just a cute photograph..

Lesson Learned

You know when something sounds like a really good idea and then later on you question your sanity, wondering why on earth you would have thought that idea was a good one?

I've got three words for you:

7 am History.

Blech.

On a typical night, I'm not even asleep until after 2am. If I want to look any sort of cute and ready for school, I have to wake up around 5 or 5:30. (i swear that should be a sin) Are you doing the math? I'll do it for you. It equals no sleep.

For some reason when I was signing up for classes a few months ago, I thought I would magically transform into a morning person. In comes the questioning of my sanity. I've known myself my entire life and never, never, ever, not even once, have I been a morning person. So then whyyyyyyy the 7 am class, Chelsea? WHY?! You know how much you loathe waking up so early! Not to mention its history... History is a cool subject, I actually am a lot more into it than I ever was in high school (btw, still so glad those days are d.o.n.e.) but regardless, its not something I want to think and be quizzed about so early in the morning..not that there are a lot of things I want to think and be quizzed about that early, but still. History is an especially difficult early-morning subject.

If I don't learn anything else this semester, I've learned this: Early classes stink. 

{but I really hope I learn a few more things than that..just sayin'.}

Save the Boobies

Warning: I'm on a rant, here, and this is (somewhat) of an adult-type subject. I don't even know if your adorable children read my blog, or if you, yourself, reading this right now are an adorable little child..just take caution before reading. I don't want to offend anyone.

(Do you have Facebook? Because if you don't, some of this post may not be as close-to-home as it will to those who do have FB. But please, even if you don't have Facebook, keep reading. You know, if you'd like. I'm not going to force you to do anything you don't want to do. Thats rude.)

SO. I'm back in school. (woo-hoo!) I'm taking an English class. I like English, alright. I consider myself a decent writer, so I am confident in this class and I've always got good grades in English classes so that helps my confidence level. I'm not a huge fan of all the writing assignments though. I really, really, really don't like being told to write about a certain, assigned subject, I'd much rather be given a vague, broad topic and be able to choose what I'd like to write about based off of my own interests, likes, etc. Do you get it?

Lucky for Chelsea, my first real paper in this class is an argumentative, two-sided essay and the topic is something of our choosing. Thank you, Professor. I decided to choose something that I will probably regret later because I know I'm going to become obsessed over this subject and stress about it like a mad-woman and I'd be willing to bet I'll lose some sleep over it. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, I don't know, yet, if its a homework assignment I really want to do good on, or know that I can do really good on, this is how I handle it. Hey, its who I am. I'm embracing it.

Subject: Breast Cancer Awareness

Here is where FB comes into play. Have you seen all of the ways people, specifically girls, I guess, are trying to promote awareness for this?

Allow me to give you a few examples.
(at least i think these were all breast cancer awareness games...to be honest, i didn't pay much attention to them when i'd get the messages encouraging me to "play" them...so correct me if i'm wrong. really do, though, because i'm going to write a paper on this and i want it to be right. oh! and if there were any more ways to become aware, please inform me, if you wouldn't mind.)

