2013 Wrap Up.

Holy Cow.

The last few weeks have been INSANE.

It's been over a month since I've posted, and there are a lot of stories and pictures to be shared that are LONG overdue. 

First, I had to say goodbye to two of my best friends for a long time. Little Miss Elizabeth and my Momma Edison whom I love so dearly.

I met both Lizbeths and Edison over the summer. Lizbeths was my roommate, and Edison was our adopted roommate :P She was with us 24/7 and I'm pretty sure she spent more time at our apartment than she did at hers haha. They are both incredible people, and it was quite difficult to say goodbye. Edison will be serving a mission in New Zealand, and Lizbeths will be on her way to Honduras in a couple of months.

This was the last day I spent with them. I was able to check off a bucketlist item in the process :)

Ha. This picture has quite the story to go with it. I posted this picture on instagram saying how incredibly excited I was that it was FINALLY candy cane season. (I really really love candy canes..) Well. A couple days later i was eating my first candy cane, and I freaking BROKE MY TOOTH. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't just a little chip, an entire corner of my molar was broken off. And what's worse? I swallowed the chunk of tooth. I didnt realize the piece had broken off until after I finished the candy cane...

So I had to endure that stupid broken tooth for a couple days before I could go in and get it fixed. The fixing was awful enough, I hate dentists to begin with. But since I had a huge filling in that tooth already, they decided to put a cap over it. If you've never had the lovely experience of getting a crown on your tooth, you should know that they have to drill the entire surface of the tooth in order to get a normal sized cap to fit over it.... I HATE drilling. Whats worse? This cap is only temporary and after I return to Provo I have to get the permanant one cemented on, What's even worse? (you must be thinking, this story can't possibly get any worse, its already awful....)

Just yesterday I had to get my wisdom teeth removed. 

Literally a party in Maren's mouth.

Haha. On a lighter note, I got to spend my thanksgiving break at my Grandma Mickelsen's house. Its basically paradise there. So while I wasn't with my family, It was still a great week. My Grandma takes care of me like none other, she's such an amazing woman. She likes to call me her shadow because I love just following her around :)

We also went up to their ranch where they are building a huge cabin for the whole family. It's beautiful. I got to carve my initials in a tree :)

While I was up in Idaho I did a little photography practice around Idaho Falls. I got this beautiful shot of the Idaho Falls Temple, and decided to print it out for my parents for Christmas since thats where they were married :)

Here is my darling sister, Anna. More photography practice :) 

I make her do odd things when we go on photoshoots. :P

And here's all my cute siblings (minus Jonny, who's in Mexico) all dressed up in our Christmas jammies :)

[Scotty (10), Brian (13), Anna (15), Me, Emily (7)]

Well. It's been an amazing year. I can gladly say I've learned SO much. And had a blast while I'm at it. :)

I've spent my time exploring and teaching piano, coaching gymnastics, graduating high school, creating projects galore, spending tons of time with friends, family, and a boyfriend, strengthening my testimony of the gospel, writing to missionaries, living life, and growning up.

and guess what. I'm a college student!

It's still setting in haha.

I think it's safe to say it's been pretty successful. :) 

expecting much for the next year

miss maren lee

Dont Judge Me

 

Half and Half.

Half make up, half natural.

Or would you call it

Half fake, half reality

 

I've always wanted to do a picture like this, half and half, just to see how much of a difference make up actually makes for me.

I think the biggest difference is confidence, honestly.

 

It had an interesting experience today.

8 guys from our ward got up to sing in Sacrament Meeting,

you could tell they'd put a lot of effort and practice into it, it was a hard song.

It was acapella Be Still My Soul with the words from Alma put to it.

When they started singing, I had chills up and down my body, the spirit in the room was so strong!

But then the girl next to me started making comments...

She had been in choirs and done vocal training throughout high school, so she was being very critical.

It was the craziest thing..

As soon as she started passing judgments, the spirit was gone.

And it was so aggravating!

I so wanted to just appreciate their singing.

(come on, you can ignore a few missed notes and off pitch tones. most of it was amazing.)

But it was almost impossible because of the snide laughter and critical comments right next to me..

 

It gave me quite the epiphany though.

Casting judgment takes away the spirit.

It is so unchrist-like.

 

And yet, it's a lesson that I myself need to learn...

Way too often I look at people, analyze their clothes, their hair, their shoes, etc...

