Halloween.

Happy Halloween! 

So, I am in a stage make-up class.. I love it! I have learned some pretty sweet stuff. Our assignment for the weekend was to do something gross and gory on someone and take a picture. 

Challenge Day 3. Something you crave a lot.

Cafe Rio Salad. 

DELICIOUS.

I crave this waaaayyy too often

Today I am thankful for:    good friends.

Friends make everything better. Without my good friends, I don't know where I'd be in life. Finding yourself is hard, but good friends can see things in you that you don't see in yourself.. our friends mold us and shape us into the person we are. I really miss the truly good influences in my life, I haven't seen them in a while. I haven't seen myself in a while. 

I hope your halloween is great :) 

Challenge Day 2.

Name your celebrity crush and 5 things you would do with them.

I have a few celeb crushes, but hands down my all time biggest has to be 

Adam Brody.

I am kind of in love with him.

His style and personality is the most attractive thing eva

5 things we would do:

-Hang out, chill, listen to music together

-Tell jokes and laugh

-Go to the OC so I can pretend we are on the show together

-Kiss of course

-Go to an amusement park

I'm so pathetic. haha

Today I am thankful for:  Second Chances. I have done a lot of stupid things recently, and I am so happy and thankful that we, as humans, can move on from things. Time heals everything. As weird as it sounds, mistakes are meant to be made. If we don't make mistakes, we never learn. Take it for what it's worth I guess.

Movin on. Making changes. For real.

Challenges and Thanks.

Hey there errbody.


Last night I was writing in my journal, and I decided to set some new goals. 
One of these new goals is to pick one thing every day (until the end of the semester) that I am thankful for, so I decided to do just that, and share it with all of my readers.  I know it may seem insignificant, but I believe that expressing your appreciation for even the smallest things encourages others to look at things in a new light, and maybe even share with their loved ones.


As Oprah said it, "Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. Concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough."


I saw the "30 Day Challenge" on this cute blog, and decided to join in. Hate it or love it, whatevahhh.


So from now on (until Dec 17 when the semester ends), I will have a new thankful post every day.. along with my other randoms that I enjoy tossing in every once in a while. 
And for the next 30 days I will have a bit about the challenge.


30 Day Challenge- Day 1.
Your name and 5 things about you that no one really knows.


Name: Jenna Marie. (I would put my last name but my blog is not private)


1. Not many people know that I have filled 11 Journals, I am currently on my 12th. I never get tired of it :)
2. I am a staff writer/photographer (but mostly writer) for The Dixie Sun. (The Dixie College Newspaper)
3. My number one goal in life is to see the world. Of course I want a family someday and such, but my desire to see the world, as of right now, is greater.
4. I have never seen ANY of The Pirates of the Caribbean movies, and I don't care to. I don't know why, something about them just bugs. (Yes I am judging a movie by its cover, cry about it.)
5. My favorite TV shows are Family Guy and South Park. I literally lol every time I watch them.




Today I am thankful for...

You thought I was going to start with something tender like Family or Friends, didn't you?

Nope.

Try this stuff and you will be in heaven.

Cinnamon Roll Yogurt? 

Who is the culinary mastermind who created this beautiful concoction of sweetness?

I am thankful for this because it is truly heaven in yo mouf. 

Eat it. now. no seriously.

Have a grand halloween weekend errbody! Okurrr?  

Put a big bird in a small cage.

First, a word about the absence of Facebook. 

SO AMAZING. It is like that feeling you get when you go on vacation and don't take your phone with you. You kind of feel untouchable. 

ok anyway, enough with facebook talk.

There is a mouse in my room... and if there is one, there is probably more.  I was getting ready this morning and felt something run across my foot. By the feeling, I knew it wasn't just me imagining an itch or something. I look to my left to see a friggen mouse running up my shower curtain. Seck. 

Welcome to student housing.

Okay so I know I always have new plans.. but that's the fun of life I guess, right? 

I am flying to San Diego in 2 weeks to meet a potential family to nanny for. I skyped with them yesterday and fell in love. They are so great. I will, of course, keep you all posted on how it goes. I am so excited to meet them :)

and, not to mention, San Diego (well, Carlsbad) isn't so bad. :)

So, I went to the store the other day and bought a few things. At the check-out I realized how pathetic I am, so I had to take a picture of my purchase. I think this is the moment it hit me, "You are in college."

holla.

