Cabin Fever

It's January and I am sure that you are getting sick of winter. That is one thing I am not excited about coming home to next year.
Anyway, I can't remember how many times my mom told me how bad it was to exercise outside because of the inversion. I don't want you to stuff your lungs with junk but I want to challenge you do what you can to get your body moving. You can still do lots inside: Pilates, Yoga, Dancing, Laps on your stairs, My mission workout.
I don't care if you feel gross. That's when you need it most. It's like praying or reading your scriptures.

Frank Sinatra

Here is a lovely song, sung by a beautiful man with a beautiful voice.

Although I have never liked using the word love when it came to my personal life I do believe that when I do find a wonderful man, I fall too fast and too hard.

There are many men I find attractive. Many that are funny or witty. Some who are true gentlemen.

I find qualities in many guys I know that I like about them, bookmarking that I would completely happy if they pursued me. It's not how most women are when it comes to men but in my experience whenever I find one that seems unbelievably perfect, there is always one flaw; he never sees me the way I see him.

I guess with my system I have set myself up to settle, which I know should never happen. 

I pray that one day I will find one of these great guys who has realized I am pretty neat too.

Back to reality, I know that I am on my mission and I shouldn't be thinking about men. In my defense, when I vented this I still had 17 days till I left. Can't kill hopes and dreams for a mission. But I will put them aside for a while because if I serve faithfully and worthily Heavenly Father will bless me.

Oh and have yourself a lovely Christmas!

Challenge

Do something extra these next two weeks! Serve somebody every day. Do tell. Write Mum a letter and send it to her in the mail. Even if you live 30 minutes away. Or something for yourself. Try a new recipe. Find your place where it can just be you and God. Go have some one on one with Him.
Relax.
Relieve your stress.
Remember life goes on.

The Lorax

Composed Jan. 30, 2013

After hearing the catchy songs while cleaning kids teeth, I finally decided that I needed to see this movie. I believe that Dr. Suess' works are genius. He produced something completely unique and special we all have memories of loving as children. His books have challenges that apply to us as we continue to move through our different stages in life. Even though The Lorax is a children's movie I knew that it would be good.

The whole story has sort of a tree-hugger idea. I know that there are many who would automatically discard the movie because of this fact. Do not do it. I am not personally an extremist in saving the world but I think that the human race has a problem that we cannot ignore.

The movie depicts the human race in the fact that we are always trying to find how to improve ourselves. The Once-ler invents the idea of the Thneed, something everyone needs. His seller for it was that it could be anything that you wanted. Unfortunately he gets caught up in the excitement of his success that he does not take the time to slow down to realize that he is destroying the most beautiful place he has ever seen.
The Lorax warns Once-ler that "the tree falls whichever way it leans." The Lorax knew that if Once-ler lost sight of his promises that he would do exactly as he did.
In the future of Thneedville, Ted sets out to find the Once-ler to learn about what happened to the trees. At first he is set on impressing a girl but becomes passionate about bringing back the trees. My favorite thing about this movie was that the lesson applies to all things in life...

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better, it's not.

 I am Katrina and I speak for the trees. We are blessed with a beautiful world. All around there are different miracles. We have a problem and it is being ignored; we are slowly destroying Earth's beauty. Do your part this week to show you are grateful to have a beautiful world. Pick up trash on the side walk. Ride the bus to work. Ride your bike to school. Walk to your friend's house.

Innovation

I have decided that I need to have a theme for my blog...

I kept telling myself that this humble blog was like a journal, but that is false. There are some things that I have not put just because I did not think that they would be appropriate or even too private.

Turning this into a fashion blog would just be a joke. Not that I dress badly but I would not consider myself fashionable. Most of my wardrobe is from Wal-mart or hand me downs. That is the reality of it.

I do not investigate any certain thing to an extreme... music, actors etc. I don't obsess about things in life. I really just try my best to enjoy it.
For example, when it comes to movies, I am not critical. I enjoy quite a few genres of music but I only know a couple songs from each artist. I enjoy all food (Just go try some of my Chicken Fruit Alfredo. I will eat just about anything.)

