Question:..... Answer:....

Well I have a few things that I would like to share tonight and they are all wonderful!
1. I recently bought this adorable journal.

http://www.amazon.com/Day-5-Year-Journal-Potter-Style/dp/0307719774

It is seriously one of the cutest little journals I have bought. I usually am TERRIBLE at journaling, I always forget and I never know what to talk about when I don't have an interesting day. How this journal works is that it has a question for every single day of the year. So January 1st is "What is your mission?". On each page it has 20__ and space for you to write 5 times. So this time I write 2012 and my answer, next year 2013 and so on. Pretty self explanatory. But it is super cute and I am actually doing it!! 

2. Institute was absolutely extraordinary as per usual. We discussed the Sabbath day, which normally always turns into what can and can't we do on the Sabbath but I got so much more out of it today. A really interesting quote that was shared tonight was by John H. Groberg. He said "There is a direct correlation between the proper observance of the Sabbath and true reverence for God, which includes obedience to His other commandments." I learned even more. It was a grand evening.

3. I have a new favorite show. To add to my nice collection of TV shows I love is now Lie to Me, thanks to my Dad for suggesting it (he knows me well). I absolutely love it! I have also decided that I want to learn to be able to read micro expressions and the science behind the show. It makes me think of the question when you are a little kid- "If you could have any super power what would it be?"- and I would always think, well I want to know what other people are thinking. Obviously there would be some negative consequences to that power but I still think it would be interesting. What better way then to be able to read people's micro expressions, which would allow you to be able to read those emotions that they are trying to conceal. SO AWESOME! Call me a nerd but I think it is super interesting. 

4. This week I had a baking week and boy was it a good one, heck, the week has barely started. I made cupcakes (idea from pinterest) that look like owls. They were freakin' adorable. Lauren came over that night, so Jenni, Lauren and I put our little owls together, what a fun time. 

photo credit: Lauren

Secondly, I was trying to study last night with no success. In the cafeteria at the college they have pizza pretzels, and they are absolutely delicious. I was tired of buying them so I (with a suggestion from Jenni- creation of Jenni's mom) I made cinnamon rolls but with pasta sauce and loads of cheese. My version of those pizza pretzels. Let me say, WAY better then the college. 

photo credit: Jaisie

I also realized that my future husband, if he doesn't watch what else he eats, and exercise he will be overweight.. I bake way too much.

Never Forsake

So as always I am falling terribly at blogging. I don't know why, well I do, I obviously just don't make it a priority, but that's okay. I will explain all the amazing things I have been up to.

1. Decemeber 24-29 I flew to my homeland. Which is literally my homeland as it is an island. It was absolutely wonderful to see everyone. I don't know what I would of done if I hadn't of been able to go. I was so grateful to my family for flying me home. It was a crazy experience flying so much by myself. By the end of this I am going to be a pro. I managed to go through the Calgary, Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, and obviously Charlottetown. I chatted with a guy on my flight from Calgary to Ottawa, who turns out was going home to Cape Breton.. Even better: We knew a mutual person! I love when that happens. I loved seeing my family. It was such a treat. I am also incredibly happy I got to see some of my very close friends. They have seen me through a lot. The trip was so rushed though that when I left it was really sad, but I was nice to fly back to Lethbridge. I really came to the realization that this is definitely where I am suppose to be.
2. December 27-Jan 4? Cory flew to Lethbridge. So when I got home on the 29th Karen came and picked me up from the airport and I got to spend time with him here. We have really became so much closer since he has gotten home from his mission. I am so grateful.
3. So started again. I love what I am learning but it is so hard! Wednesday, Thuersday, and Friday I have 8am classes. I DON'T DO CLASSES THAT EARLY! It is so not in me to be able to do that. It kills me! I am very lucky to have my friend Liz in all my classes. She is such an amazing girl, and I am so happy to have met her! Also, I have practicum at the end of the semester which means a) My classes are all condensed so that I have 4 weeks for practicum at the end and b) I get to actually go out and help people! I'm so PUMPED!
4. CORY AND KAREN ARE ENGAGED!!! So this happened January 20th. I was so lucky, I got to be involved in so many parts of the lead up to the proposal. Cory sent me a picture of the ring he was thinking of getting, and so many other parts! I am so happy for them. Like crazy excited. They are so adorable together and I know they both mean so much to each other. I am so happy they are going to be sealed together for time and all eternity. So grateful for that.
5. Though I don't like working because I am lazy sometimes, I have the best job. Though I don't get paid a ton or anything crazy. I get to engrave things, I get to help people give the best gifts and I also have a great manager. She is also a very wonderful woman, definitely someone I could go to advice and we very a like.
6. Some things I have realized I missed recently: a) pizza or poutine outings with Scott. b) daily conversations with Charmaine c) girl talk with Alyssa d) being able to see my Mom e) Home cooked meals f) not worrying about money.

Delicious!

7. Things I have realized I am grateful for: a) a new found role model b) a roommate I can look up to in like every aspect! c) my ability to do what I want d) my job e) my best friends f) friends who are strong in the gospel. g) reconnecting with awesome friends
8. My SUPER good friend David leaves on his mission to Colorado in 16 days! FREAKIN' CRAZY! I can't believe it. I am so proud of him. Like unbelievably.

 Alyssa and I

     My Parent's Lovely Home 

 Myself, Charlotte, Jaisie

Duke!

 Carissa and I

:)

LIFE IS NUTS AND I LOVE IT!

Behind Sapphire!

So I sat down on the couch with my laptop, not sure what to do, then I decided that I should do a blog post. Then I got insanely distracted with a million other things, so like 2 hours later I am finally blogging. Terrible really.