Okay, there's probably only about 2 people who read my blog that will get this.. but it is too funny. Bettttssss and I went to get our halloween costumes and we bought tall-tees to cut into indian dresses. Before I cut my shirt, I dressed up as one of the kids that lives at the same place I do. HA, the resemblance is uncanny. Those of you who know him will know exactly who it is. 

hella much.

Welp, there's my bit for now. Have a great day and a lovely halloween weekend :) 

Jenna.

Goodbye Facebook.

What is it about facebook that makes people so addicted?
Is it the convenience of keeping in touch with family and friends by means of pictures, comments, sharing interests, "liking" certain things, etc?

Or is it really something else?

I personally believe, and some disagree, that the majority of people use the site for one thing.

Validation.

"tag me in that pic on fb!" I have heard this countless times. People crave inclusion.. I need everyone to see that I had a fun weekend.
Everyone wants to be validated. Whether it's by a comment on a picture, status update, or post.

I feel that facebook is a very good communication tool, but then again.. the people who truly care about me and my life will prove it. They will make an effort to make human contact with me.. and if they want to follow me.. they can read this blog.

Thank you to all of you readers. You are the people who actually care.

I am not saying any of this to bash on people with facebook or think that I am better than anyone because I got rid of it, because that is not it at all. I just know that once people start noticing I am no longer a part of the social network, they will ask "why?" "why in the world would you delete facebook?" Now we can't see what you're up to!

That's another good one. Everybody wants to see what everybody is up to..
to me, this means... let's see who got fat, who is dating who, who went off the deep end, and who is doing what with their lives.

I am not claiming myself as innocent from ANY of these things! I am just as guilty as the rest of caring what others think on facebook, and judging others on facebook.

I already feel liberated without it. I am going to spend time living a life instead of living for facebook. Some people live for facebook, meaning.. even when they aren't on facebook, they really are on facebook. These are the people who make sure to snap a million pictures of their night so they can show everybody that they had fun, instead of living in the moment and enjoying the night they had.
    I am all for pictures and memories, don't get me wrong. There's a fine line between capturing a special moment and barfing your weekend all over the net, though.

So there it is. The main reasons it is now gone.. the privacy issues didn't really scare me, but they are just the cherry on top.


So friends, if you care to keep in touch with me. Please! Call, skype, meet up with me! :)
Let's actually have a real, tangible relationship.

Kava, church, and jobs.

This weekend was so great,

I love experiencing new cultures and meeting new people.

Some of my girl friends and I went to hang out with a big group of Polynesian people and experienced some of their culture. 

So amazing.

They played the ukulele and we all sang songs, chilled, laughed, and had a good time.

I felt like we were in Hawaii (except I looked outside to see ugly red rock instead of the ocean).

We mixed Kava

(a root used to make a drink that relaxes you without affecting mental clarity)

It is basically dirt water. 

"It tastes like your water fell in dirt and you picked it back up and drank it," -Shelby Tomaiko. 

I had so much fun, I'm really loving St. George a lot more this year than last. 

I have met some legit people this year, (I apologize for using the term "legit" but it is the only way to describe these great people)

I am currently at church. 

I witnessed a beautiful baptism, 

a little boy named Joshua who came in with his mom.

His mom told everyone it was his birthday and the whole place sang happy birthday

he then had his worship. (lovely coffee drink=worship)

Congrats Joshua. 

haha

I apologize if that is offensive to anyone.. but then again, this is my blog and my life.

So the post I wrote a while ago about "the never ending debate,"

I wrote an opinion piece for the newspaper.. it was amazing.

My editor told me today that that piece has basically already been done.

BOOOOOOOO

Now I had to re-write a whole new, and less fiery, opinion piece.

Ah, it happens.

On a better note,

I got some jobs! 

YAY!

I am STOKED about working at Bath and Body works.

(mostly cause of the discount, and the fact that I get a discount at Victoria's Secret as well)

Yea buddy. 

rollin like a big shot

Also: YES, that ifeelinfinite tattoo on the finger is mine. 

judge all you want. 

once again, my life.

I think it's quite funny that people have called my mom to ask about it. 

Anyway: I hope everyone is having a lovely day and doing lovely things :)

A few things.

1. I am so incredibly happy that it is rainy. It is a nice break from the constant heat, and a chance to wear cute fall clothes.

