Thanks A Lot: Which "g" Do You Want to Be?

As I sit here in the basement of the HBLL (Harold B. Lee Library) procrastinating finishing my nutrition paper, I can't help but be really grateful and really happy! I don't know why I am in such a good mood - I have so much work to do! But I am!

A lot of my happiness and gratefulness probably has to do with the fact that this week is Thanksgiving week, and yesterday I heard so many testimonies of the power of gratitude. And today, I read the comment Lisa left on my temples blog, which was truly beautiful. I want Lisa to know how much I appreciate her testimony of gratitude as well.

One quote I heard yesterday, that I thought was interesting: "When you are glad to receive something, you are focusing on the gift; When you are grateful to receive something, you are focusing on the giver"

So I pose this question to everyone else: Which would you rather be - glad or grateful? Obviously the correct answer is that we should be grateful, but I know, first-hand, that it's not always the easiest thing to do.

Thanksgiving is a great time to recognize the things we are most grateful for. I always make a little list of the things I love most, but I feel like I haven't been thorough enough in my thankfulness... Sure, I said what I am grateful for, but did I ever thank anyone for it? Kind of. I could do better. This Thanksgiving I plan to say "thanks" and focus more on the giver rather than the gifts.

Rivalry game: was a sore disappointment. Unfortunately we lost, but I am really grateful for the work, the heartache and the harassment the BYU football goes through for our entertainment! They are still great, and I am still a loyal fan!

BYU vs. UTAH

GO COUGS!!!


[wear blue]

Mexico City Temple

This past weekend, I was able to go to the Mexico City Temple Rededication. It was overwhelmingly beautiful! It was an amazing reminder of my testimony and love for temples. I love the temples so much. I know that they allow our families to be together forever. I know the Badals can be crazy sometimes, but I am so glad that I get to be stuck with them for eternity. I look forward to the day when I can receive all of the blessings of the temples.

I watched the Cultural Presentation by the Mexican people on Saturday, in a broadcast, and I watched the dedication on Sunday, in spanish. It was nice to make a small connection with my ancestry. I know we are not from Mexican descent, but the Latin culture in general is something I really appreciate and desire to know more about. The people were so gracious and grateful for the prophet and the temple; it was amazing! I can't believe the preparation and the spirit put into the Cultural Presentation to honor the prophet and the temple. I couldn't understand everything that was said, but what I did understand was so beautiful and full of the Spirit.

I think that if we were to put half the effort in that some people in other countries do, we would be so much better off. The humility and the love they have is so honorable in my eyes. We have been so blessed, with so much, that these blessings become underappreciated and taken for granted. I have a temple within a mile from my apartment, and I could definitely be there so much more than I have been. The rededication was a great reminder of what is really important for me. It is so easy to forget with my school and social life. I hope and pray that we can all remember to be grateful for all that we have been given, especially the blessing to live so close to temples!

I Like Turtles

I posted some youtube videos on my page.... just to give you an idea of what keeps us busy and entertained while we are in college. We are productive sometimes, I promise. But this one in particular was our Halloween themed video "i like turtles." I thought that it kind of looked like Bryan when he was little. I wanted him to dress up like the kid for Halloween but he didn't go for it.

MY FIRST POST!

So, I thought I would get on board with this blogging thing and follow what the family is up to, and in return let you know what's up with your favorite Badals at BYU!

School is going pretty well for us right now, but I would say, with no days off yet, the workload has been a little rough. I know that me and Bryan have had an average or equivalent of 5 large tests and a paper due every week, and James has some major projects he is working on. It's difficult when the materials in your classes don't overlap, but we manage. We have no money and we study hard, but college life is amazing nonetheless!

We do find time every weekend to relax, which is a great relief! Bryan and I live in the Riviera apartment complex together, so we are together all the time! Bryan's roommate is an Electric music DJ, so we always have a party to go to on Friday nights. Nam, Bryan's roommate, wanted to put on a few parties with a couple other electro DJ's, and the parties have become quite the popular thing here at BYU, Joshua even came down for one or two of them! They officially named the parties "EDP"(Electric Dance Party). It has gotten so big that the EDP crew has been offered to run the music at a "mormon" club in Salt Lake City! And just to clarify, it is a completely harmless club, with a modesty dress code and no alcohol, just so you don't think we go hardcore clubbing all the time!! Good ole' Utah!

I love living by Bryan. We are pretty tight these days. It may just be because he likes it when I make him dinner, but I like to think otherwise. It is hard being away from the family all the time, especially when cool things are going on, or your mom gets into an accident, but I love it at BYU, and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else right now. Having Bryan here lets me have a little bit of my family and my BYU too!

Gossip: I am dating someone. I heard my dad told some of the family I had a "friend." It is true! His name is Juan Baez. He's a great guy, no worries, and I guess everyone will get to meet him during the holidays! He was Bryan's companion on the mission and now they are roommates.......But my dad even liked him, so that should tell you just a little something about him!

In Other News: The Iverson men came to see us! It was really great to go out to dinner with them and James! Jon has some pretty cool stories! They came to see the final home game at BYU... Another perfect home season! Go Cougars!!

Feel free to ask questions and let me know whats going on! I feel family deprived.