Life Lessons Learned

The following is a glimpse of things I learned from my internship this summer.

1. Patience is a virtue.

2. People aren't always what they seem.

3. You should always take opportunities that are placed in front of you--even if you aren't certain why.

4. Double- and triple-checking is a good thing.

5. Repetition is one of the keys to learning.

6. Friends come in all shapes, sizes and ages. And they all have something to teach you.

7. Trust is gained through time. But is vital.

8. Points and pica's are different things, but 1 of each of them is the most common.

9. We all make mistakes; luckily there is a way to fix them.

10. Normal things don't make the news.

11. Anxiety attacks are controllable with hard work and determination.

12. Honesty is the best policy. Always.

13. (801) is not correct. 801- is.

14. "10 p.m. tonight" is redundant.

15. The Standard-Examiner has 2 sections: One for Davis and one for Ogden. Both have different stories.

16. The oil spill went on far too long.

17. President Obama takes too many vacations for the leader of our country.

18. There are too many corrupt people in this world--Especially our government.

19. Paper airplanes made out of "newspaper proofs" paper fly very far.

20. "Dinosaurs" may tell dumb jokes, but they have a lot to teach in regards to life.

Today was my last day at my internship. It was bittersweet. Obviously I learned a lot more than this short list. I only hope I can remember everything, as well as the friends I made, forever. I am so grateful for the wonderful opportunity I had to work there. I will have to tell you more about it later.

When I'm not too sad to talk about it.

A Sad Story ... With A Happy Ending

Once upon a time ... on Saturday ... my sister told me my camera wouldn't turn on.

"What?" I said. "It just worked on my trip to Yellowstone! Maybe it is just the battery."

I immediately turned to plug in my battery. I didn't think the battery was dead, but I had to give it a try.

Meanwhile, I thought back to the last times I used my camera.

I recently returned from a trip to Yellowstone and Jackson Hole. It was a spur-of-the-moment, let's take a weekend vaca because I have been so flipping busy this summer, trip. My sister and I went.

I loved it! I took pictures of Old Faithful, Buffalo, waterfalls, my sister and boiling water.

Oh, and a Montana restaurant that hold special memories for my family.

We went swimming. We walked in the rain. We even found the waterfall that our friend almost fell in to!

We walked around Jackson Hole. I remembered the last time I was there, with college friends!

We talked. I told my sister secrets. She told me secrets. We laughed.

And all the while, my camera was by my side.

With the battery plugged in, I left for work, trying to keep hope that my battery really was dead and my camera really was OK.

Unfortunately, I knew it really was broken. When I got home that night and put the fully charged battery into my camera, it still wouldn't work. I was heartbroken.

All day Sunday I couldn't stop thinking about it.

I need a camera. It is important to me. I don't have the money. But I need it for school.

The swirling continued throughout Sunday and into Monday.

I started researching and debating. I tried to ignore my need to get a camera. I went shopping for school. I ate dinner. And I decided that I was not going to get a camera.

I also decided that I wanted to go to Best Buy and look at the cameras I had been researching. I wasn't going to by anything though. Just look.

Well, at 7:30 p.m. on Monday night, I bought this.

I love it!

I don't even regret it.

I still miss my other camera. But this black beauty is perfect for my next vacation--my BIRTHDAY TRIP!!

And it has some amazing features.

So while I was severely depressed that my camera died, all is right in the world now. Long live this camera.

And may we all live happily ever after.

The end.

Fish ... or something else

I started this blog as a place where all of the words that swim around inside my head can be released (or caught, I guess, since we're kind of talking about fish ... er ... just go with me).

That having been said, I have to be in the mood to to blog. There has to be something I am thinking about in order for me to write. And it has to be something worth posting here.

I had an anonymous reader once ask me to send him/her my drafts. I thought long and hard about that. But I couldn't bring myself to do it. For two reasons.

1. How could I remain anonymous if I were sending someone something via e-mail?
2. There was a reason I didn't post the drafts in the first place. I felt hypocritical e-mailing them.

This past week I have been traveling, working, puking and sleeping. All thoughts and emotions, though definitely there (and often sitting--against my will--on my shirt sleeve (who came up with that saying anyway)), have not been worth mentioning on this blog. I have felt neither the desire to share my deepest, darkest sufferings (Anguish, joy? Pick an emotion, I am sure I felt it) nor the desire to face your input on my feelings. In fact, I dreaded what you would surely say to me.

