Priorities

So do you ever think what your priorities are in life? What are your top 4? What do you want to accomplish or be known as when you are gone? Just think about it for a second...

Last night a friend asked me - "Andrea, what is your #1 priority in life right now?"

I looked at him like...DUH! But at first didnt' say what I was thinking...M A R R I A G E! But then I did, because who cares right? That should be my priority. I mean, I've done a TON and so that should be next on my list right? I've got College, Mission, Graduate, Full-time job, and that just sounds pretty well like my list is getting crossed off, except for that one...

Then he asked, "So what's your #2?"

- - - (long silent pause) - - - sigh... - - - ???? (puzzling look)! - - -

I really couldn't think of the next one!! HAHA, I mean, I have goals and stuff, but they're not things that I think about "accomplishing" really in the same way as marriage and children. He proceeded to give me suggestions:
Work? - - - NO way! I mean I like work, but that's not perminent...
More school? - - Heck no right now...
Spirituality Increasing? - - Ummm, yeah that should definitely be on my list...Whoops!! Yes, I want to grow spiritually...

Wow. What a QUESTION! My answers, or lack of answers, were really eye openers. My friend sure reminded me that God should be #1 !! I didn't even think of that first! Maybe if I did think to put him at the top of that list in my brain (and I do have that on my list, it might just not be something I think about in the same way) then I'd have all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of my life (Pres. Benson quote). I love that quote. And maybe I just wasn't being spiritual at that moment, but in all honesty, I do want to work on that A LOT. I want to be close with the Lord and find that inner strength and happiness for any situation that may come into my life. And that reminds me of another thing that should be a priority - Living with God again someday! Another obvious one to remember more.

The other thing that was an eye opener is just that maybe I need a few more "Priorities" or something that drives me?? I mean, I have many goals, so I just need to put them higher on a list at some point. They're more daily accomplishments though rather than things to check off a list. Like piano, exercise, etc. But - maybe this priority should be labeled Education or Talents. ? If I learn ice skating, if I learn dancing, and get good at the piano and keep exercising, I think I will be creating J O Y and also trying to PUSH my limits and the gifts that God gave me. I also have another new friend - he just pushes himself in every sport, etc because he loves to see how far we really can take our bodies. I don't do that at all! I'm a cautious girl :) But, maybe I can do it a bit more with my talents I want to develop. I've got a whole list. Okay...now I'm overwhelmed. But I thought this a great Reality Check for me and maybe all of you today. Priorities. Get 'em straight.

Photo Fo Sho

I don't take enough pictures! I promise that from now on (at least for a week or two) I will tie my camera to me somehow and actually pull it out and take pictures. I will no longer be ashamed that I want memories! I realized this today after I was trying to find some good pictures of the weekend and realized that I had my camera with me but didn't do anything with it except to take a picture of the scene of the accident. I think it's because I don't feel like my camera is really up to par anymore. Oh well, who cares! It's better than my mother's throw away cameras...hehe sorry mom! I will take pictures, I will share them with you, and I will remember my memories better!! This is my promise to you blogger world.... Can you say cheese?? Cheesy pho show...

Here are a few pics from the past for your enjoyment:

Disco Skating January 2009 when I drove down to Provo...my roommates and I recruited a bunch of boys to come be crazy with us ( I did skating last night for FHE too, but didn't have a crew to take pics with, I do miss having a set group of friends now...) My crazy cousins below - helping me move in - how sweet of them!!

Other cousin Andy's baby - Jill - she's adorable!! I will steal her someday....

Sarah, Court and I singing crazy songs at Megan's reception! Yes, her mom said we could, although I think it was a bit loud when Jon joined in and we sang Wicked songs...hhahah

This last pic is just for those of us who are just dreaming of SUMMER!! WHOO HOO!! It's coming - I haven't used my big jacket for 3 days!!

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 :)

Friday the 13th

It's Friday the 13th!!

YES!!! I LOVE this day :) :) :) Yeah, I guess I'm weird....we all knew that already though.

This week hasn't stopped since it started being crazy...I've had activities every night without stop. Here's what my schedule looked like:

Monday - work till 5ish, dinner, FHE till 930 (learning dancing), the gym till 11...sleep at 12ish
Tuesday - work till 5ish, dinner, salsa dance class till 8, institute (i was late) till 930, gym till 11, sleep eventually
Wednesday - work till 5ish, dinner, enrichment 7 till 830, dinner with an old friend till 11...sleep
Thursday - work till 5ish, let out Sammy (watching cousin's dog), temple trip with the ward at Bountiful from 630 till 11, shower, go back to Stephs and let out Sammy...and finally sleep
Friday - work till 5ish, let out Sammy, go home and get ready for the dance, go out on date, ...
Saturday - hope this day is pretty free!! Still have the dog though...
Sunday - breakfast with new members at 1030, choir 12, church 1-4, dinner group 530, ward prayer 830...
AND then it starts all over again next week!! I think I'm feeling like my plate is too full - I have other things I want to do, but my schedule is just FULL.

