an enemy. Apologize. Try to understand. Examine your demands on others. Think first of someone else. Be kind. Be gentle. Laugh a little more. Express your gratitude. Welcome a stranger. Gladden the heart of a child. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak your love and then speak it again."

-President Howard W. Hunter

Merry Christmas to all! I hope your day was wonderful!

Interruption #4

I'm going to delay day number 13 until Sunday. It's one where I have to write a letter to someone who has hurt me recently. Not exactly what I want to spend Christmas thinking about or sharing. So, we'll take a small break, for a day, and be grateful for all the wonderful things that I do have. Like beautiful weather and sunshine:

And have I mentioned how much I love my parents' house? Ahh!! A nice break from the snow.

Day 12

How you found out about blogger and why you made one

I actually knew about blogger a long time ago. I had a blog in high school (that got me in some deep trouble when some people found it) and then I had a joint blog with a couple of high school friends during our first year of college as a way to keep in touch. 

Just before my mission and during, my family had this thing about sending a monthly update. We'd each write an email that updated the family on stuff that had happened in the last month. That ended while I was on my mission (sadly). When I graduated, I decided that I wanted to let my family and my friends be able to keep track of me. And I wanted to have adventures. Of course, I think the fact that I've almost doubled the number of posts in comparison to past years, I say that this year I've done a better job of having adventures!

Day 11

Another picture of you and your friends

At T-ville Dayzz

Playing Disney Sorry... boo yah!

3/4ths of my presidency and our Christmas gift to the girls

(Can I take this moment and tell you how much I love my presidency? How dependable they are? And how I actually feel like I'm not only person doing anything anymore? It's a relief. And I actually feel more alive now and not so stressed. It's wonderful.)

Day 10

Songs you listen to when you're happy, sad, bored, hyped, mad:

I listen to a lot of music. My iTunes has 2489 songs. It would take 6.8 days to play them all. Plus I have a multitude of burned data cds filled with music. But, here goes:

Happy:
*Currently, it's Lady Antebellum. Both of their cds. The concert was amazing. Loved it. And the songs speak to me. Some specific songs are: Slow Down Sister, American Honey, Perfect Day, Something About a Woman
*Sara Bareilles: Uncharted, Let the Rain
*Gisella: Mas Alla (from one of my Spanish mixes that members made for me on my mission)
*Death Cab for Cutie: No Sunlight
*Café Tacuba: Puntos Cardinales

Sad:
*Lady Antebellum: One Day You Will, Ready to Love Again
*Sara Bareilles: Basketcase, Breathe Again
*Renee Olstead: Breaking Up is Hard to Do
*Miles Davis: The Sketches of Spain (the whole album)
*Joshua Bell, But Not For Me

Bored:
*Jason Mraz: Prettiest Friend
*Jon McLaughlin: Beautiful Disaster
*One Minute Ukrainian, One Minute Catalan

Hyped:
*Glee: Forget You
*Jesse McCartney: Leavin'
*Whitney Houston: Wanna Dance With Somebody

Mad:
*Kelly Clarkson: I Do Not Hook Up
*Sara Evans: A Little Bit Stronger
*Bearproof: Singing to the Cobras

Interruption #3 Nursery v. Singles Ward

In my time at the magazines, I've been able to meet a lot of cool people. Specifically, the interns are the best. I think it's because most of them are around my age and can appreciate the singles' scene, either as one who is currently experiencing it as well, or as someone who has recently left it. 

(This is not to say that my other co-workers were horrible at this. It's just to say that I appreciated having the interns around because it made me feel not quite so young...)

Anyways, if they have blogs, I often follow their blogs after they leave. I want to maintain that friendship (but only with my favorites... You know if you were one of my favorites...)
Well, one of the past interns' wife wrote a post about how nursery is like a singles ward. And I found a few of the points remarkably true:

• They are often not as grown up as they think they are.
• Emotions run high, girls (particularly) fight over silly things, and the boys sit there looking at them like, "What on earth is wrong with you? Why are you crying?"
• Food is a great motivator.
• Any toy is more exciting when someone else wants it. The more attention the toy gets, the better it looks to every other child!
• The genders often stick to their own.