This past week has been absolutely INSANE! Like more insane than I would like. I didn't do anything social all week. Monday- School, work. Tuesday- School, work. Wednesday- School, work. Thursday- School, School work at home until 1-2ish am. Friday- SCHOOL, work... then The Slice with Behind Sapphire!
I had so many projects, papers, assessments, presentations due last week, it was annoying.
2 presentations= 1st= 100% don't know about the second
1 formal behavioral assessment = 90%
1 paper= dunno
1 in class project=dunno
1 test= 90%
and still had classes all week. Not impressed. But I did it! Hard work paid off!

The more interesting part was Friday night! Behind Sapphire (from Vancouver)! Check them out! They are amazing! Absolutely! To add to it, they are hilarious, and amazingly nice. The guys + Lindsey are so sweet. After the show they came over to my house (yes, I have connections. haha) and they just are awesome. Grant's voice is incredible, well they all are amazing, but ya!

http://vimeo.com/31972082

Behind Sapphire- Nearer my God to Thee. Love it!

That's all I have to say.

Merry Christmas!

The Dreaded Funk

Sometimes in life you get in a rut, for me, that is now. Everything is piling up, resulting in me stressing out, and the self esteem level is dropping hugely. I am not writing this post to make people feel bad for me, I am writing this for myself. I want to be able to look back at this in the future and see the progress I have mad.

Lately I have been going out, living life, but when I am not busy I get the sense of loneliness. It frustrates me. I don't want to feel this way but it's hard to get out of this rut.

Last week I went to a K-os concert. Fun times.

I am so frustrated with myself though. It's like I am fine one moment and freakin' out at my best friend the next... For no reason!

I read an amazing talk-

The Power of God’s Love

JOHN H. GROBERG- October 2004

and the ending of D&C 6:20:

"therefore treasure up these words in thy heart. Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love."

Hopefully I will get out of this funk. I am on the road, and I am so grateful for my amazing friend, Scott. Without him, I would be in absolute tears, all the time. 

Bonus:

How He sees you.....

It is interesting when you go through life and have little pitfalls. The times when you end up having self pity parties, and crying yourself to sleep. I feel like absolute crap when I get into these states but I love the feeling when I come out of them, the realization of certain truths that I seem to forget. I was in that state this weekend: I felt like I was just faded into the background, that people just see me but never pay attention to me as a person. I thought that I was just partly invisible. I then talked to some friends and I got some good advice. One of the things that really stood out to me was that fact that the people who know me really well have known me forever, and that's why they do. I cannot expect these new friends of mine to be the same way so quickly. I am expecting way too much from them. I also was brought to the realization that my good friends who I am not with right now cannot know if I am upset unless I tell them because they aren't here. So instead of isolating myself, and being prideful I need to to go the people I care about and who care about me for support. Instead of being the comforting one I need to accept that comfort and use it. I also read the amazing talk from last month's conference by President Utchdorf. After conference I went online and saved a bunch of talks that I wanted to reread at a later date. So I opened up the folder on my computer to read one. The first one I chose was this talk. I love how the Lord works in mysterious ways. This talk was what I needed to hear:

"My dear brothers and sisters, it may be true that man is nothing in comparison to the greatness of the universe. At times we may even feel insignificant, invisible, alone, or forgotten. But always remember—you matter to Him! If you ever doubt that, consider these four divine principles:

First, God loves the humble and meek, for they are “greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”¹⁷

Second, the Lord entrusts “the fulness of [His] gospel [to] be proclaimed by the weak and the simple unto the ends of the world.”¹⁸ He has chosen “the weak things of the world [to] come forth and break down the mighty and strong ones”¹⁹ and to put to shame “the things which are mighty.”²⁰

Third, no matter where you live, no matter how humble your circumstances, how meager your employment, how limited your abilities, how ordinary your appearance, or how little your calling in the Church may appear to you, you are not invisible to your Heavenly Father. He loves you. He knows your humble heart and your acts of love and kindness. Together, they form a lasting testimony of your fidelity and faith.

Fourth and finally, please understand that what you see and experience now is not what forever will be. You will not feel loneliness, sorrow, pain, or discouragement forever. We have the faithful promise of God that He will neither forget nor forsake those who incline their hearts to Him.²¹ Have hope and faith in that promise. Learn to love your Heavenly Father and become His disciple in word and in deed.

Be assured that if you but hold on, believe in Him, and remain faithful in keeping the commandments, one day you will experience for yourselves the promises revealed to the Apostle Paul: “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”²²

Brothers and sisters, the most powerful Being in the universe is the Father of your spirit. He knows you. He loves you with a perfect love.

God sees you not only as a mortal being on a small planet who lives for a brief season—He sees you as His child. He sees you as the being you are capable and designed to become. He wants you to know that you matter to Him."

Dang..

Though I should really be either writing a paper, or studying for the test I missed today I am going to update the blog world. It has definitely been a while. I haven't even done really anything that interesting. Last night right before I went to bed I checked my throat to see a nice lovely white spot. Dang you strep throat. My lymph node is swollen a bit on the left side which really sucks. The weird thing is that my throat doesn't hurt really at all. A little discomfort but that is about it. Thankfully. I stayed home from my classes today though seeing as it is contagious. I am planning on going to the clinic in a few minutes to get some drugs and maybe a short chat about my morning sickness issue. Hopefully I can get that resolved all at the same time. Also for a short period I could of sworn I felt one of my wisdom teeth trying to come through.. that is the last thing I need. For sure!

Well back to the grind. Hopefully I will be okay tomorrow because I have class, and work. I definitely can't deal with all this crap.

On the bright side: I had a lovely chat with my brother today. I miss that kid. Though he drives me insane sometimes, he is the best. Giving me a hard time for getting sick- assuming it was because I was making out with boys. What a boy. I can not wait to see him though. It will definitely be a grand union!

Now back to the books!