If I had a nickel for every time I heard...

I work at a grocery story, where I meet a lot of different people and hear a lot of different things. One reoccurring conversation I keep having with customers is marriage/relationships.

This got me to thinking: If I had a nickel for every time I heard someone say one of these things to me, I would be rich!!! Now, the first one is not related to marriage, but it is the top thing I get said to me, so it goes first.

1. Does anyone ever tell you that you look like Anne Hathaway?  The first time someone asked me this, I was stunned to silence. Partly because it came from a man who told me in front of his wife he thought Anne Hathaway was hot. And she confirmed it.

Now, it's not at all uncommon for me to go someplace random and get asked this question, to which I reply "Yes. People tell me that quite often, actually." However, I have also been told I look a little bit like Hilary Swank in Freedom Writers.

2. You're not married yet?! I thought you'd have been long gone by now. Most of the time this makes me feel good because it's from men. But then I realize that these men are all older and married. So, I appreciate their confidence in my abilities at being a wife (even though most don't even know me and are just basing it off of looks!) but I wonder why the younger, eligible men can't see the same thing. Then I get depressed because I'm not married and I feel like I'm failing society (just kidding!).

3. You have a pretty smile/Keep smiling! This one makes me feel the best because, let's be honest. I have a large mouth. It's a fact of life. But people compliment me on it, so I guess that's good! I'm grateful they find one feature on my face attractive ;)

These are the three most common things said to me by completely random strangers, but I'm sure there are more I just can't think of. What do people say to you the most? I want to hear what other people get told a lot by strangers!

Bucket List Checklist

One by one, I am slowly checking off goals on my bucket list. On of those goals is to make an album of myself singing. Now, I'm not going to make it yet because my voice has not fully matured, and quite frankly, I don't think I sound that great. BUT, the important news is, I have discovered how to go about doing it. I am so proud of myself! This took many steps to figure out. After many hours of messing around, downloading songs, converting files, and practicing, this is what I've come up with. I hope you enjoy! :)

P.S. I don't know who the man is; it was just the only good karaoke version with the male part that I could find on YouTube.

P.S.S. I am in no way in love with my old roommates or any other female. I just thought this put a funny twist on the song (and I also didn't have much of a picture selection). 

AND... for kicks and giggles, I also recorded my remix of "Love Story," tribute to Mr. Chad Young. I put the recording over the original video, so at some parts you can hear two of me singing :)

Piano: My Closest Friend

The piano and I have a love-hate relationship. For the past 3 years, our relationship has consisted of hymns, and only of hymns. This is partly due to the fact that I was called as organist for a year and then was the ward music director for almost another year. This is also due to the fact that after I graduated from high school, I abandoned the piano.

Every once in a while throughout my college years, I would have a melancholy night where I would sneak down to the piano room and express my feelings--in songs other than hymns. However, my repertoire consisted of mainly two songs: Clair de Lune (and only parts of it), and Only Hope (from A Walk to Remember). Every so often I would throw in "The Office" theme song. These little rendezvous were so inconsistent that I couldn't possibly improve upon my piano.

Once I moved home, though, things began to change. I discovered that I had more time and that I tended to get bored and melancholy more often. This is when I discovered the sheet music to David Lanz's "Cristofori's Dream." It's a beautiful song. I highly recommend you listen to it...RIGHT NOW.

As you can tell, it has a melancholy mood to it. While listening to David Lanz's songs in the past, this one always gave me a weird feeling. It's beautiful, yes. But it's sad. Now, as we are reunited together on the piano, I have a tender kinship with it. When I get in one of my moods or am simply longing to express something, I pull this piece out and viola! Instant magic. I feel like a piece of me is found again.

The piano and I no longer hate each other. We are becoming better acquainted through this song, Clair de Lune, The Luckiest (Ben Folds), and Only Hope. The piano is patient with me as I slowly stumble through some parts of these songs, or completely skip other parts. It encourages me along when I get frustrated. And each time I play the piano, I feel myself slowly getting better and making improvements. Finally, I have a friend who I can show my real emotions to and not be criticized or judged. It's just simple beauty when we get together. And for that, I am grateful.

Parking

People can't park. It's a fact of life. And I just have one question? WHY?!

I am a pro parker. Seriously. Every time I get out of the car and look at my parking job, I am filled with a deep sense of pride (sad, I know, that this is what brings satisfaction to my life). But I look at my car perfectly straight between the two lines with plenty of room on both sides. And the fact of the matter is, I do it without even thinking about it! It's just second nature to me. So why can't others park? Is it really that hard to slightly turn right before you turn left into that covetous parking space you so desire?

What brings this rather pet-peeved post about is TWICE this week I have hit into others' cars upon opening my door because they are morons (forgive my strong language) and parked on the line. And as I hit both cars, I did not feel sorry, but rather, I thought to myself "They deserve a scratch if they can't give me enough room to get out of my car when I'm perfectly in my space." Is that wrong? Am I a horrible person?

And what's even worse, whenever I see bad parkers, I blame it on girls. Living at Kensington has taught me that only about 15% of girls really know how to park. It's sad. And the managers complained about it too. They couldn't understand why it was so hard for the girls to park either.

So, I propose a proposition. Those of you who suck at parking, go out and practice until you get it right! Then you will save yourselves from scratches on your vehicles, and you will make the rest of us happy :)

Right Guys Finish First

It's time again for another dating post. Yay! And this time, absolutely nothing is going on in my life concerning the opposite sex, so this has nothing to do with current experiences. In case you didn't know, all of my dating posts are preceded by something that I read. These thoughts result from Izzy's blog.

