Adventure with Me

Well hello there.

It’s been quite some time since I’ve posted here. I used to think that I was going to be a writer, but sometimes writing honestly bores me. Not the idea of writing, but the writing itself. I’ll get through a paragraph of a new post, all enchanted with a lovely new idea, and then BAM. Boredom. Complete and utter boredom takes over, and then exasperation. I cannot possibly write an entire post, my mind says. I have far too much to do today. You get the idea.
Anyway, since I’ve been away and traveling for months on end I suppose I should update you more on my life. I missed out on a wonderful opportunity to write fascinating blog posts while on my six month long camping trip around the U.S.

The thing is, although everyone else was fascinated with the idea of traveling the U.S. with their family, I for one was completely against it. It’s a fanciful idea, but played out in reality problems inevitably arose. We’re not rich. Let’s clear that notion up right here. We didn’t decide to go traveling because of an abundance of money. There were times when we were stopped at a park and sat in our trailer or played mini golf or went to the pool and ate simple meals because we didn’t have money for gas or fancy food. It wasn’t a vacation, it was life. What was your favorite thing you did? people would ask. I went to the beach. I read book after book because I had the time. Did you go to Disney World while you were in Florida? No, but we went to Down Town Disney and it was-hey! Where are you going? Is that not exciting enough for you?

So I wasn’t as enchanted with the idea, but looking back I realized, who says you have to do the big things otherwise you won’t enjoy yourself? My little brothers and sisters spent hours chasing after lizards that roam around Florida like mosquitoes in Alaska, but much more entertaining. Thunderstorms fascinate me, and if I weren’t so afraid of getting struck by lightning I would have spent much more time out in the rain instead of watching, captivated, behind closed windows. It was the little things that made that trip worthwhile to me. The time driving over the Appalachian Mountains as a serendipitous moment left me breathless when a patch of trees opened up so we could just catch a glimpse of the sunlight glancing down the mountains, across the valley, onto the peak of the next mountain over.

We passed through the intersection of Route 66, ate McDonald’s in a small town called Paris, passed a ramp off the highway that read “Warp Drive”, and went into tiny little boutique shops. We stopped and smelled the flowers, basked in the sunshine, and relaxed.
That’s not to say there weren’t fights. When I said I was against this trip, that’s an understatement. I hated it. Loathed being there. It’s only looking back that I remember some of the things I enjoyed with fond thoughts instead of remembering the pain and anguish. Maybe that’s what my grandparents meant when they said I’d look back on this trip in 20 years and say it was one of the best times of my life. My memories balk at that thought, but maybe I’ll let the good overtake all the bad instead of holding on to pride and grudges.

Now I’m in Ketchikan, Alaska. The lower region of Alaska, by Canada and open ocean. Boy, is it gorgeous here. I am working at a fishing resort as a “kitchen hand”. Glamorous, I know. My responsibilities include baking a ton of cookies (often 400 a day), washing dishes (don’t get me started), stocking the salad bar, sandwich bar, breakfast area, and coffee area (the food doesn’t magically appear there), as well as cleaning tables, sweeping, mopping, washing walls, occasionally helping out the cooks, and waitressing.

It’s a big job.

But I’m slowly starting to love it. Sure, we have long days and I end up exhausted half the time, but the view is worth it and so are the people. I have met some incredible guests. Call me crazy, but chatting with the guests is one of my favorite parts of the job. I’ve had guests that lifted my energy level when I thought I was going to crash and burn.

“I could live for two months off of a good compliment.”- Mark Twain.

So far, I'm taking it one day at a time. Check out some funny and probably incomprehensible snippets of conversation from my stay so far...

Who's the ginger?
Me: What’s Riley’s last name?
JayCee: Riley…Ginger…bottom…

Walking home
JayCee: Don’t worry, I gots street smarts. “Do you wanna ride?” “NO!” “Do you want candy?” “YES!”

Hot chocolate
Me: Ooh that took it to the next level. I put half and half in it.
JayCee: I take mine black

Fries
Me to Renaye: I was eating a fry and Anthony was all, “All ya’ll got fries!” and knocked It out of my hand. Then he brought me a new fry.
Continued: YES I was all “*gapes* That was rude” and he was like “That was rude, ima get you a new fry” and he made some and gave me one. Offered chicken strips, too.

When Anthony found out I'm only 17
Anthony: You’re only 17? Shoot I can’t even talk to you.

Anthony: Don’t even come near me, no *holding out hand* Go away! *mutters* 17…

Anthony: *looking out the window* This is honestly a beautiful view
Me: You’re looking in the wrong direction *mimes frame around face*
Anthony: I can’t, you’re 17.

Anthony: No Sabrina. I can’t even sit next to you. That’s trouble. Trouble with a capital T.

First day without Kirsten
Me to Renaye: The moment you realize you don’t know how to use a plunger and the guys’ bathroom toilet is overflowing…

Men
Renaye: Anywho. Decided I’m the most romantic person ever because when he said something nice I called him creepy.

Intelligence rubbing off on younger siblings
Renaye: I love how Sadie doesn’t know how to read yet, but she says things like, “If I remembered correctly.” And “My personal favorite.”

Will never stop using this line
Renaye: Why is it so hot today
Me: Cuz you forgot to turn yourself off
Renaye: …yes. Thank you for reminding me.

Obscure hymns
JayCee: *black woman voice* Hey, old lady. I know…you have the desire…to sing all the songs that have been neglected in life…but I DON’T CARE.

Youth speaker
Kid giving a talk: I plan on marrying a, like, really righteous woman in the temple.
Kid: If you like candy, so that’s everybody…

Kit Kat gospel principles
KAT: Keep the commandments, Always remember Him, Take upon you His name.

All I asked was what to call the appetizer...
Ron: *describing food in fancy ways*
Ricky: Man I dunno what you’re saying but it sounds good.

Ron
Me to Renaye: Ron dumped water on my shoes, “Now you have to clean that up!”

