An Utter Travesty

There are very few straight-up travesties in my life, and I am trying my absolute hardest to fix all of them. I grew up fairly cultured. I read all of the Harry Potter and Percy Jackson books. I watched the Disney movies and the Pixar movies (yes, those are different, I promise). I grew up loving Star Wars. But there are some things that for whatever reason, I did not have integrated into my childhood.

For example, this past weekend I watched Top Gun for the very first time. Please don't be too terribly shocked. Think about it. My parents had already seen it by the time I was old enough to understand what was going on. So why would they watch it again when there are cool, new movies that haven't been watched yet? However, this is not the actual travesty. The real travesty is the fact that I have never, ever seen a James Bond movie.

Ok. Hold up. Don't get all upset and disbelieving at me. Please. Calm down. I'll be fixing this horrible mistake as soon as I possibly can. Hopefully this weekend I can get two birds with one stone: I will watch Skyfall (which I've heard is amazing) and I will watch a James Bond movie for the first time ever.

So. That's the plan. It's going to be a James Bond weekend!

AHHHHH!!! I'm going to BRAZIL!!

About every five minutes, I turn to Emily and ask her "Guess what? Guess what? Guess!! I'M GOING TO BRAZIL!!!!" It's a wonder she hasn't murdered me yet.

Why am I going to Brazil? I have chosen to become a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Starting June 26th, I will be in Brazil for 18 months. I will be able to call my family twice a year on Christmas and Mother's Day. I will be able to email my family once a week, and I will communicate with the rest of my friends via letters. That's right. Super old school. I'm convinced that Mormon Missionaries are the only ones keeping the postal service alive.

Considering my extensive background in Spanish, I thought for sure I would go to a Spanish-speaking mission, whether it was here in the States or in South America. It wasn't a matter of what language I'd be speaking, but which country I would be going to. However, the Lord has something else in store for me, seeing as I'm going to be learning Portuguese. I keep having to say it to myself in order to believe it. It still doesn't seem real sometimes. Although Google Maps helps. A lot.

So while I wait for the next four months, I'll be stalking Sao Paulo through the internet. Needless to say. I'm thrilled to be going to Brazil this summer. It's where I'm supposed to be. Next stop on the way to Brazil? Getting my passport! This'll be fun...

Love Appreciation Day

Some of you may call it Single Awareness Day. And for others, it's Valentine's Day. I choose to call it Love Appreciation Day. Whatever it is, may this day be filled with joy and gladness.

What? You mean I can't celebrate Valentine's Day if I'm single? Well, that's too bad, because I am going to, whether y'all like it or not.

You see, Valentine's Day shouldn't be about whether or not you "have" a Valentine (last I checked, I'm not allowed to "have" anyone. I'm pretty sure that's called slavery). It's about showing your love for your friends and family.

The best way to have fun on Valentine's Day? Serve others! Show your love for them. Stop focusing on why your day stinks because you're single, and start focusing on how you can brighten someone else's day. Make a cheesy Valentine. Write a corny poem. Make your best friend their favorite dinner. Tell the people that you care about that you love them. As far as I know, nobody can be told that they are loved enough times in their  life.

I promise that if you get out there and serve others, and have a good attitude, then your Valentine's Day will become Love Appreciation Day. So get on out their and show your friends and family that you care!

Happy Love Appreciation Day!!