Rain, Institute, and Pulling an All-Nighter

I headed off to class today in a beautiful rainstorm. I'm not being sarcastic here, I LOVE the rain. Walking outside to a cloudy cool day was the perfect start to my day! Sadly, in Vegas, the rain clouds never end up staying too long, so by the time I got out of class, it was back to sunshine and heat. Bummer. After work, institute is such a great way to spend an hour and a half. It's so nice to get a little boost of encouragement and good news in a week of running around, frantic projects, and hurried conversations. Tonight we talked about the Plan of Salvation- in three Acts. I- premortal existence. II- Life of Earth/Mortality. III- Postmortal life. We really talked about each part in detail, and were given some really wonderful quotes from past and present Prophets about each individually and about how they all fit and work together. Thinking about who I was and where I was before this life gives me so much strength for what I will be facing here. Knowing that we were all taught and prepared for this life in the presence of our Heavenly Father makes me feel like I can overcome any obstacle. I am so thankful for Institute and for those institute and seminary teachers who put so much effort and prayer into their lessons in hopes that the spirit they feel will reach to their students. Thank you teachers, your efforts are noticed and very much appreciated! I am also thankful for friends who are willing to come try something new (like institute) and have awesome discussions afterwards! I look forward to Tuesdays simply for the fact that I get to go to institute. Tonight I am pulling an all-nighter to finish a paper I put off till the last second. Hopefully this won't become a regular part of my after- institute activities :) Goodnight all...well, good morning!!

Lunch @ Home

I love the days when I have enough time to stop home for lunch before running off to work. It is just such a great feeling to be able to sit down on your own couch and put your feet up for a minute. I love that my home gives me that feeling of comfort and relief. Granted, I still get vvery stressed at home sometimes, but those glimpses of relief from a busy day make up for it. Thanks house/home, I appreciate the break! :)

It Depends....

So, I've come to the conclusion that there aren't too many people in my life that I can depend on ALL THE TIME. I'm not saying, "Woe is me, I'm alone in this world", I have just been feeling let down by multiple people lately. I try my hardest to do whatever I can for my friends and family to help make their lives easier and let them know they are in my thoughts. I don't always feel like I get that back, and at times that can be a really big let down. Anyways, I do know someone I can ALWAYS turn to, and that is my Heavenly Father. When I am feeling like nobody understands and nobody really cares that much, I know I can find solace, strength, comfort, guidance, and peace in Him. Simply saying a prayer and calling on His name enables my heart and mind to let go of my worries, pains, and fears, and cling to His love. My Heavenly Father knows me. He already knows why I'm upset or sad, but when I make the choice to turn to Him, only then is He able to finally help me like He's been waiting to do. This may seem cliche to you, or you may be unsure if what I'm saying is true. I encourage everyone out there to try out the power of prayer. Turn to your Heavenly Father who loves you, and allow Him to be there for you. Just thinking and writing about this has helped me feel better, and I haven't even prayed yet tonight. I'm so thankful for prayer and for my Father in Heaven who loves me and is waiting and willing to answer my prayers when I make the decision to turn to Him, and let Him into my life.

Photography!!

I am starting a Photography class tomorrow! I am SO excited. I have always wanted to get into photography, and possibly make some money! I would love it if I can get good enough to become a wedding photographer. To help people remember and cherish one of the happiest days of their lives- how cool of a job would that be!! I just got online to see if I could access the syllabus, and I am a little overwhelmed by al the projects and assignments! There are a lot of tools/ necessities I need to purchase too....it's a good thing this class is only once a week, it gives me time to get my paycheck before things are due! I ope this class is as fun and interesting as I am imagining it to be. I just looked up my professor on ratemyprofessor.com (which I <3), and of the 4/5 posts, everybody really likes her. They said the class isn't an easy A, but the professor is really clear, helpful, and understanding. I hope I enjoy this class and get as much out of it as I am imagining I will. I hope I don't drown in this class because of all my others @ UNLV. Wish me luck! :)

Communication?....What's that?!?

