12.15.2013
12.02.2013
Christmas: Movies and Books
One of the things I love about Christmas time is the warmth of staying inside, cuddled up, watching a movie or reading a book. Now don't get me wrong, there are TONS of fun things to do outside too! But these are two things I enjoy inside during the holidays (besides cooking and writing Christmas cards). Here is just a list of the things on my list:
Movies
It's a Wonderful Life
This is my mom's favorite Christmas movie and so I grew up watching this every Christmas time. Now, I still love it, but I only like to watch if my mom is there watching it with me too. It's fun to hear her laugh along, in her cute giggle laugh, at the jokes and sweet things said. I sure hope someone will lasso the moon for me someday.
Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer
Just a fun classic. I don't like the claymation version but there's an even older version that is in cartoon that I love.
White Christmas
I actually had never seen this movie until I was in college and my roommates and I did a Christmas party together and watched it. I fell in love with it!
The Santa Clause
This one always makes me laugh but never gets old. I love quoting it, "Poe Poe, Shee Shoo!" and to this day I'm dying to try the "special" north pole hot chocolate.
The Polar Express
I love the music in this and I love the feeling of awe, imagination, excitement, hope, etc. it leaves you with.
Elf
Probably over quoted and I don't watch it every year but just fun to watch every once in awhile.
The Holiday
This is my most favorite chick flick and it's set during the Christmas season.
New Years Eve
Not really a Christmas movie but it fits in with the holidays.
While You Were Sleeping
This isn't really a "Christmas" movie either but it is set during Christmas time and I love the family dynamics of the movie. It's perfect for the holidays.
Books
Every Christmas Eve my mom would get a new Christmas book and read it to us. After that each of my siblings and I would read aloud our favorite book. This was one of our many fun Christmas Eve traditions growing up. Here are a few of the books:
You are Special by Max Lucado
How The Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss
A Creature Was Stirring by Clement Clarke Moore
The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
Though this Christmas season I will most likely be working on my ever-long book reading list; the year is coming to a close and once again I am not ever half way through it.
11.20.2013
1,000 Things to Be Thankful For
I read this really neat article in the September 2013 Ensign about a girl who had a homework assignment to write about 100 things she was thankful for. As she talked with her family she started to extend her list and made a challenge to find 1,000 things to be thankful for.
Read the article here:
1,000 Things to Be Thankful For by Richard M. Romney
I learned at a LDS Education Conference in Boston in October that people who are grateful for things are generally more happy. They shared a statistic that if you write down 3 things you are grateful for, each day for 6 months, your happiness will increase by 25%.
After reading the 1,000 Things to be Thankful For article I decided that I wanted to make a list of my own. I was just going to sit down and write it all out, but that really is A LOT. I decided to do what this statistic said and write down three things each day until I have 1,000; it's going to take almost a year to do it. THAT WAY I'm really thinking about it and observing it each day. AND I would procrastinate what I wanted to do because it's such a big list but instead I'm biting a little bit of the "elephant" at a time.
Read the article here:
1,000 Things to Be Thankful For by Richard M. Romney
I learned at a LDS Education Conference in Boston in October that people who are grateful for things are generally more happy. They shared a statistic that if you write down 3 things you are grateful for, each day for 6 months, your happiness will increase by 25%.
After reading the 1,000 Things to be Thankful For article I decided that I wanted to make a list of my own. I was just going to sit down and write it all out, but that really is A LOT. I decided to do what this statistic said and write down three things each day until I have 1,000; it's going to take almost a year to do it. THAT WAY I'm really thinking about it and observing it each day. AND I would procrastinate what I wanted to do because it's such a big list but instead I'm biting a little bit of the "elephant" at a time.
Happy Thanksgiving Month!
11.11.2013
Missionary Moments Part 1
Lately, in the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints, there has been a BIG push for missionary work... and it is exciting. It is exciting to me for many reasons:
There are only a few times I have ever truly shared the gospel with someone through my words and from those experiences I had to learn to simplify my answers (not everyone knows the "lingo" of the church) but also not to be afraid to thoroughly explain so that they truly understand the answer. I have found making the atmosphere and setting casual, like "we're just having a conversation," helps the person feel more comfortable to ask more questions instead of a setting of "let me shove this down your throat." Even just saying, "Good question. Feel free to ask me any others if you have them" really helps; it may not mean that person will ask you another question at that moment but it leaves the door open so that they feel like they can ask. I could be wrong, maybe there are better ways to go about this; this is just what has worked for me when missionary moments have come along.
Another thing I have learned... don't laugh when someone asks a question even if it is ridiculous to us! I once had a girl at work ask me a simple question about the church:
Girl: Hey, are you mormon.
Me: Yeah.
G: Can I ask you a question?
M: Of course.
G: Can Mormon's wear swimsuits?
M: Oh yeah! I'd die if we couldn't because I love swimming. We have been asked to dress in modest ways though, so when we wear swimsuits we have been asked to wear modest ones as well. For myself, I like to wear one piece swimsuits.
G: Oh cool. Ok.
-Conversation ended-
To be honest, when she asked me if we could wear swimsuits I laughed a little and I felt pretty bad about it because I didn't want her to think it was a stupid question because she really didn't know and she was curious. I went to her later and told her that I appreciated her asking and that she could come to me with any more questions she may have; little or big.
Even though I don't usually share the gospel through my words all the time, I can always be a missionary through my actions and the way I live my life at all times.
While I was traveling in Peru this past summer, my friend and I met a guy, our same age, from Northern California. When he asked us where we were from we told him Utah and he instantly said, "Mormons?" and we said, "Yes" and he said, "Cool" and then the subject ended. We continued to chat with this guy through out the day about other things; what we had done in Peru so far, school, work, movies, etc. At the end of the day we went our separate ways but this wasn't the last time we saw California (let's just call him that). We ran into California almost daily for the rest of our trip whether it was on a tour or just walking around. We eventually started to invite him to go to dinner with us or to a museum. The only question California asked us about the Church, while in Peru, was when he asked if we would like a beer and we turned it down and decided to be brave and say that as members of the church we have been asked not to drink alcohol. It was funny because he could not get over the fact that we didn't drink beer, he even said, "If you don't drink, then what do Mormons even do for fun." We just chuckled at him and said, "Well everyone's different." My friend told him about her hobbies and the things she liked to do and then I told him about mine.
It wasn't until I got home from Peru that California started emailing me and asking more questions about the Church. He started out simple and asked me if it was true that Utah really shut down on Sundays. I told him no but that in our Church we have been asked not to work on Sundays and to do our best not to make others work on Sunday. Because of that, most LDS business owners close their businesses on Sundays but because Utah businesses are not all owned by members of the church, most places are open on Sunday. I felt like he was wanting to ask a lot more but was holding back so I asked if he had anymore "Utah" questions. He replied by saying that he didn't really have Utah questions but was wondering if he could ask me a few things about the church and I told him of course.
Oh My Goodness! His next email had at least 10 questions. I'm grateful this conversation was going on through email because I had to think about some of my answers. I thought it was interesting that by telling him it was ok to ask me questions it opened up a whole door of curiosity. I did my best to answer them in respectful and simple terms. I even asked a few people for advise on how to best answer him. One of his questions was, "Do you believe everything you are taught?" My initial quick answer would be "yes" but I didn't want to sound like a blind sheep. My answer was quite long (But here is the reader's digest version). I first told him that we believe we have a latter day prophet who speaks with our Heavenly Father and then teaches us the things that we need to hear. But I then told him that we have been asked to find out for ourselves, through prayer with our Heavenly Father, if what we are being taught is true. I finished by telling him that I have never found anything not to be true.
I tried to take opportunity to teach him while answering his questions. He asked if we believed in a God and I told him that we believe in God and we call him our Heavenly Father because we believe that he IS our father and that we are all his children. I went on to explain that we believe that everyone IS a son or daughter of God. You know, I've been taught that my entire life and so that statement sounds so simple but not everyone has been taught that and I find that so sad. They're missing out on knowing that this greater being loves them like a father.
Nothing big came from these emails, California didn't ask to know more, but I am glad I still answered his questions thoroughly so that he can know more fact instead of rumor and speculation.
That's all I have for now... thanks for letting me share (or I guess thanks for reading). I would love to hear about your own missionary moments.
"If you're not a full-time missionary with a missionary badge pinned on your coat, now is the time to paint one on your heart - painted, as Paul said, 'not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God.' Our desire to share the gospel takes all of us to our knees, and it should, because we need the Lord's help."
