Thankful Thursday

11/24/2011
Today I'm thankful to people of color who stood up for what was right in the 1960's.
*If it weren't for these brave and courageous individuals I wouldn't be the person I am today. I wouldn't be able to date my boyfriend, well, I would I would just have to endure what he would have to endure. I would be alright with it (in my right mind of today), though I'm not sure how I would have felt then. I'm thankful that the oppressed stood up to the oppressor. This to me is what makes my country beautiful. Diversity doesn't run thick in certain parts of it but in others it does. I'm thankful for the diversity I'm blessed with. I recommend you to watch Freedom Song, it's a movie. Also with it the following hymn is now held sacred to my heart because of this movie. Who would have known 50 years later it's still so sacred.

This Little Light Of Mine Hymn

This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Won't let Satan blow it out.
I'm gonna let it shine.
Won't let Satan blow it out.
I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Let it shine til Jesus comes.
I'm gonna let it shine.
Let it shine til Jesus comes.
I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Hide it under a bushel - NO!
I'm gonna let it shine.
Hide it under a bushel - NO!
I'm gonna let it shine, Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Let it shine over the whole wide world,
I'm gonna let it shine.
Let it shine over the whole wide world,
I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Thankful Wednesday :)

11/23/11
I'm thankful for Pat Killian.
* Pat Killian, an off duty paramedic, saved my life four years ago. He's my true life hero. He didn't want to stop that day because he had already had a hellatious week. After he passed the scene he decided to turn around. He broke in the window to the backseat, and did things which he's been trained. He said that he tried to get a response from me but there wasn't one. He then pulled my head up from underneath the drivers seat, and my eyes were affixed, and my face was blue. He cut off my seat belt, cleared the throw-up, and got me out of the car. They estimated I didn't have air for about eight minutes. The main vein in my brain was cauterized, and I now don't get enough oxygen up to my brain. So, sometimes it takes me a little long than most to understand things, and it's the reason I don't remember a lot of stuff from my past.

Thankful Tuesday :)

11/22/11

I'm thankful for my freedom.

*Today is Tuesday the twenty-second day of November. Two days away from the big day, Thanksgiving. I've talked about many things I'm thankful for this past month and plan to continue doing so until the 1st of the year. Never forgetting the things for which I'm thankful. I love my country dearly. But, what I love her most for is her freedom. I'm beyond blessed for the opportunity to live in a country where I can say what I want, think what I want and have room to grow and prosper without doubt. All I want is to know that my children will be able to also have the freedoms of which I have. 

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same." -Ronald Reagan. 



"We cannot expect that all nations will adopt like systems, for conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth." - John F. Kennedy 

Thankful Monday :)

11/21/2011
I'm thankful for being able to love myself through God.
*I can love myself. But through God I can love myself more, not to mention get to know him better. He's made me patient, happy, kind, and loving. Especially within the past month or so I've seen all these attributes increase substantially. I am trying to be a replica of Him, at least I think that's why I'm here. In the end it doesn't matter the car I drive, the clothes I wear, the size I am or even the color I am. It matters what's on the inside, what I do with my time on this earth. Like Mark Twain says, "Dance like nobody's watching; love like you've never been hurt. Sing like nobody's listening; live like it's heaven on earth."


Success is just being happy. And I try so many different things. I do a lot of different things. Because I think God has helped me to love myself. I know who God is, and I love God. - one of the truest quotes I have yet to come across. So thankful today for God and my journey toward loving myself.

11/18/11-11/20/11

11/18/11

I’m grateful for my great-grandma.

*My great-grandmother was such a wonderful woman that all should have known. Some key points in her talk I gave at her funeral were as follows. The noise of the trains through Midvale, she said it would make her feel so alive in the middle of the night. Another was the fact of how much she loved her dogs. “If it’s good enough for me to eat, it’s good enough for my dog to eat.” You would never leave her home hungry. She loved cookies, cakes and pastries. Whenever I think of donuts or eat donuts I think of her. She was the kindest, softest-toned woman you’d ever meet. I’m beyond blessed to have known her. This will be our third thanksgiving without her. She was the glue to our family. Too bad in reality it was just elmers-glue and not super-glue.

