All I do is [not] win

Let me tell you a little something about my ticket history.

It's endless.

My first run in with "the law" started in high school when I got 4 parking tickets in one week. FOUR. Like sorry I was late to class/think I'm too good to park in stalls/don't know rules.

Then came college.

Parking is a nightmare here. So obviously it's inevitable, right? First came the parking tickets, then came the boots on my car, then came more parking tickets. I can't win, I tell ya. 

Sorry, yes Officer I do have like six unpaid parking tickets and no, I do not plan on paying them anytime soon because I've already paid too many & I think I'm better than that and I don't want the city to have my money/could buy some really great clothes instead so yes I'm laying low. Wanna fight?

And Logan City...can ya fix your 3 hour parking rule? It's killing me. Kthxbye.

Oh and I promise I'll register my car soon.

xoxo

It's in the Air

Today I am grateful.

I'm grateful for trials, I'm grateful for tender mercies, and I'm grateful for the wonderful individuals surrounding me.

This past year has been a whirlwind, to say the least. I've experienced exuberant highs and lows in depths I never thought possible. The gospel has been my only sure rock and my absolute saving grace. I know without a doubt that the Atonement is real. Not only can we repent of our sins, but we have a friend and a brother who knows exactly what we are going through. He knows the sting of our situation and has felt every pain. I have such a deep love and testimony of the Atonement - it exhumes such an indescribable comfort into my life. The Lord wants us in our brokenness and imperfection. All He asks in return is for our love toward Him.

As you experience trials, you will also experience the hand of God in your life. The Lord works in mysterious ways and often times, tender mercies come through individuals. I firmly believe the people in my life have been placed in it for a reason. They have been my own personal angels here on earth and I am astounded every single day by the love people have for each other as well as the love shown toward me. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the acts of service performed - big or small.

Yes, I've been frustrated, angry, and hurt. And yes, I have found myself questioning when I'm ever going to catch a break. But the Lord hears your prayers. He hears your cries toward heaven and the pleadings of your heart. I believe and trust in Him with every fiber in my being. He knows what is best for you and He will answer your prayers in His own due time.

This past year I have l have learned a lot. I have a greater appreciation for eternal families and what it means to make that commitment. I have learned to hold those who love and respect themselves as well as others to the utmost esteem. I have learned that healthy relationships are necessary for a happy and successful life and that these need to be cherished and cultivated every single day. I have learned to love deeper and care for people at levels I had previously determined impossible. I have learned that "me-time" keeps you sane and service toward others mends a broken heart.

Trials make us stronger. They give us depth and allow us to have a greater appreciation for the joyful times. I don't have all the answers, nor will I ever. But I do know that things will work out - both on earth and in heaven.

The Lord lives and the gospel is true. And for that, I am grateful.

xoxo

Is it just me? Or...

Senior year of college? Or growing up. Can't really decide, but here's how you know...

+You binge on Diet Dr. Pepper to shove an absurd amount of caffeine in your body
+Toxic Shock Syndrome is a legitimate fear
+Staying in on the weekends doesn't sound like a terrible idea
+You become incredibly obsessed with the fact that you got a new vacuum that totally rocks
+You make lists just to cross off the list
+Your Christmas list consists of books and Wal-Mart gift cards
+Shopping for house decor for a home you won't own for another 20 years becomes the norm
+Changing into sweats and pulling your hair up becomes the best thing to happen to man/most exciting part of your night
+You go get your oil changed by yourself and pay for it with your own money
+Everyone and their dog is getting married
+You try to hone in your baking skillzz bcuz at this point it's the only thing to woo the boyzz
+Heels=you can conquer the world

xoxo

Life according to my iPhone

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Well I have a thousand pictures sooo....get ready for a zillion words??

xoxo

Forest Gimp

I think I'm going through senior year midlife crisis. The latest and greatest event happened about a month ago when I impulse registered for a half marathon. LOLZ. I can't/don't/hate running. I grew up a swimmer so the though of doing something "on land" for that long totally freaked me out.

But then it was like BAM, $60 had been charged to my debit card and I realized I had to start training like...that very second or I would probably die. Thankfully two of my roommates were doing it too, so we could all tear our bodies apart together.

