I am a gong show.

Yup, it's true.
Saturday, August 27th.
I was supposed to be in Magrath ( Half an hour away) between 7 to 7:30 am. I thought setting four consecutive alarms, all within 15 minutes of each other was a great idea, in case I slept through one or two of them. Of course, I slept through all four. Should I have really expected anything different? Rolled out of bed at 6:50, panicked, threw a dress on and stumbled out the door (literally). I managed to hit every stop light on the way out of town, making my trip longer than anticipated. I also managed to tweeze my eyebrows, put makeup on and do my hair on the way there. Yes, while driving. Maybe this is why my license is a few demerits short of being suspended. Anyways, on topic. I made it to Magrath in time (first miracle of the day). Around 8:00 am I arrived in Cardston as I was scheduled to shoot a wedding at 10:00 am. I decided to drive around and location hunt while I was waiting around. I ended up driving 20 minutes out of town, towards the United States border. While driving, I spotted a gravel road that lead up a hill. Being a curious little girl, I decided to take a gander up there. Well worth it...well for a few minutes at least. I have never seen such a beautiful view. I found the perfect spot. Of course, something could only go wrong now. I looked at my phone to see that 10:00 am was slowly, but surely, creeping up on me. I decided to turn around to head back to the temple. Being the excellent driver I am, I managed to reverse into a ditch and high centre my little black car. I tried patiently for 5 minutes to get it out. Trying everything from reversing, forward, kicking dirt out from under the tires. It was useless. I had 20 minutes to get to the temple and no reception on my phone. Awesome. I decided to run back towards the highway in hopes of receiving some service. Praying just for one bar to appear. It took me a total of 10 minutes to run back. By the time I got to the highway I was perspiring enough to make a small pool, diminishing any effort I had previously put into my appearance. Still no service. There was nothing to do but cry. So that's what I did, sat on the side of the road and cried, contemplating what options I had. I could run back to my car, get my camera, run back to the highway and then run to the temple? I might make it there in an hour? Nope, bad idea. So my "survival instincts" kicked in and I stuck out my thumb. Yes, at that moment I officially became a hitch hiker. Car after car passed by as I tried waving, yelling, possibly cursing and running after them. No dice. Finally, an answer to prayer. A green honda passed me, slammed on their breaks and reversed towards the pathetic, desperate girl on the side of the road. Two little old ladies. They drove me back up to my car and decided to try and push me out. I knew they would have little to no impact on moving my car, but I let them try anyways. They decided it was best to drive me back to the temple and leave my sad little car. Yup, I got a ride with two strangers. It was truly an answer to prayer that these two ladies came my way instead of some psycho. I couldn't have been more grateful to the Lord for sending such helpful people my way.
I made it in time!
Now the best part is I couldn't quite remember where about's I had left my car. After photos, I jumped in a truck with all the groomsmen and we went to search for my sad, stuck vehicle. We found it! They hooked up some chains (that they just happened to have kickin' around) and pulled my car right out with one tug. I am forever grateful to them for getting on their hands and knees in their suits and not making one comment about my intelligence level, or lack thereof.
Something like this would only happen to me. However, besides these few series of unfortunate events, it was a great day. And hey, now I can say I have hitch hiked :)

So I went out with this guy last night...

Prepare for the longest post in this blogs history.

A few months ago I purchased this book. And guess where I found it? Generations book store of all places (aka the mormon book store for all you non-members out there). I just have to share my love for this book. Genius. This book is pure genius. I kid you not people. Every girl should own this book.

The first 20 pages consist of a list. Here are my favourite ones...

