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Sunday, December 26, 2010

Christmas 2010

Okay, so techincally it's the day after Christmas so maybe I shouldn't be writing anything with 'Christmas' in the title, but I'm going to anyway. I guess this is my post to sum up the holiday season.

1. First time at the First Presidency Christmas Devotional
2. Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert with David Archuleta
3. Patino family Christmas party
4. Awesome work Christmas party with great prizes and food
5. Got to go to my cousin's sealing in the Mount Timpanogas Temple
6. Bought a new computer with a webcam on Christmas eve which allowed my family to speak to my brother in Spain serving in the Navy on Christmas day (face to face) ;)
7. Spent my first Christmas in Utah with all the single kids in my family and my parents and went to see the Temple Square lights with them.

I would say all in all it was a pretty successful Christmas season. I don't have a lot of pictures, but here's what I took:

My niece Maya opening presents when we opened some presents at Thanksgiving

My nephew Asher opening a gift at Thanksgiving.
 
Kristy and Clark toasting at the work Christmas party

Kristy, Janna, and I at the work Christmas party

Janna and Kristy showing us the yummy food. Haha.

My cousin Ric and his new bride.


Sunday, December 5, 2010

Sunday Will Come

Lately I have felt the reality of trials. I have seen them all around me in the lives of the people I love. I have felt them in my own life as a reminder that the adversary never sleeps and never takes a break, especially in those moments when we can be our happiest. Anyway, today as I went to church and the first presidency Christmas devotional the thought that I kept hearing was "Sunday will come" from Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin's talk a few years ago in general conference. That talk has been a saving force so many times as it has filled me with hope when I have felt hopeless. Specifically these lines:

"Each of us will have our own Fridays—those days when the universe itself seems shattered and the shards of our world lie littered about us in pieces. We all will experience those broken times when it seems we can never be put together again. We will all have our Fridays.

But I testify to you in the name of the One who conquered death—Sunday will come. In the darkness of our sorrow, Sunday will come.

No matter our desperation, no matter our grief, Sunday will come. In this life or the next, Sunday will come."

I know for everyone I love, for me, and for all of us, Sunday will come. In those moments of despair Sunday will come over and over again.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

The View From Above (A poem about reaching for more)

I know two posts in one day is pretty ambitious, but I have been wanting to post my latest poem on here since I finished it. I don't know why I was so excited about this one compared to the others, but I was. So here goes:

The View From Above

Weak are the wings that do not fly,
For they know not the strength of the wind.
But how heavy the heart that will not try,
How stubborn the will that won’t bend.

Afraid of what I cannot see,
Wondering if I even know how.
So much to do, someone to be
The time to act is now.

The one who leaps with faith inside
Will feel the force that lifts.
No longer a soul seeking to hide,
But one who seeks life’s gifts.

There are things we cannot view
From the cold hard ground below;
Only in doing something new
Are we given the room to grow.

It may seem impossible to begin,
But what else are wings for?
Than to use the power within
To spread our wings and soar.






I Am a Writer!


Okay, so last week I found an amazing blog post on twitter (I can't help it, I'm on it for work all day long). Anyway, this woman (Brown Eyed is her blogger name) was talking about the situation many of us writers encounter at a party. The typical conversation goes something like this, "So where do you work?" or "What do you do for a living?" This blogger then refers to the reaction of many of those who are writers. She so clearly expresses the thoughts of a professional writer who somehow feels like writing isn't a real profession or how as a writer, people tend to "play down" writing as a hobbie rather than a profession. I don't know if I could call myself a professional writer, but I know someday I want to be. Someday, I want to inspire people through my writing. I feel I can relate a lot to this blog post I read because although writing may not be my profession right now, it is one of my passions in life and I would say we are denying ourselves of something if we are not true to our passions and our talents. So thank you Brown Eyed for reminding me to be proud to be a writer.

To read Brown Eyed's blog post Click Here

Friday, November 12, 2010

I LOVE MOVIES! (Why "Morning Glory" Inspired Me)

Yesterday, I went to see Morning Glory. It had everything I could ever want in a movie. I took a journey with Becky Fuller (Rachel McAdams) as she proved to withstand defeat after defeat when any normal person would quit. She believed in herself and in her dream when literally NO ONE else did. She inspired me! She made me want to dare to dream and go for it full speed ahead.

