Valentine's 2011

After a lovely Anniversary, I took up the plans for Valentine's Day. Valentine's really hasn't meant too much to me for most of my life but now that our wedding anniversary is so close to it, it really makes it more special for me. Plus the colors remind me of my wedding red, white and black too! So normally I may not have thought too much about this day, I think now I will usually want to celebrate a bit more so we can just lengthen our anniversary out that much longer...

Last year we had sushi so this year I took us to a Indian Restaurant for chicken curries! We loved the atmosphere and it was crowded but less crowded than the normal food chains. And curry is one of my absolute favorites (David loved it too I hope, although I totally ate more than him, go me) - YUM!

Then we came home and I secretly decorated with some fun purchases. I bought Italian Soda syrup, sparkling water, cinnamon candy... David's been talking about the soda for awhile and I finally found the syrup. David gave me flowers before the dinner - so sweet :) - it was a lovely night together again.

(The glasses above were from our family dinner the night before our wedding - David's sweet cousins bought them for a memory ... what a great idea!)

2-12-11

HAPPY 1 YEAR OF BEING MARRIED!!!!

Yep, we hit our 1st Anniversary finally!  (2-12-10) Marriage is so great, it feels like we've been married forever in a good way...  We're still new at this but we love it all.  We celebrated with a lovely weekend in Midway, we didn't get too many pictures but we did find this great ice sculpture stuff - spraying water in the air and it turns out like this - crazy!

David planned the whole thing and spoiled me like crazy.  We had dinner at the same Bear Restaurant as last year, tried to stay at the same place (now it's a drug rehab place - ahahahah!) and just enjoyed no school/work.  David also took me to the Outlet Mall in Park City and we shopped as he purchased - I never would have thought of that idea for our anniversary but I loved it so much!

Thanks David for being the BEST husband and for a whole year together... and many more to come....

Date Nights

Marriage doesn't mean the end of date nights, going out, dinner, nights on the town... At least for David & I... Now we don't have to worry about who we go out with and always get to spend our date nights together :) :)

We've done a lot of fun things so far in our few months. Here are a few pictures of all our adventures:

FONDUE - We got a fondue set for our wedding and had to try it out right away. We invited David's brother and sister-in-law over one night to try it with us. Yummy huh???

FLOWERS - There's an Italian tradition that women get yellow Mimose flowers on March 8th for Festa Delle Donne (Women's Day), I had no idea! But David walked into the house that day and guess what??!?! He gave me flowers for the first time. Awe, loved it!

(And he organized our new dishes from our wedding, so pretty huh??)

BRIAN REGAN - For David's b-day in December I gave him tickets to see one of his favorite comedians who was in SLC. It was a great night out together...

ICE SKATING - On our 3 month I surprised David with a trip to the Oval Circle and we went Ice Skating!! Sadly, the bigger oval wasn't open, so that gives us an excuse to go back :)

TEMPLE DATES - Every month we go to the temple usually Friday nights to just get away. Since we're in Utah now, we're taking advantage of visiting all the ones around. We did our first sealings together at the Draper Temple. And for conference we met up with my dad to catch a session with him and spent the night in Bountiful too - that was fun for me, a regular tradition to share with David too. We also just went to the SLC temple and had a special time there too.

IRONMAN 2 - I surprised David with a night to the movies (i even drove him all around back weird ways to throw him off the movie scent...muahahah)... He loved it.

CAFE RIO & Dinners out - We celebrated the end of Spring semester with a dinner at Cafe Rio. We've done a few dinners out whether it be to Red Robin where he took me secretively one night as well as a few other places :)

Nights at home - Sometimes since we've got so much school, work, etc - we just want a home night. We get slurpies or frosties, a redbox, and enjoy a relaxing night at home.

Summer is supposed to be coming... Yes, it has been in the 50's and 60's last weekend, and when it gets here we have even more fun things planned outside like camping, drive-ins etc. :)

Sliding around

So, before I went home for Christmas, David & I had a fun date night! Actually if you know me well you will know that what we did had to of totally been a #1 for me. And guess what, David likes it about as much as I do! Wow, we are so meant to be... :) he he he. So...what'd we do??

IcE sKaTe!!!! Whoo hooo!!!

It was so fun. Here are a few pictures. David is an absolute Pro. I say I'm an AZ Pro - since there really aren't Ice Skating Rinks in Arizona, so I bet I could be better than most Arizonians... Anyway, I was pretty nervous still since it takes me like 2 hours to warm up, but I kept up with David pretty well. Except I wouldn't let him spin me too much or drag me to fast.

After we headed to Christmas Street up in SLC - another tradition of Davids. We have LOTS of traditions to make! Some fun memories included: doing snow wheelies in the parking lot (David), trying to ice skate backwards or hockey stop or just skating and holding hands, freezingly walking down Christmas street critiquing the lights, visiting Uncle Richard and eating at the hospital cafeteria with Steph & Tony, getting warm at home afterwards... What a great night before our 5 days w/out each other... And advice about that from us - don't spend ANY days without each other... it's too long!!!

