Day of Love

Well dear readers,
Today is Valentine's Day. I was pondering today on how we have a whole day set apart for the celebration of those we love. In a way, it's just like Christmas; we celebrate and remember the important people in our lives, we give gifts, we decorate, and we always say how the spirit of the season should stay with us year-round. It makes sense, though, that the love we celebrate at Valentine's Day is made possible because of the love we celebrate at Christmastime. And when it comes to love .. .well, despite the different types of love, it's all love. It's patient, kind, non-judgmental, motivating, inspiring, full of gratitude and respect. I think Valentine's Day for me is often over-rated. I don't need a special day to love people. And I know that the people who love me love me year-round, so I don't feel it necessary to receive extra special gifts or attention on Valentine's Day. In reality, every day is like Valentine's Day with Jacob. And it's really just because of the simple acts of love we share with each other. Flowers are pretty, and I'll never turn down chocolate. But I think I like the little things better ..  .like the way he'll carry my backpack for me sometimes. Or the way he walks to class with me. Or the way he laughs at my jokes. Or simply just the way he holds me in his arms. Actually, this is the first Valentine's Day for both of us when we've actually had a special someone to share it with. And what's even cooler is that we'll never not have someone to share it with. Yet again, it's not about the day. What's so special about a day anyway? What makes love special is the people you share it with. I'm certainly not trying to be cynical or disrespectful of anyone's opinions about Valentine's Day. Some people go all out, and they love it. Others are sad because they don't have a special someone to share it with. Others create SAD (Single Awareness Day).
I'm just peacefully content.
I usually am; that's how I express my love.
Which is why Valentine's Day is much like any other day.

My 100th Post

Here it is friends, my 100th post! As per tradition in the blogging world, I decided to write 100 things that you may or may not know about me. Just for kicks, keep a tally of how many things you previously knew about me and post it in a comment.

1. My username roastbeefer06 originates from my initials, RB. Like the restaurant Arby's. Roast beef . . .get it? And then I just tagged on the number.

2. I really enjoy looking at art.

3. I am currently working up the piano piece First Run by Jon Schmidt.

4. I eat my french fries smallest to biggest.

5. I like tomatoes. But I always pick off the tomato skins in a sandwich or hamburger. Them nasty slimy stringy things are gross.

6. I am quite in love with my boyfriend. I'm sure I'll write more about him in a later post. . .

7. I've caught a flower bouquet at a wedding. It was a wedding I attended as a missionary.

8. My favorite flowers are tulips. And daisies.

9. I like the name Daisy, but nobody is ever named that.

10. I hate mugs. Here's why.

11. I've never really desired to have a pet in my home, but perhaps when I have a family it might be a nice addition. I'm pretty neutral. But I don't like big dogs. Dogs are okay .. .as long as they're little.

12. I walked home from school (or the bus stop) from kindergarten through 9th grade.

13. My shoe size is 8.

14. I have a hard time buying jeans. I never know what I want or what I like. Hence, I don't usually like wearing jeans either. Weird.

15. I love wearing skirts in spring, summer and autumn.

16. Fall is my favorite season.

17. I prefer playing in flatted keys then sharped keys on the piano. And on the clarinet, too.

18. Donuts always remind me of early morning seminary. So I'm usually up for eating one. But recently I've started to feel gross after every time I eat a donut. (I'd like a donut, please)

19. I prefer drinking out of plastic tumblers than glass cups.

20. My favorite hymns are #6 "Redeemer of Israel" and #85 "How Firm a Foundation." I like other ones, too. 

21. My favorite candy bars are Snickers, Twix and Take 5.

22. Although I generally like any peanut butter flavored things, I really don't like Butterfinger.

23. I served in 5 areas on my mission.

24. I had 16 mission companions! 2 in Nauvoo, 6 in the MTC, and 8 in the field in Peru.

25. During my college career, I've had 9 different church callings.

26. I have done ordinance work in 14 different temples.

27. My favorite place in the world is Nauvoo.

28. I love baking cookies.

29. It takes a lot for me to get upset or angry about something. I generally just don't see the point, so I don't bother.

