George Washington

George Washington is an outstanding example of an exemplary life. He was given enormous responsibilities. But the reason he was given such a big challenge was because people admired how he handled small responsibilities. I ask myself the question, How do I handle small responsibilities I am given?

TED Talks for Kids

I love TED talks. I just found a new love, TED talks for kids.
My 3 things for the day are

1- Dancers- I just watched some amazing dancers perform for TED. I am amazed at what the human body is capable of.
2- I found out today that I am staying in 2nd grade for next year. I'm very excited about being able to refine my lessons even more.
3- Motivation to declutter. I went through some of my clothes tonight and filled up a few bags to take to Goodwill. Lots more work to go, but I feel good  because I've made some progress.

Blendtec Blenders

My 3 things

1- When I arrived home from work today I was so excited to see the package at my door, my Blendtec Blender. I made some yummy Enchilada Sauce and am pumped to try some other recipes requiring a blender in the next few days.

2- Kids, they can be so hilarious. My students made me laugh today.

3- A gym that is around 11 dollars a month and has the equipment I need.

Saturday

Since I didn't write 3 things for Saturday I will write them today.

1- Temples- I worked in the baptistry today and was able to feel the peace that is present in the temple.

2- I ordered a BlendTec blender to help me in my journey toward a more raw, healthy lifestyle.

3- My good health and memory. I saw a movie last night about a women who was in a car accident and lost the memory of five years of her life. I am so happy that I have my memories of the challenges and amazing blessings that have been in my life.

New Recipes

So I decided that I needed to start trying new recipes from my healthy cookbooks and the healthy websites I love. Today I made some healthy waffles. They turned out yummy! I put agave, blackberries, and bananas on top. I also made spaghetti squash with marinara sauce for dinner. It was also very tasty.

3 things I am grateful for today!
1- testimonies- a girl shared her testimony today and told a story about being asked once what she would do to have the best day of her life if money weren't an issue. She thought about going to New Zealand and some exotic trip. Then the person who asked her said would your best day involve scripture study, prayer, and temple attendance. I know that everyone will have a better day if they have daily scripture study, daily prayer, and attend the temple regularly. It was a good reminder to me to be consistent in my good habits.

2- My great family- I got to talk with my brother Bret. He is amazing and I miss being around him. I need to call him more often to talk. I also got to talk with my sister BJ and my Mom. I love the feeling I have when I talk with my family. I know they love me and want the best for me. I am so lucky to have such an amazing family.

3- Friends- I have been blessed to have good friends in my life. I love to make new friends but am lucky to have the friends that I have. Last weekend I was in San Antonio and spent some time with two of my very best friends. They are amazing women and I miss seeing them all the time. I also went to the temple and was able to visit with some of the wonderful, amazing people I used to volunteer with there. I imagine when I get to heaven I will have similar feelings because I will renew my relationships with the great people who I have had the privilige to associate with in this life. I had an overwhelming feeling of love for the people I used to work with and I felt their love for me.

Rawness

So I have never been an amazing cook. I also have a huge love of anything sweet. But the more I look into raw food and true healthy eating the more I am a huge fan of rawness. I watched another documentary today called Forks over Knives. I highly recommend it if you are interested in Raw food.

My 3 things I am grateful for today
1- Raw food- Delicious! My friend Mindy made Spaghetti Squash lasagna with raw marinade and let me try some, AMAZING. My goal for this next week is to try at least 3 new recipes from my healthy cookbooks.
2- The 6th graders at the school I teach at put on a play and we all watched it for an assembly. It was quite entertaining.
3- My class had dance today and the Repertory Dance Theater had a teacher come and be our guest dance teacher for the day. She did an amazing job at teaching the kids about nature and their bodies. It was fun to be a part of it.

3 positives a day!

I have been reading an amazing book called The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor. He recommends many methods to acquire more happiness in your life. One of his suggestions is to think about 3 things that were great about your day and tell people or write them down.

1- Just watched an inspiring documentary on health called fat sick and nearly dead. Check it out at www.fatsickandnearlydead.com, I don't think I'll do a total juice fast but I definitely am going to eat more fruits and veggies.

2- I took time to put together a cute outfit in the morning and was complimented on it.

3- One of my students made me laugh when she said that her new baby sister whines and smells. Thats all she said about her.

last day of the month

This month has been stressful. Work has been time consuming. Trying to get my life in order has been pretty hard too. As of now I am putting in my 30 day notice tomorrow. Unless I find a roommate within the next few days I think it is for the best. I am stressed about finding a place to live and moving my stuff while I am working full time. I am irritated that I moved all of my stuff out of my sisters house just to move it again in a few weeks. LIFE can be hard and this month is a testament to that. I just keep telling myself that the Lord works in mysterious ways.

Stress

So I admit I am stressed. I don't know what is going to happen with my housing situation. I might have to move because I haven't been able to find another roommate. I detest moving. It is so time consuming and its hard to find a place that is a good fit. I am praying that someone will become interested in the next couple of days. If not, I will have to start looking for a place to live. It is really out of my hands at this point. I have fasted and prayed for a good roommate and I know that the Lord will take care of me. I hope this time that it means having someone move in.

Sunday

So I was blessed to meet some really nice girls today. I am liking my ward more because I know more girls. There are some amazing women that have not met their eternal companions yet. Sometimes I just don't get it. But I DO know that TIMING is EVERYTHING when it comes to love and marriage.

Sunday used to be my favorite day of the week. I need to try to make it so again. I have been too caught up in the whole social scene that is sorta depressing that I have kind of overlooked the fact that Church is for worship and learning and the social part is an added benefit not the essential reason we go.

