Nostalgia

So I don't think you guys know this about me, but I dance. Or at least, I used to dance. Well, I still kind of dance, but I used to be official and dance in a class with dance recitals and all that crazy shenanigans and whatnot. And, not to brag or anything, but my dance teacher was freaking amazing. She danced with a world renown company, but then gave it up to have a family and then she taught dance for approximately one hundred years and recently retired and the world is a sadder place because of it.

And I miss it. A lot.

So, CC teaches a Celtic dance class and tonight was their recital and so I went with Maddi, Cara, and Jason and it stirred up all the nostalgia. And I miss it!

It just makes me want to dance right now... Meh.

Here's a picture of me way back in my very first year of dancing:

But the Fighter Still Remains

Here's the thing. I love music. I love music with all of my heart. It is so wonderful for a plethora of reasons, although I won't go into all of that now because that's not the point of this post. And believe me, I could go on and on about that. Suffice it to say that I love music a lot.

And I get kind of passionate about the things I love. I have a soapbox issue with music. Because sometimes people are dumb. Just kidding. Sometimes I don't agree with people about music and that's not dumb of them, but it still makes me upset.

My favorite genre is Indie folk. And my favorite songs are ones that actually have meaning and depth. I do like the occasional song that's about "love." Or "loss of love." Or stuff like that. But I really enjoy songs that provoke thoughts and stuff.

There are songs that are about really touchy subjects and talk about the saddest of situations, but then they're beautiful because of that.

For example, "The A Team" by Ed Sheeran. It's about a girl who sells her body for the money to support her drug habit. And I know people who 1) didn't know that's what the song is about and 2) stopped listening to it when they found out. And I just think that's ridiculous! I mean, if a song is promoting things you don't believe in then don't listen to it. But here's the thing, if a song is saying 'hey guys, there's a problem, and we should be aware of the problem, and that it really is a serious issue that human beings deal with and they deserve our attention because they are people and maybe we can help make this problem not so common or terrible' then that is a song worth listening to.

Also, I think a lot of people like songs with questionable lyrics. And I don't mean for this to be judgmental, but I'm not a fan.

Here's another example of a song that's great and tells a beautiful story (but this one has a happy ending, so that's cool) and also this is my favorite song right now.

It's about immigrants coming to Ellis Island. And a boxer. And it's beautiful.

(I apologize for the weird picture in the background, I couldn't find another lyric video.)

Jason's Post

Hi, I'm Jason. On a scale of 1-10 I am a strong 7 in terms of best friends with Jessica (10 being best friends for all eternity even past "Till death do us part").

So here is my story in as short as I could possibly put it, which I could use up thousands of lines telling my story, but I resist that urge for the sake of you readers.

I came up to Utah State at semester after working full time for the first semester of the 13-14 school year. Let me be the first to say that working full time while all of your friends are spread across the world on missions or spread across the state at various colleges is kind of depressing, but this isn't a sob story.

Coming to Utah State I only had one friend up here, and that friend happened to be my ex-girlfriend. Let me also be the first to say that going to a college where your only friend is your less than a month recent ex-girlfriend is kind of depressing, but again, not a sob story.

Luck came my way because the guys I live with are pretty sick. Friends! Woohoo! I don't know how religious this blog is, but if you readers don't know that Jessica is a Mormon, here is the big news, she is a Mormon. So after a while of hanging out with a big group of non-Mormons, and nothing against non-Mormons because they are great friends, I wanted to be with some people of my own faith.

Along Came Polly... Well Jessica, and Maddi, and Sierra, and Cara, and EmmaLee, and Lindsey.

So let me be the first to say that being male and all of a sudden finding this group of females that are not only beautiful, but also share my religious views, is a score. On a scale of 1-10 that is a solid 11.

In the end this group of girls has really been a blessing to me. College is rough, and it is always nice to have friends to support you. I suggest -- HIGHLY SUGGEST -- going to your ward (or congregation, or whatever group that you enjoy being in the presence of) and making friends. I didn't abandon my other friends, but I definitely have enjoyed spending time with my wardies more.

