you have to get your feet wet.

I pulled out a talk I wrote for church in January because my brother was given a similar topic to speak on today in his own ward. 

This quote was my favorite one I used by Elder David A. Bednar:

 “Recall how the Israelites came to the river Jordan and were promised the waters would part, and they would be able to cross over on dry ground. Interestingly, the waters did not part as the children of Israel stood on the banks of the river waiting for something to happen; rather, the soles of their feet were wet before the water parted. The faith of the Israelites was manifested in the fact that they walked into the water before it parted. They walked into the river Jordan with a future-facing assurance of things hoped for. As the Israelites moved forward, the water parted, and as they crossed over on dry land, they looked back and beheld the evidence of things not seen. In this episode, faith as assurance led to action and produced the evidence of things not seen that were true.”


Hope your Sunday was as lovely as mine.

may 23rd

On this day, in 1934 Bonnie and Clyde were shot to death on some small road in Louisiana. 

The article in the New York Times reporting the death of Bonnie and Clyde 77 years ago began like this:
"Shreveport, La., May 23 -- Clyde Barrow, notorious Texas "bad man" and murderer, and his cigar-smoking, quick-shooting woman accomplice, Bonnie Parker, were ambushed and shot to death today in an encounter with Texas Rangers and Sheriff's deputies."

I feel as if the writing in this article is exactly what I would imagine it to be. Filled with smooth accusations and words like "whizzed" or sayings like "careened crazily." It's beautiful, really.

The thing I find most intriguing though, is that Bonnie Parker really wasn't this "cigar-smoking, quick-shooting woman." But, the media had a picture of her smoking a cigar, most likely in a moment of play. And just like that she brought the public the sex-appeal they were looking for. Creating a greater focus on the gang of bandits and creating a villain that wasn't really there.

Also. In a watered-down version of what might be the truth, Clyde Barrow killed (mostly police officers) because he was angry with the Texas correctional facility for allowing him to be sexually abused while in prison.

Anyway. Enough of my latest research on the infamous duo. (Yes, I did spend an hour reading the entire Wikipedia entry on them a couple of weeks ago) I've just thought about them a lot lately, and it seemed fitting to speak of them today. They were from Texas. And died at the ages of 23 and 25.

There is something about being notorious and dying young that seems to always catch my interest.



In other news, my parents made it to Texas. Britton and I are pleased as punch. 

I really like it.

 

Source: designcrushblog.com via Krystyna on Pinterest

I've felt like this often. When I find goodness in the words on a page.
And...
I've been dreaming about this fort lately.

Source: adarlingday.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

You know, the one from The Holiday. 

It's so lovely. I want to make one. (The post title is also from The Holiday and should be said in a childish English accent)

I also feel like calling this blog a blaaahhhg lately. Because it is so blah. And I have nothing to say. Well. That's not entirely true.

But I'll work on the blah-ness.

I stumbledupon this:
A random article about words that don't exist in the English language.
Words like...

L’esprit de escalier: (French) The feeling you get after leaving a conversation, when you think of all the things you should have said. Translated it means “the spirit of the staircase.”

 

To be honest I have no idea how accurate it is. And it seems like more of a saying than a word. But...I get that feeling all the time. It takes effect immediately. It is kind of like the words that would have been perfect in the moment come rushing into your mind as soon as the moment is gone. And then. There I am. In the shower, the next day, playing the entire scene over and over and over again until I get it right. Not that it makes me feel better, in fact, it makes me feel worse. But in my head, I feel okay knowing I at least could have come up with something better.

a love letter.

Dear Mom,

There are too many reasons why I love you. And around 78394765 reasons why you are such an incredible mom. I feel like I really lucked out in life, because I have you. You're my best friend and most of the time, I'd rather hang out with you than anyone else.

I must admit I really do love it when you come to my bathroom door at the end of the night begging for details. And how you will drive me to McDonalds past midnight when my (dramatic) life calls for a coke and chicken nuggets.

Thanks for not always saying "I told you so" even though you really, always, were and are right.

I know I can count on you (without fail) to check for earrings, lipgloss, and to make sure I smell good. And I really, really like knowing that you care. Even about the small stuff.

You're wonderful, and I hope you know that.
Love always,

Molly Jane

PS Hurry and come to Texas, I need help with my laundry. (JOKE)

my so-called life.

If you're looking for a lot of teen angst with an added bonus of '90s fashion...this show is for you. 

"Sometimes someone says something really small and it just fits right into this empty place in your heart."

-Angela Chase (Claire Danes)

I love her. 

And I feel like Jordan Catalano (Jared Leto) is the '90s version of Zac Efron.

