I don't even like country music, but I love, love, love Elenowen. I can't stop listening to this song.
Monday, March 11, 2013
Thursday, March 7, 2013
what a month.
Since I have received my LDS mission call to Houston, Texas I have never had more struggles, trials, emotional breakdowns and just fear about everything in general.
And because of these trials I now realize, more than ever before, that this church is true.
If it wasn't, there wouldn't be so many things trying to stop me from going to share it.
If it wasn't, there wouldn't be so many things trying to stop me from going to share it.
I know that god lives, and that he will help each of us in times of need. He's there.
Watch this .
Love you all,
Joce
Friday, January 4, 2013
Friday, October 5, 2012
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
I didn't mean to get all spiritual on you, it just happened!
If my blog were a tamagotchi, it would have starved to death a long time ago. I can't believe that it has been so long since I have blogged. My dearest apologies, dear blog friends. I have been meaning to blog for a long time but I haven't been in the mood or had time until today.
I consider myself a very analytical person. I watch people, I listen closely. I eavesdrop on the couple sitting in the booth behind me when it is obvious they are on a first date, I read people's tattoos and ponder the meaning behind them, I dissect body language, and over-analyze punctuation in text messages. This often gets me in trouble with my own thoughts, but there are the rare and special moments when I witness something so personal and amazing that it makes for an almost cinematic moment that most people wouldn't notice.
Like today for instance, I think I fractured my foot backpacking, so I was slowly hobbling across campus to get to my class on time. As I walked, I saw this young man in a motorized wheel chair coming toward me on the paved walkway, he looked as though he had muscular dystrophy or some sort of paralysis. I looked down at my phone to change the song, and when I looked back up to smile at him as we crossed paths, I realized that he had disappeared from my view. I kept walking and as I came around a pillar I saw that he had pulled his wheelchair up to the glass that overlooks the swimming pool in the HYPER building.
He was as close to the glass as he could get, with his head slung to one side of his wheelchair's headrest, he sat and watched as the tan, fit, athletes dove beautifully into the water, swimming easily with each stride. I wondered if this was a ritual, if he watched the swim team regularly or if he just happened to be passing by. Either way, whatever the case, it was a stark comparison. This boy in the wheelchair, with shriveled muscles, trapped in a body that doesn't work even half as well as it was meant to. I slowed my pace as I watched the boy, he lifted his head from his headrest, and barely able to support his head he looked down into the blue chlorinated water that gave these athletes a hobby, a way of life, a reason to push their bodies to limits. Limits that this boy had possibly never experienced.
Their lungs breathing deep- in and out of the water, strong shoulders pushing the weight of the water away from their bodies, propelling them further across the chlorinated surface. Now keep in mind that I don't know this young man, I dont know anything about his condition, how long he has been in a wheelchair, his name, or even what color his eyes are.. but I do know that today he touched me in one of these strangely cinematic ways that I referenced earlier.
He made me grateful for my body, despite the fact that my foot was throbbing and I was limping across campus, I have a body, a body that works well and a body that is healthy. Not only did this boy make me grateful for my body, but he strengthened my testimony of the resurrection. Most of the people that read this blog know that I am member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, a Mormon. And with my religion at my side, I strongly believe that when we die, our spirits leave our earthly bodies and will be reunited with a perfect body. Those who struggle in this life with a disability, a mental deficiency, an imperfect body, or whatever else may be their struggle, will have the chance to walk, run, swim, think, LIVE with a new and beautiful body in the most prime and perfect form that a body and a mind can be in. I know that this is true and I cannot wait to meet the sweet spirit that is inside each mentally and physically impaired person that I know. They will have a clear mind, and a perfect body, and that is a beautiful thing.
This is a life sized sculpture my grandma showed me in St. George, Utah a few years ago. It is gorgeous, it perfectly depicts my testimony on this subject. It is called "Come Unto Me" and it is by Jerry Anderson.
