Sweet 'N' Simple

What represents me? How do I define myself? Who is Lindsey Hanna?

I have pondered quite a bit on these questions lately. For a school project, I was asked to pick 3 to 4 items that define me. They were to represent who I am and what I am. They are to portray me and my culture. After much thought, I have come up with four items that I think can give you a pretty good idea of who Lindsey Hanna is.

First are my scriptures. 

I chose my scriptures, because they represent my faith, my morals, my character. They represent what I stand for, who I truly am at my core. They define how I try to live my life, and what I am striving to do and become. One of my favorite scriptures is Matthew 5:16, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." I am trying to be a good person. I know I am of divine worth, I know I am a priceless daughter of the Creator of the Universe. Above all, THAT defines me, and what I want to be.

Second is my phone.

I chose my phone for a couple of reasons. One, to represent the "now" world we live in, that I am a part of. I have endless access at my fingertips. This has shaped my life to be fast-paced, always on the go. If I am not doing something, I am "wasting time." Second, I am connected. I very much identify myself and define myself by those I am closest to. I am miles and miles from my family, but with my phone I am able to keep up with them, and to tell them things about my life, and hear about things in theirs. I am also able to reach my friends on my phone, and access Facebook to catch up on people I haven't had contact with in a while. I am a people person. One of the worst things that I feel could happen to me is getting stuck in a lonely office job for years on end. I am shaped and molded by those closet to me.

Third are my running shoes.

I chose these for an interesting reason. I am not a runner. I have never particularly enjoyed running. But I do enjoy trying new things, and achieving goals. These shoes define me because they represent hard work, trying new things, and going places. I have had a wonderful life, even though I have had a decent amount of trials. I am who I am because I try. Because I work at the hard things that come up, whether I enjoy it or not. I go running at least twice a week not because I love it, but because I want to love it, and I want to work hard at a weakness that I have. 

Fourth is my key.

I chose a key because I really enjoy locking my roommates out. We have a fascination with locking each other out when one leaves without their key, and then you open the window and make them do a ridiculous dance, the truffle shuffle, or sing very loudly in order to re-enter the apartment. I love fun. I love pranking. I very much enjoy the simple things in life that make me laugh or smile, and the key represents something that to most people would just be a device to get into a building/room, but for me it unlocks countless opportunities. 

I was trying to come up for a title for this blog, it is supposed to be a "label" that sums me up. I have thought long and hard about it, and I finally decided on "sweet 'n' simple." I think life is such a tender and sweet experience that I am a part of, I try to gain as much as I can from each day and each experience. Simple, because there is simply not a single word or phrase that can describe me or who I truly am. I am Lindsey Hanna. Sweet 'n' simple. 

Cheesy Pick-up Lines

Today, I came home from class and face planted on the couch, grateful the day was finally over... only to realize... IT'S ONLY MONDAY.

But that's okay.

Because lots of good things happened today.

For starters, I am now a working woman! I got all signed up for my job today, and by job, I mean research assistant... and by research assistant, I mean I watch a TV show and break it down into various health things (drugs, sex, alcohol, etc...). I'm not complaining though!

While I was getting signed up for the job, I got to chat it up with my friend from freshman year, so that was pretty great too. I love to talk. I also got to have lunch with one of my best friends from back home, which is a miracle because our schedules are so opposite, it's not even funny!

But enough small talk. Let's get to the exciting part. Here is the most memorable part of my Monday:

So I am sitting in the library, in my usual spot, headphones in and cranking out a paper for one of my classes, when I get a tap on the shoulder from a guy. Here is the conversation that followed:

Guy: Hello! I am doing a survey about cheesy pick-up lines. Do you have a minute?

Me: Haha sure

Guy: Perfect. Do you have much experience with pick-up lines?

Me: I mean I know a few, but I haven't experienced them per say

Guy: Okay, well let me give you three, and you tell me what you think. The first one is, 'Are you from Tennessee, because you are the only 10 I see!'

Me: haha okay, next one?

Guy: Are you tired, because you have been running through my mind all day!

Me: haha...

Guy: and the last one, 'hey I am doing a survey about cheesy pick-up lines'

Me: hahaha oh.... I see what you did there!

Guy: haha, I'm *insert name here*

Me: Nice to meet you, I'm Lindsey

Guy: Are you currently taking applications for a boyfriend?

Me:...uh... what?

Guy: Are you taking applications for a boyfriend right now?

Me: ....*awkward laugh*...

Guy: Well it was nice to meet you! 

Oh yeah. This actually happened. I think this guy wins an A for Effort, and I get an A+ for awkward.

On the bright side... Only 10 days until I drive home for Thanksgiving, 34 days until classes are over, and 43 days until Christmas! 

Happy Monday!

