In a book, the ending can make or break how I feel about the story. No matter how much I enjoyed the last several hundred pages, the end can ruin the entire thing. And if it is a really good book, movie, speaker, or activity I don't actually want the end to come.
On the other hand, if I'm not enjoying the book, movie, speaker, presentation, etc. I long for a quick ending, which of course never seems to come fast enough.
Sometimes I'm ambivalent about an ending - for example, back in the day when I served as RS president in the BYU singles ward I was attending, I had mixed feelings when I was released. Part of me was happy, part of me was sad - I would miss it but I also wouldn't.
This is how I feel about a pretty major decision I've made that has brought about an end to something I've done for the last few years. When I made the decision to start grad school a couple of years ago, I began to look for volunteer opportunities because "everyone" says that looks great on your CV or resume. I looked at a lot of different opportunities and applied for several. Thinking back now, I'm not even sure why I actually picked the place I eventually started volunteering for. It wasn't a cause I had given a ton of thought but somehow it was the one that worked out.
So for the last few years I've volunteered/worked for The Center for Women and Children in Crisis, which provides support and resources for victims of domestic violence and rape/sexual assault. Not your typical "feel good" type of place to spend time at. I started as a volunteer, volunteering just one day a week for 2 hours. Somehow as the months passed I became the volunteer coordinator, handling all of the volunteer responsibilities and overseeing the volunteers as well as teaching a weekly psycho-educational class on domestic violence and even helping with a children's group for a time.
Some times it was hard - you don't hear very nice things when working with those that have experienced domestic violence or rape/sexual assault. But I wouldn't change the experience for anything. I often feel as if I learned and grew more than any of the people I interacted with, helped or worked with.
But as of Tuesday of this week, I handed over all of the responsibilities I've had and beyond helping with a final volunteer training in September, I've finished my time at The Center for Women and Children in Crisis. And it is a little bittersweet - and it feels a little strange. I don't think it has sunk in all the way yet. I will miss the challenge and also the wonderful people that I got to work with and interact with.
One of the hardest parts about it is that I'm not sure what I'm supposed to be filling my time with instead. For those of you that know me, you know I have a hard time not being busy most of the time. Relaxing sometimes makes me feel lazy. Perhaps the Lord is trying to tell me something? :P
In other news - I'm excited to be moving in a few weeks - ok, I'm not excited for the actual moving part but excited for the new opportunities this move with bring. I've moved more this year than in the past 6 years combined and at this point I really question why I own so many books? :P Also, in SUPER exciting news, I'm going to Hawaii in November. I cannot say how excited I am and how much I'm looking forward to the trip. And November should be a great time to be in Hawaii!
Some might call her Karma - but regardless of her name, sometimes she makes like interesting. Murphy's Law is pretty well known and I know I've cursed this law many a time - because there are periods in life when if something can go wrong it will and does. But his sister's law seems to happen more frequently and in a sneakier manner. What is this law I speak of?
I googled (it often kills me these days what we take nouns and make them verbs, but I still do it), to see if there was another accepted law connected to Murphy's Law but couldn't find anything. I also googled karma to find out a more precise definition. Too often I hear words thrown around that I think the majority of the population really only has a vague idea of what the word means, but they still use it, but that is a discussion for another post. The definitions of karma are mainly dependent on religion, but for the sake of this post I'm going with, what you send out is what you receive.
Where I've seen this happen, and the situations I now dub with Karma's Law or Murphy's Sister is if you say, "This _______ has never happened to me" then inevitably a short time later, the thing you just gloated about having never had happen will happen. Usually it is little things, but always things you are GLAD have never happened to you.
For example, just last week, I was discussing the parking situation at my current place of residence. I live in a group of townhomes, all of which have two car garages, plus 3 additionally parking spots in the cul-de-sac area that are free game for whomever parks there first. So I was remarking on how I had never had to park out on the street as I had always arrived home to find one of the 3 additional spots available.
But you will never guess what happened the next day!?!?! Yep - I arrived home to find all 3 of the spots full and with lots of joy I got to park my car on the street. Now of course this isn't the end of the world, as it simply means I had to walk a little further and worry a little that since we live at the base of a hill someone might come over the hill not paying attention and hit my car.
