Fortune favors the brave

"It's all worked out, my road is clear. The lines of latitude extend way beyond my wildest dreams, toward some great triumphant end. We seize the day, we turn the tides, we touch the stars, we mock the grave, we move into uncharted lands."

The finest and the luckiest

Happy Valentines day to the most amazing man in the world!

Isn't that what life was made of?

"I'm sleeping, and right in the middle of a good dream, when all at once I wake up from something that keeps knocking at my brain. Before I go insane I hold my pillow to my head and spring up in my bed screaming out the words I dread."

What if you are what a prince would envision?

Last week was a hard week for me. I was worrying about the future because of what has happened in the past. Like Lot's wife, my attachment to the past, however negative, outweighed my confidence in the future. I am so confused about how I let that happen. I mean I have faith! I know Heavenly Father has a plan for my life!

I was trying so hard to get off the mind train, but it's hard when the train is barreling down upon you ninety to the dozen!



I had to just jump off that train, in a very Sherlock Holmes sort of way. And I realized some things.

I have been dreaming of teaching school for a long time. And now what am I doing? Teaching school! I have a whole classroom full of little wonders. While school is crazy and busy and hard, it's a dream come true and I am loving it!

(This picture was taken before school even started. My classroom definitely has a more "lived in" feel now!)

I'm dating a wonderful guy. No more a smart little girl with no heart! Seriously, he's lovely and perfect. True. And if you'll excuse an expression I use...

And lastly, a quote from my favorite British friend: "I've decided to just be happy, because if not then you can't really help anyone." And really, charity is always something I need to be working on!

Sweet and sour CHICKEN!

Seriously...I love this guy so much! Oh, Phil.

A year in review--2011

So, to be completely honest, 2011 started out rough. But I worked at being happy, prayed a lot, and soon I was definitely able to grow and change. I've had so many great experiences and blessings this year! Wouldn't change it for the world, but I'm ready to see what 2012 has to offer :)



Spent more lovely time in a boot! Had to start wearing orthotics.



Finished the majority of my undergrad coursework and got hired as an intern at Orchard Hills Elementary. This is what I had been dreaming about for years...definitely cried on the phone when the principal called to tell me.



Met Marc Brown! Very exciting.



Was called as RSP for the second time...there's obviously a lesson I need to learn!



My best friend got married!!



Had a great vacation to Disneyland with my family. Went on Tower of Terror for the first time and I LIVED!



Started my first year of teaching! Totally fell in love with my job and 25 ten year olds.



Had an intense Halloween party at a barn--we survived, and luckily my car did too!



Talked to Santa...and he totally delivered this year. I believe!



Got to see the Mormon Tabernacle Christmas Concert with a pretty awesome guy and two of my best friends.



Ended the year by spending some great time up at Aspen Grove with the Murrays!


As you can see, I've had a great year. I feel very blessed and I'm excited to set goals and grow next year!

Take that

This is me [figuratively] punching my confusion in the face.



You don't think I have it in me, huh? Maybe you should talk to my home teacher.

I'm just not exactly going to let my worries and fears control my life! Hiiiiiiiiiiya!

(Hopefully when you read that, it sounded like a ninja noise.)

For the record

Just for the record, there are three books I could read over and over again.

1. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

"It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting...there is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure."

2. The Boy Who Dared by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

"My Father in Heaven knows that I have done nothing wrong. I know that God lives and He will be the proper judge of this matter. Until our happy union in a better world, I remain your friend and brother in the gospel."

Watch out. This book, based on the true story of a Hitler Youth, WILL make you cry.

3. Big Russ and Me by Tim Russert.

"The best exercise for the human heart is reaching down to lift someone else up."

SO good!