Sometimes my life is an adventure.

Sometimes I listen to Andrea Bocelli & Swedish music in my car, and sing along. It makes me so happy and so in awe of such amazing talent. Bocelli is incredible. His songs take me dancing to beautiful villas in Italy, with lots of soft glowing lights, the crashing ocean, and red roses. Especially his song "Besame Mucho". I just wish I understood the words he was saying :) Someday I'll learn Swedish... and maybe Italian, haha.
This week has been so insane! Yesterday was the LDS dance up by the Naval Academy in Maryland. It was so fun! It was a great time dancing, meeting new people, talking, and just laughing. It was so fun to just let my hair loose and have fun before finals this week. Afterwards, however, was quite the adventure...
So my four great friends and I carpooled to the dance. The dance ended around 11:30, and afterwards we were kinda hungry! So we embarked to find the nearest Ihop. Despite my lovely GPS's directions, we just could not find it anywhere! So after searching for about 40 minutes, we decided to just head home. As we were headed home, we got this phone call from some fellow friends in the branch. Turns out their car tire had blown! They were stuck on the side of the road, and were calling for help - specifically, a jack to change their tire. So we headed out to help them. Finally we reached their car, and they tried changing the tire... in the pouring rain.. and the jack wouldn't work. Sad day! So we waited with them for a bit while they called a tow truck, and finally decided they were going to be safe and sound, if a bit wet, so we headed out again.
By then it was about 2 in the morning, and we had another problem - Rey and I had to go to the bathroom! The situation was getting desperate, sorry too much information haha, so we searched for anywhere that was open... and the only place that was open didn't have a bathroom. So we attempted to get back on the Interstate.... and my friend took the turn a bit too fast :/ We ended up zooming straight forward instead of turning onto the road, and promptly ran right over a street sign!
Luckily nobody was hurt, we were all okay and there weren't any injuries. But the car was pretty beat up, the whole front passenger side was pretty crushed. So, obviously, we were stuck. I felt so bad for my friend, it was completely an accident & those things happen, I just felt bad for her poor car :/ But we ended up having a few hours of serious bonding time, and it ended up being a bit fun - okay, maybe not fun, but we definitely made the best of it! We had some great  bonding moments, laughing over all the ridiculous events of the night, and just talking about some pretty crazy things... lots of secrets come out at 3 in the morning haha. My friend and I ended up having to trek barefoot across the freeway to an obliging forest for the call of nature, which was a crazy adventure by itself with the rain, mud, and apprehension of creepy crawly things in the dark, but we made it!
We all survived, and just ended up waiting an hour or so for her brother and sister to come pick us up. Finally they got there, and we packed into the warm, safe car to head back home. One of my most absolute favorite feelings in the world is sleeping in a warm car at night - it's weird I know, but it is just so cozy and feels so safe, ha. Anyways, we got back to Fredericksburg, and I finally drove the last stretch home. I ended up walking in the door and falling into bed at 5 in the morning...
Yeah, it was a crazy weekend. Life always throws the craziest things out, haha.
It was really fun though :) Definitely never boring!
I am just so grateful that we made it home safe, and that I have such good friends. Their great people!

Today was a beautiful sunny Sunday, church was awesome, and it's a gorgeous evening for a walk :) So the end, for now!



dock at the river (:





it's so peaceful!



Rockin' with Kenny (:

I can't remember when you weren't there
When I didn't care for anyone but you
I swear we've been through everything there is
Can't imagine anything we've missed
Can't imagine anything the two of us can't do

Through the years, you've never let me down
You turned my life around, the sweetest days I've found
I've found with you ... Through the years
I've never been afraid, I've loved the life we've made
And I'm so glad I've stayed, right here with you
Through the years

Through the Years - Kenny Rogers

This song is so cute! I think the lyrics are just the sweetest, and someday when I'm 65 I want to sing it to my beloved old husband haha.

I went to my first concert this weekend! It was, obviously, Kenny Rogers!!

