MARCH

It comes in like a lion, and goes out like a lamb.
I think.


Well, this is true.
Already March is hard. (And it's technically still February. )

I look at my calendar and am not sure when I'll find the time to breathe.

I'm nervous.

I'm afraid of failing at all the things I have on my plate.

I'm worried I won't be able to be there for people on the level I have before.

(and I'm worried they'll be disappointed or sad because of it)

I like to be there for people, more than anything.

I'm stressed a little about work, there's a LOT going on.

and I'm afraid my boss will think I can't handle it.

(but I'm not sure I can, to be fair)

and I'm ready for the sun to be shining all the time.

(wow, this is a selfish post)

Also, I am excited for March. I think it's going to bring lots of good things too. and life is all about balance, right?


And I do like it when I'm busy. It forces me to be more productive and to make the time I have with people count for something more.

But hopefully, it really does go out like a lamb. I would be grateful.

I have a problem.*

I can't distinguish between all the things I love and my real, honest to goodness favorites.



I tell customers all the time that the thing they've picked out is my favorite. I don't mean to do it. I love a lot of things, why do I have to have a favorite? OR. More than that. Why can't I have lots of favorites? They're all things I like more than others- things I would recommend and enjoy. And at times, eah one is my favorite. Like good gummy candies, sometimes, I just can't get enough of some of them. I prefer them over other things and so they are favorites.


the end.

*This entire post is a disclaimer so that I can call anything and everything I want a favorite. You have been forewarned.

I think it was definitely the music that was getting to me

I am SO tired and happy that it's Thursday (well, almost). I am excited to do these wonderful things on my day off:


1. sleep. (I wish it were in this bed)
2. read.
3. sleep more.
4. eat mashed potatoes.
5. clean my room.
6. do the dishes.
7. do laundry.
8. watch the "Monarchy: The Royal Family at Work" from the DVR.

Well, I don't know that I'm excited about 5,6,7 but I am excited to have the time to do them.
I am excited to sleep well and long tonight. Our regional manager came today. She is super nice, but only comes to my store once a year, so I really felt the pressure to be perfect. And now that it went off swimmingly (mostly) I am really happy to rest and relax a minute.

Also, I'm excited to plant the amaryllis Susannah got me for my birthday, because I still haven't.
That is one of the best and coolest birthday gifts I've ever gotten, mostly because I ALWAYS (like, since I was about 6) really wanted one but never told a soul how much. Thanks Susahanananaha!


Also, a couple of funny tidbits from tonights time with Holly:
"I hate the NAACP awards...we don't give out white people awards-then we would be racist."
"I'm racist against little people; they creep me out."
"I only fall in love with him while he's singing"

Good or Bad?

I have this new idea, and I want you to participate-if you want.

Is it good, or is it bad...

• that you can buy string cheese and it doesn't expire for a few months
• that I can (and do) go days without showering and still look decent (even if I run... eww maybe? But I don't mind...)

I have more ideas...but that's all for now. What are other things you wonder about-any or is it just me?

That's all.

Daily Ten: Feb 20th edition

Today I am grateful for:

Updating my running playlist with the giftcard my parents gave me.

Taking a nap on the couch-seriously one of the most enjoyable things of all time.

Getting a mani/pedi with Holly, because I love having a manicure.

The awesome massage the chair at the nail plae gave me-it really helped actually.

People who make me feel like they need me. Thanks!

Hanging out with my sisters tonight-we went to Color me Mine and a movie.

The movie: Twilight:New Moon. It was exceptional. NOT. But it was fun.

That I discovered some tasty new marshmallow treats for about a dollar at Shopko!

Did I already say taking a nap? Because it was wonderful, and it was snowing outside.

Pizza. Mmmm. It was good.

Oh and check out this awesome picture: funny!
I don't remember where I found it, though. pity.

BEST DAY EVER!