11/19/11

I’m grateful for sadness.

*For without it we would not have happiness.

11/20/11

I’m grateful for happiness.

*Happiness is the sole greatest emotion to feel. Happiness over-rides many emotions in my book. Happiness can cure all ills in your life so long as you let it.

11/15/11 - 11/17/11

11/15/11
I'm greatful for a fantastic job.
*A year and twelve days I've had my fantastic job of working with individuals who have disabilities. It's taught me patience. It's taught me humility. It's taught me compassion. It's taught me boundaries. It's taught me more things than not and the ladies I assist are beyond amazing.

11/16/11
I'm greatful for Social Work.
*If it weren't for this career path I wouldn't be the person I am today. I've grown far more than I ever thought possible and I'm only 20 years old. Your brain is fully developed by the age of 25 so I can only imagine where I will be in 5 more years ... better yet 4 years and two months. :)

11/17/11
I'm greatful for my colleagues.
*I have met some of the most AMAZING individuals at The University of Utah's College of Social Work. People of all walks of life are my dear friends. I would do anything for these individuals as they would do anything for me.

Thankful for my health.

11/14/11
I'm thankful for my health.
*Today is a great day to be thankful for such a powerful thing. I may not "look" physically fit compared to a common stereotype; being skinny. But, under this layer of fat I truly am a fairly healthy person. A lot of people tell me not to put myself down by calling myself fat. I'm not putting myself down, I'm facing facts. I'm working my ass off, literally, to fit into that common stereotype of being skinny. I want to know what it feels like to be under a size 12 of which the last time that happened was fifth grade. Though, after my accident in '07 that size just increased steadily from '07-'09. I decided I would take initiative and get into shape. My highest weight was 360 pounds. I got all the way down to 243, I lost 117 pounds in about 9 months of continuous gym time. Well, I've gained about 47 pounds back. (Due to a lot of circumstances, though I won't blame it on a single thing because this is life, and my weight loss is a change cycle, google change cycle and I know everyone has gone through it.) But, we're all human and our biggest goal in life is progression. I work out 5-7 days a week. I eat fairly healthy and I have even started meditation - it truly has helped me to see who I am and why I'm doing what I'm doing. Things could be a lot worse, and things happen for a reason. So, call me what you must but know that it won't phase me. :)

11/11/11 - 11/13/11

11/11/11

I'm thankful for my education.

*I'm one of the biggest pro-education people out there. I believe it is the key to success (I said that in my High School Graduation Speech). I honestly do not know where I would be today without it. I love education more than I love most things. It can get you so far in life. Some people say that it is the biggest rip-off out there. But, I would have to disagree. Maybe it is if you don't do anything with your education but, for me I know that I'll always use my education. I've learned so many interesting things especially since being at the College of Social Work. I'm no longer; color-blind, closed-minded, weak, stubborn, or rash in my decision making. I think things through. I actually pay attention to things around me. I actually think and use my brain. Where before I was led like a lot of the blind individuals are today. Don't believe everything your history teacher once taught you. I can't believe I wanted to be a History teacher. But, I'm blessed for the fact that it is what started me in wanting to go to college. 

11/12/11

I'm thankful for football.

*Today, I'm thankful for football! Football is the love of my life in the Fall. And, tonight was perfect football weather. The beginning of 3rd quarter is my favorite. I can't help but feel so calm in those first five minutes of the game. It's almost as if I'm in a dream though I can see everything clear as day. Everything is muffled and I just see so much joy and excitement on everyone's faces. The wind always blows in my face and I just get this great tingly sensation throughout my body and I'm just happy. :) Football is something I'll be forever grateful toward. Especially my UTES. In 2007 they helped me to see that life really is amazing. When Nai Fotu, Morgan Scalley, and a few other players came up to see me I literally felt like I had died and gone to Heaven. I had just gotten my feeding tube out along with many others and I couldn't breathe very well. So when they walked around the corner I was saying and gasping for breath, "Morgan ... Scalley ... is ... here ... with ... me ... right ... now." He even kissed me on the cheek! :)  The football they all signed for me is one I'll forever treasure. Football = LOVE & LIFE ... for me. :) 

11/13/11

I'm thankful for bananas.