Okay, okay, the average age of the audience was probably... about 65 hahaha. This concert was a year after his Golden Great 50 years album so... yeah haha. Not sure if it was the usual concert atmosphere (: But man, those old ladies were so excited to see Kenny! Hannah sat by this cute old lady decked out in her vintage hippie 60s fringed leather jacket. She was dancing and singing her heart out the entire time. Then when Kenny started singing his famous love song, she stood up, put both of her hands over her heart, and stood alone just completely enraptured for the song haha. She was having a great time! The other ladies were all dressed up in their lace and frilly clothes. It was so cute! And really, it was so fun. (:

I honestly don't listen to Kenny Rogers, if I listen to oldies it's definitely the Beatles or Frank Sinatra or more of the jazzy, big band sounds. But I grew up listening to some of his music, and the concert brought back so many road trip memories as a kid. I also got to go with my funny parents and my lovely sister, so it was a great time. Thanks Dad for the tickets! Got em' for my birthday, so huge thank you (: And thanks Kenny for the great concert! (Kenny was awesome. And I laugh whenever I say his name for some reason hahaha)
One concert I would love to go to, though, is Three Doors Down... that would be awesome!

Here are some pictures from my rockin' weekend (:
Oh, I forgot to mention, his voice sounded incredible. I mean, it was like listening to the cd. He's definitely still got that incredible talent, even with his age. That was awesome!

'the eyebrow'

We look so alike!! It's crazy!

Hannah's a cutie (:

Kenny's creeping behind us hahaha

This lady was SO excited! Just clapping and smiling the whole time!

Cute guitar

The man himself! Ow ow!



Kenny's totally rockin (;



Mmm, Crave after!





We're pink (:



Perfect Day (:

On this perfect day,
Nothing's standing in my way
On this perfect day,

Nothin' can go wrong
It's the perfect day,
Tomorrow's gonna come too soon
I could stay, forever as I am

-Hoku, Perfect Day

I love the Legally Blonde soundtrack during the summer! Greatest workout music - and overall sunglasses, sunshiney weather music - ever. That and Jack Johnson (:

This week has been pretty crazy.
Even though I'm diabetic, and am totally cool and chill about giving myself shots when I need to, going to the doctor for one still made me nervous. Haha. So I was all worried that this tetanus shot was going to hurt, and that it would be this giant needle. Well, it was a big needle, but the Doctor just gave it to me, and I was surprised! It didn't hurt at all! I've given myself shots that hurt way worse then that. I told the doctor that, and he said "Yeah, just wait". About that time my whole arm went numb... and has been sore ever since. I'm not sure if that's normal or not, but it's just really sore still.. and it's been 2 days later. Maybe my arm had a weird reaction to it. I'm not sure. But I'm not complaining or anything, I'm very grateful for vaccines and medicine and everything. It's just interesting how things that are really good for you can be really painful sometimes.

I got to help teach a Mormon 101 presentation at Germanna Community College this week! It was so cool. It was a former stake pres. giving the presentation, and a friend from the YSA branch and I hitched along to help answer questions, but mostly to have fellow college students who are actually LDS there. It made it more relateable to the students, and more relaxed I think. But it was so neat! It was a great experience, and we were able to talk about some really cool things. I should be used to it by now, but having spent about half of my life in Utah, it still throws me off how the church is just completely foreign to most people in the world. Things such as the Godhead, which is Heavenly Father,  His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, were really difficult for some people to understand. I absolutely loved talking to the people there though, they were awesome and we had some really great discussions.
There is one thing I wish I would have done different though - when I walked in, I was carrying my Book of Mormon. I wasn't sure if it was the right room or not, so I asked this guy if this was the Mormonism 101 presentation. He said yes, and immediately asked if I was a Mormon. I laughed and said yes, and we just started talking. Anyways, long story short, he saw my scriptures sitting on my lap, and asked "Is that a Book of Mormon?" I said "yes!" and immediately his eyes just sparked with interest, and I could tell he wanted to take a look really bad. I was going to offer it to him to look at, but I didn't. I don't know why, we just started talking about other things and then the professor walked in to introduce us Mormons to the class. Ha. But I just feel really bad, and now I promise myself if I ever see anyone interested in taking a look at my scriptures or curious about the gospel in any way, I'm definitely going to be open and take the initiative to share it with them.

This week I also got to meet the NCIS and they were really cool. We're doing some really cool drawings in my Drawing class, which are super messy and awesome. I'm just so excited for school to be out. When it is, I think I'm going to sleep for a week. Ha. I have some really big decisions coming up.. man. Life is never boring. And that is the end, for today :)

Here's the Drawing studio!

So were working with compressed charcoal. The process: Step 1. Make a giant puddle on the table. Step 2: Lay the paper on the giant puddle. Step 3: Put more water on the paper until it's totally soaked. Step 4: Draw with the compressed charcoal, which makes delightfully loose, expressive, intense strokes. Step 5: Hang it on the wall to dry.

And here's what happens to me when I work with compressed charcoal.. or do art in general. Haha.