Will we ever learn? It's a wonder people can actually get married these days! 
And one that I wish were true in singles wards that happen in nursery? No one seems to care what anyone else is doing! Tommy can go play with the cars over there, and Jen can play with the puzzle and if Tommy comes over to play with Jen, Kelly is not gossiping with Samantha about it. They just go on playing with their dolls. If only my singles ward could be like that. In fact, dating would go a lot more smoothly if people would just not get involved in other people's dating lives. *sigh*
And now, I'm off my soapbox.

Day 9

Something you're proud of in the last few days

I'm writing again.
I know that sounds silly since I write on this blog, but really, I haven't had time since I was stuck in the Dallas airport for 4 hours on the way to Puerto Rico to write. But I'm writing again. I'm actually in the middle of a pretty incredible personal essay. And my novel? Well, maybe during Christmas.
But I'm just glad to have a creative outlet again. Next up... the guitar I want. And maybe some musical creativity will happen.

Or not...

Day 8

Short term goals for this month and why

1. Go to my parents' house for Christmas. Self explanatory

2. Send out Christmas cards.

3. Finish Christmas shopping.

4. Finish reading books. I wanted to make it to 100 books this year. I've gotten 77 read... I don't think I'll make my goal...

5. Have an amazing New Years' Eve. Usually New Years' Eve isn't my favorite because I end up going to bed way early. I'm hoping to change that this year.

6. Enjoy the snow. I hate the snow. I really do. But I've accepted that for now I live in Utah and maybe I should enjoy the snow. So, I'm going to try skiing again. But I also want to go sledding and have a snowball fight, and go ice skating and enjoy this time. I may not have it again once I move away.

7. Prepare my lesson for January 2nd. The life of the RS president.

8. Send out Birthday cards on time! January is filled with birthdays in my family. If I want to send out all birthday cards on time to start the year off right, I have to start early!

9. Make new years' resolutions. Ones that I can actually stick to... I kind of failed this year. You'll probably get a post next week about that.

10. Finish this 30 Day challenge.

11. Live my motto for 2011: Make Mistakes. A post will happen some time next week to explain this...

Day 7

Post a picture of someone or something that has the biggest impact on your life.

This woman has had a huge impact on my life. She's my mom. I wish I could go back in time and tell myself as a youngster to listen to her more often because she really DOES know what she's talking about. It's unfortunate that we don't get to have "do-overs". But I think it was sometime when I was in Spain that I realized how much I admired her and how like her I was becoming--and how I liked that I was turning into her. Love you, Mom!

Day 6

Day 6 - Favorite superhero and why

Batgirl (aka Barbara Gordon)
I'll admit it, I love her. My senior thesis during my undergraduate included her and her influence on the feminist movement. A librarian by day and crime fighter by night. Plus, she totally got Robin. I think that makes her a winner in MY book. I don't think the TV show or the movies have done justice to Barbara Gordon. She's not this nerdy girl to be overlooked. I honestly believe that she keeps the low profile so that she can be Batgirl. Anyways, love her. Wish I could be here. One day, I'll at least be a librarian. That's a start!

Day 5

Day 5 - A picture of somewhere you've been to

My old college roommate and Puerto Rico

Interruption #2

Dear Santa,
It's been a year. I feel like I've been good. Or at least as good as I could've been. 
I don't want to ask for a lot of things because, let's be honest, you've been pretty stingy the last few years. So, we're going for easy and see what happens this year:

*I would just like a second date with the same guy.

*And a new guitar. Mine apparently can't handle me practicing it to get good enough to play in front of people. I have to practice for 10,000 hours to get good. I'm going to need a new guitar to make that happen.

*I would also really like to not be hit on by men who never call or be mistaken for other men's wives. That's just getting awkward. I would like to be some man's wife... just not a second wife or anything. I don't do polygamy.

*A bike. Maybe I could be better at losing weight if I had to ride a bike to church, carrying all of my Relief Society stuff in a backpack. 

