Day #6: Doctor's Appointments and Baby Brothers

     It is day six on my quest to be "complaint-free" and today has been pretty good. For the first time this week I got to get up at 7:45am, and go to my 9 o'clock class. Which was actually quite nice. We talked all about Elder Richard G. Scott and his focus on trusting in the Lord. Isn't it so true? I can't do everything by myself, what better person to trust?
     Of course, my teacher had to bring up how much emphasis he places on expressions of love, and how his wife is brought up in basically every, single one of his talks. Really sweet honestly. :)

     After that I went and sat in the Benson building for the next hour 'til it was time to leave for my doctor's appointment. Yes, I was catching up on class reading. Ah, Greek literature, so thrilling. Today, I was privileged to be reading Herodotus and Thucydides, both of which are actually Greek historians, no poets. Ha. With how many times they brought up the Trojan War and Helen of Troy, and Priam, they didn't really sound like credible historians to me. But hey, I'm not they expert. I was simply doing my best not to fall asleep while doing my reading. That seemed like quite the challenge today for some reason. I literally felt like I had accidentally swallowed a Benedryl with my morning medication dose, or even worse, some Adavan (which, by the way, has the simple purpose of "shutting things down" just so you know).

    But I succeeded. I caught up with all my Greek literature reading just in time, then it was onward to Salt Lake City. Of course I was thrilled when I got there and they handed me this thick chunk of paper work, BUT it was okay, because most of it I got to hand to my mom to fill out. Haha, ain't she the best?
     It was pretty awesome discussing the various procedures and ways in which they would be digging into my head this coming month. Oh, did I not mention I'm having surgery? Yeah, it's pretty great, always an adventure, let me tell you. Of course, during this entire discussion my baby brother (he turned two just yesterday) is having the time of his life using the removable tray of his stroller to catapult his toys over to the other side of the room. Orchestrating some lovely noise to talk over. Thankfully he stop soon after and resorted to throwing his toy around manually including throwing a book at the doctor's foot, to which the doctor playfully responded, "Ouch!".

     On the way home My mom and I tried to feed my brother an apple slice that he kept refusing while occupying himself by tossing his toy trains all over the car. After giving up on the mission, my mom handed my a homemade granola bar with a whole bunch of good stuff in it, including pumpkin and chocolate and cranberries. You won't believe it, my brother wouldn't take the apple slice, but he pointed directly at my hand and said, "Some. I some." Really... You want this concoction of pumpkin, oatmeal, cranberry, and chocolate? But you won't take a typical child's food of apple? I shrugged, and broke off a piece for him to chew, and that next thing out of his mouth? "I like it! I like it! I like it!" Of course this completely amused my mother, driving in the front seat. Clapping, and laughing, and howling, the whole deal. My brother knows what's good for him, I guess. See mom? Your kids know what they're talking 'bout. Next, I simply put my baby brother to sleep by giving him a head massage rolling the wheels of his toy trains over his head, and he promptly went to sleep. That was easy.

You know what time it is? That's right, time for my list of five. Drum roll please.

1. This morning, and the entire day has been really warm. Don't even really need my coat!

2. Pumpkin-chocolate granola bars are the BOMB

3. My baby brother, Henry, is the cutest! Even in his terrible twos...

4. Tomorrow is Friday!

5. I'm SUPER excited to get started in the journalism program!

Cheers!

Jessica Ashley

Day #5: Good Day of Five List and Chocolate-Covered Cinnabears

     I love chocolate-covered cinnabears. They are delicious. Even though they are QUITE full of sugar, they are actually quite filling. Really! I forgot my lunch today, BUT I munched on a couple of those and I feel a lot better! Not saying they substitute for a meal, but they carry you over until your next one. :) Needless to say, my tummy is happy. :)

    Today is my baby brother Henry's birthday. Guess what? He's two! Yes! Which means he is officially a toddler, AND has his own attitude...yup. BUT he's still cute. :) Thankfully, I remembered to get him a present (yay me!).
     He's doing A LOT of talking, hasn't said my name in awhile, BUT I still love him. :) His favorite words all have to do with emergency vehicles or aircraft. "'Copter" or "fire" (in which case he is referring to a firetruck). And whenever those sirens go off, yup. He wants to chase them. Unfortunately, that is not legal. So, he chooses to ride all the way home in tears. Poor little guy.
    He operates my mom's iPad like a boss. I can't believe how well he knows how to use that thing! He wants to watch Thomas the Train? No problem, he knows exactly where the icon on the screen is, and how to navigate through the list of PBS Kids shows. Wow.

