background

Monday, December 31, 2012

Let's do this.

What. A. Year.
2012, Y U BE SO CRAY CRAY?
However, I am so grateful for it and all the many blessings it brought me!
Let's review, shall we?
  • I turned 19.
  • I quit my job in retail.
  • I got accepted into the Disney College Program as a full service restaurant hostess.
  • I went to my first Jazz game with DJ.
  • I got a waitress job.
  • My very good friend, Stuart, left on a mission for Lansing, Michigan.
  • I walked into a men's bathroom on accident.
  • I auditioned for an entertainment internship at Disney World.
  • I attended my first Color Festival (holy chalk).
  • Danielle successfully coordinated a 'Best Buddies Palooza' at the high school she works at.
  • I dyed Easter Eggs for the first time.
  • I learned I got accepted into the entertainment department at Walt Disney World.
  • Curbsy got his mission call to the New York New York, North Mission.
  • Brannigan turned ONE.
  • Curt and I celebrated our two year anniversary.
  • I went 4-wheeling for the first time.
  • I went to the midnight premiere of Batman. (nananananannananana)
  • Mr. C became Elder Boyfriend on July 25th when he entered the MTC in Provo, UT.
  • Daren organized the First Annual Bigfoot Awareness Run.
  • I quite my waitress job.
  • My Daddy entered his play, 'The Fork' in a contest... it won ps. NBD.
  • I went to Lagoon.
  • I helped MP with her yard sale to raise money for her humanitarian trip to India.
  • I saw Elder Boyfriend playing soccer outside the MTC. Eeek!
  • My Mama and I went on a 4-day road trip with the final destination being Orlando, Florida.
  • I started my entertainment internship with Disney.
  • Mama traveled to England to visit her parents.
  • Puppy.
  • I seriously cut my finger THREE TIMES trying to slice a mango. (#pathetic)
  • Daddy and Dano came to Florida to visit me for a few days.
  • Reader.
  • No more brown eyes for me! I got blue contacts.
  • Gum got stuck in my hair. Gum.
  • I came down with laryngitis and a sinus infection.
  • Fish.
  • I took a spur of the moment trip home over Thanksgiving.
  • My extension request was accepted, resulting in my internship ending in May rather than January.
  • I passed the class I took while here in Florida.
  • The New Fantasyland opened at Walt Disney World (I was a part of the opening. No big deal).
  • My Dad's play, "The First Christmas" had a very successful run at the Scera.
  • My dear friend, Erin, got engaged.
  • I survived my first Christmas away from home (To me, that is an accomplishment).
On December 31, 2011, I would have never, in ONE MILLION years have guessed that I would be blogging from my home in Orlando, Florida in exactly one year. I specifically remember being a grumpy gills on the way to the family party that night. I had no idea where 2012 was going to take me, all I could see was a college education that was never going to end and a boyfriend that was going to "leave me" in six months. I would have never guessed that I would have my dream job and that I would be as happy as I am 365 days later. I am beyond blessed to be doing what I'm doing and having the support that I do. Thank you friends and family for always cheering me on. Love you all, and may 2013 bring us even more happiness than 2012 (... wow. It's crazy to think things can get better than they are now, but I know they can, and WILL. Happy 2013, my friends! Let's do this).

Tomorrow



Friday, December 28, 2012

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Happy Christmas

I spent my Christmas with Belle in her library with her enchanted friends. It was lovely. I hope you all had a lovely Christmas as well.

Monday, December 24, 2012

T'was The Night Before Christmas

Tonight is the night before Christmas.
It's my first one away from home which is kind of sad, but I have amazing family and friends so they have made me feel at home even when I'm not actually there!
(Thank you, everyone, for the packages, cards, emails, etc. They have all meant so much to me.)
 
 On the bus on my home from work tonight, I looked at my phone and saw what song was playing and my background. I thought it was appropriate.
 
 
I'm a sap.
But that's okay, I'm allowed to be because it's Christmas.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Wherever you may be, I hope it is merry and bright.
Always,
Sasha Beth
xxx

Saturday, December 22, 2012

LDS Laughs

Found this on an LDS laughs page on Facebook or something like that. Made me giggle.

Friday, December 21, 2012

Elf Yourself

...I couldn't help it... I had to "Elf Yourself" my family...
Z'DANG MY FAMILY HAS SOME MOVES!
Here are some glorious screenshots from their jig:











Thursday, December 20, 2012

Sweet Tomato, Potato!

A few days ago, my roommates and I went to Sweet Tomato for a goodbye lunch for Abby.
She hasn't even been gone a week and I miss her already.
 
 
Gosh, I just love these girls!
 
