Simple Happiness

I went through the hardest year of my life sophomore year, and it still affects me every day. I became a mother when my mom was in recovery, I had a lot of new opportunities, and school consumed my time. I wrote to my seminary teacher that the ONLY place I was truly happy was at the ocean in San Diego.

Well, that was setting me up for misery.

 My life shouldn’t be about comparing my happiness’s. Sure, I was extremely happy in the ocean, but I got that same happiness when I was outside watching the stars one night, or when I was playing basketball with friends after school.

I learned that I am not going to feel that extreme happiness all the time, (no one ever does) but here is a little trick: when you are in a place or experience that makes you happiest, let it fill you up. Absorb every last drop of happiness to take with you. Then, when that time is gone and you are looking back on “the times I was perfectly happy” don’t think, “I wish I could go back to that.” Think instead, “I’m thankful for that memory, and luckily I have stored up some of that happiness left.” 

Then, deep breath in, deep breath out.

Let the happiness recharge and suddenly it’s like you’re a new person.

Also, when something does make you happy, don’t move on, letting that moment quickly pass! Slow down, enjoy that time, and be grateful for those things that make you happy.

When I start feeling those sad emotions that used to be a constant feeling, I now have created a list in my head of what I can do to cheer myself up. Some things on that list include; taking a drive, going on a run, looking at the stars, going to my treehouse, lying in my hammock, sending someone a nice text, playing my favorite records (since old music is the best), playing the piano, listening to conference talks, playing with my siblings, watching an Audrey Hepburn movie etc. The possibilities for happiness are and always have been there.

None of my trials have gone away. My mom is still hurt. My friends are still struggling. I am still exhausted and school is still stressful. In fact, more trials had/have come! My grandpa's health was declining fast this summer. My friends are constantly fighting and creating drama. My great-grandma (whom is one of my biggest role models) could pass away any day. I have gone through a lot of heart-ache and heart break. I even got my first B(stupid Physics). 

But I smile. I smile because so far, I have made it through 100% of the hard days, even the seemingly impossible ones. I smile because I have the Lord on my side. I have warm bed, a loving family, and slippers. What else do I need?! I can be happy simply by being alive. I can smile simply because I just like smiling. To quote a wise elf, "smiling's my favorite!" 

I still have bad days. A lot of them. What teenage girl doesn't? But instead of just waiting to be happy again, I have learned enough about myself to make myself happy again. Trials will come, sad days will happen, and I may not always be my cheery self. But I'm trying. And I am grateful for Heavenly Father for never leaving me alone. 

It's been the best year of my life, with so much growth and happiness and learning curves. I loved 2014.

There is so much to be happy for.

-Hannah

What I Love About Mexico

A lot of people ask me why I go to Mexico so much. Here are just a few reasons why it is one of my favorite places on earth.

• Ordering chicken salad at a mexican restaurant. 
• Having the guitar guy serenade you in his awful singing voice.
• The whole table singing feliz navidad.(or some spanish song)
• Only getting fanta strawberry(it's better here).
• The yummy grilled onions with super spicy salsa.
• The shop ladies that try to sell you 1572647 bracelets.
• The spanish menus so you don't quite know what you're ordering.
• The super salty water that stings your eyes.
• The sand dunes to ride 4 wheelers on to get to the ocean.
• The random hummingbirds that come to the window.
• Everything always has a thin layer of sand on it.
• The smell of my grandparent's house.
• Sitting in the sun that isn't too hot.
• My hair getting curlier
• Building sand castles for the waves to knock down.
• Sandy Ritz Crackers.
• Never enough sunscreen.
• The sand dollar trails.
• Huge flocks of huge birds.
• Seeing the beach from my window
• Throwing a football around with my dad.
• Laying out front in the sun.
• The huge bonfires with smores.
• Stargazing on the roof.
• Not putting on makeup or doing my hair at all.
• The comfy couch that I have taken so many naps on.
• Church with 50 people.
• Not understanding a word anyone is saying.
• Not caring what anyone is saying ;)
• The white shells.
• That line of rocks that cut your feet before you get to the water.
• Taco nights and pancake mornings!
• Playing a thousand rounds of ping pong.
• The abandoned house across the street that haunts the neighborhood
• The pink casino that only has a front (literally nothing else has ever been built)
• Losing every card game. 
• Constant card games being played in the kitchen. 
• The little turtle bobbleheads.
• No cell phone service
• My dog chasing every bird on the beach
• The unmarked&unfinished everything
• The bead game in the office that frustrates the heck out of me but I play it anyways.
• The cute little crabs that are faster that you could imagine
• Nighttime movies before bed with a gigantic bowl of popcorn
• Lots of flip flops everywhere
• Life is simpler
• People are happier
• It's warm
• THE OCEAN

Life is better at the beach.

