20 Things I've Learned in 364 Days

Well, I'm a little slow on the draw. I had planned on writing a lovely, lengthy post BEFORE I moved from Flagstaff about the influence of living in the place but, sometimes, things like packing and birthdays and working and eating and sleeping prevent that from happening. So, here it is.

I lived in this beautiful place for exactly 364 days. Just in case you're worried that after 19 years of living I still don't know that a year is, in fact, 365 days and not 364, you can rest assured that I am aware of it. I say 364 because if I said 365, I would be lying. I moved into my first apartment on August 21, 2013, moved out on August 20, 2014 and oh, how I've learned what a short time {almost} a year truly is. I only wish that I could more clearly remember some of the little things! I understand if you stop reading here! This is more like a journal entry for me than a "blog post" but continue reading if you'd like. I promise there will be some good stuff!

THINGS I'VE LEARNED:

1. Don't be alarmed if you're the only white girl on the bus. 

2. Talk to strangers. Use good judgment, of course, but people are people and everyone likes to talk about themselves. So, ask questions and let them ask you questions. You never know who can bless your life in one short conversation. 

3. If you live in Flagstaff, carry an umbrella wherever you go. Never underestimate how quickly beautiful blue skies at 7am can turn into a sky full of rain clouds by noon. 

4. Try really hard not to crash your motorized scooter.

5. Write down AT LEAST one thing to be grateful for every single day. I guarantee that if you make it a daily habit, each day you'll find more and more. They don't even have to be big! Write down that you're grateful for socks if you're grateful for socks that day. Write down that you're grateful for toothpaste or for not tripping on your shoelace into a puddle or raspberries. Whatever it is, if you're grateful for it that day, write it down! 

6. Put away your phone and computer and every other electronic device and sit down to do just one thing without any distractions. 

7. Build forts, watch movies, make lip-sync videos, have nick-names and eat dinner with your roommates. For 3 of my most cherished friends: Tay, Captain and Pancho. 

8. Serve others on both your bad days and your good.  

9. Thank you notes are not dead. Write them.

10. Wherever you go, make so many friends. Thank you Claire, Kelli, Tessa, Moriah, Emma, Erika, Sydney Lou, Mackenzie Kay and Carly Jane. You'll be in my heart, always.

11. Being responsible is a virtue so spend your money wisely and do what you have said you would.

12. If you like something about someone, don't be afraid to tell them. Who in the world doesn't want a compliment??

13. Don't give wimpy hugs.

14. Do not be condescending. 

15. Patience is a virtue. When life gets goin', and you know exactly what you're doing, that's when it's easy to forget that there will be some things you must wait for. There will be standstills and weeks where you feel like you're going nowhere. Pray to Heavenly Father. If you are seeking good things, good things will come. 

16. Never forget to tell those who you miss, their importance to you and that you love them. {i.e.: Justin, Lucy and Aims}

17. Make sure your parents and siblings know that you love them.

18. Admit mistakes and make amends.

19. Ask Charles Allport before you ask Google. 

I first realized that this guy's intellectual capacities were greater than mine when I made the naive mistake of not taking any food on a hike to Humphrey's Peak!! Good night! What could I possibly have been thinking?! Thankfully, Charles is smarter than I and offered me The Clif Bar That Saved My Life. Without it, I may have just shriveled up and blown away in the 40 mph winds. Since that day, Charles has never ceased to amaze me with his sheer brilliance! If I was making an infomercial about how smart he was, I would say, "100% of your questions answered, guaranteed, with the mind of Charles Ivan Allport!" And you may say, "Okay, that's unrealistic." But even if he doesn't actually know the answer, he can come up with one so good that it might as well be! A few short days after The Clif Bar That Saved My Life day, Charles started taking lessons with the missionaries serving in the Flagstaff YSA 1st Ward. How grateful I am that I was able to be a part of that lesson, in particular, and later his baptism into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on October 19, 2013. He had a strong testimony before he even became a member but since then, I have been able to see his testimony grow to one that is easily noticed by everyone because of the example he sets. He always has an insight to share and puts things into perspective. Oh, and he makes the best red bell pepper curry ever, can sing the opening song to Disney's The Sword and the Stone, has, like, a bajillion comics and knows everything about them, two cats named Marvin and Elihu {probably the best cat names ever} and a lil' pup named Dante. *upward head nod* Moral of the story: if you live in Flagstaff-and even if you don't- get to know Sir Allport. You'll be a better person because of it.

20. Do not wear running capris on a hike to Humphrey's Peak. (12, 633 ft.) 

Knowing little about Flagstaff weather and the endeavor I was setting out to do, I wore what I thought was fitting for a night/morning hike to the highest peak in Arizona-running capris and a light jacket. No bueno. I began this hike with knowing one person in the group of five and ended it with four new friends. We started at 1am in hopes that we would make it to the top to see the beautiful sunrise and we did indeed make it to the top but, unfortunately, did not see the sunrise we were expecting. It was 21 degrees at the top and so foggy we could hardly see a thing! It was a disappointment to say the least but thanks to a mason jar, a pen, some paper  and some eternal perspective, two of these new friends of mine compared our experience to that of the journey of life. That although we may have our own plans for reaching goals and may be expecting certain results, our Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ, may have other plans in store. If we take time to ponder and enjoy the beauty at each moment, even the disappointments can be turned into positives. So, next time you think you want to hike to the highest peak in Arizona-or any peak for that matter- remember: wear longer pants than I did, stay positive, bring a blanket {just in case}, take lots of cool pictures and go get pancakes at IHOP afterwards because you deserve them, my friend!

PC: Sir Allport

And Flagstaff, thanks again.