Time flies

Time goes by so fast. My high school teacher used to say, "Time is passing, will you?" I thought it was a clever play on words. Time is precious and I have had a hard time balancing my life. I go in cycles. I know some people that seem to have such a good balance of things in their life. I need to learn from them.

I appreciate the saying that there is a time and a season for everything. I know that if I make goals, which I need to do more of, to have the essential things in my life, the non-essential things will fall to the wayside and I will be able to do all that the Lord would have me do.

Books, Books, and More Books

I LOVE BOOKS!
Over the years I have bought many books.
I like books in most genres.

Self-help- Dating, Romance, Hobbyish, Health and Nutrition, Fashion and Beauty
Mystery- I started out with Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys
Science Fiction- I have read quite a few of these and find it fascinating to think of advances in technology that could change the face of our world.
Fantasy-Love these books, they can really transport you to another world.
Non-fiction- I enjoy reading about historical figures

Some of my favorite all time books
Tuesdays with Morrie
The Last Lecture
The Man in the Brown Suit (Agatha Christie)
The Book of Mormon
How to Win friends and influence people

I'll have to ponder more about books I've read to add to the list.

Money

I got paid today! I went shopping after work to get some needed items. My goal this year is to be a better money manager. I am somewhat of a shopaholic and need to really think about what I spend my money on.

I need to consider cost per wear/use
Quality
Affordability
Alternatives to buying

When I am a smart consumer I appreciate my purchases long after buying.

The GYM

So I have a new gym membership at Planet Fitness. It's a great deal. Only 10 dollars a month and no contract. It is one of the gyms that sponsor The Biggest Loser show. They have signs everywhere that say Judgement free zone. It is definitely interesting to people watch at the gym. You have the flirts, the show-offs, then people that look like they just don't belong.

Planet Fitness at Millcreek is a pretty small facility. Today when I went there were so many people that I wasn't sure I was going to be able to do the workout I wanted to. Luckily the weight machines were more available than the cardio equipment, and tonight I was lifting weights.

I actually enjoy lifting weights more than doing cardio. Who'd have guessed.

Chinese New Year

Happy Chinese New Year!
I had some free Firecracker Chicken at Panda Express to celebrate.
My students made dragons and a Chinese zodiac.
I am a DRAGON.
This year is the YEAR of the DRAGON.
IT must be MY YEAR!
Great things are going to happen this year!

Sunday

Another Sunday is almost over. I heard a talk today on Patriarchal Blessings from the Stake Patriarch. He said that each time you read it you can understand different things from it depending on where you are at in your life and what is going on around you.

Another thing I loved was a comment a girl said in Relief Society. She said that when you are holding onto the iron rod you should reach out one hand to others to bring them to the iron rod as well. We were talking about service and loving your neighbor. A lot of people said PRAYER was key to loving others. Every single encounter you have with others you should ask yourself if you are helping or hurting them in their eternal progression. I need to be more cognizant of this in my everyday life.

Service

A few weeks ago I attended stake conference. One thing that stuck with me is that service is inconvenient. I have found this to be true, for the most part. It's redeeming qualities (very rewarding and brings joy to your life) make it worthwhile.

My friend needed a ride today. I was planning on getting stuff done during the time it took me to pick her up, but that stuff can wait. It was good talking to her and I know that I was in a better mood when I dropped her off.

Sometimes I feel my life is incredible busy and I don't have time to serve.

BUT, if I serve I am blessed and the things that don't matter as much fall to the wayside.

Something Blue

I just had a bridal shower for my friend Sunshine. I am so excited for her upcoming marriage. She is an amazing person and has found someone that is perfect for her. I have seen both of them grow to love each other through the ups and downs of normal life. We had good fun, some fun games, and got her some good stuff.

God has blessed me with some amazing friends who have been there for me in the good and the bad. I am one lucky girl. Tonight I was able to catch up with a lot of my friends. Though life is tough they all seem to be hanging in there and doing well.

It would have been fun to get Sunshine something from the poem something borrowed, something blue .... but I decided to be frugal. I did get her something blue that her husband will enjoy.

Green Smoothies

Went to a lecture on green smoothies. The speaker shared her story. Very inspiring. Her Grandma was cured of cancer by going on a raw food diet. I have been getting e-newsletters from her website for a while and have been having green smoothies every once in a while.

After listening to her speak I am going to try to have green smoothies for breakfast every day. So far I have just added Spinach and recently tried avocado in my smoothies. You can also use celery, swiss chard, kale, etc. She recommends your smoothie contain 1/3 liquid, 1/3 fruit, and 1/3 veggies. I'm going to be trying new things over the next few weeks. I'll let you know what I think.

Tender Mercies

Tender Mercies are in our lives every day if we just reflect and look for them.

One of the tender mercies of the day--- a call from my good friend.

I am blessed to have her in my life. I feel uplifted every time I talk with her. I count her among my most dear friends. She is going through some rough times. In spite of it all she is handling her trials valiantly. (A needed wake up call for me)

I am reminded of Joseph who was given the coat of many colors. He had major trials in his life.

---being thrown in a pit and sold by his brothers
---being accused of having an affair with Potiphar's wife
---being thrown into prison

His trials were not short lived. He CHOSE to STEP UP in every situation he was in.
Many lives were blessed through his faithfulness. I love how he ran from Potiphar's wife.

How am I responding to my trials. Am I stepping UP and making the best of the situations life deals me?

Sometimes,

Lately, I feel as if I am making baby steps rather than responding with BIG STEPS
having FAITH that GOD has a plan for my life and just like he used Joseph's life to bless the life of his family, he can use my life to bless others If I CHOOSE to LET HIM.