Dreams do come true

Those of you who know me, know that for quite a while now, I have desperately wanted a turtle. So...about a week ago, I was visiting with my friend, and he mentioned that his family had a turtle they didn't want anymore. He asked me if I knew anyone who might want it. Of course I jumped at the opportunity. So here is my little girl:

When upon life's highway you are tempest-tossed.

So, let's say in theory, I might have had some experience with hydroplaning...as of today.

What may have happened, is I was driving home, and my car spun out of control, spun around twice on the freeway going North, then it went into the ditch between the North-bound and South-bound traffic, spun almost up to the South-bound traffic, then back into the ditch where it got stuck in the mud...But here are the things I learned to appreciate from it.

Mud. Without the mud that was all over the place, the car would have rolled instead of spinning.

The tire blowouts I experienced last month. They led to me going in to get my car fixed up, and I ended up getting new brakes...which turned out to be WELL worth every penny.

Big scary men with long hair. Tyler pulled over to help us, despite his hurt arm, and the fact that he was very nearly home. He also left us with his phone number written on a receipt he had in his pocket...that also said "Happiness Comes From The Heart" Thank you Tyler for defying stereotypes.

The kindness of strangers. I didn't know any of the people who pulled over to offer assistance, but I feel their love, and love them so much.

Water-bottles and napkins. That's the only way I was able to clean the windows of my car enough to drive to a gas station and clean them for real.

Perspective. Pointing out every little thing we were grateful for made the trip a million times better.

Our usual adventures. Whenever I drive anywhere with my big sister, we end up being at least an hour behind schedule because of our spontaneous adventures/errands. I can't tell you how completely I appreciate that in comparison to this adventure.

Ya'll are probably sick of me.

but I don't care. I'm bored out of my mind here in Provo, so I'm writing blog posts. Deal with it.

Anyway, today I decided to give myself a treat. One I've wanted for quite a while. And by quite a while, I mean about 2 weeks since I saw it at Barnes and Noble on a date with my BFF (Bacon Fat Factory)

Yes. I am creepy. While I was at Barnes and Noble to buy this, I got into a brief debate with myself between this book and Evil Serial Killers. True story. I am not a typical girl. That's all I can really say about that. Anyway, this book is ultra-fascinating. And I'm about 90% sure that it was written by a Christian. Just based on what I've read from the first 30 pages or so. Although that may be largely because the bible is a really good source for villains whose names people will recognize.

My favorite monster so far is Jezebel. She was the first one in the book.

I believe that love is the answer

To all of life's questions. Maybe it isn't that simple. But maybe it is. Maybe all we have to do is learn to love. All kinds of love. Maybe all we have to do to make the world a better place is care about everyone else. Maybe all we have to do is picture our best friend in the place of the man of the corner asking for money. Maybe if we all believed the best of each other, people would live up to it.

I know I'm extremely naive. I know I'm sheltered and innocent. But I still believe I can make a difference just by caring. I think that I can change things. Because what we can remember is that love changes us. If we truly love others, we can't stand idly by and watch them starve. We can't watch them begging without giving what we can.

And maybe I'll be taken advantage of for this. Maybe the man I gave money to the other day went home to a huge house, purchased with the money he's made begging. But maybe that $5 I was able to give him bought him the only meal he got that day. Maybe he spent it on alcohol. I don't know. What matters is that I did my part to help him.

What matters is the change that I'm making in my life for this.

You could do better

I've been thinking a lot lately. I was talking to a friend about a guy that I was becoming interested in. Being as how we are girls who go to BYU, she asked me if we could facebook stalk him. I agreed, so we looked him up. Prior to our stalking, I informed her that due to timing issues, nothing could happen with him, regardless of what he might feel. We looked at a picture or two, and she said "Really Tiffany, I think you could do better."

I was shocked. I had only shown her 2 pictures of him. That was the entirety of what she knew about him. She had never seen him in person. She had never spoken to him. She really knew very little.

And that made me think. It's true, he isn't a guy that you look at and fall for immediately. He isn't the most extraordinary looking guy at first. But as I got to know him, I found that it didn't matter. He's someone that you talk to, and spend time with, and as time goes by, he becomes good looking. I've known him only since mid-September, and I think he is one of the sweetest, most fun to talk to guys ever. He's made it a point to say hi to me every day. He talks to me about things that we have in common, or at least that he knows I'll have an interest in. He makes me laugh.

And to me, all of these things are infinitely more important than finding a guy who looks like Ryan Reynolds. Due to timing issues, nothing is going to happen with this guy. We will just be friends. But from this experience, I have found that I am good at focusing on what is important.

Yesterday

Yes I was going to write this yesterday, but instead I went to bed. But anyway, I digress.

Reasons yesterday was terrible:

1. I got the worst grade I've ever gotten on a test at BYU

2. I waited in line for over an hour to take said test.

3. I didn't expect to do much walking, so I wore heels all day.

4. I got chewed out and cussed at over the phone at work.

5. I was exhausted all day

6. I didn't bring any food to campus because if I hadn't waited in line so long I would have been home by 3.

7. I spent time with one of my best friends...who I happen to be very much in like with, and who happens to not have any interest in me.

8. It was Monday

9. It's finals week

10. My fellow Idahoan roommate left for Christmas.

Reasons yesterday rocked:

1. I got the best grade I've ever gotten on a test at BYU

2. I only waited in line for 15 minutes for that test.

3. I got to wear some really cool socks.

4. I looked pretty good.

5. I had cookies

6. I got to sit by Ashley at work

7. I had more calls where I hung up thinking (and saying) I like nice people, then otherwise.

8. I got free pizza

9. I got to play with a baby

10. I have a job, so I was able to buy some food.

11. I got to bed at 8:30

12. I have some great friends

13. Every time I got a text message, my phone sang "Why are you so obsessed with me" to me.

14. I finished 2 finals, and thus became half way done with finals. maybe more.

15. When I got in my car to head home from campus after taking 2 finals, I heard my favorite braindead song.

16. I got to take a test with (sitting next to) my beloved Kristi

17. I found out exactly what time I get to see my brother on SATURDAY.

18. I decided I'd rather have a good day than a bad day.