Favorites List

Giggling babies and when they smell like baby lotion,

fireworks,

homemade bread,

good hugs,

swings,

bubbles,

kites,

sunroofs,

slip ‘n slides,

good music,

fresh air,

rain,

cobwebs with rain drops on them,

ladybugs,

fuzzy caterpillars,

star gazing,

meteor showers,

ballet, art, poetry,

when you’re lying in the sun and you squint to look at your eyelashes and they look like rainbows,

when someone plays with my hair,

when men wear good cologne,

Latin dancing,

feeling overwhelmed with love when helping someone,

plain Jane candy canes,

the smell of Christmas trees,

learning something new and interesting,

when I feel like I’ve really accomplished a goal,

when I buy unique shoes that no one else has,

squishing my little sister’s fro and when she wants to have sleepovers with me when I come home from school,

writing on a white board with a new, vibrant marker,

the smell of gasoline,

the ocean,

exploring the canyons at Zion’s National Park,

mastering a piano piece,

the smell/feel/look of rich dirt,

mowing the lawn without shoes on,

watching little kids try not to step on the cracks in the sidewalk or on the tile cracks at the store while their mom is dragging them along,

little kids’ imaginations,

an inspiring quote/thought,

the color green,

fall leaves,

when I take out my braids and my hair smells vividly of shampoo,

laughter,

having a good conversation with someone,

when someone trusts me with their secrets or problems,

stepping out of my comfort zone and conquering it,

the excitement that comes from reading a brand new Harry Potter book,

wearing boy’s shorts,

dogs with big, floppy ears,

the feel of a dolphin’s skin,

getting back developed pictures,

surprising my mom,

finding the perfect present for someone,

my Grandma “Bowli-lock’s” laugh,

when my Grandpa calls me CEO,

when my Grandpa “Bowli-lock” cracks jokes when no one is expecting them,

Grandmama’s shrimp, pasta salad,

learning the etymology of a name,

when you wake up in the mornings and everything is quiet and peaceful,

mini Cadbury eggs,

the smell of laundry detergent,

grocery shopping with my mom,

getting a good letter in the mail,

dulce de leche caramel hot chocolate on cold days,

funny home videos,

little kid handwriting,

making a difference in others’ lives,

Christmas lights,

feeling appreciated,

giving and receiving sincere compliments/praise,

catching up with old friends,

sharing memories and creating new ones,

learning about other cultures,

meeting new people and making new friends,

big, ancient trees,

absorbing the beauty of nature’s details,

intelligent and expressive language,

Caribbean Passion Jamba Juices,

authentic Mexican food,

brown eyes,

when people aren’t afraid to be themselves at all times,

when old men have canes,

apples with peanut butter and marshmallows,

smiley marks,

wrinkles on old people’s faces,

wildflowers,

photography,

big, fat, orange cats,

witnessing when someone has a breakthrough moment,

listening to people sing while they’re in the shower,

feeling needed,

looking up when walking under a pine tree,

when the trees pee on my head because it’s a warm day after a snowstorm,

listening to water running,

when men look a little scruffy,

when my fingernails are painted a neat, blue color (it makes me feel artsy, fartsy),

reading funny little kid’s books,

having a baby sleep on your shoulder,

when little kids hold your hand or when you give them a piggy back ride,

watching a teenager respect their parents,

sneakers,

good teachers,

random factoids,

when you’re sitting behind someone in class and the sun lights up the little fuzzies on the tops of their ears (weird, I know),

the sound of rain on a tin roof,

when you’re watching a play or movie and there’s just one person with a hilarious laugh that resonates over everyone else,

