Yesterday, I was working from home. I was sitting at my desk in my bedroom, and unfortunately, I was really mad at some people. And I really wanted to let it go. I wanted to forgive and be happy and love. But it just was not happening. I was mad. I felt that they had wronged me and I felt hurt.

I was listening to my Les Miserables pandora station, and I was singing along and loving it, but some songs that were coming on were about people being angry, and I just couldn't handle any more anger, so I scrolled through my many pandora stations to look for something a little more peaceful. I decided on my Mormon Tabernacle Choir station. Now, I love being at church and singing hymns, a whole lot, but honestly, sometimes listening to church-type songs is not the most exciting thing to me. I love the gospel and I love music, but I guess I'm just picky about what music I like to listen to.

However, listening to church music was really wonderful this time. I had been working for a few hours with this music playing, and I suddenly realized that the music had really brought the spirit into my room. I felt so much peace and hope. And although I still felt mad, I felt like I would be able to forgive. I started looking at the situation that had upset me more objectively. It was really a wonderful thing.

I guess I just wanted to say that music about Christ and his life and his gospel and about things that are uplifting can really bring the spirit. I know it.

If you have any questions about what I believe, visit the http://mormon.org/ website. I love it!

Snow

I just think snow is a most wonderful thing!

I know lots of people grumble over its existence, but I definitely don't. It's like a piece of heaven floating down from the sky. It's beautiful and peaceful. I love how it gets all sparkly and bright. I love the night sky when it's snowing or about to snow. I love the crunchy sound that snow makes when you walk on it. We haven't had much snow this year. But it's snowing today, and it makes me happy!

I should probably celebrate it while we have it: perhaps tonight calls for some sledding.

Missing

How can I just be going along with life pretty normally and then boom! I miss tons of people--not just one or two people, no, like 80 people?

Ok, maybe not quite that many. But it is a little disorienting and it's so many people (right now I can think of 12). It's such strong missing that I want to make anything happen in order to see these people, but since they live in at least five different places (that I can think of right now), it kind of makes it difficult. Oh well, I guess I'll have to visit some of them and make do with phone calls or other communication with others. Maybe I should send them cards! Hmm, that's always fun.

Highlights of 2011

So, yes, I may possibly be a month and half late on writing this post, but I still wanted to write about the wonderful things of 2011. It was a pretty great year, a bit challenging, but the challenges taught me a lot. Some things that I always want to remember from 2011 are

• I was hired at Western Governor's University as an editor. I am loving it.
• Lauren, Jordan, and I went to Alaska and stayed with Lauren's family. We went dog sledding, went to Micaley's school musical, and did tons of other fun things!
• I bought my car, Ronald.
• Jordan, Lauren, Tyler H, and I went to the health and healing expo.
• I helped Kaylee move back home for the summer. My car was so full! It was hilarious.
• Lauren and I had a summer of veggies. We did a CSA through Bell Organic Farms, so every week we had tons of veggies and were able to try new veggies. It was delightful.
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
• Jackson Hole is always the best. Lauren L came with us for the first few days. We went to the figure 8/demolition derby one of the nights, and it was so, so fun. One of the best nights of the year. Nick, Kaylee, Lauren, and I all would choose which car we wanted to win the round, and then we'd cheer them on. I think Nick was the champion. We also went on lovely hikes.
• Tim McGraw concert,
• Josh Groban concert of loveliness. I went with my mom, and it was amazing! Josh's voice is beautiful, and he's kind of hilarious. His opening act was really cool too. I don't remember his name, but he played the piano in a new way.
• Lava, Kaylee, Nick, and I went to the aquarium kind of as a final party before Kaylee left for school again. It was really fun.
• Lauren and I went paragliding.
• I ate very healthily and learned more about natural health, which I love.
• I went to St. Louis to visit my friend Tasha. She showed me around, we ate tons of delicious food, and we just enjoyed hanging out with each other. Love her!
• Oh! and that was my first time traveling alone both ways of the trip. I left out of and came into Provo airport. It is so tiny and cute.
• Halloween was fun. I was little red riding hood and my roommates and I went to our multi-ward dance.
• The holidays went by so fast. I didn't quite get to do everything I wanted to, but there is always next year, aka this year!

I know there are more things, and so this list may grow as I remember them. This year is going to have a lot of changes, but it's going to be good!

My Nana always makes up rhymes for each year. I haven't heard what it is this year, but I'm going to say that my rhyme for the year is Improve and Enjoy Myself in 2012. It doesn't quite rhyme, and it's a bit wieldy, but that's what it is.

p.s. I forget how much I really love lists until I write one again. I just love them.

Art!

Do I love summer?

Yes, I definitely do!

This weekend I went to the Utah Arts Festival. It was so fun! I love seeing the amazing talented things that people can do. I watched a jazz band, a folk singer, and a magician. I overheard a poetry slam and a rock-ish band. Right now I especially love art that is made out of unique materials, and there were some amazing things at the festival.

This past year, I have felt the need to be creative so much more than other recent years. I have been writing and singing and inventing and creating. I know that most people will probably never hear or see what I create, but that doesn't mean that I should stop creating. Creating makes me happy and helps me help some of the people in my life. I made a bracelet for a friend, a floral arrangement for my mom, good food for friends and family. Being creative in my own ways is who I am, and I think that being true to myself is important. It helps me be a better me! Seeing the beautiful art at the Arts Festival just reminded me about my own creativity.