It is the irony that kills me - that it seemed simply because I had said it NEVER had happened, it happened the exact next day and the exact thing I had mentioned. And it doesn't seem to happen with good things - I was discussing this issue with my roommate and we both agreed that saying something you wanted never happened doesn't cause that thing to happen. So me saying, "I never win a million dollars!" does not somehow have me win the lottery the next day or have a rich relative die and leave me a million.
So Murphy's sister, I've got my eye on you.
I googled (it often kills me these days what we take nouns and make them verbs, but I still do it), to see if there was another accepted law connected to Murphy's Law but couldn't find anything. I also googled karma to find out a more precise definition. Too often I hear words thrown around that I think the majority of the population really only has a vague idea of what the word means, but they still use it, but that is a discussion for another post. The definitions of karma are mainly dependent on religion, but for the sake of this post I'm going with, what you send out is what you receive.
Where I've seen this happen, and the situations I now dub with Karma's Law or Murphy's Sister is if you say, "This _______ has never happened to me" then inevitably a short time later, the thing you just gloated about having never had happen will happen. Usually it is little things, but always things you are GLAD have never happened to you.
For example, just last week, I was discussing the parking situation at my current place of residence. I live in a group of townhomes, all of which have two car garages, plus 3 additionally parking spots in the cul-de-sac area that are free game for whomever parks there first. So I was remarking on how I had never had to park out on the street as I had always arrived home to find one of the 3 additional spots available.
But you will never guess what happened the next day!?!?! Yep - I arrived home to find all 3 of the spots full and with lots of joy I got to park my car on the street. Now of course this isn't the end of the world, as it simply means I had to walk a little further and worry a little that since we live at the base of a hill someone might come over the hill not paying attention and hit my car.
It is the irony that kills me - that it seemed simply because I had said it NEVER had happened, it happened the exact next day and the exact thing I had mentioned. And it doesn't seem to happen with good things - I was discussing this issue with my roommate and we both agreed that saying something you wanted never happened doesn't cause that thing to happen. So me saying, "I never win a million dollars!" does not somehow have me win the lottery the next day or have a rich relative die and leave me a million.
So Murphy's sister, I've got my eye on you.
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Here's to a double-header blogpost. Lots of fun things to report so enjoy!
So my grand experience of the world was to little ol' Fernley, NV. I imagine most of you don't even know where Fernley is in Nevada. Never fear, geography was never my strong point either, though even if it was, I still probably wouldn't have randomly known where Fernley was. In the past 2 weeks however, I spent 4 days there and 2 full days of driving between there and Utah. Yay for summer vacations :P
The lowdown -
My dad grew up in Fernley and my aunt (my dad's sister) still lives there. So we had a semi-family reunion type of vacation where my uncle and aunt and a couple of my cousins and one second cousin came as well as my Grandpa. My little sister was "lucky" enough to be able to go with my parents and myself to our little family reunion. It was nice to be able to see this side of the family because I can count on both hands the number of times I've seen any of them in the course of my entire life (which given my advancing age is a large number of years). :P
We headed out bright and not quite as early as planned on Wednesday morning. My parents had decided we would take the lesser traveled route to get there, which gave us the great opportunity of driving on the road called "The Loneliest Road in America" and let me tell you it really is the loneliest road. Nothing to see for miles and miles except sagebrush, dirt and dust devils. You are lucky to even see other traffic. The most exciting part of the drive was having to stop for road construction, seeing things move on the side of the road - lots of things, which looked big and brown and a little creepy. After sitting there for almost 20 minutes with no sign of us being able to move I got out of the car to see what actually was crawling around out there. It ended up being this -
So my grand experience of the world was to little ol' Fernley, NV. I imagine most of you don't even know where Fernley is in Nevada. Never fear, geography was never my strong point either, though even if it was, I still probably wouldn't have randomly known where Fernley was. In the past 2 weeks however, I spent 4 days there and 2 full days of driving between there and Utah. Yay for summer vacations :P
The lowdown -
My dad grew up in Fernley and my aunt (my dad's sister) still lives there. So we had a semi-family reunion type of vacation where my uncle and aunt and a couple of my cousins and one second cousin came as well as my Grandpa. My little sister was "lucky" enough to be able to go with my parents and myself to our little family reunion. It was nice to be able to see this side of the family because I can count on both hands the number of times I've seen any of them in the course of my entire life (which given my advancing age is a large number of years). :P
We headed out bright and not quite as early as planned on Wednesday morning. My parents had decided we would take the lesser traveled route to get there, which gave us the great opportunity of driving on the road called "The Loneliest Road in America" and let me tell you it really is the loneliest road. Nothing to see for miles and miles except sagebrush, dirt and dust devils. You are lucky to even see other traffic. The most exciting part of the drive was having to stop for road construction, seeing things move on the side of the road - lots of things, which looked big and brown and a little creepy. After sitting there for almost 20 minutes with no sign of us being able to move I got out of the car to see what actually was crawling around out there. It ended up being this -
A whole bunch of Mormon crickets crawling all over the land to the side of the road. And once we got driving again, we hit a section of road that was almost completely brown from squished crickets! Lunch anyone?
