Day 30: My favorite song

My favorite song is a hymn. It's one that offers peace and comfort. It's a beautiful hymn and one that reminds me to refocus my thoughts and energy on the good things in life.

In Humility, Our Savior
Hymn, #172

Day 29: In this past month, what have I learned

Well, I didn't really learn this, but I've rediscovered this. I really, truly, with all of my heart, hate winter. I'm done with the cold and I'm ready for warmth.

Day 28: A picture of me from last year

And how I've changed since then.

This photo was taken last Memorial Day after a very long, very hot hike.



How have I changed? I've learned in the last year not to take some things so seriously. There are some people who really are just that stupid and you'll never be able to change them. Instead of letting it stress you out, you should let it go. I've learned that I am stronger than I ever thought I could be. I can do more than I thought and I am smarter than I ever believed. I'm capable and independent and strong and that's totally alright with me, even if some people think I'm too capable or too independent or too strong. (But really, that's a topic for another day). I've learned that I am A-OK. But I'm working on accepting all of these things.

Day 27: Why I'm doing this 30 Day Challege

You'll notice a slew of posts today. That's because this 30 day challenge needs to be done!

When I first started the challenge, I thought it was a great idea to help me stay current with my blog. Plus, I had some free time on my hands and I really did think I could keep up with a post a day. About 1 week into the 30 day challenge, I didn't have so much free time anymore.

So, while I did enjoy the prompts and the help to blog, I'm really ready to have this thing done. It's kind of stressing me out!

Day 26: What do I think about my friends

Truly, I love my friends. I feel very blessed to have had great friends in my life. I feel even more blessed to have kept so many friendships for so many years. It's truly rare to have friends that are still your friends that survived the teenage years with you.

I was thinking just recently how it's my church callings that tend to bring some of my greatest friends into my life. If I wouldn't have had certain callings, I'd never be able to call some of my closest allies my friends.

Day 25: What Would You Find in My Bag

If this would have been yesterday, the story would be a lot different. However, I cleaned my purse last night. Today you would find:

- My wallet. With 5 quarters. Because the dang drink machine ate my other dollar and only gave me 5 quarters back.
- A notebook. You never know when a strike of genius may hit and you simply must write it down.
- My planner. Which I need to get better at using because I'm losing my mind.

Day 24: A letter to my parents

Dear mom and dad,

Thanks for getting married and stuff. If you didn't get married, then the world wouldn't have been graced with my presence. Think how deprived this world would be without me. It's a good thing you two got together so the world could experience me. I mean, seriously, think how terrible it would be. Tragic. Seriously.

Love,

Me

P.S. I know I said you should have stopped having children after me. I'm glad you didn't listen to me, because without my younger siblings, your only grandchildren would be plants.

Day 23: Something I crave for a lot

This is my far my biggest weaknesses. I crave peanut butter M&Ms like they are about to be extinct. In fact, I had a slight panic attack around Christmas time when I couldn't find peanut butter M&Ms anywhere in any store. I thought the world had come to an end. And this is why I must continue to go to spin class. So I can eat all of the delicious peanut butter M&Ms.

I'll look for an M&M support group tomorrow. :)

Day 22: What Makes Me Different from Everyone Else

This is kind of a hard one, because honestly I don't think I'm all that unique. I'm a typical Mormon girl in her mid-30's. Work, sleep, occasionally make it to spin class, serve in my calling, and try (key word being try) to have a life. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

If I dig really deep, I guess something that makes me different is that I don't mind being alone. I mean, I love having friends and people to talk to and places to go. But, I don't mind those times when I'm alone. In fact, I kind of treasure that alone time because I know there are lots of people who would like to have just a moment's peace, a little bit of time to watch Cupcake Wars or read a book. I'm really good at keeping busy. I work full time (yay!), serve in the community, serve in a demanding church calling, and try to keep a part time freelance career. So, those times when I can just quietly sit and do nothing...I don't mind.

But don't ask me to watch a scary movie. Because living alone + scary movies = no beuno.

Day 21: A picture of something that makes me happy

The look on Mr. Mster's face cracks me up every time.

Day 20: Someone I see myself marrying or being with in the future

If I'm being honest, the answer to this question is me. I see myself being with me in the future. I honestly don't see myself being married, ever. That might sound sad, jaded, selfish, or whatever else you want to call it, but I just call it the truth. Sorry, that's just how it is right now. And I'm OK with that. For now.

Day 19: Nicknames I have and why

Nickname #1: Lunchgut Leonard
I got this nickname when I was 26. I went to Las Vegas to go house shopping with the bro and my sister-in-law. Well, turns out it's really boring to go house shopping when it isn't your house. And it's hot in Vegas. So I sat in the back seat of the Honda and ate treats. Lots of them. As we were driving around, bro says, "Hey, can I have some of those Mike -n- Ikes?" I say, "They're gone." Bro says, "OK, how about some licorice." I say, "Ya, that's gone too." Bro says, "Geez Lunchgut Leonard."

Nickname #2: Fat Leonard
See Nickname #1. It evolved into Fat Leonard

Nickname #3: Len
Short for Leonard
My name is Jennifer. When people shorten Jennifer, they say Jen. So, one day I decided Leonard was old enough to have his name shortened. So it went to Len.

Nickname #4: Leonard Bodie Horiachi
Because Leonard, duh. And Bodie is a cool name. And Randy Horiachi is my favorite SLC council man. Although, I still don't know how to spell his name.

Nickname #5: Princess
My grandpa called me princess. Maybe it's because I was a bit (read: a lot) spoiled growing up. Maybe it's because I'm the only girl. Maybe it's because I want to marry Prince Harry (William is engaged, had to move to the other brother). Maybe it's because I look great in a tiara.

Nickname #6: Brat
Because my mom calls me that.

Day 18: Plans, Dreams, Goals I Have

Dude, I've been really bad at this "daily" blogging.

Plans: To not die on the spin bike.

Dreams: To not have student loans.

Goals: To not die my first week at the new job.