Randoms

Lots of random thoughts on my mind!

+ Today was payday. Yippie yi yay!
+ While sitting on the rug with a student of mine today, she said, "Miss Ashley--I wanna cuddle with you," and she proceeded to link her arm with mine, and lean her head on my arm. Reminds me of something I did a few weekends ago. Love cuddling!
+ One of my other three-year-old female students told me, "My mom told me that I'm too young for a boyfriend." Yes, child, wait at least another 30 years before even thinking about dating. Just kidding, only 25.
+ While on my evening run tonight, the sunset sky was a most stunning pink, causing a beautiful tropical-looking hue on the temple's white granite. Heavenly!
+ I wanna drive my mom's new Volvo. She's had it for like a month at least, and I still haven't driven it. In fact, I've only been a passenger once. I guess she's got some power!
+ My sisters rented Tangled today. I haven't watched it yet, and I'm excited to hopefully watch it tomorrow night!
+ I applied to a dozen plus three jobs today. The hunt is on.
+ I'm looking forward to general conference this weekend!

Eighteen Years Ago



I forgot to mention this on Sunday, but that day (March 27) was the 18th anniversary of the day that I was baptized as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I'm eternally grateful for my membership and association and active standing in the true church of Jesus Christ. Because of the things I know and for my membership, I have the opportunity to become perfect and live with my family and God again. Mortality is but a blink of an eye. Eternity is truly mind-blowing, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Bring on the tornado.

Why Have a Mind If You Never Change It?

Disregard the post below. Or just switch the sign to <.

Math Stinks

realistic, expecting the worst ashley > happy-go-lucky, hopeful ashley

:(

Creamin' It Up



This post was originally going to be pretty heavy; consisting of my current thoughts and things that have me troubled. Too often, I take things way too seriously, partially because a lot of people around me else take things too seriously, and I'm a partial-product of my environment, sadly. I'm weighing a big decision in my mind. Actually, the mind and heart have made the decision already I think; I'm just trying to figure out if it's right, and if it is, the appropriate time to follow through. Life is full of choices, and sometimes I think I hold back from making them, and yet sometimes I think I'm blessed with a free spirit to take leaps. I guess what worries me the most are the future consequences of my current choices. It reminds me of this quote by President Thomas S. Monson:

"I can’t stress too strongly that decisions determine destiny. You can’t make eternal decisions without eternal consequences.

Read the entire talk by clicking on this sentence.

I love our dear prophet, President Monson. I'm glad I remembered talk, and I plan on studying it out further as I continue to ponder my decisions. Because, after all, they do determine my destiny.

Um, I guess the post ended up being heavier than I wanted it to, but hey, I gotta throw a little bit of cream in with the milk once in awhile.

Good Sunday

Yeah, today was good.

But on to more important things...

B omb diggity
E xtraordinary
N otable (apparently!)

Nice Saturday



Yeah, I think it's time I give Miss R.B. a break on the blog, but one more picture won't hurt, will it?

Today's been so relaxing!

I got to "sleep in" like half an hour. My body's so used to waking up at 7 everyday, that it's hard to adjust when my mind wants it to rest even longer. Oh, well! It was just nice to not have to worry about getting anywhere anytime soon.

My grandpa came up today, and so we've been talking and hanging out. He's really supportive and excited about Ben, and my impending move to Utah. I always enjoy conversing with him. He he's always so interested in what's going on in my life, and it's a treat to be able to share it all with him. I love my grandpa!

Speaking of Ben, I was sorta able to talk to him today. He was having some technological phone issues, so our conversation was cut shorter than we would have liked, but you gotta take the bad with the good sometimes. Technology can be so love-hate, but Ben is only love-love. :)

My grandpa and I went on a little shopping trip this afternoon, and that was fun. And then the family will head off to a wedding reception this evening for our friends, Eric and Rachel, who got sealed today in the temple. Congratulations, you two!!

Lovely, Saturday, wouldn't you say? Hope yours was lovely, too.

