As I look back on my life, the times I look back on with the greatest fondness generally focus on a time when I left town.
A time when I got out.
When I left regular life behind and had a little vacation moment.
With the crazy that has been happening in my life lately, I felt like I needed a break.
I had days in a row off, and so I took the middle day and got out of town.
I only really had the day, but I knew exactly where I wanted to go.
Only 3 short hours away and one of my favorite places on earth.
I have always loved this city.
Its an old settlement by the early members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, begun after fleeing Ohio and Missouri, and abandoned with the threat of mobs and further persecution.
There is a special spirit to this town.
The sacrifice of the former residents of this small city on the banks of the Mississippi makes it even more special.
It was a cold and windy day. 10 degrees colder than forecasted. And when I say windy, I mean-I LITERALLY was blown over into a bench.
I wandered around for a while, visited the Nauvoo temple, and took a walk down Parley street and sat on the bank of the Mississippi.
It was perfect!
The drive there, suddenly I realized I was smiling and I didn't remember when I started, or what started it.
Its been a long time since that happen.
Spontaneous happiness with no clear rhyme or reason.
Its hard to come by.
And thank goodness for Nauvoo for helping me find that.
Like I said-one of my favorite places on earth!
More on my trip to come!!!!!!!!!
Because Life is Not Meant To Be Wasted
Friday, March 21, 2014
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Dear Boys: A Letter to Sons/Nephews
(Since I am single and not sure at this point in my life if I will be Aunt Stephie or Mama)
Either way-here is what I want these boys to know....
Shout out to Nicole Shepherd of From the Mind of Nicole Shepherd who gave me the inspiration for this post
http://fromthemindofnicoleshepard.blogspot.com/2014/02/80-things-i-want-to-teach-my-sons.html
(LOVE LOVE LOVED everything she had to say)
And so...Dear Boys of My Future
1. Hang up your clothes the MINUTE they get out of the dryer. Cause ironing is dumb and should be avoided.
2. Don't EVER leave the house a wrinkle-ly crinkle-ly mess. (refer to number 1)
3. Brush yo teef...no one likes bad breath and gingivitis is no bueno
4. Don't always tell a girl she's beautiful..pretty is nice too. Beautiful has unfortunately gotten kinda trite and cliche.
5. Never be afraid to apologize. It is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of strength.
6. If you feel like its something you have to hide-maybe you should reconsider doing it
7. Know that no matter what it is-you can talk to me about it. If you are scared I'll get mad...come to me anyway. If you are scared I'll be sad...come to me anyway. I want to help you and I can help you.
8. Have meaningful morning prayers. They are easy to forget about and hard to have. But they are very protective.
9. Hold open doors...for everyone. Its just a nice thing to do and people appreciate it.
10. Smile at people as you pass them in the halls...the store..on the street
11. Be polite to those who serve you...cashiers, waiters etc. Even go above and beyond the thank you. Say hello...ask them how they are....and NEVER EVER EVER think it is ok to be rude to them just because they are a stranger.
12. Remember it is just as prideful to look up as it is to look down. Look straight ahead and focus on doing your best. Don't compare
13. If you ever even consider a tattoo...or an earring....or something else equally stupid...Just stop. There is no one reason for this. The list is endless. So just trust me and DON'T
14. Its ok to disagree with people. But NEVER be disrespectful when you do it.
15. Remember that you will make mistakes. But also know that rebellion is different. Don't make mistakes on purpose. You've been taught...now do your best.
16. NO MATTER which it is...rebellion or a mistake...you can fix it. You can make it better.
17. You are in control.....don't let someone else push you to do something you don't want to do.
18. Again YOU are in control. You as a person...not you as a guy. Basically let me spell it out....your desires and passions are not who is in charge. YOU ARE
19. Avoid ALL "back-burning". Never keep a girl on the side/ in the background just in case things don't work out with the one you have now. And don't allow a girl to play you like that either. It won't be easy necessarily-but walk away
20. Speaking of walking away....much like apologizing, sometimes that is the greatest sign of strength.
21. Don't be reckless! Its not cool to be dumb and risk getting hurt.
22. Avoid pornography like it is the plague. Because it IS!!!! I know you hear this all the time. But its because it is INSANELY important. It hurts your mind and your spirit. It effects EVERY aspect of your life. Please please please I beg of you. Avoid AVOID AVOID
(and please refer to 6,7,15, and 16)
23. If you EVER DARE honk/whistle/cat-call at a girl. I WILL KILL YOU!!!!!!!
And if you are picking her up on a date...GET OUT OF THE CAR. YOU HAVE LEGS. USE THEM TO WALK TO HER DOOR. DO. NOT. HONK.
24. Be as kind to yourself as you are to others. Give both the benefit of the doubt...and then work hard to be better/help them be better
25. Allow yourself to feel. Emotions are ok...happy sad angry. Allow yourself to feel them all.
26. Make hometeaching about being a friend and not about checking it off a list
27. Don't allow yourself to get stuck in a rut. Don't do the same thing over and over. Try new things. Find what you love.
28. Never avoid something because you think you will be bad at it.
30. I don't care what you do...just make me proud. Do your best at whatever you choose and you will always win in my book. Remember I love you....no matter what
With Love
From Me
Be Happy Be Healthy every one
Either way-here is what I want these boys to know....