30. My dad passed away almost 6 years ago.

31. The first experience I remember sharing the Gospel was when I invited friends to a YW mutual activity when I was in junior high.

32. I'm not a huge fan of white rice. I ate it every day on my mission .. .that's why.

33. One of my life goals is to grow out my hair and donate it.

34. I got my ears pierced in a foreign country.

35. I have been to 6 foreign countries, and I will visit at least 4 more this summer.

36. I play the clarinet. Did you know that about me? =)

37. I went to one high school dance. I went to my Junior Prom with a football player.

38. The farthest I've ever lived from a temple is 8 hours.

39. I currently have 4 stuffed animals on my bed. One of them is a recent addition. As for the other three, I usually toss two of them aside and sleep with one. The same one. Every night. At least every night I sleep in that bed; I'm not so attached that I take it on trips. 

40. I can quote just about every line from While You Were Sleeping.

41. I love when people play with my hair.

42. I prefer pens over pencils.

43. My major is Music Education: K-12 Instrumental.

44. My estimated graduation is April 2014.

45. I started college in August 2006. (Don't do the math . ..it's quite a few years.)

46. I just updated to the new Blogger interface.

47. I was the last person in my family to create a blog. Yup, even after my mom.

48. I do not have a laptop computer.

49. I love to read. I often wish I had more time to do it.

50. I would like to have an even number of kids. Why? I don't know.

51. Forget kids . ..I just want to be married! (It's an inside joke, but it's not entirely untrue, I suppose.)

52. I was the drum major of the marching band my senior year of high school.

53. I went to Band Camp two different summers at two different universities while I was in high school.

54. I normally don't mind eating cafeteria food, but I'm not a huge fan of serving it. Which is what I did for my summer job.

55. My current job is my 4th job.

56. My resume is currently not updated.

57. I like patterned socks to wear with dress shoes, but I usually prefer wearing plain white socks with tennis shoes.

58. I love making people laugh. My specialty is lame humor.

59. My wallet is black and white checkered. I like it.

60. I am a Provo Temple Worker.

61. I don't know how many times I've read The Book of Mormon all the way through, but I know for a fact I have never read the ENTIRE Bible. That thing is huge. I've read most of it, though.

62. I like candles.

63. I'm getting back into running.

64. I love grilled cheese sandwiches.

65. I don't consider myself to be a great cook . ..although I'm not terrible. I suppose if I had the time to plan and prepare better, I'd be more ambitious at what I cook.

66. I didn't have a cell phone until after my freshman year of college.

67. I have attended 7 different schools.

68. Not including moving during college or on my mission, I have only moved twice in my lifetime, and I was too little to even remember the first move.

69. My first grade teacher was Mrs. Bateman.

70. I'm a fan of Gmail.

71. I have only been to 1 1/2 BYU Basketball games. I've watched even less than that on TV.

72. I have been to every BYU football home and bowl game in seasons 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2011.

73. I started taking piano lessons when I was 6.

73. I started taking clarinet lessons when I was 12.

74. I don't joke when I say I'm not good at any sport. If you've played with me, you know it's the truth. =)

75. My favorite game to play at home is Sardines in the Dark. Best game ever!!

76. My current roommates are Kerri, Jackie, and Kallie. Roommates #19, 20, & 21, respectively.

77. I never paint my nails different colors. I think it looks so tacky.

78. The longest amount of time I spent with a room to myself was about a month.

79. I have over 190 earned credit hours at BYU. Don't reread No. 44 on this list, please.

80. I still laugh when I read Captain Underpants or Junie B. Jones books.

81. I love the Anne of Green Gables series.

82. I used to be better at writing in my journal. Now it seems I just blog instead.

83. I always wear my HLJ (CTR) ring. I wear earrings almost every day. And maybe a necklace 2-4 times a month. And that's all the jewelry I ever wear.

