Stranger Danger.

I was talking to my friend the other day about about her trip from Ogden to Provo on the Trax. She told me that all went well but as she sat there making her journey she couldn't get over the fact that no one was talking to each other. That everyone was just sitting there in their own world not paying any attention to anyone around them. This then brought on a conversation about how strange we are as humans. How odd it is that we will sit next to one another and not say a word. Regardless of the fact that we are all full of so much life and have so many stories that we could share. I saw this fun video shortly after & I couldn't help but relate it to what we had talked about. If only we could share conversations much like those in the ball pit every time we are placed in a situation that longs for a conversation. I started making an effort awhile ago to go out of my comfort zone in hopes to better understand other people. It usually happens at work or with the clerk who is checking me out at the grocery store. I've been teased for it and I've made a handful of people feel very uncomfortable but I will tell you what it has changed my life. People are cool and its always fun to find out why. 

Ten Random Things.

[One] I've been thinking about how grateful I am for glasses. As crazy as it sounds I don't know where I would be without them. I'm unsure how people did it back in the olden days. I sure don't think I would be able to function without them. Heck I can barely make it down the hall without corrective lenses on.

[Two] I finally made a perfect grilled cheese over an open fire. It's been a long time coming but I've finally mastered the art.

[Three] This song. I can't get enough of it.  

[Four] I found an old picture of my feet. The permanent dirt/tan line that forms from my Tevas in the summertime is something that makes me so happy. I was reminded that the winter will soon end & that is amazing. 

[Five] I once made a pact to never watch The Bachelor. Now it has become one of my favorite topics of conversation. What have I become? 

[Six] Climbing. It's all I ever want to do. I can't even sleep lately because I can't stop thinking about the hand holds of the technical climbs I've been working on. Is it bad that I'm a little bummed about going to China because I'm going to loose everything  I've worked so hard to gain when it comes to climbing? 

[Seven] My last day of work was yesterday. They spoiled me rotten. I was totally okay with everything until the guys from Subway [who I do deposits for] brought me my favorite cookies. Then I broke down. Fat girl problems. I spend more time with those people then I do with my family & friends. It was a hard day. 

[Eight] I'm convinced that running, climbing & yoga [with a  little bit of biking] are the perfect combination for fitness. 

[Nine] I'm addicted to chai fraps from The Coffee Pod. They might even have Jazzy's beat.

[Ten] I am one of the new record holders for wall sits at MACU. Holla! 

You Suddenly Complete Me.

Here are a few things that have happened in the last seven days.

-I went to the circus. I was on cloud nine the whole entire time.

-I RODE AN ELEPHANT!! It was even free because we managed to swindle the circus peeps. So sweet.

-I listened to nothing but the Yeah Yeah Yeah's old acoustic stuff.

-I made more origami.

-I found the time to go climbing on three different occasions. [Ignore me doing the most awkward stance ever.]

-I went up to Park City to check out the Sundance Film Festival and hung out with two of my best girls.

-Local Natives came out with their new album & it is pure gold.

-Missionary mail has become my favorite thing. This week I received some green gum, a chihuahua card that said "I've Been Thinkin Bout You" & five page letters. 

-I walked across Utah Lake and it was unbelievably beautiful.

-Jess & Nick finally kissed on New Girl. This is a big deal!!

-Mountain America gifted me seven tents & now I am going to start a tent village.

-I found out that Siri can still be worth my time.

-Rory made me another playlist. [Make me a good playlist & I will be your biggest fan. It's that simple]

-I found this cool video

Au Revoir. 

You Look Fine.

So I've realized something kind of funny over the last two days...

The room that I am living in [more like squatting in] right now is at the top of a long dark staircase/hallway. There is a huge mirror placed right outside of my door.So naturally I scurry in front of it many times a day to check my outfit or my hair or really just to view myself as a whole. I've never thought anything of it. I've actually always thought that it was very convenient. It wasn't until just recently when all the lights in the hallway burned out and I was no longer able to see into the mirror that I realized what an impact it was having on me. I had never noticed how many times I looked in that mirror and thought down on myself. Or changed my outfit just because it didn't look exactly how I wanted it to. Or how many times I had gotten ready for the day and felt good and then noticed one of my imperfections as I glanced in it walking down the stairs. I've never even thought that I was that hard on myself. Yet since the light has been out and I've stopped looking into the massive mirror, it is amazing how much better I feel about myself when I walk out the door. Not only has it effected my attitude at that moment but I have seen its impact throughout my whole entire day. I sure don't think that mirrors are a bad thing but I do think that the way we view ourselves when we look in them is often so skewed. It is so easy to focus on the littlest of things and forget how truly beautiful we really are.

I remember seeing a picture awhile back of a mirror that had been replaced with the simple words "You look fine". I think about this picture sometimes when I get too wrapped up in what others think of me or which things about myself I would like to change. I think reminding yourself that you do "look fine" and that your looks don't define your happiness or the way that you act is something that can change your life. So remember that YOU LOOK FINE. 

