Things of Beauty

Butterflies fluttering by



Fields
        of grass and flowers


Ocean glitter



Lovely love



Fairy
     tales


God's Temple



Christ's love


Friendship



Stars shining against the dark night



Triumph
     

Happiness



Life



Believing in the good



Blue bird
     my spirit animal



Summer



Sunflowers



Waterfalls
    let me fall with you


Dancing the night away
                       just for fun



Dreams

Unique, Different, and Beautiful

Apparently I'm in the blogging "phase" again, but there's just so much running through my mind!


For those of you who don't know, I went to an ankle/foot specialist who told me that my ankle is really badly sprained and jacked up.  So there's the bad news. And instead of a flimsy brace, the doctor put me in a boot so that it doesn't get worse or break. The good news is that it's not broken, which hopefully means that it will heal faster! Which I'm entirely planning on because I refuse to wear a big, ugly boot as a bridesmaid at Makenna Blaser's wedding in May (which I'm kinda freaking out about - MAKENNA'S MARRYING CODY)!


Anyways, as we all know, Thursday was not a good day.  I kinda had a break down.  When it comes to losing physical mobility, even just for a short amount of time, I kind of freak out.  As quirky as it is, exercise is my hobby. I love the way it makes me feel.  I love shaking my booty at zumba, the peace of yoga, running out my frustrations as my hair flops behind me, and the burn of my muscles as I resist opposition.  Even my job is physical as I teach gymnastics (that's not going to be as easy to do now).  And the occasional mini dance parties that I have with the neighbors or by  myself in my room are probably the highlights of my days (no lie).
Also, if you know me, then you also know that I hate having to say "no" to fun things.  And now, here I am, rejecting the opportunities to play sports, go tumbling, and dancing (unless I'm willing to dance with only my arms - which has already occurred anyways).  I even had to cancel on a date last night because we were going to go swimming.  Gratefully, for a date I have today, as soon as I told the guy that I'm in a boot, he and the group changed the date from playing sports to something else (How gentlemanly is that?).


So, yes, it sucks.  It's a big bummer for me.  And it hurts - a lot. However, as I was limping around campus yesterday, I looked to my left and there was a guy in a wheelchair. And there I was, feeling sorry for myself because of my hurt ankle.  Who do I think I am?  I have no right to complain.  Wearing a boot for a while is nothing.  So, this is me getting over it.  My ankle will heal relatively quickly, while the gentleman in the wheelchair may not be so lucky.


And this brings me to my next thought.  Why can't we all just be grateful to have the ability to run, dance, walk, and yes, even fall - because we can get back up. This is where I'm the biggest hypocrite.  Just like most girls, I am always complaining about the many imperfections of my own body. The fact that it's what we've been trained to do is a whole other story (if I get into it, I'll just feel the rage towards society and media).  The point is that we spend so much time hating parts of ourselves when we should be so grateful for them.  We may not be "perfect" in the world's eye, but the abilities we have are amazing.


I don't have the most beautiful voice, but I can sing.  I may be clumsy, but I can dance.  My legs may not be "sticks," but they sure have the muscles to climb up a big mountain. And my hair is not long and glorious like Blake Lively's, but I can rock a high pony tail (and do most days - ha).


The world tells us to be unique, different, and beautiful.  The only problem is that the world also tells us exactly how to be each of those things.  And if we don't do it exactly how they say, then we are suddenly "less than."  What's up with that? We already are UNIQUE, DIFFERENT, AND BEAUTIFUL in the best kinds of ways!  I just think that it's time we stop feeling insecure over the things that really don't matter and accept that we all have our quirks, awkward moments, and bad days.  Lately, I have not entirely loved the phrase, "Focus on the good things, not the bad."  Because isn't it all good?  We can love our quirks even when others don't, we can laugh at our awkward moments, and we can get stronger and learn from those bad days (or even bad weeks, months, and years - as hard as they can be). 


We are all beautiful, and we should feel that way.  And I don't only mean the physical kind of beautiful.  The ways in which we are naturally unique and different emotionally, physically, and spiritually is what makes EACH OF US beautiful.  We are beautiful in our own ways.  And I prefer it that way.  I don't want to be seen as the same "beautiful" as someone else. I know I've written in it past posts, but I just want to be me.  Besides, isn't that the way God meant it to be?


So, as cheesy as it is.... 

And you better BELIEVE IT.

Bad (and painful) Day

Quick note:  I'm starving... if anyone loves me enough to go get me food, I'll give you money.  It hurts too much to walk to my car to do it myself.  The food is not worth the pain.