Missionary: A link to the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints' website about Missionary Service.
Ideas on How to Share the Gospel Online
- It is a reminder that my everyday actions are important, the smallest act is being watched, and I can be a missionary through my simple example.
- It is a push to prepare myself to know my scriptures well so that I can share the best and accurate answers possible.
- Why not be excited about sharing the Gospel!
There are only a few times I have ever truly shared the gospel with someone through my words and from those experiences I had to learn to simplify my answers (not everyone knows the "lingo" of the church) but also not to be afraid to thoroughly explain so that they truly understand the answer. I have found making the atmosphere and setting casual, like "we're just having a conversation," helps the person feel more comfortable to ask more questions instead of a setting of "let me shove this down your throat." Even just saying, "Good question. Feel free to ask me any others if you have them" really helps; it may not mean that person will ask you another question at that moment but it leaves the door open so that they feel like they can ask. I could be wrong, maybe there are better ways to go about this; this is just what has worked for me when missionary moments have come along.
Another thing I have learned... don't laugh when someone asks a question even if it is ridiculous to us! I once had a girl at work ask me a simple question about the church:
Girl: Hey, are you mormon.
Me: Yeah.
G: Can I ask you a question?
M: Of course.
G: Can Mormon's wear swimsuits?
M: Oh yeah! I'd die if we couldn't because I love swimming. We have been asked to dress in modest ways though, so when we wear swimsuits we have been asked to wear modest ones as well. For myself, I like to wear one piece swimsuits.
G: Oh cool. Ok.
-Conversation ended-
To be honest, when she asked me if we could wear swimsuits I laughed a little and I felt pretty bad about it because I didn't want her to think it was a stupid question because she really didn't know and she was curious. I went to her later and told her that I appreciated her asking and that she could come to me with any more questions she may have; little or big.
Even though I don't usually share the gospel through my words all the time, I can always be a missionary through my actions and the way I live my life at all times.
While I was traveling in Peru this past summer, my friend and I met a guy, our same age, from Northern California. When he asked us where we were from we told him Utah and he instantly said, "Mormons?" and we said, "Yes" and he said, "Cool" and then the subject ended. We continued to chat with this guy through out the day about other things; what we had done in Peru so far, school, work, movies, etc. At the end of the day we went our separate ways but this wasn't the last time we saw California (let's just call him that). We ran into California almost daily for the rest of our trip whether it was on a tour or just walking around. We eventually started to invite him to go to dinner with us or to a museum. The only question California asked us about the Church, while in Peru, was when he asked if we would like a beer and we turned it down and decided to be brave and say that as members of the church we have been asked not to drink alcohol. It was funny because he could not get over the fact that we didn't drink beer, he even said, "If you don't drink, then what do Mormons even do for fun." We just chuckled at him and said, "Well everyone's different." My friend told him about her hobbies and the things she liked to do and then I told him about mine.
It wasn't until I got home from Peru that California started emailing me and asking more questions about the Church. He started out simple and asked me if it was true that Utah really shut down on Sundays. I told him no but that in our Church we have been asked not to work on Sundays and to do our best not to make others work on Sunday. Because of that, most LDS business owners close their businesses on Sundays but because Utah businesses are not all owned by members of the church, most places are open on Sunday. I felt like he was wanting to ask a lot more but was holding back so I asked if he had anymore "Utah" questions. He replied by saying that he didn't really have Utah questions but was wondering if he could ask me a few things about the church and I told him of course.
Oh My Goodness! His next email had at least 10 questions. I'm grateful this conversation was going on through email because I had to think about some of my answers. I thought it was interesting that by telling him it was ok to ask me questions it opened up a whole door of curiosity. I did my best to answer them in respectful and simple terms. I even asked a few people for advise on how to best answer him. One of his questions was, "Do you believe everything you are taught?" My initial quick answer would be "yes" but I didn't want to sound like a blind sheep. My answer was quite long (But here is the reader's digest version). I first told him that we believe we have a latter day prophet who speaks with our Heavenly Father and then teaches us the things that we need to hear. But I then told him that we have been asked to find out for ourselves, through prayer with our Heavenly Father, if what we are being taught is true. I finished by telling him that I have never found anything not to be true.
I tried to take opportunity to teach him while answering his questions. He asked if we believed in a God and I told him that we believe in God and we call him our Heavenly Father because we believe that he IS our father and that we are all his children. I went on to explain that we believe that everyone IS a son or daughter of God. You know, I've been taught that my entire life and so that statement sounds so simple but not everyone has been taught that and I find that so sad. They're missing out on knowing that this greater being loves them like a father.
Nothing big came from these emails, California didn't ask to know more, but I am glad I still answered his questions thoroughly so that he can know more fact instead of rumor and speculation.
That's all I have for now... thanks for letting me share (or I guess thanks for reading). I would love to hear about your own missionary moments.
"If you're not a full-time missionary with a missionary badge pinned on your coat, now is the time to paint one on your heart - painted, as Paul said, 'not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God.' Our desire to share the gospel takes all of us to our knees, and it should, because we need the Lord's help."
- Elder Neil L. Andersen, "It's a Miracle," Liahona, May 2013
Missionary: A link to the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints' website about Missionary Service.
Ideas on How to Share the Gospel Online
11.03.2013
Customer Service
I don't know about you but lately I have started to notice a big decline in customer service ediquette. I don't know if it has to do with the next generations in the workforce, like I recently blogged about in "My Generation in the Work Force," or if employers no longer know how to train their employees or if the expectations are lower. But there is absolutely a decline.
A family friend owns a bakery and he has noticed a change in employees. He said it used to be that he could hire ten employees and nine would be amazing, dependable, hard workers, and one would be lazy and easy to fire. Today he says that he is lucky to get one great employee out of a group of ten.
I recently have had two customer service experiences that I was surprised at.
I went to a grocery store to return an item that would be easy to return (not like a banana) and got into the customer service line. When the girl behind the counter looked up saw me in line she said, "What do you want?" I think my mouth dropped I was so shocked. I couldn't believe my ears! Along with being shocked at her attitude and think the shock was multiplied by the fact that I was at the customer service counter; usually you get more professional people working those jobs. Let's just say she was very pleasant to converse with... not. I later realized that the customer service counter was closing in 2 minutes when I showed up and thought the she easily could have kindly and simply said, "Sorry we're closed." OR heaven forbid, having true customer service, she could have taken an extra minute to help a customer.
The other was when I was at Macy's in the bedding department and I was very disappointed in the customer service. There were three women sales associates all chatting, not quietly I may add, at the register and complaining about their bonuses and how they were not up to their expectations. They continued to gossip about other co-workers and their managers. These employees made the environment negative and uncomfortable. Not once did these women ask if I, or any of the other shoppers in the area, had questions or needed assistance. I had two items to buy while I was there; one I was certain about, the other I had questions on. I bought the item I was certain on but decided to go to another store for the other item where I didn't feel like I was in a hostile environment and it would be easier to ask questions.
You know, there are bad experiences like this and you start to believe that customer service doesn't even exist. But then you visit places like In 'n' Out, Chick Filet, Hot Dog on a Stix, etc and their employees are OVERLY helpful and kind and almost jolly. These are fast food restaurants and somehow they are the ones giving excellent customer service. I'm really curious what is in their business plan that keeps their customer service in tack and their employees happy. The only other places I seem to see good customer service these days are at extremely expensive stores and they're only being nice because you're buying their service OR when you look like a million bucks for the same reason.
Fun Fact: at Chick Filet anytime you say, "Thank You," the employees will always respond by saying, "My Pleasure."... Every time.
A family friend owns a bakery and he has noticed a change in employees. He said it used to be that he could hire ten employees and nine would be amazing, dependable, hard workers, and one would be lazy and easy to fire. Today he says that he is lucky to get one great employee out of a group of ten.
I recently have had two customer service experiences that I was surprised at.
I went to a grocery store to return an item that would be easy to return (not like a banana) and got into the customer service line. When the girl behind the counter looked up saw me in line she said, "What do you want?" I think my mouth dropped I was so shocked. I couldn't believe my ears! Along with being shocked at her attitude and think the shock was multiplied by the fact that I was at the customer service counter; usually you get more professional people working those jobs. Let's just say she was very pleasant to converse with... not. I later realized that the customer service counter was closing in 2 minutes when I showed up and thought the she easily could have kindly and simply said, "Sorry we're closed." OR heaven forbid, having true customer service, she could have taken an extra minute to help a customer.
