So, I got this idea from my friend JilliAnne. I thought it would be fun to list some of the things I want to do in my life. These include goals and ambitions as well as things that I think would just be amazing to do. I think making lists like this really show what kind of person you are. What kind of person do you think I am?...
1. Travel! To see the castles of Germany and France, the Louvre, climb the Eiffel Tower, walk down Champs Elysee, visit Versailles, the landscape and greenery of Ireland, the Coliseum in Rome, Sistine chapel... you get the idea.
2. Grow an amazing garden- all colors of roses, purple and white orchids, violets, forget-me-nots, geraniums, tulips. And to have a bench swing or a little white bench. And a beautiful white arch, a brick pathway, and a little fish pond.
3. Be on Jeopardy! Winning would be out of this world too.
4. Host a truly classy black and white "mocktail" party of sorts. An actual elegant party.
5. Read some more of the classics including, but not limited to: Anne of Green Gables, Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde, Frankenstein, East of Eden (this is next on the list after I read Peter Pan!), Emma, Tale of Two Cities, etc.
6. Make my own dresses- I want to sew dresses that I'll love, that fit wonderfully, and that I can say "I made that!"
7. Learn how to cross-stitch. Not typically one for crafts like that, but I think cross-stitching can make very beautiful pictures.
8. Go rock climbing. I'm scared to do it with people who are really good at it b/c it's pretty intimidating, but I'm determined to do it!
9. Graduate. This is in sight... so close. Just give me that piece of paper that says I know stuff.
10. Cancer research. Put me nerdy love of science to good use. It's a fascinating area of research and it's one of the most valuable areas of research I feel one could go into.
11. Go to a concert of one of my favorite artists- Evanescence, Coldplay, Secondhand Serenade, Goo Goo Dolls...
12. Own a nice, yet modest home.
13. Play another musical instrument- I play piano, but I'd like to try my hand at either acoustic guitar, drums, or violin... something that doesn't require good breathing techniques.
14. Get better and more involoved in photography.
15. Work with wood- I want to build things, like tables or other productive yet beautiful pieces.
16. Write a book- I've always loved writing, and I think I'm pretty good at it. I used to write down all sorts of ideas I had for stories/novels. Uusally fantasy or mystery. I would love to actually do it someday.
17. Improve/develop painting skills- I love love love, landscape art and would love to be able to do it myself.
18. Last, but certainly not least, to find someone who wants to take me to the temple and to raise a family with.
So there you have it. That's what I want to accomplish in my life. Maybe not the most exciting things, but hey, that's me. So, what do you think?
Friday, February 27, 2009
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Special Valentine's Day Thoughts
So, on this Valentine's Day holiday I thought I would write a special blog. I shall introduce you to my own thoughts about love while also giving my opinion on the whole dating scene, with special attention to life out here in Provo as a BYU student
Let me ask you this, do you find a difference between the two phrases, "I'm falling in love" and "I'm in love"? It's been my experience that most people do not differentiate between the two. I find this a crucial flaw in one's perception of love. The word 'falling' is an active participle... meaning you are actively falling in love, but also that you have not quite reached the level of actually BEING in love. There is also a difference between love and infatuation. This seems pretty obvious off hand, but I think infatuation is too often mistaken for love. Infatuation is usually short-lived and isn't a deep feeling, though it may feel like it is. It's just a crush. Crushes are something you have on people you don't really know, as in REALLY know. You don't really know someone until you see their flaws and shortcomings, which everbody has. When you have a crush on someone, that individual seems flawless; that may be why you seem to be so attracted to them. I quote Robin Williams in the movie Good Will Hunting: "You're not perfect sport, and let me save you the suspense, this girl you've met she's not perfect either. But the question is whether or not you're perfect for each other." Especially her at BYU I think too many people rush into marriage thinking because they're "in love" life will be peaches and cream. For those unfamiliar with the BYU stereotype (which I've seen supported in many instances) the joke is people get engaged after only dating for like a week. I don't get that. I don't think you can honestly say you love someone so quickly. You haven't had enough time to get through the "falling in love" process to reach the ultimate. Marriage is a very sacred, special union between two people. It should not be taken lightly. It's not just "the next step" or something you do because you're having so much fun with this person. Marriage is the new and everlasting covenant. I think that because of all the talk and pressure of dating out here too often do you find people, especially girls, who think of nothing else but finding Mr. Right. They're already planning their wedding. That just indicates another mistake to me... so many girls are wanting a wedding, not a marriage. They don't seem to realize that they'll be with this person for the long haul, through the best of times and the worst of times. They're in love with the idea... not necessarily the man (or woman in the guys' case). This is of course a generalization; I don't mean to say nobody know what they're doing when they get married. That would be unfair.
Now, let me say this is not meant to be a bitter or cynical blog. In fact, I think it's quite the opposite. I'm trying to express how I hold love and marriage with the highest regards. It's because I respect marriage and love so much that I'm defending them against those who take them too lightly. I feel it is important to distinguish between our feelings of infatuation and those of true love. To me, being able to say "I love you" means you know that person, their flaws, quirks and special personality traits, their pet peeves, things they absolutely hate, their hobbies, and that person makes you want to be better. They respect you. They make you want to give your all and that by doing so you'll be the happiest you've ever been. Love means you put their happiness before your own, but the two usually coincide anyway. You make each other genuinely happy. Now, realize this is all coming from a girl who hasn't even been close to getting married. This is just my perception.