I am obsessed with this jacket.

and these shoes

I got some EXACTLY like them at the D.I. a while ago for $4.

2. I am stoked for zumba tonight

(yes, I took this picture. haha)

Meet Cait and Shantlee.

3. I hate job searching, but I have 2 interviews tomorrow. Cross yo fingaz.

4. I cannot stop listening to "Cataracts" by Andrew Bird.

If you haven't heard it, I suggest you listen. NOW. It is on my playlist on this blog.

5. Life is confusing. There's nothing more scary than trying to figure out what you want to do with your life. I honestly think I want to go to make-up school. Someday I'll make it.

There's my random-ness for the day.

Sorry it's nothing special.

ifeelinfinite.

Sam tapped her hand on the steering wheel. Patrick held his hand outside the car and made air waves. And I just sat between them. After the song finished, I said something.

“I feel infinite.”

And Sam and Patrick looked at me like I said the greatest thing they ever heard. Because the song was that great and because we all really paid attention to it. Five minutes of a lifetime were truly spent, and we felt young in a good way.”

The perks of being a wallflower.

These 3 words,

I feel infinite,

mean to me that life is meant to be lived

time is meant to be spent, truly spent

love is meant to be shared

the little things are meant to be enjoyed

and there is no limit to the things I can do

the things I can achieve

or who I may become

There are infinite possibilities.

:)

Lesson Learned.

"Never look down on someone unless you're helping them up."

I learned a valuable lesson yesterday.

Sometimes people say and do stupid things (aka-ME)

without realizing how it may affect others..

I won't go into detail, but if you read this, I'm sorry again. 

I love you.

"don't be yourself--be someone a little nicer."

That is my new goal. 

I have something a cookin'

potentially.

I really really want to start a non-profit organization

but we'll see if the timing is right and the pieces fit.

:)

A little Starbucks Sunday.

Betsy and I are at church today, this is what it looks like.

I love Sundays.

This weekend was so great. 

Yesterday bettssss and I went to a silent protest against anti-gay bullying

It was so inspirational. 

The kid who organized it, Jason, is a Junior in high school. 

His words were really profound,

but what really struck me were the words of his best friend, a straight ally.

"Changing yourself would be a great injustice because you would be depriving the world of the only you there is."

There was so much love and support there, and Jason made it very clear that it was

"NOT an anti-Packer protest."

I appreciated his desire to keep things respectful and move forward in a positive direction.

Attending the event really made me miss my own family.

I don't get homesick, but I think last night was the first time I truly felt physical pain because 

I miss them so much.

I'm not here to wine and be a baby though, I just love my familia. :)

Something I am thankful for today:

New Friends, and Old Friends.

I have made some great friends recently. 

Even one who I KNOW will be a lifelong friend.

Betsy girl I love ya.

I miss my old friends too, but it means the world to know that no matter where we go, we will ALWAYS have a close friendship.

Stef girl, I miss you and love you.

(you too Arthur)

Things change and people change

and it's sometimes hard to grasp

but nothing is more comforting than knowing 

there are those few beautiful people always cheering you on.

Options.

Well, as many of you know.. I am always looking for some new thing to do with my life.
I figured that next semester would be a great time to take a break from school because I will be at a good break point.

So, a lot of you probably heard about my New Zealand nanny job..
Well, the family has taken TOO long to e-mail me back.. so I am moving on to new possibilities.
Sometimes you just can't rely on other people.

Option 1. - Nanny job in Zurich, Switzerland. I would learn German.

Option 2- Nanny job in France. (on Swiss and French border by Geneva, Switzerland) I would learn French.

Option 3- Semester of Study abroad in Bremen, Germany. 

That's honestly all my free time these days: researching these 3 places.

If anyone has any insight or know anyone who has gone to any of these places, please let me know!

Otherwise, I'll keep you all posted.

Peace and Blessins. Peace and Blessins.

True Beauty.

Tonight I attended the Homecoming Queen Pageant at Dixie.
I personally think that pageants these days are so outdated. I wish it were more about personality and all around beauty, instead of swim suits and talents.
That aside, it really got me thinking. Every single one of those 16 girls up on that stage was beautiful in her own way. They were not all stick skinny with the "hollywood ideal" body, perfect hair and teeth, and excellent public speakers... but they put themselves out there, and that deserves props.