The other was when I was at Macy's in the bedding department and I was very disappointed in the customer service. There were three women sales associates all chatting, not quietly I may add, at the register and complaining about their bonuses and how they were not up to their expectations. They continued to gossip about other co-workers and their managers. These employees made the environment negative and uncomfortable. Not once did these women ask if I, or any of the other shoppers in the area, had questions or needed assistance. I had two items to buy while I was there; one I was certain about, the other I had questions on. I bought the item I was certain on but decided to go to another store for the other item where I didn't feel like I was in a hostile environment and it would be easier to ask questions.
You know, there are bad experiences like this and you start to believe that customer service doesn't even exist. But then you visit places like In 'n' Out, Chick Filet, Hot Dog on a Stix, etc and their employees are OVERLY helpful and kind and almost jolly. These are fast food restaurants and somehow they are the ones giving excellent customer service. I'm really curious what is in their business plan that keeps their customer service in tack and their employees happy. The only other places I seem to see good customer service these days are at extremely expensive stores and they're only being nice because you're buying their service OR when you look like a million bucks for the same reason.
Fun Fact: at Chick Filet anytime you say, "Thank You," the employees will always respond by saying, "My Pleasure."... Every time.
10.01.2013
It's October!
Why Hello October! Happy to see ya!
You know how there are our regular calendar holidays and then there are these random holidays like "Hug Your Dog Day" or something. Well, since October is one of my favorite months, I thought I would share the random holidays of October, found at Holiday Insights, for you.
The Month of October is the following: Adopt a dog month, Apple Jack Month, Awareness Month, Cookie Month (Oh! I like that! Let's all make cookies and give them to someone who might be lonely or something.), International Drum Month, Pizza Month (Awesome!), National Popcorn Popping (Haha, let's make sure to sing "the song" multiple times this month... don't forget to bounce out of your chair.), and Sarcastic Month.
Each of the Days:
1st World Vegetarian Day
2nd Name Your Car Day
3rd Virus Appreciation Day (odd)
4th National Golf Day
5th Do Something Nice Day (I agree! The world needs more of this)
6th Mad Hatter Day
7th Bald and Free Day
8th American Touch Tag Day
9th Curious Events Day
10th National Angel Food Cake Day
11th Take Your Teddy Bear to Work Day
12th Moment of Frustration Day (haha... um ok?)
13th International Skeptics Day
14th National Dessert Day
15th White Cane Safety Day
16th Dictionary Day (Learn a new word and use it!)
17th Wear Something Gaudy Day
18th No Beard Day
19th National Newspaper Carrier Day (Watch Newsies!)
20th Brandied Fruit Day
21st Count Your Buttons Day
22nd National Nut Day
23rd National Mole Day
24th National Bologna Day
25th World Pasta Day
26th Make a Difference Day (Big or small it all makes a difference so why not do something)
27th National Tell A Story Day
28th Plush Animal Lover's Day
29th National Frankenstein Day
30th Mischief Night
31st Besides it be Halloween it is also Increase You Physic Powers Day
Happy Halloween and October!
9.22.2013
Peru!
A few people have asked when I will be blogging about my trip to Peru. I have started to blog about it on my travel blog, so you'll have to go check it out! I'm actually really excited to share about this incredible country and this experience. Pretty much if you are considering to maybe go to Peru... go!
Postcards From Amy
9.02.2013
My Generation in the Workforce
For the past few years I have been thinking a lot about my generation in the work place.
Well for starters, what is my generation? Generation "X" is considered to be those born in the 60s up to those born in the early 80s. Generation "Y" applies to those born in the late 80s up until the Millennium. I think the sample group I'm thinking about is generation "Y" along with the tail end of generation "X."
My senior year of college I had a discussion with a co-worker (I'm part of generation "Y" while he is the tail end of generation "X") about the different generations in the workforce through out the years. We talked about how our grandparents grew up in the time that you took whatever trade you were able to train in and you worked hard in it. Our parents grew up in the time to get the best job and education possible, the one that would make you the most possible money even if you didn't entirely enjoy it, and worked hard at the minimum 9am-5pm day schedule but not limited to it. Our discussion continued on to how our own generation wants more fulfillment in their careers; we want to love what we are doing and we want there to be purpose behind what we are giving up our time for. Some of our generation is willing to work hard others are not.
As the years have gone on I have found this discussion to be true and false. I've seen a mixture of workers, from my generation, in the work force who are still following their parent's exact footsteps, while others are taking on the theory of Generation Y, and lastly a mixture of both. I would have to say that I have found success in the workplace by working with the work ethics that have been taught to me by my parents; work hard, go above and beyond, do your best, etc. I have also found success by applying things that my dad has valued in his employees in his own business; ask what else you can help with, be friendly and professional, ask questions, be willing to learn new things, teach your co-workers your job so that if you were to "die" the office would not fall apart, etc.
BUT I still have the itch to LOVE what I'm doing. A career takes up a big chunk of your life and I still want to experience life. It's kind of like the saying, "You either live to work or you work to live." I only want to work so that I can live; see the world, serve others, have a family, create memories, etc.
I found an interesting article about how to motivate generation Y. I agree with somethings while disagree with others; well, I guess on how it applies to me. But as a whole, I can see this true to the average generation Y person.
15 Tips for Motivating Generation Y in the Workplace
I found it interesting how true some of the things were; a need for feedback, wanting to work as a team (When I first read this caption I thought, "No... I hate group projects," but as it went on, it talked about how we like to throw out our ideas and get confirmation that we are taking the right steps. I do that all the time. I'm fully capable of making my own decisions but if I have the time to run them past others in the work place, I will.), don't assume fully technology savvy, teach them they're making a difference (Like I was saying above, we want there to be a purpose and we want to believe in that purpose), give them flexibility (Sad but true. Why does Google, for example, seem so appealing to work for? Because they offer time during the work day to go work out, the ease of playing foosball while brain storming, etc.) and teach them to write (Oh wow! I'll be honest, I don't have the greatest writing skills, and because of it I was never confident at work and would usually ask co-workers to double check something before I sent it out, but I've seen even worse. We are a generation of writing notes in Jr. High with acronyms and text messaging the rest of our life with its own "language." I once saw an admission letter to an university with a smiley face icon in it.... ummm yeah... not appropriate).
I also found the "be prepared to negotiate" and "assume they are venting about you online" bullet points interesting as well. When I worked for my university in college I would get phone calls from parents, of new incoming students, who would say things like, "I can see why that rule/requirement is set in place but that shouldn't apply to us because..." These parents were also negotiating for their kids and I saw it more and more in the students themselves of each incoming class. They seemed to think they were entitled to get the easy way out and not work for a thing. This was so foreign to me because I am a rule follower; if I'm asked to do something... I do it. If I'm told that I have to reach certain requirements... I reach them or understand that I can not get what I want when I don't reach them.
"Assume they are venting about you online," we all see this all the time; I personally think it is sad at how true this statement is. I personally think that venting about work and co-workers in a public place is unprofessional, petty and childish. And honestly... a good way to cause more problems at work and even end up loosing your job.
Anyways! These are my thoughts lately on my generation in the work place. Now I wonder, what will generation Z be like?
Well for starters, what is my generation? Generation "X" is considered to be those born in the 60s up to those born in the early 80s. Generation "Y" applies to those born in the late 80s up until the Millennium. I think the sample group I'm thinking about is generation "Y" along with the tail end of generation "X."
My senior year of college I had a discussion with a co-worker (I'm part of generation "Y" while he is the tail end of generation "X") about the different generations in the workforce through out the years. We talked about how our grandparents grew up in the time that you took whatever trade you were able to train in and you worked hard in it. Our parents grew up in the time to get the best job and education possible, the one that would make you the most possible money even if you didn't entirely enjoy it, and worked hard at the minimum 9am-5pm day schedule but not limited to it. Our discussion continued on to how our own generation wants more fulfillment in their careers; we want to love what we are doing and we want there to be purpose behind what we are giving up our time for. Some of our generation is willing to work hard others are not.
As the years have gone on I have found this discussion to be true and false. I've seen a mixture of workers, from my generation, in the work force who are still following their parent's exact footsteps, while others are taking on the theory of Generation Y, and lastly a mixture of both. I would have to say that I have found success in the workplace by working with the work ethics that have been taught to me by my parents; work hard, go above and beyond, do your best, etc. I have also found success by applying things that my dad has valued in his employees in his own business; ask what else you can help with, be friendly and professional, ask questions, be willing to learn new things, teach your co-workers your job so that if you were to "die" the office would not fall apart, etc.