We're out 
Me: We have a huge problem.
Ron: What?
Me: We’re out of hot chocolate.
Ron: Drink coffee like a grown up!

Ticklish
Me to Renaye: “Uhmyeeeeeeah. Anthony like...half molested me with his hands on my stomach and back…” I don’t think Mason liked that description of being tickled.

Crazy stuff happens in the kitchen at night…
Ricky: *chucking torn bits of bread from a ruined loaf at us* This is communion, some mother effing sacrament crap! We should pray! *takes hat off and bows head* Come on!
Ricky: Hit me with the bread! Hit my head! *gets hit in the head with the loaf* that wasn’t as funny as I thought it would be.

Ricky thinks he's hot
Me to Renaye: There’s a blind corner in the kitchen, and we don't want to run into each other, so we yell “corner” whenever we’re about to go around it, right? If you are carrying knives, you say “knife!” if you’re carrying something hot, you yell “corner hot!”. Well Ricky is always overly enthusiastic about it, and yells it a couple times (just in case we didn’t hear him the first five times), so we know to get out of the way. One time I heard him yelling urgently, “hot hot hot hot HOT” and turned to look at what blistering dish he was carrying around the corner this time, and was surprised to see him walk around the corner empty handed…it was just him.

Ron
Ron: *sprays me with sanitizing spray* you’ve just been sanitized.

Me to Renaye: That awkward moment when Ron stole my phone while in the middle of typing that text, saying, “I’ll give it back when your shifts over” and then looked at the text which currently only said “Ron: *sprays” and is all, “you saying stuff about me?” Then later comes back and catches me typing this up and says, “If you wanna be a scandalous little thing that’s fine” OMG…

Me to Renaye: I was putting the pickle spears into a new container and he came over and was glancing back and forth between the pickle spears and me…I don’t like this…

Over weight baggage 
Tanessa: She layered on clothes. She was like a little mushroom. I mean…marshmallow…

 

Follow me on Instagram and Facebook! 

~La vie est belle, Bri~

How can I get a job at Disneyland?

It's been awhile since I've posted, obviously. If you're new here, this happens a lot. My blog isn't my priority in life, it's more of a fun side project that I come back to every so often.

You know that post where I talked about working at Disneyland? I've basically planned the next four years or so around it. I put a whole lot of energy into finding out how to get a job at Disneyland. What kinds of jobs do they offer? Most importantly, how can I become a Disney Princess? I began researching what exactly Disney character/performer audition directors are looking for, and I found some incredibly helpful articles and YouTube videos on the subject.

The first website I referenced was the Disney Audition's Official Website. Although helpful information is included about when and where auditions are, basic audition etiquette and requirements, and a simple run down of what the audition might look like, the details are not too clear. That's when I moved to Google to find other articles that participants might have written and found this little gem. The basic seven tips aren't the only information on this page! Make sure you scroll past #7 to find the other useful tips that aren't included in the main list.

One of those most informative things I've found so far though is this YouTube video. It's in two parts, and rather long, but she talks about the entire audition process. She also has a couple other videos about her experience.

When Disney says they're looking at your appearance, they are looking at everything. She talked about how they got right up in her face, looking at her teeth and moles, and then at her hands and nails.  Everything about her was analyzed in order to make sure she would fit the role they were considering filling. When she got the part, she had to learn to talk, walk, and act like her character (in this case, Alice). I'm sure I'm not the only one who has seen videos of people following Peter Pan all over the Disney parks. Those guys embody what it is to be Peter. They walk, talk, and act like him. Not only that, they're improving the entire time, taking the things they learned how to do and using it and more around the park.

You might think it's harsh how critical the casting directors are, but think about it like this; they're trying to make the park as magically authentic as they can. Not everybody can play a certain character, or any character. As fun as it would be for me to be a Disney Princess, I would appreciate any chance to work in the magical world of Disney.

So there you go. A short post with some helpful links to help you with your dream of working for Disney.

~La vie est belle, Bri~

10 Old Fashioned Dating Habits We Should Make Cool Again

10 Old Fashioned Dating Habits We Should Make Cool Again by Kate Bailey over at Thought Catalog.

1. Coming to the door to pick someone up. 
I think we’ve all had it with the incredibly unromantic “here” text, and meeting up always seems to be more casual and platonic than the alternative. Of course, meeting someone from online or any circumstance like that would probably be the exception to this rule, but generally: the 30 seconds it takes to get out of a car or cab and knock on the door makes a huge difference.

2. Trying to dress really nicely for a date. 
“Nicely” means different things for different people, so I think it’s just a matter of putting effort into how you put yourself together to go out with someone. It’s not about wearing suits and petticoats again, but just realizing that, whether or not we like to accept it, appearance does count for something, and we should do our best to make sure that our appearance says something about us, in whatever way we’d like it to. Follow Thought Catalog on Facebook.

3. Bringing flowers or other tokens of affection to the first date. 
Now, many lucky ladies (and some men) I know get this regularly, and in fact, I have myself as well, but only ever with people I’d been dating for a while. I think there’s something to be said for bringing flowers to the door on your first date. It’s become uncool because it’s forward and it’s a gesture that confirms their interest, but we should definitely get past that idea and worry more about how we’re going to let someone know we really do care and appreciate that they want to spend time with us.

4. Going dancing that’s not grinding on a grimy club floor. 
Whatever happened to this? Dancing for the sake of dancing, like fun, not essentially sex on a dance floor dancing. What’s a better way to literally shake off nerves than seeing them bust a really dorky move on a dance floor? And the art of slow dancing has generally been lost, though I’ve been one to do it in my living room with my slightly coerced significant other, and I’ll tell you he’s said on numerous occasions it ended up being one of the most romantic nights we had together.

5. Straightforwardly asking someone out and not calling it “hanging out.” 
Or, as is very popular these days, “talking.” “Oh, we’re just… talking.” As in, seeing one another and speaking frequently as to get to know each other? So… dating? We’ve found these really convenient ways to skirt around the issue of having to put our hearts on the line, but honestly, it just ends up being messy and confusing for all parties involved. There’s no need to go back to the idea of courting or anything, unless you want to, but simply being direct about whether or not you’d like to go on a date with someone is a truly lost art, one that really shouldn’t be.

