DANCE          
                                                 

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance

Why do we stress and put the things that we want to do and feel on a shelf and wait for another time?  I have always thought that I was not part of this horrible tragedy, but lately I am learning more about myself.  When a heart gets broken the consequence is often to lock up and not let knew people in.  I am guilty of closing myself off as of late, and although I do not want to, I have needed time to ponder my feelings about people in my life and then letting them go. And then sadly, but true, preferably not think at all. I have been a quiet me, and for the first time in a long time I have stepped back from the social scene and have thought of what I truly wanted in life. I am sorry to those that I have not talked to in a while or called.  Exciting things to share lately are not on the tip of my tongue. This time has helped me realize that I am far from a perfect answer, but I do know that I want a simple peace in my heart.  I want to do my best in classes, but I do not want to stress if I do not get an "A". I want to make everyone around my comfortable and feel like they are loved, but if someone does not want to invite me to things or think that my company is not of importantance I do not want to feel hurt and left out.  I want to find peace!!! I want to have hope. I want a miracle in my own heart.  I want to become a great listener.  I want to learn from others.  I want to open up.  I want to learn how to communicate. I want to dance again!!! I want the knowledge and experience to know what this 83 year old women has.  I want to be like her.....
    Amber

This was written by an 83-year-old woman to her friend.

I'm reading more and dusting less. I'm sitting in the yard and admiring the view without fussing about the weeds in the  garden. I'm spending more time with my family and friends and less time working.
Whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experiences to savor, not to endure. I'm trying to recognize these moments now and cherish them.
I'm not "saving" anything; we use our good china and crystal for every special event such as losing a pound, getting the sink unstopped, or the first Amaryllis blossom.
I wear my good blazer to the market. My theory is if I look prosperous, I can shell out $28.49 for one small bag of groceries. I'm not saving my good perfume for special parties, but wearing it for clerks in the hardware store and tellers at the bank.
"Someday" and "one of these days" are losing their grip on my vocabulary. If it's worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and hear and do it now
I'm not sure what others would've done had they known they wouldn't be here for the tomorrow that we all take for granted. I think they would have called family members and a few close friends. They might have called a few former friends to apologize and mend fences for past squabbles. I like to think they would have gone out for a Chinese dinner or for whatever their favorite food was.
I'm guessing; I'll never know.
It's those little things left undone that would make me angry if I knew my hours were limited. Angry because I hadn't written certain letters that I intended to write one of these days. Angry and sorry that I didn't tell my husband and parents often enough how much I truly love them. I'm trying very hard not to put off, hold back, or save anything that would add laughter and luster to our lives. And every morning when I open my eyes, tell myself that it is special.
Every day, every minute, every breath truly is a gift from God.

"PEACE IS NOT SOMETHING YOU WISH FOR: IT;S SOMETHING YOU MAKE, SOMETHING YOU DO, SOMETHING YOU ARE, AND SOMETHING YOU GIVE AWAY."

The Temple grounds are

always an amazing sight!!! On Saturday May 14th 2011 Ashley Rackham, Jess Rigby and I went to Salt Lake to pick up our friend Cait from the airport.  As we waited we had 

the pleasure of exploring the Salt Lake Temple Grounds.  It began 

to Rain and the cool air and fresh smells could not have been more peaceful !!! The mixture created the perfect atmosphere for a photo shoot, but then again this is me we are talking about so almost all occasions can become a photo shoot!!! There are just tooooo many beauties in the world to let a photo moment pass me by!!!!!

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Used by Nelson Mandela in his 1994 inaugural speech

1o1 Happy things!!!

