Festival of Colors.

Hare Krishna. Hare Krishna.
Hare Hare. Krishna Krishna.

I have absolutely no clue what those words mean but I can tell you that I chanted them a lot during the annual Festival of Colors. At the beginning of every spring there is a big celebration held at the Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork that consists of a lot of people, a lot of chalk, and a lot of fun. It also consists of countless hours in the shower afterwards trying to get your hair from this awful pink shade to its original color. Here are some lovely pictures we took to document this event…

We started off pretty clean....
But then this happened...

Which resulted in this...

Spring Break.

Last week was one of my favorite weeks during the semester, Spring Break! It was a much needed break but needed to last a little longer. My week consisted of….

Madison’s birthday complete with her High School Musical Cake

My first ever pinewood derby. It was so wild the cops were called…

A new windshield for my car.

Seeing my bestie Markellie, home for the week from NY.

And of course, March Madness. Go Cougars.

Now only 5 more weeks until Summer Vacation. Hopefully I survive until then….

Madison.

I am definitely a fan of St. Patrick’s Day. Not only is it Kyle Korver’s birthday but it is also my cute little sister’s birthday. This is Madison….

Madison is eighteen now which makes me feel extremely old but extremely happy (only because she can now enter her name in Utah Jazz contests). This woman is seriously one of my best friends. There were nights when we would stay up for hours chit chatting or “doing research” as we referred to it as. My dad was forced to come down multiple times a night to tell us to get to bed. The thing I absolutely love about Madison is she knows how to turn a bad day around. Last year especially I had a hard time adjusting to school, psycho roommates and life in general. There were nights when I would just sit in my room and cry. Without fail though, as soon as the tears started rolling down my cheeks I would get a ridiculous text message from Madison. One that I couldn’t help but smile about. She always makes my day by doing the littlest things. Me and Madison are known for writing crazy facebook posts back and forth to each other. Most of the time it is referring to the Utah Jazz like our fake marriage license, PB&J sandwiches, Ninja Lady, or stunt man. Even now when I come back to Tremonton and visit we frequently go on drives blasting Big Time Rush, watch youtube videos, and facebook stalk at all hours of the night. I cannot wait until next year when Madison moves down to Orem. I already have a list of all the adventures I want to take her on.

And Madison, when you read this because I know you will, know that I absolutely love you. You are one of the biggest examples to me. Your beautiful smile, contagious laugh and positive attitude make it hard not to love you. You are the best sister and friend anyone could ever wish for. Please remember me when you become a big time author and married to Martin Johnson. And always remember to use EBAY, your Electronic Bidding Auction….unity :) (this post is definitely worthy of ten apples, jus saying)

Super Market Sweeps

I always dreamt about going on this show…
Even now I race through the aisles of Winco and pretend like I am a contestant…
All I need is one of those sexy sweaters and a bigger hair-do.

Chivalry.

I used to be an unbeliever.
I believed chivalry was something only seen in fairy tales.
I believed my “dream guy” was exactly that, someone that only existed in my dreams.
I believed the well known cliché “chivalry is dead” was absolutely correct.

Today I was proven wrong. Not only was I proven wrong by one guy, but by two. In the same day. Maybe there are some true gentlemen still out there wondering around. Maybe my dream guy is within reach. Maybe (and hopefully) chivalry will never fully die.

Maybe I don’t know everything, but I do know this. Chivalrous men are a rare species. Once you find one you need to hold onto him forever. I also know no one could have taught me this concept better than the two fine gentlemen I encountered today. I don’t think I can ever thank them enough.

People Pleaser

I have a problem…
I am a people pleaser.

I worry too much about other people’s experience and happiness above my own. I need the confirmation and acceptance of others before I make a decision. I create expectations too big. I am afraid of disappointing others. I am afraid of disappointing myself.

With all the decisions and experiences I am facing in the world now I am often worried I am caring too much about what others think. Do I follow my brain, the advice and comments from everyone else, or do I follow my heart? Do I let time play everything out? Do I trust that my parents know what is best for me better than I know myself? Do I trust myself enough to make the right decision?

What happens when everything I read about the subject, everything I have been praying for and all of my answers I have been receiving tells me to follow my heart? What happens when the one person I trust most and one simple line out of the most personal piece of revelation is telling me to follow my brain?

I feel like my back is pushed up against a hard wall. I have nowhere to go and nothing more to give.

Temple.

There are times when I feel uncertain, insecure, and confused about the future.
When I don’t feel old enough or ready to grow up.
When I don’t want to move too fast or go to slow.
When I don’t know want to expect, how to feel, or what l need to do to prepare.
And just when panic, fear, or the want to retreat sets in something happens that helps me see the bigger picture.
In this instance, I have had a weekend full of opportunities to see the bigger picture. To “face my doubts and master my fears” as President Holland so clearly puts it. On Friday I had the opportunity to go here.
It was a last second decision, one I actually skipped class to do. I felt like it needed to be done. Earlier that day Elder Quentin L. Cook came and spoke to us UVU students. As I was sitting and listening to his message I kept thinking about everything my parents have taught me throughout my years. I have learned from their example when situations get tough, questions arise, or you need peace the temple is the place to retreat to. In all the hard and trying times in my life, especially since I have moved out, I have found myself being attracted to the temple. Some of my most spiritual experiences have occurred on a bench just outside the temple. Friday was a little different occurrence. I did baptisms for the dead. It was my first time entering inside the temple in a long time, too long actually. Considering it was the middle of the day on a Friday, there were very few people around. I had time to just sit and ponder about the questions, doubts, and uncertainties I had boiling in my mind. And just like my parents have taught me, I received the answer I had been waiting for. Simple as that.

As I continued on with my other weekend activities I had the opportunity to attend Stake Conference with Elder Munday from the seventy. As I was sitting there listening to the wise words of church leaders, a talk from President Holland came up which believe it or not was regarding the same questions and doubts I had just gone to the temple about. And just as simple as that I received the same answer. I guess sometimes I am too stubborn I need to receive the same answer twice to fully believe it.

Because of this experience I have learned that
The shortest distance between a problem and a solution is the distance between your knees and the floor.
Do not retreat from a good thing. If it was right when you prayed about it and trusted it and lived for it, it is right now.
And to Face my doubts, master my fears, Stay the course and see the beauty of life unfold for me.