http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=WbN0nX61rIs&NR=1
This is my new favorite song. Just listen to it; it'll make you feel good! :)
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Friday, February 17, 2012
New Year, New Challenges
This year has been incredibly amazing, yet incredibly tough. I started school, saw friends I haven't seen in years, made new friends, started and ended a relationship, and started a migraine cluster...that never went away. The day before I came up to school in January I started another migraine cluster and like always, I expected it to last for two weeks and then for it to go away so life could get back to normal. That never happened.
For reasons unknown, my migraines, which usually appear every three to four months for two weeks, have become chronic. It has been almost two months since my migraines started. Hopefully by next week though I will have some answers. This is because my new neurologist had me get an MRI and a crazy amount of blood work done and the test results SHOULD be in by next week, if they aren't in already. I am hoping and praying for some answers soon because dealing with chronic migraines and trying to go to school and do homework and socialize and deal with all of the stuff that entails, is exhausting and debilitating. BUT through all of this, I'm trying to stay happy and upbeat and positive because I know that in all of this somewhere, there is a lesson to be learned. I know that Heavenly Father is watching out for me and that He cares about me and I know that He has been with me every step of the way.
SO, just for all of you that haven't been with me or around me since January, this is an excerpt from a letter I wrote to a friend who is on a mission for our church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. This excerpt details some of the scarier beginnings of my migraines this year.
Written on January 20th, 2012
"Last week on Wednesday night/Thursday morning my mum finally came up to Rexburg and took me to the emergency room because it got so bad. They gave me an I.V. with fluids and pain killers and then because whatever they gave me made me really anxious they had to sedate me with a fair amount of Benadryl to help me calm down and to help me sleep. It was really scary. I’ve never had to go to the emergency room for something like that before. We got back to my apartment about 2:00 a.m. Thursday morning and I slept that whole entire day, only waking up for a few hours to email my teachers and submit some homework via email.
I thought the worst was over, but Friday morning I woke up and my head was just throbbing like crazy. I took one type of migraine medicine and then another a few hours later when the first one didn’t work. Even both kinds working together didn’t do a thing. I had two classes that day and I had to get my student teaching paperwork signed so I trudged across campus and quite honestly, I don’t know how I did it. I think Heavenly Father was definitely with me that day; I am surprised I didn’t collapse on campus somewhere. I was somehow able to sit through my first class and afterwards realized there was no way in Heaven I was going to be able to sit through orchestra and I called my mum to see what I should do. She was at work and all of my siblings were either at work or school and she suggested I see if I could get one of my friends to take me to the doctor. Thank goodness one of the first calls I made I was able to get my friend Charles to take me to the doctor’s office and they gave me two shots of heavy-duty pain killers and a prescription for a daily migraine preventative. Saturday was a bit scary because I blacked out in the hallway on the way back to my bedroom and collapsed on the floor. (I hit the wall and fell to the floor.) Luckily it was just because I got really dizzy and I got up a few seconds later!"
I also want to thank all of my friends, family and anyone else who has been helping me to get by these past two months. Your support means so much more than I will ever be able to express. Thank you.
~Stephanie Ann
For reasons unknown, my migraines, which usually appear every three to four months for two weeks, have become chronic. It has been almost two months since my migraines started. Hopefully by next week though I will have some answers. This is because my new neurologist had me get an MRI and a crazy amount of blood work done and the test results SHOULD be in by next week, if they aren't in already. I am hoping and praying for some answers soon because dealing with chronic migraines and trying to go to school and do homework and socialize and deal with all of the stuff that entails, is exhausting and debilitating. BUT through all of this, I'm trying to stay happy and upbeat and positive because I know that in all of this somewhere, there is a lesson to be learned. I know that Heavenly Father is watching out for me and that He cares about me and I know that He has been with me every step of the way.
SO, just for all of you that haven't been with me or around me since January, this is an excerpt from a letter I wrote to a friend who is on a mission for our church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. This excerpt details some of the scarier beginnings of my migraines this year.
Written on January 20th, 2012
"Last week on Wednesday night/Thursday morning my mum finally came up to Rexburg and took me to the emergency room because it got so bad. They gave me an I.V. with fluids and pain killers and then because whatever they gave me made me really anxious they had to sedate me with a fair amount of Benadryl to help me calm down and to help me sleep. It was really scary. I’ve never had to go to the emergency room for something like that before. We got back to my apartment about 2:00 a.m. Thursday morning and I slept that whole entire day, only waking up for a few hours to email my teachers and submit some homework via email.
