Copyright

Dear Friends,

I've gone through my blog and taken down all the pictures I don't have the licenses for. Hooray, copyright law!

I've been put in charge of reading up and understanding copyright law at work, it's been... fun (ok, it wasn't too bad, actually). I've learned a lot, it makes a lot more sense, and so I decided to be obedient. I've found places where I can use images for free, which I'll be using in the future. I didn't feel like going through all my posts to find new pictures... sorry. So, be happy with me universe, and copyright crawlers and everybody else, just let me be.

Sincerely,
Cristina

Christmas Bells are Ringing

I've been living at my parents', trying to sort out a messy apartment situation, and have been loving the refuge I have found here. I am still paying for my old place, and my car/gas bill has gone significantly up, and life gets overwhelming at times.

I was sitting in church today, when I realized I was starting to have a panic moment again - life, the future, how literally stuck I am, and it hit me: I don't have panic moments all the time because I've learned to ignore it and focus on other things - because I can find hope in His promises. The problems haven't gone away, but, I've found the support I need to think about other, better things. So, I realized this, but once I start freaking out, I kinda want to finish... so, I thought about that, and then decided that it would be ok if kept ignoring it, so I went back to focusing on the wonderful lesson we were given about the Savior and how we can make sure He is in our daily lives.

I'm coming up/past my year mark, I can't really remember, ironically. I haven't become a sensation: I am no where near famous, which isn't the point. I have come so much closer to knowing my Savior, all year long, and from some feedback I've gotten, I've helped some dear friends find it too.

With the New Year right around the corner, I want to keep coming closer to Christ. I want to know Him, to trust Him completely, to ignore all the endless possibilities for sadness and misery and remember that He has promised me peace and eternal joy, and He is there to help me get there - today and everyday.

I am right where I need to be. I don't know how everything is going to sort out, but I am at peace. I just pray that I get to enjoy it for a little bit before my bubble bursts again with a new storm of troubles. I'm just learning how to deal with the ones I've got (so yes, queue the next wave...), and it is through relying on my family, by finding deliberate ways to keep getting better, praying a little more sincerely, serving with more of my heart, trusting and remembering a little more each day, that I will remember Him a little more often.

Merry Christmas, everyone.

It's the End of the World

Is it the end of the world as we know it?

I remember hearing about December 21st, 2012 and the end of the world when I was little. What if it really happens? Would I be ready? Would I have lived my life in a way that, looking back, I would be happy, knowing I lived my best?

If you knew you only had a couple days left, what would you do, say, change, work towards, etc.? Would you forgive more easily or go to the grave holding a grudge? I know this is a little cliche of a post, but, I still think it's important to remember - even the cliche things.

Efficiency

This year, 2012, I have become more aware of who I am - what I like, dislike, want, need, get angry over, where I want to go in life. One thing that became clearer, is my {almost} obsession about being efficient, not wasting time nor energy to get the 'task' done.

Out of Control

One of my illusions in life is that I have control over what happens to me, though it is mostly an unconscious decision. And, I don't think I'm alone in this belief. It's one of the ways I can operate, how I can make sense of things and be at peace. So, when things begin to feel out of control, I stress out. Borderline crazy? Probably.

Analysis Paralysis

I once had the very strong impression, while sitting in one of my college classes, that one day I would think myself out of a testimony.

Personal Inventory

"Don't give up what matters most, for what you want in the moment."

Priorities matter, and they are often forgotten in the haze of 'real life.' For instance, I want to stay physically in shape, but I struggle with the idea of actually doing something about it, and often would rather watch TV or take a nap.