When I went to Europe this summer, by the end of the trip I was more than ready to come back to America. I loved Europe! Don't get me wrong, but all of us were starting to get tired of all the walking, bus rides, etap hotels, and cheese (we ate way too much cheese on that trip!). We were starting to get a little homesick. It was just time to go back home. So we waved goodbye to France, hopped on a plane, and some hours later, we arrived at the Salt Lake City airport. It was so nice to see my parents again and to enjoy some of the things we had to give up on our trip...like a washer and dryer. Now, I saw some pretty amazing and beautiful things in Europe. I'd love to go back! But after spending a month out of the country and then coming back and the first thing I got to see was the Utah landscape, I came to realize something.
I'd never really thought Utah was a pretty state. It's nothing compared to the vast trees, green, and water of Washington state where a piece of my heart will remain always (um...yep, Washington is that awesome). But as we got in the car and drove towards my aunt and uncle's, for the first time probably ever, I stared out my window, grateful to be back in my own country with my family, and I thought all that dirt, brush, and hills were the most beautiful thing I had ever seen...okay...not the most beautiful....but the point is I was finally able to see some beauty in it.
Since then, I've come to believe that you can find beauty no matter where on earth you are. If you can't find that beauty, it's because you won't allow yourself. Perhaps you can't get over the fact that wherever you are isn't like home or some other place. Well, two places are never going to be exactly alike. Anyway, I've noticed how there's a good handful of people in this college town who complain about the ugliness of Idaho. I probably would have said the same thing a year ago, but this semester I've found that there is beauty here too. If you complain about it, how it isn't home, how dreadful the snow and wind is, how there's nothing to do around here, than yes, Idaho will be ugly to you. But if you stop thinking about how much you hate the place for one moment and give yourself a chance to look around, I can guarantee that you can find beauty even in a little town in Idaho.
So, wherever you are at this moment, take some time to find a piece of beauty around you. It can be different things that make that place special or beautiful to you. Give it a shot, and tell me what you discover!
For example, one thing that makes Rexburg, Idaho beautiful to me is simply the people who I've met here. Maybe that shouldn't count, but really, that's one of the reasons why I like it here. Now, something else that is beautiful here is when you are up on the hill towards the temple and you look out over the Idaho wasteland (I couldn't think of another word :) ) and the sun is setting. The sky fills with the most beautiful colors and there's still enough light to see all the hills in the distance. That, my friends, is a beautiful sight.
So what makes your home or whever it is you may be at present beautiful. And don't say nothing because I won't buy it!
Oh, and speaking of home, only two more days until I go back for a few weeks :)
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
Some Guy Named Matt
My roommate showed me this today and I thought it was awesome, so I'm sharing. If I understand correctly, this guy was actually paid to go around the world and randomly dance! I don't think you're necessarily supposed to take something from it, but I did. Take a look at the video, and then I'll tell you what I thought.
I was touched by all these different people all around the world just randomly dancing! To me it showed how all of us are people. That sounds dumb, but I hope you understand what I mean. We are all precious. I have a belief in God, a God who loves us all. I believe that we are all his children, and as I watched this video, I thought of that. You don't have to get the same thing out of it, but there you go. Just a thought. If nothing else, there was just something beautiful about seeing all these different places in the world with all its native peoples. I hope you enjoyed the video!
I was touched by all these different people all around the world just randomly dancing! To me it showed how all of us are people. That sounds dumb, but I hope you understand what I mean. We are all precious. I have a belief in God, a God who loves us all. I believe that we are all his children, and as I watched this video, I thought of that. You don't have to get the same thing out of it, but there you go. Just a thought. If nothing else, there was just something beautiful about seeing all these different places in the world with all its native peoples. I hope you enjoyed the video!
4 Days
I meant to update sooner than this, but everytime I started writing a post I had to force myself off so I would work on something else...like the 4 papers I have due tomorrow and Wednesday! I was a little concerned I wasn't going to be able to accomplish this since my brain really wants to be back home right now. It makes it hard to focus. But now, things are looking promising. Maybe they won't be my best work, but they aren't the worst I've ever seen. Besides, in the past I've always done better than I expect myself to do, so maybe the trend will continue.
