Honestly?

I just subscribed to The Writer's Almanac on iTunes. Oh, the guilty English pleasures.

Hey! It's Descartes birthday! I love The Writer's Almanac.

Baby steps to four o'clock...

I finally, finally got a letter that I wrote in January into an envelope, addressed, and stamped. I have yet to put it in the mailbox, but hey. Baby steps, right? I feel like such a slacker.

However, I still have a letter that I started writing about a month ago, which has yet to be completed, let alone put in an envelope and sent off. But this letter is one that I'm not planning on sending. If circumstances allow, I will hand deliver it sometime in the fall, but it has to be written now. It has to convey (somewhat accurately) things that I'm feeling right now. That makes absolutely no sense. Never mind.

Reflecting on the concept of mail, though, there are some things a very dear friend wrote to me in a letter last year that were nice to hear at the time, but not particularly earth shattering. I recently reread that letter, and I can't even describe the way his words helped me and impacted my perspective in a positive way. It's incredible.

It reminds me of the scriptures, in a way. We know that we can learn something from every verse of scripture-that's why they were included-but it's so important to constantly read and reread the Book of Mormon, even though we know (in general) the concepts and teachings. If we are prayerfully and diligently studying the writings, we will find answers and help that we so desperately need.

We had amazing fashion sense back in the day.

But the important thing about this picture is that we are cousins who love each other. This picture is crazy because it was taken when we were the only grandchildren on the Elison side. So much has changed!

Modern Art

By Nicole Murray. With a slight addition by Natalie Murray. And of course, we couldn't have done it without the help of the Mazda.

My Grandpa's Love

All the king's horses and all the king's men couldn't win with the sword what my simple life has been. And I can't find the words to thank him.

Get better soon!

That just made my day.

Today while I was at a register helping a group of really friendly missionaries, Leonard came to give me a BYU gold coin for staying late last night. "This is for you, Natalie, for your excellent customer service" he said with a flourish. All the elders I was helping burst into applause and started saying things like "Yes, excellent customer service. You deserve it! Congratulations! You're amazing, thank you!"

It really did make my day.

Then I saw Elder Beard, who I went to school with since before we knew how to do multiplication or write in cursive. He just came into the MTC. He's learning Spanish, and I realized that I'm not going to be around to see him off in 8 1/2 weeks. It's really sad to think that soon I will be leaving the MTC before any of the Elders will. It's almost surreal.

"Also I'm going to stop using punctuation

I'll see you when I see you

I am coyote"

Blessed is what we are,

because we are a family and can be forever.

Let's see what's new...

I got new tennis shoes today...it's kinda lame, though. I just needed something to give better support to my now fractured feet. I wanted to get sweet running shoes, but I'm not going to be running anytime soon. I want to run, which is rather weird for me. Oh well.

And I think I'm going to road trip down to Vegas in the time I'll have in between jobs and moving, etc. We're going for a coworker's reception, but mainly just to take a break and have fun before we all part ways this summer!

In other news, people are starting to place bets about my summer. We'll see how accurate Gideon's predictions are. Hahaha. Because secretly, in my heart of hearts, I hope he's right.

I desperately wish that...

I had something interesting to say. Something exciting, shocking, new, controversial, insightful...anything.

Oh...I know. I'll just post a photo from my past...genius. Because I know you all really care.
Ah, the many obscure perks to having a grandfather in show business.

Apparently we all have trouble hearing.

We had just knelt down for family prayer tonight when the doorbell rang. I answered it. It was Grandma Elison, come to bring something for my mom. We were all excited to see her, so she came in and we stood in the kitchen for a minute and talked. Dad came up to Grandma, gave her a hug, and this is the conversation that ensued.

Dad: So Grandma, the question is: Do you have any Draino?
Grandma (thinking): [pause] Uh...I don't think so...
Dad: All right kids! Get her! She doesn't have any Draino!
Me: Dad, why should we attack Grandma just because she doesn't have any Draino?
Dad: No, not Draino! "Green on"! I asked Grandma if she had any green on! You know, because it's St. Patrick's Day?
Grandma and everyone else (suddenly understanding): Oh....

Fogive me my weakness,

but I don't know why. Without you, it's hard to survive.

I have recently discovered the wonders of The Song. I know we discovered it and the amazing capabilities while dancing to it more than a year ago, but I have just realized how therapeutic it can really be to turn up Our Song very loud in the car after a long and stressful day. Oh, so nostalgic. It makes me "think of childhood friends, and the dreams we had", as Styx would say. SO many good memories. Only good associated with that song. I love it.

And I just have to laugh when I remember the plans that Hannah and I made about everyone's future lives while we were on the train in Nauvoo. So far, our predictions are looking eerily accurate. Granted, we're still in the stage where nothing was really planned to happen yet, but March 2009 is fast approaching...

...cause everytime we touch...

Princess Sisters

"It was an absolute requirement that a princess look fetching, at least
when wearing the most expensive clothes available. This princess, however,
would have been beautiful dressed like a slum child or a shepherd girl. She
was beautiful the moment she was born. She only got more beautiful as she
grew up."