84. My birthday is on the 100th day of the year. (101 for leap years). I was born on a Sunday.

85. Sister Hinckley's funeral was held on my 16th birthday.

86. I have totaled a car. And I've had minor bang ups with the other two cars I've driven.

87. My favorite color to wear is red. Actually, I think red is winning out over blue for my favorite color. Not until I graduate from BYU, though.

88. One of my favorite places to eat is Rosa's Cafe in West Texas. Mmm . ..que rico!

89. I earned a 3.96 GPA this past semester.

90. I was once in a picture in the BYU Magazine.

91. I was an extra in the movie Friday Night Lights.

92. I have gotten stitches twice in my life.

93. I have never been skiing. For that matter, I've never done any winter sport.

94. I often bring my camera to events, but then I forget to take pictures.

95. My knuckles are not dry, cracked or bleeding. Either that means it's a pretty mild winter so far, or I'm using more lotion.

96. I have read and loved every Harry Potter book.

97. I've only been to one midnight showing at the movie theater. It was for the last Harry Potter movie. It was worth it.

98. My blood type is B Negative. Only 2% of people have that type of blood.

99. I got glasses for the first time over Spring Break when I was in the 9th grade. That was also the same year I got braces.

100. I like some country music. I especially like the artists Taylor Swift, Rascal Flats, Lone Star and Lady Antebellum.

Aight, folks. How much of that stuff did you know about me? =)

Two

It's almost two am.
I'm two examples away from finishing my homework.

I heard this great song on my Pandora mix.
"Two is Better Than One"
I remember what you wore on the first day
You came into my life, and I thought, hey
You know this could be something.


'Cause everything you do and words you say
You know that it all takes my breath away.
And now I'm left with nothing.


So maybe it's true
that I can't live without you
and maybe two is better than one.


But there's so much time
to figure out the rest of my life
And you've already got me coming undone
And I'm thinking two is better than one


I remember every look upon your face
The way you roll your eyes, the way you say
You make it hard for breathing


'Cause when I close my eyes and drift away
I think of you and everything's okay
I'm finally now believing


And I'm thinking, ooh,
I can't live without you
'Cause baby, two
Is better than one


There's so much time 
to figure out the rest of my life
But I figured out with all that's said and done
Two is better than one
Two is better than one.


(Sidenote: He wore a red polo shirt on the first day.)

hard things

guess what.
i can do hard things.
like run 2.85 miles in one run.
like wake up on time for eight am class.
or learn really hard wind symphony music.
or play the trumpet.
like take 18 credits
and work part-time
and spend time with my boyfriend.
and memorize poetry in spanish.
and practice multiple hours a day.
and stay healthy.
and read the book of mormon in 100 days.
and survive the semester.

but guess what else.
life is hard, and then you die.
so i might as well learn how to do hard things.

Mind and Heart

"Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart."

~Doctrine and Covenants 8:2 

I've heard that scripture so many times. My basic understanding of it was that the Lord speaks to us through our minds and our hearts. That's the obvious, and quite accurate, understanding of this verse. However, my MTC teacher helped me see a new aspect to that scripture.

The Lord will tell you in your mind and in your heart. Okay, which means he can tell us something one of two ways . ..or even both of them. Yet, my favorite part of this verse is that what the Lord tells you "shall dwell in your heart."  Which means, logically .. .in your mind, it may make perfect sense. And in your heart, you may feel that it's right. But the Holy Ghost will dwell in your heart. Therefore, it's more important what your heart feels than what your mind thinks. And if it's not dwelling in your heart, then maybe it's not the true spirit of revelation.

Let's look at Nephi in The Book of Mormon for example. Here's what happened in Nephi's mind and heart:
Mind: Kill Laban.
Heart: What? Are you crazy? I ain't ne'ah killed no man 'fore! (Yes, his heart talked just like that).

Well, it looked like here, his heart wasn't too keen on what the Spirit was prompting him to do. So, in the Lord's true and patient fashion, He sends the prompting again for Nephi to slay Laban.

