Motivation

"Failure will never overtake me if my will to succeed is strong enough."
-Og Mandino

It's only human to want to prove someone wrong when they say that they don't believe you're capable of doing something. Maybe its pride, or maybe its just the thought of proving to someone that you're more superior and successful then they thought you were. Who knows why humans do it, but I'm sure those are some of the reasons why. I apparently am no different.

The other day at work, I was asked to help carry in bags of sad. These bags of sand were 60lbs a piece, which is more then half my body weight. My boss asked me if I was going to be able to carry one of them (which he called me a sissy girl--psh, I'm only a sissy SOMETIMES! Hehe.) Anyway, being mocked and being told that I may not be successful pushed me to want to prove my boss wrong. I wanted to carry the bag of sand that was almost as big as me. I wanted to be successful. Lots of wheezing and an aching back, I resulted in a success; I had carried the bag all by myself.

Did this experience make any large impact on my life? No, not really. I did however learn that I have more upper arm muscle then I once thought (watch out, I may sock it to you if you make me angry. Just kidding...my dad already gave me a lecture on hitting and kicking people several times and I finally gave that up. Woo.)

With the news story on Bristol Palin flying around about her idea that teenage abstinence is an unrealistic ideal, I have been coming across several things I wish I hadn't come upon. Some of my friends, who will remain anonymous because I love them, revealed that they aren't virgins. MY friends not virgins? I was flabbergasted. I had no idea! It hit me like a train; I definitely don't have the same morals as everyone else. Not that this is a problem to me because in reality it isn't, but it's just something that is very difficult for me to comprehend. I once thought everyone was taught to save yourself sexually until you were married, but now the reality is just the polar opposit--sex is EVERYWHERE!

Anyway, one of my dearest friends told me he didn't think I would be a virgin when I was married. It made me mad when he said this to me, but then I began to think about it more and more. The normality of the world is that it is a very slim chance you'll be a virgin when you're married, so I shouldn't be mad that he said that to me. However, this situation has taught me one thing; to prove him wrong.

I just want to say, for the record, that I will be a virgin when I'm married. There won't be any if's, and's or but's. I will not lower MY standards because of what's considered "normal" in the world. In my eyes, if you're in that situation and the person "loves you", then they should be willing to wait until you're married and do it properly.

February Love

When a person is asked "Why do you like February?", most people may commonly answer that they like Valentine's Day, or the day off from school for President's Day, or even those rodent lovers may even say Ground Hog Day, but for us race fans, we have a whole different idea. When a race fan is asked "Why do you like February?", we all answer the exact same: Daytona 500. Unless you're a fan of NASCAR, know a someone who is or live with one, you may not know what this is, so it is my duty to gladly make you more knowledgeable.

Daytona International Speedway is located in Daytona Beach, Florida. It opened in 1958 (51 years ago for those who aren't mathematicians just like yours truly.) The races were originally ran right on the beach, but then later a real track was built. The track is 2.5 miles long, and it's tri-oval (most of the tracks you've probably seen are just regular ovals, so that's another reason Daytona is special.) Daytona is a monster all in its own. The lengthy 200 lap race around the 2.5 mile track provides a race full of unknowns. Everyone awaits the wrecks and wins that are brought with the race every year. New paint color schemes and new team drivers are revealed in their new full potential. Champions are formed and even lost; Dale Sr. was killed when he crashed into Turn 4 in 2001.

The Daytona 500 race is the first race of the NASCAR season, so every fan waits patiently and eagerly for its arrival because it means that the 3 months without racing has FINALLY come to an end. Thank goodness! When racing comes back, it feels as though you've returned home after being lost for a long period of time. The feeling is just pure joy and excitement. I woke up today and I felt as though it was Christmas--I'm so very, very excited for the race. I feel rejuvenated! I can't even tell you how excited I am later to watch the race on my pretty 60in HDTV. Yay.

In the words of Darrell Waltrip,
"Boogity boogity boogity! LET'S GO RACING BOYS!"

