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July 25, 2014

My Box of Memories

We all do that thing where when we clean our room, we find something from a long time ago and then take a stroll down memory lane. Let's just say I took a stroll today.

I have a box in my room filled with drawings, cards, pictures, and random stuff  I felt like I might want later on down the road. I found some pretty interesting things in my little Box of Memories but I didn't get nostalgic or misty eyed over past memories. I rejoiced in the fact that I had objects that reminded me of those wonderful times.

I want to list a few of the things in the box:

  • duct tape corsage
  • white sash that has "Princess" written in gold cursive
  • a picture of my very first high school dance with my date
Let's start with the duct tape corsage. Probably one of the sweetest, most unique guys I know made it for me when he asked me to homecoming. He dropped off daisies at my more a few at a time with tags that said "
Will you go to Homecoming with me?" Daisies are my favorite flower so he was pretty smart :) I learned a lot from him and I guess I keep that duct tape corsage as a reminder of how great life could be if you aren't afraid of being different. He made me braver in so many ways and I will always be grateful.

The white sash was from a really fun girls camp that I went to in Park City. It was a princess camp so we stayed in a hotel and we all dressed up as Disney princesses. I was Belle from Beauty and the Best and I wore that sash proudly because I honestly felt like a princess. I keep it because that was such a fun time :)

The picture of me and my high school date is a pretty great one. This guy was super awkward and really quirky but he knew me really well at the time. He asked me by filling up my room with balloons and candy and Dr. Pepper (back when I was addicted to the stuff). It was cheesy but it made me smile. The one thing that I really loved about that night was after the dance (which was in down town Salt Lake) we decided to walk around the Gateway for a little while. I didn't realize I was getting cold but before I could say anything his jacket was around my shoulders. This kid was really quiet and shy to most people, but with me, he was a really sweet friend.

There is something about all of these memories that they all share in common. I really don't talk to the people involved with all of those memories. I like reflecting back on these times in my life by going through my stuff but I'm not completely sentimental or sad. I choose to smile because those memories happened instead of crying because those moments are gone.

What's in your Box?



July 18, 2014

My #1 Fan

So I have played the piano for about 12 or 13ish years now. I love it! But recently I have taken up a new instrument. The guitar. This was a strange transition for my fingers but it is going decent enough.

Well, after I learned a few chords and barely mastered one song, I came home from my wonderful job and played for my parents. My dad gave me some of the best advice that I will never forget :)

So, you all know that I am weird and most days, I dress weird too. My dad thinks I am crazy when I wear my grandmas baggy fringe jacket/poncho/sweater thing but he always tells me that I am brave and that  I walk to my own beat.

Speaking of beats, today as I very roughly attempted to show my dad what I learned on the guitar (while wearing a flower crown in my wavy hair), I fumbled in a few places and quickly got discouraged. My dad then told me about one of his friends who was a guitar prodigy that he had always admired. He said that his friend told him that he wasn't always good at playing the guitar and that he slowly had to learn to perfect his talent. After my dad told me this story, he simply told me to never be afraid to make mistakes because that is how you learn.

My dad is definitely the best at making any crazy idea, hobby, fad, or weird random talents seem important. Whether it is photography, playing an instrument, or learning how to use Microsoft Word, he makes it sound so fun and fascinating.

After his little pep talk, he told me to just play the song without stopping to think about the mistakes that my awkward fingers were making. So I simply (attempted) to play the song. Surprisingly, that song sounded better after a few minutes.

I know that I will ALWAYS be able to do my best at anything as long as I have my #1 fan cheering me on :)

Thanks Dad, I love you more than you know :)

July 6, 2014

R.I.F.B.F.

I have a friend who lives on the other side of the country. He didn't always though.

He was my back fence neighbor and doubled as my first love. Yes, I was "in love" as a kindergartener. Then tragedy struck and my little crush moved to the other side of the country when we were in third grade. We stayed in touch by writing letters and I even kept the necklace he gave me with my initial on it. But by the middle of 4th grade, I was over him and kicked the idea of him, to the curb. 

Then, after years of not speaking, he returned to our home state and came for a visit. Reconnected after all that time (which wasn't actually long at all) we used Facebook and Skype to rebuild our frienship. Little did I know that nerdy little boy at my back fence would later become one of the greatest friends I could ever ask for. 

We talk about everything. Doctor Who, the meaning of life, religion, and any other little thing that we can think of. The cool thing about him is that doesn't think anything is weird and he is a great listener :) He can be a real friend and cheer me up from the other side of the country. Not all of my friends that I go to school with can do that.

So, to the little boy who I would talk to through the fence, you will always be my first love :)

To the boy who is one of my best friends now, thanks for being you :) 

(Plus he introduced me to the Supernatural TV series and I will forever be grateful!)

July 5, 2014

Capture the moment

I love photography :) Always have. I like being able to take a picture of something random and seemingly insignificant and then editing it into something beautiful. My most favorite style of photography is candid photography.

I really like people watching. I know, sounds creepy, but it is so interesting. I love trying to guess what a certain persons story is. The stories I make up can get pretty entertaining. But what I love most about people watching is the little moments that go unnoticed by the rest of the world.

Now, I'm not saying that I creepily take pictures of people that I watch around me, I'm here to tell you what I've learned from people I know and don't know.

The little moments that you treasure the most are the moments you need to capture. Whether with a physical picture or with your heart. Honestly, I have yet to have a friend or be in a relationship that wants to stop and document the random moments that I consider the best memories. Maybe I need to become that person. Maybe I still haven't found them yet.

Capture each moment you feel you want to remember later.