boxing day.

So there I was, getting ready to share the greatest nativity video ever (because we can celebrate the birth of our Savior on Boxing Day, too), when I see that my sister just posted the exact same thing on her blog! We can just take a quick detour over there to watch it. Good plan.

Go ahead, click on this to see the wondrous thing that is the nativity story told by CUTE BRITISH CHILDREN. You won't be sorry!

Also, you can check out her blog cause she's my sister so she's pretty cool.

anthem.

Hello. This is my anthem for today.

Wanna know why it's the best day of my life??! Okay!

I finished all my finals of the semester today! So did a lot of people, but it doesn't stop there.

I watched another excellent Christmas movie on Netflix. Those things are priceless. I love them all.

I received an unexpected Christmas package from my missionary which is now waiting for me at my home! Now I'm even more excited to get back to Farmington!!

My roommates and I enjoyed a lovely dinner consisting of Subway and Coldstone while we watched Bride Wars together.

I was able to go running and endorphins are awesome so that's cool.

Classes are over, tests are taken, I got some good grades, I ate ice cream, it's almost Christmas, and the treadmill didn't kill me. Isn't life great?

IT'S THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE! MY LIIIIIIIIFE!

Hey, I hope you had a good day too.

celebrate.

I absolutely love Christmas. I especially love Christmas music; the spirit that it brings is one of a kind. This song by Relient K is not only fantastic because Relient K is fantastic, but because the message is so sweet.

I love my Savior so much and I know He loves me too. He did indeed die for me and that's the only reason that I have any hope of returning to Him and my Heavenly Father one day. True happiness comes because of the reality of His birth and His life's ministry, and that is most definitely something to celebrate.

"I celebrate the day that You were born to die so I could one day pray for You to save my life"

Merry Christmas, everyone!

the ball pit.

I know this has already been shared all over the place a ton, but I just watched it for the first time today and oh my goodness I love it. This is why I love people. I want to do this so bad!

Life is just a ball pit; we're all in this together.

gray.

This made me laugh a lot harder than it should have. But maybe someone out there is as easily entertained as I am and will find this amusing as well.

sunday morning.

I love Saturday and Sunday mornings. There's something really peaceful about being awake before everyone else and getting things done.

Today I woke up early and made blueberry muffins. They were delicious blueberry muffins! Then I studied the Book of Mormon for a while, specifically 4th Nephi and Mormon.

You know what, that book is amazing. I have come to love it more and more each day that I read it and I honestly can't wait to finish it just so I can start it again!

It's just nice to know that our Savior truly does love us and has given us everything we need to be saved and live with Him forever. I have come to know this through the Book of Mormon. If you haven't read it, I suggest you do! Because it is absolutely amazing.

Helaman 5:12

"And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall."

Build your foundation on Jesus Christ, and you will not fall!

He is my best friend and I love Him. I know that He will come again. I know His atonement is real and infinite. True joy is possible because of Him.

i love today. part 2.

Today was an excellent day. So I thought I'd make a sequel to that one post and tell you exactly why today was so excellent!

Today is Friday: I love Fridays! Who doesn't?? It means Monday is just 3 short days away, and I especially love Mondays because I get to hear from my missionary. He makes me real happy.

Productivity: This morning when I woke up I was somehow in the mood to be productive! So I've been all pumped about getting my homework done and that doesn't happen all that often, so I thought it was worth mentioning.

My hair: After I straightened my hair this morning it was just so soft and I love when my hair is soft. My hair is generally soft basically all the time but it made me happy this morning, and everyone needs something to make them happy in the morning.

Dancing: I get to dance a lot every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for school. It's the best. Usually I get super nasty after my morning jazz class but today I only got kinda nasty AND we did some Fosse-esque stuff so I got to be fierce and sassy and that's my guilty pleasure or something. And I just really love dancing!

The library alarm: For the first 4 weeks of the semester I set off the alarm in the library EVERY DAY. But I haven't set it off in like a week and a half now so that's cool.

Lorde: While I was doing homework in the library today I listened to Lorde. I am loving her music. A lot. Especially this song. I seriously love how music can make me happy like nothing else can. 

Walking up to the Ricks building: My backpack was extra heavy today and I did indeed have to trek up to the Ricks, but it was giving me a great calf workout and I like having nice calves, so I was a fan!

