Vlog 2!

So slowly but surely I'll make these a greater part of the blog :)  I think they're really fun and to some degree satisfy that longing I had as a little kid to be in front of a camera for millions of people to see haha!  Good thing there aren't millions of people watching these though, or I'm sure I'd feel just a little bit more pressure to perfect them ;)  That being said, enjoy this rough cut, first take of fun on where I want to take a business idea! :)

Finding What Makes Me Happy

I've been a little hung up lately on finding happiness and the most effective ways to do it, 'cause that's how my mind works, I'm a methodical person.  Sometimes to a fault, as it can make me miss the point.  (I've been wondering if that's what I'm doing here, but since it's the way I solve problems, that's the way it's going to get done around here. :) )  

So with method in mind and happiness as my goal, I've decided to do a little list making (yay!!!) about things that make mah happy.  Since I'm a list maker, I've obviously got this list already started, but, sad story, it's in a notebook that's still boxed in KY.  (I really thought I would have reunited with my stuff by now..)  Anyways, so here's my list, restarted and digitized, never to be parted from me again :) (so long as the internet doesn't go away)

Things That Make Mah Happy

-warm weather

-my family

-being in a relationship

-great friends

-baking/cooking

-smiling and laughing 

(you too?! no way!! :) for real though, 

just smiling makes you happier, try it right now)

-reading the scriptures

-exercising

-listening to good music

-bike rides with friends

-looking good

-getting personal notes from people

-hugs

-crafts that don't require much craftiness :)

-accomplishing things I think are too difficult for me to accomplish

-going to the driving range

-singing

-chocolate cake

-picnics in the park

-helping others

-spending time with the people I care about

Making this list, and even going into it, I realized that I need to recognize more things in my life that make me happy and not forget about those things.  In teaching health I always loved to stress the importance of keeping a strong balance between all areas of your life and maintaining your health in each area.  The areas I always focused on were:

physical health

emotional health

mental health

spiritual health

social health

I feel like I fell out of balance over the past few months and am in need of a readjustment on my road to happiness and all-around health, but, thanks to my methodical nature, that is just what I'll be focusing on this summer!  I love setting goals and think it's a great way to start working on this project, and since making your goals public is a great way to hold yourself accountable to reaching them, I'm posting them here for all of you to enjoy!  (And maybe even be inspired by :) )  So without further adieu:

My 2011 Summer Health Goals

physical health: 

get @< 30 min of physical fitness 4x/week

emotional health: 

do things that help me keep a positive mental attitude throughout the day;

discuss things that bother me with the people they concern

volunteer or serve others in a meaningful way @< 2x/month

smile at a stranger every day

mental health: 

write in my journal* 3x/wk;

when I find myself getting stressed, choose a healthy way to deal with the situation

*I accidentally left my journal on the flight home from Denver, cross your fingers they find it and send it back!!

spiritual health:

effectively pray and study the scriptures every day

attend church meetings with the right attitude (a positive, humble, meek one)

social health:

meet one new person/week

get to know @< 1 new person better every month

go on 2 decently significant outings every month (and post about them here! :))

If you think you could benefit from a little more balance in your life, which, honestly who couldn't?, I'd encourage you to do something similar.  Even if goal-setting isn't exactly your thing, even just recognizing the different areas of life and their importance and role in helping to keep you happy is a good start. :)

So on I go in working on these goals, 

here's to making things better!  My entire purpose with having this blog!! 

PS Here are some pics from my recent trip to UT of people that make me happy :)

My sister Veronica's darling girls, Kaylee and Lia

My sister Rachel and I

Veronica's son Bryce and I (he's such a stud!!)

The Fam! :)

I love my sisters sooo much!!

I miss Merit!!  Love yall!!

Headed to Baby McKenzie's blessing!

I love these girls!!

B Sid, the best friend a girl could ask for ;)

Andrew and Toby, such a fun dinner!!

My lil' sis from Merit!

