Thought of You.

Animation can be magical. And make you cry. And touch parts of your soul that you want to be touched.

This one does it.

One of Andrew's program instructors made this short, and it.is.beautiful. He's worked in the 'industry' as a story board artist for a long time and BYU snagged him up to teach a few years ago.. because he GETS.IT.

You will love it. Watch it a 100 times. So worth it.

And if dancing makes you feel things inside that you can't describe, then this is for you. Next time I see him I will have to tell him how truly amazing it is. You should too. Go leave him comments. Unreal.

Enjoy.

And THAT is one of the reasons why Andrew loves what he does.

Unplug

{via AT}

...So true sometimes.
some need this more than others, but it's good advice no matter who you are.
PS. there are other devices to 'unplug' from in my opinion other than iPods.. think about it.

Have a good one! (:

Post-Challenge

{photo via Flickr}

Well folks.. we made it. We cheated once or twice for school/work and a date for some gelato that was 'going out of business' the next day.. but other than that.. we definitely lived off of food storage. Andrew was joking around and said we probably got a C (I thought more along the lines of a B) but with a standard "BYU curve" in place, that would have bumped us to at least a B+ or A- hahaha. But yes, it was nice to filter through our food I guess, but man oh man am I excited to buy goods and fresh produce... IN SOME SERIOUS BULK. Yes, I think we learned a thing or two.. like what should we really stock up on, and what will we miss when it's gone, and how the poo would we eat if the electricity was out? (yeah.. we're going to have to get some propane burners or something)... so thank you Bishop for the challenge, even if you WERE/ARE on a 2 week cruise in the Bahamas!! (TRUE STORY).. that sly man. So there you have it. So as a word to the wise... basically it's always a good idea to stock up when places like Bath and Body Works do the crazy soap sales (by 10 for a nickle).. and stuff like that. Haha.. because you never know when you might run out and when disaster might STRIKE!

HELLO COSTCO & SMITHS!
I can't wait to greet you tomorrow. I'm going to dress up because it's been so long since we've seen each other.. (:

Food Storage..

photo via Flickr

Or I guess you could call this.. "not going to the grocery store and eating what it was that you were PLANNING on storing." You following me? No? Okay, so here's what happened..
Our Bishop challenged our ward during our emergency preparedness month, to NOT go to the grocery store this week, and to live off of what we have.. as if there were a natural disaster at our doorstep THIS very instant! No eating out, no filling the fridge, and so on. The only thing we can do if we don't meet our needs, is call within the ward to depend on them. The good news.. we'll be able to make due!
The bad news, I do my weekly grocery shopping on MONDAY! So we were already thinning out in the fridge (hence the naked fridge example photo). At least nothing will go to waste I guess.. Also, Andrew is usually at school from 9am-9pm on any given day.. and he usually eats at least twice a day at the Cougar Eat.. so he's trying his best to pack what little we have. However, most things would need to be cooked, and he doesn't really have that option at school. So we're kind of in a pickle there. We DO however understand that if in fact there were REALLY an emergency, he wouldn't be in school, and could therefore eat at home during the day, so we're being a little flexible in that regard.
So now we are now at day 3 (or 4 if you count Sunday as day 1), and things are going just fine, minus the fact that what we were originally storing for a REAL emergency, is DEPLETING for a fake one! Now I know Bishop means well, and he's even shared that we will receive blessings for such a challenge, but now I'll have to spend more than twice as much on food NEXT week! Blah.. Let's just say at least I'm grateful that we have LOTS of toilet paper, and that my sister in law gave us a yam. We'll make it through, don't you fret.. but most of our canned goods are disappearing, and when the real emergency STRIKES.. well, hopefully we'll have it back to it's sad little amount (yes, it wasn't much to begin with).

Sigh, thanks Bishop.. seriously, I mean it. We're taking it seriously, and we hope it pays off in the end!