-Hannah

The Spirit of Christmas

I only have one more Christmas with my family. Wow how time flies! I remember many Christmas Eves sleeping in the same bed as Emily, setting our alarms to 6 am (even though we were awake by 5 anyways) and getting so excited to open all  the presents including Barbies, dolls, cds, and the iconic Christmas Mambas.

Today, I was just happy to be with my family. It wasn’t the most extravagant Christmas with presents overflowing from under the tree or Christmas PJs  or white snow on the ground (thank goodness). But I found just as much joy in seeing my little siblings and cousin’s faces light up, and smelling the yummy aroma of cinnamon rolls that Grandma spent all night making. It was simple, and I like it that way. There was nothing I asked Santa for, because I have everything I need. I have the best family In the world, a warm home, and a beach across the street(wonderful bonus of travelling a lot).

Simply getting into the Spirit of Christmas is satisfying enough. With the beautiful trees in the neighbor’s windows, the candy cane hot cocoa mornings with fuzzy socks and warm quilts, the cheery mood of everyone passing by, the children writing adorable Christmas Lists to the jolly man in red, the endless amount of cookies on the doorstep and cans of food being delivered to the less fortunate, and, of course, the pictures of Christ everywhere you I look it’s hard not to enjoy the holidays! Michael Buble’s Christmas Album on repeat, and the smells of gingerbread and pine needles proves that this is truly the most wonderful time of the year.

I love the generosity of the season, and how regardless of what religion you are, Christ’s birth is a story in our hearts and minds. I hope that I can have the spirit of Christmas with me every year, and I want to wish everyone a Feliz Navidad from Mexico!

My dad and I can't stay awake during a movie to save our lives. I think we've officially given up trying... Especially when it's the third Christmas Special in a row.

 

 

Merry Chrismtas!

-Hannah

Late Night Thoughts

I feel like most of my blog posts may be written in one of two times
1. avoiding homework
2. late nights when my mind is racing
(Or both)
Isn't that how every blogger is though?

Late nights call for my 5th cup of hot chocolate, which is actually my average amount every day. By the end of winter, hot cocoa runs through my veins.

My life lately has been bumpy and I hate to admit that I ever cry, but these past couple weeks I have cried in front of anyone, anytime. It's weird.

Pinterest quotes always make me feel better about being emotional though...

At the same time, I have had so much fun these past couple weeks! I've made a lot of new random friends and I've eaten a lot of oreos(which I'm going to regret as I lay out on the beach for the next two weeks).

God blessed me with a forgiving spirit and loving attitude for so many people, and I thank Him for that. I have learned what unconditional love is, and though I am far from loving everyone unconditionally, it's fun just to like people! (Plus, the temple square lights are beautiful and I love this statue.)

Ok, one more random thought. I found something that will boost self confidence and make girls feel absolutely invincible. RED LIPSTICK. Seriously, I have taken 2 selfies in my life, and they've never been posted anywhere. Buuuuutttt put on some red lipstick and suddenly I'm queen of the world right?

(Sorry, like I said, I'm an amateur at the selfie taking. Is there a class I could take or something? I'll probably have to get better than a beat up phone though.)

Anyways, blogging random things definitely isn't getting my essay written, pictures edited, scripture mastery memorized or my Physics homework finished (sigh). 

Until the next procrastination late night, xoxo
-Hannah

Am I Living?

My favorite section in the "For Strength of Youth is the "Going Forward with Faith" pages. I know my standards, I know right from wrong and what I am supposed to do every day. But what am I supposed to do with that knowledge?

Sometimes I feel like we are all taught the principles of the gospel over and over, but then we ask "now what?" This section of the pamphlet tells exactly what you need to do with those principles. It teaches you to express gratitude, constantly build your testimony of the scriptures, be humble and willing to listen, and above all for me, don't give up on yourself.

