AOG - Day 8

1- I am grateful for nieces and nephews. I am really glad they are old enough to play games that are fun for me too.

2- I am grateful for homemade food. Too often I rely on processed foods to help me as I run from one activity to another. A good home-cooked meal is greatly appreciated.

3- I am grateful for the little mistakes we make in life because they help us avoid the big mistakes that could come later if we didn't change after the little ones.

AOG - Day 7

1- I am grateful that rearranging my bedroom made that much of a difference. Such a simple change helped me sleep better.

2- I am grateful for Stake Conference and the uplifting messages that were given tonight.

3- I am grateful for all the great friends I have met the past year. I will miss them when we all graduate in April.

AOG - Day 6

1- I am grateful for forgiveness. That even when I mess up and make mistakes, people overlook my weaknesses. Hopefully with forgiveness comes second chances.

2- I am grateful that my presentation went well today.

3- I am grateful for friends who listen to me vent. Sometimes I don't make sense and I feel like a psycho crazy girl but they listen and love me anyway.

AOG - Day 5

1- I am grateful for my time at ASU and all I learned there. Right now I am using the material learned in classes for a project in MBA school.

2- I am grateful for the impression to stop at that green light because I didn't hear the sirens or see the fire truck that would have destroyed my car and me.

3- I am grateful for hugs. I like hugs. They make everything seem better.

AOG - Day 4

1- I am grateful for google documents which allows my team to work on a project without being in the same room. Project completed!

2- I am grateful for MBA friends and the good memories I have with them. Today it was disrupting all the students in the Blue Line as we sang Happy Birthday to four women in our program.

3- I am grateful for a good roommate who supports me even when she doesn't entirely understand why I do what I do. She is considerate and kind and wonderful!

AOG - Day 3

1- I am grateful for the Biggest Loser. I love that show! I find that the quality of television has decreased over the years and this is one show I actually look forward to watching.

2- I am grateful for dessert night. Every other Tuesday I get together with my sister, her husband, my brother, his wife, my cousin, and my brother-in-law's brother for dessert. Usually we sit around talking while eating good food but I enjoy catching up with them.

3- I am grateful for block classes. I only have one class on Tuesdays and Thursdays because I dropped two and only added one. Such a blessed day!

AOG - Day 2

1- I am grateful for the compliments my RS sisters gave to me about my lesson (the topic was hope in the promised blessings of the Lord). I scrapped 3/4 of it during sacrament meeting because I felt I should share personal experiences instead of laying on scriptures and quotes about hope. The kind words of others helped me know I had followed a prompting of the Lord and made the right decision in scrapping my original lesson.

2- I am grateful for friends who let me have their parking spot when I desperately need one. Thanks again Joe!

3- I am grateful for foot massages. My left foot gets sore easily as a result from an injury two years ago and the same foot is still suffering from tendinitis (a leftover from London). Getting a foot massage today was oh so nice!

Attitude of Gratitude - Day 1

1- I am grateful for Christmas music. Yes you heard me. Christmas music. I'm not talking about the secular, guitar strumming, drum beating music. I'm talking about the O Holy Nights, Silent Nights, and others that invite the spirit of Christ into your heart.

2- I am grateful to be in the Relief Society Presidency. I was scared out of my mind and wondered how I could be a benefit. Well, I love it! I love being involved with the sisters.

3- I am grateful for the atonement of Christ. My life would be nothing without it.

Attitude of Gratitude

Last year, my friend Chloe introduced me to the November Attitude of Gratitude Challenge. I enjoyed reflecting on the events of each day and was amazed at how remembering the good things that happened buoyed my spirits and helped me recognize how the Lord was blessing my life. I have decided to accept the challenge again this year and I invite you all to participate too.


From Chloe's blog:

Well folks, the trees are changing colors, the days are getting shorter, and you can just smell autumn in the air. It's time for jackets and pumpkins and the November Attitude of Gratitude Challenge. Participation is completely voluntary. For those of you who have not played before, the challenge is outlined below.

