Smile to Smile

Today is just a Sunday.

We had ward conference which was sweet. Is that supposed to be capitalized though? I don't know..

Anyway, the ward choir sang, and Tawnette Smith said beforehand that the men outnumbered the women, so I said I'd boost our womanly numbers, by joining them.

I don't read music. Nor am I a particularly gifted singer. But the girl next to me squeaked super loud on the first line, so I felt fine. (Even when I sang the lyrics and should've been ooo-ing.) Quick, and smooth recovery is key. I just hopped over to the ooo's mid-stanza. So sly. I think maybe I inherited some of Grandpa T.'s swift spy skills.

(My grandpa really did used to be a spy! Before the parkinson's of course. We can't talk about the spy days though.)

So that was my Sunday, and now I'm home. alone. Left with time to think in peace and quiet for a few solid hours.

Wanna know what I think?

I think life is so marvelous!

Truly. I don't know if you know this, but life is great.

Simple as that.

The good, the bad and the ugly. All of it mooshes together in some crazy complicated mathamatical formula I'll call LIFE, and it equals GREAT, because both grand and the rough times serve a purpose. I think.

So happy sunday to you my friends! happy everyday. But especially happy sundays to you because they're the best of the best.

In other news, I'm dating a one Brenden Lynn Smith.

Yes, Lynn has 2, count them, 2 n's.

He is the greatest. If you think life is great, which you should because it is... you should meet B. cause he wins.

I'll introduce you two. He looks sorta like this...

...and this is what we look like together.

Truly guys, I didn't know this level of joy was attainable for me in my life right now.

Seek joy in your life my dears.

I believe that it is the purpose of this life we're living .together.

Big love and loads of joy are my gift to you on this the happiest day!

.NEST.

I've recently decided to take the opportunity this summer to attend school at BYU Hawaii, where the beaches are beautiful and the classes are easy. I still have a lot to sort out before going, but the excitement and anticipation continue to build. Pretend you're me....SWEET!How great is life going to be come April? I know right?!

Well here's the catch.

I don't know if you're any type of world traveler, and if not, then you wouldn't already know this, but traveling is mighty rough on the savings account.

In the miniscule amount of traveling that I've done, it's become insanely obvious to me just how spectacular the world around me actually is.So much diversity and opportunity sit out there waiting to be recognized, and I've absolutely fallen in love with that idea of "traveling the world."

No, this love is not the problem.

The problem is, I feel guilty about taking off to Hawaii. It could very well be a grandios adventure, or just an unnecessarily expensive education. I feel selfish spending so much money on an education I could gain here in the states.

Opting for this route would be a decision more focused on my future. It's just that from what I've gathered in my 21 years, money is a fairly essential thing, and spending it solely on myself has just seemed especially selfish slash unnecessary these past few weeks as I've thought about Hawaii.

THEN!...

glorious day.

I came across this old poem I had hanging in my room back in High School.

ON NEST BUILDING

Mud is not bad for nest building.

Mud and sticks

And a fallen feather or two will do

And require no reaching.

I could rest there, with my tiny ones,

Sound for the season, at least.

But--

If I may fly awhile--

If I may cut through a sunset going out

And a rainbow coming back,

Color upon color sealed in my eyes--

If I may have the unboundaried skies

For my study,

Clouds, cities, river

s for my rooms--

If I may search the centuries

For melody and meaning--

If I may try for the sun--

I shall come back

Bearing such beauties

Gleaned from God's and Man's very best.

I shall come filled.

And, then--

Oh, the nest that I ca

n build!

-carol lynn pearson

My oh my it means so much more to me now!

It is now, at this time in my life, that I need to seize the opportunities that can only be taken by soloists. You know...people who have only themselves to take care of for time being.

Motherhood and a family of my own will bring me more joy than anything else my whole life long. I know that. And the experiences I allow myself to have now, will only be of benefit when it comes time for me to built my "nest"

So my dear friends, I advise you, and me, to leap at those opportunities (pricy or not) that allow us to glean the beauties from God's and Man's very best.

word to your mother.

and her lovely nest.

Bienvenue 2010!

Reflecting is something I have to do consciously. I never find myself just pondering on the past in spare speckles of time throughout my day or week. So...with the new year presently upon us, it wasn't until today when I was asked a direct question about this past year, that I took time to reflect on my accomplishments, challenges, lessons learned, and memories gained in the year 2009.

I can't believe it's over and done with.

