Help In Ethiopia.

The Amazing Sister Brinkerhoff!!!

I had the most wonderful night last night. My good friend Caldwell took me to a birthday party for his favorite institute teacher out at the Wright House in Mesa. It was the most beautiful birthday party I had ever seen. But what made it beautiful was not the decorations or the excellent ethnic food that was served there; it was the cause. Hope Arising. The party was to raise money for a water line in Ethiopia. The guests each paid $20-$40 dollars and they accepted other donations throughout the night. One of my favorite things that night was reading the stories of the people she had already helped. They had cards hanging from a tree and on each one there was a picture, a name, and a description of the family. I just stared at those pictures thinking how amazing to be a part of something like this. She has been over there three times in the past year and is simply an inspiration. Its amazing the things you can do when you set your mind to it. I love the example this woman has set. Here it is, her 40th Birthday... and she wants only to help others. An amazing woman to say the least. I felt a special connection with her. I couldn't help but think about my own life. I have so many dreams and aspirations and so many people I want to help. Tonight was just inspiration to never give up on those dreams. To make decisions in my life that will give me the opportunity to someday help those people that I love!

Wicked.

I don't think its possible for me to love Wicked more than I already do. This is my all time favorite Broadway show! I am such a nerd!!! Mmm. So good.

New Beginnings.

Yesterday was quite a splendid day. As most of you know I took karate for several years when I was younger. After moving back down to Tucson and a ten year absence from the dojo, I am back again! We had a belt ceremony last night and my family came down to watch. Afterwards we were all able to go out together and have a bite to eat. It was so much fun to see all of the people I grew up with. It was so fun for them to see how much my family has grown up. These people here in the dojo are truly my family and I love the feeling I get being around them. I look forward to spending many more years in the dojo and can only hope that life's path will allow me to do so.

My Hero.

We are all on this earth to DO something. People ask themselves the question all the time, "Why am I here?" There isn't one logical answer for that. We are all here to do that one thing. That thing that no one else can do.

My friends often joke about my obsession with Will Smith. Ill admit, it might be slightly out of control. But... I think the reason I idolize him so much is because we are a lot alike. I know, I know... Im not tall dark and handsome. But we believe a lot of the same things.

How simple is it to wake up in the morning and just say, "I love life." I love being here. To simply BE HAPPY with the air that fills your lungs each second or the sunshine that lights your day. I love the way Will talks. He is so blunt yet always sincere. He says;

"I want to do good. I want the world to be better because I was here. I want my life, my work, my family, I want it to mean something."

So often we forget that worrying only makes it worse. Just look at a situation, and figure out how to make it better. That doesn't mean we won't have times when we are weak, times we need to lean on our friends for support or scream "Hey Jude" at the top of our lungs. But it means we have the strength to stand back up and find those things in our lives that we love.

In my life I have found only one thing that (without fail) will carry me through the hard times. Service. For some reason whenever Im down, if I turn my thoughts outward to see what I can do for someone else, everything seems to be alright. Will Smith also commented on the matter;

"If your not making someone else's life better, than your wasting your time. Your life will become better by making other lives better." -Will Smith

I encourage you to not waste your time. Think daily about others. Strangers. Always try to notice those whose hands hang at their sides. Be a friend. Be that person that makes a difference in the world, no matter how small.

Bucket List.

Spring break is coming up soon and I can't tell you how ready I am for it to come. This is the first time I have asked for time off at Borders. So... recently I have been making a "bucket list." You know, a list of things you need to do before you die. I wont spoil the whole thing but here are a few items on the list...

1. Go Skydiving
2. See Paul McCartney in concert
3. Fall completely love
4. Help a stranger
   
5. Attend a national futbol game
6. Play the guitar in public
7. Perform CPR
8. Eat a 12 patty Lindy's burger
9. Run a marathon
10. Hitch Hike

You know... weird stuff like that! Haha. Well I am about to mark one of those things off my list soon. It looks like Paul McCartney is coming to ARIZONA! Wooooohooo! I am so excited.

• March 28- Paul McCartney (Gilbert)

• April 16-18- Coachella (California)
  

Superbowl.

I had work during the Superbowl. But today some friends and I got caught up on all the important stuff. (the commercials) This one is my favorite, House Rules, I can't get enough of this boy! I love Jaylen! 

Moving Forward.

"Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means you've decided to look beyond the imperfections."

I can't even describe the many changes there have been in my life recently. I have good friends studying abroad, friends that are now married, friends that are just no longer in my life anymore. At times it makes me sad to see things changing. It makes me reflect on my life and the choices I'm making. And I have come to one conclusion. Always move forward. If you get hurt, if you stumble, even if you fall. Get back up and move forward. Its hard for me to imagine ever having better friends than I have had these past several years. But the truth is, the world is a big place. You have to go out there and meet new people every day. Never let fear or anxiety hold you back. I have been making some really good friends at the institute lately and Im really excited for this semester!