Bylines

For those of you who were around...

Remember when I wrote for the school paper my freshman year?

Remember when I actually won a national award for my caption writing at the newspaper conference my parents let me go to?

Remember how I never actually did anything with my writing after that?

Well, I confess. I had an article published in the Church magazines before, but it was under "Name Withheld" because I didn't want to incriminate certain people who I am particularly fond of. 

But today? Today! I got my first byline.

And it feels good.

It was a favor to friends who work at the LDS Church News.

But still it feels cool.

Here's the text if you don't want to click on the link. 

That they themselves may be prepared, and that my people may be taught more perfectly, and have experience, and know more perfectly concerning their duty, and the things which I require at their hands. -- Doctrine and Covenants 105:10

I was a missionary in Spain and was trying so hard to learn the language perfectly as well as try and teach. At the end of my third transfer, I was emotionally drained after having a companion who was very ill and could not leave the apartment for six weeks. Transfer calls came and I was assigned a new companion who was also sick. Monday morning, I found that I could not sleep. The dawn was barely breaking over the city while I sat and read my scriptures--hoping to find some inner peace and understanding to why this was happening to me when I was trying so hard to be obedient and do what was right.

As I read, I came across a verse in the Doctrine and Covenants that was the answer to my questions: "That they themselves may be prepared, and that my people may be taught more perfectly, and have experience, and know more perfectly concerning their duty, and the things which I require at their hands" (Doctrine and Covenants 105:10).

I knew that the Lord was preparing me for the foreseeable future as a missionary. What I didn't come to understand until later was that this was also a preparation for my post-mission life. I have often come back to this scripture and reminded myself that I am being taught my duty and what He needs to be. 

The Fun Has Arrived!

I'm a lucky girl.

I have a family that loves me.

And I have an amazing calling.

(Even if it is overwhelming most of the time).

But what I really love?

is summertime!

I think Kenny Chesney sings it best when he says:

Perfect song on the radio

Sing along 'cause it's one we know

It's a smile, it's a kiss

It's a sip of wine, it's summertime.

Sweet summertime.

There's nothing that beats heading to the canyon and having a bonfire with a bunch of friends. Nothing.

Especially after a really long week the previous week. 

And yes. I did get a haircut. And yes, my hairdresser decided to give me bangs. The jury is still out on whether I like them or not.

But all I know is

It's

Sweet Summertime!

Thoughts

"To live greatly, we must develop the capacity to face trouble with courage, disappointment with cheerfulness, and triumph with humility."

~Thomas S. Monson, Ensign, June 2010, 4

We never know how high we are

Till we are called to rise;

And then, if we are true to plan,

Our statures touch the skies—

The Heroism we recite

Would be a daily thing,

Did not ourselves the Cubits warp

For fear to be a King—

Emily Dickinson

It's become one of my favorite poems. Right after W.B. Yeats' "He Wishes For the Clothes of Heaven".

Part three: The one you've REALLY been waiting for

Cliff notes (again, e-mail me if you want the minute details to analyze further):

Guy N˚2 texts me during date on Friday asking me if I have plans.

I responded to text when there was like 5 minutes when I was by myself. I didn't look at the phone again until I got home.

I text N˚2 back saying could we do something on Saturday because I need a distraction.

N˚2 and I texted back and forth for 2 hours. Decide to do a movie. His pick.

I don't realize it's a date. I think he's just trying to be nice and distract me since he knows how stressful this week has been.

He picks me up at 7:10. 

He bought me a frappuccino.

We went to a movie.

He opened all of the doors for me (even went so far as to "yell" at me for trying to open the car door).

He gave me a nice hug at the end of the date.

Best date of my life. I was never once nervous or awkward (or should I say felt nervous or awkward). I may have talked about my brothers too much (but they're so funny and entertaining). It was perfect.

Here's to hoping there's a second date.

Part two: Decisions, Decisions

Sorry to leave on a cliffhanger. I had to go to FHE and I was glad I did.

Again, we're going for cliff notes:

What happened: New Job Offer, not with the Church

Decision: Do I take the job or not?

Factors: 
*Traveling (I would be traveling 50% of the time)
*Learning new skills
*Amazing networking opportunity

Concerns:
*Could I still be the Relief Society President I needed to be with all that traveling?
*What about school?
*Would this take me where I want to be?

This decision wasn't taken lightly. I learned about the opportunity last Wednesday. On Thursday I was not handling the idea very well (when it was still an idea). I called in the home teacher and elders quorum president to give me a blessing.

Friday, I was offered the job. I spent Friday night freaking out (and trying to hide the freak out on the date). 

Saturday was spent trying to occupy my mind so that I wouldn't think about it because as soon as I thought about it--I was crying. When I wasn't occupying my mind, I was calling siblings trying to get some advice.

Sunday was spent in careful mediation and decision making. 

Last night the decision was made. Today I let them know.

Results: I passed on the job. 

And I'm really okay with that. 

One at a time

So, this weekend was kind of insane. I don't think that one post can do it justice. So, we'll consider this "part one".

Also, consider these the "cliff notes". If you want major details--give me a call, or find me on gmail chat/Facebook chat, or e-mail me.

Good points:
*He sent a courtesy reminder text about an hour before and finally told me what we're going to do.
*He did open doors for me.
*We went bowling and had pizza.
*He actually asked me questions this time around.

Bad points:
*His response to most of my answers to his questions was "huh."
*He ignored me during the portion when we were actually bowling (aka when we were with the other couple).
*While trying to catch up on the conversation that had been happening while I was bowling, he said to me (no less than twice): "You weren't here. You won't get it."
*He dropped me off next to my car at the end of the date. Like, literally drove up next to my car and stopped next to my car and let me out before peeling off into the night.
*I was not all there. Honestly, I blame myself for how bad the date was. I had gotten some info about an hour and a half before the date and I was still trying to process that information as well as not burst into an emotional breakdown. It wasn't one of my finer moments.

Part two: We'll discuss the major decision.

Part three: The greatest date EVER in the history of Laurel.

Disregard my last post.

I've gone back on that rule.

And it was worth it.

Not for that guy.

But for Guy number 2.

You'll get a post tomorrow.

Along with a post that explains a major life decision that I've had to make this weekend.

Hence why there's been no post about the first date this weekend. Or the other first date with guy number 2. (Yes. I know. Prepare for Armageddon now.)

Dear potential dates:

In the future, please note that no matter how awkward you are on the phone, if it's been more than 2 days since we last talked and you are confirming our date plans for the next day, a text doesn't suffice it. 

I still have some semblance of self-esteem (though sometimes miniscule at best) and a text tells me that, according to you, I'm not worth the effort to call and chat for maybe 3 minutes--tops (I'm dead serious on this one. I don't like to chat long on the phone). 

But a text? Gee. I feel so special.

Sincerely,

Your future date

PS--Please note as well that as a writer (and being around editors) I will edit your text in my mind if there are major grammatical errors.

PPS--If your text sounds like it was written by an eleven-year-old, don't plan on a second date. 

Am I asking for too much? You can be honest.