Attitude of Gratitude: 11

Today was an incredible day at church. Lately, it has been hard for me to be in tune with some of the stuff that is going on around me. Church has been no exception. Some of the past Sundays, I have felt bored and detached. Today, though, I finally got back into the spiritual groove.

The talks that people gave were amazing. People spoke today on so many different topics, yet all seemed to resonate within me. It was as though they were speaking just to me. One of the things that most stood out to me was a talk given about Dieter F. Uchtdorf's talk last General Conference entitled,"Of Regrets and Resolutions".

In this talk, President Uchtdorf speaks of how fast time seems to fly. The older we get, the shorter we realize life actually is. He urges everyone to spend more time with those they love, and to let themselves be happy. Many times, we get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of every day life that we tend to forget the things that matter most: spending time with our family, friends, and loved ones. I have a tendency to fall in the trap that he describes. It is the trap where we "wear our business as a badge of honor." The talks given today let me know that it is okay to not be perfect all the time. It's okay to fall a little behind and barely squeak by every once in a while. It's okay to not be a straight 'A' student if I'm still doing my best. All things fall into place.

I am so grateful for the gospel and the happiness that it brings me. I have never had a stronger testimony of my faith than I have developed while at college. To know that you are not alone is an incredible feeling. Most of the things I have in my life I can attribute somehow back to my faith:




a tight-knit family who is ALWAYS there for me. I can't imagine being able to be surrounded by better people.



         




and some pretty amazing friends. I have come to realize that I have been so blessed in this life to be surrounded by people who are always lifting me higher, and they make me want to be a better person.

Attitude of Gratitude (Part...?)

November 7. I know that sometimes I complain about college, but I really am grateful for it. A lot of people don't actually get the opportunity to continue their education. I can't imagine my life without it now! I have learned so much about myself, and have made friendships that I know will last my lifetime.

And that was only the first year and a half.. I am so excited to see what adventures college brings me in the future!

Attitude of Gratitude

November 6.
Today, I can probably guess what's on your mind: elections. Maybe you're pro-Obama. Maybe you are all  for Romney taking charge. Or maybe, you don't really care who wins, you just want the whole thing to be over so people will stop talking about it! I dunno, but I'd guess it's one of those three :)

These elections were interesting for me. Being from Utah, a very conservative place, and now living at one of the most liberal colleges in the U.S., a lot of moments bring me pretty big shockers. It was really fascinating to see the difference between the Obama-crazed students here and the strong Romney-opinions of my friends back at home. As for me, I don't have particularly strong political opinions. I did discover, though, that I do have some strong opinions when it comes to certain details in politics.

I can't stand when people start to talk dirty when it comes to politics. You know the people I mean. They are the ones who claim to absolutely despise a candidate. They are the haters. The ones who make negative or derogatory comments about political contenders. They associate every negative thing in life to their least favorite candidate.  There were a few times during the debates when I had to speak up. You can't hate a Presidential candidate. You don't even know them. You've never met them, or their family, or their affiliates. How would you feel if people were talking that way about your dad, or your brother? Exactly. 

Perhaps the man who becomes President for the next four years is not the man you were rooting for. Okay. You have five minutes to feel bad about it. And then, you have to understand the he is the President of the United States. Regardless of whether he makes a few decisions that you disapprove of, he still deserves the respect of every U.S. citizen. I, personally, give props to both Romney and Obama for taking on the daunting task that is Presidential candidacy. The effort and knowledge that it takes to reach their position is incredible, and each of them deserve to be treated as the gentlemen that they are. They are taking it upon themselves to try and better our country, even if it's not the way YOU want to see it happen. 

I am grateful to live in the United States of America. I am thankful that of all the things we have to worry about, it is who will become President for the next four years. And we can do so from our warm, safe homes. Our lives and our leaders could be better, it's true. But they could also be a MILLION times worse. Let's take a step back and be thankful for all that we have and the benefits of living where we do. 

Attitude of Gratitude

November 5.
Here I am, sitting in Minnesota, writing this post for all 3 people that will eventually see it. And I am a little bit stumped. Not because I can't think of things I am grateful for, but because I don't know which to choose and how to put it into words. I think it's time for story time with Miranda.

The past few months have been pretty hard for me. Not because my life isn't wonderful, but because some things are not at all what I expected them to be. Some trials hit me pretty hard, and I struggled to withstand them. But as I finally found some deep strength from within, I was able to see that the life I am in the midst of may be hard and feel terrible at times, but those are only moments. The real life that I live is a beautiful one. Its's a miracle, really. I have been learning this year that change is okay. In fact, change is a good thing. To live every day the same as the one before would get old fast. 

