It Makes Me Cry...

There are times in my life I think I'm super tough....

...and these are of course the times that I am the most exceptionally delusional.

I've realized lately how many things make me tear up--every time I see or hear them.  No other circumstances are necessary to cause this reaction; these things just have to exist.  And for some reason, they fill my heart so full of feelings of love and joy and sparkly goodness, that my body can't contain them, and it leaks out through my tear ducts.  So I guess they don't really make me cry... they just make my happiness overflow.

For example:

1) This Van Gogh painting.  Not the Sunflowers painting, not Starry Night.  This one.  I saw it in a museum once, and something about the brushstrokes and colors just got me! Haha, didn't see that coming.  Who knew "Sower at Sunset" would be the most evocative painting I've ever seen??

2) The last scenes of Mona Lisa Smile.  If you've ever taught in any capacity, this one will get ya.  (But just maybe, it's those Van Gogh paintings for me again...)

4) Conversations with my grandparents.  I sure love them, and they've each lived marvelously rich and inspiring lives.  All of their stories are wonderful.

5) This Maurice-Sendak-styled, 1986 version of the Nutcracker pas de deux.  Even though the quality of this video is awful, and the Nutcracker has a thin, creepy mustache, I cry every time.

6) The temple.  It always brightens my life with truth and simplicity.

I used to get embarrassed to wear my heart on my sleeve, but I've come around to being grateful to feel all those emotions (good and bad), deeply.  I mean, what a blessing to be so full of "happy", that my body just can't contain it!

#LifeIsBeautiful

Reminded by the Unfamiliar

I looove the perspective that seeing unfamiliar places, and trying different foods, and meeting new people can bring.  It's enlightening and uplifting, and really quite freeing.  Those experiences have changed me.  I've said this a ga-jillion times before, but I've been super blessed to travel a lot and see a few of those different perspectives; and that chance has been undeniably influential in terms of shaping my view of life, and has taught me to find joy and really appreciate the glorious things that cross my path all the time.

For example, London showed me that every day occurrences 

should not be taken for granted.

Also, it was there that I acknowledged that nothing excites me more

than getting dressed up and going to musicals.

#MaryPoppins

#Chicago

And, most importantly,

that there is no more delicious food around

than a legit bowl of yellow chicken curry

Australia taught me to stop and smell the roses, 

and take time to admire the awe of all little breathtaking beauties,

and especially to recognize that they're always surrounding me.

Hawaii reminded me, that while beaches are so lovely,

friends that are kind and patient enough

to put up with my awful attempts at surfing

are even better.

And that the spirit from Temples

is as strong and pure and true

everywhere

and always.

The Netherlands jolted me to remember the freedoms I enjoy.

Belgium is where I learned that scarves are essential to a classy look.

Germany taught me that carbs are good,

but also that the church is true, and the spirit is moving

even if the gospel is being taught in a language I don't understand.

Paris taught me to life is meant to be lived gorgeously.

That I make the choice to fill my life with beauty,

and love.

NYC, with all its palpable energy,

showed me that life should be exciting...

...and that we all have a need for aesthetics to enhance our day to day existence.

And also that even in smack dab in the middle of such a vibrant city,

this most important place can stand waveringly.

Maybe quietly in comparison to its surroundings,

but still so immensely moving when you come upon it.

Life is bursting at the seams with goodness and light and happiness and beauty.  And while Paris, London, and NYC aren't necessarily at our disposal when we're in need of a reminder that life IS beautiful, there are endless venues of light to remind us what we do have to be grateful for.  Those roses are there for us to stop and smell all day everyday if we seek them out.

"Recently I stood on the north shore of the beautiful Pacific island gazing out to sea at daybreak... As I watched this magnificent scene in reverence, a window formed in the clouds; the glistening rays of the rising sun broke through the overcast sky, transforming everything with its luminescence, its color, its life.  It was as if the Lord wanted to share an additional blessing, a symbol of the light of His teachings that gives brilliance and hope to everyone it touches.  Tears of gratitute formed for this wondrous world in which we live, for the extraordinary beauty our Heavenly Father so freely shares with all who are willing to see.  Truly, life is beautiful."

--Elder Richard G. Scott Finding Joy In Life, 1996

That one time I met a hot guy on the plane...

I've had the opportunity to travel a lot throughout my life thus far.

And so at this point, with all those hours spent traveling to various destinations,

 I could probably write a book with all my crazy/hilarious travel stories.

Just about the times spent getting somewhere.

Like that one time my plane lost pressurization....

Remember that?

Or the time the dude fell asleep on my shoulder on a shuttle bus?

Or the many people that have told me their life stories 

whilst I sit next to them on the plane.

Or the time I thought I would have to spend the rest of my life in customs;

when there were only a handful of us but it took houuuurs?

Always an adventure.

But none have come close to the one I had recently,

on my way home from visiting my siblings in Provo.

What was the difference you ask?

Why was this one so monumental??

Well,

this one involved a very handsome boy.

Duh.

And this is the truth;

It all started while I was waiting the in terminal;

when I noticed this very cute boy.

He standing in line at the Quiznos right next to my terminal.

He was talllll, had dirty blond hair, and a nice jaw line...

