My Apologies

Hi Mom! (And anyone else who reads my blog.)

I want to say I'm sorry I haven't posted. Especially posts other than Mormon Mondays. Turns out blogging is just like journal writing and it is something I tend to procrastinate. I have posts or ideas for posts, they just don't make it to the blog. It's a little sad really. I would say I will try harder but I don't think that will happen. My blog posts will happen when they happen.

Mormon Monday

I wear my CTR every day. Actually I only take it off when I am playing with it and when I am attending the temple. It reminds me everyday the reason I am on this earth.

Not only does it stand for Choose the Right but also Current Temple Recommend.

Do you have a CTR ring? 

Memories- Madrigals 2013

Reminiscing for a moment. 
I recently sung at Libby Gardner Hall.

 First off, what an experience. It is my second favorite concert hall next to the LDS Tabernacle.

Second, it reminded me of the last time I was there.

 It was my first year of Madrigals, and the first social gathering. I was going to be a Junior in high school. Honestly, I was frightened. I was intimidated by these 'seniors.' But I put my insecurities aside and went. We went to the concert of the Salt Lake Vocal Artists. That was when I found out it was okay to enjoy choir music. In that concert hall I wasn't considered weird or a nerd. For once, when it came to choir, I was normal. This moment was the beginning of the two year journey I was about to take. 
If someone were to ask me what the best part of high school was, without hesitation I would say Madrigals. I made unforgettable friends and memories. I could go on telling stories of my senior year alone! Our Madrigal boys were CRAZY! They made every rehearsal a party. Madrigals were my best friends. I loved them all. Correction, I love them all.

 

Here, I'll explain some of those photos.

Top left: That is Jayden in the background and Connor in the front. Strangely enough I have the exact same picture with the boys flipped.

Top Middle: All-State at Riverton High School. What did the boys decide? Climb the giant concrete letters, because that is definitely safe.

Top Right: One day the boys decided to all stand in line for water. Even though the rule was only one person allowed at the drinking fountain. Of course we all just laughed.

Bottom Left: Benjamin. Really that is the only explanation that pictures needs but I'll fill you in. Mr. Scott had just purchased a new box of pencils so Ben decided to make a monster... thing. Manda photobombed like a boss.

Bottom Right: All-State again. Downtown this time. This was our funny picture. Or the natural one. Once again, Manda is my favorite.

Madrigal Jacket.

#murrmads

Lessons Learned

I learned a lot at college. I learned things in the classroom and out of it. College is the time for growth in multiple ways. These are a few things I learned that I think will benefit others who are going off to college.

-You are 97.4% guaranteed to have roommate problems. Whether it is one on one problems or the whole apartment is upset. You'll have problems with cleanliness; whether you have it or you don't. I suggest you become a clean person before you move out, otherwise you might be the hated roommate. 
-Boundaries and rules. If you are moving out, set boundaries and rules before anything else. If you don't things will get interesting. Most of the problems I had with roommates was because we didn't set clear rules and boundaries. 
-Cleaning checks will be your best friend. It will be the one time in the month your apartment will be clean. Unless you have those roommates that don't clean anyways. Then I wish you all the luck in the world.
-Pray for roommates that believe the same things you do. In my case I wanted roommates who were members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It is a better environment knowing you have one thing in common with your roommates. You even get the chance to practice together. One of my favorite memories is going to the temple with my worthy roommates. 
-The 1:58 bus always comes at 2:00. This worked in my favor everyday since I was coming from choir that was five stories up and a 9 minute walk. I never missed the bus. 
-If you're an introvert in high school, chances of you changing your ways are slim. Even if you have a good intention to change. 
-You don't appreciate the teachers you have in high school. But honestly, the reason I had any success I college was because of my high school teachers. Because of them I had a solid foundation of subjects that other students lack.- I learned about personalities. What my personality is, who I get along with most, and the kind of personality I hope to get. I am constantly thinking of who I want to become more like and why. 
-Pet Peeves. Some pet peeves don't surface until you live with people who don't do things the way you do. Like open kitchen cabinets and toilet lid always being up. I didn't know those things bugged me until they showed up in my life. 
-Procrastination doesn't pay off. I don't care if you "work better under pressure." In college the last two weeks before finals are crucial. If you want good grades, and I mean A's and maybe one B, then you can't procrastinate. Plan ahead. Set the due date earlier in your head than it appears on Canvas. Becoming a planner can only help you in college and in your future career. No one likes a procrastinator.
-Car alarms are annoying. Especially at 3:00 AM. No ifs, ands, or buts about it.
-Being fake doesn't get you anywhere. Ya, sure, people will like you for awhile but eventually   they will get sick of you being fake. So just be yourself. College gives you the liberty to reinvent yourself but stay true to yourself at the same time.

I love that every experience I go through will change me. I get to keep learning and growing into the person I want to be. My first year of college taught me things that I wouldn't have learned staying at home. This experience will benefit me in my future home because I know what kind of person I am to live with. I am more conscious about the person I am.

 

1st Wedding

Even though this isn't my photography blog I wanted to share my first wedding I photographed. It was a fun and entertaining day.

Mormon Monday

I love Mother's Day because we get to recognize the women in our lives. My mom and grandmas are the greatest women. I look up to them in so many ways. They are kind, loving, and only want the best for me.

Heidi & Mom

 

Grandma Anderson, Heidi, Grandma Larrabee

#itwasmom

Newly Employed

I was recently hired at Coppin's Hallmark in Fashion Place Mall.

Today is my first day.

Wish me luck!

Mormon Monday

This year I have been focusing on being a better me. Turns out this is the hardest goal I have set for myself. Every day I am constantly pointing the negative qualities I possess. I want to change them but it is a daunting task.

"There is a purpose in life, fair beyond living comfortably. The bread we receive enables us to act and help and serve. Not only are we helping but we are being blessed and helped, changed. We aren't transformed overnight. These things come in process of time. Changes are increment, and people don't see them till they look back and see where they are opposed to where they were."

 

I adore this. Christ doesn't expect us to fix our weaknesses overnight. He is patient with us and loves us along the way. We need to talk life day by day. Turn to Christ daily and He will help you become better.

My baby goal to help achieve my grand goal is to see the good in people. This requires me to get rid of my quick judgments. I need to give people the chance to show how good they are. I need to see people they way Christ sees them. He loves me unconditionally. Why can't I love others the way He does to me?