101. January 7

Day 101.

Well. For a little while now I've been wanting to do a "Reasons Life is Beautiful" list, with the number of items coinciding with the number of the day. Then I sort of forgot all about that and now that I'm at day 101, I guess I'd better go ahead and do it, before I'm stuck with 266 reasons. Besides, I've been way too cranky lately and need to do something to shake this mood.

Sorry if you're not a fan of this sort of stuff, friend. Skim on.

101 Reasons Why Life is Beautiful

or Things Val Finds Beautiful

or Life is Good So Shut Up and Stop Complaining

or 101 Reasons to Just Be Happy

* Paper cranes * Snow in the sunshine * Family * The scent of new books * Pea coats * Laughter * Toast with creamy white honey * Weddings * Meet Joe Black * Quotes * Scriptures * Little Women, Louisa May Alcott * Scarves * Romance * Red rocks * Desert  * Temples * Asheville, North Carolina * Trees * Long stretches of open road * Poetry * The human body * Smiles * Hugs * The car wash * The allure of late night * Chocolate * Home * Mascara * Shaved legs *

* Sunrises * Sunsets * Sunshine in general * Grocery shopping * Used book stores * Libraries * Elephant earrings * Romantic comedies * Bundt cakes * Sensual Amber perfume * Fountains with coins at the bottom, each representing a wish once made * Tiger lilies * Roses * Dreams * Wishes * Warmth * Optimism * Surprises * Covers of songs that are better than the original * Audrey Hepburn * Cary Grant * Kissing * Mom-and-pop burger joints * Consignment shops * PostSecret *

 * Friends * My list of Life Goals and Ambitions * Journals * Collarbones * Letters in the mail * Postcards * Packages * Gifts * Making others happy * Compliments * My dad's singing * My mother's piano music * Spontaneity * Sunday dinners * Kyle playing the guitar and singing me Dashboard Confessional * Fishing with Dad * Late night talks with my sister * Empty notebooks * Cursive * The quilt my mother made me that now decorates my bed * Big skies * Cobblestone streets * Christmas * "Iris," Goo Goo Dolls *

"Come Away With Me," Norah Jones *

* Pastry shops * Prague * Old cathedrals * Utah * Elderly couples holding hands * Cuddling * Breakfast nooks * Wrap-around porches * Tree houses * Tire swings * Piles of dried leaves * The beginning of each new season * Lists * Small towns * Stars * Really good pens * Kenny Loggins' Return to Pooh Corner album * Change * Peanut Butter M and Ms * The ocean *

The English major within me is looking at that list and saying, "What kind of organization is that? How can you even tell there is 101?" The rebel within me is saying, "HA! Take that English major! 101! Count 'em, I dare you!" My inner perfectionist sides with the English major. The nonconformist and the stubborn child within back up the rebel and chaos wins.

I love the corner of my apartment decorated with paper cranes, hanging from the ceiling.

Beautiful isn't it?

"Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square hole. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can't do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do."
~ Apple Computer Inc.

39. November 6

What a beautiful day!

How lucky am I to be living this life I've been given?

Three pleasant occurrences (and bonus photos):

FIRST

After class today, I could help but be tempted by the thick, crisp carpet of November leaves on the grass. I kicked up a huge pile of leaves. Passing students smiled as they watched those leaves. I could practically see the inner child in them eager for a good jump. Despite several personal invitations, no one would give it a jump. I waited until I was relatively on my own and enjoyed a few delicious moments jumping and sinking into the bed of leaves. The crinkling leaves enclosed all around me sounded like the first sparse raindrops of storm. I felt so alive! It seemed a shame to leave this nice big pile of leaves all alone, so I left an invitation next to it.

I passed that same way later that day and was delighted to find the imprint of someone who had accepted my invitation. I hope they enjoyed it as much as I did.

SECOND

Walking back from my jaunt in the leaves, I was greeted by some terrifically cheering chalk art, signed Liz O'Hare. Ms. O'Hare, I hope you don't mind me posting your beautiful art. I just loved it so.

I  don't know how well you can read it, but written in yellow is the words "live in the moment." I love this reminder. There is a saying that goes something like this: Remember the past, consider the future, but live in the present. So often I get too caught up in what's coming next. I am constantly counting down the days until this or until that. I often spend more time fretting over the coming days than living them. I need to remember to slow down and let each day take care of itself. So, Ms. O'Hare, thank you for the beautiful reminder to live in the moment.

THIRD

I had the opportunity to visit the Columbia temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. This is a picture of this beautiful temple that *gasp* was taken in September and not tonight. But what the heck, I'm already breaking all my unwritten blog rules tonight, so what's one more broken rule?

I've been feeling the slightest bit blue lately--a little homesick, but mostly just tired of present circumstances and frustrated with the silliest things. Going to this beautiful temple tonight reminded me of how fortunate I am to be in this time and this place. God has a plan in mind for me and I just need to trust Him that things are as they should be. I also need to remember not to wallow when I am feeling down. I am so grateful to be member of the Mormon faith and for the hope my faith gives me of beautiful days to come.

Quote of the day:

"In all of living have much fun and laughter. Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured."

~ Gordon B. Hinckley, "Stand True and Faithful"

Also, I'm going to try to create links to books, poems, and other works referenced in my quotes of the day, just for you, dear reader.

37. November 4

I really need to be drinking more of this water stuff...

And do you know what else this photo says?

I lead a remarkably ordinary life. Hence, why I take pictures of water bottles.

Often the day doesn't warrant blazing Kodak moments and noteworthy occurrences. But, life doesn't have to be extraordinary to be happy. I lead a pretty normal life. Likely, so do you.

Let's start a club.

Can we have t-shirts?

"Well, I like to eat, sleep, drink, and be in love. / I like to work, read, learn, and understand life."

~Langston Hughes, "Theme For English B"

36. November 3

I am not a fan of November.

I don't really like Tuesdays.

Today, life handed me a beautiful

November Tuesday

and I was forced to question my biases.

Maybe... November isn't so bad after all.

As long as there is only one November a year, I'll take it.

And, as long as there is only one Tuesday a week, I think I can handle it.

"Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known."

~ Carl Sagan

24. October 22

Forgive me, but life was just too beautiful today!

Sometimes I am overwhelmed by how blessed I am! Life is just so good. To be young at this time and in this place is truly an unusually excellent experience. Occasionally I fear that life simply can't get any better, and that these really are the best years of my life. Its like that line from "Total Eclipse of the Heart," 

"Every now and then I get a little bit nervous that the best of all the years has gone by." 

But then I think of all that lies ahead of me and I am quite sure these fleeting years of youth are far from the most life has to offer. I look at my parents, at my brother and his wife, and at all the young couples I know and I think how excited I am to someday have the experience, God be willing, of being a wife and a mother. There are no two experiences I desire more than these.

I do not fear growing old, even if the later years of life seem to me now a little bit beautiful, bittersweet, and sad. I love what Agatha Christie had to say about those years,

"But there is a great deal left. Operas and concerts, and reading, and the enormous pleasure of dropping into bed and going to sleep, and dreams of every variety... Almost best of all, sitting in the sun--gently drowsy... And there you are again--remembering."

 I think... life in its entirety is beautiful beyond understanding. And I for one intend to relish every moment of it.

I am done rambling now and with great pride present the picture and quote of the day. And technically this quote will be the third in the post, but don't let his bother you okay? Consider it a bonus.

"Happiness is the ultimate realization that everything was, and is, exactly as it should be."

~ Paul from The Netherlands