Shout out to Nicole Shepherd of From the Mind of Nicole Shepherd who gave me the inspiration for this post
http://fromthemindofnicoleshepard.blogspot.com/2014/02/80-things-i-want-to-teach-my-sons.html
(LOVE LOVE LOVED everything she had to say)
And so...Dear Boys of My Future
1. Hang up your clothes the MINUTE they get out of the dryer. Cause ironing is dumb and should be avoided.
2. Don't EVER leave the house a wrinkle-ly crinkle-ly mess. (refer to number 1)
3. Brush yo teef...no one likes bad breath and gingivitis is no bueno
4. Don't always tell a girl she's beautiful..pretty is nice too. Beautiful has unfortunately gotten kinda trite and cliche.
5. Never be afraid to apologize. It is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of strength.
6. If you feel like its something you have to hide-maybe you should reconsider doing it
7. Know that no matter what it is-you can talk to me about it. If you are scared I'll get mad...come to me anyway. If you are scared I'll be sad...come to me anyway. I want to help you and I can help you.
8. Have meaningful morning prayers. They are easy to forget about and hard to have. But they are very protective.
9. Hold open doors...for everyone. Its just a nice thing to do and people appreciate it.
10. Smile at people as you pass them in the halls...the store..on the street
11. Be polite to those who serve you...cashiers, waiters etc. Even go above and beyond the thank you. Say hello...ask them how they are....and NEVER EVER EVER think it is ok to be rude to them just because they are a stranger.
12. Remember it is just as prideful to look up as it is to look down. Look straight ahead and focus on doing your best. Don't compare
13. If you ever even consider a tattoo...or an earring....or something else equally stupid...Just stop. There is no one reason for this. The list is endless. So just trust me and DON'T
14. Its ok to disagree with people. But NEVER be disrespectful when you do it.
15. Remember that you will make mistakes. But also know that rebellion is different. Don't make mistakes on purpose. You've been taught...now do your best.
16. NO MATTER which it is...rebellion or a mistake...you can fix it. You can make it better.
17. You are in control.....don't let someone else push you to do something you don't want to do.
18. Again YOU are in control. You as a person...not you as a guy. Basically let me spell it out....your desires and passions are not who is in charge. YOU ARE
19. Avoid ALL "back-burning". Never keep a girl on the side/ in the background just in case things don't work out with the one you have now. And don't allow a girl to play you like that either. It won't be easy necessarily-but walk away
20. Speaking of walking away....much like apologizing, sometimes that is the greatest sign of strength.
21. Don't be reckless! Its not cool to be dumb and risk getting hurt.
22. Avoid pornography like it is the plague. Because it IS!!!! I know you hear this all the time. But its because it is INSANELY important. It hurts your mind and your spirit. It effects EVERY aspect of your life. Please please please I beg of you. Avoid AVOID AVOID
(and please refer to 6,7,15, and 16)
23. If you EVER DARE honk/whistle/cat-call at a girl. I WILL KILL YOU!!!!!!!
And if you are picking her up on a date...GET OUT OF THE CAR. YOU HAVE LEGS. USE THEM TO WALK TO HER DOOR. DO. NOT. HONK.
24. Be as kind to yourself as you are to others. Give both the benefit of the doubt...and then work hard to be better/help them be better
25. Allow yourself to feel. Emotions are ok...happy sad angry. Allow yourself to feel them all.
26. Make hometeaching about being a friend and not about checking it off a list
27. Don't allow yourself to get stuck in a rut. Don't do the same thing over and over. Try new things. Find what you love.
28. Never avoid something because you think you will be bad at it.
30. I don't care what you do...just make me proud. Do your best at whatever you choose and you will always win in my book. Remember I love you....no matter what
With Love
From Me
Be Happy Be Healthy every one
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Things You Should Know About Tuesdays: Neuroblastoma Kids
Ever since I started working in pediatics, there has been a story I have wanted to tell.
In the Summer of 2013, I received an email from a dear friend, an old youth leader who I loved very much.
The email told me of the sad news that her daughter Annika had been diagnosed with a stage 3 neuroblastoma.
The news saddened me greatly, knowing what little I did about cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Several months later I began to take care of other children with the same condition.
And now its gonna be pretty hard for me to be quiet about it.
"Awareness brings compassion and compassion brings action"
In the Summer of 2013, I received an email from a dear friend, an old youth leader who I loved very much.
The email told me of the sad news that her daughter Annika had been diagnosed with a stage 3 neuroblastoma.
Several months later I began to take care of other children with the same condition.
And now its gonna be pretty hard for me to be quiet about it.
"Awareness brings compassion and compassion brings action"
And we need all three.
Imagine being 2-3 years old (most occur in children under the age of 2). Having a condition only 4 per million children have. A condition that causes tumors to grow along the nervous system outside of the brain.
Picture having test after test run, in dark and scary rooms with loud and frightening machines.
It seems that every grown-up you see want to hurt you with a needle to get blood.
Then you sit in a big chair in front of a big desk, while your mom and dad cry.
And then suddenly more hospital visits. You start to recognize that you are driving to a place that scares you and you begin to cry even before you arrive.
And suddenly there is a weird thing on your chest. But they seem to be able to get blood out of it so no more horrible pokes.
And then then the nurses start giving you "medicine" to make you "feel better".
But you don't feel better. You feel tired and sick to your stomach.
You hurt and you don't know why
You have to wear a mask everywhere you go and you can't do the things you used to be able to do.
You feel like you never get to be at home anymore.
You can't sleep through the night anymore, because either you wake up sick or someone wakes you up to "get blood", or "take vitals" whatever that means.
Its not all bad I suppose, You get ANY food you like cause all the grown ups seem to be very worried about how much you eat. You get to watch lots of tv. You get to meet famous people and have lots of grownups tell you how cute you are. You get to see clowns and dogs, make music and be the nurse's helper.
