tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16117004829569406702024-03-13T14:30:16.540-06:00beckycita"If a person is living out his Personal Legend, he knows everything he needs to know. There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure." - The AlchemistBeckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01379127893535066362noreply@blogger.comBlogger86125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1611700482956940670.post-66343629658513193092011-04-06T15:16:00.002-06:002011-04-06T15:19:24.535-06:00A Happy Bride<div align="center">A quote from my book, <em>These Is My Words, The Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine 1881-1901, Arizona Territory</em> </div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">May 22, 1882 </div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><br /><blockquote></blockquote>I have started to read a book named The Happy Bride. It is all about how a girl should act and what men expect from the girl they want to marry and such. It is a wonderful book and I plan to study it hard and put it to practice. The first thing I must do is become more religious. I will have to learn to be a ‘righteous example of piety and purity, virtuous to a fault, kind and sharing,’ if I am to be the Happy Bride in the book. … This book says ‘a young lady is never safe when in close physical proximity to a gentleman, and although he would pursue her, he thinks all the more of her if she rebuffs him heartily.’ So I will think of the hearty rebuff that I will tell … any man who presumes to be in close physical proximity. … I will study this book so the first chance I get not to be an old maid I will be ready. <br /><blockquote></blockquote>That journal entry made me smile. Maybe I should study that book....</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01379127893535066362noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1611700482956940670.post-10027767508310715732011-02-01T14:37:00.002-07:002011-02-01T14:39:47.370-07:00Top 26 of 26<div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">1. Making a quilt and getting to spend 2 WHOLE weeks with my little sis over Christmas Break. We haven’t been able to do that in YEARS! Loved it!<br />2. Sledding with my nieces, bro, sis-in-law, sis, and boy up Hobble Creek Canyon on the perfect snowy day.<br />3. Having my niece Millie smile at me with her fangs :)<br />4. Listening to the cowbells chime while walking down a mountain path in the Alps, Luzern, Switzerland.<br />5. Being able to attend my BFF, Natausha’s wedding, and also getting the phone call that I’m going to be an “AUNT”<br />6. Finally getting to go to Mexico and see the ruins at Tulum and Chichen Itza which had been pretty close to the top of my bucket list for at least a decade…and doing it spontaneously…with my bff.<br />7. Another spontaneous trip to Duck Beach (NC) with that same BFF that revolutionized both of our lives and besides being a huge catalyst for change, was just a FUN, CALMING, BEAUTIFUL, ADVENTUREOUS beach trip.<br />8. Looking at pictures of my newest niece – Charlyanne.<br />9. Having a hula-hoop competition (and DOMINATING it) and eating an American BBQ in the midst of a redwood forest, with 50s music playing, and picnic tables covered with gingham table clothes with boy and family.<br />10. Watching The Lion King in London and walking the streets of London and marveling at all the history that had occurred around me. Oh, and becoming addicted to frozen yogurt and looking forward to the end of the day so I could eat MORE of it.<br />11. Biking through Vermont in the Fall – test of my strength (it was 45 miles…), having a skipping-rock competition in a historic rock quarry, eating fresh Vermont cheese, bonding with a roommate, and just loving life.<br />12. Playing “Murder in the Dark” in a moderately creepy old B&B in New Hampshire – laughing, spooking, arguing, hiding, the works (and speaking of the works – eating lots of pizza from Papa Johns with “the works”).<br />13. Glow-stick impromptu dance party on top of mattresses post Thanksgiving feasting.<br />14. Riding an elephant in India, seeing cows wander through the streets, monkeys holding hands, and camels pulling carts.<br />15. The creation of the Tiger Tummy Rub.<br />16. Working on the Cinque Terre puzzle with Jenni (awesome) and reminiscing about the fact that I went there last summer.<br />17. Feeling like I’ve overcome the initial discomfort and loneliness of being in a new and very different city.<br />18. All-day Adventure in Key West with an intimate yet awesome couple of people – snorkeling…jet skis…parasailing… and, eeeh, the nasty water trampoline covered with bird poo (it’s the funny memory that makes it worth it). Really, just good bonding time.<br />19. Riding bikes through Salzburg and seeing all of the Sound of Music sites and singing the songs in my head and out-loud at the SING-A-LONG. I’ve been addicted ever since my mom took me to see the Sound of Music with Marie Osmond in 4th grade.<br />20. Coming to understand myself, my strengths, weaknesses, desires, and God better through a series of events.<br />21. Running through Liberty Park, SLC on warm spring afternoons with a dear friend.<br />22. Christmas lights at the Washington, D.C. temple! A-MAZING!<br />23. Being taken absolutely, most definitely, by surprise!<br />24. Having moments where I’ve just been so glad to be – ME – with the family that I have, the parents that I have (who I’m extremely proud of as they accomplish dreams, my dad with Wilderness Innovations and my mom with going back to college).<br />25. Biking to the temple (35 miles), in dress clothes, on warm summer days, without bring water or snacks…haha. Good memory!<br />26. Having a year filled with adventure, spontaneity, travel, love, friendships, magic, history, culture, dreams. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:85%;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:85%;">Here's to ending a good year and starting the 27th!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:85%;">I'm ready for you.</span></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01379127893535066362noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1611700482956940670.post-56589591745595111692011-01-17T18:21:00.005-07:002011-01-17T18:37:13.233-07:00MLK DayDr. King said, "We must all learn to live together as brothers or perish as fools."<br />----<br />Some friends and I decided that we should spend the holiday right by taking advantage of all the Civil Rights and Black American history is D.C. So, we ventured down to Anacostia (a dream come-true!!) to the Community Museum and to the Frederick Douglass House. We went to the National Cathedral for the Martin Luther King Celebration with some amazing performances ranging from traditional African dances and drums, an amazing violin performance, a cool unity speech by a Rabbi, a Christian Preacher, and a Muslim sahib, and just the experience of being in such an amazing cathedral! Then, we finished it up with a stop at the American History museum for a reenactment of the 1960 sit-in at the Woolworth's counter in Greensboro, NC. So, there was a lot of singing and clapping and experiencing. It was a huge success! And, get this (a perk of living in D.C.) - it was all FREE. Here are some pictures of our adventures.