Merry Christmas!

I know I'm a few days late, but Merry Christmas everyone! 
Let me show you some of the fun we had at the Robinson household this year...

This is what Wade looked like for most of the day.  He thought it would be fun to stay up all night on Christmas Eve and play on the PlayStation.  As a consequence, he missed most of Christmas Day...silly boy!

Dad's smashing Christmas Day outfit.  I picked out the tie ;)

MY smashing Christmas Day outfit...just kidding.  This is my new SCUBA GEAR! My big Christmas present is scuba lessons.  I'm so excited!

Um...awkward. 

I love my Brothers, even though they are weird sometimes...OK, all the time.

I was just a little excited about all the chocolate I got.  I should be all set till next Christmas ;)
I also got lots of patterned tights and socks, my favorite pieces of clothing ever!

I love Christmas and all the peace and contentment it brings.  It is a totally worn out cliche, but I really do wish that the world could always have this feeling.  The good news is that they can, through the "good news," or gospel of Christ.

Anyway, it was a great day.  I hope that you all had just as much fun as I did. :)

21

Today is my 21st birthday.  It is kind of a big deal.  I am now officially officially legal! 

Here is my top ten favorite things about the last year:
1) Researching.  Obviously, I have fallen in love with it!
2) School.  Learning is the BEST!
3) My friends.  I have some really awesome friends who go out of there way to buoy me up and keep me going.
4) The fact that I still have a job (even though I'm not a fan of it) is pretty miraculous.
5) Getting to know my family better.  Wade is growing up so fast, and Cory and I have also gotten a lot tighter.
6) Teaching primary and piano.  Kids are amazing...and amazingly cute!  They learn so fast!
7) Reading.  I have had a lot more time to read for pleasure, and for school the last two semesters.  There is something awesome about being able to read.  Written language is so powerful.
8) Playing the piano for the West Ridge Academy.  The boys there are great and it has been fun to see how some of them have changed.
9) Setting goals and attaining them.  It feels pretty awesome!
10) Having a great ward!

This birthday has caused me to be a little bit introspective.  What have I done with the two decades I've had so far?  Am I really doing what I should be? What is in store for me for the future?  Where do I go from here?

Then I had an epiphany... I need to stop thinking about myself so much!

My goal for my next decade is to focus more on other people; give more service, pay more attention to the mental states of people around me, be more in tune with what others need. 

I love having a birthday so close to Christmas because I get to reflect on all these things and the birth of our Savior at the same time.  I am going to focus more on Him this next ten years, too.  After all, who gave more service or love to those around them than He did? 

My bff Andrea tagged me in a post on her blog, so I thought I'd take a sec. and return the favor!  :)

Four Shows I Watch: I don't really have time for TV, but I do make time for Bones, Parenthood, 30 Rock, and Lie to Me.
Four Things I'm Passionate About:  My family, my church, education (both formal and informal...Life Long Learning!), and having an open mind.

Four Phrases I Say A Lot: "For real," "Good times," "Peace out," "Anyway..."

Four Things I've Learned from the Past: Trust your instincts, God has a plan for me (and it is better than my plan for me), be flexible when you have to change (change is usually for the best), and don't let stupid stuff get in the way of important relationships.

Four Places I Would Like to Go: Australia, Europe, Montreal, and Maine

Four Things I Did Yesterday: Went to class, met with my research advisor, rode the train home for the first time this semester, and took a nap in front of the fireplace!
Four Things I'm Looking Forward to: Seeing my family tomorrow, Black Friday being over (I work retail, remember?), getting going on my research project, going to graduate school
Four Things I Love About Winter: Winter clothes (sweaters, hats, scarfs, boots, gloves...), hot chocolate!!!, getting to see my extended family more, Christmas

Four Things on My Wish List: A kindle, an exotic vacation where I can use my new scuba skills, visits from old friends (I had one today :)), and more time to appreciate everything

So there you have it!

Top Ten Reasons I Love What I'm Doing!!

Today I had an incredible meeting with Dr. Wainryb and Holly.  We pinned down my research question and hypotheses for my research project, and made a list of conferences and publications I can submit it to when I'm done.  We also worked out a timeline so now I know exactly what needs to get done when. 

I'M SO EXCITED!!

Here are some of the reasons why:

1. Holly.  She is so nice and super supportive.  She totally listens to and values every ones input.  We think on the same wave length.  Plus she is just a really cool person.

2. Dr. Wainryb.  She is a developmental psychology superstar, but you would never know it.  She is super nice, really down to earth, and really wants her students to succeed.

3. No egos!  Everyone I have worked with is totally down to earth.  Everyone collaborates and helps each other out.  There is absolutely no competition or intellectual selfishness.

4. People are so helpful.  Seriously, they have all bent over backwards to help me out.  I had one professor who was going on maternity leave, but made sure that I knew who I needed to talk to about stuff in order to keep moving forward.  She was gathering information to help me out the day before she left to have her baby!

5. It is relevant.  I am studying how families work.  What could be more relevant?  Everyone has a family!

6. It is intellectually challenging.  I have to really stretch myself and look at things in new ways, and explore lots of ideas.

7. The collaboration is so fun!  Lab meetings are awesome because everyone sits down and discusses things in an intelligent way.  These people speak my language :)

8. The 'work' doesn't feel like work.  Sure, sometimes it is hard or tedious.  But there are things I love about every aspect of it!

9. It fits my strengths.  I for sure, absolutely have a lot to learn, but I enjoy learning it.  I want to learn it.  And I am good at learning this kind of stuff.  (I totally don't mean for that to sound conceited at all; I just mean that this discipline is a good fit for the way my brain works.)

10. It feels right.  I was talking about this to one of my friends today; I am at peace, and happier than I have been in a long time!  It feels SO GOOD!

OK, so it has been a long time since I last blogged.  Too long.