*This one may be a little weird for some people, but it's true. I believe bananas are one of God's greatest gifts to man. Ha, along with many others. BUT! I do love bananas. It's like eating a candy bar with all the sugary goodness it contains. Though, they're great for you. I love them frozen, super ripe, in my steel-cut-oats, on ice cream, in smoothies, you name it - I like them in it! :) 

Healthy Food

11/10/11
I'm thankful for (healthy) food.
*Right now I'm sitting down to a delicious bowl of organic steel cut oats. Last night I sat down to a delicious salad of spinach, black beans, egg, and sunflower seeds. Before that I went out and had delicious Asian food. I mean, it's in abundance around me. About a month ago is when I really became thankful for it though. This is when I realized what foods were doing to my body. I realized fast food is junk, literally. Subway is the only place excluded from that statement. Depending on what you get. I get a delicious veggie delight on wheat bread so I know I'm good :) In a lot of places around the world and even in our own nation there are people who are unable to obtain fresh fruits and veggies. It's too expensive. I am a single woman, living on my own. I may have a friend over once in a while, but that has nothing really to do with my food supply of healthy foods. So, I'm able to buy fresh fruits and veggies. I don't need a ton of it to feed a family. It's funny how food is something I'm thankful for. But, I am. :)

11/05/2011 - 11/09/2011

I've been writing down my "thankful posts" so I'm bunching them up. Sorry, if you've been reading and I left you high and dry ;)

11/05/2011
I'm thankful for my scriptures.
*I purchased my scriptures on August 3rd, 2007. I went into Deseret Book across from Fashion Place mall and picked out my quad as well as which font I wanted my name in on my quad. (This was the day before my baptism) I'm blessed to have these holy scriptures to look to, and to guide me, in times of sorrow and in times of happiness.

11/06/2011
I'm thankful for hymns.
*I got a book of the LDS hymns when I left from my home ward. My young women's leaders even engraved my name on the book, though there are two s's in my name I adore them more than anyone will ever know. I love singing, Come Follow Me. It calms my heart no matter what is going on.

11/07/2011
I'm thankful for prayer.
*Another fabulous thing that calms me and helps me to choose the right :) Prayer is so powerful and I'm beyond blessed to know what prayer can do for me.

11/08/2011
I'm thankful for sushi
*Sushi, my love. Especially with Tania and Stefanie, is delicious. I'm also in love with Shenghai Rolls and Egg Drop Soup. I swear I was Asian in another life. :)

11/09/2011
I'm thankful for Walt Disney
*Tonight I took my little to see Disney on Ice and I cannot tell you how happy seeing all the little girls in Princess dresses made me feel. Disney did a wonderful thing, he created something that will be around forever. I love you! :)

Repentance.

Before I get too far ahead of myself here I want to state: I believe that the LDS religion isn't the sole true religion on this planet. I believe the "Lord", "Allah", "Buddah", etc. wouldn't put a single religion on this planet that was the only true one. I believe as long as you are happy, and being nice to your fellow human beings that's all you need in life, but me, this is my story. 

I need God.

Without God I am not happy. 

Without the priesthood, I am not happy.

Without the morals that are presented in this faith I am a crumbling mess. I thank the Lord at night for guiding me to the light ... where I personally am meant to be. I am not righteous, but someday I wish to be. I want to love everyone with all I have and never think a bad thing about anyone (except the guy who cut me off, wait ... that's not righteous. Okay, count that guy in too). I want to look at the beauty in everything. I want to feel the spirit at all times. I want to feel like I can say I love God and not worry that I may or may not offend someone around me. I have a long ways to go. 

