One Year!

Hooray!

Today is the first anniversary of me marrying the best human.

Currently, I'm at school, but upon my return home we have plans to get a couples massage (chocolate dipped strawberries included) and eat at this place. I'm extremely excited for dinner. We'll pretty much be eating things we've only seen on Food Network.

I'm mostly excited to celebrate us and the fantastic year we've been married to one another. This guy makes me so happy and nearly every day I realize what a perfect fit we are. I made the best possible decision when I agreed to spend my life and more with him. He makes me laugh, he allows me to be every version of my crazy self, and he makes me want to be a better person. I couldn't ask for anyone better. :)

They say the first year is the hardest. That means things are looking pretty darn good for the rest of eternity. 

And now, some pictures!

Learning

Hello sweet friends!

I'm back to blogging! I tend to forget about my blog, and I kind of want to make it more of a habit to blog. So here's to the first post of 2013!

As I think I mentioned in my last blog, I'm commuting to Logan for school this semester from Salt Lake. I have a few classes that USU requires me to take on the Logan campus in order to graduate. It's a total of three hours of driving, three days a week, with another two hours on Thursdays for one class in Brigham City. So, folks, that means every week I'm driving roughly 11 hours total. That's a lot of time and gas. 

So far, I've made the journey only twice, since school started Monday and I go to school on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. My first class starts at 8:30 in the morning, requiring me to wake up at 5:30 or 6:00 am to get to Logan on time. If you know me well, you see why this is a problem. I HATE mornings. I'm nearly falling asleep writing this. 

Now that I've complained a whole bunch, let me tell you why all of it is worth the fuss. I have a couple of reasons.

The first reason is simply being that I love USU. Early on in my freshman year I started to realize what a special and awesome place it was. The campus is beautiful, the people are friendly, the atmosphere is exactly what I wanted when I chose a school. 

The second reason is so I can get my degree. This is the simplest, cheapest and quickest way for me to get my degree. That alone is worth it to me. It has always been my goal to be a college graduate and do anything and everything in my power to earn that degree. This isn't how I always imagined it going down, maybe, but I will be so proud to say I've accomplished one of the most important goals I've made in my life. 

The last reason is a little different and a little less tangible. I was sitting in my English 5300 class today. Right now we're reading The Last of the Mohicans. Honestly...not the most exciting. It was written in the 1800's, the language is a little difficult and the genre isn't all that interesting to me. I've had classes like this in the past, classes that involve novels that are just plain uninteresting to me. I zone out, I have a hard time paying attention, and I stare at the clock way too much just willing it to tick faster. However, today I found myself really paying attention. Listening to every word. Now, let's not get carried away...I wasn't clinging to every word, but I was definitely listening. As I noticed I was listening, I thought about it. I wondered why all of the sudden I could stay alert and listen despite how tired I was. I came to a conclusion.

It's been a long time since I've been in school. It's been a year since any school and a year and a half since I've been in school in the United States or USU. I never thought I'd be the girl to take a year off of school, but I did. I don't regret it. I got married, I settled into married life with no stress of school, I worked, and I got to do a lot of cool things. But I don't think I was ever really doing anything that made me think critically or really learn. Honestly, I never knew how much I like to learn until I finally came back to classes at USU. I was hearing things I've never heard. I was learning things, comprehending them, and thinking critically about them. I was analyzing literature again. And it felt good. 

So the main reason I wake up early, pop on a podcast, and drive for an hour an a half to get to classes that are less than an hour is to simply learn. To think. To stretch my brain muscles. To become smarter. 

I think that's worth it after all. 

Truth Tuesday

Hey everyone! Here is a picture of my cat! In the snow!

She was hesitant at first, but she ended up running around in the snow (sort of). We really just wanted to see how she would react and it was another excuse to put a leash on a cat. There is something funny and great about a cat on a leash. Here are some other things going on!

