Strawberries and Strangers

Tonight, I went to Sonic. Strawberry Cream Slushes are my favorite. It was late and fairly busy for only two workers. I waited in the drive-thru for longer than usual. But I didn't care too much.

I got my drink and the girl who delivered it to me asked me a question. This started a 2 minute conversation. Two minutes, I'm sure, were precious for such a busy night. And, in that two minutes, I was grateful for the simple kindness of a stranger. I wish I were more like that.

President Hinckley

This Thursday will mark the 3rd year that our dear prophet, Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley passed away. I will never forget where I was when I learned the news. Although I love our current prophet, Pres. Thomas S. Monson, with all my heart, I have a tender spot for Pres. Hinckley. He was my childhood prophet. The one I grew up knowing.

I listened to a Conversation with Elder & Sister Bednar today. Elder Bednar paid such a sweet little tribute to President Hinckley. The first occurred on Sept 12, 2001. There was a meeting that Elder Bednar was going to attend with Pres. Hinckley there and he was anxious to hear what our prophet would say about the events of 9/11. When Pres. Hinckley walked in he said, "Brethren, we live in troubling times. Let's get to work." I loved this. State the fact: The devil's influence is spreading and the war with sin is at large. Now: let's see what we're going to do about it.

The second thing was a comment that Pres. Hinckley had for the young adults. "Have faith in yourself. Have faith in the Lord. Have faith in the future." As the topic of faith was discussed a lot today at church, I realized that if I had those three things, then life will be good!

Have faith in myself...that I can do hard things. I can set and accomplish goals. Have faith in the Lord...that He will be there. He will guide me as I listen to Him. He will provide the way. Have faith in the future...that it will be bright. I don't know what is up ahead. But, I know that faith in myself and faith in the Lord will give me faith that the future will be a good thing.

One of my favorite photos of Pres. Hinckley. This was taken before he was prophet, but was a 3rd counselor to Pres. Kimball. This photo shows him alone, while the other three were very sick.

Ever Start Something Seemingly Difficult?

Ever finish that seemingly difficult task? Did you look back and say, "Wow, where did the time go?" or "It wasn't really that hard after all." Perhaps the response was: "That was the hardest thing I've ever done, and I'd never want to do it again." or "I'd do it again even though I know how hard it was." After every hard thing in my life, my responses have ranged from these to similar ones.

Well, on Tuesday, I begin my last semester at ASU. I will finish my college experience and move on to the working-full-time-and-trying-to-support-myself-like-adults-should-do experience. Wow.

My mom can testify that from day one of college, I was bawling my eyes out because I didn't want to go. However, somehow, I stuck it out. And here I am. On the brink of a new and final semester. Yay!

It is a little scary knowing that I have to leave my comfort zone of being in school and step out into the new world of "being responsible." Yikes. I don't know if I'm ready or not, but the time for preparation is almost past. So, I'm gonna have to do the best I can.

Wish me luck.

Hypothetically Speaking...

...if I were to travel anywhere in the world, where would I go? Let's not think about the costs, schedules, and other complicated factors. This is a simple "what if."

I've been to China and would love to go back, but I am thinking something new!

I don't know if I'd really go, or even how long I'd stay, but I'd love to dream and/or work toward it. Besides school, I have no other ties keeping me here, I say...now or never!

So, I'll take any suggestions you'd like to throw my way :)

2011 Goals

When the clock struck 12 on New Year's Eve, I don't think I could've been happier. It was like the opposite of Cinderella. We're three days into the New Year and it is wonderful! Just for commitment purposes, I am going to post a few of my goals.

1. Pass my classes & graduate!

2. Budget better

3. Read and finish Sense & Sensibility

4. Re-watch all 6 seasons of LOST

5. Take a "hobby" class

6. Keep a positive attitude and continue to find joy.

My goals aren't much, but I like to keep them within my grasp. Otherwise, they'll get lost and forgotten like most resolutions. However, I am a bit proud of myself for checking them periodically throughout the year, and in December, I check off the ones I accomplished. Which aren't very many, but still a good reminder of what I need to improve on.

Wish me luck!

Goodbye 2010

Hello 2011. I've never been so happy to see you. I have goals for you. Not necessarily goals about weight loss or big projects, but character goals. In years past, I've rung in the new year with a twinge of sadness because I know that time is moving on and I am getting older. I am growing up!

However, this year, I will be ringing in the new year with anticipation for a fresh start. I learned a lot from you 2010, but that doesn't necessarily mean I loved you either. 2011 may be similar, but it may be different also. That's the exciting part...I don't know! It is a new adventure.

So, 2010, I'd like to say thanks for the things I've loved about you.