Okay, I can't quite get the pictures off of the camera. I was hoping to give you a little treat until I could pull them all; however, I cannot. But you should know that it was amazing, and my sovenir is fantastic. So fantastic, that someone wanted to take a picture with just my chest. yes, it's true. If that doesn't keep you coming back for more, I don't know what will.

Dear duc du berry...

Thank you for commissioning beautiful works of art like "les tres riches heures..." and also this beautiful little gem. I know that you are a different duc, and that's okay. But thanks for being a patron of the arts. I also know you didn't demand this little guy, you really just wanted a coffin- a pretty place to store your bones in a church, where people could come and mourn for you, but thanks for picking Claus Sluter, who was able to bring the world compassion and emotion in stone.





I give you "Les Pleurants" (well, my favorite little guy)

Isn't he full of emotion? What I love most about this:

1. That he makes me feel what he's going through. He's sad-not tragic.

2. I love that his little face is a mystery-and that all I want to do is peak under the hood, and see what it's like.

3. How he's using his little monk robe to wipe his face, because it looks like a security blanket-type move-and gives him a childish innocence and tenderness-it makes me want to comfort him.

4. How his robe looks so soft, and drapey- and it's made of stone.

5. How his hand hovers over his heart-trying to sooth the breaking that's going on there.

I love that he is one of many called "the weepers." Isn't "weeping" much more evocative of the emotions behind it than just "crying" or "shedding tears"? When something sad or dissapointing or heart breaking and heart wrenching happens, I weep. When something annoying or frustrating or angering happens-I cry. you know? you know. You're all girls-you've done both.

here are a few of his other little friends (I keep saying little, because they all adorn the side of a sarcophagus, and are no more than a foot or so tall, and depict an actual procession of people in the funeral march for this duke. tender.

owie owie owie owie!

I just said that a lot of times in a row out loud and thought. yup, that sums it up.

I have an owie. And not just any owie, a BIG one. For days I've had this ginormous tension headache (made all the better by some tear shedding) that just won't go away no matter what I seem to do. Where excedrin has never let me down before, the past few weeks have made it a miserable failure. (Did I ever tell you about the time I bought excedrine migraine and this is what it said on the box "consult a doctor before using if you have the worst headache you've ever had in your life..." and it was? well, I didn't consult my Dr. I just took some, and it helped.) I think a massage maybe would help? I don't know. So I have a proposition-who wants to give me a massage? Not just as a gift- nay, in return, I will give you...







MY GRATITUDE!

and also a tasty treat of your choosing, or a card or service or I will do an unpleasant task for you or live in your debt until forever...seriously. I am not joking.

Although I think I may also head to the doctor. This is getting ridiculous. It keeps coming back in the same place on my neck-it hurts a LOT. In fact, sometimes so much that I want to crawl into a dark hole where there is no light and no noise and no heat and no cold and also no smells. Because they are irritating.

"Everyone is concerned that figure skating is an art form, not a sport."

So says the commentator. But I, for one, am not concerned. I am fine with it being either, or both. But I am not okay with the feathers on the man gloves. I know it's an art form, but can't you have a masculine outfit and be a figure skater? The feathers are completely unnecessary. Even if they were designed by Vera Wang. (that being said, I thought his lines were really nice.)

STOP. NOW. Moving on. okay, no. just to other Olympic Sports.
The downhill thing the women are doing right now looks scary, but Lindsey, you look so weird/creepy doing your visualization, why did the cameras follow you? good luck, although, this really has already happened. I'm just watching it delayed, like half of the world. oh! two crashes in a row! icky. These ladies are BRAVE. A faceplant at 70 miles per hour? that's so sad. I'm pretty sure that if I had the stick-to-it-iveness to ever reach the olympics (or some other competetive level) in some sport (ha!) that something like that would surely happen to me.

Also, those poor curlers-do you think they ever hear the end of it?

Another favorite...

I have a lot of favorites by the way. If I like it more than a little, it's a favorite. But this really is an absolute favorite sculpture. It's a gem in the Louvre collection, and represents one of my FAVORITE myths-that of Cupid (or love) and Psyche.