Here is the problem though.  I don't really have anything new to say.  My life is so freaking predictable it is ridiculous.  I have settled into a pattern of sleep, work, school, homework, repeat. 

And I don't feel like that is a bad thing!

In fact, I kind of like it.  I like being able to plan on things.

I like feeling like I am doing the right things.

I like the intellectual stimulation that school provides.

I like pretty much everything I am doing.

And that is kind of surprising actually.

I am definitely not where I thought I would be at this point of my life. 

The best laid plans right? 

Two and a half years ago, when I started at the U, I never would have thought I would be doing anything as awesome as what I am doing now.

And I never would have thought that I would know so many awesome people.  It isn't easy for me to get to know new people, but in the last year I have met and become friends with so many generous, kind, embracing individuals. 

Life moves by so fast!  It is awesome to be busy and happy.

I just had a minor panic attack.  Actually, it was a little more than minor...

One year, ONE YEAR from now I will be graduating from the U, applying to graduate school, and getting ready to move (possibly far far away). 
I realized that I am going to miss so much stuff...family functions, friends weddings, hanging out with my peeps, keeping tabs on my former sunbeams. 

I also have so much to do before then!  I have to get my senior thesis started and done, finish my degree and two minors, get a REAL job, get more involved in community service, save a bajillion dollars so I can afford to go to grad school, and the list goes on.

Plus, I have to figure out where I want to go and what I want to focus on!!  I don't even know where to start to do that! 

Sorry, just had to get all that off my chest. It is all going by too fast!!

YAYAYAYAY!!!

If you couldn't tell from the title, I am really excited right now.

As some of you know, I have decided I want to go to graduate school for developmental psychology.  Now, you may well ask, what do you do with a degree like that?  The answer is Research.  I have discovered that I really love research; reading it, doing it, coming up with research designs, all of it!

Since that is my goal it has become important that I get some experience actually doing research.  Being a RA has helped, but I wanted to do my own project.  My dear adviser, Dr. Holly Recchia, is leaving me so I lost my supervisor.  She suggested I work with this other professor, Dr. Beverly Brehl, who I also love.  But she is having a baby like, now.  So Beverly asked her former doctoral adviser, Dr. Cecilia Wainryb if she could help me out.  Cecilia is a big deal in developmental psych...like almost rock star status.  She is not 100% on board yet, but I think between Holly, Bev, and me, we can get her convinced to come aboard. 

I haven't even gotten to the exciting part yet!

I was super worried.  Because I'm not a psych major, I can't do my project through the psychology department.  FCS (my department) has a few options for undergraduate research, but not many.  And I wasn't sure they would be ok with me having a supervisor from another department.  So today I went to talk to my academic adviser to see what the deal-i-o is.  She sent me to see the DEPARTMENT HEAD.  Um, intimidated much? 

Thankfully, she was super nice and understanding!  I can do research through FCS with a Psych supervisor!  They are making a special exception, just for moi!  The department head said, "I am really impressed with your initiative." 

Pretty sure I haven't stopped smiling ALL DAY!!!  :D

I don't mean to brag, but it is so SO motivating and exciting to find something that I love to do and that I am good at.  And the fact that other people think I'm good at it too is AMAZING.  I AM SO EXCITED!

More 717...

I totally forgot to mention my other BFFs from Carlisle.
Kelly Haight is the reason I didn't drop out of seminary.
Jen Hilterman used to keep me from shooting myself in Ms. P's theatre class.  GO PUDDING!
Megan Campbell is my baby sister I swear...such a sweet heart.  She always wrote me super cute notes
Hillary Horner also got me through Ms. P's show choir... good times fo sho.

Megan is the one wearing the glasses.  Hillary is next to Megan.  Jen is the one kind of half way down on the right, and Allegra is the one on the bottom.  It is unfortunate that you can only see her eyes...

10 things I miss about the 717

So most of you know I pretty much hated living in Pennsylvania.   It was my junior year, I was away from all my family and friends, and I had a mega bad attitude.  On futher reflection, I've decided it wasn't all bad.  In fact I even miss somethings about it.

1) Hershey!  Chocolate world...does that really need an explination?
2) ALLEGRA FRANKLIN.  She is pretty much one of the coolest people ever.
3) Washington DC.  45 minutes away.
4) NYC. 1 1/2 hours away.
5) Panera Bread.  They seriously have the best pastries and breads and panninis ever!
6) The ice storms...just kidding!  But we did have lots of snow days off of school.
7) It brought me a lot closer to my fam.
8) The small town feel Carlisle had.  It was super close to big cities, but the town itself had a lot of civic pride.  I miss that.
9) The humidity.  It was way good for my skin! ;)
10) Being able to share the gosple on a regular basis.  It still happens here, especially at my school, but it was a good growing experience.

So there you go.  There is a silver lining to every rainy cloud!  keep looking, even if it takes you 5 years to find it!

I did it!

Here is my new hair!!!

I'm a fan...  Thanks Kimberly!!

Purple Hair

Most of you know that I have had purple in my hair for the last...hmm, year and a half  I guess.  (Wow, has it really been that long?!?)  Nothing to major, just a panel on one side.  When I first decided to dye my hair a crazy color, I didn't know why.  I've thought a lot about it, and I think I get it now. 

First of all, it is just fun!  I didn't do anything super outrageous.  I could even hide it completly if I needed to.  It's just a peak of color here and there to make people do a double take.  I chose purple because it's my absolute favorite color.  Plus it looked pretty cool with my brown hair and my complexion.

Secondly, I am a pretty boring person.  That is not a bad thing, don't get me wrong.  I live an average life, and I'm good with that.  But I wanted to do something unexpected and out of the ordinary.  Being fairly reserved, no on expected me to have purple hair.  But I think it fits with my slightly quirky side  :)

Probably the deepest and most important reason I did it is because I felt like, at that time, I needed to make some changes in my life.  I needed to let go of the need to follow the course that had been set out for me...both by myself and other people.  It is about the same time that I decided to change my major.  And that was one of the best, most liberating decisions of my life.