I really want to watch a SCARY movie tonight. But I'll probably freak out because I'm already going to be sleeping in a empty house with a crazy dog, and it's just too huge to walk around with a knife and make sure no one's there... (Yes, I totally do that sometimes).

I've had some funny experiences lately, so here's my list to write about next time:
- Salsa Dancing in Sandy; - Finding a 2nd Cousin; - "the rules" for gals looking for men...

But, these will have to be at a later date... Have a spooky night :) Oh yeah, and it's that other day tomorrow - hence the red writing (well, i tried that, but you couldn't read it on the purple background....so just imagine) - Valentines Day right? Awe... Enjoy the love if you have it...

Mi casa

Hi! So it's Monday...but my week is already so booked, I think this week will go by fast. As promised, I finally took pictures of my apartment and so I'm going to put them up here. I have no idea how to do this yet - blogging is new to me remember? So, we'll see if it works.

This is my condo above... it's the one in the middle (2nd Floor). There are like 12 buildings like this one. And 24 hour fitness is just to the left of this picture next to our complex! Whoo hoo! (i took out the picture above because maybe i will get some stalkers...yikes...)

You walk in and see the family room on the left. (pictures not hung yet)

Look to the right of the door and see the dining room and window to the kitchen.

And looking straight down when you enter the front door you'd see the hallway to the kitchen on the right, the 2 bedrooms on the left and then the bathroom on the right...

Above is bedroom # 1 - I just got a desk and I'm still working on organizing this room. And then the left above is bedroom # 2 - also not done...I need pictures and a dresser, but oh well! And my closet is below - nice walkin ish...but tilt your head cuz I didn't fix. And the bathroom :)

So, guess that wasn't so hard! That's my apartment basically. I live alone. I actually like it so far. I have a 9 month lease and I'm not looking forward to moving already, so maybe I'll stay longer, but I need to actually keep moving... But I really like living here so far. I can hear my neighbors, but that doesn't matter. I usually am rocking out to music or watching TV on my new flat screen. But my bigger goals while I'm here:

- Organize school papers and get rid of most of them (that I have with me)

- Practice the piano a LOT more, even though I have a lame keyboard - I really want to be better and even play the fun music on the radio, etc

- Practice the guitar - basically like the idea of the piano...

- Use my laptop to do more video editing and maybe start music recording a bit

- Cook more ... rather than just eat whatever I find

- Go to the GYM most days

- Socialize!! - I'm already getting good at this one...I'm always out of my comfort zone since I am not close friends with anyone here, but I'm trying to do things that scare me daily...and this is the biggest goal. And at least I'm doing it so far! But, that also means the other goals are kinda on the back burner...

That's mi casa and life and goals while living there so far... It's been a fun adventure so far. Not too many scary stories. I only woke up one night freaked out, but because of a dream. And then I had a "open house" and had about 30 people over and the only scary thing was that one guy came who I didn't know, told me he's looking for love, and wanted to visit me in the future. SCARY. I just watched Taken and I've decided not to tell people exactly where I live and that I'm alone...I hope I don't get too many creepers...

If any of you ever want to visit, I'd love to have you - you can sleep in my bed, it's the best!

Cold

I think I'm coming down with a cold.... I heard my co-worker sneezing last week and thought, uh oh! I tried to prevent by buying Airborne, but I don't know if it's going to help. Actually, it was the lemon-lime powder kind - I have to recommend it! It's great because I can just pour in my bottled water at work. I should drink orange juice too. But today I've sneezed 4 times at work, and I feel a bit tired and headachy. Oh no!! And cold - but that's cuz this building at work is sooo cold. I have hot chocolate or apple cider daily to warm me up. And it's going to snow they say, so I think that will put me over the edge.

I'm ready for SPRING!!! Where are you?? I was ready since like December though. What a patient thing am I huh? I do want to go skiing 2 more times (I have 2 passes that I've bought) and maybe sledding with my Murray boys...but other than that I just am waiting for the next season. Can't you just picture it - the sun warming your skin slightly, maybe even weather for capris or short sleeves, a slight cool breeze, and the smell of the flowers. And the best part - would be the GREEN!! But only in the East would anyone really know what I'm talking about. I'm going to go there and see this this year. It's set.

This is supposed to be a short post. I'll post pics of my house very very soon :)