Come Inside My Car...

When I was in second grade (at least I think it was second grade), I had an interesting experience. Remember that beautiful road, Pleasant Valley, that I talked about in a previous post? The experience happened on that road.

I was in the back of our little five passenger car driving with my mom, my best friend (Hilary), and Hilary's mom. As we were driving, we saw a man walking down the road. He looked like he was in his 50's (potentially older). So here's the deal with Pleasant Valley. Often people ride their bikes down the road, which is super dangerous and makes my mom mad to see. So when she saw someone walking there, she wasn't happy about it. She slowed down to his pace and rolled down her window. She asked him what he was doing. He said he was trying to walk to Ohio... WE LIVE IN VIRGINIA! Thats a six hour drive!! She stopped and unlocked the door.

"Why don't you get in, we'll make sure you get to Ohio."

Then we let the strange old man in our car.

Then we took him to our house.

Then my dad gave him some of his old clothes.

Then we let him take a shower.

Then he ate dinner with us.

Then he slept over.

Then we gave him one hundred dollars.

Then we bought him a bus ticket to Ohio.

That was the last we saw of him.

Is it weird at all that we let a complete stranger sleep over at a house with four young children?

Now I'm reminded of another "Come inside my car." story.

My biology professor told us today that weeks ago she saw a man walking in a blizzard. She pulled over and told him she'd give him a ride wherever he needed. He said he needed to get to the bus stop. They arrived at the stop, and when he got out of the car, he said "Thanks, I'll see you tomorrow!"

She's been driving him to the bus stop every morning for the past few months.

Okay now its my last story about cars.

Except its not a story. Its a statement.

When I have to drive somewhere and pick up my brothers from various activities, I always creepily inch up to where they are waiting, slowly roll down the window, and offer them candy if they will come inside my car.

I like to scare the adults that see them willingly get in the car with me.

Let's Be Friends.

I was walking to class today, when a stranger came up to me, looked at me in the eyes, then started walking next to me as if we knew each other. Anyone who saw us probably thought we already knew each other. I kept walking, waiting for him to say something because he had already acknowledged my existence. But he didn't say anything for probably the longest thirty seconds of my life. He finally got up the courage to start a conversation...

His starter caught me off guard..

Not the typical "Hi, I'm so and so." Instead he jumped right in the conversation without even asking my name. "How are you're classes going?"

REALLY?!

My initial shock wore off and I told him that they were "treating me alright, but I'm completely ready to be done with school."

Then we continued to talk about classes. Finally once that conversation was over, he asked my name. His name is Jordan. We shook hands [because that's what Mormons do].

I asked him if it was habit for him to introduce himself to complete strangers. He laughed and said that it makes life interesting.

We proceeded to talk about what we were studying in school, where we were from, and the state of my next class [because I'm not particularly fond of it].

Then he even asked about my summer plans [whether I would stay here or go back home]. I revealed that I have to work all summer so that I can come back to school next year and he told me that he was impressed that I'm working my way through college. I told him that its really no big deal, just part of life.

Then we talked about the class he was going to and realized that we both find war stories particularly intriguing.

He shook my hand again, and said it was nice to meet me, then we parted ways. I doubt I'll ever see him again, but I will admit that it was really exciting to just meet someone while walking to class.

I wish I had the courage that he does to go up to a stranger and say "Let's be friends."

The Price of Tea in China.

Following is the most recent proof that my brain is still functioning..

'Things I Look Forward To' Thoughts:

1.I'm going to the Owl City concert in a week from tonight and I AM EXTREMELY EXCITED!!

2.In three weeks from yesterday, my lovely sister and I shall pack up our necessities for the next four months, get in the car, and drive for 34 hours to the other end of the country. Hello Virginia, home sweet home:)

3.My best friend from elementary school is coming to visit me this weekend. I haven't seen this girl in FOREVER! Well I mean I saw her last semester briefly, but we haven't hung out in about three years... so yeah

4.On Wednesday, my sister and I are going to our friend's apartment to play video games. Now I realize that doesn't seem exciting, but these two boys that we're going to hang out with are two of the most hilarious entertaining people ever to leave Wyoming!