My madre calls it my rebellious streak...literally!  I guess if that is the worst rebelling I do, I will be in good shape.

So, after a rough few weeks I am doing it again:  That's right folks, you heard it hear first.  I am rewarding myself for getting through midterms, family drama, work drama, and much more by dying my hair a new color.  This time around, I am going blue!  Pray that it will turn out OK...If worst comes to worst though, I can always get it redone in purple :)

I guess my point is that sometimes we all feel like we need a change, a way to go against our norm.  And that is OK; as long as we don't go too far it is even a healthy thing to mix it up every now and then.  Don't be afraid to try something a little crazy!  Go on, embrace it!  It doesn't have to be something as permanent as hair dye; pick up a new hobby, dance around your yard, wear socks that don't match (see previous post :))...

What are you going to try?

Better Late Than Never

So, I promised only positive and up beat top tens.
I broke my promies!
Sorry guys. 

So to make up for it, here are the top ten most positive, happy things I could think of!

1) Being in a warm bed on a cold morning and knowing that you don't have to get up if you don't want to.

2) Babies...any kind of babies...kittins, ducklings, people babies...

3) Flowers!

4) Those fluffy slipper socks, especially if they have a crazy color or pattern.

5) Finishing all your homework and still having time to watch tv before bed.

6) The prophet!

7) Big bear hugs.

8) Singing at the top of your lungs in the shower.

9) Randomly busting into Dance Party mode.

10) Giving and receiving acts of kindness...just because.

Dear Friends

I think we can all agree that friends are pretty great.

I like having them anyway.



Yesterday I was having an especially downer day. 

I had to work (working on Sunday always makes me grouchy).

I was thinking some serious thoughts.

I knew this week was going to be super busy.

All in all, not one of my finest days. 

But my amazing friends...I just love them all.  I got 2 super nice voicemails, a super nice e-mail, several super nice texts, and some super nice comments on my facebook.  I hadn't told anyone that I was having a bummer day, but they all seemed to just know.  Even my boss at work was really nice to me.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I am grateful.  I have so many wonderful people around me that, for some reason, think I am worth their time and attention.  I don't want to sound too cliche, but how blessed am I?  Seriously Heavenly Father, wow.  Thanks!

Introspection

I've been in kind of a contemplative mood the last few days. Lots of my thoughts have been focused on sorting out some feelings or figuring out what is right or wrong.

When I get in these kinds of moods, I find I'm drawn to introspective musicians. Lately I've been on an especially big Ingrid Michaelson kick. Her melodies are beautiful! And her lyrics are so off beat and a little quirky. Some of them really make you stop and think.

Here are some of my faves:

1) So glide away on soapy heels, and promise not to promise any more. If you come around again then I will take the chain from off the door. - The Chain

2. I can do any thing I want to. I can do anything my heart tells me to. I can be anything that I see.- Lady In Spain

3) I want to change the world instead, I sleep. I want to believe in more than you and me. All I that I know is I'm breathing, all I can do is keep breathing, all we can do is keep breathing now. - Keep Breathing

4. Oh what a way that we died. Plenty of tears were supplied. My eyes are rung out and dry as a bone, but I taste much better alone. Something good...now that you're gone, I can roll on to something good. - Oh what a day

5) Let's get rich and by our parents homes in the south of France. Let's get rich and buy everybody nice sweaters and teach them how to dance. Let's get rich and buy a house on a mountain making everybody look like ants from way up there, you and I. -You and I

6. Happy is the heart that still feels pain. Darkness drains and light will come again. Swing open up your chest and let it in. Just let the love, love, love begin. -Everybody

7) They say you're really not somebody until somebody else loves you. Well, I am waiting to make somebody somebody soon. - Are We There Yet? (Actually, I just adore this whole song.)

8. You call me a mountain. And I call you the sea. I'll stand tall and certain, and watch you swallow me. - Mountain and Sea

9) I'll buy you rogane, when you start loosing all your hair; sew on patches to all you tear. Cause I love the way you call me baby. And you take me the way I am. - The Way I Am

10. Six pounds and seven ounces. A ball of bones and flesh and tears were you. Now your hands, your tiny pink hands grew larger than my hands ever grew. We don't say a word. There's nothing to say that hasn't been heard. How you've grown my little bird. I'm regretting letting you fly. - The Highway

Bonus: I will live my life as a lobster man's wife, on an island in the blue bay. He will take care of me, he will smell like the sea, and close to my heart he'll always stay. I will bear three girls, all with strawberry curls, little Ella and Nelly and Fay. While I'm combing their hair I will catch his warm stare on our island in the blue bay.

Some of them are better in context, so you should go listen to the songs! :)

Ummm...huh?

Have you ever been blind-sided by a peice of news?

I was this week...

and I didn't like it.

At all.

It was not good news at all. But what makes it worse is that it came from someone who I should be able to trust.

Anyway...

Enough of that! :)

I will post something more up-beat soon!

I promise!

Invisible Rebellion

In my new spirit of positive-ness, I feel I need to lighten up after last weeks post.

But I'm kind of drawing a blank.

It's been a bit of a roller coaster week, and I don't want to fall off

the Happy Wagon

and back into my old gloom and doom

habits.

So, I have decided to blog about something very near and dear to my heart this week.

...That's right.

Socks.

Let's be real, Dumbledore was right...you can never have too many socks. Socks are Great!

Here is why I think so:

1. You can wear something CRAZY with out anyone knowing. It's like an invisible rebellion. For your feet.

2) It is so cheerful, on a cold winter day, to come home, take off your shoes in front of the fire (or, at our house, pellet stove), and have flying pigs smiling up at you. Or turtles. Or flamingos. Or whatever you happened to be in the mood for that day!