THIS IS ME, and not only because it rained all day today.
 


I should be doing homework, or something productive like that.
But as of right now, there is no way that's happening.
It started out as a great morning.
In fact, it was awesome.  I tumbled and beat my record. I did more handsprings than I've ever done in my life - thanks to a long tumbling floor and a coach/boss who pushes me!  It's kinda a big deal for me.  I've been tumbling on and off for the last three years, so to beat my record from when I was at my peak in high school was a great boost for me!
And then I began working on my back tucks (aka back flips).  Well, somehow, one went wrong and when I landed, my ankle felt like it had collasped.  How lame is that? It's only one tuck and suddenly I was injured.
So... I sat there, pretending it didn't hurt half as badly as it did (I've never felt so much physical pain in my life). I then had to teach pre-school tumbling as I tried to keep the tears from falling down my face.


After teaching I went to the instacare at IHC.  They did an X-ray, the doctor looked at the X-ray for like 1/2 a second (ok, maybe 30 seconds) and told me I had a bad sprain, that something's wrong with the ligaments in my ankle, that I shouldn't do anything on it for the next few weeks or else it'll break, and that I needed to wear the (FLIMSY) brace she gave me.  The end.  "Great" doctor, eh?  Here I am, feeling more pain than I've ever felt, I can hardly walk, and all she tells me is that "something's" wrong with the ligaments in my ankle?


As it turns out, one of my co-workers went to that same doctor who basically told him the same thing, so he went to another doctor who told him what was wrong and helped him.  Therefore, I will be going to a "real" doctor tomorrow.


Until then, I will suffer in pain, mope (or limp) around and feel sorry for myself, be angry at the "fake" doctor, and be sad that I can't do any physical activity for a while (if any of you know me, you also know that this is a big deal for me).


OK... I probably sound dramatic. Do I care? No.  I'm already emotional as it is.
So let me be dramatic as I drown in my own pettiness (feel free to laugh at this point - it's OK).   Also, I doubt much of this post even makes sense.


And, as much as I SO DO NOT want to, I will post some positive notes.
1. I beat my tumbling record.
2. I found ice to put on my ankle.
3. I have an apt. with a good doctor tomorrow.
4. I have great coworkers.
5.  After a long rainy day, the sun is out.
6. TOMORROW WILL BE BETTER!
7.  Up until this point, this week has really been great.


the end

"It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live." - J.K. Rowling

I have not blogged in so long, so I thought I might as well catch you up (whoever "you" is).  As usual, I don't know what I'm going to write, but what matters is that I'm putting my thoughts out into the world (which I'll probably regret in the future, but that's besides the point).  And maybe, one day, some historian in the year 3000 will come across this blog and find some significance in my words (hmmm now that I think about it, that's be pretty funny).


To start off, I can't help but express how grateful I am.  I truly live a beautiful life.  There are so many times when I get caught up in thoughts about the future.  I can't help but dream of the time when I'll be so blessed to be able to marry the person I love most in the world in one of God's Temples to be sealed forever - for time and eternity.  It's so amazing that God has created a way that makes it so that marriage, love, and family doesn't have to end with death.  It's only one of the many reasons I am so grateful to have Christ's restored Gospel, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, in my life.  It is my life.  I am also so excited to be able to apply my knowledge of family and parenting to my own family someday (note: "someday" is not today... or tomorrow... or next year, etc. - just to clarify).


While it is fun to dream of these things that will happen someday, I can't help but feel that I am already living "the dream."  It only gets better from here, yet right now is already so amazing.


Yes, just like everybody else, I have struggles and challenges that sometimes seem overwhelming and unfair.  However, there is so much good in my life that I can't help but be grateful and happy - even during the hard times.  First, as we all know, true friends are so difficult to find.  They are rare.  Yet, I am incredibly blessed to have true friends in my life. I couldn't help but realize and remember this throughout this last weekend when I went bowling, attended homecomings, and wedding planned with the best of the best people in my life. Second, I have an amazing family.  I love my four eldest brothers, my sister-in-laws, and my nieces and nephews so much.  I don't know if they will ever realize how much I love spending time with them - I wish I lived nearer to them so that I could see them more often.  There's also my two other brothers, Jared and Ian.  While they tease me more than I deserve (a brother's duty), they are always making me laugh.  Also, my parents make endless sacrifices for me - it's incredible.  Third, I have the most amazing experiences that I learn so much from.  Some of these are difficult, and some of these are careless and fun, yet they all add so much meaning to my life.  Last, and most importantly, I have the Gospel in my life.  It is the only reason I live this beautiful life.  I don't know why God picked me to live this life, but He did.  And Christ died so that I might live.  For that, I am forever indebted to Him.  My life is His.