Highlights -
* Wednesday night when we arrived we got to have dinner with my cousin and her family along with my aunt. After dinner we went over to a field across the road to watch my cousin's son show off his jumping skills on his bike. And low and behold lying in one of the bushes was a not so crisp but completely valid $20 bill! Not everyday you randomly find $20 you get to keep because there is no way to find the owner.
* Seeing family that I rarely get to see. We had lots of laughs and good times.
* Visiting Virginia City and the Nevada State Museum in Carson City. Here are a few pictures from both!
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| And you thought todays sewing patterns were complicated! |
* After ALOT of quarters, winning the jackpot on one of the arcade games at Circus Circus, resulting in a winning of over 500 tickets! It shouldn't feel like such a win when you have to spend so much money on it but somehow it does. Hence one reason I will never gamble (other than on arcade games I guess :P).
* 26 mile bike ride with my aunt in the 96 degree heat of Nevada. I'm proud to say that is my longest bike ride yet and with only on flat tire (with a less than 20 min. turnaround for a tire change) was a successful bike ride.
Lowlights - because let's be honest, what trip would be a trip without at least a few lowlights.
* We arrived at Circus Circus an hour and a half before it opened (not on purpose), and then after waiting for it to finally open, they only opened half of it - the LAME half.
* Driving over 16 hours in less than a week. It wasn't horrible, I just don't love lots of driving so it wasn't a highlight for sure.
Overall, not my #1 summer vacation ever but it was a fun trip and I got to see a little bit of the "world"
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“The only way that we can live, is if we grow. The only way that we can grow is if we change. The only way that we can change is if we learn. The only way we can learn is if we are exposed. And the only way that we can become exposed is if we throw ourselves out into the open. Do it. Throw yourself.”
~ C. Joybell C.
Life is always full of experiences - experiences that bring about change, experiences that make us laugh, experiences that make us cry, experiences that add joy, etc., etc.
Last Saturday I went with my roommate Mindy to see the Beauty and Belief exhibit at the BYU Museum of Art. The exhibit was showing all kinds of things from the Islamic culture both past and present and explained much of their significance. Mindy was a good sport to go along with me and it was nice to laugh, discuss and talk about the different things we saw. I will admit that I know very little about the Islamic culture and was very happy to learn some new things and have a glimpse into a different experience.
It was fascinating to learn the importance Islam places about words and the written word. Being an English major I feel like I have a little bit of insight and appreciation for the written word but not even close to the emphasis in Islam. Almost everything, from a bowl to a wall or floor tile had written words on them, some with so ornate of designs we both marveled at how long it must have taken them to complete them. In addition, not only is there an appreciation for the written word but also much of the culture and religion works to express the written word through art as well.
We also discussed how it was a little sad that if there were an exhibit of our current time, period and culture how there wouldn't be much to see. An Iphone in a glass case isn't very exciting because it just sits there. Overall, I highly recommend going to see the exhibit. It was a great experience.
