...

I have come to the conclusion that I kind of fail as a blogger. BUT, it's not entirely my fault. School (curse the word) has been keeping me very busy, and I don't have any time to get on the computer and type up something for an audience I'm not even sure is there to read.

NO, this is not a post saying I'm deleting my blog -- I would feel like even more of a failure -- but I'm just saying sorry for not being able to post regularly so far. Hopefully with time it will get better.

--Sadie

Why It's Important to Keep a Journal:

This is an excerpt from a journal entry of mine (I keep a gratitude journal).

I was just reading through two journal entries I wrote in July 2010. It was when I received my patriarchal blessing (it's crazy how that feels like forever ago!). I was listing all the reasons why I was heading to receive my patriarchal blessing in one entry, and then on the 24th of that same month, I was listing why my life was so hard -- for those same reasons. While some might think this was some sort of "proof" that Heavenly Father isn't here to help us, I saw it in a completely different way. I know that my Heavenly Father will always be there for me. And when we may be at our strongest spiritual potential, that's when Satan will try to crack down on us the most. I wasn't feeling bad because my Heavenly Father doesn't love me; I was feeling bad because Satan didn't want me to gain all the blessings and spiritual strength I got from receiving my patriarchal blessing.

We're all going to go through trials in this life, whether we're strong in the gospel or not. Satan is going to come at us, especially when we're at our strongest (spiritually). But that is also the time when we can have the most strength to turn away from his temptations. We don't have to let Satan gain any power over us. We are stronger than him.

So, I'm very grateful for my loving Father in Heaven, and my Savior who gave His life for me -- so that I may learn and grow here on this earth.

And I'm also grateful for journal writing. Not only can I look back on times in my life and learn things I may not have learned then, but I can also learn things that can help me now and in the future. And I know in the future I'll definitely be grateful for this particular post.

--Sadie

Moral of the Story

It's hard to update your blog every day during the school year.

--Sadie

Yosemite

Untitled, a photo by sadester27 on Flickr.

A gorgeous frame from my aunt Jen's picture she took at Yosemite this summer :)

Girls Camp '09

Untitled, a photo by sadester27 on Flickr.

I am Sixteen, Going on Seventeen . . .

Well, this past Sunday it was my birthday! And if you can't guess from the post title . . . well, I'm now seventeen! I know, I know, I'm getting so old! I still can't believe I'm really seventeen; it doesn't seem like I've been alive that long! But I know eighteen will feel even weirder. But hey, I get to vote at the next presidential election!

I got everything I wanted for my birthday :)

It was a really good birthday, and I got a really cool necklace, a ring, delicious cupcakes, and the best carrot cake I've ever had (compliments of my wonderful mom)! 

I had a really good day, and was glad I could celebrate it with everyone I love. :) It's great to be seventeen. 

--Sadie

School, School . . . and More School

Wow. While it's been a joy being back at school, I forgot how much of my time it took up. A LOT! I'm not complaining though. It's nice to always have something to do. Although I must admit that the homework does get a little boring after a while. But I'm going to try my hardest to stay caught up this year and not procrastinate or get behind! It's come close, but I haven't slipped too big yet!

A lot of fun things have happened over the past several days. Seminary, homework, birthday's, Doctor Who, dance, swim team, reading, HOSA, emergency drill's at the hospital, football games, volunteering, and lots more!

It was Kelsey's seventeenth birthday yesterday, and she got everything she wanted. It was a really good birthday for her! I made her lemon cupcakes, and I would tell you the present I got her, but I haven't finished making it yet, and in case she reads this I don't want to spoil the surprise! It's really nerdy, and she'll totally love it; although anyone else would think it was the weirdest thing ever. I think she'll appreciate it though.

I'm taking a short break from my homework to write this (it's getting a little hard to concentrate on my Spanish homework -- not the funnest homework in the world), so I can't take too long to write this. But I know I really need to get a post in! It's been too long!

I hope all of you who are reading this have had a good start to your school year (or a nice return to work after a good vacation) and are enjoying yourselves and doing well! Thanks for reading!