See, (feel free to skip this paragraph if you don't want a mythology lesson)once there was a king with three beautiful daughters, but the most beautiful was the youngest, Psyche. She was so pretty that people began to ignore their real lady love, Venus. She was jealous (as always) and asked her son Cupid, to make Psyche fall in love with a horrible monster. But upon seeing her, upid dropped the arrow, pricked himself and fell madly in love with her.

Even though she was beautiful, no one wanted to marry Psyche, and her parents were told her beauty was too great for mortal men. They took her to the top of a mountain where the wind carried her away to a palace where she was waited on by invisible servants, and loved by an invisible husband-who only came to her by night, and only on the condition that she must NEVER try to see him.

Psyche grew homesick, and in her loneliness begged, and finally persuaded her husband to allow her sisters to visit. They were jealous and convinced her to sneak a peak. When she did, she was so surprised to see the beauty of her godly husband, and dropped some of the wax of her candle onto his shoulder, waking him. He fled-unable to trust her-and she began wandering endlessly, searching for him. She begged Venus for help, and Venus agreed-giving Psyche task upon painful and arduous task to accomplish. So tiring were the tasks that Psyche died, Cupid came along, and with a kiss, revived her.



Zeus decides that they can be united, and she become immortal: And they lived happily ever after.

A story of love (at long last) lived happily.

Don't you love it? I remember seeing it for the first time. I fell in love with it.
Not only is the story beautiful, but LOOK AT THIS! It's so well designed-every curve takes you back to the focal point of their faces-their lips. *sigh* it's just beautiful. I can hardly get enough. I hope you like it.


Stay tuned for more stories of love. Next time: love unanswered, in fact, rejected in the most harsh of ways.

BE MINE.

I'd have to say I'm a pretty lucky girl. I don't know many people who love their birthday as much as I love mine. There are many reasons behind this. Allow me to share a few, if I may.

I don't know if you know this, but I was born on Valentine's Day. my lucky mom and dad!

My name is Amy, which means "beloved" in francais.

I love to share love with people.

I love hearts-they're my favorite shape.

I also love glitter- hearts and glitter and I belong together.

I never have to be one of those people that doesn't LOVE Valentine's Day.

I love to celebrate LOVE-family love, friend love, romance love, all LOVE .

But I love Valentine's Day. I LOVE that it's just an excuse to share with people how much you appreciate them in your life. It's like a LOVE thanksgiving; it's about the relationships-the people in your life that make you who you are.

And, I turned 26. That's weird. I don't feel 26. I feel...maybe 24. But not like that's a big difference. I think I'm one of those people who will probably feel like I'm 24 until I'm 60. And I'll probably act like it too...yay. I like me.

I just wanna say what I want, and judge people while I watch tv-okay?

Okay. Holly and I are watching American idol. That's where the title comes from. Because that's why we like this show. We watch, we say what we want, and no one is the wiser. Except maybe the other people that happen upon us during this time, or are priveleged enough to be invited into these precious moments.

My wasted heart will love you forever...

I was reading a few funny stories about romance gone awry, especially in college on other blogs and it's funny. I'm reminded of some of the stories from my past...are you ready?

*Please note that all names have been changed...only because people who know them read this, I think...okay, not all the names have been changed. (actually, I just won't use real ones, how about that?)

Also, let me preface this by saying that I am not good at dating, at love, at understanding why in the world people would ever have been interested on taking me on dates earlier in my life... I'm kind of awkward. I'm much better at being friends.

As I sit here writing this, I realize there are lots of things I don't remember about my life. Good thing I keep journals. But I digress...to start? a story I remember, thanks to being reminded of it a while ago by a friend.

