A "squeeze my eyes shut" Day:

You know when everything is going right? 

Happiness.
Love.
Laughter.
Health.
Accomplishments.
Friends.
Family.
Hope.
Then all the sudden...

CRUSH. DASH. DESTROY. TERMINATE. RIP. TEAR. DEMOLISH. GONE.


Ya. That happened yesterday.
Bad news- My Preference date can't go anymore! I'm not allowed to return the dress. I got sick and missed part of madrigal because I was hacking up a lung in the bathroom. I got tons of homework. Etc.
So, my happiness rapidly died for a while.
Today my day was pretty crappy. Teary-eyed and tired and disappointed I walked to all my classes quite angrily and it's no wonder no one wanted to talk to me.

Then I went to seminary... Oh, the joy of the gospel.
A wonderful girl named Gabi gave a thought. Here it is:

The Fellowship of The Unashamed

I am a part of the fellowship of the Unashamed. I have the Holy Spirit
Power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has
been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won't look back, let up, slow
down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense,
and my future is secure. I am finished and done with low living, sight
walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame visions,
mundane talking, chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or
popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised,
regarded, or rewarded. I now live by presence, learn by faith, love by
patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.

My pace is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven, my road is narrow, my
way is rough, my companions few, my Guide is reliable, my mission is clear.
I cannot be bought, compromised, deterred, lured away, turned back, diluted,
or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the
presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the
pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of
mediocrity.

I won't give up, back up, let up, or shut up until I've preached up, prayed
up, paid up, stored up, and stayed up for the cause of Christ. I am a
disciple of Jesus Christ. I must go until He returns, give until I drop,
preach until all know, and work until He comes.

And when He comes to get His own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My
colors will be clear for "I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the
power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.." (Romans 1:16)

By Dr. Bob Moorehead

Isn't amazing how applicable that was to my crap attitude? God must have whispered in Gabi's ear I needed to hear that. So I felt a little guilty. But I was inspired. I remembered my philosophy about how it's my choice to be happy. So. I shut my eyes, closed them REAL tight, said a quick prayer, cried a bit, then chose to be happier. I will not let down. I will give till I drop. I will be a disciple of Christ. And I will CHOOSE for myself how to live. I will not let Satan discourage me. I will NOT.

So, once again The Spirit gave me a little slap in the face and made me remember: I have a choice.

And guess what?

It works.

It always does.

  

Shhh!

So....

I have two secrets.

But you can't tell ANYONE.

First, I am winning the Christmas Tree game.
Explanation: Devin and I have pictures of us when we were little kids as ornaments, and each year we have a battle to hide the others ornament and put ours in the VERY FRONT OF THE TREE WHERE EVERYONE CAN SEE. I think Devin has forgotten our challenge--he hasn't even noticed I am winning! Woot!
Aren't I adorable?

Second-
I AM DYING OF EXCITEMENT.
So...I went to this fabulous store called Dear Lizzie's yesterday. And...I bought this mouth-dropping flowy beautiful dress for Preference. Well...my mom bought it. And it's beautiful and I just want to put it on and dance and sing and laugh with pearls and curls and good smelly stuff. But, there's a catch. It's for Christmas. So I have to WAIT.
I'm not very good at waiting.
And I'm supposed to suppress the memory and forget all about it.
BUT I CAN'T.
I'm REALLY REALLY REALLY excited.
So I had to vent somehow.

Just....

Don't tell anyone. Alright?

Hear Ye! Hear Ye!

'Ello there! Me name is Winifred an' I 'ave been participatin' in this wonderful show put on by King Connor and Lady Samantha! Its called Ol' Madgrigal Feast! Each night I's a playin my recorder for quarters--you see, I'm a beggar.

This feast is put on each year and the King so kindly les us join him in 'is court for some shinys in light o' Christmas spirit! We's a doin' six whole shows! Aroun' the hour o' seven till nine o' clock. It really's so much joy and merriment. Firstly the King makes all the latecomers act like animals!

All us beggars gets to sit in front and watch the Half-Act Players an' there performance.

The King also has a shapely leg contest for all male guests! (Me 'usband Uther tried once but 'is legs aren't really that shaply) I loves the shapely leg contest. We also sings a 'Appy Occasion to all those folks with anniversaries and birthdays and happy occasions to celebrate! Such fun.

 I 'ave to admit though... me favorite part is when the King explains all the rules. He tells the one about the salt--and he lets me go kiss Sir Dylan on the cheek for some salt! I gets to do it each night. Shhh! I just a laughin' and havin' so much fun.

Then's after we serve soup an' dinner an' dessert; the King asks us to put on a concert for the folks who come from alls over to our kingdom. We all sing many Christmas songs and feel the spirit of Christmas. We's all havin' mighty good singin' voices too I think.

I is definitely the best beggar the King asks to come. I is doing tricks and singin' songs and talkin' to all the folks. Givin' kisses on cheeks for coins and playin' my recorder. I been too poor for lessons but I take requests and I play nice melodies for people. They especially like my song from the shire I think. Its been most popular these past two days of me doing to the castle.

Anyways; is you 'avent 'ad the chance to come and see yet- you are missin out you are! COME! There really is such merriement all round.

Maybe I'd even give you a kiss on the cheek if yous a givin' me a quarter. (But no throwing them at me like me brothers!) We'll see. ;)

A Merry Merry Christmas to ya!

All I Want For Christmas

Have I talked about my little sister Asia yet? Well, I should. Because she is adorable.
Example:
(I have her for Christmas exchange)

Shelby: "Hey Asia, What do you want for Christmas this year?"
Asia: "Well, we could have a sleepover?"


