An actual update on my life, as opposed to ramblings on repeat.

Once again I blogged about love and life, but then I figured, maybe I should blog about my life in particular...I mean, not just my thoughts, but the events in my life. Wow, that was a ridiculous sentence. So, it's been a busy summer. I took two classes, masters in education science, and a VERY basic technology class. Bleh, they were okay- nothing much to tell there.

I also helped (a VERY little bit) my mom move to Price, Utah. Let's see, what else? I liked a guy and it all seemed very dramatic and important at the time...then it fizzled out. It seems like most things in life are that way. The details seem so very important at the time, and then you realize they're not. Life is up, life is down, but life keeps going. There's too much time, and not enough, but there's always time. I went on some hikes and read some books. I hung out with friends and caught my first fish. I got two new roommates (who are amazing!) and I watched a lot of TV. I was a 6th grade teachers aide for summer school 4 days a week. I went to A Decemberists show, which was AMAZING.
And now onto the now. I've started teaching in my very own art classroom. Fifth and sixth graders. It's scary and grownup, but it's also wonderful and rewarding. I can't wait to post some pictures of their art, it blows my mind. Sometimes when I feel bogged down by the crap like planning curriculum and grading, I remind myself to play the glad game and find all the wonderful things in life.

Wonderful things:
-Listening to good music while the kids create
-Kids who draw themselves as zombies with one eye dangling out of their face
-Kids who say they love me
-Kids who say they love CCR and Journey
-Kids who know more about art than me
-Kids who know about medieval battle tactics and old airplanes
-Kids who say, "THAT'S MY JAM!" in reference to a Cascade song
-Being able to display Muffin Cat in my classroom
-Having a classroom

So life has been stressful and horrifying, but it's also been wonderful. Let's see, what else? Oh, I'm somewhat taking the semester off and I'm only taking one class- social studies. It's gonna be a breeze, and I could use a breeze! I'm burnt out. I'm going to focus on my job, substitute teach, practice the guitar, make my own art, read, run, life weights, hike, and watch the rest of Twin Peaks. I can't wait for some rain and cold weather. I can't wait to wear tights everyday. Oh! I'm going to the temple soon to take out my endowments! So that's super exciting.
Other than that, I'm still the compassionate service person in my ward (yay cupcake brigade and SAOSFHW!), I'm still attending Weber State, I still love my friends and family, I still love cats and bees, I'm still Laura.

All you *want* is love.

I love this scene in Across the Universe. I love that whole movie. I love the music. I love the cinematography, lighting, color schemes, sound editing, acting, story, drugged up scenes, boob slip, all of it. This scene however, is my favorite. I LOVE this song. I love the idea of a man feeling this way about me. I love the idea of being loved like that.

But then I worry, what if I'm like Henry Crawford from Mansfield Park, and I'm more interested in being loved than I am in loving someone. Like those girls who are more interested in being married, than they are in the particular man. WAH!!! But then I have a night like tonight. A night where I'm super pensive and calm, but not with the sad bits. Happy pensive. Thoughts bounce around in my head and leave me feeling that all is right in the world and ever will be. Thoughts that tell me I don't have to settle for a sports obsessed Mack daddy who doesn't know anything about science, good music, or art. Thoughts that reassure me that I'm just as excited about giving love as I am about receiving it- after all, the greatest joy in life comes in serving others.

Sure I care about the reception, I admit, I've already planned out how to incorporate Star Wars in the floral arrangements. But that's all phooey. I want a man who feels the way Jude felt in Across the Universe when he met Lucy. I want a man who feels the way Paul McCartney felt when he wrote the song. And on the flip side I want to hear, "I just died in your arms tonight," when I meet him (P.s. If I hear a Minnie Ripperton song in my head when I think about "him" it's just as good as "I just died in your arms tonight."). I know some love starts without a fizzle, but I don't think you should marry someone who doesn't eventually make your heart fizzle. I'm not talking about love at first sight, I'm just talking about love at *sometime before the engagement* sight. They should be piss drunk in love with you, and you with them. No one should have to talk the someone into loving them. He should think I crap sunshine and spit glitter. I know I've posted similar things to this in the past, but I just can't help but think it, and think it, and think it.

So that's it. Don't settle, but don't be close minded. You never know who could make your heart pop some corn (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTZVvFn6rmo). Life is beautiful, the good and the bad. The heartaches help you appreciate the love more, and the waiting and searching is worth it. I'll just be a "good girl" and it will happen at the right time, in the right place, and with the right someone.
That's all. This last video is one of my others favorite songs from Across the Universe, enjoy.

I miss blogging.

My life has been brain soup.

I think of so many blogs all the time. I write them in my head but when I finally find the time to write them down on blogger, I've forgotten them. I will blog more, I promise. It's been busy. I taught my first 2 days of school. I start my social studies class this Thursday. I have a cold. I have had waaaay to much time to think. I need to set some goals.