I'll put up pictures of my drawings when I'm done with them!

A Note on Trust

I realize I blogged like two days ago, so I apologize if I'm being a bit overbearing this week. I usually don't write this much :) But recently in a conversation an interesting thing came up, and I felt maybe I should write about it.

So this person and I were talking, and this question came up: "How can I trust you?" I was caught off guard (it happens quite frequently with this person), so I stammered a bit, then said "because I do the things I say I'm going to do". That seemed to satisfy the person, and they just kept talking, but for some reason that question really struck me, and I kept thinking about it.

Obviously, trust is extremely important. Honestly, I believe it's vital to any meaningful relationship - whether parent and child, friend to friend, husband and wife, brother and sister, ect. Once it's broken it can be very difficult to repair, and takes alot of time. I don't think it's impossible to repair, but I think it is one of the most difficult to regain.

Trust has played a major factor in my life. To be honest, I have always been a bit afraid to trust others. I think some of this comes from experiences I've had as a child. Although I have an absolutely wonderful family, having my parents divorce brought on alot of trust issues. Your parents are kind of your rock as a child, atleast for me, and it was difficult and painful and confusing to have that be broken. Suddenly both parents had sometimes conflicting points of view. As a kid, I was just left hanging, wondering how on earth I would know which one is right. As I've grown up, I look back and understand, and I don't worry about that anymore. It's not my place to judge, and I love them. But from this experience I grew, because instead of choosing to place my trust completely in my parents or other people, I learned to put my trust in the Lord. This has impacted completely the person I am and my life, and I will be forever grateful I learned that - because that is the faith that will never lead me astray.

 However, because of these issues of trust, I have also always been wary on which friends and people I trust. I have always been very careful who I let close to me. Honestly, this is probably why I have yet to smooch a man, let alone 'getting serious' with anyone.
The last few years, but this one especially as I've reached adulthood & have major decisions coming up , I have consistently pondered - how can I know who to trust?

As a person, I know I am trustworthy. I mean, this is the girl who in high school, when a boy liked her and she liked the boy back, felt bad flirting with someone else. This is the girl who worked at a pizza shop, and whenever she accidentally forgot to ring up a customer for cheesy bread before they left, she would buy it for them. (I probably spent over $40 because of that over the two years, sadly, haha). This is the girl who emailed her professor the other day to tell him she probably shouldn't have put her name on the group worksheet, because she didn't read the book - it hadn't come in the mail yet - and thus didn't give a substantial share enough of work to earn credit, and let him know to grade fairly.

I'm not saying these things to say yay me, or to brag or anything like that. In so stretch of the imagination am I near being perfect or anything, and I absolutely do not want to brag - I have no claim whatsoever to judge myself better then anyone. I guess I just say this because integrity is a leading factor of my character. I try to be completely honest and true in what I know is right, even - and especially when - nobody else is looking, or would ever know.

When it comes to trusting others, I think it comes to things such as deeds, not words. If they are consistently true to what they say and believe. I think it's important to give people the benefit of doubt, because sometimes there are things happening you don't know about. I know sometimes trust is put into the wrong person, and feeling betrayed hurts. It has happened in my life. I think it happens to everyone at one time or another. As I've thought about it, though, I think it would hurt more in the end to know that you were the betrayer-er. If that makes any sense? I think that would be a truly awful, guilty, self loathing feeling. So I think that is why I do my best to be honest. I couldn't bear knowing I hurt someone's trust for me!

Okay, I have written so much, this is quite enough.

 I would just like to say on a last note, in the end, sometimes people you love most will break your trust. It will hurt, and you might wonder how you can ever trust anyone again. These moments are where it is most important, and the most healing, to remember the one true Friend you can always trust. Through every trial and moment in life, even when you feel completely alone, He is always there. I love my Savior, Jesus Christ, and I know He lives, and loves everyone, even when we break our promises to Him or don't appreciate Him. I know He is always there, waiting with loving arms and forgiveness, and with knowledge to give us on how to find true happiness, if we just come to Him, and trust in Him. That is the most important trust we can ever gain - to have faith in Him and what He did for us, what He can do for us, if we allow ourselves to place our trust and heart in Him. And I know if we do that, He will help us to remember the great love He has for everyone...
.. and He will help us to know who we can place our trust in, who we can give our heart and trust to.
and, this is a novel. It's a beautiful Sunday, and church is soon, so I'll finally stop rambling. the end, for now. Happy Sabbath :)

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

..