 

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

562

You guys.

Today my countdown went from this:

 
To this: 
 
 
Due to the surplus of missionaries (due to the lowering of the missionary age), several missions are getting cut short by a few weeks. This happens to include the New York, New York North mission.
 
I feel like if I'm happy about it, I'll be selfish, but if I'm not happy, I'll be heartless. My solution? Be neutral (though that is a bit easier said than done).
 
Whatever happens, I am putting my trust in The Lord and His timing and that's all I can do.
 
...Just thought I'd let all y'all know. 

Monday, December 17, 2012

Just Dance

Did this today.
It was amazing.

Saturday, December 15, 2012

12/15/11

One year ago today, Elder Boyfriend and I went on a date to SLC where we ate at my favorite little bistro (...Applebee's-- don't judge. Have you tried their Oriental Chicken Salad. UH-MAZING), saw the lights at temple square, and then head back down to Utah County and saw the midnight showing of Pirates of the Caribbean. Basically, it was too much fun.
However.
Amidst all that, someone decided they should take the trax from Applebee's to temple square. And guess who took the wrong one.... THIS GIRL. So I made us get a little lost on the trax. Whoopsies! But I also made us take lots of pictures that basically look the same.
I found them on my computer today. Now, maybe I'm a little biased but I think we're pretty cute.
 
 











Thursday, December 13, 2012

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

The housemates of 2103 have a mini Christmas tree.
All the ornaments are Disney themed.
(Except for the super big angel at the top but hey, I think that's okay).














My personal favorite





Wednesday, December 12, 2012

12/12/12


Happy Anniversary my dear, sweet parents.
I love you so much and am so grateful for you lovely, folks!
I want my marriage to be exactly like yours.
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for providing me with such an incredible example.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Be nice to yourself.

I found this on tumblr and wanted to share. I under eat and over eat but someday hope to find the happy medium. While I am on my quest to do so, I like finding articles like this. Enjoy, and don't forget to be kind to your body today.


"1. Recognize that fat isn't a feeling.

There are always underlying emotions that we attach to feeling fat. When the “I feel fat” thoughts start up, try to identify what you’re feeling underneath the body dissatisfaction. Are you feeling lonely? Anxious? Invisible? Scared? Ashamed? Inadequate? Whatever the feelings are recognize that they are separate from your body.

2. Treat yourself as you would a friend.

Because it’s difficult to be kind to ourselves in the moment when the body hating thoughts take over, try responding to your thoughts as if you were supporting a friend. What would you say to someone you loved who was battling your same struggle with body image?

You wouldn’t tell them to not eat for the day in order to compensate for what they ate the previous night. You wouldn’t tell them to punish themselves for their body size through over-exercise, self-harm, or abusive eating habits. You wouldn’t tell them they were worthless or unloveable because of their weight. So why do you tell yourself these things? Break the cycle and start treating yourself like a friend—you deserve that kindness and love from everyone, especially yourself.

3. Recognize that you are so much more than the size of your body.

What you look like does not define you. It doesn’t discount your worth as a human being. You are so much more than a number on the scale. As a living, breathing, feeling human being you have inherent value. You are special and important and loved. You exist and therefore you matter.

Your appearance is such a small part of who you are, and it certainly doesn’t warrant enough power to discount the person you are inside. You aren’t your body or your weight—you are your goals and dreams and passions and values. You are your strengths and talents and insight. You are a soul and a spirit and a force of nature. Your body does not define you.

4. Shift your focus from the external to the internal.

Make a list of all the people you look up to and are inspired by—not because of their weight or appearance, but because of who they are and what they do. Write out all the qualities they have that make you appreciate and value them.

Use the list as a reminder that it’s the internal things—our dreams and passions and goals and morals and insight and character—that truly define who we are and draw people to us; not how we look.

You are no exception to this. Try making your own list of things you like about yourself that have nothing to do with appearance or body size. If you have a difficult time creating one, ask some friends and family to help you.

5. Think about what you want to be remembered for after you die.

I don’t want people to remember me for what I looked like, what size jeans I wore, or what I weighed. I want to be remembered for the person I am. I want to be remembered as someone who brought about positive change in the world. I want to be remembered as loving friend, partner, and family member. I want to be remembered for my passions and my creativity and my strength. I want to be remembered as someone who made a difference. What do you want your legacy to be? Chances are, it doesn’t have to do with weight.

6. Instead of focusing on the size of your body, start focusing on what your body allows you to do.

The human body is an incredible force. When we get caught up in the number on the scale and size of clothes however, we forget just how lucky we are to have a fully functioning vehicle to engage in life with. So stop hating your body for the way it looks and start acknowledging and appreciating your body for all that it allows you to do.