Today, I am thankful for change. Sometimes it comes slowly and sometimes it comes all at once. It may feel like it is too much to bear, but I know that it also brings the greatest blessings to our lives. Nothing great was ever achieved by staying in the same place. Just in the past few years, change has brought me a second home, irreplaceable new friends, and an amazing other half to my life that I never knew existed. And I am so grateful! 

Attitude of Gratitude: Traditions

Halloween is over. And that means that the holidays are fast approaching. I LOVE the holidays. There is something about the next few months that tend to bring families and friends closer together. It's a combination of love and a little holiday magic. One of my favorite things about Thanksgiving and Christmas time is the traditions that surround it. I know a lot of people who have a tradition of naming something that they are grateful for every day of November, leading up to the Thanksgiving dinner when we gather together with the people we love the most to celebrate everything that we have been given. So, my goal is to post once a day every day of November something that I am grateful for. Today, I will write about 4 things to catch up.






 November 1. My Family. I had to make them number one because they are the thing that I am most grateful for in the entire world. I can't even believe I was lucky enough to have such amazing parents who always know what to say, and have inspired me in every way to try to be my best and to follow my dreams. My siblings are my best friends, and I can't imagine life without them. I 'm so grateful we get to be goofballs together and sing songs at the top of our lungs. I am grateful for my family, my best friends in the entire world :)

November 2. Modern-day technology. It absolutely amazes me when I stop and consider all the technology we have at our fingertips. If it were up to me, we'd still be living in caves and trying to make fires. It is incredible that I can talk to my family halfway across the country at the press of a button. I know that it would be much harder to get through the tough days if I didn't know I could go back to my room later that night and talk to my family. So here's to phones, texts, and Skype!

November 3. Music. There are few things in the world which can offer such a range of emotional support for me than music. I've discovered a site called Songza which basically has a playlist for every situation/mood that you are experiencing. I love to listen to sunshiney music while I'm getting ready for the day, or soft classics to help me get to sleep. When the world is a little too loud for me to bear, I can plug in my iPod and tune out the world. When days get rough, I can put on my snowman PJ's and listen to some Christmas music (Yeah, I know what the date is). This is why I am thankful for music.

November 4. I have had a pretty hard time this semester with a heavy course load and keeping up with my classes. I haven't been on the same level with a lot of my professors this year, and my grades have somewhat been feeling the effect of that. The other day, my statistics professor asked me how I was doing, and I explained to him why I have been struggling lately in his class. He immediately offered to help tutor me on the side so I understood what was going on. "I want you to actually enjoy this class" he said, "I don't want it to stress you out." I was so relieved, I almost cried. So today, I am incredibly thankful for teachers and professors who actual care about you individually. It's them that make learning worth it.

Lucky Girl

I've known for a while that I am a pretty lucky person. I am lucky to have grown up where I did, to know the people I do, to have the friends that I have, and to just live the life that I live. But sometimes, things happen that really put that into perspective.

You know when you have those days that resort you to your 4 year old self and you just want to lay down on the floor and sob? I had one of those last week. Nothing life-changing happened to provoke that in me, it was just the culmination of a long week and little things that added up to seem like a big deal. After practice, I called my mom just to get some comfort, but she didn't answer. I figured she was with a client or on call so I called my dad. He cheerfully answered and I burst into tears. I remember telling him in between sobs all of the things that were bothering me, then backtracking as I decided that none of this stuff was even worth crying about!


My dad listened patiently to everything, told me he loved me, and gave me some simple advice. "I understand how all of that could make you feel overwhelmed and frustrated", he said,"but stop dwelling on it. From right now, I want you to identify every single thing that was good that happened to you today". I agreed I would try. After dinner, i set to making a mental list of all that was good about that day, about my life in general. It worked! I felt so much better afterward.

Yesterday, when I talked to him again, I told him how much better that made me feel! I was still worrying about study abroad options, and possibly missing Christmas with the family. He told me that whatever program I want to do the most, is the one I should do, regardless of whether it's over Christmas. "We won't have Christmas without you!" he told me," And if it isn't until April that you get home, well, I'll climb up on the roof and hang up the lights. I'll turn them on too! I'll put up the tree just so you can have Christmas when you're here. I'd be more than happy to do all of that for you".



I seriously almost cried talking to him that time. Not like the last time, where the tears were my worries and exhaustion and fear coming out. This time, I felt so much love for him and for my family, and so much love from him and my family.

I can't believe that I am such a lucky girl! I feel so incredibly blessed to have the dad that I do. In fact, I can't believe my luck that I have the family that I do. I know that they are always there for me, and I love them with all of my heart!

Back Already!

