Happy Birthday Blog!

One year ago yesterday (June 1) was my Blog's first birthday! No, I'm not a die hard blogger, but I enjoy writing every once in a while.

Thanks to all those who have read it and for bearing my dorky stories and random thoughts. :)

Busy, Busy

I wish I had more time to blog. Life is so busy. Busy with school. Busy with switching schools. Busy with needing a break from school in general.

What? This weekend is Labor Day weekend?? Fantastic. That means only 6 weeks until October Break.

I think that the Lord gave us national and religious holidays (Christmas, President's Day, etc) not only for observance of wonderful purposes, but He also knew that sometimes we need a break. Not from life, not from stress. But, just from our busy schedules.

Little breaks make the whole trip a little easier.

July Plans

Dear Blog,
It has been a long time since I have visited you. A whole four days has seemed like an eternity. I was swamped with homework and Avatar this week. Summer school has finally come to an end. I was stuck studying for my final. Then, The Last Airbender came out in theaters (see previous post). I just had to finish the series this weekend too! And I did. And it was awesome.

So Blog, I am here to tell you of your fate. I have one month of less-than-really-busy-busyness. As I prepare for Girl's Camp at the end of the month, I will be busy part of the time. What else am I supposed to do with the rest of my time? This will never come again. In May I will graduate from ASU and move onto a (most likely & hopefully!) full time job. A whole month of no school and no work will never come again. I must take advantage of this time.

The possibilities are endless! I could travel! Backpack across Europe, visit Lucy in China, lay on the beach in Hawaii, or watch the World Cup final game in South Africa? Sounds like the life to me. Alas, funds are low and do not permit such activities. I might have to do those in my dreams.

So, my "To Do" list has been modified. Here is my Taking Advantage of the Time I Have in July list: 1. Work on Girl's Camp duties 2. Finish sewing my apron and possibly make another 3. Go to the cannery 4. Clean out & wash my car (outside in the heat sweaty like a pig in my swimsuit then take a nice shower and feel clean after!) 5. File kindergarten worksheet masters 6. Visit Kylie & Layla a lot 7. Finish reading Sense & Sensibility 8. Watch a few of my DVDs that have collected dust 9. Learn to play guitar 10. Blog about it all!

Yes, my dear Blog, you shall occupy part of my time this summer as well. I do this because I don't want you to feel forgotten when school and work resume again in August. So, it is with this little note that I begin my true summer activities. Farewell until next week when I begin to report on my summer progress (or lack of).

Thank you for being so understanding!
Always,
Jonna

What to blog about...

I realized last night that creating this blog cursed me. All day today I found myself thinking about my blog and everything that I could tell the universe! I found SO many happy things today that I wanted to share. "Hey, I could blog about that..." kept creeping into my mind. Making mental notes, I have created a list of little things that make this journey so happy!

Today however, what made my journey great today was knowing that I had topics to blog about. I'll admit, before creating this blog, I was skeptical as to whether or not I was going to have ANYTHING to write about. Today, that worry flew away as my mind was flooded with the little things in life that make it so great.

I will share one of those things quickly. Comments!! Today I received my very first blog comment. Wow, I am really excited about this blogging business. Thank you Emily for becoming my first comment! Now, I'm not saying this to make anyone else feel like they have to comment every time or even at all. (Please don't feel that pressure!) I am just expressing my gratitude that someone read and someone liked and someone commented. It is a nice little treat every now and then to know that someone read your whole post and took a few minutes to click and type for you! (I feel the same about Facebook Happy Birthday wishes. Some may say its lazy, but I say it still took time and thought. Not much, but a little.) I guess I take what I can get.

Yes, its true. I have a blog!!

Yes, it is true! I have a blog now. Yay! I am having a hard time believing it myself. As I sat at my laptop a bit overwhelmed at how much I have to do and not knowing where to start, I decided to stay on task this time. So, naturally, I create a blog. I think of it as sharpening my writing skills in preparation for my papers that will be due during summer school. It will also be enhancing my technological skills as I try to master the art of creating, maintaining, and managing an appealing blog. Wow there is so much t learn!

I also thought about why I needed a blog. The answer came from Facebook. Although I'd like to say that the many urgings of friends convinced me to have a blog, it wouldn't be true. Indeed, as I scrolled up and down my profile and homepage today I felt a need for a larger space for my thoughts than the status line allows. I do have a few notes, but other than that I want to say more! I don't have anything profound or earth-shattering to say, but as long as there is a space for it then why not use it? Someone is bound to read it right? Even if it is just me or someone who is bored at work and blog surfs. Maybe they'll find mine and decide to read it. You don't have to be faithful. I don't expect a following or a loyal audience. Its just my space. Not MySpace, but MY space. You can read it and enjoy it. You can read it and not enjoy it. Or you don't have to read it at all. No worries. I won't find out, and I wouldn't be offended anyway.

All in all, I now have a space for whatever words come from my mouth. Or rather from my fingers as they are the true heroes. Without them, this blog would still be an idea or wishful thinking. Thanks fingers. Thanks for getting me here.

Anyway, I don't know what to fill this space up with. Maybe opinions, maybe feelings, maybe events, maybe not much at all. BUT, it will be filled with something. I may not post everyday or every week, but I will find something to say and I will say it. Oh the possibilities!! I cannot wait for them to unravel!

I do add a disclaimer though. My blog is called "Finding Joy In My Journey." It is so named for my determination to find little joys in my bumpy journey. I discovered this wonderful way of life when our beloved prophet, Pres. Thomas S. Monson, spoke about change in Conference a few years ago. It came at a time when I couldn't see the good. But now my eyes have been opened as I embraced the new concept. It has changed my life. Literally. I hope to stay true to that as I begin this blog. I do not make any promises though. I make mistakes (all the time!!) and I may have a post or two that may not be so joyous to some. However, I will attempt to discover joys in the journey. As I try to do everyday. I hope that you find the joys a bit joyful for you too!

I am now coming to the end of my little blog introduction. Not that there is much to introduce (I mean, I haven't even thought them up yet.) and yet I am still writing! Sometimes I get impatient with long posts. Now I've fallen into the same trap. Boy, isn't it easy to keep writing about yourself? I applaud you for making it this far. But back on track, I hope you enjoy. Whoever you are that is reading. Perhaps a friend, family member, or someone looking for something to do besides Facebook & homework. I know that I will enjoy it. A new joy in my journey? My new blog! Yay!