• The biggest update in our lives is that I found out I have to commute to Logan next semester for my classes. That's a LOT of driving, folks. However, secretly I'm pretty excited. I tell someone and they say, "Oh my gosh...that's horrible. Such a long drive." Outwardly, I'm like, "Yeah...it sucks..." but inwardly I'm like, "But I LOVE Utah State, I don't mind driving, I have most of my friends up there, I'll still see my husband and cat a lot, and I've been out of school for a year and I'll be happy to take classes no matter how far I have to drive." But saying "I know...it sucks..." is a lot quicker and people understand better. 
• I really am in love with my cat. I've never been in a cat person in my entire life, but this tiny kitten stole my heart. She does funny things like hide behind something and then REALLY slowly start peeking around the side of it just so you can see one eye and she stares at you relentlessly with that one eye. She's laying on my chest as I write this and I'm smitten by the cute. BUT...let it be known that I'm still very much a dog person. And apparently now a crazy cat lady. 
• I don't know what it was about getting married, but I go to bed so much earlier than before I was married. I get tired at like 8:30 and want to be in bed by 10:30. That was when my nights started before. 
• There are way too many snow haters in this world. It's pretty. It will go away. Enjoy it and play in it. 
• Speaking of playing in snow, my husband and his brothers (and probably some friends) invented a winter activity/sport. It's called skedding. You screw a ski into the bottom of a sled, build a huge jump and make up new tricks. I went skedding for the first time yesterday and it was SO much fun. You get a lot of speed and also get a few bruises, but it's entirely worth it. I told him they need to patent it, but that probably won't happen. So if you steal the idea and patent it and sell it and get rich...please give us a cut of the money. M'kay? 

So there is a little update mingled with some random thoughts. My life is great but changing. A year ago I had no idea that I'd be where I am with school and work and everything, really. Even right down to owning a cat. But you know, sometimes a plan going array is just what you need. I feel peaceful, hopeful and excited. I'm lucky to be married to such a wonderful man that keeps me calm and helps me remember the important things in this crazy world. 

Until next time! 

source

Truth...Wednesday?

So, it's not Tuesday. If it's any consolation, I THOUGHT about writing this post on Tuesday. I haven't blogged in a while, I have some free time right now, so I figured I'd write my Truth Tuesday post a day late. My blog, my rules. So here it is.

• I feel like I have a husband that's going to be embarrassing to our future children. He dances in public places, he lip-syncs to the songs playing overhead, and you know what? I think it's great. It makes me laugh. A lot. As we stood by the spaghetti sauce, he slowly started dancing saying, "Don't stop this...don't stop it." And I fell further in love, it's true. 
• I got yelled at by a customer at work for the first time since getting hired at Home Depot. I'll tell you what, it's not fun. Especially since it wasn't anything that was my fault or that I could control. People are mean sometimes. 
• We played in our first tennis tournament last week. It was a real good time, despite losing a lot. We played mixed doubles and Kam played singles. I would have played singles, but there weren't enough at my level to really make it worth playing. Anyway, tennis is fun. 
• I LOVE that the weather is getting cooler. This is my favorite time of year. 'Tis wonderful. 

Well, I'm going to go practice my tennis serve. Just learned a new one. I'm kind of obsessed with tennis now. Have a good week everyone! 

Show Me a True-blooded Aggie from Utah

Everyone. 

I love Utah State University. 

I never really, truly realized how much until I was gone and I watched them take it to Utah in a college football game on my couch in Salt Lake City. I longed to be there, wearing blue, losing my voice, jumping until my legs couldn't take it, and storming that field, adrenaline and pure joy pumping through my veins. I watched Gary Anderson unable to contain his excitement after the final whistle and hear his voice so full of emotion as he talked about how proud he was of "those kids" of his. 

There is something about that Aggie spirit. It's something you don't fully understand until you're part of it. We are a tight-knit group of individuals, fans and students. You see that when you're walking down the street outside of Logan, you see someone wearing Aggie gear, and instantly you feel some connection to them. 

Utah State might not be as "respected" as other schools in Utah. We may be considered the "Little Brother School" to some. We may not be as big, or as widely known. But those bigger schools with bigger names...they don't have our pride, our friendships or our camaraderie. It's somethin' special, folks.  

Now, I'm not saying other fans at other schools don't have extreme fans who support and love their school more than anything. They definitely exist, and in strong numbers. But in Logan, Utah...our own little loyal college town...I feel like there's just something a little extra you can't find anywhere else. It's magical. 

I'm not in Logan anymore but there will FOREVER be a piece of me there. I'll always be an Aggie. A true-blooded one. 

For now I will fall asleep wearing one of my many USU shirts and smile at all the goodness I've seen from being a part of that smaller-in-numbers but bigger-in-heart group. Hail the Utah Aggies. 

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.