Paint Sound Sculptures

 

Aren't these the coolest?!

Check them out here

Also, 

I apologize for my absence

But I have a really good excuse :)

I took a little trip

hopped on a plane,

surprised my family.

tomorrow I'm heading to a little piece of heaven

I can't wait see more friends and spend more time with my family :)

SYTYCD - Season 8 {Turn to Stone}

I love this routine.
I love Marko and Melanie.
I love this song.
I'm loving this season so far.

Fathers

This morning in church I received a text from my daddy,
"I'm wearing your purple tie for fathers day today, thanks :)"
It absolutely made my day.

I love my father, and here are a few reasons why:
1. His favorite color is purple
2. He plays the guessing game with me while listening to 80's rock in the car
3. He can fix ANYTHING
4. He taught me how to spell the longest word in the English language
5. Because of him, I'm a die hard Auburn Fan
6. He cooks the best steaks
7. He can turn his tickleish on and off
8. He shares his hidden Oreo's with me
9. Even though he shows his tough guy side in photos, underneath it all he's a big softie
10. He keeps my secrets ;)

My father is the wisest, most hard working man I know.  Growing up, he talked to me like an adult - even when I probably didn't deserve it. He strengthened my wit, asking questions and teaching me new things every day. He supported my dreams; never missing a single performance, awards ceremony, or swim meet. He inspired my career choice.  He reminded me every day how much he loved me.  The list goes on and on.

In a thought delivered by my HT's today, we read Moses 1 (specifically vs 2-8).  I was reminded of the majesty of my other father, my Heavenly Father.  I was reminded of his unconditional love for me; his tender mercies, his unwavering care and concern, his constant support.  I was reminded of his promises, and of my unmatched potential.

To my fathers,
I am so grateful for your guidance, love, and faith in me.  Thank you for the push to get back up and keep going when the times get tough.  Thank you for your forgiveness when I make a mistake, for understanding and peace. You are who I call on when I need that emotional boost.  You make everything become clear again, reminding me what is most important.  You are one of the biggest examples in my life.  I love you so much and would not be able to make it through each and every day without you.

Happy Father's Day :)

Summertime

Now that school is over and I have some more free time, there are a few projects I want to work on:

- Train for a triathalon
- Build a robot
- Read entire summer book list

It's going to happen. Just wait :)

A quiet prompting

After a long, fairly emotional day yesterday, I laid down for one last sleep before taking my 8 am final exam.  As I was just drifting off to sleep, the thought came into my mind, set another alarm.  Grudgingly I opened my eyes and reached out to my phone.  I set another alarm, 30 minutes behind the first, then went back to sleep.

 7:00 I wake up. After glancing over at my phone, I sit up in shock.  It was not the first alarm that was going off - but the second.  Once again, I had turned my alarm off in my sleep.  I got down on my knees to thank my Heavenly Father for the gift the Holy Ghost.  Were it not for it's promptings, I would have completely missed my final exam.

My testimony of the Holy Ghost and the guidance it brings was reaffirmed today.  I was reminded of the small and simple promptings it gives us - and the consequences that might come if we don't heed them.  The Holy Ghost is one of the many tools that our Heavenly Father has provided for his children, to guide us and direct us in the right path, to help us along the way.  It is a comforter to us when we absolutely need it the most and I am so grateful to have it in my life.

ps.  The Lord really blessed me today. I rocked my final.  

Summer Bucket List

It has been updated :)

click HERE to see the rest

What is Love?

I stumbled upon this

PRECIOUS

What is Love? Some Really Smart Kids May Have the Answer

from bluecentric.com

That's Amazing.

Every day I become more amazed of the world around me. The seemingly pure and simple realms of nature are, in all actuality, intricate workings of a divine creator.  A creator who's hands so meticulously placed every atom I come in contact with. I look at the technology around me - the incredible architectural feats and medical advances that society 10 years ago would have thought impossible.  I think about travel.  I can simply hop on a plane and go anywhere in the world; who would have thought I could fly!  I think about my field, the plans I have and the places they may take me; the medical benefits I might be able to bring.  I think about society, how confused we are as a whole.  Life is one thing that truly is easier to understand than it may seem.  We were all given life for one grand purpose, to prove ourselves worthy to return to his glory.  To learn the lessons life has to offer, to struggle and to grow.  If we see the big picture, it really isn't that complex.  We were given guidelines to follow.  Unlike the English language, there are no "i before e except after c"s.  The rules are unambiguous.  If we follow the guidelines, we will be able to handle all that life throws at us.  We can't get caught up in the nitty gritty details.  Notice them, appreciate them, stare in awe at them, remember them; then move on. 

