It's Your Birthday, Karli!

One of the most magical times of the year is December 16th. Why you may ask, because it's my best friend and little sister Karli's Birthday. Today she is 19 years old. She is the nicest, most dedicated, friendly, passionate, talented, loving, spontaneous, sarcastic, pee-your-pants funniest girl in the world.

I can't believe how fast you are growing up! "I think you're a great cool kid and a best friend a girl could have."

Karli, it's your Birthday! In celebration of your Birthday I came up with some awesome things you've done this year! Enjoy.

1 You made funny Youtube videos

2 You got lost with yours sisters in SLC

3 You graduated from Seminary

4 You were an awesome zombie for Halloween

5 You went to your first college dance

6 You danced over a table like Ellen

7 You learned yoga

8 You started crocheting

9 You went to Relief Society

10 You moved twice

11 You sang in church and at school

12 Your "Misguided Ghosts" dance made it in the show

13 You got 2 jobs in 1.5 weeks

14 You graduated from high school

15 You started school at UVU

16 You met David Archuleta

17 You went to NYC

18You went to the Taylor Swift "Speak Now" concert

19 You moved in with your sisters

I love you!

Love Love Love,

Krystal Dey

P.S. Let the festivities begin. Now back to 1.

Little Inspirations

My last blog had this picture in it.

It is small and you can't really see what it says. It is so inspirational I had to type it up. I love finding little quotes or inspirations that make you feel like you are on the right path or tomorrow can be different because in the end it is you're choice.

"This is your life. Do what you love, and do it often. If you don't like something, change it. If you don't like your job, quit. If you don't have enough time, stop watching TV. If you are looking for the love of your life stop; they will be waiting for you when you start doing things you love. Stop over analyzing, all emotions are beautiful. Life is simple. When you eat, appreciate every last bite. Open your mind, arms, and heart to new things and people, we are united in our differences. Ask the next person you see what their passion is, and share your inspiring dream with them. Travel often; getting lost will help you find yourself. Some opportunities only come once, seize them. Life is about the people you meet, and the things you create with them so go out and start creating. Life is short. Live your dream and share your passion."

Start tomorrow by living today!

Love Love Love,

Krystal Dey

P.S. Start creating and share your passion.

The Leaves are Still Falling

It's fall. The leaves are changing from green to yellow. Sometimes they fall.

I have been going through a mid-semester slump. My classes are getting harder, decisions are to be made, and it's cold. This blog is for those of us who have been going and going and going. This is the time to take a moment, to look at our lives and the things we've been doing. The time to change our routines and attitudes. The "you can do it when things get tuff." This blog is for me and it is for you. Below are a few things I am doing to get out of my slump.

Plan a trip. It gives you something to look forward to. Traveling is what it is, a book.

Share your passion with the world. I am attracted to people who are passionate about something. Why? Because they are happy about the little things and they love others to know what makes them happy. Do what makes you smile. "Life is short, share your passions!" Show the world how excited you are about something.

Say what you feel. Say it! For one day, say everything you would say if you weren't afraid. Sometimes in life, things could be simpler if people would share how they really feel.

Follow your dreams. If you don't feel like what you are doing is what you want to be doing, or it is not leading you to your dream then stop doing it. Part of creation comes from getting out of your head.

Last but not least, meditate. Every morning take 5-minutes to be still. To move your energy to your heart. "Energy is everything and everything is energy."-- Jay Olsen

Love Love Love,

Krystal Dey

P.S. Get out of your head and live!

Tag, Who Was I?

I've been thinking about the past and how I have changed. It's interesting to think back to who I was and the things I liked. I was awkward and silly. I made funny videos and liked Aaron Carter. I didn't text and I had no idea what Facebook was.

My friend recently posted a blog called "20 Things, Tag You're it" While answering the questions I thought about how I would have answered them eight years ago. This is a short list of what I like now.

1. Favorite TV show? Friday Night Lights "Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose!"

2. Song I can't stop listening to is... "And Then You" by Greg Laswell

3. Red or nude lips? Nude

4. Facebook or Twitter? Twitter, it is more fascinating

5. Gold or silver? Silver, my horseshoe necklace is gold, it's growing on me

6. Favorite fashion designer? (or clothing line) Anthropology

7. Any recent travels? I have been back from Namibia Africa for about 2 months. Maine is calling my name.

8. Makeup you can't live without? Lip gloss

9. Favorite childhood TV show? Growing Pains and Arthur

10. Straight, curly or wavy hair? Wavy

11. What were you doing a year ago from now? I was going to school and I was a student coordinator for the service council. I was learning how to break out of comfort zone. I think I did.

12. If you could live in any era, what would it be? The early 1900's. I love the idea that they wore hats! I just want to know what it would be like to kill a chicken with my hands and wear long dresses while baking bread or riding a bike.

