My two thoughts on life.

I feel like I have to come to a point in my life where evaluation is key.  At most times you know what your life holds in the next few months and you focus on the daily tasks at hand.  Now that I am graduated with a career, I know what a few days of the week will be filled with for the rest of my life but I have really been thinking about how I want to fill in the days I am home.  How I want the direction of my life to go. What I want to be doing, making, serving.  Want I want to accomplish in the times I can simply do what I want.  Even though I am only the ripe age of twenty four, I feel like it is so important for me at this time to really stick with my goals, aspirations, so that when I am at the the not-so-ripe age of 80, regrets are not in store.

Here are some things I have learned, appreciate in others, or want to be like.  Luckily, I have friends and family that have taught me these things through example, and most definitely are optimal examples.

1.  I so appreciate people who are not caught up in non-important things.  I have this friend who is one of the most amazing people I know.  I love being around her because she is so in tune with her little family and her family only.  She never knows what is "going on around town", which I think is totally awesome.  I love how simple she is and how simple things make her so dang happy.

2.  I am learning that there is so much comfort in familiarity.  I used to think I wanted to go out on the next greatest adventure at the very second it presents itself.  Luckily I was able to when I was younger and still do to some degree.  But I am learning that there is so much comfort to be felt in familiar things. For example, where I live, who I live by, being able to stop by friends houses at ten on a Sunday night, driving past my favorite field, Grandpa's backyard, and a million more things.  These things are nostalgic and really make my heart happy.

3.  One of the most admirable qualities I find in people are those who are not constantly "plugged in" to the world.  Whether through computers or smart phones.  As I recently got a smart phone, I am learning that this is going to be a good personal test for self control and limitations.  I always used to say that it bothered me when people were constantly on their phones, and I am realizing how quickly this can happen.  I love people who don't know everything about the latest everything, it is refreshing and rare.

4.  My sister is such a great example of filling her life with meaningful things.  She always has a great perspective on EVERYTHING, I don't know how she does it.  I love that everything in her house, on her walls, she says, or does has meaning.  She doesn't hang something up on her wall because it's cute, well it is most likely cute, but it also has to have meaning.  That is what is so neat about her, she really cherishes the things and people in her life and makes them feel they have meaning, too.

5.  The last thing I have thought about is how I want to be productive.  I remember as a little girl, my mom was constantly doing something for someone. Whether it be taking someone apple pies (we used to make millions of these I swear), offering to watch children, working in Grandpa's woodshop, taking us skiing, cleaning people's homes because of their disabilities, or whatever, she was so productive with her time.  My sister Carrie is the same way.  If she has five minutes, she'll make drapes.  If she has ten minutes, she'll make a dress.  If she has fifteen minutes, she'll can foods from her garden or writing a sweet note to a friend.  I think the ability to make yourself be continuously productive is so neat.

I have so so far to go but  I really need to be in tune with when my life needs a little evaluation of where it has gone, where it is going, and where I want it to progress to.  I feel like I have been incredibly blessed in my life, and I want my actions to reflect my appreciation to my God, my family, my friends, and to myself.

Thoughts on learning something.

P. S. (Pre-script)  My Hair is awesome today.

It is sometimes overwhelming when you want to really and truly understand how to do a certain task.  My thoughts exactly on photography.  In all honestly, I hardly know anything about photography.  It is usually trial and error, as with most things.  Sometimes I find myself not being fully satisfied with my end products either due to comparison, self satisfaction, performance, et cetera.

But one thing I always love to do when I am feeling incompetent, is shoot random things around my house until I get the exact lighting I want.  I love this little drill because there is no pressure, just room for improvement.

One thing I have always told myself regarding photography and other skills I want to polish, is that I might not be exactly where I want to this very day, but if I stick with it, I might get there when I am 50, 60, 70, which is totally great.  I try and keep this perspective because Rome wasn't built in a day, and heaven knows, any skill isn't either.  I think the most important thing for me is to take the type of pictures that make me happy and truly represent what I want them to.