That is one of the largest struggles for society today, in my opinion.  We fail to look at the BIG picture.  We think about our job right now.  Our school right now.  Our money, our happiness.  NOW.  Our society is a selfish society.  We think too much about personal gratification.  Sure, we go on huge mission trips, send disaster relief, adopt and sponsor children from around the world; but why?  Those are INCREDIBLE acts of charity, service, and love and I am not discounting them in any way.  But do we overlook those in need right here? Our roommates, siblings, or classmates - do we notice when they really need a friend?  My day is remarkably brighter when I get a smile as I pass a stranger on campus.  Or when I get a message from a friend I haven't heard from in a while.  Those little things turn my attitude 180 degrees.  I am a happier, more pleasant person to be around. In turn I feel inclined to do the same; to share my joy with others.

So, I propose a challenge.
Tomorrow,
Say hi to 5 strangers as you walk by.
Ask your roommates how their days are; see if there is anything you can do for them.
Do a good deed - it can be something small.  Windex the bathroom mirror, bake someone cookies, or write a little note.
Smile.  It really is infectious.

See if it makes a difference :)

Meet my best friend.

KJP. 

I love her. 

I miss her. 

I can't wait to visit her.

I'm even more excited to be roommates next year :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Watch out world.  We're about to rock you :)

A Beautiful Day Outdoors

Saturday, 

Michelle Seth and I hiked Bell Canyon

GORGEOUS.

Toward the end I had some altitude issues, 

but it was incredible and most definitely worth the pain :)

 

 

 

 

I tried to point to where we hiked, but there was a tree in the way...

 

the first falls hike at Bell Canyon is one of my favorite hikes now, 

I highly recommend it :)

check out a few more pictures here

Sister Hinkley

"I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails. 
I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp. 
I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbors children. 
I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden. 
I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder. 
I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived." 
— Marjorie Pay Hinckley

it applies to EE undergrads too

Q&A

"Humility is not thinking less of ourselves,

it's thinking less about ourselves..."

  
College is such a selfish time; we constantly think about our grades, our finances, our time, our social life.  It is so easy to become engrossed in the ME of it all.  We often loose sight of long term goals because we're so caught up in right now; we forget about the big picture. So I asked myself:

Why am I here?

To become an Electrical Engineer.

Why BYU?

Because no where else in the world can offer the spiritual enlightenment and academic superiority that BYU does. 

Why EE?

I've always wanted to do the hardest thing possible. 

Okay, but what are you going to do with it?

I want to go to graduate school for Biomedical Engineering so I can design surgical robots. 

You can get an incredible job in industry right after you graduate. Why more education? And besides, you may not even make it that far before you are married and a stay at home mom. 

I want to learn more. I want to benefit society and make an impact in the lives of those around me.  I know I may get married along the way.  When that happens, I will give up everything to be the best mom in the world.  But until then, I can learn a lot and help so many people.  And besides, it's a crazy world we live in.  You never know when I might need to go back to work - even with a family. 

Won't it be hard to give up a great career to be a mom?

All I have ever wanted out of life is to be a mom.  It is my ultimate dream.  Nothing could ever change my mind about that.

Have you considered serving a mission?

I never imagined I would even consider serving a mission.  But the thought is definitely there now.  A mission would be a true test of my faith, and would strengthen my testimony by leaps and bounds.  I would be able to serve the Lord's children and bring them to his Gospel.  An incredible opportunity to say the least, but we will see.

Are you happy right now?

I try every day to be.  Some days it may be a little harder - full of stress and anxiety - but I try to focus on the positive.  Remind myself why I am here.  Remind myself that I am a daughter of God, and that he loves me so much.  He has a specific role for me, and that can only be filled in his time.  

Anything else?

I love my family.  I am so proud of each and every one of them.  They are incredible people and a great example to me.  I am so grateful to them for the little things they do; a constant reminder of His ultimate plan for happiness.  I cannot wait to see them later this summer.  And I can't wait until we have our own families; the reunions are going to be off the hook. Our kids are going to be running around the lake house like wild banshees (just like we do :)) and we are going to attack them from behind with a swarm of nerf guns.  They'll think we're old and dumb, but we'll surprise them.  Then we'll all go run off the dock and jump into the water, laughing and having so much fun.  Little Samantha will punch little Grant in the nose for stealing her raft, then little Mandy will poke a hole in the raft, "Now you guys don't have anything to fight about!"  Samantha junior is going to dominate the pool tournaments, Mandy junior the dominoes, Grant junior Rock Band.  As for my kids - we'll dominate hide-and-seek :) Mom and Dad will spoil them rotten and they will never want to go home.  It's going to be great.