Dating Races

For those of you who have LOTS of time on your hands... this blog is AWESOME!! (even if you don't have lots of time like me!)
http://thedatingrace.blogspot.com/
My amazing friends are having a race to see how many dates they can rack up over the month of January - and taking pics - and posting about the date - then we all get to vote on who they should go out on a second date with at the end.... Well, I'm pretty impressed by all they are doing and going through. I only read a bit, and hear a bit more from Shayla (she's doing our flowers - whoopie!!!). We actually went on a quadruple date with Shayla and a date and Eric and a date last week and it was crazy to see that they Shayla had been on 4 dates that day. Oh my gosh! But really, I think I could have almost done the race if I had a good friend doing it with me - and also if i didn't already just find my man :) :)

Almost DC - Lights

So, as a missionary I was spoiled to be around temple lights for all of December for 2005 and 06. I still miss it every Christmas season. David took me to SLC Temple Square to check out the lights. (Definitely a tradition we'll keep) We stopped at 7-11 first and had lovely hot chocolate to keep us warmer...good idea! Just to explain the post title - I will always be a bit partial to my DC lights, so SLC is a close 2nd with AZ as well. But we had a great time. A great date on Nov 28, 2009. Things to remember.... David LOVES the big red tree. What do blue lights mean? (still gotta figure that one out)... Hot chocolate was the best so I didn't freeze. We should ask people to take our picture more since all our pics look similar. After getting to temple square we started listening to the Nativity - I glanced up and saw the SLC Temple. Oh how beautiful!! Then it HIT ME - I'm getting married there!! To David my one and only!! Looking at the temple meant so much more to me that night... Here's a bunch of us having so much fun:

Oh and then afterwards David showed me one of the lights places that he goes with his family called - Christmas Utah. They acutally have a radio station that plays music and the lights blink according to the beats etc. Way cool!

My Best Friend

I just had the BEST weekend ever. REALLY!!! One of those moments every person waits for and dreams of.... Yep....

I'M ENGAGED!!!!! To David Clark!!!

...

We're engaged!!! Aren't we cute??? I haven't stopped smiling since Friday Nov 20th - when it all went down. .I'm so happy and in love. My life is taking a big turn soon and I'm just thrilled. I'm getting married to my best friend and best person in the world. I'm so lucky to have David in my life.
So, here's the brief story. Maybe it won't be so brief... we'll see. David & I met in our singles ward back at the beginning of 2009. We were friends and that was it as we continued on our seperate paths and dating others etc. David always likes to tell me how he was interested in getting to know me but had to wait till I was available - and it did finally happen on August 1st. Our first date was up in SLC by the Capital above a park called Memory Grove. That first date we had Jamba and walked through the park and chatted until we got above the park and watched the sunset over the Salt Lake Valley. That spot became "our spot". Over the next 3 months we've spent EVERY day together. I've been on cloud 9 and still am. Last week we went to AZ so David could meet my family and had a great time. I had thought the ring might have already been picked out and ready... but Wednesday last week David totally threw me off by saying we should go ring shopping sometime around Thanksgiving. I have been so excited to be engaged but figured I had a bit more waiting to do...patience Andrea right?? Well, he was just getting me off his track and also made up another story about going on a double with some friends in SLC. So we were supposidly waiting for his friend to get off work and we "happened" to drive through the area where our spot is. David casually said - yeah, lets get out and go visit our park... (I was starting to maybe suspect something but still not getting my hopes up)... We chatted a little bit and David mentioned some good memories we've had, etc... And then all the sudden he got on one knee!!!! What??? Yeah, I was in - shock mode - so as he was down there I said (in somewhat of a shocked or threatening tone) David! What are you doing???!!! He then proposed... (I just couldn't believe that the event I had dreamed of was happening right then) And I said YES!!! We took a few pics and watched the beautiful red orange sunset. Then we didn't go on the fake double date - and instead we visited family, called family, and just spent time together till we were exhausted.

Here are some responses from our announcement:

- My grandma Ginny - "We'll it's about time! We were all hoping. Now your Dad doesn't have to worry about you. We like him!"
- Grandpa Clark - "Oh great! So you finally decided huh David? That's wonderful"
(I guess our grandparents thought 3 months was too long of a wait?? :) )
- Autumn Clark (6 yr old sibling) - Wow, so what am I going to be?? (She's hoping a flower girl)
- Megan Davis (previous roommate) - She let out a blood curdling scream in the chapel about 5 min before church was starting. It scared me!!
- My mom - "Oh my gosh!! Even though I already knew... I think I'm going to cry..."
- My dad - "So, where did the momentous occation take place??"
- David's dad - "Are you sure you want to be apart of this (looking at all 9 kids running a muck)??"
- Diane & Bri - "Congratulations" - in a sing song voice...
- Eric - "Cool. ...Well, dad called and asked if I talked to you yet, so I figured..."

And I'm sure I'm missing some, but anyway... most everyone said Congrats and then begins the 100 questions - when? where? how? dresses? honeymoon? reception? food? etc etc... But we hadn't figured out details yet. All we knew was that someday soon - We're getting married!!! Yep. We're nailing some details down. So far...we've got:

Marriage Date: Friday February 12; 1:00PM; SLC Temple
Reception that night to follow somewhere
And a reception in AZ on March 20th....