I like naps: My awesome sister Nicole got me a hoodie for Christmas last year that says, "I Like Naps." It's my favorite. I get more compliments when I wear that hoodie than any other outfit. I wore it today so I got some compliments and I wore a hoodie which equals comfort which equals happy Sara.

Science things: Brother Kelley likes to do fun demonstrations for us on Fridays. We didn't play with any liquid nitrogen today, but he did pull out a tesla coil for us! It was basically exactly like the scene in The Sorcerer's Apprentice. Okay, not really. But it was still cool. And in case you haven't seen The Sorcerer's Apprentice, here's the awesome tesla coil part. The fun begins around 50 seconds in. But you can watch him awkwardly flirt for the first 50 seconds if you'd like, too.

Ice cream: I went to Nielson's Frozen Custard and had a divine raspberry and vanilla concrete. Oh my yum. Ice cream is my second favorite food.

What a wonderful day.

I hope yours has been pleasant as well!

ice caves.

I went on an adventure!

Just a few minutes away from this lovely town called Rexburg there are ICE CAVES.

Caves. Full of ice. It's cold and exciting.

You get to slide around and your bum and knees get really wet and cold and it's so fun!

The whole time I felt like I was in one of those Mario Party mini-games where you're a penguin and you have to slide on the ice and catch fish and stuff.

I had a lovely time with lovely people.

science.

Science is probably my worst subject, but I'm in an Energy in the 21st Century science class this semester and it's all kinds of fun. I'm a Marriage and Family Studies major and the class is full of Mechanical Engineering and Physics majors.

So naturally, the class is nice and nerdy and hilarious a lot of the time.

We like to make jokes about 100% efficient systems (utterly impossible) and nuclear energy (let's use nuclear energy for everything and have bombs rolling around everywhere!) and cats made of antimatter (because who doesn't want to completely obliterate a furry animal?).

We also play with liquid nitrogen a lot. (Did you know that when you stick your hand in liquid nitrogen really fast, it won't freeze because the heat from your hand makes it boil and all those bubbles make a pocket of air around your hand. Science is cool!)

And when we discuss how a car would get better gas mileage on the moon we can't ignore the fact that a car wouldn't be able to go anywhere on the moon because there's not enough oxygen to ignite the fuel (bahahaha)!

Science class is basically entertainment central. But what I really love is how a lot of these science major people are truly passionate about this stuff and it makes them happy! Their passion for science makes me happy. And I get a good laugh every once in a while, so that's an added bonus.

football.

BYU-Idaho is awesome. Did you know we have the largest intramural sports program in the country? Well, we do! Wanna know why? Because we don't have any "real" sports. It's great fun!

And you better believe that one of the many intramural sports offered here is football! But since we don't play against any other schools, the intramural teams play against each other. With team names like "Falcons" and "Spartans" because that makes perfect sense.

These football teams play in our nice big stadium, of course, and they even have commentators! I live right across the street from the stadium and had the pleasure of hearing all the excitement of the games from those commentators last weekend. (Is commentating an intramural sport, too? I honestly don't know. But I wouldn't be surprised. Who else would do it?)

I couldn't help but crack up every time I heard them get so excited about certain plays. And this went on all day because there had to be more than one game because we have like 6 football teams.

I really love this school!

national free cookie day.

Yesterday I was waiting in line at the Copy Spot on campus to pay for some copies.

A couple of girls walked in with a box of cookies claiming it was National Free Cookie Day. They offered a cookie to everyone and then went on their way.

It wasn't really National Free Cookie Day yesterday. That day doesn't even exist! (I Googled it.)

Maybe those girls were just trying to get rid of some cookies or maybe they had planned to go around giving out free cookies that day. Either way, it made me happy. I love cookies! And I love people!

give me love.

This song is a gem.

I'm a hopeless romantic and I love love songs and Ed Sheeran is just a musical genius. Yes please.

My favorite part is at 4:48 where the clapping comes in. But you have to listen to the whole thing to really appreciate it! And don't forget the super secret hidden song at the end; it is beautiful.

This song makes me feel good inside. Music makes me happy.

400 pounds.

Yesterday evening I was walking up to campus and I passed a group of guys walking back from the gym. I was looking at my phone, minding my own business, when one of them "casually" said, "Wow, I can't believe I just bench pressed 400 pounds."