BUT I still have the itch to LOVE what I'm doing. A career takes up a big chunk of your life and I still want to experience life. It's kind of like the saying, "You either live to work or you work to live." I only want to work so that I can live; see the world, serve others, have a family, create memories, etc.
I found an interesting article about how to motivate generation Y. I agree with somethings while disagree with others; well, I guess on how it applies to me. But as a whole, I can see this true to the average generation Y person.
15 Tips for Motivating Generation Y in the Workplace
I found it interesting how true some of the things were; a need for feedback, wanting to work as a team (When I first read this caption I thought, "No... I hate group projects," but as it went on, it talked about how we like to throw out our ideas and get confirmation that we are taking the right steps. I do that all the time. I'm fully capable of making my own decisions but if I have the time to run them past others in the work place, I will.), don't assume fully technology savvy, teach them they're making a difference (Like I was saying above, we want there to be a purpose and we want to believe in that purpose), give them flexibility (Sad but true. Why does Google, for example, seem so appealing to work for? Because they offer time during the work day to go work out, the ease of playing foosball while brain storming, etc.) and teach them to write (Oh wow! I'll be honest, I don't have the greatest writing skills, and because of it I was never confident at work and would usually ask co-workers to double check something before I sent it out, but I've seen even worse. We are a generation of writing notes in Jr. High with acronyms and text messaging the rest of our life with its own "language." I once saw an admission letter to an university with a smiley face icon in it.... ummm yeah... not appropriate).
I also found the "be prepared to negotiate" and "assume they are venting about you online" bullet points interesting as well. When I worked for my university in college I would get phone calls from parents, of new incoming students, who would say things like, "I can see why that rule/requirement is set in place but that shouldn't apply to us because..." These parents were also negotiating for their kids and I saw it more and more in the students themselves of each incoming class. They seemed to think they were entitled to get the easy way out and not work for a thing. This was so foreign to me because I am a rule follower; if I'm asked to do something... I do it. If I'm told that I have to reach certain requirements... I reach them or understand that I can not get what I want when I don't reach them.
"Assume they are venting about you online," we all see this all the time; I personally think it is sad at how true this statement is. I personally think that venting about work and co-workers in a public place is unprofessional, petty and childish. And honestly... a good way to cause more problems at work and even end up loosing your job.
Anyways! These are my thoughts lately on my generation in the work place. Now I wonder, what will generation Z be like?
8.26.2013
Random Facts!
Imagine yourself watching an infomercial...
"Have you ever found yourself stuck in a conversation with nothing interesting to say and then you hit that point when the weather comes up?! Oh boy! You know you've hit rock bottom when the weather comes up... It's time to spice up your conversation skills, avoid rock bottom and start memorizing random facts. You heard me! Why not memorize some random facts to share with your friends, family and co-workers during conversations to keep them lively, interesting and informative..."
Haha, ok, don't memorize random facts to improve your conversational skills; I sometimes just think it's fun to know a few random facts. So.... enjoy:
When you die, your hair still grows for a couple of months (that's kind of gross/creepy)
A skunk's smell can be detected by a human from a mile away
Henry Ford produced the Model T only in black because the black paint available at the time was the fastest drying paint
When snakes are born with two heads they fight each other for food
There are twice as many kangaroos in Australia than people.
In the average lifetime, a person will walk the equivalent of 5 times around the equator
The elephant is the only animal with four knees
The average person spends about 2 years on the phone in their lifetime
Americans make up 5% of the world's population but they produce 35% of the world's waste
A typical pair of tennis shoes will last 500 miles of walking
"Have you ever found yourself stuck in a conversation with nothing interesting to say and then you hit that point when the weather comes up?! Oh boy! You know you've hit rock bottom when the weather comes up... It's time to spice up your conversation skills, avoid rock bottom and start memorizing random facts. You heard me! Why not memorize some random facts to share with your friends, family and co-workers during conversations to keep them lively, interesting and informative..."
Haha, ok, don't memorize random facts to improve your conversational skills; I sometimes just think it's fun to know a few random facts. So.... enjoy:
When you die, your hair still grows for a couple of months (that's kind of gross/creepy)
A skunk's smell can be detected by a human from a mile away
Henry Ford produced the Model T only in black because the black paint available at the time was the fastest drying paint
When snakes are born with two heads they fight each other for food
There are twice as many kangaroos in Australia than people.
In the average lifetime, a person will walk the equivalent of 5 times around the equator
The elephant is the only animal with four knees
The average person spends about 2 years on the phone in their lifetime
Americans make up 5% of the world's population but they produce 35% of the world's waste
A typical pair of tennis shoes will last 500 miles of walking
8.11.2013
7 Effective Ways Happy People Think
I stumbled across this article and thought I would share it. It's not GREAT, but I thought it had some good and interesting ideas. Sometimes it's good to have a reality check, even a small one, to give ourselves perspective on our lives. I just thought it was a nice reminder (not that I had forgotten) that we can control our attitudes.
7 Effective Ways Happy People Think
1. Feeling Privileged and Satisfied To Be Alive
2. Believing in the Possibility of a Better Tomorrow
3. Knowing Deep Down that Every Step is Worth it
4. Appreciating the Beauty in All the Small Things
5. Feeling Good Enough
6. Consciously Detaching and Living in the Present
7. Embracing Change
7 Effective Ways Happy People Think
1. Feeling Privileged and Satisfied To Be Alive
2. Believing in the Possibility of a Better Tomorrow
3. Knowing Deep Down that Every Step is Worth it
4. Appreciating the Beauty in All the Small Things
5. Feeling Good Enough
6. Consciously Detaching and Living in the Present
7. Embracing Change
8.05.2013
Book Reviews: I Sit All Amazed and Austenland
I'm slowly but surely plugging along on my reading list for the year. Here are two more books:
I Sit All Amazed by Steve Mikita
Oh my goodness, this is an amazing must read. I highly recommend it. This book is written by and is about Steve Mikita who is a paraplegic. Mr. Mikita talks about the power of the atonement and how Christ is there with you and knows the good and hard times. He also talks a lot about the power of a mother's love and how much his mother sacrificed for him so that he may have that much more of an enriched life. It was very humbling to read about this man who looks at his life, not by what he can not do but, by what he is able to do and what possibilities he has reached.
The book itself was an easy read and only 130 pages. I read it on a flight from Salt Lake City to Boston and it really shouldn't have taken me that long. I loved it because it was thought provoking, humbling, inspiring and an easy page turner. I bought this at Deseret Book and have no regrets about owning it.
Quotes I liked from the book:
"I cannot repay my mother. Can anyone? I can only give thanks and honor her by living the principles she taught me and by loving others as she loved me."
"Brigham Young once explained, 'Education is the power to think clearly, the power to act well in the world's work, and the power to appreciate life.'"
"With Education comes information and choices and preparation, all of which provide an increased awareness of who we are and what we can become. Education draws us closer to the truth of all things. It also makes us useful to other people rather than a burden to them. In spite of my physical disability, I knew I had something to contribute and that education would be the means of delivering it."
"Change provides us with the opportunity to learn more about our Lord and to trust His love and promises for each of us.... But we are not left alone; we are not abandoned. Our loving Godhead is there to comfort and guide us through these changing times."
"Faith is an active thing. Faith requires confidence and effort. Faith requires courage, research, and sacrifice. Faith demands that you and I act."
Talking about being accepted to Duke University and how the Dean of Students was excited and willing to prepare a smooth pathway for Steve Mikita's higher education. "Once again, Mom was right. So long as we had active faith, it only took one -- one extraordinary university and one understanding heart -- to open the way."
(Not only do I love that he is quick to give thanks to his Heavenly Father for this opportunity, give credit for the blessing and recognize the blessing of having active faith but I love that this is an example that Heavenly Father blesses us through other people at times and we too can be making a difference in other's lives when we are listening to the spirit.)
"When we were children, Dad would often remark, 'The greatest gift that a father can give his children is the knowledge that he loves their mother.'"
"my body is destined to fail me. But what won't fail me is my attitude, my family, my friends, and my Savior. Those are the things and the people I can count on and trust. Those are the things that fill my life with hope, happiness and strength."
"it is because of Him that joy is attainable each and every day, wherever we find ourselves and whatever we are experiencing.... Humor does make a difference in our lives. One cannot live a full life without being touched by life's ironies and comedies. Being able to laugh at one's self or at life's paradoxical turns makes every day more enjoyable."