6. Additionally, being clear about when you’re “going steady.” 
Oh, the awkward, “so… are we… you know… what are we?” talk. Classic. We should go back to asking one another if the other person would like to “go steady” or something. There’s something about asking them if they’d like to rather than assuming that you are or aren’t anything that’s just very cute, in my opinion.

7. Romantic gestures like writing poems. 
Writing poems may not be for you, I know mine would look something like “Roses are red, violets are blue, I hate poetry but I love you.” I literally just made that up thank you please quote me when you inevitably post that gem on Tumblr. But seriously, like a handwritten letter in the mail or just surprising them with something you made even if it looks like the macaroni necklace you made when you were 5 is cute just because you tried and were thinking of them.

8. Turning electronics off and just being with one another. 
I’m not sure there is anything worse than the person who picks up their phone and starts staring at it in the middle of dinner, or at any point while you’re together and having a conversation. I’m not anti-technology here (hello, I work for the Internet) but I am saying that there comes a time to turn it off and disconnect and remember what actually matters. People.

9. The general concept of asking permission for things. 
 It used to be principle for people to say: oh, when can I see you? Or, when could I call you? Rather than just assuming they can at any point. But I think that old concept could be applied to our modern world by just assuming that, unless told otherwise, you should ask permission to you know, touch them anywhere, take them out, call them at a certain time, etc. Once you’re in a relationship these things usually don’t require asking anymore, but some do, especially when it comes to sexuality. I once knew a person who said that they asked permission before so much as touching a girl’s thigh, and that always stuck with me.

10. Not assuming sex is to be had at any point in time. 
Now, I’m certainly not saying it should go back to being a taboo that’s unspoken of, but we certainly shouldn’t expect it from someone on the third date, on the first date, because they’re being flirty, because you know they’re into you, or even because they agreed to go out with you. A date does not have to be a precursor to sex, and you shouldn’t be disappointed if it isn’t because you should never assume that it will be. It depends on the person you’re with and what they want to do.

~La vie est belle, Bri~

Before you ask me out, you'll probably want to know that...

There's this rule in my house about dating...well, actually, there are a couple rules. These are rules that are set by my parents, and are nothing personal to the guy in question, but I want to make it clear that I agree and follow these rules willingly, and it's appreciated when people respect them.

Before you ask me out, you'll probably want to know that...

1. I don't single date, and I can't be with guys alone. 
I can only go on group or double dates because single dating is considered more serious, and right now I'm not looking for a relationship, so there should be one or more couples with us on our date. The other part of this rule, which goes hand in hand with not single dating, is I am not allowed to be alone with guys at any time. This includes sitting alone in a car or just hanging out as friends. This is a safety measure. I don't want to be put into awkward situations where we might end up doing something we would regret. I understand that these kinds of situations don't happen often, and you're thinking "well I don't think of you that way anyway", but if that's what you think there shouldn't be a problem getting a few more people to go on our date or to hang out.

2. I won't steady date until I'm 18.
Let's be honest here. When you date someone, you're either going to marry that person or break up. I don't consider myself, right now, ready for a "serious relationship", nor am I old enough to be getting into one. A relationship is more than "hey I like this person, I'm going to hang out with them more". It's about commitment, give and take, trust, respect, love, and trying to know someone on a deeper level, getting to know who they are. To do those kinds of things, you need to be in tune with who you are, where you stand, and where you're going. What do they need from you? What do you need from them? What do you want? What about them? (etc....) I don't consider myself ready for that at the moment.

3. If I want to go on a date with someone, he has to be interviewed by my dad.
You have to meet the parents (well, just my dad) even if it's just a casual date, which I might have asked you on. Sorry not sorry.

4. I don't date people who aren't members of my church.
I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, also called "Mormons". If you're not a member this one will be hard to understand. I don't think that members of my church are somehow better or more upright than non-members, because I have met several amazing people who aren't members of my church who I would date if they were members.
As a member of the LDS church, I believe that when I marry someone in our temple we are sealed for eternity and that our family will be together forever. Because I want to be married in the temple, I am looking to date those who are worthy to enter the temple. That includes not just their behavior, but whether or not they have been baptized into the church. This is something that is truly important to me, not a personal spite against someone who might ask me on a date and isn't a member, it's what I believe to be true and I am making my way towards that goal.

Well there you are. A guide to going on a date with me. Sort of. Maybe just...guidelines...or a warning...eh they're not that bad.

~La vie est belle, Bri~

5 Things To Do While You're Single

What? Another article not written by yours truly? It's okay, you'll have a full post from me eventually, but for now enjoy this wonderful list of things to do while you're single from Jarrid Wilson.

Being single isn’t a disease, it’s an opportunity for you to grow, learn, and experience life in a way that you won’t be able to when you are married.

Here are 5 things to do while you’re single:

1. Be firm in your faith. 
- Build your faith on a foundation that cannot be shaken, no matter whom you encounter. This will not only bring you peace during your season of singleness, but will also help you in your journey of finding the person you plan on being with for the rest of your life.Don’t let your beliefs change depending on whom you’re trying to impress. This tactic will always come around to hurt you in the long run.

2. Get grounded in your personal identity. 
- Know who you are before trying to explain it to someone else. Be confident in your purpose, your body, your identity, and your life choices. Relationships will not fix your identity problems, but they can be an added bonus to who you are as a person.

3. Focus on school, or starting you career. 
- You have a lot of time on your hands. Instead of spending it wallowing in your singleness, GO MAKE SOMETHING OF YOURSELF! You are worth more than what sitting on a couch waiting for your significant other makes you out to be. Step out into the world and take maturity by the horns. Start building your future instead of simply dreaming about it.

