happyness.

My heart is very full right now, for several reasons, and it is my hope to pass onto you something that has inspired and taught me this weekend. 

I went babysitting the night before and I had the opportunity to watch a movie while the kids were asleep, one particular film stood out to me. The Pursuit of Happyness. After briefly reviewing other options I eventually placed the disk on the player and began this movie. I wasn't focused, I had several trips to the technological world of Instagram, SnapChat, and other distractions on my phone. I didn't have the chance to finish the movie and my kind neighbor let me borrow it so I could. Thank you for that. 

I don't know if you have seen this movie, if you know that Will Smith and his son are actors in it, or that if you know that the story is inspired by a true story. But I do and I love this movie (it was filmed in San Francisco also so I have a bias.) The ending of this movie is satisfying and phenomenal. "Welcome Chris" the final song, of the soundtrack has been on replay for the past hour because of the emotions it brings to me when watching this movie's ending. 

We, in America, are given the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I can only reflect on the thoughts of Will Smith as Chris Gardner, but it does stun me that Thomas Jefferson knew to pen in "the pursuit of" when writing the Declaration. How did he know that? How did he know that many could only pursue, without attaining happiness? It is fact that the majority of people I know and are acquainted with are not struggling drastically to make ends meet, or at least to such of an extent that is portrayed in the film. For those who recognize and maybe understand such a struggle, it is you who have experienced the pursuit of happiness in a push on your strength and capabilities that have driven you to survive, I admire you for that. For my friends and family, we are not eliminated from the pursuit of happiness, it is not assumed that we do not struggle in terms of surviving our lives and it is not fact that we are all happy. But, what is happy?

I found a documentary on Netflix titled "happy." Being of a positive and joyful state I was determined to watch this movie. I recently watched it (actually a couple of hours ago) and the message it conveys and the facts it provides brought me in awe. If you have a Netflix account of a close friend who does, I implore you to watch this movie. It is interesting and wonderfully produced. This film entails the studies of Positive Psychologists who have studied happiness. Throughout the movie, it goes to several countries and cultures where circumstances are not that of the general American lifestyle. HOWEVER, through recent studies (the movie was released in 2012), close analyzation, and experiencing and visiting people from different lifestyles it has been proven that the man who spends his days in a homemade Floridan house with the means of limited electricity and no splendors of iPhones and cars lives and loves his happy life with his family and friends, all of which living in the same situation. Or that the single mom living in Denmark with her 3 daughters in a communal home building with 20 other families in a cramped and modest apartment like home loves her happy life and feels blessed and provided for. Many more examples like these follow in the movie, of course. The point that gets to me, an idea that the film portrays is happiness is not of money, social status, success. Happiness is of the mind and the reactions we take on events in our lives, the ones we control and the unexpected. We attain happiness through intentional service, small acts of kindness, gratitude and appreciation. It is when we hope for the happiness of others that we form a sense of happiness in ourselves. 

I, Melany Chavez, have chosen to be happy. Because happyness is a choice. It is a skill, no different than that of piano playing, singing, a sport, or a talent. It isn't. I have chosen to be happy because I have been blessed with the splendors of a complete and righteous family. I am in a community of good and extremely wonderful people. I have the opportunity to learn, maintain, and follow my education. I have a testimony. I have a testimony of my belief, of my Savior, and my God, of their grand and endless love for me. I have grown with good health and "unusual blessings," as Elder Neil L. Anderson addressed Bountiful at a seminary fireside I attended. 

I have all these things, and many more. Too many blessings that I can't even count them all, because they are sincerely endless. They are. But, with these things I already have, my happiness is not ensured. My iPhone does not guarantee to me that I will always be happy. My testimony does not signify that I will not be faced with trials and afflictions, nor does it mean that I will not encounter adversity in my life. It doesn't and I am aware of this truth. However, as the people whom I have gotten the chance to know about this weekend (do not forget that it is more difficult for them to count all of their experiences of joy, triumph, and moments of happiness), the people who can count their materialistic things more quicker than I can or the people who do not have the necessity or have been blessed without being corrupted with things of the world as drastically as we have, just as they are happy I still strive to reach a level of happiness as grand as theirs. They are an example to me, they are admired by me and I know they are loved by their Heavenly Father. They've pursued happiness and they have reached it, and they will pass it on for generations of their struggles and their triumphs. Just as I have chosen to be happy, I have made the decision to always pursue happiness. Because it is a right I own. As it is a right many others have achieved. 

What will you do with your right?

planning ahead

For the random people that stumble upon this blog : my personality is really quirky and girly and I'm okay with that. 

With my usual cheesiness I have decided to post some {note the word some} of my new year's resolutions. But they're not really resolutions except maybe just things I wanna do before the year is over. I'm also kind of procrastinating my AP homework... 

But here we go! I'm including some of my Summer Bucket List too, if you don't mind.

