Mocktail 2007

My list of "things I'm looking forward to" is shrinking, and one activity I have removed is "Mocktail 2007". Last night was the 2nd Annual Mocktail Party and it was a blast! The party was held at the Lone Peak Pavillion in Sandy. Sandra, Steph & Ali threw a fabulous party! There was dancing, a chocolate fountain & cheese fountain with finger foods, and excellent "Mocktail" drinks. My favorite was the Lime Rickey. I had 3 of them! Anyway, I had a really good time, surrounded by lots of friends and others who were there to have fun. I even made some new friends! As I compare last year's Mocktail to last night, I see a handful of differences that are worth mentioning here. First, the fact that I made new friends last night is huge! Last year I stuck by Mariah as if we were joined at the hip. But last night I talked to so many different people and danced more than I expected (And when I say danced, I mean I was on the dance floor when music was being played. I really can't dance at all). Several guys asked me to dance and I even asked a guy to dance (twice). I participated in a few of the group dances (the Chicken Dance, the Electric Slide...) which is totally out of my comfort zone, but I had fun. This year I bought my dress in August. It was on clearance at JC Penny for $24.97, normally $200! Steph picked it out and I think she did a great job. Last year, I wore the skirt I wore at Travis & Brooke's wedding. It worked, but it wasn't my favorite outfit. This year I had Staci do my hair in an up-do. I'm happy that my hair is long enough to do it up! And probably the biggest difference of all is that I've lost a lot of weight since last year. See for yourself!

It's hard for me to post this picture! But I love seeing the progress I've made over the last year. I don't think I look like the same person, and I know I definitely don't feel like the same person. I can't wait for next year's party!

A Million Ways to Save the World

In the October issue of "O Magazine" (Oprah's magazine), there was an article titled "A Million Ways to Save the World". Author Edwidge Danticat shared her idea for ways to save the world.

"I would teach every child...that the future is as infinite as their dreams, and when they don't quite reach it, they are not failing but rehearsing. And I would tell them that when their heart is broken, it heals back stronger with each tear."

We need more people like her in the world! If everyone had that attitude, kids would grow up so confident and happy. I guess the best place for it to start is with me!

I'm Vanilla

Melynda had this quiz on her website that tells you what kind of ice cream you are. So, I took it and here are the results:

http://www.the-n.com/games/quiz_main.php?id=3243

You're as popular and relaxing as vanilla ice cream. You go with the flow, and get along with all sorts of people. You appreciate peace and simplicity, so you sometimes find crowds and loud noises overwhelming. You are a chilled-out, calming influence on the people in your life, and your friends appreciate how supportive and flexible you are.


Hmmmmm...interesting!

Life's Lessons

I'm amazed at the way the Lord teaches me lessons. Sometimes I learn through experiences I never want to go through again. Sometimes it's through a testimony, a talk, or lesson at church. Sometimes it's through music, a movie, or a book. But sometimes it's through an experience I will always be grateful for and would love to go through again. Those experiences are rare but powerful. Here's what I've learned over the last few weeks because of an amazing experience:

• I have not set my expectations too high and I do not have to settle for just any guy out there. I now know there are guys out there who meet and exceed my expectations. They're just really hard to find!
• I am beautiful & amazing. I know others can see that, but I have finally learned to see it in myself. I now recognize my self-worth.
• My weakness can be a strength, but only with the Lord's help. He is so willing to help me but only on the condition that I exercise my faith and act as He needs me to.
• It's important to tell someone how you feel when you recognize something good in them. Share a compliment even if you don't know how it will be received. I've also learned that I feel good giving compliments and trying to build someone up.

I am almost overwhelmed that I learned so much in such a short time, and all because of one person. My life has changed only for the better because I was told I'm beautiful. Not just once, but every day (sometimes several times a day). There was something about the way it was said that made me believe it. The compliments were always honest and genuine. Being treated that way was something I thought only happened in fairy tales.

Gavin, if you read this, thank you. Thank you for helping me learn so much. I know you are a blessing in my life and I will be forever grateful for you. Thank you for living your life in a way that the Lord was able to use you to bless my life. Thank you for treating me better than I've ever been treated. For the last few weeks, I've felt like a queen. I don't think I stopped smiling. Everything I have learned from you has made me a better person. You were the right person at the right time to help me see what I haven't seen before. Thank you for telling me I'm beautiful. I believe you...and I know it.

Who Am I?

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." ~Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of "A Course in Miracles," 1992 (commonly misattributed to Nelson Mandela, 1994 inauguration speech)

Gavin shared this with me the other night. He heard it while watching "Akeelah and the Bee" and loved it so much he wrote it down. I'm so glad he shared it with me. I can see how it applies to me and him. He let his light shine and gave me permission to do the same. Read my post "Life's Lessons" and you'll see how it applies to both of us.