So, that's what I'm looking for. Here's to hoping. I promise to continue to be a good girl, even if I don't get this stuff. 

love,
Laurel

Day 4

A habit you wished you didn't have:
Eating.
Seriously. I wish I didn't want to eat so much. Because then I wouldn't have to work so hard to lose weight and feel attractive. Which means I could have more time to sleep. It's a lovely catch-22.
But I have to eat. So I will.

We interrupt this 30 Day Challenge for another adventure in....

Awkward Moments of Laurel's life:

Scene I:

A month ago, her mentor at work comes to Laurel's cubicle to do some training:

Mentor: So... I thought I saw my wife in the cafeteria today. We didn't eat together because she was supposed to meet a friend. 

Me: Oh yeah?

Mentor: I went up to say hello, and then I realized... it was you. You looked just like my wife.

Me: ha ha ha (basically, the most awkward laugh ever)

Scene II:

Today, in the car, driving back from BYU with her co-workers who are all married and have loads of kids. I had to sit shotgun because I was the only female.

I was minding my own business, looking at the window, and then...

Co-worker who is driving: I'm so sorry

Me: Why?

Co-worker: Well, with the sun on your hair, you have the same color of hair as my wife and I almost grabbed your hand.

Me: Oh... heh...

Co-worker: I just did what was natural. There was noise in the background, you're sitting there... My apologies.

Me: Eh... it's alright.

So, I'm flattered that I remind all of these guys of their wives--but REALLY? This is just getting ridiculous. I don't know which is worse--to be mistaken for someone's wife or to be hit on by a drunk guy or a Latin guy. 

I think I'm going to do some Christmas shopping and then go to bed.

Day 3

A picture of you and your friends:

Can't be done.
Meaning, I can't just do ONE picture. I have too many friends. And I compartmentalize them (I know... I shouldn't. It's just insecurity. One day I'll get over it... I'm trying...)
Anyways, here are some fine pictures for your viewing pleasure:

The work friends... at the Lady Antebellum concert

The college friend in Puerto Rico

The ward friends at our Disco night murder mystery (I wasn't ready for the picture...)

More friends from my ward... at Temple Square

I truly am blessed with amazing friends.

Day 2

The meaning behind your blog's name:

Well, there's my address: laureltoosure
Laurel is pretty self-explanatory. "toosure" comes from when my sister served her mission. One of her mission presidents figured out this easy phonetic spelling. So, after I moved to Utah, I would go to the temple and write the phonetic spelling of my name rather than my real name so that the temple worker would always pronounce it correctly, without questions.

Laurel-ed:(verb - used with an object): To adorn or wreathe with laurel. To honor with marks of distinction. is because I was trying to find a name for this place. And as much as I hate the uniqueness of my name (not only is it almost always pronounced wrong here in Utah, but I'm usually "Laura" or "Lauren" or "Laurie". I only wish that one of my names could be easy to remember...), I love the meaning behind it. I want to make marks of distinction. I want my name to be honored. And I hope to bring honor to my family's name and mine. 

The only unfortunate part is that I'm actually named after Stan Laurel. Him:

Tragedy.

Day 1

Recent picture of me:

15 interesting facts:

1. I can't just watch TV or movies. I need some sort of mindless distraction. That's why I picked up crocheting (I think I mentioned that before, but it's been awhile, so here it is again).
2. I'm a sucker for inspirational sport movies. 
3. Whenever I find the time again, I'm going to go back to working on my novel. 
4. I often sneak over to the Institute on Saturdays when no one is there, and play the piano and sing. And then I go into the gym and shoot hoops for awhile. Oh yeah, and I sing REALLY loudly when I'm at home alone. I have a karaoke playlist on my iTunes (those two sort of go together, right?)
5. The first movie I could quote all the way through was Disney's Beauty and the Beast. I watched it that many times. However, now, I can barely quote movies. Except for The Muppets' Christmas Carol.
6. I hate my birthday. It hasn't turned out well for the last 5 years. I'm not holding my breath that they get any better. It's too stressful.
7. I hate being the center of attention. Compliments make me feel awkward. Not because they're not sincere, it's just that growing up in a big family, the spotlight never seemed to fall on any of us, per se, so finding myself in the spotlight just feels uncomfortable.
8. I actually tell people a lot more about myself than they realize. They just have to listen and read between the lines.
9. I have tried so hard to be able to write a song, and I just can't. I get a verse out and nothing more. And I've tried writing about everything I can possibly think of--every emotion. Nothing. I don't think I will ever be a song writer.
10. When given an assignment to speak in church, it will honestly take me 6 or 7 talks to find the one I'm supposed to give. This year, alone, I've written 16 talks. I've only given 2. I have a few extra if any one needs one.
11. I sometimes feel like I get along with boys better than girls. I think because boys don't care that I tend to not talk in groups or when I'm feeling emotional. I just don't like to talk about things that I can't change. I just need to process things and then let them go. I think most boys are the same way.
12. I had one real boyfriend. That was when I was 16. And it was only for 2 weeks.
13. I really hate the cold. I can handle the heat--I just take a cold shower. But I can never seem to get warm after being cold. 
14. I blush extremely easily. The first week that they learned that in PEC was the beginning of the end. 
15. I don't really love watching sports. I love going to live games for the atmosphere. I love playing sports (but only when people aren't ball hogs). And yet, I will watch games on TV if other people are there. Just not by myself.

30 Day Challenge

I thought it might be cool to start this... especially since it's almost Christmas, New Years' and we'll be into January (and getting closer to my birthday while we're at it....). This time of year always makes me reflective. I always like to think of my birthday as the "new year" for me. So, I found this nifty challenge, and I'm going to try and do it. So, here's what to expect:

Day 1 - A recent picture of me and 15 interesting facts about yourself
Day 2 - The meaning behind your blog's name
Day 3 - A picture of you and your friends
Day 4 - A habit you wished you didn't have
Day 5 - A picture of somewhere you've been to 
Day 6 - Favorite superhero and Why
Day 7 - A picture of someone or something that has the biggest impact on you
Day 8 - Short term goals for this month and why
Day 9 - Something you're proud of in the past few days
Day 10 - Songs you listen to when you're happy, sad, bored, hyped, mad
Day 11 - Another picture of you and your friends
Day 12 - How you found out about blogger and why you made one
Day 13 - A letter to someone who has hurt you recently
Day 14 - A picture of you and your family 
Day 15 - Put your iPod on shuffle: First 10 songs that play
Day 16 - Another picture of yourself
Day 17 - Someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why
Day 18 - Plans/dreams/goals you have
Day 19 - Nicknames you have; why do you have them
Day 20 - Someone you see yourself marrying in the future
Day 21 - A picture of something that makes you happy
Day 22 - What makes you different from everyone else
Day 23 - Something you crave for a lot
Day 24 - A letter to your parents
Day 25 - What would I find in your bag?
Day 26 - What do you think about your friends?
Day 27 - Why are you doing this 30 day challenge?
Day 28 - A picture of you last year and now, how have you changed?
Day 29 - In the last month, what have you learned?
Day 30 - Who are you?

Incredible

Today was amazing day.
It could've been worse the way it started:

*woke up with a sore throat

*got into a heated discussion in PEC over callings

*had to explain some info to the new Ward mission leader (my advice was ignored later on)

*had to sing a solo in sacrament meeting

Anyone who knows me, knows that the last one is what killed the day for me. I took piano lessons for 8 years, but I have a hard time playing in front of people because I want to be perfect. Singing is the same way. It also doesn't help that one time, in high school choir, my teacher told me to stop auditioning for the solos because my voice just didn't have that solo-type tone. I was more suited for choirs--my voice is a blending type voice.

But I made it through the song. Barely. The first verse wasn't so hot. The last verse was better. My voice didn't crack (I'd like to think it was the hot water, honey, and lemon juice I drank that morning). 

But what turned the day around? 

I attended a new member discussion with a recent convert in my Relief Society. Her boyfriend (who isn't a member) has been coming, but I've been focusing on her, and trying to let the ward mission leader and elders teach him. I think her boyfriend is awesome and he's very nice. But today? The elders invited him to be baptized. And we set the date for January 8th. I'm so excited for him. When I saw him tonight at the stake fireside, I asked him how he felt and he said he can't wait. It reminded me so much of my mission. I'm so excited for him to take this step. So now I've got some major preparation to do and some assignments from the elders to help them out. 

