Thrasher

I've been the laziest blogger lately.

 Sorry.but not really.

 I had to post this because it was too funny not to.

Life of a Thrasher

haha somethings familiar. 

Truly Madly Deeply In Love....

With this...

It's made by the incredible and talented Maxx Dexter. It is the greatest thing I have ever purchased period. I took it out the other day and I have never had that much fun surfing in my life. It is the raddest board that exists. It makes me so happy. Im just gonna hug it and ride it for the rest of my life.

so...

I currently have a black eye. It looks disgusting. My left eye/cheekbone is swollen and has sort of a purple-ish tint. A boy at castles was surfing with out a leash when he evidently needed one and he fell ( hey it happens- let me tell you) but his leash-less board came speeding towards my face a got me right below the eye.

ouch

By far the most challenging part of all of this is that now i cant wink at boys and its really throwing my game off. My friend told me to blow kisses instead. Ill have to give that a try and report my results.

It's all good though. Im no stranger to injuries and this particular one just makes me look really tough/awesome. well maybe not awesome, but tough for sure. i think. either super tough or abused. hmm at least nothings broken this time. see always a sliver lining.

Sometimes...

Life Stings a Little.

We don't get the answers we want. Things don't work out or go our way. Sometimes life happens and hurts our heart a little (or a lot). But the beauty is that it's ok. Heavenly Father is listening and there is honey to be had. The sting will fade and we will come out on the other side a little stronger for having gone through that. In the past few days I've spent a good amount of time with just me and my thoughts. And while thinking (and over thinking) doesn't ease the hurt as much, some realizations do come. No one said growing pains are super fun. But I've decided that it is these times that help us become exactly who the Lord needs us to be. I've just been trying to remember...

"Keep your face toward the sunshine and the shadows will fall" -Walt Whitman

My sunshine has been sweet friends (and cousins) and surfing and reading and sleeping and taking pictures and running (a lot of running). It's all gonna be ok and if it wasn't for times like these I wouldn't truly appreciate the sweet and wonderful times. I guess all I'm trying to say is even when everything stinks, life is still pretty great.

It's Gonna Be Ok

This is the week before midterms and It has totally solidified a lesson for me. Life gets so overwhelming. Things have due dates, people rely on you, and sometimes things don't go according to plan, sometimes even despite adequate planning or good intentions youre in a rainstorm.

But These Times are the test of a

True Optimist

Its easy to be happy when life is great. But when the rain pours, you really do have to CHOOSE to be happy. Make the choice to say "it's all going to be ok- I can handle this-life is still rad".

Choose to worry and stress less.

and guess what?

Life is so much happier when you do!

I try to everyday

Live Fantastically and Courageously and with grace...

Today....

was a LOVELY day. Despite the sporadic showers where it pours for five minutes at a time. But those bring the best rainbows.

When I see those I am overwhelmed by how blessed I am! I feel so lucky to be here. BYU-Hawaii really is Heaven on earth. When I drive to school, sun shining down in my little jeep usually listening to some Taylor Swift or Miley Cyrus and I see that bright aqua blue water with waves crashing less than 10 feet away or when I see all of the flags around the little circle as I drive up to campus I honestly feel so happy its hard to put into words. I am so blessed.

Heavenly Father just knew that this would be the most perfect place on earth he could possibly send me and I am so glad he did.

Lately I've been stressing a little about the idea that at some point there must be an end and I will have to leave this Island.

I know it seems like its a little premature to stress about that now but I cant help it! I love it here so much and I can't imagine leaving. But Ive just decided that I need to have faith that If I am listening to the spirit Heavenly Father will make sure I am wherever will make me the happiest.

Just to share...

because I believe that sharing is caring, I wanted to share my all time favorite quote and personal mantra. If I had to choose words to live by it would be these ones for sure!!

That was penned by one of my favorites, Ralph Waldo Emerson. I think the idea of just living your life as happy as it can be and literally embracing every day for the beauty and wonder it holds is the raddest outlook to keep!

simple but wonderfully true....