• There was one time when a message was sent around FB to all the girls that instructed you to change your status to "I like it on ______." In the blank, you were supposed to write where you usually put your purse. For example, mine would probably have been, "I like it on the floor" or "I like it in the closet." The idea of this is to make the boys scratch their heads over what on earth this status could mean. But, naturally, their minds are going to go towards dirty thoughts, I mean lets face reality, people, a person who has been exposed to any media is going to think this is the location of where a person is having sex. Okay, so whatever, its a bit comical, but what on earth does where you like to have "it" have to do with breast cancer?! 
• There was another message that went around saying that you should put the color of your bra on your status. Okay, this one is a little more closely related to breast cancer. Bra's hold your breasts...so there you go, sort of related. But still... Are we going to read so-and-so's status that says "red" or "purple" and immediately think of supporting breast cancer? Maybe I'm the odd one out here, but I know that wasn't what I thought when I'd read those status's. I guess at least this one doesn't put your mind in the gutter as bad as the first one...
• This one, I'm not necessarily sure has to do with promoting breast cancer awareness, I heard it was, but I don't know. Regardless, its gross. Anyway, the message was that girls were supposed to put your shoe size with a frowny face after it. For example, mine would be: 7 :( I didn't get this one at first, but rumor on the street has it that this is supposed to be the size of..you know, male anatomy. Why does a girl have to put this, though?! (Not that a boy should, either, though) And again, how in the H does this promote breast cancer awareness or show your support? This one just makes me feel dirty and puts my mind in a place it shouldn't be. 
• My last FB-point is the most recent "game" floating around. This one deals with your birthday. Your status is supposed to read, "I'm ___ weeks and craving ___." In the first blank, you put your birth month, in the second blank, you take your birth day and there is a list provided of 31 different food items and you match the food with your birth day number. Mine would be, "I'm 12 weeks and craving creme eggs." (ps i will never crave those. never. they're icky.) This one bothers me on so many different levels. This is offensive to me and I've never even had breast cancer or any sort of cancer, at that. Ugh. Okay, rant time. Most women who have had cancer, survived cancer, etc. become infertile and cannot have children. I don't know, but I'd assume this would become somewhat of a fragile subject for these amazing cancer-fighters/survivors. Right? Then how is pretending your pregnant on FB showing your support for this cancer? Its not! This one, in my opinion, is more for the comical/entertainment factor rather than the support. I wonder if whoever started this "game" thought that one through...Probably not, I'm guessing. In no way, shape or form does this have anything to do with breast cancer.

Alright, there you have my Facebook argument.

Now, here is the part I'm torn about. How do you feel about the "I Love Boobies" paraphernalia? This one is at least somewhat good because (to my understanding) some of the money from the purchase of the shirt, bracelet, etc. go towards breast cancer research. That is good, yeah? However, do you wonder if people buy the products with the intention of giving some of their money to the research? Or do they just want the product because its amusing to wear an item of clothing or to sport an accessory that says, "I Love Boobies," and it just so happens that some of the money goes to the good cause? I think there is a very fine line between good intentions and not-so-good intentions on this one. I don't know, what do you guys think? I need help on this one. I'm torn, torn, torn.

Then there is the breast cancer awareness and support that I fully am in favor of. The pink ribbon items, for example. I'm all for the pink ribbon magnets on your car, the opportunities we have to buy items at the store that are pink and some of the proceeds go towards research. For some reason I find it more supportive towards breast cancer if you have the choice to buy a hair straightener that is pink and the money goes towards research or a plain one. Do you know what I mean? If you have the choice to support and you choose to support, that, to me, means so much more.

There's also the runs/races. I support these, too. You get the shirts that have clever little boob references, but they're acceptable to me because when you see the person in that shirt, you know they ran to support the cause. This race shirt is different than the "I Love Boobies" shirt to me because you had to work in order to wear the race shirt and do physical work and actually show your support, physically.

What I'm trying to get at is this: There are so many good ways to promote breast cancer awareness and show your support without being completely ridiculous, stepping over too many lines and maybe insulting cancer survivors and fighters.

One last thing..sort of on the subject, sort of not and I can't decide if this is going to be in my English essay or not, please feel free to give me your opinion, I need it!  Why do you think breast cancer is sooooo widely supported and well-known when there are so many other cancers that deserve just as much attention? Is there a reason breast cancer is more commonly advertised than other cancers?

Alright, alright. I think I'm done, now. I know my argument, so far, is a little Facebook heavy, but I'm going to try and have my other points get a little stronger, in the process of writing however many drafts I write of this paper. Please, please, please leave your comments, feedback, arguments, let me know if there's any more points I should make, important things I've left out that would be beneficial to this paper, etc! I need all sorts of help with this paper. :) Yup, I love you all.