Yay for us!!! Still can't stop smiling, or really focusing, or anything really. But who cares right? Once in a lifetime experience. And a forever lifetime experience together as David & Andrea Clark. I can't wait....

The leaves are changing

Hi!! Happy Halloween month!!

We went shopping/browsing for costumes this past weekend... and look what we found?

Well, I'm actually going to be a Hocus Pocus witch at work, and probably the same for on Halloween as well. But, it was fun to play around, see the costumes, and get more excited for Halloween!! Yes! :)
David and I have LOTS of good plans for the fall and I'm pretty excited about it all... And of course intermingled is a lot of studying and school and work... Okay, I know no one really reads this, but if you are wondering, yes ... David is the new MAN in my life :) And he's the BEST ever. So, that's why most of these posts have been and will have him included through it all... Just FYI. And that's another reason why life is just so grand at the moment...

So, a few weeks ago it actually SNOWED here in Utah. Yes, we live in the crazy weather time. As Court once told me, the weather has PMS. It's definitely true. Hahah. Well, it also is FALL and AUTUMN and hopefully not fully winter yet. Lots is going on like:

• HR Class - Maybe I can devote a whole post to this, but I'm taking an HR Prep Course to get my PHR - Professional of H.R. - in December. It's a big test that's pretty scary to me right now, but hopefully come December I'll be more ready
• My house - So, my roommate Megan moved out sadly, so I could look for a roommate, or not... And also my windows are LEAKING. So that's the bad part of when it rains... I just can't seem to get anyone to fix it. But, maybe someday, probably when I move out. It's a bit hillarious to see me running around with towels and moving furniture into the middle of the rooms so that water doesn't ruin it all. It's not too bad unless it really pours. It's probably getting worse though... so that's one good reason to wish for snow. No more water leakage...
• Work - It's crazy busy at work. I have a LOT on my plate, and I can't seem to get it all done! We had an HR intern for a bit who quit, so I'm up to my ears in projects and am still trying to get filing and other stuff that someone else should be doing done. I've also done a few more Performance Plans and am working hard on our Recognition (ACE) Program and hopefully in a few weeks that will be done so I can work on the Intranet Updates. You'd think I'm the Web techy here, but I sure am not. Oh man... But it's good.
• Church - We have a new bishopric and the boundaries changed, so all changes bring a bit more work, but we're getting it all under our belts. The exciting day will be when I have 3 RS teachers that are called and teaching and I'm not needing to worry about calling someone since another left or moved or whatever... Someday right? Hopefully.
• Social - Well, my only social is David right now. And that's how I like it. So, life is great there. He's in school and working and we just try and fit a little time to see each other every day, and then on the weekends the most.

Looks like Fall is busy huh? And it only gets more during the holidays. But, I'm totally ready for it!! So, Happy Haunting time everyone! I'll get back to you with all the fun that's going on around here soon :)

Over

Just FYI - The boy is GONE. Its over. Maybe I jinxed it by posting about it huh?

No worries, back to shopping again... Actually I did go shopping with Megan Cannon Williams and it was a BLAST. I think shopping cures the heartache sometimes? Or at least lessens it since now I feel extra-gorgeous in my new clothes. Honestly though, the heartache hasn't happened yet. Or maybe it has, and it was just so small or earlier on since I knew it was ending. Or maybe it just wasn't right. Probably. And that's why I feel okay about it. A bit "alone" again, but heck, life is wonderful.

I'll find something else to post about soon...cuz let me tell you, soon life will be busy. I only have SO MUCH summer left. I am already trying to prepare myself for the cold, don't worry, its not here yet, but it will be and I will be in denial. I need to find a good part of it. Christmas. YES! Okay, but for the rest of the summer I am planning on a few more things still...and wishing on a few that haven't been planned yet but hope to soon:

- Boating - with my ward for sure, in AZ for sure, and then maybe with the Cannons and Speirs

- Lagoon - I totally want to although it won't live up to the others I've done this year

- CALI - Not sure how or when I'd get here, but maybe when it gets chillier I will go and play at the beach if I can't do it now

- Keith Urban - totally getting tickets like, today.

- AZ - to see Briand's baby once it comes...can't believe 9 months is coming to a close

Okay, that is just a bit of what I haven't done yet. I will have to forgo the white water rafting, the ski dos, and Hawaii (wasn't in the plans, but sure is a dream)... At least I did Park City and a few other trips to the East, camping, swimming, and Fireworks already. Fireworks are one of my FAVORITE things. Seriously. I went to several in July. And my new favorite is being up-as-close-as-you-can. I can see them being shot off. My body shakes because it's so loud. And it's just fun to be with the crowd. I will do this always! Katie, David, and I had the best time on July 24th...

I'm 25!!

YIKES!!! 25???!!!???

Okay, I'm not OLD at all.

I know. But I'm a 1/4th of the way from dying. At least I hope I live to 100. So, here's a re-cap from my day yesterday. Thanks again to everyone who helped me feel SO LOVED.