I rarely share my testimony on the interwebzz and I don't know why I started tonight. The interesting thing about blogging is that I never end up blogging about the same thing I start with, my mind just goes off about a random topic and I end up creating something totally different from what I wanted. I think it is a good thing, it gives my brain a chance to just ramble and form ideas and opinions. My blog is such a good outlet. It's good to be back.
Thanks for reading!
I consider myself a very analytical person. I watch people, I listen closely. I eavesdrop on the couple sitting in the booth behind me when it is obvious they are on a first date, I read people's tattoos and ponder the meaning behind them, I dissect body language, and over-analyze punctuation in text messages. This often gets me in trouble with my own thoughts, but there are the rare and special moments when I witness something so personal and amazing that it makes for an almost cinematic moment that most people wouldn't notice.
Like today for instance, I think I fractured my foot backpacking, so I was slowly hobbling across campus to get to my class on time. As I walked, I saw this young man in a motorized wheel chair coming toward me on the paved walkway, he looked as though he had muscular dystrophy or some sort of paralysis. I looked down at my phone to change the song, and when I looked back up to smile at him as we crossed paths, I realized that he had disappeared from my view. I kept walking and as I came around a pillar I saw that he had pulled his wheelchair up to the glass that overlooks the swimming pool in the HYPER building.
He was as close to the glass as he could get, with his head slung to one side of his wheelchair's headrest, he sat and watched as the tan, fit, athletes dove beautifully into the water, swimming easily with each stride. I wondered if this was a ritual, if he watched the swim team regularly or if he just happened to be passing by. Either way, whatever the case, it was a stark comparison. This boy in the wheelchair, with shriveled muscles, trapped in a body that doesn't work even half as well as it was meant to. I slowed my pace as I watched the boy, he lifted his head from his headrest, and barely able to support his head he looked down into the blue chlorinated water that gave these athletes a hobby, a way of life, a reason to push their bodies to limits. Limits that this boy had possibly never experienced.
Their lungs breathing deep- in and out of the water, strong shoulders pushing the weight of the water away from their bodies, propelling them further across the chlorinated surface. Now keep in mind that I don't know this young man, I dont know anything about his condition, how long he has been in a wheelchair, his name, or even what color his eyes are.. but I do know that today he touched me in one of these strangely cinematic ways that I referenced earlier.
He made me grateful for my body, despite the fact that my foot was throbbing and I was limping across campus, I have a body, a body that works well and a body that is healthy. Not only did this boy make me grateful for my body, but he strengthened my testimony of the resurrection. Most of the people that read this blog know that I am member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, a Mormon. And with my religion at my side, I strongly believe that when we die, our spirits leave our earthly bodies and will be reunited with a perfect body. Those who struggle in this life with a disability, a mental deficiency, an imperfect body, or whatever else may be their struggle, will have the chance to walk, run, swim, think, LIVE with a new and beautiful body in the most prime and perfect form that a body and a mind can be in. I know that this is true and I cannot wait to meet the sweet spirit that is inside each mentally and physically impaired person that I know. They will have a clear mind, and a perfect body, and that is a beautiful thing.
I rarely share my testimony on the interwebzz and I don't know why I started tonight. The interesting thing about blogging is that I never end up blogging about the same thing I start with, my mind just goes off about a random topic and I end up creating something totally different from what I wanted. I think it is a good thing, it gives my brain a chance to just ramble and form ideas and opinions. My blog is such a good outlet. It's good to be back.
Thanks for reading!
Monday, May 7, 2012
6. six. YEARS. yrs. Birthday. WOOT.
So today marks Pieces of Jocelyn's 6th birthday. YES. I said 6th. How weird is that? I feel like I have to make this post epic, witty, moving, unique and fun. But all I really want to do is eat a Key Lime Cupcake. The Pieces of Jocelyn (me) will have a private little birthday bash later tonight when I am not trapped in my bland, boring cubicle. I need to feel inspired to write, it is not something that can be forced. But there have been a few things that have been on my mind lately...