I think it is also important to recognize that there is no "one person". I now quote Sense and Sensibility, "It is bewitching the idea that one's happiness depends entirely on one person." When you can realize this you won't get so freaked out about "what if I miss him?" and "what if that was my only chance?" Also, we as ladies need to recognize that being single doesn't mean you're an incomplete person. In fact, you have to figure out who you are and become that complete person before you can find happiness with someone else. I hate the line from Jerry Magurie that says "You complete me." Absolutely ridiculous. A marriage is two whole people becoming one, not two halves making a whole.
Anyway, I think I've spoken my peace on the subject. As an end to my thoughts, I'd like to list just a few of my favorite love quotes. Happy Valentine's Day friends and family! Love you all!
"You don't love a woman because she is beautiful, but she is beautiful because you love her."- Anonymous
"Love is an irresistible desire, to be irresisitibly desired."- Robert Frost
"The greatest happiness in life is the conviction that we are loved- loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves."- Victor Hugo
"You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams."- Dr. Seuss
"Don't go for looks; they can deceive. Don't go for wealth; even that fades away. Go for someone who makes you smile because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright. Find the one who makes your heart smile."- Anonymous
"I love you not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you." - Roy Croft
"Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own."- Robert Heinlein
"Life has taught us that love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction."- Antoine de Saint-Exupery
"Love is friendship set on fire."- Jeremy Taylor
"Choose your love, love your choice."- Thomas S. Monson
"True love is not so much a matter of romance as it is a matter of anxious concern for the well being of one's companion."- Gordon B. Hinckley
Let me ask you this, do you find a difference between the two phrases, "I'm falling in love" and "I'm in love"? It's been my experience that most people do not differentiate between the two. I find this a crucial flaw in one's perception of love. The word 'falling' is an active participle... meaning you are actively falling in love, but also that you have not quite reached the level of actually BEING in love. There is also a difference between love and infatuation. This seems pretty obvious off hand, but I think infatuation is too often mistaken for love. Infatuation is usually short-lived and isn't a deep feeling, though it may feel like it is. It's just a crush. Crushes are something you have on people you don't really know, as in REALLY know. You don't really know someone until you see their flaws and shortcomings, which everbody has. When you have a crush on someone, that individual seems flawless; that may be why you seem to be so attracted to them. I quote Robin Williams in the movie Good Will Hunting: "You're not perfect sport, and let me save you the suspense, this girl you've met she's not perfect either. But the question is whether or not you're perfect for each other." Especially her at BYU I think too many people rush into marriage thinking because they're "in love" life will be peaches and cream. For those unfamiliar with the BYU stereotype (which I've seen supported in many instances) the joke is people get engaged after only dating for like a week. I don't get that. I don't think you can honestly say you love someone so quickly. You haven't had enough time to get through the "falling in love" process to reach the ultimate. Marriage is a very sacred, special union between two people. It should not be taken lightly. It's not just "the next step" or something you do because you're having so much fun with this person. Marriage is the new and everlasting covenant. I think that because of all the talk and pressure of dating out here too often do you find people, especially girls, who think of nothing else but finding Mr. Right. They're already planning their wedding. That just indicates another mistake to me... so many girls are wanting a wedding, not a marriage. They don't seem to realize that they'll be with this person for the long haul, through the best of times and the worst of times. They're in love with the idea... not necessarily the man (or woman in the guys' case). This is of course a generalization; I don't mean to say nobody know what they're doing when they get married. That would be unfair.
Now, let me say this is not meant to be a bitter or cynical blog. In fact, I think it's quite the opposite. I'm trying to express how I hold love and marriage with the highest regards. It's because I respect marriage and love so much that I'm defending them against those who take them too lightly. I feel it is important to distinguish between our feelings of infatuation and those of true love. To me, being able to say "I love you" means you know that person, their flaws, quirks and special personality traits, their pet peeves, things they absolutely hate, their hobbies, and that person makes you want to be better. They respect you. They make you want to give your all and that by doing so you'll be the happiest you've ever been. Love means you put their happiness before your own, but the two usually coincide anyway. You make each other genuinely happy. Now, realize this is all coming from a girl who hasn't even been close to getting married. This is just my perception.
I think it is also important to recognize that there is no "one person". I now quote Sense and Sensibility, "It is bewitching the idea that one's happiness depends entirely on one person." When you can realize this you won't get so freaked out about "what if I miss him?" and "what if that was my only chance?" Also, we as ladies need to recognize that being single doesn't mean you're an incomplete person. In fact, you have to figure out who you are and become that complete person before you can find happiness with someone else. I hate the line from Jerry Magurie that says "You complete me." Absolutely ridiculous. A marriage is two whole people becoming one, not two halves making a whole.
Anyway, I think I've spoken my peace on the subject. As an end to my thoughts, I'd like to list just a few of my favorite love quotes. Happy Valentine's Day friends and family! Love you all!
"You don't love a woman because she is beautiful, but she is beautiful because you love her."- Anonymous
"Love is an irresistible desire, to be irresisitibly desired."- Robert Frost
"The greatest happiness in life is the conviction that we are loved- loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves."- Victor Hugo
"You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams."- Dr. Seuss
"Don't go for looks; they can deceive. Don't go for wealth; even that fades away. Go for someone who makes you smile because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright. Find the one who makes your heart smile."- Anonymous
"I love you not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you." - Roy Croft
"Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own."- Robert Heinlein
"Life has taught us that love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction."- Antoine de Saint-Exupery
"Love is friendship set on fire."- Jeremy Taylor
"Choose your love, love your choice."- Thomas S. Monson
"True love is not so much a matter of romance as it is a matter of anxious concern for the well being of one's companion."- Gordon B. Hinckley
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