I guess that just goes to show that I am more of an optimist. Right? Maybe there's a theme. Or motif.
But I am hesitant because I want to be sure that I am not advertising that my life is perfect because it is not. I have days where I feel as if I have stopped living completely.

I think I will try it.
As of now I will focus my optimism on:
Gratitude.
Food (A must).
New song of the day*.
My Movie Reviews (Short and sweet I swear).

My goal would be to maybe help somebody who is having a day of not living to see something to live about. A reason to be happy.
And if there is anything cliche' about this let me know, i.e. my title. I'm still unsure if I like it.


*I believe it is important to listen to a new song every day. A song you have never heard before.

Immune

One step closer to being all ready to leave for Puerto Rico. There were 3 different immunizations I needed to get before I am ready medically to go: flu, Tdap, Typhoid. I got the flu shot a couple weeks ago for work and I guess that I should have been required to get that because I am sticking my face right next to children's mouths quite often. Oh well.

I went into the Provo Health Department to get everything taken care of. Ladies and Gentlemen the best time to go to the Health Department is in the evening. So I guess it is kind of like going to the DLD. Crowded. Plan for it to take at least an hour. If you do not like crowds you might hyperventilating. You get it. Well at the health department there are certain nights of the week where you are not required to make an appointment. This evening was one of those evenings. I walked into the room and it was absolutely empty! If you ever have to go to the health department for anything, make note that the evenings is the time to do it.

I filled out all the paperwork and then went into the clinic to get my shot. Shots. Blech. I have gotten them a million times and I don't ever recall needing to be held down for a shot but that does not make me any happier about the whole idea. On the bonus side the I only had to get one. I'm taking one orally and I guess I don't actually need the third one.

Anyway, I sat down and immediately had to start taking deep breaths to try and slow my heart rate down. I think the RN was laughing me in her head.
I got the warning that my arm would be sore for a week. Awesome! I was pretty successful at not tensing up... I think.

So now all I have to do is make sure that I stay on schedule with my Typhoid test. I am just waiting for 10:45 to get here. I'll have been without food for 2 hours and then I start.
WooHoo

Official immune(almost).

55 days

Running through a field of barely touched snow will result in cold feet... Regardless of whether or not you are wearing snow boots.

Going to the temple makes it all okay though.
I went by myself for the first time this evening. Besides forgetting a white bra and a zoning out a couple of times it was wonderful.

Hypoglycemia for dummies

I went into the doctors office today for my mission physical. I finally remembered to ask about my shakes (I've been meaning to ask a doctor about this for at least two years). He diagnosed it as hypoglycemia. While there the doctor told me a little bit about it. Of course if I were a responsible person I would make sure that I was completely educated on the matter, so I went home and Googled it.

From what I have gathered Hypoglycemia is when your body does not break down glucose correctly. The pancreas fails to shut off the insulin quickly enough and as a result your blood sugar gets low.
Symptoms I have include(I know it just sounds like I am a normal person who is just not fun to be around):
-Feeling cranky or agressive
-Hunger (I have the appetite of a starving hyena)
-Shaking or Trembling
-Trouble sleeping
-Unclear thinking/Inability to concentrate
-Fatigue
-Migraines

Food to avoid:
Processed foods
Fried foods
MSG
Soft drinks
Artificial sweeteners
Hot dogs, sausages, and deli meats (I find this one strange)

Dealing with Cravings(Their word for my appetite):
Toss it. Any food on the "to avoid" list. If it is more inconvenient to get to you are less likely to eat it.
Breathe. Take deep belly breathes till the cravings go away. Preferably for 5 min.
Bathe. Helps clear stagnant energy.
Drink. Drink water before you eat something. Wait 15 min to see if you still feel hungry.
Meditate. Figure out why you want what you do. Comfort? Love? Security? Fill it in a different form (Call your Mom. Find a time you felt loved and feel it again. Etc.)
Visualize. Imagine yourself healthy and happy-- when you finally have self control.
Pause before Caving. Bargain with yourself. 'I'll wait 10 min and then eat it.' and then follow through.
Switch to something similar. Want sorbet? Make a smoothie.