Also, if you wanted to wish me luck on this paper that'd be nice, too. :)

kthanks.loveyou.bye.
chelseakate.

i need purpose in my life, again.

I need school to start. Like, bad. No, really. I do.

Never in my life did I think I'd be a person who missed school and craved learning new things and doing homework. But here I am..very much that person.

School starts again the 29th. Going full time. Can't wait.

Meanwhile..

I'll spend my days wasting my time on the computer

and getting cute pen-tattoes

the P word

Patience.

Ah, the very word makes me cringe. You know how everyone has that one trial they have to battle their whole lives, or for a large portion of it? Mine is patience. Stinkin', evil, stressful patience. (As you can see, I've still got a long way to go before I conquer this one.)


Well, last night while I was laying in bed and trying to fall asleep, I was reading General Conference talks and came across one entitled, "Continue in Patience" that was given by the amazing, Dieter F. Uchtdorf. I knew I had to read this one, and so I did. There was a section in his talk that particularly stuck out to me:

"Waiting can be hard. Children know it, and so do adults. We live in a world offering fast food, instant messaging, on-demand movies, and immediate answers to the most trivial or profound questions. We don’t like to wait. Some even feel their blood pressure rise when their line at the grocery store moves slower than those around them.

Patience—the ability to put our desires on hold for a time—is a precious and rare virtue. We want what we want, and we want it now. Therefore, the very idea of patience may seem unpleasant and, at times, bitter.

Nevertheless, without patience, we cannot please God; we cannot become perfect. Indeed, patience is a purifying process that refines understanding, deepens happiness, focuses action, and offers hope for peace.

As parents, we know how unwise it would be to indulge our children’s every desire. But children are not the only ones who spoil when showered with immediate gratification. Our Heavenly Father knows what good parents come to understand over time: if children are ever going to mature and reach their potential, they must learn to wait."

I'm so glad I came across this talk, more specifically, this section of this great talk.. President Uchtdorf says it perfectly, waiting is hard..but worth it! I hope one day (soon) I can finally grasp this concept or at least get better at enduring patience in a positive way! :)

Have a good day, my loves!

Lately...I'm still me.

I realize it has been a while since I've posted..or at least posted something other than being a Harry Potter nerd..

Turns out even after all this time, I don't have much to really post about that has been, in my opinion, blog-worthy. So, I've decided to just give y'all an update on my good ol' life. It may be boring and not worth reading, but its something. Kay? K.

     Where shall I begin? Okay. Go.

      I've sort of decided to sacrifice my summer and be in school. Maybe I've already told you this? I can't remember and I'm too lazy to look. I haven't overwhelmed myself with tons of classes or credits or anything (thats next semester), but its been enough to keep me busy and and keep me learning. UVU is a really good school, I'm having a great time attending it and feel blessed to be able to attend a University and further my education and get closer to graduating!

     As I've mentioned, before, I'm working at the local Snoshack and am really enjoying myself, there. I'll be honest, sometimes it gets a little long spending five hours in a box by myself, especially on the slower days, but its a great job, my bosses are incredible people and I make good money!

     If you haven't caught on from some of the previous posts, I am no longer dating Todd. It took me a while to really be able to grasp that reality, but I can proudly say that finally I am okay with it and accepting of it! In fact, I'm glad it happened. I'll always be happy with the memories Todd and I made and I'll never regret dating him and spending time with him and loving him, but now that it is all said and done, I can see that our ending was a blessing in disguise. God most definitely has a plan for me and this is all part of it! Todd and I are on good terms and are still good friends and we both respect each other, but sometimes you're just better off friends than lovers, you know? And in this case, although I never thought this is how it would be, we are meant to be friends and only that. I've had a lot of blessings come my way since then that I know I wouldn't have received if we kept dating, so I am thankful! ...On that note, I'm not going to say much about this...yet...but I just may happen to like someone new who is an incredible, fantastic, amazing, as perfect as they come man.. :) I'm happy! 


