This past Sunday my bishop shared this beautiful poem in his talk and I wanted to share it with you :) It's simply perfect. This poem paints a wonderful picture of the change the Gospel and our Heavenly Father can bring into our lives:

The Old Violin 



'Twas battered and scarred,
And the auctioneer thought it
hardly worth his while
To waste his time on the old violin,
but he held it up with a smile.

"What am I bid, good people", he cried,
"Who starts the bidding for me?"
"One dollar, one dollar, Do I hear two?"
"Two dollars, who makes it three?"
"Three dollars once, three dollars twice, going for three,"

But, No,
From the room far back a gray bearded man
Came forward and picked up the bow,
Then wiping the dust from the old violin
And tightening up the strings,
He played a melody, pure and sweet
As sweet as the angel sings.

The music ceased and the auctioneer
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said "What now am I bid for this old violin?"
As he held it aloft with its' bow.

"One thousand, one thousand, Do I hear two?"
"Two thousand, Who makes it three?"
"Three thousand once, three thousand twice,
Going and gone", said he.

The audience cheered,
But some of them cried,
"We just don't understand."
"What changed its' worth?"
Swift came the reply.
"The Touch of the Masters Hand."

"And many a man with life out of tune
All battered and bruised with hardship
Is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd
Much like that old violin

A mess of pottage, a glass of wine,
A game and he travels on.
He is going once, he is going twice,
He is going and almost gone.

But the Master comes,
And the foolish crowd never can quite understand,
The worth of a soul and the change that is wrought
By the Touch of the Masters' Hand.

- by Myra Brooks Welch



708_Old_Violin-1

I looove 90's RomComs! Let's go back to the days of You've Got Mail, Sleepless in Seattle, and Sabrina. They're classics and I could watch them all day long :) Oh, and Tom Hanks just has a way with words, doesn't he? And Meg Ryan's reaction is just perfect! Ah, this scene just makes my heart melt!
Another year, another two semesters done at BYU. What's scary is that I have only two left! I don't know when I grew-up but I am dangerously close to ALL grown-up...
At the end of each school year I like to look back and see what I got done that year. I think it is safe to say that this has been one of the best school years ever! I cannot believe all of things that I accomplished and experienced since last April:
-Was accepted into the Marriott School of Management
-Got a 4.0 one semester
-Traveled to NYC all by myself
-Purchased a new computer
-Made it to the championship game with my intramural soccer team
-Attended my brother's graduation from his masters' program
-Was accepted into the Strategy Program
-Served as a student body officer
-Attended a TEDxEvent
-Got an internship with Goldman Sachs
-Was elected Vice President of Marketing in the Strategy Association
-Kept my goal of attending the gym
-Developed my cooking skills
-Performed a piano duet in church
-Did something scary
-Attended devotional every week
Only one year left, Provo
Only one year left, Provo

Sometimes I wish I was already all-grown up. There are a plethora of reasons but one of them is because I want my own house and I want to fill it with whatever I want. The other aspect of my own house that I am really looking forward to is having my own garden. When I was little Mama and Papa Lo  had a garden. Saturday mornings were filled with complaints as we all traipsed out to the backyard to pull up the weeds that had taken residence over the week. I hated weeded as a child, but lately I've been craving my own garden; weeding seems like a small price to pay.

Some friends and I were discussing our love of gardens and found that Provo, beloved city that it is, has a community garden where you can rent plots! We immediately decided that we should rent a plot together and grow a cornucopia of veggies and herbs, including but not limited to:


-Snap peas

-Green beans

-Tomatoes

-Carrots

-Onions

-Rosemary

-Sage

-Thyme

-Spinach

-Butternut squash


I'm excited to get planting! Let's hope we have a nice, wet summer this year :)




I am fairly certain that this garden is perfect
I am fairly certain that this garden is perfect



Every so often I look at my bucket list and decide to add to it, reiterate it, and check items off. So as of April 24, 2013, this is my bucket list, well a portion of it anyway:

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Ten things I learned from finals week:

  1. Popcorn makes an acceptable dinner during finals.

  2. Studying for hours on end will not help on your Organizational Behavior final.

  3. That really is your number with the lower-than-normal score next to it.

  4. Keep a stoic disposition when looking at your scores.

  5. New sweatpants make everything better.

  6. There’s no diet during finals week (see number 1).

  7. Sleep is a gift that should be taken advantage of whenever possible.

  8. Studying is much more effective if you’re watching a movie with friends at the same time.

  9. If you’re forced to be inside all day it’s bound to be beautiful weather.

  10. No matter how much you’re looking forward to the end of finals, you feel a little lost when the end finally comes.



However, I am finished with finals and am ready to bask in the glory of summer :) This is pretty much how I'm feeling:

Endless_Summer_by_moejo
no yelling


So grateful for my home and family! This is pretty much how our house was :)
Today while I was at work I stumbled upon this blog:
Image
This young man goes around NYC and just takes pictures of people he sees. Sometimes he'll ask them questions and post those along with their picture. Cheesy as it may sound, this blog is completely captivating! Ordinary people sometimes say the most profound things. For example, one of the ladies he photographed had just lost her husband. While describing this experience she shared this insight:
 "I sometimes wish that I’d focused less on the fact that he was dying, and more on the fact that he was still alive.”
How beautiful is that?! I just sat for a moment and let that sink in. This blog is full of little snippets like this. What I love most about this blog is that it's like looking through a window into someone else's life, just for a second. I wish I had this skill. Sometimes I let my timidness keep me from really connecting with people. It's definitely something I am working on and trying to change. I want to be able to ask a simple question like this fellow blogger and have such a beautiful answer be given or have it spur a conversation. That's what life is about: learning from other people and connecting with them. The Humans of New York blog is definitely an inspiration and motivation for me to develop this talent!
One of my lifelong goals is to pen a New York Times Best Seller. I don't know what I'll write about, but it'll be good :) Maybe I'll write a non-fiction book about economics or a witty memoir, I don't know. I think this desire stemmed from my love of Malcolm Gladwell, Thomas Friedman, and others who have had their works on this esteemed list (I'm looking at you JK Rowling).

Since I am going to have a book on the Best Sellers' list I decided that I needed a pen name. All of the greats had them: Harper Lee (Nelle Harper Lee), Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens), A Lady (Jane Austen, originally), Richard Bachman (Stephen King), Currer Bell (Emily Bronte), Dr. Seuss (Theodore Seuss Giesel), George Orwell (Eric Arthur Blair), and Voltaire (François-Marie Arouet), to name a few.

Thus, wanting to join the ranks (a girl can dream), I picked a pen name:

Slide1

It's feminine without being too girly and rolls off the tongues very nicely. I also feel like it's an easy one to remember. It has an air of sophistication too, but without being pretentious. So when I finally write whatever fantastic novel I am going to write, look for it under the pen name :)
the one about courage

Not what you were expecting, was it? Love the little lessons that Disney sprinkles into our lives :) So, just do it! (Figuratively, please. Do not go around touching other people's bottoms...that's not cool.)
Ten things I'm not afraid to admit:

1. I am a Peanut M&M addict. Sometimes I do three packs a day.
2. I typically will refrain from watching any movie with Drew Barrymore in it.
3. I've read Pride and Prejudice more times than I can count.



4. I do not own a pair of sweatpants (something I greatly desire to change).
5. I don't like chocolate.
6. If I could trade places with anyone in the world for one day it would be Kate Middleton.
7. I really don't mind doing homework.
8. I own four tubes of mascara.
9. I ate a chicken's heart in Jerusalem
10. I really wish I had a Honda Civic.

Once again I found myself at closing social last week. This time it was for the Strategy program and both classes were attending. One of my favorite things about the business school is that it allows to attend so many events like this where I get to learn from some of the most inspiring people that I have ever met. The speaker was Clark Gilbert, CEO of Deseret Digital Media.


Clark Gilbert
Clark Gilbert

Since it is so close to graduation, I have felt that each of the speakers I have listened to in the recent weeks have emphasized having a plan and being consistent with your long term goals. Clark was no different. Like Clayton, he spoke of the importance of defining a strategy for life and building around that. He said, "It will be absolutely devastating to your future if you fail to plan a strategy now." This placed in me such an urgency to spend time thinking about what my strategy is and what I want in the long-term. Yes, I have spent time thinking about this before and I know many things that I do want, but I need to spend time mapping it out.

Clark spent the majority of his time with us discussing this strategy, but there was something else that said that has stuck out to me in the days since his lecture. Clark explained that the businesses have resources and the way they allocate these resources define what it is important to that firm. They may have a values statement or a company vision, but their allocation of their resources reveals what they are really focused on. He then posed the question, "How do you allocate your resources?" What do I spend my time, money, energy, and mental capacity doing? Do the things that I do in my spare time support the person I want to become and the things that I want to achieve in my life?