In addition to these four major parts of my life, I also have the best job, I'm going to a great school, I have the most amazing opportunities, I'm learning so much, and I have so much FUN!  Some days are better than others, but what matters is that there is something good to find in every day.


How can I not be grateful with all of these things in my life?  God blesses me so much.
As I have previously mentioned, I live such a beautiful life.

Sometimes, it leaves me speechless.


p.s....

 the sun is out...

I'm listening to show tunes and cheesy pop music...

 and am dancing around in my apartment...

AND THERE'S NOTHING ANYONE CAN DO ABOUT IT!

p.s.2. leave comments and your blogging address :)

Desires

Right now, I just want to burst into tears and throw a fit.  No worries, I'm just a wimp and a baby right now.  Emotion overload. So, to distract myself, I'll just write.  I have not blogged in FOREVER, so this is a small miracle. Basically, as tonight was a toughie, my mind was wondering and thinking of all the things I'd like that would allow me to escape for just a moment.  They're selfish, cheesy, and wacky things - so no judging (I just did it for you).  Plus, this is my blog, so if you don't like it, don't read it. Also, this is a night when I do not care about grammar and all that jazz.  This is not an English class.  That said (ugh, I just gave the "don't criticize or mock me speech," since when am I the blogger who does that?), here are my of the moment desires.


1.  I want to fly away to an exotic beach where the sun shines and the birds sing. As my dad always says, "You know you're on vacation when palm trees are in sight."  I want to lay in the sand with the sun on my face.  I want to feel the heat of the sand almost burn my feet as I run to the shoreline to cool off.  Then, I want to walk along that shoreline as my feet sink in with every step, while I collect the small, smooth shells.  I want to be carefree with the salty wind running through my hair.  I'd be OK with dancing around in the waves with my iPod in my hand (with a waterproof cover), too.

2.  I want to be embraced... by a guy... and I want to know that he's not about to let go.  Who this guy is, I don't know... and I almost don't care at this moment (although, it'd be a plus if he could be my prince charming of whom I'd spend the rest of my life with).  I just want to be held, feel safe, and know that somebody's there - even just for a moment.  

3.  I want to lie in a bed made of clouds with soft fluffy blankets to overcome me.  While you're at it, fetch me a sparkling rainbow to drape over me.  Might as well bring a couple of care bears with you.

4.  A cup of hot chocolate with a touch of vanilla would be nice.

5.  Skydiving or something.  Give me something exhilarating.  Blow my mind.

6.  Find me a field of long, tall, and soft grass to graze my skin as I take a long, beautiful nap full of happy dreams.  I want to hear the musical whisper of the wind.  P.S. No spiders allowed.

7.  Take me to a waterfall. Then, just let me sit and think.  That's all.

8.  Take me hiking.  Give me adventures.  White water kayaking or rafting would be great, too.

9.  I want a happily ever after.

in a castle.... with someone who looks like....

  Zac Efron.  

Or a young Leonardo would be nice.  

Well, that's as far as my desires go on this silent, lonely night! Since all I can do is dream about most of these things, I might as well do it in my sleep.  

Good night, sleep tight.

love,

me

p.s. I love comments!

p.s.2. follow!
p.s.3.  Have a blog? What is it?

I'M A DORK!

Lately, I've kind of been feeling like a dork.  Here's a few reasons why....


First, I talk with my tumbling students and my nieces and nephews about current shows on the Disney Channel.  Yes I've seen every episode of Hannah Montana and Wizards of Waverly Place.  Currently, I've gotten into Shake It Up, which is all about two best friends dancing and being goofballs.  Good Luck Charley and Phineas and Pherb are getting up on my list, too.  When I visit home, the first thing I do is turn on the Disney Channel to see what's on - it drives my family crazy.  But hey, the way I see it, these are good, wholesome shows that don't sneak in all the crap the world brings to TV these days.  Even more so, it makes me smile and laugh, and I like that!


Second, I've faced the fact that, yes, I am a clutz, and a BIG one, too.  Up until now, I've denied this.  It never even hit me until one of my best friends, Matt, told me that I was a clutz one time when he visited Logan (where ice becomes the new sidewalk).  I replied, "It's because I've been a dancer all my life.  Everyone thinks dancers are graceful, but that's only on the dance floor."  And he said, "No, you can't hide behind that excuse.  It's not because you've always been a dancer, it's because you're you."  Well, here I am, admitting it.  That's the first step, so I hear.


