#BirthdaysaretheBest

Holla Eighteen. 

A year that'll evoke many changes, and probably some decisions too, but I'm stoked for it all. 

Morning with my team. #24hourrelay

Afternoon with the cousins. #familyreunion

& Evening with the parents. #cheesecakefactory

& it was considered a success, no doubt. 

Sum-Sum-Summertime.

 #photobombed

Except luckily not summertime sadness. [like the song]

Nope, just lots and lots of summertime happiness around here.

Like I Dipped My Head in Molasses.

It's been 10 days since I've shampooed my hair. Yuck is right. 

It was about a year ago that I read about the whole "no 'poo hair" for the first time. It sounded crazy, but also super nice to not have to wash your hair as often, keep it natural, free from chemicals, and just have all around healthier hair right? Great, except for that 2-3 week adjustment period.

When trying it last summer, I only went about three days before thinking, "This is gross, this looks awful, and if I'm going to be hanging out with him, I should definitely wash my hair." & then I gave up....

10 days ago we ran out of shampoo, and I thought "hmm, why not try that whole "no 'poo" thing again. I don't have a someone special who would prefer my hair nice and clean. I don't start work for two more weeks. I don't have anything I'll need to look super nice for in the next two weeks. Perfect."

...and that's how this journey began. If it works out, I'll let you know and then probably try to sell it to you too, but for now, I just know my hair is a straight up disaster.

Holla for that pathetic junior high flip bun on top of my head for the past ten days. 

My fingers are definitely crossed. 

literally bloglovin'

[can we just mention how much better bloglovin' is than google reader? yeah, incomparable.] 

It feels good to be back in the blogging world. I forgot how inspiring it is. Sometimes it's nice to just sit back, put aside your to do list for a half hour or so and just let others pretty words inspire you.
Here are just a few of my favorite posts from today... Seriously read them all, such quality stuff.

A Bit on Slowing Down by Emily Meyers 

Elsie's absolutely flawless Costa Rica in iPhone Photos

& Emma's take on marriage, One Year Later

A Little Peek into our Monday Nights from Lex, Ellie could not be any cuter. 

and last, cute Lexi's post, The Light of Life, so perfectly sincere and sweet. 

Life at the Bottom of the Totem Pole.

It's like being in 7th grade all over again, or Sophomore Year. 

That first day you enter the ring, it feels as though all eyes are on you, and it's clear, you do not belong. Whether they really don't like you or not, at least their lack of care for you is apparent.  You're simply just there, in the way, taking up space.

Senior year felt good, not being in that stage in the slightest. 

Unfortunately graduation actually kicked us back down to the bottom, to try and climb the ladder once again. 

Unlike Junior High, where the sevies stick out like dandelions on a perfect lawn, it's a little bit easier to blend in up here, luckily, because younger, just isn't appealing. They'll hardly give me the time of day better yet become my friend when they realize I'm only 17. Act it and they'll buy it, right? Yes, usually.. 

My co-workers/other counselors for the summer, are basically all returned missionaries. I swear even most the girls are.. needless to say I am much younger; but I have gotten to the point where I can answer almost every question without having to disclose my age. 

[what's your major? Where are you working right now? Where do you fall in your family? Where did you grow up?] 

that is, until the dreaded question pops up.. 

"so what year did you graduate?"then my whole body tenses up, I become incredibly tempted to lie, then refrain, and then awkward pause, and then I kind of mumble out, "uhm, uh, two weeks ago?" Yeah, now the conversation is more awkward than that pause, because they were very likely deceived and expecting a much different response. No matter how well the conversation had previously been going, after politely continuing for no more than a minute, they excuse them self. Not even kidding. [I thought people didn't care about age anymore??] 

so such is the life of a college freshman. I like new friends, especially the good looking ones. 

Hah, guess I'll just have to work on my distraction/topic changing tactics.

SS: I believe in life after death.

it was all just ending, graduation gifts had been given, lots of good food eaten, stories and memories shared.

some had already left, and it was just such a good happy time together, the last few were just filtering out.
As Grandpa gave me a hug goodbye, he said, "we sure are proud of you Brittney"

and in that moment, my Grandma was more present than ever.. not physically, but her spirit definitely was. I couldn't help but tear up as her spirit filled the room.  

I know she was there in that moment, and I'm sure she listened to me speak too. I knew she was proud.

I made a promise to her and myself, right after she had passed away, that I would choose the right so we could all live together again someday, I promised her that I would do great things in my life, and I wouldn't let her down. & I think she promised me that she'd be there too-- in those important moments in my life. 

 

I'm so grateful to know that my Savior died for me, so that I can live with her again someday. [link]

This is Real Life

social media is sort of funny.

it's a place we come to share our thoughts with the world. our perspectives, adventures, stories. our lives, really to share ourselves.

Although people are so obsessed with impressing and pleasing everyone, trying to look like some picture perfect person living an absolutely ideal life, that they turn out to be anything but real.

it's like the family we saw at slick-rock. [a moderately challenging bike course in Moab.] They got the family, five or so young kids, one with training wheels, and all stood at the entrance sign posed with their bikes for a picture.
After taking the pictures they rode around the parking lot for a bit before loading back up to leave. [Sure, I don't know the situation] I'd bet that that picture appeared on face book with some caption along the lines of "so fun, biking slick-rock with the family!!" where people commented, praising and admiring.

social media turns into that far too often. people living a life solely for the purpose of posting about it. is that truly living??
blogs shouldn't be about trying to prove yourself, or impress others.
a blog should be real. that doesn't have to mean full of negativity, or that blogs shouldn't still be nice and enjoyable. but people and girls need to realize it's okay not to be perfect, don't hesitate before sharing your ideas with the world, don't be ashamed to be you because we're only human.

speak your mind, and wear your heart on your sleeve, if that's perfect photography, great, but if it's flawed phrases and thoughts, that's okay too.

...if I'm going to inspire someone, I'd rather inspire someone through who I really am than by the face I'm putting out and pretending to be.