Clarification

I recently blogged about how happy I am. In that post, I highlighted and implied that someone close to me was unhappy because their beliefs differed from mine. (Note: That paragraph of that has been changed in the previous blog.)

As I have discussed it with that person, who I can say is my brother, I realized I was too quick to write it the way I did. It made it sound like I didn't think he could have happiness in his life. And that the only way to be happy is to be a member of the church. My brother is a happy person and is extremely happy with his decisions and new view of the world. I am in no place to say he is unhappy, and I apologize to him for using him as a contrast to my happiness.

I think the reason I used him as an example is that I am certain that if I didn't have the church, I would most definitely be unhappy. There have been times where I haven't been straight on the path the Lord wants, and once I got back, I realized the change from unhappiness to happiness.

However, what I understand now, and really I think I've always understood, is that what brings me joy may cause unhappiness for others. I may not understand how, but I understand it is true. He may not understand how I find so much joy in living the gospel, just as I don't understand how he is not unhappy without it in is life.

Anyway, I love my brother. He loves me. That's what matters. :)

When You Chance to Meet a Frown

I've been working at Home Depot for about two months.

Working at such a place you begin to see regulars, whether it be contractors, business owners, painters, electricians, or just people that do a lot of work around their house. I begin to recognize them, and they recognize me. One thing I hear nearly everyday regards my smile. "Hey, Smiley!" or "Keep that smile!"

It's not just the regulars that say it. It's other customers too. It makes me think.

I like my job, but it's not like I've overly happy to be there every day. Customer service and friendliness is a priority in my workplace, but I don't constantly remind myself to be smiling at everyone I see. I don't notice the smile that is so apparent to those around me.

I guess that means I'm truly happy.

Of course I'm happy. I have many, countless reason to be happy. I have a fantastic, new marriage with an incredible man. I have a loving family and loving in-laws. I'm healthy. I'm employed. The list goes on and on, but the most important piece to this happiness puzzle is the fact that I'm a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

There are many in this world that have different views than I do, some very close to me. They are happy with their choices as well as the direction they've chosen. What makes me happy may not make them happy. But, to me, it seems as if it's a different kind of happy. I'm not in a position to say that they are unhappy people, for the world would be a very grim place if those who do not share my beliefs had no happiness at all. People are happy. But for some reason, mine seems different--deeper almost.

I believe there is that "light" they talk about. I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and I believe His light shines through me. I love other people. I look on the bright side of things. I feel happy daily. It's not a decision I make on a daily basis to be happy--it's part of a lifestyle I've chosen to live. I know the plan in store for me, and with that knowledge, how can I not be happy?

I've felt the happiness the gospel brings me, and I will never veer from it, no matter which way the world is turning. The church is under attack from many areas--politically, publicly, and for some of us much more privately. People say hurtful things. People speak ill of things I find very sacred and dear to my heart. But I know one thing: I am happy.

And I'm certain it's from a place much bigger than The Home Depot.

Truth Tuesday

I haven't posted in a while. I feel like I've been really busy. In all reality, there are a bajillion other people in this world that are far busier than I am, but when you go from doing nothing all day to working all day, you feel busy. But here are some updates and some things that are on my mind!