Austenland by Shannon Hale
This book was fun. It wasn't a major page turner like it was for my friend but I still enjoyed a little guilty pleasure of getting slightly wrapped up in a chick flick. I liked that the book was clean and a light easy read. It is about a girl who is obsessed with Pride and Prejudice and she has a wealthy great aunt that sends her off to this resort that is set up to be as if you are living in the time period of Pride and Prejudice. The great aunt sends her there to get all of the Pride and Prejudice fantasies out of her system because it's beginning to take over the reality of her life. The book continues on to have twisted romances and in the end everything works out and she finds herself. Again, nothing amazing, but just light and fun.
Oh my goodness, this is an amazing must read. I highly recommend it. This book is written by and is about Steve Mikita who is a paraplegic. Mr. Mikita talks about the power of the atonement and how Christ is there with you and knows the good and hard times. He also talks a lot about the power of a mother's love and how much his mother sacrificed for him so that he may have that much more of an enriched life. It was very humbling to read about this man who looks at his life, not by what he can not do but, by what he is able to do and what possibilities he has reached.
The book itself was an easy read and only 130 pages. I read it on a flight from Salt Lake City to Boston and it really shouldn't have taken me that long. I loved it because it was thought provoking, humbling, inspiring and an easy page turner. I bought this at Deseret Book and have no regrets about owning it.
Quotes I liked from the book:
"I cannot repay my mother. Can anyone? I can only give thanks and honor her by living the principles she taught me and by loving others as she loved me."
"Brigham Young once explained, 'Education is the power to think clearly, the power to act well in the world's work, and the power to appreciate life.'"
"With Education comes information and choices and preparation, all of which provide an increased awareness of who we are and what we can become. Education draws us closer to the truth of all things. It also makes us useful to other people rather than a burden to them. In spite of my physical disability, I knew I had something to contribute and that education would be the means of delivering it."
"Change provides us with the opportunity to learn more about our Lord and to trust His love and promises for each of us.... But we are not left alone; we are not abandoned. Our loving Godhead is there to comfort and guide us through these changing times."
"Faith is an active thing. Faith requires confidence and effort. Faith requires courage, research, and sacrifice. Faith demands that you and I act."
Talking about being accepted to Duke University and how the Dean of Students was excited and willing to prepare a smooth pathway for Steve Mikita's higher education. "Once again, Mom was right. So long as we had active faith, it only took one -- one extraordinary university and one understanding heart -- to open the way."
(Not only do I love that he is quick to give thanks to his Heavenly Father for this opportunity, give credit for the blessing and recognize the blessing of having active faith but I love that this is an example that Heavenly Father blesses us through other people at times and we too can be making a difference in other's lives when we are listening to the spirit.)
"When we were children, Dad would often remark, 'The greatest gift that a father can give his children is the knowledge that he loves their mother.'"
"my body is destined to fail me. But what won't fail me is my attitude, my family, my friends, and my Savior. Those are the things and the people I can count on and trust. Those are the things that fill my life with hope, happiness and strength."
"it is because of Him that joy is attainable each and every day, wherever we find ourselves and whatever we are experiencing.... Humor does make a difference in our lives. One cannot live a full life without being touched by life's ironies and comedies. Being able to laugh at one's self or at life's paradoxical turns makes every day more enjoyable."
This book was fun. It wasn't a major page turner like it was for my friend but I still enjoyed a little guilty pleasure of getting slightly wrapped up in a chick flick. I liked that the book was clean and a light easy read. It is about a girl who is obsessed with Pride and Prejudice and she has a wealthy great aunt that sends her off to this resort that is set up to be as if you are living in the time period of Pride and Prejudice. The great aunt sends her there to get all of the Pride and Prejudice fantasies out of her system because it's beginning to take over the reality of her life. The book continues on to have twisted romances and in the end everything works out and she finds herself. Again, nothing amazing, but just light and fun.
7.28.2013
What is Love?
My brother recently got married and for the wedding dinner we decided to incorporate into the center pieces something from all of the nieces and nephews. We asked each of the nieces and nephews What Love was or what it meant to them and had their quotes on display as part of the center piece. I thought it would be fun to share their answers:
(My personal favorite of the quotes)
"Well, ok... to me, love is a feeling. That you care for someone." -8-year-old
"To like people and love your family." - 6-year-old
"Jesus!" - 5-year-old
"Talking to each other... Love is roses" - 9-year-old
"To kiss lips" - 5-year-old
(My personal favorite of the quotes)
"It's best friends forever... and chocolate milk!" - 2-year-old
"Love? Love is kissy, smoochy stuff." - 10-year-old
"Love means like a heart, and flowers and presents." - 8-year-old
"Love is hugging and kissing." - 6-year-old
"Love means hugs and kisses." 7-year-old
"Being nice to your friends and playing with them and being good." 3-year-old
We also asked the nieces and nephews for some marriage advice for the happy couple. These were some of my favorite advices:
"Do the hotdog dance." - 2-year-old
"Go on adventures!" - 6-year-old
"Give lots of birthday presents!" - 4-year-old
"Have fun!" - 10-year-old
"Love is always good." - 7-year-old
7.15.2013
"Aw Man!" Moments
You know, sometimes in life we have those, "Aw man!" moments. They are those moments when you are thinking, "Really? Really? Did that just happen." But hopefully we just laugh our "Aw man" moments off; life is too short to fester on the embarrassment that sometimes comes with them.
Here are some examples of "Aw Man" moments if you don't know what I am talking about:
Sneezing seconds after eating a cracker.
Running into a hot guy, you haven't seen in years, after running at the gym.
Having the bottom of your skirt get tucked into the top of your red panties in the back, after using the restroom, and walking down the hall back to your desk not realizing the show you were giving people until sitting down on your chair. (Sadly, yes, this did happen to me)
Here are some examples of "Aw Man" moments if you don't know what I am talking about:
Sneezing seconds after eating a cracker.
Running into a hot guy, you haven't seen in years, after running at the gym.
Having the bottom of your skirt get tucked into the top of your red panties in the back, after using the restroom, and walking down the hall back to your desk not realizing the show you were giving people until sitting down on your chair. (Sadly, yes, this did happen to me)
Throwing trash away in one of those counters with a hole in it and then realizing the garbage can is not in there.
While driving into work one day I ate some toast for my breakfast. It took me a good 2 hours at work to realize that I had toast crumbs on each of my cheeks... (sarcastic) awesome.
This was a close Aw man moment:
7.08.2013
Well said Winnie The Pooh, Well Said
You know, Winnie the Pooh is fictional character but yet A.A. Milne says some wonderful things through him and all of the characters of the Hundred Acer Woods. The things are simple but sometimes simple is just what we need to express how we really feel, a reminder to look for the good in others (refering to the weed quote), give encouragement that is needed and to define love. So here is my simple blog post and a few of my favorite A.A. Milne quotes from Winnie the Pooh:
I found these quotes at http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/81466.A_A_Milne
Promise me you'll always remember; You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.
One of the advantages of being disorganized is that one is always having surprising discoveries.
Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.
You can't stay in your corner of the forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes.
The things that make me different are what make me.
"Sometime," said Pooh "the smallest things take up the most room in your heart."
What day is it? -Pooh
It's today - squeeked Piglet
My favorite day! - Pooh
I found these quotes at http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/81466.A_A_Milne
6.03.2013
TOP 25 FRIENDS Episodes
So, making a top 25 list was pretty much impossible but I did it! but then I also listed below all the episodes from each season you should at least watch. (What am I saying?! Watch them all!)
Top 25
25- Season 1, The one with the thumb
24- Season 1, The one with George Stephanopoulos
Rachel: Ugh, I need a plan. I need a life plan! Phoebe? Do you have a plan?
Rachel: Ugh, I need a plan. I need a life plan! Phoebe? Do you have a plan?
Phoebe: I don't even have a pla.
23- Season 2, The one where Eddie Won't Go
22- Season 8, The one when Joey Dates Rachel
21- Season 8, The one in Massapequa
"No, I am a positive person. You are like Santa Clause, on Prozac... at Disneyland... getting laid!" - Phoebe
"No, I am a positive person. You are like Santa Clause, on Prozac... at Disneyland... getting laid!" - Phoebe
20- Season 2, The one with the Prom Video
19- Season 4, The one with all the Rugby
Joey: "Ross, look. Here, this is called a scrum. It is kind of like a huddle."
Ross: "And is a hum, kind of like a scruttle?"
Joey: "Ross, look at me. They're going to KILL you"
Joey: "Ross, look. Here, this is called a scrum. It is kind of like a huddle."