Another "growing" experience was I sang a solo in sacrament meeting on Sunday. Now I've sung for people before but in singing a solo in church I've always sung the same song. "Consider the Lilies" has been my go to song because I know it so well the nerves are more easily overcome. But I decided it was time to branch out and push myself, so I practiced and practiced "Savior, Redeemer of My Soul." It is such a beautiful song and it is about the Savior so I think it would be hard to mess up but I was very happy to have it go smoothly even though I was so nervous. And the people in my ward and my roommates were very complimentary, which made it better. I also know the little prayer I said beforehand asking for help and for the spirit to be there made a difference. It would be nice to get to the point where I don't get so nervous when singing in front of people because I really enjoy singing!
And lastly sometimes I get a little disillusioned with people - in general more than specifically. So I love those experiences that remind how wonderful people can be. As I mentioned in the previous post, I moved a few weeks ago and am so happy to have two wonderful roommates. It really does make such a difference! And I just wanted to share what my one roommate Mindy did because it was so thoughtful. I had written Mindy a little note to tell her thank you because she is an awesome person and awesome people should be thanked for being awesome :P The next morning, which left little time between when I had given her the note and she left for work, she gave me a little bag that had individually wrapped "portions" of chocolate covered cinnamon bears, which are one of my favorite treats as well as a cute quote from President Hinckley tied to each little portion. Here is what they looked like -
~ C. Joybell C.
Life is always full of experiences - experiences that bring about change, experiences that make us laugh, experiences that make us cry, experiences that add joy, etc., etc.
Last Saturday I went with my roommate Mindy to see the Beauty and Belief exhibit at the BYU Museum of Art. The exhibit was showing all kinds of things from the Islamic culture both past and present and explained much of their significance. Mindy was a good sport to go along with me and it was nice to laugh, discuss and talk about the different things we saw. I will admit that I know very little about the Islamic culture and was very happy to learn some new things and have a glimpse into a different experience.
It was fascinating to learn the importance Islam places about words and the written word. Being an English major I feel like I have a little bit of insight and appreciation for the written word but not even close to the emphasis in Islam. Almost everything, from a bowl to a wall or floor tile had written words on them, some with so ornate of designs we both marveled at how long it must have taken them to complete them. In addition, not only is there an appreciation for the written word but also much of the culture and religion works to express the written word through art as well.
We also discussed how it was a little sad that if there were an exhibit of our current time, period and culture how there wouldn't be much to see. An Iphone in a glass case isn't very exciting because it just sits there. Overall, I highly recommend going to see the exhibit. It was a great experience.
Another "growing" experience was I sang a solo in sacrament meeting on Sunday. Now I've sung for people before but in singing a solo in church I've always sung the same song. "Consider the Lilies" has been my go to song because I know it so well the nerves are more easily overcome. But I decided it was time to branch out and push myself, so I practiced and practiced "Savior, Redeemer of My Soul." It is such a beautiful song and it is about the Savior so I think it would be hard to mess up but I was very happy to have it go smoothly even though I was so nervous. And the people in my ward and my roommates were very complimentary, which made it better. I also know the little prayer I said beforehand asking for help and for the spirit to be there made a difference. It would be nice to get to the point where I don't get so nervous when singing in front of people because I really enjoy singing!
And lastly sometimes I get a little disillusioned with people - in general more than specifically. So I love those experiences that remind how wonderful people can be. As I mentioned in the previous post, I moved a few weeks ago and am so happy to have two wonderful roommates. It really does make such a difference! And I just wanted to share what my one roommate Mindy did because it was so thoughtful. I had written Mindy a little note to tell her thank you because she is an awesome person and awesome people should be thanked for being awesome :P The next morning, which left little time between when I had given her the note and she left for work, she gave me a little bag that had individually wrapped "portions" of chocolate covered cinnamon bears, which are one of my favorite treats as well as a cute quote from President Hinckley tied to each little portion. Here is what they looked like -
I mean how cute are those! And Mindy is a very busy person, which made it even more thoughtful that she put that time and effort into this to tell me thanks as well. I don't get teary-eyed too often but I will admit when I opened the bag and saw what she had done I did. It is so nice when people let you know they care. It makes such a difference. I'm sure you all can recall a time where someone's thoughtfulness made a day or a time in your life a bit brighter. Aren't those moments wonderful?
