What'd You Say About My Mom?

There was the most hilarious elder in my MTC district named Elder Steele. One day we learned that you can shorten phrases to basically nothing in the Spanish language. For example: "He gives me the pencil" can be changed to "el me lo da" and the meaning is the same.

So this elder and I joked around saying that if it could get any shorter, there wouldn't be anything left at all to say, just pure silence, and yet the message will still be conveyed. So we just stared at each other, as if talking and understanding what they other was "saying", and then he said out loud, "What'd you say about my mom?" Hahahahahaha.

I don't know; maybe you had to be there, but I'm laughing out loud just typing this.

Anyway, I saw a video of this elder (from his mission) posted the other day on Facebook. I'm pretty sure he came up with this all by his creative self.

I'm A Big Kid Now

I'm still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up. It's the biggest stumbling block in my life right now. I feel like I'm over-qualified with zero passion for one specific area of interest. I tell people this and they ask, "Well, what do you like?" Here you have it:

• Writing
• Graphic design
• People
• Nutrition
• Exercise
• Social networking
• Relationships
• This
• And
• That
• And
• A
• Whole
• Lot
• Of
• Everything

My family's home teachers were home teaching a week ago or something, and one of them suggested I take a vocational test? Do those even work? Considering the list above, what should I do professionally?

Time to Walk the Talk

In a couple of months, everything will be up in the air for me. I'll seriously have the world at my grasp, and I have no idea what to do. By December I will basically have two degrees, can guarantee that I'll be single, and can viably go anywhere I want and do whatever I want. This is all very liberating yet terrifying at the same time. Whatever happens, I KNOW that I'm ready for a change of pace and scenery. I want to meet new people, see new places, experience different things. I talk, and have talked for awhile. It is now time to do the walking. Questions are: Where do I walk to? Who do I walk with? How fast do I walk?

Top 10 Reasons Why I Can't Wait Until November

10. I'll have a month break from my unpaid, over-worked internship.
9. Thanksgiving!
8. I get to see my Coco.
7. It's that much closer to Christmas.
6. I'll have a month break from my unpaid, over-worked internship.
5. I'll actually work for money.
4. My workout frequency will increase.
3. I'll have a month break from my unpaid, over-worked internship.
2. I'll be so dang close to finishing my grad program.
1. I'll have a month break from my unpaid, over-worked internship.

Hurry up, November!

GO TEAM GO!

While northern Nevada and northern Utah had their eyes glued to the UNR vs. BYU game this afternoon, my eyes were glued to Sister Beck, Sister Allred, Sister Thompson, and President Monson at the Relief Society general broadcast. Not to diss college football or sound holier-than-thou, but we all know what's more important. Touchdown, broadcast!

Quick synopsis of each speaker's topic:

Sister Beck: Learning from the history of Relief Society for today.

Sister Allred: God loves us, Christ's sacrifice brings the faithful blessings, and the plan of redemption.

Sister Thompson: Blessings of visiting teaching.

President Monson: Don't judge.


6-0 Relief Society!

ANTMM

My friend Isaac thinks I am America's Next Top Mormon Model.

Strike a pose!

Funny and flattering, but seriously the biggest joke ever. Can you see it now? Me strutting down the catwalk in my knee-length shorts and CTR ring? That pic of me in the top right hand corner with the grizzly bear skull--that's my headshot. I'd get all the jobs with that beauty.

But thanks Isaac! I dedicate this post to you!


And in other news: I interviewed for a preschool teacher's position that will probably open up in January. It went well. I think I made a good impression. And who can resist all of those little guys/gals?!

I'm "Pure"

I struck up a conversation this afternoon with the janitor where I work. He asked me if I ever go out. I asked him what he meant by that. So, he asked, "Do you ever go out and drink?" I told him that I've never had a sip of alcohol in my life. Of course, he was surprised just like anyone else would be. I told him that I was Mormon, and he then said:

"I was gonna ask you if you were Mormon."

Yes! I portray my religion well!

I then asked him what gave it away. He told me that when we talk, everything seems "new to me" (perhaps a semi-sheltered life that I'll admit to) and that I come off as pure. Aw, now doesn't that just sound like syrup and honey? If he only knew... ;)

Naw, I'm a good girl, aren't I?

Stress Stinks! This Quote Works!

