Power to Change

One of my favorite quotes of all times is by Ezra Taft Benson. Speaking about Christ-like characteristics and the ability we have to change. It gets me every single time I read it.

"The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in. The world would take the people out of the slums. Christ takes the slums out of the people, and then they take themselves out of the slums. The world would mold men by changing their environment. Christ changes men, who then change their environment. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature. Yes, Christ changes men, and changed men can change the world. Men changed from Christ will be captained by Christ. Finally, men captained by Christ will be consumed in Christ. They set fire in others because they are on fire. Their will is swallowed up in His will. They do always those things that please the Lord. Not only would they die for the Lord, but more importantly they want to live for Him. Enter their homes, and the pictures on their walls, the books on their shelves, the music in the air, their words and acts reveal them as Christians. They stand as witnesses of God at all times, and in all things, and in all places. They have Christ on their minds, as they look unto Him in every thought. They have Christ in their hearts as their affections are placed on Him forever."


Bam. There you go. I've been feeling the need for a little inspiration to change and be better. If this doesn't help, I don't know what could.

I'm Walkin' on Sunshine!

WOOOOOOOOOAAAAHHHHHHHHH! and don't it feel good?!

Who knows WHAT has happened to me in the past few weeks. The only thing that I am surely sure of is that I feel FANTASTIC! ALL THE TIME. It's kind of a weird thing. I got my wisdom teeth out and was on pills for maybe three days but it effects have yet to wear off.. so I'm pretty sure it's not even the meds! I just always feel in such grandioso moods, I keep getting butterflies for absolutely no reason, and I have this perpetual, indelible, impending feeling of CHANGE. Like something is going to happen, or is happening in my life that is so marvelous and wonderful that I'm already ecstatic even though I don't know what it is yet! I am very terrible with words when I comes to this feeling... I wonder if anyone reading this has ever had it? haha My self esteem is through the roof! I feel like I can just BE MYSELF and there will be no quandaries... It's is spectacular! To life! To life! L'Chaim!

The World is Our Oyster!

My past week has been fabbity fab with knobs on! It is funny to me that though nothing super special has happened, I am on cloud nine. I am so lucky and so happy to be alive and on this earth! There are people I can meet and be inspired from in every nook and cranny of town, state, country, and world! The opportunities are endless for me... What a blessing! I am truly blessed and outstandingly grateful.

If it's powerful enough to pull a 19 year-old away from Pro Rugby, it's gotta be true!

I just ran across this video at random and it put a big smile on my face and a warm feeling in my heart :)

Come Rise Up, Come Give Love, What You Waiting For?

I wanted to go for the fro but I totally chickened out. I think I'll slowly work up to it in the next few weeks/months...

Yah, yah, it's fluffy as heck but I still like it! So psh!

Also, This new year I got the SWEETEST wall hang from Zack (whom I simply love) with a quote that I'm living by for the rest of my life!

TODAY IS THE DAY.

LIVE YOUR LIFE WITH ABANDON.

BE COURAGEOUS AND WILD AT HEART.

BE YOUR OWN HERO. FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS NO

MATTER HOW BIG THEY ARE. FALL IN LOVE.

TAKE TIME TO APPRECIATE THE MOMENTS, FOR

THEY WILL SOON BE MEMORIES. BE GOOD TO YOURSELF.

BE GENEROUS AND TRUTHFUL.

DANCE, SING, AND PLAY NO MATTER YOUR AGE.

BELIEVE IN YOUR OWN POWER, STRENGTH, AND FORTITUDE.

EMBRACE NEW POSSIBILITIES.

MAKE FRIENDS EVERYWHERE YOU GO.

INSPIRE SOMEONE. BE BRAVE.

TAKE CHANCES AND BE SPONTANEOUS.

DISCOVER YOUR GIFTS AND USE THEM WISELY.

SURROUND YOURSELF WITH LOVE. LAUGHTER, AND TRUTH.

DON'T TAKE IT ALL TOO SERIOUSLY.

FORGIVE QUICKLY AND DON'T HOLD GRUDGES.

SEEK PEACE AND CALM.

LEARN SOMETHING NEW EVERYDAY.

CREATE HAPPINESS. LAUGH OFTEN.

ENJOY THE LITTLE THINGS. BE GRACIOUS AND KIND.

SMILE AT STRANGERS,

WE'RE ALL ON THIS JOURNEY TOGETHER.

THIS IS YOUR LIFE...

MAKE IT BEAUTIFUL.

Probably the Most Important Advice You'll Ever Read

How to be Chuck Bass

.