Bahahahahaha!

And that's what I did. I laughed really hard and said, "You are awesome!" But mostly I just laughed a lot. Cause I thought it was funny that he thought that might actually work or something...

I don't think that was the reaction he expected.

I can't believe that either, short and scrawny boy. But way to be confident. You made my day.

I love people.

good vibes.

Do you ever feel really happy for no apparent reason? Or do you ever feel really good about yourself even though nothing extraordinary happened?

Sometimes that happens to me. And I love it.

Just take a second to clear your mind and think of something that makes YOU awesome.

You have so many reasons so smile and so many great qualities that you can and should be proud of. I truly believe that. And, ya know, you have to live with yourself for the rest of your life so I hope you can find those good vibes inside and be happy about who you are!

It might take a little work, but try to make your life and yourself into something you can love.

snails.

The other night while I was running, I saw the tracks of some snails that had been out while it was raining earlier in the day. These said tracks were kinda shiny.

And I thought to myself: "Snails leave sparkly trails."

It rhymes. I thought it was funny. Say it out loud, it's more fun.

Also, I thought these little guys were cute.

singing elders.

I love missionaries.

I love funny videos.

This video of lip-syncing missionaries makes me happy. I mean, just watch their faces.

I love it!!

hasten the work.

This weekend was Stake Conference, and it was ALL about missionary work. All of it. With the missionary age change last October, the number of full-time missionaries has grown like crazy, which is so amazing to see. But the focus of our Stake Conference was on being better missionaries in your everyday life.

Hastening the work.

Day by day.

Through the small and simple things.

Being an instrument in God's hands so others can feel His love through our love.

In one of the talks, the song "Great Things and Small Things" from the From Cumorah's Hill program was quoted:

To move a mountain,
To make the sea become dry land.
To cross an ocean,
To build a ship upon the sand.

Such things I could do
If the Lord should command,
But the Lord has commanded me

To love a neighbor,
And to forgive when I am wronged.
To keep a promise,
To have my word become my bond.

How simple and small
Are the things He has asked,
Are the things He has asked of me.

Great things and small things,
I can do all things,
All that the Lord may require.
Though the world may assail me,
God will not fail me.
He will remain by my side.
Whether He asks for the great
Or the small.
I can do them all!

He gave us weakness
And yet He calls us to obey.
And so He teaches
That we must call on Him for strength.

And such is the love
That the Father extends;
What we pray for in faith, He sends.

If you've never heard From Cumorah's Hill, look it up. The music is fantastic. 

I love the lyrics of this song. They're so true!! Isn't it incredible that the Lord really does make great things come to pass through our small acts of faith? I know Heavenly Father is aware of every aspect of our lives and our individual needs and desires. He will give us the opportunities to serve and guide us through them if we go forward with faith.

"Let's show Heavenly Father that He put His trust in the right people."

Amen to that. We can all be better; I know I sure can be. 

unwrapped.

I've always thought The Food Network was a fun channel, because, you know, food is delicious. Unwrapped was by far my most favorite Food Network show. (But then they stopped making it so Ace of Cakes took over as the favorite but now they don't make that show either and I no longer have cable so there is no current favorite.)

Today I had the opportunity to volunteer at Deseret Mills.

Did you know that 70% of the packaged goods at Bishop's Storehouses across the country are prepared at Deseret Mills? Whoa, that's a lot of food!

We got to package instant potatoes on an assembly line complete with conveyer belts and loud machines and hair nets. I was waiting for Marc Summers to walk around the corner with a heaping plate of mashed potatoes ready to interview us (unfortunately, he never showed up...his loss).

It's cool to think of all the places those boxes of instant potatoes will end up and all the people who will benefit from the few hours I spent at the Mill today. I'm grateful I was able to help; it makes me feel happy inside!

Well, that was my adventure for the day.

i think it's hilarious.

Let's make fun of all the fictional characters. (Shout out to Pinterest, for providing me with such amusement.) Every single one of these makes me laugh so hard! Now we can see if you're as easily entertained...they're just so clever.

today and every day.

Because you are. Really, you are a masterpiece of our Heavenly Father's. Remember that.

socks.