- WORK. Till 4 when Jayne told me to go home :)
- At work they decorated my cube, I did catch them (today is my boss's b-day and I snuck in early and decorated her office window and put up balloons, that was even more fun!)
- TEXTS. I got a bunch from family and friends.
- One person, texted me every hour yesterday, and sent me one today too...haha
- Facebook. I'm not really good at that anymore, but people still wrote me.
- Calls. Yes, I love those too - although since I was working and out it was hard to answer a lot of them.
- Lunch. I had lunch with my favorite Steph at the Training Table.
- Baskin Robbins. Mom bought me a couple pints so I went and picked them out and took them home... YUMMY!!
- Eric called, and Briand called - one of the many highlights of the evening :)
- Date with Chris.... more below
- My Apartment got decorated while I was gone... it was everywhere, as you will see also

Chris took me to the Garden Restaurant on top of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, and we could see the SLC Temple and the city down below. He didn't even know that that was one of my favorite places - I even wouldn't have thought of it, but I surely LOVED it. Then we decided it was cooling down so we could take a walk to the Conference Center and get a tour of the roof. So, we had our own private tour with a lady who took us around and told us many cool stories. And I even convinced Chris to take a picture... he hates that, but since it was my birthday I figured he'd do anything right? Yep. But I only got him to take one other one that night. I should have really milked it for all I could get... oh well. Here we are on top of the roof with a view of the temple:
Then we headed to Bountiful. I should have stopped at Grandma's, but it was Chris who was planning, so I didn't say hi. But we went and walked around the Bountiful temple and just watched the sun set. Yeah, it seems pretty romantic writing this, and he did a great job and making me feel all special. Thanks Chris!! But, we are barely dating, if that, so it wasn't mushy or anything - no one start getting ideas. I don't know that this will go anywhere, so why put on my blog huh? Oh well, just don't ask me too much please cuz I freak out about dating... This blog will be more for me anyway someday. Anyway, i LOVE the SLC sunsets. They have so many gorgeous colors. A lot like the flowers Chris got me, see?
And here's what we came home to - my cutely decorated, or trashed, however you think, apartment. I love girls!! It was the sweetest thing. I've missed my old roommates and friends, so it was something I truly needed and I felt loved. Thanks Shayla and Katie. Awe!!
(Even in the shower...I didn't find that till I got ready to hop in...)

And they even got my car...totally embarrassing driving to work!! :) What a great day!! The celebrations will continue ALL WEEK, and maybe longer. Come celebrate with me if you want!! The party's here....

Stupid

I hate dating. Just had to get that out there. When will this crap end??!!??

I'm fine, but just sometimes it's so H A R D. I won't get into this really, but when will I feel like I can be myself, really fall for someone, and not worry about getting hurt? And know that he's going to love me, do anything for me, and be crazy about me? Where is that guy?

Don't get me wrong. I do acutally enjoy my life right now. And tomorrow I'll feel differently and regret this post probably. But who cares. Sometimes singledom is good and sometimes it sucks. Today it sucks. I feel like I've protected myself pretty well after the last few little heart aches, but when I finally give something else a go - it hurts again. Don't worry. Tomorrow it will be better. I'll get my faith and hope back, or at least in the next little while. I deserve some time right?

What's better? Dating and being rejected, dating, rejected, dating, you reject, dating, rejected... the cycle?? Or just NOT dating until the one that fits comes along and we date and actually move forward?? I don't know. I'd probably feel bad if I never dated, but heck, I feel bad even when I do date. So, guess it's sixes.

Se la vi. That's my life. And I can handle it. Just had to vent. I know those of you who read this are all married really - and don't worry, you don't need to feel like you need to motivate me or tell me I'll be fine... I know I will. Just had to say dating is stupid sometimes.

Double edged sword

**Side note about last post** I thought it was kind of funny - my last post I said that I evaded an embarrassing moment. Then I posted the whole story on my blog - so really I didn't avoid it did I?? Funny. I'm Funny.

There are LOTS of double edge swords in this life. For example:

1. At work - employees are kind of like that. They are never happy! Not sure if you'd consider them a double edge sword or just never satisfied or always complaining - or maybe it's that MY job is UN-Thank-able. If that's a word. We just don't get recognized, I knew that and am okay with that, but we also only hear the complaints. A few months ago we started the "Weight Watchers At Work Program" and have several employees that go to that and are starting to be successful!! Sweet! And then on Tuesday we had a "Awards Program" and afterwards we had Leatherbys come and have an ice cream bar open for a couple hours. Employees should be pretty happy about these sweet "free" advantages - when we have free candy, or awards, or ice cream! I know they've missed our "troph" of food and free popcorn, etc. So, heck, it's ICE CREAM, right?? Yes!! Well, we even got a complaint about this...they said - "It seems a bit contradicting that you would offer/tempt us all with Ice Cream, when you know that you're also promoting the Weight Watchers program. How can you guys do that?" Are you serious?? HAHAH. It totally made me laugh! People people, either you want free stuff, but you want certain free stuff, and you still complain when we give you the free stuff. The napkins aren't soft enough, the coffee cups break, the ice cream - is a bad temptation! Dude, isn't life full of choices? And I think on Weight Watchers you could do ice cream and just use all your points right?? So, come on guys, just don't go down and stare at it then! Hilarious.
2. Dating. Another double edge sword. So, either you WANT to have a boyfriend and there are just NO guys. At all. And you just keep wishing and searching and even maybe cry! OR... Then you actually GET called out, but the phone just keeps ringing and ringing. And there's 5 different boys asking you out. And maybe they all aren't ones you want! So, you feel torn and stressed and you keep hoping one is right... you cry again! No matter what - you aren't really getting what you want and either way you're crying. Or I'm crying. Haha. Stupid dating!! Oh, okay. It's good. It's really good. I mean, it's "the way". It's how I'm going to save myself from living alone and being the "cat lady" in the neighborhood. And I hate cats, so hopefully I don't have to have that fate! Actually on the dating front, I've been stressed but just keep protecting my little heart. So, it hasn't been too bad. But now I think I've got to let go a bit and take more chances. We'll see what happens...
3. Desserts - yes, another double edge. It just tastes so good! And makes me so happy. That ice cream at work, was just heaven with that hot fudge... But, 20 minutes after the fact - I didn't feel so hot. Plus, I probably gained 4 lbs from that crap dripping in sauce. Oh well, maybe since I couldn't eat anything the rest of the day, I lost a bit of it...