-----------------------------------------------------------------
1. I have decided to begin more activities and hobbies this summer here are a few of them:
2. SKOOLS OUT FOR SUMMA- I cannot even tell you how amazing it feels to not have to worry about anything but wedding showers and work. It is amazing. I cannot believe that I survived another semester. Next semester I am going to clock how many hours I spend in the Library because this semester was ridiculous. This is my instagram collage of ALL my library pictures. If you didn't know where to find me, you came to the Library.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. I hate breaking hearts. It is not in my genetic makeup to be rude. I am just a little passive spirit in a skinny little body, I hate break-ups. I really do believe that it is one of the most selfish thing that we, as young adults, do. We pick and choose who is good enough for us and leave the remnants of fun memories, inside jokes and that stupid 4 letter word just sitting behind waiting to be re-claimed or picked up by someone else . It is sad, but my future husband and I (wherever he is...) will one day thank one another for all the break-ups we had to endure to find our perfect half.
And Lastly... a letter on love which has some mighty fine advice. I found this utterly adorable and have been meaning to blog about it for some time now. Enjoy :)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Back in 1958, John Steinbeck, author of East of Eden, The Grapes of Wrath, and Of Mice and Men, got a letter from his teenage son Thom, in which Thom confessed that he had fallen desperately in love with a girl named Susan at his boarding school.
Steinbeck wrote this wise and wonderful letter back to him the same day...
New York
November 10, 1958
Dear Thom:
We had your letter this morning. I will answer it from my point of view and of course Elaine will from hers.
First -- if you are in love -- that's a good thing -- that's about the best thing that can happen to anyone. Don't let anyone make it small or light to you.
Second -- There are several kinds of love. One is a selfish, mean, grasping, egotistical thing which uses love for self-importance. This is the ugly and crippling kind. The other is an outpouring of everything good in you -- of kindness and consideration and respect -- not only the social respect of manners but the greater respect which is recognition of another person as unique and valuable. The first kind can make you sick and small and weak but the second can release in you strength, and courage and goodness and even wisdom you didn't know you had.
You say this is not puppy love. If you feel so deeply -- of course it isn't puppy love.
But I don't think you were asking me what you feel. You know better than anyone. What you wanted me to help you with is what to do about it -- and that I can tell you.
Glory in it for one thing and be very glad and grateful for it.
The object of love is the best and most beautiful. Try to live up to it.
If you love someone -- there is no possible harm in saying so -- only you must remember that some people are very shy and sometimes the saying must take that shyness into consideration.
Girls have a way of knowing or feeling what you feel, but they usually like to hear it also.
It sometimes happens that what you feel is not returned for one reason or another -- but that does not make your feeling less valuable and good.
Lastly, I know your feeling because I have it and I'm glad you have it.
We will be glad to meet Susan. She will be very welcome. But Elaine will make all such arrangements because that is her province and she will be very glad to. She knows about love too and maybe she can give you more help than I can.
And don't worry about losing. If it is right, it happens -- The main thing is not to hurry. Nothing good gets away.
Love,
Father
Thank you all for your amazing support over the last 6 years I hope that there are many more to come. I love you all. I'm curious as to which of your posts have been your favorites over the years.. I will post a few of my favorites, just for kicks!
Dating--
"Honey, Dating is Like a Rubix Cube"
Heartbreak--
The Quiet World
Time-Out
Funny--
Shkool
Whoever said a cat has 9 lives has never had a tabby
Random--
Ninteen,Ten things and da arts-
The One Way Street
-----------------------------------------------------------------
1. I have decided to begin more activities and hobbies this summer here are a few of them:
- Rock Climbing (* Harness and shoes - $110)
- Extreme Hamocking
- Learn to play the Harmonica
- Slacklining (*Slack-line -$70ish)
- Biking (* Road bike- $500ish?