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It is interesting how much of a difference the "small things" make.
Just a few short months ago, I felt it was time to make a change and so I moved from the place I had been living for 2 1/2 years. I was ready for somewhere a little quieter, with less roommates, which meant (hopefully) it would be and stay a little cleaner without me feeling like a maid. Unlike what usually happens for me, things happened really quick where I found a place that seemed ideal - one roommate who was quiet and clean. It all started well - the roommate really was clean and quiet and I never had to worry about having to clean up after her or loud get togethers or movies going until 1 or 2 in the morning. And while she wasn't the friendliest person in the world we chatted a couple of times and exchanged pleasantries in passing - so not exactly balmy California or Florida but not like the Arctic or anything.
Sadly, it only took a few weeks for things to go south - or north because things got ALOT cooler and even ended up being downright frigid. I'm still not sure if something specific happened or she just really didn't want to have a roommate, though from things I've learned since it does appear to be the latter and not due to the fact that I didn't rinse the bathtub out well enough or use only exactly half of the fridge. Needless to say I quickly learned in greater depth than I would have like that people really do send of vibes - and when they are negative vibes it isn't very pleasant. So even when she wasn't at home, there seemed to be a pall surrounding the place. And it was a small enough place that you couldn't go anywhere in the apartment and not feel it. It has made me much more aware of the vibes or aura or whatever you want to call it that I project at different times.
This has led me to be extremely grateful for the small things. Thankfully, I've been able to move to another place that has already helped to lift the dark cloud I've felt surrounded by the last couple of months.
So I am grateful for small things like -
* Sitting next to your roommates in church feeling uplifted and edified as they share a spiritual experience, but also at another point being able to all laugh at something funny you just observed during Sacrament Meeting.
* Chatting with your roommate for a few hours while your doing something or she is cooking in the kitchen.
* Having both of your roommates say have a good day as they leave for work.
* Knowing when you come home your roommates will be happy to see you and you are happy to see them.
* Knowing if you needed something you could ask them. It really brought things home as far as how things had declined or how bad it was when I had a blowout early one morning while out ride my bike and I was about 7 miles from home and I didn't even consider calling my roommate for help because I knew she wouldn't come.
* You are made to feel a part of living there rather than an intruder.
It stinks living somewhere that is difficult but I can see how living there has helped me to see and understand the things that are important to me and that I really am grateful for. I don't think my current roommates read my blog but if either one of you ever does read this post, I hope you know how grateful I am for you! It makes me want to be a better roommate and not fall into some of the not so great habits I did at the last place I lived as far as being much more aware of those around me and always striving to be welcoming and friendly.
In other news - I'm leaving to go on vacation tomorrow and I'm super excited. It seems like it has been FOREVER since I went on vacation since last year I had to use my PTO on having surgery, which let me tell you is no vacation :) So here's to the small things - paying attention to them and being grateful for them because they really do make a difference!
Just a few short months ago, I felt it was time to make a change and so I moved from the place I had been living for 2 1/2 years. I was ready for somewhere a little quieter, with less roommates, which meant (hopefully) it would be and stay a little cleaner without me feeling like a maid. Unlike what usually happens for me, things happened really quick where I found a place that seemed ideal - one roommate who was quiet and clean. It all started well - the roommate really was clean and quiet and I never had to worry about having to clean up after her or loud get togethers or movies going until 1 or 2 in the morning. And while she wasn't the friendliest person in the world we chatted a couple of times and exchanged pleasantries in passing - so not exactly balmy California or Florida but not like the Arctic or anything.
Sadly, it only took a few weeks for things to go south - or north because things got ALOT cooler and even ended up being downright frigid. I'm still not sure if something specific happened or she just really didn't want to have a roommate, though from things I've learned since it does appear to be the latter and not due to the fact that I didn't rinse the bathtub out well enough or use only exactly half of the fridge. Needless to say I quickly learned in greater depth than I would have like that people really do send of vibes - and when they are negative vibes it isn't very pleasant. So even when she wasn't at home, there seemed to be a pall surrounding the place. And it was a small enough place that you couldn't go anywhere in the apartment and not feel it. It has made me much more aware of the vibes or aura or whatever you want to call it that I project at different times.
