Fixing My Finances

So, this summer I'm writing an online course about financial managment. And I am making commitments to change: I will save 10% of all I earn (or more); I will keep track of ALL my spending (on a little note card in my wallet); I will complete a monthly record of my spending; I will track my spending and earning from month to month.

Financial freedom according to a book I read today is living on money earned besides your employment income. That means living off investments. Sounds nice to me. Also sounds veeeeeeeery distant.

Cousins!

Liz showing off her guitar hero skills.

Daniel-- so brown and cute!

Trevor and Darcy (I want to have babies just like Trevor!)

Jakie looking out over Disneyland.

Quick Trip to Logan April 30-May 1

On May 1st it snowed in Logan!!


Tulips and snow only happen in Utah.






Even though I only have pictures of the temple grounds, the real reason Leis and I went to Logan is to visit mission friends. We had lunch with Amber, Katie, and Natalie. I love that ALL of us are friends even though we didn't all serve with each other.

California..... California.... Here we come!

We took KaRynns car: me, Jackie, and Annelies were there for the ride!




Leis and I took some time to go the temple. I LOVE the LA Temple!



KaRynn and me outside the temple.



We went to see Wicked at the Pantages Theater.



Me powdering my nose in the powder room at the Pantages!

Great Roomies

I have always been blessed with awesome roommates and this year is no exception!! Annelies and I are up for year 2 as room-roommates. And this spring we've added Julianne Dana from Gilbert Arizona and Jenny Kellis from the great state of PA.

We all have different schedules, but we love it when we're all home. We're clean, happy, and friendly. Who could ask for anything more?!

(bottom picture left to right: Jenny, me, Julianne, and Annelies)

Discovering a Talent and a Treat

In 2006 while I was in South Africa, I discovered that I love to paint. Aurene Wilford gave me my first lessons. I had never felt so relaxed before. I loved the smell of the paints and the oil and the turpentine, and most of all I loved the feeling of active artistic expression. So last Christmas I asked for a oil paint set, and since then I've been working on a small painting. The surprising discovery is that I'm good! Not a Van Gogh, but I'm more pleased with my work than I ever thought I would be. Once this painting is done, I'll be sure to post a picture.

Today's surprise was an overpriced treat at the grocery store-- chocolate chai rice milk!! Such a sarah-pleasing combination I feel like they made it just for me!

A box of evil?

Well, ironically enough, today I opened Pandora.com radio and found a treasure! I'm not sure why the name, but it's my latest happy discovery. I typed in Jack Johnson as my favorite artist and got a relaxing beachy mix of everything from Jack to Nora to Dave Mathews to Bob Marley to Counting Crows to a bunch of cool artists I had never heard of before.

Serendipity: My Version

Serendipity-- the ability to make pleasant and unexpected discoveries entirely by chance

Sarahendipity-- my (often unexpected) discovery good, beauty, and blessings in my life

I don't believe in fate, so my version of serendipity is more about seeing what's already there--and recognizing that it comes from God. Example: the view from my living room and bedroom. My last apartment had a very nice view of Mt. Nebo and Utah Valley, which I loved. It was one of the things that I regretted leaving. When I signed the contract for my new apartment, I had only seen it at night--I had no idea what the windows held. But when we moved in, I couldn't believe it. A perfect view of Timanogos-my favorite mountain! I often eat meals or study on the balcony and give thanks for this relaxing view every single day.