I'm Ba-ack..

Well, I suppose my very long hiatus has come to an end, thanks Jake. I've actually been meaning to get back to my posting. To share my thoughts and well, see if I have any followers any more. Ha. Does anyone Blog anymore? I suppose blogging isn't really so much for the reader, as it is for the writer. What a nice way to put thought into word. To solidify ones frame of mind and take flight in a completely different way, other than physically of course.

I look forward to sharing with you. Whoever you may be. :)

I recently went to a seminar with Jack Canfield. It was a great way to remind me of a few key things.

1) When we say I "can't" do something, what are we really saying? Are there really very many things we "can't" do? Think about this. Next time you use the word can't, think about whether you really cannot do it or is there really a more 'true' word that could replace the word can't. There are very few things we cannot do. Or perhaps our words need more communication in order to make a truer statement. Jack and I would both venture to say that instead of "can't" the truer word is "won't". Most times when we say we can't do something, really we mean we won't do it. For example, "I can't say that." Really? When have you known anyone not to be able to articulate something? What they really mean, is that they won't say that specific something, because of xy and z. Let's try a different example. "I can't swing dance." What I really mean is "I've never taken a swing dancing class so I won't swing dance until I do." Or some variation of that. The second sentence is more correct because we all have the capability within us. This knowledge is so empowering. It is on us to do something about our situation. No more can'ts. I most certainly am going to try to eliminate this word from my vocabulary. It is difficult, but I know it can be done.

2) Act as if whatever happens to you, has happened because you CREATED it. I am not talking about being egotistical. I am not talking about being self-centered. What I am talking about is not being a victim. It is so easy to fall into the poor me syndrome. It is easy to fall into the negativity of situations around you. But if you believe that all that happens to you has happened because of something you did, one of two things will happen. If something not so great happens, you will be propelled to do something differently to try for a better outcome. If something great is happening, you will continue to strive for that good outcome. The idea is stop doing what isn't working and keep doing what is. But remember, you are not a victim. This is essential too. Positive thinking will get you everywhere. "If it is meant to be, it is up to me!" :)

Because Jake said so

There are six rules.1. Post these rules.
2. Post 11 random things about yourself.
3. Answer the questions set for you in the original post (i.e., Jake's for me).
4. Create 11 new questions and tag people to answer them.
5. Go to their blog and tell them you've tagged them.
6. No saying, "If you are reading this, you're tagged."

11 random things about me.1. My fingers are double jointed. I can touch my thumb to my wrist, backwards.
2. I moved to So Cal at 6 months old and moved back to Utah at 14.
3. Water Chestnuts make me gag. I realize they don't have a taste really. It's a texture thing.
4. Spiders freak me out, no matter how big or little they are.
5. It doesn't take much for me to get "the church giggles" when I'm with certain friends or when I'm really tired. You know, the silly giggles where you can't stop giggling. And when you do stop, your friend starts laughing again so you start laughing again.
6. I really like baking. But I have to give the goodies away so I don't eat them all.
7. My first trip on a plane was when I was 21.
8. I have 10 nieces and nephews with one nephew on the way.
9. The only bone I have broken was my elbow. I broke it because I caught myself falling. Random.
10. Singing in the car is a favorite.
11. I do not parallel park.

Jake's questions for me.1. What's your favorite Will Smith movie? Why?
~Independence Day. I do not like alien movies, but I have to admit this was a well made movie. But..Hitch. Well he was very likable. He does a good job in this movie too. He's so funny.
2. Describe a birthday party from your childhood that stands out in your memory.
~I don't remember how old I was, but my parents let me have a sleepover. Which was a treat to have so many GIRLS in the house considering I was used to a house full of boys. We stayed up so late. It was so much fun!
3. In your opinion, how many dates into a relationship is it safe to start using coupons?
~I don't really think you should hide who you really are. However, I do have a friend who calls this guy "Coupon Guy" because he paid for their first date with a coupon, asked if they could share the meal, ate the majority of the meal, and complained that her soup was more expensive than the coupon meal he was purchasing. So.. I stick by my original statement. Be yourself. That way, you can weed out those who are and are not compatible with you. :) Obviously my friend wasn't meant to be with "Coupon Guy".
4. If asked/forced/given opportunity to karaoke, what's your go-to song?
~I've never Karaoke'd. Well, actually I just experienced a group Karaoke with "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun". I'm ok with group singing. But solo, no thank you. I don't like that kind of attention. Freaks me out.
5. Do you ever wear clothes more than once before washing them? If so, how many times would you say you re-wear the same thing, and where do you put it in the interim? Just back where it was before you wore it?
~Absolutely. Given that I am in 'work' clothes the majority of my life, I'd say that sometimes I put on an outfit for like an hour or two on a given night. So depending on what activity that outfit experiences will depend on if it is dirty or not (ie stinky environment, stinky activity, none of the above, etc).
6. What's your fitness goal? If you exercise reguarly, is there something you're working toward? a state of being you want to achieve?
~To be healthy. I try not to say "I'm fat". Or "I need to lose weight". Those have negatives attached to them. I try to say "I would like to tone up" or "I'd like to feel stronger". Rather than trying to lose something, I'd like to focus on gaining something. Positive thinking is always better. I want to achieve a healthier outlook on self image.
7. What's your favorite website (Facebook and Pinterest excluded)?
~Facebook? Seriously? Totally last year. Um, I actually am totally fascinated with several different food blogs. I love cooking, so I love trying new things. I've learned many new recipes from these sites. (Getoffyourbuttandbake.com, ourbestbites.com, etc).
8. Do you listen to Christmas music before Thanksgiving? Why or why not?
~Absolutely not. I LOVE Christmas music. However, I believe we should celebrate each and every holiday. It drives me nuts when stores skip holidays and start advertising for the next holiday when we haven't even experienced the upcoming holiday.
9. What's your favorite cartoon?
~As a child, I loved Chip n' Dale Rescue Rangers. But as an adult, I really dislike cartoons.
10. Growing up we played a lot of four square at recess. Which of the following would you be most likely to disallow prior to serving: slammers, siders, babies, wallers, sliders, liners, or haystacks? Why?
~I was queen of tetherball. I did my fair share of four square, but I find myself stumped by these terms. Perhaps rules were different in Utah? Or maybe I've blocked them out? I am not sure. Perhaps I need to be re-educated on this.
11. What's the nicest hotel you've ever stayed in?
~Hm. I've never really been wow'd by a hotel. Although the Ilikai Hotel in Honolulu was pretty nice.

My questions for the friends I tag.1. Do you like your handwriting? Why or why not?
2. If you were another person, would you be friends with you? Why?
3. Would you bungee jump?
4. What is the first thing you notice about people?
5. Who do you miss the most?
6. Scary Movie or Happy Ending?
7. What book are you reading right now? What made you decide to read it?
8. What is the farthest you have been from home?
9. Do you name your cars? What inspires this?
10. What was the most fun date you have ever been on? What made it so fun?
11. What is your favorite cereal?

I haven't blogged in a really long time. I'm not sure who is still blogging. Let's see.. :) I tag...Robyn, Anne, Camille, Val