I realized that the reason these girls were all so beautiful is because they were all so different. Our differences define us and make us who we are, beautiful human beings.
Each person has so much to offer, just like all the contestants did. I wish more people could see their own self worth and individual qualities that make them so great.

I challenge all of you to look at yourself in the mirror today, notice the thoughts and feelings that start arising when you look at different parts of your body.. turn those thoughts into positive feelings. It may sound ridiculous, but it can make all the difference. (for example.. thought: my thighs are so big. positive thought: I am so grateful for my strong legs that help me run, dance, and do all the things I love to do.)
This can work for non-physical things as well. I encourage you to really look at yourself as a whole and try, even just a little bit today, this week, or this month.. and find great qualities. Work on loving yourself.

Remind yourself that no one does a better job of being you, than you.

"Believe in your dreams and they may come true, believe in yourself and they will come true."

beauty in all shapes and sizes.

The Never Ending Debate.

Okay people, I wasn't gonna touch this one with a 10 foot pole.. but I figured I could do it respectfully and perhaps get a good discussion going.


As many of you know, the LDS general conference was held this past weekend. No, I did not watch it nor did I listen to it.. but I understand there was a talk given by Boyd K. Packer about same sex attraction. 
(The official text has not been posted yet, so this is the closest thing I could find, It may be a little biased but that's not the point...)
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/50404210-78/church-sex-lds-packer.html.csp


As many of you ALSO know, I am a huge supporter of the gay community and everything gay. This talk caused quite a stir seeing as I have seen postings about it all over facebook and such. 
The Human Rights Campaign released a "rebuttle," so to speak, to Packer's words. http://www.hrc.org/14955.htm


Now, nobody freak out just yet. I haven't said anything disrespectful have I? No. 

I have many LDS friends as well as many LGBTQ+ friends.. ALL of whom I ADORE. 
This talk does trouble me, I will admit. Many gay teen suicides have occurred in the past few months as a result of hatred and anti-gay bullying. I also believe that my brother should be allowed the same rights as you and I.
I am a firm believer that people are born gay, but NO we are not going to argue that.. because we could argue and argue until we are all blue in the face. Nobody's opinion is going to change either way. 

However, there is a quote in the HRC report that is a bit hard for me to swallow, “When a faith leader tells gay people that they are a mistake because God would never have made them that way and they don’t deserve love, it sends a very powerful message that violence and/or discrimination against LGBT people is acceptable. It also emotionally devastates those who are LGBT or may be struggling with their sexual orientation or gender identify. His words were not only inaccurate, they were also dangerous.”


Woah Woah Woah, Packer never told the LGBT community they are a MISTAKE. 
The LDS church was stating their views and opinions, just like you and I have the beautiful right to do. I also don't think that Packer was trying to tell people that they should discriminate against the LGBT community, he was simply stating that it can be overcome. (Note: I do not agree with that statement, but I respect that he has his own views.) 


The point I'm trying to make here, is that everybody needs to stop acting so victimized. 
ALL people, including LDS, should think for themselves and really question what they believe.. and if you do your research and really find what is best for YOU, then GREAT! You deserve respect.
But on the other hand, the LGBT community has GOT to stop clawing at the LDS church and singling them out. MANY other religions teach the same thing, and who gets the grief? The mormons. 


This teeth gnashing argument between the LGBT community and the LDS church has got to stop. 
As much as I hate that the LDS church tries to convince gay youth that they can be "fixed," they still have their deeply held beliefs that I, and everyone else, should respect. 
Let's just quit blowing things out of proportion here. BOTH sides. 


Feel free to leave a comment and share your thoughts, even if you hate what I had to say go ahead and tell me! 
Just keep things respectful, people.

:)

I love today.

It is finally a semi-cold day here in St. George

I never realized how much I missed having a chill rainy day.

This may be a cliche post, but I am really appreciating so much lately.

I appreciate blogs and the fact that others do too, I have been learning so much about people.

I really appreciate forgiveness and happiness. 

I really appreciate old friends.

I appreciate intuition, and the fact that someone can have the feeling to call or do something just when you need it most :)

Thank you Lindsay.

I appreciate my parents and 3 amazing brothers. 

I appreciate good friends and good coffee talk.

I appreciate genuine people. 

I appreciate good music. 

I appreciate differences among people. 

I am feeling so happy lately :) 

This could not be more true.

This weekend was so great! I had so much fun with new friends. 

It's the first weekend I've actually been in St. George to hang out!

