Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Human After All




Heard this gem of a song on the ending of tonight's "Parenthood" episode. Kinda fell in love with it.

I've been really happy lately. But I'm single, basically broke and are always tired...how come I'm so happy? I think it has to do with some new things I've been trying.... I find myself so full of gratitude I sometimes have to wipe a tear away.

I still get the mission question a lot from people...it confuses me too...I was so set on going...and yet ever since I decided that I wasn't going the uncomfortable anxiety I felt before is gone. I'm super excited about my major change, I'm excited about being in my ward and I'm excited for a new year.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Stole this: Modesty

My friend posted a video on his blog...mostly I'd like to say amen.

In the Interim: Modesty

Friday, November 18, 2011

Bath day and thoughts

I took a bath today, and read my book in the tub. It was wonderful.

I have a lot of thoughts these days (what's new?). Mostly of future Husband. Sometimes I just get caught up in these moments where I can't wait to not be single. I know people tell me to enjoy my single years...but I'm pretty sure married life is better, so I can't help myself day dreaming about it. I have a lot of love bundled up inside of me reserved just for him. I can't wait to share this love with him. It may be a few more years, but day dreaming doesn't hurt, right?

I love and hate the Holidays. I love it because of the family dinners, the feeling in the air, the wonderful lights and fun decorations. I hate it because I always seem to feel so lonely. Ironic, eh? But to me the holidays signify the end of the year...meaning another year of being single has passed by. This holiday season I don't want to feel lonely. It will probably happen...but this year I'm going to try my best to just serve those around me and forget myself. I become so self centered sometimes it makes me sick.  I really try to do my best in this life...but sometimes I do fall short. I hope I can accomplish this goal.

Friday, November 11, 2011

can i get your number?

I watched a scene unfold last night. And it made me sick.

My singles ward was playing volleyball. We had a ton of people there, so we had to rotate out so everyone could play. A bit into it 2 girls showed up, dressed in jeans and having that flirty, cheesy laugh going on. My first thought, "Oh geeze." As time went on it was one of the girls turn to rotate in. When she got out she said, "That was the scariest thing in my life." Really? Playing volleyball is scary? Well...the boys loved it! They all started hovering around this girl. When she was on the side lines they'd be right next to her laughing at everything she said. While watching this...I was perplexed...are the guys really going for this? Yes she was cute, but also obviously 18 years old. 18! The boys around her...over 22, one was at least 25.

I know...have more love Stacy. Don't be so judgmental. Stop it with the angry, jealous thoughts. But guess who got a new number...she did. As she was leaving, a guy asked her for her number.

Me? I got nothing. The thing with this scenario is I see it happen over and over again. How do I get the boys attention without changing who I am?...I feel dumb even asking. I feel dumb even writing this. But what the heck...this is my blog and I get to write about anything I want to.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Final post on Europe

Day 12--Barcelona, Spain/Day 13--Coming Home

So we had one day here...and it was not nearly enough. We got on a tour bus and saw what we could. The architecture was just so neat...some were a little strange, but interesting. I loved being in Spain and thinking about my brother who served his mission in Madrid. It was cool to see a bit of the Spanish culture.




The next morning we were on our way back to the states. We had a missionary on our flight home to SLC, and a lot of this trip I was thinking about missionaries. I thought about how crazy that we send 19 year old boys all over the world, have them learn languages and then try to change people's lives with the Gospel. It would take a lot of Faith to do something like that. I loved Europe. I loved seeing people. I loved hearing different languages. I loved smelling and tasting new things. Every night I thanked God for the experiences I was having. It is a place I will be back to one day...but my next travel sights are on Asia or South Pacific.

"We really will be cruising!"

Day 11--Toulone, France

I don't know why we stopped here. The day was rainy, so we weren't itching to see Toulone. When we finally made it out...there wasn't much to see. I would have loved to have spend 2 days in Rome then spend a day here. But I did see a kid with a pet Ferret...I guess that is cool.

Last Formal night, here we are with our waiter!!

"Just remember this--KARMA!"

Day 10--Florence, Italy




This was another day that felt short, but what I did see I loved. I did see the DAVID. You know, that one famous statue. It was huge, and also no pictures were allowed...so I have no proof. But it was a nice day. The market was fun, and here is where I found my dress :) I came to Europe wanting 2 things...a dress or skirt and a leather watch. I got my leather watch in Venice and my dress here! I'm in love with it. Already have worn it twice!

"Sistine Chapel is closed on Wednesdays"

Day 9--Rome


Well...the Sistine Chapel was not closed. We got wrong information. So yes, I went to Rome and did not see the Sistine Chapel.

But lets start at the beginning of this day. We woke and were ready to get off the ship at 7 am. We went out...and it was pouring. Pouring. We were outside with umbrellas and were still getting soaked waiting for the shuttle. So we took a vote and decided to sit inside the ship and wait for the down pour to stop. We waited, and then it was heck trying to find a shuttle bus that would take us out of the port. But finally...we made it to the train station.