*Food to avoid and Dealing with Cravings are thanks to Hypoglycemia for dummies.

A few words on gratitude

Today I decided to go back and look at some old posts of mine. I only read a couple but it was enough.

At the beginning of this year I was thinking that time couldn't pass any slower. I was so stressed and I was a wreck. I was missing Natalie and I was having a hard time handling it... I was reminded of this when I read this post.

In church many times I have heard stories of saints in the Book of Mormon and also in these latter days who, when going through hard times, draw close to the Lord. As life begins to get better they drift away. I feel as if I have done this in my own way. Not to an extremity where I've stopped praying at night or lacked in my church attendance but concerning my relationship with my Heavenly Father.

The beginning of this year was hard. As I look back I feel as if my life is much better. I live in a cheaper apartment. I still have wonderful roommates. I have a job that gives me the hours I want. I don't live too far away from campus. But I have not shown any gratitude.

We were sent here to this earth to learn and grow. God understands that we aren't going to be perfect while we live but the important thing is that we are living and we are keeping God apart of it the whole time.

I'm grateful for my challenges. I have definitely learned from them. I am grateful for a sister who has faith enough to sacrifice a small bit of her life to serve the Lord. Her example has given me strength as I made the decision to do the same. In the Lord I am ready for anything that is to come. I pray that as I continue to live that I don't forget to live without gratitude.

Jesus Still Loves Me

So yesterday I went into the testing center to take a New Testament Midterm.

I got to the desk and realized I had forgotten my bible (open scripture test)*.
Once they give you that paper you can't exactly say, "Oh I'm sorry sir, I can't actually accept this. Go into the computer and change my status back to 'Hasn't taken test' please."
Nope there was a long line behind me and I would probably get laughed at.
It was going to be interesting couple of hours.

After I had turned in my bubble sheet I walked down the stairs to the score monitor.

58%

The minute I saw the score my mind flashed to this post.
Honestly I was really disappointed but I did brush it off.
I did my best. Didn't matter that I bombed it. Jesus still loves me.


*Forgetting my scriptures wasn't my only problem. I'm not going to be reanalyzing my study methods.

Reminder.

Today I had a friendly figurative bonk on the head. A reminder of sorts about what I should be looking for in my future husband. I think it's kind of funny that it was all thanks to reading about a how happily married LDS man deals with being gay.
It reminded me that although all the physical attraction is great... it's a bonus. Not that I am being shallow I've just forgotten that the main goal is a best friend. Somebody, that no matter what, we can pull through all the hard stuff; continually loving each other and still seeing the joys in every day life.

Bad date?

Dating? What is that? Not really but it has been quite a while since I have been on a date. Well that was mostly because the only guy I want to be going on dates with is... out of town. Anyway, I recently met a young man that did catch my interest.
Well I decided instead of just obnoxiously wanting to text him and debating with myself, I would just be bold and ask him on a date. Strawberry days was this last week. What a perfect opportunity. A carnival. A parade. A rodeo.
Since I was already going to the rodeo I decided that it would be fun to turn it into a date.

Background: There was one other couple on this date... and then Chelsey. I have been in this situation before and it wasn't awkward at all so I didn't think of anything of it. Oh and my date had met Chelsey 4ish years ago.

So my date suggested that we go get food before the rodeo and I got to pick. I didn't want to pick somewhere I always go so I chose Rancheritos. I have had food from here before that was super good. But I couldn't remember what I had ordered so I just got a bean and cheese burrito. It was gross. That probably didn't affect anything though.

While eating we talked but it wasn't the best conversation. It seemed like we were both struggling for interest in the topic. First red flag.
We made our way to the rodeo and it improved until we found our seats. I didn't realize at first but after awhile I noticed that my date was more interested in talking and flirting with Chelsey than me. Flag number 2. Well actually more like Major Red Alert. Chelsey flirts with boys and is pretty much oblivious. I know she will be reading this at some point so just know that I don't care at all that she is sassy and flirty. We're all guilty of it.