Some of the most powerful secrets to a happy life, you know those answers that people search their entire life for, are something a kindergartner could have told you. Thats why I love kids so much. The world is so simple in their eyes.

So it's been a hard decision...

and seriously how am I supposed to choose between

This....

and this....

But I have finally decided to stay in Hawaii for spring!

It makes more sense to take my Spanish 201 class right after I finish this Spanish 102 Class this semester. Plus I am super stoked on staying here in the Hawaii sunshine and playing during spring semester. So many exciting things to do and I will still have a few months in Ca to be home and work at Disneyland!

So yay for making choices!!

-mo·ti·va·tion-

something that energizes, directs and sustains behavior.

Its something that gets people moving, points them in a particular direction and keeps them going.

Im reading my educational psychology book and this chapter is on motivation I and keep thinking everyone should read this chapter.

Its really the ONLY way to find success in anything you do. Motivation is the base for every other aspect of success. All of that hard work and high reaching comes because you are motivated.

I don't really have a long checklist of qualities I want in a future husband, but good motivation is definitely a must in anyone I am dating. My dad can be a man of few words but I know when he told me to marry a motivated man it was a gem.

Good Relationships only happen if both people are motivated.

Motivated men will make the best fathers, providers, and companions.

When you combine motivation with a positive outlook you get something kind of

amazing...

I know its been forever...

But this semester has been busy busy busy. I have loved feeling so productive and busy. It's been fun balancing BYUH Student Association, Service Council, Student Advisory Council and my job with Kama'aina Kids. I love my job so much and being Aunty Alyssa and playing with my kids is so fun.

Also dating Christopher meant that I had spent so much time with him and even more working on learning sign language. I'm still working so much on learning ASL. Between all of my activities and school and work time to be creative kinda quickly got lost. Which I could totally feel that absence. I missed it. I missed photography and how it made me and the people I work with smile and feel. That use of creativity makes me feel like I've done something worth while.

But what a blessing Hawaii is. This wonderful place just reminded me to slow down. All it took was a bike ride on a sunny day after the rain passed through and seeing a big bright rainbow for me to remember why slowing down is so important. Its true what they say, great ideas come from great bike rides.

It just reminded me to find peace and joy in the journey. To do lots of good things, but never to get so busy that you forget to make time to do the things that make you the most happy.

To stop and look at those rainbows every once in a while. Whatever that rainbow is for you in your own life. Stop for an ice cream cone, or to smell the flowers or fly a kite. Just enjoy every day.

By the way kite flying is a new favorite way to spend my time.

Devotional Today...

Devotional Today was really wonderful. Elder Perkins of the Quorum of the 70 taught from President Monson's October 2008 Conference Address. And I loved the message.

"This is our one and only chance at mortal life—here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief. Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and non-existent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey—now."

I really just love this simple truth from President Monson. It makes me think about priorities and what do I fill my day with? Becoming Christlike is the work of a lifetime but how much of this life am I going to waste with unnecessary frustration, unneeded stress, and focused on worldly things that I can't take with me? I hope that I can try and live in a way that cuts out all of the pressure and anxiety that Satan puts there and replace it with cheerful attitude that comes from gratitude for all the Lord does for me. If we find Joy in the Journey life will become a lot easier. We will be able to recognize the blessings we have, little things that just make us smile and know that it's not worth it to concern ourselves with all the little bumps in the road.

Basically go with the flow, know it's all good and He is there and just enjoy the ride...

Here are a couple of ways to destress and just Happy Up!

Eat This

Wear Your Favorite Color

Stop and look at the clouds for a second

Order dessert then dinner.

Put one of these in your drink, like a quick fix tropical vacation in your cup.

Watch David after the Dentist. You'll laugh guaranteed.

Listen to Bruddah Iz sing Over the Rainbow

Write in Pink ink.

Come to BYU-Hawaii for a day