OH MY GOODNESS MY MOM IS THE GREATEST BECAUSE SHE BOUGHT ME SOCKS EVEN THOUGH I LITERALLY HAVE 79 PAIRS (don't worry I got rid of some) AND IT'S THE BEST BECAUSE I LOVE SOCKS OH SO VERY MUCH!!

Socks make me happy.

It's the best day ever.

phlying phones.

Sometimes I throw my phone. Not on purpose, it just happens.

I can't tell you how many times I've dropped my phone on my face while texting laying down.

And sometimes while I'm just spinning my phone around I lose control and it goes flying.

The other night I was reaching to put my phone on my nightstand. I guess I was investing more energy than the task required and let go too early because I literally chucked it clear across the room.

It's kind of funny because, you know, I don't think anyone really means to drop or throw their phone, but it seems to happen a lot. Whenever it happens to me, I laugh. Because it's funny.

My little cellular device has taken quite the beating.

Forgive me, Phone. I promise it's not my intention to abuse you so!

beautiful.

You are a beautiful person.

I truly think people are fascinating. The way different people act and react to things; how different things are amusing to different people...I love discovering these things about everyone I meet.

When you think about it, there are about a gazillion different "characteristics" out there. Isn't it cool that each individual person is basically a compilation of certain characteristics? We each have the opportunity to find those traits within us and utilize them. We can share them with others in ways that help them grow and develop into a better person. A person's potential is amazing!

YOU ARE AMAZING!

The way you laugh, smile, walk, learn, talk, desire....it's all beautiful. I don't know about you, but I think that if you look at it a certain way, life is art. Yeah, there's a ton of crap out there, but the good stuff is full of beauty.

The beauty of life makes me happy.

come thou fount.

This song is incredible. MoTab is incredible. You can't not feel the Spirit while listening to this song. I'm pretty sure I could listen to this song all day every day and never get sick of it. I've already listened to it 3 times today!

When I feel the Spirit, I get really happy. This song makes me happy, and the Spirit I feel when I hear it remind me of Heavenly Father's love for me and makes me want to be better. Isn't it cool how music can make you feel such profound things? I love music. I love being Mormon.

This song is basically the soundtrack to a beautiful, Spirit-filled Sabbath Day.

Listen and be inspired!!

sky dancer.

I went on a walk tonight.

Walks and Summer nights are two of my very favorite things, so this was an excellent experience.

I made up a dance while I was walking. People driving past in their cars were probably giving me funny looks, but that's okay because I was happy and having a jolly good choreographing to the music in my head. What a fantastic way to end the day!

And now I just randomly thought of these toys my sisters and I would play with when we were little.

I could never get mine to fly very high. Being a Sky Dancer would probably be pretty cool, but I bet they get dizzy. I guess I'll stick to being a Ground Dancer

toast.

This morning I ate some toast for breakfast.

When it came out of the toaster, it jumped really high like toast always does in cartoons! I didn't catch it in midair or anything, but I still thought it was pretty cool. And it definitely made me happy.

thank you.

My parents are awesome.

Last week my car had to be inspected and when my dad took it to the inspection place, he also bought me gas.

My car, Reggie, has a tiny little gas tank. I drive a lot so I have to fill up about every 4 or 5 days. It was very nice to go a whole 12 days without having to spend my money on gas. I'm pretty sure free gas is about the best thing in the world, so that made me happy.

Thanks, Daddio! You're the best!

i made it.

Last night before I went to bed I thought, "I'm grateful I made it through today. I love how that keeps happening."

Isn't that wonderful?? I guess I just needed to remind myself that I AM GOING TO MAKE IT.

It's interesting how some minutes and hours and days and weeks and years seem to go by so much slower or faster than others, when really they're all the same length (except for leap years, of course).

Sometimes making it through the day really is something to celebrate. But it's good to remember that time will keeping moving, and nothing lasts forever. The weekend will indeed come exactly when it always comes, and that really slow hour of work is actually moving just as fast as the fast hour of work. Most importantly, remember you will make it through.

Keep pushing through those hard times; they will come to an end.

Say a prayer and keep the faith. I find myself saying little prayers throughout the day all the time. Sometimes that's just the extra push you need to keep going. Heavenly Father is aware of you and all your struggles; I know He will help you through the rough spots, and the smooth spots too, for that matter.