“When in situations of stress we wonder if there is any more in us to give, we can be comforted to know that God, who knows our capacity perfectly, placed us here to succeed. No one was foreordained to fail or to be wicked. When we have been weighed and found wanting, let us remember that we were measured before and we were found equal to our tasks..."
--Elder Neal A. Maxwell

Bear With Me

The fun-loving, easy-going, laid-back, happy-go-lucky Ashley is out of commission right now. Most smarts, wits, and creativity have gone out the window. Why? Because my simple little life has become consumed and cluttered with this time-consuming, hard-working, exhausting, demanding, unpaid job of an internship. So pardon the lack of what I usually am and what I usually offer. The real Ash will be back early November. Promise. But who knows? Maybe I'll surprise myself and you with some intermittent blog goodness.

P.S. I have a job interview this Friday at a close-by preschool! Wish me luck!

The Universal Language

I love music. I'm sure you do, too. I love everything about it. I love the beats, the tempos, the rhythms (and I'm aware that those are all probably similar enough to be synonymous terms, but you catch my drift). I love how it affects mood. I love how it can touch everyone regardless of any differences. Music is universal. It speaks all languages. It communicates clearly. Its messages are clear. I love discovering new music. Recently I came across a couple of friends from Colorado who mostly do acoustic covers of popular songs. They have also dabbed in a few original songs, too. Their names are Tyler Ward and Julia Sheer, and I want to share some of their music. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! The first is a cover of Lady Antebellum's "American Honey," the second is a cover of Katy Perry's "California Girls," and the third (in which you have to click the link to watch) is an original of Tyler's and Julia's, "Airliner."





Airliner (click to watch).

Blurred Vision

I definitely have a romantic side to me. Could be hard to believe, I know. It's hard for me to believe, too. It's hard to express the Xs and Os when there's no one to express them with. At 25 years old, I've reached the point where the "typical" young-Mormon-girl-gets-married period of time has passed by. Hey, I'm not saying I'm not young, because I am young, and I feel young, but in the Mormon culture, I'm a little too ripe. And I used to be really hopeful, always thinking that my time was just around the corner. Now, I've kind of ignored that hope, unintentionally. I think I've become complacent to the prospect of love, and I think this hinders my progress to some degree. I no longer blame my circumstances. I just recognize that it's not my time. But, alternatively, I don't want to become blind to what the future holds, and I'm afraid that my vision is getting blurred. But then I watch lovey-dovey videos like these, and it's like squeezing a few extra drops of Visine in my eyes.




Danny & Annie from StoryCorps on Vimeo.

Blasted Clocks

                                                  Life shouldn't be a series of check marks.

We are a very time-oriented society. Everything is based on numbers. I think it's a naughty little trap. We're a countdown people. We count down hours until 5 pm Monday through Friday. We count down Monday through Thursday for Friday. We count down months until vacation. We are always using the digits to keep track of some ultimate pleasure. I'm very guilty of this. Most of us are. I just finished my seventh week of my 16-week internship, and trust me, don't think I'll ever forget which week I'm on. I'm not really enjoying the experience, in a general sense. But therein lies the problem. It's my own fault. I have to find satisfaction in my life regardless of my circumstances, good or bad. President Thomas S. Monson called it "joy in the journey." We know the journey isn't always peaches and cream. In fact, it's usually not. So what? Take it as it is, deal with it, and find some purpose in your days. Do things that make you happy when inevitably, you have to do things that well--don't make you so happy. Or, even better, find happiness even in the things that don't seem to be happy-filled. Think and do simply. I think you'll (and I'm speaking to myself here) find more peace and happiness as you live simpler.

I'm trying to give myself a pep talk here, I think, but I hope maybe this will pep you as well.

Don't count your life away. Make each day special. Be happy. Love others. Sing a song loudly. Do a little jig. Or a big jig. Just jig, okay?

Billboard Top 10: Round 2

Refer to the post below to inform yourself of the current top 10 popular songs in America right now. This post will take the most poignant (aka ridiculous/comical/did-they-really-sing-that) line from each song and add my own commentary. Ready? Me too. Let's go.

