Great minds can't prove it

I had this wonderful blog post written up in my head for tonight. I planned it while vacuuming after work. And now it has vanished and no one will never know the insightful and genius thoughts I was having (funny side note--I couldn't spell genius just now). Alas. How will the world continue (or the 2 people who read this, haha)

I suppose I'll just tell you my workventures for the day.

This man came in and seemed to be in a hurry--not just seemed--he told me he was in a hurry. We started talking about the artwork we sell at Deseret Book, however, and he talked to me for like 45 minutes as I showed him different pieces of artwork. He's lived a long life, and it was interesting to hear his views on that. He shared with me a story about his quest for a picture that represents a voice he heard in a dream. He was one of those customers that you feel bad leaving, but I was enjoying it.

While vacuuming, I saw a guy parked right outside the store eating Taco Bell. It was kind of freaky because the whole wall is a window...awkward.

I remembered my insightful story! Now that I talked it up so much, though, it's not going to seem nearly as cool.

Gone Too Soon
A couple came in today looking for a picture for a young woman whose mother died last night in an accident. I asked if it was the one that happened right by our store (yesterday there was a huge accident involving 3 fire trucks and life flight). It was in Wyoming, but it brought that accident to life for me. How would you feel to receive a call telling you your mother was dead. It's so final--so cruel. I know I would see her again, I have no doubt of that, but I would be in a state of absolute shock. How do you deal with that?

It was heartbreaking helping this couple. The girl is 16, so I showed them a very tender picture of Christ, which they bought. I also showed them the Willow Tree statues. Many older women don't like those, but young women love them. There is one called "Chrysalis" of a woman holding another woman. She purchased that as well. I felt bad, but that was about the extent of it.

The husband asked if they should get something for one of the sons of this lady who died. He held up a statue of a mother with a son. I looked over at him and it broke my heart as I watched his eyes well up. Throughout the transaction, the wife began crying a few times as well. The family has 5 children--and now they have no mother.

Just this morning, I found out that the mother of one of my professors passed away. She's been ailing for awhile, so it wasn't unexpected. When announced, everyone in the class went "awww" (our class is all girls except for one). As a student came in late, she was informed and her brow creased as she said "Oh, that's terrible." An inquiring colleague came in later and when she was told she said, "That's awful. I'll have to give her a call." I never respond like that because it feels so fake to me. In fact, responding to someone's admission of a tragedy often makes me feel uncomfortable. After this experience, I think I will react differently. I will at least feel more sorrow as I come closer to understanding what it would be like to lose a family member. I still am not sure what I will say, but my sympathy level will be much more sincere.

Wow...

19-year-old Florida man was arrested on Saturday and charged with stealing a laptop from a patron at a Starbucks so that he could check his Facebook account.

According to police the Bradenton man had asked the patron if he could use the computer to check his account and after the patron refused the man grabbed the computer and ran. He was then tackled by two people in the parking lot who held him down until a mall security guard arrived.

Police have charged the man with felony robbery.

http://www.transworldnews.com/NewsStory.aspx?id=77752&cat=14



The first time I saw this article, the title was "Current status: I'm being arrested." I realized that if I were arrested (by a misunderstanding of course :D) and I could update my Facebook from my phone like everyone else in the world (T-mobile won't let you) I would change it to say "Whitney Nicole Denton is chillin' in a cop car" or something like that. I really think that would be one of my first thoughts. That is really sad.

I wonder if I would ever be that desperate for Facebook. Sad that I even wonder. I know I wouldn't steal anyone's laptop, but I could see myself going on vacation and trying desperately to find an available computer. I haven't gone a day without it in probably months. I used to avoid it on Sundays, but now it is part of my calling (though I use it for more than that on Sundays). It is amazing how truly addicting Facebook can be. It's also amazing that blogger doesn't recognized it as a word...lol

Sad story

I feel like such a jerk right now. I’m too caught up in my own worries of catching a bus to help a near-blind man make it across the street. At the intersection just East of 10600 S and Redwood, there was a man trying to cross 106th. He asked if he could cross and it was on the blinking hand, so I told him it said he couldn’t cross yet. He said “my eyes aren’t very good.” Mine turned to a man, so I started walking—I needed to catch the bus after all. As I was crossing, I thought about turning around to wait another cycle, but didn’t (the cycles are really long). I totally would’ve made it to the bus stop in time—it was only another 60 seconds or so. When I got to my stop, I said a prayer for him. I saw him at the next cycle trying to cross and trying to see if it was a hand or a man. He walked into the street and then stopped, unsure of himself. Then he started going again and saw a car coming (turning left into where he was), so he stepped back again. I kept saying under my breath “go sir, you can go.” He finally did, and made it across the street. I felt awful—I could’ve helped this man and it wouldn’t have made me miss the bus at all. Heck, if I needed to I could’ve run to the bus stop. Even if I missed it, it would’ve been better than not helping this man. I keep playing over in my head “my eyes aren’t very good” and seeing this nice man asking me indirectly for help. I totally blew him off. I keep crying as I hear that sentence again and again. What would Jesus have done? He would’ve stayed and helped if he missed the last bus of the night. I keep trying to see how I can feel better. I can’t fix it. I’ll probably never see this man again. I CAN help the next person I see in need, but that still won’t restore leaving this man. I haven’t felt this bad about something I’ve done (or not done) in longer than I can remember. I don’t make big mistakes, so I don’t often feel this Godly sorrow. This was a sin of omission, however. I wasn’t rude to him, in fact I even told him that he couldn’t cross yet. The problem is what I didn’t do. I didn’t act as my Savior would have me do—and of that I am very ashamed.

