New Future Hobby

A few weeks ago my cousin Kara called up, asking if I wanted to help her redo an old table with chairs. They were classy in the 70s or 80s or who knows when, but they needed a touch up. I don't think Kara or her hubby Kasey believed me when I told them I was thrilled to help, because as geeky as it seems, I've wanted to learn how to redo furniture for a long time!

First Kara and I headed to Home Depot to buy some supplies: sandpaper (both medium and the heavy-duty--trust me when I say if you ever redo furniture, you will need the heavy duty), paintbrushes, turquoise paint, and plaster of Paris. (Funny story about the plaster of Paris--the worker there thought we were psychos for needing it to mix into paint for furniture, but he said "Hey, they used it in Paris and Rome, and their stuff lasted a long time.")

We started on the project once we reached the G home. We sanded down the inside squares and brushed off the dust with a broom (while wearing masks.) Kara and Kasey then took the fabric off the chairs.

You can't really see it here, but the wood had a purplish tint to it.

Kara then mixed a cup of plaster of paris with about 1/8 C water and turquoise paint to match the fabric she bought beforehand.

We then slabbed on the paint, ready to redo these classy chairs and table. The paint dried more quickly than normal since it contained plaster of paris, so it was tricky to smooth out the paint in nice streaks, but it was doable.

We then laid out the cushions on the fabric to measure and cut, leaving extra fabric to fold over to staple. Kara and Kasey stapled the fabric to the backs of chairs, and it was a little tricky keeping it tight enough while pulling and tucking it in, but they ended up looking so good!

The seats were screwed back on and a brown ribbon was glued on as a lining to cover the staples and screws.

Once a finishing gloss paint was on top, it was done!

I don't know why someone painted over the original wood--you can't really see it here, but the natural wood was a pretty, light peach-ish color.

We thought the project turned out to be well-done!! It was an all-day project, but it was only a day. It still stands in the their kitchen as I believe it receives a lot of compliments. We decided to celebrate that night by watching football and eating sushi, which was my first time, and it wasn't bad at all! I've decided that once I have my own home I would love to buy old dressers, benches, tables, etc, and touch them up a bit. ;)

Truthful Tuesday

So my cousin Kara started this, and I decided to make a similar post since I don't really have anything else to talk about now. I hope it's not boring.

Truthful Tuesday:

1. I smoke up to 7 'pipes' a day ;)

2. I just bought Cinderella on dvd even though people posted about it on Amazon with comments such as "My 3 year old loves this movie!" Well guess what? So does this 20 year old...

3. Speaking of Disney, I applied for the College Program, am pending (which means it's taking them longer to decide--I am guessing it's because I told them I can't work around dust or chemicals becuase of CF), and if I am still pending or will be accepted, I'm going to try out to be a character at Disney World in about a week.

4. Today I heard people playing this song outside my apartment and it brought back memories of Ms. Side's "Happy Dance" from middle school, which made me I turn it on Youtube while I was studying, bouncing on my bed while dancing to it like it was nobody's business. :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mg-4c4uQmdo

5. People usually show up unexpectedly to my apartment at night to see the other girls, which means I usually done with a workout, with my hair dripping wet and curly or in a fro, with the baggiest sweats and wearing glasses. No joke.

6. When I sleep at night in the fall/winter, I usually have thick sweatpants and a hoodie on, drawstring pulled so my eyes and nose are perking out, with sheets, a quilt, and sometimes a comforter on top of that with my fuzzy pink blanket. I get cold easily.

7. I hate trying to eat a meal when it gets really messy. By that point I about give up.

8. This semester I have had a hard time staying awake while sitting for so long. I'll even be at work studying, and next thing I know, my eyes are closed, my head about hits the computer or keyboard, and my book would crash to the floor.

9. I am writing this to avoid doing homework.

10...can't think of one. That's all for now.

"Cyster" Roy??

 Mosiah 2:21 "I say unto you that if ye should serve him who has created you from the beginning, and is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to another—I say, if ye should serve him with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants."

Today something happened that I'll never forget. It was one of the largest announcement in LDS church history in a long time.

