Can't Get it Out on Paper or into Words

Well, tonight, after finishing some homework that is due tomorrow, I was organizing some bookmarks and one that REALLY needed it was my "Youtube Videos" folder that was just full of videos I had found amusing or uplifting or were just of a song I liked.So, to make sure I wanted to keep all these bookmarks, I decided to watch a few and I noticed that a few were original songs which reminded me of the few videos I had published via youtube. This led me to wishing I could get the ideas I have in my head into words and be able to get them on paper or combined with music to get some thoughts out of my mind. With so much that has happened the the past few years, there are many ideas I've had for writing songs about but, I get self-conscious or they do not come out the way I want them to. This can be frustrating, of course, but, I think the hardest part about it is that there are things I want to express through music because I cannot do it with words but, they do not come out in either way. The question is: do I keep trying or just give up and let my mind continue to be filled with these thoughts? Guess we'll see...

Little did I Know...

Well, funny story... I was looking at my blog thinking if there was anything  I could/ wanted to write about. Then, I was seeing the "Popular Posts" and noticed one I had done several months ago after saying good-bye to a friend leaving on a mission. I had re-written the words to "Part of Your World" from The Little Mermaid to wanting to go on a mission right then instead of waiting until I was 21. Little did I know that October sixth would bring that wonderful announcement that young women could serve missions at age 19 instead of 21. I was reading the lyrics I had written and I just laughed at how clueless I was to the changes that were coming but, so willing to go out and serve the Lord with "my boys." It has been about 6+months since several of them left and it has been hard but, it is amazing to see the Lord's plan unfold and reflect as I prepare to get my mission call to be able to go out and serve the Lord for a period of 18 months. What an amazing world we live in....

For those who do not know what post I was referring to, it can be found at this link: http://cisprettyfishy4cfishy1992.blogspot.com/2012/07/part-of-your-world-sister-now.html.

Patient Mission Paper Process

Alright, so, as I have mentioned before, I have been working on my mission papers to serve for a period of 18months for my church [The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints]. I did the online information with insurance, personal info, family info, etc. Then, I did the medical and the dental and survived getting a shot, blood drawn, and TB tested (barely... haha). After that, it was a small "waiting game" until I got back to Utah to meet with my Bishop [leader of our congregation {group at church}] & the Stake President [leader over the Bishop]. Well, that first Sunday back I met with the Bishop and it was a great meeting. The spirit was strong and I was quite excited knowing that I only had one more meeting before the "waiting game" for my call. Well, I got a text from someone in the Stake that asked if I could meet early that next Sunday morning. Sadly, I could not make it so, I had to wait another week. So, yesterday, I went to have my meeting and once again, it went great! I actually met someone who knows my grandparents from Iowa and that NEVER happens...except this year... haha Anyway, as they were reviewing my paper work, they found that ONE QUESTION had not been completed. This made me nervous because, if I did not get them the information by the next morning, my paper work would be pushed back a week and I did not want to wait any longer than I had to.

Well, last night, I set my alarm for 8am so that it would be 9am Illinois time so I could call the hospital in the morning to get the information I needed. My alarm woke me up sooner than I wanted it to but, I called the hospital and got the information. Then, I texted the stake with said information and waited to hear if I had made it in time. Around 2pm this afternoon, I sent another text asking if I had made it in time and they said yes. Then, I bugged my lovely daddy to hear if it was submitted yet to the church headquarters [My dad is a bishop for my area back home and bishops are able to see, online, when the paper work is through the different parts of the process]. Then, tonight, at 8:49, I received a text from my daddy saying that my paper work is officially submitted to church headquarters. I felt such a relief to know everything was in and now, I just have to really play the "waiting game" until a white envelope with my call and information arrives.

So, here's to waiting patiently! We'll see if I make it and get any sleep.... haha

I'm a Poet and Didn't know it!

So, this semester I am taking an English class for Elementary Education Majors and it has been interesting learning about how everyone can be a writer as you open up yourself and practice. We discussed how the first several years can be full of junk but, if we keep working at it and just keep learning and studying it, we can, one day, become a great writer. I know I'll never be a Robert Frost or anything but, it was fun to create a writing journal and just write when I felt like it and know it is not perfect but, it's from me. Nothing I write is unique but, is individual. All the stories have been written but, I can make my own interpretation.

We'll see if I ever write anything I really like then. Who knows, maybe one day I will have  learned enough and given enough of myself to get published. If you really want something, you need to work for it. You cannot just sit in class and expect to be given all the answers to the world's problems. Life isn't supposed to be easy, just worth it.

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On another note, I am in the midst of my second week being back in school and let me just say: it is TOUGH! Just when I thought it could not get any harder, it does. But, I am so EXCITED for my classes. Yes, they are A TON of work and I probably will have some nights that I just want to sit there and cry (actually already had a few....) but, I know I am going to learn a lot and improve myself as a future teacher and student. Every day I get a "Daily Message" from ldspodcasting@ldschurch.org [found on LDS.org at: http://www.lds.org/daily-messages?lang=eng ]that is uplifting. Today, it said, "The purpose of mortality is to learn and to grow to be more like our Father, and it is often during the difficult times that we learn the most, as painful as the lessons may be." —Thomas S. Monson. This really struck me. It really is during the hardest times that we learn the most, if we really try. 

Start to a New Year in Chicago

Well, I must say, this year has already begun with a bang! As a family, we took a trip to Chicago to go to the Science & Industry Museum. It was such a blast! They had "Charlie Brown and the Great Exhibit" that, within itself, was quite neat. It was cool learning about the Peanuts and the characters. We also toured the Farm Tech, as usual, and visited the U-505, circus, Toymaker 3000, and a Brrr-thday party with liquid nitrogen. I think I've found out what kind of party I'd like for a birthday the next time I have one.... (hint hint) Just kidding. It would be fun but, also VERY expensive and have potential health hazards... Oh well. It was still fun.


After the museum, we went to Roy's for dinner and each had a nice small meal that made our taste buds melt. I did not know food could taste so good and neither did my siblings. Nor, have I ever been in such a nice bathroom! They had hair-ties, mints, a lint roller, lotion, etc. FOR FREE in the BATHROOM!!! Craziness...

Who knew so many memories could be made on the first day of a new year? Here's to many more to come in the year 2013.

Reflection on 2012

Well, the end of 2012 has come. It was a wonderful year as I reflect on the friends I made and the memories created. Yes, it was a hard year but, every one is at some point. I am so grateful for everything that has happened that has helped me grow into the person I am today. It's so hard to believe a year has flown by when it seems just yesterday I was awaiting this year to begin. Life truly does move so fast. Especially when you are having fun. Thanks to all who made this year one to not be soon forgotten. Happy 2013!