And I realized after watching Morning Glory, how much movies really mean to me and as crazy as it sounds, how much movies are therapy for me. My friend described it to me well when she said, "you don't watch movies like other people do." I appreciate the details of the movie, I pull the actors out of their characters sometimes and marvel at their ability to portray a character so effortlessly. I am overjoyed by the ability of great writers and I always find my favorite songs from a scene in a movie. If I'm having a bad day, a great movie can honestly turn everything around, even for just a little while. I get more excited about movies than a lot of things.

Some might say it's pathetic to love movies so much or to sometimes make them more real in my mind than they are in actuality, but I realized just like other people love dance, or reading, or camping, or any other "more respected" interests, I love movies! I love the orchestration of music, acting, words, and emotion coming together to give me an experience to invigorate all of my senses. Who could ask for more? And it's not that I don't love music, dancing, reading, and a number of other things. I have just been reminded of my love for movies more recently. :)

P.S. Go see Morning Glory! It's funny, inspiring, entertaining, and fun! :)

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Birthday #25

Okay so about a week ago on November 1st I had my 25th birthday. While some may think 25 is incredibly young, I don't feel all that young. I mean 19 felt young. What about being halfway through my 20s is young? I think if I could stay at 25 that would be okay, but it's the getting older and older part that I don't look forward to. Anyway, it was actually a pretty great birthday as far as my birthdays go. Okay, yes, I am going to make a list.

Why My Birthday Was Fun (and not in any particular order):

1. Dinner with friends
2. Dinner with family
3. New Car Stereo
4. Eating lunch at Plates & Palates
5. Watching Secretariat (LOVED this movie!)
6. Bowling with my ward at FHE
7. All the phone calls, texts, and facebook posts

Thanks everyone for a spectacular birthday! :)

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Waiting for Superman

Last Thursday I went to see the new documentary, Waiting for Superman. I, like I think many people will, felt completely anchored to the hopes and dreams of the children featured in the movie. I will admit I cried a little just wanting for these kids to reach their potential through the avenue of attending great schools. It made me think a lot about my own education and how good it actually was. Before BYU I'm not sure it was all that amazing, but I would say I came out educated. :) But honestly, I just thought to myself how I want to earn a lot of money so I can afford to send my kids to schools that will push them to learn in ways many of us never experienced in our own education. Anyway, I highly recommend the movie! If nothing else, it will make you think.

Waiting for Superman Trailer

Thursday, October 7, 2010

A Blast From the Past

"So we talked all night about the rest of our lives. Where we're gonna be when we turn 25."
-Vitamin C
Today at work I had my iPod on shuffle and the Graduation Song from Vitamin C came on. Yes I am willing to admit I have this song on my iPod. Anyway, I started laughing when I heard the lyrics "where we're gonna be when we turn 25" because in less than a month I will be turning 25. I thought about when I was graduating from high school I definitely didn't think I would be where I am right now. It's all just a little interesting where life takes you. So for old time's sake here is the video for the Graduation Song. It really is classic. Lol.

P.S. If the video shows up as a black box, just click on it anyway and it should start. :)

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Time For A Picture Update

I have been trying to post an update for at least a week. I'm sure anyone who reads this blog was waiting on the edge of their seat. ;) Well wait no longer. Okay, so it's not much of a post, but I thought it's been a while since I posted some pictures so I'm making up for it now. For those of you who read this blog--enjoy! :)

 My family reunion: my nephew Asher with my brother Andrew and James in the background.

Another pic of Andrew and Asher

James dancing the hoop dance for the talent show.

Seara and Raunde at the rodeo for FHE

Kristy and Amber at the rodeo

Me and Amber at the rodeo



Monday, September 6, 2010

Words That Came to Mind

Last Thursday I was just thinking about life. Mostly why it is the way it is and how to keep pushing on. I just started writing my thoughts down in a sort of stream of consciousness way and didn't think twice about what I was writing, which I guess could be kind of dangerous. Haha. Anyway, when I read it I realized it was kind of advice to myself, or I guess a cheesy expression of hope in life. So I thought I would share. :)

Live the unapologetic life.
Learn the ways of truth.
Listen to hear the heartbeat slow down then speed up.
Move over or move in to what life has to offer.
Sing your own song.
And don't look back.
Laugh if you want to and give in a little more when tears threaten to break your walls.
Hold on to the hope and give all that you have.
And at the end of the day, just let go.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Let Me Know or Let Me Go

The subject of this post has become my new motto. I came up with this one day when I was texting my friend about my frustrations with dating. Sometimes I get to the point where I feel like I'm at a standstill and no one is making a move. At this point I feel like saying, "let me know or let me go." Lol. Of course by the time I get to this standstill with anyone I'm probably already letting go.

