Eat Pray Love

I have just finished the most amazing book and I wanted to share it with everyone. I have been reading Eat Pray Love for months now (since socializing has become a top priority) and I have finally put in the time to finish it. I don’t feel like words can describe literature like this. The way Elizabeth Gilbert speaks is so honest and so true. The book is full of meaningful phrases that make perfect since, but yet nothing at all for example, “Say it like you eat it.”
The book starts off with Gilberts own divorce. As many of you know I just went through my own divorce. Gilberts description of her divorce is the exact same way I felt and the perfect way, I feel to describe to my dear loved ones what happened to me this past year.
The story is one women’s journey through Italy, India, and Indonesia. She spends four months in each place and each place is centered on a topic. Italy is the pursuit of pleasure, India is devotion, and Indonesia focuses on balance. In each location Gilbert meets several new people that change her world upside down and is always honest.
I don’t know what else to say about this book besides wonderful. It is full of quirky conversation, personal insight, and a new way to look at life. She gives us the opportunity to go through the good and the bad of her year of traveling. The book is currently being made into a movie and Julia Roberts is Elizabeth Gilbert. I don’t think I can think of a better woman to play this role. I promised I would see it opening day! Anyone want to join me?

Advice

Well, I am seeking advice. Life is good but always challenging. I have realized that I need to make some very important decisions in my life within the next few months. As previously mentioned, I have decided to go to Utah State and I hope to peruse my degree in photography. I was talking to a friend this past week and he mentioned that I was running away. I must admit, this is a little true. Although I have only been in Provo since September, a lot has happened in that time period and I am so scared of running into my past. Provo has a lot to offer me though. I have a job that allows me to pay my bills and that I happen to love. I also have friends and lots of family close by and even though I have decided that BYU is not the place for me I could always attend UVU. As far as Utah State is concerned, I know nothing about it. I have heard nothing but wonderful things about Logan and Utah State, but I am scared out of my mind to go somewhere where I know no one. Not to mention that the closest family will be two hours away. I know a fresh start is always rewarding, but I have a past and eventually people will find out. Right now I am trying to pray and figure it out but I am hoping that some words of advice might be able to give me some comfort as well. I have a few other big personal decisions to make in the near future and I am scared the pressure is getting to me. Please pray I will make the right decision. Thanks for listening.

Catch Up

Well, let’s catch up! Not a ton has happened, but life has been great lately for the most part and that is always important. I went to California for a few days last week and had a blast. My Dad came down with his lady friend and we had a great time hanging out, shopping, eating yummy food, and catching up. It was a much needed trip and I already miss my family like crazy. Hopefully I can see them again sometime soon.

Late Night Thoughts

Well conveniently I can’t sleep. Thankfully this provides plenty of time to blog which is something I have not been very good at ever. Let’s just say that life has been interesting lately but I must say I am doing ok. As most of you know there have been a lot of difficult changes in my life lately but I feel like things are finally turning towards the good.

First off, I have a plan. I have officially gotten into Utah State in Logan and I am heading there in the fall. I couldn’t be more excited for a fresh start but I am so sad that I will have to leave all the people that I love in Provo. Provo has had its ups and downs but it really has a special place in my heart. I wish I could stay here but under the current circumstances I feel like I need to get out for my sanity in the future.

Secondly, I have never realized how much I love my family until now. Like all families we are dysfunctional, but I love it. I feel like I have so much support from my loved ones and I have never felt a stronger bond with them. I don’t think I have talked to my Dad this much or this often ever and I love that. My older sister Felisa is a huge rock star and wants me to come visit her every other weekend. I must say that having a family that I trust and that I can turn to has made a huge difference in my life.

Thirdly, I am reading a great book! I only read a few pages a night because I have a bad habit of staying up way to late and then being to tired to read but I must say it has made a difference. Having an uplifting book to read at the end of the night gets me completely ready for bed. I look forward to it every night even if I only get two pages in. I used to read when I was a kid late at night so that I could stay up later then my bedtime and I need to thank my Dad for that. Reading really is a great productive way to spend your time and I am grateful I have that tool in my life.

Finally, (I think) I have regained my testimony of the church. Like everyone I go through up and down stages. I took a much needed trip to temple square with my friend Chelsea and we ran into our friend who is serving a mission at temple square. It was such a blessing to see her and it totally reaffirmed my testimony of the church. I don’t think I have been as happy as I was this weekend in a long time. Christ really is the way to true happiness. The fact that you can cry just by talking or thinking about Christ alone proves that the gospel is without a doubt Christ’s church here on the earth. I can’t imagine not having my love for the Savior in my life. I am so grateful for my Dad who listened to the missionaries and stayed strong so that he could raise us in the church. I am so grateful for the temple and for the opportunities I have to go there and serve and I am grateful for eternal families. I can’t wait to be with my family forever because they really are amazing.

I am sorry for such a long post but I felt like I needed to write and express myself about the past few months. Life has had so many ups and downs the past twenty years but we got to keep going. The reason we go down is so we can go up again. I know that there are going to be better days ahead and I can’t wait. If I keep my focus on the Savior I don’t see any reason why I can’t be completely happy.

Scoot4Life

My good friend Shaylin has been wanting a razor scooter for forever. I asked her to go to Walmart with me since I had to return something and low and behold we ended up in the scooter section. After much riding and convincing we both rode out of the store with scooter in hand. Everyone could see how much of a trend we were setting and now two of our friends from work have bought scooters. We are trying to make them the new cool thing! I must say I have biffed it once pretty hard but all in al it has been awesome. All I have to say is Scoot4Life!

Wedding Time

My very first wedding! I just wanted to let you know that I shot my very first wedding this past week. It was so exciting! I was very nervous but I think the pictures came out pretty good. To check out the pictures visit my photo blog at lolamemories.blogspot.com I hope you enjoy them!

A Women’s Closet

I don’t know what it is but every time I look in my closet it always feels like I have nothing to wear. Sounds pretty typical right? Usually I just have a few favorite shirts that I rotate through. Since I wear a work shirt everyday I usually hardly ever get dressed up and don’t tend to run into this problem. Today I got off of work early and headed off to see a friend that just returned home from a mission. I wasn’t trying to impress him by any means but I didn’t want to look like a scrub either. As I was searching through my closet I couldn’t find anything worthy of being worn. Sadly I picked the shirt that was next on my list for my rotation. Now, I never buy clothes but I just recently went to visit my sister and her closest literally is my favorite store. I went to her house with one suitcase and left with three. What I have come to realize through all of this is that it doesn’t matter how many shirts, dresses, etc a girl has, we are always going to feel like we don’t have anything to wear. What I have found to be the saddest too, is that our closets are usually full to the brim. Here is a picture of my friend’s closet. I saw this picture of her closet and that is what started this whole tangent. Girls please just tell me you understand. Just remember boys, if we feel comfortable in what we are wearing then we are going to be a lot more fun and confident so don’t ever rush a women to pick a shirt. It’s a big deal.