Initially I think..holy poo! What did I do that was of any worth in 2009? Then I reflect.

I chose to live in China for the first five months of 2009. I had no clue what I was doing, and because of my naivety i was fearless. Inhibitions and doubts about what who I was and what I was capable of, slowly broke down as I fell in love with 33 magnificent children. They grabbed hold of my heart and will forever remain a part of who I am. I think about those tender little minds and bodies working and growing without me everyday and it breaks my heart that I can't be there with them. Those children changed me more than I ever could have imagined and far more than they will ever be able to comprehend.

I have learned to be patient with others in 2009, and am learning to be patient with myself and with the challenge of making and waiting for so many big decisions in my life.

I have learned that I am capable of getting along with ANYONE...for at least five months.

I have come to understand that life is change, and in order to progress in life I have to be able to adapt to whatever it throws my way.

I have been so fortunate this past year to have gained a solid sense of who I am, void of modern, worldly distractions and pressures. Those distractions definitely complicate things, but I'm managing.

And can I just tell you my friends, it is oh so fantastic to know oneself!

In 2009 I became even dearer friends with the lovely Lindsey Kathleen Moultrie. Have you ever fought with your best friend? What would we fight about? Who knows. What a blessing.

I have learned that friendships can exist no matter how long-distance they may have to be.

I learned that sometimes the sweetest friendships can develop out of the smallest of seeds..even seeds planted in your music 101 class.

As friends have come home from missions this past year, I look at who I was when they left, and how differently I view the world and the people around me now, compared to two years ago.

Different is a very good word in this case.

I have learned how important it is to pause and appreciate the beauty of every relationship I have, and how great an impact everyone around me has on my life.

I was blessed enough in 2009 to understand that I grow in all aspects of my life, at a much faster rate, as soon as I allow myself to be changed by my experiences and by the people around me.

I have learned humility.

Best of all, as I reflect on 2009, my soul is filled with gratitude and love as I realize how blessed I truly am! What don't I have? What can't I do?

Looking forward to 2010, I expect a lot from myself and can't wait to become an even stronger, more passionate, and life-loving individual.

2010= Grand Adventure.

Anyone care to join me?!

Don't matter if you're black or white

As a woman in the grocery store approached me, I quickly noticed that she wasn't speaking English. Spanish was her language of choice, and I could tell she was asking me a question, but I don't speak Spanish. I told her this, and received, "Stop disgracing your heritage!" as a frustrated response.

Are you referring to my Scottish heritage, or my Danish blood?

As a college freshman at Utah State, I was super stoked to go to the annual Paint Dance. Plain old buckets of blue and white house paint are set out to be disposed of as attendees see fit. Saweeet! Well my roommates and I were dancing (appropriately of course) with a group of young gentlemen. One of them yelled above the music in a distorted rush, "What are you?!"

Come again?

I'm all about saving 3 lives in one fail swoop, which is why I donate my hearty +A blood whenever possible. I was at a blood drive, and already back getting my finger pricked. The phlebotomist scanned my basic info, looked up sharply, and said "You know Caucasian means white right?"

Yes. I am aware thank you

My mother had taken me to get a physical so that I could join the track team in 7th grade. It was my first time seeing Dr. Veeber as we had recently moved into the area. She shined her yellow light into the crooks and cavities of my head, and stroked her silent little woman-stache with one pointer finger. Then she asked my mother, "Do you know who the father is?" My mother said she'd been married to my dad for nearly 20 years.

"So is he white?"

Yes.

At work the other day, a creepy man in his mid-fifties whom I'll just call Mr. D approached me with his twitchy left eye and proceeded to tell me that I looked exactly like his best friend growing up. Except that I was a girl. This is why he'd fallen in love with me the moment he saw me. Compliment? I just said okay and asked what the friend's name was, unsure of how to respond to his quirked out and totally creepy comment.

Anton Hererez

These are a few of the times when people have questioned my race. It's odd. Most times I get the, "What are you?" which is an awful way of approaching the subject people! Think before speaking. They say stuff to me in Spanish at places like Cafe Rio every once in awhile as well. I just ask for the pork barbacoa salad, and smile. uhhh. Yeah, it goes without saying that my skin color..or eye shape..or something.. has placed me in some rather awkward situations a time or two. I'm Danish, Scottish, English, and Welsh. Totally Scandinavian. Apparently I don't look it though. They should offer scholarship to people like me!