I always hear people say around town, "everyone takes pictures these days".  I think that is so dang awesome.  Think of all the people in the same boat as me.  Trying to figure out this complex piece of equipment and just wanting to capture the life around them.  Because it really is so. worth. capturing.

One of the most important things for me to do regarding photography and all aspects of my life.  Is to look it straight in the eye and every little corner, and make sure that my ________ (i.e. my actions, pictures, choices) intentionally align with my heart. 

in between dreams.

I think about often and admire all of the talented people in this great wide world. There really are so many talented people. I think the man upstairs is happy that people are letting their creative juices flow. Well, I have decided I am going to start trying out these foreign things. Even if I am mediocre, I'm going to try and not tell myself "I don't know how". After all, no one knows how in the beginning. Some things include... I am going to start building things out of wood. I'll start with picture frames... we'll see where that leads.  My Grandpa has a beautiful barn with a amazing wood working shop. He said it's all mine to use. I also want to learn how to can the food from my garden. Anything and everything. Nerdy, I know, but I think it's an incredible skill. I want to learn more about flowers and planting. I want to learn how to cook everything practically from scratch. Just plain cook for that matter. Sew, oh how I'd love to improve my sewing techniques. That's where my madre comes in the picture. I am making it a goal this summer to sharpen these skills. And hopefully it will help my family in the future.

I think about past generations. I feel like the women from these eras are so strong, independent, skilled, and well-rounded. I feel like they are hard workers, not only in their homes but in their church callings. I really look up to their qualities.

On that deep note. I must go study for my test in the morning.  I've procrastinated by making cookies for my fellow students tomorrow. And... the timer just went off.

i attempt

Something I read at church today and loved, in one of my classes.

"Attempt to be creative for the joy it brings. Being creative will help you enjoy life. It engenders a spirit of gratitude. 

It develops latent talent, sharpens your capacity to reason, to act, and to find purpose in life. 

It dispels loneliness and heartache. It gives a renewal, a spark of enthusiasm, and zest for life".

 I love this quote oh so much.

I am don't consider myself a 'creative' person, but I do attempt to create.

This quote is so true.

As I have done photography and other various 'crafts', I feel like I have gained a greater

appreciation for the beauty that surrounds me and my Heavenly Father's creations.

I notice things now, that I would have never noticed.

My vision has changed.

My View of my surroundings has changed.

I will never view some of God's creations the same.

I am grateful I notice something as simple as lighting.

Spencer and I will be driving in the car and I'll hurry and tell him to look at light coming through trees.

Before, I would not have noticed it.

I have gained an appreciation for details.

I love to create.

I never want to quit attempting to create.

Because I know there is so much more beauty around me. 

Yet to be noticed.

And

I know it makes Heavenly Father happy.

It makes me happy.

And for that, I am grateful. 

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I forgot to mention that, I will not be deciding the winner of the giveaway.
A random generator will.
So it is fair.

captain. random.

my family calls me captain random. i always beg the differ.

apparently i always start talking about the most random things out of no where.

but after today. i'm starting to get it.

classes felt extremely long today.

my break in between classes seemed extra long.

i had a 2.5 hour break in between classes but didn't want to go home. 

so i went to fred meyer. grabbed about 8 magazines. 

and went and sat on a couch in the store and read.

side note::: favorite- martha stewart and country living.

then while i was really trying not to fall asleep in my afternoon class.

my mind tends to wander.

this is what i thought about:

does brad pitt wear aviators in every picture? really, every picture brad? 

halloween decorations i want to make.

i wonder if people still buy magazines because of the internet.

i hope people still buy them.

how tired i was.
the i thought about how a sign of hypoxia (lack of oxygen perfusion) is restlessness.
maybe i am experiencing hypoxia.
because. i. am. restless.

victoria beckham is scary looking.

what kind of trees do acorns come from?

why aren't apples in adult fast food meals like kid meals?

i also thought about how i love the look of the kitchen below,

but are the 'lack of cupboards' really practical. my answer, no.

lets be honest. i know you all think like this in class too :)


over and out. 10-4.


 cpt. random