2013 fun :) 

^ that's an inside joke between me and my friends ^

go to the temple at least 3 times a month

take Sparky for a walk at least once a week [that's something I really need to work on]

do a front flip cliff jump 

ice skate at the Gallivan Center

reread the Book of Mormon

Finish the New Testament

Start the Old Testament

go to EFY with my best friend

say thank you more often

I don't want to abuse the phrase "I love you"

become a Chief

and many more. 

happy new year everyone.

the beautiful art of coping

The shooting at the Sandy Hook Elementary at Newton, Connecticut brought the nation's hearts together in a pull of shock and depression. No one could make sense of the event, amidst that comfort was scarce when thoughts of the lives taken were placed into our minds. I was distressed when I heard that the victims were little children. However, I do not wish to dwell on this event for my post. Instead, I'm going to turn the table.

Christmas. It's a constant battle between the materialistic and the spirit of Christmas. It's the season of getting and giving. The time of year devoted to happiness and pure joy. Stores give free totes and stuffed animals to their customers. Parents gift their children little presents throughout the month of December. Friends give each other gag gifts. Best friends present a sentimental card and gift. Children draw the later-to-be treasured pictures of Christmas trees and families. We all know what I'm talking about. December is a month full of giving and receiving, and let's all admit it WE LOVE IT.

This season has been full of service for me. My friends and I are doing Secret Santa. My family participated in a ward project of Sub for Santa. The youth and I made and handed out fruit baskets to the widows in our neighborhood. Almost every night we have received presents and plates of homemade treats for our family from our neighbors. Our driveway has been shoveled by neighbors, when we are perfectly capable of shoveling the snow. In essence, service is everywhere in this wonderful season.

This post was supposed to be published a while ago but I guess I never finished it. Back to the post, I had read a newspaper article of how because of the shootings a hashtag #26Acts was created and it's purpose was to inspire people everywhere to perform 26 acts of service, one devoted to each of the lives lost. I think that's such an awesome idea that Emmie and I actually tried taking this on. I love performing service, it makes me feel good to give back and I know that the receiving end is very grateful for all service. This is a belated call to be more service active! And I think it's the perfect time to start since its the new year! I'll be trying to do more service whether it's just smiling at someone in the hall or buying hot chocolate for strangers. Do your part!

Out With the Old, In With the New

Even if the old was amazing. I thought it'd be fair for me to write a 2012 recap, even if I'm the only one that will probably enjoy it.

Ahhhh 2012, you were good to me. You were amazing, really. To my readers (Maddy and Abby) I really do treat this blog like my journal so I'm sorry for all the little details and stories I'm going I delve into. I give you permission to stop reading whenever I get boring! :)

I finished junior high this year and it came fast, almost too fast, almost. With the closing of my years at Millcreek came the end of my days of 9th grade, which I really loved. I had a locker by Emmie and it was through that and our constant drug deals (don't worry about it) that we became friends. I took my first AP class and it was a fun class that did challenge me. It was also the first months of 2012 where my friendship with Abel began to develop stronger than ever. He would tell me about his college experiences when we both got home from school. It was also my first year of seminary and despite anything, I loved seminary! In May I turned 15 and I have to be honest I don't really remember my birthday but with the closing of my 14th year I felt a little bit scared and very sassy when 15 came around.

Summer of 2012 was amazing, it was the best one yet. Abel and I spent the first day at the rope swing at Kaysville and we went to a body of water every week, always with different people. It was during summer of 2012 that I grew to look up I my big brother, that I was pretty much was a fish, and began to drive. Youth Conference was a blast up at Lava Hot Springs, and Girl's Camp was, as always, suuuper fun and sassy. We had plenty of lake days up at Pineview, Kaysville, Farmington, and Causey. Manny, Abel, Paul and I hung out a lot and I don't know if it was because I didn't really have friends my age of if I wanted to hang out with them more than cocky and sometimes mean freshmen. I went to Flaming Gorge with Matt, Micah, Manny, Abel, and Josee and that was so fun, take me down like a domino!
I literally drove my parents crazy when I asked if I could drive every time we went somewhere.
I jumped off a high cliff at Causey and swam across the reservoir too. The raft and trailer became our best friend as we took them almost everywhere we went. I practically spent my summer in my swimsuit and a sundress.
We all dressed up and painted out faces like the Joker for Matt's surprise birthday party and danced the afternoon off after our piñata hitting
I constantly played Call of Duty with Manny all night and other silly iPad games until when we sent him off in his mission. Elder Cabezas is missed!
Abel opened his mission call and in 2 months we sent him off and it was a hard thing to do but I know that it was something he had looked forward to all summer long.
I started high school and I honestly was very nervous yet anxious. I was such a sophomore, I basically had the word stamped onto my head. However my seminary class and friends and BHS have made my sophomore experience so far sooo awesome! I found my best friend, became besties with Maddy, and made many other friends in all my classes! I got my first smartphone this year and I love it. I strengthened my testimony in the gospel and came to love my ward even more. I've survived these past couple of months without Abel and Mondays have become one of my favorite days of the week because I receive letters from him. I've learned more and am on my way home from an amazing vacation.
I spent New Years on the Bay Bridge and saw the fireworks storm over the city buildings and their reflection on the ocean. So lovely. All in all I've loved and enjoyed 2012 it was the best of the best!!!