Ross: "And is a hum, kind of like a scruttle?"
Joey: "Ross, look at me. They're going to KILL you"
18- Season 7, The one with Phoebe's Cookies
17- Season 7, The one with the Nap Partners
16- Season 6, The one where Joey Looses His Insurance
15- Season 7, The one with Joey's New Brain
(I love that Rachel is trying so hard not to laugh in this scene)
14- Season 4, The one with Phoebe's Uterus
13- Season 3, The one where nobody is ready
12- Season 4, The one with the Jelly Fish
11- Season 4, The one with all the Wedding Dresses
10- Season 7, The one when Rosita Dies
"Get your unbelieving ass out of my miracle chair!" - Joey
"Get your unbelieving ass out of my miracle chair!" - Joey
9- Season 6, The one when Phoebe Runs
8- Season 5, The one where everyone finds out
"She's going to come over and feel my bicep and more!" -Chandler
"She's going to come over and feel my bicep and more!" -Chandler
7- Season 10, The one with Ross's Tan
6- Season 4, The one with Chandler in the Box
5- Season 8, The one with the Rumor
I love this one because 1)Brad Pitt is in it, 'nough said, and 2) at the time he and Jennifer Anniston are happily married in real life and it funny to see the two of them pick on each other in this episode.
I love this one because 1)Brad Pitt is in it, 'nough said, and 2) at the time he and Jennifer Anniston are happily married in real life and it funny to see the two of them pick on each other in this episode.
4- Season 3, The one with all the Football
3- Season 10, The one when the Stripper Crise
2- Season 4, The with the Embryos
1- Season 5, The one with the Cop (I think that all the story lines going on in this episode are hilarious)
Season 1
Pilot
The one with the Thumb
The one with George Stephanopoulos
The one with all the Poker
Season 2
The one with the baby on the bus
The one with the Prom Video
The one where Eddie Won't Go
The one with the List (Just watch the opening segment: it's a funny comparison of the differences between men and women)
Season 3
The one where nobody is ready
The one with all the Football
The one where Rachel Quits
The one with the Hypnosis Tape
The one at the Beach
Season 4
The one with the Jellyfish
The one where Chandler Crosses the Line
The one with Chandler in the Box
The one with Phoebe's Uterus
The one with the Embryos
The one with all the Rugby
The one with Free Porn
The one with all the Wedding Dresses
Season 5
The one with all the Resolutions
The one where everyone finds out
The one with the Cop
The one where Ross can't Flirt
The one with the Ride Along
The one with the Ball
Season 6
The one where Joey looses his insurance
The one where Phoebe Runs
The one where Ross got High
The one with the Routine
The one with the Apothecary Table
The one with Unagi
Season 7
The one with Phoebe's Cookies
The one with the Nap Partners
The one where they're up all night
The one where Rosita Dies
The one with Joey's New Brain
The one with the truth about London
The One with the Cheap wedding dress
Season 8
The one with the Videotape
The one with the Rumor
The one when Joey Dates Rachel
The one with Massapequa
Season 9
The one where Emma Cries
The one with the Male Nanny
The one with Rachel's other sister
The one with Blind Dates
The one with the Mugging
The one with the Lottery
Season 10
The one where Ross is Fine
The one with Ross's Tan
The one with Ross's Grant
The one with the Late Thanksgiving
The one when the Stripper Cries
Phoebe's Wedding
The one when Joey Speaks French
The one with Princess Consuela
The Last One
I'd also at least watch the Season Premiere and Final of each season :)
Ok! BYE!
5.27.2013
Pen Pals
Remember when it was a "thing" when you were little to have a pen pal? I miss that! It's just so much fun to get mail, I love mail. Not junk mail and bills... heavens no. I mean a letter from a friend.
It's more personal and thoughtful to send or receive a note in the mail and because it came in the mail it is usually longer than a easily quick email sent.
Letters are something you usually save because it meant something and going back to read it again years later usually makes you smile, laugh, think or it gives you a push to keep going on a bad day because someone believed in you at one time. I have two shoe boxes full of letters I have saved from people over the years. Some actually are from friends and pen pals back when I was in Elementary school. Every once in awhile I go through them to get rid of ones that probably aren't as meaningful but I usually only toss out a few.
Any ways, I miss the days of Pen Pals from childhood all the way through High school and College... I need to start up my "pen pal" ways again.
It's more personal and thoughtful to send or receive a note in the mail and because it came in the mail it is usually longer than a easily quick email sent.
Letters are something you usually save because it meant something and going back to read it again years later usually makes you smile, laugh, think or it gives you a push to keep going on a bad day because someone believed in you at one time. I have two shoe boxes full of letters I have saved from people over the years. Some actually are from friends and pen pals back when I was in Elementary school. Every once in awhile I go through them to get rid of ones that probably aren't as meaningful but I usually only toss out a few.
Any ways, I miss the days of Pen Pals from childhood all the way through High school and College... I need to start up my "pen pal" ways again.
5.19.2013
Things In Your 20s
A "friend" of mine on Facebook posted two entires from Thought Catalog about "things" in your twenties. 1. Things you're too old for in your twenties and 2. Lessons Everyone learns in their 20s. Check them out! Both of them made me laugh but both had a few things that were kind of a harsh but a good reality (things that I knew but not sure if I wanted to admit).
Things You're Too Old For in Your Twenties.
These 9 things all just made me chuckle and I found entertaining. Maybe staying true to the advise of #9 is why I duck into an isle at the grocery store when I see someone from high school in order to avoid the awkward chit-chat life-update. (Though sometimes I do that and then feel terrible because I would have actually liked to have said hello to that person.)
Lessons Everyone Learns in Their 20s
1. Ha!
2. SO TRUE! Just looking at my Murray girl friends we are all in different stages. Some married with kids, some traveling the world, others career focused, some still trying to figure out their path in life, etc.
It's hard sometimes when you see what others around you are doing: I travel a lot but sometimes my life feels "empty" without a companion to share it with. While some of my married friends have said they are jealous of the single friends random adventures. Just a good reminder to be happy with whatever stage you are at and enjoying what you have.
8. Word. Ok... I know this is referring to drinking and I don't drink but I'm looking at this one as staying up late and/or going to big parties. It's funny, I love to be around lots of people but I now also love my alone time. Sometimes it's hard to balance the fulfillment of the need for both. My senior year of college I started to get to the point that I was ok going to bed between 10pm and midnight. If I can manage to stay up until 2am then I usually get a second wind and burst of energy but it doesn't mean I recover from it like I did at 19 years old. No way! I pay for it. I also "love" going on dates these days with guys still in college and when I say I have work in the morning and need to get home or that I can't just text or call at anytime during the work day they seem so confused by the concept.
9. This is one I really need to work on. People love to give you their opinions, even when you don't ask for it AND I am SUCH a people pleaser. Sometimes when people in my life give my adamant advice I don't think they realize how much of an effect it has one me. "I want to do this thing but So-and-so said I shouldn't and now I'm questioning myself and my judgement." It drives me crazy... I literally talk myself out of things because of other people and I really shouldn't let them do that to me.
10. This past year, #10 has been a true awakening for me. I miss the college scene (and even high school) where you could get 30 people together to go do a fun/crazy/random activity but I no longer seem to know how to get that big of a group together anymore. #10 makes perfect sense: I can still be friendly with everyone and still invite new people to join a group activity once in awhile but it's time to have just a small group of friends. It's time to live my favorite TV show, FRIENDS, haha.
I was actually talking to a guy friend about #10 and he made the point that in big groups you know everyone's name and how they are in the large setting but in smaller groups you don't miss the intimate opportunity to really get to know someone and become a true friend, not just a Friday night friend.
Things You're Too Old For in Your Twenties.
These 9 things all just made me chuckle and I found entertaining. Maybe staying true to the advise of #9 is why I duck into an isle at the grocery store when I see someone from high school in order to avoid the awkward chit-chat life-update. (Though sometimes I do that and then feel terrible because I would have actually liked to have said hello to that person.)
Lessons Everyone Learns in Their 20s
1. Ha!
2. SO TRUE! Just looking at my Murray girl friends we are all in different stages. Some married with kids, some traveling the world, others career focused, some still trying to figure out their path in life, etc.
It's hard sometimes when you see what others around you are doing: I travel a lot but sometimes my life feels "empty" without a companion to share it with. While some of my married friends have said they are jealous of the single friends random adventures. Just a good reminder to be happy with whatever stage you are at and enjoying what you have.
