Bike Riding...

Sometimes I do random things and buy random things. Not very often. But when I do buy things... a lot of times its pretty random. So just recently i bought a new bike. My dad and i went to Wally-World and we were looking at all the bikes and we saw a few. some of them are pretty expensive, even at Walmart. So we were trying to look for cheap but pretty good quality and we finally found some. However, the "adult" bikes were too tall for me. So lucky for me, the "girl" bikes were just the right size and cheaper too. :) here she is...

She is pretty good looking huh? i decided i should take advantage of my new way of transportation.. so i have used her a few times, but not consistently. Today however, i took her out for a ride. We went about 10 miles from Richland to Pasco and back. I crossed over the Columbia River and i stopped on the bridge and took a few pictures.. 

 
 Beautiful isn't it? Great bike ride.. my booty is a little sore though... but it was worth it. :)

Procrastination...

One of my worst personality traits is my inability to focus. Throughout my years in middle school, high school, and CBC i have never really been able to make myself sit down and do homework, or sit down and study for a test. this is not one of my best traits, but it is what it is. On the other hand, one of my BEST traits is procrastination. This has been a skill and talent that because of my lack of ability to focus, i have perfected. and i am actually quite proud of it. I am however, working on the skill of making my self focus and get things done. But until then, i have come up with a list of my top 5 things that i do when i don't want to do homework. Hopefully you will look at this and think, "that's stupid, i should go do homework.".. but if not.. try some of these things out.. :)

1. Facebook: I am addicted to facebook. so its something i do even when i am not procrastinating. But when i am procrastinating it gets much worse. When i have homework to accomplish i could be on facebook for hours! Unhealthy i know. What do i look at for that long? well.. a bunch of random stuff... looks at friends pictures, friends of  friends pictures, peoples wedding pictures (my favorite thing to look at.. :), updated profiles, read people walls, seriously.. i am a certified facebook stalker. hopefully you guys aren't reading this.. thinking i am a freak.. because i am pretty sure you do this too. :)

2. Eat: What a terrible thing food is. i don't know how, or when it started but i have an excuse to eat at just about any time of the day. I eat when i am bored. I eat when i am upset. I eat when i get home from school. i eat during commercial breaks while watching Dr. Phil. There are many times a day i eat. This one is probably the worst of all because it is literally unhealthy. Food is good! as long as i work it off... i should be able to eat as much as i want. Usually people take a break from studying to get a snack because they need some fuel. i however think that this has the opposite effect on me... i think i do better without getting snacks... because once i get up and get a snack... there is no chance of getting my focus back. so if i can resist the temptation to eat while studying i actually do a little better... 

3. Watch TV: I don't even know what i watch. A wide variety actually... i will watch just about anything to get out of doing homework. Movies or TV.. doesn't matter. even if i have seen a movie 20 times... doesn't matter. i will probably watch it as though i have never seen it before. haha. Disney movies are my favorite. I love watching and singing along. Mulan is probably my all time favorite. :) "The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all." -- Mulan

4. Clean: This is actually the only time i like to clean. This is probably a benefit of procrastinating because... i can get my laundry done, my room clean, and my bathroom clean. i can even get my laundry folded and put away. It's great! :) Sometimes, if my procrastination episode is really bad.. i will even start organizing. Not very often... it has to be pretty bad... but it happens. 

5. Workout: This one can be my favorite one or my least favorite one depending on the day. But if we are speaking literal, it is probably the most healthy. Usually this is how it happens:

Mom: Hey Ashley, you going to the gym today?

Me: I don't think so... i have a lot of homework...

     TWO HOURS LATER

Me (thinking to myself): Whoa, its already been two hours and i haven't got any homework done? hmm... i should probably start that... 

     ANOTHER TWO HOURS LATER

Me (thinking to myself): Well i still haven't gotten any homework done.... but.... I'll start it later cause i am off to the gym.

Then i will probably be at the gym for an hour or so... then come home... but still won't start it... haha. 

I Honestly think i work better under pressure. Yes i know this is a bad habit. but unfortunately, i think it is too late to break this habit. when i get up to BYU-I.. i will probably need to really buckle down... but i have a whole summer to contemplate how i will keep myself from procrastinating... after all.. why start now? i have a whole summer... :)

Another Little Thought For Another Little Sunday...

Slightest actions often
Meet the sorest needs,
For the world wants daily
Little kindly deeds;
Oh, what care and sorrow
You may help remove,
With your songs and courage,
Sympathy and love.

Scatter sunshine all along your way;
Cheer and bless and brighten
Every passing day;
Scatter sunshine all along your way;
Cheer and bless and brighten
Every passing day.

--  Lanta Wilson Smith

Just a little thought for Sunday...

Have I done any good in the world today?

Have I helped anyone in need?
Have I cheered up the sad,
and made someone feel glad?
If not I have failed indeed.

Has anyone's burden been lighter today
because I was willing to share?
Have the sick and the weary
been helped on their way?
When they needed my help was I there?

Then wake up and do something more
than dream of your mansion above.
Doing good is a pleasure,
a joy beyond measure,
a blessing of duty and love.

 -- Will L. Thompson

President Thomas S. Monson said, “My brothers and sisters, we are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness—be they family members, friends, acquaintances, or strangers. We are the Lord’s hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children. He is dependent upon each of us.”

My challenge for myself this week is to do just this. Look for people who need encouragement. Look for people who need support. some might need a hug, or maybe just a smile. Whatever they might need, i hope i can help them over come their struggle, or make their burden just a little bit lighter. I know it will not only help them, but me as well...