So Many Thoughts

I'm so tired... I really shouldn't be blogging right now. It honestly feels like it's at least 3 am, but no, it's only midnight.
The last two days (well really, if you count retreat, it's been four) have been spent as a facilitator at my school's Aggie BLUE (Building Leaders for University Excellence)conference. Last year I attended as a participant, but this go around had such a different impact on me! I feel like I need to get these feelings and such out now while they're still fresh in my mind :)
Aggie BLUE is such an incredible experience. I thought I loved it last year but this year I got so much more out of it. Being the one to direct conversation and point out the leadership qualities in the activities we did made it so much more real to me.
One of my favorite parts of the conference this year was when Larry Gelwix, the coach of the Highland Rugby team (made famous by the fabulous moive Forever Strong), spoke to us. He spoke for an hour but then the Q&A time turned in to another half hour. He gave us his 6 Keys to Success. For him it's how they are such a successful rugby team. (Since they started 34 years ago, they have gone 392-9!) However, we don't play rugby. We are leaders at our university and so he related the steps to us.
1. Lead horizontally
2. Don't play with snakes
3. See the finished product
4. Focus on the final score
5. Get out of the boat and drive the wagon
6. NO REGRETS
Now, to those of you who weren't there, some of those may seem odd. I'm don't have the energy to really explain those in depth, but if you want to know more let me know. A few other very impactful things that he said:
"It doesn't matter WHO scores, what matters is that WE score."
"Practice doesn't make perfect, practice makes permanent."
"Don't eat the pizza first, and sweep the floor."
"Go do something differently!"
This man is incredible. If you ever have the chance to hear him speak, make sure you take that opportunity.
Another part of the conference that I really love is one of the last things we do. We all stand in a circle around the ampitheatre in the canyon. It's a beautiful location and we're surrounded by those we've become close to over the last two days. We go around the circle and everyone takes a turn saying "This year, I will..." and fills in the blank with something they plan to do this year. Whether it's to better themselves, better others, or make them a better leader, each person's response varies. This year I committed to take chances. And that my friends, is exactly what I'm going to do. I'm going to put myself out there even more. I'm going to continue to discover myself. I'm going to run for office. I'm not going to have any regrets.
It's amazing to me how much I've grown in the last year. I look back to this time last year when I was a participant at Aggie BLUE. That was where I met many of the people I work with and spend a lot of time with; some of my best friends. It was where the fire inside me was lit. It was the point where my life as I know it now began. I love the person I am today. I love where I am at in my life and I know I can only progress from here. I love the faith and confidence that those I work with have in me. The greatest feeling is knowing that you're doing well at something and I feel like that's where I'm at right now. I was worried going into this week that I was going to have a hard time initiating conversation and asking questions about the activities we were doing. I didn't know if I'd do very well in sharing experiences and thoughts that I have. However, things went so differently than that! I'd be sitting there as a discussion was going on thinking frantically on what I'd say next when all of sudden, before I knew it, I was talking. Things were coming out of my mouth that I hadn't even thought of. I was making a point and the students in my group were hearing it and taking it to heart.
I am so incredibly excited. The fire inside me is burning stronger than ever before. I can't wait to see what this year has to hold. I can't wait to see where I'll be at this point next year. Taking chances, no regrets. That's what this next year is all about.

