Is it just me?

It's been far too long since I blogged last!
I need to get this off my chest..and the only way to do it is to write...

I'm not sure if I'm still adjusting..but, I'm saddened by the state of things.
I find that people are "friends" to each other's faces, but then the second one
turns around, the worst and most condescending words are said.
I feel every day I encounter someone who is either judging too harshly,
or they're worried about being judged.
I feel as if no one gives the benefit of the doubt, and are too quick to
jump to the worst conclusion about another person.
To me..it seems that everyone is on board with the concept of "We're all God's children"
until it really counts. Everyone likes the idea that they're God's child, and that they're not perfect,
so heaven forbid they be judged...
but the very same person never takes a moment and consideration that everyone
else is God's child, as well. It appears that everyone loves to throw out that yes, indeed, they
are not perfect, and a bag load of reasons why it's okay for them to judge, lie, and back bite.
Like I said, maybe I still have rose colored glasses on, and I expect too much from the human race (especially Christians), or maybe I'm finally seeing a reality that I neglected to see 2 years ago..

If we all, will take time to understand that we're not the only person in the world who is allowed
to make a mistake, LIFE WILL BE MUCH EASIER. FOR EVERYONE.
Because, we're all going through something...so smile, and be nice.

IT'S TIME!!

I'm not going to lie. 

October is here, and I'm freaking out.

Why? 

Because, it's time to start my mission papers!

Guys, this is real life. 

No jokes. 

This is it. 

I'm making the next big step in my life,

 in just a few days! 

I plan on meeting with my bishop this 

Sunday to get started. 

It's all just real now. 

Instead of saying "I'm planning on a mission" 

I can now say

"I'm going on a mission!"

I've had several moments of 

"holy crud. It's here. It's here already!"

Kind of like those moments you have to 

remind yourself that you're an adult.

Don't get me wrong, 

although I'm freaking out, 

I'm super excited!

I can't believe I'll have this 

amazing opportunity!

It will be the best 18 months of my life. 

I already know it. 

I just have to get there without 

anymore freak outs!

Thankfully, I have my mom, 

and a few RM friends that talk me through it.

And thankfully I have friends who are out

 in the field right now, 

who I can write to and ask all 

the dumb questions.

Like, "How long do you have to

 get ready for the day?" 

(Yeah, I know. I'm such a girl. 

I worry about that stuff, okay!)

And what kind of shoes works best?

And blah blah blah. 

IT'S HERE YOU GUYS!! 

For the girls (:

Some of the things I've learned during my years of dating. 

Mostly, my opinions and beliefs, 

but...it's applied to many situations.

First, if you would not want a son exactly like him,

 then why waste your time?

When meeting a guy, you'll more than 

likely start to text each other. 

Because that's how today's 

dating world works.

If he asks you things, or talks about 

things that he would not 

say in person,

either have the guts to call

 him on it and then drop that relationship 

like a bad habit.

Or, just drop it like a bad habit. 

A man who does not respect your privacy, 

or his own for that matter, 

is not a man, and is immature. 

But, if things go well, and he wants to get together...

Do not accept "hanging out" as a date. 

Especially, if it will be your first time getting together. 

It's important to go in to public with the him,

 to see how he treats others.

It's a good idea to go to dinner, 

and notice how he treats the servers/other customers. 

Of course he's treating you well, he likes you...

And of course, the age old rule. 

Never, NEVER kiss on the first date. 

The first date is designated for getting to know 

each other better, and see

if the other person is 

even worth your time. 

Why muddle those decisions with

such complications? 

Uhh no thank you. 

And, you don't want him getting the wrong idea. 

You're not a..

On that note, if he even tries to kiss you on the first date, 

probably not the right guy for ya. 

Of course, some situations are the acception. 

-He's Just Not That Into You

Honestly, just watch this movie. It's pretty great.

But, isn't that line completely true?

Stop wasting your time trying to get a guy 

to ask you out, like you,

pay attention to you.

He doesn't notice, and it only makes you look desperate. 

Last but not least...