Then maybe stop and think about how far you've come and what you've accomplished, and be happy. Remember that you are strong enough.

"Hold on a little longer. You can do this...even when things look bleak. Know and remember this: the Lord loves you, He remember you, and He will ever sustain those who enure in faith to the end."
-President Uchtdorf

demons.

No, no this post is not about my favorite Imagine Dragons song. But you go right ahead and listen to that song, because it's fantastic.

This is about those cars with the colorful headlights. I don't understand why some cars, or really, car owners, feel the need to have blue or pink or yellow or green or really white or mismatched colored headlights.

Today I was driving home from work (of course) and there was a car driving the opposite direction as me with BRIGHT BLUE headlights. Those stupid lights burned my eyeballs and I had their imprint in my vision for the rest of the drive home. They were like demon eyes staring at me and I couldn't look away. Because they were burned into my eyeballs, you see.

And when I decided they were like demon eyes I just started laughing, because that's pretty funny to picture little demons looking through cars' headlights.

But still, I'm really not a fan of those colorful headlights. Do us all a favor and stick with the standard non-demonlike white-ish yellow-ish lights.

Okay, thanks.

once upon a wednesday.

Isn't it funny how certain songs can bring back such vivid memories? It's crazy. A couple songs came up on my iPod today that brought me back to Sophomore and Junior year driving to school with my BFF Jill. I mean Adrienne (it's funny because we used to call each other BFF Rose/Jill like that one commercial).

I hear one of the songs we always listened to and I am instantly taken back to those early mornings and hyper afternoons driving in Dorothy/Waldo, her trusty vehicle. I can practically smell her car's distinct smell...no joke.

At one point Adrienne instituted Disney Drive Home Wednesdays. Every Wednesday we would only listen to Disney music on the way home from school. And let's not forget the daily Arctic Circle stops for courtesy cones!

Most of the people who got to experience these epic excursions are now serving missions, but those times we had together in high school were definitely good ones!

i love today.

Today is a beautiful day. Let me tell you why.

I don't have to work today: Self explanatory.

Fresh salsa: My dad made fresh salsa this morning. I am a salsa fan. It's funny because I really don't like tomatoes, onions, or peppers by themselves, but when you chop 'em up and mix 'em in a bowl I can eat the whole thing. YUM.

My journal: I love my journal. I wrote in my journal a lot today. My journal is my happy place. I've written in 4 journals since moving home for the summer (April 11). I really hope that one day my posterity will appreciate the many many many things I write about my life.

Warm wind: I sat outside while I wrote in my journal and the wind was blowing just a little. I love the heat. I love Summer. I love warm wind. It's like the earth is trying to give you a hug or something. It just makes me happy.

Summer storms: I've always loved thunder and lightning. Ever since my dad would take me and my siblings outside on the porch during storms when we were little to watch the lightning. I find them extremely enjoyable. It started raining and thundering today while it was still nice and sunny and it was simply amazing! Storms make me happy.

Pandora: Specifically the How to Train Your Dragon movie score station. How to Train Your Dragon is a fantastic movie and the music is wonderful. I discovered this Pandora station last semester and now I'm hooked. Lord of the Rings, Pirates of the Caribbean, Chronicles of Narnia, Finding Nemo, Captain America, Kung Fu Panda, Harry Potter....it's all there, and more! Take a listen!

These are all the reasons I love today.

airplanes.

Every day I pass the SLC airport on my way to work. I love watching the airplanes that have just barely taken off and the ones just getting ready to land; the planes are really low and that's always been kind of exciting to see... I also like to picture all the people way up there in the sky returning from an adventure or just getting ready to start one!

I especially like the ones getting ready to land because that's my favorite part of flying: the part where the plane drops and you feel your stomach flip like you're on a roller coaster. 

Then I wish that I was going on an airplane to somewhere amazing instead of work.

But I keep going to work and I keep watching the planes. That's okay though, because it makes me happy to see the airplanes anyway, and I can be happy for all the people embarking on their own adventures. I'll go on my own adventure some day soon.

meow.