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bvuzAyhhYkA/TTTsfMdn0lI/AAAAAAAAARU/_zgN1JAMowI/s1600/101_5145.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 211px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bvuzAyhhYkA/TTTsfMdn0lI/AAAAAAAAARU/_zgN1JAMowI/s320/101_5145.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563331460374975058" border="0" /></a>The Giant Chair in Anacostia (a place that for safety purposes we can't normally venture. Today, we thought that it was worth the risk though.)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bvuzAyhhYkA/TTTtNmB2wtI/AAAAAAAAARc/TjIBNKL26pw/s1600/101_5148.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bvuzAyhhYkA/TTTtNmB2wtI/AAAAAAAAARc/TjIBNKL26pw/s320/101_5148.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563332257511817938" border="0" /></a>Hah, outside the museum. A testament to the part of town we were in. And below is a typical view of the neighborhood. Lots of boards and barred windows.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bvuzAyhhYkA/TTTtN-hZQXI/AAAAAAAAARk/j-e_Zck5YZc/s1600/101_5150.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bvuzAyhhYkA/TTTtN-hZQXI/AAAAAAAAARk/j-e_Zck5YZc/s320/101_5150.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563332264086552946" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bvuzAyhhYkA/TTTtOi-dXSI/AAAAAAAAAR0/AUoHVpFgid0/s1600/101_5157.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bvuzAyhhYkA/TTTtOi-dXSI/AAAAAAAAAR0/AUoHVpFgid0/s320/101_5157.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563332273872133410" border="0" /></a>Inside the Frederick Douglass home. I think it was my dream house! Big windows, victorian style, beautiful attention to detail, large dining room...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bvuzAyhhYkA/TTTtOOpPrAI/AAAAAAAAARs/ofxwv9K8U-U/s1600/101_5156.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bvuzAyhhYkA/TTTtOOpPrAI/AAAAAAAAARs/ofxwv9K8U-U/s320/101_5156.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563332268414446594" border="0" /></a>Outside of the house. We aren't pictured because when a kind lady offered to take a pic for us she didn't capture the house...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bvuzAyhhYkA/TTTtO4-2FBI/AAAAAAAAAR8/J8P0UPThQmg/s1600/101_5159.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bvuzAyhhYkA/TTTtO4-2FBI/AAAAAAAAAR8/J8P0UPThQmg/s320/101_5159.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563332279779333138" border="0" /></a><br />National Cathedral! Amazing - perhaps even comparable to European cathedrals. I love seeing this kind of architecture in the states!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bvuzAyhhYkA/TTTtbd-w41I/AAAAAAAAASE/ZME_ER6Zm10/s1600/101_5170.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bvuzAyhhYkA/TTTtbd-w41I/AAAAAAAAASE/ZME_ER6Zm10/s320/101_5170.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563332495869535058" border="0" /></a><br />Joining in the non-violent protests! DESEGREGATE!Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01379127893535066362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1611700482956940670.post-49495885598632961042010-09-01T13:35:00.006-06:002010-09-01T13:57:26.242-06:00Here's a Hint - this one's continental.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bvuzAyhhYkA/TH6v6CyeiII/AAAAAAAAAQg/XDvqJxLTDzI/s1600/100_4680.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bvuzAyhhYkA/TH6v6CyeiII/AAAAAAAAAQg/XDvqJxLTDzI/s320/100_4680.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512036405663926402" border="0" /></a>1. Town that's famous for its Silver Mine, although people originally flocked here because of the prospect of gold.<br />2. In 1866, it was the fastest growing city in the region (although now it's just a tiny little town whose glory lives on only in memory).<br />3. There is a charming train that runs through town and also helps you to imagine what life was like there in the 1800s.<br />4. Going on mine tours ALWAYS makes me think of a short story that I read in college by Baldomero Lillo. It's called "Compuerta numero 12". You can find it translated to english on line and I HIGHLY recommend that you read it! It's only a couple of pages.<br /><br />Enjoy the picture and guess any guesses as to where we were? This one was a little bit easier, but it's a practice for the future posts.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bvuzAyhhYkA/TH6vp87rtfI/AAAAAAAAAQY/It4K4cye83c/s1600/100_4678.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bvuzAyhhYkA/TH6vp87rtfI/AAAAAAAAAQY/It4K4cye83c/s320/100_4678.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512036129214019058" border="0" /></a>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01379127893535066362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1611700482956940670.post-27378837420859597762010-08-31T14:11:00.003-06:002010-08-31T14:25:05.005-06:00Stay Tuned!So, what can I say or what should I say after disappearing for a few months and suddenly realizing in a moment of calm that summer is nearly as its end and that I'm in a new city; I'm looking for a new job; I've seen a million new sites; I'm making new friends and in a new ward with new roommates. Yes, where do I even start?<br /><br />Well, as promised to many dear friends, I need to give an update on my adventures, so stay tuned for pictures and tales of laughter and <span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">occasionally tears</span></span> as I learned about the world and the boy who I accompanied.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01379127893535066362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1611700482956940670.post-60516700456981837802010-06-12T13:47:00.003-06:002010-06-12T13:53:21.092-06:00Singing in the RainLast night, it was a perfect temperature. It was overcast and with a light drizzle. So, seeing as how those are the perfect conditions to go running, I put on my running shoes and headed out - aiming for Liberty Park. I had my ipod strapped on my arm and the ear-buds in which blocks out any sound of the surrounding busy city streets. <br />I got to the park about 8 pm and it was completely deserted. I had the whole place to myself. And, can I tell you, it was WONDERFUL! The drizzle hitting the pond, the ducks and geese, the puddles, the bright green trees, and me. As I got to the park, "Out of My League" by Stephen Speaks was blasting through the my headphones. So, since every other part of the setting was perfect, I decided to sing along as well, so I went running by the pond, singing as loud as I could (in between breaths), and felt perfectly content for a few minutes. <br />I highly recommend finding your own place, where no one else exists except you and your dreams - no person, no cars, no sounds, except those that you allow to be there.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01379127893535066362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1611700482956940670.post-17479878012458060222010-06-10T21:41:00.002-06:002010-06-10T21:48:30.602-06:00Somewhere over the rainbowSomewhere over the rainbow, Way up high.<br />And the dreams that you dreamed of, Once in a lullaby.<br />Oh somewhere over the rainbow, Bluebirds fly.<br />And the dreams that you dreamed of, Really do come true.