Life Itself is the Most Wonderful Fairytale of All

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

2014 Goals

I am terrible at making/keeping New Year resolutions. I usually have good intentions which are forgotten by the time February rolls around. This year, however, I plan on making and keeping goals that will help me to be a better person.

1. Become Healthier: Over the past few years of college I have gained a few senior pounds. This year I am determined to replace unhealthy habits with healthier ones and hopefully in the process lose my love handles.
How to: Drink a green smoothie everyday, Drink 8 oz. of water a day, Exercise at least 3x a week

2. Become a Better Teacher: I feel excited to continue learning about teaching. This year I am hoping to continue my education through books, articles, blogs, and of course on the job training.
How to: Find a job (practice interviewing while I wait); Find an article, book, or blog each week

3. Become Happier: Talking to my roommate inspired me to let go of all of the worries and stress that are holding me back. Too often I have found myself thinking that life would be better once I was married/graduated/found a job. I have lost so much time enjoying the wonderful life that I have right now. I have a wonderful family and great friends, I (finally) have my degree, I have a promising and rewarding career ahead of me, and time and freedom to travel and do what I love. This year I resolve to live in the moment and find joy in the journey.
How to: Complete 30 day Gratitude/Thought Challenge, Focus on the positive, Meet new people/Try new things, Travel, and Craft

4. Become More Giving: I am so selfish! This has been something that I have struggled with all my life and something that I want to change. I have been blessed with so much and I want to pay it forward.
How to: Give 10 secs. a day, Volunteer an hour a month, Perform 25 RAOK on my B-day

5. Go Through the Temple: I have seen how my sisters and friends have been changed by their experiences going through the temple, and I want to experience that same joy.
How to: Pray/Read scriptures everyday, Perform church calling, Focus more on the Savior each day

I am excited for what this year brings and the person I will become. Here's to a wonderful 2014!

The End and The Beginning

Wow, I can't believe four years have passed. In that time I have done so many things the greatest of which was graduating from college. I'm finally done! I am officially a teacher and I hope to have my own classroom soon. In that time I have also gained a lot of weight from studying, stress, and a lack of time. One of my goals, besides getting a job, not only for this year but also for next is to reach my goal weight (I would tell you what that is but a lady never talks about her weight).
I'm hoping by the end of my first year of teaching I will be at my goal weight. To motivate myself I am planning on putting away a little money each month and rewarding myself with a new wardrobe for my rockin' new bod. Audrey, who writes one of my favorite blogs Putting Me Together, has an awesome series about building a wardrobe from scratch. I'm using some of those ideas to think about what I want in my new wardrobe.

Step #1: Identify Your Lifestyle Needs
Work: Right now I'm not sure what my work wardrobe will entail. However, I can see it going one of two ways: casual (t-shirt and jeans) or business casual. For a more business casual look I would focus more on trousers, skirts, and dresses along with nicer blouses, cardigans, and blazers. However, if I did teach at a more casual school, I would lean more towards blouses and cardigans than t-shirts to give off a more professional vibe to show who is in charge. In both cases, I would need some comfy flats and maybe even a heel or wedge if I feel brave (you are on your feet a lot!).

Weekend: I mostly lounge around the house on the weekends. If I feel really adventurous, I'll even run some errands. : ) This is also my time to hang out with friends. For all of these situations a t-shirt and jeans work just fine. Throw in a cozy sweater for the winter and I am set.

Special Occasions: The most I get dresses up is for church and the occasional wedding reception. More casual dresses and skirts work for this laid back girl. Although I would like to try to find some fun heels.

Step #2: Style Preferences
My Pinterest board was so helpful in figuring out what I like to wear. Although it can be a little overwhelming as well.

I like: A very feminine look with lots of lace, ruffles, bows, pearls, and floral prints. Pencil skirts and more flowy skirts (like tulle) usually with a button up or regular shirt tucked in and finished off with a cute belt. I like dresses with a defined waist (either built in or created with a belt) and an A-line skirt. I discovered a love for chambray with skirts, colored pants, or under sweaters. I like to mix prints like stripes with polka dots or gingham with polka dots. Casually I enjoy comfy sweaters with jeans (add a scarf and boot for fall/winter) and jersey shirts/flowy shirts with cardigans, scarves, or puffy vests.

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Saturday, January 2, 2010

The Princess Bride USU Style

Loni and I performed in the USU Institute's Christmas Choir performance. All of my roommates and friends came to watch us. We all hung out afterwards, and one thing led to another and the next thing we knew we were acting out the Princess Bride. I did not get my camera out in time to capture the whole story, but I was able to get the rest. It was pretty much amazing!

The evil genius Vezzini pits his wits against the man in black (or the woman in green).

The man in black mixing his poison.

The last laugh

"As you wish!"

The Six Fingered Man

R.O.U.S. (Rats of Unusual Size)

Dead!

Buttercup being rescued from the Snow Sand

The evil Prince Humperdinck and the last few moments of the man in black/woman in green

No productions of The Princess Bride would be complete without the priest.
"Mawwige, what bwings us togethew today."
Thanks Christina!

Halloween at USU

Our Halloween fun began at FHE. We had a blast carving pumpkins, getting all gooey, and remembering Halloweens past.

My pumpkin had a sense of humor

Our Halloween fun ended with an FHE Halloween party.

Christina went as Raggedy Ann. Precioius!

I went as a Jenni Craig consultant. Have you called Jenni?

Clarissa came as herself. We later decided that she was actually a matchmaker.
Got date?

Pumpkin Walk

I now feel like an official citizen of Logan. I went with Loni to the annual Pumpkin Walk. Every year lots of people sped lots of time making amazing pumpkin creations. It was lots of pumkiny fun despite the fact that it snowed that day!

Hot stuff!

Who needs counting sheep when you have a Serta?

A chilly swim.

Do you ever get the feeling that someone is watching you?

Don't forget to eat your greens!

Can't forget the Aggie Ice Cream!

President Monson immortalized in pumpkin.

Someday my prince will come!

Hmm, not quite what I had in mind.

Chilly Aggies

Winter came to Logan in the middle of October this year. The warm days are officially gone, but the snow is sooooo pretty! At least there's an upside to this.