We Belong to the Sea

"Just as the wave cannot exist for itself, but is ever a part of the heaving surface of the ocean, so must I never live my life for itself, but always in the experience which is going on around me." ~ Albert Schweitzer

So it's been probably like two years since I last updated this blog. I sort of forgot I had a blog, but I still really like the idea of chronicling the things that make me happy every day. And I like that it's electronic so I can't lose it... So here we go. I'm going to try to post more regularly, if only for the sake of being able to look back on it later.

This last week, I had the opportunity to visit the Oregon coast with my family, and although I had my reservations about going at first, it ended up being super fun. First of all, Oregon is BEAUTIFUL, second, I got to see family I haven't seen in years, and third, who couldn't use a little bit of vitamin sea every once in a while? 

Seriously, this trip was SO FUN. In the picture above, It's very hard to tell, but I'm actually holding a tiny crab on top of a sand-filled shell. Seriously the crab was so itty bitty, it looked more like a bug than a crab. But it was a very cute crustacean. 

While we were there, I was able to do a ton of reading--I think I read four different books and it was SO refreshing! I have missed reading. Disappearing into another world,  soaking up the story, getting to know the characters? Perfect.

I am so glad that I decided to go on this trip rather than stay home to work and earn money. Money is important (Because have you seen tuition costs recently? Like does the university even want me to eat?) but that experience was worth a thousand times more to me than whatever the money would have been. 

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm super grateful that this time I didn't let life pass me by, as it so often does. I need to remember that more often.

What made you happy today?

A Strong, Independent Woman

"I am a strong, independent woman, and I don't need a man to complete me." We've all heard it, many of us have said it--and to some degree, it's a true statement.

We are all amazing women who have gifts and talents that benefit the world. We are our own people. We have a voice, and things to say. And those things truly do matter. We deserve equality, and fair treatment, because we are capable human beings. It is legitimately unfair for women to be paid less than a man doing the same job. It is seriously degrading to be told to "go the kitchen where we belong."



While all of this is true, women are astonishing people and deserve to be treated as such, we need to think about what we are saying when we declare that "we don't need a man to complete us." We tend to give off the message that men are inconsequential to us--they could come or leave, and it wouldn't matter. We don't need them for anything. Not to get things done, not to be happy.

But that isn't strictly true, now is it? Our Father in Heaven did not design the man to be without the woman, nor the woman without the man. (1 Corinthians 11:11) It is a part of his divine plan that both parties would need to work together, to be sealed in eternal marriage, in order to be supremely happy. We often forget that, as capable as we are, we do in fact need men. Men are supposed to be an important part of our lives. The man and the woman both play an integral part in Heavenly Father's plan--two very different roles, laid out nicely in "The Family: A Proclamation to the World". 

I think the main problem here is that we (myself included) often let our feminism get in the way of true happiness. We allow it to cloud our vision. We tell ourselves all the time that "A man won't make me happy" or "I'm weak if I allow myself to fall for a guy" or things of a similar nature. But does it really make us weak? Is it really feeble of a woman to find joy in the companionship of someone who truly loves and respects her? Do we really become frail when we find it in ourselves to give someone love, despite their faults? I say NO! Of course not. In fact, it's downright ridiculous to think that loving someone is easy. Love takes work, just like anything else that is worthwhile. Being able to love a man is a sign of strength. 

Maybe we find ourselves saying that we don't need men because we don't want to be ridiculed for caring so much, or we don't want to feel the pain of a breakup, or something else of the like. This stems from insecurity, and that is anything but feministic. Maybe it hurts to be rejected and made fun of, but you are fierce. The divine light of Christ burns within you, and will help you to get past any hardship.

Although we can be very, very happy on our own (Since, like I said, we as women are awesome) it's okay to admit that a man can bring us a kind of joy we can't find individually. With a man we are able to raise families in righteousness, and live again with our Father in Heaven in the highest degree of Celestial Glory. That sounds pretty good to me! Becoming an exalted being, having the ability to create and govern worlds? That sounds exactly like something a powerful woman would do--and we can't do it without a man standing by our sides, supporting us as much as we support them.

Another problem that arises when we assert our independence as women in such an abrasive manner is that we take away a man's chance to be a gentlemen. Much of the shift away from chivalry comes from us women. If we don't allow our men to open doors for us, to occassionally buy us dinner instead of going dutch, to treat us like princesses, what will happen? They'll stop trying. If we as women are going to be treated with the respect and dignity we deserve, we have to give men the opportunity to do so. Just because your date opens your car door doesn't mean that he thinks you're not able to open it yourself, he's just trying to exhibit the chivalrous behavior that women are always whining "doesn't exist anymore."




I am not in any way saying that we should give up our fight for equality and fair treatment. Let us not let our feministic desires get in the way of our main goal--to be happy living in the presence of our Heavenly Father, for time and all eternity. 

So women everywhere! I beg you, go out, live your life, be AMAZING. But don't forget that it's okay for a man to complete you. 

Europe!

 

Me. In France. Wearing teal skinny jeans.

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” 

--St. Augustine 

All right, folks. It's been about a year and a half since I last told you about my life. And what an awesome life it has been. There's a lot to update you on, and to be honest, I probably won't tell you everything. But today, I mostly want to touch upon the fact that travel makes me happy.

I recently have been incredibly blessed with the opportunity to go overseas and visit Switzerland, Austria, Germany, and France. And it was WONDERFUL. I adore Europe. The above picture is in Mulhouse (pronounced "Mull- ooze"), France.  It was such a pretty town. One of the things I appreciated most about Europe was how picturesque it was. Even in larger cities, with modern buildings, everything seemed more beautiful. Probably, I just noticed the splendor of it more, since I was in unfamiliar territory, as it is my firm belief that every place has its own beauty to offer the world.