Peace Like A River.

--Sadie

Escucho la Musica

So, I'm going to blame Kelsey for my new admiration for the band Sea Wolf. I LOVE THEM. Their music is so inventive, creative, original, and awesome. My two favorite songs of theirs are "Middle Distance Runner" and "You're A Wolf". If you've never heard this band, please go look them up! Unless you aren't a fan of Indie-Rock and that type of music. But I really love it, and you should at least give it a try.

So, that's all I have to say for today, folks. I hope you all are enjoying your weekends and have a great Labor Day weekend! :)

--Sadie

If I Lost it all Tomorrow...

I saw this really interesting quote the other day. It went something along the lines of, "What if you woke up tomorrow with everything you thanked God for today?"

That thought really changed my perspective, and I honestly thanked my Father in Heaven for every single thing I was grateful for before I went to bed. It still didn't even cover the list. The point is, I think we all need to be a little bit more grateful and realize just how blessed each of us is.

I'm so grateful for all my wonderful friends I have. They're so thoughtful, supportive, influential, awesome, and so many other words I can't even begin to describe. I don't know where I would be without them, and I hope they all know just how much they mean to me.

I'm also very grateful for my family, even though I know I don't act like it sometimes.

I'm grateful for school, even though you've probably heard me complain about it before. I really do value my education, and this year I've made some goals for myself, so that I don't get behind as much or forget to turn in work or any other past mistakes. I really want to do well this year, and I have a feeling it's going to be a really good year.

So for all of you out there reading this, I hope you're grateful for everything you have, whether you believe in God or not. Because I promise you, we can all find something to be grateful for; some of us might have to dig harder than others, but we can all find something. It's your attitude that counts, not the events around your life. As long as you stay positive, you'll be happy. It's your choice. So make the right one, even if it's hard. Try and keep a positive outlook, and know that sometimes it has to get worse before it can get better.

--Sadie

More About Me:

For this post I've decided to post some things about myself. Stuff I really love, hate, anything from A-Z.

If you can't tell from my other blog I have, The Literacy Society, I LOVE reading. My life would be completely miserable without it. I love being able to escape into another world and have any sort of adventure you wish there. I'm currently reading The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd, and I'm really enjoying it.

I loved the movie. Short little story here, I went against my number one rule when it comes to books and movies. If they make a movie about a book, I can't see it until I've read the book. Like Harry Potter, or The Help. Now, I wasn't aware at the time that The Secret Life of Bees was a book that was made into a movie, so I saw the movie, and shortly thereafter discovered there was a book. And I never got around to reading it until now. So you'll probably hear either here or on my other blog what I think of it when I'm done.

Another thing in life I couldn't live without: Irish Step Dancing. If I lost a foot, or my legs were amputated for some reason, I think it would kill me. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to dance! It's so much fun, it's good exercise, and I love all my friends from dance. They're the best. :) If you've ever heard of "Lord of the Dance", "Riverdance", or Michael Flatley, then you'll know what I'm talking about. And no, it's not tapping or clogging or anything.

My favorite dance I do is called the Hornpipe. It's a hard shoe dance (the shoes are pictured above), and I think I love it so much because you just get to pound out awesome-sounding rhythms. I can't find the words to describe how much I love it.

Also, I couldn't live without my family. I know sometimes -- or maybe a lot of the time, I dunno -- they think I don't like them, or they're weird, or obnoxious or whatnot, but I love them a lot. My parents are the best. They're young, and cool, and I can't imagine having better parents. My brothers are the bomb too, even though they can be a little obnoxious sometimes. I hope they can say I'm a good sister too, and I'll definitely try to work on that.

Now, I won't even start on the joys of music.

Hopefully you enjoyed reading a little more about me, and if you already knew a lot, hopefully you learned something new. :) Thanks for taking the time to read my blog, everyone.

Over and out.

