Reminder: I voted for this

I have to continually remind my self that oh so long ago, I voted to come to this earth. I voted to have a body, and I voted to be tested. I voted to be mortal. Simple, I choose this. I choose to be apart of this. And now I must face the choice I made. Im so very thankful that Heavenly Father is merciful enough to realize that we would need a Savior. That we, in our mortal state, will never be able to become perfect on our own. I am so very thankful that Christ fulfilled Hs word. That Hefollowed through with Hs portion of the plan. That He made it possible to return to my Heavenly Father.

There are days that I just simply feel like I am in a fog. That I am simply passing through this mortal experience just to get by. But then I dont really feel like I know how to do it any other way. Maybe its because of the situations I put myself in. But I dont always feel like matters of the heart are subject to just myself. . . .

Balance. That is a word that seems so easy. But can be so hard to put into action. I must say that I have felt much more balanced in life since I have been spending time reading the scriptures in the morning. It isnt always easy. But it has been worth it.

My Dad!

I randomly called my Dad today. I dont like to talk on the phone, and neither does my Dad. Therefore we go days, weeks, and even months without speaking. No harm as we both realize this. But I do love my Dad. So I felt so inspired to say Hi. He was in the middle of working on my parents bathroom. They are remodeling. Oh the fun! Well. We were chatting and somehow I mentioned something about Books & Basketball. He claims that in the almost 3 years I have been participating as a Tutor he has never been told about it. I know I have talked to him about it and the kids that I used to drive. . . . Ahh, I just think. My Dad is getting old, and it makes me sad. I really want him around when I get married and have children. The later is the one that Im more concerned with. I really felt like I missed out, because my grandparents were not alive after I was 8 y/o. I barely remember them. I want my children to know their grandparents and the great people they are.

I cant wait for him to come out to CT to help James with the house. That means that he will be closer to me! And I cant wait to be able to spend some more time with him. I think that it will be really good.

Family!

Living close to family has made my Boston experience so much better. I love being able to get away from the hustle and bustle of my busy single life, and being able to spend time with people that matter the most. My Brother, his wife, and my awesome nephews.

James works like a dog in so many ways. So, I wanted to give him a Saturday afternoon to relax. I took the boys out. We went to the Childrens Museum in Hartford. I have to admit that for the overall experience, I like the Boston Childrens Museum so much more. They have more exhibits, and generally better exhibits. But the Hartford one does have a planetarium. Taylor was very excited to see a show as he has been studying about the Solar System in Kindergarten. Jack loved to see the turles, snakes, and lizards. But in generally he just loved to run and play with everything! Its also nice to be able to take them somewhere where they can play with everything. We then went to McDonalds. I know, I know. Not the healthiest lunch, but it was cold out and they could also play on the indoor playground. Jack and Taylor both got Nugget Happy Meals. Jacks had a Chicken little toy, while Taylors had a Lilo (from Lilo and Stitch) play dough set. Well, Taylor thought that was not as cool as the Chicken Little one, and enticed Jack to trade. Its a good thing that Jack is still to young to realize when he is getting the short end of the deal.

It was simply just nice to have a place that I feel completely at home. A place where I know people love and appreciate me. A place for refuge against the commotion of everyday life.

Im really excited for my Dad to come out. Granted he will be in Hartford. But that will be much closer than Texas. I love my Dad. He is the greatest. I know he doesnt feel that way, but he has very ungrateful Children. I meet this lady in my brother's ward that grew up in Texas. She mentioned to me about how her father has the up more respect for my father, eventhough my father is younger. Its nice to know that others recognize is kind, and giving heart. He is great. He has been through a lot. Im not saying that he is perfect, but Im just saying that I love my Dad.

I have one of the most hilarious cousins in the world. I just bought a plane ticket to go and visit him in May. I also bought tix to go to the A's vs Giants game while Im there. I just sit and laugh everytime we either talk or get together. Im excited for the trip. May should be a great time to be in San Francisco also!