4. Learn to be independent until needed otherwise. 
- There is nothing wrong with aspiring to be a stay at home mom, or even being a man who works from home. But until either of these opportunities come into play, you need to make sure you are doing everything possible to provide for yourself, your future family, and your future aspirations. Don’t live day-to-day. Plan for the future, and look forward to the possibilities. You owe it to yourself to mature in all. 

5. Stop dating people you know aren’t right for you. 
 - While you’re single, stay away from mindless dating experiences. If you know they aren’t your type, don’t give them the time of day. All you are going to do is hurt them and eventually confuse your heart. Stop dating the wrong people and start focusing on becoming the right person.

***

~La vie est belle, Bri~

How to See a Woman

So I love it when I find articles that just kind of make sense to me, and are something I think are worth sharing with the rest of the world. I stole this particular article from my friend Mason (check him out here). This was written by a pastor for Christ's Community Church.

"Someday I am going to have to have the conversation with my son. No, not the conversation all parents dread giving and all kids are mortified having. I enjoy making people uncomfortable, so that conversation should be fun.
No, I’m talking about another conversation. The one that happens after I catch his eye doing what male eyes do well — following an object of lust. We will probably be out at the mall, because that’s what dads do with their sons, and I’ll catch the look. Maybe we’ll go to the beach and see it. Doesn’t matter where it is. There will come a time when I will see it. And then it will be time for this conversation.
Hey, come here. Let me talk to you. I saw you look at her. I’m not judging you or shaming you. I know why you did. I get it. But we have to talk about it because how you look at a woman matters.
A lot of people will try and tell you that a woman should watch how she dresses so she doesn’t tempt you to look at her wrongly. Here is what I will tell you. It is a woman’s responsibility to dress herself in the morning. It is your responsibility to look at her like a human being regardless of what she is wearing. You will feel the temptation to blame her for your wandering eyes because of what she is wearing — or not wearing. But don’t. Don’t play the victim. You are not a helpless victim when it comes to your eyes. You have full control over them. Exercise that control. Train them to look her in the eyes. Discipline yourself to see her, not her clothes or her body. The moment you play the victim, you fall into the lie that you are simply embodied reaction to external stimuli unable to determine right from wrong, human from flesh.
Look right at me. That is a ridiculous lie.
You are more than that. And the woman you are looking at is more than her clothes. She is more than her body. There is a lot of talk about how men objectify women, and largely, it is true. Humans objectify the things they love in effort to control them. If you truly love a person, do not reduce them to an object. The moment you objectify another human — woman or man — you give up your humanity.
There are two views regarding a woman’s dress code that you will be pressured to buy into. One view will say that women need to dress to get the attention of men. The other view will say women need to dress to protect men from themselves. Son, you are better than both of these. A woman, or any human being, should not have to dress to get your attention. You should give them the full attention they deserve simply because they are a fellow human being. On the other side, a woman should not have to feel like she needs to protect you from you. You need to be in control of you.
Unfortunately, much of how the sexes interact with each is rooted in fear. Fear of rejection, fear of abuse, fear of being out of control. In some ways, the church has added to this. We fear each other because we have been taught the other is dangerous. We’ve been a taught a woman’s body will cause men to sin. We’re told that if a woman shows too much of her body men will do stupid things. Let’s be clear: A woman’s body is not dangerous to you. Her body will not cause you harm. It will not make you do stupid things. If you do stupid things, it is because you chose to do stupid things. So don’t contribute to the fear that exists between men and women.
A woman’s body is beautiful and wonderful and mysterious. Respect it by respecting her as an individual with hopes and dreams and experiences and emotions and longings. Let her be confident. Encourage her confidence. But don’t do all this because she is weaker. That’s the biggest bunch of crap out there. Women are not weaker than men. They are not the weaker sex. They are the other sex.
I’m not telling you to not look at women. Just the opposite. I’m telling you to see women. Really see them. Not just with your eyes but with your heart. Don’t look to see something that tickles your senses, but see a human being.
My hope is that changing how you see women will change how you are around them. Don’t just be around women. Be with women.
Because in the end, they want to be with you. Without fear of being judged, or shamed, or condemned, or objectified or being treated as other. And that’s not just what women want. That’s what people want. Ultimately, it’s what you want."

I love how he's "talking" to his son about his responsibility to look at women right. We're always going around trying to place blame on a man or a woman individually for this sort of thing, when we should both be taking equal responsibility because we respect each other.
Now girls, don't take this as an excuse to dress inappropriately, because you also have your own responsibilities. "Don’t play the victim. You are not a helpless victim." The same goes for you. Don't blame him for his wandering eyes when you're presenting him with something to wander over. You need to demand respect by respecting yourself.

~La vie est belle, Bri~

27 Ways to Get More Stuff Done

So I am back in a Alaska. Yay.

I hurt my ankle the day of my flight and suffered through a six and a half hour flight which ended with my ankle swollen three times it's size and pulsing in pain. Ouch. I know. So I am kind of confined to the couch for the next week. Well, confined to the couch when my mom is paying attention.

I hate sitting around. I have to be DOING something, and Facebook isn't quite cutting it. So I hopped over to Pinterest for a little bit to ease my boredom and found this little gem, an article about productivity. (P.S. The title has a swear word in it, sorry!)

~ Click Here ~

This got me thinking about everything I have to do this year. It's my senior year of high school, and I'm a little behind on what I'm supposed to have accomplished. That's what I get for graduating early. 

Anyway, my most important priorities are studying for the ACT, becoming a dancing beast, and making sure I have all the credits I need to graduate and get into the college of my choice. Oh yeah, and did I mention I'm supposed to apply to colleges? 

Scary.  

Check ya later, gotta go to do grown-uppy stuff. 

~La vie est belle, Bri~

 

SYTYCD Treasures Season 10

Check out a couple of my favorite routines from the two episodes of this season of SYTYCD I've seen so far.
 

Click on the above picture for a breathtaking waltz performed by MaKenzie Dustman and Paul Karmiryan on SYTYCD season 10. I LOVE IT SO MUCH. Words really cannot describe it.It's just...watch it. Now.