Now I don't tell you this story for pity. I don't even tell you this story to get money or support for a cure from you (although I have included a link below for more information and how to get involved.)
I tell you this story to open your eyes.
In my line of work I have realized how blessed every parent of a healthy child is.
And so this is all I ask.
Be grateful for your health and the health of those around you.
And please pray for those who are not.
Annika-so glad your journey is going forward...so glad you are coming home for a while.
All my love and prayers are coming atcha....don't try to dodge em cause we all could use a few extras!
I hope to continue to talk about neuroblastomas, and Annika's story as time goes on.
The list of foundations is endless. I have done a SMALL amount of research and have found this foundation to be wonderful in there information and efforts for research.
I encourage you to do your own research of course before getting involved with ANY charity.
This is a blog begun by Annika's mother if you wish to follow her journey.
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Notes From a Nurse: I Chose to Do This
I hesitate to to post this...but I'm on a "be real be honest" kick...
so here we go.
Also Disclaimer number 1.....please don't pity me....I hate pity. This is not a shout out for attention or compliments or "you poor little dears". It is simply a look into my life...in hope of building understanding.
A few weeks back I had a really busy/rough shift. Nothing too medically difficult or skillfully difficult. I had just been running and running. I didn't sit down to eat my morning snack until 11:30...while I was charting. And I didn't eat lunch till 4:30. At which point my headache hit and I finished the day in 10/10 pain.
As I drove home, I stopped halfway to go to a church activity....it was organized by a good friend I wanted to support and hoped maybe some social interaction would help cheer me up
Going to the activity was likely NOT a good idea. My headache transformed from a painful pounding to an unbearable throbbing, causing my stomach to turn and my vision scattered with little dots.
At this point, I didn't want to drive home...so I laid down across several chairs to close my eyes.
Several people acted very sympathetic...and one, meaning well said "There must be a better job you can find"
Maybe it was my "I left my house at 6 AM this morning and it is now 9 PM" brain talking. Maybe it was the pain...maybe it was the busy stressful day.
But I bristled. I was furious!
It reminded me of a blog post I read a few months back
DISCLAIMER NUMBER 2: please know that if you choose to read the following...there is some language I don't agree with and would never use myself.
Please DO NOT read if you will be offended by it.
http://ofcourseitsaboutyou.com/2013/08/11/the-effects-of-nursing-on-nurses/
I am not ashamed to admit to wishing my car would get hit so that I don't have to go into work.
(DISCLAIMER number 3...just a bad fender bender that prevents work for that day...not permanent bodily harm or death.......)
I have wished for fevers to give me a guilt free reason to call in.
I am a women with 2 college degrees.
And I frequently fetch water, ice and fluff pillows.
I am a professional.
And I have been groped and sexually harassed while at work.
I try to help people everyday I work.
And I have had food thrown at me, threatened with lawsuits and verbally assaulted.
I eat when I have time....use the bathroom when I have time....drink when I have time
I am a therapist, a social worker, a teacher, a housekeeper, a handyman, and most of all a punching bag.
I leave work more often than not with a migraine, aching feet and a sore back.
I work holidays. I work weekends. I work nights. I drive to and from work in all weather conditions.
I work when I don't feel good.
My job isn't hard because I watch people die.
My job is hard because for 13 hours in a day, my time is not my own.
I belong to my patients, the doctors, the hospital.
Yes it can be rewarding.
Yes its incredible to hear a patient call you her favorite nurse.
Yes it is great when your favorite senior resident leads rounds and makes you feel like an important team member.
Yes there is nothing like catching that little thing that could have saved your patient's life
Yes its great to be "the best" on the floor at a certain skill.
But its not all roses. Its hard work.
I hate my job. But I chose this job. And I don't plan or want to do anything else.
No...in fact there is nothing else I can do.
I haven't been duped. I'm not just paying my dues.
This is my career. This is who I am.
I know its hard to understand how someone can hate their job, but not want to do anything else.
But just know....its possible. Its the life of a floor nurse
Special shout out to all my nurse buds out there.
Love you all..keep your chins up even on the hard days.
And here's to the moments that keep us going!
Be Happy Be Healthy Everyone
so here we go.
Also Disclaimer number 1.....please don't pity me....I hate pity. This is not a shout out for attention or compliments or "you poor little dears". It is simply a look into my life...in hope of building understanding.
A few weeks back I had a really busy/rough shift. Nothing too medically difficult or skillfully difficult. I had just been running and running. I didn't sit down to eat my morning snack until 11:30...while I was charting. And I didn't eat lunch till 4:30. At which point my headache hit and I finished the day in 10/10 pain.
As I drove home, I stopped halfway to go to a church activity....it was organized by a good friend I wanted to support and hoped maybe some social interaction would help cheer me up
Going to the activity was likely NOT a good idea. My headache transformed from a painful pounding to an unbearable throbbing, causing my stomach to turn and my vision scattered with little dots.
At this point, I didn't want to drive home...so I laid down across several chairs to close my eyes.
Several people acted very sympathetic...and one, meaning well said "There must be a better job you can find"
Maybe it was my "I left my house at 6 AM this morning and it is now 9 PM" brain talking. Maybe it was the pain...maybe it was the busy stressful day.
But I bristled. I was furious!
It reminded me of a blog post I read a few months back
DISCLAIMER NUMBER 2: please know that if you choose to read the following...there is some language I don't agree with and would never use myself.
Please DO NOT read if you will be offended by it.
http://ofcourseitsaboutyou.com/2013/08/11/the-effects-of-nursing-on-nurses/
I am not ashamed to admit to wishing my car would get hit so that I don't have to go into work.