--Sadie

Day Number 9:

Tomorrow's just going to be such a golden day (yeah, it'll probably be hot too). In the morning I have a college appointment. I'm not really sure what'll happen there, but it's gonna be good. I'm kind of scared at the thought of leaving home on my own and going to school all by myself, but I know it'll be a good experience. All the same, I'm glad I have one more year of high school left.

Then from 4:30 to 6:00 I have Irish Step Dancing try outs for our dance school's performing company, Shelley Irish Dance Company (a.k.a. SIDC). I'm super excited, and I feel pretty confident that I'll make it. I've been on it for a few years, and it's tons of fun! Not to mention the fact that I absolutely LOVE Irish Dancing. It's my life. I'm not kidding, I don't know what I would do without it. It would be heartbreaking.

I survived my first week as an Upperclassman! I've gotta say, I'm loving this school year, and all my classes! It's going to be a really great school year! :) Well, I've gotta sign off for now, cause my brother's being annoying and won't quit playing the guitar while I'm on the phone until I give him the computer. So, ta ta for now! Have a FABULOUS day! :)

--Sadie

Two Weeks Later...Summer's Almost Over!

Wow, summer makes your life so busy! Two weeks ago I went to Girls Camp, and it was one of the best experiences I've ever had. Up there in the beautiful mountains and gorgeous scenery, away from all the modern city life -- it's amazing. I can't even describe how amazing it is. What made it even better was that my best friend who lives in Tennessee was able to come with me; she's still here visiting, and it's been awesome. We have had lots of fun together. :)

Today we hiked the Y, and that was certainly an experience. I won't go into the details, but it was certainly something I'll never forget, and we will most definitely be laughing about it when we're eighty.

We've done lots of fun stuff, and it's certainly been anadventure. I seem to have lots of adventures with all my cool friends! Friends are great, and I'm glad I have them. :) Family's good too.

Trivia of the Day: name this movie.

"The devil speaks backward on the record. I hear the devil everywhere now. Aah..."

Only the most hilarious 70s show in the world. I'm just glad I wasn't born then, because who knows what stupid things I would have done. :P

Ah, TV is hilarious. Well, some of it.

Well, hopefully I'll be able to get on here and write more often. :) I hope you all have a fantastic day, and if you don't hear grommets again, a nice week. :)

--Sadie

Twelve Years Ago Today; Wow, What A Long Time! (Day Number 6):

Well folks, sorry it's been such a long time since I've last posted! I've had a really busy last two weeks! This past weekend, I went down to Moab, Utah for a youth conference. It was a BLAST! We went river rafting down the Colorado River -- if you ever get the opportunity to do that, DO IT! It was so much fun, and totally worth it. Floating down a river is one of the funnest things I have ever done, not to mention going through some pretty awesome rapids (they aren't as bad as you would think).

This week I've been busy getting ready for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2! It comes out tomorrow night at midnight (or you could say Friday morning at 12:00 if you wanted). It's hard to believe that this is the last Harry Potter movie ever to come to theaters! It's kind of a sad thought, but I'm really excited at the same time. It's going to be so awesome! I think I might dress up as Rita Skeeter, but I'm not sure. My friend Kelsey is dressing up as Luna Lovegood. It's going to be awesome! I'm going with Kelsey, Lizzy, and Brian. Poor Brian, he'll be the only boy; but hey, this was his idea. It'll be a ton of fun, and I CAN'T WAIT!!!!! I'm on the fourth book, and I have to finish the seventh one tomorrow by midnight. I bet I can do it though, no problem.

So, today is my Diabetes Anniversary. I have Juvenile Diabetes (Type 1). I've had it for twelve years today, and boy it has been a journey. Sometimes it gets really frustrating and annoying to take care of, but it's not that bad for the most part. I'm grateful I don't have cancer or something. It's hard to believe that I've had it for twelve years; that seems like such a long time! It hasn't really been an eventful day so far though. I've been really tired and lazy, and I haven't done a whole lot. But that's okay.

Last night I went to the gym with my mom at midnight -- the latest I've ever gone to the gym. I swam laps, and it was pretty nice because there weren't very many people there. But I was really tired when I got home, for sure.

