I figured I had paid my debt to society by paying my overdue fines at the Mulnoma County Library.

And they said, "Son, go join up.
Go join the Youth and Beauty Brigade."

I have figured something out. My happiness as a person is entirely dependent on how happy I choose to be.

Wow. I never thought it would actually be that simple.

Starting recently, I have made the choice to do my best in everything I do and to be satisfied with the outcome, even if the outcome is not too satisfactory.

I have been trying to cook a lot lately. I suppose my inspiration came from J's brother's girlfriend, Sabrina, who is a wonderful cook. I aspire to be able to cook for people I love and to have them really, really enjoy it. It's a lot of trouble sometimes, but it's so much fun! I would like to share with everyone all of the cooking that has been taking place over the last couple days.

Last night, J and I cooked dinner for ourselves and my parents. First we cooked these tartines that Sabrina and Mason (J's brother) had cooked before, and J had them a couple times when he was in France, as well. They turned out really good and my parents loved them! For dinner, we cooked crab cake sandwiches and cole slaw. It was all very good. I would only have changed a couple small things about what we made. The clean-up wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, either.

This morning, I woke up and decided I wanted some French toast. I threw some bacon on the stove and sliced some baguette and made some French toast. My dad made coffee and we all ate together, and that was my breakfast before work. What a great way to start the day, right? Lastly, I made some homemade guacamole so my mom would have something to eat when she got home from work. Both of my parents really love it, so I'm excited to have that recipe logged away.

I am happy with what I've been doing, because I have made myself happy with what I've been doing. I have been working so much lately. This week I'm working thirty-eight hours (thank goodness, I'm finally getting the hours I want!), but I have really been enjoying it. I'm trying my hardest to put my cynicism to the side and just love people for what they are, and I really am trying to control my temper while understanding that everyone has good and bad to them.

Another thing - I have been working my butt off lately. Do you know why? I have recently become excited to perpetuate myself as a successful person. It doesn't matter if lifeguarding has anything to do with being a music teacher, because it obviously doesn't have much to do with it at all. Either way, though, I have supervisors in this job who will probably be writing recommendations for me sometime soon. Shouldn't I do my best for them?

Beyond that, though, working makes me feel good. Productivity is the best kind of upper you can take. I want to say that every day was worth something by the time I'm done with it. I want to say that I have something to show for every single day I live. Just by making myself excited for work, I automatically enjoy it.

I have been getting a lot out of reading my Bible recently. I think I might go more into that later, though, because my thoughts are not organized enough to discuss something as important as spirituality. All I can tell you is that I have learned two very important things from the Old Testament. First, I have learned that Old Testament God is the very same God as New Testament God, despite Old Testament God's seemingly wrathful nature and New Testament God's boundless mercy and love. Secondly, there is a reason we call him "Father." It is not a formality - it is a name based solely on love. God is the only real Father. He's the only one with any real knowledge of what we need.

I have been trying so hard to remember to thank Him more often, for everything. I am so blessed.

I think that sums up my thoughts for the night. Right now, I'm incredibly sleepy. I need to go to bed now so that I can enjoy more of what God has in store for me.



Nothing will stand in our way.

END.