I'm not a lost soul, at least I don't think so. I've been granted an opportunity to go to the University of Utah and was accepted into the Bachelor of Social Work Program. It's beyond Liberal and without this type of education I would be, another member of society in the small little bubble that reads, "I am a bigot". Okay, I'm a little too harsh (see I need that righteous tone). When I took a course that opened my eyes at the University to complete my pre-requisites to apply to the program this is when it hit me, "There is no way I can be LDS and love Gay people,"(otherwise known as LGBTQ). Well, I'm taking a leap of faith, literally. I'm writing a Literary Paper and in it I am going to try and find research regarding Conservative Religious Members being able to maintain Liberal Social Work Values and represent the LGBT community. 

Wow, I can already feel you glaring at me. 

Life is too short to say you're Gay, so your bad. Shut up, already. Love one another as you would love yourself (I know that's scriptural based - kudos for me). I love everyone, no matter any differences. I don't care if the bible say's they're bad. The bible also said people of color were bad, proved you wrong! As the laws change I believe that the LDS religion will begin letting LGBT couples wed in the temple. 

Okay, Okay. I'll get off my soap box. :)

Just know for once in my life I believe repentance works. I'm proud to say I have officially forgiven myself for a lot of the bad things I've done in life. 

God.Is.Love

11/04/2011 "One Love"

I'm thankful for music.
* Without music life would be dull. I wouldn't be able to dance in the shower. I wouldn't be able to sing annoying songs in the middle of stores and embarrass the ones I'm with. I wouldn't be able to turn on the radio and start smiling because my favorite song is on. I wouldn't be able to run the miles I run at the gym. I wouldn't be able to drive. I wouldn't be able to be alone. And mostly I don't think I would be able to live. I see music in everything I do. I relate my life to songs, I think they write some songs just because of the way I'm feeling! :)

"One Love, One Heart. Oh, let's get together now and we can feel alright. Let them all pass their dirty remarks. There is one question I'd really love to ask. Is there a place for the hopeless sinner, who has hurt all mankind just to save his beliefs?" -Bob Marley :)

11/01/11-11/03/11

Thankful Days in November :)

11/01/2011 ~
I'm thankful to be alive.
*Without life how can I be thankful? Exactly. I'm not going to go into detail or else I'll give away every reason I'm thankful. Just know that all these "thankful" comments are under the umbrella of "LIFE". for me.

11/02/2011
I'm thankful for my beautiful friends and family.
* I have one of the most amazing families. I know a lot of people say that. But mine fits me perfectly. I was raised to speak my mind, not back down when I know I have a valid point to make, and to love everyone. They love me no matter what and make it known to strangers what a fantastic individual I'm becoming.
* I have the best group of friends God could have ever given me. They vary all ages, sizes, backgrounds, educations, etc. I have my true friends that will never go anywhere and will always be there: Alexis & Asheleigh. I then have my great social work friends: Tania, Amanda, Taylor, Stefanie, Jen, Angela ... gosh the whole program! But these guys in particular help me through my mellow-dramatic parts and listen and love me no matter what. I also have friends at work, while volunteering and even at the gas station. I'm beyond blessed.

11/03/2011
I'm thankful for the brave, loving, genuine, and goal oriented-boyfriend, ever.
*Abraham. I love him. He's serving for my country, of which he's not even a citizen . I love everything about him. Especially the way he makes me feel. He's helped me turn a lot of things around in my life. He loves me no matter if I'm crying, happy, wearing no make up, in my gym clothes, or fancied up. He's going to be my rock one day, and I promise to be his as well. :)

I'll now start posting one a day. For the rest of the month, and maybe even through December :) I have a million things to be thankful for, it's time I start noticing some of them.

xoxo,
Kas

Things far more precious this Holiday Season.

I was on Facebook, as usual. While on there I actually have "liked" quite a few pages that are very informative and educational. Well, NPR had an article posted. I'm usually always interested in any article that is about our soldiers. I was always interested in them, but lately I'm ten times more interested. I think it's due to the fact that the love of my life is in the military. He's just at basic, but once he graduates who knows where he'll be. It made me cry to think about all the loved ones families. And how scared I would be if I got a knock on my door, my heart would drop and I don't know what I would do.
http://www.npr.org/2011/11/01/141724329/as-casualties-mounted-so-did-marine-families-fears?sc=fb&cc=fp