Airports

Life is full of the unexpected. I am currently sitting in the Denver Airport during my journey home to Tennessee. The fact that I am going to be home for the holidays is still very surreal to me. I love Tennessee. It is home and always will be. The grass has always been a little bit greener in Tennessee. My family and childhood memories are on that sacred southern soil. However, my love for Tennessee is not the reason for this blog.

People are the motivator of this blog. I have a longs layover here and had had the chance to observe many people. I saw young couples and families traveling together and slightly envy them for what they have. I saw people who look like bikers. I saw a guy covered in hickeys. I saw rednecks. I saw people traveling alone and using their computers and iPods for entertainment. I had the opportunity to talk to a few people: a mother traveling to see their children, a guy who just visited his girlfriend, an middle-aged gentleman traveling to see his parents. It was so nice talking to these people. I find their stories fascinating. I initially made fun on one gentleman in my head. Needless to say that as I was eating my WolfGang Puck pizza I was shocked when he sat at the table beside me and started to talk to me. I had a nice conversation with the gentleman and felt guilty for making fun of him.

I am starting to ramble. The point of this blog is simply that it is great that we are all connected as members of the human race. We are all so completely diverse. Things such as love, family, and self-improvement motivate us all to keep going. I love the fact that we all seem to want to be our best according to our own personal belief system. Diversity is a wonderful and beautiful thing.

My Break-So Far

School got out last Friday. I am glad because I really, really needed a break. Yet, my break really hasn't even started. I've been working at the candy store a ton. Not that the candy store isn't every kids dream job. All you can eat chocolate, delicious smells, and sometimes you even find yourself covered in chocolate. But, I am simply tired of making truffles nonstop and only eating chocolate. I find myself nibbling a treats I don't even love. It is like I am just eating them to eat them. I may never want to see a scale again after this week!

On the bright side of thing I fly home in less than 48 hours. I love my family. I really do believe that my family gives me so much strength. As I have gotten older I have begun to realize how important family really is. I am blessed not only to associate with the best people on the planet, but to be related to them as well!

I really do have a lot to be grateful for. Life really is grand although I don't always see all the beauty it holds. It takes talent to always pick out the best/good things in life and to not pay close attention to the negative. Things don't always go my way and that irritates me a ton. However, I believe I am being provided with the experiences I need to become the best person I am capable of becoming.

Friends

I have the most amazing friends in the world! They have all taught me so much and helped me grow tons. This is actually my last week living near my three very best friends (outside of my family). So, in a week I will be taking applications for new best friends! (Joking....but seriously, call me if you wanna be BFFs.) These friends have taught me so much. I just want to list a few things I have learned from these amazing people:

1. Forgive! I had already learned this lesson but I am a grudge holder. I ex-friended one of my friends multiple times However, I was lucky that this person always forgave me and was willing to deal with my crazy.

2. Be your best self! It is okay to wear baggy clothes and not do your make-up every now and then. One must realize that these occasions should be few. My friends taught me how to love myself enough to care. Now, I try to look my best.

3. Be flexible! I learned that it doesn't always matter what I am doing as long as I am spending time with the people I love.

4. Listen! Friendships are give and take. I love how these people are always willing to listen to me and hold me when I need to be held. It is just as great as a blessing to be able to listen to them. I am glad they trust me enough to talk to me about life.

5. Laugh often! One thing I absolutely love about my friends is that we always laugh when we are around each other. I don't think I have ever been around these people and not shared lots of laughs.

6. Work Hard and Play Hard! Life is all about balance. I hated working hard to get everything done, but it was worth it to be able to be in the company of some of the best people in Rexburg.

I don't even think I could write all the things my friends taught me. Some things are too personal and other things are so significant that they are not even measurable. It will be hard watching these people move on with their lives. I hope that we find a way to always be a part of each others lives no matter how many miles we live away from each other. No matter how things turn out, these people have truly blessed my life. I believe they are part of my life for a reason. The scary part is not knowing for sure if this is the only season they will be part of my life. Like I said earlier; I hope not. But, I am a realist and know that things don't always happen or turn out the way you want them too. So, Dear Friends: I love ya'll tons and Good Luck figuring out the rest of life.

It happens...

I was driving home from work last night on the highway when suddenly I felt myself loosing control of my vehicle. It initially tried to slide into oncoming traffic. Luckily, I was able to prevent that from happening. I fishtailed between the two lanes for about 10-20 yards before I slid off the road. I slid into a sign and now the back of my car is messed up. I called some friends (I have the best friends in the world!) to come and get me. Before they could even get there, some other guys pushed me back into the road. The only damage that I can see is this dent and the back of my car is bowed out a little. My truck doesn't seem to want to stay shut all the way either.

However, I am thankful. I am thankful I did not slide into oncoming traffic. I am also really glad I had the sense not to yank my steering wheel and cause myself to flip. Although it sucks that I have to get my car fixed because of the sign, I am glad it stopped me. I don't think anything bad would have happened if it didn't, but you never know. Anyways, that was my drive home from work last night. I should have called in sick!

Life Lessons

So, I am 26 years old. You'd think I'd have life figured out by now, but figuring life out is a little harder than it sounds. So if anyone would like to figure out my life for me, feel free to do so, but I wish you luck in that endeavor. I have figured out a few things though. So, here are 26 life lessons I've learned.

1. You can't "make" someone do something such as like you or fall in love with you.
2. Life is about choices, choose wisely.
3. Change is the only constant in life.
4. Expect the impossible to actually happen.
5. Plans don't always work out.
6. Family is the most important thing in the world.
7. Laughter can make a bad day better.
8. Complaining never fixes anything, but it offers some relief.
9. God knows best.
10. Learn everything you can from your friends.
11. Sometimes it is a blessing when people walk out of your life.
12. Don't be afraid to cry.
13. Tell people how you feel. They can't read your mind.
14. Treat your body how you want it to treat you.
15. Chocolate and ice cream really do help when having a bad day.
16. Being a grown up isn't always fun, but you couldn't get me to relive my teenage years.
17. You never really grow out of awkwardness.
18. God has a hand in everything that happens in life.
19. Love doesn't make people change. Don't think your love can "save" someone from themselves. They have to make the choice to change. (See #1 and 2)
20. Books are one of the best creations ever.
21. If you need strength, go to the temple. You will find it there.
22. People will always surprise you, no matter how well you think you know them.
23. Have an attitude of gratitude.
24. Take time to look at the stars.
25. When you love someone, tell them.
26. Finally, as Dr. Seuss said, remember that "life's a great balancing act."