Anyway I can pretty much sum up the rest of the date in that last paragraph. I tried to talk and to flirt. He did too. But only 10% of the time was it directed toward me.

The rodeo turned into a cookie dough eating dare. Chelsey took it on and then I helped her out. That was pretty much unforgettable.

Jess and her date left for home because of a long drive. I was sad when Jess left but shortly after my date left. As he was driving off the night became 200% better. My jerk of a date didn't matter anymore and it was now Chelsey, Carson and I. I began laughing and I didn't have to care who heard (I'm pretty sure my laugh bugged my date) We went up to the PG water stump (I would say tower but it's not) and just talked. And talked. And talked. I believe we got there between 12 and 1. We didn't get home until 5.

When I think about it now, that was probably the best therapy I have ever had. It was needed. If Chelsey and Carson had left right away I would have gone down to my room and thought about how rude I had just been treated. Having that time on the water tower helped me realize that it didn't matter.

Chelsey is beyond an incredible person. She's cute and easy to talk to. She is a loaded sassy pistol which just makes her personality that much greater. If a guy who is on a date with me isn't able to see me past my best friend, he's not worth my time. I think I might just bring Chelsey on all my dates just so that I can weed out the bad ones.
She won't approve but I think it's a great idea.

I deserve a man who can appreciate who I am and want to focus on me no matter who is walking by.

Last words

*I wrote this for a job application so that explains my vocabulary but I put down a couple deep thoughts that I find intriguing. So here you go*

           I was recently watching the television show entitled How I Met Your Mother. In the particular episode I was watching Marshall, one of the main characters, loses his hero; his father. He suffered from a heart attack. Throughout the whole episode the whole episode Marshall tries to remember what his father’s last words were. His friends try to cheer him up by saying that he and his dad had a good relationship so if his last words weren’t amazing, it was alright. When Marshall asked each one of his friends what their last words were with their fathers they all tasted a bit of what he was going through.

            This got me thinking about what my last words will be. Living is a normal thing to us. We each experience it every day. Every now and then we pass a thought to the idea of death but I wouldn’t say that death is normal for any of us to constantly worry about; we focus our efforts on living. Sometimes we come become so caught up in living we don’t stop to think about the reality of what we say. The episode of How I Met Your Mother didn’t get me thinking about death exactly but what we are remembered for. Granted, walking around with a heart full of hugs, telling everyone I care for only of how much they mean to me might be a bit of an extreme.

            After thinking about this I have decided that I need to be a bit more aware of what I am saying. I can begin improving my conversation in my day to day. Instead of passively asking a friend how they are, truly be interested. I think something like this could be started with simply wishing somebody to have a good morning, day, or afternoon. I can keep a constant reminder thought in the back of my head, “What can I say that I know I won’t regret?” In the worst case scenario I want to at least be remembered for being at least pleasant and considerate, not nasty or self-fish.

Not Broken!

*Sorry I don't always talk about boys. It's just really easy to vent through writing.*

I remembered why I was so smitten by John!
He was the nicest guy I had ever met. He was just such a sweetie and that really slew me.
I'm not broken! Since then I have met a number of gentlemen who are just as nice if not more.
It is not a bad thing that I don't have the same feelings as before.

In the past few days I have decided that my interest in John might have been desperation for the feeling of being wanted.
This can apply to so many different scenarios. People don't be stupid. Let your mind put things in a different perspective before you do anything that you might regret. It might take a few days.

Taking on the Challenge

Rules
1. Post rules of game so no one gets lost.
2. Post a photo and 11 random things about yourself.
3. Answer questions that were given you by tagger.
4. Ask some questions for those you tag to answer.
5. Tag some people to do this all over again.

Me visiting my parents grave...
If you can't tell by the dates, they are still alive.

