Hearts.

The Mailman brought me something happy today.

And let's just say... it wasn't Domestic.

Life. Is. Beautiful.

Grateful.

I've taken a lot of things for granted in my life. I've realized this lately. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I thought I'd take a moment to step back and ponder all the little things in life that I've taken for granted.



First off, my freedom. I recently watched a movie about people living in North Korea, and wow. I am so grateful that I can say what I want, do what I want, when I want and not have to worry about a governmental spy finding out and taking away those freedoms. I'm so blessed to live in a country free of oppressive governments (our government may not be perfect, but if you take a moment to consider what other nations deal with, you stop complaining).


I'm grateful for a closest filled with clothes, and a cupboard filled with food. I'm grateful I don't lay awake at night wondering where my next meal will come from, that I have everything I need. There's a roof over my head, water coming from the pipes, and the lights turn on when I flip the switch (most of them at least..haha).
I'm grateful that I'm able to go to college, let alone one of the greatest and most beautiful universities in the world,. I'm grateful for class, and tests, and papers--though I complain WAY too much about them. I'm grateful for the opportunities I have to learn, and expand the knowledge I have of things in this life. I'm grateful for the wonderful professors and outstanding facilities at this University, and for the atmosphere of peace and love of learning that IS BYU.

I'm grateful for this BEAUTIFUL Earth. Seriously. This world is amazing. Trees, plants, mountains, cliffs, rock formations, rivers, streams, flowers of every shade of beauty... When I take a moment to stop and acknowledge the wonder all around, it takes my breathe away.

I'm also grateful for the MIRACLE of the human body. This semester I've taken Anatomy, and been able to SEE all of the millions of little intricate details that that make up each and every one of us. I REALLY don't understand how ANY scientist can deny the presence of an almighty God. I'm not entirely denying Evolution in the whole, but all evolution was DEFINITELY guided by the hand of God. Take that Darwin.

I'm grateful that I'm healthy, and I'm grateful for times of illness--they make me more grateful for things I don't normally think to be grateful for, like breathing. Breathing is great.

I'm grateful to have grown up in the good 'ole city of Mentor in the LOVELY state of Ohio, where the schools were good and the neighborhoods were safe. There are some incredible people in that wonderful state, who truly molded me into the person I am today, and for all of them, I am grateful.

I'm grateful in general for the thousand of individuals who have been present in my life, changing me for the better. I'd start to name them, but that's another challenge for another day. I love them all. I love my family, and I love my friends. They're the best a girl could ask for.

Life's hard sometimes. We all know that, but there are also SO MANY reasons to rejoice. When it comes down to it, we're blessed. We're alive and well, what more can you ask for?

We love eachother.

Look at my roommates. Aren't they beautiful?



P.S. I love Abby Alger.

Bad Idea

Life lesson I've learned while living on my own #139:
Half a pound of Animal Crackers does not constitute dinner.


Nor should they ever be considered a staple food.

The back of your head is Ridikulus.

So the other day at work I was standing at the counter when two quite attractive legit Nigerian guys (accent and ALL) came in to send a package. Michael took care of it, but wanted me to look over her shoulder as she sent it to Nigeria. While I was helping her, pleasant conversation commenced between these two guys and myself. I wasn't flirting, at least not intentionally..but they were nice. Soon, a man came in and I needed to help him. Half-way through me sending a package to Macao (apparently its a country INSIDE of China..who knew?) One of the Nigerian's came over (the even more attractive one of the two) and asked for a sheet of paper, which I gave to him and continued to discover the mysteries of "Macao". A few moments later, the Usher-lookalike came back over, placed a small piece of paper on the counter and said "Merry Christmas".


Merry Christmas? Really? Is that a pick up line nowadays?
Anyway, I haven't used the number, nor do I plan on it.
It was however, still flattering.


OH. Another "Line" we get at the Pack 'n' Ship that I think is hilarious--and mildly repulsive:
"So, do you...like licking the envelopes?"
Yeah... Boys are weird.

You do what you gotta do...

So... If there's one lesson I've learned from living on my own in an actual apartment, it is that even Costco packs of Toilet paper DO INDEED eventually run out. (Who knew?) So, my roommates and I have resorted to using Kleenex instead when desperate times arise.

Story time.
The first time our Toilet paper ran out, I can to the rescue with my box of super soft box of Kleenex magic. Then we bought a new pack of Toilet Paper (Allelujah). However, one evening it was apparent that I had the sniffles.. but low and behold I had sacrificed my box of Kleenex the previous week SO I used the next best thing.. one of our rolls of white heaven. When I was finished, I placed the remnants of such roll on my shelf.


Two weeks later, we ran out of Toilet tissue (again..). SO others chipped in boxes of powder white softer-than-the-bottom-of-a-baby Kleenex. But, then THOSE ran out too (at least in one of our bathrooms). While in a state of depression for lack of bathroom tissue, I remembered the soft roll of bliss tucked away upon my shelf. I sprang joyously to my sleeping corridor and retrieved the heaven-soft bathroom tissue.



After, well, taking care of business... I reached a moral dilemma. It was still Wednesday. Shopping for new toilet tissue would not occur until SATURDAY. Hence I was faced with the decision. Should I place the last roll of beloved toilet goodness upon the wall for all to use.. or should I tuck it ever so lovingly behind the toilet so that I may partake of it's goodness for the remainder of the week.
Naturally, I tucked it behind the Toilet.

Saturday came around, and it was cleaning checks.. meaning someone was assigned to clean the bathroom. Needless to say, my still 1/2 full roll of joy was still tucked away. And Olivia was quite appalled when she discovered it.

Lesson to be learned by my roommates:
When the Toilet Paper dispenser is bare, give the rear of the toilet a glare.

I love college.

This is what Heaven REALLY looks like.
:P