Anyway, I have a few minutes right now, and I'm taking advantage of it to update all of you! There are only four more days until I hope on a plane headed back home. I am so excited! First of all, it's always nice to have a break from school. Secondly, I get to see my family! Oh and friends. I get to see those too :)
I still have a lot of work to do before that time (finals, packing, white glove....), but I'm not stressing out. After all, I've done it before! I can do it again!
Unfortunately, that's all I have time for right now. I have to make myself presentable for class. So long for now. Have a good day!
Anyway, I have a few minutes right now, and I'm taking advantage of it to update all of you! There are only four more days until I hope on a plane headed back home. I am so excited! First of all, it's always nice to have a break from school. Secondly, I get to see my family! Oh and friends. I get to see those too :)
I still have a lot of work to do before that time (finals, packing, white glove....), but I'm not stressing out. After all, I've done it before! I can do it again!
Unfortunately, that's all I have time for right now. I have to make myself presentable for class. So long for now. Have a good day!
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Thanksgiving Break
Last week was Thanksgiving! Yay! We had the whole week off of school. It was really nice not to have to worry about anything for a while. Megan and I went to Utah to stay with our aunt and uncle. My grandma and grandpa were there too, which made it extra fun. We didn't leave until Wednesday so I still had Monday and Tuesday to do homework...theoretically anyway. More like I hung around my apartment Monday, and then partied with people on Tuesday. That pretty much sums those two days up! I was really grateful for people on Tuesday for inviting me to do stuff so I was stuck in my apartment the entire day.
Megan and I were in Utah from Wednesday to Sunday. On Thanksgiving, we went to my great aunt and uncle's home and shared the holiday with them and some of their children with their families. It was fun to be with everyone and be re-introduced since I haven't seen some of those relative for a very long time.
On Friday night, Megan, Grandpa, my cousin Bree, and I all went to Temple Square to see the Christmas lights. I had never been and I was really excited. It was beautiful and we had a lot of fun!
After we came home and watched the episode of Monk from earlier in the evening, we all went to bed in high spirits. I woke up about two hours later incredibly sick. Saturday wasn't such a fun day for me...at least not until close to noon when my stomach finally stopped freaking out. I slept practically all day. The good thing is, it only lasted one day. I was actually able to function Sunday, which I'm really grateful for because I really didn't want to be sick whilst driving back to Rexburg.
I really did enjoy the break and seeing my extended family. They were a lot of fun. My cousin, Ryan, is crazy (in a good way :) ). He was totally tackling me and trying to tickle me like the whole time I was there! There was this other time where he was trying to crawl through the opening in his chair, sticking his feet in first. He was doing really good until he got to his head which refused to fit through. It was very entertaining to watch him try to make it work though.
Thanks family and friends for making the break awesome :)
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Don't Jump to Conclusions
I've been thinking a lot today about what I could write about. I had a lot of good ideas, but I didn't write them down or something so I can't remember any of them! Thankfully, I have more than one idea in one day so I can still come up with something to share with you.
In The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster (fabulous book by the way), the three main characters learn the dangers of jumping to conclusions. If I remember correctly (it has been a rather long time since I last read the book), they are driving along when each of them individual thinks or says something which would qualify as jumping to conclusions. All of them are then whisked out of the car, and the next thing they know, they are on the island of Conclusions! And the only way to get back to the mainland and their car is to swim all the way back. So that's what they do.
So in real life, it's highly unlikely that you will literally be whisked off to Conclusions and then have to swim all the way back. If that happens to you, let me know. I'd love to hear about it.
Anyway, the point is, jumping to conclusions or making assumptions don't always end up well for us. First of all, many if not most of the time when we do this, we are wrong. Let's face it. We make wrong assumptions of people everyday! We won't always have the opportunity to correct those assumptions, but sometimes we can. Or, at least we can calm ourselves down a little bit.
Here is one thing I've done or heard of that is kind of ridiculous if you think about, but it's something some of us are prone to do, so no making fun! haha. Okay, the scenario goes something like this. Person A texts or facebook chats Person B. Person B doesn't respond or delays responding. During that space in time between what Person A said and what Person B will potentially say, Person A may be tempted to jump to all sorts of wild conclusions as to why Person B isn't responding. "Maybe I said something wrong. Maybe they don't like me. Why did I even start talking?" Etc. etc. Give yourself a break, Person A. Most likely, they were getting their poptarts out of the toaster and were therefore away from their computer or phone.
