Dating Guidelines

Way too many dating conversations have led me to do this. How about we quit talking about dating and do more of it. So I would like to offer my guidelines. Make it a littler simpler and cut out some of the confusion.

When guys and girls interact, general intrigue forms sometimes. Either there is physical attraction, good conversation, or whatever that makes you want more. And that is where all the trouble begins. Where do you go from there? A Date!

• A date - means a guy is interested in getting to know a girl better.
• Holding handing - means the guy likes the girl.
• A kiss - means the guy and the girl are in a relationship.
• Dating - means a guy and a girl are getting to know each other better, holding hands, and kissing.

Doesn't that seem clear and easy? The guy is initiating and the girl is responding. We don't need long discussion of "WHAT ARE WE?" because actions have been defined. Of course, some hate that I am making people accountable for their actions, but it just is how things work. Some may achieve all these things in a single date, other will take 20, but intentions are known by defining the actions. So to help the guys out to know when to initiate, I will define the girl's responses.

• If she is giving of her time to interact with you, she will say yes to a date.
• If she is spending time with you, she wants you to hold her hand.
• If she is standing close to you, kiss her already!

So there you have it! As a girl, I give every guy who asks one date. I do it because I am either curious, too nice to say no, or I actually want to get to know him better.

KISS - Keep It Simple Stupid

Realize that getting hurt and rejected is part of the game. You don't want to date everyone and everyone doesn't want to date you. Then to keep everything in check, if you reach the point that you are no longer interested, break up and move on. If you are unsure about someone, go on some dates until you figure it out. If they are great except too young, too old, too short, or whatever "deal breaker" issue, leave it alone.

I think the only major thing missing now is communication. Don't be with your thoughts too much because you will do something stupid. I would say make sure both of you are on the same page. Don't ask them to write a novel, just a page! Align your actions and words.

The best part is I pretend like I have answers, but I don't. It just seems like we have made dating way too complicated and too extreme. We either have to find "the one" or no one. Really I would just like guys to ask girls out, go on dates where they get to know each other, and maybe something will happen.

July Summers

Where to begin the good times! So on July 1st I flew out to Utah for a week of the excellent adventures. My only real goal was to be in the sun as much as possible! So I got in Friday evening and I got to drive from the airport to Provo...the best feeling in the world was going 80 mph without the worry of a getting a ticket! Oh how I have longed to drive fast.

Saturday, we woke up early for donuts. Of course, I had stayed up until 3am talking to Lauren because I had to get all the updates. So unfortunately, we were unsuccessful at donuts, but found another place. Then I got to go swimming!!! The pure joy of water in the sun. It was a pretty hot day so it was so perfect and also had a bbq. After that, I went and got ready for the best firework show in America.

Stadium of Fire

It was even more magical than I could have dreamed of and there was just something so amazing about sitting in the BYU football stadium. I darn near cried twice! Celebrating independence and America is just so right with a jet fly over, sky divers, dancer, Brad Paisley, and FIREWORKS! It was amazing! It was one of those moments that I wish could have lasted forever because there was no where else in the world I would have rather been!

Sunday, I went to church with Lauren and Adrian in hopes that I would find true love. Didn't find love, but was spiritually fed. After church, I got to see Heidi and Jannifer, which was such a treat because they are awesome! We just chatted and enjoyed catching up. Then we had dinner at Dave's grandparents before we headed up to Idaho.

4th of July

Idaho knows how to celebrate! We started with the Rexburg parade and it is the best parade I have been to EVER. It ended with the Army National Guard and Fire Department getting into a water fight! Most intense water fight. Then we played outside on the bikes, went to a bbq, swam, and had tons of fireworks. Lots of illegal ones! Idaho knows how to party.

The next few days in Idaho were spent playing with Darin and Logan, biking, reading Hunger Games, seeing the Bodies exhibit, shopping, and eating! Oh, and every night ended with fireworks. I like that I had 5 nights of fireworks!

On Thursday, we drove back to Provo and got to see Landon and Shelley. We did all the essential things like dollar movie theater, nickelarcade, BYU chocolate milk, Cafe Rio, and the BYU Bookstore. I got to see Emily and Julie, which made me just want to go back to the Caribbean. It was just such a great trip to see friends and family. I have such amazing friends! I am especially grateful for Lauren who provide me a comfortable stay and even a place for my family and friends to gather! Adrian also helped me out with bedding!

Camelbak Hiking

On Saturday, I went on a hike. My first hike in Oregon. And my first hike with my Camelbak!

So of course we had to take a picture to document this important moment for me and my Camelbak! I really enjoyed the hike. It was a beautiful day with so much sun!! We went to this place called Punchbowl Falls, which might be familiar from a certain video.

I also loved that this random guy came up to me and asked about BYU because of my awesome BYU shirt! He had gone to BYU and was hiking with his scouts.
GO BYU!

Bedtime

Why is it that around 10:30pm I get really motivated? I want to do my finances, clean something and everything, start some laundry, watch another YouTube video, organize my closet, whatever! Then around midnight I realize I am going to regret my decision in the morning when I have to be up for work. It really isn't about being a night owl or a morning person. It is that I hate waking up tired especially when it is for work. Now if it were to play and have adventures......who needs sleep! As much as I like sleep, I wish it wasn't required. There is just so much to squeeze into the day and if I am required to work all day, then I just want to play all night! Or how about a summer break? Maybe my inner child is fighting these adult habits when it is suppose to be days of playing by the pool and having fun in the sun.

I did get a little 20 minute nap in during lunch so maybe tomorrow morning won't be too bad....

Happy Father's Day!

To the Best Dad in the World!

I am so blessed to have such an incredible Dad! He is so amazing. I love that he is such a hard worker and provides so well for our family. He is so smart and has spent countless hours with me and most of my siblings late into the night helping edit papers, figuring out math problems, and making sense of science questions. And the help has only increased from there, he helps make sense of life and the many choices and decisions, even figuring out health insurance and retirement investments.

This one time, when I was in high school chemistry, I had homework that I couldn't figure out! My dad sat there patiently teaching me and he even helped me with the challenge question. The part I loved best was when he sat there looking at the question and leaned his head back and said, "I remember doing this in college chemistry." I had learned how to do it THAT DAY and couldn't remember, but my dad who has been out of college for decades could remember! I was completely impressed!

My dad is also amazing because he helped me learn to love the Gospel from a young age. We would sit with our scriptures and read and mark them together. I wanted my scriptures to be colorful like his, but it has been such a sweet experience as I have studied those marked verses and found them to be answers to my prayers now! I also remember driving to school memorizing the Articles of Faith.

He also loves to laugh and make others laugh. A classic father-ism is when I would be mad he would say "Watch that smile!" You just couldn't stay mad. To the best dad in the world, I love you!

Saturdays

I love Saturdays. I live for Saturdays. They are the day I can sleep in, party with friends, and have adventures! But yesterday I woke up to rain.....lots and lots of it! I was so sad because Thursday and Friday had been so lovely. So these lovely yellow tulips were my little bit of sunshine to fight away the gloom and storm of what is suppose to be a summer Saturday!

Saturday evening, I helped my friend make this awesome quilt that will go to a foster kid. It is a program that Intel does to give back to the community. I hope one day a little boy gets to stay warm with this awesome motorcycle quilt!

Pinewood Derby

For FHE, we did a pinewood derby. I ended up being in charge of it so I thought it was only fitting to wear a scout uniform to make it more legit. It was fun, but people love to customize their cars.

The Short Bus