The Bachelorette

It's that time again: a new season of the Bachelorette. I always have a battle with myself about whether or not I'll take the time to get invested. But you know what? I have plenty of time and could use a good love story. With a little drama and some ridiculous people on the side.

Maybe this season I'll end up feeling hopeful and blissful rather than frustrated and annoyed. But it probably won't work that way. But Emily- I want the fairy tale just like you do, I just won't have 25 guys vying for my love.

Airplane Entertainment

I went home last weekend and because home is Virginia- It means a pretty long travel day. I flew United and one of their big luxuries was the option of DirectTV on the flight. Oh but you have to pay like $10 for it. Usually, on a long flight like that I would cave because if there's a screen on the seat in front of me and really- what else do I have to do?

But this time was different. I was determined to entertain myself using the things I brought on the plane and not waste my money. I succeeded and after all my flights, connections and layovers I felt quite proud of myself. But I found it interesting that we've gotten used to needing that screen time to pass the time. New goal: have more productive things to do on the plane.

A Lifetime of Reading

I blogged about reading over here awhile ago.

Favorite book as a teen: "The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood" [disclaimer: still love this book]

I loved this book because at the time I had a group of girlfriends that I felt identified directly with the Ya-Ya’s. Some of the childhood experiences and growing up stories that were included in the book reflected some of the things that had happened throughout our lives. It took the love that I had for these friendships and really helped it to grow and establish a sense of belonging. I also loved that these women’s friendships had endured for so long and it gave me hope that the same thing would happen for my best friends and I.

Favorite book now: "The Happiness Project"

I enjoyed this book because it made me feel in control of my own happiness. Rubin established rules as she worked towards happiness and one of them included, “the only person I can change is myself.” I’ve clung to that lately as I’ve had some heartache and some frustrations. It’s important to remember some of those “splendid truths”, as Rubin deems them.

"we read to know that we are not alone"- c.s. lewis 

General Conference

There are two times of the year that I rush out to buy a magazine. Once in May and once in November because it's the General Conference edition of the Ensign. Conference weekend itself is it's own kind of wonderful but there's something great about having that tangible edition of the conference session and having your highlighter in hand. It's hard to listen and comprehend every talk while watching it live, so it's one of my favorite things to relive and really remember the things that were so fabulous to hear just a few weeks ago. 

So far- I'm loving Elder Scott's talk, "How to Obtain Revelation and Inspiration for Your Personal Life." I'm sure there will be more remembered favorites as I continue to read. 

To read all the talks go here

I'll Be There For You

I'm sitting here watching Friends- like I always do on weeknights while I make/eat dinner, and I was shocked to discover an episode that I've never seen before! My freshman year at BYU, I had a roommate who owned all the seasons but had misplaced a few discs so it must be an episode on one of those lost discs.

Hanging out with Chandler, Phoebe, Monica, Joey, Ross and Rachel is just a normal night in my apartment. If only they actually knew that we're friends. They'll figure it out someday. But for now, it's just a great way to unwind, laugh, and relax at the end of the day with my friends.