There is a reason

1. To every thing there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2. A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3. A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4. A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5. A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6. A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7. A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8. A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
(ECCLESIASTES 3: 1-8)

I'm a firm believer that for everything that happens, there is a reason for it. Sometimes that's what gets me through the day, just remembering that Heavenly Father knows what He's doing and why He's doing it. People may think this is a childish way of thinking about problems that are completely logical for why they occurred, but in reality everything DOES happen for a reason, even if we can't see why. When things get rough, just remember you big Daddy-o up in Heaven knows what is going on and has the everything under control, so there isn't a need to get your undies in a wad. :)

25 Facts

I found this little 'factoid' that literally all 723 friends of mine seem to have done. The rules are that you must post 25 unknown facts or goals about yourself, and then you can "tag" people in the game to see if they'll repost it filling out little info about themselves. Being tagged in this game 7 times (yes, I counted..and yes, it's sad that I did), I decided I'd do it. Unfortunately, I don't think I have 25 facts or goals about myself that you, my readers, wouldn't already know, but hey, I think it'll give me something interesting to blog about and provide you something interesting (maybe) to read. Here I go...

Twenty Five Factoids 'bout Aubrey
1. I let my fears dictate my life, well, I use to anyways. As you all know, I'm trying to overcome them so I can live a life without having to be paranoid about things I can never change, or things that aren't so scary after all.

2. I think Luke Skywalker should just man up and shut the crap up.

3. I told people I was Cyclops from X-Men when I was in the 3rd grade, and that's why my vision wasn't perfect because my laser beams messed it up so I had to wear glasses to protect the rest of man kind.

4. Getting contacts was one of THE best moves of my entire lifetime.

5. I started to like NASCAR to impress a boyfriend, but even after we broke up I continued to watch it, and then resulting in an addiction beyond normality.

6. I listen to various music genres a lot. Sometimes its heavy metal like Disturbed, then sometimes its country music like Jason Aldean or Trace Adkins, or sometimes the amazing 1980's hair bands like Metallica or Guns and Roses, or even the boy bands of Nsync or Backstreet Boys.

7. One of my biggest regrets I've had in my life was not going to the Metallica concert in October.

8. I use to collect Ty Beanie Babies and I have over one hundred.

9. I have a very addictive personality, but I also quit or give up very easily as well. I guess if I were to ever get into drugs, you know I'd quit because I'm a quitter.

10. There was a point in my life when I hated going to church and being with the youth of my ward. I felt like a sore thumb, and that I would never, ever fit in or be accepted. Every day before church I'd cry and tell my parents I didn't want to go because I felt so secluded.

11. I use to cuss like a sailor in the 9th-10th grade. I'm still working on not saying words in my head, but unfortunately Satan has been getting the best of me sometimes.

12. I write in my journal almost every single day. The days I don't journal, I always write about them on a different day.

13. Poptarts, cereal, tacos/burritos/quesadillas, Hawaiian haystacks, Burger King french fries are my favorite foods.

14. I won't use the products of the sponsors of the NASCAR drivers that I don't like. For example, never ever will you see me using Dupont paint products nor chewing Big Red gum.

15. I literally am addicted to the Internet. It sucks.

16. My favorite button on a camera is probably the delete button.

17. My dad almost made my middle name Arapaho after the Indian tribe. To me, that sounds like a-rape-a-hoe. Thanks mom for not letting him give me that middle name!

18. I feel sorry that my generation will be adults soon. It terrifies me.

19. I believe almost everything everyone tells me, which usually isn't a good thing.

20. I hope I don't grow up to be the crazy cat lady that lives down the street.

21. I really, really, really want to be a psychologist or school guidance counselor. I love to help people feel better when they've been having a rough time.

22. I LOVE to write. I write all the time, just for fun even. I pay more attention if I'm writing things down--just even take a look at my seminary journal.

23. Seminary is my favorite part of the day besides going to sleep.

24. I quote movie/tv lines a lot, and I'm not exaggerating. My family would be conversationless without movie/tv quotes to pepper into our conversations.

25. I would love to have laser hair removal on my legs and arms. I feel like a walking Wookie somedays.

Great year a comin'

I think that this year will be extraordinary for several reasons. I can't even begin to express how overjoyed I get when I even begin to think about how awesome this year really will be! I shall break it down and explain why this year, 2009, is the year God is making up the two-three crappy years I've had previously. I'm soooooooooooooooooooooooooo grateful.