1. Love is Blind...at least the hormones are.

"The hormones are blind! Hormones don't care about the little details. They create the heart-thumping, mind-spinning, palm-sweating, rush of excitement a girl feels when some hottie gives her a little attention. Hormones help one overlook little details that seem insignificant, but can become absolutely huge as time passes"

2.) White Picket fences

" There is a dream many girls grow up with about life in a beautiful home behind a white picket fence. Inside are well-behaved kids who are thrilled when daddy comes home from work. Daddy holds some important job where he has great respect and earns a big pay check. On the weekends he is coaching little Johnny's baseball team or taking Suzie for her ballet classes. For some, that dream gets shattered when Daddy never quite evolves into the man mommy thought he would become. Turns out he would rather be a couch potato with his buddies, yelling at the kids to be quiet, if he acknowledges them at all. For others that dream hits a brick wall when Daddy leaves Mommy for the girl at the office.

Where did the dream go? Why did Prince Charming not become a King?

Life is not always easy. And if you don't start planning for it now, and making mature choices, it can make those trials seem insurmountable. With a strong partner, it is much easier not only to survive, but to thrive."

3.) Watch the Road...NOT THE DRIVER.

"Somewhere along the road to the house with the white picket fence there were likely signs. Some warn of immediate danger while others announce the destination if you continue on. Sadly, there are too many girls who won't look out the window. It is hard to accept that there are problems. Often they don't even see the problems because they are too busy looking over at the guy driving. 

"He is so good looking", "Everyone wants to be with him; I'm so lucky". All very sincere, heartfelt emotions, but so distracting that you forget to look out to see if it is even the road you want to be on. Before long the hills and curves are coming way too fast and all the girl wants is to get out of the car and call someone else for a ride."

4.) Boys and Men

"Being a real man is not about controlling the women in his life, drinking hard and all the other old stereotypes out there. A real man shoulders responsibility. He respects all women and sees them as equals- not to be "lorded over". There are too many boys today who take far too long to grow up. Yes, it is fun to ski, surf and do all the other recreational activities that are available, but those are things to enhance ones life, not determine it.

I encourage girls everywhere to hold guys to a higher standard. Except them to take responsibility for their actions now and find direction for the future. If your man will stand up and be a man you will be all the happier."

5.) Will he Change?

"NO HE WILL NOT CHANGE! At least not the way you expect him to. You cannot base a relationship on hope that you can make him someone else. There is a quote that reads " Women marry a man hoping he will change, Men marry a woman hoping she will not!" 

6.) Love and Lust

"You see him, your heart skips a beat, you're crazy about him, you'd do anything for him...is it love or is it lust? How can you tell? 

Lust is fun. It does not want to wait for anything, or anyone. It is here and now. It does not care about what important people in your life think. It is not concerned with work, school or other commitments. It is the definition of selfishness. 

Love is also fun. It is so much more than sex. There is room with love to care for everyone. If you are motivated by love you are not cutting others out in selfishness. If your relationship is based on love it is inclusive of friends, family and others. It looks to the future and is forgiving of the past. And true love will bring true and lasting happiness."

7.) The Look- That's tough to take.

" Your appearance is noticed. Looks do get boyfriends, jobs and free drinks. I am not saying that it is right, but it is true. Those looks may open a few more doors but without substance behind those eyes it will not last. Even the prettiest of faces will struggle to overcome life's challenges without a rational brain in the head and compassionate heart in the chest. Regardless of the body you have or the face you were given, nothing will make you more attractive than an honest smile on your lips and a sincere depth in your eyes."

STILL READING? Ok, now comes the best part of the book.

SNAPSHOTS.

First, I had to fill out a snapshot about myself. Some of the questions included, How important are the following things in a guy, what kinds of dates do you like, list in order the priorities in your life, how happy are you, how could you improve yourself etc, etc.

Now the VERY best part!

Every date I go on I fill out a date snapshot. I can't wait to get home from dates just so I can fill them out and analyze the situation. So boys, if I have ever been on a date with you, yes, your name is in this book. Lucky you right!? You can thank this book for helping me decide why we just weren't meant to be after all.