I have a really fun game for you. Here are the instructions:

1. Pick your favorite song. Or your least favorite song for that matter, any song will do.

2. Listen to the song.

3. Sing along.

4. When you feel the time is right (which is anytime, really), start meowing the tune.

5. Continue to meow for as long as your heart desires.

I know you want to play!! (Side note: I call lots of things "games" just because life is more fun when you think of it as a game! Also, Leben ist nur a große spiel, Sie müssen nur wissen wie zu spielen. That says "life is just a big game, you just need to know how to play" in German. Shout out to Elder Bécar for supplying me with that gem.) 

Example:

Please enjoy the magical/slightly creepy music video for Paul McCartney's "Wonderful Christmas Time." Try to meow the tune. Take special note of how much joy fills your soul at 1:25 when you meow along. (Like this: meow meow, meow meow, meow meow meow)

Bonus round: Play "Name That Tune," but meow the tune instead of humming.

Shout out to Tyler Whipple for teaching my family how to play this game.

people.

I love people. You know that one quote on Pinterest...

This is me. But it's not only when a person is talking about what they love, my most favorite is when I SEE it.

I love finding out those little things that make other people happy; the ordinary things that make a person laugh or smile, and the big things that inspire or create a passion and drive within a person. People are so interesting. People make me happy.

I'm so excited to get back up to school so I have more social interaction (I promise I'm not a hermit. I think.) and stories about things other than driving and work...like PEOPLE!!

rush hour.

Rush hour traffic: a thing of which I am not a huge fan.

Yesterday I had to take an earlier shift at work so I could go to the Bountiful Handcart Days festivities. I had the privilege (and by privilege, I mean not a privilege at all) of driving home at 4:44 ish. I was all antsy about getting home in time for the party and all angsty at other drivers so I was slightly mad and then there was an accident which made me sad. So basically I was every emotion that ends in "ad" except for glad.

After experiencing the nastiness that is rush hour traffic yesterday, you have no idea how glad (ah, there it is... now all the "ad" emotions have been accounted for.) I was to drive home at 10 tonight! AND, with it being Pioneer Day and all, there were fireworks going off every which way I looked on my drive home!

It was quite a pleasant addition to the already much-more-pleasant-than-rush-hour-traffic drive home. It should be Pioneer Day every day.

The moral of the story is: I love life because I got to watch fireworks while I drove home tonight. Life is so good.

fireworks.

I really love fireworks. I especially like the ones that are super sparkly. I also discovered a new firework last night at the Bountiful Handcart Days fireworks that I really love...it was pinkish orangeish and got REALLY bright. I like it because orange is my favorite color, and it lit up the sky like the 24th of July.

All this talk of fireworks gets me thinking of when I saw the Katy Perry movie for the first time a few weeks ago. At the part with her song "Firework" I remember getting all pumped about being an individual and being awesome just the way I am.

The other day this thought came to my head: "I am so excited to be me for the rest of my life." At first I was like, whoa, that's a weird thought to think, but then I realized that it's kind of cool.

As Dr. Seuss puts it, "Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you!"

I love that! Honestly, I love being me. And you should love being you. Just think about that for a quick sec and realize what it means.

BE YOU, okay?

Because YOU are amazing.

Take it away, Katy! I wish I could shoot fireworks out of my person. 

red.

Last night when I was driving home from work, the sun was setting and it was absolutely beautiful. I wish I could have taken a picture, but I did not want to compromise my safety.

The sky was orange and pink and the sun was RED. It was awesome. And when my eyes first beheld the sight, these words came out of my mouth: "The sun is on fire!"

Actually, it was more like this: "THE SUN IS ON FIRE!!!!" Because I was alone in the car and I can be as loud as I want. 

Then I realized what I said. And I laughed.

Because yes, the sun is indeed on fire. All the time.

reflecty.

Last night when I was driving on the pinball machine highway on my way home from work I saw a truck carrying a bunch of these:

I thought it was funny. Because all the lights were blinking even though they were just strapped down in the back of a truck. So I laughed!

Seeing this truck also reminded me of a lovely summer night last year when Laura Boyer and I went on a super secret cookie delivering mission. It was a windy night, and as we were driving through a neighborhood we saw that one of these reflecty road work things had blown over in the middle of the street! We decided it could probably do some damage if you ran over it so we got out of the car and stood it back up along with another that had blown over AND a garbage can that had blown into the middle of the street. Pesky wind, making such obstacles for innocent drivers.

We probably prevented some serious accidents from happening that night, or something.