In jr. high my friend had a crush on me I suppose. Sweet... except I liked his friend, the ultra attractive, tanned, bleach-tipped funny guy that liked my friend the super-cute more-fun-than-me blonde girl... yeah. This is how jr. high was for everyone-right? moving on. He really was nice. I liked to talk to him. I don't remember how we met, at all. I think probably in band where I met all my friends, since he wasn't from my ward like all the other friends. So, one year for Valentine's Day (coincidentally also my birthday!) he came to my friend Susahanananana's and brought me a rose! (which in my 14 or so year old mind made me say ick! in general I think when people do things like that they are playing some sort of rude prank on me. why would they want to give me a rose? are they trying to embarrass me? I prefer not that.) with a note that said "sometimes good friends need to be reminded just how special they are." Sweet, right? Well, this is the first of many times that I responded like a jerk. I think I waited nicely for him to leave, and then took that rose and threw it away. I know I was a jerk. I really try to be nicer now.

Want to hear an awkward date story? Fast forward to (maybe just after?) high school, when the boy that told me I was "easy on the eyes" (what? who says that? I think I remember being slightly offended, though I don't really know why-now I would just say, "awww...thanks...that's weird that you said that, though.") asked me on a date. Okay, fine. Mom said "give everyone a chance" so I did. We went to a movie, where he told me he was scared (oh yeah, by the way it was a Bond, James Bond movie. so scary-right?and asked if I would scratch his back to comfort him. ummm...what? no. except I did for a second until I pretended to be so engrossed in the movie that I gradually stopped, then folded my arms while he was touching my leg ummm...STOP! well, that's okay. Because even after that, when I gratefully assumed that the date would be over and he would take me home, it turns out it wasn't. The dear date turned to me and said, "do you mind if we stop by my mom's house really quick before I take you home?" "ummm, okay," I say. So we do. We stop by his mom's house, where LO AND BEHOLD! she conveniently has some hot tasty dessert that just came out of the oven! and would we like to have some? So we do. and while we're there have I ever played some dice game that I will of course be horrible at and not enjoy at all? "no? why don't we play a quick round?" over an hour later, when I am nearly in tears because of the awkwardness and how tired I am, I finally get the courage to say something very polite like "it was so nice to meet you Mrs. dear dates mom. I have to be home by midnight (thank you, invented curfew!), otherwise I would love to stay and play some more. (No, I would not ever like to be here again, ever.)" and he takes me home. I think I turn to him and say, "thanks, dear date. See you later!" and proceed to get out of the car, leaving him in no doubt that I am a very gracious person. Also, I would have thought that an exit like that would have kept him from going for date number two. nope. Another time though. This is already too long.


I'm sure you have funny stories-you should share some, here or on your own blog. Because I enjoy reading of how other people are sometimes awkward like me.

GUESS WHAT?!?!?!

• There is a TV series on KBYU that's called Monarchy: the Royal Family at Work. How did I not know this? I love the Monarchy! I would become British in a hot minute. I sat down an hour ago to watch (what I thought was a one time thing) a documentary about the Queen coming to Jamestown for the 400th anniversary of its founding, only to hear at the end "next time on Monarchy: the Royal Family at Work..." what? yes! I am a happy camper. (oh no! it's only a 6 part mini-series...oh well. DVR that!) I love the history of the British monarchy. To this day, my favorite souvenir from my first trip to London is a book about the history of the monarchy and magnets of all the monarchs faces. I pull it out every few months and brush up on my knowledge and remember all the fun stories. But for sure the 14-17th centuries are my favorites. EASILY. I want to meet the Queen. I know lots of people do, but man, I REALLY want to do something impressive or become famous just so Ican meet the Queen and also buy whatever shoes I want and buy a house with my own furniture to put in it. Those are the things I would do if I were impressive.

• Today I had a great day. I really did. My head still hurts, but I managed to figure out that a little advil/excedrin concotion goes a long way. but it was a nice day-I had a nice long sunshine-y run in SHORT SLEEVES THROUGH THE PARK! I did grown up responsible things, I took a nap, I even showered, visited with a good friend, ran into another one, discovered a show about the monarchy and discovered I fit into a pair of jeans that didn't used to fit. Oh, and right after heaven on TV is 19 kids and counting! yes. I LOVE the Duggars. But I am glad I'm already too late to have THAT many kids. (wow, can you just believe their communication skills? I think they are great! and also, their last baby was born 3 months early? I can't even imagine.)

