Sunday

He moves crowds, guaranteed!

What do you do guaranteed?!

If you tell me what that's from, ten bonus points!..

Anyway-

The other day I went to the movies with my mother, sister, and Emma. The movie was called 'How Do You Know' (or something like that, I can't remember honestly). There is a part in the movie when the girl goes to visit a psychiatrist. She doesn't stay long; she decides it is not the kind of help she needs. On the way out she asks (this is paraphrasing),

"Have you found, through your work, a general answer or advice that can generally help anyone, through generally anything, in any general situation, in general?" (she really used that many generals)...

The guy answered,

"Yes. Figure out what you want, and figure out how to ask for it."

Genius.

That's so simple, yet so profound. I think that if I had only done that the last 22 years, I would have saved myself alot of stress. I think of it in two different ways:

1. Know what you want in terms of people. Decide what you would like, what would make you happy, what choice would benefit the most people, whatever. However you come to the decision, figure out what you want. Then, ask for it. That part is not always easy, that is what you have to figure out. I think you'll notice it becomes a lot easier after you know what you want. It is not knowing that holds you back. Not knowing what you want is what distracts you from asking for it; this, in turn, keeps you from solving things. When I am having life issues, it is because I don't know what I want. When I do know, I have something to work toward; I have a goal to achieve. The not knowing is what stresses me out, keeps me wondering, and causes problems. Just keep it simple. Figure out what you want, and figure out how to ask for it.

2. Know what you want in terms of prayer. I struggle so much in this area. I often want to just pray and have the right choice just come to me. "Tell me what you want me to do, Heavenly Father, and I'll do it." It's not so easy. We are not commanded in all things; we are expected to be anxiously engaged, and to do many things of our own free will and choice. If this is true, then I can't always ask the Lord to tell me what to do. This is where the advice comes in. If we figure out what we want (righteous desires of course :), we can then figure out how to ask for it. I think (this is gospel according to Misty) that there are different ways to ask for things. We can ask directly, through prayer. But I also think we can ask for certain things through our actions. We can ask for financial blessings through paying tithing; we can ask for spiritual blessings through keeping other commandments, etc. If we know what we want, we can figure out the best way to ask Heavenly Father for it.

I am sure there are other ways in which this advice is helpful. It is, after all, a "general answer that generally helps anyone, in any general situation, in general."

I just wanted to share.


Tuesday

Brace for impact...

These past few days I have had a sort of a staycation if you will. I have been in my Heber home by myself, doing boring things such as laundry and baking. I think in these two days I have seen every episode of both Rob and Big and Fantasy Factory (ever). It brought me to a few conclusions:

First, I will have a bulldog that skateboards. Now I know what you are thinking, "but Misty, you can't skateboard, how will you teach this to your adorable pup?" No worries kids, I have that under control. I have plenty of skateboarding friends. If all else fails, I have already decided Rob is my soulmate so I will just have him teach the thing. Also, if you are here to tell me bulldogs are fat, ugly, slobbering, wastes of space.. (in the words of a nice lady in Winslow) 'get outta ma face'. I know they are a pain, but I will love it anyway. Good day sir.

Also, I want to have a zip line and/or foam pit in my home. That one is completely unrealistic, but a girl can dream.

Anyway..

The real reason I am here is to talk about something else. Right before graduation, a good friend of mine told me to "brace for impact of adultish crap." Probably the best advice I have ever been given. I'm not sure I was braced enough, the impact hit pretty hard, but I was glad to be warned. He wasn't kidding. 

Trying to find where to start your life, a place to live, a job, and work around all the people/technicalities standing in your way all while being college broke and doing so in a timely manner so people don't consider you a loser... not that easy. I have been so stressed and confused, wondering why none of it has worked out thus far. Then today a thought came to me, 

"Where is your faith?"