3. I hate shoes, but my feet are always cold. Solution: slipper socks...problem solved.

4) They keep your feet from getting dirty when you walk around the house with out shoes on (like I do...did I mention I don't like shoes?).

5. Socks are a great gift when you don't know what to get someone.

6) Toe socks are probably the most controversial variety; you either love them or you hate them.

I love them! Come on, don't you want all your little piggies to have their own space?

7. They keep your shoes from stinking.

I think that is something we all can appreciate!

8) Feet get abused enough. The least you can do is put some super cute or soft socks on them.

9. It makes other people smile when they see a little flash of candy cane stripe peeking out from between the bottom of your pants and the tops of your shoes. You can make someones day with out even doing anything!

10) Good things always seem to happen when I'm wearing my wildest socks.

I just love socks!

Just a small P.S. Who was it that ever decided your socks have to match? Live dangerously...mix it up!

God's Family

For my mom's Young Women lesson yesterday, she asked me to come and talk to the girls for a minute about friendship. I was more than happy to. I am a firm beleiver that we are an eternal Family and that we are here to take care of eachother.

As I was preparing for this lesson, I felt like kind of a hipocrite. I can be pretty harsh and judgemental sometimes, and once I form an opinion, it is hard to get me to change my mind.

(Those two paragraphs are a perfect example of how what we think and what we say can be totally different!)

Anyway, it was just a good refresher for me.

I used part of President Uchtdorf's talk, "Happieness, Your Heritage." In it he talks about creating. Creating is one of our most basic desires as children of God. When we tear other's down, we degrade ourselves; we are taking part in something that is totally contradictory to who we are at the core. Why don't we build others up more?

He also talks about how being happy is our heritage from God. When we make others feel unhappy or upset, we are robbing them of that heritage. That thought really struck me yesterday. I have a tendency to put my foot in my mouth and not think before I speak. Now, though, I am going to try to think of it in those terms...Who am I to take away one of my brother/sister's heritage?

Anyway, just some things I've been thinking about the last few days.

HOT CHOCOLATE!!

Those of you who know me best know of my hot chocolate obsession...yes, obsession is the only word that covers it. It is my most favorite thing!

In the freezing cold of winter or the blistering heat of summer, a steaming cup of coco is the perfect start to the day!

Here are the top ten best places to get it:

1) Hatch Family Chocolates, 390 E 4th Ave. They do a dark hot chocolate which is super rich and delicious. It is almost too much...notice I said almost :) And they make it with whole milk so it's super creamy.

2) Tesoro, 200 S 1300 E. I know it's a dumpy gas station, but they seriously have THE best hot chocolate EVER! And every December they have a special where you can get any size for 99 cents! My friend Lindsay and I go there once a week during school for our hot chocolate Wednesdays.

3) Any Starbucks. Shut the front door delicious.

4) Dolce Coffee, 1300 E 2100 S. It's just down the street from my work, which is a little bit dangerous for me.

5) Cafe Perk... Frozen hot chocolate. Sounds bizarre and it kind of is. But it is one of the best ideas any one has ever had.

6) Any diner-type restaurant, especially Denny's. It is always yummy and I love the fancy looking whipped cream they put on the top :)

7) The Library Cafe at the U's Marriot Library. It's the perfect pick-me-up on a cold winter day after trekking up and down all those wet, icy hills.

8) Kneaders. I think they put cinnamon or something in theirs. It's yummy!

The last two are ways to make your home-made options which are the best of all.

9) Food storage hot chocolate. It is SO GOOD! And you can get it in those huge cans so you'll never run out (unless, of course, you are an addict like me)! It is especially good with a little coffee creamer in it. My personal favorite is the vanilla caramel.

10) Stephens Raspberry hot chocolate. Just the smell is enough to make your mouth water!

BFFs

It's that time of the week again friends...time to fill you in on my week. It's been a whopper, that's for sure. Lots of changes are happening.

I want to talk about 3 constants though.

Probably the biggest constant in my whole life is my older brother. He is my big brother, my mentor, my protector, my nemesis at times, and probably the person I'm second closest to in the whole world. This week I watched him make what I think is a very bad choice. And I let him know it...I had to. It's too big a deal to be quiet about. I'm just afraid that this disagreement will ruin us.

I also reconnected with an old friend this week. She and I used to be super close...like, sister close. We've drifted apart the last few years; nothing bad happened, just our lives are going in different directions. But today it was just like we picked up where we left off. It was really nice, and kind of a relief to know that things haven't changed as much as I thought. It was so fun to catch up!

Enough of that serious stuff though! The top ten for this week is the top ten reasons I LOVE my "sister" Andrea. She moved out on her own this weekend, so this is to celebrate how proud I am of her for taking this next big step in her life :)

1. We can pretty much read each other's minds. We think so much a like!

2. Somehow, she always ALWAYS knows when I need her. She will call or text out of the blue with just what I need to hear. She has been an answer to prayer more times than I think she knows.

3. She doesn't judge me when I'm a total dork :)

4. Watching Andrea with people is like watching magic. She has this way of setting everyone around her at ease and becoming friends with complete strangers faster than most people can say, "Hi my name is..." I think it's because people can see the sense of dignity and respect she has about her.

5. We like pretty much all the same movies and TV shows. One of my favorite memories of Andrea is when the two of us, my mom, and my brother, went to see Hairspray in the movie theatre. She and I were dancing practically out of our seats! I thought poor Wade would die of embarrassment, but we didn't care. Such a good time! And we once had an all day movie marathon. 8 hours, pj's, movies, jamba...it doesn't get better than that!

6. She is so generous with her talents and skills. She is always making something for someone, taking pictures of someone, or just helping out!

