Searching for Peace

This is a tragic day. My prayers go out to those affected by the elementary school shooting in Connecticut. With a niece in kindergarten and plans to become an elementary school teacher, this news has caused great heaviness in my heart. My first reaction was shock. Then anger. Anger towards the creature who obviously doesn't have a shred of love, compassion, or humanity in him. I was then overcome with sadness. sadness for the families and friends of those who were lost or affected by this creature. I know I am one of millions searching for peace. Thankfully a friend shared this thought...

‎"When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.' To this day, especially in times of "disaster," I remember my mother's words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world."-Mr. Rogers

There are good people in this world. People who care. Find them, unite with them, love them, and pray with them.

This is a story that will need to be explained. Children will be confused and scared. Parents are already confused and scared.  This website about helping children cope should be read by everyone. (Even those without children).

This is a heartbreaking day full of grief and sorrow. While it's important to remember this attack, it's also important to remember that we are not alone. We have a Heavenly Father who loves all his children. He is watching out for those who have been unfairly taken, as well as those feeling the loss. This song explains it better than I ever could.

Here's the story behind it. Isn't it incredible how in moments of despair, we can ALWAYS find hope?

Haiku

Almost Thanksgiving

I should really do homework

silly distractions

Sono Contenta:)

Come faccio a studiare per il mio esame italiano? Ascolto di Josh Groban, naturalmente!

PDA

First of all let me very clearly state that I am all for showing affection in public...in a classy way. I love it when couples hold hands or even just connect fingers. A head on the shoulder is sweet as well. When watching a movie feel free to put your arm around her..precious. I'm a cheesy person, I think mushy is great (to a point). I just have a few requests to the students of BYU. Particularly the two couples that have graced me with their presence the past couple of hours.

#1: the couple next to me. As much as I love listening to your sweet nothings, they're supposed to be whispered. I don't care about your personal interest in each other. You're distracting me from my very important homework....

#2: The couple across from me. okay I can somewhat understand the difficulty whispering sweet nothings (some people just have loud voices). BUT If you don't want to hear me puking...I suggest making out a little quieter. That's just gross and no one wants to see or hear it!! A light kiss on the cheek, head, or even lips is better than a full on make-out.

Like I said before-affection in public is great! You're showing the world how much you care about your loved one. To the 'cute' couples around me: please just remember my requests: WHISPER your sweet nothings and please please please DON'T make out in public...especially where people are eating. There are other people in this world who would much rather see you holding hands. Thank you:)

National Cheeseburger Day

I absolutely love cheeseburgers. Not the crazy over-the-top kind, just the classic cheese, pickles, lettuce, and a delicious sauce. Ya those are the best:) My pitiful college dinners seem to make me want one even more...and lasagna, chicken noodle soup, mashed potatoes, salad, the list goes on...oh yeah back to the cheeseburgers. Well after weeks of burger withdrawals I finally caved and bought a jr. cheeseburger at Wendy's- it was a special occasion: 

I would like to wish all of you a very merry National Cheeseburger Day!! I hope you all celebrated with a delicious burger topped with delectable cheese:) To help you enjoy this wonderful day here's a classy song...

Always Remember.

9/11/2001

College: Take 2

I love college. I love the free food. I love the MOA (Museum of Art). I thrive on my education-especially now that I'm being taught how to teach. I absolutely love being back in the BYU bubble. football games (go cougs!). Late night roommate chats. Facebook hacking. Even grocery shopping. I love how cute my Italian Professor gets when he speaks the beautiful language-especially his grin when he knows that we have no clue what he's saying. Our massive chalkboard! Not having to walk all the way to campus (thanks to the shuttle). Church at 9:20 instead of 1:30. I love that it's September. I love that we get all my favorite channels. That I won't have homework over Christmas break. Getting letters that remind me about the great summer I had. The list could go on forever...

I'm not a fan of college. The awkward encounters with the opposite gender (especially in the laundry room). The stinky sink. Spending money. Feeling like an idiot as the only one from my complex riding the shuttle. The overwhelming homework load. The false idea that if I'm not constantly meeting new people, going on dates, or giving out my number to hot guys...there's something wrong with me. Having to say goodbye to my family and friends. Sketchy dishwasher, oven, and fridge. Church at 9:20.