<br /><br />Someday I'll wish upon a star.<br />Wake up where the clouds are far behind me.<br />Where trouble melts like lemon drops.<br />High above the chimney tops.<br />That's where you'll find me.<br /><br />Oh, Someday I'll wish upon a star.<br />Wake up where the clouds are far behind me.<br />Where trouble melts like lemon drops.<br />High above the chimney tops.<br />That's where you'll find me.<br /><br />Oh somewhere over the rainbow.<br />Way up high.<br />And the dreams that you dare to.<br />Why, oh why can't I?<br /><br />Great motivational song. I'm going to dare to dream because it's the realization of dreams that brings happiness.<br />Check out this version of the song - love it!<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1bFr2SWP1I">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1bFr2SWP1I</a>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01379127893535066362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1611700482956940670.post-73092783788751545802010-06-08T11:31:00.005-06:002010-06-08T11:40:53.657-06:00Sing it with me: "All you need is .... [Nature]."On Sunday, a friend and I drove through <em>North Ogden Canyon</em> to a quaint little city called <em>Eden</em>. I thought the name was very appropriate as I’m sure the Garden of Eden exhibited much of the same <strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">majesty</span></strong>, <strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">beauty</span></strong>, and <strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">tranquility</span></strong> that I saw in our present-day Eden.<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Let me describe the scene</span>.</strong><br /></span>My friend’s family has a mountain house in Eden, nestled along the bench of the mountain with a perfect view of the <strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">lush</span></strong>, <strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">green</span></strong> valley and the eastern mountains. In front of the house there is a stream that flows just quickly enough to create a <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>soothing</strong> <strong>burble</strong></span></span>. There's a reservoir off in the distance. It is 8 o’clock. The sun is slowly starting to slide below the Western Mountains. The angle of the remaining light rays hits everything perfectly,<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">highlighting</span></strong></span> the<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">hues</span></strong></span> and the <strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">depth</span></strong> of each color. The valley is a deep green that only exists at the beginning of a Utah summer. The mountain behind the house is full of a variety of <strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">thick</span></strong> pines and <strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">leafy</span></strong> trees, not just the normal smattering.<br />Behind the eastern mountains, off in the distance, the summer <strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">storm</span></strong> clouds build. The few remaining rays pierce the clouds and <strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">accentuate</span></strong> their darkness. You can’t hear the thunder, but the lightning is <strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">abundant</span></strong>. As I sit by the stream and an accompanying pond, soaking in the beautiful scene in front of me, I am <strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">enveloped</span></strong> in a <strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">clement</span></strong> breeze. The <strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">warmth</span></strong> is the <strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">perfect</span></strong> contrast to the cooling air.<br />So, there I sit conversing with my friend.<br />Life was <strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">peaceful</span></strong>.<br />I didn’t want to leave.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01379127893535066362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1611700482956940670.post-58226809974966773502010-06-07T15:10:00.002-06:002010-06-07T15:20:25.063-06:00Step in the DarkMy current position ends in September and as of right now, I don't have any other desired jobs waiting for me, but today, I still turned down a job offer.<br />My boss wants to keep me around and so she's willing to give me any position she can find at our organization. I am flattered by her continual efforts. However, as I sat pondering my opportunities, I came to feel that accepting that offered position would be equivalent to settling. The only reason I would take that job is because I'm scared that there may not be anything better. But, what kind of attitude is that? That's a defeatist attitude and I am not going to be defeated nor do I want to spend the next several years of my life at a job that is not stimulating. It does not have to be exciting everyday. In fact, I don't even think my dream job would be exciting every day. But yes, I do want it to require something of me and I want to be a valuable asset to the organization.<br />So, it's somewhat liberating to take that step in the dark. I am educated, hard-working, and willing. So, I turned it down <strong>expecting</strong> that there is some great option out there for me. I don't want to settle - at any level in life - so I figured that employment is a good place to start.<br />So, the job search begins again.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01379127893535066362noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1611700482956940670.post-13449921288335206642010-04-06T13:20:00.003-06:002010-04-06T14:48:19.535-06:00I dreamed a dream...This dream comes and goes and COMES and <span style="font-size:78%;">goes</span> and <span style="font-size:180%;">COMES</span> and <span style="font-size:180%;">STAYS</span>.<br />I want to have my own non-profit that works to reduce poverty and create sustainable development. All during college, I dreamed of going with <a href="http://www.help-international.org/">Help International</a>. I even applied for a position as a Country Director last Fall and had a really GREAT chance of getting the position for Summer 2010 - however, I turned them down because it just didn't seem like the right opportunity at the time. I don't regret turning them down because I know it was the right thing to do; however, I do still check on their site frequently and am fascinated by the work they do. <br />Then, there's <a href="http://www.singularhumanitarian.org/">SHe</a>. I love them as well! In fact, I'm currently brainstorming how I could take their expedition to Nepal. I'm sure that would help me in my career! I could consider it an educational AND life investment.<br />But when it comes down to it, all of these little expeditions only make me MORE convinced that I need to get the ball rolling and work towards my own Non-Profit. I have brainstormed this many times and have scattered notes about plans and dreams and how we would help. I've thought of recruiting, fundraising, networking, and administrating options. I've considered lawyers that I know that might be willing to donate some time to the cause and make sure everything is legal. As I'm typing this, I just thought of some accountants that I'm sure would be willing to help as well. <br />I have a quote on my cubicle wall that I read about 100 times a day. It says, <span style="font-size:130%;">"There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible - the fear of failure."