7. Seriously, her hair is a-ma-ZA-zing! I know that sounds shallow, but if you saw her luscious red locks in person, you would understand.

8. She is always so put together and collected, even when she's not. If that makes any sense at all... Andrea is one of those people who always can work things out and work them out well.

9. Andrea took me under her wing at a time in my life when I was super vulnerable and unsure of myself. I don't think she realizes how much she has taught me about how to be my own person. She is an amazing example of standing for what you believe in.

10. I can tell this girl ANYthing and she always knows what to say. Always. Maybe more importantly, she knows what not to say and when to say nothing and just let things come out.

So, my dear friend, I hope I didn't embarrass you :) I just love you so much and I am so proud of you! You are my hero babe!

My Favorite Place

Tonight I went with my mom and her young women to do baptisms for the dead. I always forget how great the temple is! Here are the top ten things I love about going there.

1) Everyone there is super kind. All the temple workers are excited you are there and want to make your experience a good one.

2) It is so peaceful. No one is in a hurry, no one is stressing out, no cell phones are ringing.

3) You have lots of time to just sit and reflect. I am a firm believer that introspection is not only healthy, but necessary.

4) It is one of the best things you can do to serve others. Because you won't see the people you've served for a long time, it is easier to do it for the right reasons.

5) The Oquirrh Mountian temple especially has beautiful, beautiful artwork!

6) At the temple, you know that every one else there has the same purpose.

7) When you go to do baptisms, you get to wear those oh-so-stylish jump suites. :)

8) I have received so much super-meaningful personal revelation at the temple.

9) It is so refreshing and empowering. Being there makes me want to feel that good all the time. And the way to feel that good all the time is to act that good all the time.

10) Let's face it, there is no where else where I can be that close to my Heavenly Father, and I love that feeling. If the temple feels that good, can you imagine what heaven is like?

It's a Girl!

I got a new car! Yay!

She is a 2005 Hyundai Accent, and so far she is great!

I got her at Murdock Hyundai in Murray. The guy at the dealership was super super nice and not pushy at all. He really respected my limits and didn't push me to try to buy something I couldn't afford. Car shopping is never fuh, but, all in all, it was not a bad car shopping experience :)

I'm thinking her name will be Beth. What do you guys think?

Yoga

GASP!!!

Could it really be two posts in two days?

Yes, yes it could!

I recently decided that I want to one day be able to do this:

So I started doing yoga. I'm not quite to that point yet, but I still am really enjoying it! So this weeks (second) top ten is the ten reasons why you should do it with me!

1) I can feel it! Even after just the first week I feel stretchier. It makes me sore, but the good kind.

2) It looks super cool when you do it right.

3) It takes a lot of concentration, which takes your mind off other things.

4) It seriously works every single muscle in your body. Because you move so slowly and hold every pose, you really get toned.

5) It takes patience which I don't have very much of. BUT this way I can learn patience and get super buff at the same time...two birds with one stone.

6) Even if you don't like it, you can laugh at all the granola people who get way way into it.

7) It doesn't involve running. I really hate running.

8) I don't have to wear shoes! I hate shoes! It's like prison for your feet. In yoga, your feet can be free!

9) It's like stretching and exercising at the same time...again, two birds with one stone.

10) This sounds a little crazy, but I find it very relaxing. Who would have thought that contorting myself into all kinds of weird and uncomfortable poses would be a de-stresser? Go figure!

The End of an Era

I did it. I sold Francis. It becomes official on Monday. I'm super excited to move on, but I will miss that crazy kid. As much trouble as he caused me, I will always carry a soft spot in my heart for him. Here are some of the reasons why.

1) He had personality. This is a good and bad thing. Some of his quirks were annoying (alarm going off randomly until you opened the trunk, the radio flickering on and off every time you went over a bump, etc.), but endearing at the same time.

2) I dreamed of driving a bug from the time I was just a little kid. I lived my childhood dream. How many people can say that?

3) Let's be real, I looked GOOD in that car! Red is def. my color. :)

4) He was my first car. I think everyone has an emotional attachment to their first car, no matter how bad it was.

5) It is super fun to drive past school buses (or other vehicles with kids in them) in a bug. You get to see the punches fly!

6) The gas millage I got out of that fella was amazing. We're talking between 35 and 40 miles to the gallon baby!

7) Some of my most sincere prayers were said and the best answers came when I was driving Mr. Francis.

8) This is true of any car I guess, but I love cleaning them out. It always smells and looks so good after!

9) I was really proud of the name I gave him... Francis is just perfect.

10) Francis taught me to not make large purchases (like a car for example) based on emotions. You will regret them later!

Anyway, I thought I would just take a moment, at the close of this chapter, to look back on the good things that Francis has given me :) So long, dear friend. I hope you will be happy at your new home.

PS. When Francis's soon-to-be new owners came, I couldn't believe it. It was a girl...named Jessie, who goes to school... at the U, and her dad, whose name is Scott...Coincidence or fate? I'm going to go with fate on this one.

First Top Ten

I decided that I need to be more positive. So I am going to write a series of top ten blogs about what ever strikes my fancy that week!

To start it off, I have a list of my top ten favorite TV shows. My TV viewing habits are not at all traditional...I never watch shows when they are actually on. I usually watch them on hulu or netflix or wait for the dvds to come out, so some of these shows are not even on any more.

Here they are, in no particular order...

1)Pushing Daisies. It is so cute and smart and funny and clean. The whole premise of the show is so clever; a guy who brings people back to life, asks who killed them, and solves their murders. And Kristin Chenoweth is adorable. I was heart broken when I found out there were only 2 seasons!

2) Bones. Hot FBI agent + smart lady scientist = super good TV! Personally, I'm glad that Bones and Booth have never hooked up (at least so far). What do you guys think?

