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.
Saturday, July 27
Friday, July 26
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.
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!!
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!!
Wednesday, July 24
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.
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.
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.
Sunday, July 21
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.
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.
Saturday, July 20
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!
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!
Thursday, July 18
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
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.
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!
"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.
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.
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!
"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.
"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.)
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.
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.
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.
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.
Wednesday, July 17
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