Swell Dame

Am I the only one who would completely change EVERYTHING about their wedding if given the chance? (minus the man I married, of course!) It's not that my taste has 'changed', which in a sense I guess it has, it's just that at the time I didn't KNOW any better and now looking back I want it completely different! Don't get me wrong, I'm more than grateful for the beautiful wedding I was so blessed to have, I just know so much more about weddings and color schemes and what not now, more so than I did then. Oh, brides.. we're so silly. Not to mention CRAZY emotions were ripping through the place, making decisions for us. Anyway, as weird as this may sound to YOU, I would have done my hair differently (one of the MANY things).. and I would have liked to wear something in it that reflects my passion for the ocean.. ie, a starfish, sand dollar, seashells, what have you. Tastefully done of course. Andrew and I are really into blues, greens, creams, and white (lots of white).. and it would have represented US much better as a couple that day. Am I weird? ..don't answer that. Regardless, I would have made it look classy.

{via Etsy}

Colors, the dress, invitations, the bridal party getup.. what have you.. the whole lot.
What would you change?

**Girls who have yet to marry: A word to the wise... REALLY THINK IT THROUGH! There are lots of decisions and unless you genuinely don't care, choose wisely, you might regret it later! LIKE US! Haha.

Receipts?

{photo via Flickr}

I am once again looking to you for the answer.
I have found that I donate clothing, household items, etc.. a lot. I'm really good at keeping my home at an 'uncrowded' level. It's simple really, when new things come in.. old things go. Come to think of it, old things go even when I don't get new things. And you know what? Whenever they ask if I want a donation receipt, I NEVER get one. Frankly I haven't really cared until now. I realize that I donate a LOT and perhaps this is adding up to something useful. So my question is, is it worth it? Will it really make a difference on our taxes? I just feel like waiting to have them add everything up would be somewhat tedious, but if it'll save me a hundred bucks here and there on taxes, who knows? So tell me from experience, has it done YOU very much good?

Thanks.
PS. Have a lovely Tuesday.

9/11

{image via Rebecca Monson's facebook}

I will always try my best to show respect for those we lost. Thank you, dear country for being so Christlike in these efforts. God bless the USA.


PS. I still could use your advice below!

Have an awesome weekend, I know I will! (:

Help.

{photo via Flickr}

Yes, I'm enlisting you. Why? Because I'm terribly indecisive and am currently at a cross roads. Okay, let me give you the skinny..

So here I am, not working (I usually work), and totally hitting ROCK BOTTOM with finding a job. Massage openings? Not a one. Oh you want to maybe even be a server at one of the 4billion restaurants in Provo/Orem? Wrong. Possibly even work retail again? Yeah right, check back with us in a month, maybe then. Ahh! See, there's this thing called a bad economy.. and if you don't have a job, your odds of getting one right now are like a zillion to one. Even if your resume & massaging skills KICK BUTT!
Yeah, so anyway.. here I am minding my own business in our new BYU married student ward, when BAM! "Arica, [this is my brain speaking].. you really should consider school. I mean think about it, you're ITCHING to know the in's n' outs of home design, it's been a passion of yours since you were like... oh not even kidding, 14 [yes, had plans freshman year that I totally bailed on], and doing some awesome religion & english courses could be totally good for your health" AH! This hit me like a ton of bricks. Seriously... I passed a note to Andrew telling him what I was feeling, and he seriously almost passed out. He couldn't believe it. See, I had sworn off Universityness.. that's why I bailed on interior design. I refused to take another worthless history & math class (that's how I feel about them, sorry history & math buffs). Ugh, but now my feelings are telling me to get over that stupidness. I don't know.. it's overwhelming, and I have no idea how I would even START into that sort of thing! I'd have to do online courses, or night school.. not to mention lots of bobbing and weaving & trying to get connections up the WAZOO to get into such a place like BYU. I sweat just thinking about all the hard work it would take to even GET IN. But then I have a husband who says.. oh don't worry, I'll get you in, that's not the hard part. YA RIGHT! This isn't surprising though however, coming from the boy who got a full ride to get a fine art degree all on his own as a freshman. Literally, he talked to people, wrote letters and BAM, scholarship awarded ..and then bailed because he HATES fine art. So yes, he can wheel & deal.. no doubt about it. Oh, and trust me, I'm no dummie.. I know how hard BYU courses are.. my husband is an expert at being stumped and stressed, not to mention I've heard multiple times how difficult the major is. But if I went for it, I wouldn't wuss out, it's such a love of mine that I couldn't back out. I'd take the hard with the fun. I just don't know... I just feel like I need to be learning, which is odd (I never thought I'd have the urge, minus the next option)..