Okay - there are tons that are popping in my head, but I'll save you from the rest for now. Just wanted to share a few stories/thoughts from the week that just keep cracking me up. The crazy employees here are just so funny!! Honestly. Sometimes it'd be nice to just get a bit of appreciation or love or...oh well. Peace out.

Update...

So, I haven't written for awhile. Sorry! I know all my devoted readers....

1) My arm started itching like crazy this week. Why?? After a day of itching I realized - WAIT, that's where I was bit!! Stupid Scorpion. So, I took some benedryl thanks to Steph... but no one told me that I'd basically CRASH. I missed the rest of that night. But it was nice to kinda catch up on some needed sleep :) The arm still itches, but I'm avoiding the scratching....

2) I spent last weekend in Provo for General Conference. I went to my mission reunion with Courtney and we brought "rent-a-dates"... yep. Ben and Jon were good sports. I mean, I think that's the last one I will go to for a long time. I'm done with that stuff. I've been to 2 every year since I've been home. And there's not much else I can answer about my life and I really don't need to hear my Pres say "Get Married" and "Move every 6 months" again. Too bad that once when he said that I thought he was saying that as he was inspired to, but he does it all the time!

3) General Conference was great! I took pages of notes, watched with roommates and friends, and felt thoroughly uplifted. I had WAY too many favorites to outline on here. But I did go in with my questions and I came out with answers. Whoohoo.

4) Work has been EDUCATIONAL. I am finally learning how to deal with problem employees or disputes between employees and managers etc. I took part in putting an employee on an Improvement Plan, or she'll be canned in a month. It was sad to see her cry, but it seems like she needs to take a step up. Then I have spent many hours after that meeting basically "counseling" both the employee and the manager. Which I think is somewhat HILLARIOUS, seeing that I haven't ever done an improvement plan before. Plus, I don't even know the process or many of the answers to their questions. Luckily I get to run to Jayne my boss who says I'm doing fine. But it's a good experience. I felt pretty worn out yesterday after about 3 hours of it!! I wasn't ready to handle any other "emotional" problems. My main message to this employee was to stop being the "victim" and really do something and take a step up. I mean, if I was being evaluated as "poor" I would run in and talk to my manager and try to figure out what I could do rather than moping around and saying it's not my fault. Okay..... I'm not supposed to pick sides am I??? Trying not to... But, what I am learning!!! And there's no way I could learn this at school. Hopefully after a few of these I'll at least know what to advise and feel more confident.

5) Umm... nada mucho. Nothing much is left that I can think of. This weekend it's Easter. It's still cold, but I can see a few blossoms on the trees and that makes me happy.

Happy Easter Everyone!

Sticky Thoughts

You know how people say "Not a day goes by that I don't think of my mission"? Well sometimes I feel that there's not a day that goes by when I'm not thinking of a boy. HAHAH. Tis true. It could be that I'm excited to get a phone call from a certain someone to see if he wants to do a 2nd date... Or maybe I'm happily dating a boy and wanting to show how I care for him, etc. Or it could be that I dated this guy and it's over and he's stupid but I still can't get him out of my head. Or maybe it's a potential future boy that I don't know yet. Or someone who's a friend but could be more. Okay... these are all scenarios I could be having. And I guess I won't share what is stuck in my head NOW... sorry.

Am I crazy? Am I obsessing a bit too much? What if he just won't go away?? If it's about a boy that's good - it's not okay because then I usually get myself worked up or psyched out a bit too much or something. If it's about a stupid boy it's not good - because it ruins future decisions of actually liking boys. etc.

And you know how whatever you think about the most - you are? So does this mean I am a boy? Or I'm a person who's not satisfied? Or I'm bitter? Or I'm hopeful for the next call? Or - - - I just need a life?? Yeah. I know. I need a life. I'll try to work on that. Sounds like the best idea. Help me get rid of these thoughts!! Anyone - ideas?

"You Can't Hurry Love"

You Can't Hurry Love - NO! You just have to wait!