</span> (The Alchemist by Paolo Coehlo) I can't really think of anything that terrible that would happen from trying this. Failure is only failure if you don't learn anything from it. The best thing that could happen would be that I am able to help someone have a better life, hope, and a future of opportunity. And every volunteer who got involved would be changed because volunteering and helping others CHANGES YOU. And, little be little, volunteer by volunteer we could have more love and service in this world. More smiling faces. I like that. <br />I don't really care about having a lot of money. I just need to be able to support myself. I would love to run this dream Non-Profit (which will one day have a name) as my job until I have other obligations and then have someone else manage it and I just volunteer and remain on the Board. Oh, and my little future children would be able to go on these little expeditions as well. Beautiful thought!<br />I wrote an email to my BFF earlier to convince her to partner up with me (after all, this is her dream as well and she's going to Grad School to do this VERY thing). As I was writing I was envisioning myself up in front of a large group and my task was to motivate them and get them pumped and participating, so the words, "Are you with me?!? I said, Are you with me?!?" were meant to be shouted (although not the kind of shout that would lose my followers such as this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5FzCeV0ZFc">one</a>, bless his heart)<br />Anyway, now the question is, am I willing to make this dream a reality?Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01379127893535066362noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1611700482956940670.post-37621472571034524782010-02-15T21:39:00.000-07:002010-02-15T21:44:44.069-07:00V-Day<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bvuzAyhhYkA/S3ohtoJ8paI/AAAAAAAAAQI/ZS1GdeohBeM/s1600-h/100_3918.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bvuzAyhhYkA/S3ohtoJ8paI/AAAAAAAAAQI/ZS1GdeohBeM/s320/100_3918.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438696567760266658" border="0" /></a>My beautiful Valentine's Day flowers! I would never ask for flowers or expect them, but let's admit, I'm a girl, and I loved getting them for Valentine's Day.<br />I felt very special and smile every time I look at them!<br /></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01379127893535066362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1611700482956940670.post-88669913205985262682010-02-13T17:56:00.000-07:002010-02-13T18:03:44.405-07:00Dinner Date and ShoppingMy mom and I have decided to start having a monthly mother-daughter date. We live so close so it only makes sense that we take some time each month to just spend an evening together. <br />I've thoroughly enjoyed our dates and I've found them to be rather enlightening! We've only had a few of these dates so far but on each date I've explained this strange quirk or personality trait that I have and how I'm so perplexed as to why that developed. Usually upon finishing the explanation, mom pipes in and informs me that I probably get that trait from her. These dates are helping me to realize how much of my mom I have in my own personality. It's fascinating! And, sometimes when they come to personality traits that I have that stress me out, it's helpful and calming to know that I'm not in fact crazy and the only person who thinks like I do. There is at least one other person who understands my point of view and feelings.<br />Moral of the story is - dates are good - even it's with my mom and not the boy.<br />Thanks!<br />P.S. I know Rumbi Island Grill is old news, but I just went there for the first time yesterday and it was FABULOUS! And, that is probably the best customer service I've ever received and I even think it was genuine.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01379127893535066362noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1611700482956940670.post-52721214293140832192010-02-12T11:18:00.000-07:002010-02-12T11:26:00.007-07:00Old Age<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bvuzAyhhYkA/S3WdC1QDkZI/AAAAAAAAAQA/SZPGre_M3Es/s1600-h/old+man.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 211px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437424797099463058" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bvuzAyhhYkA/S3WdC1QDkZI/AAAAAAAAAQA/SZPGre_M3Es/s320/old+man.jpg" /></a><br /><div><br /><br /><div>I've talked with Tim a lot about old age. We joke that the prime time to die is at the ripe old age of a tree (which is 88 I think). Old age means forgetfulness and fraility and loss of independence. But then you see a picture ot his guy pictured above. His name is Leonard McCracken and he's 106! I think he makes old age look divine. Think of all that he's learned and experienced in his life and the interesting stories that he could tell. He looks so jolly and probably by this point has really learned how to cherish and enjoy life. His picture makes me feel happy!</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 211px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437424090052837666" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bvuzAyhhYkA/S3WcZrTAQSI/AAAAAAAAAP4/g-6msF0nNKg/s320/old+people.jpg" /><br /><br /><div><br />Look at this adorable little family. They are all between 80 and 96 - healthy, happy, and independent. Imagine having spent 90 years with your brothers and sisters. How amazing! If we think we can crack good jokes and get along well now after a measely (in my case) 26 years imagine adding another 60 onto that. </div><div>Just for the record I would love to be the photographer who took those pictures. I think they really captured the happiness of life.<br /><br /></div><div></div></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01379127893535066362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1611700482956940670.post-54390392740089956202010-02-02T14:19:00.000-07:002010-02-02T14:29:11.019-07:00A Salad that Soothes the SoulI love SALADS, but I find myself getting bored of them. I find one that I love and I eat it until I can't stand the idea of eating it again. Perhaps I should bring more variety into my life. I really prefer to have <em>just a salad</em> for at least one meal a day, but in order to do that I'm going to need more ideas.<br />I went over to the bf's sister's house for dinner on Sunday and she made the most BEAUTIFUL and TASTY salad. Of course I went out and bought all of the needed produce and will have a nice, healthy lunch every day this week. <br />Here are the ingredients:<br />Red-Leaf Lettuce<br />Avocado (sliced)<br />Cilantro<br />Craisens<br />Cucumber<br />Green Onion<br />Orange Sweet Bell Pepper (I also used Yellow.)<br />Pecans (if you have them)<br />Poppyseed dressing (or any other dressing that is to your liking. They also had a ranch and some other vinagerette option, but I love poppyseed).