Peace, Love, Dope - Don't Smoke It!
Peace Out Girl Scout!
Love you: Jason (that good looking one who is sometimes funny)

"Keep Smiling and One Day Life Will Get Tired of Upsetting You" - Anonymous

So, in case I haven't said it before, I'm a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I'm a really religious person. And I know that not everyone is that way. But I think there's a lot anyone can learn from any religion, even if they don't accept some of the doctrines. For example, I think the world as a whole needs to be more grateful.

Let me tell you a story. It's called my Institute (which is basically an LDS religion class at the college level, the high school equivalent is called seminary) teacher is a genius and told us this cool way of looking at the world. Here it goes:

This is a picture of life.

Let me explain. Life is made up of highs and lows and most people go through life thinking the point is to maximize the highs and minimize the lows. But here's the thing. That's actually not what life is about. Going through hard things makes you stronger. And you learn - about yourself, and how to handle things in the future, and who you can rely on (whether that's a 'higher power' or family or close friends or all of the above) and so many other things. Going through hard things can bring you closer to the people you love. And you gain confidence and new perspectives. And so much more.

But you have to let all that happen.

Having bad things happen in your life is not optional. But suffering is.

Now, don't get me wrong. Everyone is going to have a bad day. Where they ask "why me?" Or they just need to cry it out. But it would be nice if we could have fewer of those days. And maybe when we do have those days try to still be grateful.

I don't know if I believe that life will get tired of upsetting you. But I do think our capacity to be grateful will increase with age if we practice that kind of lifestyle now. And along with that thankfulness will be a greater capacity to be happy, love, help others, and all the other positive characteristics. Gratitude is a gateway attribute.

Gratitude puts you in a better mood. You're happier when you're thankful. As a general rule, I'm a happy person. But I would like to be even happier.

If you're grateful no matter what the situation rather than because of the situation, you'll be a much more positive person.

And positive people make the world more positive.

Also, religious or not, this is a much better description of what I'm trying to say, so you should read it. Or not. That's called agency or freedom of choice.

In order to help you smile and be a little bit more grateful, here's a fun picture from the blog Hyperbole and a Half that describes this post and how we should respond to life's ups and downs!

Have a great day!

Pieces of Conversations and a Little Commentary

Cara. Ryan. People with faces versus people without faces. CC is awesome, she's also eating peach yogurt. I want a Tamagotchi. So does CC. Cara loves it when she wears white pants, it makes her feel classy. Those are sweet. Hit Me Baby One More Time is a good song. Ryan's playing Pokemon. Hello. Cara is satisfied. Don't judge Ryan. Facebook is boring today. Cara is in a relationship with danger. I love dark chocolate. And regular chocolate. Not so much white chocolate, but it's okay. Shiny. Why did Maddi's wifi decide to leave? I like green grass. But not the brown kind. That's a deal breaker. You're so vain, you probably think this song is about you. Cara is singing with chocolate in her mouth. When does Bailey get back? Nobody knows. Who even knows? Jack Johnson is really cool. Ryan sees no problem with that. Can't you see that it's just raining? Hello! We could close the curtains, pretend that there's no world outside. Everyone's on their devices and/or humming/singing. This song makes Maddi feel like a kid. It makes us happy. Okay. Cool. Are we okay with that? Yep. Probably. It's given unto you to choose. Ryan loves his team so much. They're so good at things. Ryan's happy for them. It's pretty darn exciting. If you ask me, and of course you did. CC's the best. I was so parched. I think my friend is engaged. Not again! Every time! People. Who does what? That's so mean. They're trying to be on the cover of a Nicholas Sparks novel. Yep. I'm really entertaining. Oh, cool. Sorry that you don't have one. Hey Maddi do you want to see something magical. *gasps*

I Can't Even

PS~ I just called a conductor a "choo choo master." It's been a long day.

This Should Not Be a Holiday

Let me tell you a story.

Once upon a time there was a girl.

She loved to laugh and have fun.

But she hated April Fool's Day.

Because it's the worst.

The End.