I thought the worst was over, but Friday morning I woke up and my head was just throbbing like crazy. I took one type of migraine medicine and then another a few hours later when the first one didn’t work. Even both kinds working together didn’t do a thing. I had two classes that day and I had to get my student teaching paperwork signed so I trudged across campus and quite honestly, I don’t know how I did it. I think Heavenly Father was definitely with me that day; I am surprised I didn’t collapse on campus somewhere. I was somehow able to sit through my first class and afterwards realized there was no way in Heaven I was going to be able to sit through orchestra and I called my mum to see what I should do. She was at work and all of my siblings were either at work or school and she suggested I see if I could get one of my friends to take me to the doctor. Thank goodness one of the first calls I made I was able to get my friend Charles to take me to the doctor’s office and they gave me two shots of heavy-duty pain killers and a prescription for a daily migraine preventative. Saturday was a bit scary because I blacked out in the hallway on the way back to my bedroom and collapsed on the floor. (I hit the wall and fell to the floor.) Luckily it was just because I got really dizzy and I got up a few seconds later!"
I also want to thank all of my friends, family and anyone else who has been helping me to get by these past two months. Your support means so much more than I will ever be able to express. Thank you.
~Stephanie Ann
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Getting checked out at the gas station by some random guy....
Yes people, alas, it has been a very long time since I've done a post. I just really need to figure out something I can right about every few days...any ideas? Anyone...?
Anywho, the last couple of days have been really awful. I've had some truly horriffic migraines, stupid boy drama, and I found out yesterday that reason I've had a cold for two weeks is because of a blasted SINUS INFECTION!!! Urgh...
But, something funny that happened me today happened at Maverik. After I came lolloping out of the store with my trusty jug of antifreeze I popped the hood on my car and proceeded to break the seal on the anti-freeze. Out of the corner of my eye I see some random guy around my age looking at me while he pumps his gas...weird...
I finish pouring the anti-freeze into my car and re-enter my car to leave. As I'm taking off my coat and scarf in my car, I can still see this guy peeking between the two gas things watching me...as I drove away I just had to laugh. And laugh and laugh some more.It was something so little, you know, a guy being appreciative of the way I look on a day where I felt disgusting, but it made me happy.
Also today, I got to do a minute amount of Christmas shopping before being sick and exhausted took over, but it was really fun! I just adore Christmas gift shopping. I wish I had a whole lot more money so I could by everyone I know Christmas gifts. I love to put a lot of thought into what I buy my friends and family and it makes me happy to know that I was able to put a smile on their face, for however little time.
And now, for something more serious. I am tired and sick and quite frankly downtrodden and I'm starting to lose faith in the men of mankind, but despite all of this, I am happy. And no matter how much Satan is trying to make me worry and cry over what has happened to me the past couple of days, I'm not worried and I'm not upset because I know that Heavenly Father is taking care of me. No matter the outcome of the past few days' events, I know that it serves a purpose in creating a better, more spiritual, more fulfilled and happy me. No matter what, Heavenly Father is taking care of me, and because of this, I don't need to worry. I have nothing to worry about ever because I know that Heavenly Father has a plan for me.
Anywho, the last couple of days have been really awful. I've had some truly horriffic migraines, stupid boy drama, and I found out yesterday that reason I've had a cold for two weeks is because of a blasted SINUS INFECTION!!! Urgh...
But, something funny that happened me today happened at Maverik. After I came lolloping out of the store with my trusty jug of antifreeze I popped the hood on my car and proceeded to break the seal on the anti-freeze. Out of the corner of my eye I see some random guy around my age looking at me while he pumps his gas...weird...
I finish pouring the anti-freeze into my car and re-enter my car to leave. As I'm taking off my coat and scarf in my car, I can still see this guy peeking between the two gas things watching me...as I drove away I just had to laugh. And laugh and laugh some more.It was something so little, you know, a guy being appreciative of the way I look on a day where I felt disgusting, but it made me happy.
Also today, I got to do a minute amount of Christmas shopping before being sick and exhausted took over, but it was really fun! I just adore Christmas gift shopping. I wish I had a whole lot more money so I could by everyone I know Christmas gifts. I love to put a lot of thought into what I buy my friends and family and it makes me happy to know that I was able to put a smile on their face, for however little time.