8. Word. Ok... I know this is referring to drinking and I don't drink but I'm looking at this one as staying up late and/or going to big parties. It's funny, I love to be around lots of people but I now also love my alone time. Sometimes it's hard to balance the fulfillment of the need for both. My senior year of college I started to get to the point that I was ok going to bed between 10pm and midnight. If I can manage to stay up until 2am then I usually get a second wind and burst of energy but it doesn't mean I recover from it like I did at 19 years old. No way! I pay for it. I also "love" going on dates these days with guys still in college and when I say I have work in the morning and need to get home or that I can't just text or call at anytime during the work day they seem so confused by the concept.
9. This is one I really need to work on. People love to give you their opinions, even when you don't ask for it AND I am SUCH a people pleaser. Sometimes when people in my life give my adamant advice I don't think they realize how much of an effect it has one me. "I want to do this thing but So-and-so said I shouldn't and now I'm questioning myself and my judgement." It drives me crazy... I literally talk myself out of things because of other people and I really shouldn't let them do that to me.
10. This past year, #10 has been a true awakening for me. I miss the college scene (and even high school) where you could get 30 people together to go do a fun/crazy/random activity but I no longer seem to know how to get that big of a group together anymore. #10 makes perfect sense: I can still be friendly with everyone and still invite new people to join a group activity once in awhile but it's time to have just a small group of friends. It's time to live my favorite TV show, FRIENDS, haha.
I was actually talking to a guy friend about #10 and he made the point that in big groups you know everyone's name and how they are in the large setting but in smaller groups you don't miss the intimate opportunity to really get to know someone and become a true friend, not just a Friday night friend.
5.06.2013
Book Reviews
So I am working on my reading list for 2013. I'm not doing so hot but I'm at least reading more than usual. I keep trying to read Count of Monte Cristo and I keep getting lost or my mind wanders off to other things... I'm thinking I'm not smart enough for the book... which is said because I'm pretty sure the 9th grade honors english class at my Jr. High had to read that book.... and they're 15-years-old.
Here's a review on what I have read so far:
The Automatic Millionaire by David Bach
Oh my goodness! I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone. It's a great simple read and it has SO many great ideas and suggestions on how to better budget your money, how to be a millionaire in your retirement, how to make it easier so save money now, perspective on how you're spending your money and suggestions on better spending habits. The book even gives suggested companies and bank accounts to help with the process of bettering your financial circumstances. The main idea behind the whole book is making everything "automatic." Set it up so that your pay checks are automatic being split and transferred into spending, savings, retirement, investment, etc. acocunts. Once you do all the work ONE TIME, to set up all of these accounts and the automatic transfers, you don't have to think about it anymore.
Crossed and then Reached by: Ally Condie
These were the second and third books to the book Matched I read last year. As I said in my review of Matched; basically this was a trilogy that I would say was a mixture of The Giver and The Hunger Games but more geared towards girls. Again, I read Matched in one weekend. It was interesting and a light read but intriguing enough that I couldn't put it down. Crossed was hard to get through and I even considered just forgetting the whole thing but I got through it. Crossed was hard for me because it was more about the "love" story and the girl was so whinny and it was getting old. Overall I would say you will still need to read Crossed because it has information that you need in order to understand things in Reached, the third book. Now Reached was awesome and I'm so glad I didn't give up. The book was more like the first book where it was interesting and intriguing but a little more intense. Not too intense that it was almost stressful to read but more of an intense that made you want to keep reading to find out what was going to happen next. Again this trilogy reminded me a lot of The Hunger games but I will tell you this... the ending was better and had a much more satisfying resolution and ending.
I would recommend this trilogy to read. It was a fun, easy, page turner set of books.
Adding to my reading list (as if I'm going to finish all the other books but) with good reason.
1. The Mediation & Atonement of Jesus Christ by John Taylor
Usually I'm not one for religious books. I read my scriptures and conference talks for religion and anything else is for my imagination to soar off into adventure or another world or silly girly giddiness or curiosity, etc. BUT Elder Scott came to my YSA Stake Conference back in September and he said that we should read this book and I figured, if an apostle of the church is telling me I should read a book... I probably should read it.
2. I Sit All Amazed by Stephen Mikita
Another church book (haha I must be growing up or something). I went to a fireside that he spoke at and it was amazing and the spirit was so strong. He was born with a muscle disease and is a parapalegic. He was so humble and grateful for all his blessing and it really put things into perspective for me of how much I truly have. I mean, I know I have been blessed in so many ways but to see this man, who has been given so many trials, be so positive and grateful was a huge reminder that I should be grateful for all that I have... big and little. Anyways... made me want to read his book.
3. Austenland by Shannon Hale
This was recommended to me by a friend of mine who doesn't enjoy reading and she has read this book three times. As she told me about this book she got so excited about it that she said she would read it again with me.
Here's a review on what I have read so far:
The Automatic Millionaire by David Bach
Oh my goodness! I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone. It's a great simple read and it has SO many great ideas and suggestions on how to better budget your money, how to be a millionaire in your retirement, how to make it easier so save money now, perspective on how you're spending your money and suggestions on better spending habits. The book even gives suggested companies and bank accounts to help with the process of bettering your financial circumstances. The main idea behind the whole book is making everything "automatic." Set it up so that your pay checks are automatic being split and transferred into spending, savings, retirement, investment, etc. acocunts. Once you do all the work ONE TIME, to set up all of these accounts and the automatic transfers, you don't have to think about it anymore.
Crossed and then Reached by: Ally Condie
These were the second and third books to the book Matched I read last year. As I said in my review of Matched; basically this was a trilogy that I would say was a mixture of The Giver and The Hunger Games but more geared towards girls. Again, I read Matched in one weekend. It was interesting and a light read but intriguing enough that I couldn't put it down. Crossed was hard to get through and I even considered just forgetting the whole thing but I got through it. Crossed was hard for me because it was more about the "love" story and the girl was so whinny and it was getting old. Overall I would say you will still need to read Crossed because it has information that you need in order to understand things in Reached, the third book. Now Reached was awesome and I'm so glad I didn't give up. The book was more like the first book where it was interesting and intriguing but a little more intense. Not too intense that it was almost stressful to read but more of an intense that made you want to keep reading to find out what was going to happen next. Again this trilogy reminded me a lot of The Hunger games but I will tell you this... the ending was better and had a much more satisfying resolution and ending.
I would recommend this trilogy to read. It was a fun, easy, page turner set of books.
Adding to my reading list (as if I'm going to finish all the other books but) with good reason.
1. The Mediation & Atonement of Jesus Christ by John Taylor
Usually I'm not one for religious books. I read my scriptures and conference talks for religion and anything else is for my imagination to soar off into adventure or another world or silly girly giddiness or curiosity, etc. BUT Elder Scott came to my YSA Stake Conference back in September and he said that we should read this book and I figured, if an apostle of the church is telling me I should read a book... I probably should read it.
2. I Sit All Amazed by Stephen Mikita
Another church book (haha I must be growing up or something). I went to a fireside that he spoke at and it was amazing and the spirit was so strong. He was born with a muscle disease and is a parapalegic. He was so humble and grateful for all his blessing and it really put things into perspective for me of how much I truly have. I mean, I know I have been blessed in so many ways but to see this man, who has been given so many trials, be so positive and grateful was a huge reminder that I should be grateful for all that I have... big and little. Anyways... made me want to read his book.
3. Austenland by Shannon Hale
This was recommended to me by a friend of mine who doesn't enjoy reading and she has read this book three times. As she told me about this book she got so excited about it that she said she would read it again with me.
4.30.2013
Spiritual Gifts
So, I teach one of the gospel doctrine sunday school classes in my singles ward. This calling terrifies me for many reasons: What if I say something stupid? (I usually do), What if I say something that offends someone?, What if I say something blasphemous and don't realize it?! (EEK!) What if someone asks a question that I don't know the answer to? (Usually I just turn the question back to the class). I still have these fears as I teach but on the bright side it has been a lot of fun to learn so many new things while preparing my lessons and to make myself understand concepts and principals. And luckily it's not too hard for me to get up in front of people... if I feel prepared. (To quite what nerves I may have, I always teach without my shoes on. This may gross some people out, but whatever, that's just going to have to be their problem.)
Lately my lessons have been really intense subjects or at least serious and I was having a hard time enjoying teaching but yesterday my lesson was on Spiritual Gifts and it was such a fun lesson to teach. I think I was so excited to teach it that I may have been a little over the top optimistic and ecstatic during my lesson. (Hopefully I didn't scare away any cute boys)
Anyways, I just wanted to share why I was so excited about this lesson...
