My Shiny New Penny

Des: "We're going to a river. Do you want to see the river, Hunter?"



Hunter: "YES!"



Des: "Do you know what a river is?"



Hunter: "NO!"



I love my nephew so, so, sooooo very much! He makes me happy and makes me smile. One of my favorite things to do is just sit down with him and listen. He is wise beyond his years. He enjoys almost anything, accept holding his sister's hand, but he will still do that if asked (and if she will let him). He is so excited to try new things, no matter how small. He loves the little things, whether watching a bug or watching a game on TV with his dad. It amazes me how much he has grown and how much he has learned in his few short years.



All this brings me to the subject at hand: the title of this post and the title of my blog. I am working so hard on enjoying the small things. I know when I was little I would love so very, very much a shiny new penny. I too enjoyed holding a cool bug that crawled over my arms. I loved watching the sunsets (I was never awake for the sunrise. I like my beauty sleep). I loved catching the "hundreds" of fireflies and june bugs at my granny's house and hang out on the porch swing at my grandma's house during thunder storms. I even loved playing the simplest games with my sisters and brother--cliff and "Hidden Hills" being my favorite. What has happened to me to cause me to focus on what has to get done that week, month or year. Once I finish my degree I can relax and be happy...check...still going at a hundred miles an hour. I should do this and I will be happy...tried it...made me smile but I still want more. I have the hardest time stopping and enjoying the moment. I just need to stop time for that one moment and take it all in. I also need to realize that the sunset will not last forever...I will not be able to do everything I want forever. I need to say no to some things and say yes to many things and do those many things. Some things I can give up are: TV ( I love TV but I should read a good book, go on a walk with my puppy, play with some friends, etc), Naps ( I really on take too long of naps on Sundays), playing on the internet (I really do too much of this at work). I should really being all this before I start back to school in December. Hmmm...I start this starting tomorrow. I will also stop eating sugar...starting after I finish my Halloween candy.

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!!!

Well on Friday it is. I absolutely loves birthdays. Not so much the presents (which are not terrible, but not preferred). I LOVE the party and perhaps the extra attention.

One of my favorite birthdays EVER was my 21st birthday a few years ago when I was going to BYU. I had the VERY BEST roommates anyone could ever ask for. They were so amazing and they and their boyfriends/fiances really helped me come out of my shell so much. They really made me realize that it really does not matter what other people think of me. (Hmmm...I have been reverting back to caring a bit too much. Maybe their hubbies will let me borrow them for a week to have that drilled back in my head. What do ya think Sparky?)

Anyways, my roomies threw a month long birthday celebration for me. I had to pass certain tests, IN FRONT OF MY BRAND NEW WARD. I did not know anybody. This was so much fun though. One of my favorite parts of this celebration was on my birthday. We all dressed in authentic Kenyan garb, put on war paint, and sat in a circle as they initiated me into the group of "Wannahauckalugie" (from "Nemo"). Even our buddies Arn and Dan participated. The initiation consisted of giving me a name "Folgistay". I received this name because I kept joking with them that I was so old I needed a cane. We then took pictures and I was introduced to my favorite drink--Guadana. This completely non-alcoholic drink, jam packed full of enough caffeine to make your heart skip a beat. Delicious. I'm pretty sure no one knew I could really jump of the walls.

For the rest of the school year, we continued to have big birthday celebrations. We took Leisha's couch that she loved to Bonnie's brother's house, and Leisha had to go on a big scavenger hunt to find it. One place she had to go was Deseret Industries to find her "spy outfit". (She actually found a very cute dress). For Jenny's we hit a pinata and screamed bloody murder while Jenny cut her cake. Our neighbor later told us she really thought someone was getting hurt. Bonnie's. . . hmmm, I do not recall what we did. Sad. I'm sure I will find out soon.

Ah, birthdays. I will forever have big birthday celebrations.

What was your favorite birthday celebration?

The Media and Hollywood

Okay I must now leave the light hearted posts behind. I must speak out about something I am very passionate about: politics in the media and Hollywood. Can someone please tell me when it became acceptable to trash people that are trying to live normal lives?! More specifically, why is it okay to trash Sarah Palin and her family? Granted, when she decided to go into politics, Sarah opened herself up to criticism and speculation. She did not, however, open up her family to ridicule. Sarah had a baby, "Big deal." She had a baby with down syndrome, "No way. She did that on purpose so she could get into the White House." "Her daughter must have had it." No, her daughter is pregnant so that baby is Sarah's. "Scandal! Sarah must be a TERRIBLE mother to have a daughter that is pregnant out of wedlock." and the brand new one "Sarah's husband practices incest."(this one is from Saturday Night Live).

Ummm...am I lost or something. Don't Angelina and Brad have 6 children (3 of which she has become pregnant with OUT of wedlock). Sarah's daughter is 15! Leave her alone. Do not say anything that does not have firm facts to back it up. REPORT the facts. Stop trying to get ratings by lying.

While I'm on the subject of report facts, can we please get reporters who actually report the facts? I know that past experiences do affect our views; however, what you are supposed to do is to acknowledge your bias, set it aside, and report the facts. Have you seen the way these political interviews have been done? Obama could do no wrong in the media's eyes. McCain and Palin are worse than the devil. They will turn the United States into hell on earth. (As for Biden, who really knows anything about him?)

This is NOT a review on the politicians themselves. Obama is a very charismatic guy and his wife seems nice enough. McCain is experienced. Palin is good at following through. I do care who wins and I will be voting.

My problem is just with the media. What is your take on this issue?

My Uneventful Eventful Morning

There have been many things that have happened this week, but very few which are "blogworthy"; so I'll let you in on a few things I just learned this last Sunday:

1. When a wasp stings you once--it hurts. When it stings you twice--it dies.
Yes, I was stung by a wasp last Sunday for the very first time in my entire life (I have never been stung by a bee, either). I was outside at about 2:30am with my dog, Max, so he could go potty. As I was taking him in, I was attacked by a wasp which stung me, not once, but TWICE! On my fingers no less. It kind of shocked me and I had no idea what it was until my mom saw it on the ground and killed it for me. So if you ever questions the honesty of others when they say wasp stings hurt, let me let you know that stings really do hurt.

2. I am not allergic to wasp stings.

3. You should put your puppy's food and water bowl up out of his reach a couple hours before his bedtime.

4. It is better to be asleep at 2:30 in the morning than to not.

5. The End

Find your passion

I love to write. It is one of my greatest passions and loves. One of my top goals is to have 4 of my books published. Why 4? I already have 2 written and just need to edit and then submit them. The other 2 books I am already writing in my head (I really need to start writing them on paper though).
My favorite things to write are poems. They can be so beautful and full of limitless meanings. One of my favorite speakers of our time is President Thomas S. Monson. His memory is incredible, his perspective on stories and ability to apply them to our daily lives is amazing, and the way he speaks is so calming and wise. My goal with my writing is not to be exactly like him but to be able to explore words and knowledge like President Monson. I want others to feel what I am saying, not to just see words.
Writing makes me happy, so I will continue to write for the rest of my life.
Now I would like to ask you: What is your passion? What are you doing with it?