Also- My hair is brown now.. just a side note. ha

This is my roommate- Holly. 

Shelby, Holly, and me at Honolulu Grill for karaoke!

Lu.

We met PAULY D and SEAN KINGSTON. haha These kids looked exactly like them.

So on my last post I said I didn't have a picture of me over 10 years ago,

so my mother so kindly sent me some.

hahah look at that white hurrrrrrr

bloggy blog blogs, I love blogs.

What is your point?

I really love that I am starting to find more and more people who are blog nerds like me. 

You can really learn so much about a person and come to appreciate them a lot by reading their blog.

I have become a little bit too in love with it this past week! 

Amy I hope you don't mind I stole your fun thing :)

1. Your favorite song: 

It always changes.. but there's one that seems to never get old.. It's In Your Blood. By: Lydia. so beautiful.

2.Your favorite movie:

Hands Down.

3. Your favorite TV show:

It's a tie: Family Guy, South Park, and The office

4.Your favorite book:

I wish I read more.. but for now it's The Perks of Being a Wallflower.

5. Your favorite quote:

"So I guess we are who we are for a lot of reasons. Maybe we will never know most of them. But even if we don't have the power to choose where we come from, we can still choose where we go from there. We can still do things, and try to feel okay about them." --The perks of being a wallflower.

6. 20 of my favorite things:

Chai, music, the D.I., a good conversation, traveling, photography, sleep, fluffer nutters, Cafe Rio, bracelets, flying, christmas lights, fruit, a man in a nice suit, my journals, summer rain, writing/receiving letters, TOMS, friends.

7. A photo that makes you happy

 8. A photo that makes you sad

Matthew Shepherd. 

9. A photo you took

10. A photo of you taken over 10 years ago

blah I don't have one on my computer

11. A photo of you recently

12. Something you are OCD about.

Certain things being "unshare-able" for instance, Soup, Salad, any drink after it is about 2/3 of the way gone.

13. Your favorite outfit.

I'm in love with the boyfriend jean. It looks so relaxed 

14. Your favorite shoes.

15. Your Dream House.

something along these lines, not purple though.

16. A song that makes you cry.

Footprints in the sand by Leona Lewis

17. An art piece

18.My wedding/ future wedding

www.weddingsbykathy.com 

Gallery 6

19. A talent of yours

haha

20. A hobby of yours:

Photography

21. A recipe

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup butter

1 cup sugar

1 cup canned pumpkin

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

2 cups flour

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 pkg hershey chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Cream together butter and sugar.  Add pumpkin, egg, and vanilla. Mix well.

In separate bowl mix together dry ingredients.  Add to the other bowl.  

Stir until blended. Stir in chocolate chips.  

Bake for 15 minutes.

Cool

Frost with cream cheese frosting

22. A website.

www.picnik.com

23. A Youtube Video.

24. Where I live.

gross.

25. Your day in great detail.

Woke up after about 5 hours of sleep, looking like tiredy tiredson. Put my glasses on and seriously went straight to class. Sat through my news writing class, then the Dixie Sun (school newspaper that I write for), then my stage makeup class where we have been learning about how to make people look OLDDD, so say hello to Meth addict/old Jenna

Then I just hung out with some friends on the Diag (lame abbreviation for a diagonal sidewalk at Dixie), Now I am just relaxing in my room, made myself a wonderful sandwhich and blog blog blogging. Loser.

26. Your week, in great detail.

Geezzzz.....Sunday, drove back to St. G from home, nothing too cool. Pretty much school all week, starbucks/study/good times with friends, Got my hurr did darker, Wednesday was spent seriously sleeping, yesterday was spent with my new friend Betsy.. I love her. we went to the soccer game, the d.i.(got some AMAZING finds), michaels, and spent time doing some hurr wraps of course, then had Jersey shore night with the St G crew. highlight of my week haha I love it. 

27. My worst habit

repeating things to people, I really need to remember who I have said what to.

28.What's in my handbag/purse?

Not much really, lip stuff, wallet, lotion, some receipts.. That's pretty much it.

29.Hopes plans and dreams for the next 365 days.

Finish my associate degree (after this semester I'll have it! woo!) Then in January I am heading to New Zealand to nanny for 6 months to a year, depending on a scholarship at the U. 

30.Dream for the future:

travel the world, share my life with someone special, and have maybe 2 or 3 kids.