A Little Poetical Insight

There comes a time in our lives, it seems,
when nothing goes our way.
When our dreams and hopes and wishes
are lost in yesterday.

The sun has lost its luster,
no longer lighting up the sky-
And you can't help but wonder
why you even try.

Our sorrows, grief, and anguish
may seem to much to bear.
But find hope in tomorrow
and the opportunities there.

The sun has set on yesterday
on friendships, love, and dreams.
Things go from bad to worse and then
worser still, it seems.

But know the sun is shining
on countless open doors,
Showing us new horizons
brighter than before.

Miranda (Dec. 2011)

In the Midst of Finals...

Finals.. hard to face, a hairy situation. I procrastinate forever, and then I don't have time to study my notes thoroughly so..

Eyebrows them.. It's all I have time for.. (See what I did there? Are you asking yourself how many puns I have stashed away? A lot. Don't even worry..)

Here's something weird.. Finals have been probably one of the least stressful times for me since I have been here. I mean, yeah, there's a lot of studying to be done but we are SO close to the break!

I've realized that it's unhealthy to study all the time and stress all the time. So, this is how I cope-

Peanut butter. Not kidding, it's delicious with bananas..
Watching random and hilarious videos on Youtube..
Random dance parties by myself.
Random dance parties with my friends..
Christmas music.
Finding awesome things on the Internet to help me procrastinate some more.. (You should try it!)

The Final Countdown

First of all.. if you didn't notice, let me direct you to my clever title.. ^^^^
Because dang, I am proud of that one! Oh.. I guess let me tell you why!
This week marked the beginning of FINALS (cue scary music). That means more stress, more work, lots of exams, one ridiculous topic on a 10-12 page paper, and less time for sleeping and enjoying free time. (Free time? What is this free time you speak of?) Students are having their knowledge, their limits, and their patience tested as we dive into the three toughest weeks of the semester.

BUT. The end of this week marked the passing of some HUGE landmarks of the semester for me. I made a list of all the papers, projects, and presentations that stand in between now and Winter Break. I have officially marked off 4 things! Now, only 2 papers, 3 exams, un presentacion oral y un envtrevista oral, and I will be DONE with my first semester of college! Home stretch, people! We are now most definitely in the midst of the FINAL countdown! (Now, let me redirect you to my clever title^^ See the beauty?)   :) Christmas Break, here I come!!!

Counting My Many Blessings

I could write to fill pages and pages full of things that I am grateful for and why. I just got back to Macalester after an amazing Thanksgiving weekend at home. This time of year is all about recognizing the things in your life that you are thankful for, and while I know there are SO many things I could say, I will narrow it down a little for the sake of not having a fifty page post. :)

I AM THANKFUL.

 For my FAMILY. They are always there for me, they always make me laugh, they always encourage me to follow my dreams. Always.

To be surrounded by people that I love, who love me and care about me and always let me know it. Family, friends, neighbors, leaders. I love them ALL. I am one lucky girl, don't ever think that a day goes by where I don't realize this!

The GOSPEL. I cannot describe to anyone just how much this has meant to me. General conference, church, temple, and especially the scriptures. When life gets crazy, and you get caught up in storms, we can return to the foundation which we have built. "..A foundation whereon if men build, they cannot fall." (Helaman 5:12) I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is true. Being a part of it gives me comfort every single day.

 AMAZING friends:)

I somehow managed to find the most incredible people possible and decided that it'd be nice to keep them around. These amazing people are my friends. They do so much for me and keep me sane. I seriously don't know what I'd do without them!!

I have come to the conclusion that you don't realize how much you have until you move to Minnesota and suddenly everything is 1500 miles away! The nice thing is that these things will always be here. Good friends, amazing people to care about you, the gospel, and especially family. I may be growing up, but it isn't really all that scary knowing how much support I have.

THANK goodness for the blessings in our lives!

There are so many things around us that we take for granted, maybe we could all take a minute to slow down and think about everything that we have. The list is virtually endless.

Give THANKS every day, and you'll find happiness always. Happy Thanksgiving! :)

Till We Meet Again

People are constantly coming and going from our lives. Sometimes, people can step in for just a little, and leave a huge imprint on our lives. Been there? Yeah, me too. His name is Jackson. I took him to Morp this year and amidst the answer cube, glow sticks, and awkward pictures, we had such a good time!

What resulted was a fantastic friendship! It feels like just yesterday we were drinking slurpees and talking about how crazy it was that we'd be graduating high school in about a month.. and suddenly, we were graduated.

And then summer came! : )

We spent the entire summer having adventures and doing random and crazy things together. Here is the crazy thing.. I almost didn't ask him to Morp!

