Dear Shelli...

Just a few reminders as you travel through this thing we call life. You seem to be forgetting, or letting your imagination run away with you, and I just want to make sure you keep your head on straight.

1. No matter what you think - studying is important. You can't sit and read or watch television, or even hang out with friends if you think you are going to pass your classes. Just because you didn't learn it in class, doesn't mean you can't ever know the material! Study - and you will do really well on your tests.
2. Um, Shell, hun... your room does not clean itself. If you are sick of stepping over your piles of laundry, you have to put them away. The same goes for the laundry, it will not make it to the washing machine without your help.
3. Just like you cringe every time someone puts on their favorite country song or listens repeatedly to the same song you can't stand, please remember that not everyone likes YOUR music (even if it is fantastic).
4. Hey, I can read your mind. And you know what? That guy that you are staring at, well, he's not going to push you against the wall and molest your lips with his, no matter how much you will it with your mind. He will also not do the following: say some witty remark in speech only appropriate during the Regency era, whisk you away to go horseback riding in the sunset, propose marriage within seconds of meeting you (I know you know that, but I just thought I'd throw that in...don't get testy with me!); he's not going to fight over you with your other imaginary boyfriend, and he's definitely not going to rescue you from some life endangering circumstance. When is your life ever in danger anyway?
5. To go along with number four, just remember... things like that DON'T happen. I know, shocker! Marcia Lynn McClure, Diana Gabaldon, Deanne Gist, Eva Ibbotson, and all your other favorite authors write FICTION. As do you. Get over it.
6. Everything you have been promised in your Patriarchal Blessing is dependent on your faithfulness, and by doing what it says in order to accomplish those things. So stop wondering why it hasn't happened yet. You know why. Besides, Heavenly Father knows what He is doing. It will happen when it happens.
   
7. Not buying groceries and pretending that you aren't eating, doesn't mean that the calories from Wendy's, the Hard Disk, or BYU don't count. You should probably just buy some healthy food from the grocery store and eat that.
8. The four minute dance party, Monday through Thursday, does not count as adequate exercise. Especially since you DO NOT know how to dance to that kind of music. No matter what your roommates say.
9. If you want to go to Scotland, Italy, Mexico, Thailand, Morocco, Bermuda, St. John's, Jamaica, tour the East coast, Ireland, Germany, France, Belgium, Austria, Romania, Brazil, Argentina, etc. You need money! You can't get there without it. And you need a passport! Speaking of cash. Money is not a renewable resource; if you aren't earning it, you'll run out! So get back to work!
10. Everyone knows you are single. You can stop bringing it up. I know it's habit now, but it's also annoying.
    

Best in the World

I am overwhelmed.

I'm not really sure how to write this post; but I would be ungrateful not to do it, and so I have to use my mediocre writing skills and attempt to put my feelings down.

I have discussed how amazing my family is before. How can I emphasize just how much of a blessing they are in my life? I don't think I can. I just want whoever reads this to understand how much I love and appreciate my aunts and uncles, my grandparents, and my parents. They are the reason I am where I am and the reason I'm doing what I'm doing. (I only give them credit for the good things in my life, though. Everything that has been bad is either my own doing or just a lesson to be learned.)

Attending BYU has been, for me, a given since I was in 6th grade and making my Life Plan. And though my "Life Plan" has changed quite a bit, the fact that I wanted to graduate from BYU has not. Every semester is a struggle. Whether it has been battling depression, disastrous work schedules, family drama, roommate drama... I have been working for four years trying to make it through (I did take a year off... I'm not too far behind, I promise. It seems like its been forever to me, too) to graduation. As I have conquered each and every one of these problems, or learned how to deal with them, I've had two very important crutches helping me through.

1. Heavenly Father and the Savior. I could not be writing a post of gratitude without mentioning Him. He is everything. The reason I'm here, for real - take that however you want because whether here means on this planet, in Utah, at BYU, still active in church, or even alive... it is because of Him and His love for me.

2. My family. I don't know what I would have done without the love and support from them. By example, by encouragement, and by their pocketbooks... it is literally taking the whole group to get me through school. It's embarassing, and it's overwhelming, and I am absolutely... indebted to you. Thank you. Thank you a million times. I don't know what I would have done. I don't know how I would have survived. You are truly the most wonderful, amazing, generous... the list goes on. Thank you. I can't say it enough. I can't tell you how your generosity and love and support mean and have affected me. I'm moved. I'm touched, and I'm absolutely completely grateful.

I love you guys, so much.

Shelli

House of Hope

I'm famous.

Mostly because of the generous person that I am, I spent a day earlier this month weeding and getting blisters at the House of Hope, rather than working. It was a very rewarding experience.

Tagged

The only reason I'm doing this is because Clara tagged me...

3 Joys
1. My roommates
2. Fall weather - and all the amazing things to come (i.e. parties galore, trip to Idaho, my birthday, Thanksgiving in Sacramento, Christmas...)
3. Dreaming about the future

3 Fears
1. Being stuck in Utah for the rest of my life
2. Not being able to accomplish all my goals
3. Being fired from my job before I'm ready to go

3 Goals
1. GRADUATE... hopefully in 2 semesters :)
2. Go to Scotland/Ireland... Europe
3. Find a job that allows me to travel!

3 Current Obsessions
1. Scotland, especially Scottish men... :)
2. Writing my book
3. Dreaming about traveling and graduation

3 Facts About Yourself
1. I am left-handed
2. I graduated from high school in 2004, graduated with my AA in 2004, and have been working on my Bachelor's since 2004...
3. I should be working

I tag no one. Steal this if you want to.

BLUE

Basic Analysis

Congratulations, you are a blue.

blue:	48.74%
yellow:	??? %
red:	??? %
white:	??? %

Blues (Motive: Intimacy)

blues are motivated by Intimacy. They seek to genuinely connect with others, and need to be understood and appreciated. Everything they do is quality-based. They are loyal friends, employers, and employees. Whatever or whomever they commit to is their sole (and soul) focus. They love to serve and give of themselves freely in order to nurture others' lives.

blues have distinct preferences and have the most controlling personality. Their personal code of ethics is remarkably strong and they expect others to live honest, committed lives as well. They enjoy sharing meaningful moments in conversation as well as paying close attention to special life events (e.g. birthdays and anniversaries). blues are dependable, thoughtful, and analytical; but can also be self-righteous, worry-prone, and moody. They are "sainted pit-bulls" who never let go of something or someone once they are committed. When you deal with a BLUE, be sincere and make a genuine effort to understand and appreciate them.