1. Got a motel and built a fort out of sheets. Yeah, sounds like a dream to me too, Katy.
2. I'mma tie her to the bed and set the house on fire. I have three words for you Eminem: immediate anger management.
3. I hit the floor cause that's my plans plans plans plans. I'm not quite sure I heard you right, Taio. Why'd you hit the floor?
4. And when you smile the whole world stops and stares for awhile. ...that's not creepy.
5. Let's party on the White House lawn. 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue will be hoppin'! Oh, not because of the song lyric, but because Barack does absolutely nothing.
6. Cause baby tonight, the DJ got us falling in love again. Where can I find this cupid of a DJ?
7. I fell in love with a careless man's careful daughter. Oh, Taylor, you're making us think harder with this line!
8. Got my drunk text on, I'll regret it in the mornin'. Ke$ha mentions alcohol in EVERY song she sings. (AA, girl, AA).
9. I was at the top, now its like i'm in the basement. Lame, Nelly. You just needed a word to rhyme with replacement.
10. We get sand in our stilletos. Ever heard of flipflops, Katy?

There you have it! Catchy tunes, silly words!

Billboard Top 10 Mad Lib

Because work sucks the creativity out of me, I try to make up for it on my blog. I'm kinda proud of this baby. I took Billboard's most popular 10 songs as of right now and made a Mad Lib out of it.

It's been my Teenage Dream to be happy. Well, really my baby/childhood/teenage/young adult dream. Modern society has its ideas of happiness, but I have a message for you, society: I don't Love the Way you Lie to me about what will make be truly at peace. Sometimes I wish I could just blow up a bunch of Dynamite to wake everyone up and slow the pace down and live simply, calmly. I wanna tell the stranger I walk by, "You're special Just the Way You Are." You don't have to be something you're not."

I Like It when despite the craziness around me, I can find solice in the best things in life: family, friends, church, sunshine, smiles, and dancing. All of those things make me want to jump up and down and tell everyone how awesome the oldest Tanner (Full House) girl is: DJ Got Us Fallin' In Love with life.

What gives me ultimate hope is that I know that every worthy thing I want can be Mine. I can strip away all of the imperfections and weaknesses that hold me back from righteous desires. In other words, I can just Take It Off. It doesn't have to be Just a Dream; it's truly attainable. Just ask those California Gurls. Some of 'em have it all figured out, I'm sure.

1. "Teenage Dream": Katy Perry
2. "Love the Way You Lie": Eminem feat. Rihanna
3. "Dynamite": Taio Cruz
4. "Just the Way You Are": Bruno Mars
5. "I Like It": Enrique Iglesias
6. "DJ Got Us Fallin' In Love": Usher
7. "Mine": Taylor Swift
8. "Take it Off": Ke$ha
9. "Just a Dream": Nelly
10. "California Gurls": Katy Perry

I Couldn't Have Planned It Better Myself

Yesterday morning's post was all about taking two hearts and making them one and how that is to be accomplished. I'm a newbie when it comes to relationships, and so I had some questions. And low and behold, guess what last night's CES fireside was about. MARRIAGE! Somebody loves me enough to provide gospel instruction on my inquiries!!! Okie dokie, here are mis notas from the fireside, given by Elder Richard G. Scott:

• Family and home are pillars of the Lord.
• There is NO deception with the Holy Ghost.
• Different perspectives (from both spouses) give opportunities for growth and development.
• MEN: don't coast through this time of your life. It goes by too fast.
• Tell your spouse often that you love 'em.
• Elder Scott and his wife, Janeen, never had an argument or said an unkind word in their marriage. Woah--that's quite a standard to achieve.
• Marriage enables you to really find out who you are.
• We're encouraged to get married youngish so that we don't have time to develop uncharacteristic habits (somebody out there, put a ring on it already!)
• Janeen Scott was so positive. She said something like this: "I just want to shout and dance in the sunshine. I love being alive!"
• It is certain that we will receive all blessings of which we are worthy.
• Seek to know the will of the Lord through the Holy Ghost.

So great, huh? Pretty timely if I don't say so myself. I think Elder Scott said the word STUPID twice. The context? Movie-going. Married couples can watch all the movies they want; they already know each other. But for a guy wanting to get to know a girl, according to Elder Scott, it's plain stupid to take her to a movie on a date. Take that, uncreative men! ;)

Relationships: Of the Boy-Girl Variety

Anyone out there an expert on 'em? I'm trying to learn. Okay, let's have an honest conversation about this.