So having been Person A on more than one occasion, I've come to realize that the conversation will be a lot less stressful for you if you just relax. Give Person B time. Never assume that there is something wrong with you if they don't answer (unless of course you said something you really shouldn't have or proclaimed your undying love or something. You may receive a very long pause for that. haha). If you assume anything, assume they are busy and they will get back to you when they can. If what you have to say is really important, call them. People still like to hear each other's voices, as crazy as that seems.
That's just one example. Oh here's another good one. When I was in middle school, I remember the day I learned about President Hoover. I came home with the firm conviction that he was an idiot and I was telling people about it (by people...it was probably my mom). My grandpa was there and overheard what I was saying and I remember him saying something to the effect of, "How do you know? You weren't even there." True Grandpa, true. And I doubt my 7th grade education gave me enough background to actually judge whether or not Hoover was an idiot. I remember being a bit embarrassed. I guess you shouldn't make judgements about things or people that you really know nothing about! Fancy that.
So before you go causing yourself or anyone else pain, don't jump to conclusions! Become well informed, take a chance on someone who may seem weird (maybe they're normal after all!), or try a new food even if it looks/sounds disgusting (mayonaise, peanut butter, cheese, and pickle sandwiches really aren't as bad as they sound). And the next time you're on facebook chat, be patient...or go knocking on Person B's door and demand that they answer. You'll make more friends that way probably.
Aufwiedersehen!
In The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster (fabulous book by the way), the three main characters learn the dangers of jumping to conclusions. If I remember correctly (it has been a rather long time since I last read the book), they are driving along when each of them individual thinks or says something which would qualify as jumping to conclusions. All of them are then whisked out of the car, and the next thing they know, they are on the island of Conclusions! And the only way to get back to the mainland and their car is to swim all the way back. So that's what they do.
So in real life, it's highly unlikely that you will literally be whisked off to Conclusions and then have to swim all the way back. If that happens to you, let me know. I'd love to hear about it.
Anyway, the point is, jumping to conclusions or making assumptions don't always end up well for us. First of all, many if not most of the time when we do this, we are wrong. Let's face it. We make wrong assumptions of people everyday! We won't always have the opportunity to correct those assumptions, but sometimes we can. Or, at least we can calm ourselves down a little bit.
Here is one thing I've done or heard of that is kind of ridiculous if you think about, but it's something some of us are prone to do, so no making fun! haha. Okay, the scenario goes something like this. Person A texts or facebook chats Person B. Person B doesn't respond or delays responding. During that space in time between what Person A said and what Person B will potentially say, Person A may be tempted to jump to all sorts of wild conclusions as to why Person B isn't responding. "Maybe I said something wrong. Maybe they don't like me. Why did I even start talking?" Etc. etc. Give yourself a break, Person A. Most likely, they were getting their poptarts out of the toaster and were therefore away from their computer or phone.
So having been Person A on more than one occasion, I've come to realize that the conversation will be a lot less stressful for you if you just relax. Give Person B time. Never assume that there is something wrong with you if they don't answer (unless of course you said something you really shouldn't have or proclaimed your undying love or something. You may receive a very long pause for that. haha). If you assume anything, assume they are busy and they will get back to you when they can. If what you have to say is really important, call them. People still like to hear each other's voices, as crazy as that seems.
That's just one example. Oh here's another good one. When I was in middle school, I remember the day I learned about President Hoover. I came home with the firm conviction that he was an idiot and I was telling people about it (by people...it was probably my mom). My grandpa was there and overheard what I was saying and I remember him saying something to the effect of, "How do you know? You weren't even there." True Grandpa, true. And I doubt my 7th grade education gave me enough background to actually judge whether or not Hoover was an idiot. I remember being a bit embarrassed. I guess you shouldn't make judgements about things or people that you really know nothing about! Fancy that.
So before you go causing yourself or anyone else pain, don't jump to conclusions! Become well informed, take a chance on someone who may seem weird (maybe they're normal after all!), or try a new food even if it looks/sounds disgusting (mayonaise, peanut butter, cheese, and pickle sandwiches really aren't as bad as they sound). And the next time you're on facebook chat, be patient...or go knocking on Person B's door and demand that they answer. You'll make more friends that way probably.
Aufwiedersehen!
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