(DISCLAIMER number 3...just a bad fender bender that prevents work for that day...not permanent bodily harm or death.......)
I have wished for fevers to give me a guilt free reason to call in.
I am a women with 2 college degrees.
And I frequently fetch water, ice and fluff pillows.
I am a professional.
And I have been groped and sexually harassed while at work.
I try to help people everyday I work.
And I have had food thrown at me, threatened with lawsuits and verbally assaulted.
I eat when I have time....use the bathroom when I have time....drink when I have time
I am a therapist, a social worker, a teacher, a housekeeper, a handyman, and most of all a punching bag.
I leave work more often than not with a migraine, aching feet and a sore back.
I work holidays. I work weekends. I work nights. I drive to and from work in all weather conditions.
I work when I don't feel good.
My job isn't hard because I watch people die.
My job is hard because for 13 hours in a day, my time is not my own.
I belong to my patients, the doctors, the hospital.
Yes it can be rewarding.
Yes its incredible to hear a patient call you her favorite nurse.
Yes it is great when your favorite senior resident leads rounds and makes you feel like an important team member.
Yes there is nothing like catching that little thing that could have saved your patient's life
Yes its great to be "the best" on the floor at a certain skill.
But its not all roses. Its hard work.
I hate my job. But I chose this job. And I don't plan or want to do anything else.
No...in fact there is nothing else I can do.
I haven't been duped. I'm not just paying my dues.
This is my career. This is who I am.
I know its hard to understand how someone can hate their job, but not want to do anything else.
But just know....its possible. Its the life of a floor nurse
Special shout out to all my nurse buds out there.
Love you all..keep your chins up even on the hard days.
And here's to the moments that keep us going!
Be Happy Be Healthy Everyone
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Needs...Causing Me Dysfunction
So I posted a few days ago a small small, vague little blurb about the struggles I have been facing lately.
I hesitated to even put that much up (private, personal people shouldn't have blogs hahaha). But since then I have been pondering what was making me so unhappy.
NEEDS.
Not actual needs like food, sleep, air and social interaction.
But the
Perfect Job...satisfying and rewarding. Good paying too
Incredible Friendships....the kind where you never fight, share clothes, finish each others sentences
Poem Worthy Romance...right out of the most recent Chick Flick
Pinterest Inspired Apartment/Home
Glamorous Social Life...free of Awkward Uncomfortable Encounters
Beautiful Children...who are both Well-Behaved AND Adorable
Kinda a hefty list right??
Not only is the list long and full of big stuff.
But the requirements of sheer impossibility added in?
I was setting myself up for complete failure and disaster
I was completely and 100% focused on those needs.
I said they were goals I was working towards. I had a dream...and in my dream it all was possible.
But I let them become more than that.
I began to base the happiness...no contentment I felt on whether or not I was achieving these goals..aka whether or not my needs were being satisfied.
And so I acted. But my futile attempts to force my impossible needs into fruition created
unhealthy and dysfunctional situations throughout all areas of my life.
How on earth can I be happy when my happiness is focused on the external?
I was setting myself up for failure. And then the lack of happiness from not having my needs was only compounded on by the fact that I wasn't happy and couldn't figure out why.
Then I wrote that post about happiness on Sunday..and thought of Mara.
(she's my personal life coach along with Sara Barellies!)
Mara writes A Blog About Love and has frequently talked about happiness despite trials.
So I went back and re-read her thoughts on detaching from needs to find happiness.
She says it better than I ever could...
but basically we have to leave behind our desires for the external and search for kindness, compassion, patience.......
Basically we have to become more Christ-like......
We have to leave behind the anger and disappointment that our life is not what we think we need...and discover what our loving God has in store for us.
Is it easy?
NO
Have I messed up since writing this post?
YES
But I'm gonna try.
Will you???
Be Happy Be Healthy
http://www.ablogaboutlove.com/2013/03/the-work-i-did-to-be-happy.html
http://www.ablogaboutlove.com/2013/06/choosing-happiness-sunday-sermon.html#more
I hesitated to even put that much up (private, personal people shouldn't have blogs hahaha). But since then I have been pondering what was making me so unhappy.
NEEDS.
Not actual needs like food, sleep, air and social interaction.
But the
Perfect Job...satisfying and rewarding. Good paying too
Incredible Friendships....the kind where you never fight, share clothes, finish each others sentences
Poem Worthy Romance...right out of the most recent Chick Flick
Pinterest Inspired Apartment/Home
Glamorous Social Life...free of Awkward Uncomfortable Encounters
Beautiful Children...who are both Well-Behaved AND Adorable
Kinda a hefty list right??
Not only is the list long and full of big stuff.
But the requirements of sheer impossibility added in?
I was setting myself up for complete failure and disaster
I was completely and 100% focused on those needs.
I said they were goals I was working towards. I had a dream...and in my dream it all was possible.
But I let them become more than that.
I began to base the happiness...no contentment I felt on whether or not I was achieving these goals..aka whether or not my needs were being satisfied.
And so I acted. But my futile attempts to force my impossible needs into fruition created
unhealthy and dysfunctional situations throughout all areas of my life.
How on earth can I be happy when my happiness is focused on the external?
I was setting myself up for failure. And then the lack of happiness from not having my needs was only compounded on by the fact that I wasn't happy and couldn't figure out why.
Then I wrote that post about happiness on Sunday..and thought of Mara.
(she's my personal life coach along with Sara Barellies!)
Mara writes A Blog About Love and has frequently talked about happiness despite trials.
