100 things.

So I have decided to make a list of 100 things that I want to do before I die.

I have always wanted to do this, but have never sat down and wrote it out. I was reading online the other day about the show The Buried Life on MTV, although I have never watched it, I'm pretty sure it is about these four guys doing all the things that are on their "bucket lists". So that made me want to create a list of things I want to do!

Okay this thing won't let me add more pictures. Lol I think I might be the stupid one here, because I don't know why it would let me upload one and not anymore...???

Anyways, a few things that are on my list are: swim with dolphins, build/make a scarecrow, help build a house, and visit 3rd world countries and do service. What would be on your list???

I only have one more week here then off of fabulous California home I go!!! YES!

What makes your stomach growl?

Troy and I were talking about this the other day. Why does it make funny noises? Having taken anatomy/physio before I knew it had something to do with peristalsis, and I knew that chemicals were released and sent up to your brain to let your body know when you are hungry, but I wasn't exactly sure why.  

  After doing a little bit of research, I found out that this was just a result of this process(peristalsis, that is. Which simply are wave like contractions that move the food you eat down through your intestines). Because it is gases and air that push the food along, they sometimes are pushed together, resulting in sometimes loud, embarrassing noises. These noises are more frequent when you are hungry because there is more room in your insides, and nothing in there to surpress them.

  I found a perfect example of this on the internet. Think about a pair of shoes in the dryer. So noisy if they are in there by themselves, but if you put some clothes in there with them, not as loud. 

 Have I mentioned that the digestive system is my favorite system in the body? Weird, I know. But it is SO interesting.

Okay I'm thoroughly annoyed with this thing. It won't let me upload any pictures. I feel like it has been doing this a lot to me lately, what the heck.

  I was going to put a cool picture of the digestive system.

  A picture of London, which I happened to go to last weekend. Cool, right? One day when I have a decent amount of time to sit down and give it the proper blogging time, I will.

  Also, Tommy needs a hair cut. I put the back of his hair in a ponytail earlier today and took a photo of it...so funny. 

                                  Happy Hump Day!

P.S. I'm obviously experimenting with the blog thing still lol. I'm lame and haven't even figured out how to do a background yet. One day, one day.

Thought for the day.

"Should there be anyone who feels he is too weak to do better because of that greatest of fears, the fear of failure, there is no more comforting assurance to be had than the words of the Lord: 'My grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them' (Ether 12:27)."

Happiness.

hap·py (adj. hap·pi·er, hap·pi·est)

1. Characterized by good luck; fortunate.
2. Enjoying, showing, or marked by pleasure, satisfaction, or joy.
3. Being especially well-adapted; felicitous: a happy turn of phrase.
4. Cheerful; willing: happy to help.
5. a. Characterized by a spontaneous or obsessive inclination to use something. Often used in combination: trigger-happy.
b. Enthusiastic about or involved with to a disproportionate degree. Often used in combination: money-happy; clothes-happy.
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So happiness. I have been thinking a lot about this lately. Not specifically about my personal happiness, just in general. I think that I used to be the kind of person who was critical about other's happiness. How rude right? Who am I to say or think that someone is "wrong" because their modes of happiness.
     If having purple and blue and orange hair makes someone happy, who am I to think that is "weird"? If someone wants to have weird piercings all over their face or body, who am I to think that is "unattractive"? If someone wants to date someone that is not their "type", a lot older or younger, whatever, who am I to think that is "wrong"?
     Happiness is hard to come across these days. Being happy isn't easy for a lot of people. Depression is on the rise. The sad thing about this disease is you do not know who it is affecting. It is easy to conceal, for the most part. (***this is not me confessing I have depression; these are just my thoughts***) Someone who you would think by appearance has the best life ever, yet at the end of the day they may be so unhappy and be lacking self esteem.
     This makes me sad. Life is seriously too short to be anything but happy. Do what makes YOU happy. Do it now. (I don't mean this in a causing others harm way or anything lol)
     I have come to realize that you will hurt people. You will let others down. This is all part of life. Sometimes people enjoy seeing you fail and enjoy seeing you unhappy. How rude and selfish! Being kind and loving is so easy, people!
     I want to be the kind of person that thrives on other people's happiness. I don't mean by going around trying to please everyone, because I think general speaking, I am not a "people pleaser". I don't really care what people think about me.
     Anyways, who doesn't love being happy? Shoot, I know I do. Whatever your form of happiness is, own it. Do everything in your power to achieve it and feel it.
     I kind of talk in circles sometimes, but I hope this makes sense. What I'm trying to get at is just enjoy life. Let others be happy; no one should feel wrong for their happiness. To each their own. Be kind.

     http://www.facebook.com/?sk=messages&tid=1207308320879#!/selfworthproject

Everyone should check out the site above. My friend Tommy Corey started this project, it's beautiful and inspiring.

love you all<3

FUTURE:

i'm.so.excited.

I can't wait to spend time with my family. I have the best parents and sisters ever. I'm so lucky.

I can't wait to travel more. I love to travel, especially going places that I never have been to before...