This painting is called "Choosing Everything" and it's by Brian Kershisnik. I feel like this, like everything feels full up...but the thing is, it's not really.

Poor men, poor poor men.

Women love to complain about men, and how women have it bad. Men love to complain about women, and how men have it bad. Well guess what? I LOVE BEING A WOMAN. Well okay, I wish I could properly pee when standing, oh what a freedom that must be! I wish I could let my leg hair grow into a glorious fuzz. I wish I could grow a proper mustache and not be a freak. But I would hate to be a man. I would hate to get "excited" so easily, and not only that, but to have the evidence of such feelings on display. I would hate to be a freak if my boobs got bigger. I mean, I can't grow a mustache and be a proper woman, but men can't get moobs and be a proper men. I get to wear dresses. I get to have glorious long hair. I get to paint my nails. I get to put on makeup and wear toe rings. Yes, men can do all of these things- but I can do them without negative social impact for the most part. Men can't have babies. Men can't wear one piece suits. Men can't wear all of the glorious jewelry they want without being douche-bags. Boy oh boy, do I love being a woman. Poor men, poor poor men.

Moobs, poor kid.

Poor men. Women have it bad I suppose, you know with the whole, "I wanna lose 3 pounds" thing. But think about it, there's a huge plus size movement, or as some prefer to call it- full figured, or real sized. Where's the Husky movement?

Google "hot plus size women" or "plus size models" and you'll find tons of hits!

Now google "husky men" or "plus size male models" and what do you find?

This is the most legit plus size male model I could find. A. He isn't very fat, and B. He's hot

.

Jokes, creepy jokes, buff men, and that's it. I love me, and I know if I gain five pounds of curves it's a-okay. Men, poor things, if they gain 5 pounds of curves (not of the muscle sort) it's a no-go.

Now I'm sure some of you ladies like the teddy-bear type, and that's super- but it's not the point. I'm not talking about what you or I are attracted to. I'm just saying, give the boys a break, they've got there own crap to deal with. Women are glorious:
But so are men:


It's easy to complain about the opposite sex, but wouldn't it just be so much more fun to love them! Women have it tough, but so do men. Life is rough, but it's splendid! Love it! Love men!
No reason for this picture- I just felt like it.

Ultimate Battle!

 As always, this post is disconnected and complete mind vomit, enjoy.

Recent hikes!

I just wanted to share some hikes I've done recently!
The first was last Saturday, a hike I've been dreading for a year. Last fall when I attempted to do this hike with my ward I had to turn back, but I kicked this beast in the butt!
Waterfall Canyon, Ogden, Utah!

I forgot how to use my panorama setting on my camera

Here I am at the top!

 This hike was tough! It's not that long, 3 miles round trip, but it's steep! I'm not used to this! In St. George hikes seemed a little more up and down, but here they all seem up and up! Steep and rocky, yes, but beautiful for sure! I even made it past the horrifying river crossing!
This week it was the Indian Trail! The Indian Trail, which I hiked FOR AMERICA!, was longer, but not so jagged. One way, which was all we did, was 4.3 miles up and around a mountain. It was hard and my bod-ay was as sweaty as all get out by the end, but it was glorious! There were a lot of wildflowers, steep inclines, switchbacks, and bugs- but mostly there was a lot of beauty!

 

P.s I googled these pictures

Just keep swimming...more like kick the crap out the water until it's a bloody pulp!

A Spanish proverb states, "Where there is love, there is pain." Or in lay man's terms, "Love stinks."

Perhaps the CREEPIEST digital creation ever.

Okay, well let's face it...I'm not in love, nowhere near it. I've never been, not really. I was in like, and that like was mushed real bad. And I want to point out that this post is not directed toward any one girl or guy in any way! It's not about the specifics, it's about the patterns and the situations. I'm not mad at someone, I'm mad at romance.  It seems to be a pattern. Like a guy, he asks out your friend. Like a guy, he asks out your friend. Like a guy, he asks out your friend. Like a guy, he asks out your friend. Like a guy, he asks out your friend. Like a guy, he asks out your friend. Like a guy, he asks out your friend. Like a guy, he asks out your friend. Like a guy, he asks out your friend. Like a guy, he asks out your friend.

In this scenario, I'm not the lady.

 Or, my personal favorite, like a guy, he thinks of you as the coolest non-related sister/mom/friend ever. Like a guy, you're just friends. Like a guy, you're just friends. Like a guy, you're just friends. Like a guy, you're just friends. Like a guy, you're just friends. Like a guy, you're just friends. Like a guy, you're just friends. Like a guy, you're just friends. Like a guy, you're just friends. Like a guy, you're just friends. Like a guy, you're just friends. Like a guy, you're just friends.

I got a little out of hand...class was REALLY boring.

