life in technicolour

i couldn't deny it even if i tried, my friends. my life has been rather interesting and i wouldn't just say, "as of late," but the past 8 months have been quite unexpected, if you will. to just give you all an idea of what i've been through, i'll give you a quick update:

in the past 8 months, i have:

--returned home from serving a mission in the Switzerland Zurich/Alpine German-Speaking Mission because of a back injury
--undergone extensive chiropractic treatment
--returned to school
--had the unknown back problem return
--discovered what sent me home and what returned was actually a herniated disc the size of a rather large thumb nail
--had 2 cortisone shots, which made everything worse
--undergone physical therapy

and most recently (2 weeks ago today, to be exact), i had back surgery removing said herniated disc.

looking back on everything, i kind of wish i had just had the surgery done right away, but i've grown so much and met some incredible people throughout this process, so even though it's been frustrating at times, i'm so grateful for the experiences i've had.

isn't life so amazing? just look outside--it's gorgeous! there is so much to be happy about! i'm eternally grateful to have had a positive attitude throughout this entire process; it's certainly blessed me greatly. life is too short to be unhappy and we have far too many blessings in our lives to not be of good cheer.

"come what may and love it." i remember Elder Wirthlin giving that talk a couple of years ago. i was living in Vienna at the time and ever since i've heard that talk, i've tried to develop that attitude. fast forward nearly 2 years to when i was serving in Richterswil, bedridden because i could no longer walk due to the pain. i studied the talk once more and as i continued to do what i could and studied the scriptures, i was blessed with an optimistic and cheerful attitude.

i won't even try to deny it, though. i was completely devastated. i loved my mission and had always wanted to serve, so why had that happened? there are so many times we won't receive the answers to our greatest questions. i have no idea why that happened to me when it did, but i find it amazing at what i've experienced within the past year. how can i not be happy? i've been and continue to be so blessed. i had the chance to serve a mission and i've met the most amazing people!

if i had to give a bit of advice to anyone, i would simply say to cherish every moment you have with someone because life is full of surprises. be of good cheer and constantly strive to see the innumerable blessings Heavenly Father bestows upon us.

life is just amazing. take a step back and look at everything you have, my friends.

well, well, what a week! and it's only wednesday! so far, i have a new nephew (number 5!), i've gotten/conquered an unknown illness that somewhat resembles the flu, i've met with the neurosurgeon and i've scheduled surgery for this friday! unfortunately, because of said surgery, i'll be missing the first few days of class since the doctor wants me to stay for a week to make sure no infection set in/aliens are growing inside of me, planning to take over and destroy the universe. i have this image of Alien in my mine. gosh, that would suck. high hopes, though, high hopes...

continuing on about the doctor: he thinks that part of the disc broke off and i've got fragments irritating the nerve. makes sense. he even drew/colored me a picture of what he thought. no, my doctor is not five. he's quite intelligent and has the background to prove it. the picture helped though.

tomorrow, i'm hoping to drive up to the temple. it's so beautiful!

as it's the very end of the semester and seeing as how i've slacked on updating this thing (because it's in such high demand by the general public...), i figured i'd write a few words. you know, just because...

my life this semester has been nothing like i planned. really, though, one can only plan so much. "plan to be surprised," is a great motto. along with, "come what may and love it." the latter is still my motto and although it can be difficult to love the situation, the saying makes it easier to at least appreciate the lessons that are to be learned. it has most certainly been a roller coaster this semester for me, what with the back issue coming back. i at least know the issue(s) though and i've tried everything, essentially. all but surgery. that, my friends, will be the adventure i experience next week.

i suppose i can't really say that quite yet. i don't know FOR SURE i'll be having surgery. for so long, i've been hoping for it, looking forward to it. i just want my life back. last night, however, while my visiting teachers were over, i came to the realization that it's back surgery. yes, i know that. but it's kind of really intense, if you think about it. should something go wrong and the neurosurgeon accidentally strike my nerve, i could be paralyzed. i have faith in the doctor i'll be seeing this upcoming tuesday, but that doesn't mean those concerns aren't there.

as i've been stuck in limbo, it's allowed me to see things in a different light. i've reflected on the past and yes, it's been more difficult, physically, not being able to do certain things, but i've met some incredible people. a fear of mine, one of which i hope it completely ridiculous and will never occur, is that after i'm healed, i won't ever see them again.