I felt a little ashamed for being so greedy. I am so incredibly blessed. I think I was expecting the world to fall into place.. right in to my hands.. just because I was graduating. Maybe all this waiting is teaching me patience all while feeding me a little taste of humble pie. How can I be blessed with such things without a trial of my faith? And how can I be blessed without proving my willingness to put my trust in my Heavenly Father? I realize now I just need to know my prayers will be answered in the best way, even if that way isn't my way (or in my time, which is where I struggle most).

I also need to focus on what is most imporatant this time of year, the Savior. This is a time to reflect on His birth, life, example, and most importantly, the amazing gifts He has given us. The atonement and resurrection allow us to be blessed beyond anything we can imagine. This time of year is a time to love as He loves, to share what we know of Him, and to show our thanks for what He has done for us by being more like Him (every time of year is a time for this, but this time especially :). We can thank Him for His amazing gifts through random acts of kindness and serving others. I hope to remember that these next few days rather than focusing solely on myself and the stresses of everyday life. There are more important things to think about than being jobless, homeless (not literally), and broke. Christ was born in a stable, placed in a manger, and wrapped in swaddling clothes. He came from the most humble of beginnings, yet He never thought of Himself; He worried only about us. I hope to be more like my Savior this Christmas.

Ps. I am not sure how this started out as a rant about Fantasy Factory and turned in to a Christmas testimony. I don't mean to take away from the importance of the holiday with my silly stories about tv shows.
P.P.S. I have my Ragnar Relay in Feb, yeah? Well I haven't run in about a month, I used being busy as an excuse. Anywho, yesterday I tried to prove to myself I still had it in me, so I pulled an 8 mile run. Worst. Idea. Ever. I can barely walk! I nearly cried walking down the stairs this morning. Another taste of humble pie. Ha, pathetic.


Thursday

Friday

Misty vs. Graduation

Completed final papers and presentations this week: 5
Mental/emotional breakdowns: 1

Score as it stands:
Misty: 2
College: 1

One week. Four finals. I can almost taste it.

Monday

Top 10 Christmas Favs

Top 10 favorite Christmas songs 2010:
10. I Won't be Home for Christmas -Blink 182
(listen to it haha)
9. All I Want for Christmas is You -Mariah Carey
8. O Holy Night -Relient K
7. Where Are You Christmas -Faith Hill
6. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays -Nsync
(don't judge me, it's a childhood classic)
5. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing/Gloria -Mariah Carey
4. Christmas Lights -Coldplay
3. 30 Days -Never Shout Never
2. Baby, It's Cold Outside -Zooey Deschanel & Leon Redbone
1. O Holy Night -Nsync
(yes, it's on there twice, I love it, capisce? and once again, don't judge me for listening to Nsync Christmas, that song is amazing)

Christmas :)

I'm currently baking cookies, cupcakes, and rice crispie treats while listening to Christmas music and wearing a Minnie Mouse apron, I am so domestic right now.

I <3 Christmas

Sunday

10

Ten pointless things that I just want to tell someone:
10. I hate the song Silent Night.
9. My favorite Christmas song is O Holy Night.
8. I cried when Dobby died (twice).
7. Ron Weasley is my boyfriend in my mind.
6. The Jim Carrey version of the Grinch is possibly my favorite movie.
5. I haven't been kissed in two years on the 28th of this month. Some consider this an accomplishment, some consider it pathetic. It is what it is I guess. 
4. Sometimes, when I am feeling lazy, I say "go go gadget arm" hoping it will work so I don't have to get up (it never does).
3. I hate when people use facebook as a journal; if you do this, we do not need play by play of your life peeps (no offense.. I guess if this makes you happy, or you really do count it as a journal, eat your heart out, I will just delete you from my news feed. Jk. But seriously).
2. Since when did spandex and/or leggings become acceptable as pants? They are not pants people, they are intended to be worn in addition to, not instead of, the typical clothing used to cover your lower extremities. 
1. There was a girl at the movies wearing a spaghetti strap shirt and uggs. I don't want to judge the girl, I am sure she was nice.. but girl, you just have to choose one or the other. Is it hot or is it cold? We all know it's not both.