Once Is Enough

Some lessons can be learned by simply hearing it. For example, the Bible has many lessons that are taught in church. We hear stories of other people making some pretty horrible choices, so we learn from it! Oh, geez, well I will NEVER not go to Ninevah when God tells me to because I will be swallowed by a whale *internally processing* oohhhhh follow God's directions the first time and spare yourself some crappy situations. Got it! 

However...

Some lessons simply have to be taught by action. One actually must make the mistake in order to learn from it. And I must say this has often been my choice of how I learn my lessons, unfortunately. What can I say? I am a bit stubborn, and gosh darn it I can do it I know I can oh dear this isn't working is it ok no. But I will say that I only make the mistake once. Because once is quite enough, thank you. 

But by taking part in the learning of the lesson, you inevitably end up getting burned by someone (the lesson teacher in some ways). One lesson I have learned recently is to not use people. 

A while back I knew of an acquaintance who had some information I would greatly benefit from. So I cozied up to this person. Sent them "howdy do?!" texts and thanked them profusely for their efforts to bestow upon me this precious information. They were wonderfully useful, and as soon as I got what I needed, I kind of forgot about them. Now I had no intention of doing this to them, honestly. I didn't rub my hands together, and maliciously decide to befriend this person until I extract the information. But it's what I did. 

And I didn't find out that I even did it until someone else did it to me. The exact same thing. My sweet, wise mom actually pointed it out to me. I was talking to her on the phone, complaining that I suspected a person was using me to get some info from me, and she shot back, "Well isn't that what you did to so-and-so?" 

Moms.... why do you have to call your children out on their crap!? Oi. 

That made me freeze. 

Yeah, that's what I did. 

And now I can tuck another lesson under my "Lessons Learned by Alyssa Grover!", also known as "Don't Do This!".

So for those of you who have been blessed by the ability to read and learn lessons, learn this!!!!! Don't feign friendship. We can't be friends with everybody, so if you don't like somebody it's ok! But don't think you can cozy up to someone and make them believe you enjoy their company. 

Learning this lesson once is quite enough for me, and I believe for you as well. Be kind, and treat others like you want to be treated. 

Water Park Happenings

I hung out with Lilo today at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon. For anyone who may not know, Typhoon Lagoon is a water park.

Let me repeat: a water park. And water parks mean swim suits. 

I don't know if you are aware, but there is a serious epidemic of obesity in the world. And hanging out with Lilo has made me very aware of that.

I actually came up close and personal with it. Almost too personal. I was walking with Lilo as we were coming off set, meaning I was on break. I noticed a man walking towards us... a rather large man. To my horror, he appeared to be naked as a jaybird (don't ask, but that's what my mom and her mom always called it... still don't know why). But to my, er, lesser (?) horror, he was just wearing a Speedo. Yeah... never been so relieved to see a Speedo. Regardless, the Speedo was WAY too revealing, and Lilo quickened her pace, hoping to avoid any contact with this guest. 

Well, the guest had other ideas. 

Normally, Lilo goes kind of unnoticed. Her best pal Stitch is the popular one, but this guy recognized Lilo right away. He stepped in front of her, stretched his arms out wide, and bellowed "LIIILLOOOOOOO!!!!!!!", clearly waiting for this little Hawaiian girl to run into his arms. 

Hahahahaha Lilo had other ideas... instead she waved at the man and bolted, I mean bolted towards the gate. Running with Lilo is typically not that easy. She has slightly large feet, and she makes brisk walking and running cumbersome. But I've never witnessed Lilo sprinting like that. I'm sure it was quite a sight to behold. 

Highs and Lows

"You have to have darkness to know the light." Isn't that what they say? Or "you can't appreciate the good days without some bad ones." All the sayings are true. And I have loved sharing all my beautiful, magical days with you guys. I'm going to share a bit of a low one with you; it's good to keep things in perspective, and while my current life is more often sunshine and rainbows, it isn't always. 

Today is Easter, and a great day to reflect on the Lord and all He has done for us. I see all the "He is risen!" posts from people who I know to be true to the Lord as well as from those who just yesterday posted an Instagram photo with a margarita in hand saying "LET'S GET DRUUUUUNK". Nothing out of the usual. 

But for me, this Easter is a little different. I am alone. 

My family is back in Oklahoma, and I am here in Florida. 

Growing up, Easter was very much centered around Jesus, but Mom still managed to create a beautiful mixture of Jesus and the Easter Bunny. I would wake up and find a little trail of Easter eggs that led to enormous Easter baskets with stuffed animals, candy, and other goodies. Easter egg hunts would follow with my cousins at our grandparents' house. I remember just being so happy on Easter, surrounded by people I really loved. 

But now I am a grown up, currently living over a thousand miles away from my family. And it's hard. Oh my gosh, it's so hard. This is the first holiday I haven't gotten to spend with my parents (not counting Valentine's Day because it is a completely pointless "holiday" that was founded on the death of saint and martyr Valentine). 

I am trying to keep my focus on the true reason of this holiday-- the fact that Jesus rose again three days after suffering the most brutal death ever to happen. But I just want to be home with my mom and dad and two dogs. It is an empty wish, as it can't come true. Nor can they just simply come here. I have come to grips with that. but it doesn't really make it any easier. 

So Happy Easter, everyone. Cherish the time you get with your loved ones. And high school kids, don't be in such a rush to grow up and leave home. You will soon enough be sitting on your living room couch wishing you could go back home and be surrounded by your family.