So here's what is also a possibility..
I've been craving to do Aesthetic school. Yeah, may seem silly, not that cool to do with your time.. and my friends it is SOO expensive like over $10,000 expensive.. but I would LOVE to learn more about the body and how to better it! It would fill the gaps of massage so smoothly & not to mention it keeps me in an atmosphere that I love, and in less than a YEARS time! Not to mention I LOVE hands on education, seriously LOVE IT. But people, that kind of money.. wheeeeew. That's a lot of money. More than BYU money. More than swindling to get into BYU money...
I just don't know..

Both are good, no. great options. I just don't know if I can hack it! Especially while I'm not even working!! Andrew votes BYU, even says he'll do my math homework, but I don't know.. it scares me going into a world full of 18 year olds that are killer smarter than me. Me, who should technically already have GRADUATED, pressing her luck at trying to even get in. Blah. I just don't know what to do.. I just know I need to do SOMETHING! Help.. anybody... everybody.. I need to be LEARNING and doing what I love!

Ideas? Thoughts?
Please & thanks.

Present

"Yesterday is history,
tomorrow is a mystery,
but today is a gift,
that is why it is called the 'present'."

-Kung Fu Panda

One of the best animated insights of all time.. I will forever look at "today" differently. (:

{photo via Flickr}
PS. Isn't it AWESOME!?

Observations

I have noticed a few things lately.

First, Utahn's do NOT like when you're driving in front of them, and are SLOWING to the red light. It's true, I've had many a people waste a gallon of gas to pass me before the light, assuming I'll take off at the light just as slow. How about I'm just not WASTING gas on my way to a red light.. ?

Second, I had my first experience seeing local humans 'raking leaves.' Yes, many of you are probably thinking, well goodness.. people rake leaves EVERYWHERE! Not in San Marcos they don't! Well, not that I've seen anyway. Since the leaves fell non stop all week, it seems only logical to rake and blow leaves the following Saturday. Hence, the raking of leaves today. It was surreal to watch. Call me a weirdie, but I was amazed.

Third, I have learned to try to avoid running errands during BYU home games at all cost. Odds are, you'll make your way around through INTENSE traffic, if you're even moving at all. Apparently I forgot this already learned information, when I embarked on a few errands today. Lesson, re-learned.

That's all for now!
Hope you're Saturday's been swell.. :)

Yesterday

No matter what outcomes you were hoping for, we cannot deny the American dream.
I did not vote for President Obama; however, I find it absolutely powerful to see how far we've come as a country.
Also, I am VERY relieved and EXTREMELY proud of the California voters. It makes me feel so much better to know that my future children will not have to know a state that could have come from all of this not passing.
Also, I had a bit of a scare happen to me yesterday. One of which I will share with you in the future, but for now.. life is just great.

I cannot be upset about where the country stands, when my life is so blessed.
I love God with all of my heart, and am thankful for my country.

Karma

I think the whole 'being nice' is really paying off, and I mean it in the most literal sense. I believe in Karma. Actually, I believe more so in Blessings & Consequences, which essentially is the same thing. I will give some examples of lovely things that have happened to me, that are so small and simple, yet I believe are a result of doing good to others. Why? Well, just because my heart tells me so.

..Remember when I posted AGES ago about the 'magazine rack' I rigged up?? That STEAL of a price I got? Well, when Kels & I were at Gardner Village.. we were in the home decor store (which is TO DIE FOR).. I saw my rack! It was black rather than white, and you want to know something?? It was going for $119! YES $119! I could not Believe it! I felt this overwhelming joy and power rush over me. The fact that not ONLY do I know I saved $70 at Roberts, but $110 from this store! And that just blows my mind. :) Coincidence? Perhaps. But I think there's a bigger picture.