Yeah, we all know that song. Elder Dallin H. Oaks wife came and spoke to all the Stake RS Sisters last night and she said that she actually ROCKS OUT to this song all the time. So, actually I love this song too!! A bit of background... Sister Kristin Oaks got married after she was in her 50's and loves to speak to us single women. So, she did. And I feel very motivated and wanted to share a few of her insights. Mostly I'm paraphrasing, plus I had another friend who made some notes too, so I might remember a bit from what she wrote as well...

Sister Oaks is one of those older women that I just want to be like someday! She has a strong testimony of Christ and a bit of fun and quarkiness to her! Her topic was "You can't hurry love" and she focused on the 5 key elements to building a testimony to bettering our lives. These 5 are - Know God is our Heavenly Father and loves us, Know that Jesus Christ is His Son and our Savior, Know that Joseph Smith is a prophet and translated the Book of Mormon by the power of God, Know that the B.O.M. is true and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is His restored church, and Know that President Monson is the living Prophet today. Here are a few of the main points I gleaned:

• It's what you do while you wait that makes the difference

This makes so much sense - no matter what we're waiting for - grocery line, a house, children, a spouse, finding a job... It seems like as people we are always waiting for the next best thing. But we need to find "Joy in the Journey" (Pres. Monson) and make every second count. We can't go back and do things over. Everyday we have an opportunity for growth. Carpe Diem!

• Salvation is an individual experience

It is important to reach out and help each other out, but in the end - we can't change anyone but our self. This gospel is about us individually using the Atonement and drawing to our Savior. Being single or having a family, we all will be responsible for US only and have to hope our loved ones follow towards Christ as well.

• A lot of us would rather be #1 in hell then a lowly door keeper in the Kingdom of God

Women are so good at comparing and hoping to just be better than the Jones etc. I laughed at this comment, but it is so true really! How many of us rather than trying to just be the best we can be, we'd rather be the best of everyone, and in turn, we're headed down the wrong path.

• Emotional Pain is a gift from God and we should be thankful to have this experience

We will have hard experiences. This life is a blessing, even the trials. We might not feel that way during those times, but we should be on our knees thanking the Lord for letting us feel. Yes us women probably feel too much! Some of my trials have helped me know how to love like I've never loved. I wouldn't trade that for anything. Other people might know about pain or sickness, etc and in turn they can be so happy for health and miracles. I don't know if I'm getting this across as I'm hoping, but maybe you understand.

• The only protection we have is our personal worthiness

Don't think - "everything's going to turn out for the best" but instead, know that we have to be worthy and then we can receive the blessings.

• The Lord doesn't measure anything but your HEART

Do we smile enough at others? Do we attend the temple and read our scriptures? Do we deeply want to be better? It doesn't matter what we've done or how much we have...

• We have temptations that only people today face - don't let Satan waste your time here

Our temptations are endless - even Facebook, blogs, Internet, TV, they can be good - but they waste SO MUCH of our time!! I'm just thinking now, when I look back at my life - will I be happy for the many hours I spent watching TV, or on the Internet? I'm sure there are much better things I could be doing and be proud of doing instead! Stupid Satan.

• "My first goal wasn't marriage, but it was to be a disciple of Christ"

I love this quote. Goes right along with my earlier post "Priorities". I need to get this straight!

• Our capacity to love isn't decreased by our circumstances

We have so much love to give as women and we need to look for ways to serve and give our love so that it can grow even more. Even if I don't have a family or kids, I can still find people to care for just as much as a wife or mother would. Don't diminish your potential love.

• "Be Bold, it's God's word!!"

Amen sista! Missionary Work! Whoo whoo.

• Don't be bitter, have dreams and have a grateful heart


• "At this time and this place - if you are following the commandments - you are supposed to be single and you have a purpose and duty to fulfill. You might be get married in a month, or years, but right now you are where you are supposed to be."

I loved that last thing she said. She said I'm supposed to be here right now. And it kinda sunk in - man she's right! I mean, I haven't missed my turn to get a Mr. Right yet... I'm just not there yet! I can't hurry Love. I have other things to do right now. I'll find it someday. This was a great motivational lesson! But even after I was wishing for that man to come. Dang! I've got a lot to learn :) But, I've changed my BLOG title for now so that I can remember I need to really do everything NOW and stop waiting for that future moment in life. Hope you feel inspired as well - no matter the path you are on at the moment.