- Rollerblading
- Volunteer at a Nursing Home
- Get back into journal writing
- BE A BETTER WAKEBOARDER
- Get a rad tan
- Save money (^^^^ how is this going to be possible)
- Become an ambi-texter (as it stands I can only text with my right thumb and it takes forever and my hand cramps)
- Stop biting my nails (Colby threatened to take me to the University and force me to look at my finger nails under a microscope to see how gross they are. He said, "if that doesn't stop you from putting your fingers in your mouth then NOTHING will." I decided to go willingly so I think we are going to make an adventure out of it.
- Throw an epic party
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. I hate breaking hearts. It is not in my genetic makeup to be rude. I am just a little passive spirit in a skinny little body, I hate break-ups. I really do believe that it is one of the most selfish thing that we, as young adults, do. We pick and choose who is good enough for us and leave the remnants of fun memories, inside jokes and that stupid 4 letter word just sitting behind waiting to be re-claimed or picked up by someone else . It is sad, but my future husband and I (wherever he is...) will one day thank one another for all the break-ups we had to endure to find our perfect half.
And Lastly... a letter on love which has some mighty fine advice. I found this utterly adorable and have been meaning to blog about it for some time now. Enjoy :)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Back in 1958, John Steinbeck, author of East of Eden, The Grapes of Wrath, and Of Mice and Men, got a letter from his teenage son Thom, in which Thom confessed that he had fallen desperately in love with a girl named Susan at his boarding school.
Steinbeck wrote this wise and wonderful letter back to him the same day...
New York
November 10, 1958
Dear Thom:
We had your letter this morning. I will answer it from my point of view and of course Elaine will from hers.
First -- if you are in love -- that's a good thing -- that's about the best thing that can happen to anyone. Don't let anyone make it small or light to you.
Second -- There are several kinds of love. One is a selfish, mean, grasping, egotistical thing which uses love for self-importance. This is the ugly and crippling kind. The other is an outpouring of everything good in you -- of kindness and consideration and respect -- not only the social respect of manners but the greater respect which is recognition of another person as unique and valuable. The first kind can make you sick and small and weak but the second can release in you strength, and courage and goodness and even wisdom you didn't know you had.
You say this is not puppy love. If you feel so deeply -- of course it isn't puppy love.
But I don't think you were asking me what you feel. You know better than anyone. What you wanted me to help you with is what to do about it -- and that I can tell you.
Glory in it for one thing and be very glad and grateful for it.
The object of love is the best and most beautiful. Try to live up to it.
If you love someone -- there is no possible harm in saying so -- only you must remember that some people are very shy and sometimes the saying must take that shyness into consideration.
Girls have a way of knowing or feeling what you feel, but they usually like to hear it also.
It sometimes happens that what you feel is not returned for one reason or another -- but that does not make your feeling less valuable and good.
Lastly, I know your feeling because I have it and I'm glad you have it.
We will be glad to meet Susan. She will be very welcome. But Elaine will make all such arrangements because that is her province and she will be very glad to. She knows about love too and maybe she can give you more help than I can.
And don't worry about losing. If it is right, it happens -- The main thing is not to hurry. Nothing good gets away.
Love,
Father
Thank you all for your amazing support over the last 6 years I hope that there are many more to come. I love you all. I'm curious as to which of your posts have been your favorites over the years.. I will post a few of my favorites, just for kicks!
Dating--
"Honey, Dating is Like a Rubix Cube"
Heartbreak--
The Quiet World
Time-Out
Funny--
Shkool
Whoever said a cat has 9 lives has never had a tabby
Random--
Ninteen,Ten things and da arts-
The One Way Street
Thursday, April 26, 2012
the j-crew cords
GOOD NEWS: Shout out to finals week for helping me fill out my j-crew cords that were too big.
BAD NEWS: I can't fit into any of my other pants.