Secondly, the other day I was going to the grocery store, and on the way.. the nearby car wash was TOTALLY giving away free washes! So naturally, I pull in and ask what the deal is, and the girl tells me "we're just giving freebie's away once a month, you drove by on a good day. :)" SWEET! I felt totally proud. Mostly because I had been debating for over 2 weeks whether to go get one, or to do it myself (and it's fairly cold outside now). Wah-lah! Concern solved!

Now, this could just be luck, but I feel like my conscious effort to help & be genuinely kind to everyone has something to do with it. Not only am I happier, but the others I associate with are too, as well the complete strangers I have encounters with. I believe God recognizes when we are trying, and these are his little ways of saying.. "Good job, I love you.. and thanks for being nice to your brothers & sisters."

Question

Oprah's show yesterday was all about being curtious and polite to everyone rather than being rude.. and it was fun because she did a survey of things that surprisingly enough, we don't necessarily think are rude. A few of these were no brainers (in fact, most) for me.. although there were also a few that had me thinkin.. 'oh crap! I totally do that!' Which leads me to my question..
This was not brought up, but I'm curious to know what you think..

Is it rude to talk on your cell phone while in the grocery line (duuh)
IF you are totally cooperative with the checker and bagger, say thank you, smile.. and get your receipt in a totally normal and speedy manner?

Now, I don't usually do this, and we can all make excuses, but Andrew was calling between classes yesterday and we just HAD to discuss things! I don't think how I went about it was in any way rude; however, I couldn't help but feel a little bad about it later.
What do you think?

Changes

Life's NEW experiences
-Referring to the differences to now having chocolate brown hair.

#1. Visiblity
Pro. Being able to actually FIND the mystery hair that is caught ticking my arm!
Con. Unfortunately being very aware of hair in the sink/on the floor/etc.

#2. Confusion
Pro. Being told.. 'I was wondering WHO that cute girl was!!?'
Con. Being told.. 'I was a little concerned -seeing Andrew sitting there with some brunette! How dare he!'

#3. Age
Pro. Appearing older/more mature & sophisticated.
Con. Appearing older.

#4. Blond-be-gone
Pro. No longer having to be told 'blond' jokes directly.
Con. No longer being immediately identified as a true ocean-dweller.

...and so on.
This new hair is totally fun, exciting, and interesting. The general consensus seems to be that it 'suits [me] better.'
"YOU - BE - THE - JUDGE!" -J.K.X.

Planet Earth

Planet Earth: Caves

SOO rad. We don't even know the half of what this earth holds, I'm sure. And what we are discovering & unveiling is CRAZY! This series all together is awesome (minus the 'food-chain' scenes that I have a hard time stomaching), but I so far have particularly enjoyed this one. I would watch it if you haven't already.

Dream

This morning I woke up in terror. Let me explain what happened. While I was asleep...

I was in a high school play. Mind you, I didn't attend this high school.. and life was completely as it is now, except for whatever reason.. here I was, in this production. I was not a lead; however, I did have a fairly large roll as well as a male partner I did my scenes and songs with. We were supposed to be best friends in the play. There was a point when he and I were talking off stage.. and all of a sudden, he laid a smooth and passionate kiss on me! Ahh! What's terrible is that at first I thought nothing of it other than telling him .."you're 17 and haven't even gone on a mission yet!" How retarded, I didn't even remember in that instant that I was actually MARRIED. Later, before going on stage for one of our scenes, it hit me.. oh crap.. ..did I just cheat on Andrew!?? (DUH you dummie!)

I woke up shortly after.. totally flustered and not sure what to do. Andrew was working on homework when I decided I NEEDED to tell him! I told him the story above.. and he laughed and said "well hey, the kid knows what's up." What!? He wasn't the least bit concerned. I then realized, well duh why should he be.. it was a dream, and I was only being irrational because I told him before reality had even clicked in, and I hadn't yet realized it was a dream.
I'm such a dork. Haha, gotta love dreams that have brainwashed you into believing they really happened.
Haha.. what a relief!

