the things you learn and the fun you have

i really enjoy listening to people's stories because i discover new things about life and its interesting to see how the simple things affect and shape people to who they are now. for instance i went up to prescott this past sunday and i got to interview my uncle ken about art. he is a big time bronze sculpture artist in sedona. he had so many fasinating stories about how he got started and some of his most memorable experiences. i made me just want to sit down with a tape recorder and listen to him all day. i am going to do that one day with my family becuase to have thier storeis and know how they became who they are is just interesting and eye opening.

also last friday i had a girl's day with kensey and lindsay batman. it was hilarious. we went to the mall, did mud masks and nose strips and watched the notebook while eating pazookee. then the next day was winter formal and i got to do all of my friends make up, and i didnt realize how much i took mental notes on how they do their make up so i could do it just right for them haha. but after i took pictures with them and sent them off i was at amanda's house for waiting to got picked up and i got a chance to talk to ed (her dad) and learn a thing or two.

then came the triple date with me and josh, kensey and cody, nick and alanna. these boys put so much thought into it, it was sooo cute :] first we went to nick's house and ate stir fry on a table on the ground sitting on pillows in candle light and read fortune cookies. next we went to walmart had like 45 minutes to go around and take 15 pictures of things around the store with our date, met back up with the others, exchanged cameras, got shopping carts and had to go find those 15 items. it was so funny and random! when that was all done and everything put away (im sure security kept a close eye on us) we went and got ice cream.
it was such a cute date. i think its a mormon thing to be creative and spontanious in dates. but it makes it all that much better :D

lauren always there to help the ones breaking down

Lately I have not been feeling myself and I was loosing sight of what made me happy and how to enjoy every second of living. Then I talked to my good friend Lauren. She helped me realize and remember that high school is not the step that makes your life, high school is not life at all. High school is the stepping stone to getting out into the real world. I need to just focus on my studies and work the best i can so I can get the good grades and be accepted into a good college and make a good life for myself. Also, she told me a very true thing, those people that you just say hi to are probably not gonna be there anymore once real life comes, that you need to focus on you good close friends who have a good head on their shoulders and who do good things becuase that is what will affect you most in the long run. I know i do not want to be known as the big time partier in high school then on our twenty year reunion the one with the "bear belly and mullet", like Lauren I want to leave high school setting a good example to those around me and that my words match my actions, i do not want people to have to second guess my opinions or what i say. Thus the quote "your positive thoughts are a thousand times stronger then your negative feelings" becomes the truth about life. Life never stops and you do not know when God will want you back in heaven with him, so why not live life like you will have to do and act the purest and best way you should. Opportunities are everywhere and if you dont keep your mind wide open you may just let it pass by and you may miss the chance of doing good for someone else. Like Lauren said she tries her best to keep her head high so when the ones she cares about need a lift she will be there to give them that little bit of encouragement and tonight it made all the difference to me. I am so thankful for people like her that help guide me back to the right track and remember the important things in life, and putting what makes you wholly and truely happy above all other things and not letting the rediculous little obstacles get in your way. Now all i have to do is put that into my life this coming days and pray for the best and what i recieve is what i was supposed to recieve.

And i really want to experience being an exchange student and hopefully with her help i will be able to do that one day and experience the different cultures and be able to have that improve and enhance my life. Another goal is to get into BYU one day; but for now i just have to keep the big time goals in mind while working my best and hardest while keeping a smile on :]