3) NCIS. I know he is old, but I would marry Leroy Jethro Gibbs in a heart beat! He is just that cool. (Does it mean anything that the first 3 shows I thought of have to do with solving murders?)

4) Lie to Me. So I'm not so much a fan of the characters in this one as I am of the psychology behind it. Maybe I will be Dr. Foster when I grow up...

5) So You Think You Can Dance. It's just fun! My secret regret is that I stopped dancing when I was a kid, so I love watching people who didn't.

6) The Bachelor/bachelorette. I know, I know. I totally shouldn't like this show, but it's my guilty pleasure. The whole premise is completely ridiculous. Why does it always suck me in? It's like a train wreck; I know I should look away but I just can't.

7) FAME! The original 1980's TV series...leg warmers, that girl from Foot Loose, singing, dancing, puffy permed hair, Mr. Sherofski... Seriously, what more could you ask for?

8) What Not To Wear. Clinton and Staci, thank you for saving the world from bad fashion, one person at a time. Some people think they are mean, but it's just tough love!

9) Losing it With Jillian. Yet another tough love show! She is just so cool. Plus it motivates me to not get fat.

10) And last but not least we have Jag. What can I say, I have a weakness for the Navy uniform for some reason. (Don't tell my dad I said that.)

So there you have it, my first top ten. Any suggestions for next week?

Well dear friends, it is that time of the week again!

Last week I was trying to decide what to get my masters degree in. And I promised a pro/con list. So here it is!
School psychology
Pro
· Family friendly career
· I have connections at all the instate universities
· Working with kids
· Directly benefiting people and families
· Not as high pressure
· Serving
· Lower profile
· Practical application of everything I learned
· Lots of opportunity to be in charge of myself
· Possibility for me to still do research too

Con
· Not as prestigious
· Mundane
· Working for public school system = low pay, lots of restrictions, limited resources
· Do I want to stay in state for grad school?
· If I do go out of state for grad school, I def want to come back to Utah after…would have to redo some of the licensing requirements to meet state criteria.
· High pressure


Developmental Psych
Pro
· I love the research process
· Something interesting going on every day
· Very autonomous
· Being published
· Working at a university = job security
· Have a growing list of contacts in the field.
· Growing field
· Could do research for children of veterans

Con
· Have to publish
· Working at a university = not family friendly for first 5-7 yrs.
· Would probably have to live out of state for quite a while
· Unsure I would benefit others
· Not practical
· High pressure

So there is that. So far, I think School psychology is in the lead...

Just as a side note, does any one else ever feel the need for change? And frustrated because you don't know what to change or how do go about it? I don't know what is wrong with me the last few days...weeks... That's a lie. I do know. I have become stagnant. I'm not progressing. I've hit a plateau. Which makes me nervous because that usually when I feel like this it is the "calm before the storm" as they say. Something big is coming...maybe. Am I the only one that feels that way?

Ok, so I forgot to blog last week...I'm lame. But I am here now to redeam myself!

Anyway. What a week this has been! First of all, I got a new bike... may not be super exciting, but I get really tired of driving sometimes. Now I have a super cute bike with a BASKET and a cheerfull-sounding bell! Cory was super nice and drove me in his truck to the store to pick it up. And he even helped me test every last bell and horn in the store. What a good brother!

Second of all, Mom is at girls camp this weekend. Yes, that is right, my mom is CAMPING. She is hanging out with a bunch of girls and leaders in the wilderness with no running water. Oh, how the tides have turned!

I am always amazed at how things change. And how fast things happen. Yay!

Seriously though. I am trying to decide what path I am going to take in grad school. I've narrowed it down to school psychology or developmental psychology. (Pro/Con is in progress...). This is assuming I will get in to grad school at all... Developmental psych would be more research based, which I love. Research is the basis for everything we know. But it is really competitive and doesn't involve a lot of contact with the populations you are helping. School psych is more direct involvment with kids, more clinical in approach, and not as difficult to break in to. But I love the research and am so facinated by the new studies. I really enjoy the whole process. Hmmm...I guess we will see what happens.

Consistancy??

My BFF Andrea and I made a pact... She would remind me to update my blog and I will help her study for her Human Development class. So here I am! What can I say, we are such a good team :)


As I was looking back over my previous posts, searching for some inspiration, I realized how much has changed. My first post was in September of 2008. Back then I was a Music major, was working at the jordan landing Children's Place, and was just starting out. I was making new friends (Lindsay, Becca, Melissa), and trying to keep up with old ones (Andrea, Chelsea). It was a very uncertain time for me.

Now, almost two years later, so much has changed! I'm going to be a psychologist when I grow up, though I still don't know for 100% what kind. I still work for The Children's Place, but I've transfer ed stores, worked under 3 different managers, and gotten pretty good at my job if I do say so myself. My new friends have become my best friends. Two of them are married now, and I was part of one of their weddings. My old friends have become even closer. I feel totally comfortable around campus; I was even able to show Cory around a little bit (He's transferring up to the U this fall. Yay!) !

It's weird to look back at where we used to be. You are the same person, but not. You think, "I wish I could tell me everything I've learned since then." But do you really think you'd listen? Two years ago, I would never have believed I would be doing what I'm doing now, and be so happy doing it. Nothing stays the same. Especially people. We try; oh how we try! We love our comfort zones and our routines. But time marches on as they say, and we don't realize just how much changes.

I do take some comfort, though, in the fact that a lot of important things will never change; the principles of the gospel, the basics of who we are, truly important friendships, the love of family. One of my favorite hymns is "Be Still My Soul," and my favorite line of that says, speaking of Christ, "Through every change/he faithful will remain." He will always be there, the one true consistancy. Our lives may change and we may change, but the things that really matter will last.

...it's too late...or early...depending on how you look at it

OK, yes I know it's the middle of the night.