And now, for something more serious. I am tired and sick and quite frankly downtrodden and I'm starting to lose faith in the men of mankind, but despite all of this, I am happy. And no matter how much Satan is trying to make me worry and cry over what has happened to me the past couple of days, I'm not worried and I'm not upset because I know that Heavenly Father is taking care of me. No matter the outcome of the past few days' events, I know that it serves a purpose in creating a better, more spiritual, more fulfilled and happy me. No matter what, Heavenly Father is taking care of me, and because of this, I don't need to worry. I have nothing to worry about ever because I know that Heavenly Father has a plan for me.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
These are a few of my favorite things...
Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens....ha ha, JUST kidding. But really, this post is about my favorite things and what a difference they can make in my life; this post will also be about YOUR favorite things and what a difference they can make in YOUR life when the going gets tough.
As of late, my life has been one ridiculous roller coaster of a ride after another, one confusing and constant maze of uncertainty and fear and it's been really, really hard on me. Some things have scared me so badly that I didn't really know what to do with myself except pray; really hard and almost constantly. And even then, it only got me so far. Its hard to describe a feeling where loneliness and fear of the unknown are almost constant companions and your Heavenly Father is the only person you have to really rely on, including people from your friends and family groups. It's a scary thing. BUT do you know what I've realized after something I experienced this morning? My favorite things make a difference, they really, really do. I popped in a live version of switchfoot's CD "Hello Hurricane" and instantly my black mood vanished, singing along as I applied my mascara. And because of this beautiful experience, I've realized that to keep Satan at bay, and to make my life a WHOLE lot easier, I need to fill it with my favorite things, with things that are good for me spiritually, physically, mentally and emotionally.
And so my good friends and loyal readers (whoever you are out there), this is not only my message to myself, but to you! I challenge you to make a list of your very most favorite things, no matter how ridiculous they are (even if that means singing a random hillbilly chase scene song while you drive, pretending to shoot people out your window with your fingers OR singing songs from The Lion King and Aladdin while you're shampooing your hair) and to look at that list of favorite things everytime you're having a tough time and to do at least ONE of those things on your list to make you feel better. If one or two just isn't doing it for you, plow right on through the whole dang list, if that's what it takes!
List of my favorite things:
1. Stuff that glitters.
2. Music from Switchfoot.
3. Arsenic and Old Lace.
4. Eat, Pray, Love By Elizabeth Gilbert
5. Making myself pretty!
6. Shopping.
7. Cooking a feast (Cooking pretty much ANYTHING I can get my hands on.)
8. Singing
9. Dancing
10. Acting.
11. Embroidery/sewing
12. Playing the violin (I still need to get that darn thing tuned!)
13. Dancing like crazy to random nineties music (Ex: Aqua, Backstreet Boys, etc.)
14. Musicals
15. Picnics
16. Piper Bernadette!
17. Hanging with my theatre buddies at BYU-Idaho (or any of my BYU-Idaho buddies for that matter. The theatre ones are just incredibly good for making me laugh!)
18. Foreign films.
19. New books.
20. Hot chocolate from Starbucks.
21. My nieces and nephews.
22. Disney movies.
23. Facebook skyping with Beck! We have awesome dance parties! (I can only imagine what people are thinking if they happen to walk in on us...)
24. Going to the movies or seeing live plays.
25. BABIES!
26. Having an intelligent conversation with someone.
27. Road trips!
28. Reading scriptures
29. Listening to talks by Elder Uchtdorf and Elder Holland.
30. Going to church (I really do honestly love this. i don't know what I would do without it! My singles ward is AWESOME!)
31. Talking to my sister and brother-in-law on the phone.
32. Yoghurt and granola. Seriously people, I could live FOREVER on this stuff!
33. Trying new recipes.
34. Singing Broadway musicals at the top of my lungs. (I suppose this COULD go under singing...)
35. Going on walks with my dog, Charlotte. (I honestly haven't done this in ages, but I really do love it. She's such a sweetie!)
As of late, my life has been one ridiculous roller coaster of a ride after another, one confusing and constant maze of uncertainty and fear and it's been really, really hard on me. Some things have scared me so badly that I didn't really know what to do with myself except pray; really hard and almost constantly. And even then, it only got me so far. Its hard to describe a feeling where loneliness and fear of the unknown are almost constant companions and your Heavenly Father is the only person you have to really rely on, including people from your friends and family groups. It's a scary thing. BUT do you know what I've realized after something I experienced this morning? My favorite things make a difference, they really, really do. I popped in a live version of switchfoot's CD "Hello Hurricane" and instantly my black mood vanished, singing along as I applied my mascara. And because of this beautiful experience, I've realized that to keep Satan at bay, and to make my life a WHOLE lot easier, I need to fill it with my favorite things, with things that are good for me spiritually, physically, mentally and emotionally.