HERE'S HOW IT WORKS:
* Each day during the month of November you will send an email to me, at least, but feel free to invite others to participate and you can send your gratitude emails to them, as well. (For those of you blogging it, please leave a comment so I can follow you if I'm not already.)
* Definition of "things"- the term "things" is used here to encompass a lot of stuff including, but not limited to: a certain set of circumstances, an event, an inanimate object distinguished from a living being, possessions or effects, a deed or act, a product of work or activity, an idea or notion, a piece of news or information, a person, a memory, anything that makes you smile.
* The challenge is to come up with three ORIGINAL "things" each day. Try not to repeat entries.

WARNING OF POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS!!
Please note that challenge participation may result in any or all of the following:
- you will be surprised at all the Lord has done for you
- angels will attend
- you will feel help and comfort
- you may find yourself singing as the days go by
- your doubts will fly

Girls Just Want to Have Fun

I have officially registered for my last semester of MBA school. My friend Chloe held a pre-registration gathering at her place a few hours before registration opened. Somehow through the chatter and laughter, we girls ended up with side ponytails. Sometimes you just have to be silly.

What Did You Do This Weekend?

101 Adventures of London

1. Saw the London police arrest a drunk guy on our flight
2. Rode the tube
3. Bakerloo Line
4. Central Line
5. Circle Line
6. District Line
7. Hammersmith and City Line
8. Jubilee Line
9. Northern Line
10. Piccadilly Line
11. Minded the Gap
12. Saw the fake Platform 9 ¾ (the original was in an area being remodeled)
13. Walked along Baker Street where Basil of Baker Street lived (The Great Mouse Detective)
14. Walked through Regents Park
15. Walked along Abbey Road
16. Saw Abbey Road Studios
17. Ate at the Tasty Kebob (Mmm….Lamb!)
18. Toured the city on a Double Decker Bus and saw…
19. Piccadilly Circus
20. Trafalgar Square
21. Nelson’s Column
22. St. James’s Palace (the Queen was at home)
23. Wellington Arch
24. Hyde Park and Speaker’s Corner
25. Marble Arch
26. Buckingham Palace
27. Westminster Abbey
28. Big Ben
29. House of Parliament
30. Lambeth Palace
31. London Eye
32. Downing Street
33. Horse Guards’ Palace
34. Whitehall
35. Royal Courts of Justice
36. St. Paul’s Cathedral
37. Bank of London
38. Tower Bridge
39. London City Hall
40. Tower of London
41. HMS Belfast
42. Globe Theatre
43. Tate Modern Museum
44. Cleopatra’s Needle
45. Albert Memorial
46. Natural History Museum
47. Victoria and Albert Museum
48. Many other hamlets of London
49. Walked along the Thames River
50. Took a boat tour on the Thames River
51. Toured the Tower of London
52. Saw where Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard were executed and buried
53. Saw the Crown Jewels
54. Saw a Beefeater
55. Bought a souvenir at Harrod’s
56. Part of an evacuation at King’s Cross station during rush hour
57. Stopped by 4 different people asking for directions
58. Ate at a shop on Brick Lane
59. Walked through the National Gallery
60. Walked through Leicester Square
61. Walked through Covent Garden
62. Found a bakery shop on Drury Lane
63. Walked through the British Museum – saw the upper part of the Greek Parthenon 
64. Walked through Russell Square
65. Walked through the Museum of London
66. Discovered the original Roman Wall (found it by accident)
67. Walked over the Millennium Bridge
68. Stepped foot in the Tate Modern Museum but walked out repulsed
69. Walked through the Imperial War Museum
70. Enjoyed the London rain
71. Walked under the Admiralty Arch
72. Rode on the London Eye
73. Ate at the original Hard Rock Café (food wasn’t that good)
74. Climbed to the top of St. Paul’s Cathedral
75. Found a barber shop on Fleet Street (Sweeney Todd)
76. Walked through Green Park
77. Saw the end of the changing of the guard
78. Took pictures at Buckingham Palace
79. Walked through St. James’ Park
80. Walked through the Cabinet War Rooms Museum
81. Saw 10 Downing Street
82. Walked down Portobello Road in Notting Hill
83. Walked through the Victoria and Albert Museum
84. Walked down Oxford Street and did a bit of shopping
85. Ate at a sports bar and watched American football
86. Searched for Temple Church of the Knights Templar but it was closed
87. Walked through Hyde Park
88. Saw the Peter Pan statue
89. Saw Princess Diana Memorial Fountain
90. Walked through Kensington Gardens
91. Saw Kensington Palace
92. Saw Albert Memorial
93. Saw Royal Albert Hall
94. Went to church in the Hyde Park Chapel which was originally dedicated by President David O. Mackay
95. Listened to an organ concert in Westminster Abbey
96. Took night shots of Big Ben, Parliament, Tower Bridge, and Westminster Abbey
97. Bought European Chocolate
98. Walked more miles than I can count and
99. Developed tendinitis from walking so much
100. Slept in a London flat
101. Took 235 pictures