Make a list of each activity and feat your body helps you to partake in and accomplish. If you want to be even more specific, list out each body part and describe all the things you wouldn’t be able to do without it. Your body is strong, powerful, and beautiful, regardless of it’s size. Choose to treat it with love, compassion, and gratitude instead of hate and judgement.

7. Challenge your negative thoughts.

You may not be able to change the way you feel about your body today, tomorrow, or a month from now, but you can begin the process by challenging the thoughts in the moment. Write out a dialogue between your negative voice and a healthy voice. If you have a hard time coming up with positive counters to the negative thoughts, pretend that you are speaking positively about a friend or loved one.

Even if you don’t believe the things you say to counter the voice, it’s still important to speak out against it, because each time you argue with the thoughts, you are taking away some of their power and reclaiming your own. The more you challenge the thoughts, the less you will believe them. The more you argue back, the easier fighting the voice will become.

8. Allow yourself to feel your feelings.

There is a lot of built up energy and emotion underlying the way we feel about our bodies. Holding in how we feel or engaging in behaviors to numb out may make us feel better in the moment, but in the long run, it doesn’t remedy the pain we feel. It doesn’t make us feel better and it keeps us stuck.

Releasing the energy and painful emotions underlying our body shame requires us to feel our feelings. Whether that means throwing a tantrum on the floor, venting to a friend on the phone, punching a pillow, screaming in your car, or crying in bed, you need to allow yourself to feel your feelings. Let go of the judgement you have about what you feel and recognize that you are feeling these things for a reason. Give yourself permission to release your emotions and let everything out.

9. Do self care.

When you’re struggling with body image, distract yourself with healthy coping mechanisms. Take a bubble bath, get a message, ask for a back scratch, cuddle with a pet, make plans with a supportive friend, watch your favorite movie, get a manicure, listening to calming music, do deep breathing—whatever it is, make sure it’s something self-soothing and helps you get out of your head.

10. Be kind with yourself.

You may not be able to control the way you feel about your body, but you can control what you do in response to how you feel.

Instead of beating yourself up, you can choose to treat yourself with compassion. Instead of engaging in unhealthy and abusive behaviors, you can choose to do self-care. Instead of treating your body as an enemy, you can choose to treat it as a friend. Instead of isolating yourself, you can choose to reach out for support and surround yourself with positive people who make you feel loved and accepted. Instead of agreeing with the negative thoughts, you can choose to challenge them.

***You have more power than you think—don’t let the way you feel about your body keep you from living.

Coping with bad body image days may not be easy, but it is possible.

Don’t give up.

You aren’t alone.

Things can and will get better."

SOURCE: My name is Daniell, and I am the creator of the Internal Acceptance Movement (I. A.M.)

Monday, December 10, 2012

"Good at stuff"

It had been a little while since I heard from Elder Boyfriend but no worries, friends, no worries whatsoever. Today I got the best letter EVER, complete with hand-drawn pictures, funny stories, and gospel insights which were AWE-EE-SUM (<<<< how I remember to spell 'awesome' in my head).

Also in his letter was a list from 1998 with the title, "10 THINGS I WANT IN MY FUTURE WIFE" at the very top. Here is what was on his list:

  1. Pretty
  2. Love me
  3. Nice
  4. Share
  5. Cool
  6. Smart
  7. Good at stuff
  8. Good cook
  9. Play with me
  10. Princess

... I laughed. A lot.

In my  head (and I'm sure in real life), witty bitty El-duh BF is uh-doh-ruh-bull (adorable), just like he is now.

Sunday, December 9, 2012

The New Fantasyland

We're "BOVERED".


Hipster Gargoyle.


The Beast's chair.
The Knight and I are in love.
I got this limited edition shirt!
I feel so special.



"Princess Pose!"


We are his brunette silly girls.


Friends and I in front of the new experience with Belle in Fantasyland called,
"Enchanted Tales With Belle".
It's so magical.

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Ariel's Grotto

 
Got to visit my dear friend, Ariel at the New Fantasyland.
Isn't she beautiful!
She liked my pants.
We decided Prince Eric needs some flower pants too.

Friday, December 7, 2012

Graduation

Guess who graduated from Disney school yesterday? THIS GIRL. I took a fascinating course called, Marketing You, and in it I learned about interviews, resumes, and finding out about what makes me a necessity to the company and career of my dreams. Wowie! It was a pretty packed 12 weeks but Im so glad I did it! (And getting a certificate of completion and perfect attendance signed by Mickey Mouse himself isn't too shabby either).