And so my good friends and loyal readers (whoever you are out there), this is not only my message to myself, but to you! I challenge you to make a list of your very most favorite things, no matter how ridiculous they are (even if that means singing a random hillbilly chase scene song while you drive, pretending to shoot people out your window with your fingers OR singing songs from The Lion King and Aladdin while you're shampooing your hair) and to look at that list of favorite things everytime you're having a tough time and to do at least ONE of those things on your list to make you feel better. If one or two just isn't doing it for you, plow right on through the whole dang list, if that's what it takes!
List of my favorite things:
1. Stuff that glitters.
2. Music from Switchfoot.
3. Arsenic and Old Lace.
4. Eat, Pray, Love By Elizabeth Gilbert
5. Making myself pretty!
6. Shopping.
7. Cooking a feast (Cooking pretty much ANYTHING I can get my hands on.)
8. Singing
9. Dancing
10. Acting.
11. Embroidery/sewing
12. Playing the violin (I still need to get that darn thing tuned!)
13. Dancing like crazy to random nineties music (Ex: Aqua, Backstreet Boys, etc.)
14. Musicals
15. Picnics
16. Piper Bernadette!
17. Hanging with my theatre buddies at BYU-Idaho (or any of my BYU-Idaho buddies for that matter. The theatre ones are just incredibly good for making me laugh!)
18. Foreign films.
19. New books.
20. Hot chocolate from Starbucks.
21. My nieces and nephews.
22. Disney movies.
23. Facebook skyping with Beck! We have awesome dance parties! (I can only imagine what people are thinking if they happen to walk in on us...)
24. Going to the movies or seeing live plays.
25. BABIES!
26. Having an intelligent conversation with someone.
27. Road trips!
28. Reading scriptures
29. Listening to talks by Elder Uchtdorf and Elder Holland.
30. Going to church (I really do honestly love this. i don't know what I would do without it! My singles ward is AWESOME!)
31. Talking to my sister and brother-in-law on the phone.
32. Yoghurt and granola. Seriously people, I could live FOREVER on this stuff!
33. Trying new recipes.
34. Singing Broadway musicals at the top of my lungs. (I suppose this COULD go under singing...)
35. Going on walks with my dog, Charlotte. (I honestly haven't done this in ages, but I really do love it. She's such a sweetie!)
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
You are NOT forgotten
http://lds.org/pages/general-rs-meeting-2011?lang=eng
"You Are Not Forgotten
As a child, when I would look at the little forget-me-nots, I sometimes felt a little like that flower—small and very insignificant. I wondered if I would be forgotten by my family or by my Heavenly Father.
Years later, I can look back on that young boy with tenderness and compassion. And I do know now I was never forgotten.
And I know something else. As an Apostle of our Master, Jesus Christ, I proclaim with all the certainty and conviction of my heart and soul—neither are you!
You are not forgotten.
Sisters, wherever you are, whatever the circumstances may be, you are not forgotten. No matter how dark your days may seem, no matter how insignificant you may feel, no matter how overshadowed you think you may be, your Heavenly Father has not forgotten you. In fact, He loves you, with an infinite love."
—President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
"You Are Not Forgotten
As a child, when I would look at the little forget-me-nots, I sometimes felt a little like that flower—small and very insignificant. I wondered if I would be forgotten by my family or by my Heavenly Father.
Years later, I can look back on that young boy with tenderness and compassion. And I do know now I was never forgotten.
And I know something else. As an Apostle of our Master, Jesus Christ, I proclaim with all the certainty and conviction of my heart and soul—neither are you!
You are not forgotten.
Sisters, wherever you are, whatever the circumstances may be, you are not forgotten. No matter how dark your days may seem, no matter how insignificant you may feel, no matter how overshadowed you think you may be, your Heavenly Father has not forgotten you. In fact, He loves you, with an infinite love."
—President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Eat, Pray, Love challenge #1
This week's things to work on? Do something for yourself and do it on impulse. When it pops into your head, DO IT; don't push it aside like it doesn't matter and don't push it aside with excuses about how you don't have time, you don't deserve it, etc. JUST DO IT. Luxuriate in pampering yourself in excess. Do it because you want to; do it because you deserve it.
