seventeen in an island mood

 

This blogtember thing is hard. I feel like some of these posts aren't me and don't fit my blog. Todays prompt is to write a short story about a dinner part or something of that sorts. I don't feel like doing it and yesterday blogtember was skipped because, well, it was my birthday and you know how that goes.

Yesterday was the mark of the start of my year seventeen! Crazy stuff. I feel old. It was a good day. I have great friends and family that made yesterday fun. And let me tell you, my family's happy birthday song is prime. (actually, we try to sound like dying animals when we sing happy birthday. Its kinda fun.) I got this Ukulele from my family that I just adore. I mean, its yellow, and covered in pineapples. I also got a cake made out of money. I know.


I don't have much to write about today. Just that I really want to do HEFY this summer and am praying it works out.

Maybe it's the Ukulele, maybe its the possibility of going to Tonga or Fiji that is putting me in this island mood. I've never even been to an island. Now I want to watch Soul Surfer. Will somebody please teach me to surf?

Feel my Sunlight



p.s. Tomorrow is FRIDAY and I am really happy about that.

A trip through memory lane

I have been reminiscing on the past today scrolling through old posts. Here are some of my favorites. Take a look!!


            Lessons from our friends from across the pond

Kellogg's Tour of Gymnastics Champions 

I'm gonna make this place your home            

Blog Switch! (the time I took over Hannah's blog)  

 A semi-nerdy post about irony

100th post! 

      Deceived by the board

       Lets all take a minute                          

Feel my Sunlight 

p.s. Lovin life right now. Also, I have an obsession with leotards.

My Saturday epistle to the internet

I don't really know where this blog post is going this morning. So hold on and lets find out...

I leave to Missouri in less than three days. I am freaking out a little, but am super pumped at the same time. Does anyone know of anything fun to do, or good places to eat in Kansas City? We need some ideas. I'm ready to take over this town!

Now I must ask, who ordered this heat?! It's a little crazy. My summer is jam packed with awesome and it is just nearing the crazy. I can't wait. Basically all I'm going to be able to do when I'm at home is unpack, do laundry, and pack again. But I promise I will try to fit a blog post or two in there somewhere.

I came across a video that I just loved {It seems like I say that a lot...} and that I needed so much this week. So click play.

If any of you have ever been to EFY, or had an equivalent spiritual experience. You know that the week after is always the hardest. The week after is the hardest because you are suddenly separated from the people who became your family. You suddenly find yourself spending your time doing things other than church stuff. You are suddenly thrown back into the real world where a lack of virtue is accepted and encouraged. The adversary works hard to pull you down and to make you forget everything you just learned. Though you have made a significant change within yourself, you still look the same. It seems as if when you return home the world should change as well, yet the world continually tries to throw the same stuff in your face. We as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints must do everything we can to avoid the tactics of the adversary every day, and every second if we want to remain guiltless when we stand before our maker. And because we are all human, and we all make mistakes, our merciful God has provided a way. He has sent his son to atone for our sins so that if we repent, we might one day be able to return to live with our Father in heaven for eternity. We must remember that we are never alone.



Feel my Sunlight



p.s. Holy it is hot outside. Good thing I'm going to Missouri next week where the high for the week is 88 degrees! ha!

and of a good courage

This picture is the definition of team family

Sorry I've been absent lately, I have been quite busy since school got out. It has been fantastic and hasn't ceased to be awesome. My heart is full and I just have to say I absolutely love the people around me. My accomplishments from this week include crashing some random stakes fireside {#yoloswag}, a successful all nighter at the gym breaking my record for longest time spent at the gym with 16 hours and 47 minutes, as well as getting in and out of Wall Mart to buy athletic tape in under 5 minutes. I'm pretty sure that broke some kind of record or something.

Shout out to our missionary that went into the MTC yesterday. Good luck Stir Fry! You will do great things in Rome! Flipside will miss you!

I am so pumped about EFY next week that I can not even contain my excitement. I am also pumped for National Championships in 19 days!

The message I want to share with you can be summed up in these two clips. Please watch them both.

 I have learned that there are some things that are far more important than what kind of clothes you wear, what kind of car you drive, or how many people you know. Things like standing up for what you believe in even if you are the only one. Things like being a good friend and supportive team mate no matter how hard it becomes. 

This last week I had a small experience that took a little bravery. I was at the gym sleepover and I knew I hadn't read my scriptures and that they were waiting in my bag. I knew I had to read them, but also knew that that would mean leaving the group games we were playing and explaining why I was going upstairs all by myself. It wasn't too hard, but it took a little bit of courage. I am so thankful that I had that faith to do it even though it was hard. I encourage you to take that leap of faith in your life to step out of your comfort zone to become a little better and to be a better example and a better friend.