Snow and Coco

It's snowing cats and dogs and other domesticated animals here. Sure, I'm ready for spring and want to see the sun, but if this snow means that work could be delayed or even cancelled tomorrow, I'm all for it. But even if I do go to work tomorrow, I'm so stoked that it'll be Friday when I do!

Yeah, I'm kinda embarrassed to be giving Rebecca Black all this publicity on my blog (this will be the third post in a row that I mention her), but this Conan video is too funny not to share.

Happy Thursday!



Media Sugar



This post will be chalk full of media sugar. Partake! And enjoy!

1. World's Best Flyers Making Fun of Other Flyers via someecards.

2. World's Cutest Baby Alternates Between Terror and Delight via mashable.

3. via Ben:



4. Dubbed Friday:



5. Pre-Blessed Food. It's so revolutionary!

Pretty tasty sugar, right?!

Oh, Rebecca Black

I posted a viral video on my Facebook wall, and it's created quite a commotion:

I guess that's not too good of a picture, because there are like 11 more comments that you can't see. Now, what's all the hype? Let me show you. Well, let me show you again. Because if you haven't seen it already, I'm sorry to tell you that you're kinda living under a rock. But then again, rocks aren't too bad when you consider the cheese that is this song.



Yeah, the lyrics are kinda mortifying. I wasn't sure if this was real or a joke. Like, who would really sing those words? Well, Rebecca would, and she's probably bankin', so I can't hate. And don't hate on me, because I have a slight confession: I actually sorta like the song. It's catchy, it's fun, and it's clean! Sure, the lyrics can go, but they're kinda what adds to its quirkiness.


And I'm excited to share some more funnies with you tomorrow. So come back, ya hear?!



And welcome to Ashley's Blog, Ariel! :)

Nothing is Original

Sometimes I think I'm original. But originality has to stem from somewhere, and so, to justify my reasoning, I turn to this lovely quote. It's one of my favorites.



Okay, now that that's out of the way, let me share with you a couple of recent finds. This isn't my work, and I don't take credit for any of it, but now I'm sharing it with you, and that gives me some form of credibility. So hand it to me, won't ya?

The first is an excellent article on the LDS church's quick response and networking in Japan following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

And the second is an inspiring video about putting the best things first.

And wah-lah! I'm authentic now! ;)


And just FYI, I recently applied for a fitting job in Utah, so if you're feeling generous, I'd much appreciate any prayers you can offer in that regard. It's something I really want, and would bring about other things I greatly desire. Thanks so much.

Good Sunday (and CES Fireside Notes)

Church was so wonderful today!

In sacrament meeting, we heard from two recently converted sisters share their conversion stories, and from a brother who spoke about repentance.

In Sunday School, the teacher taught the lesson about taking Christ's yoke upon us, how Christ's yoke is light and easy, and the burdens of the world are lighter with His help and strength.

And the missionaries actually taught the Relief Society lesson today on yes--missionary work. They did a great job. The member missionary work has blown up in my ward over the last year, but seems to be settling a bit, so this lesson was probably a good boost for us to hear.

Last night and throughout the morning, we got a couple of inches of snow (on the first day of spring, mind you!), and so my sister and I shoveled the driveway and walkway after our meetings. We're hoping this is the last of the snow; we've done our fair share of shoveling this season!

And it dawned on me that I never posted my notes from the March 6 CES fireside given by Elder L. Tom Perry, so I'll post them now!

• There are the basic fundamentals amidst all of the technological changes.
• We need to preserve the noble heritage of the past.
• There is a weakening foundation of the Christian faith in the world.
• Some people say that they're spiritual instead of religious.
• People pick and choose the truths that fit their lifestyle.
• The old faith must become more firm and sure (Helaman 5:12).
• The right way is to believe in Christ. His mission has been prophesied since Adam.
• The answers to the world's most difficult problems are found in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
• There are four ways to bring others back to the Christian faith: 1) Daily prayer. Receiving blessings take work on our part. Prayer is work, 2) Daily scripture study. 233 out of the 239 chapters in the Book of Mormon mention the Savior, 3) Temple worthiness, and 4) Daily acts of service.
• We can become the greatest generation to assist our brothers and sisters return to the Christian faith. It will take courage, boldness, and enthusiasm.