For the most part, I have been really lucky with how my parents and I interact. I am still living at home, hopefully I will move away someday when I can actually make some money. Although the stigma for a 22 year old still living at home is considered "sad" or "lame" I think I am living with it pretty well. My parents and I don't usually fight a lot, and we have some great times. HOWEVER, sometimes I feel like I am the only person on the planet who has ever heard of the word communication! Have you ever felt that way? Things would be SO much easier if people would tell you what is bothering them, what they have/had planned, or how they are feeling. Today's world thrives on the internet, cell phones, and any other kind of hand-held media devices we can get our hands on. While this new age of technology has taken us leaps and bounds in the medical world, it seems as though it is also slowly but very surely killing us on the communication side of things. Kids think that a text conversation is the best way to "talk to someone". I don't know about you, but "talking to someone" really means picking up the phone, or having a conversation face to face. Texts or emails are great for long distance, or when there is little time, or if the information being related is short and sweet. But is it ok to begin a relationship on the computer without ever having met the other person? Is it ok for couples to fight or attempt to solve a problem via text? This kind of thinking, I believe, takes the person out of the relationship. Of course its easier to discuss an issue via text- you can say whatever you want with really no physical or emotional repercussions. You can tell someone you've been dating that you're not really "ready for a relationship" via text without having to see the hurt or pain in their eyes. This technological age can take us over mountains that we never imagined we could climb, but we cannot forget that it is people who create this technology to assist humankind. The people in our lives need to come first. We need to show our feelings to other people, not a computer screen or cell phone message. We should look forward to seeing someone so we can talk, not to go for our phones first to text them. We cannot allow ourselves to let the technology of the ages take over and rule our lives. Communication is: the exchange of thoughts, messages, or information, as by speech, signals, writing, or behavior. Let's not forget about some of our most necessary human functions in our daily lives. Talk to people face to face. Make that phone call instead of sending a text. Be courageous and learn that even though we have the technology all around, it isn't always the best option to use it.

fooood

so, I've been feeling like I'm about to get sick the past few days....and I was right. I am sick all the time. It's kind of lame. Trying to work on that so I can get myself off Ryan's 3 year list haha (work joke) Anyways, Chelsea is taking me to get Panera Bread for dinner.....yummy. I'm excited. I hope they have what I want. :) Tell you about my cool idea later!

Just the beginning?...

So, it has taken me absolutely FOREVER to actually get online and start up this whole "blogging thing". I have a few friends who keep asking me, " Ashley, when are you going to start your blog?" I've said "soon" so many times that I think those friends have just given up....ah ha!! I gotcha! Right when you think of just saying forget it, BAM! I actually do it. Well, I've started anyways. I wonder if this will replace journal writing for me? Probably not all together, because, lets face it, some of my journal writing is personal and not for everyone to enjoy. :) I think this will be more of a venting, pondering, thoughtful way to keep in touch with family and friends. I'm ok with that for now....we'll see what happens and if I really keep up with writing. I must admit, I do enjoy typing SO much more than writing. It's faster, neater, the only thing you can't do while typing is doodle, which I do ALOT of. I think it's ok though, trying to figure out all this computer layout stuff is going to keep me busy enough!! haha!  Well, I am really tired. I should be in bed right now.....should be, being the key term here. I've had a few discussions today about the state of our nation, the president, which way the government is heading.....some very scary topics if you ask me. My question to society is this: The Constitution of the United States was established so that we could live in a democratic nation. Why is it nowadays people are so eager and willing to let the Constitution fall by the wayside, just to let the "government and politicians" get what they want? Doesn't the term, "By the people, for the people" ring a bell to anyone anymore? Let's stop being lazy, pay attention to whats being said and proposed around us, and speak up for what we believe in. That's what living in America is all about people. Let's not forget that!!