At the train station a worker told us the Sistine Chapel was closed. But we decided to go on with our day. The day was cut short a bit, but we saw what we could. We started at St. Peter's Basilica, saw the Pope speak and saw the Pieta. 

After that we went to the Pantheon, a couple fountains and saw what we could of Rome. It felt too short, but I was still thankful that I saw Rome. I'll be back someday...I know I will. There is just soo much more to see!



"When should we start worrying?"

Day 8--Pompeii, Italy

We got off the ship at Naples, Italy and went directly to another boat (a Water Bus) which took us to Sorronto. From there we took a train to Pompeii. Pompeii as Wikipidia says, "is a partially buried Roman town-city." And it was cool! We listened to our Steve Ricks audio tour and got a bit split up. Karen Curtis and I ended up finishing a bit before the rest, and my mom was worried I was gone forever. But fear not...we all found each other again!






After the tour Pompeii we went back to Sorronto and had pizza and bruschetta! It was amazing...of course. Then we went back to our cruise ship and called it a full day!

"You want people to think you don't belong in a swimsuit?"

Day 7--At Sea

Today was the first day at sea. It was filled with reading, watching movies and just relaxing. I was down with a cold and so it was nice to have a day off of touring.

Every night on the cruise ship they would have an evening show before dinner. This night they had Tracey Shields. She was a Celine Dion impersonator and was honestly amazing. (Ashley, look her up...its the closest thing to Celine Dion)

So we had our first dress up dinner that night. We got to know our waiter a little better. So picture Gru from Despicable Me, and after he's met the kids (so he's friendly). He was full of jokes that he thought were so funny he'd laugh himself to turn red in the face. We just loved him. He always brought extra food and dessert out for us. Did I say already that we loved him? He would talk to us about his family and how it was his last week working on cruises after 12 years. He was just wonderful, and we'll probably just send the missionaries to him.

"It is fate that I have met you."

Day 6--Dubrovnik, Croatia

This was an unexpected surprise. This place was just...awesome. Basically was a little village right on the Mediterranean ocean, surrounded by a wall. So we walked the wall. Who knew Croatia was a place to go see? I do now!





"These will be our obiturary pictures."



Day 5--Venice Part 3/Board the ship

Just spent the morning walking and shopping a bit more in Venice and then we boarded the ship! I've never been on a cruise before so it was an experience just getting on the ship. It was huge! HUGE! The rooms were so quaint, and the perfect size. That night we went to the opening program for the ship, and met our cruise director! He was hilarious and knew a billion languages! Then we were off to dinner and met our waiter. Our waiter, Silviu, ah...he was just perfect for our group of 8 ladies. I'll talk more about him on my post about our first day at sea.

"Americans? Can you take our picture?"

Day 4--Venice Part 2



Venice. Ah I just loved Venice. This day was filled with touring St. Mark's Bascillica, shopping, eating, gelato and more eating! I loved just walking around in this city and seeing what it had to offer. Basically it was a perfect day. To end this perfect day I found these AMAZING boots that I'm in love with. I'm sure you'll see me wearing them!



"I correct you so you don't embarass yourselves..."

Day 3--Venice  Part 1

We started the day by catching a flight to from France to Italy. We landed in Italy, and had to take a water taxi over Venice. Venice is magical. I feel like there is nothing in the world like it. First off...no cars. Everyone walks or goes by boat. It feels like it has been frozen in time and isn't affected by the modern world. Basically we got there and I was feeling sick, so I took a bit of a nap after we landed in our hotel. When I woke up my mom and I went to dinner at this restaurant down an alley way. It was the best pizza ever! It was so strange because we had the restaurant to ourselves...I wanted to go and advertise to all of Venice to go eat there!





After dinner we went to bed, and that night I fell asleep to two Italian men verbally fighting. I think if all fights could sound like that, I wouldn't mind fighting. It was such a show to fall asleep to.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

"8 Women found dead, all wearing hats and 1 eating a crepe."

Day 2--Paris Part 2

Wanna try the best croissants ever? Go to Paris. Our hotel had a breakfast, and the croissants were sooo good. I ate like 5...maybe more. This day was filled with touring. We went to the Louve, saw the Mona Lisa, Aphrodite and the Winged Glory...and much much more. We also went back to Notre Dame and took a tour there. Then we went to the St. Chapel, which had the best stained glass work I have ever seen. It was breath taking. We also took a water bus tour of the Seine River.











That night we went to the Eiffel Tower and went to the top. It was amazing. It was cold, so we were all wearing hats. We were quite the sight...8 women in hats, laughing and smiling like we were drunk. It was a wonderful day in Paris, but I know I want to go back...cause we really only saw a tiny bit of the city. I did love Paris and I think I will be back one day!