Followers

I don't know how I feel about the whole followers thing. I think it's because I have this incessant need to be competitive. I thought if I just kept the followers thing off I wouldn't think about it and wouldn't have any either. Well, today I realized I have a handful of followers and I don't even know how they became followers and now I feel the need to add that little followers widget thingy onto the bottom of my blog. Now it's there. Right there at the bottom. Follow me if you want. I'm not sure how long it'll stay there without me starting to feel self conscious that no one cares what I have to say and take it off so I don't feel stupid. But, there it is. Besides, it would help me see who reads my blog. There are plenty of blogs I read that I have no idea who the people are. Is that weird? I think it's weirder I admitted it. Basically what I'm saying is, I like blogger validation.

Today we are having a going away party for someone. Our bureau has the best parties. I'm so glad.

I got a manicure during lunch. I didn't talk to the lady but I still sort of felt like Elle Woods. Now my nails are a pretty bright red.

Did I mention ever that we do roommate dinners now? The only stipulation is that it should be healthy and have two servings of vegetables. We make enough so we can have it for lunch the next day too. Now all I need to do is find a fork so I can eat that lunch.

Validation

I remember when I first got to the airport in Salt Lake preparing to go to Jerusalem. I knew two people on the trip. One I met in the MTC years ago (she went to Russia and had our classrooms on the same floor) and the other had moved into my ward just a few months before (though I had met him several times over the course of college since we had lots of mutual friends). In the airport I found myself meeting tons of new people. Most of whose names I couldn't remember that first day but only remembered what they were wearing, or some special feature they had (like Mandi's curly hair or Meg wearing a "Wal-Mart-T", which I instantly coveted or Caryn the girl from South Africa). My friend remarked that I made these friends quickly. He joked that all I had to do was compliment them on their shirt, hair, bag etc and we were instant friends. And, I think it's true. If someone compliments me or says something nice about me, I instantly have feelings of affection. (No this isn't a hint, but if you want to leave a comment with something nice to say, I won't say no...)

Anyway, my mom sent me the following short film. I think you should watch it even though it's kind of long.

It was fantastic.

I like how the video insinuates that the world would be a different (and better) place if there were more compliments, validations, and showing of love and affection.

And I completely agree.

And maybe I'll start really validating people on their character instead of only saying I like their shoes, dress, haircut, bag, earrings etc. It would probably make me happier and it would definitely make them happier.

Happy Weekend! I can't wait!