Not speaking ill

That is my new goal. To not speak poorly of others. I think as women especially, we have this weakness engraved into our very structure, and we need to do all that we can to live above it. I've been trying to do better at this over the last few months, but I am still very much aware that I have TONS of room for improvement. Apparently I needed a prophet to really knock the reality of "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." President Eyring really struck a cord with me, although let's face it.. we've heard that time and time again right?? We teach it to children, when those who really need it (I think) are teenage girls & women. We are very good at coming up with excuses why our judgments or opinions are okay (and even necessary), and we need to stop.. I need to stop. Anyway, I know it's been a problem for me.. and I'm making a promise here and NOW, on my un-private journal.. to not speak ill of others. You can hold me to it, and if you find me slipping up.. please be ever so gentle and remind me. Thank you. And I mean.. how much does it hurt when we are on the other end and find out what's being said about us?? Yeah not good. I know for me at least that it hurts far worse than anything I've ever been through. So what makes it fair for me to cause that pain to others? It's not, and I'm sorry.. I wont do it ever again.
So what does this mean? It means I plan on being nice to everyone.. to them directly, and indirectly when talking to others (aka, behind their back). It means no more grudges. And it means most of all.. progress. We are all children of God, and I think we should take that responsibility much more seriously, and treat each other like the heavenly beings we are. It means, even when we are nice to someone, and they still persist on being mean.. we pray for them.
It will make the world a better place. That, I am sure of.
"I'm starting with the man in the mirror... if you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make a change."
-Michael Jackson :)
You are welcome to join me on this mission. This is not a new battle by any means, but it's one I hope to be rid of for good.

Happy sabbath, and I hope you got what you needed out of Conference weekend as well.

Today's Happenings

Well.. here it goes.

While about my own business, (searching for a perfectly adorable table lamp as my final gift with Andrew's anniversary money) ..I walk out of Tuesday Morning, unsuccessful at accomplishing my goal, at the same time 3 young ladies are walking out of the Hogi Yogi next door. Recognizing that we are the only humans outside of the stores, I was taken back when I heard one of them shout over something that sounded like "Chelsea!" I naturally turn and look to see who it was they were talking to.. and was confused when I met her anxious stare. I waited a moment and responded.. "me??" .."sorry, my name's Arica." I got a response back that had something to do with "remember me, Tammy's friend?" What was it that this girl didn't understand about my totally different name? I humored her while being completely confused, and responded simply "no, sorry." She waved me off and walked away muttering something not-so-nice under her breath. All the while still looking at me like I was crazy. Is it my fault that I'm not who she SWORE I was? Would I really be lying to this girl pretending I was someone else? Why is it that I am suddenly the one left feeling like an idiot for having no clue who these people were, when I wasn't the one to put myself out there mistaking someone for someone else? I am still baffled. I hope whoever Chelsea REALLY is, doesn't get hate messages from her friend Tammy, for begrudgingly responding in complete confusion to this girl. Sorry Chelsea, I hope I didn't ruin any friendships for you.. do forgive me.

Lesson learned: Pretend to be said Chelsea or whomever the next time someone mistakes you for someone else, so that everyone walks away content from the encounter.

National 'Talk Like A Pirate' Day

So I only see fit to leave you with a quality quote from famous fictional pirates, as well as wise lessons we can learn from the Pirates Of The Caribbean films (found and written by someone unknown). AArrggghhh!

Elizabeth: I'm here to find the man I love!
[She's dressed as a man.]
Jack Sparrow: I'm deeply flattered, lad, but my first and only love is the sea.

Lessons Learned
[what can we learn from these films?]

