Chapter 41: 2013 in Review

2013 was such a great year.  My slogan was: Embrace Life.  And you know what, I definitely embraced life the entire year.  I love the concept of embracing because it means living.  I think it's more important to embrace than it is to accept or deal with.  Those words have such a negative connotation.  Embrace is so positive and that's what my life is about.

I, as usual, had 5 resolutions to focus on throughout the year.  I'd like to tell you about each of them and how I really embraced them.

1. Call more/Text Less (have meaningful conversations)
I'll admit, I did a poor job on this one.  I still text more than I want to.  It's just so convenient!  But.....luckily I have friends who helped me with this one without even knowing it.  I met a few people this year who really had awesome conversations with me.  I learned so much and I really cherish those deep and meaningful conversations.  I also had a moment when I accidentally pocket dialed my friend Lara.  In the end, I had a 50 minute conversation with her.  That meant so much to me and I realized, I should do that more often, but not just on accident.  I love talking to people, so I hope that I can continue to have meaningful conversations in the years to come.

2. Keep a photo-a-day journal
Indeed I did!  For Christmas 2012 my sister Stephanie made me a journal with 365 pages for photos.  I was exciting to get it started.  At the beginning of the year it was hard.  I felt weird taking pictures of people or what not.  And some days, I missed.  But the more and more I did it, the more I loved it.  And people understood what I was doing so I didn't need to feel stupid.  I had a blast and looking back on the photos I laugh at all the things I did during the year.  It's awesome to see what describes each day.

3. Let faith grow greater than fear
At the beginning of 2013 I have never been so positive in my life.  I didn't really fear too much and my days were happy.  When a down time came, it didn't last long.  I loved it.  Towards the end of the year, this resolution sort of went to the back of my mind, and at times at the back of my heart.  I slipped a little and let fear take over.  But I found refuge when I started going to the temple regularly.  Every Friday I tried to go right after work since the temple was right around the corner basically.  That definitely helped me in so many ways and I found more peace in my life.  I also found refuge in going for walks.  I would walk from my house, to downtown, to my favorite place: Memory Grove.  I find nature very important in my life and it builds my faith.  I let go of fears and let my heart guide me a little more.  This is definitely a resolution I will always work on.  Fear is prominent in our lives.  But that doesn't mean we have to let it consume us.

4. Don't let people walk all over you (become a leader)
I think I did a good job and a bad job on this one.  Throughout the year I really just did what I wanted.  I wasn't going to wait around for people.  I think that's being a leader in a sense.  I showed people that I would go on an adventure, or do something I wanted, even if it meant alone.  A leader doesn't need direct followers.  Sometimes becoming a leader means leading yourself.  And I did just that.  Again, towards the end of the year I found myself slipping and I might have let people 'walk over me' in one way or another.  But that isn't going to happen again.  I learned from my mistakes and this year taught me that I can be a leader.

5. Fall in love
Now I want to tell you that this didn't mean fall in love with someone.  That was an option, but I put this down as a resolution to fall in love with someone OR something.  I fell in love a couple times.  I wanted to fall in love because I wanted to open my heart to new things.  Embrace life you know?  So I fell in love with my job.  I LOVE being a mentor to high schoolers.  Honestly I would work at this job forever, but it's not a career.  It's a foundation.    But having a foundation of love is definitely a good thing so I'm grateful.  The other thing I fell in love with?  IRELAND.  I travelled outside the country for the first time in my life!  I knew I'd fall in love.  The beauty, the culture, the adventure.  Everything was amazing.  And I was able to get away for away.  
Sorry if I disappointed and didn't fall in love with 'someone', but one day I will, and that's something you just can't force or make a resolution about.

This year really set a mood for my life.  My future.  I feel motivated to make changes, changes that I've always wanted to make. I feel better than I have in a long time.  And I feel like I know what I need to do in order to be happy and make a difference.  Of course it's going to take time, but I'm going to hold on to what I have.

In 2013 I:
-Travelled outside the U.S. for the first time

Finally got my passport! 