          Be strong           

          and of a good courage;        

                 be not afraid,                        

                  neither be thou dismayed:                

                for the Lord thy God          

        is with thee                     

                whithersoever thou goest.       

                  -Joshua 1:9

Feel my Sunlight

p.s. I promise I will post more often this summer!

I have learned

I’m not sure where this post is going to go so I guess we will just flow with it and see where it ends up. It has been a nonstop party for the last three days and I have had a lot to think about. Last night I had a talk with an old friend. I had had a talk with this same friend exactly a year before, the subject the same, but the circumstances very different. We learned this year that the world hits us and it hits hard. We learned that things aren’t always what we think and that we are stronger than we previously thought.

I learned over this last year that my world doesn’t float on a cloud and that that cloud thought I was floating on wasn’t a cloud at all, but a deceiving mist that would soon bring a reality check. I learned that boys aren’t needed to be happy, in fact, they sometimes make you very unhappy. I learned to ignore the taunting about being a part of the VLs and never have been on a date. I learned to accept the fact that the world doesn’t always bring a piece of cake; sometimes it brings a table spoon of “grape” flavored medicine. While this medicine may not taste remotely of grapes, but the tears of small children, it is the only thing that will make you better.  It is the only thing that will make you stronger, and we could all use a little more strength to face the world. I learned that sometimes people are put into your lives for a reason, and sometimes they are taken out of our lives for another reason. I learned that having fewer friends makes you appreciate the ones you do have much more. I learned that sometimes the greatest friendships only last a week, yet still last a lifetime. I learned that there is a lot more to life than the pictures you post on Facebook and that the things people pin on Pinterest are both unrealistic and unattainable, and that they certainly don’t matter in the long run. Because the things that actually matter in life aren’t things that you pin. They are things that you feel. I learned this year that you don’t go to parties to be more popular, you go to parties to strengthen your relationships with the people in your life. I learned that a party can be 5 girls in pajamas in the morning. I learned that people aren’t always who you think they are and sometimes their actions will surprise you. I learned that sometimes people are kind and sometimes the world is good, and that sometimes people are EXTREMELY kind and sometimes the world is EXTREMELY good. I learned that blogging is a very good way to get things off my chest. I learned that while I may not be the greatest singer, and that nobody would ever want to buy my album, I should sing anyways. I learned that guitars can be the most comforting when used correctly. I learned that country music and sunshine make everything feel all right. I learned that fake isn’t fun and that rude isn’t respectable.  I learned to accept the fact that not everyone feels the same as I do and that it isn’t worth it to try to impress everyone. I learned that the things I want the most are things the world would laugh at. I have had my worst days, and I have had my greatest days. While I learned many things this year, the thing I learned about the most is that the greatest work we could do is the work of our Father in Heaven. We have a great responsibility. Let’s get to work.

Feel my Sunlight

p.s. Sorry it has been a few days, like I said, I have been partying hard. Have a fantastic summer!

p.s.s Notice how nothing In this post has anything to do with Columbus or radical numbers? Just saying.

p.s.s.s. I am in a fantastic mood, and have been for three days. Please don't rain on my parade.

actually Friday

{This is me pretending to be table legs. I'm supper cool guys, don't worrie!}

Today my callender says Wednesday, but it is actually Friday, since it is the last day I have to come to school this week. Yay for Regional Championships! I leave tonight after work and it couldn't come sooner. The bags are packed and sitting in my bedroom.

I. can't. wait.

I don't have much else to share, expect many posts this weekend. Thanks so much to everyone who reads! I love you all.


PEACE!



Feel my Sunlight



p.s. Twitter and Facebook are both boring right now.

p.s.s. Why is the school so freezing today?

snaps and claps

Look at this people! Third blog post in TWO DAYS! I am on a roll! Please check out my fundraiser post! I would love your help if you live near me. Y'all are the greatest.

So can anyone guess where I am? That's right! Computer tech! My teacher just turned off the "internet" little does she know that blogger still works. {muahaha} So I am blogging. She says we have to do extra credit when we are done. I'm sorry, but I refuse... I already have an A. {I know, I know, I am a terrible student.}

So it is Wednesday. Sadly, it isn't Friday yet, but we are getting there. Endure to the end my friends. I can't wait for the weekend to come, why is it so far away? I will stop there so I don't make any of you cry.

I have spent my time in class scrolling through the pictures of blue lily photo at http://bluelily.squarespace.com/. These guys are pro and I can't get over how great they are. I have tried to mimic their photography as of late and my photography teacher keeps marking me down saying "your pictures are too light." Well teacher, all I have to say is "feel my sunlight". {See what I did there?}

I don't really know where this post is going. I guess I will leave you with my favorite poem. Last year I was known for always presenting tumbling powems in theatre. I love them and this was my favorite.