Rockin' Ward Activities--Now with pictures!

So, can I just say how much I love ward stuff? I wish we had it every day, quite honestly! It's one of the few things that gets me off of facebook lol. So tonight we played missionary tag. For those of you not familiar with it, yet familiar with me, the only word you need to remember is tag!

When I heard that's what we were doing, I was SERIOUSLY tempted to leave. Yet I stayed. Last time I did this with a ward, some guy I was chasing thought it would be funny to make me chase him for like 2-3 full minutes! Not cool. You're supposed to switch it up throughout and give a poor girl a chance! The guys tonight were SO much better! They didn't worry about their pride getting hurt by being caught by a girl. I got to run, yet still have fun! Now THAT takes something special. lol. Anyway, kudos to the guys in my ward for running hard with each other and the really fast girls, but letting those of us who are more disabled in the running area still have fun.

This is how it works--if someone were to grab onto the arm of the kid in the bright blue shirt, I would have to run from the person who's it until I grab onto someone else's arm.

Here's a bigger picture. The tall blurry kid is being chased, I think. The two in the middle (gray/maroon jacket and white shirt) are doing a little dance around the room while waiting for someone to grab on.

We had root-bear floats after. That's Lori, me, and Tawni.

After the activity, some of the guys did hands-up stands-up.



I can not tell you how excited I am for next week--square dancing! It sounds hokey, but is some of the most fun I ever have!

Funny story from today--I got a call from a number I didn't recognize that I had missed twice before. It was some man named Paul who I had given my number to in a parking lot in exchange for candy. To clarify--he was doing a survey--but the candy was a reason I participated :D. Anyway, he was a really good sales person! I didn't fall for it (it was real estate...who wants to get invovled with that right now?) But he started by asking what I would do with $20,000/month. Anyway...it was an interesting conversation and reminded me to teach my children not to take candy from strangers!

My Future Wedding Videographer and Photographer!

So, what with my best friend getting married and all, I've been looking at LOTS of wedding stuff lately. Though she doesn't want a videographer, I most DEFINITELY do! I first saw a video done at a friend's wedding, and it was amazing. I spent a few hours looking for videos like it, and there is really nothing that compares. Their work is fantastic. My friends who used them recommended Davey. You should check out their blog! Their videos are breathtaking. It is http://pointedigital.blogspot.com.

Here is an example of a video by Davey

Penny & Steve's SDE Video from Davey Orgill on Vimeo.

This post gives you an idea in the first 5 seconds of what I love about these guys!

Here is a link to the original video I saw.

And following are some examples of the beautiful photography they do.





Amazing...I could look at their site all day!

An attempt at blogging

For how much I love reading others' blogs, it amazes me how hard it is for ME to keep up with one. I can handle websites for other people (My brother's blog is http://elderdenton.blogspot.com), but one that involves me seems to be nearly impossible. I think a main reason is that I keep a really good journal. I feel that if I'm blogging on here, I'm wasting my time because it's already in my journal. Hmm....well I can add pictures on here. Maybe I'll print it off some day and put it in a binder to supplement my journal.

Let's see--what's going on in my life...

• I'm almost 21 :)
• I'm an elementary education major at BYU, but I don't want to be a teacher, which makes classes torture.
• I live at home with my whole family
• I have an awesome dog named Dakota
• I work at Deseret Book (3.5 years now!) and am currently at the store in Sandy
• I haven't been able to do much with music lately
• My calling is Public Affairs co-chair. I've never had a non-music calling since Young Women, so it's really different, but I absolutely love it!
• My best friend is getting married this summer! Woot!
• My favorite cousin in the whole wide world is also getting married this year.
• My brother just got his call 2 days ago to the Argentina Buenos Aires North Mission

Well, I think that's about it for now! Oh...a book I recommend getting is We Believe. It is an encyclopedia of Mormon beliefs basically. Whereas Mormon Doctrine is all by Elder McConkie, this is a collection of quotes from the Prophets and scriptures on over 300 doctrines. For instance, under "Affliction" there are like 10 concept statements. With each concept statement, there are around 10-15 quotes. It is an INCREDIBLE reference. I've been reading it almost every night and it just blows me away. I want to give a talk, just so I can use it! lol.

Well, we'll see how this goes. Hopefully I can keep this site updated!