Late Night Thinking

Melancholy were the sounds on a winter's night.

-Virginia Woolf

Melancholy.

It's one of my favorite words. Just the ring of it. Evokes images.

It's a favorite mood too. Is that weird? To enjoy being melancholy? Most likely, my Dear Little Blog, you are correct. It's not entirely normal.

But I think there's a difference between being depressed and sad, and being melancholy.

Sad: There's a sense of hurtfulness about it. Pain. Palpable pain.

On the other hand, a melancholic attitude is one of pensiveness. Pondering. It's a more productive attitude than sadness or depression. One of Dictionary.com's definition for this feeling- sober thoughtfulness. 

Why do I bring this up, you ask? Well DLB, I've broken out the mellow jazz and deep somber attitude, and I feel as if it should be a rainy day outside. The kind of day where you just want to sit on a window seat and stare out of the dripping pane. Bare trees of winter waving outside, stripped of all signs of life by the cold winds.

Melancholy.

What's that? Oh, no. No I'm fine, nothing to be worried about. As I said, I enjoy this feeling. And it won't last. My guess is that it'll be gone by tomorrow. But for tonight..

I'll savor the sensation.

Lists of Opportunity

A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.

-Winston Churchill

Oh Dear Little Blog, so much good is happening right now it's not even funny!

...seriously stop laughing.

Thank you.

As you might know, I'd been out of school for over a year at the start of this semester trying to accomplish some life goals in the way I thought I was supposed to. I was trying to live life according to my plan, my rules. While this a way one can certainly do that, much of the time, at least in my life, I've found that's not really the best way. I was trying to control things that were out of my control. Frustrating? ..What do you think..?  Well  then what is that best way, you might ask? Well DLB, I've found that it's usually finding out what the Man Upstairs has in mind for you, and then choosing His plan over your own, imperfect plan. Not that our's is bad. His is just better. At least, that's the conclusion I've come to for myself.

So with idea in mind, as well as the idea that I can always do good in whatever situation or place I find myself in, I came back to school. And let me tell you, the blessings and opportunities are just rolling in!

Shall I share a couple with you?

Yes?

Yes...

1. I made it into the Honors Program at UVU which was seriously the best decision I could have made as I came back to school. My classes are amazing, I have experienced so many new things through the program, and there's a possibility I might get some moolah to help with my schooling next semester. Good stuff? Check, check, and check.
2. Tomorrow I have an audition to try and get back into the UVU Chamber Choir, because a current member of the choir decided to go on his mission next semester (an awesome experience in and of itself). If I get in, I will have an opportunity not only to spend more time with some of my favorite people in the world, I also get to do one of my favorite things on a regular basis: sing. Plus, the Chamber Choir is taking a little trip at the end of next semester, one that I might have the chance to go on, to Ch..wait for it.......

China!!
3. The English and Honors programs are combining this summer for a Study Abroad trip to London, England. And I'm going. 'Nuff said.
4. What I might want to do for the rest of my life is slowly clearing itself up in my mind. It seems to get clearer each day.
5. My family and friends. Blessing. 'Nuff said.

These are just a few of the many. Exciting, huh? No worries, my DLB. I will try and keep you updated on these important subjects in my life. I know it's one of your favorite things to talk about.

The Extraordinary of Ordinary

"Come, all hands are needed."

-Mother Teresa

Hello from Rexburg! The cold, the wind, the Rexburgians, everything is here just as I expected. Been here less than 24 hours and already having a blast! So much so, that I almost didn't want to take the time to take care of my Dear Little Blog today. Shameful, right? Only been a couple days, and I'm already dreading writing this much? Whew, I am out of practice.

Thank goodness for Cecile.

Cecile story was so inspiring, I simply had to change my mind and share it with you. I mean this is a woman who has worked with the likes of Elizabeth Taylor and Gwen Stefani. Dang. I won't paraphrase it or tell you what exactly she did, because you can actually listen to her and the story is so much better from the person's own mouth. So watch the video! I mean this is a woman who has worked with the likes of Elizabeth Taylor and Gwen Stefani. Dang. Believe me, it is a story that will make you stop. It will make you wonder, "Have I done any good in the world today? Or... ever?"

I know, I know, you were expecting to hear more about the crazy happenings here in the Burg. And don't you worry DLB, you'll hear about them soon enough. But for today, just listen to Cecile. Take what she says to heart. Look for opportunities to share the love of Christ with those you come in contact with.

Be an ordinary person, seeking to do something extraordinary.

Taking a Breather

My Dear Little Blog, it's here! 

No more classes to rush to! Well.. at least for the rest of this week. Yes yes, it's the first of the beautiful stretch of days that occurs sporadically throughout the school year we humble students refer to as, "holiday breaks." And what I love so dearly about this particular one, is that there's absolutely NO reason (holiday-wise) to have it. None besides the fact that it is in fact, fall. But DLB, do you know what that means? Yours truly has now been back in school for an entire seven and a half weeks.
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Your stunned silence speaks worlds.