Some relationships work. Some don't. Why?

How do you take two very different people (cuz let's face it, no matter how many similarities two people can have, they're still very different) and create a successful, happy partnership?

Half of marriages end in divorce. That stat holds true in the LDS church as well. What are the people in the failed marriages doing wrong? What are the people in the successful marriages doing right?

________________________________Bottomline________________________________________

How do you take two hearts and make them one?

Nine Years

Today is the ninth anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attacks. My personal story on that day:

I was a junior in high school. I think I must have been in seminary (early morning scripture-study class) when the first plane hit. I walked across the street to my high school for first period, office aiding. I did whatever tasks I had in a room adjacent to the front office. When I left for second period, I noticed a couple of TVs set up in the front office, but didn't know why.

I got to second period algebra class. Something was going on. A girl was crying, being comforted by a couple of friends. People were talking about something, but I still wasn't sure. The crying girl sat next to me in that class. She kept saying, "My mom's in New York, my mom's in New York." I didn't know what that meant. After my apparent confusion and questioning, a guy told me that a plane(s) had hit the World Trade Center. World Trade Center? I had no idea what that building was, other than that it was probably a pretty important one. Sure, call me an ignorant 15-year-old. Class went on as scheduled.

Watched the news in third period English. This is when I got a better sense of what exactly happened. Fourth period U.S. history--you'd think we'd watch U.S. history unfold, right?! WRONG! My teacher taught the lesson he had originally planned. Super shame, Mr. B!

I can't remember what we did in my classes the rest of the day. All I know is that the mood was more somber than usual, but nothing too out of the ordinary; we were all pretty removed geographically from it all, and I think that had something to do with it. I had tennis practice after school that day. I had heard that air traffic had been shut down nationwide, but I saw an airplane before practice had begun, and I got a little nervous. Nothing happened, of course.

As the years pass by, I gain a better perspective of this unforgettable day and the effects it has on our nation and world. I'm grateful to be an American.

Watch this powerful video combining images, music, and words by George W. Bush:

Everything I Learned About Life, I Learned From My Internship

I'm learning very valuable life lessons from my internship (of which I'm 3/8 done with, thank you very much!). Here they are in no particular order:

• You won't click with everyone, especially your superiors. Don't feel inferior, but don't settle for their over-bearing authoritativeness either. Be cordial and flexible. [I feel like this one might apply to who I choose as a future husband. Of course I'll choose someone I connect with, but he'll still have habits or whatever that don't coincide with my style].
• Life doesn't always run by your schedule. Oftentimes, your agenda is at the mercy of others. [Can we say future kids?!]
• Eventually, a trial will be over. Even though it sometimes stinks, go with the flow and remember that it will be done with sooner or later. [Lifelong application, no doubt].
• MONEY ROCKS! [Unpaid work doesn't rock].
• Life is like a bunch of hoops. You gotta jump through them (with finesse and acrobatics) to get anywhere. [Sorry, Forest Gump, your chocolate got trumped].
• Try your hardest to do things right the first time. [Backtracking is the pits].

And for your viewing and listening pleasure, a song that ties into this post:

Random-O

                                   This image appeared when I typed "random" into Google images.

I think the word "random" is overused. That's why I added an -O on the end of it in my title, just to make it a little more original. Did it work?

Anyway, some random-o thoughts from the day:

• I had a really good work-day.
• The lead singer of LFO ("I like girls that wear Abercrombie and Fitch...blah blah blah") died of cancer.
• I dropped off an application for a preschool teaching job this afternoon.
• I saw a couple of hot-air balloons in the crisp morning air today.
• Tomorrow's FRIDAY!
• Sometimes, I'm not smarter than a fifth grader.
• I still have a cold.
• Celebrating nephew's one-year birthday tomorrow!

Write Something About Yourself

You know that "write something about yourself" box underneath your picture on Facebook? It's such a little mystery to me. Some people actually use it as a short bio. Some enter clever little quotes. Some people make jokes out of it, like since it says "write something about yourself," someone might put "something about yourself" because it's--well--telling you to write something about yourself. And then some people just leave it alone. I change mine occasionally, most always with a little saying or quote. I never actually write something about myself.

What do you think this little box tells about someone's personality? What do you have in yours?