Thanks for the Lost Series Finale.

Thanks for the Vancouver Olympics.

Thanks for the FIFA World Cup.

Thanks for Hank's Mission Call. Thanks for this blog. Thanks for Club 33 and Vegas. Thanks for all of that, but I'm still happy to see you go.

So, with a tiny smile, I write my final goodbyes to the year 2010. I will never forget you, but I will not miss you. Thanks for the lessons, but thanks for leaving. Thanks for ending so that 2011 can make it's entrance and I can begin a fresh, new start.

Basically, all of my feelings can be summed up in this short video. Enjoy :)

Cleaned Out

It is finally done! My room is officially clean. And not just ordinary clean, but clean-clean. I spent almost 12 hours on it today. Organized, dusted, packed holiday decor, dusted everything, and threw tons away. Whew.

I love days like this. I mean, I don't love cleaning, but I love the feeling right after. I'm ready for a good night's sleep and a few more days of lazy before my busy schedule starts all over again on Monday.

Disney Holidays at Home

We decided to make a Yule Log. What is a Yule Log? I'd be SO impressed if you knew. Essentially, it is a cake that looks like a log. We saw a Disneyland Holiday food special on tv and decided to make one. We consulted many blogs, websites, and friends to find the right recipes and tricks to make it. In the end, we decided to go all out and try the Disneyland recipe. We doubled it and left out the coffee and liquor. Don't ask how much powdered sugar, butter, or eggs went into this. You do the math, but it was a lot!

So, here is our Yule Log journey...

Noon: Began step 1. Making the cake part

1pm: The two flat logs

Thanks to Krazy Sub, we got a board strong enough to hold our extremely heavy log. We decorated the board :)

4pm: After the frosting was made & applied, we rolled the two logs up.

5pm: The assembling process began!

5:15: Two coats of frosting (buttercream then chocolate)

Finally, we added the rest of the decor. Not a good picture, but you get the idea.

We added a Hidden Mickey as a tribute to our Disney recipe.

6pm: Transportation to Maricopa. Yikes. What a trip. Sad to say, some frosting didn't make it...

We are obviously not Disney master chefs with the finest ingredients or appliances, but we got the point across! If you notice the time it took, this was definitely a once-a-year thing. However, it was very fun to make!

Cookie Cutter Christmas Craft

Lately, as I have been Christmas shopping (or shopping in general) I have been on a budget. And, really, who isn't? As I shop, I think "How can I make that?" and "Is it worth the time and effort to make?" If not, I move on. If so, I find myself creating things out of cookie cutters...or other random things. Basically, I take other people's ideas. Call it plagiarism, but that is what disclaimers are for right? Oh hey, look, I found one:

Disclaimer: I can not take ANY credit for the following Christmas gifts. My mom gave me the idea for the ornaments and I saw the brownies at Cracker Barrel.

First, the ornaments. These are pretty easy, fun, and I am tempted to keep some for my own tree! Hint: Buy the ornaments in bulk and on sale. I got mine (a bin of 40) at Joann's on sale and with a coupon on Black Friday weekend. (Sorry, the pictures aren't great. Cookie cutters are hard to photo.)

Here is a stocking.

A Christmas tree

Two Gingerbread people

A Christmas tree on a Christmas tree :)

Next, the brownies! A bit more time consuming, but enjoyable and tasty! Use basic brownie mix and be sure to cook all the way through. The less gooey the better (well, depends on your patience). Let them cool all the way. I would cut a large square and remove it from the pan, cookie cut it, eat the trimmings, and sprinkle with colors. Then, I wrapped them up.

(Again, bad photo)

They really aren't that great looking, and I know I may seem pretty cheap to just give away cookie cutters, but I love them! Simple gifts like these make me happy so why not share the joy? The best part is the recipient gets a cute cookie cutter out of these. Enjoy!

And, I apologize if any of my readers receive one of these gifts. I don't mean to spoil the surprise...I was just so excited about it!

Busy Sundays

I love busy Sundays. Today, was a rather busy Sunday. I was constantly doing something or going somewhere. I didn't really get a break until about 9:30pm when our family watched the Amazing Race finale. (We love that show!)

I love busy Sundays because I am not bored, but I am serving. Busy Sundays remind me of why I do it and Who I do it for. This is the Lord's church and these are the Lord's people. There is nothing I'd rather do on a Sunday than be around those people who I love: my family and my "extended" church family. Today, I ran all over the place before, during, and after church. And, although I was running around, I felt peace. I could feel the Lord guiding me and leading me to where I needed to be and to who I needed to see. I felt good. The funny thing about service is even though you are constantly focusing on the other person, you really are benefiting more than you realize.

I felt blessed today.