Hands down, favorite summer of all time. Jackson is crazy, funny, loud, and super outgoing. I on the other hand? Not so much any of the above. Jackson always convinced me to do crazy things, and I loved every minute that we spent together!

I was so sad to see the summer end, and our adventures along with them. Now I am in Minnesota, and just yesterday, Jackson left for the MTC. In a little bit, he will be serving his mission in Boston. I am so grateful for all the time I got to spend with him and the adventures that we had! He is absolutely an amazing guy and will be an awesome missionary. Good luck in all you do Jackson! I believe you will do amazing things in your life! : )

As Rocks In A River

I once had a lesson in seminary about trials. Our teacher talked of Joseph Smith and how, even though he endured many hard times and was persecuted nearly his entire life, he continued to put his trust in God and do His will. In D&C 127, he states "And as for the perils which I am called to pass through, they seem but a small thing to me.. to this day has the God of my fathers delivered me out of them all, and will deliver me from henceforth.." He knew that with God's help, he would always overcome, and for this reason almost welcomed trials, knowing they shaped and refined him.

Every person goes through trials. Some are large, seemingly earth-shattering. Some are small. But it is through these trials that we learn about ourselves and grow into better people. As my seminary teacher explained, we are like rocks in a river.
Have you ever felt a river rock? The time it has spent being thrown to and fro in the water and tumbling across other rocks has filed away all the rough edges, leaving it smooth to the touch. Sometimes, it seems as though we just keep getting thrown around, from one trial to the next. I think that many people, once they pass through a hardship, would look back on the discouraging time as one of learning, and though it was hard, are grateful for the lessons that came. Though it is hard to remember, we are all like rocks in a river. Every little bump that we hit along the way is only smoothing out our rough edges, and ultimately shaping us for the better. And one day, we will look back and be grateful for the bumpy ride.

Whatever Is- Is Best

I found this poem just the other day and it really hit me. I think the reason that I like it so much is that I really can relate. I am at a point in my life where sometimes I just sit back and wonder why- why things happen the way they do, why the people I meet are in my life. I often find myself worrying, worrying, worrying. I worry about the future, I worry about the present. I worry about my current friends and sometimes about past friends, and even occasionally, about people that I haven't even met yet. I worry that somehow as I go throughout college that I will do something to screw up my entire future. I worry about my career path and my major and who I am going to marry. And then some days, I realize that worrying gets me absolutely nowhere! You either can do something about your problems or you can't. The things that you have no control over will happen anyways, no use worrying about it.. and as for those things that you do have control over, well stop stressing and start doing something about it! It is poems like these that I return to again and again as I remind myself that things always happen for a reason. Everything works out in the end, and whatever is- is best.

Whatever Is- Is Best

I know as my life grows older,
And mine eyes have clearer sight,
That under each rank of wrong, somewhere
There lies the root of right;
That each sorrow has its purpose,
By the sorrowing oft unguessed,
But as sure as the sun brings morning,
Whatever is – is best.

I know that each sinful action,
As sure as the night brings shade,
Is somewhere, sometime punished,
Though the hour be long delayed.
I know that the soul is sided
Sometimes by the heart’s unrest,
And to grow means often to suffer –
But whatever is – is best.

I know there are no errors
In the great Eternal plan,
And all things work together
For the final good of man.
And I know as my soul speeds onward,
In its grand Eternal quest,
I shall say as I look back earthward,
Whatever is – is best.


Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Finding Perfection in the Perfectly Simple

Last night, my plane touched down at the Minneapolis/Saint Paul airport. I was, in fact, returning from four of the most WONDERFUL days I have ever spent at home. What made them so great? The fact that they were ordinary, simple, average days with my simple and ordinary friends and family. (You guys are extraordinary to me, don't worry:) )

This is my perfectly average Jack-O-Lantern. Usually I try to get all creative and make different designs, but this time, reverting back to simplicity definitely fit the occasion. The entire time I was with my family carving pumpkins, my face hurt from smiling! I LOVE this pumpkin because it simple and very, very happy. And I was VERY happy with the fact that I got to spend a weekend with my family. I love them so much!

Ahh Johnny. And his super attractive pumpkin. They bear a strange resemblance, yes? :) Just kidding Johnny, ya know I love ya! Thanks for coming and picking me up at the airport even though I walked right past you!

 Something that was SO, SO awesome was people's reactions to seeing me. I felt like I was the number one person in the world for this weekend! I snuck up on my aunt Karrie and gave her a hug and she burst into tears! I surprised my friend Brianna and she screamed and hugged me so tight, I thought I was going to pass out. My sister tackled me, I got a huge (sweaty) hug from the entire BEHS volleyball team, and as soon as I walked through the doors and saw my parents I began to cry. So did my mom. The thing about coming home is that everyone and everything is SO special to you! And, you are so special to everyone!