Exactly.

We are buddies.

Can't wait for our Christmas sleepover (Don't worry! I'll get her another present too)

Can't wait for Christmas...



It's The Holiday Season #2: Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving has been such a memorable one. Remember in my post about friends how I talked about my best friend from Malaysia, Minami Funakoshi, coming to visit me? Well, it happened! She came! She has been here all week spending time with me. So along with the mashed potatoes, turkey, rolls, stuffing, ham, and pumpkin pie; I have been grateful for her and the happiness she has brought to my home and family this holiday.

Day 1: Sunday

I picked Minami up from the airport and could hardly recognize her! It has been nine years since we last saw each other. The car ride was spent looking at old pictures and trinkets and catching up. We got home around 2:30am and crashed.

Day 2: Monday
I skip school to spend the day with my friend. This day was difficult for me. I REALLY wanted to make sure Minami had fun and she did something cool and unique to Utah. But I was having difficulties: the lights aren't up yet, too cold for hiking, not enough snow for sledding/skiing/snowboarding/snow fun, too cold for the canyon or the lake, etc. I eventually decided to take her to Temple Square anyway. Two lovely sister missionaries gave us a quick tour and it was a great experience for me. I was a lot of fun and very interesting to talk to Minami about the gospel. A lot of things I was comfortable and confident to talk about, but it opened my eyes to how unprepared I would be as a missionary! We had a great time.

I also took her to the Capitol building. She loved the view.

After that I showed her MY favorite thing to do in Salt Lake City: Decades.

Then that night she came to my play: The Music Man. I was slightly.....EXTREMELY embarressed; but, she insisted. I am still hopeful that she enjoyed that as well.

Day 3: Tuesday:
Minami actually went to hang out with her friend at BYU so I was by myself today. But I had an eventful day. Closing Night! Last Day of School! Passed my Psych test! Success.

Day 4: Wednesday:
Today I worked my last shift at the dreadful Taco Time (I quit on Monday after a fit of hysterics) HALELUJAH! At night we had a gingerbread party. There was definitely a lot of love in the air. Merriment. Happiness. Joy. Laughter. Peace. What else are the holidays about?

                                           Notice: Curry and Gingerbread house-- Awesome.

(Hannah's "gingerbread house"; creative?)

Day 4: Thursday:
Happy Thanksgiving! It was Minami's first Thanksgiving dinner ever.

We made about 200 rolls for the occasion and enjoyed spending time with my boisterous Frampton family.

We also went repelling up the snowy canyon and that night we slept under the Christmas Tree.

                                                          
                                                         Minami's FIRST snow angel!

Day 5: Friday:
Unfortunately, in Asia the driving age is 18- So Minami doesn't have her liscense. I took her driving for the first time and we decorated the Christmas Tree. A yearly tradition I was happy she could participate in. Perfect word: cozy.

Day 6: Saturday:

I had to say goodbye today. But I had the best Thanksgiving break ever spending time with her. It's hard to put into words what it is like to see someone you used to be very close to and havent seen for almost a decade. Memories flooded back and we discussed funny elementary school times and our childhood feelings and concerns. They seem silly now; but still such a part of us. I hope we can always keep in touch.

SO FUN

Minami's "1sts"

-Utah

-Canyon

-Snow angel

-Record player

-Player piano

-Driving experience

-Sleeping under the christmas tree

-Thanksgiving dinner

-Gingerbread House

-Missionaries

A Very Memorable Thanksgiving.

Thanks Minami!

On a Whim...

You know when you sometimes do something so incredibly spontaneous you don't really know why or how you did it, you just...did? Well, that is exactly my thoughts when I tried out for the school musical in September. I wasn't planning on it...in any sense. I just showed up after school, sang, made call backs, and got a part! Spent hours after school for two months planning and practicing, taking work off, buying character shoes, making friends, having good times, having bad times. All because I walked into a room and sang a song one day. It was definitely an interesting experience. A very good one too.

Our last performance was Tuesday night and if you didn't get to come see it, that's too bad. I think I did my best yet!

The Music Man!

"and I expect a new rocking chair"

 (I believe this picture was taken on the word "chair"....not so attractive, but hey! my part was so small this is the only picture of me...tough luck) 

 The beautiful Caroline Grace and I

 The Cast

The Cast

Pick-a-little ladies

I can say I learned a couple things:

1) I don't like chickens

2) I never want to sing the word CHEEP again

3) Friends are the best

4) If you want to get money, swindle people, sell band instruments: you will find the love of your life and live happily with no consequences.

THE END

WARNING! WARNING!

NOTE: HUGE BLIZZARD APPROACHING STOP WORST UTAH HAS SEEN IN SEVEN YEARS STOP 3-5 INCHES OF SNOW STOP STAY INSIDE YOUR HOMES STOP ONLY LEAVE IN EMERGENCIES STOP ALL EXTRA ACTIVITIES AND WORK SHOULD BE CANCELED STOP FEAR FOR YOUR LIVES STOP

So, after this warning, I get real excited. A storm is a brewin'! I equip myself with two pairs of pajama pants, two shirts, a sweatshirt, socks, boots, five blankets, a pillow, hot chocolate, and rations for the night. Hannah and I set up in her playroom, ready to endure the storm all night as we play video games and hear the house crash around us from the hazardly winds and snow. Our beds are made to withstand any winds! WE WILL SURVIVE!

And look at that, we did. Turns out the "blizzard" was a couple of dust specks flying around and a chilly breeze. I woke up to 1 cm of snow and a bright sunny day.

Dissapointment.