Don't worry -the "I love college" list overpowers the "I'm not a fan of college list". Even though I usually come home past the point of exhaustion. I am content. During the first ten days I didn't think it was possible, but that attitude has changed in the recent ten days. I can honestly say that for right now...it's all good:)

First Day of School

First day of school tomorrow. 

First day as an Elementary Education major. 

Scared. Excited. Scared again. 

Can't wait to hear the silence of the library.

  Eat the food in Cougareat. 

  Take a wrong turn and wander around campus pondering life

If the week gets really tough I've always got

  Thursday night...first football game of the season!

You would think after fourteen 

(and many more - seeing as I plan to become a teacher)

of these I would be past the jitters.

You thought wrong. 

Here's to another first day of school.

Goodbye

Okay. Here's the deal. Saying goodbye is ridiculous. I mean it's a heart-wrenching experience that seems to happen more often than not. Why is it so tragic? Is there a way to endure this pain and come out a winner?

Most of my life I assumed that you had to interact with someone for years before really knowing them. College has taught me differently. One of the greatest lessons I've learned is that lifelong friendships can be made in just one conversation. The hard part comes when you have to say goodbye to these dear friends. Everyone has their own path to take and that usually means going separate ways for awhile. Maybe it's only four months or two years. Possibly a lifetime. We don't always know how long it will be until our paths' cross again. That unknown is what makes goodbyes so hard.

How do we endure the time without those we care about? If possible we stay in contact. Unfortunately, that isn't always possible. The worst thing to do is sit around in a stagnant position. Chances are, those we have said goodbye to are learning and growing. We need to do our best to turn our sadness into strength. By just accomplishing this first step we are already growing as well. Just imagine the reunion of two connected souls who have taken the time apart to reach for their potential. It's a beautiful thought. An idea that can only become reality by putting forth the effort.

I already have, and will again soon, say farewell to many dear people who have touched my life. I will attempt to keep them in my heart. By doing so I can only hope to borrow some of their incredible strength and work towards my own potential. Keeping in my head the idea of a beautiful reunion.

Even though you might be missing someone or dreading saying farewell, keep your head up. Be courageous. Cry, but always counter the tears with something positive. I can promise you in the words of greatly revered LDS prophet Gordon B. Hinckley, "Try a little harder, to be a little better." The best way to overcome the challenge of goodbye is through pushing forward and becoming our best selves.

Heard about this video from a friend awhile ago. Every time I watch it I get a renewed sense of optimism. Just a great example of taking something incredibly negative and making it a positive experience. (His wife's name is Mandy, which might also make me a little biased). 

The Throwdown

It finally happened folks.The throwdown of the weekend

Mandy vs. the key. 

Trying to prove herself (to apparently no one) the naive blonde challenged her tiny, stubborn house key to a duel. I would love to know what was going through her head as she shoved that little punk into the lock. Probably thinking about the future, because if she had been pondering the present and potential consequences she probably would have chosen a different way of entering the empty house. 

Mandy seemed to have the upper hand (literally) as she pulled the classic twist and unlock. The match seemed over before it even began as the door opened triumphantly...BUT the key fought back. Reaching into his bag of tricks and pulling out the nastiest of all. No matter how hard she tried, that obnoxious piece of metal refused to budge. He was staying in that lock, and no one could stop him. After approximately two hours of yanking, tugging, murmurming, mumbling, praying, crying, and sitting. Mandy took one last look at her crippled hands and threw in the towel. 

Even after a winner had been announced, the key showed signs of poor sportsmanship by staying put. It wasn't until an hour later that he finally stepped down...thanks to the heroic efforts of Mandy's father and brother, physically removing the lock. 

Some changes have been made in order to prevent a throwdown like this ever happening again. Mainly a good ole fashioned oiling of the lock. Although the key won in this battle, both parties learned their lesson (hopefully). 

15 Days

15 days until London 2012. So I popped a movie in and began creating my Olympic countdown. Looks a little like an elementary school student's work, but those usually have the most character:)

The Vacation

Three days. 900 miles. Four states. BYU-Idaho. Yellowstone National Park. Plenty of memories and lessons learned.

-----WARNING! SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't seen the movie Brave, don't read #1

Lesson #1~ I am still a scaredy-cat 

This was just a confirmation. I will proudly say that I was able to manage my deathly fear of heights, insects, and driving. They were definitely there, but I was able to manage without freaking myself out more than necessary/normal.

