What makes us happy

So many times in life I think, as soon as “this happens” I will be happier, or as soon as “this is over” my life will be better. Truth be told, my life will never be easier, graduating school, finishing an assignment, after going on a vacation; these things will not make my life better. Life is as good as it’s going to get right now. Whether or not I choose to make it good, is up to me. Nothing is going to make life easier tomorrow, or next week, month year, etc. There is always going to be something in our life that is stressful, something that going to make us sad, something that brings us down.
Good and bad things happen every day to everyone everywhere. You get a raise, your grandpa dies, you fall in love, someone breaks your heart, you get stuck in traffic, or you get to take a nap. It’s what we choose to do with what is thrown our way or what we choose to focus on that shapes our lives. It’s a conscious choice to be happy or to think that your life is miserable- dynamo of volition. We have the ability to embrace what our lives have come to, and if we are not happy with the way it is, we have the ability to change it.
Being happy and satisfied does not depend on what happens in our life, because enviably we are not going to be as skinny as we want to be, rich as we want to be, successful as we want to be. We will never live up to our own expectations. We just have to be happy with what we have, what we have accomplished and what we have to look forward to.

Dynamo of Volition

Volition is the ability to make conscious choices. It is an extraordinary gift we are given as conscious minded human beings. By my own volition I raise my hand and ask questions. By my own volition I lean in for a kiss. These are not involuntary acts like the blinking of the eye or the beat of the heart. By my own volition I remain mindful of my life-fulfilling dreams. Therefore, I’ve got the Dynamo of Volition – the freedom of choice.
-Jason Mraz

Calvin and I went for a ride on the carousel. He was scared...

He warmed up for a little but then he wanted to get off...

So we sat on this little seat. HE'S SO CUTE!!

This is what our shirts looked like for THE PRICE IS RIGHT!!!

This is my roommate Gesselle - she is back in Colorado now for the fall semester.

As for an update on Mindy- she got hair extensions and they look soooo good!! This is us at The Fray concert which was way better than I expected.

Attitude of Gratitude

10 things that I am grateful for

1. Susan and Nick and Calvin living so close to me- and letting me come over ALL the time
2. My good sense
3. Every compliment ever recieved
4. Capacity to love unconditionally
5. The summer/the sun/warmth
6. Good music
7. My testimony, and all the eternal promises of the Gospel
8. Toilet paper
9. The ability to learn
10. Laughter

http://freshnessfactorfivethousand.blogspot.com/2009/07/78910.html

Break and the 4th

This is my FHE group (most of them and a few extra)

We went to Bro. Baldwins house and went tubing this Monday

On the tubes!

Over the break a few of us went to the sand dunes- and we buried Peter (upon request)

At the dunes (Gesselle in the middle is my roommate)

Fourth of July - waiting for the fireworks

Me and Calvin!!

So me and Cal had a fun night and of course it included popcorn!!

We also play around with poker chips!

So I'm in an art class this semester and I painted this cool pot!

Welcome!

This is my new friend Emma. We have two classes together and are BFF's!!! And next semester we will be across the street neighbors!!

And Susan tagged me!  I don't have a husband so I revised it to "4 things I WILL love about my husband"

4 things I will love about my husband:
1. Has a job
2. His good looks!
3. Will spoil me
4. He will love me too!

4 Movies I would watch more than once:
1. Two Weeks Notice
2. Taken
3. Eagle Eye
4. Pride and Prejudice

4 favorite TV shows:
1. The Real Housewives of Orange County
2. Project Runway
3. The Office
4. The Biggest Loser

4 Places I have been:
1. NYC, NY
2. Jamaica
3. Bakersfield, CA
4. St. Louis

4 People who email me regularly:
1. Madeline
2. Dad
3. Susan
4. Tatum

4 Favorite Foods:
1. Homemade mac and cheese
2. Brussel Sprouts 
3. Subway Sandwiches
4. ACC from La Cocina

4 Places I would like to visit:
1. Orange County, CA
2. New Zealand
3. Home
4. Anywhere in CA

4 Things I am looking forward to this coming year:
1. Moving to a new apartment!
2. The price is right for my birthday!!!
3. Going home for Christmas
4. New Roommates!!!

I tag Emma and Katey!