<br />So if you're looking for a new salad to try out, give it a shot. You'll be glad you did, and to help me out, please tell me some of your favorite salads so when I get tired of this lovely one, I'll still have something to eat.<br />And Coming Soon...<br />Bread Recipe. The bread was a HUGE success. It got 5 stars :) I'll add the recipe soon. It was originally a recipe for 5 loaves but I don't have room to store ANY loaves, so I had one for me, one for BF, and a little baby loaf for fun.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01379127893535066362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1611700482956940670.post-69323034606203641182010-01-30T17:18:00.000-07:002010-01-30T17:32:14.531-07:00The First LoavesI am a PERFECTIONIST. That has ups and downs. The ups are that when I do something, I try to do it perfectly. The downs are that I often times stray from doing something unless I do it perfectly.<br />Today, I decided that it's time for me to make my own Wheat Bread. My mom makes the MOST amazing wheat bread and I have helped her enough that I felt it was time for me to try it on my own. I had the recipe and paid scrupulous attention to every step. I was also stressed at every step thinking - if I do something wrong, this will have be a lost 4 hours of my life. Ironically enough, I'm the one who used to teach my missionaries - it's only failure if you don't learn from it. Yes, Becky, how about applying that advice to yourself.<br />Anyway, I made the dough and thought it may still be a little too sticky, but I had done and already added more flour than the recipe called for so I gave it over to the RISING stage. After stage 1 of rising, I thought, umm...I don't think it raised enough. Concerned but too late to change it, I prepared it for stage 2 and put it in my new bread pans. Near the end of the second hour of raising, I still didn't think it raised enough and was convinced I'd have one solid block of cooked dough - something more like a brick than the deliciousness I was hoping to eat with my fresh strawberry jam.<br />I put it in the oven to bake, a little pessimistic, but this is what I saw about 20 minutes through...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bvuzAyhhYkA/S2TOlWU-RGI/AAAAAAAAAPg/8IFiC2DtbQg/s1600-h/100_3873.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bvuzAyhhYkA/S2TOlWU-RGI/AAAAAAAAAPg/8IFiC2DtbQg/s320/100_3873.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432694191559689314" border="0" /></a>They looked to be rising and browning perfectly. My hope was renewed. I anxiously checked them though the oven window every 5 minutes and at the end, this is what I got<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bvuzAyhhYkA/S2TO8Hg2o8I/AAAAAAAAAPo/XPUdUOw9fbg/s1600-h/100_3876.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bvuzAyhhYkA/S2TO8Hg2o8I/AAAAAAAAAPo/XPUdUOw9fbg/s320/100_3876.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432694582719980482" border="0" /></a><br />2 beautiful loaves of bread and some strawberry jam. I have sampled a little bit of the bread and I'm pleased. I give myself a Blue Ribbon for my first attempt at bread. We'll see if the BF approves - if so, I'll call it a victory. Little perfectionist Becky can now continue on peacefully with Saturday - not feeling like a failure.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01379127893535066362noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1611700482956940670.post-42880532619770917052010-01-27T16:13:00.000-07:002010-01-27T16:27:45.841-07:00Newly EnrolledI LOVE learning! I do, maybe I'm addicted. I want to learn everything and I frequently get frustrated by what I don't know. I should probably not be too harsh on myself after all I'm only ALMOST-26. But alas, I think of all of the things that I want to understand. It's amazing how much you learn in college only to realize when you graduate that you have only covered .000001 percent of things to learn.<br />I can't financially justify grad school right now so I've taken it upon myself to be my own professor. I have been checking out textbooks online and my heart pitterpats at the mere thought of my own textbooks full of knowledge. They will even be filled with thought questions, applications, and test preps :) My first course by Professor Becky will be American Government and Politics - all 700 pages of it.<br />I've come to realize at work - where a common topic of conversation is politics, congressmen, and how they will affect our funding - that I don't really know much about the political atmosphere in the United States and while I don't want to turn into a person who debates politics all day every day, I feel the need to be more aware. Luckily my text book will cover everything from the creation of the Constitution up to the recent issues that we face. I'm pretty excited! <br />Hopefully I get an A. <br />After that I think I'll pursue a Nutritional Course, maybe a History of Modern Music Course, and then ... okay the list really never ends. So, if anyone has any ideas of good books on nutrition or music, let me know! (Cheri, just sell me your text book when you're done.) <br />Alright, now that I'm all motivated to learn and know everything, I must go remind myself that "all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he hath strength. And, again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order."<br />For those of you like me who have a serious lack of patience with themselves, keep that in mind. Keep the goal to learn and know and do everything, just remember to enjoy doing it one day at a time.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01379127893535066362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1611700482956940670.post-51068941140265197072009-12-18T13:43:00.000-07:002009-12-18T14:05:37.954-07:00Lockets<div align="center"> I think that <span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">LOCKETS</span> are incredibly romantic. It was such a classic part of olden-time dating when the beau gives his girl a locket with their pictures inside. </div><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 212px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 147px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416680635926036146" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bvuzAyhhYkA/SyvqVu4bvrI/AAAAAAAAAOg/6hjxZsP2j98/s320/locket1.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">I think we should bring that back!!</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416682095277764050" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bvuzAyhhYkA/SyvrqrY_7dI/AAAAAAAAAPI/jtgA7os_Jlg/s200/locket+4.jpg" /><br /><p align="center">Inside the locket holds the secret love of the wearer of the locket. </p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416681766295269218" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bvuzAyhhYkA/SyvrXh1db2I/AAAAAAAAAO4/Z_sRJWzbY-o/s200/locket+2.jpg" /><br /><br /><p align="center">Man, they are great and classic and beautiful. </p><br /><p align="center">Your love can also write a little inscription on it. Let's be serious, I think an inscription on a locket is much more romantic than on the back of the Ipod (although I would accept that as well).