I went to lunch with my mom and my grandma the first day being home. It was so fun! The restaurant when we first walked in was decorated for Halloween. This is me trying to achieve the same pose and seriousness and the nice fellow in the portrait behind me. Think I succeeded?

Cierra! I missed her SO DANG MUCH! We have a super awesome handshake.. Just sayin.

Aw mommy.. I love her so much!:)

Here are the pumpkins from my family. Cierra carved Santa, mine is the top left, under it is Kaysen's, then Dad's, and Mom's is hanging out over there by its lonesome. Pumpkin carving is one of those family activities that you take for granted until you are far away from your family! I am so thankful that I got to be here for that!:)

The second day I was here, I went to lunch with my other grandma, my aunt Karrie, Mom, Dad, and Johnny. We had such a good time! I was slightly mortified when the family decided to ask our (very attractive, but still!) waiter to go on a date with me to Lagoon! I almost died of embarrassment.. He said he was very flattered and wished he could go, but had to work the following day. (Phew, but that actually could've been a fun adventure..)

I could not have asked for a more perfect weekend. My family will never be perfect, but they will always be here and I will ALWAYS love coming home and spending time with them. It's amazing how 3 days at home left me ready to conquer the world. I am back at Macalester and LOVING LIFE. And hey, the next time I come home, I get 5 whole weeks with my family! Plus Christmas! I am so, so looking forward to it. Because it will be simple. And it will be perfect.

People Who Make A Difference

One of the things I have really realized since becoming a college student is just how many people I have back at home who love and care about me. I have always been surrounded by people who are slow to judge and quick to lend a shoulder to cry on or to lean on, and a laugh to share. No matter the situation, I always know that I have a support group in my friends and family. So I decided to maybe hightlight a few of those every once in a while!:)


My mom. I have been blessed to have the most amazing mom a girl could possibly ask for (yes, I am very biased). :)





For as long as I can remember, she has been my best friend. I don't know that I laugh harder with anybody else than I do with her! In this picture, we were sitting in an airport and trying to take a picture of ourselves but couldn't because we were laughing so hard. A nice man next to us finally took pity on us and offered to take the picture for us. We have had countless memories like this, where we laugh until we are useless, until we cry, until we run out of breath. I love it. :)


She always believes in me even when I don't believe in myself. She always pushes me to realize my potential. She helps me keep to my standards and always gives me a gently nudge in the right direction when I am reluctant to keep moving.




She is with me through good times and bad, when the road gets so rough that I don't know how I will ever make it. She is always there when I am too afraid to take another step. I know that she would live all my pain and hardships for me if she could, but she just sits with me and holds me when i need her. Anybody can make you laugh, anybody can make you cry, but it takes a truly special person to make you laugh with tears in your eyes. This is my mom.


It's an amazing thing to have a mom that excels at being a an amazing mom and an amazing friend. I love and miss laying on her bed, talking to her for hours about life, boys, and 'Pig Newtons' :) She always knows exactly what to say, even if it is not exactly what you want to hear in the moment!





There have been so many times when I just want to quit, to give up, to turn back. My mom never lets me. I am so grateful for the laughter and the tears that we have shared. I didn't know this was possible, but the months leading up to this school year, we became closer than ever. Somehow she sees through my crazy teenage-ness to my true light within, And she has dedicated the last eighteen years of her life trying to help me see that within myself. I am so grateful for my mom and everything that she has ever done for me! I know she makes sacrifices all the time for her kids. I hope that one day I will be able to be as good a mom as she is. :) Love you Mom!

That's A First!

I am discovering that college is full of new things. Firsts. I am currently enrolled in my first semester of my first year! This is my first time (that I actually remember) living outside of Utah. It is my first time living away from my parents, the first time I have my own mailing address. Today I had my first college exam! I of course procrastinated (not a first for me..) and so ended up spending the entire weekend having a cram session and hoping that the information would stick in my brain. I was stressing out so much that many people who I talked to had one thing to say to me: don't stress. Easy for them to say! But then I realized, it's true. My coach gave us this piece of advice: there are two types of problems- those you can do something about, and those you have no control over. You shouldn't be spending your time worrying about the first, but getting to work. As for the second? There is no point in wasting time worrying, things will happen how they happen. With that advice in mind, I took on my first college exam and I think I did a fairly decent job!

The exam was definitely not my favorite first.