I think after this I will go get dressed for the day (even though it's almost seven) and try to accomplish at least something useful today. :P

Hope you all had a nice day!

--Sadie

Kitchen Disaster (Day Number 4):

It was raining earlier this morning as Kelsey and I went to the Range. I was driving with Sarah again today, and she's still an excellent driver. It was lots of fun. We were in the same car I drove in by myself on Monday. I love that car! It's funny, because as Kelsey and I were walking over to the tower where everyone meets for Drivers Ed, I was telling her how I loved the small blue car and the small silver car -- just because they're so small, have excellent turning radiuses, and are easier to maneuver. It turns out that I got the blue car, and she got the silver car! It was really rather funny.

Today was the day we were tested on all of the drills and maneuvers: Angling and Backing, Angle Parking, Parallel Parking, Stop Signs, Uphill/Downhill Parking, U-Turns, 3-Point Turn, Figure 8 (frontward and backing), and backing in an oval. All of us passed (yes, even Kelsey!) with flying colors! I was so relieved because I didn't want to have to come back and do this for a whole other week.

I was so proud of myself because I didn't knock over ANY cones today, and I managed to do the backing Figure 8 perfectly; only going over the line once! It was really quite an achievement, and I'm very proud of myself.

I'm also very proud of Kelsey, who had hardly any driving experience. From what I saw, she was doing really well on every drill -- as if she had done them all a million times, no problem. She's going to be a really good driver. :)

Lizzy surprised us and met us down at the Range today. She was walking her neighbor's dog, Indie (sorry if I butchered the spelling). We walked up the hill and to her neighbors house, where we made breakfast.

Boy, breakfast was a real challenge. First of all, we had to figure out what on earth we were going to make. We decided on eggs, crepes, and hashbrowns. We took forever to find the pans to cook everything in. And cooking in different pans than we were used to was a challenge in of itself. It's hard cooking in a kitchen you don't know. But we managed.

The toughest challenge was finding a pitcher to make juice in. We could find a pitcher, so we looked in the fridge and discovered there was slim to none Sunny D left in the bottle -- we were making orange juice -- so we used the bottle as our pitcher and made the juice in that. :P It actually tasted really good.

Our crepes were scrambled, the eggs tasted slightly funny, and the hashbrowns were a little dry, but given the circumstances, our breakfast was pretty good.

We didn't use the same vanilla as was at Lizzy's, and we actually didn't laugh as much today. So therefore, I feel completely justified to blame Lizzy's vanilla for our hysteria. Wow, it's been a crazy week.

I've got to put my two cents in for Frances here. She's been at EFY in California all week, and I've missed her like crazy. She's my other friend who understands my oddball personality. ;) But I hope she's having tons of fun (it sounds like it from what she's been texting me (; ) and I can't wait for her to get home next week so we can party!

We also watched Downton Abbey (a BBC television series, I really recommend that you watch it as well!), and got through most of the last episode of the season. The second season comes out in the fall, around October, and none of us can wait!

Well, this has been the first six hours of my day again so far. I might post later if something eventful happens, if not you will hopefully be hearing from me tomorrow! :)

-- Sadie

Figure 8's (Day Number 3):

As you may have already guessed, Drivers Ed was a big part of my day again. Unlike any of the other days, there were some issues -- car problems, cement and dump trucks driving across the range.

I was driving with Katie today, who is a speedster for sure. Although she is very good at doing those H drills! We were in a tan car, and it had overheating issues. So we had to trade cars with a girl who finished early today. Luckily, that car had no overheating issues.

There's construction going on at the high school, which is why there were cement trucks and dump trucks going in and out today. It really wasn't that bad. We were able to maneuver around them easily with no conflicts or accidents!

Afterward, Kelsey and I went up to Lizzy's again, and we made French toast and eggs. They were delicious! Again, vanilla was a factor in the recipe. Why do I mention vanilla? Well, every day so far, we've had vanilla in our food, and we've laughed hysterically (like 8 minutes straight or longer) for no reason at all usually. We blame it on the vanilla, since it supposedly has teeny tiny alcohol content.

