Words to Live By

I love this. It's called the Serenity Prayer and I'm pretty sure Alcoholics Anonymous has adopted it....which is what made it so well known. I had actually never heard the second part until I googled it and I love it just as much as the first part. 

Just read it:

"God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen."

--Reinhold Niebuhr

and...


Psalm 37:3-5 :
"3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.


4 Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.


5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass."




If I will continue to trust in and follow Him, I can make it through anything and will be blessed beyond measure. I know that is true with all of my heart. I love my Savior and all that He has done for me. I know he loves every single one of us and is always there, waiting to help and guide us. We just have to let Him in. Without my faith, I would not be who I am today. I am so grateful for all that I have. I have truly been blessed more than I could ever imagine.

Explosion

You know when you feel like your head is going to explode?

yeah, I felt like that today.


For me, crying is kind of the equivalent of getting a massage. It helps relieve stress and tension in my head. Weird, I know. But think about it. We can't really give our brains a massage like we can the rest of our body. So my brains method of choice is to cry. (Maybe yours is yelling, singing, sleeping, or whatever...everyone is different)

So that's what I did after work. I cried. 

I didn't cry very long, just long enough to feel better. And man, do I feel better.

Sometimes I like to dance too....you know, turn the music up really loud, get in something comfy, and just go wild. That is always a good time. 

Also, I'm listening to "Boys" (the co-ed remix) by Britney Spears which is always a good mood booster.

Don't believe me? Listen:

(the quality isn't very good, but you get it.)

xoxo

P

Link

Here is the link to my new tumblr blog! (It's just a little experiment :)) There are only a few posts so far, but go ahead and check it out :)


http://lovelyelegantglamorous.tumblr.com/



Happy Monday!

Beauty Blog

So I am going to start a fashion/beauty blog.

Random. I know.


I think it's a good idea though and it is something I have become really interested in.

Why not, right??

It is just going to be a place where people can come for quick, easy, fun, cute, ideas. I like to try new things with my hair/makeup but I don't have anywhere to share the outcomes of those little experiments. Once I get it started I will post the link on here. Don't worry ;)

xoxoxo

P.

Slightly Obsessed

Soooo I have a Pinterest (or P - Interest as Lauren calls it hahahaha) account and I am kind of obsessed...

I am also obsessed with braids right now. Especially those loose french braids along your hair line. You know what I am talking about.

So, naturally, when I found this I had to try it.

Source: cdni.condenast.co.uk via Paige on Pinterest

(It looks really easy, but it took me a few tries)


Well, I liked it and have decided to wear my hair like this to work tomorrow.



I guess I'm just........

slightly obsessed.

I got a new hat yesterday at urban outfitters and I kind of really love it. I have had a lot of hits and misses with these hats so I was thrilled to find one that fit absolutely perfect. Oh, it was the last one too. AND only cost $10.

Score.

Shout Out

Just wanted to do a little shout out to my dad on his birthday :) 

Honestly, he is the best dad I could have ever asked/hoped for. He has and always will be there for me when I need him most. Even when I think I don't need him (but really do) he sticks around. I am so grateful to be blessed with a father who loves me through all my good and bad times, teaches me life lessons, holds the priesthood, and has unwavering faith in our Savior. The older I get, the more I realize just how lucky I am to have such an amazing example in my life.

So this ones for you D, 

Happy Birthday!

I love you!

I love

this place I call home.

Proof:

Who wouldn't?

Results

So I bought this pair of jeans a few months ago and they were suuuper tight (borderline uncomfortable) in the waist....but I could still squeeze in them. They are Gap jeans. Which I am obsessed with. Anyway, I told myself a few weeks ago that those jeans would be my motivation to get in shape. I said "Paige, you are going to fit in those jeans. Soon." So, I picked up my pace at the gym. I started going to BodyPump classes (they are the best and make your muscles insanely sore) and running on the treadmill every other day. It has been about a month....and guess what?!

I just tried on that pair of Gap jeans.

aaaannndddd

(drum roll)

THEY FIT PERFECTLY!

I was really excited. Funny what a cute pair of jeans can do.......

(I just thought this was too funny/good to pass up.)

On top of that, I feel great. I love being back in the gym and getting back in good shape. I mean, it is never easy getting there but once I am there and going, I always feel better.

Sorry if this post is kind of a brag-a-thon. Didn't want it to be like that. I just reeeeeeaaaaalllllly love working hard and seeing results. Not just at the gym either. I mean, working hard and seeing results in any area of your life is great. Which I have been doing/seeing as well. It's been really good to have some time to work on myself- physically, mentally, and spiritually. 

