Stand-By

The conference I attended in Dallas last weekend featured a fireside with President and Sister Uchtdorf. In order to get a ticket to the fireside, you had to register a week ahead of time online. Those of us who decided to go at the last minute received "stand-by" tickets.

When the time for the fireside came, they filled the chapel and cultural hall with "real ticket" people... then began squeezing in the "stand-by's." A few minutes before it began, and after I had gotten to the front of the line, an usher came and said, "I have seats for 8 more."

As it turned out, the seats he had were up on the stand with President Uchtdorf and his wife. I sat in the seat directly behind his two rows back. If I had thrown a paper airplane, it surely would've hit him. Great fireside and very lucky placement! I bet a few of those "real tickets" wished they could trade me seats. :o)

I found out afterwards that because I was behind him, my friend and I were both on screen for the entire fireside. Hmm... I only nodded off for a second! Honest!

Fortunate...

I spent this weekend in Dallas, TX for a young single adult conference. I figured I'd do some last minute soul searching before making big changes and seek further inspiration for my future.

Saturday night dinner was a variety of ethnic dishes...Chinese, Mexican, Indian, Texan, etc. Sunday morning, I went to get a drink and found something stuck between the heel of my foot and my super cute slingback wedge. It was a fortune from a Panda Express fortune cookie that had been carelessly discarded by its original recipient and serendipitously found its way to me. It read:

"You will obtain your goal if you maintain your course."

Revelation? I think so.

7 Dresses

I think I have crossed into a new phase of life. Last month I turned 24 years old. Two days later I broke out bridesmaid dress #7. That's an average of one dress for every 3.4 years (only counting the times I was an official member of the bridal party.) Now, I know this doesn't quite make me a professional bridesmaid, but I do think I've got the process down pat:

-Get dolled up.

-Smile constantly.

-Try not to ruin any photos.

-Dance enough to be noticed... but don't get crazy.

-Answer politely and laugh it off when people in the reception line ask why you aren't married yet.

-Act happy for the 12 year old girl who catches the bouquet that by all means should have been yours! and...

-It's always polite to help clean up.

This is where the new phase comes in. No one asked why I wasn't married, and no bouquet was even tossed. (Which was more refreshing than the time a bride actually handed me the bouquet because I "deserved it most.") I'm not sure whether it was due to the fact that nobody at this wedding knew me besides the bride, or because there really is some magical line that was crossed at lucky #7. Either way, I had a lovely time.

I may always be a bridesmaid, but I'm getting very good at it. :)