52 Things My Dad Taught Me in 52 Minutes

I am pretty sure he thought we were just talking. It is Thursday night after all. We have let too many Thursdays pass. Don’t let your Thursdays pass.

1. He taught me about about humility because none of what follows came out as bragging, boasting, or overly confident.

2. I learned the importance of kind words. I learned it through his kind words.

3. I heard respect in his voice, with the way he spoke to me, and through the way he spoke of others.

4. Service, “When you share with others you are blessed with things to share.” It was a motto while I was growing up but more than that it is a way of life for that man.

5. The importance of hard work. It just makes you feel better when you are doing something. Yes, it might be silly to do something just to cross something off your list. And maybe T, you just aren’t one of those task oriented folks that lives to accomplish the next task but enjoy the feeling of accomplishment.

6. Eat healthy. (You feel better when you do.)

7. Ambiance, your surroundings affect you mood.

8. What is the use of going out to eat with people you care about, if you can’t carry on a conversation in the noise restaurant?

9. If you don’t like where you are move.

10. On the other hand, if you do like where you are and things are going great, why change?

11. Moving isn’t always progression.

12. Family. (They are seriously the most important.) With story after story, I heard about the important people in his life who are the important people in my life. The examples and role models he spoke about are my grandparents, great grandparents, siblings, step-siblings, uncles, aunts, my mom, and my step-mom. Seriously, how can I be so blessed with great people in my life?

13. Return to your roots.

14. Follow the legacy of you those who came before you.

15. Record their stories.

16. Share their stories.

17. Care about their stories.

18. They are more a part of your life and who you are than you could ever know.

19. It is okay to miss them.

20. Talk about them.

21. Gather memories.

22. Reach out to the family you can.

23. T, you are lucky to have came from such a rich heritage.

24. The importance of timing.

25. Everything happens for a reason. You might think it is fate or coincidence but really you are where you are right now for some reason. What are you going to do about it? Why are you there?

26. Something that one person might be going through might be a big deal to that person, just because it isn’t a big deal for you.

27. Don’t judge.

28. Your  problems are smaller than they seem right now.

29. Take time to enjoy the good moments.

30. Reach out.

31. You might be smart, competent, and capable but that doesn’t mean you always should.

32. Follow your dreams, and share your dreams.

33. Sometimes the thing you are most worried about not being able to accomplish is the thing that is holding you back for a reason.

34. Figure out what things mean.

35. Protect the people you love.

36. Be prepared.

37. To truly care about someone you ask about that someone, learn the important little details of their life and then ask about that.

38. Garden.

39. Full filling civic duties will lead to a full life.

40. Find the value in the individual.

44. Find hobbies that make you happy, and keep up on them.

45. History is important. Learn about it. Engage yourself in it.

46. Inspire others to serve.

47. Look to the future. Plan thing out in the future. Look forward.

48. Friendship is key. Make sure they know they important roll they are in your life.

49. Laugh.

50. Cry, when it is needed.

51. Tell people you love them.

52. Show them, you love them.

Like I said, I am pretty sure he thought we were just talking. It is Thursday night after all. We have let too many Thursdays pass. Don’t let your Thursdays pass.

8 years ago….

I loaded up two suit cases. I went to the airport. I met up with a group of people and boarded a plane to China. My family cried when they said goodbye. I am sure I did too. I had really never left, a junior college 40 minutes from my house is nothing in comparison to Asia. I was headed off with three roommates from college. One of whom had convinced me in the first place, to go to the interview. The children’s faces in the photos convinced me this was a great idea.

I remember L.A. We held on to our bags like nervous traveling Americans. We found our gate. Our layover was long. Our head teacher took some motion sickness pills, knowing the long flight that was a head. We left our bags with the sleepy version of him. We were antsy and wandered. McDonald’s was the meal I chose as my last meal in the United State, I am a fool. I sat down with two of the new people, I was headed out with. I remember her pink hoodie and question whether they were dating; they seemed like they knew each other well. I learn they too, had just met. The hilarious ginger, had made the right food choice with a large plate of Mexican food in front of him. ( Actually,  as I am typing this I question everything I believe and have believed in the past eight years, HELLO WORLD!!!  A large plate of Mexican food right before a 15 hour flight to China? How could I ever have thought that was a good idea?)  Sure, we never ate Mexican food in China, minus the chicken tacos we made in from the box my mom sent, but still I just can fathom eating that before take off.

Anyways, nothing will match the feeling of that day. I was excited, nervous, and happy. No matter what I’ll never be who I was before I left for China again. I’ll never be that confidant, innocent, wide eyed girl headed out to see the world. China changed me. And I am glad I it did, I am glad I let it. Forever more I would be that confidant, innocent wide eye girl who hungers to see the world.

Seriously, this is only in here because it was our trip from the airport to or new apartments. Check out some of the differing faces, I think they express some of the differing emotions in this moment.

This just because. We were a team. (Negative one team mate but still a team.) A team who loved taking photos and a team who didn’t mind wearing track suits with restricting elastic on the ankle and wrist cuffs, as long as it was for unity of our team.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QW6Nk6Dpu6g

Families that Play, Together Stay Together!

#gbnf Families that Play, Together Stay Together!

How Our Mustache Party Turned Out

I don’t even know this guy but I love his mustache. Follow this link to my sisters blog to see how the party turned out. http://www.krystaldey.com/2012/12/mustache-party-mmp2012.html

Nature’s Astonishing Power

I got told that I am:

“A supportive and nurturing friend, open to sharing ideas and collaborating with others instinctive, wise and full of inherent knowledge determined to succeed in your goals able to handle the toughest situations with grace.”

