Who knows?

I am shocked speechless by life at times. Sometimes it's a good shock, and other times a not so great slap in the face. I am amazed at all of the different perspectives that various people can have on the EXACT same situation or topic. The thing is, who knows? Who on THIS earth REALLY knows what to do, all the time?

I don't.
While everyone is out there making their judgements about the world and all of the people living in it, it's really easy to get caught up in that. To get caught up in the stories of what's going on, on what he said or she said...but do we really KNOW? Do we know the thoughts of that person? Or what their intentions were? An old friend in anger once said to me "These are my thoughts, which I am entitled to, not yours." I have never forgotten it. He taught me the power of my mind.

No one can take away our thoughts. My thoughts. No matter what judgement they pass on me, no one knows exactly how I feel or what my intentions are. I believe that, at times, we all forget that. We forget that each person has a story in their mind, and though it can be just a single situation, there can be so many different thoughts and angles on that one situation.

Someone I thought would end up as a friend, ended up the complete opposite. I don't know why this can happen, but it still does. Like I said, life is full of surprises. The good thing is: I LEARNED from it. To me, that is very important. Even better- I didn't just learn things about a particular situation - I learned more about LIFE and me. And isn't that what life is all about?

I learned-
1. Don't trust just anyone with your thoughts, unless they have earned that trust. Thoughts are very powerful things that no one but yourself can take away or change.
2. People can be immature, forgive them for they know not what they do.
3. Time is of the essence; don't waste it on people who don't want it.
4. Just because a boy gives you flowers does not mean you have to trust him or keep giving him chances.
5. Don't always let people into your head, they don't know every thing. Listen to your instincts.
6. If something makes you feel like dirt, why in the world would you want to keep putting effort and time towards feeling that way?
7. I am a princess, yes I DO want to be treated that way and that's not a bad thing. If someone has a problem with me wanting to feel that way, well... that is too bad.
8. Give people the benefit of the doubt. They don't know everything about me, so I'm sure I don't know every thing about them either.
9. Pray for those who are hard to pray for. It may not help them, but it will soften my own heart at least.
9. Smile.
10. There is no black and white in life. It's impossible to always know exactly what to do in any situation. That is the time to just do your best with what you've got and hope it turns out ok.
11. Sometimes, it doesn't turn out. That's alright, just make sure to learn learn learn....from anything and every thing in life, there is a lesson.

Caution: Mixing is not always a good idea.

Oil and water do not mix.
Clean and dirty do not mix.
Plaid and stripes, do not mix (no matter who you are).
Some people just do not mix. Some people seem to bring out the worst in each other.
Cats and dogs do not mix.
Good and evil do not mix.
Orange juice and toothpaste do not mix.
You get the point. Some things in life just don't go together...right?
Including people. So is it best to just forget and ignore it or mix things up?
Because, said quite simply, some things and some people...just do not mix. Oil and vinegar. Nope.

Apple Cake

I found this cake recipe that's super easy and WAY good, it definately made my list of favorites.

*Apple Cake w/ Caramel Sauce*

Mix:

2 cups sugar

1 1/4 cup oil

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon

3 eggs

2 cups flour

1 1/2 tsp salt

3 T milk

1 tsp vanilla

Combine above ingredients and mix in 4 grated apples.

Pour in a bundt cake pan.

Bake @ 350 for 1 hour

*Caramel Sauce*

In saucepan melt 1 cube butter

Add 1 cup brown sugar

1 cup white sugar

1 cup evaporated milk

Bring to boil and add 1 tsp. vanilla

Mmmmm... :)

Down to the bone.

Over the past 14 days, THIS is what I have felt like while spending unspeakable hours studying at the library. For the last 2 weeks of my life, my whole existence has been centered around memorizing all the bones and sutures of the body. Right now I am just so incredibly relieved because today I FINALLY got to take the test! My heart was going to beat out of my chest and I thought I was going to pass out, because I was so nervous! But when you get right down to the bone of it (ok sorry, I couldn't help it) the test actually ended up going well and most of all....I don't have to live at the library tonight! Yahoo! A few hours of beautiful, sweet freedom!!! hmmm...now...what to do?! ;)

Yawns.

Yawning is so contagious. No one can figure out exactly why, it just... is.

So, funny story: today I spent the whole day in the library (that's not the funny part) and whenever I get to the point of complete exhaustion my mind either goes completely crazy, or.....blank. Today I chose crazy. I learned that I can be sitting ANYWHERE in the library and if I just stretch out my arms and yawn really loud...I can make at least 3 other people yawn too. Doing this to poor stressed out college students during midterms is kind of mean I guess, but sometimes I just have to do something to keep my eyes open. (Even if it may or may not put everyone else around me to sleep!) Try it sometime, it's amazing how contagious yawns are.

I bet you yawned once while reading this.

I love LOVE. In all it's different shapes and forms, it's STILL that feeling of love, regardless of what it is that you are lovin'.

I love my best friend who is always there for me, no matter what happens. And whom I trust more than anyone in this world. Even if I lose sight of what's going on, my best friend is always there to help me along the road of life.

I love my family and the homeyness I feel whenver i go back.

I love my siblings, every single one. They are all the best.

I love brownies. Need I say more?

I love the smell of vanilla and other good smells. It's easy to take them for granted, but really..I do enjoy good smelling things.

I love the sun and anything that goes with it. The sun was made for my soul and I love to just soak it right up. :)

I love the greenbelt and all it has given to me. Definately on my list of favorite places.

I love talking to my Dad (usually), he is a good listener (usually). I love that I can feel his faith in me whenever I talk to him. (always.)

I love running. When all else fails, no matter what my mood is, I can always count on running and I love it. My feet can take me anywhere, even when my mind is running in circles.

I love this challenging yet amazing time of my life. I love how I can feel myself progressing each day and I get to learn what I am made of. It is great.

I love laughing and the people that make me laugh. It's such a good feeling to simply laugh.

I love being a girl. It's the best!

I love that I am a child of Heavenly Father and that I get to feel his love and spirit in my life in all these different ways.

I love that I get to have the feeling of love in my heart. It's good. It's healthy. It's warm.
I love it!

xoxo

You Learn

After a while you learn the subtle difference
between holding a hand and chaining a soul

And you learn
that company doesn't mean security.

You begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts
and presents aren't promises,


And you begin to accept your defeats
with your head up and your eyes open
With the grace of a woman,
not the grief of a child,

And you learn to build all your roads on today
because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans
and futures have a way of falling down
in mid-flight

After a while you learn
that even sunshine burns if you get too much.

So you plant your garden and decorate your own soul,
instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.

And you learn that you really can endure,
that you really are strong
and you have such worth.

You learn and you learn...
With every good bye
you learn.

-Robert Burns