normal days these days

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

my intention is to wake up every morning at 6am, read the scriptures while i eat breakfast, be unrushed and intentional, and leave for work right on time. that happens about 25% of the time, but a combination of a few of those things happens most of the time.

i love the app sleep cycle and the way it gently wakes me up, although i often turn it completely off after a few snoozes because i don't want to get out of bed. i'm totally fascinated by the the stats from it, though!

my work days have been quite different the past few weeks, because my role at my school is changing soon. the transition has been stressful, and i anticipate my new responsibilities will be super challenging. {more coming on this soon}

when i was down the coast visiting sara, we had to stop in a target and buy some duct tape to use as a tool in keeping my car's bumper from falling off. now, i cruise around with a dozen strips of silver duct tape cross-stitched across the back of my car. i think it's kind of awesome.

during my commute is one time during the day that i allow myself to think about my broken heart. most days, i drive home up the 101 with silent tears coming down my face.

i have begun volunteering as an ordinance worker at the oakland temple. i think it's just exactly what i need in my life right now. i really, really, really love interacting with people in the temple, and it feels so calming and centering and right to be there.

i made a new years' resolution to exercise for at least thirty minutes every single day in two thousand fourteen, and i've stuck to it! some days have included just a simple walk, and some days have included a late-night solo dance party in my bedroom.

most days, i experience at least a ten minute (sometimes much longer) period where i feel incredibly optimistic and mighty - like i can so triumphantly chose happiness.

i love the kids at my school so, so much.

i'm obsessed with the broccoli slaw and kale salad from trader joe's. i honestly could eat one of those every single day for lunch.

well, i just really like watching the bachelor. it feels quite uncharacteristic and completely silly, but i'm totally sucked in, and i relish the drama.

we have four stellar missionaries in our ward (one set of elders and one set of sisters) and it's been fantastic getting to know them better. the past few weeks i've been invited to several feeding-the-missionaries dinner gatherings, which have been delightful. next week i'm hosting.

people are awesome. i love learning about them and from them. i have excellent friends, co-workers, neighbors, fellow temple-workers, roommates - all with their own challenges and issues and stories.

i impulsively signed up for tinder this week. i cannot stop giggling when i am on the app. the whole thing just cracks me up. hey, you never know...! {tinder is an online dating thing where you're matched up with people if you mutually "like" each other's photos.}

even though often lately my days feel difficult, when i kneel by my bed to pray each night, i feel immense gratitude for so, so many wonderful blessings in my life.

i took a sunday stroll through the excruciatingly lovely streets of palo alto on sunday morning, and all the magnolia trees blossoming everywhere were exquisite! i could hardly stand how beautiful they were. {i did not take any pictures on my walk, but they looked like these pictures!}

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a normal day! holding it in my hand this one moment, i have come to see it as more than an ordinary rock. it is a gem, a jewel...normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. let me learn from you, love you, savor you, bless you before you depart. let me not pass you by in a quest for some rare and perfect tomorrow. let me hold you while i may, for it will not always be so. one day i shall...want more than all the world your return. and then i will know what i now am guessing: that you are, indeed, a common rock, and not a jewel, but that a common rock made of the very mass substance of the earth in all its strength and plenty puts a gem to shame. 
-mary jean irion