Random Facts

1. I have a strange obsession with eating tortilla shells plain.

2. Since I started my job, I've made a habit of jumping out of bed in a panic in the middle of the night. Half the time I am still asleep. It really freaked my rommate out when it first started happening.

3. I have never read the Hunger Games.

4. On occasion I'll stop dead in my tracks while walking across campus. Stand for a minute or two. Then either change directions or continue the way I'm going. I'm indecisive and sometimes can't decide if I really want to go where I am going.

5. I do not sneeze like a girl.

6.  I hate scary movies. 

7. I have webbed toes.

8. I am no good at video games.

9. When I think I bother somebody, I want to get in their face and ask them why.

10.  When I get excited about my ideas I jump around.

11. I love dogs. I prefer those that are bigger than a rugby ball.

Early worm or night owl?

• Early worm. This definitely makes my ridiculous job schedule a little bit easier.

Celebrity crush?

• Oooh  I couldn't possibly give one answer for this one. Gerard Butler, Josh Turner, & Hugh Jackman :}

Favorite book(s)?

• Great Expectations, Sense and Sensibility, the Goose Girl series

What's your perfect day?

• Pleasantly warm outside. My whole family would somehow miraculously be in the same place at the same time. Of course we would have to eat a yummy dinner that included a bean salad and a macaroni salad.

Favorite memory?

• I have a terrible memory. So I can only think of a few. This is one is from a few summers back. I was up in Montana at my grandma's cabin. One afternoon I didn't have anything to do and I was feeling adventurous. I decided to hike the mountainous hill next to the cabin. The view at the top was seriously breathtaking. I could see the whole area in a way I had never before. It felt like I was on top of the world.

Which house would you be sorted into?

• Hufflepuff. Loyal, dedicated, hard working, all about fair play... Definitely.

Braids or ponytails?

• Braids. They are the thing I missed most when I chopped my hair off.

If you could be any age, what would it be & why?

• 70. I want to see what I'm like as a grandma.

How do you like your eggs?

• In a hole. With syrup. But they can't be even the slightest bit runny... gross.

Dream job?

• I would be in a symphony that recorded the music for movies.

If you could say one thing to the world, what would it be?

• Everything will work out. It always does.

                                                                        My questions.

1. If you could re-live one event in your life, what would it be?

2. Do you like tomatoes? Why or Why not?

3. What is the one movie that gets you crying the most?

4. Where is the most interesting place you've been?

Ex. Stuck in a closet with a fish.
A phone booth in England

5. What was your favorite childhood game?

6. What is the weirdest food you made in your kitchen?

7. What is one thing that drives you up the wall?

8. If you had the chance to live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Have fun.

Cam & Kenzie, Chelsey, Leann, Melissa & Jared

What are we to do when faced with decisions?

In my experience I'm not very good at doing this on my own. I like second opinions. Sometimes I will ask just about anybody, just as long as they are an acquaintance of mine. 

One thing I do know is that I make the best decisions when I ask for advice from Heavenly Father.

Well a few days back I was faced with, what I thought, a decision that had to be made right away. It concerns men. Like always. (If you can't tell, I was the little girl on the who loved just about any boy I saw running around the playground. If you get tired of my constant rants, I apologize.) Well as I was freaking about knowing what to do, I was told by a few different friends and reassured by the Lord that I don't need to worry about it right now. I didn't want to have to choose... but right now I don't have to.

The answer was simple. Usually is... If you ever think you have a huge predicament and need help with it, ask our Father in Heaven. His answers are always the right way to do things.

It's about time

Well I've decided that I should post again soon so that you don't loose too much interest...

Today I just plan on leaving you with some wise words. Some are not my own.

So a couple weeks back I tried to temporarily dye my hair dark brown but with my blonde underneath it just kind of looked green... Gross. Then I washed it once and the color washed a couple shades lighter. Of brown green. Not exactly what I expected.
I was furious with the Lady I had dye it. She is the sweetest lady but also very opinionated. So whenever I go to get my hair done I end up walking out with more of what she wants on my hair than what I want. The only reason I continue to go to her is because I get an awesome deal. Not having tons of money to throw around this gives me the definite incentive to return.
After this time around I have decided that I will not be returning to have her dye my hair. Maybe for trims but not for color.
I was so angry after I washed my hair that I went out and bought a box color (I know they are really unhealthy for your hair but I was desperate and irate) so that I could do it myself.
I got all the materials I needed, minus the gloves. I didn't think it would be too bad.