</p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 196px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416684874376067618" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bvuzAyhhYkA/SyvuMcVquiI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/tLSkPGXFdrQ/s200/locket+5.jpg" /><br /><p align="center">Maybe my little sister is right, vintage items, antiques and older traditions are a fading beauty in our day. But we should bring them back. I think Cheri would especially like the locket above and if I had thousands of dollars, I'd buy it for her (and one for me).</p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01379127893535066362noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1611700482956940670.post-51821695124283879402009-12-17T12:02:00.000-07:002009-12-17T12:15:27.626-07:00Color of My Dreams<div align="center"><span style="color:#ffffcc;">So, I just started an incredible book,</span> <span style="font-size:130%;color:#006600;">Reading Lolita in Tehran<span style="color:#000000;">, <span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffffcc;">and the author commented that her artist friend had stopped painting reality because it was too dismal and instead turned to painting the</span> <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#006600;">colors of her dreams</span>.</span> <span style="color:#ffffcc;">No more painting abandoned homes or dead trees or a colorless world, she started painting with splashes of bright colors and she painted her dreams of a better world, and romance, and freedom.</span></span></span></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffffcc;">As I was sitting there peddling on the little bicycle at 24-hour fitness (which I recently joined and am really excited about...my body will thank me!), I realized that reality isn't really that different from the</span> <span style="font-size:130%;color:#006600;">colors of my dreams</span>. <span style="color:#ffffcc;">I mean, sure, I have plenty of dreams that are yet to be fulfilled, but I also have a lot of dreams that have been fulfilled or are in the process of and I wouldn't change much about my current reality.</span> </div><br /><div align="center">I<span style="color:#ffffcc;"> dreamed of a job where I got to help people on a daily basis - CHECK.</span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffffcc;">I dream of living in a comfortable home that feels homey - CHECK.</span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffffcc;">I dream of having a</span> <span style="font-size:130%;color:#006600;">charming BF</span> <span style="color:#ffffcc;">- CHECK.</span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffffcc;">I dream of independence (whether it be financial, transportation, etc) - CHECK.</span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffffcc;">I dream of being able to learn - CHECK.</span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffffcc;">I dream of being able to have the excitement of the big city with a quick escape to the tranquility of the country - CHECK.</span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffffcc;">I dream of having family close by - CHECK (except Jen...).</span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffffcc;">I dream of being able to make my dreams come true - CHECK.</span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffffcc;">There are plenty of other things I dream about, but really, reality is treating me pretty well as of late.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#006600;">So thanks reality!</span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffffcc;">There's something for you to think about. </span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffffcc;">Are your reality and dreams in line or do you need to change the reality so that you're living your dreams?</span></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01379127893535066362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1611700482956940670.post-29899214166379604882009-11-25T13:50:00.000-07:002009-11-25T14:06:47.623-07:00Gratitude<div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">In honor of the approaching holiday, I thought I'd share a few things that I'm grateful for.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">1. Good <em>literature</em>, like the Alchemist, that inspire me and get me really thinking about life's journey.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">2. Lovely <em>sisters</em> - and in-laws - that I share my hopes, dreams, and silly stories with.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">3. My <em>mother</em> - who is always there - for the good and for the bad and who finally has a cell phone so that I can reach her anytime of day or night.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">4. The <em>magic</em> of the first good snow of the season.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">5. The last <em>brightly colored</em> <em>leaf</em> to fall from the tree.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">6. My <em>job</em> - I may not love it, but it's a good starter job and helps me to provide for myself.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">7. My beautiful little<em> car</em> :)</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">8. Besides the above mentioned people, <em>family</em> members in general and bffs like <em>Natausha</em> make life great.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">9. I'm grateful for <em>pictures</em> - they have the power to preserve memories, feelings, events, etc. I looked through some pictures today and was flooded with memories - tears and laughter - and all the great feelings of life.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">10. I am grateful for <em>heartbreak</em> (not that I want it all the time. I would actually be happy to never experience it again.) However, I was thinking the other day about what a beautiful thing it is to hurt that deeply because that hurt is a reflection of how much we are capable of caring and loving someone and that's a pretty miraculous thing.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">11. I'm grateful that I have the <em>power</em> to make my dreams come true.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">12. I'm definitely grateful for my life and my </span><a href="http://www.lds.org/"><span style="font-size:130%;"><em>beliefs</em></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">13. I'm grateful for <em>Frozen Yogurt</em> (especially the kind in Provo that is extremely reasonably priced and I get to buy it by ounce and add as many toppings as I want).</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">14. I'm grateful for the dreams of <em>foreign lands</em> and cultures and that I can plan lots of imaginary vacations that I hope will one day stop being imaginary.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">15. Despite my country's imperfections, I am very grateful to live in the <em>U.S</em>!!!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">16. I'm grateful for <em>songs</em> that perfectly express my feelings.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">17. I'm grateful that I got to <em>travel </em>to Plymouth and the Mayflower and recreate the first Thanksgiving in my mind in the place that those first pilgrims came.