Patience is man’s greatest virtue
Or so the saying goes,
A gymnast must have said it,
For a gymnast surely knows.

 

That in this funny sport of ours
Discouragement runs high,
And at times the very best
Will find the virtue’s passed her by.

 

When hands are ripped and throbbing
And every muscle sore
Can a gymnast still have patience
To limp back in for more.

 

Can you admit you’re frightened
Yet not give into fears
Can you conquer pain, frustrations
And often even tears.

 

When someone else does something
You’ve tried so long to do
Can you feel really glad for her
And not just pity you.

 

When you’ve lost old moves
You used to do
And progress seems so slow
Can you still have faith in better days
And not feel so sad and low.

 

And when success seems so far away
Your efforts all in vain
Can you force yourself to wear a smile
And disregard the pain.

 

If despite these tribulations
You can say, “I won’t give in”
Someday you will discover
That it’s now your turn to WIN.

 

--Unknown

 

 

Snaps and claps people, snaps and claps.

 

 

 

 

Feel my Sunlight

 

 

 

 

p.s. Anyone want to buy Fat Boys??? Click HERE!!! :)

tickets & music

 

My lovely sister is going to play Adelaide in the Jr. High production of Guys and Dolls in 3 weeks. We are in charge of tickets. We have been cutting out and labeling all day and we are finally finished. Whoo! So if any of you would like to come watch my beautiful sister kiss a boy tickets go on sell at Bowman's Grocery Store on Monday. {There are two casts so her performances are Wednesday, Friday, and the Saturday Matinee.}

{does anybody know how to rotate this?}

{I <3 Miki}

{TICKETS!}

This has basically been my entire day. I also went to watch an old neighbor open his mission call. That was fun. It's kind of a short post today so I will leave you with my favorite song of the week. It has been on replay for most of the day.

Feel my Sunlight

p.s. Who else bought Les Miserables yesterday? I DID! :)

a Library, a Museum or a Zoo

Me? I'd pick a library. I'd pick a large library with a large glass roof. If I had the decision I would fill it with all kinds of love storie and fantacy novels. That way even though I would be trapped in one place for the rest of my life, my mind would be free. I would have a large comfy area for reading and I would let the public come and read with me. I would remain there until my prince came to rescue me. Then he would come live with me in my castle of stories. Can you tell I am a hopeless romantic? Too bad boys don't know I exhist.

What would you pick?

Feel my Sunlight



p.s. End of term = lots of free time on the computer to write blog posts because teachers don't teach anything = Happy Whitney!

p.s.s. I want to read now, but I need books. Anyone have any good sugestions?

my love life

I've been in this long term relationship with tumbling for the last nine and a half years. We are together and happy. In once cheated on tumbling with the teatre but called it off when it got to complicated. Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if I had continued to date theatre. What would have come of it? Nevertheless I am happy with tumbling. And my words to theatre are:

      "because I

knew you,         

       I have been

changed     

                 for good."

 

 

Feel my Sunlight

 

 

p.s. Good luck to all my friends getting jobs right now. Jobs are fun. Money is even more fun. I have a job. I have had a job since I was 13. I know weird right?
 

p.s.s. Hank Smith is my favorite. Go listen to him.


p.s.s.s. Going back to school after a meet is quite painful. Going back to the gym, however, is not...unless you have a sprained ankle. :/ 

FAQs

{My new facebook profile picture of me on a W... has nothing to do with this post.}

Well... I think it's a little mean that I am at school right now. Can we please go back to hanging out with the Brits? Who's with me? All in favor make it manifest... any apposed by the same sign...

Nobody voted against it now who wants to drive me to Salt Lake? {Except Kodee... he is a scary driver.}

Since I have nobody to drive me to Salt Lake I thought I would write up some of my frequently asked questions and give responces to them. If you have more questions feel free to comment.

 

Q: "How tall are you?"

A: 4' 9 1/2"

 

Q: "Are you going to the Olympics?"

A: No. Power Tumbling is not in the Olympics... and I'm not that good.... yet.

 

Q: {asked by the little children I work with.} "Are you married?"

A: No. How old do you think I am?

A: One kid said 45 the other said 12... I'm 16.

 

Q: {also asked by the kids I work with} Do you live here? {the gym}

A: No, I live at a house just like you do.

 

Q: "Can you..."

A: No, I'll be at the gym.

 

Q: "can you do a flip."

A: Yes I can and no I won't.

So there you have it. I am headed to health now. :/ Post your questions!


Feel my Sunlight