“To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards of men.” -Abraham Lincoln

A few weeks ago in student council, something happened that I did not think was morally right. I fretted over it for a while, and finally decided that I should say something. When I did, there was an uproar. I almost anticipated this, knowing how the people on student council dislike being told they are wrong. They dislike thinking about how the majority of the school population dislikes them because they're popular.

Anyway, I got burned really bad for it. You know how someone will give a lecture to the whole group, but you know it's directed at you? Yeah. The adviser did that. TWICE. A girl took special offense to my comment and decided to call me and tell me.

I already have felt on the outside with student council, given that I'm not a blonde cheerleader, but now I feel more alienated than ever. I dread going to class and I dread having to work with any of them.

At the beginning of the school year, everyone submitted a goal that they wanted to accomplish through student council. A lot of them said warm and fuzzy things like "make everyone feel included" and "help get more students involved." If I felt like one of these goals was being threatened, do I not have a responsibility to speak up???

Oh, and guess what! Nothing got done about the problem, and someone's feelings were hurt.

Random thoughts from Sarah as she attempts to finish her Sterling Scholar portfolio but keeps getting distracted.

Look at my legs in this picture:

NOW, look at my legs in this picture:

There's about a 30 lb. difference. 

The scale has kept going down, but I've never really felt like I've weighed less. It was until I saw the older picture that I realized how much I've changed over the past few years.

Yay for weight loss:)!!!!

Working on debate?

Funnier when silent. I think so:)

Don't pretend like these aren't the cutest faces I've ever made:)

I am so creepy:)

Zoe Cooper

Zoe Cooper is travelling to Greece and Italy this summer. I am SUPER jealous.

It all started as a junior, when my teacher was taking a tour to France and England. I begged my mom, but she said we couldn't afford it. Then, that following June, I almost won a free trip to DC at Girls' State. Senior year rolled along, and the same teacher was offering a tour to Greece and Italy. Again, my family can't afford it. In November, I competed in a scholarship competition to win a free trip to DC. It eluded me once again.

LAST NIGHT, I found out that my parents have been planning a trip to DC for me. My dad has a business trip there with a free hotel, and we have racked up enough air miles to fly two more people there and back. I was going to go to DC with my parents as a graduation gift!! A whole week!

But guess which week it is! AP testing week #2. I'm planning on taking four or five tests this year. Three of which I have classes for, and then one or two self-studied. I'd be willing to miss the self-studied tests for DC, but all three of my classes' tests land on monday, tuesday, and wednesday of the week.

For the third time in a year, I've narrowly missed a trip to Washington DC. I cried.

I am so desperate to travel. I feel like the more I know about the world, the more I want to see it. And I know lots about the world. I see so many people going to all of these cool places, but they can't fully appreciate the place without knowing what happened there. (Not at all saying Zoe Cooper is doing this. To be honest, I don't know much about her academic life?)

Someday, when I'm a super rich research scientist, and I'm married to a lawyer, we will travel the world.

Yes, I have been on a blogging craze lately. Why? Because I have an AP Stats assignment I should be doing.

The First Presidency released an official new year's message that I absolutely adore!!

Here's my two cents before I introduce the topic: The self-help industry probably makes billions of dollars a year because individuals believe they have to buy some book or hear some motivational speaker to make themselves happy or successful. In reality, modern day prophets of the Church of Jesus Christ deliver messages straight from God on many of the same topics! It's ridiculous how the Gospel can teach a principle, but until Oprah Winfrey or Michael Phelps says it again, some people choose to ignore it. Messages from President Monson, or anyone else carrying the full priesthood keys, are GUARANTEED BY GOD. It doesn't get any better than that.

Anyway,

The title of it is "Living the Abundant Life." An abundant life is defined as full of success, goodness, and blessings. You want those things? He gives the 'ABCs' of how to achieve them. Here are a few snippets:

A - Attitude

"We can’t direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails. For maximum happiness, peace, and contentment, may we choose a positive attitude."

B - Believing in oneself

"Don’t limit yourself and don’t let others convince you that you are limited in what you can do. Believe in yourself and then live so as to reach your possibilities."

C - Courage

"Have the determination to make the effort, the single-mindedness to work toward a worthy goal, and the courage not only to face the challenges that inevitably come but also to make a second effort, should such be required."

And that sums it up! I'd definitely suggest reading the entire article HERE. It's not even very long.

What stands out most to me about the three things, is that they are all choices! So often we think (or at least I do) that we have to wait for happiness, or that it's impossible to be happy in our circumstances. WRONG. I had depression for about six or seven years. Why? Because I was holding onto a grudge. I couldn't let go of my past. I've learned that you can't move on if you're stuck in reverse. I can choose to have a good attitude. I can choose to believe in myself. I can choose to have courage in difficult situations. 

I have a testimony that prophets communicate with God and bring us His messages. Because I have that faith, I know that these simple 'ABCs' will help you live an abundant life. I seal these words in my Savior's name.

I LOVE YOU! (fyi)

Sarah

He likes Jane Austen:)

Three reasons why I LOVE Tangled

1 - Rapunzel spent her time bettering herself.

Rapunzel was stuck in a tower, but rather than spend all her day on facebook or watching stupid reality TV shows (Kardashians...cough cough ZOE;), she read books, painted, cooked, and all around used her time well. Sure, she was waiting for her "life to begin," but she wasn't lazy.

2 - Rapunzel dreamed and inspired others to do the same.

Enough said? Rapunzel knew what she wanted, so she chased it. She helped Eugene realize what he wanted, and at the end of the movie, he said that people were achieving their dreams all over the place because of her.

3- Flynn (Eugene) and Rapunzel didn't fall in love at first sight.

People don't fall in love at first sight. I apologize if that's how you thought it happened. Even when they did fall in love, it was a few years before they were finally married. On top of it all, Eugene said she was a princess worth waiting for:)

My new best friend!

I spent 30 minutes this morning with Jane Fonda. You know, doing some stretches, squats, crunches, and what have you. I would have been super embarrassed if any of you walked in. First day of working out? SUCCESS:) Lonso said he wants to do a 5k, so I'm going to train for one of those this summer, which is kind of scary. I've never seen myself as the running or athletic type. I hate running. This will be interesting:)

Love you all, and kind of felt like writing something. Thanks for reading babes:)