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">This list could go on and on. It's just a start of what I'm grateful for this Thanksgiving!</span></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01379127893535066362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1611700482956940670.post-19741215034110220712009-11-23T12:51:00.001-07:002009-11-23T12:52:01.166-07:00TodayI just want to giggle like a school girl. It's a lovely day.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01379127893535066362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1611700482956940670.post-68374550569119324352009-11-19T09:52:00.000-07:002009-11-19T10:12:29.202-07:00Que Sera, Sera...Jen sent this to me and I figured, why not answer it...<br /><br /><br /><br />1. Were you named after anyone? I think Rebekah in the Bible.<br /><br />2. When was the last time you cried? I don't think I've cried since Halloween - when I moved from Provo, haha.<br /><br />3. Do you like your handwriting? Yeah, I think it does the job and I can write incredibly small.<br /><br />4. What is your favorite lunch meat? Depends on the day - anything that's deli fresh.<br /><br />5. Do you have kids? Obviously not.<br /><br />6. If you were another person, would you be friends with you? Sure, I like me.<br /><br />7. Do you use sarcasm a lot? Never does a sarcastic word slip from my mouth.<br /><br />8. Do you still have your tonsils? Yes, unless they were removed without someone telling me.<br /><br />9. Would you bungee jump? Probably not, but then again I didn't think I'd do the human slingshot up Hobble Creek either. Check it out on You Tube. It was awesome!<br /><br />10. What is your favorite cereal? Quaker Cinnamon Oatmeal Squares (and it makes the best milk!)<br /><br />11. Do you untie your shoes? Except for my running shoes, I don't have any with laces...<br /><br />12. Do you think your strong? The arm I hold up the blow dryer with is pretty tough :)<br /><br />13. What is your favorite ice cream? I almost never crave or want ice cream. The end.<br /><br />14. First thing you notice about people? their personality? or their dreamy smile and look in their eyes (which is sometimes creepy)<br /><br />15. Red or Pink? I own considerably more pink.<br /><br />16. Least favorite thing about yourself? Sometimes I'm shy.<br /><br />17. Who do you miss the most? It'd be nice if Natausha, my side kick, were here... but I still talk to her about 3 times a day, at least.<br /><br />18. What color shoes are you wearing? Old black (with some dust on them) flats. I'm not a shoe person.<br /><br />19. What was the last thing you ate? A rolo.<br /><br />20. What are you listening to right now? The Christmas music coming out of my coworkers cubicle.<br /><br />21. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Purple!<br /><br />22. Favorite smells? Crisp fall air with the scent of bread or pumpkin spice, vanilla, etc. candles.<br /><br />23. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone? Natausha<br /><br />24. Favorite sports to watch? I watch sports for the social scene...so whichever sport has the best people watching it.<br /><br />25. Hair Color and Eye Color? Brown and Hazel.<br /><br />26. Favorite Food? Mexican American Food or Shrimp.<br /><br />27. Scary movies or happy endings? Hello -happy endings.<br /><br />28. What color of shirt are you wearing? Pink<br /><br />29. Last movie you watched? The Proposal (no worries, I closed my eyes during the inappropriate scene)<br /><br />30. Hugs or kisses? Depends on whose giving them.<br /><br />31. What book are you reading right now? Land of a Thousand Hills by Rosamond Carr<br /><br />32. What'd you watch on TV last night? There's not even a TV in my apt.<br /><br />33. Farthest you've been from home? Chile<br /><br />34. Are you bored at work? Um, YES! That's what I spent so much time doing this.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01379127893535066362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1611700482956940670.post-4482771673125174552009-11-19T09:29:00.000-07:002009-11-19T09:47:56.767-07:00Burning the Midnight Oil<div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">There are so many useful phrases that I think we should reincorporate into our language - or I think Cheri should write a song entitled, Burning the Midnight Oil. Wouldn't that be terrific?!?</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">There was a point to this post before I got distracted by old idioms.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Last night on my date, somewhere towards the beginning of the night, he asked me, "So Becky, what do you like to do?" Naturally I started to respond, but within 2 or 3 sentences (before I had even mentioned one thing that I like to do) I was distracted by something else and my mind hopped to another topic. About an hour later, after discussing various other topics, he said, "Wait, you never told me what you like to do." So, I again started down the path that would lead to that answer, but alas, again I got sidetracked and didn't answer the question. (Atleast we had good converstation even if it wasn't the answer to the question.) The 3rd time, about another hour later, the topic was brought up, and I made a concerted effort to answer the question, to which I succeeded. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">I chuckled and explained to the poor bloke that that's how we communicate in my family. In order to answer one question or tell one story, we must discuss every other possible topic first - normally for a quite extended amount of time. I guess I am like my family after all.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">P.S.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">I love this cold time of year! I get to sip hot chocolate all the time. I even went to Starbucks for the first time and had the most delicious Peppermint Hot Chocolate with Cream. I highly recommend it!! I also recommend Village Inn or 7-11 or Stephens.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Hot Chocolate makes me happy!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">So do scarfs and hats.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Rosy Cheeks.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">The soon to be hung Christmas lights.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">The already playing Christmas music (yes, that's right, I like it BEFORE Thanksgiving).</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Singing the songs from Mickey's Christmas Carol or Alabama Christmas favorites.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">etc. </span></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01379127893535066362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1611700482956940670.post-51266731126629317462009-11-15T22:12:00.000-07:002009-11-15T22:27:34.006-07:00An Eventful Sunday.Let me tell you about today.<br />First, I think winter is going to be brutal. Don't get me wrong - I HEART the snow, but it was so stinkin' cold today and it was only like 32ish. I'm going to have to start layering and layering, expect at work where the office temp hovers around 84 by the end of the day and I feel like I'm back in Ecuador.