For example, today on the way home from babysitting I wanted to go get a hot chocolate from Starbucks because I had not been there in a long time and hot chocolate from starbucks is one of my favorite things. EVER. SO, what did I do? I went to hot chocolate and got myself a small hot chocolate to drink on the way home. I felt like a rockstar. :) I looked like one too, even with my brown corduroy messenger bag from Aeropostale. I was in the ZONE! Also yesterday I had SWEETS! Yes, ladies and gentlemen (if you're here), I had gluten-free chocolate chip cookies! That'll hold me for a good long while, but the point is, I ate one because I wanted to!
Also, this is something I've been trying to do all week, girls (if you're reading this), take the time to get ready everyday like you're going to be ambushed by over-zealous papparazzi the moment you step out your front door. When you spoil yourself like this by giving yourself ample time to get ready, you feel better about yourself, guaranteed. Love you all, hope you're doing well. Remember, take it one day at a time. That's all it takes. One day at a time and work to love yourself for who you are in this moment.
EAT: eat/drink one or two things this week that you've been denying yourself. Go ahead, indulge a little.
PRAY: Work on your personal prayer. If you're not praying at all, pray before you go to bed. If you are praying, step it up a little and pray twice a day, once before you go to bed and once when you get up in the morning.
LOVE: Look in the mirror and tell yourself that you love you. Go on, do it. "I love you." Say it until you mean it. Doesn't matter if it takes a few minutes or a few hours to say it until you mean it, do it anyway. It's ok. Remember, GOD loves you, so why shouldn't you love yourself? He made you in HIS image.
For example, today on the way home from babysitting I wanted to go get a hot chocolate from Starbucks because I had not been there in a long time and hot chocolate from starbucks is one of my favorite things. EVER. SO, what did I do? I went to hot chocolate and got myself a small hot chocolate to drink on the way home. I felt like a rockstar. :) I looked like one too, even with my brown corduroy messenger bag from Aeropostale. I was in the ZONE! Also yesterday I had SWEETS! Yes, ladies and gentlemen (if you're here), I had gluten-free chocolate chip cookies! That'll hold me for a good long while, but the point is, I ate one because I wanted to!
Also, this is something I've been trying to do all week, girls (if you're reading this), take the time to get ready everyday like you're going to be ambushed by over-zealous papparazzi the moment you step out your front door. When you spoil yourself like this by giving yourself ample time to get ready, you feel better about yourself, guaranteed. Love you all, hope you're doing well. Remember, take it one day at a time. That's all it takes. One day at a time and work to love yourself for who you are in this moment.
EAT: eat/drink one or two things this week that you've been denying yourself. Go ahead, indulge a little.
PRAY: Work on your personal prayer. If you're not praying at all, pray before you go to bed. If you are praying, step it up a little and pray twice a day, once before you go to bed and once when you get up in the morning.
LOVE: Look in the mirror and tell yourself that you love you. Go on, do it. "I love you." Say it until you mean it. Doesn't matter if it takes a few minutes or a few hours to say it until you mean it, do it anyway. It's ok. Remember, GOD loves you, so why shouldn't you love yourself? He made you in HIS image.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
The "Eat Pray Love" Challenge
I think that oftentimes, we're way too hard on ourselves. If we did something we're unhappy with or something we wish we could change, but can't, we dwell on it until we drive ourselves absolutely crazy and we're a veritable mess of the most negative emotions in our world. We see it fit to deny ourselves things that make us happy because deep, DEEP down, we think that we aren't worthy anymore because of the seemingly awful mistake(s) we've made. We look back and we wish, wish, wish and wish some more. Sweetheart, replaying those moments over and over again in your head aren't doing you any good.
But, my dears, contrary to that stupid, negative voice inside your head telling you "NO", YOU are worth it. You are worth everything that this beautiful world has to offer and more. Go ahead and have a good cry about what's happened to you; its OK. But then after that, accept it, embrace it, and move on.
Look forward to the future knowing that what ever has happened to you has made you a better person and has made you just that much more special. Look forward to the future and the blessings of life that Heavenly Father has promised you, knowing that you absolutely, without a doubt deserve them. Let's take this journey together!
"The trick is to enjoy life. Don't wish away your days waiting for better ones."
-Marjorie Pay Hinckley
(Weekly tasks and fun stuff to come along shortly!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYa1eI1hpDE&ob=av2n
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