...like London! I can't wait. I never really thought I would actually be going there. So fun.

Birthdays and Christmas, obvious. I love holidays and spending them with the people I love.

circa 1994.

I'm just excited for life. That's all:)

Troy is here, yayy!

I'm a happy girl. Jay and Steph went to England this weekend to visit some old mission friends, sitesee, and just have a weekend away, so this weekend I am even more thankful that he is here. He is so helpful with the kids and it is so nice to have an extra pair of hands!

We made brownies the other day while Tommy took his nap. I couldn't help but let her lick the bowl and make a mess, then take a picture. She is too cute. She is getting old enough where she is so fun to hang out with; she has such a cute little personality(mainly when Tommy isn't around lol).




I can't believe that in 3 weeks I will be home! At the beginning of this trip I thought "2 months!!!?? That is forever. That will drag on." Blah blah blah. But I really feel like these past weeks have gone by pretty quickly. I can't believe it is already a week or so into October. I'm so excited for the holidays!

To Glee or Not to Glee?

So unfortunately I haven't been able to watch any other the new season yet, Ireland doesn't have it on basic cable and Hulu doesn't work over here! Oh well. If you don't watch it or haven't ever watched it, give it a shot...one episode! Even if you don't like it, you can't deny that it makes you feel good and happy.

I've always loved musicals and/or broadway. I really appreciate musical talent. Whether it is playing an instrument, singing, dancing, singing whiiiiile dancing, I like it. This show is such. The characters are so funny and SO talented. I love Jane Lynch's role(the Cheerios coach, Sue Sylvester)...she is HIGHlarious! It's just a feel good show.

<---------- Uhm hello, another good reason to watch the show;)














*and below, is a shot from their Lady Gaga episode. How fun to get to dress up in those costumes!

*Side note: does anyone know how to add a video? A YouTube video?

I've heard some people say how they can't stand this show, how annoying it is, how they would rather poke their eyes out than have to sit a whole HOUR and watch this...okay, fine, Debbie Downers. What bothers me, is this show is about people doing what they love and sharing their talents. These people are incredibly talented and work so hard. It is a fun show! It makes people happy! Some people need to lose their attitudes and get over it lol.

ps Troy lands in Dublin in 12 hours. YES! so excited:)

Why don't I eat hot dogs?

Okay, so besides the fact that I threw them up when I was in like 5th grade, what else plays a role in this (easy) choice?

Hot dogs. An all American food? A must have at Costco or a baseball? Maybe. But not for me. I'll take a churro or nachos. I don't think I have had a hot dog since I was 10 or 11 years old. Taking microbiology back in 2007 finalized my decision to not eat them; not just because I thought I would throw up again from a bad experience, but because of what goes in them and how the animals are treated.

*Disclaimer: I know that every "cow,chicken,pig" farm is different. And not every hot dog necessarily falls under this category. No I don't eat red meat, pork, etc...but yes I eat chicken, and yes I am fully aware of the animal cruelty that goes on with them. That is a whole different post.*

Anyways, I'm sure you have heard that hot dogs are made up of the "left overs", snouts, bones, even their anus'. While sometimes that isn't true, sometimes it definitely is. Gross! They are mostly made of fillers, which is the left over meat of animals that they can not use(mostly meat that is directly attached to the bone). So you won't find thighs, breasts, legs, etc. in hot dogs. So they throw all that crap together, grind it up a little bit, add some seasonings and also sodium nitrite?! What the heck.

Sodium nitrite is a chemical commonly used for presevation and a color fixatative in meats(okay, the color of super market meat is a whooole different post as well).  This also is said to help prevent the growth of bacteria. Cool. It is also used in dying and bleaching fabrics, photography, in metal coatings, found in rubber chemicals, used in human and veterinary medicine, and is an antidote for cyanide poisoning.

 This chemical is found naturally in most vegetables, it is an important neurotransmitter. I think I will stick to getting it naturally through my veggies.

Studies show that when you get too much of this chemical it can lead to migranes and even be a factor in human cancers. I think they should find something else to put in food to make it look better and last longer than something so hazardous.

                                                     I'm barfing. Have a fabulous Monday!



"Cracking your knuckles will give you arthritis!"

I'm sure we all have heard that or have been told that at one time or another in our lives. I have been thinking about this a little bit lately, because I realized that I pop my knuckes a lot. I thank my Dad for introducing me to this habit when I was younger. I tried to think back and remember when I started do this, but I have always cracked my knuckles for as long as I can remember.

A few years ago, when I took anatomy or physiology, I don't remember which one, we learned a little bit about this. Studies show that this "bad" habit will NOT lead to arthritis! I loved learning that and being able to say "nu-uh!" when people would warn me about getting arthritis. I also learned that the loud pop comes from the release of synovial fluid(which lubricates your joints). Makes sense.

I find myself cracking my knuckles when I am bored. I do it without even realizing it. It drives my Mom crazy. I think I will continue with this annoying habit; and not get arthritis, thanks:)