I am Chuck Bass

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Those bow ties! That sneer! Those condescending, degrading, misogynistic quips! Here is the How-to on being the mythological anti-hero that is Charles Bartholomew Bass

1

1. • 

     Begin and end sentences by saying, "I am (insert first and last name)".
     Don't ever let people forget who you are.

   • 2
     

     For daywear, embrace the three P's- purple, plaid, and preppy.
     No color is too bold, no pattern is too tacky, and no outfit is too Hamptons-d*uchey for a Chuck Bass wannabe.

   • 3
     

     For nightwear, embrace the three V's- vests, velvet, and Valentino.
     Chuck Bass just doesn't party at night, he IS the night.

   • 4
     

     Two words: bow ties.
     Women love a man who has a sophisticated style. Think of Cary Grant but 17 years-old and drunk.

   • 5
     

     Purse lips, raise left eyebrow, and lightly whisper in all conversations
     Act like it's near painful to engage in conversation with a person all the while coldly judging them.

   • 6
     

     Walk with a swagger that looks like there is a stick shoved way up your butt. No matter how ridiculous it looks, people will find it sexy as long as you follow all the steps listed in this ehow.

   • 7
     

     Learn to appreciate fine wines, ports, and liquors and make sure to carry a full glass on the rocks wherever you go (parties, shopping, school).

   • 8
     

     Vacation in exotic locations via private jet, all the while wearing gaudy clothing and perpetuating the Ugly American belief.

   • 9
     

     Pay people like chauffeurs, bodyguards, and escorts to hang around you so you feel like you have friends.

   • 10
     

     Sleep with any woman that comes your way. If she doesn't give into your Machiavelli advances, say something like, "Your looks bore me" or "Do you know who I am? I'm (insert first and last name)." (see Step 1)

   • 11
     

     Try to cause pointless and detrimental damage to your friends' social life for no reason other than that you can.

   • 12
     

     Try desperately to win the approval of your soulless and emotionally inept father, all the while neglecting the obvious fact that you're turning into him.

   • 13
     

     Instead of telling the woman of your dreams that you love her, mentally torture her.

Epiphany #1

I thought everything could be fixed if i purchased a banana chair.

turns out I was right! Life is good :)

Into The Wild...

SUCH A GREAT BOOK.

How about I am SO inspired this week. I feel like just in the past week I have changed in so many ways and grown so much. I can appreciate the short time that we have here on earth and how important it is for us to make close relationships and reach for our goals. We need to find out who we are and the reason that our life is significant then work hard to fulfill your calling on earth. EVERYONE has reasons for being born at this time and place. Searching inside ourselves to figure out what WE want is key to living a happy life. Not what others want for you, or what has been recommended but legitimately stopping and pondering about what direction you want your life to go and how best to accomplish your plans. I'm excited to see where my life's adventures lead me. There is so much at stake and so much more in store! We'll just have to see where I end up ending up!

To Bacon... and Beyond!

Found my new best Honeymoon location. My husband has ABSOLUTELY no say! Costa Rica, Tabacon Springs. Yummy scrumboes INFINITY!

Good love and happiness in this joint today. ANNNNND when we got back to our Room it's Michael's 30th anniversary concert on TV. BEST day I've had in MONTHS! :)

It's time to have a toast...

There is a song by one of my faves that pretty much sums of what's been going on in my life for the past month or two. Whether the nursing program that didn't accept me, the boyS who led me on, the tools who mysterious scratched up my car, the companies that put me behind everyone else even though they said I had everything worked out...

Runaway: Kanye West




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bm5iA4Zupek

Is there no room at this Inn?

As my summer officially started this Monday I was pleased to discover that my family seemed to have forgotten that my return would require a location for the personal belongings. This is something they neglected to make space for... I lived out of my car for four days then cleaned out the garage and proceeded to empty my car into to. I belong here you little no-space-makers!

I also have been able to view some quite hilarious films as of late. My favorite one being:

Let me just say that Seth Rogan makes me laugh a billio! I highly recommend this movie to those that are not faint of heart when hearing the words "sh*t" and "balls". Laughed and laughed I tell you!

Now that I feel my time is well spent blogging as opposed to homework doing (seeing as it's the sum) I feel as if there may be some randomness in attendance to the readings of these marvy posts. I will catch up on the missingness of the past weeks or so

1. Passed all my classes! Micro with a C+ YAYA!

2. I'm practically an official LPN.

3. Nadine (my very good friend) made out with Junior (my brother) while I was asleep on the floor TWO FEET away from them. (thanks guys)

4. SEVEN PEAKS PASS!!

5. No more Price. Possible forEVA.

6. Helped my mom remodel her room by painting, putting together her bed, etc.

7. Don't have my own room so I am subject to sleeping on the couch after my brothers have tired themselves from video game playing.