Third, I am a HUGE Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, and Miley Cyrus fan, in that order.  Whenever I hear any of their songs, I can't help but dance and sing along. Yes, I know that it's the "cool thing" to dislike each of them, but I've never been much of a hater.  As one of my roommates put it two days ago, "[Callie's] a fan of everything."  And in all honesty, I took that as a compliment. I am a fan of everything. There is very little that I dislike, and that "very little" includes the majority of rap, which rhymes with crap (note: there is some rap I do like... like JB's).  Like I already said, I've never been much of a hater - there's just too much to like in this world.  There's too much to enjoy! Oh P.S. I'm a huge fan of David Archuleta, too.


Fourth, I LOVE HARRY POTTER!  I can't count how many times I've watched the movies and I'm reading the books again.  They're just so good.  There's action, love, humor, and bravery.  What else does a person need?  Not to mention all that can be learned from HP!  What can be learned from a fictional story?  Read on, my friend!  I'll list the best of HP at the end of this post.


Lastly, I make a vision board every year, I organize my closet by colors, I love my alone time, I always sing out loud when I drive in my car, I have a Belle piggy bank that I still use, I love chocolate milk, I can never refuse sweets, my nail polish never consists of regular colors and I use glitter as a top coat, I love love and believe in fairy tales, I still love to make and wear friendship bracelets, and I've been grounded from reading too many times to count in my lifetime.  If I were a movie character, I would be Amanda Bynes in Sydney White.  And if an actress were to play me in my life, it would be Amanda Bynes, because she's the only one who'd be able to accurately capture who I am.  As she proudly exclaims in the movie previously mentioned, "I'm a dork!"


As I said at the beginning, I've recently felt especially like a dork.  That is until a couple days ago when one of my coworkers was exclaiming how cool I am.  At first, I thought he was kidding,  I'm not cool, I'm just me! And then I just got way confused when he said it again more seriously, "You're so cool!" After all, he had recently overheard me talking about Hannah Montana with one of my students, he laughed with me as I tripped over the mats in the gym (two days in a row even - and he witnessed both of them), and he joked with me when I exclaimed how I love the song "Solo" by Jason Derulo because I can always jam out to it since it always applies (lol, true story).  How in the world could someone see me as "cool" after all of that?  Apparently, it was all of those things that made me cool, and the fact that I was totally fine with it all and laughed about it.


And once again, I realize/remember that it's each of our individual dorky things that makes us who we are.  It's what makes us different from everyone else.  Our dorkiness keeps us from being replicas.  Our dorkiness is what makes each of us "cool" and unique.  I'm pretty sure that the huge glasses that everyone wears these days is proof that DORKINESS = COOLNESS, even though I will never give in to the big glasses fad (in my opinion, Harry Potter's the only one who can get away with it, and his aren't even the full size of the ones people wear today... well, maybe the Biebster can get away with it, too, only because he's so cool, though).


Anyways, it seems as though everyone is always trying to hide the cool dorky things about themselves.  It's as though being different is a disease that needs to be cured.  In all of the media there's tips on what to do on a first date, how to make your hair look absolutely perfect, how to get the supermodel body, what to do in sticky situations, how to get the guy/girl you've always dreamed of, etc.  There's SO MANY do's and don'ts. Whatever happened to just being yourself? 




We each have so much to offer in our own unique, or dorky, ways.  Even if it means making another person laugh because you just tripped over your own feet - at least you got them to laugh, and hopefully you laughed, too!  I just think that trying to be like everybody else is a waste of life and is over-rated.  I love the quote, "Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else."  Nobody can be a better you than you can.


SO, HERE I EXCLAIMING THAT.... 


I'M A DORK!  MOST IMPORTANTLY, I AM ME!


HOORAY!



Alright, as promised, here's the best (or some of the best) of Harry Potter...





From Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (Book I)

“It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.” —Albus Dumbledore

“The truth… is a beautiful and terrible thing, and therefore should be treated with caution…” —Albus Dumbledore

“It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, just as much to stand up to our friends.” —Albus Dumbledore

“Fear of a name increases fear of the thing itself.” —Albus Dumbledore



From Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Book II)

“It is our choices… that show what we are, far more than our abilities.” —Albus Dumbledore

“Never trust anything that can think for itself if you can't see where it keeps its brain.” —Arthur Weasley

“The best of us must sometimes eat our words.” —Albus Dumbledore



Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Book III)

“You can exist without your soul, you know, as long as your brain and heart are still working. But you'll have no sense of self anymore, no memory, no....anything. There's no chance at all of recovery. You'll just exist. As an empty shell.” —Remus Lupin



From Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

“If you want to know what a man's like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals.” — Sirius Black

“I sometimes find, and I am sure you know the feeling, that I simply have too many thoughts and memories crammed into my mind.... At these times... I use the Pensieve. One simply siphons the excess thoughts from one's mind, pours them into the basin, and examines them at one's leisure.” —Albus Dumbledore

“Curiosity is not a sin.... But we should exercise caution with our curiosity.” —Albus Dumbledore

“Numbing the pain for a while will make it worse when you finally feel it.” —Albus Dumbledore

“You place too much importance on the so-called purity of blood! You fail to recognize that it matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be! —Albus Dumbledore

“It is my belief... that the truth is generally preferable to lies.” —Albus Dumbledore

“Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts are open.” —Albus Dumbledore

“Understanding is the first step to acceptance, and only with acceptance can there be recovery.” —Albus Dumbledore

“Dark and difficult times lie ahead. Soon we must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy… Remember, if the time should come when you have to make a choice between what is right, and what is easy, remember what happened to a boy who was good, and kind, and brave, because he strayed across the path of Lord Voldemort.” —Albus Dumbledore



Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix (Book V)

“The mind is not a book to be opened at will and examined at leisure. Thoughts are not etched on the inside of skulls, to be perused by an invader. The mind is a complex and many-layered thing.” —Severus Snape

“Indifference and neglect often do much more damage than outright dislike.” —Albus Dumbledore

“Youth cannot know how age thinks and feels. But old men are guilty if they forget what it was to be young.” Albus Dumbledore



Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Book VI)

“It is the unknown we fear when we look upon death and darkness, nothing more.” —Albus Dumbledore

“We must try not to sink beneath our anguish... but battle on.” — Albus Dumbledore.

“People find it far easier to forgive others for being wrong than being right. — Albus Dumbledore.



Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book VII)

Ron: “He [Dumbledore] must have known I’d run out on you.”
Harry: “No, he must have known you’d always want to come back.”


thanks to http://dwickedangel.blogspot.com/2007/08/harry-potter-quotes.html !!!!!!!!!!

Cindy Lou Who

Here I am watching the Grinch with my roommates and it reminded me of some things I've been thinking about for the last week.


I don't think it's about whether we are the Grinch or not, but whether we are like some of the Whovilles and the Whoville mayor, or Cindy Lou Who.


People like the Whoville mayor care about status and items of great worth more than people of great worth.  They are the kinds of people who judge others.  The Whoville mayor defined the Grinch as a bad person.  He saw no good in him and brought out all of his flaws.


I think there is already too much criticism and judgement in this world.  There's too much gossip, negativity, and hard feelings.  Where are all of the Cindy Lou Who's?  Because of his actions and looks, the Grinch was judged as being heartless.  But all it took was a little girl to believe in him and he changed.  She knew that just because she couldn't see his heart, didn't mean he didn't have one.  Instead of looking at his obvious flaws, she searched for the good inside of him.  And she found it.


And as we look for the good in others, we will find it, too.  


The Grinch was treated poorly, so he acted poorly.  As soon as one seemingly insignificant person treated him with kindness, he felt the love inside his heart and showed it.  All it takes is one person. All it takes is one person to believe in the good in another for a heart to grow three sizes.


We are all children of God, we all have good, we all have bad.What matters is what we choose to act on.  And when the prophets teach us about charity, it doesn't mean serving others by fixing them.  It's not about picking out their flaws to make them change.  It's about picking out the goodness in their hearts that already exists.  We all chose to come to this earth to prove ourselves and make it back to our Heavenly Father to live with those we love for eternity.  We are all on the same team.  We should be helping each other to be our best selves and to show the good.  We should be helping each other to make it back to our Heavenly Father.


Maybe we should prove that there is good in this world instead of proving that there is bad.  We already know that there is bad in this world.  Just watch the news and you'll see, because that's almost all they focus on.  But it doesn't mean we should do the same.


There's so much good in others and so much good in this world.  I just think it's a waste of life to ignore that.  
For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness.
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson


In my opinion, there should be more Cindy Lou Who's.



"Besides the world isn't split up into good people and death eaters, we've all got both light and dark inside of us. What matters is the part we choose to act on."






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