So there I was with Klair and Dana as we just got settled and thrilled for another great conference session. Once President Monson stood to address everyone, he announced only 2 temples. Don't get me wrong, two temples would be great, but it seemed a little off since there are usually more. Then he started talking about missionary work, and how back when, missionaries could serve at age 18. Yes, I did feel guilty for shouting Shut up!! right as he was about to announce what I thought would happen (because I sometimes tend to do that when I get excited--I wasn't shouting at our prophet). And yes, he announced what we couldn't believe--young men could serve at age 18 from now on. My thoughts were along the lines of: Josh and Brandon will be leaving sooner than expected, this is incredible, and wow.

Then President Monson started talking about sister missionaries. I thought nuh uh right before he announced that girls can leave at age 19.

Dana and I started to go biserk. She's been 20 for a while and has been working on her papers for a while. I was thinking of how soon I could leave. Questions flooded my mind--should I go? What kind of mission- abroad, temple, or service? Should I go instead of or after the Disney College Program if I'm accepted?

While on Facebook today, I was so touched to read the many responses to this new change. Many girls that have been waiting will start their papers. There's going to be a flood of papers coming in. Guys are now preparing more rigorously as they will be leaving sooner. It's all very exciting to see the Lord's work progressing!

Although this is an exciting new announcement, it doesn't mean that everyone needs to start papers right away.  Although I was excited as can be, I didn't know what to do. I wasn't expecting this, and I know that I still need to be very wise regarding Cystic Fibrosis. To be honest, a mission has been on my mind because I have a strong desire to give back as a load of appreciation in which the Lord has blessed my life, and I know it's something I'm supposed to do. However, I know that missionary work demands a lot, as well as does CF. It's not just the treatments and pills. It's the running, weight lifting, watching what I eat, extra treatments when needed, washing the nebulizer pieces, doc visits, avoiding hospital tune ups, and more. The question is, what is right?

     Tonight, I went on a run I will never forget to get matters settled. CF isn't supposed to get in the way of things, but there's a line between what is good and what is the wisest and best, since CF is, let's face it, life-threatening. It's difficult sometimes to try so hard to be normal with the desire to do what most people can, but not being able to do so even though my life may appear to be completely fine. I ran to the temple, feeling more frustrated that my lungs were a lot tighter than usual, reminding me more that I have CF. I try not to think this way, but my stubborn self could not figure out everything. I had to pray while continuing forward, fighting off tears.

     As soon as I reached the top of the hill (after walking, running, walking, running to catch my breath), I felt the assurance that the spirit always brings, trying to calm my emotions circling around each other. I could see the sun setting over the valley, giving its natural glow over the lake. There was the temple, and once again, I kept my Ipod earphones out with the music off. As I passed by sister missionaries as we exchanged friendly hellos, as well as older couples passing by the temple, I started to admire their examples of living life peacefully, wondering how I could do so. They seemed full of wisdom and a simple feeling of joy, able to submit their will no matter what life would bring. I was reminded that this life is not mine. I was sent here as an instrument in the Lord's hands to use my experiences regarding death, trial, triumph, and strength that have all been through the help of our Heavenly Father to strengthen others. I don't always see myself doing that great of a job at it, but that's why we have the Atonement--to get up, try again, and keep running up our hills despite our weaknesses.

     I do not know how soon, when, what kind of mission, or how long I will serve for--whether it be 6 months to a year and a half, but someday it will come once I know it's the right time. But now I have the option to serve sooner than expected once it is right. This gospel is flourishing. It's incredible. One thing is for sure: this church is true.

Source: cornerstonedigitalphoto.com via Nathan on Pinterest

(I found this pic online and it wasn't that dark, but it gives you an idea of what it looks like. Someday I will take a good pic and put it on here.)

Just another one of those entries...

Lots of thoughts lately...