So I went back and re-read her thoughts on detaching from needs to find happiness.
She says it better than I ever could...
but basically we have to leave behind our desires for the external and search for kindness, compassion, patience.......
Basically we have to become more Christ-like......
We have to leave behind the anger and disappointment that our life is not what we think we need...and discover what our loving God has in store for us.
Is it easy?
NO
Have I messed up since writing this post?
YES
But I'm gonna try.
Will you???
Be Happy Be Healthy
http://www.ablogaboutlove.com/2013/03/the-work-i-did-to-be-happy.html
http://www.ablogaboutlove.com/2013/06/choosing-happiness-sunday-sermon.html#more
Monday, February 10, 2014
Follow Your Arrow
Alright....gonna chat for a bit about dating (sort of).....and advice........and a song I like lots and lots
So I LOVE LOVE LOVE this song.....Follow Your Arrow: Kacey Musgraves
for one line and one line alone
ok two......
(Can you guess which 2??????)
https://soundcloud.com/julie-humphries-1/follow-your-arrow
(ok so there are more reasons to love it)
The past several weeks I have been receiving a great deal of advice.
Some sought after, some not. Some helpful, some....eh hmmm less helpful.
But the biggest thing I have learned from advice receiving????
...good luck deciphering it all.
Ms Her says go left. Mr Him says go right. Mrs She says go up. Msrt He says go down.
Bobby says date Billy. Susie says run as fast as you can AWAY from Billy.
And to top it all off Jimmy some how figured out a way to suggest you do both!
NOW WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO WITH ALL THAT??????????
Do what makes you happy they say
OH I AM TRYING!!!!
But really advice can be nice. I generally appreciate it, and I generally have no problem giving it.
HOWEVER...
To receivers of advice...I give you a bit of advice (no the irony is not lost on me!)
Just follow your arrow.....
Wherever it points
So I LOVE LOVE LOVE this song.....Follow Your Arrow: Kacey Musgraves
for one line and one line alone
ok two......
(Can you guess which 2??????)
https://soundcloud.com/julie-humphries-1/follow-your-arrow
(ok so there are more reasons to love it)
The past several weeks I have been receiving a great deal of advice.
Some sought after, some not. Some helpful, some....eh hmmm less helpful.
But the biggest thing I have learned from advice receiving????
...good luck deciphering it all.
Ms Her says go left. Mr Him says go right. Mrs She says go up. Msrt He says go down.
Bobby says date Billy. Susie says run as fast as you can AWAY from Billy.
And to top it all off Jimmy some how figured out a way to suggest you do both!
NOW WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO WITH ALL THAT??????????
Do what makes you happy they say
OH I AM TRYING!!!!
But really advice can be nice. I generally appreciate it, and I generally have no problem giving it.
HOWEVER...
To receivers of advice...I give you a bit of advice (no the irony is not lost on me!)
Just follow your arrow.....
Wherever it points
Basically...trial and error. Go for what you think will work great....
And if it doesn't...redirect and try something else.
So often we are completely unwilling to try things out.
What if it fails, what if I look like a fool.
BUT what if it succeeds, what if you look like a hero.
So do what is hard. Don't listen to anyone but yourself.
Ask her out. Break up with him. Find a new job. Go back to school.
Follow your dream whatever it takes.
(The irony of this post coming the week of V-day is also not lost on me!)
So Be Happy....Be Healthy
(oh and in case you didn't guess...the lines are "Horrrrrrrrr-ible person" and "Kiss lots of boys")
Musical credits to Julie Humphries
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Being Happy When There Is Nothing To Be Happy About
For those who follow this blog, this post is going to serve as a bit of an explanation.
Anyone who pays devoted attention (aka likely only Little Sister) I have been posting fairly infrequently since the end of July.
Some events in my life at the time led me to be very busy and blogging seemed unimportant when weighed against spending time with people I cared about.
Then December hit...and with it great changes in my personal and professional life. I was running on life's treadmill as it got faster and faster and the elevation climbed and climbed.
It was a very sad time for me. And I honestly couldn't figure out how to blog.
I am a VERY firm believer in authentic and honest blog...but not neg-logging.
I have always wanted my blog to be a place of positivity and happiness.
For goodness sake happiness is in the name!!!!!
But it was hard to have anything happy to say when I was so sad myself.
I made a few feeble attempts, but generally lost the motivation and desire a few posts later.
But why am I telling you this?
Perhaps it is an apology. Perhaps merely an explanation.
Perhaps it is a warning. A caution to not slip into the same sadness I did.
Or maybe...just maybe it is a consolation.
Not every moment in our lives are we going to be at our best.
Wouldn't we all love to say that we can be happy even when life is sad.
That we can find the silver lining in any situation.
But thats just not true 100% of the time.
Even me-who's motto in life is Smile Because it Happened, couldn't find anything to smile about.
So here is my message. I've been there. I feel your...pain? sadness? melancholy?
I also I hope that it ends for you soon.
Keep trying to look for the good. Even if you can't find it.
There will be a day, when you will wake up and see a beautiful sunrise or hear a beautiful song on the radio, and you will appreciate it.
And you'll realize you are healing...you are getting better. And you will be happy again.
And with that...Be Happy Be Healthy
Anyone who pays devoted attention (aka likely only Little Sister) I have been posting fairly infrequently since the end of July.
Some events in my life at the time led me to be very busy and blogging seemed unimportant when weighed against spending time with people I cared about.
Then December hit...and with it great changes in my personal and professional life. I was running on life's treadmill as it got faster and faster and the elevation climbed and climbed.
It was a very sad time for me. And I honestly couldn't figure out how to blog.