I figure I should make a New Years Resolution. My resolution will be to smile more, enjoy the simple things, pray often, cherish moments and people, and love my life.

I promise I'll do my best. Happy New Year everybody! :)

advanced!

da Goon

WOO!

weekly trips to the Temple

If You're Going to San Francisco

take me. I'm on the ride home from the blessed city of San Francisco. It was a blast. When we arrived we took the way through the Golden Gate Bridge into the city just after sunset and it was magnificent. At the closing and after sunset I am not kidding the moon's reflection shone over the ocean and it was breathtaking. Just driving around the city that night I fell in love with it. Honestly, I think I left my heart in San Francisco. It's a concoction of tightly pressed unique homes {each with their own distinct designs and ornate details}, small shops, city light ruled buildings, and fascinating places to visit scattered all around. The city is built for people who enjoy walking, with their dogs, and who aren't afraid to walk through the narrow and festive Grant Avenue of Chinatown or to pick a small and simple restaurant of foreign food. I love San Francisco.
We drove the truck down Lombard Street, shopped in Chinatown, walked in and out of overpriced stores, ate on Mission Street, visited Full House [1709 Broderick Street], walked around Golden Gate Park, walked all of the Golden Gate Bridge (2 times), shopped and walked on Jefferson Street, walked Pier 39, ate hot dogs on Treasure Island, went to Baker Beach, took Sparky to Fort Folsom, had some hot chocolate at Ghiradelli Square (I do not recommend the classic hot cocoa) and simply enjoyed the splendors that the city has to offer.  
The only thing that could've made the trip better would be to have gone with Abel. But at the same time it was a good bonding experience for my parents and I (and Sparky.) The sunsets are beautiful and the city lights exemplify the magnificent city by the beach. The Bay Area definitely has to be my favorite. After this trip I see Full House and Princess Diaries with much more excitement. I love San Francisco! But I love Bountiful a little bit more, I'm actually really excited to see my beloved home soon and to dance and play in the snow. Bye bye San Francisco, with no doubt in my mind I know that I will return again.

Golden Gate Bridge!

in front of Full House

Ceviche

in Chinatown in front of a cable car

Ghiradelli's!

sorrynotsorry

To the people that think they control the world: no one appreciates it and everyone wishes you'd just stay out of everyone's business and act casual. YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE.

Sincerely, me and everyone else. Especially me.

bottled up, I bursted tonight

I believe that I'm not the type to complain outside of my family and I believe I have a personality that doesn't really show what's going on inside my life. There was a time when I didn't really let my feelings out. You could say that I bottled things up, excessively. I still do, about many things. Maybe it's just my personality to bottle things up. Maybe what I think to be significant is really just minor and silly. Maybe not.

I exploded today, just barely really. Have you ever woken up from a nap and have had a strong emotion? Whether it be happiness, relief, stress, etc. I woke up sad and I felt tears making their way. Nothing was wrong, nothing was drastically in ruin in my life. So, why? Why did I have the urge to cry? Why did I turn down my friends when they wanted to hang out? Why didn't my parents attend a Christmas party I was a part of? Why wasn't I happy? Why was I reminiscing on the video we watched in Spanish about kids who were placed in difficult and rash situations? Why do they have to suffer when I have the splendors of a home, family, and education? Why was I sad the same week I recognized how unfair it is for me to be sad when others have more reason to be sad than I do? Why?

I tried calling the only friends I really wanted to be with, the only ones I'd feel comfortable crying in front of. They were busy too.

When my emotion bubble burst, my tears were with no cause. Yes, I miss my brother but how odd for me to cry when he is having the time of his life. Yes, my parents didn't come, but I knew they weren't in the mood and I had somehow neglected them. My thoughts rushed to my religion for comfort. I admit, I didn't feel as if I could talk to my parents. My tears ended. My makeup survived. My hair was still curly as ever. I felt somewhat better, only for a moment.

I decided to talk to my dad. I planned to ask him to go on a drive with me but when I approached him, more tears pushed forward. Why? He comforted me simultaneously while I cried on his shoulder. Thank you. That's all I have to say. Thank you.

I'm better now. I still haven't come to the root of my tears, only branches.

In essence, I just complained to you on this blog. I'm sorry. I understand that I'm not the only one to have nights like these, whether it be moments of distress paired with tears or feelings of anger and confusion, we each have times when we aren't feeling what our general and default emotions are, sometimes we even feel alone. We're not the first ones to experience these type of nights, nor will we be the last. I recognize that only a few select people know about this blog, and within that circle is a fraction of people who actually read my entries. Speaking to that fraction : I know you, and I want you to know that when you feel out of sorts, even lonely, I'm only a call away. Just like I know that I could've called you tonight if I had to. Thank you.