t-ball games,

watching people succeed,

supporting someone in something they love,

going treasure hunting at the D.I.,

when people suck helium balloons,

roasting marshmallows over a bonfire,

the sound of crickets,

Erma Bombeck’s humor,

fields of poppies,

the texture of jell-o in my mouth,

magnetic name tags,

editing something,

taking a long, hot shower,

when my legs are all smooth after shaving,

leggings,

creative outfits,

when someone looks me in the eye when I am speaking or when they are talking,

lilac bushes,

spice drops,

long eyelashes,

soft hair,

listening to people sleep-talk,

when someone wakes up and they have funky lines on their face,

footie pajamas on little kids,

homemade/thoughtful gifts,

The Secret,

my Egyptian necklace,

being able to pull things off at the last minute,

the texture/look of tree bark,

the pounding of the bass,

graphic design,

Bolthouse drinks,

Bear Lake,

the smell of sunscreen,

sleeping on a raft in the sun,

digging my toes in the hot sand,

seashells,

collecting cool rocks,

watching someone talk about something they’re excited about,

getting dirty in the mud,

midnight movies,

drive-ins,

old furniture,

old houses,

standing ovations that are well deserved,

the American Flag,

freedom,

the Pledge of Allegiance,

the National Anthem,

onomatopoeia,

when people know all the words to outdated music,

water balloons,

my little sister’s hair in the morning,

tennis,

little kids’ prayers,

nonjudgmental people,

having a funny message on my phone,

making lists,

dogs hanging their heads out of a moving vehicle,

the pattern of a tortoise shell,

watching a fish’s gills bob in and out,

the twitter of a bunny’s nose,

when you land on a big pile of marbles when playing mancala,

abstract/imaginative literature or film or music or art,

turkey steaks,

onion rings and root beer from Call’s,

the Olympics,

mom’s otter call,

kneading dough,

homemade salsa,

fresh fruit,

the smell of cucumbers when you slice them,

the clicking sound of a blinker,

skipping rocks,

wind chimes,

hot air balloons,

stale marshmallows,

the sound of the ocean,

good lyrics,

planning/organizing things,

Ethan Kafton’s origami,

deadheading flowers,

hammocks,

inspiring movies,

when pregnant women hold their bellies,

when old people hold hands and dance,

barbecues,

sunsets and sunrises,

waking to the sun and birds chirping,

hardwood floors,

Disney movies,

Anne of Green Gables,

fresh pineapple,

belly-flopping contests,

Coldstone Ice Cream,

mom’s strawberry cheesecake,

when a crystal is dangling from a sunny window and casts rainbows all around a room,

glow-in-the-dark stars and nail polish,

looking at how your handwriting has evolved,

sitting on a heater,

new, comfy socks,

Native American Indians and their culture,

piñatas,

untouched, glistening snow,

flowy skirts,

back scratches,

watching a pinecone burn,

The Office TV series,

Danny Kaye movies,

beanbags,

homemade quilts,

elephants,

cuddling,

watching kids chase ducks,

finding a good deal/sale,

lightning storms,

feedback on my writings,

harmony in a song,

the feel of fringe/tassels,

soccer games,

Grandma “Bowli-lock’s” chicken noodle soup,

cold, dried blueberries,

funky Christmas ornaments,

when the underdog wins,

unique jewelry,

crazy accents,

crocheting,

African music/drums,

pictures of Jesus,

butterflies,

pictures of space,

teaching English,

when earrings tickle my neck when I walk down the stairs,

stepping on a crunchy leaf,

The Farmer’s Special at The Marketplace Grill for breakfast,

the Nike sign scar on my right hand,

my old furniture I refurnished,

when I get an idea for a book or for teaching,

Raisin Bran,

singing Christmas hymns in church,

dry, wheat toast and­ the texture of it on the roof of my mouth,

Jack Johnson songs,

Bob Marley songs,

classical music,

when my body sinks into a down comforter,

letting raindrops tickle my face,

reading a great book,

swimming laps until the water feels like it moves with my body instead of against it,

frost on a windowpane,

walking into a clean house after a vacation,

see-through umbrellas,

driving a stick shift,

libraries,

book stores,

parachutes,

chess,

Settlers of Catan,

fresh Chrismas trees,

my pink moccasins,

my kanga boots,

horses’ manes,

when someone has the hiccups,

when a baby yawns,

how different peoples’ sneezes and laughs are,

art shows,

when people ask interesting questions,

croquet,

funky tights,

monocles,

picnics,

sincere prayers,

Norah Jones songs,

bubble baths,

my “Navajo bling-bling” ring,

and much much more...