     Today in my ComD class, our professor started straight in on a topic...grad school. He was trying to not be so honest about things, but he was as he was talking about getting into grad school. First of all, he emphasized how important your GPA is for grad school admittance, as I felt my stomach drop like the Tower of Terror. My GPA isn't horrible, but it's not as great as everyone competing to get in grad school. Here we were, stuck in the same room, all the same major, hearing about how competitive it is and how we need to be a little aggressive about our grades. No joke, he's a great professor, and it was good he was giving this small lecture, but I felt like I was amidst the ComD version of the Hunger Games---may the odds ever be in your favor.

     From that point on today, I started worrying about my GPA, as I can be good at worrying. I wanted it to be a little higher, and was wondering what more I could do to raise it. You see, I'm the type of person who usually studies studies studies, goes to the labs, visits with the TA, and gets a C. So there I was, feeling like today was a little too extended for its own good. I started feeling overwhelmed with life as I was wondering if I would ever get into grad school, especially since I am hoping to go to school in Salt Lake once it comes around, but since that's an even more competitive school for the major, I was unsure about it all.

     So later on today I was set apart as a ward missionary (woo hoo!) Yes, that may seem off-topic, but to even be warned during the setting apart to not have it feel like a burden amid life's demands made me think Whoa! Hold your horses, this is not a burden! Was the Lord really concerned I would think that?

     Then I knew I had to change some thoughts around. It was one of those times I remembered I have CF. Why? I really hope I don't come across as arrogant here, but I thought of the people with CF who haven't had nearly as great of opportunities I have had lately and have been suffering through pain, hospital tune-ups, and more. Being part of the CF community, I've seen and heard a lot, thinking, I remember how that was or that does not sound fun at all--they're a true trooper. And here I was, worrying about school work, math problems, quizzes, and tests while so many people are going through much more. Why was I complaining about the "hard life?" Because so far, it has been very good overall as I have felt blessed to have so many opportunities, including a stupendous education. I remembered how everything is working out, and it is a great blessing to even be breathing well and and not in the hospital, but to be making friends, feeling healthy, and having a good college experience because not everyone gets that. I knew that while amidst a prestigious university/competitive major, I had to remember that none of these things are entitlements, but privileges and sometimes blessings in disguise. So, I realized that we are not entitled to the expectations that society sometimes throws such as Grad school, but if they happen, we just need to embrace them. But either way, everything is in the Lord's hands and He is in control of our lives as we do our part.
     So here I am writing another soapy blog post, but really, it's important to not compare ourselves to others or be too hard on ourselves because we may not be like other people, as good at something as others, etc because we can go far ourselves. I was talking with my roommate a little bit earlier about this, thinking about how badly I want to be part of a financially stable family because of current and past experiences, so a good education is so important to me. However, thinking about how short life could be, grad school may not even be the best option so I can spend more quality time with my future family. Everything is in the Lord's hands as He leads our lives in the direction He knows is best for us. Hopefully I will become a speech pathologist, however, it's not an entitlement and it all depends on my Heavenly Father sees best. Isn't it funny how we sometimes throw huge expectations at ourselves, when we shouldn't worry about it all so much? Sorry if this doesn't make sense, but it's just another post as thoughts have been flooding my mind all day.

Tis the Season of Fall

Fall:
vivid colors
crock pot cookin'
the smell of baked goods throughout the apartment
dressing up an outfit with a pair of boots and scarf
the sound of crunching leaves as you walk through campus
good enough weather to run after school
hiking
driving through the canyon
football
wearing sweats at night
late nights

Those are just a few highlights of fall :)

Here are some pictures I took when my roommates and I took a drive through the canyon last week:

I bet that you're jaw is hanging right now because you don't see this every day!!

And not to mention that my roommates and I find ourselves at football games.

     

As you may know, I also love to cook and bake when it gets into colder seasons. I even tried making an apple pie for the first time--crust and everything from scratch--and it was so good! (I will eventually post the recipe on my cooking blog.)

Other than that, I still have been as busy as can be with homework, exercising, and just hanging out. Yesterday was my birthday, during which my roommates took me to Kneaders for french toast in the morning, then I went with my dad to Tucano's for Lunch, and then the Relief Society broadcast and the ice cream parlor for Blue Bell Ice cream before a few minutes of shoe shopping. It was a lot of food, but I am glad I was able to spend yesterday with such great friends and family.

