"All I know is that you're so nice"

<----I got a hair cut today

I wish I could figure out things I don't understand.

Several times this week I've found myself in situations where I don't understand what's going on or why something just happened.

Sometimes I wish there was a pilot whose job it was to fly into the air toting a banner behind his plane that had answers for me. Just a little explanation for me during those times when I'm completely baffled by my situation.

Even better yet! How about he has a sidekick (not the phone, but the super hero assistant), and it's this sidekick's sole purpose to come up with a plan on how to handle these situations. The pilot's name would be Explanatory Man. His sidekick's name would be Little Buddie. Wait..I'll do you one better...

So, what if Explanatory Man and Little Buddie teamed up with a wizard named Froderick Moonstone who had the power to make the situation go exactly the way Little Buddie planned it to!?

So there I'd be with my super team. They'd make my life so much easier. There'd be hardly any confusion or awkward situations.

I find that my days lately are full of confusion, and I'm just trying to figure out what direction to go. I've been on this crazy roller coaster just about every day, and all the ups and downs are making me sick!! I'd prefer a little less instability, and maybe a generous helping of perspective. But all in all...

...I'm happy.

"You're the one who said you'd never leave."

I feel like I have a lot to talk about, and that maybe I just don't know where/how to start...
There are people that come into our lives that are just normal people. Every once in a while though a person or two will enter your life who is extraordinary.
In the past year I have been lucky enough to make friendships with a few of these people. Sometimes we never really know what kind of impact we've made on another person's life until they tell us. The smallest things can make such a difference in the lives of others.
I wonder what kind of affect I have on the lives around me.
I hope I'm the kind of friend that my friends need me to be. I hope that I can offer them something in their lives that no one else can. Is it selfish to want to be a great friend?
One of my friends that I've known since we were babies is coming home soon. He's been serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for the past two years. Before he left we didn't really talk. That's weird because when we were little we spent a lot of time together. I'm really excited for him to come home.
What are the rules of friendship?
I mean obviously there's the "do unto others..." rule.
I just kind of wonder if there's more to it.

"And those greens and those blues seem too perfect to be true."

Sometimes people make stupid decisions. I am one of those people...
and have...
on occasion, made a stupid decision.
With that said I'd like to say I am so grateful for forgiveness.
So anyway!
I really like smiles. I've decided that's my thing. Every person has a "type." At work today I was trying to figure out what mine was, but I came up with nothing. The guys I've dated have been so different from one another that it was difficult to find the link.
BUT
...it did come to me. That link? Smiles. I LOVE a guy with a gorgeous smile. That's what reels me in. You flash those pearly whites at me and I'm a goner!
A thought just came to me...
Another thing I really like: legs.
I don't know if this is Valerie, Certified Fitness Trainer talking or what, but I have to say I like a man with good gams. Soccer players tend to have the BEST legs. <-- That may not be based on fact whatsoever, but trust me...the next time you see David Beckham or Robbie Rogers, check out their calves....mmmmmm.
I hope you enjoyed this peek into what Valerie finds attractive in a man.
*side note: If you're a boy and you read this and start whitening your teeth or exercising your legs to get me to notice you, don't waste your time...I'm going on a mission ;)
**side note #2: I'm a little delusional.

"I try so hard not to show this side of me"

Hey hey hey!
What's goin on blogettes!?
So I'd like to use my blog as a platform to make a plea for help. If anyone that reads this knows a doctor that can give me a physical for my paperwork sooner than September 29th let me know please! Aside from that I've got some bloggin to do!
Heroes:
Not the television show, but real live ones. I have a few that I'd like to talk about today.
My heroes are regular everyday people. To the casual viewer there's nothing outstanding about any of these people, but to me they're amazing. From constant comfort and advice to being great examples of the person I'm trying to become these people inspire me on a daily basis. I learn so much from my heroes. Each one can be considered a powerhouse in their own respect. They've helped to inspire some of the best decisions I've ever made.
Who are the heroes in your lives?? Do they know it? Do you give them the recognition they deserve?
*side note* I was just called a sky scraper...
My challenge to those who read my blog is this:
Pick someone who is a hero in your life. Write them a song. It doesn't have to be good, but you do need to write them a song.
It'll be so cool! ;)

"Sing me something soft, sad and elegant."

I'd like to being today with an apology. Last week I ended my post with "XOXO Gossip Girl"
What I failed to realize is a couple months ago a dear friend of mine used that sign-off in a blog of her own. Please forgive me.
But I've got a lot of thoughts today so let's do this:
First of all I'd like to explain how grateful I am for families. My friend's family is in town this week from New York. They are wonderful. They came to church today even though they aren't Mormon, and one of them even spoke in Fast and Testimony Meeting. Why did they do this? Because they're a family, and they knew that this church is important for my friend.
My family has been super supportive lately. As you all know by now I am working on going on a mission. My family has been so fabulous in supporting that and helping me to accomplish it. I'm glad that I have a family that can encourage and enable me to go.
Moving right along...
I recently "broke up" with my significant other. For all of those who have been following our story I believe this is for the last time. We've been fighting what we know is right for a while. While I was dating this person it became increasingly difficult for me to focus on my mission. We were both filled with feelings that it wasn't right for us to date, but we both kept fighting these feelings. Well we finally decided to end it. (Fo'real this time.) The thing is...ever since we did this I've been filled with different feelings. Feelings of peace and happiness. I've been able to feel the spirit a lot better also. If it wasn't right I don't think I'd be feeling like this. Yes, it was very tough for us to come to this conclusion, but sometimes the right things are the hardest things.
Doing them is what makes them worth it.
NEXT!
Lately I've been feeling strange. My emotions have been a little wacky lately. I get really upset about little things, and I've been feeling super attached to unimportant matters. I think the reason behind this is it's the adversary playing on my emotions. He knows I want to do this great thing. He doesn't want me to do it. I've been feeling pulled and stretched and I'm trying to understand the greater purpose in the things I do. My bishop told me that before I left for my mission that things were going to get tough. I feel that this is only the beginning, but I'm grateful that I'm recognizing it now so I can better prepare myself for what's to come.
I've made a lot of new friends lately. This is weird for me because when I moved back from Utah I became very introverted and reclusive. I have to say that I like it. It fills me with so much happiness and reassurance. These people are great, and I know they want only the best for me.
One last thought to end the post:
I've been studying the Bible with my older sister lately. As she and I were studying last week I made a statement about faith that I'd like to share.
It goes: We don't serve the Lord to prove to Him that we have faith. We serve because when we have faith it's something we desire to do naturally.
Have a wonderful day my faithful readers!