shopping

So, this afternoon I went shopping with my galfriend, Ari. Let me tell you, I do not like shopping. In fact, I usually hate it...for several reasons:

1. It takes so freakin' long! I have a somewhat awkward body shape (i.e. long legs, short body, very petite, and flat chested). I swear, everything out there is made for all those curvy gals, not us twigs. So I end up going through the store, looking at shirts and such..."Oh, that looks cute...maybe I'll try that on." I do this over and over. Seventy-five to eighty percent of the time it looks better on hanger, and ninety to ninety-five percent of the time it looks better on the manequin. So frustrating. I try on 30+ articles of clothing, and 2 hours later I walk out of the store with one or two items...sometimes it's no items. Don't even get me started on pants...

2. I reminds me of how much money I don't have. I see a nice sweater and gasp when I look at the price tag. I'm pretty conservative when it comes to spending money, especially when it comes to getting something for myself. And I can't bring myself to spend money I don't have.

3. It also forces me into an environment where I have to look at (or walk past) items I don't need...some of which call out "Buy me! Buy me!" I look at the item...think that it might be useful or good to have. Or a article of clothing that's in "style" and I should get it so I look like I have some sense of fashion. So the increase in the temptation to buy something I don't need.

Ok, now that I've rambled on about how much I do not like shopping, I have to admit that this night's venture was pretty fun. Shopping with a friend helps. We went to Kohl's and I had on my list what I needed: a new wallet and a shirt (or two depending on the price).

I found the cheapest black wallet that perfectly suits my needs (again, conservative). What took so long was the shirts. I found several tops that I thought were cute. And of course, I had to try all of them on. Another reason I'm not so into shopping is because I don't have much of a sense for fashion. I mean, I try...but even in my dress I stay pretty conservative. I don't take many risks. Well, I have a harder time choosing shirts that have a little more flare to them because I don't know if they look good on me at all. That's where I was glad Ari had come with me. She helped me pick out a really cute top that I probably would have put back (even after I had tried it on and liked it). She is a pretty good critic.

At the end of the night we checked out: Ari with two shirts, and me with two shirts and a wallet. It was two hours later...Go figure :) However, it was a pleasant shopping trip...and I had fun hanging with Ari. She's a great buddy!!!

new year...new branch...new calling

As of the new year I started going to a singles branch (something I had been carefully avoiding for the past few years...I had been pretty successful at it, too). Before the end of the year it was announced that a singles branch was going to be created and that all singles between the ages of 18 and 30 would automatically have their records transferred. I decided to go with it. If that is where God wants me to be, then that is where I will go.

So I went the first Sunday in January...and it was so small! There were only about 1/3 of the people present out of all the records that are in the branch. To put it simply, our whole branch can fit in the Relief Society room. The first Sunday was really good though...and I had some feelings of hope about this new branch. That it would be a good experience for me and that it is something that I need in my life right now.

Well, by the second week I had been issued a calling. I was called to be secretary in the Relief Society Presidency of the branch. I was very surprised...I didn't think I would get called to be part of a presidency ever. But, alas, I have been. My first thought was: "Are you sure?" Then is was: "Why?" The answer: "Why not?" Although I am really nervous about this calling, I actually have a strong desire to do my best in it. And I feel that it will help me as well. A good friend said to me last night (referring to my calling), that it may be an opportunity to help my testimony to grow. I think she's right.

Now it's time to go forward in this new year with faith.

favorites of 2010

So here is a list of my "favorites" from 2009.

song: "Firework" by Katy Perry; "Fireflies" by Owl City; "Arise" by Flyleaf; "Sing Me a Love Song" by BarlowGirl

band: BarlowGirl and Flyleaf

color: still blue...I'm kind of liking a midnight blue and a sky blue

time of day: nap time

hobby: photography

car: mine, because it's still running (thank goodness)

nickname: "Brit-bee"

picture: the picture of lightning I took this year

day: Wednesdays and Sundays

movie: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I

animal: butterfly (I know, it's not technically an animal, but I still like it)

TV show: Law & Order: SVU...I also got really into Persons Unknown

class: no class

church calling: Primary teacher

sport: none with a ball, that's for sure

physical activity: walking because I still can't run

game: Crazy Rummy

scripture: John 14:27