Add My Effort

I have a confession.

At times, I'm scared to talk to strangers. Sometimes I'm even afraid to talk to people I have met. In person, on the phone, heck, sometimes I'm even afraid to text someone I don't know very well. I think a lot of that is because of all the technology we have at our disposal. Sometimes we forget the perks of face-to-face communication. I could talk about how technology has ruined social skills forever. Don't get me wrong, I love me some Apple products... okay, sorry. A rant for another time.

Anyway, you might be asking yourself why I am saying this. I noticed several different occasions today where I avoided someone because I didn't want to make awkward conversation.

Funny anecdote, actually. I came home in between two of my classes, and was greeted by a maintenance worker in my bathroom fixing the tub. I kept having the thought that I should ask him if he wanted some water or a cookie (that I had plenty of left-overs from my Spanish presentation). But I didn't. And before I knew it, he was leaving. And I was kicking myself for not being more friendly. Because it really doesn't hurt to be friendly! (Also, I had a random, and super appreciated act of kindness the other day in the form of a note and chocolate. This friend knows the way to my heart :) So ever since then, I've been especially aware of the opportunities I could have to make someone's day just a little better.)

So this is my goal. Have a conversation with a new person every day. (or maybe once a week. Cause let's be realistic, I'm not just going to wake up being a social butterfly. It don't happen like that.) Because I don't particularly like this fear that I have and I want to change it. So help me out, will ya strangers?

Take It From Me

The tagging game continues. I was tagged by a super cute girl in my ward, Brittany. Thanks for the tag! 

Rules

1) Post the rules.

2) Post a photo and 11 random things about you.

3) Answer questions.

4) Ask questions.

5) Tag.

Maddie, this is my game face. Found it. 

11 Facts

1. The first meal of the day has to be breakfast. Even the days when I wake up at a different meal hour, I have to eat breakfast. 
2. My knees crack every time I bend down. 
3. I have weird circulation or something, so at times one ear will be boiling hot and the other like ice. Same story with my fingers. 
4. I've lived in Chile, Dominican Republic, Spain and Virginia, but I was born in SLC at the LDS Children's Hospital. 
5. I love reading, especially books where the characters are really developed, because I love getting attached to them. 
6. I love rollercoasters. 
7. I am so not a morning person. Nighttime is my cup of tea. 
8. My blog is based off of song titles, mostly.  Cuz I luv me sum mewzic. 
9. Some of my nicknames include, but are not limited to: Bean, Mamut chiquitin, Pump it, Laur-laur, Lala, Crampy Grampy, Harry Caegle, Kissy Freckles...
10. I love watching movies. Any kind really, except scary movies because...
11. I am extremely jumpy. I get scared SO easily. My dear roommate can attest to that. 

Brittany's Questions

1. Who is your greatest hero? Oooh, toughie. I don't have one sole hero, but for the sake of the question I'm going to spotlight my grandma Beth. She has done what most wives have nightmares about. Her husband passed just shy after her third child was born. She took charge of her life, teaching, and then opening a restaurant (which I sadly never got to see or experience. But word on the street was that was the best Mexican place around). She is the definition of stalwart. 

2. What is your favorite dessert? Anything chocolate. But most specifically, cheerio squares or no bakes (OR cheesecake. I'ma fan of cherry cheesecake) 

3. If you could go anywhere, and not worry about cost, where would you go? real tough one. I have a whole list of places I want to go. But let's see. If I had to choose one place, it would probably be Thailand. I've never been anywhere like it before. Plus, I hear the food (at least the Americanized stuff) is pretty good. (I've also changed this answer 4 times. France, Dominican Republic, and Italy all made the edits, fyi) 

4. What's a phrase that you use all of the time? Did you pick it up from someone? Oh gosh, every time I have a phrase that I like, I overuse it, thus ensuing every person I know telling me that if I ever say it again they'll punch me. For example "Cool it." Don't know where that came from. OOH just thought of one. I don't say it all the time, but it's one that has caused some controversy. "Cry about it, saddlebags." That one came from my dear brother Peter, who I think got it from Ace Ventura. Also, "Oo-ee shut my mouth." And "Oh HECK no." 

5. What is the most important quality in a friend? Loyalty. I am a very loyal person, and so I expect that from a friend, too. I want my friends to have my back, just like I hope I have theirs. 

6. What is your favorite animal and color? Animal: dolphin. Color: yella. 

7. What's your favorite thing about yourself? I think I'm a really good listener. And I really like listening, too. I'm not the greatest at giving advice, but if you need someone to sympathize with you, I'm your gal. 

8. What's something you fantasize about receiving in either your parent's or grandparent's will? This is such an interesting question! I probably would have never thought about this. But I would have to say (heaven forbid this come anytime soon, mother) I would want "Gitano." Gitano is my mom's cello, which she bought in Spain, and it was made by gypsies (gitano is Spanish for gypsy). It has a beautiful tone, and will always remind me of my mom. Coming into the house after school, to hear her laboring over her music, (then the clink of her setting the bow  down on the stand to ask me how my day was) will always be one of my favorite sounds. 