* He who sleeps with pigs will rise with odor.
* Don't take other people's treasure, even if they're dead.
* Pirates are not all bad.
* Rum is very handy for starting large fires.
* Increasing one's vocabulary is a good thing.
* When bargaining, be sure the terms are very clear.
* Monkeys can be cursed.
* Be very careful when telling people a fake name.
* The closet is probably not the best hiding place.
* Sometimes people deserved to be slapped.
* Not all treasure is silver and gold.
* A good decision can be a wrong decision if made for the wrong reasons.
* Dogs are useless for prison escapes.
* Know when to break the rules. Sometimes "codes" are merely guidelines!
* Some people are as vacant as a hotel run by Norman Bates.
* Try not to fall behind. People will leave you.
* On occasion, the booze must be sacrificed for the greater good.
* Avoid picking up hats that are floating in the ocean.
* Some people are entirely too caught up with their titles.
* Deals made in desperation can only end badly.
* To avoid misunderstandings, use first names when doling out assignments.
* A flogging from someone who loves you might spare you from a worse flogging from someone who doesn't.
* There comes a time when one must take responsibility for one's mistakes
* Sometimes it's not about winning or losing.
* Be very suspicious when someone suggests that you settle their debts.
* Why fight when you can negotiate?
* Sea monsters have a remarkably predictable attack plan.
* Sometimes the only way for a pirate to make a living is by betraying other pirates.
* No course is lost if but one fool is left to fight.

* Words whispered through prison bars lose their charm.

Aye matey! Have yerrself a good one!

The Ellen Show

Yes, Ellen Degeneres. She is a helarious woman. I was bummed to find out a day too late, that Stephenie Meyer was going to be on the Ellen show. Yep, it was yesterday. Poo. So naturally I went to Ellen's website to see if there were any clips and there were, so that was nice. It's astonishing that Stephenie has written 5 HUGE fiction novels in just 3 years.. 3! That is somethin else.

Anyway, while on the topic of Ellen.. I'd like to take a moment on my personal beliefs. And yes I'm going there, because I can. :) Currently my beautiful and diverse home state is undergoing some changes. It has now been legalized for gays to marry in the state of California (as I'm sure you're WELL aware). It's been a big deal down there, and the Latter Day Saints have been asked to play a huge part in getting marriage back to it's original state of 'man and woman'.

On a complete SIDE NOTE (toootally random story ahead).. here's a little story involving what the saints have been asked to do:
So, my brother in law Jeremy was making Prop 8 calls while I was down, to inform voters about the chance they have to vote yes, and solidify 'marriage is between a man and woman' once and for all. He was going through his list and made a phone call that went something like this with an old woman named Harriett (maybe? we'll stick with it)...
Harriett: HELLO??!
Jeremy: Hi Hariett, my name is Jeremy, how are you doing?
Harriett: OOOKAY.
Jeremy: That's great, well hey I'm one of your neighbors calling about Proposition 8 regarding gay marriage, have you heard a bit about this at all?
Harriett: WELL I'M NOT INTERESTED IN POLITICS, ...SO FORGET IT!!
the end.
We later found out while looking at Jeremy's call sheet that she was 108 years old!! No joke! Jeremy was like "no wonder why she's not interested, she's been through the great depression, and world war 1.. she probably figures the world's screwed anyway!"

Ok, sorry, it was really funny.. maybe you had to be there. Moving right along. So while checking for Stephenie Meyer clips, I stumbled upon a clip of Ellen & Porcia's wedding (since they were able to marry and all). I can honestly tell you I think Ellen is a GREAT person. But that does not mean I agree with her lifestyle. I've never really been 'homophobic', in fact.. I've had a few friends who were gay, not to mention my aunt who I love DEARLY. But when I saw these photographs and footage of two beautiful women (Porcia in a delicate dress and Ellen in a PANT suit) it just wrenched at my gut. It was all wrong. They were trying to be romantic and all I could think of was how disturbing and weird it was. Maybe if you saw it, you would know what I mean. It just hurt my heart to see how they are going about it the wrong way.

Yes, I understand these are my personal opinions, and is possibly a sensitive topic for some of you.. however, I just wanted to take a moment to let everyone know that I absolutely stand behind my faith. As well as my Prophet when he asks us to help solidify what the definition of marriage has always been.