It's not about who you picture your life with. It's about who you can't picture your life without.

Here I am again. Shoutout to Shelby for inspiring me to blog again. As a preface, or disclaimer, pretty much nothing I write on here will be worth reading. Nor will it be enjoyable to read. More just like somewhere for me to get my thoughts down. Right now I'm in the caf at UAFS. My second class was cancelled today so I have a big long break. Spanish test later today that I forgot about. Good thing I didn't decide to skip. It's ridiculously cold. All the sidewalks are iced over. I love my classes this semester. Cultural Anthropology - interesting, I've always enjoyed learning about other cultures and perspectives. Dr. Z (Harvey) is pretty cool. Imaginative Writing - fun. Mr. Henrikson is a little out there, but I like him. We pretty much just get to read poetry, lol. Spanish - really easy right now but a good review and Profesora Ross is a great teacher. Humanities through the Arts - CRAZY Mr. Husarik. But interesting material. Advanced Composition - I love this class because even though it's long and sometimes dry, it's teaching me a lot about bettering my writing. Of course, while writing this I'm totally ignoring every rule and everything I know about writing because, well, I can.

I've been getting into some different music lately. Some new bands I've been listening to are Bright Eyes, Smith Westerns, and Tennis. Check them out.


I'm so ready for summer. Kayaking with Josh (who, by the way, IS the best boyfriend ever), no school, warm weather...

So like, half of my wardrobe is tie dyed now. Okay, not really, but I did go a little crazy tie dying yesterday. They turned out really well though, I was happy :)

I'll get off and do some homework or eat or something... or maybe I'll revamp this blog.

Here's a short, first little essay I wrote for Advanced Comp that no one wants to read probably, but here it is anyways.

Love is More Valuable Than Money

Love is more valuable than money. Without love, life is empty and meaningless. Love is the reason why we are all here. We all need and desire to give and receive love, whether romantic love, love between family members, love between friends, love of a pastor for his parishioners, or another form of love. Love is the most important and valuable thing in existence. If I had to choose between being the wealthiest person in the world but being devoid of love, or living in poverty but having love, I would honestly have to choose love. Without love, money means nothing. Money can buy all the nicest things in the world, but without loved ones to share them with, there is no enjoyment to gain from them.

Love can do things that nothing else is able to. It was for love that God sent His Son to give us life. Jesus gained nothing from what He did, but He sacrificed everything because He “so loved” us. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). Love can make people do crazy things. Everyone has seen or known someone, or perhaps been the one who was so in love that they smiled helplessly, acted silly, and spent countless hours with their lover. Love can cause one to sacrifice, put others before oneself, and go out of one's way to help another. Money, on the other hand, can cause one to be greedy, push others aside to get what one wants, and even lie or steal to get wealthy. First Corinthians 13 says that love is patient, kind, not envious, not boastful, not proud, it does not dishonor others, is not self-seeking, not easily angered, keeps no record of wrongs, does not delight in evil but rejoices in truth, that it always protects, hopes, trusts, and perseveres, and that love never fails. Money causes the opposite of all these things. When someone is focused on money they want to get it as quickly as possible, regardless of whether or not they are kind to others while obtaining it. They are jealous of those who have more or are in a better position, and are proud and boastful when they are the one who is top dog. They are selfish and angry when things do not go their way. They keep records of everyone who may owe them money for one thing or another. If they must be dishonest in order to get ahead, they are pleased with that evil instead of desiring to be truthful despite the consequences that may occur. Lastly, money will fail you, especially in the economy we have today.

Love can bring people through tough things. I cannot imagine experiencing a friend's or family member's death without the people whom I love and who love me to help me get through it. Growing old has always been a scary thought to me. As a young, active person, I dread becoming old and fragile, unable to do everything that I can now. The one thought that comforts me about growing old is the chance to do it with someone that I love; the opportunity to spend my life with someone and grow old together with them. How much more comforting and appealing the idea now is. What about those who die old and rich? What comfort can your money bring you at your death bed? Can it keep you company as you become old and inactive? It cannot.

Money cannot buy happiness, but love gives it freely. Think about the monetarily wealthiest people you know about. Actors, athletes, politicians perhaps. Are these people happy truly happy? Or do we see them turning to drugs, alcohol, and getting into trouble with the law? Unfortunately it is quite the latter. When you begin to focus your life, your dreams, and your goals on money you become miserable. When you focus your life on loving others and gracefully receiving their love back, you will find joy, even in the hard times. You may argue that love can die, and yes, it may. Or perhaps, certain loves can and will die. However, I do not believe that any person will ever be completely devoid of all forms of love from all people. Money, on the other hand, leaves more readily and quickly than anything. It often seems as soon as it is obtained, it is gone.

Love is more valuable than money. Focus on love, not the fleeting, passing things of this world.