My favorite Prince

Definitely Prince Phillip.

I am waiting for my prince to come find me, armed with his shield of virtue and sword of faith. Together, we will reign in charity and righteousness.

"The road to true love may be barriered by still many more dangers, which you alone will have to face. So arm thyself with this enchanted Shield of Virtue, and this mighty Sword of Truth, for these Weapons of Righteousness will triumph over evil."

In other news, I'm afraid my left foot is following the example of my right. This is not good. Actually, it's quite painful.

Missionaries in Mexico

Clarkie got off his mission last week. He's sitting in my kitchen with Dad as we speak. Turns out that he served in the mission right next to the Mexico City East mission. I'm sitting here listening to how it is. Good information.

There were never such devoted sisters

I love these girls more than life, and I would do anything for them. I'm so grateful for my sisters!

03-13 update

I'm slightly wired right now because I just drank a can of Guarana. He was right-it works. I just hope the effects wear off before I want to go to bed. I don't like to (read: can't) Hambo, and also Russian dancing is not my favorite right now, although the double circle front basket rida is practically death defying and exciting.

In other news, people have been complaining that my blog is boring. Personally, I think it should be quite entertaining. There are always cryptic messages scattered throughout my posts.

In an attempt to make it more interesting, I may be including pictures. Random pictures, since I don't really have any recent ones...so I hope this works. Comments on how to make my blog more interesting are more than welcome.

Oh!

But I am so happy! I love my life. It is a pleasure that I deny not. Small pleasures, who would deny us these?

I feel the static

Ah. Last night I did the Natalie Run. Outside, in the dark, by myself (I probably shouldn't have been running; I definitely feel the effects of that decision today). And this morning when I was driving home from school, Everytime We Touch started playing. That song is like instant memories. And wishes. I wish I was not as jaded as I am now. I wish I could be the way I was last year. I desperately need the change that May will bring.

They call me Warm Vanilla Sugar

Dad and I were trying to dance while we played guitar hero. Yes, I look funny. The guitar strap fell off halfway through this video...in case you were wondering why I started acting so funny.

Something exciting

Okay, well it's not very exciting...but there definitely was a new box knife with my name on it in my apron pocket yesterday. Now I feel like I belong...

With every passing day, I feel better about my summer plans. I'm excited. It will be the change I need, and give me the distance that I need so I don't do anything rash...

A letter for C Squared.

Dear C^2. Stop.

Happy belated birthday. Stop. So sorry I missed it; things have been crazy around here! Stop. Remember Neverland? Stop. I'm still going, but I will arrive there someone different than who I had anticipated. Stop. I don't think we fully realized how much we could change. Stop. Change is good, though, and I'm still trying to be that princess, headed to my kingdom. Stop. Thanks for never letting me lose sight of that! Stop.

Sincerely,
Nat. Stop.

(Hmm...wow, most random post ever, I do believe. Can you tell I'm sick and slightly out of my mind? I need to go to bed.)

Dreams come true in Santa Fe

So, I've never been one to place much stock in dreams...I don't know. I believe that we dream about things we have been thinking and worrying about, whether it's conscious or not. I just think the ways our subconscious represents our concerns is so funny; sometimes it's so subtle and random.

Last night I dreamt that I was making myself Spaghettios for lunch. I opened the can, but instead of spaghettios, there was ravioli inside. At first I was confused because I was expecting spaghettios, and I tried really hard to assimilate this new information into my old scheme of things.

I was getting a little bit frustrated until I realized that it really didn't matter. Even though I wanted and thought I needed spaghettios, the ravioli would suit me just fine. I had come to terms with this unexpected change, and I was okay. That was the end of that.

How long can I pretend?

Today was just a bad day. I'm sick of feeling vulnerable and unstable (it's not very often I say something like that. Sometimes I surprise myself).

But there was a pretty great quote of the day.

Wayne has been on vacation for the past couple of weeks. He just got back. The very first thing he said to B upon seeing him today was, "That is the ugliest tie I have ever seen. You definitely win the ugly tie award for the day."

Wow...now there is some tact.

Also, my box cutter got stolen. Twice (two different box cutters, actually). And B and I dropped ALL the boxes. Three times. Outside. And missionaries eventually had to help us. It was embarrassing.

The riddle! Commonly known as my life...

We all are caught in the middle of one long treacherous riddle. You turn, and someone betrays you. Betray him first, and the game's reversed...

Hey, but I think I'm doing a great job at remaining neutral. It's hard, but the riddle revolves around me and I...ignore it! As much as possible, I am going to stay out of this one.

Quite possibly

The most random surge of joy ever.

So, last night I was going to bed. The house was quiet, all the lights were off. As I was about to lay down, I heard my watch ticking from all the way across the room.

And let me tell you, it sure did fill my heart with joy. I'm not sure why, but I smiled...random. Weird, weird, weird.