The whole trip I was surrounded by kind people (including my loving and AWESOME grandmother), fantastic scenery, and good food. Seriously, the food was brilliant. I don't know how I went my whole life thinking the bread America has to offer me was any good. Don't even get me started on the chocolate. And while I'm not a huge fan of cheese (it makes me kind of sick to my stomach...), even I could appreciate how good it was.  The cake I'm eating in this picture was beautiful. There was a raspberry filling layer, and a cream layer... and it seriously brought joy to my life. Even looking at this picture makes me hungry. 

One of the highlights of the trip for me was going to Diemtigen, Switzerland. This is not your typical tourist town. In fact, I'm pretty sure even the Swiss tend to ignore this little village. But to me, it was one of the coolest places I visited. Besides the fact that the town had an incredibly old church with beautiful painting done all over the walls, that little hamlet is where I hail from. Technically speaking, it's where my triple great grandfather came from (It might even be quadruple great...). I got to walk the very streets he walked as a boy, before he came to America. Probably I'm the only person who even finds that remotely cool. But whatever, you know? Also, in Diemtigen, I started a Garden Gnome collection. Because they're so stinking cute. 

I spent roughly five days in Salzburg, Austria, seeing Mozart's birthplace, the Sound of Music film locations, etc. I also bought an incredible pair of shoes, and gifts for my family and friends. Salzburg was pretty awesome, and given the opportunity, I would definitely go back. 

We ended the trip with a visit to Neuschwanstein. That castle is beautiful. It was built in the 1800s (so somewhat newer than a lot of the things I saw) by the egotistical and somewhat crazy Konig Ludwig II, who died under mysterious circumstances. The castle's interior is really amazing, but unfortunately unfinished. However, among the various features was in indoor cave. Seriously. The guy built a cave INSIDE his castle. But hey, if I have enough money to have two castles built for myself, I might as well have an easily accessible cave, complete with stalactites. 

All in all, that was one of the most incredible twelve days of my life. I can't wait to go back!

What makes you happy?

 

 

SUCCESS!!! :) :) :)

"When a man feels throbbing within him the power to do what he

undertakes as well as it can possibly be done, this is happiness, this is success."

Orison Swett Marden

So, today, I found out that I made the audition for Encore!!! I'm super excited. For anyone who actually reads this blog and doesn't know what Encore is, read the following paragraph. If you do know what it is, then feel free to skip to two paragraphs down.

So. Encore is my high school's equivalent of a show choir. (If you tell any of the current members I called it a show choir, I'll get stoned. I don't know what they want to call it, but it really is a show choir.) If you don't know what a show choir is, then it's a group that sings and dances. It's pretty legit. (If you've seen Glee or SPECTACULAR! then there you go.) If you do know what a show choir is, then it's an elephant. (Just kidding. Also, I've used the words "show choir" like seven times in this paragraph. Blegh.)

Anyway, it's a really exclusive group (only 30 people made it) and over a hundred people auditioned, so I figured I didn't really have a chance, especially when I looked at my competition. But I guess my audition was good enough, because my name is on the list.

I am filled with such incredible joy and self-satisfaction that I wish I could treat myself to cheesecake. Because it is delicious.

What made you happy today?

I... fail at blogging. But, DISNEYLAND!!!

"Gosh, this is swell!" ~ Mickey Mouse

So, obviously, this blog is late... But I wanted to wait to post it until I had a picture... And obviously, this picture is EPIC!!! I mean, we are with Winnie the Pooh in Disneyland, which is the happiest place on earth. For Real.

Seriously, the whole time was an absolute blast! We got to meet the princesses and eat Dole Whips and ride some really epic rides. (Indiana Jones ride = wonderful. Fastest ride in the park.)

Sorry, this post is going to be kind of long. Feel free to stop reading pictures and just be satisfied to know that Disneyland made me REALLY, REALLY HAPPY.

The car ride was fun, although I must admit, I kind of slept through a lot of it. And sometimes it was cold, although my blanket, _________, kept me warm.

And there were lots of giraffes.

So, you know. Disneyland. Stops time. Tell your friends.

Sorry, you knew I couldn't resist a Doctor Horrible reference.

I think I'm going to be done now. Before I random myself to death.

What made you happy today?

Random Strangers

Today, Random strangers who follow my blog make me happy!

Disneyland is also wonderful, but I have to go to school like, right now, so I'll post on that later.

What makes you Happy?

Accomplishments

“How we feel about ourselves, the joy we get from living,

ultimately depends directly on how the mind filters

and interprets everyday experiences. Whether we are

happy depends on inner harmony, not on the controls

we are able to exert over the great forces of the universe.”

– Mihaly Csikszentmihaly

Yesterday, I completed 2 1/2 hours of laundry folding. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, because I watched the Mormon version of Pride and Prejudice and an episode of Doctor Who.

After I finished the laundry, I went to Enrichment night with the young women and Relief Society, where delicious soup and amazing cupcakes were served. The soup came in those really cool bread-bowl things, and I find bread very yummy.. The cupcakes were fantastic mainly because of the frosting on top.... It was soooo good.

Then, I came home and went through my entire wardrobe, getting rid of clothes I don't wear anymore, putting the dirty ones in the laundry, and folding the rest to put in my newly organized drawers. Considering the fact that literally all of my clothes were on the floor next to my dresser, rather than inside it, I'm feeling pretty good. Plus, now can find everything I want to wear.

So, the thing that made me happy was the sense of accomplishment I felt after dealing with two clothing messes that plagued our house. (The food made me pretty happy too.)

What made you happy today?