Really?

Sitting in church this past Sunday (for just Sacrament meeting..not feeling THAT great yet) I cringed as I heard the first two announcements for singles activities. Singles over 31 to 101 that is. I always expect someone in my family to poke me or give me a significant look. A look that says, "You really should go to these."

And I know I probably should to support the program and blah blah blah. I have always resisted going to any of the singles firesides. When I say firesides I mean meetings on Sunday. There is no fire involved its just something it is called in church culture. I didn't even like to go to singles firesides when I was younger. Especially with topics like, "Being happy and being single" or "Finding your perfect mate." The topics weren't quite that bad and I thought I had heard everything as a topic for a singles fireside.

Until Sunday....

The topic for this week's fireside?

Get ready its very exciting....






SLEEP DISORDERS!!

Seriously? Sleep disorders? For a singles fireside?

To each his own I suppose but my attitude about firesides definitely has taken a sharp turn for the worse.

Its 2009

That rhymes. How fun.

Anyway, I have been reading lots of my friends blogs about resolutions etc etc and I have figured out over the years that I am no good at making or keeping those.

For instance at one time or another I've vowed to get organized. I buy cute day planners and they last through February. So I've quit doing that. (Until today when I found a cute tiny one at Target)

I also have said I want to lose weight. Who hasn't made that resolution at least once or 500 million times in their life? I know that I keep making it and breaking it. I've also said that I want to exercise more regularly and get in better shape. Does that mean I'll be a size 2 anytime in the near future? No. Never happen.

So I wanted to share some of the things I plan on NOT doing this year.

* I am not going to obsess over my marital status nor allow it to color my daily life. I'm going to live my life and see what happens. I am however going to try...as soon as I have the courage to do it.

*I am not going to obsess over trying to be the perfect Seminary teacher. I have good days and I have bad days. But at the end of the day what is really important is that I love those kids as much as if they were my own and that is perfection to me.

*I am not going to stress out about things I cannot control. (Perhaps vent about them to others..of course!)

*I am not going to beat myself up if I miss a day of exercise, scripture reading or some other thing I am trying to incorporate into my life this year.

*I am not going to be unhappy. I am going to be happy with me because then you can share your love with everyone around you.

See ya around 2008.
Here's to a great 2009.

Why isn't being single enough?

The title to this blog is born out of my frustration from a recent conversation I had with our stake singles representative. For those of you that don't know, in our church there are programs for singles. When you are 18-31 you are considered a young single. When you reach the ripe old age of 32 you are considered just single and this category includes anyone from 32-102 who happens to be single for any reason.

The stake single rep came into work today and I was eating lunch. She pops her head into my office and asks if I'm coming to the New Years eve dance. I said no that I didn't like the dances even when I was younger. Besides, I don't want to go to a singles dance and have to dance with 90 year old men. Not cool. Then she asked if I was coming to the firesides. I said no to that. I have never liked the singles firesides because they are usually boring and sometimes have titles like "I'm single and happy." Well, duh. My feelings towards most of the singles firesides center around that single theme..well, duh. I am sure there are a few of you who can relate.

Then she asks me if I'm online anywhere which means am I on any online sites. My reply is no. If you'll recall I did try ldsplanet but I found out that online dating isn't for me. If you're not super cute and a size zero you get no responses. I really didn't try very hard on ldsplanet but whatever. I figured out pretty quickly that it wasn't for me. Maybe its the timing or just me in general but it was something I grew to be very apathetic about.

Is the conversation over yet? No. These were her parting words.

"So, I guess you're just relying on someone to fix you up." I was like, no I am happy just the way I am. She said, "Well, as long as you're happy."

Let me say this first before I go on my diatribe indicated in my opening title. This woman is very nice and just trying to fulfill her calling but I thought that her delving into my personal and private dating life was a bit much.

Isn't being single good enough for some people? What does it matter if I'm married or not if I am living the gospel and doing the things that I know are right? So what if I don't want to spill my guts out on the Internet on some stupid singles website to try to meet a man? I am not that desperate. I can live this way and be happy. My marital status should have no bearing on my happiness. Do I wish I were married? Of course! Am I going to sit on my hope chest and cry about it? No way! I have too much to do and I am too busy to worry about getting married.

I have good friends, a great family and a good job. When I'm ready maybe I'll step up seeking for a husband but for right now being single is good enough for me.