Cliffs of Moher, Ireland

Ireland

Irish Singer at one of the pubs

-Visited Boston for the first time since I graduated

Boston Harbor, my favorite

Went to a Red Sox game by myself (and on a whim)

-Got a PR in a Half Marathon (and beat my dad's top time)

-Dated a lot more

-Saw two of my siblings get married 

My brother (May 2013)

My sister (September 2013)

-Met a lot of new people

Matty and Seth

-Lost Weight

-Learned that I want to work in Education

-Sang a duet with a guy

-HIKED

Donut Falls

Mt. Olympus

Memory Grove

Cecret Lake

Bells Canyon

Stewart Falls

Billy Goat Trail with my cousin Cydney

Hiked with my mom along the Bonneville Shoreline trail

-Played in an adult league for lacrosse

7 v. 7 Summer Tournament (Tribal West Lacrosse)

-Road tripped to Idaho

IDAHO

Went to Yellowstone for the first time

-Got promoted at work

-Went to a Hanson concert

Hanson!

Finally hear Mmm-Bop (after 5000 other songs)

-Got a smart phone

Goodbye sliding keyboard

-Bought myself a new computer

-Took pictures

-Laugh constantly with friends

-Experienced heartache

-Luray Caverns adventure in Virginia 

Reflecting pool

-Started a book/guide

-Got a tinder account
-Deleted my tinder account

-Hit 50,000 miles on my car

-Poured Guinness Beer (didn't drink it)

Guinness Factory in Ireland

-Got a gym membership

-RAN

Moab Half Marathon with Katherine

-Rode in a six man plane to Arizona (Jordan was the pilot)

Party Plane!

Five people in a plane. 

-Watched a stage of Tour de Utah with some friends right outside my house

-Enjoyed walking alone in nature

-Went to the temple a lot more

-Experimented with face paint

Practicing for Halloween

-Met crazy lady and attended a Utah football game (still a BYU fan)

U of U game with Carlitos

-Got my first black eye

Flag football aftermath

-EMBRACED LIFE

I'm so happy with what 2013 gave me and I'm ready to take on 2014.  Stay tuned for my new slogan as well as my new resolutions.  Trust me, it's going to be good.

Chapter 40: Life of Pi

Recently I finished the book, "Life of Pi" but Yann Martel.  It's now on my favorite books list.

I won't tell you what it's all about, the plot and all, but I will say that it is well worth reading.  I felt very connected to the book and had to keep a piece of paper and pen by me in order to write down quotations that I felt really impacted me.  I loved every page and every moment of the story.

I also really enjoyed the religious aspect of the book.  I connect to aspects in life that are spiritual, which is probably why I connected to the book so easily.  Once I finished I was amazed.  I didn't want to stop reading.  I craved more.  But alas, there has to be an ending, and it was a grand one.

After reading the book, I went to see the move with a good friend of mine.  I really wanted to finish the book first and I am glad that I did.

I saw the movie in 3D and I must say that I am usually skeptical of 3D movies.  But this one is a must see in 3D.  It was beautiful and breathtaking.  The shots were amazing and I enjoyed every moment of the movie, just as I did the book.  I knew to go in with the expectation that it would not be exactly like the book, but I think the movie did the book justice.  I might even say that the movie is on my favorite movies list.

At the end of the movie, or a little before the actual end, I shed a tear or two.  I am not ashamed at all.  I see it as a really good sign.  I don't like to cry in movies, or really in front of people.  This movie touched my heart and I had already read the book and knew what was going on.  That's how I knew it was a good movie.  It touched my heart. I couldn't help but cry because again, I could relate to what was being said.  This is a moment I cherish.

My recommendation is to read the book then go see the movie (preferably in 3D).  Both affect the audience in different ways.  As they should.

"You must take life the way it comes at you and make the best of it." (Ch. 35)

Chapter 39: Bye Bye Boston

Getting ready for my one-way flight to Utah

I've officially graduated from Boston University and I am currently sitting at the Jet Blue Terminal awaiting my flight back home.  I cannot believe it's already been four years.  I guess in this chapter, I will tell you about my experience briefly.