Mind: He tried to kill you and take all your stuff. You should just kill him.
Heart: The Lord delivered him into your hands, so that you could slay him and prevent future generations from dwindling in unbelief.

Then Nephi starts letting this thought dwell in his heart. "Okay, well, the Lord says He'll bless us if we keep the commandments. And I know the commandments are written in the scriptures. So .. .now I'm starting to see that I have to kill Laban in order to obtain these precious scriptures so that I can know what the commandments are so that I can keep them and receive the promised blessings."

And then he killed Laban.

So I think what I'm trying to say here is that the Lord sometimes tells us things that on the surface don't seem logical at all. They make no sense. Yet, the feeling and thought continues to dwell in our hearts. That's how we know for sure that it's the spirit of revelation. Sometimes, you just have to trust your heart.

Oh, and I looked up the definition for "dwell" just for kicks. One of the definitions says "to keep the attention directed." I think that adds a whole 'nuther dimension to this thought process here.

A New Kind of Beautiful

This is my grandma. I love this lady very much. Let me tell you about her.

She is 90 years old and one of the most beautiful people I know. For the past few years, she has been in a nursing/retirement home due to weakening health. Lately, I've had the opportunity to help her at mealtimes, and although I've visited and seen her several times throughout my life, I've learned so many new things about her over the last few months.

She never complains, and she's one of the most polite people I know. She has such a lovely smile, some of the things she says just warm your heart. Even when she makes jokes about not finishing food or me accidentally spilling on her . She sometimes doesn't remember who I am, but she's always happy to see me (or any visitors). We like and dislike the same foods. Pro: ice cream, onions, fruit. Anti: fish. You know, I bet it's pretty lonesome and boring being in a bed all day, but there is never an unkind word out of this lady's mouth. Ever. That is one amazing feat that I don't even think she realizes that she does.

One time, my Aunt Donna and I were there, and we held up a mirror for her to look at herself. "Wow, a little ugly today," she said. We quickly assured her that in no way, shape, or form could she ever be ugly. But then we did comb her hair to make it look a little less crazy. =)

Often I'll play music for her on her keyboard. She's always loved music, and although she's too weak to sing, she'll still move her hand in the conducting pattern of the music. She compliments my singing and playing, although I'm certainly not the greatest.

Sometimes when I get to her room, she's asleep. As I wait for the food tray to come, I read some in her life history book. I'm awed to think of the incredible pillar of faith and example she has been to so many people throughout her lifetime. Her writing style is so pleasant . ..just like she is. I find it quite appropriate that the title of her life history book is Life is Beautiful.

Yes, Grandma, life is beautiful. Because you make it so!

Good Things, Christmas Break Edition.

There are so many good things in life to enjoy! Here's just a few I've been enjoying recently . . .

-Red Robin Guacamole Bacon Burger and sweet potato fries.
-goofing off with Mom and Jen
-a new pair of slippers
-listening once more to John Mackey's Hymn to a Blue Hour
-getting a new nephew! Welcome to the family, Ethan Michael Steele!
-Eggnog. Mmm. Love that stuff!
-borrowing some of Heidi's cute clothes
-2 phone calls from Heidi within 2 weeks. Not bad at all. =)
-running. Well, it's more like jogging. But I'm enjoying it so far.
-beautiful weather
-rewatching The Help. Yup, it still makes me cry.
-reread of The Hunger Games (Thanks, Kerri, for letting me borrow them!)
-temple trip with Hannah.
-cheesy movies with the fam
-sleeping in. Mmm. And for that matter, staying up late.
-time to practice.
-the random video chats with my niece Sarah. What a doll!
-upcoming trip to the Bowl Game in Texas! (Yahoo!)
-free reign of the (soon to be in-tune) piano
-and of course, daily phone calls with Jacob! That's probably up on the "absolutely-fantastic-just-about-makes-my-day" list.

If 2012 is full of things like this .. ..well then, bring it on! =)