• Ummm, I used to be really good at making cookies. It was my forte. But now, not so much. Every time I try to make them they turn out *blegh* BUT I think it's the oven in the house I'm in...because my roomie Holly, hers turn out *blegh* too. They always look deliious and then collapse like crazy-anyone out there know a solution I could try?

• It's only 10 DAYS until the Billy Joel/Elton John Face to Face tour. (Mom, aren't you excited!!!!!?????!!!!!??? I guess it's cool...) I thought it was in March, but I wasn't sure, so I googled it today. wahoo.

• I have been researching flights to visit my friend Meagan------> (the one who knows more words than I ever will) and am excited to nail down dates-I'm going to buy my ticket next Tuesday I think!

• Bed calls. yes! I love it.

I don't know where I found this beautiful depiction of Spring. But don't you love it? I SURE DO.

Sometimes I have good ideas, sometimes I don't.

dear holly,
i think it's funny when you say things like "i was laughing so hard {at you} and i drooled.


dear ali,
that was stupid. please don't try to do an ed repeat. you shouldn't have left.


dear nissan,
will you pretty please wash and vacuum my car again? i like that she feels new after she visits you.


dear mom,
you are funny. that's something I love about you.


dear cute boy in my ward,
you are effective when we laugh and talk and have a good time. you could be even more effective if you would ask for my phone number.


dear self,
let's not do that again, okay?


dear tension headache,
it's been two days already. please go away.


dear business world,
are you where i belong?

LOVE, Amy

Since it's Sunday...

I've decided to share one of my favorite little paintings. It's something I love (although if you're sensitive to nudity you may want to avert your eyes-it was during the renaissance after all) because I can really feel the emotions and it's something that I've had hanging in my bedroom for a while now-I always keep it in there as a reminder for me of the joy of being in the presence of Heavenly Father and the misery of being away from Him.

This is a small section of the Brancacci Chapel in a small church in Florence. The painter is Masaccio, one of the first great painters of the early-high renaissance (the quatrocento) and he was one of the first to really bring emotion into the paintings, which I LOVE! Anyways, I love this painting because I can relate to them, even though I don't remember being with Heavenly Father, I can imagine the joy that I will feel upon being reunited with Him. Anyways. I love it. It's one of the few that I still hang in my room so I can ponder it.

Have you seen this?

Wow. This is a beautiful exhibit! Have you had the chance to see it? My roomie Holly just showed me this slideshow, and I would gladly accept a gift of any of his prints (but especially angels, joy, or resurrection). I love when people find their own way to share their testimony and love for the Savior. Thanks to you Mark Mabry.

something new:

You all (okay, the three of you that look at this, let's be honest) deserve to benefit from my fine college eduation. I have then, decided to share with you once a week or so a favorite art work of mine. And on perusing Sarah's photos I came across this one from a beautiful church in Vienna. (not St. Charles' church- but one seriously nearby...I think there was a park, and a church, and a street...)

Which happened to remind me of a common painting theme among northern renaissane paintings of painting the Madonna in the nave of a cathedral (okay what I love most about the renaissance is how the paintings were just CHALK FULL of symbolism). But without further ado, I give you one that I like: Jan van Eyck, Madonna in a Church 1425This is atually not the exact one I wanted. I swear there is one that has the Madonna cast in the light from a stained glass window. But this will do just fine. Don't you just love those little pools of light behind her?

Frought with symboolism, love it.

The obvious reason is because of the season:

Spring, spring, SPRING.

I am so very excited for Spring. Winter is hard. It's cold. It's wet (sometimes). It's dark. It's long. Too much time is spent indoors. I know it's early. I know it's much too early to be getting excited about spring-about 2 months too early.