Graduation: BA in Economics

The first two years of being in Boston were brutal.  I kind of hated Boston.  I had a hard time adjusted to a new life and my attitude was not the greatest.  But I never transferred.  I told myself I didn't want to give up.  And I didn't.


The next two years were better and I found my love for Boston.  My time did not get easier, but my attitude did change.  I learned to embrace this new life and I had some of the best adventures.  Not to mention the people I met here are amazing.  Many of them became like family members to me and I will miss them so much.

My original roommates.  Two of my closest friends from BU.

Spiritually I went through a lot and learned lessons I needed to learn.  I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I truly believe it.  I have been through dark times and I don't think people realize this.  I wasn't always the goody good girl.  I didn't do anything horrible, but I did doubt.  I can tell you though that I believe and I know that through prayer and scripture study, I found my way to truth and comfort.  Satan hit me pretty hard and I had to fight each and every day.  I cried, I hit my feelings from those around me, and I went through a lot of pain.  But I got through it.  And I wouldn't have been able to do that without this church.  My turning point was actually this last semester.  I slipped a little bit.  I was still doing the 'checklist' items: scripture reading, going to church, going to institute, etc.....But there was more I needed to do.  Going is not enough.  So I fought my battles and I relied on the Lord.  Sitting here right now, I can smile.  I look back and realize that those experiences shaped me into who I am today.  I am happier and I got through some horrible moments.  I survived.  But even more than that, I learned and I grew as an individual.  I figured out more so who I am!  I am grateful for those dark times, because I was able to search for truth and light and see the blessings in my life.


I laughed a lot these past four years.  Looking back, I did some pretty crazy things.  Maybe not crazy in the way others look at it, but crazy to me.  I broke out of my shell.  I am no longer the quiet and shy girl who rarely talks.  I talk a lot.  And I am not afraid to make new friends. Actually I LOVE IT!  I met some amazing people this last semester.  And I found friendship just within the 4 months time.  And people accepted me for who I was, even if I was weird.


I learned to play the guitar and I created music during my time in Boston.  That is a gift I am forever grateful for.  Music defines a lot of my life and the guitar has opened my eyes, mind, and heart.  It's amazing what you learn when learning a new instrument.  I cannot wait to get home and play on the front porch as well as put my fingers on our piano and let the music flow.  I am so grateful my mom had me take piano lessons all the way up to my Senior year of High School.  Music is powerful.

My guitar: Boston

Out in Boston I learned to accept myself for who I am.  I embraced it a lot more.  I am not the beauty queen who is super skinny.  And I am okay with that.  I think some of my qualities are really unique and I love that.  Who cares what the media says.  I think I am pretty awesome.

Just a few of the people I got to know in my last semester

I met people who have changed my life.  Who have changed my perspective.  They taught me to love.  They taught me to embrace life.  They taught me patience.  And so much more.


I kept running.  Running helped me survive in Boston.  Boston is where I ran my first 10K, and I continued to run that.  I ran more, and I developed a deep connection with going on a run.  After all, I do call myself the runaway girl. :)


Of course I couldn't have had this experience without the help of my parents.  Their example to me makes me want to give the same blessing to my kids.  I am the luckiest girl ever.  My parents raised me so well, and thanks to them, I am strong.


This is definitely not a goodbye.  I will be in Boston again one day.  After all I do love it.  Boston has a very special place in my heart and it can't all be described in a blog.


To those who have been in the same place for a very long time, I recommend taking a chance and making a change.  I am so glad I didn't stay in Utah.  Even if I didn't do the things I wanted at the time, leaving brought new talents to me.  I learned more and I did things I never really saw myself doing.  I love learning.


So I will see you later Boston.  You'll always be in my heart.  And I officially named my guitar Boston.  After all, Boston is extremely special to me.  I would not have lived my life differently. I'm glad I spent four years of school in Boston.

Now.....on to Utah.  :)