I love you all, thanks for making that one of the best vacations I've ever had!! :)

Knowing Your Strengths: That's Better.

Recognize the good.

I tend to be an active/reactive person when it comes to my emotions, and in trying to raise my everyday baseline level of happiness I've realized that that often acts as an inhibitor to me being happy, especially as of late.  I've thought a lot lately that if I can just get these dang emotions in check then I can be more happy overall because I won't be so capricious and fickle.  So I decided to go back through some of my older posts and see what advice I could offer myself on the matter of being happy and try those methods that have worked for others.

In an article I linked a while back entitled Are Happy People Dumb? it recommends a list with various suggestions to take, one of which being to maximize your strengths.  First, take the VIA Signature Strengths test here and find out what your Signature Strengths are.

So I went there and did that.
Here are my results.


Top Character Strength: Honesty, Authenticity and Genuineness.
You are an honest person, not only by speaking the truth but by living your life in a genuine and authentic way. You are down to earth and without pretense; you are a "real" person.

Second Character Strength: Leadership.  

You excel at the tasks of leadership: encouraging a group to get things done and preserving harmony within the group by making everyone feel included. You do a good job organizing activities and seeing that they happen.

Third Character Strength: Spirituality, Sense of Purpose, Faith.

You have strong and coherent beliefs about the higher purpose and meaning of the universe. You know where you fit in the larger scheme. Your beliefs shape your actions and are a source of comfort to you.

Fourth Character Strength: Caution, Prudence and Discretion.

You are a careful person, and your choices are consistently prudent ones. You do not say or do things that you might later regret.

Fifth Character Strength: Citizenship, Teamwork and Loyalty.

You excel as a member of a group. You are a loyal and dedicated teammate, you always do your share, and you work hard for the success of your group.

Now, I know Achor recommends maximizing these strengths by using them in new ways, and I'll try that next week, starting tomorrow, but for right now it just felt good knowing I have strengths.  It's a mean thing to constantly feel down, and when you are an active/reactive person like me who often notices your emotions colouring your day with gray, even just thinking there's yellow somewhere can make it seem brighter.

How amazing is the Lord?!

Saturday marked 3 years since my sweet Mother passed, and with all the effort I've been making over the past few months, especially this last one in particular, I was really hoping I could feel close to her and know of her continual presence in my life as she supports me in being a better person every day, a better example of Christ, a better Christian.  It's absolutely amazing to me how quickly and specifically the Lord can answer your prayers if are trying to strengthen your relationship with Him.  As I mentioned in a previous post, I've been trying to realign my life and day to day actions with those of the Savior's, and especially over the past month since I've taken meaningful steps towards doing that, I've come to see His merciful hand reaching out to me to help pull me up.  And without a doubt, Mom's been right there with Him cheering me on.

My Mom was probably the greatest person you could've ever known, except for Christ himself, because she always made it a point to serve others and put them first, just as Christ did.  Her awesome example of what it meant to be a disciple of Christ has always resonated in my heart as the way I should be myself.  Since I decided this year to more honor her life on the day of her passing instead of mourn her death, which is the way I think she would prefer it, it was easy to settle on a new tradition to start.  I decided to start making her day a day of service towards others and one where I would make it a point to put others needs before mine, (as I should do every day!).

I got the opportunity to go down to a battered women's shelter just down from my school and help serve lunch to ladies in need of some food.  It was truly a simple task, mine was just to hand out bananas to everyone :), but I can say without a doubt that she was there with me, helping brighten my own spirit so that we might together brighten others'.  It's simply astonishing how far a smile and a cheery, "Would you like a banana?!" :) can go.  I can't wait to go back and feel that amazing feeling again.  Selflessness like that can, from my point, also be seen as selfishness as it leaves me feeling so good inside!  :)

In trying to strengthen my relationship with the Lord I know that He's answered my prayers and that Mom's been there.  By becoming more in tune with the Spirit I've been able to become more in tune with hers, and know of her ever encouraging spirit and energy for me to improve myself.  She was hands down my greatest cheerleader here on Earth and I know she continues to be from across the veil.  In recommitting to Christ I have felt of her presence and encouragement as I sacrifice good things for better, and better for best.  I am so grateful to the Lord for His tender mercy in helping strengthen me through not only His spirit by in realizing that of my Mother's as well.  I love you, Mom, and can't wait until the day I get to be with you again.  I love you!!