Aren't my sister and brother adorable??

Here is my list of five for the day!

1. Again, no seizures today!

2. My teacher gave me an opportunity to redo an assignment for FULL credit.

3. March Madness is starting, news flash, I'm actually kind of excited!

4. My second favorite team (besides BYU Cougars) is Arkansas Razorbacks.

5.  Chocolate-covered Cinnabears are amazing!

Keep smiling!

Jessica Ashley

Day #4: This Is Not Going How I Hope...

     Well, I broke again yesterday. Unfortunately I chose to vent (again) about how frustrating my personal life is, BUT hey I was looking for advice and inspiration! This particular girl is wonderful and helping me through the tough times (she knows who she is). Needless to say, I got some good advice, and feel a little better in spirits now. :)

     I should stop coming up with excuses though. Pushing through this is how I'm going to end up achieving my goal, not by making exceptions.

With no further ado:

1. I woke up today with no seizures bothering me!

2. I had a delicious turkey sandwich on an everything bagel for lunch today.

3. The sun is out today!

4. My scars are healing up nicely, and now I get to start using vitamin E oil on them. That helps them even more! :)

5. I'm STILL excited to get my NEXT StitchFix box. :)

Happy Adventures!

Jessica Parcell

    

Complaint Restraint Day #3: The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

     Wow, I know I said that I was going to do my best to try and quit all complaining, but then what happens when you're not really paying any attention to the objective? Yeah, you don't really get anywhere...right. Unfortunately in this case, I didn't even realize it 'til late this afternoon. Don't get me wrong, my day was still pretty dang good, but I still had some complaining habits seep through the cracks. Sorry. :/

     It started when I let the feelings of others get to me, then of course being a woman, I just HAD to rant and let it all out, but I didn't pay attention as to HOW I was letting it all out. No, it wasn't any kind of "productive criticism", just start out complaining. Aw man...
     Oh well, what happened in the past I can't change, so I smply need to march forward in the best way I know how, right? Right.

So, with no further ado, here is my list of five for the day:

1. I had the most INGENIUS breakfast burrito this morning for my first meal of the day. Complete with tomatoes, bacon, avocado, caramelized onions, and cheese. My tummy was happy. :)

2. Watching my favorite '90s sitcoms is one of the best was to start my day, and it doesn't matter where in the series I start. What better way to begin than to laugh?

3. A messy side bun is actually quite nice looking, plus it's easy to do.

4. Lil' Caesars Bacon Crust Deep Dish is AMAZING. I recommend it to any pizza and bacon lovers out there.

5. No matter how your day went, a nice hot shower really helps you pull it back together. At least a little bit. :)

6. Yes, this is a bonus one. "The Other Guys" is one of the funniest and most enjoyable comedies I've ever watched in my life!

Cheers to a better future!

Jessica Ashley

(P.S. Daylight Savings Time is starting and we're all losing an hour, BUT just think, it's getting light outside AND the day will be longer. :))

Day #2: My First Complaint In 24 Hours...and Utah dating standard

     I was doing SO well! Then I got on a really touchy subject with my coworker, and the flood gates opened. I broke, and without even realizing it, I started complaining...

     All it was about is how it seems that no one in Utah really understands the simplicity in asking someone on a date. It's not the hard when you really think about it. Unfortunately we've been raised by culture and stamped candy grams, and corny cleverness as the default standard for asking someone for one Saturday night. Sad isn't it? Then when it's comes to young adulthood, text messaging is your new standard. Yes, I have been asked out by this method. Haha.
     Of course, I understand if you can't ask the individual out in person, but if that is the case, then is when you grab your phone, CALL them, and ask them in that personal manner. So much better, right? None of this texting thing. Blech. BUT it could be worse. It could've been over facebook, or through another person, heaven forbid.

     To help myself with this Complaint Restraint Project, I've decided it'd be a good idea to identify at least five things that are positive about my day, myself, or whatever. And to focus on those things when I'm ever tempted to complain. Sounds like a plan, right?

Ok, so...

1. The sun was out when I woke up this morning! And it's STILL out now!

2. I haven't spilled any food on my black blazer today. Which we all know, wearing black clothing of any kind always seems to be hazard for spills and stains. So, this in of itself is a miracle.