I wish I could be more bold than I am. I wished that as a missionary. I reread all of my mission journals a few weeks ago and wrote down all the things I learned, and I really wished that I had the confidence in myself to be bold. Maybe that would change a lot of things. But then, I always have to take a step back and realize that I have been bold. Especially when the Spirit directs me. But it is just not in my individual DNA to be bold all of the time. The Lord needs me to work a different way. And so, I will. 

What I do all day....

Some people have asked me to explain what it is that I do every day. 
I find it hard to explain in laymen's terms. 
But I found an example.
Take this video:

I made sure that we had agreements from all of the actors and an agreement with the music composer. After putting all of the paperwork together, I created a report and sent it off to the legal department to be reviewed and approved. Once it was approved, the video could be put online. And I will never get credit for it. Except for here. On my own blog. Hope that helps.

The Squeaky Wheel

Imagine, if you will, an early morning Church meeting. Two girls, four men, and four young men sitting around a long table. One of the men, Brother P, is telling everyone how he recently set up one of the young men on a date with his niece.

Brother P: "Guys, if any of you need dates, I've got more nieces."

Me: "Hey! Why are you setting up the guys? Why aren't you thinking about the Relief Society presidents here?"

Brother P: "I have a nephew who's 16."

Me: "Great. I can set him up with my niece. A lot of good that does me."

I finally bring the group back to focus and finish the meeting.

After the meeting is over:

Brother P: "Hey. I thought of a guy to set you up with. Can I give him your phone number?"

Me: "Really? You thought of a guy? Seriously? Of course, you can. Wow. Who knew that opening my mouth would get such results?"

Brother P: "The squeaky wheels gets the oil."

Me: "My mother always says that."

Brother P: "Your mother is a very wise woman."

And now, I have a date for next week. I guess my mother has always been right. I should've learned that a long time ago...

Dear Mom and Dad,

Sorry I couldn't do better this semester.
I'll get 'em next time.
But at least I passed enough to not have to retake the class. Apparently, I was not created to be a manager. 
love,
Laurel

Juggling

So, this past year has been quite hectic. 
Let's review:

1. Started graduate school

2. Was called to be Relief Society President

3. Started to actually have a social life

4. Went out on dates (more times in one year than I think I've gone in my entire life!)

5. Continued to volunteer at the library

6. Started a new job

7. Tried to at least get back to practicing the piano on a semi-monthly basis

It's been very busy as you can see.

I started to feel like I was juggling too many things at once. So, about three weeks ago, I made a decision that I needed to get rid of (or my favorite Spanish verb that describes this "dejar") something so that I could have some control again.

I'm sad to announce that I stopped volunteering at the library. No more occasional stories about men who hit on me at the library. No more lists of books that I have to read because I saw them on the cart or while I was straightening shelves. I know. Sad.

But look at all of the positive things: I can now sleep in on Saturdays. I can stay out late Friday night. I can maybe get my homework done earlier than normal. I have more time to practice the piano.

Here's to hoping I can keep control because I honestly don't know what I can drop next!

1776

So, I just finished reading 1776 by David McCullough. I wished I'd read it earlier this year because of the thoughts and insights into leadership which would've been useful. (Not that they aren't still useful, but I could've drawn from this inspiration about 9 months ago and maybe been a lot happier!) But alas, I can't go back in time. 

However, I can share some of the insights I've found in the book:

"His 2,400 Americans, having been on their feet all night, wet, cold, their weapons soaked, went into the fight as if everything depended on them. Each man 'seemed to vie with the other in pressing forward.'" (p.280)

"With Lee gone and Congress entrusting him with more power, Washington was fully the commander now and it suited him. Out of adversity he seemed to draw greater energy and determination. 'His Excellency George Washington,' wrote Greene later, 'never appeared to so much advantage as in the hour of distress.'" (p.271)

"Affliction is the good man's shining time" (p.291)

Speaking of George Washington: "He was not a brilliant strategist or tactician, not a gifted orator, not an intellectual. At several crucial moments he had shown marked indecisiveness. He had made serious mistakes in judgment. But experience had been his great teacher from boyhood, and in this his greatest test, he learned steadily from experience. Above all, Washington never forgot what was at stake and he never gave up." (p. 293)

Funny moment of the day

A request came in for a contract. My co-worker asked that the deadline be 2/30/2011.
I emailed back and said, "Really? February 30, 2011?"
The response: "yes"
My response back: "Are you sure? Because February only has 28 days...."
Response: "Yes."
Anybody know how to make a day appear? I think he needs a vacation.