5. I have a choir concert on Sunday, which I'm rather excited for.

6. Tonight I sign up for classes for next fall!

7. GLEE starts next week!! HOORAY FOR SEASON TWO!!!!

Moment of nostalgia:

My sister and I were on Skype with my parents and one of my brothers on Saturday night. Gosh I remember before my sister left for college [my junior year of high school] and before my mom started working again when we'd have family dinner together. Often times we were rushing. With four kids who all lead extremely busy lives, we all always had places to be. Dinner would be quick. My family is used to eating fast. We could probably down a seven course meal in a half hour! Anywho, when dinner wasn't rushed, it was quite the event. We would still eat fast [because thats the way we are] but during dinner our conversation is HILARIOUS! All of us talk a lot... and fast too. We always talk about our least and favorite thing from that day. Which would lead to a MONUMENTOUS conversation full of movie lines, guessing games, silly laughs, plenty of snorts, and our favorite game of imitation [this is my imitation of dad. this is my imitation of micaela's imitation of dad. this is my imitation of garrett's imitation of micaela's imitation of me.... etc etc etc]. This all inevitably leads to us making fun of my poor dad... which always brings up the famous quote "Do you remember that one time dad made like 2 noodles of spaghetti for dinner?!" Then we all laugh and quote like that. Eventually the conversation mellows down and my brothers go to play video games while my sister and I stay and talk to our parents until I get bored and join my brothers. Eventually someone clears the table... but that's our least favorite part of dinner. My theory is that we don't dread it necessarily because clearing the table is work, but because it marks the end of that perfectionary family time.

Spiritual Thoughts:

1. This earth we live on is incredible. God is most definitely an amazing artist. He gave us this beautiful earth because He loves us so dearly.

2. Conference was this weekend. WOW! Need I say more? I noticed a common theme about families this weekend for conference. [For all of you non-morms reading this, I'm talking about General Conference right now. This is when the leaders of our church speak to everyone about the issues of today.] It is so important in this world where the family is under attack for us all to work together to keep this sacred organization in tact. It is so important for mothers and fathers to set a good example for their children and to teach them about the gospel. As the world spirals further and further into destruction, it is important that families stay strong and at the forefront of God's army, fighting off temptation of the adversary.

Public Service Announcement:

In my biology class we'e talking about our stewardship over the earth. PLEASE RECYCLE AND DON'T WASTE WATER!!! 80% of the junk in landfills could be recycled! We will kill this earth if we don't watch ourselves. And about the water. People don't realize how lucky we are to have water. Don't leave th sink running. That is such a waste. People in other countries would kill to have clean water like us.

Silly Thoughts:

This isn't a thought.. more of an event.

April fools day was quite an event for me and one of my proudest moments. Two of my friends and I [macey and haylee] moved our other friend's [sarah] room into the bathroom while she was out. posters. bed. rug. clothes. recycle-ables. computer. books. schoolwork. backpack. jewelry. hair stuff. clothes. shoes. and even her refrigerator. We set up her room in the shower area. IT BLEW HER MIND! and also the minds of the other girls in the hall. everyone came to see our work because it was rather impressive:)

End of Thoughts:

bye.

Oh the things I imagine in my sleep...

I was walking back from the boys dorms with a bunch of girls from my ward today and I mentioned that I had had a crazy dream about David John Hall. A few of th girls asked me to tell it to them. After I did, I came to the conclusion that this is one of those things that I should write in my blog.

In my dream, the 1100 and 1200 halls of Chipman Hall [which is where I reside] were for some reason, out of order. We had to move everyone who lived in these two halls to David John. [They also happened to have enough room in the dorm for a ton of extra girls.] This was an interesting experience.. to say the least. There were animals everywhere. Turtles living in the toilets. Geese sleeping in beds. Rodents running around the floors. On top of the the zoo in this place, everything was also pretty broken down. The bathrooms were barely functioning. The beds were all basically cut in half. The doors were all crooked and hanging off. There was even traces of blood stains all over the carpet. I asked Becca, my RA, what was wrong with the place. Apparently David John Hall used to be haunted. Many people fought for their lives and still died there [hence the blood]. Instead of getting rid of the hall though, the housing association filled it with animals. The animals kept it safe. The hauntings were gone as long as the animals were there.

That's all. Now every time I walk by this hall, I get a little creeped out and feel like I should warn them that it's haunted.

Count Your Blessings

So I was skyping with my momma today because I'm super stressed with school and a ton of other things that are affecting me right now. She told me to count my blessings. I decided to make a list of the blessings I have.