Let me just tell you. The first half of your half marathon is sooo enjoyable (maybe because mine was downhill). I was seriously thinking to myself "Heck, I'll run a marathon! This is great!" Then it hit mile 10 and I thought I was going to fall flat on my face and die. I'm probably just dramatic, but like...whatever. It was hard, okay? And I had never run that far in my entire life put together.

Okay okay, it was actually kind of enjoyable. I mean I was running down Emigration Canyon in the middle of fall with great friends breathing in fresh crisp air. Not so bad, eh?

But let's get back to my dramatic self and sum it up and say: crossing the finish line is the best part of the half marathon. I seriously wanted to cry for the sheer fact that the pain could stop. (Again, I'm just being dramatic. But still, you try it.)

Long story short, I ended up tearing some ligaments in my foot and possibly fractured it toward the end of the race (which may explain my pain) so now I'm in a boot. YAY ME. I attempted crutches but it just wasn't my thang, so now I just limp around. You may now call me Forest Gimp. I now have a new appreciation for walking and all the nice people who have offered me rides. Go you, and God bless you guys.

The crew

Wasn't about to pay $6 for this picture so...sorry copyright laws

Like yeah...way hard.

Selfie photo op with my ghost medal...how could I resist?

And because Halloween was a week ago...we have an excuse to showcase my costume.

Heeeyyy Amanda Bynes

And just so you guys know...taking a good mirror selfie is actually WAY harder than you think.

xoxo

Hashtag Hollywood

Sometimes I get to pretend like I'm famous for the day.

And sometimes because I have a blog with no followers I have the right to post the aftermath.

#BornToBeAnActress #ReadyForMyCloseup #WaitItWasReallyAwkward #ButTheyEditedItReallyWell #ZillionsOfTakes #IdidntShower #HenceMyBeanie #MadPropsToActors #TrevorIsSingleAndReadyToMingle #WaitMeToo #DateUs #Lolz #Hashtag

Go Aggies.

More than just words

Passion. Emotion.

Two of the most powerful and versatile words in the English dictionary. Words that can either drive acts of kindness or acts of hatred. Words that can accomplish dreams or drive us into the ground.

These words are nouns. Meaning they are "used to identify any of a class of people, places, or things."

So what drives this state of identification? How do passion and emotion identify us? These two words are potent. They invigorate us - jolting our thoughts in a positive or negative manner. Thoughts lead to actions, and our actions ultimately identify us. So to me, it seems that words that were first simply on a piece paper lead us to do the things that define our lives.

So let's learn toward the positive side and take the only plausible cliche stance and just say it.

This life is too short to be anything but passionate. 

So you know what? Find that job you absolutely love and something you want to put your whole heart into - don't settle. Forget about the man who doesn't treat you right. You can't mend him, and he shouldn't want to mend you. Instead, search high and low for that fiery love you seem to only read about - it's out there. Make those impulsive decisions that are derived from the energy and fervor of the moment. You'll never regret them.

Fill your life with passion and emotion.

So go ahead. Live the life you've always dreamed of, make goals that seem impossible, fall in and out of love, be emotional and embrace the world.

Find what you love, and love constantly. Let these words identify and drive you. With the combination of the two, you'll be unstoppable.

xoxo

FULL PANIC MODE

It's fall in Logan, Utah. Which is so great - the leaves are starting to turn, it's sweater weather, I can crunch leaves when I'm walking and eat anything pumpkin that I want.

But, it's fall. And fall in Logan only lasts two weeks. And then it becomes winter. Hence, my panic. Does this really mean I'm going to have to start wearing coats soon? And the season where my body and feet are perma-cold begins? I mean...I guess it does give me an excuse to drink my weight in hot chocolate and watch Grey's Anatomy with my electric blanket.

But still...this is how I feel about it

So yeah...SOS

And here's the other thing. This is my last fall at Utah State. I am graduating. 

Now that's a scary word. Graduation. Where did the time go? I feel like it was just yesterday my mom was dropping me off at good ol' Rich Hall to begin the adventure of a lifetime. Suddenly the year I've been looking forward to all my life has arrived, yet I find myself digging my heels into the ground trying to make it slow down.