that sounds crazy, i know. it's just one of those fears, though--just that small bit of anxiety. whatever happens, happens. i think it was Bruce R. McConkie that said (and this is paraphrasing rather roughly...very roughly), "can you control it? if not, don't worry about it." there's no point in stressing about the things you can't control. recognize the Lord's hand in all things, keep the commandments, and you have nothing to worry about. sure, things may not turn out as planned, but there's nothing to worry about.

i'm trying really hard to keep that focus. life is so much better when you're happy and optimistic. there really are innumerable reasons to rejoice. be of good cheer! life happens. but why not be happy?

condoleeza rice spoke here at byu earlier this semester (incredible forum. truly) and reminded us that we may not be able to control our situations, but we can control our attitude to the situation.

i'll admit that, yes, if the doctor back home meets with me tuesday and decides i'm not getting surgery, i'll be at wit's end. what do you do when you've tried everything but it's only gotten worse? what do you do when it's taken over and completely changed your life?

i suppose the answer really is quite simple. it's what i've been doing and honestly, it's the only reason i've been able to remain so happy and optimistic throughout this whole ordeal: the gospel. how it's brought such peace and happiness! just look at your lives and everything you have. how can you not be happy? focus on what you know. focus on the gospel. have faith and know that everything will turn out well.

those are the things to keep doing, i guess. and sleep. that seems like a funny thing to say at this point, but really, sleep helps so much more than you realize. as college students, it's easy to pull all-nighters to get everything done, but i'm so much happier, optimistic, pleasant to be around, and everything is just so much better when you get sleep.

i suppose i'll quit my rambling now, but do be of good cheer, my friends. i may have difficulty walking/standing and essentially doing everything else, but i can still walk. what a blessing! do not take these things for granted; you have no idea what you have until you no longer have it.

pfingstrossen

ok, so this is completely random, but considering this is a blog, everything i say is essentially random, right? at least since i don't really post on a regular basis.

i'm not much of a gardener, i'm afraid (i have a small habit of accidentally killing any plant alive), but i wish i were, just so i could have this flower. (in german, it's called Pfingstrossen, but i don't know the name of this specific one. i believe it's some kind of peony, but, like i said, i don't know the variety. i just know that, 1. it's found in switzerland, and 2. i know nothing about plants, nor do i really care so much. i just know this one) i first discovered it when my 2nd companion and i were on our way to an appointment in my first area, Frauenfeld. i had to stop because they were so pretty and i had never seen a flower quite like them before, in all honesty. i believe they're fairly common in europe, but not so much here? hm. not entirely sure. i'm sure google would be kind enough to help out in that discovery, though.

perhaps this seems silly, but i love how delicate and feminine these flowers are. i dubbed these last summer as being my favorite flower and they still are.

i'm the kind of person where i may not know what i like/want at first, but once i find it, it's a solidified decision. however, that also means that i can be rather specific about what i do and do not like. with these flowers, i like that specific one above. not any other variety or color. that specific one. here's what it looks like when it opens up more:

beautiful, yes?

and that's the end of the botany post. probably forever.

in other wonderful news:

The Kansas City Temple is nearing completion! Ok, there's still the entire inside to do, along with the grounds, etc...but just look at the temple! It's GORGEOUS!

give me music or give me death

I've discovered a couple of seriously awesome bands in the past couple of weeks, thanks to NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts and I highly recommend them. I'll include the links to the TDC, so you can download it and enjoy it for many years to come. I had already listened to and enjoyed music by Iron and Wine, so you'll recognize his voice, but I especially love the song "Maryanne" that he includes in the session. It makes me nostalgic for things of recent past. Great song. Good memories...things I definitely miss.

Short post for those with short attention spans. Plus, I don't really have much to say. Enjoy the music, my friends!

Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger: http://www.npr.org/2010/12/08/131291469/the-ghost-of-a-saber-tooth-tiger-tiny-desk-concert

Iron and Wine: http://www.npr.org/2011/01/22/133059550/iron-and-wine-tiny-desk-concert **head's up, he's loose with language in a song, so if you have sensitive ears, beware. It's a fabulous session though.