I've just been thinking...a lot. In fact, that is why I am STILL awake. (Do you ever have those nights when your brain just refuses to shut down?!?)

Anyway, here is what I've been thinking:

1) Grad school- this new mile stone is very rapidly approaching for me...I only have 3 semesters until I have my bachelors. I mean Whaaat? It seriously feels like high school graduation was yesterday! The grad school question has several parts
1.1- What should I even study? Right now I'm debating between school psychology, and developmental psychology.
School psych = working with kids and parents, all around good times.
Developmental psych = researching how people grow and change over time.
I never thought I would enjoy research, but since this RA internship started I've begun to think that it's a possibility. BUT I would love to have a more direct impact on people.
1.2- Where? There are so many great programs. Where should I go? Who should I study with? In state, out of state? Who knows!
1.3- People's reactions- People *couguysgh* give me some interesting feedback when they find out what my plans are. It's either like they get intimidated, or they judge me for NOT being in a hurry to get married and have babies. Don't get me wrong...I want a hunky husband and a cute family with all my heart. I'm just not going to run out and get hitched to the first thing male that moves that comes a long.

2) Priorities- Sometimes I wonder where I'm going. What should I be doing to prepare for what Heavenly Father has in store? What does Heavenly Father have in store for that matter?

Which leads to number 3. I'm almost embarrassed to bring it up...
3) Marriage- I know, I know, I'm only 20. But in Utah, that is almost an old maid. In the last 6 months, I've had 4 of my friends get married, plus 2 more in the next 2 weeks. Really? Am I really going to be the only single one of my friends?

And last, but never least,
4) It is waaaaay too late/early to be thinking about stuff as deep as this.

So, as Meg Ryan says in "You've Got Mail," I just wanted to put this out there to the great cosmic void and see if I get any answers. Goodnight, dear void.

Words, Words, Words!

I'm going to say this, despite the risk that I will sound like a total nerd:

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE WRITTEN LANGUAGE!

Text books, essays, poems, short stories, scriptures, the back of the cereal box, you name it!

It is strange to think about...what are words anyway? Symbolic representations of sounds, that are symbolic symbols of objects, or emotions, or ideas. They have the power to make us laugh, cry, fear, swell with pride, and think out side ourselves. If you can read, you can travel around the world. If you can read, you can experience other people's lives. If you can read, you can teach yourself to do anything, from cook a gourmet meal, to build a boat out of a few sticks and a rain poncho. Writing can convey thoughts and ideas that no other medium can. It is so powerful!

Lately I have had a little more time than usual to read for pleasure and it made me realize how much I miss my books. Recently, a few people have asked me for good books to read over the summer so I thought I'd share some of my favorites here, and tell you why I love them so much.

1) Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte is probably my favorite book of all time. I think I've read it about 10 times, and am starting to have parts of it memorized. It is an apologetically romantic book, with an openly cheesy ending. But I'm OK with that, because along the way, it discusses morality, Christianity, faith, family, and a million things in between, with out feeling like a sermon.

2) If you are looking for something just plain fun, try the Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters. It is a series of mysteries focusing on Egyptologists Amelia Peabody, and Radcliffe Emerson. The books are so so so fun! They are great "escapist" stories, if you just want to get away from reality for a few hours.

3) I have a feeling lots of people will hate me for saying this, but Walden by Henry David Thoreau is absolutely beautiful. I know, I had to read it in high school too, and I hated it. Then I started to feel guilty about judging poor Henry so harshly and gave it another chance. When I was left on my own to interpret it how I wanted to, I found it to be philosophical, with out being heavy handed. Lovely!

4) If you like things a little darker, try Brahms Stoker's Dracula. It has kind of an abrupt ending, but it is super intense. The twilight series is total lame-sauce compared to this book.

5) One of the first things I remember is my dad reading us To Kill A Mocking Bird. Everyone should hear that book read by someone with a southern accent. I didn't appreciate the whole story, though until I was much older. It is really simple, but that is what makes it profound. It is the world seen through a child's eyes. Children have a way putting things in perspective.

6) The Great Gatsby...oh boy, this is one of my other most favorite books ever. It's a pretty fast read, but it will make you stop and think. It is what Cory likes to call an "onion book." There are so many layers. Depending on your mood when you read it, it can be a totally different story each time you open it.

7) If you haven't read any of E. B. White's work, you are totally missing out. There are of course his classic children's stories; The Trumpet of the Swan, Charlotte's Web, Stewart Little. Those are all great, heart warming books. I didn't know until I was a junior in high school that he was also a quite famous columnist and essayist in his day. I read a collection of his essays called One Man's Meat for an assignment and fell in love. He is so optimistic and straight forward. His ideas and style are so unique, and yet so simple and obvious. It makes you think, but is uplifting at the same time.

8) Farenheit 451 is, ironically, a book about a future where books are against the law. It is totally thought provoking, and a little scary. The characters are great, the style is easy, and it won't take you long to get through.

Fictive Kin

In a couple of my classes at school we have been talking about a social construct called "Fictive Kin." Basically, your fictive kin is the family you choose... those friends you find that become a part of the family.

I was super lucky today and got to see two of my "sisters" in one day! I spent the morning in Centerville at my friend Lindsay's wedding shower that her sisters-in-law threw for her. It was super fun to get to see her around her family. They were so warm and accepting of me. Lindsay and I didn't really click at first. I was SO intimidated by her, and she thought I was a snob. However, we got to know each other really well in 7:30 am music theory. By the end of our first semester we were BF. We bonded over our computer retardedness and our mutual crush on the professor...(imagine if Linds, :) Sorry, inside joke...). Ever since then we have been tight. We go on super great shopping adventures, vent about choir to each other, work out at the gym together, and enjoy excellent Tesoro hot chocolate on a regular basis. I am so glad that first impressions don't always last! And I'm so honored that she is including me in her wedding.

