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! 

Christmas Of Love.

Despite my best efforts I feel overwhelmed by the blogging scene again. I simply don't have time these days. 

Snowshoeing is my new favorite thing and I have been blown away by the beauty of the snow. Last time when we were coming back we saw this man on the side of the road riding a cool bike and so we pulled over. Through a series of events and friendly conversation I ended up taking the thing for a little stroll. It was far too big for me and quite hard to ride so the nice fellow was running  behind me like a parent teaching a kid how to ride without training wheels. You can only imagine how great that looked. Mind you this all took place on University Avenue one of the busiest roads in Provo.What a delight. 

I was able to go home for five days! Which was nothing shy of a Christmas miracle. I had such a good time. Especially hanging out with my family. My sister was sick which ended up working in my favor because then she was home to hang out with me a lot. The fact that she ended up giving me the black lung and I now feel like I'm going to die is no biggy. It was totally worth it.  

The rents kicked my butt on both a bike ride & a trail run while I was there. I'll tell you what those kids are pretty awesome. 

On multiple occasions I hiked around Dixie & enjoyed some hot cocoa from this thermos which I think is amazing because it keeps things hot/cold for 24 hours. I understand that's the function of the thermos but this one seems especially cool to me. 

Mostly we just had a good time and Christmas was as delightful as ever.The doll in the video below was freaking me out. Especially when it would say "Please help flip me over on my back." Toys these days. 

I don't know why but when Rory sent this picture to me I about lost my mind. It cracks me up. 

I listened to this Christmas song everyday during the month of December.

Driving home from St. George was incredibly sketchy. Lucky for me Bekah pep talked me through the whole thing. 

It is SO cold here. The other day when Bekah & I were leaving Les Miserables [Which you should definitely see because its amazing. I don't even like musicals but this one is exceptional.] it was 8 degrees outside. We simply screamed bloody murder the whole entire way home. But on the bright side the icicles outside my door are pretty. 

Lastly I'm digging this song lately & doing the Carlton dance. Its impossible to be unhappy while doing it. 

Happy Sick Sunday! 

And There You Have It Folks.

Its that time again. [Four in the morning to be precise.] When I grace you guys with one of those thrilling catch up posts. I will try to be brief but here goes nothing..

-I went to St. George & my mom made sure that our Christmas decorations were up just so that I could get a taste of the holidays. So cute of her. 

-I went to a wedding & I liked the dress I was wearing

-We carried out our usual family tradition and made gingerbread houses. Even though it was before Thanksgiving. 

-Twenty five mains hot chocolate is to die for and I have not lost my love for their banana cupcakes either.

-David & I went to Pine Valley. He took me to a perfect spot, then we gathered a plethora of firewood, then we ate a picnic that he made for us (he even included water from first water springs which I thought was neat), then he played the guitar & sang me some songs, then we laid in the hammock while it rained like mad. It was real fun.

-I spent my first Thanksgiving in nineteen years away from my family, it was tough but still a good one.

-I got a new toy.

-I couldn't stop listening to that old American Pie song. Reminds me of road trips with the family when I was a kid. 

-I was really sad when David left on his mission. I especially miss snapchating him twenty four seven. He sent me these two pictures right before he left and told me to look at them everyday. He also said "Remember Alexa, when you reach the top of the mountain, keep climbing. I read that in a geocache logbook once." How wise.  It's funny because we did not even become good friends until just recently but he is still missed. To my surprise he sent me a letter last week and I was really excited! 

-I went & saw Isaac Russel & Joshua James again. Joshua is the smallest man in the world. But they never disappoint. Oh and I was in the company of Rory Mellor's twin. I wish the pictures did him justice.

-I went to The Killers & Tegan & Sara. They were both super good! I was wayyyyy excited when Tegan & Sara played Living Room because its one of my favorites and not a very popular one.

-Christmas spirit crept into the air and I've loved every minute of it. I've gone up to Salt Lake many a times and done all sorts of Christmas activities. On one occasion Casey & I went to Zoo lights and we got evacuated. I'm pretty sure that wild animals were escaping and it was awesome. 

-Every time I go to the Nickelcade I get a fake tattoo without fail.This last time we decided to take a picture of our classiness. People started tripping thinking we actually got tats. Silly rabbits. 

-Casey & Jeremy left sweet notes on my car while I was at work. I thought that was very nice of them. 

- I got in some good last minute biking and hiking while the weather was still decent. 

-Lately I really love the snow. 

-I was really sad when Casey moved & slipped into a 24 hour slump. Things are looking up though don't worry. 

-There was this day where Jessica & I went to a buffet & then played video games. We were shortly put into a food coma. Also look how cute my parents are. 

-Bangkok grill is one of my new favorite places & snow art is super cool! 

-I'm homeless, so that should be pretty interesting. 

I'm loosing my enthusiasm for this post so I must bid you a do. Except a much more punctual Alexa when it comes to blogging. Later days!