Mine currently says:
Rule number one is, don't sweat the small stuff. Rule number two is, it's all small stuff. ~Robert Eliot

I'm really trying hard right now not to stress so much over work. It's just dang hard not to when it consumes my life. But I'm hoping this little reminder in my box helps me.

Sick Post

And I don't mean that this post is gonna be sick, as in cool. I mean that I'm feeling under the weather, and that I have some thoughts that I wanna get down.

First of all, I'm ill. I felt a cold coming on Sunday night, and sure enough, it was in full swing by last night. It took me a whole three hours to fall asleep. While laying there I had the thought, "I should miss work tomorrow. I have a cold and the whole sleep thing isn't happening, so it's probably in my best interest to stay home SLASH 4-day weekend, baby!" [ignore that little sneaky thought].

Of course, though, I still woke up at 6:30 because I had to call everyone and their mailman notifying that I wouldn't be coming in today. That was fun. But other than that, I've been computering, sleeping, and reading (gasp!). Yeah, not a reader. Not the least bit. I'd rather actually do something than sit on my keister looking at black ink on white pages. But, today, I went against my better self, and read a little Sheri Dew. She said some things that I needed.

First, she mentioned Doctrine and Covenants 78: 17-18:
17 Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye are as little children, and ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hath in his own hands and prepared for you;



18 And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eeternity are yours.
 
And then she quoted the brilliant and spiritual-beyond-compare Elder Jeffrey R. Holland:
"We fear that God in his heaven, with all of his urgent national and international, galactic and intergalactic business, is certain to be occupied with things other than your hopes and happiness. I do not know exactly how he does it, but...my testimony...is that nothing in this universe is more important to him than your hopes and happienss.... When we pass through the veil, it will be thrilling to learn how God watches over us and cares for us, how he knows our every thought. For now it is enough to know simply that he does it."
 
 
Aren't those prophetic words uplifiting and a half?!
 
Oh, and not to brag, but Elder L. Tom Perry is presiding at my stake conference next month.

Pick, Pick, Pick (Part II)

My dear bishop at church today: "How's your love life?"

Me: "It's not there."

Him: "I just have a hard time believing that." (This must be the 2,549th time I've heard this or something similar).

Me: "It's all in the Lord's timing. How's your love life?"

Him: "I think my wife still loves me!"



How else does a single react to these kinds of sentiments of others?

Pick, Pick, Pick

I talked to a friend the other night who says that I'm too picky when it comes to guys. He said that guys don't change, and that I'm disillusioned if I think that they will. If they liked poop when they were teenagers, they'll still like poop as they (dare I say mature?) into their 20s and beyond. He said that I will not find a guy who doesn't pass gas from either exit often, no matter what. That's just what guys do.

Okay, I mean, I understand all of this to a certain extent. But I don't want (here comes the pickyness) a pig for crying out loud (and that's totally not selective anyway)! And you think a guy would tone it down a touch if he became interested in a girl and eventually married her, right? Right?! Or am I totally wrong? I could be,  as yours truly doesn't have any brothers and that missing testosterone may be skewing my perspective.

Happy, Level-headed, and Moral

Those are the three adjectives I used to describe myself this afternoon in response to a mock interview question.

My teacher asked for volunteers to sit in three chairs in the front of the classroom to be asked sample interview questions that a prospective teacher may be asked when applying for a teaching position. Two students in my class readily volunteered. I wasn't one of them. He made me be the third. Lovely. The first mock interviewee was David. He was asked what his classroom discipline plan would look like. He did well. Rose was next. My teacher asked her--oh heck, I can't even remember right now (that's how exhausted I am right now), but it was a good education-related question and she had a good answer.

[ugh, that makes me mad that I can't think of it right now. it'll hit me at 3 a.m.]

And then it was my turn. I was way nervous. I hate being put on the spot. I do well when I have time to think, but not only did I not have time to think, but I was also wiped out. My question: Describe yourself using three adjectives. Before I had the chance to say something, Rose piped up, "Beautiful, smart..." so I kinda played off of that, but my teacher was serious, so I went with happy and level-headed. And then my friend, Lisa, looked at me and said "moralistic." She knows I'm a goody-two-shoes Mormon, so heck, I said that I was moral.

Phew! I got the easy question!

How would YOU describe yourself using only three adjectives (in a job interview, have you)?