You did truly hear me say the words: seven and a half weeks? If this were a true or false quiz and you were asked the question, "Has Joey really completed an entire seven and a half weeks of school?" you would answer, "True!" and you would get an A+! Seven and a half weeks gone. Moving so slowly, yet in a blink.  And still roughly seven and a half weeks remains in the semester. But need we worry about that future at the moment? I insist, no.

The future I'm concerned with right now consists of a leisurely drive up the scenic I-15 through the mountains and valleys of Utah and Idaho to the quaint town of Rexburg. Awaiting me there is my dear sister and friend, along with a flag football game, a rodeo, and a corn maze, plus other untold adventures that lie hidden, ready to catch us unawares. Oh happy day! A day that could only be made better by my roommates and certain friends accompanying me on this trip. Alas....

They go to BYU...

Caption? Ya'll know what I'm trying to say.

Down time, I am on my way.

BREAKING NEWS- *New feature!* You can now follow my Dear Little Blog through email. Just use the box on the right side of the screen. Just an idea.

I'm all yours!

If you wish to be a writer; write!

-Epictetus

I have that Peaches and Herb song running through my head.

Reunited! And it feels so good.

I'm back in the blogging world. And here to stay! Though this time, you will have me all to yourself, my little blog. Facebook? Twill be deleted within a day. Twitter? Deleted in the next hour. Instagram? Hmmm.. okay you may have to share me with Instagram, just a little bit. But they're all about pictures over there. You on the other hand, will get all my words.

Why the sudden change of heart, you ask? Well. That will require multiple answers.

For about a month now I've been berating myself for not writing more. Granted, I am back in school now, so I do write quite a bit more than I have in the past year. But I need to do MORE. Most of my school assignments are structured. I need a place were I can explore more writing and just have fun with it. Do it just for the heck of it. Facebook and Twitter aren't writing mediums. You, little blog, are.

In addition, there has been a thought sitting in the back of my mind over the last week or so. That patient little thought just waited there till this weekend, during the General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, it ran up to the front and gave my cranium a little rap. "Joey, Joey, Joey," it said, "Listen up. You're relying too much on social media. You occasionally talk to people on those sites, but most of the time you just observe. You're not using it to communicate, you're using it to watch other people's lives." I gaped at this little thought for a few minutes before coming to the realization.

The thought was right.

Thus, I'm taking a step back. Deleting Facebook and Twitter so I can reacquaint myself with methods of communicating to my friends and other people in more than 140 characters. You dig?

 So get ready, my dear little blog. Cause I'm in this for the long haul.

I don't know exactly what you will be seeing on here. All I know is that one thing will be me.

A January Conversation

Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.

-Dr. Seuss

I sit.

Stare.

Sit and stare at the wall.

More specifically at the poster which now graces my wall, thanks to a little activity my Home Evening family did together at the beginning of this month. Of this new year. 2012. Wow.

A poster covered. Pictures. Words. Goals.

Can it really be almost be over? January? You seemed to linger with me, seemed to loath letting me go. Yet as I look back, there you stand on the horizon. Waving.

Goodbye.

A conversation I had earlier today comes to my mind. The dates seem to sneak up when we least expect them too. We both realized what today was. It was the 27th. The 27th. The 27th. It only gets worse with age, I'm told. The gradual acceleration. It must, I think. My childhood. How carefree and understated! No time restrictions, no deadlines, no punching in and out.

Slow.

Relished.

Bike adventures through unexplored neighborhoods. Twilight evenings that never seemed to end. Countless hours of imagination. Impregnable forts made of anything hands touched.

Though not always. Always that insistence in growing up. Responsibility. Impatience.

Okay...

The past. It's all in the past. Nothing can be changed. The future. There's so much in the future. Everything can be changed in the future.

What?

Now I stand here. Twenty-two. So much ahead of me. Can it be intimidating? Oh yes, you'd better believe I feel it! But let's start small, shall we?

Read, learn and apply the scriptures, modern and ancient, on a greater basis? I like it! Why not add, creating a greater personal relationship with my Heavenly Father in the process? Perfect!

Hmm.. on a roll here.. re-enrolling at Brigham Young University, the university you've wanted to graduate from since childhood would also pose as a great base for this year. Traveling. Eating right. Exercising. Living life a bit more to it's fullest.

Yes.

January, maybe I'm sad to see you go so quickly. Maybe I'm urging February on, that romantic idiot we love to hate. Singles I mean. Either way, you've taught me a few things. So as we stand staring back at each other, and I even catch a glimpse of my good friend 2011 behind you, regrets don't fill the air. A quote takes their place. An unknown voice whispering.

"It's all about making memories that last."

 And I turn.