To You I Say

Concentrate on this Sentence: 'To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did.'

Concentrate on this Sentence: 'When God takes something from your grasp, He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better.'

Concentrate on this sentence: 'The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.'

Day 30 (11/15/10) - Who are you?

Who am I?

Why, I am Jessica Meredith Gustafson. I am a daughter of God. I am also the daughter of Micheal and Maryanne Gustafson. I love to laugh. I have blue eyes, and I am 5'3 if I stand up straight and stretch a little bit. I am addicted to music, RedBull, ice cream, fries, and sugar in general. I hate being cold, and still don't understand why I live in Utah. I am who I am because of the people who have been in my life, and I am so grateful for them and their influence. I am a walking oxy moron - I am an intelligent blonde.

Day 29 (11/14/10) - In this past month, what have you learned

I have learned I freak out about commitment more than the average person.
I have learned I NEVER want to own a dog, but will have to conceed eventually.
I have learned I don't do well with people who don't take control of their depression.
I have learned I really don't have a lot of pictures of myself.
I have learned I really do love my family, even though they drive me mad.
I have learned it is okay to publicly announce I am madly in love with a boy named Aaron Durrant.
I have learned I love, love, LOVE Ben and Jerry's ice cream
I have learned my family didn't know I was addicted to RedBull... that's right, I said it, and I am proud of it!
I have learned my hands are almost always cold unless I am with Aaron or Patrick. They keep them warm for me.
I have learned I am actually a fairly easy going person, and according to "the boys" low maintenance. (Which they said was a HUGELY COOL THING. Bah hahaha! I so love Laugh Out Loud moments like that!)
I have learned Aaron knows me better than I do.
I have learned I need to trust my intuition because, it is never wrong.
I have learned I have learned a lot of things!

Day 28 (11/13/10) - A picture of you last year and now, how have you changed since then?

 A picture of my last year:

A picture of me this year:

And how I've changed? Well, for one I am happy. Truly, genuinely happy. I have traveled out of the country. I've moved out of my parents house. I am moving forward in life. I have many new friends, and people I consider to be my family. It's been a really big year for growth, and that is a really good thing!

Day 27 (11/12/10) - Why are you doing this 30 day challenge

In all honesty...?

To pass the time. To help me get back on track with blogging (To which it has, but I've also failed at hitting the post button on time...) and to help count down the days to what will either be July, or April... I'm leaning more towards April... Fewer days to count down, and we all know I HATE math. :)

Day 26 (11/11/10) - What you think about your friends

What a silly question! I think my friends are fantastic people who have helped to create the person I am today. They support me AND my crazy antics. They accept me for who I am and only try to help me better myself.

...That would be the reason they are my friends...

Day 25 (11/10/10) - What I would find in your bag

Right now? Hmmm...

• Glasses - I may or may not be slightly blind at night...
• Ipod/Ear buds - I don't go anywhere without it!
• Pen - Mr. Hassett told me in the 6th grade never to leave home without one.
• Military sized Book Of Mormon - I keep this with me, for comfort purposes.
• Keys - Purpose is obvious....
• Chapstick - I actually have about 3 different brands in my bag. I am addicted.
• Card Case - Again, obvious.
• Tooth Brush/mini toothpaste - I abhor bad breath, and yellow teeth. I will always carry this with me!
• Hand Sanitizer - Um... I blame my OCD...?
• Literature book - I usually have a book of some sort or another with me. You never know when you will have spare time!
• Sugar/candy/snack food - I am hypo-glycemic. Basically I am the opposite of a diabetic... I have to keep my sugar levels up! Good thing I have a sweet tooth and a constant need to snack... Hahahahahahahahaha!

Day 24 (11/9/10) - A letter to your parents

Dear Mum and Papa,

   I want to thank you for everything you have done for me! You have given me life, love, and protection for most of my life. Now that I am on my own, I understand why you had the rules that you did, and the lessons you were so insitent on teaching me. I am now a better person because of you. I know how to cook, clean, and provide for myself and those around me. I am a more courteous person because of you example. I look on every being as a living creature created by a God that loves each of us.

   I want to say I am sorry for the words and actions I have said and done throughout my 22 years, that might have hurt you. I am a stubborn, head-strong girl and though I may not always follow your advice, I do listen to it. I appreciate everything you have tried to share with me.

   As I move forward in my days, and take steps toward beginning my own family I want you to know I am better prepared because of you. I am more equipt to handle the stresses of marriage, and life in general because of your examples and the way that you have raised me.

I lift my glass to you!

I love you!

Love always,

Your daughter,

Jessica Meredith

Day 23 (11/8/10) - Something you crave for a lot

I am sort of known for my cravings... Especially my midnight cravings which usually inclued one or more of the following:

• French Fries
• Chocolate Raspberry Shakes or any shake for that matter...
• Ben and Jerry Ice Cream - Yellow Brickie Road, Mud Pie, Half Baked
• Dark Chocolate Pomegranate
• Bean and Cheese Burrito
• Aaron (Cheesy and ridiculous? Yes.)

