November

This month has been full of fun! I've hosted Music Night II & a very successful (girl's ask guys) Fondue Date Night! I was also able to attend my dear friend Alycesun & Donny's Wedding/Reception in UT.

In other news November is National Adoption Month and since I work in the field I just love the idea of getting awareness out there about adoption.

Also November is my mom, sister (Chelsea), and brother-in-law (Kevin)'s birthday month! I love them all and am grateful they were born and are a part of my life!

A friend of mine, Molly Jackson, recently started an amazing blog called, Good Grief! Please go there and check it out! It is full of inspiration, loss, grief, love, peace, and hope! While you are there please donate to such a wonderful cause!

The Light Paradigms

I believe that there are two ways that people view the world that frames the way they live their lives. I call this theory the Light Paradigms.

Paradigm 1: There are people that understand and appreciate when the light is shining on them. They bask in its brilliance and soak it all in. They can't stand darkness and crave the light. When the light is shining on someone else they try to steal it, get depressed because they are in darkness but can see the light (and not feel it), or they want to person (who has the light shining on them) to be in darkness with them. These people are not bad people, on the contrary, they are very accomplished, educated, and full of love. They just don't understand the principle of light

Paradigm 2: There are people that understand and appreciate when the light is shining on them. They bask in its brilliance and soak it all in. They understand that this is not always the case and that they are bound to be in darkness. These people understand that there is enough light to go around. If the light is shining on someone else they are genuinely happy for that person. They can celebrate that the light is on someone else. Seeing the light shine on others doesn't take away the light shining on them. These people have bad days, they have trials, they struggle and have heartache. They just understand the principle of light.

I think people can go in and out of these two paradigms depending on what is happening in their lives. Paradigm 2 is so easy and natural for most while Paradigm 1 may not come natural at all but can be learned over time.

I think that some of the greatest moments in life come when someone can genuinely be happy for the light shining on someone else-especially if they are drenched in darkness.

The Paradigm of Light you choose deciphers the character you are building, the integrity you are showing, and the love you are giving!

Blue or Green Eyes?

When people ask me what color my eyes are I tell sometimes they are blue and sometimes they are green. It depends on what I'm wearing. Sometimes I get the feeling they don't believe me. For those disbelievers here is the proof! (There was no editing done to these photos).

Here are my eyes blue!

Here are my eyes green!

BYU vs SDSU

So as we were leaving Kate's dorm room to get something to eat for a late lunch (we were all starving) I told the kidlets I wanted to take a picture. Clay & Ali both said they didn't want to take pictures so I promised them I wouldn't take anymore if they took a really good one. As you can see...there were many more photos!

No worries, Clay is not upset-just being his lovely self! We ate outside at one of my favorite places to eat in Old Town. Everyone loved their food but only Clay could wolf it all down in one sitting! (He's a growing teenage boy)

We had a blast singing, dancing, and just being plain wierdos (aka Shields) in Old Town!

It's was so much fun to hang out with family in San Diego!

Do we look alike at all??

So fun to have Kates so close by--don't worry I'll be back to SD soon!

I had no idea that so many people from my extended family would be at the game: Jeff & Pat, Zach & Mckay, Matt, Brett, Theresa, Jeffrey, Mary & Spencer, and Scott & Brooke.

Looking good Spencer!

We train 'em to be Cougar Fans when they're young!

Love it Mary!

We ended the trip on a spiritual note!

TED Fellow

If you know anything about me then you know I LOVE my family! Also you know I'm huge fan of my sister Chelsea! Recently she was chosen to be one of the 103 prestigious TED Fellows. She has been invited to share ideas at a conference in India in November. She is one of 53 to represent the US. She's pretty much amazing (I may be biased) and I'm so proud of her!

If you go to the TED website it only takes a minute or so to see the amazing people that are a part of TED. Again I am not surprise to see my little sister's name among them. Chels you are doing amazing things with your life, you are an inspiration, and I can't wait to hear about India! Please take lots of pictures for us. Also get better fast so you can enjoy all that amazing Indian food!

The Power of Touch

I believe in the power of touch.

Humans need to be touched-they need to feel validated-they need to be loved. I think one thing that hits me is how much I miss being touched at times. I don't realize how long its been until someone simply touches me and I then it hits me. To be able to lie in bed next to a friend who is crying and stroke her hair, to hold hands with a friend as they try to tell you difficult things going on in their lives, or simply the touch of a guy's hand on the small of your back-these moments of touch are lasting and important. Touch can be fleeting and frivolous but it can also be lasting and essential!

So if you haven't done so in a while, "reach out and touch somebody's hand..."

Ballroom & Politics

I have a few friends that are REALLY into politics. Today I was talking to my roommate MoMo (one of those super involved in the political world) and I told her that I thought that Ballroom and Politics have a lot in common. She was confused...

To the common folk when you watch a ballroom competition you see orange flashy dancers competing with other orange flashy dancers. You watch them do cool spins, twists, and knockout competitors with their fierceness, passion, and love of dance!

To the common folk who watch/listen to politics you see white fast talking men competing again other white fast talking men. You watch wine & dine their listeners, use their power topics to persuade people, and watch them knockout competitors with their money, fierceness, passion, and love of politics!

But, my friends, if you ever happen to get invited into the "world" of either of these entities you will realize the beast that lies within.

Years ago I had a roommate who was REALLY involved in the Ballroom world. In fact before competitions I would help paint (yes literally with a foam paint brush) her body this orange/brown color (see above photo). As I painted her I couldn't believe the gossip, the hard work, the precision, the dedication, and the hoops one has to jump through to be good on a competitive level.

