If you know me well, you know its hard for me to make friends

Moving into a new ward, getting a big calling in church, and getting a new job have made me realize something.

I am making a LOT of new friends.

Making friends has always been difficult for me. Not because I am not a good one (At least I hope). Mostly because I am an introvert (for more on that watch this TED talk, I think everyone should).

Meeting new people drains me. Going to a party in high school or college with lots of people I didn't know was basically the thing worst weekend plans I could have. I would have rather holed up in my room for the night with a good book (and I did a lot, my parents worried about it in high school) or hanging out with my 1 or 2 best friends.

I've gotten a lot better about this through the years, but I still often avoid situations where I have to meet new people or people I am not totally comfortable around. This makes it even harder to get close to new people in general.

I have always said that moving around a lot growing up made me do a lot of things I think I wouldn't have done had I stayed in one place my whole life. I was basically thrown into my worst nightmare 6 times growing up. I moved schools 6 times (I am not counting moving to a middle school from elementary, only those where I moved school districts and new nobody) from the start of elementary till I graduated high school.

I learned how to adapt and make meeting friends easier on myself. I am good at faking social situations, but I still haven't gotten over how much I don't enjoy it. This new chapter of life has introduced to me to lots of new people and while growing my friendships is taking longer than it takes for other people I am enjoying having friends in my ward, at work, and through my husband.

I will always push myself to get to know people (and I am not kidding you when I say push) because I think friends that go past the acquaintance stage are basically the best thing in the world. Even if it never gets easier for me, I'm going to be okay with that.

So proud of my man.

This guy spent the last 4 months doing a engineering internship at Actavis Pharmecueticals. He finished last Friday!

He loved it, and did really really well there. They tried to get him to stay on until he graduates.

The head of the department at his final internship presentation and review said, "You are the best intern we have ever had and completely renewed our faith in the internship program." Yeah he's awesome. His manager said similar things as well.

He unfortunately can't stay on due to a ridiculous school schedule for fall and winter (17-18 engineering credits each semester). Plus its just too far to drive. If it was close he could 10-15 hours in a week, but an hour drive makes that crazy with so much school. Travis also values a work/life balance which i think is awesome! 

I am so proud of how hard he worked. Part of the reason why I love this man is because of his work ethic. Being married is so fun, because of how much you get to share in the joys and successes of life. Way to go baby!

Can't wait to see what's next for you, and for us!

Little sisters

My little sister is better than yours. But seriously. Even though Kates is 8 years younger than me, we have the best time together. I consider her one of my best friends. When I was in high school she would come into my room and listen to me gush about boys for hours! She was like 7 hahaha.

Yesterday her and my dad performed "Say Something" at her voice recital and I was yet again blown away by her talent. (I did it on my digital camera so its not the best quality but you get the idea). They are recording a studio version soon :)

I am so glad I have my little sister.

Baby showers

Last weekend I had the opportunity to help my mom decorate for my Cousin Dani's baby shower. It was so fun to plan and see it all come together! :) Sorry for the subpar photos I forgot to bring my real camera. haha The ones that are clearly better photos I stole from Dani. 

The food was amazing (when is brunch ever not amazing) and everything turned out how I planned. It seemed like everyone was having a good time too!!! Plus dani got so many cute baby clothes and some practical stuff. I'd say it was a success!

I just.... love her so much

I just love Taylor Swift. Even though she has completely changed her music style over the years, I just think she can do no wrong. Album out Oct. 27th. I can't wait. Here is her first single, Shake it up:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfWlot6h_JM

And I love the message of this video. Don't care about what mean people think, just be happy!

Oh the weekend.

Sometimes your little sister wants to be a photographer one day so you let her take some pictures on you. Travis was not excited. I told him too bad. haha

We had a fun weekend relaxing, seeing the giver, reading (finally finished a book I started 4 months ago), and baby showers (i'll put pics up tomorrow)!

My friend Hailey (she's been my friend since 10th grade) moved into our ward so she and her little family come to church with us now. ITS SO FUN! Her 15 month old Saylor is just too adorable. I am so glad I can just walk over to their cute new house!!

Miles this week: 15
Miles this year: 102

Refocus. Relax. Breathe.

we only get 24 hours in a day.

After work and sleep I only have maybe 6 hours left of my day to exercise, get ready, eat, and do the things that make me happy.

6 hours is not a lot of time.

As I was taking my daily walk by the Provo river (one of the best parts of my day), I realized that I need to prioritize better. While I am doing pretty good with this. I am letting things that don't matter to me take a lot of that precious time.

One of the biggest things lately has been the blog world and social media in general.

I've gotten a little obsessed with reading other peoples blogs, increasing my readership, looking into advertising, writing a post everyday, etc. As I was walking I realized that I never intended my blog to make money. I never intended my blog to make me famous. My desires and actions were saying I wanted the opposite.

I've decided I need to slow down on the blog and social media front for now. I need to go back to its original intent. Which was to write down my thoughts and record memories. I will probably blog a little less (which is probably a good thing for those who read, 6 posts a week is probably overkill). I know i'll be happier and able to fit more of the things I care about into those precious hours I have left in the day.

For example, I want to try some free online computer programming courses, make time to practice the guitar, find ways to serve and spend time with friends and family, read more, and train better for my Half!

Things have changed a lot since I started a full-time job, and its a learning process.

It's time for me to Refocus, Relax and Breathe.

One year ago

Last night we got the go to the Real Salt Lake game with our friends Sarah and Andrew! IT POURED RAIN THE WHOLE FIRST HALF. We were drenched and they wouldn't let us use our umbrellas. It was still a lot of fun though! And we went to Zupas before and that's always delicious.

It just reminded me of the last RSL game we attended, in May, when it rained the entire game! It was when me and Travis had first started dating. I had surprised him with the game and it was pretty darn miserable, but quite the experience.  After the game we drove home and changed and cuddled up to get warm on the love sac in his apartment. I fell asleep in his arms, and he whispered "I love you" to me for the first time (He didn't tell me about this until we were engaged). That was only like 3 weeks into our dating. A couple weeks later we said it for real. I make him tell me the story all the time, because it has become one of my sweetest memories.