Strengths, giving back, and just life in general!

Its been a crazy, super fast, interesting semester.  I feel like so much has changed, and so much is still changing as we speak. I haven't been able to blog for a long time, because I thought that there was really nothing worth saying.  I would sit down to blog and literally sit and stare at the cursor blink. So I gave up for a while. Figured when my writers block broke I would just have a lot to fill everyone in on!
So today was that day when my writers block finally broke. We will start with that, and work our way back.
I stayed up until about 3 am last night, hanging out with friends and chatting.  Now one reason thats significant: I had to get up at 7 the next morning. ew.
So I went to bed and got a few hours of sleep before I had to wake up and get ready for the day.
My agenda consisted of :
8:30 am--picking up my bountiful baskets in Nibley
9 am--Academic Senate Training on campus
11 am--Off to Layton for an etiquette luncheon for AXO

Lesson for the day:
I was really dumb to stay up until three.

But it was fun, and I was up by 7. So I get up and get into pin attire so I can go straight from Nibley, to training, to Layton. After picking up my basket, I ran up to campus and to the business building. This training was up on the 9th floor, which had a gorgeous view overlooking Cache Valley.  I wish I would have gotten a picture, those business people are lucky that they get to use that lounge often!

I am on CHaSS council for the upcoming year, which means I will be helping plan events for the college, working on improving student experiences, and creating traditions through CHaSS for students to enjoy. I went to this training today and all of the other college councils were there too, and it literally was one of the most eye opening experiences of my semester.  I just decided to apply for the council on a whim because I want to get more involved on campus, and ended up getting a spot! But anyways. the training. I really wasnt expecting much, and I was actually expecting to be really bored. Boy, was I wrong.
We watched a video about strengths. Which was awesome because it was focused on finding your strengths, and utilizing them. It was great because it wasnt about improving your weaknesses, or beating yourself up about improving yourself. And also a strength is not something like "I feel strong and energized when I get compliments" Its more like "I feel strong and energized when I help others, or plan and execute an event" Its about you. not anyone else. you. and I think Ive been focused on working towards approval of others, which is not necessary. If you approve of yourself and focus on things you can do well, those that matter will approve of you, and those that dont...well they suck. hahaha. but anyways. It was awesome to take a step back and be like, yeah, Im good at this, and it makes me feel great! Owning my strengths I believe in time will improve my weaknesses in time.

Well that completes the first part of my amazing day. I had to leave the training early to go to the luncheon, and it was real awkward when me and two other alpha chis just got up and walked out. but its okay. going down the 8 flights of stairs was a good time, and made me slightly dizzy. anyways. back on track

The luncheon was about an hour away from Logan, and we got there just in time. Our alumnae have been pushing the chapter to improve their etiquette skills, so Aunt Mer (as she is known by all of the girls) paid for us to have a three course lunch at the Oakridge Country Club in Layton. It was, awkward, funny, and interesting to say the least. Sometimes we really didn't know what to do, so we just kind of made it up as we went along. Aunt Mer stood up and gave a speech and talked about giving back, and how important it was that we give our valuable knowledge to others, and giving to organizations that have given to us. Although she is a little long-winded, I always love listening to her speak, she is a wise woman. It was gorgeous weather, so it made for an amazing time.

I always had the attitude that I didnt deserve the life that I would be like Aunt Mur and be able to give back, or be able to pay for 35 girls to eat a meal a country club. But thats not true. Someday her words will be put into action.

After I got back to Logan, I packed and now am in Star Valley until Tuesday. The beauty of this valley never ceases to amaze me, especially after all of the snow melts.

So that was my day that lifted my writers block. I finally feel like I am a confident person again, and that Im going somewhere with my life...(finally!)

I went and talked to my advisor and I may be switching my major to Ag Communication, which is a dual major in Agriculture and Communication(PR emphasis).  It will give me an edge and be a good thing for employment later. Which probably puts me a year behind schedule to graduate, but hey, who doesn't want to be a professional college student?

More exciting news that makes me happy--Im finally losing the weight Ive been wanting to for a long time. I have been going to the gym about three times a week, and watching what I eat.  myfitnesspal.com has been my life saver, and had shown me how much of an effect eating bad has on me.  Im losing inches already and a pound is already gone. If anyone is struggling with losing weight---myfitnesspal. literally the greatest thing ever. Its an app for iphone, droid, and is available online at myfitnesspal.com as well :) I also have Tiffany to thank for that because she has been dragging my lazy butt to the gym.

Anyways. Thats about all... I think. Heres to turning over a new leaf, and finally having a plan in action.  Im so ready to make a change, and be the person I have been wanting to become for a long time.

Im so blessed. and I need to realize that and keep that in mind, because you never know what's going to happen tomorrow.

one last thing....
40 days until my 21st birthday :)