Life is good.

Don't let it pass you by.

Happy Monday!

go, go, go!

It has been far too long since I last blogged. I don't really have much to tell.... I did have a pretty busy week though! (since I know you are dying to find out) This is what I did this week:
Work, gym, dodgeball, work, basketball, work, bodypump, work, institute, volleyball, basketball (I repeated things because I did them more than once hahaha). On Friday I watched my nephew all day and went out to dinner that night. On Saturday I woke up early to put up Christmas lights at the temple (all morning), came home and went to the gym, handed out basketball jerseys to H and B's team, went grocery shopping, and attended a bonfire til midnight.

Ok, it doesn't seem that busy, but it felt like I was constantly on the go! Today was such a refresher! I didn't wake up until 10:30, went to church at 1, skyped Annie, and just hung out. It was wonderful :)

I actually don't have work this week and after being busy last week that might be a problem. Having a week off is always a good and a bad thing.



Anyway, here are some photos I took this weekend :)

I have become such a random blogger. 

That's just how my life is. I can't help it.

hope everyone is happy and safe this week!

xoxo

My favorite...

time of year is pretty much here. I love Thanksgiving. Why? Well, there's food, family, basketball, more food, and then Christmas and New Years! It's the best.


This year I am doing a Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning. That should be interesting. It's only 5 miles but that's kind of a lot... Anyways, I am excited. Everyone just seems so happy at this time. I love it.


Oh, and did I mention that I have all of next week off? Party!




I hope everyone travels safely this holiday season! Have any fun plans for Thanksgiving?


xoxo
P

You know what I miss?

Basketball season.

I miss jumping up and down and yelling for my team. I miss watching the sport I love most. I miss the excitement and noise. I miss it all. It makes me want to play because I miss that too. But I really love those games that have you on the edge of your seat. Where you literally can't sit still. Those are the best. Sure, they can be heartbreaking....but those are the games I always remember.

I am so happy the season is starting!!

Oh, and did I mention that I actually really enjoyed March Madness last year and plan on having a winning bracket this year?

Well, I did and I do.

Sometimes

It can be hard to let someone go.

Someone you loved, gave everything to, shared everything with, spent almost every minute with....

But when you realize they have let you go, it makes it a little bit easier. When you realize that some problems or situations just can't be fixed and you are forced to accept reality, things get easier.

I was thinking about this little concept today while reading the book Codependent No More. Part of it talks about detachment, letting things/people go and be in charge of their own responsibilities and problems. That we must concentrate on solving our own problems and taking care of our responsibilities.

I love this paragraph from the detachment section and I think anyone can relate to it.

"Detachment is based on the premises that each person is responsible for himself, that we can't solve problems that aren't ours to solve, and that worrying doesn't help. We adopt a policy of keeping our hands off other people's responsibilities and tend to our own instead. If people have created some disasters for themselves, we allow them to face their own proverbial music. We allow people to be who they are. We give them the freedom to be responsible and to grow. And we give ourselves that same freedom. We live our own lives to the best of our ability. We strive to ascertain what it is we can change and what we cannot change. Then we stop trying to change things we can't. We do what we can to solve a problem, and then we stop fretting and stewing. If we cannot solve a problem and we have done what we could, we learn to live with, or in spite of, that problem. And we try to live happily-focusing heroically on what is good in our lives today, and feeling grateful for that. We learn the magical lesson that making the most of what we have turns it into more."

I seriously love this. Sometimes I forget that I can't fix or change everything. Some things are beyond my control. Sometimes these things hurt and are hard to not stress about. Sometimes they are easy and painless. I love this book. It is so insightful. I really think everyone should read it. If anything it is a good reminder, an eye opener to the struggles that some people really go through. But I think that everyone would benefit from reading this since there is a really good chance that if you don't have a little bit of codependency, someone you know has some. At one point in the book she said there are at least 80 million people who struggle with one type of codependency. That's a lot of people.

As you can tell, I recommend this book. It is a very interesting read.

If you are interested....the author is Melody Beattie.

Those are my thoughts for the day:)

Love you all and hope everything is going well!

Ciao!

Paige

So I was on pinterest and found this photo. Absolutely love it!

Happy Friday! 11-11-11!

Changes

Seem to be happening every day. Not just little changes, life changes.


I'm not going to Germany because apparently it is illegal for the family to hire an au pair who doesn't speak German. Kind of annoying, right??? I thought so.


But then I thought about how much I would miss home if I went that far away for so long.... So I am planning to stay here and keep working... Save my money, buy a car, babysit for people, and get into cosmetology school. I think I have enough to do...