A Week of Wins

So... some things this week were less than ideal. But, for every down, there were a few ups! Here are some wins from a potentially loserific week:

• I finished my time consuming block class, and I picked up 2 new classes I love!

• Dani got me Chick-fil-a for dinner one night (and for those of you who don't know, this is one of the ways to my heart <3)

• I went to the farmer's market with Kristin, Aubrey, and Jordan and got some amazing peaches and delicious salsa! I love those girls :)

• Jannette and I may or may not have had a girls night with an exceptionally humorous trip to Smiths, and excessive amount of food, and an excellent bonding time

• I got to go hiking with one of my bestest friends. We started out on a trail and hiking up, but we found a path of rocks we couldn't resist, and so we climbed a good way up those, which was very exciting! Coming down was a lot harder, and I struggled.... but it was absolutely beautiful! I wish I had a picture of the mountains and colorful trees to post, but this video will have to suffice!

• I got to ride with Dani on her motorcycle and go play frisbee at the park. I started out atrocious, but luckily I redeemed myself by the end.... and she and Ben may have also made some dang good cinnamon rolls with pumpkin spice icing on top, that was definitely a plus as well!

• I spent some good quality time with Nicole shopping, and any time with Nicole also entails an ab workout from laughing, so we killed two birds with one stone!

• I also may or may not have gotten this picture from my sister, with a text that said, "Hope your day is looking as sexy as me ;)" ...yep. My family stinkin' rocks!

• My MCOM teacher actually thinks I am a good writer, (Which is monumental because the last writing teacher I had trashed my self-esteem) and I finished up a stressful block class, and picked up 2 awesome ones for the rest of the semester!

• I may or may not have a friend driving home with me for Thanksgiving and staying with me and my family! (fingers crossed!)

• I finally got past my stupid security questions for my iTunes account, and was able to buy this song. My friend Ross introduced me to it a few weeks ago after our 5k, and I am borderline obsessed with it

And the best news is, this week isn't even over! I also get to have breakfast with some friends, go shooting, make a movie for class, support 3 friends at their half marathon, go to stake conference, go answer questions for future London study abroaders, and in between all of that I am sure many other fun things will happen.

Basically, this week has the potential to be one of the lamest weeks... but it has turned out to be a very successful one! I have to best roommates in the world (and they have the best boyfriends), the best friends in the world, and the best family in the world. :)

Hands

The inspiration for this post came during this past summer at Subway, when my brother Elliot and I were comparing our hand sizes. I have some pretty small hands for an adult human being, and his hands are large.

Left: Elliot's index finger    Rightt: my index finger

Left: my pinky               Right: his pinky 

Left: my index finger           Right: his pinky

Left: his thumb                Right: my thumb

My hand on his hand

Left: my hand span       Right: his hand span

In Church today we were talking about service, and how we are the hands of God. My mind wandered to this incident, and the comparison of Elliot's and my hands. I was laughing about the huge difference in our sizes, and then I shifted my thoughts to us as spiritual hands.

Our spiritual hands our similar in the sense that we each have:

• A thumb(s up) to share support and encouragement with each other. 
• An index finger to point people in the right direction
• A middle finger for snapping, to get the attention of those around us
• A ring finger with a vein that runs directly to our heart, a.k.a. passion and emotion
• A pinky for promises and covenants, to keep our word and be someone others can rely on

Elliot and I compared our hands, examining each little part, laughing at the major differences in our hands, even though both consisted of a thumb, index finger, middle finger, ring finger, pinky, knuckles, palm, etc... Depending on the occasion, his hands might be more suited for the job. If we needed to grab something that slid in-between seats, my hands would be much more suited to reach in and grab the item. If we were needing to carry something large, his hands would be much more able to do so than mine.

What if I based my worth on how well my hands could accomplish what his hands can accomplish? If I was determined to open every jar, have the same sized handfuls, or be the ultimate winner at thumb wars. I would be a very sad person. It sounds silly that I would obsess over my hands being able to do the same as his hands, when mine are capable of just as many things, just different things. 

Why do we do this with us as spiritual hands? Why do we get so worked up over being able to do the same things as others around us, when our spiritual hands are different sizes? We are all important. All of us are God's hands, because we are all needed to do very individual and unique jobs, that others simply cannot do. 

I am God's hands. You are God's hands. WE are God's hands. Let's stop comparing and worrying. Nothing is wrong with your hands, unless they are idle. Use them. Let's make a difference.

If Only They Knew

I am a Health Education major. I am in my last year of classes, and this year I have been going into high schools and middle schools to observe health classes to learn how to teach and such. I am in middle schools this week and last week, and the unit that is being taught right now is nutrition and fitness.