     I promise I'm not trying to sound like I am bragging or anything, but this summer I've really made my health and fitness a priority and I've seen and felt the results of living my life in such a way. It is so cool to see the benefits living a healthy lifestyle can give you. I swear I say this all the time, but I can't wait to be able to, one day, help people create healthy lives for themselves and assist them in seeing the benefits, long term and short term from doing so!

     About two months ago, my home ward asked me to start attending the Singles Ward. In doing this, it meant I would be released from my amazing calling, being a Sunbeam teacher and would leave my incredible teaching companion and those beautiful little kiddos I looked forward to seeing and playing with each week. When I got this news, I'll be honest, although I accepted it, I had a horrible attitude about it. I was a bummed-out girlie. However, after I gave it time, I'm happy to say that I love my Singles Ward and I adore the spirit that is always there, the incredible lessons I hear each week, and the people I've met! It just enforced my knowledge that the church is true and that the spirit is the same no matter what ward or building you are in!

     Well, I suppose thats it. I warned you I didn't have a lot of excitement in my life at the moment...but I happen to think my life is freaking awesome, especially lately! God is great and has blessed me so much-more than I deserve, thats for sure! I have the best family who I'm so lucky to be able to see and play with daily and further my great relationships with. However, I do hope someday something epic will come along my way that I'll be able to blog about and create a little more sparkle to my blog that has been a bit sparkle-lacking, lately! :)

"Y" + A Very Potter Picnic = Perfect Day

You know when you sit down at night and think back on your day and can't help but smile because it was that good of a day? Today was that glorious day for me. Too great, I tell ya.

My beautiful day started off early this morning when my daddy, Adi and me hiked the "Y". Basically, hiking the Y is fantastic. Tiring, but grand. After hiking, we went and got breakfast. Nice.

Now, enjoy some pictures from our lovely hike:

Sitting on the "Y"

Gotta have a silly photograph, we believe. 

This is my daddy-o man.

Adi Kayde being too cool for school.

Mid-hike

My dads work (1800contacts) has an annual party at a field at Thanksgiving Point and every year, it is super fun. Definitely something to look forward to! This years was the best one they've had, so far! It was titled, A Very Potter Picnic. As you may have guessed, the theme was Harry Potter (by the way-the most recent Harry Potter film is the BEST movie. Best! Holy crap..) 

There is always so much to do at these parties and lots of snacks and food to eat, ice cold water, delicious lemonade, you know, all the good stuff. 

me&buggie

a better one

All the girls, yes, including mommy, got tattoos. They're pretty cool if I do say so myself. Snakes. Oh yeah.

Showin' off that tats.

 There were so many activities there! As usual, Adi took full advantage of all the fun-ness.

Here's the cute girl going through a little obstacle course thingy

Savannah and me waiting while Adi goes through the course.

The girls are braver than me. They pet a giant, scary, scary, scary snake.

Here we are with Dumbledore and..a witch?

Then we got sorted into our Houses! It was epic.

HUFFLEPUFF!!!

SLYTHERIN!!!

RAVENCLAW!!!

GRYFFINDOR!!!

Coloring our pet snakes..

Sitting in Hagrid's giant chair.

Us with our snakies at the awards ceremony.

So, as you can plainly see, my day was awe-some. It was the bomb.com, if you will. Its days like today that remind me that I'm a lucky, lucky gal and because I love y'all so much I thought I'd share my fantabulous day with you.

I hope your day is just as marvelous.

Mrs.Paisley...if only..

I am terribly, awfully jealous of Brad Paisley's wife..

Lets just say that.

I love him. I'd also love marrying him.

And this would be "our song."

musica

Joe Jonas and I have had our up and downs. I can never decide if I love or hate him.

Can't live with him, can't live without him.

But right now...its love. 

He recently released this song. I'm fairly certain he wrote the lyrics with my "relationship" situation, in mind. What a gem. Thanks, Joe boy.

(the quality of the picture isn't the best, but its the words & music i wanted you to hear, anyway.)