He's seriously a babe. A teenage dream. As in, I'd hang him on my wall for sure. I have a love/hate relationship with his character though, because he's so worthless but so good looking at the same time. He really does have some great lines though (not that many, more like great body language...the hair toss/blue-eyed stare down...irresistible). 

Can you kind of see it? I don't know if these are the best pictures to display...but there were moments in the show I felt like I was watching Zac Efron. Which is kind of funny because I just watched a movie recently with him and Claire Danes.

I much prefer her as Angela Chase.  

I wish I could find a video of the scene where Jordan backs Angela up against a fence and he says

"Why are you like this?"

"Like what?"

"Like how you are."

a still of the scene...the whole season is streaming on netflix in case you were wondering.

I don't know what it is about this that just gets me. The way he says it...the way she's so obsessed with him. It's great. It reminds me of high school. (Which is probably embarrassing)

Well. Now you know about my obsession for the week. 

Don't worry about it that I just stalked anything and everything Jared Leto online for quite a while. I feel like you get even more points if you're in a band. And can actually sing. He seems pretty weird. But. So. Hot.

fail.

I've already failed on what was supposed to be a post a day in May.
Shoot.

But in case you were wondering what I've done this week...
I fiesta-ed with my brother for his cinco de Mayo bday (he's 28!)
I watched lots of Sesame Street and My So-Called Life (That Jordan Catalano is quite the hunk and a half...even if he's worthless in every other area)
I read a good chunk of The History of Love (More like ate up every single word)
I relished in the musical stylings of Arcade Fire (and, being the VIP that I am, drank Perrier in their tent at the after party...might be a pic and a story on that later)
I devoured lots and lots of good food (Including authentic gnocchi...which I've been craving...win)

I've also started hanging out with strictly married couples and toddlers. (My sister-in-law has the best kind of family)

Safe to say that Texas has welcomed me with open arms.
(now I just need to find me one of those hot james dean lookin' cowboys...)

And that's all y'all!

cheers to elegance and class and the good old days. 

happy birthday to audrey hepburn. 

today.

I watched a million episodes of Bernstein Bears

 

and hung out with this guy. 

That's what I do now. 

All day every day. 

and I love it.

a question

"I tried to write about real things. I wanted to describe the world, because to live in an undescribed world was too lonely."

"When the windows were open, and the wind was blowing in the right direction, they could smell the sea."

"Her laughter was a question he wanted to spend his whole life answering."

The History of Love

by Nicole Krauss

via

a five-year plan.

(My bday presents for turning the big 2-1) (I was way more than pleased)

As of late I've been thinking a lot about the next five years. 

I read a new online magazine called The Violet and I came across an article entitled "Cinco: Creating a 5-Year Plan"

It challenged all to make five goals for the next five years. 

A five-year plan (anyone else think of Big Daddy??)

My mom gave me this Q&A a day 5 year journal (I had heard about it from my friend Natalie) and I absolutely love it. (another bit of randomness that added to my five year thoughts)

So.

Would you like to know my five year goals?

In five years I'll be 26. (yikes. that seems old. even though it isn't.)

By then I'll be graduated from college (this is kind of a duh one for me)

I'll hopefully have direction

and it is very likely I could have a family of my own...(if things go well)

goals.  AKA my five-year-plan.

(Because it is the beginning of May. And I'm feeling ambitious.)
(PS these are mostly things I'd like to work on right now. Even though they aren't necessarily as big as five years, you have to start small...I figure it will all add up eventually)

1. Blog regularly. (And for even more fun, I'm going to say every day for the month of May)

I want something I can look back on. Especially during these years of my life. Plus, I feel like it is good to help me figure it all out. Not sure what I mean by that, but I'm just going to go with it.

2. Run a half-marathon (this will be an adventure seeing as how I loathe running). 

I've always wanted to become a runner. Maybe if I have the motivation..like this five year time constraint...I'll really do it... 

3. Marry the man of my dreams (this one is tricky...seeing as how I have to meet him. and determine what the man of my dreams entails...)

This doesn't seem too out of reach though right? I don't plan on this being anytime soon...but it can still happen, right?

4. Become a high school English Teacher (and hope and pray I'll be good at it. and that I'll like it).

I've always wanted to change lives. For some reason I can't help but feel like this is how I'm going to do. And I am pretty darn excited about it. 

5. Read a book a week for the entire summer. (This means until September basically)

Reading is my favorite. I don't do it nearly enough and I have a whole pile I've been dying to get to for so long. 

I like this list because it is a mix of things that can be long-term and things I can do now (and will do now)

As I cross things off...hopefully I'll find another something to add to my list (of things to do before I'm 26).