I was observing a first period health class, and a discussion was going on about weigh gain, weight loss, and weight management. The teacher asked the class how they could lose weight, and almost unanimously the class answered, "anorexia." I was pretty disturbed by that, but the teacher shut that down and moved on.

Well, in the second period class, same discussion going on, same question comes up, and once again the class answered, "anorexia." Are you serious? I stayed for one more class period, where the same scenario took place.

I was thoroughly disgusted. These are children! Thirteen year old children, and they are all shouting out that anorexia is the answer to weight loss. And it wasn't only one or two students in each class, it was 3 out of 3 health classes.

Today, I observed a different teacher, and different students. This teacher asked me to grade some assignments for her, and I started doing so, mindlessly making sure everything was filled out. About 12 papers in, I noticed a word in all caps, "BULIMIA." I looked to see what the question was:

"What is an effective way to manage your weight?"

Manage your weight. Not even lose weight, but just to manage it. Shocked, I counted it wrong and wrote a little note about how that is unhealthy and dangerous. Next paper, same thing. I was floored! I finished grading and went back through the first half I had already graded, and about half of the class answered that bulimia was an effective way to manage your weight.

Who is teaching these children to destroy their bodies for the sake of a mirror? Who is telling them that it is okay to damage yourself physically and starve yourself in order to have a gap between your thighs? or to see your hip bones? Or to lose the bit of fat around your abdomen?

What about the emotional and mental scarring that comes from eating disorders? What about the strong disdain towards their bodies no matter how much weight they lose? What about the fatigue and inability to concentrate? What about the possibility of sickness, disease, hospitalization, and even death?

Why do the children not know that depression almost always accompanies an eating disorder? Why are they not informed that they can have their own personal "perfect" body by feeding it the proper nutrients and exercising? Why do they not know that happiness is not found in a reflection?

If only these sweet children could know how serious eating disorders are, and how dangerous they are spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically. Starving yourself or throwing up will NOT give you your desired effect. It will actually destroy what self confidence you do have.

Please, teach these children. If you have kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, cousins, siblings, or any interaction with young people, correct this misperception.

That is all.

I Would Rather...

I am a month into my last year of college, and my motivation is not really happening. I have loads of reading to finish before tomorrow, but there are so many things I would rather be doing right now.

I would rather...

• go for a walk
• watch a movie
• talk
• get on youtube
• start a TV show
• sleep
• write a blog post
• draw a picture
• rent a puppy
• play pool/ping pong
• go grocery shopping
• dye my hair
• invent another language
• have a dance party
• go star gazing
• paint a picture
• watch grass grow
• organize my clothes by color
• go swimming
• make something
• hike a mountain
• smell candles
• do laundry
• move to the Lake District in England
• jump on a trampoline

Basically... I don't want to do my reading. 

Surprise Drowning

Do you ever have one of those days, where everything is just perfect. Nothing life changing really happens, but it is one of the best days ever? Monday was one of those days for me.

I was on Facebook that morning, and I saw that one of my best friend's (Shayla's) status was saying that she wanted to go fishing! Well, we had already planned on hanging out, so I asked her if she was serious about wanting, (which she was!) so I grabbed our fishing stuff and headed over!

We drove out to Buffalo Springs with a bit of a detour because my darn phone took us a few miles off course, but with her phone we made it there! We spent a good few hours fishing, but didn't even have any nibbles! We had switched locations 3 times, but nothing. It was still lots of fun just talking and enjoying the serenity of the lake.

Eventually we got in the lake to cool off and goofed off there. We had rock throwing contests, fun with the mud, trying to race, and just talking and enjoying each other's company. :) Shayla is great. She is one of my favorite people. She is always so positive and hopeful, and I was not expecting to catch any fish after we swam, because we had had no luck aaaaaall day, but she was determined to catch one that day!

So! We dried off and drove a bit farther around the lake, and found the Crappie house, and went in there to have our final fishing experience.

We were sitting there chatting, and we noticed that her line was slowly wandering towards me, and she reeled it up and found this little guy!

That was the first catch of the day, and granted it wasn't a fish, it was terribly exciting! After that, we caught a few more fishes and crawdad things, each one filled with it's own excitement and joy.

She was sad because this fishy was bleeding

 Finally called it a day and headed home!

We cleaned up at her house and went out to dinner at Taco Bell, and let me tell you, I was pretty sure I was going to choke and die from laughing so hard! For example, we were talking about snorkeling, and this was her comment:
"I don't even like snorkeling! It's like surprise drowning! You are swimming around looking at things and then water goes over the top of your tube and then you're choking."
It was the most unique outlook I have ever heard on snorkeling, but she did have a point!

Afterwards we went back to her place and watched a movie and then talked for a bit, until I finally headed home back to Levelland. I know this post doesn't quite do the day justice, but I figured it was blog-worthy. :)