You're morphing.

Something you said made me realize how much you've changed. How much you've grown.
It's good to see you morphing into the person you're supposed to be.
You're doing good things.
I'm happy to see you making decisions for you.
Don't be ashamed.
Continue on.

xoxo,

Miss Jones

One Day

...when it's all said and done, I'm going to look back on these days and:

laugh--I'm going to laugh at all the late night "study" sessions in the library with good friends. I'm going to laugh at the fights, arguments, and time spent feeling aggravated. I see myself laughing at the mundane job I had, and my (sometimes) materialistic tendencies. I'm going to laugh at the love interests that never panned out (heck, they never even started).

smile--I'm going to smile at all the sweet time spent serving others and all the discomfort I felt when I received an act of service. I'm going to smile at the friendships that seemed to spring from nowhere, and other relationships that gracefully danced their way out of my life.

feel blessed--Southern Utah University has filled my life with opportunity, education, and experience. I will leave this incredible place with a Bachelor's and a beefy resume. I will feel blessed and grateful each time I have an interview based on a SUU contact or find other Thunderbirds who have also left this nest.

Although it continues, this chapter of my book of life is bursting at the seams with memories, knowledge, and experiences.

xoxo,

Miss Jones

This one's for the girls:

Okay, not like the country song.

I feel like there are a lot contradictions and expectations that women are expected to live up to. Please realize I understand that there are issues males have to deal with as well, but I am not a male, so I cannot write regarding these issues.

Strength: Women, be strong. Have the house clean, look beautiful, and have dinner on the table when your man gets home, but be careful to not make him feel less manly. Let him open the jar of pickles and use the screwdriver. 

Beauty: Women, use all these beauty products to make yourselves appear as beautiful as possible, but realize that if you go one step too far, you'll be seen as vain.

Money: Women, make enough money to support yourself, and possibly a family, but don't pay for your man or make him feel like less than the sole bread winner. It is also necessary for you to feel embarrassed if you make more than your man, so be shy about your success and lie about your salary.

Dating: Women, do enough eye-batting, touching, and flirting to let him know you're interested, but don't be too forward. Let the man make the first move. 

Independence: Be a strong, independent, self sufficient woman, but don't express your opinions in a robust way as to intimidate the men around you.

Well, I'm calling it. This is B.S.

I've had enough. Women get critiqued for being too independent or strong, but the media encourages it. Does the strong woman exist? Is there such a thing as a strong woman who can work, be successful, and happily in love? I would like to believe that it's not, but I've learned differently lately, and I'm frustrated by it. Things I value about myself and others are seen with such distaste, and I don't get it.

Help a sister out.

xoxo,

Miss Jones

Vulnerable

I allowed myself to be vulnerable.

Now what?

Day to day angels

Heavenly Father has blessed me with day to day angels. These angels don't always have to make grand gestures to make me feel loved, appreciated, and taken care of. Sometimes, it's the smallest act that means the most.

Today, I received a text from my long-time best friend, Mariah. She was just checking on my grandmother who has been experiencing some health struggles. Her simple text message showed me that she cares, and it meant a lot to me.

Another friend made me feel appreciated and loved today by inviting me to drink Cokes and catch up. He knew that there has been worry in my heart for a mutual friend, and he wanted to be there to support me.

Lastly, my younger brother, with whom I spend a lot of time fighting, saved me from an embarrassing moment with only a few joking remarks. His compassion saved me from feeling worse on a day where I spent much of my time worried.

I want to thank all of my angels because there are MANY more than I have written about, and they deserve recognition as well. You people make my life more full and more fun.

I love you all.

xoxo,

Miss Jones

A moment

There is a moment when the body has entered exhaustion, and there is so much left to do.  In this moment, I look around at the sea of people enjoying themselves thoroughly and relishing in the event I put so much time and effort into. 

For me, this is a moment of utter joy.

My feet ache. My eyes are tired. I feel elated.

Taking the Event Management course on SUU's campus offered me an opportunity to live a dream I never knew I had. And with my new job, I am getting paid to do something that I enjoy and that I'm good at. 

It's a blessing to work with such amazing people and learn from the best. Some things were said about me during the event and the next day that make me feel like I have been successful in my tasks thus far. I cannot wait to further explore events and continue learning. 

Here are some photos of the Forever Red Homecoming Celebration on September 28, 2012:

Lights and sound loading in.

Fireworks setting up.

Different angle of lights and sounds loading in.

Sound check.

Very beginning of event.

The sea of people.

Yay! People!

I love the #tbirdnation.

A quick shout out to all my sweet friends who came to the event:

Thank you! Thanks for the treats, diet cokes, and surprises. I love you all! You made it special for me.

xoxo,

Miss Jones

Catch up

So I haven't posted in ages, but I am alive and I've done some cool things this summer:

Planned the Opening Ceremonies of the Utah Summer Games.

Worked a lot. 

Made new friends.

Saw A LOT of the Utah Shakespeare Festival.

Expanded my horizons.

Worked at a private event in SLC where some well known artists performed.

Got a new job. I am the new Event Assistant in the Alumni House at Southern Utah University. I have some big shoes to fill.

It's been pretty great.

Here's what I wore today to my friend's homecoming: 

Blouse: Forever 21 Skirt: Banana Republic Shoes: Payless (win!) Bag: H&M Jewelry: Forever 21/Spain

Mildly obsessed with Les Misérables. And cheesing for the iPhone.

Such a great friend. So glad I keep her around.
 

Not much else to say.

xoxo,

Miss Jones