"You're a lot hotter than Martha"

A disclaimer to my title:  I did not think so highly of myself, although I think I could give Martha a run for her money... Girl's got skills, just not sure hair/ makeup are one of them... :)  So my department at school had our capstone presentation day yesterday, and I decided to bake cookies for all of our presenters and teachers.  When people found out I was the one who made the delectable treats at the event, one girl said, "You're a lot hotter than Martha!"  Hahaha So eat that, Martha Stewart!!  :)  

I decided to get my baking on since I am done with classes and turned in my final paper on Wednesday, so I went out and got meringue powder, a new icing kit, and a black icing pen and started baking!!  I decided to try flooding, a technique I've heard tons about but haven't ever attempted, so it was a learning experience in that regard, but super fun in the process.  It felt nice to just get things off my mind and get to be a little creative chemist in the kitchen :)

I used the vanilla almond sugar cookie recipe that Bridget @ Bake at 350 always uses, and her recipe for royal icing, as well. 

Oh, and did I mention my new icing kit?!  All my baking tools are in boxes in KY, so I had to get a new #2 tip, and apparently there's no place to just get those, haha, so I got a whole new kit!  Yay!

 It has these really convenient, interchangeable bottles and tips.  Loving it so far! :)

Here are my canvases, all outlined in perfection :) hahaha (not really, obviously)

There's been a flood!! ;)

Final products!  These were for those presenting their capstone presentations 

yesterday for the Health Law Department @ Boston University's School of Public Health

where I go to school.  Congrats, everyone!!  We did it!! :)

And what kind of a student wouldn't say THANK YOU!!! to all of their amazing professors and advisors who have helped them along the way?!

And just because I had a few extras left over :)

And here I am, proud lil mama, getting ready to head in for presentations :)  

So, from my kitchen to yers (as Ms Paula Deen says!),

"Eat THAT, Martha!" ;)

To A Loyal Snuggle Buddy...

This is how my bed has looked the past 2 3 weeks.  

I've been slightly consumed by all my research papers, 

but the good news is...

LAST ONE'S DUE TOMORROW!!!!

Dear Snuggle Buddy,

I really appreciate you having been there for me over the past 3 weeks,

but I think it's time we break up.

Well, I think tomorrow at noon it's actually time we break up,

since that's when my last paper is due.

You've been a real trooper this semester,

keepin me busy during the day 

and from getting lonely at night.

While I will look back on our time together and smile, 

I think it's time I say

see ya later, snuggle buddy, and thanks for being 

THE WORST HOOKUP

I HAVE EVER HAD!!

(Not that you had much competition, I only choose the best :) )

...but I did enjoy the breakup reading.

It was soo much better than the usual! :)

Sincerely,

The Girl Who Wrote >50% of Her Entire Thesis Paper in Bed :)

Stoked? I Think So...

I just wanted to let you know that I'm taking Ceramics next semester :)  Needless to say, I am thoroughly stoked about my fall classes:

Communication Strategies for Public Health

Designing and Implementing a Public Health Communication Campaign

Organizational Behavior and Health Management

Ceramics

Tennis

*Qualitative Research Methods

(*not necessarily stoked about this one...)

Is it weird that the things I'm most stoked about are that I'll have a weekly mandatory tennis date and I'll be able to make my own flower/herb pots for my garden next summer?  Ya, super stoked... :)  Get ready to see greatness, people!

And family, get excited for... wait for it... Christmas presents!! :)