Brittany and Bluprint doing an African Jazz piece. Dude. Blueprint is a fricken ANIMATOR. He's fantastic!!! CLICK ON THE PICTURE.

This...Jasmine and Alan....Travis Wall Contemporary with BLINDFOLDS. I can't even...just...watch it. Now.

~La vie est belle, Bri~

Quotes and Things

So you've heard of Pinterest, right? Of course you have, it's not like you've been living under a rock. Unless of course you have, in which case I apologize and that's super cool.

Anyway, I have an entire board dedicated to quotes and sayings and little quirky things and I realized I've basically buried them there; pinned them and never looked back. So, like my lovely "random writing" post, I'm going to go through and post some of them here.

"You create beauty with your behavior, your attitude, your actions; it's all up to you."

"As soon as I saw you, I knew an adventure was going to happen." - Winnie ther Pooh

"Even after all this time the Sun never says to the Earth, "You owe me". Look what happens with a love like that...it lights up the whole sky."

"You are unrepeatable. There is a magic about you all your own." D. M. Dellinger

"I like people who smile when it's raining." (If you've ever been around me when it's raining, you know how much I love it."

"When you have a bad day, a really bad day, try and treat the world better than it treated you." - Patrick Stump

"Your life is your message to the world. Make sure it's inspiring."

"The cure for anything is salt water- sweat, tears, or the sea." - Isak Dinesen

"Sometimes I have to remind myself that I don't have to do what everyone else is doing."

"So this is my life. And I want you to know that I am both happy and sad and I'm still trying to figure out how that could be." - The Perks of Being a Wallflower

"You will come to know that what appears today to be a sacrifice will prove instead to be the greatest investment you will ever make." - Gordon B. Hinckley

"Life is like a piano, the white keys represent happiness and the black show sadness. But as you go through life's journey remember the black keys also create music."

"And then my soul saw you and it kind of went, "Oh there you are. I've been looking for you."

"Worry is a misuse of your imagination."

"One day, in retrospect, the years of struggle will strike you as the most beautiful." - Sigmund Freud

"Enjoy the little things in life. For one day you will look back and realize they were the big things."

"Here's to books, the cheapest vacation you can buy." - Charlaine Harris

"Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory." - Dr. Suess

"You only live once, but if you do it right once is enough."

"La vie est belle." 

I'll be back with more. Many more.

Follow me on Pinterest here.

~La vie est belle, Bri~

Learning New Things

I'm having an awful time with these great ideas that pop up from in my head or an outside source. They keep taking root in my mind and refusing to leave. Guess who decided what a wonderful idea it would be to learn the LDS Young Women theme in French?

If you guessed me, you're right. If you didn't guess me, well...kudos to you, but you lost.

The game.

Okay, enough trolling. Let's get to business. Once I saw this idea (yep, came from an outside source), I decided to look around the internet for the theme translated into French. I didn't want to just use Google translate. BUT, I haven't come up with anything solid yet.

My mom told me to find a boy who speaks French who can teach it to me.

Ha. HAHAHA ha. Okay.

Here's the theme in English:

We are daughters of our Heavenly Father, who loves us, and we love him. We will "stand as witnesses of God in all times and in all things, and in all places" as we strive to live the Young Women values, which are:

Faith
Divine Nature
Individual Worth
Knowledge
Choice and Accountability
Good Works
Integrity
and Virtue

