Motivation is like Bathing

“People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily.” Zig Ziglar

It's almost March and by now most of us can't even remember what our New Year's resolutions were. For all of us college students, it is the middle of the semester, and if you are anything like me, you might be finding it hard to stay motivated. Well, there are a few things that I remembered today.

First, it is never too late. I have not completed as much as I planned to accomplished by this time this year. But that doesn't mean that I can't start to change that now. Is it worse to start late or never start?

Second, you can do anything that you set your mind to. One reason I have not accomplished everything that I wanted to is because I have tried and failed. I am not embarrassed to admit to my failures. I would have rather tried and failed, than never tried at all.

Third (and most importantly), if you want to accomplish more, then you will need frequent motivation. One way to stay motivated is to make sure you do something that you enjoy DAILY. This is not as easy as it may sound, but it will keep you from getting burned out.

With these things in mind. It is time to start again, and I'm excited!! I have a new resolve to work hard in school. I have also made specific plans to eat healthier and exercise more frequently. On my previous post I listed a few things that were on my bucket list. I have started one of them, with the help of the media of course ;). I am making a wallet out of extra fabric I had using a wallet tutorial I found on another blog. I cut all of the pieces out for my wallet last weekend. I hope to finish the wallet by March 14th. I will post pictures when I am done!

Bucket list...

Here are a few items on my bucket list that the media can help me accomplish.
1. Learn 100 new words and use them in everyday conversation (you can sign up at dictionary.com to get sent their word of the day)
2. Have my apartment, car, and purse all clean at the same time (blogs about organization can teach me how to arrange my things in an orderly way to help reduce clutter)
3. Put $1,000 in an emergency fund for a rainy day (Ebay can help me get rid of things I don't use AND make extra money for this fund!)
4. Make something I can use out of things I don't use (youtube and pintrest have all kinds of ideas about how to create fun and cute things)
Those are just a few things I want to accomplish. Now, I am off to go cross something off my list!

Blogtastic!

SO.... I officially loved lecture on Friday. I am extremely new to the bogging world, and I had no idea the wealth of knowledge (and revenue) that blogs can give us access to. Since lecture I have been all over the blogging world and have found out all kinds of things! This is just another tool that can help me accomplish all the things on my bucket list!!!

Who is your hero and why?

my microscopic family :)
(It probably a good thing this picture is so small, because it is absolutely impossible to get every person to smile at the same time. There are always about two people that end up looking funny.)

I think its funny how we are exposed to all types of media on a daily basis. Through all of this media exposure, we can become almost obsessed with the lives of those on TV. Most of us can recall countless insignificant details about famous individuals. These media icons have become household names and their actions effect the world. Several of these icons have changed the way music is played, or what fashions we wear. I then thought about children growing up today and what they are exposed to. I became worried, because of the effect these media giants might have on the younger generation. Who are these children looking up to? What kind of examples are they seeing? Then I thought about my hero.
I don't know the name of my hero, but he changed my life. When my mom was in college she had my oldest sister Emily. My mom got really sick afterward, because of the mistakes the delivery doctor made. Worried about my mother's health, my parents visited several doctors. Every doctor insisted that the only way to save my mother was for her to get a hysterectomy. My mom didn't feel right about that. My mother always wanted to have a big family. Finally, one doctor had a different idea. It would still require an operation, but he said he could repair the damage the delivery had done. The problem was that my parents didn't have enough money for the operation. The doctor knew my dad knew how to work on cars and he said that if my dad would fix his car, then he would do the operation. My parents never received a bill for the operation. My mom went on to have eight more children, including myself. My parents don't know where this doctor is today, but this doctor gave me my family.
So, who is your hero? I've talked to several people about their heroes. I've heard stories about selfless scout leaders, moms that never gave up, terminally ill individuals that reach out to those in need, and teachers that went the extra mile to help students. I did not hear any stories about the rich and the famous. The individuals who seem to be creating the biggest impression are the seemingly ordinary individuals that selflessly give of themselves. I think this younger generations might be alright after all, because we can all be selfless. And because we can do that, we can all be another persons' hero.

Harry Potter

While the Harry Potter books are considered children’s and adolescent’s books; the message in them is for all ages. Harry is constantly battling Voldermort and his followers. This is never easy. By fighting Voldermort Harry could lose the only world where he feels like he belongs. Because of this battle, Harry is disliked by almost every person, including his best friends, at one time or another. Throughout the book many others in the books give up and take the easy road. Harry never does this. Harry always does what he believes is right even when he knows the decisions he makes are not popular. I want to be that kind of a person.

Isn't it about...time.

Mormon ads. I secretly (or now not so secretly) love those Mormon ads on TV. I just can't help but let out that girly Awwww whenever I see them. It amazing how something so brief has such an affect on me. The creators of those commercials are definitely doing something right, because after watching those commercials I want to take action. I want to go to my sister's violin recital or take my brother out to lunch or write a note to my mom. Good job mormon-ad-makers. You're changing the world one commercial at a time!

Allrecipes.com has officially changed my life!!!

I can't cook. I'm not trying to be modest or cute, I really can't cook. BUT, I can follow a recipe. In fact, it is probably more like I hold on to recipes for dear life, because ANY deviation turns into a disaster. Now, anytime I really need my cooking to impress I use allrecipes.com, the invention that has changed my life.

Since my discovery, I have cooked for first dates and impressed them with my cooking abilities to the point that I have had invitations for second dates. My new secret weapon has led to friends asking me to cook for their wedding receptions. Coworkers and all of my eight siblings insist that I make their birthday cakes. Two almost mother-in-laws (yes, I may have been engaged more than once...) have asked for my help in the kitchen. I have even been paid to cook! People now ask ME for my recipes! I just smile and give them a handwritten copy of the recipe that I found. :)

If you are in need of fabulous recipes, check out allrecipes.com. My only advice is to check the reviews before you make anything. You will find recipes you can't live without!