1.       My friends that are basically family                            

2.       Eating Sushi

3.       Taking a Bath and eating Ice-cream

4.       Hiking

5.       Having someone read to me

6.       Smelling coffee

7.       My Mom

8.       Listening to KLove

9.       Being asked on a date

10.   Camping

11.   The smell of Cinnamon

12.   Flying on a plane

13.   Listening to Crickets

14.   Sitting with my feet in cool water

15.   Singing to music

16.   Pretty Smiles

17.   Listening to someone playing and singing to the guitar

18.   Playing hand and foot (card games)

19.   Taking photos

20.   Shopping at Trader Joes

21.   Packing for backpacking trips

22.   Going to the movie theater

23.   Sitting in a Sauna

24.   Drinking sun tea

25.   Chacos and chaco tans

26.   Being lost in the world of a novel

27.   Getting a massage

28.   Eating Taiwan Bing

29.   Snuggling in bed

30.   Being with the Zalaks

31.   Finding a correlation with numbers on a clock

32.   Writing

33.   Having my back scratched

34.   Feeling the heat of the sun and a cool breeze

35.   Cuddling

36.   Losing weight

37.   Feeling the Spirit

38.   Holding a baby

39.   Drinking a flavor similar to coffee

40.   dreams in which I am flying

41.   Eating on the Arcata Plaza

42.   Dyeing Easter eggs

43.   Watching a dance performance

44.   Juicing

45.   Going out to eat

46.   Riding a roller coaster

47.   Going on a road trip

48.   Not feeling alone

49.   Seeing Hippie vans

50.   Jumping on a trampoline

51.   Speaking Chinese with confidence

52.   Having a crush

53.   Riding a horse

54.   Swinging on a swing set

55.   Feeling like I can run and run

56.   Getting a new patch for my travel bag

57.   Listening to a foreigner speak in an accent

58.   Putting chap stick on

59.   Reading my horoscope

60.   Curling my hair

61.   Feeling refreshed after taking a test

62.   Riding my bike down a hill with my feet dangling

63.   Seeing a manly man

64.   Buttery popcorn and hummus (not together :D ) 

65.   Wearing my rings

66.   Covering my feet in the sand

67.   Slow dancing without words

68.   Fog

69.   Creating art

70.   Acacia smoothie bowl

71.   Watching a good chick flick

72.   Hammocks

73.   Handstands

74.   Cowboy Boots

75.   Skirts

76.   Tie Dye

77.   Earrings

78.   Feeling Pretty

79.   Receiving Compliments

80.   Traveling

81.   Lavender

82.   Cute Braziers and scarves

83.   Waterfalls and Redwood tree forests

84.   Blueberries

85.   Cranberry Juice

86.   Dharma and Greg

87.   Orange

88.   The feeling after shaving my legs

89.   Twinkling Eyes 91.   Making movies

92.   XOXOXOs

93.   Pillows

94.   Thunder storms

95.   Going on Walks

96.   Receiving Mail

97.   Old falling down barns

98.   Wrest watches

99.   Watching meteor showers                                                       

100. Cheese

101. Driving with my windows down and the music blasting 

                                                        By: Amber Rose

P.S. making this list made me super happy so I suggest you make one too!!!!! I would love to read yours because I am sure it would make you and me happy!!!

Feel a breeze and take it!!!

                                                              

“Falling and Flying”

I am free to jump, free to fall, free to let it roll away when I jump  the ball.

I am not ashamed to break down and cry, so come on precaution take a step aside, cause you see its the falling that is teaching me to fly. 

There is a breeze that is blowing past my door and it is bringing change like I have never known before.  It used to be that when it rained it poured, but not anymore.. so give me more…

Because I am FREE…the falling is teaching me to be a little bolder, to say hello and goodbye….and keep going until it is going, going gone! I am going to turn my cheek and shrug my shoulder.  You see it is the Falling that is teaching me to FLY!!!

   I feel like I am falling, but I am learning that is OK.... because it is giving me the chance to try and FLY!!!

“It mattereth not”….. 

What an amazing quote that I want to adopt. I heard it one Sunday (5-15-11) in a talk during Sacrament meeting and I have been pondering on it. Where my thoughts have taken me….  So much happens around us that we have absolutely NO control over.  I have felt my heart drop.  I get either frustrated or sad and loose all energy and hope, but Why?  Of course it is hard when what I may have imagined didn’t happen, but God has a plan and something will work out.  Not only that, but time heals all wounds.  In the past month I have felt my heart break.  I lost a friend, but it was his choice and in time God will bring amazing new friends into my life.  That thought alone can be terrifying.  When you are hurt and your energy is gone the thought of trying to make new friends sounds too hard.  But time heals and I will move on quicker, find a happier heart if I quickly say “It mattereth not”…….”It mattereth not that I have not yet met the man of my dreams, I cannot afford a home of my own yet, She thinks I am not fun, I do not know what my future has in store..etc… for that was their choice or there is nothing that we can do.  It is always times like this that makes us find all the other blessings around us.  I had to turn to my other friends around me to escape my loneliness and I found angels that God had placed into my life.  I am so grateful for my angels!!!

No Hands.............

My awesome roommates rented tandem bikes for a fun time on Saturday, but because we live in the amazing state of Utah and everything is closed on Sunday we got to keep them until Monday!  All Sunday Morning I kept walking past them wanting so badly to try them.  Of course as I had this thought I imagined myself being able to succeed at this easy relaxing sport.  I quickly learned that that was not going to be the case. Starting off was the most "terrifying" part..haha... would have been a great date.... you have to work perfectly together!!! Parker had confidence in us and although it was VERY shaky we quickly began going faster and it actually became easier.  After a bit we switched and I went to the back and Parker became our amazing driver!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I got to relax and through my arms up in the air.......... lets get the wind in the hair ......... well at least take the best we can get in this state with 

no beach!!!!! 

P.S. On Monday my roommates had to take the bikes back and they needed help.  Cait and I man handled one bike and we rocked!!!!!!! Two beginners ran all the red lights because stopping and starting is WAY to scary................ and then we rode amazingly ALL the way back to the outdoor store!!!!