I am a VERY firm believer in authentic and honest blog...but not neg-logging.
I have always wanted my blog to be a place of positivity and happiness.
For goodness sake happiness is in the name!!!!!
But it was hard to have anything happy to say when I was so sad myself.
I made a few feeble attempts, but generally lost the motivation and desire a few posts later.
But why am I telling you this?
Perhaps it is an apology. Perhaps merely an explanation.
Perhaps it is a warning. A caution to not slip into the same sadness I did.
Or maybe...just maybe it is a consolation.
Not every moment in our lives are we going to be at our best.
Wouldn't we all love to say that we can be happy even when life is sad.
That we can find the silver lining in any situation.
But thats just not true 100% of the time.
Even me-who's motto in life is Smile Because it Happened, couldn't find anything to smile about.
So here is my message. I've been there. I feel your...pain? sadness? melancholy?
I also I hope that it ends for you soon.
Keep trying to look for the good. Even if you can't find it.
There will be a day, when you will wake up and see a beautiful sunrise or hear a beautiful song on the radio, and you will appreciate it.
And you'll realize you are healing...you are getting better. And you will be happy again.
And with that...Be Happy Be Healthy
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
In Which I Sing the Praises of My Town
So last week on the MLK holiday I went with a bunch of girlfriends to the St Louis History Museum.
I mean really guys....this is my town GOTTA LOVE IT!!!!!!!!
I love this place and though I have no idea where my life will take me...a big part of me hopes I never have to leave!!!
(no we are not nerds...we are just cultural!)
There is a whole exhibit dedicated to the 1904 Worlds Fair. The city built an ENORMOUS amount of new stuff for the fair and the pictures are TOTALLY gorgeous!
There is a huge park that is still here, Forest Park, but many of the buildings and awesome things have been taken down.
The ferris wheel was BURIED!!!!
I was there with a few other St Louisans and we all were devastated that so much of the fair had not survived.
But after we were done being upset and annoyed with the city for ruining our beautiful park...I started thinking about how much I loved my town even as it is.
The past few days I have been wandering around the Tower Grove neighborhood and Central West End neighborhood, as well as Forest Park and frankly I have over and over been reminded of how much I love my town.
The old school architecture
free museums
beautiful monuments
awesome lakes
best paths
I mean really guys....this is my town GOTTA LOVE IT!!!!!!!!
I love this place and though I have no idea where my life will take me...a big part of me hopes I never have to leave!!!
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Monsters Under My Bed
You heard that new song with Rihanna and Eminem?
I won't post it cause lets be real..that man is an angry and frankly scary man (talented yes...but SCARY!!!)
I really only like the Rihanna ballard part really...first cause the melody is pretty and its fun to sing along with.
But lately I've been obsessed with the lyrics
"I'm friends with the monster that's under my bed
Get along with the voices inside my head"
We all have things we are ashamed of. We all have pasts. We all have secrets.
But with many of these secrets and many of these dark moments we have moved on...gotten over them and made them right.
But we never fully get rid of the scars.
And I think too often we wish they were gone.
But I think these scars and these monsters are what help us remember where we have been.
Better to become friends with our past...not to dwell in it but also to allow ourselves to grow from it.
I recently had a chat with an old friend who hasn't had a shiny few months.
The advice I gave him..."well do better".
His guilt was clear. And could easily eat away at him.
But there is only tomorrow....learn from the past, and move onto the present and the future.
More easily said than done but oh well....gotta try anyway right??
Be Happy Be Healthy everyone
I won't post it cause lets be real..that man is an angry and frankly scary man (talented yes...but SCARY!!!)
I really only like the Rihanna ballard part really...first cause the melody is pretty and its fun to sing along with.
But lately I've been obsessed with the lyrics
"I'm friends with the monster that's under my bed
Get along with the voices inside my head"
We all have things we are ashamed of. We all have pasts. We all have secrets.
But with many of these secrets and many of these dark moments we have moved on...gotten over them and made them right.
But we never fully get rid of the scars.
And I think too often we wish they were gone.
But I think these scars and these monsters are what help us remember where we have been.
Better to become friends with our past...not to dwell in it but also to allow ourselves to grow from it.
I recently had a chat with an old friend who hasn't had a shiny few months.
The advice I gave him..."well do better".
His guilt was clear. And could easily eat away at him.
But there is only tomorrow....learn from the past, and move onto the present and the future.
More easily said than done but oh well....gotta try anyway right??
Be Happy Be Healthy everyone
Sunday, January 19, 2014
Since Its Sunday: Each Life....
There is a hymn that is occasionally sung in our church-each life that touches ours for good.
Lots of people talk about how its a funeral song...and I can see that...but I don't like to think about the sadness of it.
Today I branched out a little bit and talked to some friends who I don't always spend lots of time with.
Its not that I got out of my comfort zone by any means (I'll save doing that for another day!) but I did vary from my routine a little bit.
We had a pot-luck dinner after our services and I sat with a group of friends I wouldn't normally sit with.
And can I please tell you how refreshed and happy it made me!!!!!!!!
There was no real reason I just decided I wanted to mix it up...change the routine. And it was excellent!
At the table I was at, I was able to chat with two girls who I realized were even more like myself then I realized.
There are so many people in our lives that could become a best friend if we just allowed them into our lives.
And even if they don't become a best bosom buddy who you ask to be your maid of honor, they might be the person you need to talk to that day.
You never know what someone might say to you that might change the way you think about things.....
Lots of people talk about how its a funeral song...and I can see that...but I don't like to think about the sadness of it.
