Dear Self,

Let's make it easier on the both of us and avoid getting full blown sick this week.  Feel free to do what you need to starting next Tuesday.  Until then I need you at full capacity.  Thanks.  You're the best!

Sincerely,
Kristen

What I Wish I Would Have Known

I am not sure what inspired it, but I decided to peruse through some of my old pictures from high school on my computer.  They bring back so many memories.  High school is an interesting time, really.  Looking back, I can see it was an incredible time of growth for me, one that set the stage for the next stage of my life: college.  I had some incredible friends in high school and the pictures I saw reminded me of some memories that I believe will always be important to me.  We had some great times together.  But I was also reminded that high school is not easy.  Anyone who tells you it is clearly does not remember what it is really like.  My stroll down memory lane made me reflect on how much I have changed and grown in the past five years.  Here are five lessons that I wish I would have understood then (along with the picture that inspired them):

Lesson #1: You Don't Have to be Perfect to be Important

Yes, that is an ACT prep book in my hand.  Yes, I was on a plane, on my way to Disneyland.  And yes, I was going to be taking the ACT on my vacation, in California.  That perfect GPA and those extra few points on the ACT meant everything to me at the time, and I often based my own sense of self-worth on how well I met my unrealistic definition of "success."  I spent so much time stressing about being "perfect" that I forgot to take time to celebrate my successes.  I did not fully understand that my "achievements" were not what defined who I am.  It was the way I treated other people, my hard work, and my relationship with my Savior that truly defined who I was.  Looking back now, those things seem so unimportant, so trivial.  And I am willing to bet that my friends from high school would not say that they were friends with me because I got good grades.  

Lesson #2: Enjoy the Simple Moments 

This picture depicts one of my favorite memories from high school.  It happened rather spontaneously, without planning, and without inviting large groups of people.  It was just me and two of my best friends (I cannot remember where Emmilie was for this one...) and an elementary school playground.  I have come to realize that these are the moments that I live for.  The moments when you are with people who you can be yourself with.  The moments when you can forget any worries you might have about the future and just enjoy being together.  The moments when you realize how blessed you really are.  My favorite memories throughout my life often come in simple "moments," without announcement, and with very little grandeur.

Lesson #3: Be Grateful for the Friends Who Are Always There 

These three girls were my staple through high school.  I could have never gotten through those four years without them.  I could always count on them to be there, even when I thought I could do things alone.  And I have learned that I love having friends that no matter how long we've been apart, when we are together, it is as though no time has past.

Lesson #4: Be Grateful for the "Behind the Scenes" People 

I don't think I understood at the time how cool it was that both of these ladies took time out of their busy schedules to be at my high school graduation.  They did not have to be; I would not have thought any less of them if they were not.  But there they were, quietly offering their support and encouragement.  I know I wouldn't be where I am today without my "other moms."




Lesson #5: Family is Everything

I was never one of those teenagers who was constantly fighting with her parents, but I also don't think I realized just how much my parents cared about and just how much they were there to support me.  It is incredible that there are two people on this earth who love me unconditionally.  They have done so much to get me to where I am today, and I would not be the person I am without their support and love. I have begun to realize over the past four years just how ingenious the organization of the family is, and I am so grateful for mine.

Grateful

Yes, this is my very cliche, November, "I'm grateful for..." post.  And yes, I am re-posting the same video I posted last year.  Seriously though, I love this video!  I think that it is worth re-posting.  And I could use a reminder of everything that I have to be grateful for.  Here is my top ten "I'm grateful for..." list today (in no particular order):

1. UTA. I love being able to start and end my day by having time to myself.  And public transportation has become my favorite place to people watch; there are so many interesting people who ride the trax/bus!
2. Crunchy leaves.  Yup, I am one of those people who goes out of their way to step on a leaf that looks particularly crunchy.  I am still a four year old at heart.
3. Playdough.  Again, four year old at heart.  But this one has also gotten me through many classes in my college career.
4. Grad school.  Okay, this one is kind of broad.  And right now I need a reminder of this, but I love being in grad school!  I love learning everything I can about something; I love having way more reading assignments than I could possibly get through; I love sitting through three hour classes, trying to soak in everything that I can, realizing that there will always be things I don't know; I love assignments that make me think so hard that I want to scream and cry, then get really excited when I finally "get it."  I love the whole experience, although sometimes I have to remind myself of it.  It really is a unique time of my life, and I am trying to enjoy every step of the journey.
5. Falling asleep on the bus.  I don't know why it is, but the express buses have become my favorite place to nap in the afternoon/evenings.
6. Crunchy apples.  Over the past week I have eaten at least 10 apples, and every one brought me joy.  I love fall harvest time.
7. Hoodies.  I love wearing a big, warm, comfy hoodie on a cool day.  Especially when I am sick.
8. Mucinex.  That stuff is amazing.  Especially the liquid kind.
9. My job.  It is great always having an excuse for the bubbles, playdough, pretend food, and picture books in my back seat.
10. The Church's IT department.  Seriously, they are amazing.  I love having the entire standard works, church magazines, and basically every manual/book they have ever published with me all the time.