Pot Holes

Now I've got a crazy story to tell... You know those days/weeks when you have everything all planned for the next 48 hours and you have NO TIME to have problems/mix ups? Yeah, that was really me this weekend. First off - Thursday I took the day off and went skiing at Snowbird!! I went with two great friends Courtney and Jon - great because they proceeded to go down with me slowly and teach me even though they should have left me in the dust (or snow?). It was a lot of fun with definitely a few freak out moments when I was at the top of the mountain - crap! I thought I was done for. Really, the key to skiing for me was to stop getting my mind all psyched out. If I thought - I'm going to die, or this is a black diamond, or I can't do this... I couldn't. But if I said - this is a kid hill, or just fly down and I won't get hurt, etc... then I did sooo much better. Weird. But if I was cocky then I also fell or something just because I thought, I'm good! What a balance!! All the while trying to make an "S" and carve in the snow, keep my feet together, watch out for people around me, etc etc. I have no idea how guys do this because from what I know...lots of them can't multi-task... hmm.
Anyway, that was a side bar to my story... So, Thursday I soared down the mountains and became sore after the fact. Then Friday I drove straight from work to Provo to finish a video Ben and I had made on a previous date before Christmas. I had it all ready and edited except for a couple additions. We did that marvelously and the video really turned out great. We showed it to all out P-town friends :) It's hillarious because we made the video in 1 hour with just him and I being like 10 characters and directors, filmers, etc... Funny stuff. I'll have to post somehow I guess?? We also went Ice Skating that night and I was still a bit sore, but I'd do anything for Ice Skating, and Ben was awesome to take me there! I even taught him how to skate a bit..wow because I'm not that good.
I spent the night at Courts and got all ready for her, me, Ben, and Jon to head to Camas (close to Heber) Utah to do snowmobiling with the YSA group in Murray. So, we drove up there and I was trying to find Jason so that he could direct us to the field... I pulled over and WHAMMMMM. Hit 10 pot holes on the side of the highway. Yes, I guess Camas doesn't do much for their streets. Well, I turned around as I needed but once I got on the other side of the streed I realized - wow, my steering wheel is turned upside down but we're going straight...and there's a high pitched noise. CRAP. AHHHH... I was sooo mad. I can't even explain it. So, yes, a year ago I slid down a snowy hill and crashed my car into a parked car and I was just as calm as I could be...Megan and I were on a date and I just was glad we were all okay. BUT, this time, no way. I got out of the car and did my Famous SCREAM that many of my friends love. Anyway, I was jumping up and down and just about cussing, but Ben grabbed and tried to calm me - awe. Luckily Court and Jon drove another car, (cuz I was headed to SLC after the snowmobiling and then to Logan that night). I was a bit in SHOCK just because I wasn't thinking clearly. I looked for the spare tire and lifted up the trunk part of my back car and there was nothing in it!! What?? I swear I have a spare! Court says - isn't the tire on the back of your CR-V? Oh yeah! Duh!! I knew that. haha. Well the boys were wonderful to take off the tire and then we found out - - - yes, my wheel was completely bent rather than being vertical it was very diaginal and crooked. They examined and found that a bolt must have popped out from behind the wheel - Jon went and found it at the pot hole area. We called AAA (thanks Court!) and waited the hour to get a tow truck to do something with my car. I was worried because it's Saturday afternoon, I'm way away from Honda of Murray, are car shops open in this po-dunk town? Plus how am I getting home and I feel bad for taking these boys and not going snowmobiling like I promised!! Ahhhh!! Well, tow truck man came and with his help he and Ben bent the wheel back and put the bolt back in the slot. (Scary...) He towed it to Big O Tires and we four drove to do snowmobiling and Big O would call....but wait....there wasn't phone service!!! Ahhh.... So I did a bit more freaking out!! Luckily we decided NOT to do the snowmobiling and I also confirmed that Jason might be able to take me home from Heber and I could leave my car there. But I still would be late for my Logan trip.... Anyway....we get in range, I call Big O and they say, my car is great! Who knows why the bolt fell out but they cleaned it, and fixed all my alignment. $130 bucks later and $36 for the towing.... I was on my way back to SLC. Yesterday I took it to my trusty Murray Honda and they said it was good too...hmm.. But they charged me $0 and gave my car a bath...awe!! I love when you find trusty car guys :)
Well, I proceeded to shower in 30 min, pick up some chairs from Jan's place for my RS meeting (thanks Jan!) and was ready for my suto-date/road-trip to Logan! We spent 4 hours total in a car to go see a friend play in a small room and get short-term hearing loss. HAH.. But it was great!! I love roadtrips, music, I had never been to Logan, and I like boys...(yes it's true!)....so all is good huh? We even got lost a bit, but no car troubles, so I was very happy.
The moral of my story....I have no idea!! Well - if you make PLANS, sometimes they will faulter, but things work out in the end. Wow, that seems so comparable to my life plans sometimes! But even if there's a problem, maybe it was good that it was just a pot hole...instead of a huge crash. I mean, pot holes sure do come in everyone's life, but we just need to scream at them and then fix what happened and keep going! Whohoo. Guess that was the message. But watch for those pot holes people, really. I was! My dad even gave me a lecture on it when he was visiting SLC - and I've been trying to aviod them. Now that my car is clean and running beautifuly I will be sure to watch out a bit better now....

Here's a pic from Christmas time...

Ben and I on the left and Court and Jon on the right...

I LOVE THOSE BOYS! They were great help and didn't complain at all.

(Carissa and Jake in the middle...roommate and date...but weren't on the snowmobile trip)

The R-U-L-E-S...

**WARNING** Okay - so I should already warn you about this post - it's going to be a not-so-nice, opinionated, LONG post. I started writing this yesterday and decided maybe I should start over and not be too detailed and be a bit less rude ;)

The enrichment leader in my ward was reading over the reasons for enrichment and one of the many lists that enrichment is for is to help the sisters in the ward to become better wives and mothers through __, ___, and etc. So, she thought - well, we aren't poppin out kids or even married yet here - but maybe our goal should be to help the sisters get to this place!! Yeah...so maybe a good thought, but then the direction of it went a little astray.