I'm so grateful for the Sabbath day. It helps me refocus on the most important. The world is hard, but the gospel trumps the world. I'm so, so grateful.

Not Or Something

Today was so great!

Slept in. Talked to Ben. Went to the temple. Then I talked to Ben. And now I'm talking to Ben again.

I must like Ben or something. No, not or something.

Prayer is Key



God hears and answers prayers! It's true! And you're about the read the most cliche prayer story, but it's original to me, so yeah!

Today I lost something that was very important and necessary to accomplish a particular task. This item actually belongs to someone else, which made it that much more frightening to realize that it was lost. I realized it was lost during my mid-afternoon lunch break, and it weighed on my mind for the remainder of my work day. Hoping that maybe it was found while I was gone, I returned home to ask. My hopes were soon dashed as I learned that it had not been found.

I was really stressed out. My younger sister then had an idea of where it might be. She checked, and to our surprise and sweet relief, it was where she looked! It was a fabulous way to end a long, busy week.

Bottom line: prayer works. Wait--the real bottom line: don't lose things.

Happy Friday!

[Oh, I'll just tell you what the missing thing was. It was a house key. Kind of ironic, because prayer is the key to unlocking trials. Sit on that one, why don't ya? Just don't sit on the key. Thanks.]


And welcome to my blog, Emmy Johnson! Thanks for following!

When You're Gone

I miss Ben.

Another Day in Paradise!

Ben and me at my birthday party!

I had a good and productive day!

Started out by chatting with my best friend,Sophia, on Facebook and listening to Glee covers before work this morning, one of which I'll share with you. :)

Then I did the work thing.

Then I went on my first evening run outside in awhile thanks to daylight savings. It was so dang cold! Looking forward to warmer temps.

And then I uploaded some birthday party pictures from my Utah trip onto Facebook. I love them!

Wasn't the play-by-play of my day soooo exciting? Haha.

Glee cover of Pink's Raise Your Glass:

Hodge Podge

Aah, I think I'm still feeling the repercussions of not getting enough sleep this last weekend, because I'm still wiped out! But it was all totally worth it. I loved being there, and I love the people I was with. Utah is just a glorious place!

My cute 4.5 year old nephew got his tonsils and adenoids removed last Monday, and the skinny kid is even skinnier now from not eating as much because of the pain. Like he's a skeleton. And he sounds like a little girl. It's funny, but sad. But he's being a little trooper. Love him!

Saw this hilarity posted on Facebook the other day, and I seriously laugh out loud every time I read it. It's one guy's take on 20 fortune cookie messages that just don't make sense. Have a great time looking at them!

It's pouring rain here tonight! Crazy desert weather!

Utah Trip, Pi, and 26

I got home from Utah last night. It was kinda bittersweet coming back. Home is home (shocker!), and so it's always nice to be here, but I do love me some "bubble," so Utah is 'aight too.

Things I did:

• Ate good food.
• Got spoiled for my birthday.
• Hung out with cool people.
• Went to Gilgal Garden.
• Visited Temple Square.
• Didn't sleep.
• Laughed.
• Cried.

I REALLY want to move there, and have for awhile. It's pretty much just a matter of finding a job, and then I'm pretty much convinced that I'm there. So, if you know of anything in the SLC area, I'd LOVE to hear about it.


Happy Pi Day!

And I'm 26 now. Is that still considered mid twenties?? Say yes!

Home Again

I'm home. I'm tired. I'm sad. I'm happy.

How are you?

Last Post for a Few Days

Today's been boom, boom, boom, one thing after the next, but it's all for the good of tomorrow!

Worked from 8:30-5:30, ate dinner, shopped, packed,  checked flight itinerary , emailed, breathed...sheesh! It's been a long day! But tomorrow's the day. The day that I fly out to one of my favorite places, Salt Lake City, Utah. So, it'll probably be a few days before I blog again, but know that I'll be back soon with details to share from the trip. Don't miss me too much, now. Juuust kidding.

Short Story

Ashley.

Salt Lake City.

Two days.

The.

End.