We believe as we come to accept and act upon these values, we will be prepared to strengthen home and family, make and keep sacred covenants, receive the ordinances of the temple, and enjoy the blessings of exaltation.

~~~

Can I just say typing that all out by hand makes me appreciate what it says more than ever? Okay good, because it does.

~La vie est belle, Bri~

Random Writing

Do you ever have the urge to just write so you pull up a Microsoft document, but never finish what you started and it never sees the light of day again? If so, you aren't the only one. I have a million "random writing" or "writing" documents skulking around on my computer. I guess it's time to set them free. Here goes, document numero uno.

Have you ever watched a movie or read a book and just felt that tug, the vital need for that relationship, that romance, that cheesy cuteness? That feeling that leaves you giddy for the rest of the day, singing and dancing around like a young lover? Watching a love story unfold is the most heart wrenching, stomach twisting, beautifully enjoyable thing that I think I have ever felt.
 The feeling of overwhelming certainty that those people, that man and woman, are meant to be together, and that if they don’t end up with each other you might die a little bit inside. You feel as if you’re a part of that journey, and that somehow through it all, in this one love story out of many, a part of your longing put to rest, a part of you, fulfilled.

(Book idea time!) 

Taking a deep breath, Emily made her way to the ornate wooden doors leading into the chapel, only to find her mother in tears and her father attempting to calm her down with a face crimson with fury . Confused, she looked toward the altar, searching for Brad. He wasn’t there. She felt the eyes of her friends and family boring into her, full of pity. With a sudden pang, Emily realized what had happened, and rushed back to her dressing room, futilely fighting back the onslaught of tears.

Brad hadn’t come to the wedding. Emily sat alone in her dressing room trying to figure out what could have possibly gone wrong. Pools of white tulle and satin encompassed her where she sat on the floor in front of the beautiful full length mirror that earlier had resonated with happiness, but now cruelly mocked her.

(After showing a friend this and answering some pointed questions, hey mocked my character as selfish and unrealistic, so I wrote the following sentences).

She lived the rest of her life attempting to climb her way out of the debt that resulted from her extravagant wedding, and became an old maid; never finding love because she was too lazy and dressed like a hobo. The end.

(Here was my angry rant against those "practical" people.) 

Maybe it’ll work itself out. Maybe I’ll be rescued by a Prince Charming, who’ll sweep me off my feet and we’ll ride away into the sunset. Maybe I’ll never have to worry about anything ever again. But that’s not how life works. Emily knew that, but who really wants to know that? Why do people give up dreams and fairy tales, embracing practicality and “reality”? We can’t enjoy life when all we think about is sensibleness. You shouldn’t just endure life, you should enjoy it. It’s not just about getting through the storm, it’s about dancing in the rain. What happened to spontaneity?

That's my random writing document post for today. Hope you enjoyed it. 
 
~La vie est belle, Bri~

22 Things Happy People Do Differently

I believe our self image is linked directly with how happy we are, so here are some great tips on how to live your life to be happier, and to love yourself more.

 This article is from Chiara Fucarino over at Successify!

There are two types of people in the world: those who choose to be happy, and those who choose to be unhappy. Contrary to popular belief, happiness doesn’t come from fame, fortune, other people, or material possessions. Rather, it comes from within. The richest person in the world could be miserable while a homeless person could be right outside, smiling and content with their life.

Happy people are happy because they make themselves happy. They maintain a positive outlook on life and remain at peace with themselves. The question is: how do they do that? It’s quite simple. Happy people have good habits that enhance their lives. They do things differently. Ask any happy person, and they will tell you that the they;

1. Don’t hold grudges. Happy people understand that it’s better to forgive and forget than to let their negative feelings crowd out their positive feelings. Holding a grudge has a lot of detrimental effects on your wellbeing, including increased depression, anxiety, and stress. Why let anyone who has wronged you have power over you? If you let go of all your grudges, you’ll gain a clear conscience and enough energy to enjoy the good things in life.

 2. Treat everyone with kindness. Did you know that it has been scientifically proven that being kind makes you happier? Every time you perform a selfless act, your brain produces serotonin, a hormone that eases tension and lifts your spirits. Not only that, but treating people with love, dignity, and respect also allows you to build stronger relationships.

3. See problems as challenges. The word “problem” is never part of a happy person’s vocabulary. A problem is viewed as a drawback, a struggle, or an unstable situation while a challenge is viewed as something positive like an opportunity, a task, or a dare. Whenever you face an obstacle, try looking at it as a challenge.

4. Express gratitude for what they already have. There’s a popular saying that goes something like this: “The happiest people don’t have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.” You will have a deeper sense of contentment if you count your blessings instead of yearning for what you don’t have.

 5. Dream big. People who get into the habit of dreaming big are more likely to accomplish their goals than those who don’t. If you dare to dream big, your mind will put itself in a focused and positive state.

6. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Happy people ask themselves, “Will this problem matter a year from now?” They understand that life’s too short to get worked up over trivial situations. Letting things roll off your back will definitely put you at ease to enjoy the more important things in life.

7. Speak well of others. Being nice feels better than being mean. As fun as gossiping is, it usually leaves you feeling guilty and resentful. Saying nice things about other people encourages you to think positive, non-judgmental thoughts.

8. Never make excuses. Benjamin Franklin once said, “He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.” Happy people don’t make excuses or blame others for their own failures in life. Instead, they own up to their mistakes and, by doing so, they proactively try to change for the better.

 9. Get absorbed into the present. Happy people don’t dwell on the past or worry about the future. They savor the present. They let themselves get immersed in whatever they’re doing at the moment. Stop and smell the roses.

 10. Wake up at the same time every morning. Have you noticed that a lot of successful people tend to be early risers? Waking up at the same time every morning stabilizes your circadian rhythm, increases productivity, and puts you in a calm and centered state.

 11. Avoid social comparison. Everyone works at his own pace, so why compare yourself to others? If you think you’re better than someone else, you gain an unhealthy sense of superiority. If you think someone else is better than you, you end up feeling bad about yourself. You’ll be happier if you focus on your own progress and praise others on theirs.

12. Choose friends wisely. Misery loves company. That’s why it’s important to surround yourself with optimistic people who will encourage you to achieve your goals. The more positive energy you have around you, the better you will feel about yourself.