Confidence is 

SEXY. GORGEOUS. BEAUTIFUL. 

Be nothing but, confident. 

Watch this link. Ashton Kutcher will tell ya what's up. (:

That is all.

One Last Fam Vaca!

We went on one last Family Vacation before I start my mission papers, and leave! 

We went to 

aaaand the 

We had a blast! 

We went to the fair on friday,  

and Lagoon on Saturday. 

At the fair we were able to get a picture with

Ma and Dad in front of the building they met at (:

The Boot Boogy!

Adorbs.

Also, we saw a ton of Carnies.

So that was entertaining.

Lagoon was awesome! 

It started to rain a couple hours into the day,

everyone started to leave.

But, who were the die hards who wouldn't go home?

That's right.

US!

With everyone leaving, we walked right on to rides!

It was the best. 

 We played some games and Wy won me this beaut...

It's so fluffy!!

Aaaand I won this tiny little thing...

We had so much fun (: 

I am very grateful for the opportunity to go on one last Vacation with

my wonderful family!! 

Just calm down.

Today, I was thinking...

Uh oh, I know.

I was remembering something I saw on the 

internet a few years back, 

it said something like...

"Chivalry is gone because some women like doors 

being held open for them, 

but then others will freak and feel offended if 

a door is held open for them. 

So, now guys don't know what the crap to do. 

They can't win."

Well. This was my thought...and this goes for guys and girls..

Instead of trying to base what you do 

around the girl/guy you're

liking at the moment, 

just do what you do, 

and when you find 

someone who likes that, 

BAM. 

There you go. 

Meant to be. 

I just see so many people plotting and scheming on how to get

a guy/girl to like them. 

It really drives me insane!

Just be yourself, 

love life, 

and just sit back and enjoy the ride!

Another thing, you don't have to have a 

significant other to be 'happy'.

It's a mind set. 

Either you choose to be happy, 

or you choose to be miserable. 

I'm just so sick of everyone's lives revolving 

around finding 'the one'.

Honestly, the best things come when you're not looking.

I'm proud of where I live. Deal with it.

Today, at Cal Ranch I was checking out a customer at the Cash-wrap. They were ignoring my existence and talking amongst themselves.
I could tell they were mother and daughter. The daughter was looking for a place to live, and she told her mother "There's one up in Santa Clara...but.." and her mother replies "oh, the 'bad' place".
Being a native Santa Clara girl, I had to bite my lip pretty hard not to say anything. Trust me, if I wasn't at work, I would've.

What I'm trying to say here, is, STOP freaking dissing Santa Clara!
I've been raised in Santa Clara since I was a year old. I've loved every minute of it. What kills me is people tell me they think Santa Clara people are snobby, snotty, arrogant, rude, etc etc etc. Then, I tell them that I'm from Santa Clara, and how quickly they change their story!
They say "Oh, well not ALL of them are that way..."
And I so badly want to say "Oh, because you know every single person who lives in Santa Clara? Right. Of course."
The funny thing is, because I have been raised in Santa Clara, I've actually been taught to not be all of those things that people so easily accuse us of being. I've been taught to be kind, caring, charitable, loving. To treat strangers as an automatic friend. To just be freaking nice!

Granted, yes. I will jokingly say "ew Ivins.." or "Ew Hurricane..". But crap!
Both towns are great places to live!

What I'm saying here is, stop dissing on places you've never lived.
And by 'lived', I mean actually put forth effort to experience what it's like to live there.
I'm sick of the close-minded judgements.
Just STAHP.

K, that's all.

Chance Slaymaker. Rest In Peace.

My heart hurts.

My cousin, Chance Slaymaker.
He took his own life on August 1st, 2013.
Chance was only 14.
My brother's age.

I'm not sure what to write.
I'm still having trouble comprehending that this is real.
I really don't want to believe it.
In my head it's all a cruel joke.
But, I know it's not.

All I want to say is,
Chance, we miss you terribly.
Our hearts are broken.
I hope and pray you're happier on the other side.
Give everyone up there a big hug, from all of us.
I love you Chance. We all do.