Patience. I'm working on it. Lol.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Hopeful vs. Hopeless

Webster describes the word hopeful as:
1 : having qualities which inspire hope

2 : full of hope : inclined to hope

And hopeless as:
1 a : having no expectation of good or success : despairing b : not susceptible to remedy or cure c : incapable of redemption or improvement

2 a : giving no ground for hope : desperate b : incapable of solution, management, or accomplishment : impossible

Today I used the phrase "less hopeful" and I wondered what that really means. I looked for meanings of that phrase is both the words hopeful and hopeless. I've decided it has to be in some middle ground. So I'm curious--does anyone know what I'm talking about? That feeling when it's not that you've lost all hope or feel that things are "impossible" but a feeling where "full of hope" seems like a distant memory.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

A Writer


I have always had a love for words and for writing, but a lot of the time I find myself doubting any sort of writing ability I might have.  I have asked myself time and time again: what makes a writer a good writer? Anyone can put words on a page, but what makes them good? Yesterday was no different. As I was considering my future, especially in my new marketing position at work I asked myself, what is going to make me a good writer or what makes me a good writer now? Every time I ask myself this question I am reminded of one pivotal statement I heard in the movie Sister Act 2:

I went to my mother.

who gave me this book...

called Letters To A Young Poet.
Rainer Maria Rilke.
He's a fabulous writer.
A fellow used to write to him and say:

"I want to be a writer. Please read my stuff."

And Rilke says to this guy:

"Don't ask me about being a writer.

lf. When you wake up in the morning.

you can think of nothing but writing...

then you're a writer."

I don't know if all I think about when I wake up is writing, but every day I think of millions of things I want to write about-mostly just thoughts I feel should be recorded, yet I never have the time to actually write them down. So, am I a writer?...

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

4th of July

For the 4th of July I spent the weekend with my family at a condo in Park City. My brother David and his wife had some trouble getting here because of Hurricane Alex, but they finally arrived about 14 hours after the time they were supposed to arrive. We watched fireworks, learned that I need to learn how to BBQ and played a mean game of family soccer, where I remembered how much worse I've gotten since playing in high school. Overall, it was good to get some family time in. :) Especially since I don't know when I'll see David and Brandy again since they live all the way in Mississippi.

P.S. One of my favorite things was watching my mom get hooked to 24 and watch at least 10 hours worth=10 episodes. It's an interesting show, but you can't make me wait that many episodes to find out what happens-whatever happened to resolving the problem by the end of the episode?

Monday, June 28, 2010

Rescue Party 2010


On Thursday night I traveled to Wyoming to visit Martin's Cove, to walk where the pioneers walked. To start off our journey everyone drove faster than us and we got way lost and didn't arrive until 2 a.m. Not my favorite beginning, but things worked out. Friday was a blast full of awkward tan lines, sweetwater crossing, and stories that would touch anyone's spirit. I met lots of new people and had a blast. As much fun as it was, I was so ready to come home on Saturday and shower. So here's a little taste of Martin's Cove. These are some of the fun people I met and hung out with. :)




I loved the looks on the faces of these monuments. The man's desperation and courage-amazing-probably one of my favorite memorial piece I saw.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

To say

It's been a long time, it seems like, since I last posted anything. I guess it's because I tell myself I don't really have anything important or interesting to write. Tonight I decided to write anyway.

I thought to myself today, "I wonder if anyone besides my brother and one of my best friends will ever really understand me." I've thought a lot about what it means to love people for who they really are. I've thought about the contradiction between wanting to help someone be better because you can see their potential and leaving them exactly the way you met them because that's supposedly just who they are. I guess I agree with the former rather than the latter. It's nights like these when I'm home alone just sitting with my computer and my music that my mind wanders and contemplates well pretty much a whole lot about the intracacies of life.

I was reminded today that I want to be a somebody and I wanna really do something with my life. Now all I have to do is figure out HOW. But until then I'm gonna get some sleep. Maybe when I have more energy I can figure out how to live out my dreams...maybe. :)

Monday, March 15, 2010

Something to live by

"If you are helpless, he is not. If you are lost, he is not. If you don't know what to do next, he knows. It would take a miracle you say? Well, if it takes a miracle, why not?" -President Boyd K. Packer

This quote has really been a driving force in my life lately. There is hope in the gospel of Jesus Christ! There really is!

