"Do one thing everyday that scares you." -Eleanor Roosevelt

Today, I began to learn something that has been on my bucket list for a very long time. Since it's (sort of) my last semester, I decided to take two fun classes--classes that will be challenging but fun, classes that are teaching me things I've wanted to learn for a long time. One of those classes is....

SCUBA DIVING!!!!!!!!!! :)

Only one problem: I am terrified of going underwater for longer than a few seconds!!!!!!

When I was a kid, our parents signed us up for swimming lessons. I did ok, but I discovered that I don't like putting my face in water. So I didn't try very hard in swimming and I didn't get very far before giving up. Last summer I had a swimming lesson with my friend Annie in order to help me overcome my fear of putting my face in the water. It helped a lot, but I haven't swam enough laps to completely overcome the fear. However, this semester in my scuba diving class I have 3 goals (not necessarily in this order):

1. Overcome my fear of going underwater
2. Have fun scuba diving
3. Swim with the fishes in the deep blue sea!!! :)

Eleanor Roosevelt was a wise woman in suggesting that we do one thing everyday that scares us, because that's how we grow and overcome our fears.

Today in class I did all right--only one really big panic attack on my part. I didn't like the part where we had to fill our goggles with water then get the water out by blowing air out of our nose. Closing my eyes (because of contacts) and feeling the water in my goggles made me freak out just a wee bit. I think that will be the hardest skill for me to develop, but it's an important one!

Luckily my scuba instructors, my partner and my classmates were EXTREMELY patient with me. I felt bad slowing them down--especially since I was the only one who struggled that much. But I felt much more comfortable by the end of the day. I could do all the skills well except for the filling up my goggles with water one. I'm confident that I'll get it down, and I'll be ok! 

Neil Gaiman said,  "Sometimes you wake up. Sometimes the fall kills you. And sometimes, when you fall, you fly." Or in my case, you swim!!!! :)

Me someday!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Food Blog

I finally decided I need to keep better track of my recipes, especially new ones that I try. So, I created this fun food blog. It's possible that I will eventually create a joint food blog with my brother, Brad, who is a great cook. But for now, here's the link to my food blog!

http://natinthehatishappy.wordpress.com/

I appreciate good music and most of all good friends!!!

I seriously don't know what I would do without such incredible and inspiring friends. Saying goodbye to Elizabeth and Bethany today (both are moving on to the next thing God wants them to do) was hard for me. But it really got me thinking about how much I appreciate them and the other good friends in my life.

That being said, I was kinda feeling super cranky after church. So then I really appreciated Cathryn's invitation to see a special tour of the new Brigham City Temple. Cathryn works for the church on interior design for Temples, so there was a tour for her & her coworkers & family. No big deal, right? Anyway, I appreciated being her sister for the day. ;)
The Temple as well as the Sunday school lesson today (on Captain Moroni) made me realize that I haven't been to the Temple in a few weeks and that is really leaving a big empty spot in my life. I need my regular time in the Temple in order to be replenished spiritually because sometimes my life feels very draining.
The Brigham City Temple is absolutely incredible! It's the 5th Temple done in the historical style, and the detail in the interior is absolutely incredible!!! Beautiful stained glass windows, intricate woodworking, the paintings (there's an original Minerva Teichert painting and a couple reproductions of her work, two paintings by President Packer, as well as other beautiful originals), the Native American history with the church in Brigham City, and peaches are just a couple of the many little details that make that Temple really special.
Anyway, that experience and talking with Cathryn were what I needed in order to lift my mood and help replenish my spirit. The spirit in the Temple amazes me--this Temple hasn't even been dedicated yet, but it still lifted me up. I'm so glad that I can talk with Cathryn about anything on my mind! And I'm glad I can vent and she'll listen to me just talk.
This morning Mormon Tabernacle Choir helped me de-stress enough to function at church without anyone seeing the weight on my shoulders. Now, after what turned out to be a really good day, my Sara Bareilles radio station on pandora is just what I need to wind down for bed.
Speaking of bed, it's super late and I have to wake up bright and early for work. So good night, and thanks for being my friend!!!

The Incredible Bradman

What does my brother Brad have in common with Batman? He's a self made talented, creative genius!!! This is a song he wrote today, just for fun.

I LOVE having my brother around!!! :)

Did you know...

• Did you know that the body is comprised of over 600 muscles?
• Did you know that 40-50% of our body weight is pure muscle?

Isn't the human body incredible and awesome (as in awe-inspiring)?