- - - (n.) M I S C E L L A N E O U S . C U R I O S - - -

Monday, November 30, 2009

"Silvery-Toed Slippers of Snow"

(this post brought to you by inspiration of Kurt.)
I love winter. Especially here in Utah, where it's actually all the goodness of winter, not just the annoying aspects. Here's why:

I love cold. It gets cold, and cold makes you have to bundle up and you feel all cozy and warm and safe and peaceful. When you go outside, the cold snaps at your face and makes you feel alive and awake and bright. Your cheeks get rosy, which make you look smiley and happy inside.

I love Christmas. I love Christmas traditions and being with my family. I love putting up Christmas decorations and coming home to a more friendly house, because there's trees sparkling from inside the windows. I love the quietness I feel when I just lay on the couch, lights off, watching the Christmas tree. Christmas just brings peace and joy. The present opening isn't even my favorite so much anymore, I just absolutely love the Christmas feeling that is everywhere after Thanksgiving. It's cheesy, I know, but really... I don't think I'm alone in this Christmasy attitude.

I love Christmas music. There's something about it; I guess it just makes me carry my Christmasy love with me all day. I get excited and energized and so happy inside. Christmas is love! Christmas is glee! Christmastime begs exuberance, and Christmas music just stocks up my energy storage tank for the day.

I love snow. The white makes everything look magical and mystical and peaceful and so quiet. It's like a blank canvas for thinking as I walk along through it. It quiets everyone and everything down, making them take a moment to stop and consider the wonder that is Christmas. I feel like I'm the one blessed person in the world when it snows.

I love food. And winter is the season of eating. Who cares what you eat, it's winter! It's Thanksgiving! It's Christmas! Wonderful, delicious, time-consuming treats show your appreciation of the season! Winter's so great, it deserves being enjoyed while snacking on delectable chocolate, cookies, baked goods, and hot cocoa.

I love decorations. Lights, trees, wreaths, candles, and bows, I love it! It's like a big unifying tradition of love; I love Christmas, you love Christmas, our houses decorated together make Christmas all the more happy. We share in a tradition no matter how different we may be. I also love visiting the temple to see the lights and displays... Beautiful!

Matching Monday: Stephanie

Katie, Cortney, and I just formed a blog coalition in which every Monday, we will all agree on a topic and each write about it in our blogs. Since Stephanie scoffed at this idea, we delegated the job of choosing the topics to her, so this evening, I will be discussing

Stephanie Jo Staples.



S o, Steph likes
T o make fun of me. But,
E verything's good, I make fun of her, too. Steph, when
P leased, is the cutest thing
H ilary has ever seen. She reminds me of a small child,
A nd everyone really likes her bedhead when she awakes each morning.
N ever have
I ever met someone quite like Stephanie, but
E gads, has she taught me a lot!

Thanks, Steph!! =)

P.S. also thanks for walking with me to class every Tuesday & Thursday.
P.P.S. also thanks for not getting angry at me every time I ask if you got the mail today.
P.P.P.S. also thanks for letting me live.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Winter Semester

Reasons I am Excited for Winter Semester:

- Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith with Megan & Katie!
- Katie, my supervisor from the TC, in my History of Utah class.
- Finally finishing the base class for my major.
- Starting my english teaching minor.
- I know how much and what food to buy.
- I work more hours.
- Class only on Tuesday & Thursdays, with one Wednesday evening.

Thanksgiving




Monday, November 9, 2009

the Big 1-0-0

So, as I was mentally preparing myself to formulate another blog post this afternoon, I happened to realize that my next post would be my 100th blog entry. And, thinking that 100 is no light matter, I pushed my other entry to the side (hopefully actually to the top, where it shall be if I am able to make myself post it after I am through with this one). To kill two birds with one stone and also celebrate the upcoming Thanksgiving, here's my list of

100 Things I Have Learned to be Grateful For

since my first post on September 10th, 2008.