I have been thinking about these questions for days. I determined that there are somethings that I can do better. My free time is not always spent in the most productive way and I have the power to change that. It is interesting to me that all three of the speakers that I have heard at the Marriott School's closing socials have centered around this idea of becoming something better and being true to the values and goals that we have. I do not think it is a coincidence. Rather, I think it is an opportunity for me to reflect on the trajectory that I am on and be sure that I am going the direction that I want to be going and how wonderful is that? :)
Last night I relived one of the scariest moments of my childhood. When I was extremely young (and I think this is one of my first memories) my parents took the whole family to see Jurassic Park. I was really little so I think they were banking on my to fall asleep early on, which I did. For the twentieth anniversary, this delight suspense movie was released again in theaters....in 3-D.

A few friends and I traveled to the local 3-D theater, got those obnoxious glasses that never fit right, and settled in for what was sure to be a glorious two hours. I have never been good at scary movies or movies that make me jump. Why I said that I would go this movie I have no idea. The first part of the movie, you know before any dinosaurs come onto the screen, were great. My glasses were snug on my face and I was enjoying the actors' excitement at touchscreens, basking in the irony that I had a touchscreen in my pocket.

Then came the iconic scene, you know the one I'm talking about it. The T-rex began to nudge the Jeep and my glasses came off. I have seen this movie so many times and yet I couldn't watch it in 3-D! By the time the raptors show up at the visitors' center I had no intention of wearing my glasses ever again. The scene in the kitchen makes me so nervous every time! Each time I am convinced that the kids are not going to make it out. Last night in the theater these emotions were just heightened. I was worried that my friends were going to have to carry me out to the car, limp and lifeless. However, against my resolve to not wear my glasses again, I put them back on as soon as the helicopter arrived at the end of the movie :)

Regardless of my tentative nature, I would highly, highly recommend going to see Jurassic Park in 3-D. It's well worth it...or so I've heard...





the one about travel

I suffer from this in every way. Sometimes I feel anxious being so tied to one place. I want to go, to see, to experience every other place on this planet! At some point in my life I want to talk walk into the airport and buy a ticket for the next international flight. Yes that's cliche, but does anyone ever really do it? Well, I'm going to. And then I'll tell you all about it :)
Today was one of the last devotionals of the semester at BYU. I love devotional! Devo is the perfect break in an often hectic week. It makes me sad that this is one of the last ones of the year. I had a hard realization that I have a limited number of devos left in my college career. Graduation looks very close all of a sudden. It's only a year away! I'm not sure how that happened.

This weeks devotional was a musical concert featuring BYU's audition choirs. It was such a beautiful concert! All of the songs were so uplifting. The Men's Chorus sang I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go. I love this song! I love how it expresses a desire to serve the Lord regardless of what is asked. We often think of this song in conjunction with missionary work, but I think it is much more applicable than that. I always try to do what Heavenly Father has asked of me, but listening to this song today gave me a renewed dedication. It expresses such an attitude of commitment; I want to always be like that.

[soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/86467531" params="" width=" 100%" height="166" iframe="true" /]

Lyrics:

It may not be on the mountain height
Or over the stormy sea,
It may not be at the battle's front
My Lord will have need of me.
But if, by a still, small voice he calls
To paths that I do not know,
I'll answer, dear Lord, with my hand in thine:
I'll go where you want me to go.

(Chorus)
I'll go where you want me to go, dear Lord,
Over mountain or plain or sea;
I'll say what you want me to say, dear Lord;
I'll be what you want me to be.

Perhaps today there are loving words
Which Jesus would have me speak;
There may be now in the paths of sin
Some wand'rer whom I should seek.
O Savior, if thou wilt be my guide,
Tho dark and rugged the way,
My voice shall echo the message sweet:
I'll say what you want me to say.

There's surely somewhere a lowly place
In earth's harvest fields so wide
Where I may labor through life's short day
For Jesus, the Crucified.
So trusting my all to thy tender care,
And knowing thou lovest me,
I'll do thy will with a heart sincere:
I'll be what you want me to be.

I love the Marriott School of Management. I think we all know by now that I am a complete and total business nerd--it's not a secret. Yesterday I had the opportunity to attend a lecture given by Clayton Christensen. Clayton is a business guru who has written numerous books on innovation and started companies such as Innosight and the Ceramics Process Systems. He teaches at Harvard Business School and is also a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He's a stellar guy!

