Are you really there?

I just had an experience I wanted to share. Yesterday in church I was praying for help. Lately, I have been feeling... nothing, about anything. I haven't been excited or sad or angry or happy. I have felt numb. I am not sure the reason, but I was so worried that if I started school out that way, my grades, my desire, my passion for my major... all would be compromised and I would spend my time doing nothing productive because I didn't care.

I wasn't depressed, or upset, I just simply felt nothing strongly compelling me in one direction or another.

I didn't like it.

So I prayed. I asked my Heavenly Father to help me find comfort, to let me feel the spirit so I could feel something again, so I could find passion for life once again.

Last night there was a fireside. My roommates and I hadn't really wanted to go because we had so much to do, but I know enough to know that if I were to attend I would be blessed and find the time I needed to complete the tasks I was staying home for in the first place. So went we did.

The first speaker was a girl from my ward. She did a fantastic job, she was funny and kept our attention.

But it was the second speaker who captivated my interest. I almost believe he was sent there just to speak to me. He is the assistant dean in the college of business I attend at NAU. I see him around campus all the time, always with a smile on his face. He makes my day better whenever I see him because I know he cares whether or not I am doing well when he asks.

He spoke about life. He spoke about passion. He spoke about the desire we needed to have to gain our education, the hunger we must feel, the thirst for knowledge. He reminded me about being an example of the believers, about having a hop in my step and a fire in my heart. I was captivated. I couldn't take my eyes or ears off of his words. Nothing could distract me. When he was done speaking, I looked at the clock and realized 40 minutes had passed. I felt like I could listen to him speak all night.

He said everything I needed to hear. He helped me remember my love for my major, my future career, my education, and my spiritual self. He reminded me of the joys and the pains of this thing we call college.

I know it may seem like such a simple thing, but it was an answered prayer. It was a directly answered prayer. I know my Heavenly Father hears and listens when I speak. I know He knows me and cares for my needs. I know He cares for yours too. 

I am so excited to start this new semester. I can hadly contain it. I might even be sad that I only have until December left as an undergrad at NAU. So bittersweet.

As for the semester, it will be tough. 18 credit hours, 2 capstone classes.

BRING. IT. ON.

Say a little prayer...

Please pray for my dear friend Camille Hawkins.

Camille, I love you girl, I am here if you need anything at all.

It's not what it's made up to be...

I have been thinking a lot lately about this time in my life. Since graduation, I have made a few mistakes. I have done some things when I should have known better. I have changed my mind a million times. I have made the wrong choice a few times. I have failed at a few things. I have struggled with my identity. Who is this girl, Misty Dunny? Am I the girl who never misses institute? Am I the life of the party? Am I adventurous, spontaneous and a little rough around the edges? Am I quiet, shy, afraid of change?

I didn't know who I was. Am I the girl who gets the A's or the girl who does enough to get by? Sometimes I want to be the book worm and study all day. Sometimes I want to embrace this time and ditch class in exchange for a memory. Sometimes I want to be stylish, sometimes I want to be simple. Sometimes I want to be hard core, and sometimes I want to be a lady. Sometimes I want to wear my sweats to class, and sometimes I want to be all dressed up in my business suit.

So the question stands, who am I?

The truth is, I'm still finding out. I don't know. This is the time to try a little bit of everything and decide which fits you best. This is the time to make a mistake. This is the time to take a crazy chance. This is the time to run away, or test the waters. This is the time to change your mind.

I have realized that all of that the mistakes I have made, the wrongs I have chosen, the times I have changed my mind... those are the times that most distinctly define who I am. The times I have taken a chance, those are the times that have molded and shaped me in to me. Misty Dunny. Misty the business student. Misty the family home evening leader. Misty the girl who worked at Disney World. My experiences have made me... ME.

This is who I am.

I am a runner.

I am (almost!) a college graduate, with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Marketing... and a history minor.

I am not afraid of change.

When I was 19 I moved to Italy. I knew only one other person on the entire continent. It didn't scare me a bit, and it was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I learned to be independent. I learned to be confident. I met new people, some of whom changed my life. I had experiences I wouldn't change for the world. I learned how to travel, I learned to be understanding of culture, and people who are different than me. I learned to embrace diversity. I learned I can live without tv, walmart, a car. I learned I can be thousands of miles from home and trust myself to take care of myself. I learned you can be in the most beautiful country in the world, and still prefer to be home with those who mean the most to you. 

  

When I was 21, I moved to Orlando. This time, I knew nobody. I had never been east of El Paso, TX. I learned to trust in my Father in Heaven. I learned the importance of having the priesthood in your home. I learned to love children unconditionally. I learned you can't run away from your problems. I learned one person can change your life forever. I learned the importance of best friends.

I am 22 and single. And loving it.

 

I LOVE ADVENTURE.

I love white V-neck T-shirts.

I like Lady Gaga.

I can run a chain saw.

I love mexican food.

I love to fish.

I love to snowboard.

I am easily distracted.

I procrastinate (working on that).

I like to wear high heels.

I go shopping when I'm feeling down.

I cry watching sappy old movies I've seen hundreds of times.

I am proud to be an American. I am very patriotic.

I am a Republican.

I don't like to talk on the phone.

I love the gospel. I know I could never live without it.

I have high standards, and do my best to live by them. Sometimes I struggle.

I love people.

My family means more to me than anything else.

...I could go on forever, but the bottom line is that our experiences shape us. We should have no regrets in this life because everything we do teaches us something about who we are. If we make a mistake, we can learn from it. This time in your life isn't what it's made up to be, you have to make it that way.

Happy Weekend!