Wrong.

When I was all finished my hair was beautiful... my hands? Not so much. They were almost black. I spent the next 24 hours scrubbing my hands with baking soda, lemon juice, and dish soap. It worked but it was a long process.

If you ever buy box color make sure gloves are included or go buy some.



My next words of wisdom is directed more toward the romantics.
         There is a man that I love. His name is Josh Turner. Beautiful face. Beautiful deep singing voice.  And also quite a few years older than I. But I like to imagine that one day I'll marry him.
Anyway I was listening to Pandora today and his song was on. Of course I start paying attention to the lyrics. They were adorably cute. All men should take the song as advice. I guess ladies can too and just swap the roles of the song... Anyway.

Some men dream of crossing oceans

Some men dream one day to fly

Spend their whole lives out there floating on the water and the sky

Some men dream of building fortunes

Some men dream of having fame

Nothing else is more important then making money and a name

but, in my dreams I see a little sky blue house

beside a small stream.

A front porch, a screen door,

The sound of bare feet running and cartoons.

In my dreams, your dreams come true.

I come find you in your garden

Pulling weeds between the rows

Trade a kiss for a glass of water

Sit and watch what love can grow

 In my dreams I see a little sky blue house

beside a small stream.

A front porch, a screen door,

The sound of bare feet running and cartoons.

In my dreams, your dreams come true.

In my dreams, your dreams are the only things that really matter to me

When you smile, I smile

What makes you happy, makes me happy too

In my dreams your dreams come true

Quote.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
I've found a new favorite quote. This struck me. It needs to be more than a quote. From now on this will be my new creed. What I will live by. What will come to mind if I ever question what I should do or how I should act. If I truly adopt this wholly, I will draw closer to my Heavenly Father than I have ever been.



“Women of God can never be like women of the world.
The world has enough women who are tough; we need
women who are tender.  There are enough women who
are coarse; we need women who are kind.  There are
enough women who are rude; we need women who are
refined.  We have enough women of fame and fortune;
we need more women of faith.  We have enough greed;
we need more goodness.  We have enough vanity; we
need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need
more purity."
              -Margaret Nadauld

Cold? No, thank you.

Well cyber world I decided that it was time to show my existence again.

Words from the Wise:
If you know that you have to get up heinously early the next morning but your laundry isn't getting done because you keep forgetting to switch it, push the pause button on finishing your laundry. Your sleep shouldn't be compromised.

Let's just say I compromised and it wasn't a very smart thing to do. I texted my supervisor Sunday night @ 11:00 p.m. saying I wouldn't be coming in for work the next morning because I wasn't feeling well. That was a little white lie. I didn't want to text him, "Hey so I was stupid and didn't decide to go to bed till just now. If I come into work tomorrow morning, I'll only be getting 4 hours of sleep tonight. For the sake of my body needing rest, I'm not going to come in." I went to bed that night restless. I couldn't just lie like that because I honestly felt fine. But I set my alarm for 7 anyway.

Of course my body would not let it be though. I woke up the next morning at 4:15 thinking, "I wasn't going to go in but I feel fine. I'm just being a big baby. If I go in, I'll only be 30 minutes late." So I did.

By Monday afternoon my nose began getting the itchy feeling it gets right before I get a cold. Spectacular. In hopes I could ward it off, I had a whole can of vegetable soup for dinner. Unfortunately it didn't work.

A few days later, in the brunt of my sickness, I truly wasn't feeling well and did want to text in sick but I knew I couldn't this time.

This weekend in my attempts to get better, I've stayed at home, drinking all the fluids possible. I've gotten a bit better but so I can truly smack this cold in the bum, I'm staying home from church so that I can sleep.