• Back in the summer of 2009, I ran the Ragnar Relay. For those unfamiliar with it, it's a huge relay race that goes from Logan to Park City. 180 miles, 12 teammates, 2 vans, and one heck of a time. Also, one heck of a body killer. I couldn't walk properly for about a week and a half and ever since that summer my knees have never been the same. I can't run more than a mile without a pain. Well, recently I went to the "Muscle Whisperer" aka a guy named Josh Christensen. This is all going to sound crazy, but believe me...it works. First, he tests 300 different muscles in your body saying, "Put your leg/arm/foot/head here. Now resist," as he pushes. If you can resist, that part of your muscle is working. Nine different times during this process, I couldn't resist the push. It's a crazy thing. You try with all your might to resist a push with his blasted pinky and you can't. Obviously, my whole leg muscle wasn't out, but a small part of it wasn't active. In fact, the two main muscles connected to my knee weren't working properly. I went back, he pushes down on some pressure points as he stimulates the muscle and basically reactivates it. Then, he says, "Put your leg here. Now resist." and BOOM. You can resist again. My knee has been feeling LOADS better and he assured me it will feel great in no time. He also fixes allergies and is also a chiropractor. We're hoping Kam can get his constant nasal congestion cured. More on that later. 
• I have a newfound addiction to Flamin' Hot Cheetos. I am NOT one for spicy foods, but Kameron has been trying will all his might to adapt my taste buds to like spicy. Even though these Cheetos kill my mouth after a while, I seriously can't stop eating them and I think I'm getting used to spicy food. They even stain your fingers red no matter how much you wash them. 
• I'm really like working at Home Depot. They are giving me SO many hours. While I'm grateful to be busy and to be earning more money, they are LONG days and I have to work Memorial Day instead of spend it with my awesome family. All in all, I can't complain about being employed, especially since my coworkers are amazing, my bosses rock, the customers are the best, and it's five minutes from my house. I'm pretty lucky, I guess. 
• One of my best friends, Mrs. Jill (Robinson) Binks got married to my other friend Ian Binks last weekend. I got to be there the whole day with them. I went to the sealing, the luncheon and most of the reception. It was so great to see them happily married after having such a long engagement and wanting to be married so badly. It was also so wonderful to remember my own wedding day and remember what a blessing it is to be married to my best friend. Sometimes I get used to being married because it was such an easy transition, and I forget what a good thing I have. This weekend was a great reminder of how lucky I am, and I'm so happy for Ian and Jill. 

That's all for today. Sorry it was a longer post! I'll try to keep them shorter but more frequent. Have a wondrous Tuesday!  

'Ello, Love...

Ohhh blogging friends. How I've missed you.

I haven't blogged in a while. You see, I got a job and while I don't have many hours yet, I've had to wake up earlier than I'm used to and I've just been too tired and lazy to blog. But here I am!

Today I want to blog about things I love because, let's face it, who doesn't like loving stuff?

• I love soccer. I just joined an adult soccer league and played in my first game yesterday. I haven't played a real game in a LONG time, so it was great to get on the field again. I'll tell you what, though...I hurt EVERYWHERE today. Turns out it's hard to play soccer when you're out of shape.  My muscles are shot. Even my arms, which is curious because I played a sport that frowns upon the use of hands/arms.
• I love being employed. I just got a job as a cashier at Home Depot. While I didn't really want to work retail, it was pretty much all I could find. And let's face it, Home Depot is cool. I'm excited about wearing my orange apron. Most of all I'm excited that I'm not just sitting on the couch day in and day out while my husband works hard for us to have a living. He makes far more than I will, but I feel good that I'm at least contributing somehow. Also, this is the first job I've had in a long time that ain't minimum wage. Pretty stoked about that. 
• I love sleep. Not much more I need to say about that.
• I love remembering things from my childhood. I had a dream about Pogs the other day. Those were the bomb. I also remembered playing this computer game we had called Spelling Jungle. Not sure what sparked the memory but it's a good one. While we're on the subject of childhoods, did anyone else put plastic newspaper bags on their feet, secure them with rubberbands, and proceed to sprint around the snow-covered yard with your brothers? I sure did. 
• I love my little Sunbeam class. They're small in number and in age, they can drive me crazy on occasion, but at the end of they day I think they are the cutest darned things on the planet. This little boy named Miles...good heavens. I want to take him home with me. His dad dresses him in a semi-skater way with little tiny vans, skinny pants, button up shirts and cardigans. He's got wavy blonde hair, huge dark eyes and the cutest little voice and spirit you'll ever come across. Hopefully one day he'll marry my niece or something. 
• Last but not least, I love my dear husband. He is kind, caring, hilarious and observant. I love him more and more every single day. We've been married for three months now! The thing is, it feels like it's been at least three times that long. I mean that in the best way possible, too. I can't wait to spend the rest of forever with him. 
• Wait, one more: I really love Slurpees. 

