Pink Notes #2

I'm on a roll here- don't stop me now!

Pink Notes #2: Amy Carpenter

Besides being one of the silliest people I know, she is also one of the friendliest people I know. She doesn't believe me, but she is. I love that I can be myself around her and she won't "be soo judgemeeental." :) She can always make me laugh and feel stupid, which just makes me laugh even more. But at the same time, she's given me some great pieces of advice. She has gone through more, and is tested more than most people and yet she continues to be a pillar. I admire her so much for that. Her testimony is sure and strong, and I feel like she is constantly strengthening mine. Some of my best memories are from having those deep chats about the gospel. She is extremely knowledgeable about the gospel and helps me become a better person. Amy Lynn is a beautiful, wonderful person and I couldn't be happier to have her as a best friend. :) Did I mention that she is hilarious and beautiful?!


Lispy and I

Pink Notes #1

You thought they didn't exist. They do!! ...As of right now.

So here goes. Pink Notes #1
Heather Cummings

My family was talking about her at dinner time, because for some reason we were talking about dating. ANYWHO, It came up that boys tend to flock to Heather, and I mentioned that that happens because she is so DANG GORGEOUS. However, my mom said something that really struck me. She said "Boys flock to her because she is so kind to everyone. They aren't afraid to approach her." Wait, really? Is it that simple? Well besides the whole boy aspect- its so true- Heather is a truly KIND person. She is so respectful and is willing to help at a moment's notice. She has a great testimony and loves to share it with others. She cares about others and wants them to be just as radiantly happy as she is. So, in sum, Heather is the best friend we all want (and that I have [along with many other lucky gals]) and I love her and her kind heart to pieces :)

The Grass is Greener

Well, the Goose Creek has endured yet another ward split, thus creating the Potomac Crossing Ward. Meaning we loose more than half our original ward (it seems)to the PC ward. POO! But plus side, we get the Baldwin family in our ward! So excited about that. But I'm going to miss the young women so much. We've shared some very special moments together- girls camp, and testimony meetings. Things that can't be recreated, but rather cherished. I'm excited to meet new people and have new memories to create, but its still rather bitter sweet.

Suddenly I See

Happy New Year! I'm going to change this year. I've decided. :) I think that I've spent too much time complaining about what I want to be, or do, or what I wish were different. I apologize to everyone-I've been a cotton-headed ninnymuggins! I need to "JUST DO IT!" I was thinking about this yesterday, and had a change of heart. I doesn't matter if I'm a size 20 or a size 0, what matters is what I think of myself and more importantly, my Heavenly Father. Sometimes its hard to keep that in perspective. Now I'm not saying that I don't think being healthy and fit is important, believe me- that is (from now on) a top priority! My peers should respect me as a person, and should see that I have confidence. Another goal of mine this year is to build up my confidence. You may ask yourself, how will she accomplish this? Well folks, I've got it figured out. I'm going do anything and everything I want to despite the fact that I might be absolutely terrified to do these things. I will stop living in fear! I know, I know, easier said than done, but really, the lightbulb has come on- the gears have clicked- the fung is back in fung shui. ?? I want to write a book. I want to travel overseas again. I want to give back. I want to have the light of Christ. I want to be a friend. I want to read the classics. I want to dance. I want to play cello. I want to play piano. I want to be a musician. I want to sing. I want to put others first. I want to be active.
Let us, then, be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate ;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait.
-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

"...Like a weasel sucks eggs"