It's an adventure every time we go over to Lizzy's house. We laugh a lot, and have a lot of fun.

When I got home, I cleaned my room (finally!) and got rid of lots of clothes and things. It looks a lot better. Now all I have to do is hang my shelf and I can have my room in full order. It'll be really nice to have that all done.

Around 4:00, we went to my dad's soccer game. My dad made the Utah National Guard soccer team, and they won their game against Xango. My dad made some pretty impressive moves out on the field. He's surprisingly good at soccer.

Afterward, I went with my dad to the driving range and we practiced the Figure 8 (backing), and some backing drills. Then we went and drove around, and now here I am, back at home! It's been a long day, but I've gotten a lot done and it's felt like a very productive day.

I'm really nervous for my Range Test tomorrow -- mostly just for the backwards Figure 8 and oval. Everything else I feel pretty confident about.

So overall, it's been a really good day. I'm eating Brick Oven right now (my FAVORITE restaurant!!!). Their salads are heavenly -- to die for! If you're ever in Provo, I definitely recommend that you eat there at least once. You won't be disappointed.

Well, to all those who are still reading, I hope you had a LOVELY Wednesday! :)

-- Sadie

Shout Out to my Grampa :)

If you're reading this Grampa, I want you to know that I hope you had a FANTASTIC birthday today! :) It was nice going to dinner with you, and being able to see you on the day of your birth. You're the best grampa a girl could ever ask for. Thanks for blessing my life so much and always being there for me and my family. I LOVE YOU!!! <3


Love,


Sadie

Day Number 2:

Up early again. More Drivers Ed, although this time I wasn't driving by myself. I was driving with a girl named Sarah, who is an excellent driver and very nice. She's also very helpful when you can't see the lines you're trying to stay inside of. ;)

I did the Figure 8 flawlessly for my second time today!!!! NO cones knocked over! Yes, you can be proud of me. I know I am. But, like I told Sarah, there is always more room for improvement.

We started being graded on our drills today, and we'll finish up the grading tomorrow. I don't know any of my scores yet, but when I do I'm sure I'll post them on here. Driving on the range is actually very enjoyable. And it's nice to have someone to talk to instead of being all alone.

Today we're going to have a movie party over at a friend's house. It's going to be very interesting, for sure. I'm curious as to how it will turn out. You'll most likely hear something about it from me, either later on today or tomorrow. We're watching Indiana Jones (classic!!!) and Heavyweights -- with Ben Stiller. I don't know what else we'll watch, but I'm sure it'll be fun.

Well, that's all I have to say for now.

Live long and prosper!

--Sadie

Day Number 1:

Well, I suppose I'll start off by saying hello to everyone.

The reason I started this blog was because of my very influential friend; she thought I should try it out, so this is me trying out blogging. :)

My day so far? It's been no less than fantastic. Granted, I got up fairly early, but as Benjamin Franklin said: "Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise." I started out the day with Drivers Ed -- actually driving on the range. I was by myself, but it was fairly nice because I could focus more on staying inside the lines and not knocking over cones. (I'm very proud of myself: I only knocked over two cones, while practicing doing a backing figure 8 several times. It's harder than it seems!)

After Drivers Ed, I went with my good friend Kelsey to our friend Lizzy's house. But upon arrival, Kelsey realized she left her phone back at the range. So I ran with her to get her phone, and then walked back up the hill again. I can say I got my exercise for the day. ;)

We made the most delicious German pancakes, smoothies, and eggs at Lizzy's, with much laughter. MUCH. I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. But what do you expect when you put a group of girls together? Certainly not silence.

Those are the highlights of my day so far, mostly because the day isn't over yet, but I figured I should get started on this blog. And I'm really glad that I started. I'm excited to see how this turns out! Thank goodness for friends that are such good examples, and supportive as well. I couldn't have better friends. :)

-- Sadie