Here I am, back at Macalester! I can't even believe how fast my freshman year and the summer flew by! It seems to me like the older I get, the faster time goes. Sophomore year is definitely going to be a little bit crazy. I have to declare a major, choose an academic advisor, and fill out all of the required forms to qualify to study abroad next year!

On the drive down here, my mom and I were discussing the different majors that I could choose from. By the end of my freshman year, I had my life planned out: I was going to double major in Psychology and History and minor in Hispanic studies. There was one problem though. I wasn't passionate about that plan. My mom and I agreed that I chose those options because they felt safe. We came up with a plan, then, to figure out exactly what to do in order for me to find my perfect major. I love working with animals and working outside. After 21 hours in the car, we arrived in Minnesota. And I knew what I wanted to major in: Environmental Studies. We spent the whole week that my parents were here trying to get all my classes set in order to be on the right track for my new major!

Now I have officially completed my first week of my new classes. I am so glad that my mom called me out on trying to take the safe route through life. After all, what is the point in pursuing a career that you don't love? I'll let you all know more later about how all these classes turn out, I can't wait for the adventures that are on the way during my sophomore year!

Fishing for Father's Day

For Father's Day my family decided to give Dad a day, instead of a present to open. So we all grabbed our fishing rods and went up to Blacksmith Fork Canyon, which has always been our family's favorite place to be. Mom and Dad spent the day teaching us kids how to bait a hook, how to cast, and eventually, how to clean and gut a fish (that part was kind of gross..) Kaysen, Mom and Dad all caught a fish within the first 30 minutes that we were there.. and about 6 hours later, Cierra and I finally caught a couple! This day just reminded me how blessed I am to have my family! I love them so much and I don't know what I would do without them!

(Here we are all making Kaysen faces)  :) 

Mi Amiga

Hola amigos, y bienvienidos a mi blog:)
Hello friends, and welcome to my blog!


Today I am dedicating a post to my best friend, mi mejor amiga, here at Macalester. Alejandra (Lexii) Carrillo is a Texan-born girl Mormon girl who spent nearly her whole life in Detroit. She also happens to be my next door neighbor! Her parents are both from Mexico, making her a legit bilingual student (and incredibly useful when I have spanish papers to write). This is the reason for my bilingual..ness today! Lexii is an absolutely incredible person. She is always going out of her way to make sure other people are comfortable and happy. When I got sick a few months ago, she brought me medicine and made me this Nyquil tea every night. In this way, she is not only my best friend here, but my mom away from home.

As we approach the middle of finals, I am positive that Lexii is the reason that I am still sane and not a walking zombie. I am so grateful for her and for all the adventures that we have had! It's so crazy to think that we have three more years to explore the Twin Cities. Love ya Lexii, and I can't wait for all the adventures we are gonna have!

Adventures in Florida

Last week was Spring Break (woop woop!) and Macalester softball officially kicked of its season at a tournament in Clermont, Florida. The first college at-bat that my family saw I hit a homerun:)

The first night I saw my family was so great!! I swear, you never realize how much you love your family until you don't live with them anymore.

I missed her:) We had the greatest adventures in the grocery story, looking for hair dye, looking for sunglasses, looking super cool..

One of the really cool things about Florida was the animals! We tried really hard to find some alligators, and even though there was a sign in in our backyard by the lake warning us to beware of gators, we never saw any. We did find some other awesome things though, like lizards! They were everywhere!

Oh, and this GIANT turtle that my mom found in just wandering around behind the house! Turtles are definitely my favorite animal, I was a happy girl!

I can't believe how fast Spring Break flew by! It was so fun getting to see my whole family and my grandma and grandpa and bonding with my team and my coaches. We didn't play half bad, either, finishing 4-4 on the tournament and beating a ranked Wyoming team. 

Everything I Never Knew I Needed

Yesterday we had a PF (potential freshman) meet our softball team. Of course, wanting the school to make a good impression on her, we all sat in a circle and talked about our favorite thing about Macalester. My friend Anna said, "Macalester is everything that I never knew I needed, everything that I never knew I wanted." I can't even describe to you through this keyboard how much that struck home to me!!

To be quite honest, I almost dreaded coming to Minnesota. I mean, I knew it was a great academic school, but what did I, a small town girl from Utah, have to offer a multicultural four year private liberal arts college? What if all the people here were weird? Or crazy? Why on Earth did I decide to live states away when I could have lived just through the valley from my house? How could I possibly have made the right decision?

