Beauty is truly everywhere...

Today has been the most fantastic day ever!  I woke up to it raining... And the temperature is changing, so it's more spring rain than anything else.  And spring rain reminds me of when I was little in Ohio and my sisters and I would sit out on the front porch with blankets and watch the thunderstorms.  We would 'Oooo' and 'Aaaa' at the lightning, but when we heard the thunder we would scream and pull the blankets over our heads.  I know it sounds dorky, but I don't care.  That is one of my fondest memories of Ohio.  But then, I have a lot of fond memories of Ohio.  I don't know that I have any bad memories of Ohio.

Anyway, it rained all day up until I went to the Temple.  I have never been in and out of the Temple so quickly, but the parking lot was packed.  There were only four YSA's that went, and there weren't a lot of other people there, so I felt a little bit rushed.  But overall, I love the peace I feel when I go to the Temple.  All my prayers are answered by attending the Temple.  It sounds cliche, but it's true.  I even receive answers that I didn't know were worrying me.  And that is why it is so amazing.

After the Temple, it started snowing.  And, although it was beautiful, I wouldn't want to drive in it again.  Poor visibility, HUGE snowflakes, and people don't know how to drive in the snow.  Ha ha.  But it certainly was beautiful.  It changed back to rain later, and once again to snow before it stopped about a half hour ago.  It was so beautiful.  It was like Heavenly Father wanted me to have the most perfect day, ever.  So he gave it to me.

Oh, and spring rain means that my favorite flowers are about to come up... Tulips and daffodils.  Happy day!!!

Family Home Evening

Yesterday was Family Home Evening for the Single's Ward... As is every Monday night.  We were signing Valentine's cards and taking them to the *ahem* Skilled Nursing Facility.  So... Naturally, not very many men showed up.  Thank goodness.  And two of the three that showed up left, so that was even better.

Where to begin... I stayed behind when everyone left because I didn't want to get the elderly people sick.  So, I sat down and played games while waiting for everyone to come back.  We moved back into the cultural hall when everyone came back for cookies, muffins, and milk.  So... I sat down because I kept trying to pass out.  Not on purpose, I might add.

I was sitting by the food table, and I felt like something horrible was about to happen when they set the milk down on the table.  Keep in mind, I was sitting on the floor.  The milk totally spilled everywhere... Including right where I was sitting.  Awesome, right?  Not so much.

Anywho, I got flowers on V-Day, which was awesome, and my parents took me out for a late dinner, which was awesome.  My mom and I ordered different things and ended up completely switching dishes.  I love that we know what each other likes well enough to do something like that!!!

And this weekend was pure awesomeness!!  I felt so much love from so many friends and family!!!

For my aunt...

This post is mostly for my aunt, Jessica.  I never would be as close to her as I am if she didn't virtually stalk me.  So, thank you.  I appreciate it, in an odd way.

And... just for you...  I'm going to include the first page of my book on here... Given, it's a VERY rough draft... And it's already formatted how I want it to be, so it's a short first page... But, I'm sure you'll let me know what you think. ;-)




    The rain was coming down like the heavens were pouring a never-ending pitcher of water on my head, but I barely noticed.  I knew it was well after midnight, and that the buses had stopped running.  Nevertheless, here I was, sitting on the bench, waiting with everything I had to my name, which consisted of my clutch, my shoes, and my little black dress.  I didn’t even have a coat.  I only knew that I had to leave.  I couldn’t stay here.  Not after what happened.
    “Hello there, are you alright?” A British man’s voice pierced through my sobs.  My head was down because I was crying, and with the sound of the rain, I didn’t hear him approach.  In one swift movement, I had out my pepper spray and was on my feet, ready to defend myself.


Merry Christmas!  Enjoy Aunt Jessica!!!

Good friends and uncomfortable moments! :D

So, I freaking love my single's ward.

I was invited to go to a WSU game on Saturday (the pictures above are from the game).  Whilst at the game, we had a couple of group pictures taken.  One of them, Trent decided he was going to lean in front of the picture and he ended up falling into Neil's and my lap.  It was really awkward for me.  So... Lo and behold, the pictures are posted on facebook... I said that the picture had made me feel awkward, and I thanked Trent, last night.  This morning, I woke to him having commented thus: "I understand, it was weird for me too, I was in an odd angle and was rocking in and out of your laps trying not to fall to my demise,, so sorry Hannah, next time I'll full out sit in your lap, none of this in and out of your personal bubble, that way it won't be so weird."

I felt like I needed to get back at him.  So, on the real group picture one, where he commented thus: "uh, ya sorry about that.....I kinda couldn't hold the position I was in, I sort of just kinda fell into your laps. But all in all, I think we're better friends now ;)" I said, "Wow... The truth comes out. Trent, if you wanted to be better friends with me, there are easier ways of doing that than "falling" into my lap. Or were you jealous that Neil had his arm around me? ;-)"

Yes.  Score one for Hannah.