Regardless, doing good makes you feel good. And feeling good makes you happy!

LOL.

Laughing out loud?

Nope! Think again.

It means Life of Loan, of course.

I work as a Student Loans Rep for Discover Financial Services. We talk about loans a lot and LOL is our favorite acronym (except for maybe obc am nml...but, I digress). I think the fact that life of loan = LOL = laughing out loud is enough to make anyone laugh at least a little bit, but especially me. Yay :D

I-80.

I-80 East is so fun. Usually on my way home from work I would take I-215 North, but it has been closed, so I get on I-80 East off of Redwood Road instead. The little tiny piece of I-80 East I drive on before exiting for I-15 North is so exciting. There are a bunch of yellow signs and flashing lights warning you to go 45 mph around the sharp turn ahead and downtown Salt Lake is all lit up in the background and it makes me feel like I'm in a pinball machine. Or a movie. Especially when I'm jamming to one of my movie songs. I look forward to driving on I-80 every night because it makes me happy.

ice cream truck.

The other day on my way to work I saw an ice cream truck going 65 mph on the freeway. I think I legitimately thought (that's a tautology) that ice cream trucks weren't capable of going over, like, 30 mph. So this was a bit of a surprise. It was also funny, so I laughed.

And there were these cute little kids painted on the outside of the truck and they looked rather cheerful so that made me happy too.

Then when I got to work someone gave me a piece of cake for no reason at all. It was funfetti cake. I have so many reasons to be happy.

tautology.

Tautologies are probably my favorite part of the English language. They are so fun, and anyone can play. Basically what you do is, you say something and then you say it again super redundant-like. Here are some examples that I have noticed other people saying:

"We got all the things we got." -My brother David on Christmas morning when he was 3 (and every one of my siblings on every Christmas morning for the rest of forever.)

"You only know what you know." -A supposedly inspiring academic poster encouraging you to learn more stuff

"I just need the cards I need." -Ian while playing Phase 10

"Mom is our mom because she's our mom." -David, on the specifics of family history

"I guess your face is a face." -David probably said this one too, but I haven't the foggiest idea as to why

"By way of announcement, we have several announcements." -Bishop in Sacrament Meeting

Now you try!

dancing through life.

I started dancing when I was three. I love dancing; there's nothing else quite like it. Expressing yourself through movement is really a cool experience. I personally believe (just like Miss South Carolina) that everyone can dance. Sure, there are all sorts of fun technical rules we can get into, but at the core, dance is just moving. Honestly, I dance because it simply feels good to move.

I think a lot of people are a little too stiff. If more people would just let loose for a minute and move the way their body wants to move after being being trapped in that stiff, socially acceptable shell, the world would be a better place. So, if you would, I advise you to stand up, loosen up your neck and shoulders and back, and feel your muscles move and breathe.

Doesn't it feel great!?

Ahh....yeah, yeah it does.

Now don't be so stiff anymore.

Okay thanks.

oxymorania.

I just made up that word. Oxymorania. Definition: a dentist who gives out cookies.

My dentist is awesome. He gives me a cookie every time I go to see him. Maybe it's so I'll visit more often. Probably. What a smart dentist.

Anyway, the dentist has never been my most favorite of places. But even if I don't like going there, I know that I'll get a cookie at the end of my appointment. I really like cookies, and these are quality Otis Spunkmeyer cookies. They aren't messing around.

The point is: cookies make me happy.

Some people might choose to dwell on the "I hate the dentist it smells gross and they put scary machines in my mouth" part of the dentist, but I like to focus on the "they are helping me to keep my teeth inside my mouth and they give me cookies" part. Because I'd rather be happy.

missionary mondays.

My best friend Matthew Bécar is serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for the next two years in Berlin, Germany. Every Monday I get an email from him and he gives me some great advice. Here are some bits and pieces of inspiration I've received recently.

"Find little victories in every day and remember to look up."

"A 5 minute sip from the scriptures goes along way to satisfy spiritual thirst, don't forget to drink deeply when you can, though."

"By partaking deeply and daily of His eternal sacrifice, we may earn our salvation. We often talk about how infinite the atonement is. How it is for everyone and applies to every man who has been or will be born, but I think we confuse ourselves. We talk about the atonement as if it was a big blanket sacrifice. It was not. He atoned for you. You individually. The atonement is not only infinite, it is intimate. How else could Jesus know exactly how to succor His people?"