I have a busy schedule, staying involved in my school as much as I can be. Earlier this year I realized school was completely consuming my thoughts and time. That is not a bad thing, but I was missing something.

My scripture study and prayers were just part of the daily motions, and sometimes I considered them less important because I needed to finish my homework and reading my scriptures would take time out of studying. Going to mutual became a "have to" not a "want to." I still knew all the principles of the gospel, I was still living by those principles, but I wasn't focused on being the Lord's hand. I was focused entirely on school and getting my needs done before God's.

One day I was asked to give a devotional in seminary about a section on the For Strength of Youth. I flipped through the pages, but nothing seemed to capture my eye. Finally, that last section about taking action and going forward in faith caught my eye. It asks a question, "Am I living the way the Lord wants me to live?" Suddenly I realized, though I am doing great worldly things, the light of Christ was no longer seen in my eyes.

I decided then to start studying my scriptures for longer, and I began pondering on what I had read instead of just falling asleep as soon as the book closed. My prayers changed dramatically. Instead of asking my Heavenly Father to do this and this and this, I asked Him to, "help me find opportunities to be [His] hand." My attitude changed almost instantly. I was still very involved in my school, but I was able to recognize the Lord in every simple miracle, and the Holy Ghost became my best friend and constant companion.

I never had forgotten about the standards the gospel had for me. I hadn't started dressing immodestly or using vulgar language, but I had forgotten to live the way the Lord wants me to live. Now I have gained a testimony that the standards are there to teach us, and we must press forward with that wonderful knowledge we are given in that small but powerful pamphlet.

We may not being doing things "wrong" but ask yourself, "am I living the way the Lord wants me to live?" and you will find that there is always room for improvement and spiritual growth.

This testimony of the gospel has really changed my life, as you can tell. I have grown to love our church will all my heart. With all the trials our family has gone through in the past year, it has made it the hardest year of my entire life, but I can ALWAYS rely on the gospel to strengthen me. Christ really has carried me through everything. I look back on all that I have done, and at times when I said, "I can't do this anymore" I can actually see Christ stepping in and helping me prove myself wrong. Wow. What a powerful tool I have.

I am always going to try and do better, and I know I’ll have seemingly impossible days. But now that I have learned so much about who I am and where I am going, the future doesn’t scare me and the past is only something I am learning from. I live for today. The small moments that make up my life.

The gospel is true, and you can get through anything.

"God only gives us trials we can overcome."
-Hannah

Introductions

My name is Hannah.
You must understand that just because "Hannah Banana" is cute, doesn't mean I have a love for bananas.

I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

I am a junior at the best high school in the whole world. But I may be biased.

My hair can never decide between curly or straight. Natural beautiful hair is never an option.

Scarves are my "perfect accessory"

I'm fairly certain that ocean water runs through my veins.
^^^ that would explain my ocean-grey eye color.

What will make me fat in the future: chocolate milk, oreos and white chocolate m&ms (yes they exist)

I am a photographer. Always have been and always will be. (maybe even for some bigshot company that will send me cool places! That's the dream.)

On Thor'sdays I wear Westlake.

Born on the West Coast, dreams of the East Coast.

I'm taking way to long to write this.

I have the BEST family in the whole world.
I also have pretty rad friends.

I live life one day at a time. I think it's a mix of optimism and fear of the future.

I can quote Tarzan word for word. It's been my favorite movie since I was little.

I aspire every day to be like Audrey Hepburn.

Turn on Jack Johnson, Frank Sinatra or Michael Buble and I will sing for hours.

My car has a pina coloda air freshener. Not sure why it's important, but it really is to me.

I dance best in my kitchen and sing best in my shower.

Sunflowers and daisies cheer me up anytime. They are the happiest flowers.

My favorite smell is San Diego. It's a smell, I promise you.

Disney Channel movies are definitely still the best. (after Audrey Hepburn's movies)

I always have chapstick in my pocket and a hair tie on my wrist.

From months November-April I am most likely in front of a space heater trying to keep warm.

I love spontaneous perfect moments. I live for them.

I know that I am only given trials I can overcome. (future blog post foreshadow)

I just want to smile as much as I can. And I want others to smile too.

"Happiest people are the prettiest" -Audrey Hepburn

-Hannah