I walked into FHE tonight, and Trent saw me and said, "My good friend, Hannah.  There are so many things I wanted to say to you today."  Yes!  Ha ha.  I had so many random comments today about those pictures.  Happy day.

We had another speed-friendship/dating thing.  And I found out that the lead man character's name in my book is really the name of one of my friends.  So, now I know that the lead characters in my book are named after two of my friends:  Edwin and Rachal.  I hope it turns out good for them.  I'll be sure to thank them when I publish my book.  Which I should REALLY get back to work on.  

I needed to comment a lot today.  A lot happened.  And it made me extremely happy, too.  Especially the random comments I got about my awesome comment.  That made my day.  And I think I've developed some awesome friendships with those people because of that one comment.  Ha ha.

The tender mercies of the Lord...

Isn't it amazing how Heavenly Father gives you SO much that you ask for?  Even if, after so many times in the past, it hasn't been right?  I am a little upon life's billows now, so I'm going to count my blessings.  And then I'm going to write in my journal, and then I'm going to go to bed.

I am grateful for a wonderful family.
I am grateful that I have six siblings.  Even if not all of them like me.
I am grateful for my wonderful sisters and brother-in-law.
I am grateful for my cat.
I am grateful for my dogs.  Even though they drive me insane.
I am grateful I am surrounded by technology.
I am grateful for the mind I have, and that I am good enough with the English language that I am able to start writing a book.
I am grateful for wonderful friends who will read said book and give me their honest opinion.
I am grateful for wonderful friends who I can randomly go to a WSU basketball game with, and have a blast.
I am grateful for my wonderful ward, without which, I would be incredibly lost right now.
I am grateful for a relatively healthy body with which I can exercise.  I freaking love it!
I am especially grateful for awkward experiences.  They make me a lot stronger.
I am especially grateful for a wonderful sister who puts up with my crap.  Thank you, Lizzy!  Although, I don't know that you'll ever read this.  You have had a profound influence on my life, and I am very grateful to you for it.  I miss you dearly.

Absent...

Well, that's what my mind has been anyway... At least from this.  I hope it hasn't been from my book...

You see, I had a few things written down about a year ago, thinking that I might start a novel.  I thought it was a crappy idea at the time, because I didn't have a clear idea of where my story would go.  Earlier this week, I reread it and realized how good it sounded, so I started typing up my book.  And I now have an entire first chapter and am working on the second.

That was really fast, right?  I know.  I'm probably going to get the first draft of my book down within the next three months.  I have no idea what is going to happen, but I have a general idea of some of the twists...

Anywho, that's why I haven't been here, blogging.  I decided that, while I love to write, I don't much care for writing about real events in my life.  So, I'm pouring my heart into this book.  And when I say that, I mean that I can't write without putting myself into my work.  So, you might catch a glimpse into the inner workings of my mind by reading my book.

I'm only having really close friends read it right now.  I'm not even sure if I'm going to let my family read it... I probably will, only, not soon.  It will have to be polished before I can let them read it.  I think the reason behind that is the fact that I feel like I'm pouring my heart into this, and they know my heart better than anyone else.

And no, it's not a romance novel.  At least, that's not what I'm trying for.  There may be a few failed attempts, but nothing serious.  Maybe that will change... but probably not.  I'm not a big fan of romance novels.  Twilight... Don't even get me started.  The Mortal Instruments?  They're okay.  Not my favorite though.  I REALLY like Flecks of Gold, which only had a small bit of romance, and that was at the very end.

But introducing the two main characters in the first chapter as a guy and a girl... Yeah, you know something has to try to happen.  But it's not what I'm going for.

How can it be that you have shown me the light?

So, I read through a novel that I started to write once upon a time.  I was surprised at the quality of it.  I think I changed a few details when I started typing it up, so I'm going to have to go through and compare the two, and keep the good parts, and leave out the not-so-good parts.  I'm kinda excited about it though.  It's been a long time since I've tried something creative, and, lets face it.  Writing a novel is quite creative.  I need a few more ideas first though.  However, I think I can come up with plenty of those while hanging around Mandy, Rachal, Angie, and my other sisters in the gospel!  Love you all!!!  But you probably will never read this...

I decided that I am completely out of the loop when it comes to who's dating who in the single's ward.  And I'm okay with it.  Especially since I'm going to be moving in a couple of months, soooo... It probably wouldn't be good for me to start a relationship that will inevitably end soon.

Heavenly Father has been my constant companion these past few days as I've learned to accept somethings about my life that I cannot change.  It's been hard for me to sit back and let my life take its course.  I like someone in the single's ward, but I won't ask him out.  I have this curse on me where every time that I find myself starting to like someone... That person ends up engaged or married within 6 months.  I'm done with that for now.  I do my best creative work when I'm frustrated, and I've decided that I'm frustrated with the men from the single's ward.  So I'm off to write my novel.