BAD NEWS: I can't fit into any of my other pants.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
27 questions
Some blogger buddies of my have put out this challenge so I decided to take a study break and fill it out. ENJOY!
- Favorite thing to drink on a hot summer's day.Crushed Ice, Sprite with fresh squeezed lime (lime drannnkk)What's your favorite outfit?this is a hard one... I always feel cute in a skirt, sandals and a cute blouse. Casual yet flirty. I feel like I am writing a magazine article haha...How did you meet your significant other?I'll tell you when I have one... But my ideal place of meeting would have to be a concert or at the grocery store. Random I know but they are so romantic!If you could only pick one book to recommend to the world, what would it be and why?The Book of Mormon :)What is your favorite mythical animal?
hmmmm.... probably Falkor that awesome dragon from the Neverending StoryWhat one thing makes you smile the most?When I laugh so hard that I get goosebumps, or when I help someone who really needed me.If you had a beard, what would you name it?GregoryIf you had a pet dragon, what would it look like?See above aka (Falkor)What quality is required in a friend?They have to be a good listener, and not think I am the most annoying person on the planet.What movie makes you cry every time you watch it?There are several I will list them: Shawshank Redemption, Charly, Million Dollar Baby, and Return of the KingWhat food are you a boss at making? ex: pancakes, guac, cupcakes, etc.I make a killer artichoke dip. It is a family secret and only has 4 ingredients. The only way to get it is to marry me.What is your favorite article of clothing?hmmm.. this is such a vague question. Maybe my favorite jeans. Yup... that's it.
What is your least favorite sound and your favorite smell.Well I think that one of my favorite smells is when you go out for a walk and you can smell someone BBQin' or when you walk past a house and you can smell that they are doing laundry. I dont know why but its such a comforting feeling.
I also love the smell of christmas trees.
My least favorite sound.... hmmm. Probably a chair being dragged across a hardwood floor, or really pathetic sneezes. I hate it when people can't sneeze correctly. Almost as bad as when people can't whisper correctly.
I am going to end this question by stating my FAVORITE noise. It is the unlock swipe sound on an iPhone I could listen to that ALL DAY LONG.N*Sync or The Backstreet Boys?I have seen both in concert and they are both fantastic but I am going to have to go with Backstreet!Tell about a time you felt you were exactly where you were supposed to be.Just read this post. This seriously changed my life.http://piecesofjocelyn.blogspot.com/2011/06/four-dollars-that-taught-me-million.htmlWhat is your favorite book and why?I love the Glass Castle. If you haven't read it DO IT. It's so good. I love memoirs SO much.Do you believe in life after death?Do I ever.
What fiction character(s) do you identify with the most?Gah...this is a hard question. Ummm... maybe Jo from Little Women.If you could be any animal for a day, what would you be?A bird for sureeee! Or maybe a monkey?Describe your dream life.I'm not going to lie it is pretty close to what I have now. I am pretty darn lucky :)What are you most afraid of?A failed marriageWhat's your main goal in life?Be the best I can be everyday. Make others happy and in turn make myself happy.What's your favourite song?Gah... KNEW this question would be on here. Ummm It changes like everyday but the one song that I can listen to over and over again no matter what mood I am in is probably Sweet Disposition by Temper Trap.
I also love Nearer My God To Thee and Come thou Font of Every Blessing by Mo Tab yeahhhh talk about chills.Who is that one person that means everything to you?Man, again... quit it with the toughies! I would have to say maybe my mom or my sisters. I would do anything for them.Do you believe in god/ a higher being? If you do, at what point have felt the closest to him/her?I am more sure of gods existance than pretty much anything else on this earth. He is around me in all things. I feel the closest to him when I am in nature, or listening to hymns. If you combine the two, you are GUARANTEED waterworks.What superpower would you want and why?Teleportation for SURE.If you could alter any moment in your life, which would you?hmmm... I think everything I have gone through I have learned a lot about myself. I dont think I would change any of it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