At enrichment we were told we'd be learning "how to flirt" and so I was already dreading it. I mean, the four letter word - D-A-T-E is already a bit of an annoying or touchy word...and to have a whole night devoted to it seemed "YIKES". Anyway this chick incharge busted out her lesson - She basically read the book The Rules: Time-Tested Secrets for Capturing the Heart of Mr. Right, by Ellen Fein and Sherrie Schneider in 1995. Maybe you haven't heard of this book, but it was a best seller - some people swear by it calling it the "dating bible" and others feel it's a how to guide that teaches women to play games like the chase... Lets tell you the rules first:
1 - Don't talk to a man first
2 - Don't stare at men or talk too much
3 - Don't call him and rarely return his phone calls
4 - Don't accept a Saturday night date after Wednesday
5 - Don't see him more than once or twice a week
6 - Let him take the lead
7 - Don't expect a man to change or try to change him
8 - Always end the date first
9 - Etc Etc... there's a whole list on wikipedia... (these are the ones we read about)

So - I had heard of this book before, but I didn't agree with the girl who was a Rules Girl because she just seemed to be playing with them or something. After hearing the rules above, I at least gained a bit more respect. I believe these rules are good to think about when evaluating that man you like. I mean - obivously if he's not calling you, he doesn't ask you out or come and talk to you --- most likely, he's not crazy for you...and when we get married, we're going to want to find that guy who will do anything to be with us. BUT, haven't you met some married couples where the girl makes it convenient for him to talk to her, she might even drop a hint of a good date, or something - and maybe the guy just needed a little help, or was scared, etc. I mean, in todays world, guys are a bit more hesitant to date, and girls have to show they are interested. If you walk around not talking or looking at guys, not showing them - hey, i'm here...then why the heck would they even notice you? But, I do see the book's point that we need to watch out and try to find the guys that will do these things, rather than someone looking for bootycall...

This doesn't mean we're supposed to follow these rules though! I mean, come on!! It just upset me so much to see all these semi-not-social-already girls be told that they need to be even more socially awkward...and not talk to the boys. SAD! Okay, I'm not the expert - but these girls need friends that are guys and need to learn how to talk with them - and the guys sure do need help too. I really appreciated Elder Oaks counsel for the Young Singles - that's at least some sound advice! We're supposed to pair off, stop hanging out so much, but to meet people, etc. How can I if I'm just sitting and waiting for the MR Right to do all the work? Heck, I don't care if I find a guy I like - If I even ask him out or present an activity to do or suggest we get a bite to eat, etc. I mean - I will at least have a social group and friends and can network and widen my Man pool a bit. (This is soooo missionaryish.... I think the more guys I know, the more of a chance that I'll find the one... Like finding investigators...but it's soo true a little bit...)

I also found it completely ironic that there are actually RULES that people swear by as the secret success. That's soo too good to be true. Like really, if there was some secret way to getting a guy - wouldn't I and all of us be married by now? And if I have several people swearing by these rules - but they aren't married - how is that inspiring to me? And another thing ironic...here I was sitting in enrichment learning "how to get a guy" by another SINGLE gal just like me!! HAHA. If the first one wasn't funny, this one surely was to me. Honestly - I don't know why that would really help me think - yes, she must be right! Like I mentioned earlier - I appreciate the talks given by leaders and prophets that help us not get too crazed up with these dating how to's. Yes, obviously there are some good social rules to follow while dating that we all know (talking, ask your date ?'s, listen to them, share ideas, smile, eat with your mouth closed, don't talk about past relationships...yadda yadda) but, there isn't some all inclusive RULE!!

Lets look at another source - married people. Well, at least they figured it out right? Okay, well, they got married. And I bet their story didn't have all the RULES in it. I bet each married couple has a different story and success idea... I mean, some stories are like - dude, I just met you and I love you already, and others are like - let's date for 3 years and I'll be ready, and then others are even like - the girl asks him out, or etc. Okay - too many scenarios to write... BUT, everyone has a different solution. And it's not the RULE. I think marriages are miracles. Really - I mean, I'm not trying to be bitter, or anything, I'm just saying to get 2 people to decide such a big thing and to decide the same decision at the right time - it's a lovely miracle. I will have one one day no worries :) But, there isn't a secret to it - and even if everyone gives me advice, it might not help. I mean those people who were married were just lucky to find that one person right then...but it might not solve my issue right?

Okay - wow, how did I get way off course here? This soap box could go on and on. The basic message is that there aren't R-U-L-E-S for dating! At least for me. I'm still going to go up to guys - going to talk to them, maybe even be a bit forward if they need it, I'm going to make friends, I will call or text a guy if I feel like it, and heck, even tell a guy that I like him (although I've done that and it didn't turn out too well....) I am just going to TRUST in the Lord and know that if I feel inspired to make friends with a guy, etc - that hopefully He's with me on that path and will help me find, see, talk to, connect with, and make the eventual dating and marriage thing happen. I can't wait!!! Okay - but I have too... so I will. And I'm going to enjoy life now while I still have such a selfish life. And keep believing that Mr. Right will be around someday soon....

Thanks for listening to my venting :)