The happiest people I know are not those who find their golden ticket; they are those who, while in pursuit of worthy goals, discover and treasure the beauty and sweetness of the everyday moments

                    Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Man, that is so true! I have done so much pondering this week, and have spent alot of time on my knees. It's funny how times in my life when I'm trying to make big decisions, how much spending time alone just driving or spending time in nature helps me have peace. Yesterday I had an hour or so to spare and I just sat by the river, watching the sunset and thinking about what I want my life to be. It just brought so much peace to my heart. I know the Lord is looking out for me.. and I know I'm doing the best I can. I'll know what to do. I think I've always known my life was going to be an adventure. Nothing ever goes the way I think it will exactly, and I don't think it ever will.  It can be a very bumpy ride, that leaves my heart bruised and battered sometimes. Through that, however, I have learned and gained strength, and am becoming the person I want to be, slowly but surely. I am learning so much. It's never boring. And really, life is so good. I have so many incredible blessings, I am awed by what I am given every day.What a blessing my life is (:

Easter was okay, I missed the kids and Daddy and Mom. But I thought alot about the Atonement, and about the Savior, and that way it's always such a beautiful reminder. I've been feeling homemaker-y lately, and so I made coconut crepes. They weren't supposed to be coconut, but it turned out to be one of the most delicious mistakes of my life, so I feel fortunate. I also got to spend time with a handsome, admirable young man, who I haven't seen for quite a while. He made me laugh, and made me remember how much I'm going to miss him. However, I'm happy that he is so happy, and that he's doing such good things with his life. He's off on the Lord's errand, and is doing what he's supposed to be!

As for me, I now just need to figure out what I am supposed to do. That's exciting, but stressful. I'm just excited to know what will be happening, to finally make that decision. There's some pretty great things coming ahead, I know that for sure. It's an exciting journey.

alright, that is the end, for now :)

Easter treats (:

Writing letters :)

Best accidental recipe EVER. Seriously, instead of 2 tsp coconut oil, use 2 tsp coconut flavoring and 2 tsp canola oil. It's like a tropical vacation in your mouth! Yum!!

Just cookin (:

The beautiful coconut crepes!



This is the 2nd flag that was flown on Iwo Jima. It was a really awesome thing to see, even though it wasn't a significant part of the battle at all, just made incredibly famous from the photograph. I am doing a super goofy face in this picture, but it's the only one I have, so oh well







My Easter dinner... haha. yeah. I know your jealous (:

:)

Super embarassing moments this week!

So a few months ago I drew a picture of the Salt Lake temple in my sketchbook for my Drawing class, and underneath it wrote "the Salt Lake temple - where I'm going to be married!"

I guess my professor took this literally. Yesterday I had all these pictures laid out for my next project for inspiration, and most of them had to do with weddings. We're dealing with homophones, so bridal/bridle, dear/deer, flower/flour.. ya know. (I am most definitely not a wedding crazy man hunter). So my professor came over, and started laughing at my bridal/bridle comparison, and said he wondered what my fiance would think of that! Then he said it's understandable I did a wedding theme, because it's obviously on my mind alot. He kept talking about his thoughts on how I was getting married, ect. I was just thinking what the heck?? So I told him, oh, Professor, I'm not getting married. It took a few awkward minutes (for him and I) to explain, with a captive audience of the rest of the class, how I was not getting married, never have been engaged, and that it was a future dream, not a current happenstance.

Then... Okay, this one is super embarassing. So on my finger.. is a small wart. Gross. Totally, completely disgusting right?? I've been going to the Naval base medical building to get it frozen off every week for the past month and a half. And it's still not gone. Yuck! Anyways. So yesterday morning I called for my next appointment. The lady says "Could I please have your name?"

"Whitney Morris," I say.

"Oh.. is this for the wart removal?"

I am officially known on the Navy base as the girl with the runaway wart.

.

I'll just go cry in my far away, socially isolated corner of utter humiliation now...

Hahaha. Yeah. Totally gross.

Besides that, this week has been pretty great. One more week of school! :)

Got a date this weekend... My first concert coming up... Dance coming up... and...

SUMMER!! Windows down, swimsuits on, late starry nights, sunshiney days, nice tan, Legally Blonde/Jack Johnson season. I am beyond excited :)

Happy Easter!

Pretty sky :)

Tired of studying.. haha

Cool patterns

and some funny ones :)

Freaky Jacob

Isaac.. haha

Adam/Gorilla Man

Most heart wrenching face ever. haha

Mr. Adorable