Anywho, so far fall has been just as great as always, and it's only begun :)

For Those Tiring Days

Some of these days have been tough.
It's not like I'm trying to single out Algebra or anything, however, 2 assignments have taken me a little over 5 hours each (one was only 8 problems), and two assignments are due every week just for math, along with studying for other classes, keeping up with readings, and more.
And sometimes exercising becomes tiring, but don't worry, I'm still keeping it up :)
And sometimes I have to be very patient with my pharmacy when they don't change certain medications' dosage amounts sent twice from the doctor.
And there's only so much time in a day, that things can become overwhelming when there's so much to do.
Little sleep happens every now and then.
And finding time to cook can be hard to find.
But don't worry, I am doing better with those things now :)
I won't forget one day when I was so overwhelmed with math, work, health, and more. I don't think I smiled that day and I was exhausted while feeling frumpy and grumpy. While walking to my zumba class, a tap class's song was playing loudly to my ears "You're never fully dressed without a smile." I could feel right then the Lord was concerned and wanted me to slow down a bit, and that He was right there.
And then later on, Nephi's Psalm came up in the Book of Mormon in 2 Ne 4:20: "My God hath been my support, he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.
He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh.
And then it reads:
O then, if I have seen so great things, if the Lord in his condensation unto the children of men hath visited men in so much mercy, why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, and my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken, because of my afflictions?
And why should I yield to sin because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul?
And later on:
Awake, oh my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say "O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation."

This is one of the most poetic parts of the Book of Mormon, but it struck me, as I needed to read this. Before I felt drained and drowning, as if I was stuck in a rut. Ironically, this scripture flipped open again this morning once I felt overwhelmed once again. Nephi went through so much in his life, and he was able to acknowledge that he was going through a hard time, however, with the knowledge that Lord was there and he was blessed with so much, he was able to stand up and try again.

So simply said, many of our days can be this way, and it's ok because it's part of life and there are better days ahead. College isn't easy and I'm still learning a lot and of what matters most, and thank goodness we have the scriptures to help us remember.

Love Like Crazy

There always comes change in our lives--change that we did not cause and helps open our eyes to remember what we have.

Yesterday I received the news that a young man from my high school was in a severe car accident and passed away, with his best friend (also in my high school) being badly injured while in the passenger seat. I couldn't believe it when I heard the news. It was so sudden, and none of us were expecting anything like this to happen so quickly. My high school class is keeping him in our prayers, as we have hope that he will live.Although I didn't know them that well, I had classes with them, and their laughter and love for life was always contagious.  They were nice to everyone and wanted to live life to its fullest.

Nate, who passed away, was a good friend and example to many. You could tell he had a love for the gospel and always made people around him feel better as he brought out them.


On top of all of this, today is September 11, which brings back horrific images of what happened. I was nine at the time in school, and I had no idea what was going on. Teachers would whisper to each other with panic in their eyes, and one of my classmates said that a plane crashed into a building, but I didn't believe him. Unlike many students who watched it happening live on TV, I didn't know what happened until I got home. From then on, it was in the newspapers, on TV, places were closed, and people were scared of what may happen next or how our country would turn out. But more than that, it was nearly impossible to think of how many fought and died for our country through great sacrifice. It was a tragic event and is still remembered today, but it has helped me appreciate even more fully that I am an American. It brought us closer together as a country and helped us realize what matters most.

cool image I found online--skydivers flying the largest US flag over New York's Ground Zero last year on 09/11/11

With all this being said, these past couple of days have been a reality check to what matters most.
Don't take anything for granted.
Reach out to strangers in need.
Laugh more often and find the funny things in each day.
Express your gratitude and show love to those close to you.

This also makes me think of the chorus to one of my favorite songs:

Be a best friend
Tell the truth  
And overuse I love you  
Go to work, do your best  
Don't outsmart your commonsense 
Never let your prayin' knees get lazy 
And love like crazy

There are many other things that we can remember to do, but these events and changes that happen to else help us appreciate more what matters most.