Isn't This World Enough?

It's the Eighteenth day of 2013 & here are some things that have happened lately.

-I quit my job. Then I cried because I love it so much & am going to miss all of my coworkers. 

-I finished up my Royal Tenenbaums cross stitch. I'm such an old lady.

-I like to play with glow sticks.

-The BYU Art Museum has the coolest exhibits right now. I can't get enough of the Mythology of Monsters and Heroes in Contemporary Art one.

-I went to Logan over the weekend to visit Bailey & it was such a good time. Despite the fact that it took me six hours to get there because I was in the middle of a snowstorm from hell. I was literally talking out loud and telling myself it was going to be okay. Also never drink a Route 44 before going on a snowy road trip because you will be forced to pee in a cup while driving... [again]. Mostly its just refreshing to spend some time with your best friend but its also fun to do the Logan thing. We went to the game & sat on the second row [without even waiting in line might I add], she gave me a tour of campus, I rode the bus around and worked out in the field house [which is apparently what the kids are doing these days], I fell in love with peachy penguins [a Logan specialty], we went up in the beautiful canyon, played four square, saw Gangster Squad, ate a lot of good food and if you cant tell from my rant we had a whole lot of fun.

-I've been cooking lately. Kind of. Mostly just spaghetti squash & Thai garlic chicken but I'm proud of myself.

-This video gives me chills every time.

-Casey left yesterday & honestly I'm already having a hard time with it. I'm used to telling him EVERYTHING & have gone to call him since his departure far more than I care to admit. That's what best friends are for right? 

-I hike still.

Farewell peeps.

Changes.

I'm on one with this blogging stuff. But I've been thinking a lot today & I've been reminded of something.  

Getting older is weird. You start to see the people that you had "late nights" with or "went out" with grow up. They start changing and so do you. It's strange because prior to this everyone you know has been on the same path, generally doing the same things. Yet growing up is just what we do and it helps us move on to a whole new realm of happiness. It's bittersweet qualities often pull at our heart strings and make appreciating what is happening in our lives difficult.. As I've grown to accept this change I'm constantly trying to remind myself of one of the biggest things I've learned. We all have different paths & stories to create. I think it's important to remember that we are where we are for a reason. It's hard to see this especially when we are are constantly being reminded of what everyone else is doing [blasted social networks]. Not all of us are supposed to find love easily & be married right off the bat. Not all of us were made to be renown fashion bloggers or world travelers. We're not all supposed to have killer jobs or smooth sailing through school. All of us might not even be cut out for a mission. There is a plan for each of us and whether we see the beauty of it right now or not, its okay. I think that making the most of what path we are on is what makes life so beautiful. It's all about pursuing happiness. So let us pursue. 

Saying I Love You & Nearly Meaning It.

Its 2013 & I have a few things to share. 

I've made a last minute decision to move to China for a little bit! I will be leaving in the middle of Feburary & returning the end of June. I'm going to live in Zhongshan & teach English to cute little Asain babies. I'm thrilled! It's funny how everything has worked out for me and how inconveniently convenient the timing has been. So get ready for an Asian Invasion in less than 50 days.

I've only had an energy drink twice in my life & last night was  one of those occasions. I didn't like it one bit. I was tripping hard all night long and I thought my heart was going to explode. Moral of the story is, when you are already blessed with the energy of a 10 year old don't push your limits.

I went & saw Blind Pilot play again. They get better every time. As always we had a good time dancing & an even better time watching the drunk guy in front of us. I really hate this picture of me because I look like a boy but my friends look cool [especially Levi who resembles a Russian] so that's all that matters.

I went on a really amazing hike on Sunday. [I will never get over this sickness because I can't help but trek through the mountains.] It was simply me and the snow and the trees. The snow was untouched other than

animal tracks and everything was so peaceful. There was this time that about twenty deer surrounded me and didn't run away. I only got a picture of a handful of them but it was really cool. Also, I went to my favorite place again. It's even more beautiful covered in the snow. 

Bombay Bicycle Club announced that they are coming out with a new album!!! I can't even explain how excited I am!!! 

I've made a handful of resolutions for the new year. Many in which I will unfortunately fail to carry through but I've made one that I'm incredibly dedicated to keeping. The month of December has been an especially hard one for me [This is not in an effort to bring about a poor Alexa moment. I am perfectly fine & blessed.] & it's helped me realize who is genuinely concerned about me. It's helped me pinpoint which of my friendships are artifical and which ones are real.It's not to say that these people don't love me but they neglect making the effort to show me they do. The worst part is that I've realized I often do this to others. We all do this to each other. We become so wrapped up in what we are doing that we fail to show those around us that we care about them. So i'm going to put forth a diligent effort this year to be more receptive to people's feelings and personalize my relationships a little more. A little extra effort from us all would make for awesome social support systems & happier lifestyles. So why not give it a shot? 

I love this video & am a firm believer that even the worst of dancers should bust a move. 

Happy New Year!