"Jane Austen Ruined My Life"

I just finished reading a book called "Jane Austen Ruined My Life", it was really fun to read and I love Jane Austen, though I must admit I've never read any of her books...just seen the BBC and Hollywood versions (definitely something I'll have to remedy in the near future). Something in the very last part of this book stuck out to me, because of my seemingly never ending single status. Since this is my journal I thought I'd quote it...for myself. :)

"Heartbreak is more common than happiness. No one wants to say that, but it's true. We're taught to believe not only that everyone deserves a happy ending, but also that if we try hard enough, we will get one. That's simply not the case. Happy endings, lifelong loves, are the products of both effort and luck. We can control them, to some extent, and though our feelings always seem to have a life of their own, we can at least be open to love. But luck, the other component, well, there's nothing we can do about that one. Call it God's plan or predestination, or divine intervention, but we're all at it's mercy..."

Oh, Mr. Darcy! tee hee!

I've thought about my life over the past few years and have come to the conclusion that I've been hiding because I'm afraid to get hurt again. I haven't put a really big effort into meeting people at church (men and women) and going to FHE activities and I let myself gain some weight (this was a subconscious "letting", cause if I'm a fattie, the guys won't want to talk to me)....sooooo I have not been, as the above mentioned, "open" to love. Now that I'm figuring this out I know I can fix it. I've lost 6lbs in the last 3 weeks and started school again to get my Bachelor's and I feel pretty satisfied with that. I've gone to more church activities and went out last Friday socially with some ladies from church. The tough part now is remembering that everything is in the Lord's time and that I will have to be patient...which all of you know...I am not!

Pleasant Surprise

Last night before school I went with Hy, Anne, Sophie, and Kathy (Anne's mom) to Rubio's for dinner. While we were eating I noticed another family coming into the restaraunt, but didn't look up. I smiled as I heard the little kids talking to each other. A few minutes later I heard my name being called, turned around, and there was Holly Jones! She said she'd just barely recognized me.

It's always nice to run into people you know, when you are out and about. I introduced her to the fam and we talked for a minute. After she walked away Anne asked how I knew her and Hy said "from high school". I had to make a correction...I met Holly when I was in 5th grade! It's comforting to know some friendships will last a lifetime.

Faith Points to the Future

On Sunday mornings I always read an article from the Ensign as I eat my breakfast. Today, as I read "The Best is Yet to Be" by Elder Jeffrey Holland a particular paragraph stood out to me and I thought I would share it:

As a new year begins and we try to benefit from a proper view of what has gone before, I plead with you not to dwell on days now gone nor to yearn vainly for yesterdays, however good those yesterdays may have been. The past is to be learned from but not lived in. We look back to claim the embers from glowing experiences but not the ashes. And when we have learned what we need to learn and have brought with us the best that we have experienced, then we look ahead and remember that faith is always pointed toward the future. Faith always has to do with blessings and truths and events that will yet be efficacious in our lives.

Busted!

So last night I got out of school a little early and decided to head to the scrapbook store to get some supplies for tonight. I was driving on 7800 S. going eastbound and when I arrived at the State street intersection I needed to turn right, my light was red....so I stopped, saw no on-coming traffic and noticed that the opposite light had a green arrow (so I knew if I turned right I would not be colliding with anyone going south due to the north bound folks turning left, hopefully this makes sense) Anywho, I see it's clear and turn...immediately a police car pulls up behind me but the lights aren't flashing. I tell Rachel, who I'm talking to on the phone, that I think I'm getting pulled over and as soon as I say that the lights start a flashing! Dang it!

Officer: Do you know why I pulled you over?

Me: Ummmm no.

Officer: No? You just ran that red light, you didn't stop.

Me: I stopped.

Officer: No, you didn't. I also saw you on your phone...is that why you didn't stop?

Me: I stopped.

Officer: Do you have your license?

Me: Yes ( hand it to him)

Officer: Is this your vehicle?

Me: (what the heck!?!?!?) Yes.

Officer: I'll be right back, please stay in your vehicle. (Do I look like a threat or something?!!? I watch Cops so I know officers are concerned for their own safety and there are some crazies out there, but they are usually high or drunk, both of which I am not!)

It seems to take him foooooorever so I of course have some internal dialogue... "Ok, it was a rolling stop, but it was a stop and it was clear...this will be my second ticket in a year...wait...it's a new year, so that's one last year and one this year my insurance will be ok. Man, what is the deal!?!?! I haven't had a ticket for like 10 yrs and now I get 2 in the last couple months!!! Maybe he'll give me a warning...no he won't...I should've said I knew he stopped me cause it was a rolling stop...then maybe he would've given me a warning." I know...I'm a spaz, I can't help my thought process :)

Officer: I'm issuing you a citation for running the red light. You need to drive safely ma'am. The last lady I pulled over almost got hit doing the same thing (to which I wanted to say...clearly I was fine, cause you had plenty of time to pull out right behind me and pull me over). Sign here, this is not admitting your guilt...blah blah blah...

Me: Ok.

Officer: You need to be drive safe, be safe.

Me: Ok, thanks.



I know he's doing his job, I know he's concerned about the citizens he's sworn to protect and serve, but seriously what happened to a nice warning?!??! This is my theory...it's all based on the economy: City employees are paid from the revenue they get from sales tax, tickets, etc. Since sales are down they are ticketing more in order to make payroll. Stupid economy!