These past 4 days I spent in Cedar City, Utah where my dad's family comes annually for the Utah Shakespearean Festival; good show! We were lucky enough to see 3 "Shakes" ; "As You Like It", "Comedy of Errors", and "Henry V". I was amazed by the ability of the actors to hold 3 different major roles, along with a couple of understudy roles! But mostly, I was amazed by the talent of these people. Especially in "Henry V", the acting was phenomenal. Both "As you" and "Comedy" were very entertaining and at times hilarious. I have to say, I've become a much avid Shakespeare fan- although, the way the reader (or actor in this case) presents (including facial expressions!) the line can make a simple statement a hilarious line. But anywho, It was a lot of fun being with family eating, which we Wrides do best! Every time we saw each other- "Okay, which meal are we eating now?" Regardless that I've probably gained a few pounds this past couple days, it was an awesome time. Lounging by the pool, watching movies, and being with fam.
Well before Cedar, my fabulous sister Kate showed my mom, dad and I around BYU campus, well most of the important stuff. I learned some of the nicknames like the JSFB, and the JSB, and the Wilk, and MOA and HFAC, ahh good times:) Plus we had some of the chocolate milk and we all know that that is about 1/3 of the reason anyone would go to BYU. The other 2/3s is because its a good education and its cheap:) Just Kidding. I was really excited and it opened me up to a lot of thinking for this summer, "So, future. Whats going to happen?!" I have about 15 info papers about music programs, English programs, and more... I'm not done reading all of them yet! But then after being in Cedar City watching the shows, it makes me really want to go into theater, because I absolutely love the fact that acting gives one the opportunity to be someone they're not; just for a moment. For example, I can't recall a time that I've ever really screamed or yelled at someone, but a role in a play that I got in 7th grade gave me some therapeutic yelling, and it felt really good! Never will I ever intentionally do that, but I find it a lot of fun to get into a character that is NOT your normal self! And something I realized while watching the shows is that you have to have (and excel in) the weird/embarrassing/odd roles such as a troll, before you can have the good ones! But aside from theater, I love music, I love books, and I love writing! So... maybe I will be an over-dramatic song writer. :) Good thing is I still have some time to decide!
But besides all of this, we survived our 3 1/2 day trip to Utah, nothing but corn in between Ohio and Wyoming, lots of bonding time:) Anyways, I still have a week of vacation before our drive home and then behind- the- wheel, even though I've probably driven more hours than anyone my age... yeah, taking turns driving 2,000 miles, I've done my share of hours. :) But then sch**l starts and the stress will return. For the meantime, I'm going to ride the Alpine slide, eat Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, go to a Bee's baseball game, and so forth and so on.

by the way, the title of the post was one of my favorite Shakespeare lines from "As You Like It"

Pink Notes

One of my favorite fast-read books is Icing on the Cake written by LDS author Elodia Strain, and the sequel Previously Engaged. They are fast and cute and at times pretty funny! Anyway, to get to my point- The main character carries around a little notebook with her and when she witnesses something "noteworthy" (good deeds, funny stories, memorable people, etc.) she will write it in her "pink notes". SO- without further ado, I'm going to start my OWN Pink notes. So be on the lookout for the Pink notes, and we'll see how long they last:)

OK, It's Alright With Me

So, this summer's been busy; Girls Camp, turning 16!, Youth Conference, EFY and there is still another month left! Iwas a YCL this year at girls camp and we were "The VonTrapps" WAY fun! I loved being with these cute 12 year olds. I had a great partner, and it was challenging, but I came out of this a much better person because of it. She was very quiet and reserved, so I was having to step out of my own comfort zone to help! But we had so much in common and I'm so grateful for that experience.
Theen was Youth Conference- at home this year. It was focused on service,. which was a really AMAZING thing. We painted buildings, did family indexing, sorted clothing, washed cars, visited elderly, lots of fun stuff! I had a blast and met some really awesome people!
THEN was EFY! Ugh, i miss it! I roomed with Heather, my sister-in-law's sister, again, and this year, Amy and Kasee (friends from church/ school) were in our group! How crazy is that?! I had SO much fun! I had an amazing counselor, Jessica!! She's serving a mission in Tempe, Arizona this September. yay!
THHEEEEN for my 16th birthday... I got a ticket to see WICKED in the Gershwin theater in NY!!!!!! I was so excited and it was SO STINKING AMAZING! I absolutely loved it! I went with Emily and Jorge Luis- so much fun.
On this coming Friday, Mom, Dad, and I are going to UTAH! DRIVING! AHHH!... whatttt?! well that will be another exciting trip story! :)