3. I've been wearing less makeup lately while my scars heal over (again). I'm not going to lie, it looks and feels pretty good. :)

4. I got paid today!

5. AND my first Stitch Fix box arrived today! So excited to see what's in it!

How'd I do? Do I feel better? Yes!

Now it's your turn. Try and find five things about today that are awesome and see how you feel.

Cheers!

Jessica Ashley

Day #1 of Complaint Restraint Project. How Am I Doing?

     Well, it is day one of Complaint Restraint Project, and I THINK I've been doing okay so far. I really have to watch my words, and what I'm talking about.

     I got to work and we started discussing the many ways in which we could improve our "special orders" textbook program, and what to do when people come in for their textbooks, having waited weeks after it arrived. So much time that it has now been re-shelved. Should we just give it to them? Should they have to reorder it and pay for it again? What's the best way? The debate went on back and forth, as we all, including myself, gave our points for not doing this and not doing that.
     Yes, the customer should probably have to buy their textbook again, since they didn't make it a priority to come get it in the first place, and that's not our fault. That's making a statement, and not complaining. Right? I hope so, I'm really trying hard at this.

    Watch, in the next few weeks, all the complainers in the world will be avoiding me, because I won't join their pity parties! Of course, I'll still be there if you need a crying shoulder, but I'll be trying to help you look at the positive side of things instead of feeding the negative energy you keep releasing. Is that okay? You have to admit, saying something nice about your morning, no matter how silly or ridiculous is a TON better than complaining.

     Try it right now! Seriously. Try saying something positive. Whether about yourself, or the day, the weather, your job, the food you just ate, whatever. And say it out loud. That's right. Say it like you mean it! Give it the gusto it deserves! Now, how do you feel? A little less tense? Doesn't your body feel a little better? Feel any physical pain slipping away? See what I mean? It's just the better way to go!
     I'm still moving forward with this quest to relieve myself of all the stress and anxiety I DON'T need. Anyone want to join my party? We have cookies (no really)!

Happy Adventures!

Jessica Ashley

Imagine, No More Complaining! How 'bout It?

     I just came across one of the most intriguing things I've ever seen! Get this, a pact to stop the complaining, and cut it out of your life! Wouldn't that be AMAZING?? Just think of how much happier you'd feel, how much taller you'd stand, and how much of a difference it would make! Even in ways you never thought possible!
     I came across it while doing my daily dose of Facebook (confession), but honestly it was super neat!

What It's Like to Go Without Complaining For a Month

     They tried it for a month, but just think of how much easier it would be to NOT complain after just ONE month!
     It kind of goes that way with all things. The less you eat sugar, the less of an appetite you have for those sweet goodies. Not because you don't like them anymore of course, just that you are more eager to satisfy your hunger with healthy foods, because now simply out of habit those tastes are more appealing to you.

     What would I like to stop complaining about? Well, I'd start with EVERYTHING, but if I break it down, it's more managable to think about. I'd like to stop complaining about the ridiculously bipolar weather here in Utah. It never seems to make up it's mind! This year, winter waited until March to give us our snow down in the valley. I trudged to school in my winter coat and boats, but by late morning, the sun was out, snow was melted, and all you needed anymore was a light jacket! What?? Yes, this the typical kind of relationship the atmosphere has with this state. It's quite amusing sometimes actually.
    Now, what would it be like if I just eliminated the phrase, "I hate this weather" out of my day? Because, honestly, I say it more than I realize. What if INSTEAD I found one good thing to say about my morning before I stepped out the door, or just even before I started my day? I'll tell you one thing. There would be a heck of a lot more likelihood it would be a better day than if I started with complaining.

     So, who is with me? Who of all you readers out there want to join me on the bandwagon of "no more complaining"? Sure, it's not going to be easy. In fact, it will be quite hard at first, simply because it comes so naturally to us all.
     Yes, of course I'm well aware that sometimes you just need to vent, because keeping emotions bottled up inside is healthy for no one. BUT, try turning that into "Positive Venting" where you spit out whatever is bothering and tag on the word, BUT and find something positive you can take from it all. Even if all that is is "it could've been worse". Really, it does help.

     Well, you're all witnesses. Here's my digital signature, vowing to do my absolute best to stop complaining. Here it goes, all aboard the Complaint Restraint Project!

Cheers!

Jessica Ashley