13. Where are you from? Redmond, Utah (population 788)

14. Favorite food? Oatmeal, Swedish meatballs, grilled cheese, pancakes, and salsa

15. Makeup or fashion? Makeup, this whole fashion thing is growing on me.

16. Movie you saw most recently? Hocus Pocus

17. Nickname? DD (my middle name is Dey, pronounced Dee)

18. I'm secretly terrified of... Monkey's

19. Heels or flats? Flats

20. Favorite Website? Foodgawker What can I say, I love pretty pictures of food.

Love Love Love,

Krystal Dey

Passionate About Passionate People

I am drawn to people who have passion. Whether it's something they believe or whether it's something they like to do. I just love people who are passionate about something. Last year I met one of the most incredible human beings in the entire world and I feel like she deserves a blog post today because her passions have changed the lives around her.

At first, we were those awkward friends. We would both ask each other about our majors and siblings, you know, the small talk stuff. Today we are those best friends who stay up talking until the morning hours dreaming about the future, we talk about our fears, and we give each other advice.

Today, that very person told me she was leaving for two months to follow one of her passions. I started crying because of the fact that I won't see her for two months makes me really sad, but I cried because I am happy for her, and most of all I am proud of her.

She is one of those friends that changes your life forever! She is so passionate about life and she always stands up for what she believes in. Most of all, she goes after the things she wants in life. She is also one of those friends that hates being bragged about, so I'll wrap this up! But to that girl, you know who you are, I hope you are reading this. I will miss you dearly, please know that I have become a better person because of our friendship. I am proud of you and I love you!

Love Love Love,

Krystal Dey

P.S. Do all things with love!

P.S.S. Thank you!

C47

Today a heap of objects were placed before me. I was told told to pick up the item that best described my summer. Without hesitation, I picked up a C47. I had the most memorable summer of my life and I owe it all to the month I spent in Windhoek, Namibia.

In the film industry we call clothespins (C47's). You may think this is the perfect symbol for my study abroad summer because it was filled with digital media restoration that contained working on a documentary shoot of the 5-year program. However, the C47 reminds me of the clothesline.

One and a half weeks into the trip, on a Sunday afternoon, I shoved a pile of my clothes into the tiny washer in our kitchen. Hours later, I removed my somewhat clean clothes and hung up piece by piece with plastic C47's on the clothesline. I listened to protestors outside of the Polytech shouting their cometojesus beliefs. Before walking back inside the house, I looked up to the sky, it was cloudless and blue. At that moment, it hit me. I was in Africa.

The day before we left I did one last wash. The sky was still blue, the protestors still believed in Jesus, and I knew it was time to leave. I had done everything I wanted to do. Today I sit on my couch in Orem, my dryer is running in the background, the sky is filled with clouds. It just hit me, I am in Utah.

Desert Love and Cameras

I have no idea what to expect. This is the moment I have been waiting for since my first week at UVU. It was welcome week and I walked around the courtyard following around my sister, TeAnna. Having the traveling bug, she walked to the Study Abroad Booth. I followed. After giving information to my sister the man turned to me and asked me what my major was. I laughed as I told him Digital Media followed by an excuse of "you wouldn't have anything for that." He replied by handing me a piece of paper with the words "Namibia Africa" scribbled across the top. I gasped.

You see, it wasn't the first time I had thought about going to Africa. Years earlier I joked around with my sisters about the craziest places we could travel to that would give my parents anxiety. The only destinations I actually remember are my dad traveling to space and as for me, I would go to Africa. My mom hated the idea of my dad going to space much more than the idea of me going to Africa.

Since that moment I made it my goal to travel to Africa. I had no idea what my purpose in going to this continent would be, I just knew I wanted to go. Call it fate, or the stars had aligned just right, call it whatever you want, but when I took the paper from the man at the booth, the universe was telling me it had listened, and now it was up to me to make it happen.

Flash forward 8 years...At this very moment I am making a new playlist called, "Desert Love and Cameras" for a 15-hour flight. Because tomorrow I fly to Africa.

I have no idea what to expect and I am in love with the idea of the unknown. I know I am going with a purpose. The best part is I get to use my passion for storytelling by filming, documenting stories, and by teaching. Although, I have a feeling my purpose is much much more than storytelling.

Love Love Love,

Krystal Dey

P.S. I will keep you updated along the way and thank you for taking this journey with me.

P.S.S. I love you

P.S.S.S What are you shouting out to the universe?

Like Me

The nightmare-- they walk like me, talk like me, listen to the music I listen to, wear what I wear. It stemmed from my youth when all the "cool" kids were wearing Hollister and American Eagle. I couldn't even step inside the stores because I had a fear of being like every other person in my little town.

In the end I have realized that I am indeed like everyone else.That is society for you. But I am an individual. I have my life and I live it the way I want to. I like what I like not because other people like it, but because I like it.

I am coming into my own. I am growing up. I am Krystal.

LOVE LOVE LOVE

P.S. Impressionism

Grape Popsicles

I have a fear of moving forward and losing who I used to be. I'm afraid of love because I'm afraid of loss.

I use the word "friend" loosely because I like connecting with people.