It was the movie we saw that really sparked my inner wimp. It's supposed to be children's movie. It is animated! Of course I loved the message behind Brave- Stand up for yourself, don't let other's attempt to change you, every story has two sides, and it was NOT feminist! I found it to be very gender-general...other than that however...I was scared out of my mind! I mean the 'evil' bear was one of the most horrifying things I have ever seen. And what about Merida's father trying to kill her mother? Or when her mother starts acting like a bear and attacks! So scary!! I wanted to be like the little children in the theater screaming and crying (well I covered the crying part pretty well).

Then in Yellowstone we visited the hot-pots and geysers. First sign I see "Stay on boardwalks. Unstable ground." Let me tell you-walking on rickety wood about four feet wide (without railings). On either side, and underneath, the inferno that is Yellowstone. One wrong move and someone is toast...literally.  You would think that after going to YNP at least six times I would be used to the dangers, but not quite. 

Yes I am still a scaredy-cat but I'm not afraid to admit it:)

Lesson #2~ Every family member is important.

 Our first family vacation in four years and we only had half of the family. I now understand why my parents had five children. My two older sisters were missing from this trip and it was obvious. Every member of my family is vital to every other member. So Jon, Jeni, & family; Lance & Melissa (there will be a post on the wedding as soon as I get pictures!)...missed you guys and love you all!

Lesson #3~ I am a fan of camping in a hotel:)

I will straight-up admit that I am not an outdoorsy girl. The whole camping, fishing, roughing-it thing just doesn't appeal to me. I love nature and am amazed by it. Just discovered that I can appreciate it more with the knowledge that there's a nice hotel room (without bugs) waiting for me.


I got scared, missed my sisters (and everyone belonging to them), and saw hardly any aminals (we call them 'aminals' in Yellowstone). Yet it was still an incredible trip! It was a wonderful break from Utah. I got to drive through four states in two days-Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana. I got to experience the wonders of nature. It wasn't Disneyland, but I would say that it was a successful trip and hopefully we don't have to wait four years for the next one:)

First mani-pedi

After 19 years of patiently waiting, it finally happened...chilling with sisters in massage chairs, inhaling white orange essential oils while some brave person (speaking in a language that I can't even pretend to understand) attacks/massages/paints my feet and hands with scrubs, buffers, clippers, files, random lotion stuff, and color. Ya, it's all good:)

Merry Half Christmas!

 I love the holiday season, which I claim as November 1-January 2 (even though I celebrate all year round). I also love making lists, so here's a combination to begin the countdown to the most wonderful time of the year!

The Holidays

EVE

Stories

Autumn

Thanksgiving

The beautiful lights

The Forgotten Carols

Letters to Santa Claus 

Decorating the Christmas tree

The first snowfall of the season!!  

Countless movies and TV specials

The food! Oh baby I love the food!

Feelings of kindness and love that abound

White Christmas (the musical and hit song)

Struggles falling asleep because I'm so excited

The presents...yes I still love getting and giving gifts:)

The merry holiday tunes (which I listen to ALL YEAR ROUND)

The options for apparel are so diverse! Sweaters, layers, jackets, etc...

 Family gatherings

Hot chocolate

Traditions

All of these, and many others, are part of what make the holidays so incredible for me. However, there is one reason that I believe we should celebrate all year long. The main reason I  celebrate Christmas to recognize the birth of my Savior. Born in a humble stable He was the only one who could save us all. Jesus Christ gave us the greatest gift. He gave us the opportunity to be forgiven and return to live with our Heavenly Father and loved ones for all eternity. What more could anyone want? So while I am obsessed with everything in that list (which is supposed to be a Christmas tree), I am the most grateful for the humble birth of my Savior. Hope you all had a wonderful almost Christmas:)

Just A Thought

Made it to another Friday...

And So it Begins

 "Every day may not be good, but there is something good in everyday"-N/A.

 Here's the deal: Life is hard. It always has been and always will be. The only way to reach your full potential is by embracing the challenges that will inevitably come your way. Now there will be rough times of pain and sorrow,  but there will also be incredible moments of joy and peace.

My name is Mandy Kirby and I have bad days. They happen and it's frustrating, but I'm slowly learning that there is always something positive no matter how bad life may seem. When I am willing to search for the positive, things change. I am rejuvenated and excited to be alive! There are so many little  things that refresh my soul. This blog is about my journey to embrace those little things. Feel free to laugh, roll your eyes, and cry along with me. To start out, here's a little story that inspires me to keep working through each day...good and bad.