Day 22 (11/7/10) - What makes you different from everyone else

I have a quote on the side bar of this blog that kind of sums up what makes me different from everyone else. If you don't mind I'll just copy and paste that quote onto this post!

"You're an artist, you feel things differently from other people... You're an artist, you see things differently from other people... You're an artist, you say things differently from other people... You are an artist Jess... you are different from other people."

Day 21 (11/6/10) - A picture of something that makes you happy

 Music has always been a vice for me.

These two boys continually make me laugh.

I know that is two pictures, but I couldn't decide! :)

Day 20 (11/5/10) - Someone you see yourself marrying/being with in the future

Bah hahaha! Wow! Well, this one is slightly ironic...

Seeing as I have a wonderful, fantastic, and all around perfect-for-me boyfriend I am going to say Aaron.

I really do love this man!

Day 19 (11/4/10) - Nicknames you have; why do you have them

Well, my mother calls me Shoe Shine, which was shortened to Shoom Shoom - I am the daughter of a Shoe Repair man. As a baby I loved the spinning brushes on the shoe shine machine. I would assume that is where it came from.

Most of the population now calls me Miss Jess. It began with Stanley, and spread. I have no idea why.

Sis is another common nickname. It started with my uncle Tim, and a few people have continued the name.

Ace came from Nathan Steele. I've always wanted to be a writer, much as Rory Gilmore, and I remind him of Rory, hence the same nick name.

Any and all forms of Jessica are used. Ie: Jess, Jessi, Ica, etc.

Day 18 (11/3/10) - Plans/dreams/goals you have

Plans/Dreams/Goals I have? How about I just give you my long term to-do list. That's about the same thing isn't it!?

• Laptop - I have needed to get a new laptop since my senior year of high school. The one I was using had an accident. The power cord met with my (then) boyfriend's foot (accidentally) and sadly passed away... I have been without ever since.
• School - Finish school, plain and simple. (Make sure to take a photography, and egyptian history, and WWII History classes to reward yourself for finally getting back into school!)
• Plan for July - This particular item has it's own to-do list, and I swear it gets longer each week!
• Apartment - Find one that suits, and begin the necessary journey to furnish it before it is time to move in. (Preferrably next year... things are moving too fast for my comfort levels just now!)
• Progress at WCPC - meaning stay long enough to save for at least July's events expense, preferrably more, and get a good standing at an employment location so I can change jobs or pick up a second one if I need to/so desire.
• Write a New York Times Best Seller - Meaning finish the book I am currently writing, and begin the second one I am going to write with my Aunt Olivia Gustafson LaBar.
• Car - Get a new car by the end of 2011 (Preferrably with 4WD so Aaron will stop worrying about me driving in Utah weather) so that Leesa can have the Lumina. (It's a good first car. Sturdy. Heavy. Basically, the thing is a tank, she would have a hard time trying to smash it! It will keep her safe!)
• Miss Me Jeans - One day I will break down and actually purchase a pair or two for me. They are the ONLY pair of jeans that fits in all directions. Perfectly. And as Buckle hems your jeans so they fit you length wise, they will be absolutely divine!
• Boston - One day I will go to Boston/Washington D.C. in the fall. It will happen!
• E.T.C. And so forth!

Day 17 (11/2/10) - Someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why

Hmmm, someone I would want to switch lives with for one day? In all honesty I don't know that I want to switch lives with anyone right now, but if I had to, I'd have to say Joseph Smith. As for why I'd have only this reason, to know him better. I've been reading The Story of Jospeh Smith, writen by Lucy Mack Smith. I would love to understand what it was he felt, and everything he had to go through. I think it would give me a better understanding, and a greater appreciation for everything he has given to the world, and to me personally. I know that is funny to say, but without the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints I truly would not be where I am today. I would not have the amazing people I have in my life. I would probably still be an angry kid; bitter against the religion of my father, and the neglect I felt as a child. I would not understand forgiveness, repentence, or what it is to have a Christ-like love for someone. There is so much that a person gains from being an honest member of the church. Not only do the gospel principles make sense, along with the values and morals, but it really is a choice thing. It is a lifestyle that we choose. We choose not to consume alcohol/drugs. We choose abstinence. We choose all of those things that separates the LDS religion from the rest of the world, and we live them because we want to. Joseph Smith, in his faith and trust in the Lord, has given me all that. I can't say if what I just typed is going to be understood by anyone but myself, but that is my honest answer to this question.

If I must choose someone fun, and random then I'd really have to say Joss Stone. The girl is crazy! She writes music like it's nothing, has a voice full of soul, and she isn't afraid to go out and do what she believes/wants/feels like doing. She really is the embodiment of the quote: "Give 'em hell, give 'em hell, give 'em hell! There are never enough trouble makers fighting for justice..."

Day 16 (11/1/10) - Another picture of yourself

This picture was taken in front of the Aztec temple, Jaguar, in Lamani [Belize]... (Laman - Lamani... Get the reference!?)