What a lovely thought it is that our Heavenly Father really does know us. Our Savior suffered for us. We are loved and being watched over. That's an excellent reason to be happy!

taco.

Pitch Perfect. We've all seen it, or at least heard the cups song at one point in time. Anna Kendrick's performance of "Cups" in the movie was a big hit apparently because the jazzed up version is all over the radio these days. One day, whilst enjoying the song and singing along, of course, I realized something amazing!

"You're gonna miss me by my walk, you're gonna miss me be my talk, oh..."

Talk, oh.

TACO.

 Anna is singing about a taco. Really, I'm sure of it. Well, maybe she's not. But it's fun to hear her say taco anyway. And now you'll notice it every time you hear the song and I hope you'll laugh, because it's funny! I laugh every time.

if we were a movie.

Yes, yes that is the title of a Hannah Montana song. It's also the title of my playlist of songs that make me feel like I'm in a movie. Do you ever feel like you're in a movie? I do all the time; I love that feeling. Here are a few of the first songs that I discovered make me feel like I'm in a move and where I first heard them. Maybe take a listen and you'll feel like you're in a movie too!

Moth's Wings - Passion Pit
The first time I heard this song was on the Meet the Top 20 episode of So You Think You Can Dance season 8. So here's a video of the dance so you can enjoy the music as well as a beautiful contemporary piece choreographed by Travis Wall.

Charlie Brown - Coldplay
I first heard this song on a chilly October morning in New York City. I had the privilege of seeing Coldplay live at the Today Show. They played this song and it never ceases to make me happy! This video is evidently of them singing live, which is great because they're amazing live and that's how I first heard this song! Bueno!

Young Blood - The Naked and Famous
This was a free single on iTunes. A very good free single on iTunes. (They have those sometimes: good, free songs!) This song makes me think of driving down a deserted highway at night on your way to an adventure. And that's what people in movies do. Thus, it makes me feel like I'm in a movie. The music video is a bit too weird so here's a super awesome video of a picture. (It's funny because pictures aren't videos. Haha.)

dragon.

I spend a lot of time driving. Because I have to go to work everyday and I drive to get there, imagine that. One lovely day I was driving on I-215 next to a friendly semi truck. We were just driving along, minding our own business, when my semi friend blew some smoke out of his little smoke pipes!

And I thought it was a dragon. Well, maybe not a real dragon. But I did have a vivid image in my mind of a cute little dragon head connected to that massive truck with smoke coming out its ears. And then I laughed because that's ridiculous.

i'm ready to go.

Everyone sings in the car, right? I think so. I'm pretty sure that's a "people" thing. On some occasions while I'm listening to my tunes in the car I think, "Hey, I'm going to be really cool and pick out the harmony in this song (or make up my own...) and sing it like I know what I'm doing." And then it goes horribly awful and I sound like a cat trying to be a cow so I stop and laugh at myself. (I stop singing, I don't stop driving unless I'm at a stoplight, of course.)

Isn't it fun to laugh at yourself? People are funny. And when you're able to laugh at yourself it makes life so much better because it's like a constant source of surprise entertainment. You never know when you might do something awesome or embarrassing or amazing or inspiring or hilarious, but you can always be sure that you'll be there to witness it and enjoy the experience.

P.S. The title is in reference to the song "Ready To Go" by Panic! At the Disco because that's basically the one song that has a harmony part I am partially confident in singing. Oh, and it's a really happy song so you go right ahead and watch the crazy music video right now! Also, shout out to Andrew King for teaching me that harmony part. 

enjoying my journey.

"It's not a race, it's a journey. Enjoy the moment." -President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

I'm a Mormon. The restored gospel of Jesus Christ gives me more than enough reasons to enjoy this journey that is life! Stay tuned, and I'll expand on that later.

for reals though.

I love life.

I'd like to think that I'm good at finding joy in the little things. With this blog I'm hoping to share some stories about the random things that make me happy, that make me laugh, that inspire me, and why. Maybe, just maybe, they'll make you happy too!

This is how I enjoy my journey.

hi there.

OH MY STARS IT'S MY BLOG AND I'M SO EXCITED!!!

Really though.

Let's do this thang.