I think spiritual gifts are so cool! We each have spiritual gifts and they are there to bless us but even more importantly to bless those around us. D&C Section 46 talks about some specific spiritual gifts but then Elder Marvin J. Ashton said, "some “less-conspicuous gifts” include “the gift of asking; the gift of listening; the gift of hearing and using a still, small voice; … the gift of avoiding contention; the gift of being agreeable; … the gift of seeking that which is righteous; the gift of not passing judgment; the gift of looking to God for guidance; the gift of being a disciple; the gift of caring for others; the gift of being able to ponder; the gift of offering prayer; the gift of bearing a mighty testimony; and the gift of receiving the Holy Ghost”
After reading this quote I had the class tell me all the spiritual gifts and talents they could think of... we FILLED the chalk board before I stopped them and I'm sure they could have kept going. These were some of the chunk... The gift of: Kindness, Happiness, The Ability to Recognize Other's Needs, Including Others, Laughter, Smiling, Service, Organization, Hard work, Ponder, Obedience, The Use of Time Wisely, Showing and Expressing Gratitude, Forgiveness, Repentance, Humility, Listening, Teaching, Recognizing Other's Talents, Generosity, Acting on Promptings, etc.
It was so nice to see this huge list on the board to recognize how many spiritual gifts there are. I had one girl even say that there were things on there that she always knew she had the habit of doing but she never realized it would be considered a spiritual gift and she said it was nice to be able to recognize that it was of s. gift of hers.
So think about the people in your life that you love and admire, and think about their spiritual gifts and how they use them.
I have one friend that has the gift of laughter. She has the ability to laugh things off, laugh at the perfect time when a story is being told to her, etc. and her laugh is extremely uplifting and contacious. All she needs to do when I'm around her is laugh and my mood brightens... even if I was already in a good mood, it just somehow makes you feel warmer inside.
I have another friend who has the gift of avoiding contention. It's amazing, she is not a passive person by any means but she has this incredible ability to take away contention in a room. Her feathers are never ruffled, she constantly finds joy in any circumstance and she's able to radiate this to those around her.
These are such simple gifts but at the same time they are incredibly important. By using these gifts these people are uplifting those around them. And what is so cool is that we can seek out and develop additional talents and gifts and Heavenly Father will help us obtain them if we use them to lift and strengthen others.
What is sad is Satan is going to try to deceive us and discourage us to think we don’t have gifts or that our gifts aren’t of value when compared to those of others. But we can't let him do that. My big push in this lesson was continually saying that all of these gifts are important and we should be excited that we have these gifts because their importance makes each of us important. (Did I say important too many times?) I mean, it's just awesome!
Again, think about those people in your life and their spiritual gifts... tell them that you admire their spiritual gift and how they use it! Help them recognize their gifts/talents and their value.
Another quote I really liked in the lesson was by President George Q. Cannon and he taught: “If any of us are imperfect, it is our duty to pray for the gift that will make us perfect. Have I imperfections? I am full of them. What is my duty? To pray to God to give me the gifts that will correct these imperfections. If I am an angry man, it is my duty to pray for charity, which suffereth long and is kind. Am I an envious man? It is my duty to seek for charity, which envieth not. So with all the gifts of the Gospel. They are intended for this purpose. No man ought to say, ‘Oh, I cannot help this; it is my nature.’ He is not justified in it, for the reason that God has promised to give strength to correct these things, and to give gifts that will eradicate them” (Millennial Star, 23 Apr. 1894, 260).
I liked that he said that, if we are "angry" we need to pray for "charity." I liked this because he's not instructing us to pray to be "less angry" but to pray for a solution that will help cancel out "anger."
In my class we also talked about how we can seek and develop spiritual gifts. First of all, put the gifts you do have to use. Others will come through life experiences. We can pray to develop some. We can study our patriarchal blessings. One guy even brought up the point that we sometimes have to take ourselves out of our comfort zones to develop gifts... it may be hard but we have to at times.
Anyways! Sorry this was such a preaching post; it was just such a fun lesson and I wanted to share it with you!
Lately my lessons have been really intense subjects or at least serious and I was having a hard time enjoying teaching but yesterday my lesson was on Spiritual Gifts and it was such a fun lesson to teach. I think I was so excited to teach it that I may have been a little over the top optimistic and ecstatic during my lesson. (Hopefully I didn't scare away any cute boys)
Anyways, I just wanted to share why I was so excited about this lesson...
I think spiritual gifts are so cool! We each have spiritual gifts and they are there to bless us but even more importantly to bless those around us. D&C Section 46 talks about some specific spiritual gifts but then Elder Marvin J. Ashton said, "some “less-conspicuous gifts” include “the gift of asking; the gift of listening; the gift of hearing and using a still, small voice; … the gift of avoiding contention; the gift of being agreeable; … the gift of seeking that which is righteous; the gift of not passing judgment; the gift of looking to God for guidance; the gift of being a disciple; the gift of caring for others; the gift of being able to ponder; the gift of offering prayer; the gift of bearing a mighty testimony; and the gift of receiving the Holy Ghost”
After reading this quote I had the class tell me all the spiritual gifts and talents they could think of... we FILLED the chalk board before I stopped them and I'm sure they could have kept going. These were some of the chunk... The gift of: Kindness, Happiness, The Ability to Recognize Other's Needs, Including Others, Laughter, Smiling, Service, Organization, Hard work, Ponder, Obedience, The Use of Time Wisely, Showing and Expressing Gratitude, Forgiveness, Repentance, Humility, Listening, Teaching, Recognizing Other's Talents, Generosity, Acting on Promptings, etc.
It was so nice to see this huge list on the board to recognize how many spiritual gifts there are. I had one girl even say that there were things on there that she always knew she had the habit of doing but she never realized it would be considered a spiritual gift and she said it was nice to be able to recognize that it was of s. gift of hers.
So think about the people in your life that you love and admire, and think about their spiritual gifts and how they use them.
I have one friend that has the gift of laughter. She has the ability to laugh things off, laugh at the perfect time when a story is being told to her, etc. and her laugh is extremely uplifting and contacious. All she needs to do when I'm around her is laugh and my mood brightens... even if I was already in a good mood, it just somehow makes you feel warmer inside.
I have another friend who has the gift of avoiding contention. It's amazing, she is not a passive person by any means but she has this incredible ability to take away contention in a room. Her feathers are never ruffled, she constantly finds joy in any circumstance and she's able to radiate this to those around her.
These are such simple gifts but at the same time they are incredibly important. By using these gifts these people are uplifting those around them. And what is so cool is that we can seek out and develop additional talents and gifts and Heavenly Father will help us obtain them if we use them to lift and strengthen others.
What is sad is Satan is going to try to deceive us and discourage us to think we don’t have gifts or that our gifts aren’t of value when compared to those of others. But we can't let him do that. My big push in this lesson was continually saying that all of these gifts are important and we should be excited that we have these gifts because their importance makes each of us important. (Did I say important too many times?) I mean, it's just awesome!
Again, think about those people in your life and their spiritual gifts... tell them that you admire their spiritual gift and how they use it! Help them recognize their gifts/talents and their value.
Another quote I really liked in the lesson was by President George Q. Cannon and he taught: “If any of us are imperfect, it is our duty to pray for the gift that will make us perfect. Have I imperfections? I am full of them. What is my duty? To pray to God to give me the gifts that will correct these imperfections. If I am an angry man, it is my duty to pray for charity, which suffereth long and is kind. Am I an envious man? It is my duty to seek for charity, which envieth not. So with all the gifts of the Gospel. They are intended for this purpose. No man ought to say, ‘Oh, I cannot help this; it is my nature.’ He is not justified in it, for the reason that God has promised to give strength to correct these things, and to give gifts that will eradicate them” (Millennial Star, 23 Apr. 1894, 260).
I liked that he said that, if we are "angry" we need to pray for "charity." I liked this because he's not instructing us to pray to be "less angry" but to pray for a solution that will help cancel out "anger."
In my class we also talked about how we can seek and develop spiritual gifts. First of all, put the gifts you do have to use. Others will come through life experiences. We can pray to develop some. We can study our patriarchal blessings. One guy even brought up the point that we sometimes have to take ourselves out of our comfort zones to develop gifts... it may be hard but we have to at times.
Anyways! Sorry this was such a preaching post; it was just such a fun lesson and I wanted to share it with you!
“Neglect not
the gift that is in thee” 1 Timothy 4:14
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