<br />It was another happy Sunday. <br />Church was amazing today and I got a calling - Activities Committee. This is officially (well except for that one month stint as Gospel Doctrine Teacher) that I've had a calling outside of Relief Society - ever. Bishop said it's good for me to have a calling with some men and mix it up. I like my new Bishop. He's quiet and a little shy and doesn't really know how to always phrase things or ask things, but he cares and wants to know. It was funny as he tried to so delicately ask if I am dating someone. There were some amazing talks in Sacrament Meeting and there are lots of familiar, friendly faces at church.<br />I have a week lined up with plenty of social engagements :) It turns out that I can still flirt! I'm pleased needless to say.<br />The day was busy after church with a dinner group, a friendly boy who stopped by to bring me Argentine goodies, a fireside, ward prayer, another little activity with another boy. I like having things to do constantly at my disposal. It's so relieving! <br />Salt Lake captures me more and more everyday. Thank you Salt Lake!<br />For anyone who's ever felt lost before, you know how relieving it is to again be found. <br />I made some new friends.<br />I am getting familiar with this place.<br />I was in Provo over the weekend and although it was good to see some faces, my decision to move really was right!<br />This was a good start to a new week.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01379127893535066362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1611700482956940670.post-89547365453420008192009-11-09T21:42:00.000-07:002009-11-09T22:00:09.176-07:00Who got bitten by the happy bug?<div style="text-align: center;">So I must confess.<br />All of those close to me knew that the month of October was one of the low-points of my life with tears everyday and an unrelenting feeling of frustration. Now, that is quite atypical. I am a happy, jovial, silly person and I do not like being down. It was a whole month, at least, of that feeling so it couldn't even be blamed on womanly fluctuations ;)<br />However, I must say that November is looking up. I have returned to being me! It just goes to show that when you're where you're supposed to be, things feel better and work out much better.<br />Where am I supposed to be?<br />That's easy - Salt Lake City.<br />Despite my concern and need to lose some of my Provo Pride, Salt Lake has pleasantly surprised me. I often feel like I moved to the big city from a small little community. There are so many big buildings and streets lined with restaurants. There's quite a smattering of different cultures and ethnicities, and there is most definitely more SMOKE in the air in Salt Lake. (That part I'd be happy to do without.)<br />It turns out that no matter how much I love Provo, it's not the best place for a 25 year old single BYU graduate who works in Salt Lake.<br />SLC is accompanied by a multitude of post-graduate, mid-20 year old Mormons. There's an institute that is full of activities and is such a great place to meet new people. There are older wards where many of you are in the same shoes. It's such a relieve! I love being 25...on the verge of 26... I think it's a fantastic age, but it turns out that Provo is not the best place to be in that stage.<br />I guess I knew that I didn't belong in Provo before I even signed another year contract in Provo, but I didn't want to move on account of great roommates and other positive situations. It goes to show that even though change can be difficult and not always exactly as you want it, that there is divine purpose in change. I knew that I needed to leave, but couldn't get myself to bid farewell. So because I refused to move, I had to suffer until I was willing to make the change.<br />I am glad that I have now. I can still have friends in Provo, but I can also enjoy the new adventure of life in the big city....Salt Lake.<br />It's no NYC, that's true, but it has its excitement. Everything here is new to me.<br />Running is a beast because we live on the side of the mountain so everywhere I attempt to run I have some SERIOUS hills, but at least they are accompanied by beautiful old houses and narrow oak lined streets that are covered by the fallen yellow leaves.<br />I can run to Temple Square from where I live - love it.<br />People in my ward have been exceedingly nice and I'm finding it so easy to meet new people here. I love being new because it forces me to step out of my box and I do so much better when I'm alone in a whole new place.<br />I am back to a shared room, but I have an amazing roommate which I'm so grateful for! Her favorite show is Gilmore Girls - which we happily watch together. And, she even goes to bed earlier than me. It's a miracle!<br />Work still has it's ups and downs and there's a lot that I want to change about it, but I am making friends which makes the 40 hours of work a little bit better.<br />So, I'm feeling better. I'm feeling happy. Life is good and I'm going to try to keep it that way.</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01379127893535066362noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1611700482956940670.post-89322438512891391692009-10-01T15:35:00.000-06:002009-10-01T15:56:00.803-06:00Chakras anyone?I am getting a whole new kind of education here at my job. I am learning about the "unseen" world and the natural healing traditions of the East. It's kind of fascinating and definitely something that I have never ever bothered to learn about.<br />My coworker (the same one I always talk about) came in to work today with a CD that someone randomly gave her spouse. I am one who definitely does believe that music has a powerful effect on a person. It can invigorate, aggravate, or ameliorate. After a break-up, I listen to Kelly Clarkson and other girl power songs. When I need more calm in my life, I find some peaceful piano music or hymns to listen to. When I want more spice in my life, I put on a little tropical or merengue music that inspires me to dance through life. I think most of us agree that music influences our emotions and attitudes. <br />So, the CD that the cowoerker brought in today is called Healing Harmonies. Apparently the tones in each song target specific chakras. Now, before 15 minutes ago, I had no idea was a chakra even was. I figured I had better do a little research to find out what this music is supposed to be that we're listening to. <br />For those of you who don't know, the body is divided into 7 chakras. In old Indian tradition, chakras are said to be force centers or centers of energy. They are considered to be focal points for tranmission and reception of energy within the spiritual body and thus transferred to the physical as well. Each one has a tone and a color. <br />For example, the crown chakra's function is as follows - as the tone and colors are used, it should increase one's joy and lessen anger and fear. It helps one to find purpose and become less selfish - more humanitarian based and devoted. <br />I think the Indian and Ancient Eastern traditions are kind of fascinating. They established some pretty complex systems to understand the mind, the body, the spirit, and the universe. While I don't believe it all (by any means) it is interesting to try to see the world from others' perspectives and to come to appreciate and see the beauty in it all.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01379127893535066362noreply@blogger.com1