This has led me to be extremely grateful for the small things. Thankfully, I've been able to move to another place that has already helped to lift the dark cloud I've felt surrounded by the last couple of months.
So I am grateful for small things like -
* Sitting next to your roommates in church feeling uplifted and edified as they share a spiritual experience, but also at another point being able to all laugh at something funny you just observed during Sacrament Meeting.
* Chatting with your roommate for a few hours while your doing something or she is cooking in the kitchen.
* Having both of your roommates say have a good day as they leave for work.
* Knowing when you come home your roommates will be happy to see you and you are happy to see them.
* Knowing if you needed something you could ask them. It really brought things home as far as how things had declined or how bad it was when I had a blowout early one morning while out ride my bike and I was about 7 miles from home and I didn't even consider calling my roommate for help because I knew she wouldn't come.
* You are made to feel a part of living there rather than an intruder.
It stinks living somewhere that is difficult but I can see how living there has helped me to see and understand the things that are important to me and that I really am grateful for. I don't think my current roommates read my blog but if either one of you ever does read this post, I hope you know how grateful I am for you! It makes me want to be a better roommate and not fall into some of the not so great habits I did at the last place I lived as far as being much more aware of those around me and always striving to be welcoming and friendly.
In other news - I'm leaving to go on vacation tomorrow and I'm super excited. It seems like it has been FOREVER since I went on vacation since last year I had to use my PTO on having surgery, which let me tell you is no vacation :) So here's to the small things - paying attention to them and being grateful for them because they really do make a difference!
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but unfortunately it kills all its pupils ... - Louis Hector Berlioz. As time passes and certain things have left my life and others that I expected to come into my life, haven't, I have found it necessary to find and try new things in order to keep life interesting and to continue to strive to improve myself. One of the best things about trying something new is when you find that you really like it. So here are some new things I've tried and my feelings on them.
Just over 3 weeks ago I started guitar lessons for the first time. I calculated it and I've had my guitar for over 22 years and I'm just now learning how to play it. But better late then never right? I've tried picking it up several times over the past 22 years and just haven't been able to stick with it so I did wonder if I would enjoy it and want to continue to do lessons. But good news! I LOVE it. At least right now I'm have a lot of fun. Part of that I'm sure has to do with my teacher - it isn't always a good idea to take lessons from a friend but in this case it has been a good experience and lessons are always interesting, fun and I learn things! But my favorite part is being able to practice - I enjoy being able to see progress even if it is small. And right now things are coming pretty easy because I do know SOME things about music. And the tips of my fingers on my left hand are getting some nice callouses...LOL
Something else I'm really enjoying that isn't quite as new but I still consider new is my road bike. Last October I bit the bullet and spent a bit of money on a road bike. One of the best investments EVER. I didn't get a lot of time to ride it before it got to cold but since we've had such a mild end of winter and spring I've been able to do quite a few 15-20 mile rides around various areas. And it is quite the thrill to be able to cruise down the road or down a hill at 40 miles an hour on the bike or kill a big hill that you would never have been able to ride up with a regular bike without going into cardiac arrest.
However, I've come to realize something the more I ride my bike. I don't have "road rage" in my car, I get it on my bike and that isn't a safe time to have it! Since I have a road bike, I of course ride on the side of the road, which I have to point out, I am legally allowed to do. And did you know that as a motorist it is illegal to ride closer than 3 feet to a moving cyclist? Now sometimes I recognize the road isn't wide enough for the car not to drive a little closer to me than I would like. I understand that is a risk I take riding on the road. But when I get mad is when a car that has plenty of room on their left side, drives as close as possible to the white line and in turn to me!! And that is when my "bike rage" comes out and I want to yell and wave my fist at them. Given that I am courteous as a rider and follow the law it would be least others can do to do the same! But since everyone follows the laws of the road SO WELL I guess I shouldn't expect anything else. I just need to remember that my bike can't take on someone's car :)
The last thing I wanted to share that I've tried is a ste aerobics class. It has been a couple of months now but when a class at the gym wasn't quite what I wanted anymore I let an acquaintance talk me into trying out the step class held at the same time. I must admit I've been pleasantly surprised how much I actually enjoy it. I must admit my stereotype was that step was for old ladies as Ifondly remember my mom's Jane Fonda aerobics tapes. Step aerobics also make me think of the eighties and while I was born in the eighties there are some things about that time period I just can't appreciate.
