"Her voice, its like Buttah"

in utah my aunt and uncle introduced me to a movie called What's Up Doc?. i wasn't too sure about the young Barbra Streisand, but after watching it i can say that it was so funny and quick witted, i loved it! since then i've been on a Bab's kick and have been watching lots of her early movies like The Way We Were and Funny Girl. i never really cared for her contemporary work, but i had no idea what a comedic genius she is! her characters were wonderful.

i've also been getting in to late 60s and early 70s style makeup and hair, and boy did she have the look! i think she was absolutely gorgeous. i don't know why, but i love the combination of her nose and facial structure with the thick eyeliner and eyelashes. weird to notice, i know, but i wish i could wear my makeup like that these days!

Major Blessings

well, first let me say that Heavenly Father is absolutely amazing and is always blessing me even if i don't deserve it.

the past couple weeks have been pretty difficult. my dad and his sister pretty much ripped me apart when i told them about joining the peace corps. they were so not happy with me...with my dad its nothing new really; unless i join the air force he honestly isn't proud of or happy with anything i do. they also began to bash on temples and temple marriages, so i know that that is another battle down the road.

i love my dad, but i really hate that he knows nothing about me and we have nothing in common. truly we are night and day. it makes me sad. i wish i could talk to him about things, and tell him about things im excited about, or have him give me a blessing, or talk about the gospel, but he doesnt take me seriously and mocks almost everything i do. its a shame really.

without going into the nasty details, im having a hard time at home. often i feel like i don't fit in, that im just different. i feel alone alot.

the past few days ive been praying so hard for God to soften my heart towards my family, but to also help ease the pain and sadness i feel. ive been praying for friends that i can turn to when i need a break (for the past three years i have spent summer virtually alone; i dont have any old friends from high school and only acquaintances from church).

God answered my prayers, and people from my stake that i knew in high school began talking to me and inviting me to things. i was so grateful, but at the same time, it was a little tough...i mean i hadn't seen them in years so i didn't have much to talk to them about, i don't go to BYU like the rest of them, which comes up more than you would think..., and i just noticed that i wasn't meshing with them as well as i do with people at SVU. i wanted to participate and have friends so badly, but it was a bigger adjustment than i thought.

i continued to pray for help, and God didn't give up on me and continued to bless me. several times this week when i really needed a friend or someone to ask me to sit with them at church when i was alone, someone was there. it happened at church today and i just sat there repeating in my head, "thank you, thank you, thank you".

I don't know if any of this made sense, but after this week i have seen that Heavenly Father is so loving and is blessing my life constantly. i also learned however, that if we ask for something and He gives it to us, we cannot refuse that gift when its presented. If i pray for just one friend, and someone comes along and invites me to something, i can't say no. like i said, its an adjustment, but if i have faith to consider asking for help, i've got to have faith that what God has suggested or given to me will work.

Inspiration of Various Kinds

 My aunt jenny gave me a book to read called Three Cups of Tea. its about a man that was mountain climbing and got lost, ending up in a remote village in pakistan. he saw the children drawing the in the snow with sticks in an attempt to teach themselves. at that moment, Greg Mortenson decided to dedicate himself to building schools in these villages in pakistan, and eventually afghanistan. it was an amazing book! he also makes the case that alot of the problems in the middle east and the conflict between americans and arabs could be alleviated by building schools, especially for girls, and educating the children, so that they have another option in life besides joining extremists. so cool!

well this book got me to thinking...here i am in america, lazing around on summer vacation, when there is clearly so much that needs to be done in this world. i decided i really do want to make a difference with my life. some how the idea of the Peace Corps popped in to my head, so i did some research....i came upon their masters international program, which is basically a partnership with various masters schools and the peace corps, that allows people to get their masters degree and serve in the peace corps in a foreign country, with many, many benefits.

could this be any more perfect for me?! i was so excited, i felt like my heart was going to jump out of my chest. i know it would be alot of work, and i still have a few months before i would need to begin the application process, but this is something i really want to do. for the past few months, every time i research future jobs or careers, i feel like im just looking for whats going to get me a job and keep a roof over my head--obviously, very important, but nothing i was really passionate about. but this is such an exciting opportunity! i would get to serve others and get a degree, and have real life experience in a career field. gosh, i couldn't be more excited!


second, i discovered a sewing website that has super cheap patterns, and even some free ones! i just found this free skirt pattern that is perfect for some fabric i bought last year. can't wait to get started!

the Kesia skirt i am going to attempt--hope it turns out!

long time, no see

well! its been a while. i was in utah for a little over a month and decided to just focus on doing family things instead...but now im back in humid ohio, and rather than going outside and sweating to death, i have decided to catch up on blogs, books, and sewing projects!

first, i found this photograph that i just love!



so cool. i just love elephants!

second, i've just gotta say that Heavenly Father had really blessed me the past few days.
last week, i was driving home to AF from visiting my old roommate in bountiful, and got horribly lost. well apparently, whilst getting lost, i ended up going 45 in a 30. so i got pulled over, and at first i was in complete shock, i couldn't believe it happened! and i was so upset because it was a complete accident, i got lost, going down a steep hill, on a five lane road (what kind of five lane road has a 30mph speed limit?!), and there was no speed sign on the section of road i was on. gah, just a horrible combination! thankfully, the officer didn't give me a ticket, which would have been around $300--$300 i didn't have.
next, i knew i had rent to pay for my apartment this fall, but didn't put two and two together until now to realize that i wouldn't get my scholarship refund money until september, when my rent is way past due! i was freaking out, because if i didn't have that apartment i would have nowhere to live.again, by a huge blessing, the land lady said i can pay once i get my refund, and not to worry about it! so thats another $500 or so that i dont have to worry about! boy, i am so grateful!