Friends and Family:

“You’re a solid and steady rock, who’s supportive of friends and family. This is a great quality, but you’re also mindful that there is strength in vulnerability.”

In Nature:

“You recognize nature’s astonishing power, but that’s the reason you like to challenge it. You get a thrill out of conquering things, like climbing to the top of a mountain.”
    

..uh thank you for a truly accurate description of myself, shampoo website. That was odd. Anyways, on to the story in the photos.

Once upon a time, there was this girl who didn’t know what to do with her life and she was scared. She had kind and wise dad. This girl also had a step mother, don’t all fairy tales include one? Well this fairy tale does. Was she a wicked step mother, no. She was a soft spoken, sweet, adventurous step mother. (A step-mother who wrote a darling blog about her daring adventures.)

Anyways the daughter, was in one of those dark places in life. The kind that only stepping into the darkness with faith could bring her closer to the light. She was unable to recognize this. Her parents could though, they also say she needed some adventure.

This brave beauty lived for adventure but had somehow forgotten the rush she  gained from accomplishing things. She had in the past created a list of goals and spoke of them frequently. One of the goals was so close yet so far way. It was right out her door. Her goal was simple, to climb to the top of the nearest peak, to climb Mt. Musinia.

Her parents told her that the fifth day in September would be the day she would climb the peak and they would go to. Together they stepped out for the adventure that would change their lives forever.

During the hike the wise father stated that this hike was similar to the young woman’s life. The comparison was made in the fact that things were difficult and most likely going to get more difficult before it got better but then when she was just about to give up there would be hope and the grand feeling of accomplishment. Through nature’s astonishing power she felt the connection between his words, the adventure, and her life. He was right. Don’t give up. HOPE.

Cinnamon Rolls, Cooking with Grandma Eunice

As a young girl there was always talk of the most delicious cinnamon rolls ever. Yet, never did I eat them. I had my moms and they were so good. She taught me how to make them. (I think she used the same recipe Grandma Terresa’s who would have taught my grandma Eunice. Still Grandma’s cinnamon rolls were always label legendarily the best, even by my mom.) I grew and thought that these cinnamon rolls would forever be something I only heard about and never tasted. But low, one summery day I successful tricked Grandma Eunice into teaching me how to make them. She was so kind to teach me by making them with me. This turned into being one of my most favorite days ever! I enjoyed so much her sharing her talent with me. We talked, like old friends while cooking them. We weeded like crazy landscapers, mainly Grandma, as the dough raised. She filled the entire back of a pick up. She is such a hard worker. We cleaned the green bedroom, that will make sense to those who have visited her. But I think Grandma will agree that one of the best parts of the evening would have been when Grandpa walked into the house and found out what we were up to. Oh the smile on his face! I have only seen him smile that big a handful of times. (One of which was after he startled me in the hallway of our hotel in Lofland. Different story, maybe some other time.) Anyways, I don’t know who was happiest about what we accomplished that day him, my dad, or me; it probably will never be determined. One of the best parts is I got most of it on film. Please join me for the first ever episode of Cooking with Grandma Eunice. And please stay tuned for the next recipe I trick out of her.

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

The best thing about the UVU / BYU game was:

We were so glad we went.

A Day with Jen

My Friend Jen’s dad came into town and she ask me to go with her to Salt Lake City to pick him up from the airport. She hasn’t seen him in nearly a year, so she was excited. We spent the day together and we made a few random video clips that day to remember the day.One where I asked Jen if she needed a funny man: Jen Needs a Funny Man and a really sweet one of her waiting for her dad:I don’t want to miss the big moment (I did miss it though.) We picked him up at the Salt Lake International Airport. The entire time I was jones’n’ to buy a ticket to anywhere and take off. I kept joking about it. Jen said she’d have joined me had it not been for the fact her dad was coming into town. We watched people and waited.We asked”Where you going?” as I wished it was me.

Her dad arrived and he took us to a fancy dinner on the town. My long time favorite, Little America Coffee House. I stuffed my face. And we took the tram to Temple Square and went to The Church of Jesus Christ of -Latter day Saints art history Museum. It was super cool and I had never been. I learned several things.  I thought I’d share them here with a few of our photos.

Here is one of our only picture that has one of us in it. Here I am conference talkin' at the podium. 

Sister Clark addressing the Conference Center.

One of my favorite things is all printed languages of the Book of Mormon. I know this picture is low quality but this is so impressive to me, the amounts of languages this book is printed in. Knowledge is power. The amount of translation that goes on in order for each to know for himself (or herself) about this book. Impressive.

A Painting of President Hinckely.

These are gifts that people all over the world gave President Hinckely. (I have that matryoshka doll set, hence the picture of such random things.)

Temple Square

Wishing lanterns…

Just like in Tangled.

After 4 attempts…FINALLY! We got one of these wishing lanterns to fly. Attempt #1 – Lantern tumbled in the wind (must be calm night). Attempt #2. Flew 50 feet dropped and got stuck in the sagebrush (be patient). Attempt #3 – Lantern tore as LaRea was trying to open it while it was on fire (again patience). Attempt #4 and many lessons learned – see video –

My family seriously is too much fun and I love them.

72 Hour Dream

So this is my first video blog. I am not sure how I like it. We’ll see. I am not going to tell you all about it. I’d rather you just watch. I might have miss lead you because I didn’t have a dream for 72 hours. It just felt like it.

So that’s that. Make your own.