8. In the process of finding a summer fling. Or two. or five. I'll keep you posted.

9. I clean the kitchen every night before I go to bed.

10. I only wear pants when I leave the house. (At least today because my family is all out). And since all my clothes are clear out in the garage I feel the need to shop until I drop so... SEE YA.

Variclose But No Cigar...

So... I was in the library studying with Nadine and Bobbi when we were discussing DVT's and varicose veins...

I happen to have one! So I brought it up and Bobbi wanted to see it.

As I was rolling up my pants to expose my vein, I realized that skinny jeans do not roll up very easily...

I was determined to show my vein so I continued to pull up my pant leg higher and higher.

As my pants went higher and higher I recognized that circulation was rapidly decreasing from my leg....

I was only INCHES away from the vein so I kept pulling. I tugged and rolled until I could no longer tug and roll.

Once I realized I was not going to be able to get my pant leg over my calf, it was already too late.

I was in excruciating pain.

As I verbalized my discomfort, my voice slowly escalated into a cry for help

help. help! HELP!! but my fellow companions were too busy laughing hysterically.

Once I realized I would be unable to accomplish the task on my own,

I made direct contact with a bawling her eyes out from laughter Nadine and said,

"Nadine! I need your help!"

...I was terrified I would have no leg in mere minutes.

Her countenance completed changed as she rushed to the other side of the table to assist me in rolling my pants back down.

I was exclaiming "My leg's turning blue!" and "OWWWWWW!"

Nadine offered encouraging words through her laughter and tugs to get my pant-leg down safely.

"Everything will be fine!" "I'll take good care of you"

I went on to yell "It hurts! Stop! It hurts!"

She told me "I know, but the pain will be over once you stop kicking and let me get your pant leg down!"

For the next ten seconds of crying from pain and embarrassment, Nadine was able to save the day.

She maneuvered, yanked, tugged, and pulled despite my screaming

Immediate relief was experienced once blood flow returned to my extremity.

Moments later after a sincere bout of laughing, crying, and inabilities to breathe, we regained the ability to speak.

I asked how Nadine knew that we were indeed in a serious situation.

She explained with teary eyes and a serious laughing tone, "I could hear it in your voice! You needed my help!"

Moral of the Story...

Nadine Mickelsen is a great friend,

she will be a great nurse,

and don't try to roll up skinny jeans passed your calves...

In December, drinking Horchata...

Christmas was fabbity fab with knobs on! What a wonderful family I have to talk with, laugh with, and love. We spent of course a better amount of the time playing my shocking game that I got and setting up the Wii and eating the deliciousity that my mother and I created for the group. It was a great great Christmas day! and how bout, my best pal gave his farewells speech in church on Sunday and it couldn't have been any more hilarious. It was totally just as my parents stated "Keeton". I was very proud. Also. last night I went to Jenna's and it was just like old times. We sat around the table just us ladies and talked and laughed. We phoned in some pizza and got a killer deal of course (thank you Jenna for coupons and Papa Brian). The we played some good rockband and Just dance which was a workout and a mistake after I (OF COURSE) had eaten too much food. We started watching The Sasquatch Gang which seemed to be hilarious except my food coma came in and I slept and missed probably the best parts (like the ending).

BIG NEWS BEAR

My grades are posted for physiology. I had a C- before finals and that would kick me out of the program. I took the final... It kicked my trash... and now my final grade is posted. I can't look! I CAN'T LOOK!!!

Freaking out.

Through the years we all will be together, if the fates allow...

One of my favorite Christmas songs of all time is "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" sung by the one and only Judy Garland. She has this AMAZING voice that makes you just want to cry as you sit and listen. Especially after watching the classic "Meet Me in St Louis" around Christmas time. It is just one of those movies you know what I mean? Magic. I don't know if I'm super sentimental because it's finals and I'm feeling the pressure or what but I just LOVE this song and want to share it.. :)

Seeing as how I'm a technological-moron... Here is the link... I hope it works!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5g4lY8Y3eoo

Here's a saying worth obeying...

My favorite Christmas movie of all time is this little aardvark right here. I bought this for my family one year (and gave it them weeks early because I couldn't wait) because we would always rejoice on high when we got a phone call from Char or one of the neighbors (because they know who we love...) telling us that it was on T.V. It is MUCH better to be able to watch it on dvd every day in December.