Thus, my blog went untouched.

I didn't even try to post something.

Until now.

I'm not going to post about all of afore mentioned things. The time is still not right for that.

But I feel the need to blog.

I don't really know what to say--what I am going to say--but my fingers are typing. Someone needs to hear my words.

Me?

Right now I am at work. I am sick to my stomach. I haven't eaten in a while and I am sitting alone. I have a party that I have to go to when I leave here and I am (if I might say) looking exceptionally cute in my blue top and curly hair. I forgot my jewelry and my jacket, so I feel a bit cold and naked.

But I am OK.

I want so desperately for you to know that despite everything that happened this week, I will wake up tomorrow and I will continue moving forward.

Do tragic things happen?

Yes.

Am I hurting right now?

Definitely.

But tomorrow is another day. I have family and friends who love me. I have goals and hopes and dreams. And even the darkest nights--the worst nightmares--end.

Today I woke up with a new sense of confidence. I pray that it will last as I weather the storms that frequent my life.

I also pray for you. I know there are storms in your life too. Don't falter. Be strong. Stay true to who you are. Always remember that each decision you make holds eternal consequences--for good or bad. Sometimes I forget. Sometimes I think you forget, too.

Think before you speak; before you say something hurtful. You will regret it. I always do.

Don't worry so much. It will all work out.

Right now, I don't feel like anything is every going to work out. I hurt. I'm sad and angry.

But I digress.

I'm OK. And tomorrow is another day.

Bring it on, baby.

Bring it on.

P.S. Stay tuned for an upcoming post about the vacation I mentioned earlier in this post. It's full of driving, rain, crappy hotels, and Buffalo!

Dear Unknown Number...Again;

Next time I answer the phone, please do more than shuffle/breathe/wait and hang up.

Or (as I said last time) STOP CALLING!!

You called me during work ... I actually answered ... And YOU didn't even have the decency to talk to me.

Um ... Need I remind you, that you were the one who called me!

If you don't want to talk to me, then here's an idea ... DON'T CALL ME!!!!

If you can't tell, I'm not happy about this.

Sincerely,

Frustrated Me

Musings

A year ago today was one of the best days of my life. Eleven months ago today was one of the worst.

School starts in 30 days. I am oddly excited.

My brother has a fever. And a cough. I want to catch it so I can call in sick to work.

I am going to grow my hair out. I have decided that. Although I think I am going to keep the bangs.

I am watching a show about paper folding. Wow. Some people have way too much free time.

Immigration debate? I am sick of hearing about it. I am also sick of democrats and republicans. Why can't people just get along.

Hillary Clinton got married today. To her long-time boyfriend. Whom she lives with. If a couple already acts married, why does everyone make a big deal about them getting married?

My scalp itches underneath my French braids.

I have to work tomorrow. I hate working on Sundays. I also hate the fact that I have to work seven days straight before I get a day off.

I feel like parents tell you what they think you want to hear. Why don't they understand that I just want the truth?

I also want to go to the circus for my birthday. Does anyone else find it sad that I have asked for it every year since I was little... but have never got it?

I love Les Miserables.

I feel bad when I post random posts like this one. I know you want to read something more interesting than this. There are just days that I need to empty my mind before I can go to sleep.

I need to start going to sleep earlier.

My hand hurts. I also spent the day freezing cold. It is winter at my work all year long.

Once upon a time I had a pet duck. I really want another one.

Tonight my mind is racing. The colors and words and paragraphs are flying around the crevices and I can't seem to stop everything. It would take me hours to write all the words.

I want to go back.

I want to go forward.

I don't want to be here anymore.

I cried. I took a bath. I ate chocolate. I cried. I cry. I ramble. I wish. I pray. I hope. I hate. I hate me.

Dear reader,

If you have got this far, I apologize. There is no rhyme or reason for this post. My fingers are just typing what my heart wants to say... what my mouth can't find the words for. It doesn't help that I am completely alone.

Isn't it exciting to think it is going to be winter soon? Christmas is coming! And snow!

My birthday is also coming. That makes me sick, though. I hate that I am getting so old.

Right now I wish I could travel back in time. Just for a day. There are things that I want to do.

I am going to say goodbye now. And hopefully I will find something more profound... and more eloquent to say tomorrow.