Yeah, it gets old after a while. So it's happened again, but guess what, I'm not going to sit around crying! It's time to kick it in gear and take matters into my own heart. I'm tired of waiting around with a Cinderella complex. I'm not waiting for a fairy godmother, I'm getting out there and I'm sewing my own dress! Who needs a dang pumpkin, I've got an old Buick! And those mice- poop on them, I'll make the prince do things for me!

Step 1: Love me more than ever. Love men too. I need to be myself to the max! I shouldn't have to change for a man in the beginning. I can see making changes or whatever in marriage, but in the early stages he should think magic stars spout from my eyes and rainbow-magic music pours from my lips. I should think he's the shiz, and I should most definitely think to myself, "I would have to explain his being ugly to people." It's time to revamp and remember to exercise for me, eat healthy for me, go to bed earlier, work harder, do things I actually love- as opposed to just doing things, and think happy thoughts! He should think my hair is flaxen star-shine and my body is a Venus, and so should I!

Venus, goddess of love!

So I should love myself, but I should also love men. I've loved men for as long as I can remember. Just because a lot of them seem to be d-bags and idiots, doesn't mean I should resent, dislike, or even hate them. Guess what? There are a lot of d-bag and idiot women, and sometimes I fit the description. Hating men won't solve any problems, and well, I just love men!

Step 2: Try new things. It's like Dr. Alexander says, (I'm paraphrasing here) "You've got to get out and try new things. Join a club. Sign up for a class. I don't know what, or where, or when. But I've got to try. Any suggestions? I think in the fall I will sign up for a hiking class. And maybe I can find some things in the community.

Step 3: Meet new people.
I have to mix it up. I love my friends, but as far as men go- I've got to branch out. If the men in my life were going to ask me out, then they should have done it by now. This goal goes hand-in-hand with goal 2, and this coming week me and my beloved cousin Hillary are going to make some game plans. In addition to finding things to join, I need to be brave and go to things I'm invited to. Sometimes I get a text to hang out with people, including men I don't normally hang out with, and I pass it by. No more! If I don't have a good reason I can't say no! Seize the day, it could be a flop, or it could be a Frank, or a Fred! My dream cat-loving manly man could be out there, waiting to sweep, and spoon, me away!

http://www.menandcats.com/              

Step 4: Canoodle with new men (who don't know my friends). 1 led to 2, and 2 to 3, so naturally 4 is highly connected to 3. Haha...The point is, while I'm meeting these new people I will be canoodling with new men ;) The gist of this blog is that I am the master of my fate...sort of...haha, that's a whole separate story. I can love me. I can try new things. I can meet new people. I can canoodle, in the non-slutty sense, with new men! When we are knocked down we should get back up again and find someone to make out with- it's simple logic. Easier said than done maybe, but here I go!

P.S. You know I'll be blogging about men and what I think I know in a few weeks, because the truth is...I know nothing :)

FOOD Re-vamp.

Once again, unhealthy foods are taking over! It's time for a summer detox.
Step one: BUY these books.
 (These actually are in a particular order, the Slim for Life one is better than the You Are What You Eat, but the Food Bible is a great companion for either)

I just LOVE LOVE Dr. Gillian McKeith. My affair all started with BBCA and her show, You Are What You Eat. Then I bought the book. Then I lost 45 pounds and felt great. Then I started working out a lot and stopped losing weight and I've been feeling icky. Answer, I'm not doing what Gillian would want me to do. On a side note, I don't want to sound like I'm in a creepy cult and Gillian is my leader, but she's hilarious and brilliant....and it fits the flow of this post. So yeah.

Today's menu.
Breakfast: Fruit smoothie. Quick Oats.
Lunch: Cantalope, watermelon, strawberries
20 mins later: Lettuce, spinach, kidney beans, clover sprouts (which I've always hated...but am surprised to find, am enjoying), tofu, fresh cilantro, dry spices
YUM! I hope I'm smart and I keep it up. I know I can do it. I've done it before!

I can't wait to make the mung bean casserole! I never thought I'd say that. Here are some of her other bean recipes that are free online: BEANS!!! (I love beans and tofu as a meat alternative!)
Step two: Get you some fresh food! Lucky for me I've found a super cheap and wonderful produce place!  
Carlos' Produce

Step three: Become super healthy! Whether you want to lose weight, gain weight, maintain, become healthier, etc. This is the plan for you. Uccck. This is a commercial isn't it? Hmm...okay. It's a commercial for healthy, natural, organic if possible, healthy, unprocessed, colorful, flavorful food! It's a commercial for exercise! Yay running and weight training! Yay hiking, biking, tennis, walks, laser tag and dancing!

Ironic part of the blog: I just made a batch of cupcakes...but they're not for me! I did however eat one mini cupcake, see Gillian's 90/10 rule (Slim for Life)! Seriously, I should get an endorsement cut or something.