I did find out though that step is like learning a new language!! You know the feeling when someone speaks and says the first word and you are so busy trying to translate that you miss everything else they say afterwards. Step sometimes feels alot like that. I guess I shouldn't have expected to know this, but I didn't know that all the steps and things have names. And of course given that I hadn't ever been to a step class I had no idea what the ham curl, figure 8 or soldier step was supposed to look like. After a couple of months I still sometimes feel lost and if a move involves switching the position of your feet or spinning around, I just throw my hands up in the air.
But overall it has been FUN and a great workout. And I now feel like I speak a second language.
So before time kills YOU off what have you been doing fun or new lately?
Just over 3 weeks ago I started guitar lessons for the first time. I calculated it and I've had my guitar for over 22 years and I'm just now learning how to play it. But better late then never right? I've tried picking it up several times over the past 22 years and just haven't been able to stick with it so I did wonder if I would enjoy it and want to continue to do lessons. But good news! I LOVE it. At least right now I'm have a lot of fun. Part of that I'm sure has to do with my teacher - it isn't always a good idea to take lessons from a friend but in this case it has been a good experience and lessons are always interesting, fun and I learn things! But my favorite part is being able to practice - I enjoy being able to see progress even if it is small. And right now things are coming pretty easy because I do know SOME things about music. And the tips of my fingers on my left hand are getting some nice callouses...LOL
Something else I'm really enjoying that isn't quite as new but I still consider new is my road bike. Last October I bit the bullet and spent a bit of money on a road bike. One of the best investments EVER. I didn't get a lot of time to ride it before it got to cold but since we've had such a mild end of winter and spring I've been able to do quite a few 15-20 mile rides around various areas. And it is quite the thrill to be able to cruise down the road or down a hill at 40 miles an hour on the bike or kill a big hill that you would never have been able to ride up with a regular bike without going into cardiac arrest.
However, I've come to realize something the more I ride my bike. I don't have "road rage" in my car, I get it on my bike and that isn't a safe time to have it! Since I have a road bike, I of course ride on the side of the road, which I have to point out, I am legally allowed to do. And did you know that as a motorist it is illegal to ride closer than 3 feet to a moving cyclist? Now sometimes I recognize the road isn't wide enough for the car not to drive a little closer to me than I would like. I understand that is a risk I take riding on the road. But when I get mad is when a car that has plenty of room on their left side, drives as close as possible to the white line and in turn to me!! And that is when my "bike rage" comes out and I want to yell and wave my fist at them. Given that I am courteous as a rider and follow the law it would be least others can do to do the same! But since everyone follows the laws of the road SO WELL I guess I shouldn't expect anything else. I just need to remember that my bike can't take on someone's car :)
The last thing I wanted to share that I've tried is a ste aerobics class. It has been a couple of months now but when a class at the gym wasn't quite what I wanted anymore I let an acquaintance talk me into trying out the step class held at the same time. I must admit I've been pleasantly surprised how much I actually enjoy it. I must admit my stereotype was that step was for old ladies as I
I did find out though that step is like learning a new language!! You know the feeling when someone speaks and says the first word and you are so busy trying to translate that you miss everything else they say afterwards. Step sometimes feels alot like that. I guess I shouldn't have expected to know this, but I didn't know that all the steps and things have names. And of course given that I hadn't ever been to a step class I had no idea what the ham curl, figure 8 or soldier step was supposed to look like. After a couple of months I still sometimes feel lost and if a move involves switching the position of your feet or spinning around, I just throw my hands up in the air.
But overall it has been FUN and a great workout. And I now feel like I speak a second language.
So before time kills YOU off what have you been doing fun or new lately?