My first week here was my first time ever going to the Minnesota State Fair. And oh man, it was HUGE! I am used to little Box Elder County Fair, and it doesn't even compare. While at the fair..I ate a deep-fried Milky Way. (Now THAT's a first!) And yes, it was delicious!:) Normally, I don't even eat sugar, but in this case, I made an exception and oh.. it was SO worth it.




Speaking of new foods.. This week at lunch I tried my first veggie burger.

As I put tomatoes and lettuce on it, I wondered to myself- Do you put veggies on a veggie burger? Ah, the mysteries of life. It was actually really tasty!

First package from home:)

Along with my first year of college came my first real job. And with that job? My first paycheck! Yep, I must admit I am very much enjoying all these new and exciting things that I get to experience! And I still have so much time left at Mac!

When I Think About Rain..

I think about singin:) Today was a rainy day in St. Paul. In fact, it's been rainy on and off the past couple of days. For some people, rain means cold, wet, and miserable. But I LOVE rain! The only sad part is that my rain boots are sitting at home in my closet. But that in no way means that I can't go puddlejumping without them! There's something about rain. It's like the whole world is getting a little cleaner. The smell of rain, the sound of rain, I love every part of it. When I think about rain, I think of just how amazing this Earth is. I think of how much a lot of us, including myself, sometimes take for granted all of the natural beauty around us. Not just the large canyons and miles of rivers, but the fact that the sun rises every morning and sets every night. The fact that the flowers bloom in the spring and the leaves fall in Autumn. What a wonderful world we live in! :)

And Then The Sun Came Out!

Woke up this morning feeling like P Diddy... Wait.. No I didn't.... I woke up late this morning after a horrible nightmare and rolled out from underneath my warm covers. I wasn't looking forward to my lineup of classes (Mon, Wed., and Fri. are my hardest days). It was a solid 40 degrees outside and looking like rain. Things looked rather bleak under I remembered one thing- It's Friday! I make it past this and I get a weekend!

I decided to try my hardest to make this day a great one. I wore one of my brightest shirts, my favorite jeans (makes a difference in your day, I'm tellin ya!) and bright, happy socks. I actually loved all my classes today! I have been struggling with Spanish the past week and it just clicked today.. I walked outside after my last class ready for the weekend and then the sun came out! It is now a blistering 62 degrees (WAY better than 40!) I walked back to my dorm, soaking up the sun. Today was a good day because it reminded me that no matter what comes your way, the sun always comes out eventually. You wouldn't appreciate its warmth without first feeling the cold. You may have a rough week, but you always make it to the weekend. The forecast for St. Paul, Minnesota tomorrow is thunderstorms. I am a little sad that I left my rainboots in Utah but hey, bring on the rain! As for today? It's Friday, Friday.. :)

Living and Learning

I have made it past my first week at college! In fact, last Friday I got an email from the school congratulating me for that reason. The email then went on to say "only 135 more to go!" I instantly became overwhelmed. 135 more weeks of this? That seems like an ETERNITY. I have to remind myself to slow it down and enjoy each day. There are so many things that I have learned in college. There are obvious academic things that I will probably share later. But the things that have most impacted me are some of the things that I have learned that have absolutely nothing to do with schooling at all. I have come up with a list and I know I'll be adding to it every day!:)


 I am BLESSED.
 I am incredibly blessed in my life! Things that seem hard now just show me actually how much I have. I am blessed to have:

 An AMAZING family to miss.

Friends to write!(And to Skype, of course! I don't know what I'd do without my best friends:) They basically keep me sane..)

A home to come home to. This is Perry, Utah. A place I love and very much miss. But I am glad to have a home to come home to. This will always be my home, no matter how long I spend in Minnesota!

As you can see, I am SO blessed!

Another important lesson I have learned in college?

Just how much a cardboard box can mean when it has your name on it! First package from home.. Opened it and started crying! Not from sadness, but because I felt just how loved I truly am.

I am hoping these life lessons keep on coming.. Times will be great, times will be hard, time always keeps ticking! I am learning to recognize hidden blessings in hard times. :)

Dorm Sweet Dorm

 This picture was taken right before we headed off to Minnesota.. My final minutes in Utah! How exciting! I can't believe this day actually came, but it did, and fast!

WELCOME. To Doty hall! This is my new dorm! Crazy to think that this is my new home.. Well, home away from home.. Nothing could replace my good old Utah!:)

When I first arrived here at my room, this is what I found! Notes reminding me to meet at certain places and..

This awesome welcome message from my roommate!!

Meet Emme, my new roommate. She is from Wisconsin! My favorite thing is to hear her talk about drinking fountains, which she calls "bubblers". She is so nice and I am lucky to have her as my roommate!

Dorm Sweet Dorm. This is Doty 403.. the place to be:)