making a bed.

today's random act of kindness: took some time out of my day to sit down with my brother and look at some family history that he's been asking me to look at with him.

after school i walked into my room, and noticed that my bed had been made.  crudely done, but nonetheless still made.  my mom then informed me that my younger brother had made it for me.  that sweetened my day :)

i didn't realize until tonight, after my day had come to a close, that it had really made that much of a difference in my day.  i think i was altogether much kinder to my brother; more patient and willing to listen to what he had to say.

what did you do today to help someone, no matter how small?

new goals. and some new free time.

in all reality i decided i needed to change a couple of things in my life.

winter/spring season is the busiest time of year for me, and this year i am expecting havoc.
so, consequently, i did something incredible [okay maybe not for you, but for me it was.]

#1:

i deactivated my Facebook.

if you know me at all, you will realize how much of a miracle this really is. i seriously could be considered a Facebook addict.

but, i realized that it honestly was taking up so much of my time and it wasn't worth the stress of feeling like i'm constantly out of time.

after i deactivated it, however, i immediately felt like i had hours more to my day.  it was a great feeling.  

-i read 80 pages out of the full-length edition of The Count of Monte Cristo.

-i took a nap.

-i played sunday hymns on the piano.

-i practiced harp.

-i studied for the SAT.

never. would i get those things done on a sunday. AND. be finished by 9:00. 

i feel free.

#2:

i decided to become service oriented.

i'm going to try something new with my blog.  every day i'll start out a post with an act of service that i did sometime that day.  service brings true happiness, and during a stressful part of my life, [and with the free time i now "have" away from Facebook] i can focus on helping out others, and hopefully start a ball rolling.  i think by sharing it with people who read this blog, that hopefully it will empower you to do the same, and see the impact of it in your life :)

becoming independent.

The past two weeks have been weeks of traveling.  I love the world.  One of the reasons why I love traveling and being away is that I learn significantly important life lessons along the way, and I come to understand myself even more.

things learned from this trip..

#1: I am a much better writer than I am a public speaker.  Including discussions with people.  I always seem to find a better way to convey what I want to say after I've managed to blunder through a couple sentences.  

#2: I ramble too much.  It's better to be precise and to the point, rather than ambiguous and wordy.

#3: The more I leave home, the more I miss my family.  The minute I stepped off the plane to Boston, I wanted to be back home with my mom and dad.  Unfortunately my years are winding down at home, less than 2 left.  My feelings are moving in the opposite direction than they should be.  I should be feeling more ready to leave home, but I'm starting to not look forward to it!

#4: Appreciate the life you live, but learn to accommodate the lives of other people as to not intrude.

#5: Don't forget the things that mom reminds you to take.  Such as toothpaste, lotion, or a razor.  You'll wish you had them, even though you told yourself you didn't. (minus the toothpaste. I just ran out after two days. not to worry.)

The list continues to grow every day.

when you're feeling down.

it is always better to look up.^

i am a woman.

As I grudgingly made my way downstairs to switch out the laundry, I had an epiphany.  A sudden realization, if you will.  Well, by all means, I know and have known since my birth that I am a girl, and that one day I would be a woman.  But, I accepted that fact today.

It has always been my mindset that women have every right to do everything a man does in the workplace.  And that still continues to be my viewpoint.  Nevertheless, I also believe(d) that me and my future husband would switch roles and he would be the "stay at home" and I would be the working mother, in the medical field of course.  Now, it is entirely possible that I could still be a doctor.  And that is still my goal, and always has.

BUT, (back to my epiphany)

I was born to be a woman.  I know how to fold clothes, put sheets on a bed, iron, cook food and follow a recipe, change a diaper, do laundry, clean, do the dishes, love unconditionally, nurture and teach, have patience.  Of course some of these things become more natural over time, after I have my own children.  But it was an important lesson to realize.  

It seems like the majority of teenage boys make those sexist jokes about women being in their "rightful place", but to be honest I don't think I could take the job of being a man.  I'm content with fulfilling my duty, but above all else still being able to reach my goals.

So ladies,

love being a woman, and love being you :)

(this was just an epiphany.  I'm still strong willed by all means.  It's just good because now I think I'll be okay being a mother. haha.)

the future [2012].

i know everyone has a post about 2011.  but not me!  this post, is about 2012.

2012 absolutely has to be THE year.  it seems like 2012 has been foretold countless times as the year of the "future".  Big things are going to happen, everyone.

in chronological order, friends.

1. preference will come. (i already have that special man in mind)
2. junior year of track season will commence.  i WILL make it to state this year. :)
3. i will turn 17.
4. i will finish my junior year! (ridiculous. i hate growing up.)
5. i will travel.  already have some trips planned.
6. i will enjoy my last (maybe) summer at home.
7. i will START SENIOR YEAR.
8. i will audition my harp concerto with the Utah Valley Symphony. (and make it.)
9. i will APPLY TO COLLEGE. (oh my word. i could cry.)
10. i will be accepted to those colleges. (well. some.)

and, last but definitely not least:
11. i will grow to be a more independent and disciplined individual.

like i said.  this year, is going to be BIG.