You Oughta Know...

I'll be in Utah three days from right this second.






That's all.

Good Sunday



Two of my sisters and me at home before the Dairy Queen.

...and a pretty good weekend, too!

Friday night: Went to Dairy Queen with the fam to celebrate my 26th birthday which really happens this coming Saturday. We celebrated early because I won't be here this weekend; I'll be in UTAH! I'm so very very excited.

Saturday: Most of the day I participated in CPR and first aid training for work. Lots of mouth-to-mouth, chest compressions, back blows, cheesy first aid video acting, and scenarios later, I better have passed! Also got to hang out with family and talk to Ben*.

Today (Sunday): Got to church a half-hour early to have a Relief Society presidency meeting. Then I heard some nice and odd (there are always a few it seems) testimonies during sacrament meeting. Then we had a fantastic lesson in Sunday School about the beatitudes in Matthew 5, and learned about the "more excellent way" from our excellent teacher. And then I had the fun opportunity to teach the Relief Society lesson on balancing our busy responsibilities with the gospel (the number one priority, of course). I'm grateful to Ben* for helping me prepare for the lesson with lots of great general authority talk, scripture, and object lesson ideas. He's the best! And now I plan on wrapping up this blog post, taking a nap, talking to Ben* on the phone later, and attending the CES fireside tonight.

Hope your Sunday and weekend were great!

*Ben: Okay, Reader's Digest version for now--Met him through a mutual friend in January. Seeing him this weekend. Lots of phone calls and emails in between. Further inquiries? Ask me personally. :)

The Single Guy's Guide to Facebook Profile Pics

I really laugh out loud (as opposed to the fake LOL that we're all guilty of overdoing sometimes) when I watch this video that Ryan over at The Singles Ward posted on their blog.

"It's all about the gaze. G-A-Z-E."

The Last Four Years



I was recently "tagged" in this photo on Facebook. It was taken with my roommates almost four years ago near the end of my senior year. I was 22 (a baby), almost a college graduate, and about to venture on an ecclesiastical mission. Life seemed pretty certain for the next 18 months, but it turned out to be nothing but certain. Four years later, I have returned from a short-lived mission, have become a substitute teacher, went attended grad school in teacher education, worked as a marketing assistant for a couple of months, continued school and subbing, got my teaching credential, got a preschool teaching job, held various church callings, became the Relief Society president of my singles ward, dated occasionally, have met a great guy,  will be taking a short trip to Utah next weekend to see him and my best friend, and have had many adventures in the mix of it all.

Life is busy. Life is good. And the best is yet to come.

Zion or Bust!



I'll be here (the city in all caps on the map) in exactly one week, and I can hardly wait! Zion or bust!

High Standards

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is persecuted. Now, it's not persecuted nearly as much as it was in the past, but there still is some backlash. We must be doing something right if lame people will expend their energy into trying to tear us down.

So you can imagine my delight when our (and BYU's) standards and codes were found "refreshing" by some ESPN sports commentators. Check out the segment here. I know views are changing. Peoples' hearts are being softened. I have hope that others' perspectives will continue to change for the better.



And a friendly welcome to my new follower, Elise Frederickson!

Choose to be Good and to Love

I'm on my sweet lunch break right now, and thought I'd share a few good finds.

First is an inspiring quote by Boyd K. Packer:

"I will not consent to any influence from the adversary. I have come to know what power he has. I know all about that. But I also have come to know the power of truth and of righteousness and of good, and I want to be good. I'm not ashamed to say that--I want to be good. And I've found in my life that it has been critically important that this was established between me and the Lord so that I knew that he knew which way I committed my agency. I went before him and said, 'I'm not neutral, and you can do with me what you want. If you need my vote, it's there. I don't care what you do with me, and you don't have to take anything from me because I give it to you--everything, all I own, all I am,' and that makes the difference."

Second is a cover of Carrie Underwood's So Small. I love the message the song shares about how everything but love is just a minor detail (although it may seem monstrous), but how love is what conquers those details. I like the cover, but I think I like the original better.



Now for the original...



Here's to resolve to be better and to love more.