tell me tuesday.

I'm starting a new weekly feature called "Tell Me (How It Is) Tuesday." Basically, I want to answer your questions (if you have any). These questions can be about anything -- music, relationships, my life, style, movies (although you might not want my opinion on that), school, food, love (lack of it), roommates, crushes, etc.

So, let's get this ball rolling. Here's how it works: you ask me a question (in the comments) and then next week, on Tell Me Tuesday, I'll answer it! Sound good? Start asking ... please :) And if you have more than one question, you can still ask, I'll just save it for another week.

music monday.

hello, music lovers.

I've done a few "music monday" posts before and I'm going to try to do this every week. The songs might be covers, new discoveries, guilty pleasures, etc. Oh wait, let's do one of each this week? :) Good idea.

Cover — The Civil Wars: "You Are My Sunshine"

See more of The Civil Wars in this post.


New Discovery — Jack & White "Smoke & Mirrors"

*I saw Jack & White perform live last Tuesday. It was so good.

Guilty Pleasure — Jessie J "Domino"

This song makes me want to dance. All around the room.


There you have it — the first Music Monday of 2012. What are you listening to? Any suggestions?

the start of something new.

Come on. Are you thinking of that High School Musical song right now? No, okay, I guess that's just me. Well, it's time for a new semester. I've decided to complete my minor, which means I will not be graduating this spring. But, classes are underway once more. And it's a busy semester.

I'm writing my senior thesis this semester (an undergrad research project about Twitter), taking a language acquisition class, interning with the Speech & Presentation Center, learning about Photoshop and other Adobe systems, and taking a class on social media ... wait, back up.

A class? About social media. You bet. And it's fantastic. PS. For that class, this blog will be essential. 
We have to attract followers, track page views, and post 30 times. I was debating between using this personal blog  & my Tumblr. What do you think?

I had the idea to have a few "regular" posts each week (Music Monday - which will include covers since I love, love, love covers; Pinterest Find Friday - favorite Pinterest finds from the past week, etc.)

Any other ideas? I'd love to hear it.

little reminders.

Today, I stumbled upon the ...24 or so journals that I've kept since the year 2003.

I was caught up for a few hours just poring over the pages and pages of entries through the years. Some made me roll my eyes; others brought a smile to my face. Sometimes I found myself laughing out loud at my silly school girl behavior (I guess part of me is still that way). Needless, as I was reading through one of the journals, I found this quote written in the margins:

"Faith is the ability to wait." 

I'm not sure where I heard it years ago. But, I love it. Waiting is hard. It takes courage, discipline, and dedication. But it is possible — to wait for what I really want in life and not just settle for a mediocre version of a potentially amazing something, or someone. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf once said patience is the ability not only to endure, but to endure well (don't quote me on that as the quote has obviously been paraphrased).
As I thought about that this afternoon, it is true that faith also takes work (faith without works is dead, right?). So, this year ... I'm going to be more patient. I'm going to have more faith. I'm going to work more diligently to change that faith to action.

And the results are going to be great. I can just feel it.

xoxo.

2012 goals.

[photo taken on New Year's Eve]

It's that time of year again ... time to make those resolutions & goals for the new year. I'll be honest. I don't really feel like making resolutions, so perhaps I will call them "goals" instead. Here are a few things I want to do/achieve/become in 2012:

Spiritual
      -Go to the temple once a month
      -Study the scriptures earlier in the day

Health
      -Run first half-marathon
      -Get back to that pre-Spain weight (about 5 lbs. to go)
      -Try new recipes using quinoa, brown rice, wheat flour etc.

Travel
       -Visit my sister in Asheville
       -Roadtrip (California, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, etc?)
       -Summer internship (D.C., Boston, Salt Lake City)

Style
      -Wear what I feel is cute, not just what is "accepted"
      -Break the rules.
      -The year for "big glasses"?

Educational
       -4.0
       -Graduate (either with BA in May or with BA+ minor in December)
       -Read the textbooks ;)
       -Read more just "for fun"


Relationships
       -Date. Often. (not that I can really control that one. Ha)
       -Write letters to friends on missions once a month.
       -Call siblings more often/video chat/etc.

Well, there are a handful..err...a couple handfuls.. of goals that I have for 2012. I think it is going to be the best year yet!