This Christmas I suspect will be perfect in all respects, this Christmas will be the beeeest, Christmas yeeeeeeet! :)

Letters to Distant Lands

One of my new favorite things is writing letters to missionaries. It's so fun! They always write back and I always get mail! I know it sounds stupid, but it benefits both parties because I actually have things to look forward to when I've got letters out... I was thinking this year (since most of my friends are gone or leaving, that I would create a Christmas card of just myself and mail it out for all to see! THEN they could have a picture of me to show their companions and friends AND never forget me. Because I tell you... I do not like to be forgotten. I'm thinking on one side that I am a crazy weirdo, but on the other side I'm like... Hello? This is PERF.

Stop a Baby's Breath and a Shoe Full of Rice

I was going to post the other day... but my computer and internet have been craptastic so I've missed out a bit. But guess what happened on Tuesday??

I SAW MY FIRST LIVE BIRTH!

It was pretty bomb. I was supposed to be doing my clinical on the Med-Surg unit but there were only TWO patients so I begged and pleaded and my teacher let me and a few other students go down to Labor and Delivery. It was so bomb. We haven't done our Peds unit though so I was clueless on a few things but for the most part it was just awesome!! The mom did SO well and the baby came out perfectly (after a little snippy snippy, the only part that made me cringe). It was a little premature so the baby had to be shipped up to the hospital in Provo. It was sad for the family but the baby will be fine :) I held the woman's leg during the whole thing (because it was too numb for her to keep up herself from the epidural) and I witnessed everything from dilation of 7 cm to the full 10 and arrival of the cute little boy. BAM. haha Anyways I better get back to the family time...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! :)

Another One Bites the Dust...

Soooo I guess it is time to finally tell my little story of the week! I had a bit of a situation on Tuesday night, that may or may not (but mostly may) have led to the end of my life. I'll start at the beginning:

I decided to go running for the first time in a week or so and as usual, I went by myself. It was dark and late, so I just decided to run at the track that is on campus. I borrowed Janet's ipod and went on my way. I had run about a mile and a quarter before I started feeling the itchies. I kept going until it started REALLY BAD. My feet felt like they were going numb too so I knew something was up. I started walking home (as fast as I could with numb feet) and things got a little crazy! I would open my eyes and couldn't see for a few seconds and then my whole face started to feel numb and puffy and it was no bueno. I was limping and struggling across the street (almost got hit by the way with a car that didn't have their headlights on....ELCIO!) and barely made it to my apartment. My body was telling me to just stop and lay down, but I knew that if I did I would not be seen until the next day and I would die.

I burst into my apartment after struggling with my keys for what felt like forever! And I saw my roommate in the kitchen. I immediately collapsed on the floor and she freaked out. I told her to go into my room and grab my Benadryl (I don't know how she understood with my tongue so swollen). I crawled up through the hall and took it with some water. I sat there and tried to assess myself and how I was doing and everything and then finally figured I needed to tell Meagan to call 911. She called them and I moved myself into the bathroom to prop my legs up on the toilet because I remembered shock positioning haha I kept blacking out but trying to calm myself because I kind of knew what was going on and that the drugs would go into effect in twenty minutes or so. The EMT's came in and asked my all sorts of questions... I couldn't tell you everything they said or how I answered, but from what everyone is telling me, I was hardly coherent and my speech was extremely slurred. After what felt like ten minutes (but I guess it was about forty), the made me walk to my room and lay on my bed. I was shaking like crazy, but starting to feel a lot better. Cameron was there so I asked him to call Webb and give me a blessing. After that (and much persuasion from the EMT's, Sharon Jones, and Janet) I decided that a trip to the ER could not hurt anything.

I got up out of bed, changed my underwear (thinking I was being SO hilarious at the time because of all the jokes people make about that), and went outside to Cameron's car. We drove over to the ER and went and checked in with the receptionist. After thirty years, they let us into the back and a nurse took my vitals and then sent me back out. Then came back and put me into a room in the back. Let me just say the ER was hoppin that night! As we sat though the symptoms started to go down (except my swollen feet). By the time the doctor came in (wearing cargo pants nonetheless) and asked me more questions and checked my vitals, he seemed super rushed. We talked for maybe five minutes then he left. The nurse came in and gave me some Claritin and Pepsid. Then we had to wait for another twenty minutes to make sure I did not react badly to it, then we left.

I felt like a crazy person. Stuff like that never happens to me! I am the freakin healthiest person in my family! If this happens to me, what will happen to them? haha you know me, all dramatic and whatnot. I was thinking about things that could have led to it and I honestly have no clue. I had had a coconut cookie thing about an hour and a half before I wen running... but other than that... I'm thinking it may have something to do with my period because I started while I was at the hospital. AND the reason I had Benadryl in the first place is because almost exactly a month ago I was crazy itchy and my mouth was swollen then too... I am just guessing random things though, we will have to just wait it out see! No worries, I'll definitely keep you posted! I am just lucky to be alive :)