9.  What's your go to snack? Peanut butter and apples. 

10. What is something you are thankful for that isn't one of the norms like friends, family, education, or church? Music. I love making it, listening to it, whatever. Going into Women's Chorus everyday is kind of my sanctuary. It's just so therapeutic. And I feel like the emotions that come from music are unlike any others. 

11. When it comes to ordering a frosty do you get Vanilla or Chocolate? Chocolate, all the way. 

My Questions

1. If you could change your name, what you change it to (if you would at all?) 
2. If you could meet any deceased person right now, who would it be? 
3. What is your favorite item in your closet? 
4. What's one of your talents? 
5. Describe the most interesting dream you've ever had. 
6. What's your favorite food?
7. If you could go anywhere right this very second, where would it be?
8. What is your earliest memory?
9. Who has been one of your biggest role models? 
10. What is one talent you wish you had (or want to develop)? 
11. 10 years from now. Where do you see yourself?

Tagged: 

My roommates (if you haven't already done it) 

The women of the Wride clan. 

Amy. Start a blog. Now. 

(I feel like this has already gone around my blog list. But if you want to answer, go for it!) 

St. Patrick's Day

At BYU, we do St. Patty's the Irish way... musically. 

(ignore the van and other stray passerby's. I couldn't control them)  

Hope you had a very happy St. Patrick's day! 

All For Food

One day, my dear friend Amy and I were complaining about how hungry we were. Then we came up with a little game: turning song titles into food related gems.

Some winners: 

"I'm Happy Just To Dance With Food" (I'm Happy Just To Dance With You- The Beatles) 

"Because Food Lives" (Because You Live- JMac) 

"The Way Food Makes Me Feel" (The Way You Make Me Feel- MJ) 

...You get the gist. 

Anywho, it's no secret that I love food. So lately I've been real hungry-like for some tasty-tastes. So Sunday, my roommates and I had a lovely display of crepes and a delightful assortment of condiments. 

Jam, peanut butter, powdered sugar, biscoff spread, cool whip, hershey's syrup...

Yesterday I made a chicken fiesta bowl, one of my absolute favorite dinners ever.

Bottom up: rice, beans, chicken, red peppers, lettuce, cheese, tortilla chips,  ranch

This morning, I made a sausage and cheese biscuit. 

I just really like food. Food is mostly for our enjoyment. Right? I mean, nourishment. I totes meant nourishment. Anywho, I hope you all have something real tasty-like to eat today. You deserve it. Most likely. Just saying. 

(Also, Amy loves food, too. Therefore I linked her name to her pinterest, where you can enjoy the tasty things she pins. And she pins the MOST delicious looking food ever. And she's becoming quite the lil chef.) 

I Was Made For Sunny Days

Guys, I did it. My first Jamba. 

Caribbean Passion 

Also, the forecast for this weekend: 60's. HIGH 60's on Saturday. I love this weather. 

Honey Bee

Once again, I have sat through another viewing of The Holiday with my roommates. What I love so much about that movie (besides Jude Law, of course)... actually that's probably the sole reason I can't get enough of that flick. But the reason I love chick flicks is because I think it gives me hope that a happy story is out there for every one. 

My roommates and I were talking the other day about pet names. "Darling," "Sweetie," and so forth were the frontrunners. I thought immediately of my grandma and grandpa Barnard. Grandpa always referred/refers to his wife as "Honey Bee." 

That is such a sweet tie, Gramps. 

My grandma Wride has been a widow for some 50 odd years. She has never remarried, and loves her husband more and more with each passing day, despite their separation. She amazes me. 

I am so grateful to have such great examples of eternal marriages in my life. 

Pink Notes #6

A happiest birthday to my dear, sweet niece Madeline.

Yesterday she turned 8 years old. Do you know what that means? She was born eight years ago. Yes. This blows my mind. I cannot believe she is already eight years old! I remember being eight. That was just 10 years ago. Anywho, this ain't about me. 

Madeline Elena was the first born grandchild, which means that she was probably the most spoiled (I guess at first, because the Grandparents sure do spoil all of the grandkids) and I remember being SO excited to be an aunt, even though we were living in Spain at the time. She was the most beautiful little girl I'd ever seen. Really. 

She has always been such a great older sister to those little guys. That's one of the qualities I love most about her: she's a genuine sweetheart. 

thank goodness she is so silly, too. 

Maddie is such a wonderful young lady. She's always got a plan and is always doing something. It amazes me how creative she is and how much energy she has! I was so excited for her to go to school, because she flourished just as we all knew that she would. I called her yesterday to wish her a happy birthday, and I wanted to cry she sounded so grown up! I realized after I we said goodbye that I had been talking to her like she was 3 years old. But no, she is 8. She's growing up, Em!

I love you, Maddie!