A Lifestyle Choice

We all hear the classic one-liners on optimisim...
"Look at the glass half-full"
"Look on the bright side"
"When life gives you lemons, make lemonade"
Things like that.
However, how many of us really take them to heart?
This last week, so many people how commented on the optimism that my best friend Erin and I have on life. Why are we so happy? Why do we laugh so much? How can we always be having fun? Those are the questions we've been asked, and really, it's a lifestyle choice. Marjorie Pay Hinckley said
"The only way to get through life is to laugh your way through it. You either have to laugh or cry. I prefer to laugh. Crying gives me a headache."
There's a comedian/magician named Tim Gabrielson. He performed at our school last year (and he's coming again next week!) and he said some things that I let truly imapct my life.
"When something happens, you can either react or respond."
Abraham Lincoln said
"In the end, it isn't the number of years in your life that matter, it's about the amount of life in your years."
I didn't necessarily love the movie Rumor Has It, but it had a great quote:
"Life SHOULD be nuts! Otherwise it's just a bunch of Thursdays strung together."
I love 30 Rock. Kenneth is my favorite. He said:
"I believe life is for the living, I believe in taking risks, and also biting off more than you can chew."
James Dean:
"Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today."
And finally, President Gordon B. Hinckley:
"In all of living, have much fun and laughter. Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured."
It's all so true! Why waste our time being miserable? Have fun, laugh a little, live it up.
*p.s I'll post all about my Baltimore/D.C trip next time... oh, and college football and how excited I am...

Oquirrh Mountain Temple!

Today a few of my friends and I had the opportunity to go to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple open house and oh man... it was so great! We took a non-member friend with us which definitely added to the experience. I love the temple. A whole lot. The Spirit there is so strong and incredible! I love the peacefulness (is that a word?) and purity of the building. It was so cool to get to go to all the rooms. I loved the Sealing Room. A lot. I can't wait to be there again some day. I only wish we'd gotten more time there and in the Celestial Room. It's the last week of the open house so it was really crowded and therefore kind of rushed. Overall though it was an incredible experience and I'm so glad I got to go!

I Love the Gospel!

Church today was EXACTLY what I needed! I love days like this. I'd had an... interesting... night last night. I came home feeling not so great about some things, realizing I'd maybe made some not so great choices. I didn't sleep well at all and seriously considered not going to church so that I could maybe get some sleep. I eventually dragged myself out of bed, got ready and went, and I'm so glad that I did. I feel like Heavenly Father knew exactly what I needed to hear today. Everything from the talks in Sacrament Meeting, the hymns we sang, and the lessons in Sunday School and Relief Society were PERFECT. I feel so much better now. I'm grateful for the power of forgivness and repentance and that through our savior Jesus Christ, we can be made whole again.
As I'm reading through this I'm realizing that it makes it sound like something horrible happened, when really it wasn't. It was just overall something I kind of regret. At the same time though, I'm grateful for the experience. I definitely learned a lot from it and I can see how to make my life better because of it.

My Wonderful Life

So I've decided that I really love my life! All the time! I have such a good time with everything, I'm excited about what's coming, and it just makes me really happy. Choosing to do A-Team was the greatest thing I could have done. Logan in the summer is fantastic, and as much as I love summer, I'm very much looking forward to this next year both academically and socially/involvement wise. I think I'm going to grow and learn a lot about myself. I'm really climbing the ladders of the things I'm involved in. I can't wait to see who and where I'll be at this time next year.

Never Back Down '09

So we have a recurring phrase among the A-Team. It comes from Jo. Anytime something great happens, when a team whens a game, etc. he/we yell "never back down '09!" Now, I always knew he had gotten it from the movie Never Back Down, but I never TRULY understood. Tonight we watched Never Back Down. And holy cow... such a good movie! Not gonna lie, it's intesne. There's a lot of fighting (as that's what it's about) which means some blood and stuff, but it's still so great! I love sports movies, so this one is added to my list. *p.s, Forever Strong is also fantastic, I actually probably like that one better...* so many movies out there, I love it :)

Summer Lovin'

I love summer. A lot. There's nothing I love more. I love the break from school, I love the sun, I love the fun. This is the first summer in awhile that I haven't been working like crazy. I love it! I love everything. When I say everything, I mean it: Summerfest, hanging at the pool, raspberry shakes from Bear Lake, tan lines, wearing shorts, late nights, hot sun, popsicles/snow cones, I don't even mind the occasional sunburn! Life doesn't get any better than this!

Now I just need this kind of summer lovin'! :) haha