 13. Never seek approval from others. Happy people don’t care what others think of them. They follow their own hearts without letting naysayers discourage them. They understand that it’s impossible to please everyone. Listen to what people have to say, but never seek anyone’s approval but your own.

14. Take the time to listen. Talk less; listen more. Listening keeps your mind open to others’ wisdoms and outlooks on the world. The more intensely you listen, the quieter your mind gets, and the more content you feel.

15. Nurture social relationships. A lonely person is a miserable person. Happy people understand how important it is to have strong, healthy relationships. Always take the time to see and talk to your family, friends, or significant other.

16. Meditate. Meditating silences your mind and helps you find inner peace. You don’t have to be a zen master to pull it off. Happy people know how to silence their minds anywhere and anytime they need to calm their nerves.

17. Eat well. Junk food makes you sluggish, and it’s difficult to be happy when you’re in that kind of state. Everything you eat directly affects your body’s ability to produce hormones, which will dictate your moods, energy, and mental focus. Be sure to eat foods that will keep your mind and body in good shape.

 18. Exercise. Studies have shown that exercise raises happiness levels just as much as Zoloft does. Exercising also boosts your self-esteem and gives you a higher sense of self-accomplishment.

 19. Live minimally. Happy people rarely keep clutter around the house because they know that extra belongings weigh them down and make them feel overwhelmed and stressed out. Some studies have concluded that Europeans are a lot happier than Americans are, which is interesting because they live in smaller homes, drive simpler cars, and own fewer items.

 20. Tell the truth. Lying stresses you out, corrodes your self-esteem, and makes you unlikeable. The truth will set you free. Being honest improves your mental health and builds others’ trust in you. Always be truthful, and never apologize for it.

 21. Establish personal control. Happy people have the ability to choose their own destinies. They don’t let others tell them how they should live their lives. Being in complete control of one’s own life brings positive feelings and a great sense of self-worth.

22. Accept what cannot be changed. Once you accept the fact that life is not fair, you’ll be more at peace with yourself. Instead of obsessing over how unfair life is, just focus on what you can control and change it for the better.

~La vie est belle, Bri~

Amazing Ideas

Have you ever thought up an idea, on a whim, and then completely and utterly fall in love with it?

Yeah, that happened to me this past couple of weeks. Four times. It’s kind of ridiculous. This would have fit perfectly with last month’s theme. Did you realize it’s March and that means there’s a different theme? Kudos to you, I didn’t, which is obvious by my last couple of posts containing the title “Change”. Let’s just assume that it was supposed to be like that, okay? Okay.

Anyway, I digress. The four perfectly perfect ideas I came up with, in the order which I came up with them, are;

1. We should go to Disneyland this fall. 
2. I should do gymnastics and figure skating when I return home this fall.I should also find somewhere that teaches how to use those giant silk things.
3. I should go to Paris next year, or in 2014. With Renaye. 
4. Dude. I SHOULD WORK AT DISNEYLAND AS A PERFORMER AND A PRINCESS. 

Um hello, how amazing are these ideas? Guess what the best part is. They are all achievable.

My parents suggested they drive down with the family and pick us up, and on the way back we’d stop in Disneyland and have some magical fun. I then called my mom back a week later to confirm that this was indeed happening, and that I was seriously looking forward to it. So now that is a plan. I plan on saving lots of money this summer, to enjoy Disneyland as much as possible. Food, souvenirs, etc. I am SO EXCITED. I freaking love Disneyland.

As for gymnastics and figure skating, that’s really not hard. Except the fact that I might die of over exertion. I WILL PREVAIL. (Note that ballet and other forms of dance will also be taken.) I just need to find somewhere that teaches how to use the silks...
The whole inspiration for this is Disney on Ice. Just look at it...so amazing.

 Okay, you might think that traveling to Paris is kind of impractical, and you’d be right. But it’s also worth it. I’d probably want to raise somewhere around $6,000-$8,000 so I’d have plenty of spending money and as well as money for museums and trains and such. But hey, that’s not so bad. It’s pretty accomplishable.

HELLO. IS THIS NOT THE MOST AMAZING AND FANTASTIC IDEA EVER?! My plans were always go to college, possibly get married, open a dance studio. That sounds pretty vague, but for me it was kind of a straight shot. Accomplish this, then that, and then this. But how BORING is that? I mean, I enjoy teaching dance and dance in general, but how incredible would it be to perform at one of my favorite places on earth, helping create the magic that happens there? I think on a scale of 1-10, it’s probably in the millions. That’s how excited I am about this. I’ve looked up tips on how to get hired, positions being offered, college programs…you get the idea.

WHO WOULDN'T WANT TO BE A PART OF THIS?! IT'S THE BEST JOB EVER.

I want to be a part of one of those families who goes to Disneyland every year or so. Not enough to wear out the magic, but it enough to make it special. I’ll probably spoil my little girls rotten with princess things. I want to own ALL of the Disney movies, and AHHH can you just IMAGINE?

Better marry a rich guy. Ha ;)

Anyway, there’s my thought for the next couple of days.

~La vie est belle, Bri~

Subtle Captivation, Change: Hair

I read a post last week (yes, I tend to do this a lot) while seriously considering a pixie cut. The post talked about how we make hundreds of decisions a day; who to date, what we’re going to wear, and places to spend our hard earned cash, but how reluctant we are to take risks when it comes to our hair.
“We make decisions one of two ways; the safe way or the risky way.” We often take risks when it comes to dining and dates, so why don’t we do the same with our hair? After all, hair grows back at a remarkable rate.
 The writer of this post quoted a psychiatrist who said that women with short hair “take risks, are independent, and are more comfortable in their skin” than their long haired counterparts. Vince Smith, a salon owner in New York City, agreed with this statement saying, “Wearing your hair shorter allows your true beauty and confidence to show. A short hair style can really accentuate your best features, like your eyes, lips, or a graceful, long neck.”

This came at a great time because I honestly needed a little push to cut my hair. I didn’t get great support from close friends who were stagnantly close minded and seemed to focus more on how much I would regret it then how much I would love it, and were concerned that it wouldn’t look great. Although they did have a point, I needed a bit more open minded discussion about it, so I developed a bit of a pros and cons list.

Pros:

• Because my hair has such bad split ends and breakage, getting a pixie cut would be a new, healthy start that would not only help my hair grow faster, but also be altogether healthier than it is now. 
• A short hair cut is ideal for the hot summer in Utah 
• Getting ready for the day is a lot easier and faster with less hair 
• There are lots of styling opportunity for short hair using gel and a bit of creativity 
• It could look amazing 

 Cons:

• No elegant up dos 
• It’s risky, people might not like it 
• It could look awful 
• You could look like a lesbian (brought up by a friend) 
• You’d probably have to dress more girly so people don’t mistake you for a guy (or the aforementioned lesbian) 

Altogether, I decided pros were better than cons, and took the plunge to chop off 9 inches of light brown curls into a short pixie cut and dye it a deep red. I love my new haircut, but am iffy on the color. Ah well, it’ll fade.