1. A family who loves me

2. A father in heaven who is alway watching out

3. Friends who will stand by me at any time

4. An affordable college to go to that upholds my standards

5. A voice to sing with

6. A voice teacher to help me keep singing

7. A computer to listen to music on

8. Amazing music to listen to

9. Crazy dreams to entertain me at night and blog about in the morning

10. Blonde hair (I really like my hair)

11. Functioning hands and feet

12. Places to go exercise

13. Food to eat and money to buy it with

14. A bed

15. Four pillows and two bears to sleep with

16. Clothes to wear (that are modest)

17. A country where I can cast a vote for my leaders

18. A car

19. A country where I'm allowed to drive

20. The opportunity of higher education

21. Great leaders of a great church

22. Colors

23. Shoes to wear (an abundance actually. I have a collection to pick from)

24. Good medicine and hospitals right around the corner

25. Extended family in the same state as me

26. A camera to capture my joy

27. People to lean on to capture my sadness

28. Hope in a world that lacks it

29. A sense of right and wrong

30. The six hour long Pride and Prejudice

31. Straight teeth (thanks to braces)

33. A toothbrush

34. Toothpaste

35. Running water

36. Heating and air conditioning

37. A working brain

38. A testimony of Christ, my Savior

39. A place to go when I'm upset

40. Friends in the mission field

41. Transportation

42. Pants

43. Plumbing

44. Floors and carpets

45. Mashed Potatoes and gravy

46. An umbrella

47. Safety

48. Contacts and glasses

49. Opportunities to overcome my shyness

50. Electricity

51. A printer to use

52. Tap shoes

53. Community theatre

54. Healthy organs

55. Books

56. The ability to read and write

57. Incredible teachers

58. Mentors and people to look up to

59. A whole cast of people who are there for me

60. The knowledge of what is after this life and why I am here

There are a ton more of course, but I want to get to sleep soon and I still have to finish reading for classes.

Facing Fears.

Sometimes I feel like the only thing stopping me from doing something that I want to do is my fears. For example, I want to meet new people and make new friends. After all, its not what you know, its who you know. So it is important for me to put myself out there to meet new people. However, I am afraid of people. I know this sounds weird, especially to those who know me. Some people think I'm really outgoing, but in reality I'm scared to death of talking to someone that I don't know. I'm always afraid of how people will perceive me. First impressions are everything, and if I mess that up, then I'm doomed to live and empty friendless life, right? I realize that seems a little irrational. But thats how I feel. I'm afraid to talk to new people. This is something I'm trying my hardest to overcome, but it's difficult to conquer fears.

The reason for this post, however, is not to talk about my fear of people, but rather my fear of needles. Wow you weren't expecting that one! I am healthy. There are a lot of dying people in the world who need blood. After all, blood is life. My mom and my sister and my cousin love donating blood. Every opportunity they get to donate, they do. They've always wanted me to do it with them. And my whole life I've told them that there is no way I will ever do that. Now I realize how selfish that is. What is stopping me from giving part of me to someone who needs it? Its the needles. I don't think anyone realizes how much it scares me. The idea of my pumping my own blood through a needle that is jabbed into my arm makes me feel so sick that I try not to think about it. More recently, I've been thinking more and more about donating. There are blood drives at my school all the time and I know that I should go sometime. But I'm scared. I told my sister today that I want to donate, and I plan to; I'm just afraid that I'll back out of it like I did the first time I went to donate. How do I overcome my fears so that I can help other people?

It's A Gift.

I've had a lot of thoughts over the past few days and so I figured I should write them down now.

I was walking up onto campus for class just yesterday and my mind was wandering and thinking about random things. Then it occurred to me how incredible our bodies are. I was thinking about the things that were stressing me out and my legs were still moving. I was still walking. I was still breathing. My heart was still beating. My eyes were still blinking. My mouth was still smiling at people that I recognized. When I had an itch on my head, I would scratch it. When my hand felt sore I would rotate my wrists. My hands were swinging by my side, and I picked them up and put them in my pocket. I didn't consciously think about any of things things I was doing. We don't have to think about every step we take or every time we blink or smile. We don't pay attention to the beating of our heart or our breath going in and out of our lungs. All of this is done subconsciously. How amazing it is that we have bodies and brains that are so complex that we can manage to think about a ton of things going on and not worry about making our body function? We should be grateful for this incredible gift that our Father in Heaven has blessed us with. Many people don't have a completely working body like I do, so why can't I just remember to be grateful for what I have?

Continuing on with the idea of the things we have, I am reminded of the musical that I was in. It was a senior directed play and we performed today, so now it is over. At our last rehearsal, our director was talking to the cast about the lyrics to one of the songs. "Someone is on your side; no one is alone." No matter what happens, someone always has our back. There is always someone for us to lean on when we are upset or to share our laughter with when we are happy. We take other people for granted, but we should all realize how many people we have to talk to when something is going on. Having people around us is a gift. It's a gift that we should all be grateful for!

Now back to our functioning bodies. I am typing right now. I'm not thinking of which keys my fingers are pressing, I'm thinking of the words I am saying. My fingers are doing the work on their own. How wonderful it is that I have functioning hands. Typing leads into my last thought. I want to write a book. I'm not sure how long it is going to be yet, but I know exactly what it's about. In fact, while it was on my mind, I wrote a summary about it. I would tell what it's about, but I don't want it to be judged until I'm finish. You should know though, that it is a tragedy. This doesn't mean I'm an angry person, I just think that lessons are better learned through disappointment.

Be grateful for the gifts you have, and don't take things for granted because when you do, sometimes it's harder to lose.