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Life has felt pretty tough for too long - unmet expectations, plans that don't work out how you plan, uncertainty in too many aspects of life, a forced change of dreams, etc. So I've thought alot lately about happiness and while I've always had the mindset that happiness is what you make of it rather than the circumstances you are in. But as many of you can attest to if this is also a mindset you strive for, it is MUCH easier said than done :)
But a few weeks ago, I got a new calling since I moved and am in a different ward. And while I don't normally share what was said in the setting apart, he said something that I was a little surprised by but have thought alot about it and wanted to share. He said that I would be blessed with an abundance of happiness - so not just that I would be happy or find happiness but and ABUNDANCE of happiness. In my book that is ALOT of happiness.
Given that life has felt tough for so long, though, and abundance of happiness seemed a little far-fetched. So I've been waiting, looking, watching, seeking that abundance of happiness. But in the weeks that have passed that abundance hasn't seemed any closer than the moon.
However, I was just sitting at work this morning, tired because this week has been crazy and yesterday was non-stop and I suddenly realized happiness had somehow crept up on me and I haven't even realized it. And as I analyzed it (because everything deserves a good analysis) I realized I'm excited for what life has ahead even though for some of the biggest things in my life I have no idea what they are but I'm excited for the challenges and the different things I've become involved in. And I just wanted to share a few things that have contributed to my abundance :)
* The miracle and power of the Atonement. I recently read Elder Bednar's talk again that was in April's Ensign that he gave at a devotional awhile ago about the enabling power of the Atonement and it has been such an inspiration in making the power of the Atonement more real in my everyday life. If you haven't read it, go read it now!
* Those people in your life that just always provide support and encouragement when you need it. Who are always willing to provide a listening ear.
* Laughter - especially shared laughter. There is nothing quite so cathartic as laughing together with others. I went to a luncheon yesterday with women from the shelter agency I work with and the entire hour or so I was there we talked and laughed and I cannot tell you how much better that makes any day.
* New people in your life that you are getting to know who are amazing and accepting and help you to feel apart of something and who inspire you to want to be a better person.
So I would not have expected happiness to be creepy :P Or to creep up on me but somehow it has and an abundance of happiness really is amazing and can be found and enjoyed even in the rough times!
But a few weeks ago, I got a new calling since I moved and am in a different ward. And while I don't normally share what was said in the setting apart, he said something that I was a little surprised by but have thought alot about it and wanted to share. He said that I would be blessed with an abundance of happiness - so not just that I would be happy or find happiness but and ABUNDANCE of happiness. In my book that is ALOT of happiness.
Given that life has felt tough for so long, though, and abundance of happiness seemed a little far-fetched. So I've been waiting, looking, watching, seeking that abundance of happiness. But in the weeks that have passed that abundance hasn't seemed any closer than the moon.
However, I was just sitting at work this morning, tired because this week has been crazy and yesterday was non-stop and I suddenly realized happiness had somehow crept up on me and I haven't even realized it. And as I analyzed it (because everything deserves a good analysis) I realized I'm excited for what life has ahead even though for some of the biggest things in my life I have no idea what they are but I'm excited for the challenges and the different things I've become involved in. And I just wanted to share a few things that have contributed to my abundance :)
* The miracle and power of the Atonement. I recently read Elder Bednar's talk again that was in April's Ensign that he gave at a devotional awhile ago about the enabling power of the Atonement and it has been such an inspiration in making the power of the Atonement more real in my everyday life. If you haven't read it, go read it now!
* Those people in your life that just always provide support and encouragement when you need it. Who are always willing to provide a listening ear.
* Laughter - especially shared laughter. There is nothing quite so cathartic as laughing together with others. I went to a luncheon yesterday with women from the shelter agency I work with and the entire hour or so I was there we talked and laughed and I cannot tell you how much better that makes any day.
* New people in your life that you are getting to know who are amazing and accepting and help you to feel apart of something and who inspire you to want to be a better person.
So I would not have expected happiness to be creepy :P Or to creep up on me but somehow it has and an abundance of happiness really is amazing and can be found and enjoyed even in the rough times!
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