Monday, August 16, 2010

Panoramic View

French: "Je ne sais pas quoi faire de ces sentiments" English: "I don't know what to do about this feeling."-photo by Michelle Rivas



It all started when I saw Eat Pray Love this past Saturday evening with Lauren. You see I already suffer enough from this disease called wanderlust, now it just makes me itch even more. I don't know how to satisfy this craving. Reading, watching documentaries, pondering, talking, only does so much to ease the mind for the time being. I don't know what to do about this feeling.

Sure I am trying to do an internship to Disneyworld this winter. Sure I am planning on teaching English to kids in China. Sure I am already starting to research a spiritual journey to India to learn more deeply about meditation (Not switching to any other religion! I love being LDS and I am staying that way; I just like researching other religious aspects to be a more rounded and devoted Latter-Day-Saint. Believe me it is not for all people to look at other religions, you will get confused. I observe them to learn how to be closer to God in my religion-like meditation by Buddhists for example).

Here I sit with this intruding question on how just exactly I will get to this moment of absorbing the magical locales of mysterious spots of the world into my brain through my eyes, when my mind started to highlight different wondering thoughts to make a rough draft of a route.

First, I want a word. Call me cliche, a follower, but it is true I want a word that describes me completely. A mantra, if you will. In the yogic tradition a mantra is a Sanskrit word that has special powers to transform mind, body and spirit. Translated, mantra means, “that which when reflected upon gives liberation.” I need that word to say to remind me to be guided by my soul (mind, body and spirit in one) because lets face it I get side-tracked easily.

Second, I waste too much money on me any my everlasting wardrobe of clothes and house items. I am not going to lie, I actually love to save more than I spend, but I am still cutting down. Only buying sentiments that have a story with a pinch of eccentric elegance. I am going through all my things and then finding a family to give it to. I will save more, Even if it means to open a Swiss account to keep me from my habit of burning money. End of story.

Third, hope and pray that the economy will stop destroying itself. That we will stop destroying the economy. Our futures depend on this detail. I hate it. I hate depending on the corrupt to stop being so corrupt for any of us to reap the benefits of our hard work. You muffed it up, now we have to fix it. Thanks. Now only if my generation would stand for something. Why are people so afraid of being bold, of being courageous, of being something more then a techno robot following whoever sounds good. What happened to fighting for words with actual meaning? My generation has strong will and so much potential. If only we weren't easily persuaded by large groups we loose our identities in, and handsome ramblers at the podiums spewing words that rob power from us to put it in their pockets in exchange for the depleting dollar bill. They make millions off of feeding us their lies, and we gobble it up like starving zombies.

Fourth, map it out. This includes a map and a journal full of places to be visited, and intense networking. You can't get around unless you know someone. It is better fun to see the back roads only locals know about. When I travel I want to be engulfed in the secret beauties, not just tourist attractions.

Fifth, fall in love with someone who is infested with just as much wanderlust as I am and decorate our future house according to our travels. (Hey, I am a young lady.) Going with decorating according to my travels, I want to transfer what I see into some creative job I take on in life (besides being a mom). Yes, my travels will be for educational purposes as well as fulfilling life long dreams.

In the end, all I can do really is put it in God's hands. I have a plan, but He ultimately will help me achieve this. I will work hard, I just need His help to give me the resources. I will meditate and read until the day I die to help me embrace and love the beauty even more-to make it a personal salvation in a way.

Now that I have mentioned LOVE, I want to talk about it. I think it the English language constricts our ability to express. It is simply pathetic that we have one word to describe all the dimensions of LOVE. We have to use the same word when identifying our love for someone and love for our favorite afternoon snack. Those are not the same level of LOVE, yet we only have one word to describe it all. Don't get me wrong I love the word LOVE, it is tres passionate. I just wish we could demonstrate with our vocabulary all the various angles of the word LOVE.

Monday, August 9, 2010

"There once was a very lovley, very frightened girl."

If you are feeling a little low in the self esteem department here is some advice:

What would Aubrey [Hepburn] do?
1. Wear mascara
2. Stand up straight
3. Get your clothes tailored
4. Lower your voice
5. When in doubt, love
6. Be generous
7. Don't kiss and tell
8. Forgive
9. Turn around and check your reflection in the mirror before you leave
10. Smile


This is not the only way you can be beautiful. Remember this little fact when you look in the mirror and smile at that reflection shining back at you: you are a daughter [or son] of God and you are His greatest creation, His most beautiful creation, the creation He was most proud to make. You are the best thing on this Earth. As you think of the magnificent birthright you posses, then you will have the courage to take on the world today, I promise.

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Peek-a-boo

I have to record all my firsts on this blog. So please take my hand as I relinquish some of these memories for the public eye to see.

If you ever go to Idaho, I recommend eating at this place. They make a mean sandwich. I had my first one three or so weeks back at Mehallow (of course I don't know the exact spelling) with my good friend Christina after the Best Of show on campus. Side note: This show is the one that set off me actually taking action of my obsession of volunteering at every major show next semester.

I dressed up for my first murder mystery party that I helped decorate for (it was a good bargain, five hours of my time for yards of fabric that Todd did not want anymore-mumu here I come!)

Did you know I went to Yellowstone and recieved some major bruising and got to see Ol' Faithful? Well guess what, I did (even though my family likes to not believe me). Look here is the proof fam!
^I circled the spots we jumped off of
^walk along the side of the cliff/mountain and...^JUMP! (that is not any of us who went. I know, I know slightely creepy but how else was I supposed to show everyone what we did? I had no other options!)
^Hello Ol' Faithful!

My first year of college is officially over! I am a sophomore, hear me roar!

^The best roommates I had yet! (First and last picture of us three together being unmarried!)

I went rock climbing in a gym for the first time with Russell and Rob. I went bouldering and got my first "flappers"-peeled skin that flaps around on your fingers.

Was a bride's maid for the first and hopefully not the last time! Amanda Roundy is now Amanda Lynn Peterson! It makes me happy and she was a beautiful bride. Congratulations Eric and Amanda, may your life be prosperous and full of eternal love!

^This is my art, my calling, and yes you can call me to do art on your face too. It was my first time doing make up for a wedding! I helped enhance Amanda's beauty and some of the bride's maids. It was also my first time mass producing flowers for hair. I made 18 of them (the ones that I am wearing were in every person's hair in the bridal party.)
^Yum yum, beautiful cake!
^ This is our classic pose :]

I experienced Jump Street for the first time. Rob and Russell have been going there religiously for quiet some time, and decided to share this room full of trampolines with Kelsey and I. I landed my first front flip, but failed with my back flips...
^ Our Asian meditation pose mid-air-fail...

I recently have learned to be grateful for feet. They are very important! And when you can only scruff along with one leg (yes I am having a Lil' Brudder week) you realize that they are not gross but the best part of your body HA. Do not fear, I did not loose my foot, it is just temporarily out of order due to a quick fix.

Thank you for taking this time to know my life better, you may now exit. But before you go please take the time and listen to Fruit Jam by Leah Nobel. Embrace it and love it. Kthanksbye.