Here is how it goes

1. Who was the date with?

2. What did you do?

3. Who had the idea for the activity?

4. Who asked whom to go out?

5. Was the invitation to go out clear?

6. Did he tell you if you needed anything out of the ordinary?

8. What did he do to prepare for the date? -Wash or clean the car? Make special arrangements? Get dressed up or cleaned up?

9. What manners did he use?

10. How did you feel about going out with this guy before the date?

11. Was he on time?

12. Who paid?

13. What was the funniest moment you had?

14. What things did you talk about?

15. What did you like most about the date?

16. What did you like least?

17. Did he do anything to make you uncomfortable?

18. Were you at any point nervous, anxious or scared?

19. Were you comfortable with the level of intimacy?

20. Was he texting or talking to someone else?

21. Did you feel like he was interested in you and what you said?

22. Did he ask questions about you? 

23. How comfortable were you with the activity?

24. Overall, how well did he do at making you feel important?

25. Was it worth going?

26. What did he say that you liked best?

27. What did he say that you liked the least?

28. What are some other thoughts, comments or ideas that came out of the date?

One date I came home thinking, that was great! I didn't fall, we had fun, I came out of my shell and didn't act like my normal awkward self, he was funny, nice... 

Snapshot time. Filled it out. After each question I realized it was a total bomb of a date. I was watching the driver, not the road. So yes, I put my full trust in this book. It is so true that girls lower their standards for boys all the time. We think, he will change, I can change him. We can't. The reason boys get away with treating women so poorly is because we let them. In general, I believe girls don't hold themselves to a high enough standard. Hey, she may not be the tall, blonde, skinny, big chested super model he thought he deserved, but guess what, maybe you aren't the kind hearted, generous, caring man she had hoped for either. All in all, I think girls need to give themselves more credit. Girls shouldn't feel the need to keep a man around that treats her beneath himself just because she feels she will never find someone else. You will, and he will be worth the wait. 

Boys, I now hold you to much higher standards thanks to this little black book. Girls, you need one of these.

Love, me

Just Jen

All about me :)

I am obsessed with orange juice, taking photos, antiques, day-dreaming, country music, Tim Horton's strawberry banana smoothies (I probably buy one a day), blueberries, Mayday Parade, the lake, painting my nails, cowboy boots, band tees, home decor, coconut passion body butter, Pretty Little Liars, dresses ( just counted that I now own 47. You can never have too many right? ), pick up trucks, southern alberta, watermelon, owls, Adam Young, Harry Potter, music, The Hunger Games, rings, wedding magazines, old cameras, Stride peppermint gum, Jones soda, laying on my deck by myself at night, writing, Nashville, summer, day dreaming about places I want to go, buying head bands that I never wear, acoustic music, Caroline County and my back yard :)

Love, me

Never settle for anything less than butterflies.

Butterflies.

I want butterflies.

I want the real thing.

I want something and someone amazing...

who thinks I'm amazing.

Nothing less.

If not, then I can wait.

Nothing less than butterflies.

Faith.

If God brings you to it, he will bring you through it.

1-10?

"Some battles are worth fighting, but not many"


I have been trying a new approach to conflict in my life. When something unexpected or unfortunate happens in my life I have decided to rate the importance of it on a scale of 1-10. If it's not rated a 6 or over, I will let it go. I have to remind myself that most things that happen in life won't matter a few years from now, or even a few days from now. Why create un-neccessary tension and drama when there doesn't need to be. Why make something small and somewhat insignificant into something it doesn't need to be. This new approach has taught me so many things and saved me the drama. "Part of the happiness of life consists not in fighting battles, but in avoiding them"

Everything your heart desires.

"Live each day to the fullest, do not stop to wonder why.
Do everything your heart desires.
In dreams, reach for the sky.
Surprises at every stop sign, with its share of wrong turns and dead ends.
Statistics don't help you with the future, they only tell you where you've been.
With so many among us, there are no certainties.
All it takes is just one person to reroute history.
Don't waste one single moment, how very precious they are.
what seems a long way off, is really not that far"