Today at work I actually got an offer to babysit for the family of one of the dentists who refers patients to Dr. Toolson. Thanks to Dr. T, I am babysitting for them this Saturday. He told them I was looking for families to babysit/nanny for (and that he didn't want me to run off to Germany to do it) and they happened to be looking for a regular babysitter.
Lucked. Out.

Then I came home and searched for a good car within my budget and guess what? I lucked out. AGAIN! I actually found THREE cars that fit what I was looking for. I am so excited to finally get my own car! I am glad my dad is here to help me with this process though. I seriously know nothing about cars and would probably get ripped off without him. haha. I am crossing my fingers for the 4Runner we found but I would be totally happy with (just about) any car. (I know I can't be TOO picky, but c'mon...there are just some cars.....you know what I mean)



This is such a random post but I feel so fortunate to be blessed with answers to my prayers. I have been using my mom's car since I got home from school so it would be a huge relief for both of us (mostly her) if this all worked out  :)




Growing up can be hard to do, but it is so exciting and fun at the same time!

Love you all,
Ciao!

Crossing

my fingers and toes!


I just sent an email to the family I hope to Au Pair for in Germany! Ah! This is all becoming a reality and I'm nervous, scared, and excited!



Cross those fingers and toes for me!

(please excuse my face. there is no makeup on it.)



Love you all and thank you for all your love and support during this crazy, emotional time in my life!

ciao! (I better start using german;))
P.

Good News

I emailed a girl (who happens to be a mutual friend to a few people I know...) who had posted a bulletin through my school about an Au Pair job in Germany. Well, I had actually emailed her back and forth a bit in June but decided the job wouldn't work with my schedule. She told me then that they would like someone starting in August, but if they find someone who can't start til after the holidays (thanksgiving & christmas) then that was fine too. Sadly, I didn't think I would be able to do it at the time.


Well, I emailed that same girl today regarding that same job.

and guess what.......

She told me she thinks they are still looking for someone to start after the holidays! 

Perfect, huh!?

I thought so for a few different reasons.

1. I have decided that this is reeeeeally what I want to do right now and I didn't want to wait super long to do it

2. Someone else already has my current job covered starting at the end of December

3. I have always wanted to go to Germany

and 4. I have been looking for someone with connections to a family and I have one that I had almost forgotten!!

This is just all really exciting right now. I could be on a plane before (or right after) New Years headed to Germany to Au Pair. AH! Dream come true!

Don't get me wrong, I am still sad about what happened last weekend. But I have to keep living. I can't sit around and mope, waiting for other things to happen (as much as I want to sometimes). I have to go and make those things happen. So, I picked myself up this week and figured out what I wanted to do next.

Like I said in my last post, we never (EVER) know where life may take us! So live yours and enjoy every single day, no matter how hard it may seem :)

Love you ALL!

Alles Gute (all the best!)

P.

What do you do

When life goes the complete opposite of what you planned?

Well, you just keep going and pretend like you know what you are doing.


That's what I am doing right now.


For those that don't know, Keith and I called off the wedding and engagement last Friday. Then on Sunday we chose to take a break all together from the relationship.

soooo needless to say, my week has been off to a pretty rough start. But this is what is best for both of us right now in our lives. We both need time to kind of figure out what we need and want to do for ourselves and just for life in general. It's hard though. I won't lie about or sugar coat that. We spent pretty much every single day together for 2 years straight. You don't cut off a relationship like that without some pain and heartache. I miss him every single day but I know this is what's best for us right now at this time in our lives. I am just trying to see the positive in everything. Sometimes I have moments where I want to curl up in a ball and cry. Other times I am perfectly fine and strong. I am learning to take it one day at a time (this is way easier said than done sometimes). I am taking this time for myself. I am doing what Paige wants to do, nothing else. But I am a human being and I have very normal human feelings about this whole situation. Things are hard right now. But hey, what doesn't kill us only makes us stronger.....right?



As you can probably guess....my life plans have changed. Drastically. I am taking time off from school (actually, probably not going back to "normal" college) to try to figure things out...  I am currently trying to get a nanny job here in the US or an au pair job over in Europe for a while. Then after that I want to come back to San Diego and get into beauty school. I told you my plans have changed drastically. I have no time limit. No schedule. Just the whole world at my fingertips :)


Like I said, things are hard and every day is a new adventure. New feelings and emotions, new people and experiences. I am just trying to get through this the best I can while figuring out my life. You really never know where life will take you.


I love all of you and thank you for all your love and support during this time.

Ciao
P