Tea and Crumpets

Today I'm doing something I've wanted to do for twelve years. I'm flying to Europe, specifically London! I have a few days off from classes so I decided to take a quick trip to visit my cousin and enjoy the London life. Stay tuned for trip highlights.

O Holy Night

Today was a hard day full of the mundane mixed with confusing cataclysmic events. I'm so exhausted: spiritually, physically, emotionally, mentally. Somehow I know the Lord will help me wake up tomorrow and continue pressing forward but I have no clue how it will happen. I need to be studying for a test but I have nothing left. So, to fill my soul and mind, I've been listening to my favorite Christmas song. The version is one a dear friend once shared with me as we were hanging lights on the Christmas tree.

A Recap on Life

I realized I haven't been blogging much. Easy explanation for that: school has started. Here is a quick recap of life.
Disneyland
Huntington Beach
Moab with MBA Marketers

My Life

Life is like an old time rail journey
delays, sidetracks, smoke,
dust, cinders and jolts,
interspersed only occasionally
by beautiful vistas and
thrilling bursts of speed.
The trick is to thank the Lord
for letting you have the ride.

-Gordon B. Hinckley quoting Jenkin Lloyd Jones

I love weddings! Drinks all around!

My brother Paul and his adorable girlfriend Ashley were married this weekend. Even though there were a few mishaps, Paul left the marriage license in Provo and the photographer's car broke down, the day was filled with joy and happiness. I loved seeing my brother dote on Ashley. The little smiles, kisses, and gestures were contagious! It made all the couples become a little more romantic with their spouse. My favorite picture captures my parents in a private, loving moment as all of were in chaos trying to find our place in the picture. More than anything, Paul and Ashley's wedding day helped me appreciate the sealing powers of the temple and the knowledge that our families can be together for eternity. What an amazing and miraculous blessing!


We all were able to choose our own black wedding party dress.

A couple in love!

My sisters and sister-in-law

All the pretty girls

Such handsome men

My amazing family!

Families are Forever!

Congratulations Paul and Ashley!

Leap of Faith

This scene is my favorite metaphor for life, especially for my life. Sometimes we just have to "leap from the lion's head" and believe we will land on the path. Here it goes...!

Jumping to the End

I've never believed in jumping to the end of a book to read what happens. I felt that ruined the story. To be honest, I have jumped to the last chapter in only one book but I could see where the author was heading and had to know if my suspicions were correct. Well, in my book of life I would really like to know how this all ends. Too many questions exist in my mind and I have no insights to any of them. I wish I knew, had an inkling, or something...

A Morning Thought

Adversity and opposition are the true tests of righteousness. Without them we could not really know the state of our hearts. Nor could we truly understand God's existence and love, and His power to guide, comfort, strengthen, and save.