365 Days

Let me tell you a story.

Nearly one year ago I got out of a rocky and stressful relationship. I knew it was for the best, but it's never easy to break up with someone you've spent a year with and whom you consider be one of your very close friends. Needless to say, I wasn't the happiest I've been, despite knowing I was doing the right thing. Then a few days following the break up, I began talking to someone I hadn't talked to in a while. He was a charming, funny, sweet and caring guy and he was the only one that could bring a true smile to my face that week. Rather quickly, my spirits brightened and I began to feel that fluttering in my stomach every time I'd see a text from him on my phone. However, that was all I saw for a few days...just texts. But boy, were there a lot of them. Finally, that weekend, he asked me on a date and I was elated. So, a year ago yesterday I went on my (second) first date with Kameron Thomas Kasparian. (We'd gone on a date about a year before that...hence the second first date.)

I can't believe it's been a year since that date! I was so nervous and excited to actually spend time with him rather than text him. It was General Conference weekend, so he came straight from the Priesthood session to Jordan Commons theater where we watched The King's Speech (PG-13 version) and got Slurpees after. And now he's my husband!

Naturally, we had to celebrate a little yesterday. We decided to get dinner and see a movie at Jordan Commons. We ate at a Japanese steakhouse called Bonsai (delicious and awesome) and then went to the theater to watch Salmon Fishing in the Yemen. It was a good movie! I enjoyed it. It seemed a little long, but I can always use a little Ewan McGregor. It was kind of fun to be in the same theater where exactly a year prior I held Kameron's hand for the first time.

Those butterflies in the first stages of a relationship are priceless and so fun, but I would never trade them for what I have today. Marriage is awesome and rewarding and fun and so much more. Yay marriage! :)

Now, I hear the ice cream truck, so I'm going to be five again. Wish me luck.

Truth Tuesday!

During the week I think of random thoughts that probably matter to nobody but myself, but I still feel like telling someone. Then I think, "Oh! I can write it in my Truth Tuesday post!" Then Tuesday rolls around, and because I haven't written it down anywhere, I forget all about those thoughts. So, this Tuesday, here are some random thoughts that I have on the brain at the moment. Maybe one day I'll learn that it doesn't always have to be Tuesday to share my thoughts.

• I applied for a job today. Well, I applied for several jobs but I got a really quick response from the job I wanted most. It's an after school counselor for kids, but as far as I can tell it's more physical activity rather than just mentoring the kids. I get to play with them! There aren't a lot of hours but that's okay with me. I just need something to do during the day and I'd like to get paid for it. This job sounds really fun and I'm hoping I get it! Cross your appendages for me. :) 
• Kam and I have both had our share of sickness this last week. He had a terrible stomach ache last Thursday while I was battling a cold. Then yesterday I had a wicked stomach ache. It's not a fun thing, sickness. In fact, that was the first time I saw Kameron cry. Ever. THAT'S how bad it was. Broke my heart right in two. I learned that while I hate when he's sick, I like being to be the one to take care of him. I packed him with saltines and Sprite, and he was feeling better by that night. Luckily, we're both well today and now we're loungin' on the couch together. I love being married. 
• We got gym passes to Planet Fitness and I've been loving it. It feels good to be in a regular work out routine. I figured out I'm much more likely to get exercise when I have somewhere to exercise that isn't my own home. Exercise at my own home usually means getting off the couch to go get more food. 
• A couple weeks ago we got our wedding pictures back and I'm in LOVE with them. I've looked through them so many times just to look at them. That day was awesome. I want to get married again...to Kameron of course...but that was such a fun time and it was probably the happiest day of my life up to this point. I shall include a picture at the end of this post. 
• I'm so excited to start school again but totally not excited to start school again. I love learning and I love my major and I love having something to do and feeling like I have another purpose in my life when Kam is at work besides trying to beat a level in Peggle. However, I do NOT like homework, sleepless nights, being tired all the time and finals. Oh, and paying for it. I see everyone's posts on Facebook about how tired they are of school and my little fantasies of going back to school and loving school vanish. At least I only have a semester left. 
• I'm not used to having a last name that the majority of the people I come in contact with have never heard in their lives. It's a good think I was good at spelling it before I got married. 
• Speaking of marriage, tomorrow marks two months that me and Mr. Kasparian have been married. It seems like it's been longer than that, but in the best way possible. He's pretty swell, that one. I think I'll keep him around for a while. Maybe eternity. Definitely eternity. 