Reason A:

I have a job. Good thing Dave's shop gets dusty everyday, along with having loads of receipts to sort and enter in the computer. Can anyone say job security? Thank goodness I can.

Reason B:

I am going to be a senior this year. Scary thought, but that's just life and I need to accept the fact that next year on July 24th, I will be an adult. Legally.

Reason C:

I am actually trying to do more things in the community; service, leadership, etc. I just want to apply myself on a more outward level and not be so worried on myself. Knowing that service really does help others and actually helps you forget your own problems, I know that I can enrich myself by doing things that benefit others. Seminary and my mom have taught me that first hand.

Reason D:

I will be driving more, hopefully, and that means I will have my license this year too. Mom, get ready for a jump in insurance!

Reason E:

This December, we're trying to take a family vacation out to Utah for a Christmas extravaganza with my extended family. You may think UT isn't too exciting, but man, I'm thrilled. I haven't been back there since 2003 and I really do miss my extended family very, very much.

Now, here are the 2 biggest reasons as to why I think this year will be wonderful. Can I get a drum roll, please? Thank you very, very much.

Biggest Reason 1:

I'm going to freakin' Europe. EUROPE! EURRRRRRROPE! It's just now hitting me that I'm going (maybe that's because we went thrifting yesterday for our throw away clothes once we're done wearing them.) Mom, Dave said I should get that half shirt and wear it to work--should I be concerned?

Biggest Reason 2:

I'm going to the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Kansas Speedway this October. Although my first year of tasting the sweet odor of race cars in the Sprint Cup series was last year, I am fortunate to have the opportunity to go again this year, with my best friend. For those of you who don't know the difference between the multiple series of NASCAR (yes, there are multiple series; Trucks, Nationwide, and Sprint.) Trucks are like a sucky high school team, Nationwide is the NCAA football, and Sprint is like the NFL of car racing. There ya go.

Orange juice

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about missionary work. Unfortunately, being somewhat timid about giving my testimony and beliefs to my friends can get in the way a big portion of the time. I'm always concerned about them thinking I'm in some crazy cult or something, or that I'm wasting my time. I know I shouldn't be worried about that, but, sometimes I can't help it. I've been made fun of so many times for being Mormon that I'm starting to not even answer questions people ask me (mainly because they're making fun of me while doing it. How many moms do you have, Aubrey? Where is your gold bible? Do you worship that Joe Smith dude?)

Expressing my feelings to my parents, my mom told me a great analogy that she had heard in a church talk given by Elder Oaks in 2000.

"Consider that you are invited to a friend’s house for breakfast. On the table you see a large pitcher of freshly squeezed orange juice from which your host fills his glass. But he offers you none. Finally you ask, ‘Could I have a glass of orange juice?’

He replies, ‘Oh, I’m sorry. I was afraid you might not like orange juice, and I didn’t want to offend you by offering you something you didn’t desire.’

“Now, that sounds absurd, but it is not too different from the way we hesitate to offer up something far sweeter than orange juice. I have often worried how I would answer some friend about my hesitancy when I meet him beyond the veil.” (Ensign, Nov. 2000, 81–82).

It made so much sense. If I feel like I should tell my friends about what I believe in, or ask them if they'd like to come to an activity at church, then by golly I should do it! After all, I'm not them, so holding back is really just making the decision for them. I need to work on this aspect of my life, definitely.

Batman Acts 1/11-1/17

Like I mentioned previously, I am going to write down my fears that I've slowly, but surely, started to overcome. This week was a bit redundant and much of the same thing was repeated; school, work, driving, etc.

Monday, January 12th:
My first day of work! :)
I'm officially the "Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday-Friday Girl" for David Tallant (http://www.daveshotrodshop.com/) at his amazing hot rod shop. I also drove to and from work without any problems.

Wednesday, January 15th:
My teacher who made the Renaissance Committee for my school said that I am guaranteed a position on the committee since she's the one who made it, whoo hoo.

Friday, January 16th:
I was given an invitation to attend an NHS meeting next week (at 6:50am!) I really hope I'm able to get into it this year, considering last year I did half of the activities I'm doing now (even though I barely do much of anything nowadays anyway.) Wish me luck :)