Today I branched out a little bit and talked to some friends who I don't always spend lots of time with.
Its not that I got out of my comfort zone by any means (I'll save doing that for another day!) but I did vary from my routine a little bit.
We had a pot-luck dinner after our services and I sat with a group of friends I wouldn't normally sit with.
And can I please tell you how refreshed and happy it made me!!!!!!!!
There was no real reason I just decided I wanted to mix it up...change the routine. And it was excellent!
At the table I was at, I was able to chat with two girls who I realized were even more like myself then I realized.
There are so many people in our lives that could become a best friend if we just allowed them into our lives.
And even if they don't become a best bosom buddy who you ask to be your maid of honor, they might be the person you need to talk to that day.
You never know what someone might say to you that might change the way you think about things.....
Each life can touch our lives for good. If we just let it!
Be Happy Be Healthy!
Saturday, January 18, 2014
A New Opportunity
So its been a while.
I've been a terrible blogger.
For me blogging has been a way to meet and learn from interesting people...and to navigate the cray life I live. Its been an outlet for my (limited) creativity that generally has been very rewarding and fun.
But blog-fatigue and bloggers-block are a real thing.And I hit a wall so I took a break to re-group and re-consider. And right when I was about to totally give up and just stop blogging all together, I got an email.
The email invited me to join a collaboration blog, specifically for Mormon YSAs (if you don't know what I mean check THIS out!)
At first I wasn't sure. I was done with blogging. Did I want to get involved with something and make a commitment?
Did this collaboration have the feel and the vibe I wanted to connect my blog with.
And honestly I still don't have the answers to either of those questions.
BUT....I do know that I want to keep blogging and I want to stay excited and interested.
And I think that means throwing myself into it.
Getting really involved in the bog world and making it a happy and fun and exciting place to be for me.
So check out my new second blogosphere home on http://mormonysa.blogspot.com/
And here's hoping y'all will have some fun and interesting posts to read in the next few days, weeks and months!!!!!
Be Happy Be Healthy
I've been a terrible blogger.
For me blogging has been a way to meet and learn from interesting people...and to navigate the cray life I live. Its been an outlet for my (limited) creativity that generally has been very rewarding and fun.
But blog-fatigue and bloggers-block are a real thing.And I hit a wall so I took a break to re-group and re-consider. And right when I was about to totally give up and just stop blogging all together, I got an email.
The email invited me to join a collaboration blog, specifically for Mormon YSAs (if you don't know what I mean check THIS out!)
At first I wasn't sure. I was done with blogging. Did I want to get involved with something and make a commitment?
Did this collaboration have the feel and the vibe I wanted to connect my blog with.
And honestly I still don't have the answers to either of those questions.
BUT....I do know that I want to keep blogging and I want to stay excited and interested.
And I think that means throwing myself into it.
Getting really involved in the bog world and making it a happy and fun and exciting place to be for me.
So check out my new second blogosphere home on http://mormonysa.blogspot.com/
And here's hoping y'all will have some fun and interesting posts to read in the next few days, weeks and months!!!!!
Be Happy Be Healthy
Saturday, December 14, 2013
DEAR BOYS...Year In Review
Cause its always fun to look back at the...adventures (read disasters hahaha) of my dating life.
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Say Happy Holidays
Its been a difficult couple of weeks.
I hate being negative on my blog...hello the name itself is positive!
But I also don't like to lie.
I've been in a bad mood for 2 weeks.
And its starting to weigh on me. That much negativity gets really old really fast.
So I made a choice. And made a change.
Every stranger got a smile in the hallways of work and the aisle of grocery store.
Whether I felt like smiling or not.
Every bell ringer and checkout lady at the store, the post office, the mall got a
"Happy Holidays" (gotta be politically correct of course hahaha)
Christmas songs played and I took every opportunity to puke Christmas spirit everywhere.
I broke out my little cheap pre-lit tree from my time in an apartment all buy myself and set it up in my bed room.
Its surrounded by old scrubs that I need to get rid of and piles of papers I've collected from HR meetings and orientation with my new job (holy cow kill some trees much???)
But its Christmas spirit.
I'm drinking lots of hot chocolate and wearing red and green and silver and gold.
And I haven't been perfect at it.
But its helped....
So just saying.....if you are in a early winter funk....feeling Scroogy or worse Grinchy....try a little Christmas spirit!
And as always....SMILE
Be Happy Be Healthy!
I hate being negative on my blog...hello the name itself is positive!
But I also don't like to lie.
I've been in a bad mood for 2 weeks.
And its starting to weigh on me. That much negativity gets really old really fast.
So I made a choice. And made a change.
Every stranger got a smile in the hallways of work and the aisle of grocery store.
Whether I felt like smiling or not.
Every bell ringer and checkout lady at the store, the post office, the mall got a
"Happy Holidays" (gotta be politically correct of course hahaha)
Christmas songs played and I took every opportunity to puke Christmas spirit everywhere.
I broke out my little cheap pre-lit tree from my time in an apartment all buy myself and set it up in my bed room.
Its surrounded by old scrubs that I need to get rid of and piles of papers I've collected from HR meetings and orientation with my new job (holy cow kill some trees much???)
But its Christmas spirit.
I'm drinking lots of hot chocolate and wearing red and green and silver and gold.
And I haven't been perfect at it.
But its helped....
So just saying.....if you are in a early winter funk....feeling Scroogy or worse Grinchy....try a little Christmas spirit!
And as always....SMILE
Be Happy Be Healthy!
I'm sorry for falling off the wagon again.
Its been a VERY interesting 2 weeks.
Lots of moments to smile.