Clayton Christensen
Clayton Christensen


I anticipated what I knew was going to be an amazing lecture and I was not in the least disappointed. Brother Christensen began by talking about different types of innovation within the business sphere and then began to apply these ideas to the Gospel. The majority of his remarks focused on this idea of marketing products and services based on their ability to complete a 'job-to-be-done.' For example, why are the majority of milkshakes sold before 8:30 in the morning at McDonald's? It's not because Mom is taking the kiddos for a pre-school sugar high, rather, it's because early morning commuters need something to do on their long, boring drive and the milkshake is the perfect product to hire. After Clay discussed this topic he applied this idea to sharing the Gospel with others.

He stated that we should look for the job that others need done. Clay told the story of his neighbor, who was comfortable in his own religion but desired more opportunities to serve. Because Clay was able to recognize this he invited him to serve alongside him and thus was able to introduce the Gospel to him in this way. As he wrapped up his planned remarks I began to think how I could apply this principle in my life and how this could change the way I serve in my callings and extend the invitation of the Gospel to others. I am still trying to figure it out, but it has been compelling to think about.

After Brother Christensen finished his lecture he allowed us to ask him questions. One of my classmates asked Clay how he found balance in his life. He has an extremely successful career, but also an extremely strong family. I think many of us, myself included, worry that we may have trouble finding that balance ourselves. Clay said that he prioritized his life and built a strategy that supported his long-term goals. He committed that he would never work on Saturday or Sunday and simply stuck with that. He said, "It is easier to keep your commitments 100% of the time than to keep them 98% of the time." He encouraged each of us to determine what is most important to us and then make sure that we are always living a strategy that keeps us on that path.

Ever since I left Clay's lecture I have been thinking about what he has said. I don't have all the answers or my perfect strategy mapped out, but I have certainly been thinking about it since then. What a blessing it was to be able to spend just a few minutes listening to someone that I admire so much. He gave wonderful insight that I am sure will bless my life for years to come. It was an afternoon well spent.

At the end of the lecture I also learned that I was VP of Marketing for my strategy class so that was exciting too :)
Last week I attended the Marriott School of Management Closing Social. Every year the MSM puts on this event with good people, good food, and an amazing speaker. This year there was a swanky piano player in the corner, delicious cheesecake, and Greg McKeown. Greg is a writer for the Harvard Business Review and he talked a lot about how decisions affect our life and shape who we are. He emphasized the importance of determining your priority, because there can only be one.

After he finished his remarks I took the opportunity to thank him and spend a few moments talking with him one-on-one. Soon after our pleasantries were finished Greg asked me what I would do if I can anything in the world. Without hesitation I answered, "National Geographic photographer!" He then asked me why I wasn't doing this. What was stopping me from doing exactly what I wanted to do? (Granted, I am doing what I want to do. I love business and am ecstatic about my upcoming internship.) Regardless, I have thought a lot about this question. Why am I not trying to be a photographer for NG? And why do I think that I have to choose one or the other? Why can't I be a force in the business realm AND be a photographer for NG?

As I have wrestled with these questions I decided to do something about it. This morning I submitted a photo to NG for publication. It is a picture that I took while I was in Jerusalem two summers ago. It's a simple picture; there's nothing extreme or particularly unique about it and yet there is something beautiful about it.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

I took this picture just inside the Dome of the Rock in Israel. This man has his own story, his own perspective and for a moment our story was the same. Maybe that doesn't make sense, but it makes sense to me. That's why I love photography and NG. It allows you to share a moment with someone whose life is so different from your own.

I don't know if my photo will be published or if anyone besides my dear readers will even see it, but I'm glad that I submitted it. I am glad that Greg McKeown challenged me to take the risk and go for what I wanted. It's a liberating feeling :) I love business, I love photography and I'm figuring out a way to do it both! I guess the crux of what Greg taught me is this: If there's something that you want, go get it :)
Sunday was such a beautiful day. I love Easter! I spent the day at my aunt and uncle's, playing hide-and-seek with my cousins and eating delicious food. I love the message behind Easter. I am so grateful that Christ paid my debt in full and provided a way for me to become a new person. As I have thought about Christ's Atonement the past few weeks I have listened to numerous talks and read several addresses. I am truly, truly blessed. One of my favorite talks on this subject is Brad Wilcox's address His Grace is Sufficient.

How grateful I am for this wonderful gospel that teaches me about change and rebirth. The Atonement is amazing and I am grateful that we have an entire day to celebrate our Savior's wonderful gift.



[caption id="attachment_844" align="aligncenter" width="560"]Such a beautiful image. Courtesy of Mark Mabry. Such a beautiful image. Courtesy of Mark Mabry.[/caption]
Happy Easter :)

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