Literally on Cloud 9

I am about to write another post that gives you all a complex. Sorry. I was going to link to my previous posts that have done the same thing, but I didn't want to go overboard with the guilt.

(Sidenote: Calee and I talked about the possiblity of blogging this, and I asked if I should be worried about people getting a complex about it. She said no but I should be worried about looking like a B. ....Hm. My mind didn't even go there. Don't judge, people. It's all in good fun. Fun = mocking your habits that you're unaware of. Didn't you know that?)

Oh my goodness. I wanted to post a funny video right here to show what I'm talking about, but it just proved my flipping point for me. I put "literally" into youtube hoping for a silly snl or madtv skit about the ridiculous overuse of the word - and there came up about a MILLION listings. How many of them used the word correctly? Not many. 

Which brings me to my next point. 

I CAN'T HANDLE WHEN PEOPLE SAY LITERALLY WHEN THEY OBVIOUSLY DON'T MEAN LITERALLY. I just really can't. It makes me twitch. I told Calee about it a month or so ago and she just rolled her eyes and told me I was elitest and that it doesn't happen that often. But now that she's aware of it?? We hear it all the time together and she laughs at me while I fall into convulsions on the floor because my brain can't take it anymore. Literally. (See what I'm saying? It's annoying right?)

Some recent ones I've heard -

On the news: We are literally moving heaven and earth down here to find out...

Oh really? Literally moving heaven and earth? Wow. That must be some pretty intense equipment down there.

In an email: She was literally on cloud 9 after...

I sent this one to Calee and her response was, "Maybe she was standing atop a Cloud9 shuttle after the lesson? Literally."

Oh, Calee. You are a B, too.

Calee in the car (this one was a joke but still annoying): I was literally dancing up a storm.

She then laughed and pictured herself dancing and a storm being created. However if you were literally dancing up a storm, you would be moving vertically while boogying into the storm's abyss. That is literally dancing up a storm.

I can't even give you more examples because I am getting so cranky right now thinking about it. I've decided I'm going to start saying "metaphorically" or "figuratively" all the time. Just so people realize there are other adverbs out there that can be used in a more appropriate manner. Or hey, maybe you just don't say an adverb? Weird.

I'm going to go eat some chocolate or something to help with my frustration.

-Kristina

P.s. Who honestly doesn't like chocolate? I owe somebody brownies and asked if I could make these divine chocolate cupcakes instead with my mom's mouth-watering frosting. The answer? "Eh. I don't really like chocolate. Only milky ways and three musketeers and brownies. I don't know, I guess when I'm craving something sweet I want like a really good orange or something."

... WOW, really??? I can't even process that statement. It's like the Brian Regan sketch where he's reading the pop tart label and it tells him to place it vertically into the toaster and his brain explodes from the difficulty of it. That's how I felt. There must have been some kind of brainwashing involved during childhood; it's the only explanation I can think of. It's a sick, sick world we live in, people. Go hug your chocolate.

Holding Hands

I've been thinking a lot about the comforting ability of hands. I know that sounds weird but hear me out. I've had some awkward or uncomfortable situations lately, or even just moments of stress and panic. It's been interesting for me (especially since I've been thinking about it so much) to notice how my spirit can be calmed with just the touch of a hand.

Examples from lately?

I had a really heartbreaking conversation with someone really close to me last week. We looked at each other with tears and he put his hand on my cheek. I immediately felt understanding and kindness in the midst of a difficult situation.

At Nikki's house this weekend, I was jumping on the trampoline with the two sweetest little girls you will ever meet. Ryah bear got a little spooked at a particularly big jump, and her scared face was the cutest thing I've ever seen. In her moment of pure terror, she reached her hand out to me and I reached right back and saved her from falling on her face. She squeezed my hand hard and looked up at me to laugh once she realized everything was okay. I thought I would burst right then from how sweet and tender the little moment was.

I went to visit a friend at school and felt a little bit awkward since it was his element and not mine. I was surrounded by lots of strange faces and felt a little worried about what was going to happen. He reached down for my hand to lead me through the people, and I felt safe and secure and even a little silly for being so nervous.

Driving in the car tonight, there was a little silent moment that normally wouldn't be a big deal, but with my insecure and stressed brain right now everything gets blown out of proportion. I was starting to feel worried when he reached his hand across the seat and rubbed my knee for a minute. All of my stupid, misplaced worry went right out the window and I felt security and peace again.

See what I mean? It's cool. And it makes me think a lot about Jesus Christ and His pierced hands, and how they are the ultimate source of comfort and love.

I looked up "hands" on lds.org tonight and found this gem - it is so so fitting with my life right now. I love it.

The Lord Thy God Will Hold Thy Hand

The Savior's figurative and literal hands are where I need to place my trust. I have no reason to worry or stress, because ultimately He is in control. I have so many more experiences where I have felt total comfort, love, and protection from Him - just like those stories above. (Okay not just like. But you know what I'm saying.)

How grateful I am during stressful times like this to know that I am a part of a plan. A plan created by someone much more powerful and wise than myself - thank heavens. My plans definitely have not been the best ones so far. I know He is guiding me, slowly but surely, with His loving, broken, gentle hands.

I hope you read the article. It's a good one.

-Kristina

No Subject

We are going to Sacramento today and I am really glad. I need a sisters weekend, definitely. It's been a super emotionally draining week. I know we are always light and silly on here lately, but don't you remember the good old days of my depressed posts? I feel a bit that way today.

I don't really have anything to say other than that. Send me a nice text, will ya? I could use it.

-Kristina