I'd say it's human nature, but that's just an awful way to think about it.

And it most definitely shouldn't be an excuse.

 

One thing I keep trying to remind myself is that all these people at here at BYU.

That means they have brilliant minds

amazing talents

incredible leadership

selfless service

countless challenges

and a love for learning

all under their belt buckle.

 

It helps me view them differently.

 

 

hoping not to be judged

but judging all the same

 

miss maren lee

Feet on the Ground, Head in the Air

 

I'm a touchy-feely sort of person.

But not in the sense that you usually know.

I touch so that I can feel.

 

It's a little odd.

I almost have to touch and feel to reassure myself that this world is real.

 

 

Sometimes I have this overwhelming feeling that I don't belong here, and I just want to fly away, never return.

 

But then I think of all the people here that I love, and my feet can never leave the ground.

 

And so I stay.

I laugh

I cry

I feel the pain this world has to offer.

 

Meanwhile I do my best to document my life here.

with pictures

with drawings

with paintings

with words

with ideas

 

I love having my eyes opened.

I notice things like sun roasted wrinkles and hair died tangerine orange,

The way people in love act

towards each other

 

So here I am, feet on the ground, head in the air

 

 

here to tell stories

 

miss maren lee

 

 

 

 

The Things You Find on Pinterest

I was Pinterest browsing today.
Not that its out of the norm, hello, I'm a Mormon girl in college.

But that's not the point.
The point is, I found something interesting.
Take a look:

 

um, no.
This is so UTTERLY wrong that it sickens me.
Just as a test I googled "smartest things women can learn"
This quote took up the entire first page of results...
I don't know why that frustrated me so much.

Think about Disney's newest princess movie, Brave.
For those of you who haven't seen it, she ends up WITHOUT A PRINCE.
Instead she goes on this whole independence rant and adventure, trying to "find herself" or something
For heavens sakes, find yourselves, but who says you have to do that without a man!

I don't care about feminism. Honestly.
Yes, there were a lot of movements to be made, but ladies, we're not in the 20's anymore!
Lets worry less about equality, and more about FAMILIES.

So I have compiled my own list of the smartest things women can learn, from my point of view.
1. Find a man who will love and take care of your children. Love him, and together love the Lord.
2. Learn to be compassionate- learn how to serve others, and go outside yourself
3. Learn to rely on the Lord- go to him in prayer daily for you and for others
4. Learn to take a break- you don't always have to be on the go-go-go
5. Learn to top comparing- if you're constantly comparing yourself to other women, you're never going to get anywhere in life.
6. Learn to love the scriptures- study them daily, teach them to your children, and help them love the scriptures too.
7. Learn to sew a button- you girls out there? learn some valuable home maker skills. No, it is NOT domesticating. Its helpful and wholesome.
8. Dress modestly- a wise woman once said: "Modesty isn't about hiding ousrselves, its about revealing our dignity". Perfectly put.
9. Discover the REASON you do things. Don't just live life for the heck of it, make it worthwhile.
10. Have a hobby- do something creative with your life! Creation is said to be the highest level of knowledge, and its a gift given to us as women directly from God.
11. Learn to ry something new- as much as you can!
12.Learn to save money!
13. Learn to enjoy music- play an instrument, write a song, be in a choir, listen to a symphony. Music has a way of bringing us closer to the spirit unlike anything else.
14. Learn to BE HAPPY- It's your choice! Your happiness does not depend on anyone or anything else. Here's another pin I found. "And, I'm sad. Again."

 

Yes. Sadness is a natural part of life. But do not let it overtake you. And if you find your sadness way too reoccurring, then change something about it! Don't just resign yourself to depression.
15. Learn to be a people builder- breaking down others DOES NOT build you up. Even if it gives you a fleeting moment of confidence, its actually breaking down something in yourself too.
16. Learn to appreciate things- take a moment, and look around where you live- your home, your school, your town, wherever you may be. And appreciate something about it. The weather, the nature, the mountains, the trees, your kitchen, your carpet, your family.
17.Learn the importance of exercise- BUT. Theres a catch. Do not be OBSESSIVE about it. Do it to make yourself healthy and happy, not SKINNY.
18. Learn to love.

and there is SO much more.
 The degradation of families is so real, it's scary.
There's ABSOLUTELY NOTHING wrong with being a mother.
NOTHING.
And to do that,

you kinda need a man.