But I am. I can't help it! I love spring SO much- the sun shines, the grass turns green again, little waterfalls and streams babble happily, people have picnics and play frisbee and croquet, little green leaves bud on the trees and sneak up through the thawing ground, the breeze turns warm. So many wonderful things happen in the spring.

Photos by me, of Paris in the spring!

Petticoat Brigade

I've decided I need to take some Mission Prep sunday school classes. I often get opportunities through work to share the gospel in small ways-usually when people ask why I'm not drinking or why I'm (gasp!) still a virgin... However, I usually do horribly, I feel. I think I get the point across, but I think I could do it a much better way. The last conversation I had about the word of wisdom ended with one of the people saying..."so, your prophet is a doctor too?" ummm...uh-oh. How do you explain it without getting into prophets, modern day revelation, Joseph Smith and all the things to give the backstory? I only had a few minutes.

However, at least they now have a better understanding of mormons than what they get watching "Big Love..." At least living my life is a little bit of missionary opportunity-right?

aaaah.

Breathe a breath of fresh air. All bad things come to an end. The sun shines. Things were touch and go there for a while, in lots of ways. But you know. The sun always comes back out. I am grateful to Liesl (her link is on the right!) beause on Sunday she reminded me that the moment you're in always feels liks you'll be in it forever, and that you've been in it forever, and that it's sometimes strange to think that it will change because it reminded me that it isn't that way. Thanks Liesl! But in other news- I spent the past two and a half days in meetings sitting down=icky! I learned TONS! And I am really excited for the upoming months at work...there's cool stuff coming your way!

We did a visual lab on Sunday at a store, and I was reminded how much I LOVE merchandising. So maybe that's a good plan for my future. limited brands does a really great merchant in training program, so maybe I'll consider that. I have two weeks before the application is due.

Then yesterday we had a meeting from 8 am (boo!) to 5:30 (boo!) with a working lunch (boo! that means more sitting down!) but then we went to the Jazz game, and even though I wasn't that excited because I don't love basketball it was SO FUN! we won, which is always nice, but I also got to really bond with our district team, so that was awesome. And then I got to go to sleep and that was awesome too! I had to do a two hour presentation yesterday to present my new role, and instead of being given two hours I had to do it in about 40 minutes (eek!) but it was great.

Then today, more visuals and meetings. Tomorrow-regular work.

and-did you know that people rollerskate like ice skating? I mean in couples dancing, and sparkly outfits and everything. It's true. I saw them on America's Funniest videos tonight.

oh! and! I am so excited that even after days of sitting and eating junk in my meetings I was still so excited (well, that's probably why) to go on a nice long run. It was so great to get out and just run until I was so tired- you know. That's a good feeling. okay, that's all. Until I come up with more.


Maybe soon. Maybe later. I'll keep you in suspense.
oh, and can you tell that I have recently learned how to change the color, size, font and justification on text in my blog. cool, huh?

The Daily Ten Again...beause sometimes, when the rain is pouring you have to look for the sunshine and little rainbows- you know?*

1. Go JAZZ! Going to the game with the SM team was so FUN!
2. There is such a thing as constructive feedback, and I loved, loved, loved getting it and knowing what I can do to be a more effective leader.
3. That people around me know I don't drink, tell others, and refuse it for me when it's offered. That's cool.
4. Family outside of your family.
5. But even more-my regular family. We have it good, don't we you guys? I love you.
6. A calming influence inside a friend.
7. Okay, this might be weird, but sometimes random creepy people hitting on you is flattering. So thanks, random creepy guy.
8. sleep.
9. This photographer- look how cool she is! I really want to try that-when it's a little warmer outside.
10. Peace from the savior and breaths of fresh air. Isn't it wonderful?

*Okay 11. (Again, sorry!) but notice the "c" missing from the word because? Well, I am grateful that my "c" key doesn't work very well, because it makes me smile when it makes little mistakes in my spelling.