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Another one

So I had this random idea for a poem today. I don't know how good it is, but I thought I would post it anyway.

Take one step...
one tiny, little step
maybe the grass will turn a little greener
or the holes you've felt will be filled.

Take one step...
one tiny, little step
maybe your heart will learn to love a little more
and judge a little less.

Take one step...
one tiny, little step
maybe your dreams can appear through the cracks
and have a fighting chance.

Take one step...
one tiny, little step
and maybe nothing will happen.
But you can't know
unless you take one step...
one tiny,
little,
step.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Don't Make Me Smile When I Frown. (A song/poem).

Background: About two months ago, while I was at work, my friends Julie and Katrina and I were talking about how Julie was leaving Utah to chase her dreams in California. Katrina frowned at the thought and Julie said something to make her smile. Katrina said, "Don't make me smile when I frown." Right away I thought that sounds like a line from a song or something. I wrote it down and promised myself to use it at some point later in a song or a poem. Well as I was talking to another friend this week about how hard life can be sometimes and how there are days or weeks when we feel like no matter what we do we're just sinking more and more. So I decided to combine the two and write words to express what that kind of pain feels like. For some reason it always just makes a little more sense when it's written down. So here is my song/poem (there may never actually be music for these lyrics)


Don't Make Me Smile When I Frown
I've never doubted the narrow way.
I never thought it wasn't true.
But sometimes in the darkest night,
believe is all I can do.
But please don't make me smile when I frown.
I know you want to pick me up when I'm down.
Right now I might feel afraid
But don't make me smile when I frown

I'd give anything not to feel like this,
but I don't know what to try.
It all just seems too hard,
so I just sit here and cry.
But please don't make me smile when I frown.
I know you want to pick me up when I'm down.
Right now I might feel so alone
But don't make me smile when I frown.

Every day is longer than the last,
And still I'm not enough.
A weary soul, trying still,
A diamond in the rough.

Please, don't make me smile when I frown
Soon I'll let you pick me up when I'm down.
Right now I might feel gone,
but I'll come back.


I'll come back.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Don't be afraid

What does it mean to stay true to yourself, true to what you know? This question has kind of been on my mind. I just want to say doing what I think is best doesn't mean that everyone else is wrong. It doesn't mean that everyone else doesn't know anything or that they don't care about the same things I do. But some days we just have to silence all the doubts and face the fear that as we might very well be wrong, we also must be true to ourselves and to what we know.

Last night at Institute I read a quote that really hit me. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said: "Do not be afraid of scars that may come in defending the truth or fighting for the right, but beware scars that spiritually disfigure, that come to you in activities you should not have undertaken, that befall you in places where you should not have gone." (Ensign, Nov. 1998, pg. 77)

I can only hope to do so...

Saturday, January 2, 2010

The Holidays

So I took a little bit of a break from writing. Not because there was a lack of events in my life, but more of the opposite. There was so much going on there was rarely a time to sit down and write. In an attempt to recap my holiday festivities this is it:

I went home for Christmas to good ol' Fallon, Nevada. For anyone who doesn't know where that is, it's pretty much in the middle of nowhere about 60 miles east of Reno. I went home for a few days and just spent time with my family. It was nice not to have any type of agenda or schedule. We watched The Princess and the Frog on Christmas day. My two older brothers were with the family of their spouses so we missed them at home, but it was still a great Christmas. We watched movies and James and I played Wii until almost 4 in the morning the first night we got there. I really do consider those moments the memories we make that we never forget, no matter how small.

I drove back with Ruth and James on December 28th and welcomed in the New Year. I've thought some about my goals, or if you want to call them resolutions, for 2010. I would say my only goals are to be more diligent at finding ways to help others and be a better person and then being unselfish with my time in order to make that happen. Pretty much my goals are the same as the goals I always have in times like these: just keep trying to be a better person in general. To do and be someone who can make difference and to do it for the right reasons. Now we'll see how it actually works out. The hardest part with a goal or any type of goal like this is it's not very measurable. Maybe I'll think of smaller goals within my goal that are actually measurable.

One more thing...I regret to say that in all my fun and family time I never took one picture. I know, lame, but that is how it is.