The Least Two Years: A Mini-sode

A camera pans a bedroom; across a DESK, showing lotion, a pencil cup, a journal, a laptop computer, up to a shelf of books. Finally the camera rests on A GIRL, asleep. A VOICEOVER (VO) is heard: a deep male voice.

VO: This is Whitney.

An ALARM buzzes and WHITNEY wakes up and turns it off. She lies in bed for a second before getting up. Cut to her pouring CEREAL and MILK, then eating it.

VO: Two years ago today, Whitney was on an airplane, on her way to England. She was nervous for this new adventure of hers. And an adventure it was.

Shot of a long-haired, younger WHITNEY walking the streets of LONDON.

VO: She met all sorts of new people.

Shot of WHITNEY with friends in a CAFE, having her picture taken with random INDIAN GUYS.

VO: She saw beautiful things.

Cut to shot of WHITNEY in a museum, then to shot of her looking down on PORTHCURNO, ending with another shot of her walking along the THAMES.

VO: She . . . gained a lot of weight.

A montage of WHITNEY eating various sweets: nutella TOAST, PASTRIES, CHOCOLATE, CANDY.

VO: Yes, Whitney had quite a time in London, England, UK. She thought that life couldn't get any better than that.

Slow motion shot of WHITNEY laughing.

VO: So where has Whitney's life taken her?

Back to WHITNEY eating her cereal.

VO: Today, Whitney is going to class in Provo, Utah. And then she is considering watching a movie. Yes, she was right when she thought life couldn't get any better than London.

WHITNEY finishes her cereal and puts the BOWL in the sink. The camera zooms in on it and the SPOON that is rattling in it.

VO: Compared to England, the past two years have been uneventful.

Fade to black.

A New Haircut!

So I cut my hair short today! Shorter than ever before. I kinda like it, but it's a little weird getting used to having no hair at all.

It's My Birthday Tomorrow

Running Track

I realize that the title of this post is a little deceptive. I have never, nor do I ever plan to, run track. But my brother ran track in high school and I would go to his meets. My brother was a sprinter, but he would run the 2-mile, just for fun. He would finish the race dead last, with a smile on his face.

I was thinking about life the other day and how it's kind of like that 2-mile.

When the gun goes off, everyone starts off the same. By the 1/4 mile mark, everyone is staggered; some are ahead, some are behind and there a few that are the same. By the first mile, maybe the one that was in first has slowed into the middle, and the one who was last could be nearer the front. Those who were in the middle can have slowed down or sped up. Eventually, they all reach the end of the race, but they all reach it at a different time. And as long as you have enjoyed the run and end the race with a smile on your face, people notice.

This is just like life. We might all start out from birth the same; start walking at the proper age, start school at 5, learn how to read, write, and tie our shoes. But by the time we get to our teens we have all spread out to different levels. By the time we are twenty, those levels might have changed and some of us might have leveled out with each other, and the one who was behind may come out more ahead, and the one who was ahead might have evened out. It doesn't really matter how fast or slow we might have run our race, in comparison to everyone else, it's about how we ran it and how we end it.

With a smile.

Inspiration, Prayers, and Comfort

This last weekend was General Conference, and it couldn't have come at a better time. Around this time each year I seem to just break down--emotionally and physically. I think it's a tough time of year for anyone; the changing of the seasons, finals, stress from jobs. I was grateful for the chance to leave it all behind and listen to our Prophet.

I was able to get tickets to the Saturday morning session (thanks Rochelle!). It was the first time I've ever been able to go to the Conference Center for Conference and I loved it! My parents went with me and it was wonderful to be able to be in the same room as all those great men and to hear the Choir sing live.

I was especially touched by the last song of that session, How Firm a Foundation. "Fear not I am with thee, oh be not dismayed, for I am thy God and will still give thee aid." What a comfort to know!

Afterward my parents and I went to our favorite restaurant in Salt Lake, the Greek Souvlaki! Yummy food!

As per tradition, my Mom and I watched a chick-flik and ate Chinese food while my dad went to Priesthood session. We watched Bright Star, which tells the story of John Keats and Fanny Brawne's romance as well as Keats's death from tuberculosis at the age of 25. Definite chick movie.

While it was great to hear the prophets speak, I think the best realization that came to me this weekend is that when you pour your heart out to God, he listens and cares. He lifts you up and helps you along the way. I've noticed the difference from how I felt just yesterday and how I feel today. What a wonderful knowledge that is! That God is a loving father who cares about all my feelings and thoughts and troubles, as inconsequential as they might be. I don't ever have to worry about Him not caring, or becoming bored with me. I can always turn to Him when I need help.

And he sends comfort.

"Fear not, I am with thee. Be not dismayed, for I am thy God and will still give thee aid."