As for politics I'm newly entering this arena but I am amazed again at the drama, the gossip, the hard work, the dedication, the passion, and the hoops that one has to jump through to gain office.

It is one thing to see something as a spectator and another entirely to be involved in the show!

Reflections of Christ:Another Testament

The man who took these amazing pictures is in my roommates ward. Also another man who helped on this project abundantly is a dear friends of mine. Because of these connections I was able to view this amazing work before almost anyone else had seen it! I am amazed at the majesty that is this amazing project. These pictures were taken in Honduras and the stories behind each of these faithful people is amazing! I hope you enjoy this testimony of Christ!

"Back to Life, Back to Reality"

I don't know if anyone else is going through this right now but I'm feeling very happy not living in reality. For example I just finished, "Hunger Games", and "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins. I absolutely loved them both and couldn't put them down. How can any of my Grad School text books hold a candle or interest compared to these books.

Also my best friend is off on a grand-adventure-of-a-road-trip seeing lots of sights and having a blast. As a result all I can think of is my next traveling adventures.

Rio Grande

Also my younger (not little because she is taller than me) sister just made it on the Lodi High School Homecoming Court! Congrats Alexa! I mean I couldn't even get a date in HS let alone make the Homecoming Court. My mom's got me thinking about her kick back to the 40's Audrey Hepburn Lace dress...

Also my new roommate MoMo is in charge of this great show tomorrow night called, "The Price of Freedom" by my friend Rob Gardner. It's part of Constitution Week and you don't want to miss it!

So you can see why I'm just a little bit distracted from the reality that is my life!

Music Night!

I wanted to have a bunch of musicians over that love music and love to perform! Music Night was a smashing success! I couldn't believe the talent in one place. I loved that such great music filled the house!

(L-R) Royal, Lincoln, & Cheya.

Lincoln played the piano for all of us and he has some wicked awesome piano skills!

Nate, Amy, & Cheya. I think Cheya was excited about Music Night!

Aww sweet! Cheya, Nate, & I taking a break from the music!

Check out the videos below to catch a glimpse of the rockin' night we had!

Royal & Lincoln singing, "Lily's Eyes" from Secret Garden.

Amy & her amazing Flute!

"Remember, Remember"

My friend Ryan, who is teaching Earl Morning Seminary (EMS) in California, recently invited me to join his Book of Mormon Blog Project (BOMB Project). The idea is for people to share their ideas, spiritual experiences, and personal applications of what they are gaining from reading the Book of Mormon. All the Links on the BOMB Project are people who have decided to join in the fun.

This call to arms from Ryan is a tender mercy in my life! I have been struggling to get some quality scripture reading done while in Grad School so the BOMB Project is the perfect catalyst for me to get digging into my scriptures.

A while back I also taught EMS and I think this is a brilliant idea for Ryan's seminary students to be able to read people's blogs/journal ideas about how the Book of Mormon is affecting peoples lives. I look forward to reading their thoughts and ideas as well as other blogs linked to the BOMB Project!

My new BOMB is called "Remember, Remember"

If you are interested in joining the BOMB Project leave a comment and I'll get you connected to Ryan!

SMILE

My sister Ali composes great music! Here is one of her songs--once you get through all the bloopers!

It's Time

So it's about that time (well, past due actually) for me to really get back into shape. So I decided to set some goals. I won't get into specifics but I feel really great about them. They are just hard enough to have to stretch and yet not so hard that I can't reach them. Some things I'm doing to help accomplish my goals:

• I am 2 days into the Hundred Pushups Challenge.
• On Wednesday nights after school I attend a Cardio Kickboxing class. We are actually moving and jumping and boxing for 50 minutes straight! Then for 5 minutes we do this crazy weight lifting/sculpting section, and then we cool down.
• On Thursday nights after class I attend a Hatha Yoga class.
• I have pretty much cut Dairy and Red Meat out of my diet.
• I am making and bringing my lunch (healthy foods) to work/school (this also saves $$$).
• Also I'm jogging outside (in the late evenings) and running on a treadmill (YMCA).

I hope to be able to keep up with my plan and accomplish my goal by January 1, 2010 (b-day)!

New Beginnings

Tonight I jogged to Elephant Park and talked to God while swinging to my heart's content!

"Please Keep Your Arms & Legs Inside the Ride at All Times..."

Here we are at "On The Border" in San Diego

(Carolyn, Kris, Kylee, & Brandon)

DISNEYLAND AUGUST 2009

"The Happiest Place on Earth!"

We are all so excited!!!

Kylee, Goofy, & Carolyn

Chip & Dale Boys??

It's actually a "Small World" after all!

"Twinkle Toes"

"The Wiz"

"Tink"

Carolyn & I are just so excited to get back to school!

Brandon & Kris needed to get out a little aggression.

Choose your stance?

Somebody please feed this kid!

My cousin Ali joined us at night and then graciously let us crash at her place. (Thanks Ali!)

...At some point at Disneyland I may or may not have literally jumped ship in the "Pirates of the Carribean" ride. Someone may or may not have bet me $5 dollars to do it. I may or may not have been scolded a bit at the end of the ride when I came in on a boat all by myself. It may or may not have been a good idea!

After an exhaustingly awesome day I was just a little tired of Carolyn.

Brandon, however, was just plain tired!

It's a Celebration!

Carolyn & Brandon are sleepwalking out of Disneyland they are so tired!

DINOSAURS

On our way home we saw some Dinosaurs, not an everyday occasion, so we had to stop and check them out!

Fast Friend!

Let's just say it was and entertaining road trip! (Let's do it again soon!)