What I have been reading

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom

Read it. It is sooo good.

                        Be thankful for the fleas.

The Scarfbraid #wastingtimeoverchristmasbreak

I have been looking for this forever! About a year ago I saw the scarf braid somewhere, but I could not find it anywhere on the internet, and I couldn't figure out how to do it myself. The other day, it just popped up, presented itself to me as a late Christmas gift #sohappy #fasionblogs #cuttingedge. I have to say that selfishly I don't want to share it because soon enough it could be everywhere #notsocuttingedge. But also, I want my ten or so followers to have fun with their scarves too #ihavesomanyfollowers #imablogger. Anyway, here it is, the scarf braid. It can create a few different looks depending on the scarf and how tight the braid is made.

Here is the site I found it on. They also had lots of other cool scarf knots.

Wordle.com

Poem a Day: Haiku

I am here, always,
and if you should disappear,
I will stay for you.

By Tyler Knott Gregson

2 Nephi 4:18-35

One of my favorite scriptures:

Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 4: 18-35

Poem a Day

"Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird" by Wallace Stevens.

For you, a thousand times over

What I have been reading: The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

Why you should read this book:

1. To better learn about the modern world outside the United States, and to better understand what happened in Afghanistan.
2. To see (and feel) Hassan's selfless friendship toward Amir.
3. To redefine sacrifice, and see both sacrifice and trials in a way most Americans don't understand. 
4. To know that failing to act or not doing something can be just as bad as doing something or committing a wrong. 
5. To really understand my favorite line: "For you, a thousand times over."

Why you should not read this book:

1. It is heart-wrenching. In my opinion, it was not too graphic, but the horrors that were portrayed are devastating.
2. You may lose some innocence in exchange for reader-experience and a better understanding of the world.

New List of Life Item: Watch a kite fighting festival in real life.

Prezi

Using Advertisements to Increase Literacy on Prezi

This post is two-fold.

1. Have you ever played the whipped cream game? Perfect for silly freshman who should be studying or sleepovers or late night holidays. You spray a bit of whipped cream on your wrist then move one arm up toward the sky and use your other hand to stop the motion by hitting it. Whipped cream goes flying. While it is in the air, you try to catch it with your mouth. so fun.

2. This is one of my best friends, Carolyn Brown. She is currently serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS church or Mormon church) in Dallas, Texas. Just want to say, she is an amazing missionary! I have been seriously impressed with her success and dedication to the work. I know it is because she is an instrument in God's hand helping bring truth and happiness to the people of Texas. So why do mormons go on missions? and why do I keep posting about the church? Basically, because it is true! The Gospel is true. Not only that, but it brings so much happiness and growth to my life. It is the answer to every life problem. What a wonderful secret that shouldn't be a secret. Everyone should know about it.

Whenever I check the stats for this blog, it tells me what posts are most popular and who sees them. The most popular post are always the posts about the church, especially this post here. It is consistently seen by people from all over the world. Do you know what this means? People really want to hear about the Gospel. I am so grateful for people like Carolyn and all other sorts of missionaries who are sharing the truth and helping people feel God's love.

Also, missionaries can leave at 18 now! (19 for girls.) What a wonderful blessing to everyone really.

First Day of School #newroomies

 

      

What I have been reading (and writing)

English 362 - American Literature from 1865-1914

Today we read some Dickenson. Poems number 5, 28, 39, 48, 637, and 1425. Check them out if you are interested. Then I wrote this shabby piece.

In Dickenson’s water whole

My soul estranged

Breathes

—Sometimes water—

“What and if indeed

There were just such a coffin

In the heart instead?”

Don’t die, little bird, I cry

For there is no coffin in my heart

So if you die, there will be no place

To put you. It will be empty

And I will be treading

For shore, as you fly

Fly, fly

Your melodies

you once gave to me, but no

they’re thine

First piece of poetry on the blog. No judging. Just sappy-should-be-studying-too-many-people-in-the-library type of poetry. 

Hello Utah

Why Everyone Should Hike Timp, Top Ten

1. It is underrated. It is way more challenging then people make it seem, which I love.

2. You have cell service the entire way. So, if you want, you can surprise your other friends who are hiking Timp and tell them where you are.

3. It gives you a new perspective. You can see everything from up there, but you don't really know what is going on anywhere in Utah Valley.

4. You can meet cool people at the top who tell you they will give you free In-N-Out or that you did an awesome job working as a sports camp counselor that summer.

5. You just keep hiking not even realizing how close you are until you are twenty seconds away. Just keep taking little steps and you will get places.

6. At the right time of year, there are lots of wild flowers. You can even pick your favorite and kiss it.

7. Since you see all the different parts of the mountain, you can choose your favorite. I like the waterfalls.

8. From the summit, you can make thank you videos or even promotional videos in a way chill setting.

9. You could even become a TimpPro.

10. Because everyone else does it. And there is a good reason everyone does.

The Truth of the Truth

Just feeling very grateful for Christ's atonement.

I am continually amazed by how perfect and healing God's love is for each individual person. I am so grateful to both my Father in Heaven and my Savior for the atonement. Not only does it make it possible for me to live with God again, but its grace also strengthens me every day. I can feel His love and comfort surrounding me. I trust in Him completely, and what I want most is to love Him and His children and to serve Him by building up His kingdom. I know He lives. He is always there for me. I am so grateful that He has shared His love with me. Check it out: mormon.org.

Sports Camps

What did I do with my summer? Sports Camps! Here is a picture of a bunch of wonderful soccer counselors. This year, I am a dorm counselor, so I don't have a group of girls, but I am over a group of counselors. I miss being a regular counselor and having a group of girls, but I have learned so much as a DC, and I am so grateful I had this opportunity.

The biggest thing I learned:

A good leader loves those she/he serves. Love is the only way to have an good influence on others and inspire change for the better. This love comes from Christ's atonement in which we must rely on for every thing. The counselor who loves her girls, makes a difference in their lives. I was so lucky to work with so many great counselors who did exactly that.

Here is the fam. Well, most of them. For Independence day we made T-shirts. Taylor's wins the most patriotic award.

Ready for a 9:30 meeting in David John Lobby? Yes, this is an awkward couch picture. We girl DC's stick together like glue (or something like that). But, in all reality, I have loved working with each of these girls. They all have very unique gifts that bring so much to the table, but the one thing they all have in common is how freely they love those around them. I am lucky to rub shoulders with them.

Now, it wouldn't be sports camps without a little bit of personality. AKA: ostriching contest. And this isn't the least of it.

And finally, a small little greeting from the Head Counselors. I was often impressed by how well they handled situations and made everything run smoothly. A huge thanks to them and all their hard work. 

I may have made it sound like sports camps are over for the summer. Surprise, they're not. Two more weeks for me! 

Gold List

Life as a sports camp counselor equals the occasional hospital run. Hospital duty. Today I took twelve year old Lee to the hospital because he had jammed his finger played some bball. He was a pretty cute kid and had lots of questions. Like how does insurance work and what is life insurance. He also had some opinions about spoiled kids and told me about a classmate back home who never does his homework. He was great.

But here is why he goes on the Gold List. Later that day, he gave me a high five as I was riding my bike past a group of him and his friends. Small. Simple. Made a huge difference in my day. Gold List for sure.