Ivan and Alyosha: http://www.npr.org/2011/02/07/133463326/ivan-and-alyosha-tiny-desk-concert

freshly baked bread and other delectable edible products

sure, i'll admit it: i don't eat american bread anymore. i do enjoy the occasional white bread, but i can't really eat the store bought kind. i need the european stuff. i'm addicted. so yes, i bake myself wonderful rustic european breads each week. today, it's the French Country loaf; ah, there's nothing quite like fresh bread out of the oven.

this morning, my sister informed me of an atrocity, something that truly shook heaven and earth: someone told her that no one can tell the difference between a mix or from scratch. meine gute...how can anyone say such blasphemous words? OF COURSE you can tell the difference between the two--it's beyond obvious! yes, there is a place for mixes and they can come in quite useful at times, but i truly enjoy creating something people enjoy. i love to bake! i have a knack for it. and a passion, might i add. i love coming up with recipes and sharing these said baked delights with those around me. carrot cake (i make a pretty wicked carrot cake), chocolate pb cheesecake, cheesecake brownies, my chocolate cookies with my very delectable (and very secret) frosting...my, oh my...how i love to bake! i would love to open up a bakery someday. a very quaint bakery, similar to the one maggie gyllenhaal has in "Stranger Than Fiction." so delightful.

in other news: the King's Speech=AMAZING and i am the proud owner of all the Beethoven dvds featuring the Vienna Philharmonic, under the direction of Christian Thielemann. I've been waiting for these DVDs for 2 years! AH! i was there, my friends. i was there when they started filming the concerts. and it was amazing. ah, wien...

i couldn't resist, i had to redesign my blog. i needed something that was more me and not something some company had thrown together to be "cool." part of my lack of resistance is due to my procrastination/break from studying. mid-terms, my friends, mid-terms...

once more, i can say that my life is quite interesting--there never seems to be a dull moment! it's a bit of a roller coaster right now, but tis all good; all of our lives are like that, right? it's funny, i've been thinking about how when i was younger and would always complain about how boring my life was. had i only known what my life would be like now, i wouldn't have expressed such a sentiment.

it appears that this summer will be a bit slower now for me. i can't lie, i'm somewhat grateful for it. a few weeks ago, whilst undergoing testing (remember how i mentioned that my freak back problem was back? yeah, the testing and that are related), i was listening to some music and a familiar song rang out through the headphones:

Slow down, you crazy child
you're so ambitious for a juvenile
But then if you're so smart, tell me
Why are you still so afraid?

Where's the fire, what's the hurry about?
You'd better cool it off before you burn it out
You've got so much to do and
Only so many hours in a day

But you know that when the truth is told..
That you can get what you want or you get old
You're gonna kick off before you even
Get halfway through
When will you realize, Vienna waits for you?

Slow down, you're doing fine
You can't be everything you want to be
Before your time
Although it's so romantic on the borderline tonight
Tonight,...
Too bad but it's the life you lead
you're so ahead of yourself that you forgot what you need
Though you can see when you're wrong, you know
You can't always see when you're right. you're right

You've got your passion, you've got your pride
but don't you know that only fools are satisfied?
Dream on, but don't imagine they'll all come true
When will you realize, Vienna waits for you?

Slow down, you crazy child
and take the phone off the hook and disappear for awhile
it's all right, you can afford to lose a day or two
When will you realize,..Vienna waits for you?
And you know that when the truth is told
that you can get what you want or you can just get old
You're gonna kick off before you even get half through
Why don't you realize,. Vienna waits for you
When will you realize, Vienna waits for you?

i realized that i'm just trying to do way too much and i was pushing myself so hard that i was already missing out on some great things. so i'll have to wait an extra semester/year to start grad school. that's okay, i'll have extra time to work, travel (i'm hoping to go back to Austria and Switzerland) and so it's totally fine if i have to take a little longer. it's certainly unexpected, yes, with how long it's taking to finish my undergrad, but if i look back on everything i've done and experienced during the years just following high school, i have no regrets, so why let it get to me? i honestly cannot express all of the thoughts that went through my mind and the emotions i felt when this song came on, but believe me, i needed to hear those words that very moment. "slow down, you're doing fine..." just slow down a bit and enjoy the ride, my friends. don't let yourself miss out on some of the greatest things you could experience.