A Day Off

I love Martin Luther King Day. During school, I mean elementary and high school, we would always talk about Martin Luther King and what he did for the country. We would read the "I have a Dream" speech. We would walk a movie about segregation, and the battle to move past it. . . . But now that Im a working professional, he has done so much more for the country. He has given us a day off work and no huge obligation. Maybe Im not being very respectful, but I dont feel that he died in vane. But rather he helped progress America to what it is today, on some fronts that is. But he has given me a day off work. Granted not all people are givin the day off work, and so I thank my employer

I love the chance to really recoup after the holidays. I was able to play volleyball for hours this year. Something I have not done in YEARS. I also had a chance to work on my photo book album. . . . I think that the nicest part of the day was the simple idea that it was my day. My day to do as I pleased. To wake up when I wanted to. To do as I wanted. . . . It was nice.

8 days into the new year and Im still feeling good about it.

I made some "New Years Resolutions," although I dont really looked at them like resolutions. More so, as ways to become a better Me. And Im still following through with them. That is something that totally amazes me. Im a creature of habit. And the trick is really making good actions a habit. Another reason not to call them "New Years Resolutions" is the because I dont think that change, atleast for me, happens all of a sudden. The calendar changes to a new year, and you are magivally supposed to become someone else. . . Ehh, that doesnt work with me. Instead I started small, and before I really thought about it.

One 'resolution' that I have wanted to do was to really read and study my scriptures. For me that has to start with the simple habit of reading. Once we moved into a two bed apartment with an actual real kitchen, I bought a table. And now every morning I have a place to eat breakfast and to read. Its been great. I was reading in D&C for awhile. But I want to study the New Testiment more. Study about Christ Ministry, and more of his life and teachings. . . . Random note. I decided to buy a new Bible online. I went through Desesert Books. I spent $8 for the bible, and $9 for the shipping. I find that wrong. Im not sure why, but I just think it is. . .


While I was in the airport on Christmas Day flying back to Boston from Dallas, I picked up the book Freedom Writers Diary. I immediately became hooked on it. It is about a teacher that began teaching in the 'hood of Long Beach. She wasnt your typical teach, but one that really cared and wanted to make a difference. The movie came out on Friday, and so I went and saw it with a friend. I loved it. I was alittle sad that it didnt fully show the greatness that this class had become, but it did show how one person was able to give kids the hope that they needed in themselves. I was amused by the reaction of my friend to the crowd that we were watching with. I was prepared for the noise, outbursts of "Nah-ah, No he did not"s and the "oh, I cant believe that"s, and the "$%#@&." I was amused by it all. It even got loud enough for an employee to come in and try and keep the peace. . . . I walked away knowing that we are only limited by the limits we place on ourselves. We need to rise above the problems that face us, and become the best we can be.

2006 in Review

In an effort to write down my thoughts, and document my life, I have decided to become a blogger. So far, I think that Im going to be a closet blogger. . . We'll see if I ever tell anyone about it.

2006. It was a great year. A few of my favorites

• Living in Downtown Boston!
• Going to Egypt. Walking next to Pyramids, snorkeling in the Red Sea, visiting the Catacombs in Alexandria
• Texas in May with the whole family
• New York City, visitng my Cousin in May
• Miami, South Beach, and the Sun in May
• Boston Fireworks on the 4th from the Mass Ave Bridge
• Soccer in during the summer
• Small venue Concerts, and Live Music at Copley Square
• Kayaking in Aug on Salt Pond in Rhode Island
• Sitting three rows behind home at a Red Sox game in Sept
• Phoenix in Oct
• My OWN room. . . After sharing for 15 months, it was nice to break out on my own again
• Getting to go home for Christmas
• 2006 Kia Sportage
• Being close to my brother and his family, and being able to visit them regularly
• Having so many great friends! Not only keep in touch with old roommates from Ricks and Provo/Orem, along with high school friends, but also making new friends and stay close with those in the Northeast.

What is less likely to ever get put on my list of favorites are those growth and learning experiences, that are never pleseant while in them, but help you to further become the person you are to be. Some of the hardest lessons I learned this year are the power of the Atonement, the strengthen of the Spirit, the joy of Christ, the importance of persurverance, and the need for contentment and happiness. I am so gratiful for the Gospel and the answers that it has given me this year, and throughout my life.

As I move on toward a New Year, I have a sense that this will be a great year. Good things are to come, and happiness will continue. I also feel that more change is yet again ahead for me. But there is beauty in that. The challenge is seeing it.