Allison addressed The Friend Zone (which was also a response to Izzy's post). To view it, click here. My choice of topic is the adage "Nice guys finish last."

Izzy wrote: "Speaking of movies, what's with the movies? Everybody wants their life to work like the movies. All the girls want the guy who buys them chocolate and flowers for no reason, or who surprises them with some extravagant date. But you know what happens when a guy does that in real life? The girl kicks them square in the baby maker. Not literally, but figuratively. Nice guys finish last, it's just a proven fact. No girl wants to be seen with a sentimental girly man. It's just life."

Nice guys do not finish last. Emotional guys finish last. Girls have enough crazy emotions going on in them all the time. They don't need to deal with guys sentimental-baby feelings as well. What really turns me off to a guy is when he is down on himself and thinks he's worth nothing. Hello! That's the girl's job. No matter how wonderful a girl is, no matter who she is or what she's done, she is still very insecure in the idea that someone could love her and support her. She needs reassurance and she needs stability. She DOES NOT need to be giving the guy constant assurance. She can't be the anchor in the relationship. He needs to be it! When he's not, it's almost as if he's clingy, and clingy guys are very unattractive. We can't be smothered in love all the time but we also can't be the ones constantly building you up. Confidence is hot.

This brings me to my next point. Girls like romantic actions when they are done appropriately, by the right person. If you take me out on a first date and give me flowers and tell me I look beautiful, I WILL BE FREAKED OUT!!! That is not being nice. That is being creepy. That is almost like saying, "Hey, I'm desperate, so I'm going to try and buy your love (or attention) any way I can, whether it be flowers or compliments or anything you want." However, IF we have been dating for a bit, and you know what I like, then it is appropriate to proceed with the correct action. My ex boyfriend (when we were still dating, of course) gave me a Disney Princess Halloween card with a sweet note in it. I was surprised and it was romantic/funny because the Princess thing was a joke between us. It was the perfect gift. However, if you and me have been friends for 2 years and have not dated at all and you tried to pull that on me, I would be freaked. You have to have the appropriate relationship with a person to do those kinds of things.

Let me make the disclaimer that I like chocolates. I like flowers. And I've never been on extravegant dates, but I'm sure I'd like them too :) If you don't believe me, refer back to my Unexpected Crush post. But I don't want them to be from some random person - however nice he might be. I want them to be from someone I care about. And that guy is bound to be nice too, because I like nice people and I want to marry a nice man. The guy I marry will be smart because he will know how to court me properly before he tries those things.

Guys - before you're serious with a girl, doing those sentimental things is like telling a girl you want to buy her. After you've proven yourself to her though, it's showing her how much you care and want to make her happy. Just remember - every girl is different. Different things work for different girls. You just gotta get out there and find out what she likes best. Then, after she has shown that she likes you and wants you (oh baby, oh baby) do those things for her. She will love you! But don't do them constantly or else she won't appreciate them as much. Some girls like surprises, and some girls don't. But every girl appreciates a little extra thought once in a while.

Now, don't you love all these complicated things that go into making a relationship work? And yet, people get married, every day. It's a mystery to me too . . .

The Great and Terrible

I'm reading a series of books right now called "The Great and the Terrible." I'm still on book one, but it currently takes place in the pre-mortal life. Although some parts of it are not at all how I imagined that existence to be, it has given me a lot to think about. I've found I've gained a greater understanding of the War in Heaven, and the great struggles and sufferings we all endured as we battled and saw our dear brothers and sisters battle with the two plans.

As I ponder on the doctrines mentioned in the book, and as I continue my study of those doctrines through prophets' words, I am amazed. I gain glimmers of what I was before I came to earth and what I covenanted to do.

Now, this is some pretty heavy stuff, so please don't get bogged down or let it hold you up. But if you're ready to further explore Foreordination, I highly recommend this talk delivered by Elder Neal A. Maxwell at a BYU devotional in 1978. Wow!

If, however, this is something you are not wanting or ready to explore just yet, please just know one thing: I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I know that Jesus Christ lives and that He died and suffered for every single person so that they could have the opportunity to return to live with Him and our Father in Heaven again. He loves us. He wants us to be the best that we can be. He is there to guide us every step of the way. I love Him and His gospel. I am proud and so incredibly grateful to be a member of His church, sometimes so much that I want to shout it from the rooftops.

I know I am not the best example at times, and if ever I fail you, I am sorry. But I am firm in my testimony of the gospel, and knowing my potential before I came earth is a strength in helping me become the person I need to be when I return to my Father again.

I pray when discouragement and disappointment come to you, you can turn to the Savior and know that He will never fail you. He will help buoy you up to help you become the person you are meant to be.

I love you all and pray for your continual success and happiness! God bless :)

Surprise!

I chopped my hair...

 

and I'm not a huge fan.

I donated my long, luscious hair to Locks of Love. 10 inches! It was for a very good cause and that's one more thing I have checked off my bucket list, but I would have preferred to take off only about 5 inches. Oh well. I got impatient and couldn't wait for it to grow any longer, so this is what I got.

Everyone tells me it's cute. But I don't care. I feel like I'm about 5 years older now. What happened to my 21-year-old youth? I feel like a mother with 3 kids.

The top picture is how I prefer to style it. It's a little more straight and makes it look a bit longer. However, my mother insists I do my hair like this:

I feel like it looks like a wig.

So...cast your vote!

(this is me pleading, Please hair, grow out soon!!!)