1. My parents, and the values and methods and beliefs and respect they instilled within me.
2. Sisters nearby.
3. Missionaries willing to sacrifice to serve.
4. Professors who understand what it's like to be a young adult.
5. Agency to make my own choices.
6. People who have the courage and kindness to be friendly.
7. ClearPlay DVD players.
8. Vehicles and modes of transportation so travel is more quick and painless than ever.
9. People who enjoy food as much as I do.
10. Nature and the beauty of fall.
11. Warm clothes on a cold, windy day.
12. A microwave to make my wait for dinner more manageable.
13. People who open my mind to new ideas and points of view.
14. Electronic Reserve at the library, so I don't have to leave my apartment.
15. Color, and how it brightens my whole attitude.
16. My fun, rewarding, easy job at the Testing Center.
17. The opportunity to be married for eternity in a partnership with God in one of His temples.
18. Blogs, Facebook, Twitter, etc. so I can keep up with everyone I love.
19. Google and other smart people who make technologically amazing things useable for free.
20. Other students who share their passion for learning.
21. A clean home.
22. Parents and people who believe in you and your ability to choose the right.
23. The importance of each day, even though they seem to fly by.
24. Cable.
25. Smiling, and how I simply feel happier each time I do it.
26. The vibration setting on my cellphone.
27. The opportunity to learn about what I love.
28. Christmas music.
29. Friendship, and how especially rewarding it is after you work hard at it.
30. Classes that fit into my desired time slots.
31. Money enough so that I can get some of my wants, too.
32. Movies that are happy, optimistic, and uplifting.
33. The outlines that Heavenly Father has lovingly given us.
34. My getting a place in the WWII class.
35. The self-assurance to be able to laugh about embarrassing things later.
36. The motivation to get things done.
37. The gospel, which, as well as other things, reminds me of my eternal importance as a daughter of God.
38. Leadership of the Church, who show me that older people are a lot kinder and wiser than I sometimes think.
39. Couples who show me an example of how I want to be in my eternal relationship.
40. Friends who are boys with no dating stigma attached.
41. The hope and faith in a bright and happy future.
42. People who remind me to be tolerant.
43. Being reminded of my own faults and deficiencies.
44. Photos, to more easily remember my history.
45. Exercise and staying healthy.
46. Pizza, the sustenance of life.
47. Peanut butter, which practically never expires.
48. Coincidences, which just show you Heavenly Father's omnipotent watch over each of us.
49. Writing the number 8.
50. A convenient and nearby piano.
51. The Christmas feeling.
52. Light, and how it makes you just feel happier and less dull, too.
53. Unlimited texting.
54. Movie marathons.
55. The importance of free time in keeping one's sanity.
56. Talents, and people's willingness to share them.
57. Slide-out keyboards on cellphones.
58. People and agencies who provide financial help for me to go to school.
59. People who follow through with their dreams and desires to help others.
60. Getting mail.
61. Having stamps.
62. A laundry facility in one's house.
63. Living today, in this time, with these freedoms and rights and privileges and opportunities we have right now.
64. The people who lived, worked, fought, and died for us to get where we are today.
65. Examples of strong faith in the gospel, even through hard times.
66. My mom's cooking, which I didn't take advantage of enough at home.
67. Precipitation!
68. Non-squeaky beds.
69. People who love and share with a smile and ne'er a complaint.
70. Not having to play sports.
71. People who care enough to keep in contact.
72. Not being raised to be super uptight or demanding or rude or crass or violent.
73. Forgiveness.
74. Cute shoes.
75. Dressing nicely and feeling beautiful.
76. Flowers.
77. Pumpking-carving patterns.
78. The ingredients on hand to cook anything you want whenever you want.
79. Kissing.
80. When the store has the exact color in stock that you need.
81. Online shopping.
82. Psych, which makes me laugh and feel friendly.
83. Long-lasting batteries, so I never have to charge my iPod.
84. Having a confidante to tell everything I need to get out of me to.
85. Living in a relatively safe area where I really needn't fear rape or murder or violent criminal activity.
86. The revitalizing power of sleep.
87. Being able to remember what I can, at least.
88. For a Heavenly Father who knows us the best and knows what's best for us even when we don't know it ourselves.
89. Alone time.
90. A dishwasher.
91. Openable windows.
92. Conference and the easy accessibility of all Church talks, devotionals, firesides, etc.
93. The ability to say what I want through writing.
94. Other people's ideas and willingness to help.
95. Working facilities, electricity, utilities, etc.
96. My own computer.
97. Creativity, which empowers and blesses everyone.
98. Birthdays, and being able to celebrate each persons' importance and value to the world.
99. The experience of being in band in high school.
100. Kurt.