Here's some pictures for you to enjoy :) 

Before hair dye

~La vie est belle, Bri~

Subtle Captivation: Change: New Years Goals

I recently (aka, just an hour or so ago) read a post by a friend (check her out over at A Novel Life) about New Year’s Resolutions. Here, read the post and then come back. Don’t get lost in her amazing and thought jerking posts quite yet.

Read it? Good, let’s continue.

I agreed with basically everything she said, and realized that I actually haven’t written and New Year’s Goals (if you didn’t read her post you’ll probably be a bit confused here). I have “flimsy” thoughts of basically what I want to do. So here I am going to show you how to break down your flimsy goals into achievable ones.

Flimsy Goals: 
Lose Weight 
Get in shape 
Get closer to God 
Get Tan 
Become a Beast 

Let’s break ‘em down.

Lose Weight 
I want to weigh 115 by May

Get in Shape 
I want to be able to run a half marathon, have my splits, and have defined abs.
  
Get Closer to God 
I want to read the entire Book of Mormon again

Get Tan
I want to look like an Oompa Loompa. Just kidding, I’d like to get a nice golden tan to make all my Alaska friends jealous.

Become a Beast 
I want to be able to do pirouettes en pointe’, a vertical penche, bring my leg up to my ear, and do a back hand spring.

Now the goals are a little more defined, but they can get even better. Let’s make a little plan.

Lose Weight 
 I want to weigh 115 by May.

• Do the Smoothie Detox Diet we do smoothies instead of juice because you get more out of it.
• No juice/soda in March 
• No sweets of any kind in April 
• Go on daily walks/runs 

Get in Shape 
I want to be able to run a half marathon, have my splits, and have defined abs.

• Daily walk/run and Tinkerbelle Half Marathon Training 
• Stretch splits every day (wall stretch, splits, etc.) 
• Do the Fab Ab challenge, combine with regular core work out
• Amanda Russel Work Outs

Get Closer to God 
I want to read the entire Book of Mormon again

• Read three chapters of the Book of Mormon every day 

Get Tan 
I’d like to get a nice golden tan to make all my Alaska friends jealous.

• Sunny days at the water park 
• Tan in the back yard 
• Go on walks on sunny days 
• Spend time in the sun, reading or doing homework 

Become a Beast 
I want to be able to do pirouettes en pointe’, a vertical penche, bring my leg up to my ear, and do a back hand spring.

• Practice balancing on one leg, core engaged, on demi pointe and then with pointe shoes 
• Continue ab and core training 
• Stretch all the time 
• Practice back hand springs, maybe find a studio doing tumbling classes  
• Take private ballet classes 

You can add so much more detail to your goals. I have work out plans written up and placed all around the house to remind me to do them. I’m going to add more detail to my plans and print them and pin them to my walls, that way I won’t forget. By breaking your goals down into detail and specifics, they become more achievable and you’re less likely to say “It’s too hard” or “It’s not that important”. Pick things that are important to you, and stick with it.

Well, there ya go. That's my tidbit for today.

~La vie est belle, Bri~

Subtle Captivation, who cares what day anyway?

Seriously, I don't know how long I can keep this up. I might just have to post erratically. I really want to do this though! I want to remember what went on this year, here in Utah....
But dang, seriously, it seems like I never have any time. I guess I'm just lazy. And really, every detail of my life is rather boring. Whatever.

Follow meh on Instagram here. I wonder if you can even make an account without a phone...interesting. Yes, but I honestly love posting pictures there, probably to the dismay of my followers. So you can keep up with me there, as well as at my dance blog, Dancing Day By Day.

Oh, and every now and then I'll post on here or here. That's extremely rare. I mean, especially the clothing one. I still have purple nail polish left on my left hand from my date in January. Although, we did just go shopping for new clothes and I got some pretty amazing clothes...maybe I should go post? Maybe.

Anyway, maybe I'll post tomorrow. That seems to be the keyword here....maybe.

See ya!

~La vie est belle, Bri~

Subtle Captivation, Week Eight/Nine: Change

Oh change…how I loathe you. So much change in the past two weeks! 

Our internet was turned off, so I was unable to post. So I kind of didn’t bother writing…or taking pictures. Well, it’s not just because I didn’t bother! I didn’t really have much time. You see, we moved into another house. Well, we’re in the process of moving into it. I think all of our stuff is here now, but…well, it’s not really ORGANIZED. Which is driving me crazy. Then again, I’m too lazy to do anything about it. 

Because we are moving, I have to make new friends. Yay...

 

It was all warm and then the day we were moving things out of the house and into the new place, it hailed. And then snowed. It’s now windy and cold. What have I done by coming down here?!

I started private ballet classes with my teacher at the studio. Man, is she kicking my butt. My self-esteem about dancing is rather low at the moment. But hey, I’m getting better! Maybe. I don’t know….

Pointe is killing my feet. 

Toodles! 

~La vie est belle, Bri~

Subtle Captivation, Week Seven; Change

2/5/13 Change

Change. That’s the topic of this month. The thought behind this is that I would be going through some change, adjusting to life in Utah, and that the seasons would be changing as well. There’s still snow outside, but that’s part of the change. It’s melting, and the sun is shining through the branches of the trees, slowly warming up the world.

2/6/13 Change

I’ve been trying to get integrated into the ward and the stake, meet people. But I’m so scared that I’m going to scare them off. I don’t feel like I can be myself and as open and fun loving as I am. It’s weird.

2/7/13 Change

Today was warm, and I could smell summer in the air. I feel as if it has been winter for a hundred years, like in Narnia, and the world is finally waking up.

2/8/13 Change

Speaking of change, the world is bipolar. Yesterday the sun was shining and grass was poking through, and today the sky si full of dark grey clouds dumping snow on us by the gallon full. Yay.

2/9/13 Change

I really want to write something. Not this kind of something, a book or story kind of something. But my idea was shot down as impractical and fairy tale like. That’s what I want though! I want a fairy tale ish book, a happily ever after. What I would really like to do is write it in a more “romantic” era. But I don’t have the knowledge to do that, which means a bit of work and research. And then again, I wouldn’t WANT to portray the past eras as dirty and unhygienic (which in reality, they were). I’d want to portray the rolling hills and green scenery, the towering trees and fresh air and clear blue skies and sunshine. I want to write about writing letters instead of texting or emailing, wearing long pretty dresses, reading from a large library. I want to write about something completely impractical while still staying practical. Is that too much to ask? I made a list of what I want to write about, or rather, what I associate with the time I would like to write about (it’s not a complete list).

A castle

A farm

A beautiful girl

Long flowing dresses

And horses galloping through fields

Trees blossoming with flowers

And fancy dirt roads

Books bound with leather

And barefoot toes snuggling green grass

The smell of fresh flowers

And sunshine

And clean air

Strong old men

Women and children

Dogs frolicking and barking

A handsome prince

Birds singing in the tress

A forest tall, wide, and dense

Baths in a trough

And little cottages with gardens out front

Carriages and wagons

Smocks covered in dirt and soot

Small hand sewn dolls

And rough wooden fences

Candles light the night

And fires provide warmth

Thick homemade bread

And cheese

And milk