And I'll just be a little transparent for a sec;

Working two jobs for the last few months,

where one requires me to work a lot of nights and weekends,

there's not a lot of time for cute boys and such...

so I didn't just notice this guy once...

I guess i decided to "fill the canteen",

aaand I creeped him a little bit;

I kept sneakin a peek;

He was just rather good looking.

It got a bit more interesting though,

when on about my 3rd or 4th peek,

(Creepy... I know, I know!! But I couldn't help it!)

I realized he was looking in my direction.

Whooops!! I thought, and stopped blatantly staring at him...

but he kept looking over!

I could see it out of the corner of my eye.

Interesting...

No matter, I thought.

He'll go get on his plane in a minute and I won't see him again.

Well, then when they called for passengers to start boarding the flight to Austin,

He walked over to the terminal.

Uh oh...

Oh well, just keep your head down, I thought,

and boarded the plane and got in my seat.

All of a sudden though,

 someone was asking if they could put my bag

 in the overhead compartment for me,

and before I knew it,

Hot guy was putting my luggage away for me 

and sitting in the seat right next to me.

I tried so hard to play it cool and not act like one of those obnoxious girls...

And not ask him a billion probing questions while batting my eyelashes

But he started asking me questions.

So I answered,

of course.

Oh gracious, he was even cuter up close.

And the more I talked to him, the more I was impressed...

It was a pretty wonderful flight.

We both fell asleep at some point, so we didn't talk the whooole 3 hours,

but we sure talked a lot.

And about deep stuff too.

Turns out he was a Christian Camp Counselor.

He had quit his big corporate job,

much to his dad's dismay,

because he felt like God's plan for him 

was not being carried out in the corporate arena.

So instead, he'd decided to dedicate his time to counseling teenage boys.

For reals.

Towards the end of the flight,

we started to get pretty deep into a discussion about our beliefs,

and how they've affected the decisions we make.

Essentially sharing our testimonies,

no big deal.

I was thinking how crazy it was that this was happening.

It's like one of those stories you hear about... and think,

that's so cute, but it'll never happen to me...

But here it was happening to me!!

I mean, this guy lives right outside of Austin...

so we'll definitely need to see each other again.

Then,

He said "I'm so sorry, the turbulence is really getting to me..."

Oh sure! Sorry!  Are you okay?, I asked.

It was pretty stormy outside, and we were doing one of those

circle-around-the airport-a billion-times landings

So we were going in jumpy, turbulent-y circles,

and my stomach was a little queasy too.

His wasn't just queasy though...

he started fumbling for his little barf bag...

and couldn't find it of course.

So I found it for him.

He then proceeded to barf.

For 10 minutes on and off.

Until we landed.

Cute.

But I was still hopeful...

I mean, I'd already put on the big girl pants to chat with this guy

and try to get to know him!

Even though it's so out of character for me!

So I was hopeful this turbulent story would end smoothly....

He was so utterly embarrassed though,

He apologized about 50 times.

First to me,

then to the people sitting around us,

then to me again a few more times.

And then ran off the plane as fast as he could;

with his head hanging low so no one could look him in the eye he was so embarrassed.

I never saw him again.

STORY OF MY LIFE.

I laughed for like 3 days straight about this though!!!

Grateful for:

A summer-y, wonderful weekend in Provo with the older half of my siblings.

I love me some Jelly-man, and Soph-a-loaf, and Logie Bear.

And eating Papa's plums right off his tree.

Also, the Olympics

and watching the Sleeping Beauty Ballet in the movie theater 

with Emma Gracie and Mum,

and my favorite Aunt Angie coming for a visit,

and the fact that my talk in church is over,

and my roommate's apple caramel cupcakes,

and lots of new adventures around the corner.

I'm the King of New York.

Recap of the constant adventure that is NYC...

A plane and bus ride, and a metro pass and a bit of walking later...

we came upon the Plaza !!

Which inspired plenty of "Home Alone 2" quotes,

and made me feel like I was inside one of my favorite children's books;

"Eloise at the Plaza"

Then, when Aubrey, Christina and Mandy headed off to see "Evita" on Broadway...

     

...I headed off to an art museum.

Of course.

And also happened to catch the season premier of Project Runway on Times Square.

Nooo big deal.

"Che" in Evita was played by none other than Ricky Martin.

Seriously y'all, no big deal.

And of course we stopped for some Max Brenner dessert afterwards.

Good thing I'd sampled the chocolate at Max Brenner in Australia;

before I couldn't eat chocolate any more!

(But a s'mores sundae is delicious with just vanilla, in case you were wondering)

Next morning; Central park (where some awesome people went running... I am not included... I walked around all art-nerdy and took tons of pictures...)

and then Statue of Liberty.

In some rather perfect weather.

Then, obviously, China town.

Anyone need a purse??

Adventures around every corner.

And Aubrey found some fruit!!

Great deals--she was so excited!

And,

Are you ready for this??

NEWSIES.

Seeing as we were SUCH fans,

we took the tip to stay and wait for the cast after the show.

Best. Idea. Ever.

Sooo many handsome boys.

Seriously; life changing.

And then we just wrapped it up with a little Brooklyn Bridge/pizza magic.

Can I just live there please??

Grateful for: Artwork on the subway.

And friends that don't get too embarrassed when I pull out my gargantuan camera to snap a photo of it.