Happy Tuesday!

Eleven

I have been tagged by my dear friend Alyssa, so enjoy this thing. :)

Here are the rules:

1. Post these rules.

2. Post a photo of yourself and 11 random things.

3. Answer the questions set for you in the original post.

4. Create 11 new questions and tag people to answer them.

5. Go to their blog/twitter/facebook and tell them you've tagged them.

11 Things About Yours Truly:

1. I hate the word "moist"

2. Since I was really young I've loved the smell of gasoline.

3. I associate colors, numbers, and letters with a gender. 

4. I can't roll my R's and it frustrates me. 

5. I have the ability to quote movies and youtube videos very well and accurately. 

6. I only have one guilty pleasure show: The Bachelor. I HATE that I have to watch it every week and that I get emotionally invested, but I'm addicted. Stupid show...

7. My dream job is to own my own bookstore like The Shop Around the Corner. 

8. I've never seen Cinderella the entire way through.

9. I am a HUGE wimp when it comes to eating spicy food. 

10. I could probably eat Swedish Fish all day, every day and never get sick of them. 

11. I love doing random trivia games. 

Alyssa's Questions:

1. What is the first thing you would purchase if money was no object?

Two round-trip plane tickets to Europe!

2. What is your favorite part of your body and why?

Hmm...probably my hands because I like how long my fingers are and they also help me do wonderful things!

3. What is one good thing you did for someone else this week, without being asked?

I often bring home little surprises like ice cream or a drink for Kam to make him happy. :)

4. If you could choose your church calling, what would you choose?

Somewhere in YW, but maybe in a few years when I don't feel as much like I BELONG in YW. :)

5. What is your least favorite food?

Tomatoes. BLECH. 

6. What makes you happy?

Spending time with the people I love and laughing until it hurts. 

7. What is your biggest pet peeve?

Ignorance. 

8. What is the bravest thing you've ever done?

Left my family, fiance, friends and country for three months to study by myself in Austria. WORTH IT.

9. Who was your favorite band/music artist in high school?

Guster. Remains true today. Jr. High was a DIFFERENT story...yikes.

10. If you could do one thing differently in your past, what would it be?

I would have continued with my piano lessons. I'm kicking myself for quitting. 

11. If you had a super power, what would it be?

Apparation. I know that's magic and from Harry Potter, but I want to apparate SOO badly. 

Questions for Tagged People:

1. If you could relive one year of your life, what year would that be?

2. Favorite book? 

3. Describe your favorite outfit. 

4. What brings you the greatest happiness?

5. What is your dream job?

6. What is your ideal way to spend a Saturday with no work or school?

7. If you had three days and unlimited amount of money, what would you do?

8. Pretend you're 10 years younger. Is there something about the present you that would surprise you? 

9. What is your favorite quote?

10. What is one of your guilty pleasures?

11. If a taco and a grilled cheese got in a fight, who would win? 

People I tag:

Jill

Alexis
Sarah

Kelsey

Megan

(I need to follow more people's blogs...) 

Have fun! :)