When the weather outside is frightful...

Work shuts down three hours early.

I got to snuggle in and catch up on my television shows and my Christmas gifts.

And get paid for doing that.

But when it's so cold the next morning that your car doesn't start?

Not so cool.

But I still may make a snowman after work. Or some snow ice cream. 

If there is any left that is.

Reading List suggestions

With Thanksgiving break upon us, I figured this might be a good time to suggest some light reading for all y'all. So here you go:

1. Jeffrey R. Holland, The Inconvenient Messiah
2. Jeffrey R. and Patricia Holland, However Long and Hard the Road
3. Jeffrey R. Holland, For Times of Trouble
4. Jeffrey R. Holland, Oh Lord, Keep My Rudder True
5. Jeffrey R. Holland, Cast Not Away, Therefore Your Confidence
6. Jeffrey R. Holland, Come Unto Me
7. Jeffrey R. Holland, An High Priest of Good Things to Come

Are you seeing a theme? Lately, as I've been taking Trax into work, I've been listening to devotional talks given by Elder Holland. And I feel like the message, a couple of them given before I was even born, were written just for me. And I have certainly been uplifted. Just when I need it.

But really? I don't have any book suggestions. I haven't had time to read as much. I'm trying to make it through David McCullough's 1776 right now. I wish I had more time to read it (and yes, I do realize that as a history major I should've read this book a long time ago. But what you should know is that historians really dislike "popular history"--a prime example is David McCullough's books. I, however, find his writing style to be refreshing). 

But still, read these talks. Or listen to them. I HIGHLY recommend it.

Or go listen to the podcast: How Stuff Works or Coffee Break Spanish or 1 minute German. I feel smarter already. 

Why did I even go to college?

Auf Wiedersehen!

It's still November, but I'm ready for Christmas

Boo-hoo to all of those Grinches. Christmas is a favorite time of year for me. It means I get to go home to warmer weather (I don't care what Neil Diamond says--I always want a Christmas with palm trees swaying and sun shining down on me!).
But I also love the lights. 
And the fact that I just feel love.
"He puzzled and puzzled till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas... perhaps... means a little bit more!"

I'm determined to make this Christmas a bit different. I'm not sure how. But good thing I still have a week to figure that out!

Men v. Women

Perhaps it comes from growing up with mostly boys around me, but I tend to believe that in some ways I think more like a guy does. It makes things awkward at times that my thought process matches my guy friends a bit better than it does with the girls, but alas, such is my lot in life.
I found a great quotation in the book I'm currently reading about this exact situation--how men and women think. And I had to share:

"Seen from the air, the male mind must look rather like the canals of Europe, with ideas being towed along well-worn towpaths by heavy-footed dray horses. There is never any doubt that they will, despite wind and weather, reach their destinations by following a simple series of connected lines.

"But the female mind, even in my limited experience, seems more of a vast and teeming swamp, but a swamp that knows in an instant whenever a stranger—even miles away—has so much as dipped a single toe into her waters. People who talk about this phenomenon, most of whom know nothing whatsoever about it, call it 'woman's intuition.'" - Flavia de Luce in The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag by Alan Bradley

What do you think? Agree or disagree? 
And go!

Happiness is....

For all the bad stuff that has happened, life is going pretty darn good.

Little kinks still keep creeping into my life

but for some reason, I haven't dwelled on those.

Sure I complained about my job, my car, the boys in my life

but truthfully, I don't go to bed crying about all those things that are wrong.

I actually go to bed smiling.

I think I need to be committed.

And soon.

Happy Friday.