Real world is scary. And it blows my mind that I'll be there in a short 8 months.

But lolz the joke's on you- I'm 20 and will be making a shiz ton of money way before you will (or the joke is on me...I can't really decide which one.)

And I'll still probably panic, but let's just say I won't. You feel me?

So watch out world... I'm comin' in hot.

xoxo

The Dream Team

Let me tell you guys about my best friends.

We call ourselves the "Dream Team." It's kinda lame and kinda rad, we can't really decide - but we're stickin with it.

Let me introduce you to Bailey, me, Kylie, Tayler and Megan

aka...the Dream Team

Living together the past two years has really been been the best experience. I couldn't have asked for a better random selection of roommates. Actually, it was sheer luck we were all put together. Or destiny. Either one works.  

We are all so different, yet we work so well together. We just get each other. We laugh until we cry, we sing and dance to every single song (not well, I might add), we know each others strengths, and we know each others weaknesses.

These classy ladies truly are some of the best people I've ever had the opportunity to come in contact with. I can confidently say that we will be best friends for the rest of our lives (sorry girls...ya can't get rid of me).

This past summer was the season where we all grew up. Bailey put on her darling swimsuit for a California internship by the beach, I put on a pencil skirt and heels for an office in the city, Kylie put on some Chacos and became an independent in Moab, Tayler put on a wedding dress and got herself a husband, and Meg put on a camp counselor shirt and influenced young girls for the better.

The only thing we had in common this summer was that we ALL put on our big girl panties and dove head first into the world of adulthood.

The Dream Team has since been split up - we all live in different places, but we are lucky enough to get to see each other pretty often. We always joke that we're the band nobody wanted to break up. 

Bailey even came up to Logan this past weekend! There was plenty of screaming, laughing, and snuggling involved. Here's a re-cap. 

We couldn't go the weekend without a Cafe Rio photo op. (Also, don't tell Kylie's mom we went there...she's deathly allergic but Rio is worth the risk.)

Just your average awkward family photo.

Missing Tay...I guess the Dream Team gets second priority after a husband. (FINE we'll deal with it)

It poured rain at the Homecoming Game. But we were faithful fans and stayed all the way until....the second half. (Go ahead, judge us. We were freezing and wanted Costa Vida/steamed milk.)

I'd say it was a pretty successful weekend.

xoxo

Go Against the Grain

"I'm fine."

The classic phrase that means life sucks and I wish I was having a better day - a cover-up to say "Actually no, I'm not okay. And yes, secretly I want you to ask me about it so I can vent." We all have those days though, right? The days where nothing seems to be going right and all of a sudden every trial in your life seems to culminate into one big suck-fest? Trust me, I've had my fair share of the "I'm fine" type of days. 

But when people ask you how you are, why do you settle for just being fine or okay? 

This past summer I heard people at work constantly answering their phones. The client would ask them how they were and every single time, without fail, the people I worked with would respond "I'm fine" or "I'm okay". They would never say the words good or great.

It didn't make sense to me and it actually really bothered me. Why are you just okay? Why aren't you at least good? I truly believe there is so much in life to be happy about. You have people that love you, you have a job and you are making really good money. You have all the necessities in life that you need, if not more. Yes, I get that life gets hard. And you know what? I get that your job is stressful and maybe there is something going on in the outside world that I don't know about. But you have so much to be thankful for.

Despite the negativity surrounding us on a daily basis, there is so much good to be seen. How lucky are we that we are surrounded by people that care about our well being? We even have the opportunity to get an education to make a living and support ourselves. And have you looked outside lately? It's absolutely beautiful. Can you believe we get to live in such a stunning place? So in reality, you are not just "fine" - you are doing great.

There is a quote by President Gordon B. Hinckley that I absolutely love.

So do me a favor. This week, when you are having one of those "I'm fine" type of days, go against the grain and fake it. Tell them you are doing good, great, wonderful, fantastic. Make them believe it, and soon enough, you will too. Because the truth is, we aren't just fine or okay. We are fabulous. 

xoxo

Whoop, there it is.