My other "sister" showed up with "our" mommy at my work tonight. The two sweet ladies then brought me back a smoothie. It totally made my night! I was having a bit of an attitude about being there, but they cheered me right up. Andrea and I met my sophomore year of high school, and started really hanging out right before we moved to Pennsylvania. She was one of the few people who made an effort to keep in touch. At that point of my life, that meant so much to me! We, ironically, got really close that year, and have stayed that way since. She is a beautiful, graceful, and kind-beyond-words person who just gets me. We definitely speak the same language :) We talk/laugh/cry about anything and everything together. (Mostly we laugh...oh boy, do we laugh together...good times!) I know we can always count on each other when we need it. It's nice to have some one who you can lean on, and who can lean on you.

These are just two examples of my dear Fictive Kin family. I don't know what I did to deserve such great people around me; my actual family is amazing, plus I have a pretty good sized list of people like Andrea and Lindsay who I have "adopted." What a good day!

My (Eternal) Childhood

Since my last post was pretty negative, I decided to write about something happy this time.

So let's talk about my wonderful mother! Those of you who know her know she is seriously one of the happiest people; if you don't know her, you are missing out big time!

I've taken quite a few Development classes as of now. The more I learn, the more I realize how lucky I am to have my mom. One class I'm in is called Parent Child Relationships. Almost everything the text book says is "ideal" parenting is just common sense to me because that is how my mom parented! She was always willing to get down and play with us and be silly. She made sure we knew she loved us, by telling us, and showing us every day. She respects us as individuals and works really hard to help us however she can. Though some of you might be shocked by this, I actually got in trouble as a child. Yes, it is sad but true. My mom would always take the time to explain why I was in trouble, why whatever it was i had done was wrong, and to give an appropriate punishment. She has helped shape me in to a motivated, (mostly) competent, (mostly) good, adult. And when I mess up sometimes, it's not because she neglected to teach me anything; it's because I didn't listen.

So many people have told me, after they meet her the first time, that they feel like they have known her forever. I think I figured it out; she must have been super popular in heaven! Really, I think our spirits recognize other spirits we knew before this life. Every one feels like they have known her because they have! She was probably one of the valiant ones who talked us all in to comming down here in the first place.

I love my mom and I am so blessed to have her in my life. :)

Ok, I just need to get something off my chest. If you don't want to read a bitter diatribe feel free to stop reading right now... ( the last paragraph is ok.)
If you're still with me, don't say I didn't try to warn you.
I am so SICK of rude people. Why can't we all just have a little common courtesy and love each other? Why? Is it really so hard to hold the door open for someone? Would it make you late to work to slow down and let someone merge in front of you on the free way?
Today at work a lady was in the store for 30 minutes after we closed. She didn't apologize, made a huge mess, and was very rude. How arrogant is it to expect two people to keep a store open just for you? I mean really, it's not like I have things to do, or a family who I want to spend time with or anything like that. (That was sarcastic, in case you couldn't tell.)
Most of the rudeness that we see day to day is pretty harmless, just thoughtless. But there is a line, and the news media has crossed it. One of my very best friends lost two of her nieces this week. It was so tragic and obviously beyond heart breaking for her and her family. The news media, however, couldn't respect that. They have been calling, showing up at her and her brothers house, pushing for a statement, and in general intruding on their grief! Where is their sense of decency and respect for the family? I have been on the receiving end of this behavior and it stinks. I don't care if you need a story or if you have a deadline. There is no need, NO need at all, to treat people that way. In instances like this rudeness becomes more than thoughtless. It hurts people.
I guess what I'm trying to say is, just slow down please. Think before you speak. Look before you run around in such a hurry. I am totally guilty of this too. However, now it is has been called to my attention, and one of my new new years resolutions is to be kinder. Imagine how much happier we could all be if each of us decided to do one or two less rude things a day? Just thought I'd throw all this out there...

Thirsty for Knowledge

So the semester is off to a smashing start! (Wow, that was a nice alliteration...) I am taking some very interesting classes right now to kick off my new major! I love social science and all the different facets of study involved in it.
I was walking through the hallway of one of the buildings I have a class in and could hear some of the lectures going on. In on classroom there was a lecture going on about measuring statistical importance. Next door was a discussion about the affect of attachment in infancy across the life course. Across the hall from that was a creative writing class; "Your story should have a clear climactic center..." Then I went to my class, Parent and Child Relationships, and learned about the challenges faced in the adoption triangle. I was a little early to my next class and accidentally walked in on a graduate level chemistry class critiquing each others experiment models.
As I was trying to sit as quietly and unobtrusively as possible in the back of the room, I couldn't help but be amazed at how much knowledge is passed around at that University...knowledge about everything from developmental psych, to particle physics, to effective verb usage. The vastness of it all is a little awe-inspiring. And I was thinking, "How did I get to be so lucky, that I can come here every day and be a part of that?" Sometimes I take for granted the fact that I have all this information right at my finger tips. I learned today that only about 30 percent of the population of the United States will graduate from college. As someone who loves to learn, I am so blessed with the opportunity to do that. The University of Utah (and I think all universities in our state) is so special. There is something so comforting in knowing that human knowledge is expanding and being given to the next generation. Places like the U facilitate that in a beautiful way.
I also get to learn from some pretty amazing instructors. This is going to sound stalker-ish and weird, but I googled a couple of my professors today, just out of idle curiosity. I was amazed at the amount of research they had published and the other appointments they had held. There are so pretty prestigious minds at work right in front of me every day. On the other hand, I also discovered that they are just people, with families, friends, insecurities, and grocery shopping to do (yes, one of the was on twitter...) .
I don't know why all of this struck me so hard today, but it did. And I don't know what makes me think that any of you care, but I'm sharing it any way. I am one lucky young lady, that's for sure!