Then the end of August came. I was terrified. Both my parents were ecstatic. On more than one occasion, I thought to tell my mom that if it was such a great opportunity, maybe she could take it and I'd stay at home for the rest of forever. September- I was a brand new freshman. Everyone seemed to be doing just fine. Me? Eh, I was okay. October- first trip home. I cried on the way back. Christmas break came and I spent so long with my family I had no idea how I'd leave them again. But second semester, everything changed.

Suddenly, I walked the campus with confidence. I knew the ropes. I knew the places to avoid, my favorite things about Mac, stuff to do, places to go.. But the thing that made the biggest difference to me is the people. Suddenly, I had friends. We started to do some pretty amazing things together, like going to Lion King. And suddenly, I always had someone to eat meals with.

 If you'd have told me a little over a year ago that at this moment, I would be living in Minnesota and loving every single minute of it, I'd have called you crazy. Yet every day, I get to be a part of some of the most amazing classes. I get to spend time with the incredible girls on my softball team, that I am growing to love more and more each day. My favorite thing about Macalester is the people here. You wouldn't believe it, but you can find something that connects you to anyone from anywhere in the world. And just a few months ago, I knew none of these people who now are so important to me! So, I can honestly say that I am so incredibly grateful to be here. Macalester is everything that I never knew I needed, everything I never knew I wanted. It's perfect.  :)

Hakuna Matata

Last night, I got the most amazing opportunity. I have a great appreciation for a lot of things in this world, but every once in a while, I encounter something that absolutely stops me in my tracks. Something that renders everything else completely insignificant, if only for a moment. For me, it was Lion King.

My friends Lexii, Yangming, and I boarded a bus (or two, or three) and made our way to downtown Minneapolis to wait outside the Orpheum Theater for 3 hours to get our tickets. It was freezing and we passed the time drinking hot chocolate and making up games. It was absolutely my best college experience so far!

I literally almost cried as the opening song ended because I was so touched! And for a moment, I wasn't a college student but 3 year old Miranda, watching Lion King 3 or 4 times a day with my parents (bless them). The show had such a powerful impact, it was seriously one of the best days of my entire life! The music was incredible, the props and set were incredible, and I got to be with my friends watching my favorite movie on stage. All I know is that I would watch it again and again if I got the chance. So I guess I'm just gonna have to convince my family and friends that it is a must-see.. for their sakes and mine:)

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A Beautiful Gift

The other day I was with my mom and we saw a quote that said "The present is a gift. Untie the ribbons." My mom immediately began to praise the quote, saying how much she loved it. I, on the other hand, secretly scoffed at the saying. "Untie the ribbons", I thought.. "that's a stupid saying." But over the Christmas break I found myself thinking and thinking about those 'stupid' words.  I grew to love them once I understood them. In my life and in the lives of many others, we are all waiting for the next big thing. That super cool vacation, graduation, marriage, a house and family of our own. Some are just looking forward to the weekend. The result? We miss what is right in front of our faces. In reality, we have no choice but to live, at least physically, in the present. It is impossible to do otherwise. Why, then, do we torture ourselves by trying to go back mentally to the past or skip to the future?

I have found that often we do not realize what we have until it is no longer within our grasp. Friends grow apart. Some move away. Ideas change, beliefs change, people change. If the world were to slow down and understand that ALL there is is the present, wouldn't they strive to see the beauty of it? There will always be another tomorrow. But once a day is gone, you can never relive it. It only lives on in your mind and in your heart, soon fading away amidst all the other days of your life. THAT is why the present is a gift. Because every day is beautiful. If only everyone were to see that, the world would be a better place. Instead of trying to find a bigger and better present, untie the ribbons on today and discover the treasures that lie within the wrappings. Because I know that they are there for everyone, just waiting to be found. The present is a gift. Untie the ribbons.

See You Soon :)

  JOHNNY!! This is my cousin. He left today fot the MTC and will be serving an LDS mission in Long Beach, California for the next 2 years. I am going to miss him SO MUCH! Our families have always been close, which has brought many adventures and a great friendship:)

Here we are at Seminary graduation this year. I can't believe graduation has passed! I have grown up alongside Johnny my entire life. He is such an amazing guy. He is the most real person I have ever met. He always listens to me and is there when I need someone. Anybody who knows Johnny has to have noticed the light and laughter that he brings to a room. It's truly incredible!

Last year we went to Frightmares and it is hands down my favorite Lagoon memory. It was pouring and FREEZING and while that sent most people home, we were not discouraged. We hit all the rides and Johnny had quite the time laughing at me while I was scared to death of EVERYTHING. I love Johnny and I am going to miss him SO MUCH. But the people of Long Beach are about to have a huge blessing come into their lives. Just having Johnny around is very much a blessing, and I can't wait until he comes home to hear all about his adventures. Good luck Johnny! You are the BEST!! :)