I'm not really an awkward person. But throw me into an awkward situation and suddenly I have the stomach flu and would rather fall flat on my face and die. So do you want to know what turns out to be really great? The stories that come from awkward things that happen to me. I say they make me happy, some say pathetic, others are just pumped to listen to them (I'm talking to you, faithful blog followers...aka all whopping three of you).

Let's take it back to this summer.

I was working 50+ hours a week at an internship in Salt Lake. And you know what? It was really hard. So I thought to myself...what better way to relieve stress than go for a swim. I was also doing a one week crash course triathlon training so I figured I had better swim at least once before the triathlon that was in two days. Point A in my story being that I'm a fool because I decided to do an Olympic distance triathlon with absolutely no training. I'm pretty sure I hadn't even worked out in a few weeks.

ANYWAYS. Let's get on with it...

I went to a rec center in Salt Lake that I hadn't been to in years. I have irrational fears of going into new places. I'm going to get lost, I don't know what I'm doing, and people will judge me. Okay that's extremely dramatic...and I'm actually fine going places by myself, but you get the point.

I see a sign directing me to the women's locker room that looked a little something like this.

So obviously my natural response is to go left into the first door, right? WRONG.

I walked into the "girls" locker room and started digging through my stuff to find my swimsuit. A boy that had to be around 12 walked past with an extremely weird look on his face and all I could think was "Geez, he's a little bit old to be in a women's locker room," but I kept on digging. 

I started lifting up my dress to begin changing, but then decided I needed a quick potty break. I began exploring the locker room to find a bathroom and stumbled across the shower area, where I saw a REALLY FIT NAKED OLD MAN SHOWERING. I stood there in shock because I didn't know what was happening. You better believe I had to do a double take (this extra peek gave me full view of a really fit nicely tanned body & bum...too far?). But I mean... props to the old guy for being in such great shape.  

I promise you I've never ran out of anywhere with more speed in my entire life. I bolted out of the door (obviously "playing" on my phone to avoid eye contact with people) and around the corner into the safe haven of the women's locker room.

Point B of my story: when an arrow looks like the above image...it actually means go a little bit further down the hallway and THEN to your left. I usually try my hardest not to get awkward about things...but it was bad you guys, REAL bad.

But, on the bright side I finished the triathlon without dying. And actually did it in under 3 hours. Call me crazy but I actually loved doing it.

I wasn't dead...but I sure was tired. Flattering, right?

Here's to the awkward situations that happen in life. Just embrace it. They're bound to happen. And also, remember to train for triathlons.

xoxo

Hello blogging world!

I never thought this day would come...but here I am setting up my very own blog. In my mind, I have a pretty great life - so I figured it was important to document it. A huge part of what makes me happy are the little things that happen in life (hence, the blog name). So here it goes. Welcome to the journey of my simple joys.

At this point in my life I am a junior at Utah State University majoring in Public Relations. What do I want to do with this? I have no idea. But that's part of the ride, right? I am very involved at USU and really do love it - even though it's hectic 98% of the time. Currently, I live in a house comprised of 10 girls. Yes, ten. The house is rightfully named the Shewolf house. *cue wolves howling* These girls are incredible and I can't wait to share my final year of school with them.

Alright. Let's get down to the nitty gritties. Since this is a blog about happiness, I just want to be clear about the little things that fill me with joy and make me completely happy.

• A handful of Guittard semi-sweet chocolate chips. I've conducted multiple taste tests - so trust me when I say those are the best. I'm a complete addict.
• My electric blanket. Yes, I was completely anti-social last semester. What of it? 
• Grey's Anatomy (to go along with my electric blanket of course).
• A clean room
• A full tank of gas
• Cafe Rio
• "..." Yes, I really do love ellipsis. I use them all the time, but I'm trying to stop because apparently it's not grammatically correct. 
• Songs you can belt the lyrics to
• Road Trips
• Hiking (Let's get real- I love basically anything that has to do with being outside)
• A great outfit
• Red Lipstick

The list could obviously go on and on...but I will stop there. 

"Happiness often sneaks in through a door you didn't know you left open." - John Barrymore

Here's to my final year of college and my last, first day of school!

xoxo