I am attracted to music and people who are genuine.

I like to memorize popular rap songs, but prefer boy meets guitar. Girl listens on the grass.

The other day I introduced my old life to my new life and it wasn't scary.

I am a better version of who I used to be.

Beyonce just told CNN to "continue to work hard and not give up on my dreams....with hard work and a goal, love and positivity we'll be fine." There ya have it. Thank you B!

LOVE LOVE LOVE,

Krystal Dey

P.S.

That Moment!

Routines and the Fearless Damn Cat

I've been thinking about life and love of the little things lately. We are people that are controlled by the conversation of how much gas costs and yet we still drive our little robot cars to Costco and fill up. We continue to do the same thing over and over and over because we need to survive or if we're lucky because we like to do it and it helps us survive.

I want this bike so I can stop blogging about gas prices:

Sometimes we forget how important the little things in our daily routines are because our lives are...routine. And then one day they're gone and we realize that the little Damn Cat "DC" that greeted you at the door made your night a little better. And when she made you angry because she wanted food and you had to walk back outside in the cold to feed her, you were just being ridiculous. But hey, at least you were feeling. And that feeling is a lot better than the emptiness you feel now when she isn't there to greet you.

Love Love Love,

Krystal Dey

P.S. Life is good, but don't make it routine. My new goal is to switch it up so I can appreciate the little things a little better.

P.S.S. RIP DC love you forever!

My Eyes are Dry and Music is Not

My eyes are dry. I should probably go to bed, but it's summer and only 10:40 pm. In order for me not to stamp the letters LAME sauce across my head I'll write a blog. OOPS still LAME!

Music is my one true love. If you love me and you never know what to get me for my birthday or for random acts of kindness I will accept music of all kinds and Amazon and or iTunes gift cards. Please, thank you, love you.

When I hear that perfect song I can literally visualize a movie montage or credits rolling up. I love it! Every time I hear a song on that is super bass while I'm driving I could drive for hours. It makes me want to go on a road trip to anywhere. Lets go, I'm ready.

I love playlists and I make one for every event. I make them for waking up, sleeping, working out, running 5k's, various vacations, months, holidays, birthday's, you name it and I've named it.

Love Love Love,

Krystal Dey

P.S. I'm going to Africa in July. I think I'll call my July playlist "African Safari", "Time for Giraffe's" or "Desert Love and Cameras"

P.S.S LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU MUCH!

Good Things Happen

Hello,

First off I would like to apologize for lying. I lied like I did when I was 4-years old shopping at Holly's in Salina. I stuffed tootsie rolls in my pocket without paying. My mom asked me if I had stolen the tootsie rolls that were in my pocket and I told her no. She knew the truth, she always did, and made me shamefully pull them out of my pocket and put them back on the shelf. I'm not telling you this because I am confessing my sins, but rather to tell you I have a fibbing problem.

In my last post which I made months ago I told you, the readers, that I would blog once a week. Try once every other week. The good news is I've been too busy for social media because of the overload of homework from the professors and the bad news is I've been too busy for social media because of the homework overload from the professors.

As you can tell from the title, "Good Things Happen". I mean this. Good things happen. I look at my life a year ago and it has completely changed. I made it a goal to do service and live life to the fullest. Finals are over, I have a new leadership position, I am spending the summer working with my best friends, and this summer I get to travel the world doing the two things I love to do, make movies and doing service.

Life is blissful. I write this not to brag to you about myself, but to let you know that I am grateful for my life and for these once in a lifetime opportunities I have been given. Hopefully, those of you who are reading this have helped shape this life I live. Thank you!

Love Love Love,

Krystal

P.S. Here's to the future.

P.S.S. I am working on my fibbing problem

Music....It's Simple

When I was a teenager I loved the top 20. I was extra cool and knew every song on the top 20 countdown, including the artist. I wasn't a huge fan of country music. I blame that on the small town I grew up in because the only station we could get was country music and I had this weird thing about myself that no one else could like what I liked. When I started growing up I realized ummmm....it's called "top 20" for a reason...you're town may not know it, but the rest of the world does.

Finally, I started listening to country music. I could relate to it. It lyrics weren't about getting laid or getting effing wasted. Let's just say I had a country phase.

Now I am a 20-something year old and I don't have a favorite genre. I poke my head in and if I like what I hear I am a fan, if not I push next. I love indie music. There is something organic and real about the artists, especially singer/songwriter.

The soundtrack of my life is loaded with songs that have meaning, songs that make me dance, and songs that remind me of something beautiful from my past. The other day I added another song to my soundtrack. This time it was a song that had meaning. It was a song that isolated me from the rest of the world. I felt like this one song knew everything I was going through. It did what I was too afraid to do. It said what I was too afraid to say. I found the song “Out of Reach” sung by Mathew Perryman Jones.

Is “Out of Reach” on your personal soundtrack? If not, what is? Comment below.

Love always,

Krystal Dey

P.S. My album of the week is....Adele "21"