Lots of moments to cry.
A heartache.
A victory.
All at once which is kinda hard to figure out.
But I've learned a lot about myself...
I've cried and I've yelled. I've sat in stunned silence and spent many a fitful night.
I've tried to be positive when nothing seems to be going right.
Its been really hard.
I've had to work at it.
But do you know what I learned?
1. Heartache doesn't go away easily or quickly...no matter what you may have anticipated or expected or even planned.
2. Smiling at strangers...telling the lady ringing you up at the store "Happy Holidays" really does make you feel better.
3.
Its been a VERY interesting 2 weeks.
Lots of moments to smile.
Lots of moments to cry.
A heartache.
A victory.
All at once which is kinda hard to figure out.
But I've learned a lot about myself...
I've cried and I've yelled. I've sat in stunned silence and spent many a fitful night.
I've tried to be positive when nothing seems to be going right.
Its been really hard.
I've had to work at it.
But do you know what I learned?
1. Heartache doesn't go away easily or quickly...no matter what you may have anticipated or expected or even planned.
2. Smiling at strangers...telling the lady ringing you up at the store "Happy Holidays" really does make you feel better.
3.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Things You Should Know About: SALAD TIPS!!!!
So I make a MEAN salad.
In fact...my salads have won awards....
see???
And honestly its not that hard. So I am going to share a few tips/tricks I use to create award winning salads!
First
You want to pick a fruit or sweet ingredient. This is how you will base all your other choices on so pick wisely!
Mandarin oranges......apples......grapes......berries......tomatoes
Second
Now you need a green. Nope you don't start with this one, though it is HIGHLY important. Pick one based on your fruit. Don't get caught in the same everytime....
green leafy.....red leafy......romaine.......red romaine.....spinach
even iceberg or a mix!!!!
Third
You need a crunch
If you are going gluten free avoid the croutons...although those are a great option. As are chow mein noodles.
Nuts and seeds usually are the best. Pecans and walnuts work well. Cashews and sunflower seeds are great too. Sometimes candy-ing them adds the perfect touch.
Fourth
You need some color and flavor.
This is where you get to have fun. Pick ingredients that match flavors with your fruit. And colors that you don't have.
Red onions, green onions, crasins, carrots, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, olives.
You could add some protein in at this point if you are not doing vegetarian....ham, chicken, turkey, bacon, hard boiled eggs.
Fifth
Now dressing...Something light is usually best. I love making simple vinaigrettes that bring out the flavor of the fruit.
Oil and vinegar of course...then a juice that matches. And herbs/spices of course. And salt and pepper...without that you TOTALLY won't have it!
And an optional addition I love if you aren't going vegan...CHEESE. Of course again match your fruit and something that stands alone pretty well...so nothing softer than feta for sure.
I've found mozzarella and Parmesan go REALLY well with most things...feta and cheddar work well but have to be paired correctly
Its a pretty simple five steps!
Here are a few I have used recently
Strawberry Spinach Salad with Strawberry Vinaigrette
(I used mozzarella instead of feta and pecans)
Apple and Spring Mix with Cinnamon Vinaigrette
(I excluded the pomegranates, used sunflower seeds and cheddar cheese)
Mandarin Cranberry with Basil Vinaigrette
These are ones I still want to try.......
http://www.thegardengrazer.com/2013/04/southwestern-chopped-salad-with.html
http://www.cinnamonspiceandeverythingnice.com/italian-chopped-salad/
In fact...my salads have won awards....
see???
And honestly its not that hard. So I am going to share a few tips/tricks I use to create award winning salads!
First
You want to pick a fruit or sweet ingredient. This is how you will base all your other choices on so pick wisely!
Mandarin oranges......apples......grapes......berries......tomatoes
Second
Now you need a green. Nope you don't start with this one, though it is HIGHLY important. Pick one based on your fruit. Don't get caught in the same everytime....
green leafy.....red leafy......romaine.......red romaine.....spinach
even iceberg or a mix!!!!
Third
You need a crunch
If you are going gluten free avoid the croutons...although those are a great option. As are chow mein noodles.
Nuts and seeds usually are the best. Pecans and walnuts work well. Cashews and sunflower seeds are great too. Sometimes candy-ing them adds the perfect touch.
Fourth
You need some color and flavor.
This is where you get to have fun. Pick ingredients that match flavors with your fruit. And colors that you don't have.
Red onions, green onions, crasins, carrots, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, olives.
You could add some protein in at this point if you are not doing vegetarian....ham, chicken, turkey, bacon, hard boiled eggs.
Fifth
Now dressing...Something light is usually best. I love making simple vinaigrettes that bring out the flavor of the fruit.
Oil and vinegar of course...then a juice that matches. And herbs/spices of course. And salt and pepper...without that you TOTALLY won't have it!
And an optional addition I love if you aren't going vegan...CHEESE. Of course again match your fruit and something that stands alone pretty well...so nothing softer than feta for sure.
I've found mozzarella and Parmesan go REALLY well with most things...feta and cheddar work well but have to be paired correctly
Its a pretty simple five steps!
Here are a few I have used recently
Strawberry Spinach Salad with Strawberry Vinaigrette
(I used mozzarella instead of feta and pecans)
Apple and Spring Mix with Cinnamon Vinaigrette
(I excluded the pomegranates, used sunflower seeds and cheddar cheese)
Mandarin Cranberry with Basil Vinaigrette
These are ones I still want to try.......
http://www.thegardengrazer.com/2013/04/southwestern-chopped-salad-with.html
http://www.cinnamonspiceandeverythingnice.com/italian-chopped-salad/
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