Not much, but still

Lately I've been kind of antsy to write, but haven't had much to say about any one subject. So what have I fallen back on? A list of course. You really shouldn't be surprised. Here's the title of my list: What I've learned this summer. I know it's cliche and elementary, but I've never been good at titles. My summer has been fairly low key so there's nothing on this list that is mind-bloggling, nor have I had any epiphanies to share. But it's been the little things that have effected me the most. As usual.

What I've learned this summer

1. My parents are the most amazing people in the universe.

Moving in with my parents has been amazing. About a gazillion times better than I could have imagined it. Being an adult child, and also working full time as a care-taker, I've really seen how much sacrifice my parents have given on my behalf. All the time, energy, and patience just astounds me when I think of how annoying and weird I was growing up. They have raised each child in a way that's perfect for them and they've adjusted as we have. I only hope I can be half the parent they are some day.

2. I'm slowly becoming addicted to health.

This summer I've really wanted to focus on my physical health, since I probably wont have the time I do now to make it a priority. I've really had to adjust my motivations and goals to make my change permanent. For example, instead of making the goal to lose 10 lbs in a month, I'll make a goal to not eat sugar for a week and make sure I go to the gym at least 5 days a week. Let me tell you--I am feeling great!

However, I'm not perfect in my eating or my workouts (just like everyone else I hope). Here's an instance that has happened multiple times this summer: I'll talk to someone about my new major (Dietetics) while I'm eating something super unhealthy and then that person looks at me like I'm the stupid. Yes I know the cinnamon roll is full of white, artery clogging sugar, but guess what? I happen to love the taste of artery clogging sugar. So get off my back and let me enjoy the cinnamon roll before I go back to broccoli and apples. I didn't say I'm a health addict. I just like the feeling of being healthy (with a few cholesterol building treats in between).

3. I like being busy.

I bragged about my job already, but now I'm going to give the one downer. I'm really hesitant to bring it up since every other working person in the world will probably shoot me. But there are a lot of days that I get bored. I have taken up reading, I do things around the house, but nothing is really productive. It's just stuff to do while I work. Even though a busy schedule usually brings stress, I like staying busy with classes, a calling, and a social life. It's much more interesting.

4. Sunscreen is actually a useful tool.

Did you know that you can still get tan when you use sunblock? I wouldn't have believed you 5 years ago. I feel mature when I take care of my skin haha

5. Team Jacob.

I saw Eclipse. Bella's an idiot for choosing Edward.

Enough said. What kind of stuff have you learned these last few months?

Imagine...

I have the best job in the whole world this summer. I am a nanny for two darling little girls who in fact prefer if I do not play with them, leaving me to my own work and laziness. But even when I'm not playing with them, I've observed them these last couple months and decided that children have precious gifts that we seem to lose when we get older.

It's true that as you grow you get more privileges: driving license, right to vote, ability to get a credit card, employment, etc. I've loved growing up and utilizing what I can do now that I couldn't do 5 years ago. However, watching these girls this summer has opened my eyes to all the things that I don't have anymore. The biggest being a true imagination.

We were at the pool the other day and I could not figure out what game the girls were playing. So finally I asked the youngest and she replied, "we're playing jungle vets!" There was almost a "duh" tone in her voice and I laughed inside. Kids rock. Now I'm owning up to my adulthood and saying straight out that I have absolutely no interest in pretending to be a jungle vet. However, I can honestly say that I would have NEVER even thought up a jungle vet in a million years! Where do they such an amazing imagination? Where does it go?

I've loved working with these girls this summer--I hope to be like them when I grow up.

Nike: Just do it

I've been thinking about goals a lot recently. All the goals I've made and all the goals I haven't finished. All the goals I currently have, and what must be done to get there. I think people, including myself, mistake goals for wishes or dreams. I think we all want more--whether it's more health, more knowledge, more money, more spirituality, or more improvement overall. I know for me, I figure out what I want to get more of, and I may come up with a plan to get there. But a lot of times it stops there.

Most of us have heard of making "SMART" goals: Specific Measurable Attainable Realistic Time-managed goals. I have used this method of setting goals many times. I write specific details of my goals and what I want to achieve. So why, then, are there so many goals that have gone unreached? I don't do the work. My desire may be there, but my willingness to sacrifice what is necessary is not there. Isn't that dumb? haha it's kind of ridiculous to think about--I could be so much farther in all aspects of life if I would just work. I feel like we should expand the way of making "smart" goals to making "SMART NIKE" goals and add to the end of everything: JUST DO IT!

I tend to think too much about the past and all the things I have and haven't done, but today I am going to move forward. I am taking my goals and running with them. With my Nike mindset and shoes.

Ariana: The Making of a Queen

So I've finally finished another book. After the first, I started about 3 books and have finally finished one. Rachel Ann Nunes is the author (pretty sure it's from Deseret Book). It's about a girl who goes through a lot of tragedy in her late teens and her journey through more tragedy in her early twenties. And finally her story of joining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, getting married, and starting a new life.
I liked it, except that the story ends really quickly without much description. Seemed to be finished in a rush. It requires no real concentration, so it was easy to read when I took the girls to the pool and there's a lot of people/noise. There are two more books in the series, so I'll probably read those next.
I'm really liking reading--just hope I can keep it up when I add school and a calling on top of working. We'll see, but for now I'll enjoy every opportunity!