A momentous occasion

Today is a pretty significant day. It is the second inauguration of President Obama and it is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Which says to me that the President's inauguration speech ought to be really good. Like really good. Like the-first-black-president-being-inaugurated-again-on-the-observation-of-the-founder-of-the-Civil-Rights-movement good. I didn't get to see the speech, but I have high expectations nonetheless.

Also, today means that four years ago, I was in Scotland doing my internship in the Scottish Parliament. Wow, time flies! After work we all sat in the Member's bar and watched the first inauguration of President Obama. Everyone was really excited to see him become president. Frankly, I was too. Let's see what the next four years have in store!*

*I am refraining from making this a political post because whether you like it or not, he is the President and that should engender some respect.

In case you need a pick-me-up

I watched this video that a friend posted on Facebook and really loved it. "Stand in Holy Places" is the theme for the Young Men and Young Women this year. Since Kyle and I are both working with the youth, I thought it pertinent that we know what they are being told by the leaders of the Church and apply that to our lives. Great video!

 

Another friend also linked to this blog post that I may use in a lesson for the young women. Very good!

 

Personal Happiness project: conclusion

We made it! Whew! It has been a good thing for me to do these challenges and I think I do feel happier. There have been a lot of ups and downs, but overall I'm heading upward. This next year especially, I am going to try to keep simplifying my life so I can enjoy it more instead of always running around like a crazy. I hope that 2013 will be a great year. There are a lot of big life changing things that will be happening this year, mainly grad school for Kyle. We have yet to hear from any, but it is still really soon as most schools he applied to haven't even reached their application deadlines yet. But I am excited to see where we will be headed this next year or if we will be staying where we are. Also, I will be 25 this year! So that's weird. Maybe one of these days I'll finally feel like an adult? Maybe?

Anyway, Happy New Year! I hope you make it a great one!

Personal Happiness project: week 26

Last challenge! Crazy that I made it. Anyway, this will be a short one so I can get back to family fun!

This week's challenge is the letter Z for "Zap negativity." This is on a similar vein as last week's challenge to yell less. So I will try to look on the bright side of things, think well of others, and be positive. This will be tricky though. In the words of Matthias Matthijs, "I am a pessimist. It's much more interesting." But I will try to be positive. Good luck, have a great week! And Merry Christmas!

previous week's challenge

P.S. Best picture from this vacation:

My mom is the cutest!

Personal Happiness project: week 25

One week left! We are getting ready to go out of town and I am just not ready for it. This trip has totally snuck up on me! So we'll make this one fast so I can finish getting presents done and the house cleaned and our suitcase packed. Ahh, so much to do!

The challenge is "Yell less. Yield to your thoughts." Well the first one is easy since I don't yell, but I will try to focus on not even getting upset at things that happen or people. As for the second bit, I will try to be closer to Heavenly Father so I can listen better to what the Holy Ghost is prompting me to do or say. This part will end up being a lifelong challenge. Hopefully I can try to expedite the process by starting to work on it now. Anyway, I have to run (so much for all that slowing down I did last week!). Have a great week! Merry Christmas!

Oh and Happy 2 1/2 years of marriage to the best husband! Muah!

previous week's challenge

Personal Happiness project: week 24

Oh my goodness, only 2 weeks left! I had a hard weekend, but we get to go home soon, which will be awesome. On to the challenge!

This week is brought to you by the letter X for "Xerox your smiling face." This one will be a challenge, no doubt, but I will try. Except a more literal translation will actually be pretty easy :) Anyway, seems pretty straightforward. Be happy and smile so others can be happy too. I actually did this once on my way home from work one day. I was riding my bike and when I would come to a driver who was waiting for me to pass so they could get on the road, I smiled at them. And almost everyone smiled back, which made me feel better. So, there. Case and point. Have a great week!

previous week's challenge

Personal Happiness project: week 23

 I can't believe it's December already! Last night we went to a live nativity. It was really cool but absolutely freezing and crowded. It took us 3 hours to get through it! But we got to pet camels (surprisingly soft!), donkeys (also soft), sheep, and llamas. It was fun and would have been better during the summer with about a thousand less people.

This week's challenge is to "Walk. Write. Watch the sun set." I think the underlying goal is to slow down and reflect on life. I am going to have a hard time doing this one because it is the last week of classes before finals at BYU, and while I already graduated, the two people I am tutoring still have to finish this class. I am stressed for them! I think they will do fine though. I will try to do my best and slow down. But it will be difficult! Christmas is coming, I can't even believe it. This year has flown by. I am so not ready for this! Anyway, have a great week! Slow down and love life; Heavenly Father makes beautiful sunsets!

previous week's challenge