Ps. I'd like to add that if it weren't for my angel mother, none of these experiences would have been possible. I am so thankful for the blessing my parents are to me. 

500 Days of summer

Hello friends and lovers.

It's been too long. I've missed you so.

I am so busy doing nothing. I work all the time, but there are no fires. We do more weed whacking and paint chipping than firefighting.

Alas, such is life.

I am so thankful to have a job during these hard times.

I have been having such a wonderful summer! I wish there were really 500 days of it. Have you seen that movie? Fantastic. If you haven't, I'd advise you to do so. My summer kind of reminds me of that movie, a little rollar coaster of highs and lows, peaks and valleys of fun and dull. Today was part of the dull, all too much time spent killing weeds and melting in the sun. Tuesday was the fun, I went to a BBQ with people from my engine, that always produces a fun time.

Meet Engine 21, the "Pride of the Rim"

We love eachother.

Anyway, we had a BBQ, complete with steaks, mashed potatoes, and corn on the cob, can't go wrong there.

My 4th of July was alright, nothing to really rant and rave about. I worked that day from 8 am until 11 pm. My engine worked the fireworks, and it was surprisingly fun! We were right where they were shooting them off... I began by just simply watching and "ooooh"ing and "ahhhh"ing, the BOOOOOM was shaking the truck we were standing on... then we turned around and saw....

OPEN FLAME!!! WILDFIRE!!

We jump off the engine and run to the rescue... thankfully it was only about golf ball sized. We stepped on it and it was out instantly. We spent the rest of the fireworks running around stomping out flaming ash. It really was a pretty great time.

My engine enjoying the show :)

The next day I was lucky to get to celebrate the 4th once again in Winslow, with my family. Oh how I love my family! Honestly, who could ask for more? We just love each other, always. I really can't explain it but there is just so much comfort in these people.

I know right? We're pretty cool.

Anyway...

I just started reading the book the Hunger Games.

It's LOVE. I am not too far in to it, but I am loving it so far, I can hardly put it down to do any work.

I have heard about it from a few people, everyone seems to love it, so far I do too!

.... I started this post yesterday and didn't finish it, by now I have finished the Hunger Games, and if you check out the post just below this I think you will see how I felt about it.

I'm a little OBSESSED.

You should give the book a try if you haven't already!

I'm off to prepare a 20 minute talk for sacrament meeting tomorrow (I know right, are you kidding?! 20 minutes?! The longest I have spoken for is 8.)

Happy Saturday!

In case you're wondering....

I want to marry Peeta Mellark.

If you know who that is, way to be awesome.

Dance forever...

WARNING: Another random post brought to you by Misty Mae.

So, I am kind of an Office lover... not the paper, pencils, fax machine kind of office (although I am that too, I am a business major)... I mean the show. You know, Micheal, Dwight, Jim, Pam... the whole thing. LOVE. IT.

I was late on joining the bandwagon of Office lovers, so I am just making my way through all the seasons. I haven't quite made it to the (SPOILER ALERT!!! Ah who am I kidding, it's old news) Jim and Pam wedding scene yet.

My Disney roommate in Florida is the one who got me hooked on the show. For old time's sake, she posted the wedding scene from youtube on to my facebook wall. I watched it.

I SIMPLY ADORE IT!

I was literally in tears (that's not saying much, I cry watching the Biggest Loser ok people)... It just made me so happy! Take a look....

AH :)

It kept mentioning the video on youtube? I didn't get it... so naturally I hopped on to youtube to see what all the fuss was about with this "JK Wedding." Well, I found it... seriously how cute is this?

If I were ever going to walk down the aisle rather than be married in the temple, this is the route I would take. Honestly, how cool can one bride and groom get? Not much better than that.

Thanks for letting me ramble my random thoughts once again :)

Dear Blog

Dear blog:

Please forgive me for being such a horrible friend and not keeping you updated like I should.

I am sorry to leave you feeling so neglected, it's nothing personal, I am just so busy! What with fire season and race training, not to mention family and friend visiting and softball... I am simply left with no time! I hope you can understand and are be willing to be patient with me.

I have been wondering a few things lately. First, why is it so hard to lose weight?! I run and run and train and train and yet nothing, no change. I have tried adjusting my eating habits, it seems to not help. I am running out of options here... Hopefully sticking to it will show some results and soon!

Also, why are boys the way that they are? They tell me that I am the kind of girl every lds guy wants to be with, and yet they don't want to date me. Funny and ironic how that works. It's alright, I've decided I don't need thm anyway.

Random shout out to my missionary bud Skip, thanks for being patient with me kid. Keep working hard, only 6 months to go!

Ummm what do I do after graduation, blog? I have only until December to decide. It would be nice of you to just choose for me. There is always grad school, getting a job, taking on a nanny job in London like I have always dreamed about, moving to New York to work on Wall Street, and joining the Peace Corps. Maybe I'll just run away for a while like I have always wanted to do. I could go live with the Aborigines or run with the bulls. Just choose something and get back to me, thanks.

Please help me to be more patient, kind, and loving like my Savior. Please help me to convert my weaknesses to strengths, and to learn to always speak kindly. Please help to me to always remember how blessed I am to have a job. Please, blog, give me the strength to run in the morning even though my body is wore out. Please use your magical powers to help me find time for sleep. And blog, please help me to find some time to clean my also neglected bedroom. If you really want you can even let me fight a few more fires and make some good money. Please keep me safe on the fire line and please help me to find my self-confidence. Help me, blog, to ban my insecurities and always be myself. Help me to live in the moment and always take chances. Please have faith in me, I promise to visit you more consistantly.

Love, peace, and chicken grease always,

Misty Mae

Ps. Let the wild rumpus start! (What movie?!)