Sorry to break it to you.

still believing in happily ever after's

 

miss maren lee

 



Just a Little Music

This is a little unconventional for me, usually its only my own photos that go up, let alone a video! But this was just too amazing not to share. I'm actually a little surprised that I haven't heard of Rob Gardner before, but now I'm just in love. His music is so beautiful.

This isn't a "watch" video, its a "listen" one. Hit play, Close your eyes, sink into the music, and let the spirit fill you.

My Book of Mormon Professor played this in class today with some wise words. Speaking of the Book of Mormon he said: "This book cannot be understood without the spirit, and music has a way of bringing that. You must FEEL these doctrines, not just academically understand them".

Just because my religion classes are at a college level academically doesn't mean I should approach them the same way I do Biology 100.

Also, the words have such a beautiful message: His kindness will never depart from us.

 

thoughts from the heart

that touch mine

 

miss maren lee

This is My BYU Party.

It has been way too long since I've posted something. And I have a surplus of pictures here to show for it!

Its been a crazy amazing week!! Being here at BYU never ceases to amaze me.

First on the list of amazingness: IMAGINE DRAGONS CONCERT.

SO FREAKING GREAT.

Not only was it my first concert, but we had ridiculously good seats (3rd row baby), and Imagine Dragons is one of my favorite bands. It was just so much fun, I can't even explain to you...

Here's a picture of our view of the stage and all the different colored lights!

Ahh, I'm still kinda in shock from it.

This is pretty pretty Lizbeths.

She wants to put her mission papers in, and asked me to take her mission picture for her! So here it is. (it has 131 likes on facebook, not to brag or anything)

The pearls are from her beloved Chase. He's in Guatemala right now.

Spontaneous photoshoot of myself right here. I was craving doing something different, and this is what happened..

This picture has a long story to it... don't worry, it's a good long story.

In my Art for Elementary Teachers class, we were learning about installations and guerilla art. So my teacher gave us a project in which we had to do an installation of our own. The only criteria was that it should brighten someone's day. So I decided to set up a teaparty... in the elevator! I even put little cookies on the plates, and they kept getting eaten! I had to refill them at least three times, I thought that was pretty great.

The tea party stayed in the elevator for quite a few hours, but when I returned to retrieve it, someone had stolen all my stuff and left a ransom note... It required a plate of chocolate chips cookies in order for the return of the animals to take place.

Eventually they just put it all back in the elevator :P

These were all taken today in honor of fall and my new shoes hahaha. My roommate and I had quite some fun playing in the leaves. :)

 

Overall I'm just content. Things are going well, and I've been adjusted to this new life of mine for quite some time. I still miss my family a ton, especially when I hear about all their antics :P

My brother is doing great in Mexico. I'm always proud of him. He turned 20 this week!

Mostly I'm grateful for this opportunity to grow closer to my Savior. This atmosphere is so conducive to the spirit, and I feel constantly uplifted. Hopefully there's not too much to drag me down.

 

looking forward to adventures

 

miss maren lee

Diptychs and Diamonds

The proper definition of a diptych: a pair of paintings, especially religious paintings on two hinged panels

My definition of a diptych: The perfect pairing of two related moments in time.

This is Gideon. At first he was very stubborn and didn't want me to take any pictures of him. He kept his head down, and those gorgeous eyes away from me. Finally I ran away and got him to follow me into the shade :P it just so happened he was sitting on leaves that complimented his eyes ;)

 

You've already seen this picture, but so much about it is so perfect. Chase and Lizbeth are basically the cutest, and they're going to get married. When I took this picture I was actually sitting outside photographing the bottles in front of them, but Chase kept bugging me to take pictures of him. So this just sort of happened :)

 

Krista is one of my roommates for Fall-Winter. She's gorgeous :) These pictures were taken at her property up in North Salt Lake. From the first photo, she had just turned around and given this look of "Guys, isn't it wonderful!" I made her stop so I could capture that face. The second one is right after that as she started sprinting away to see her horses :)

You've seen this one too. Tyler cuddling with Lizbeth's teddy bear and my blanket. Sittting in my chair. hahaha.

 

 This lovely old (but not really old) lady is Megan, another one of my roommates. She and this guy had dressed up as grandparents to promote their "Taste From Home" activity. They were just so cute together I had to take pictures. (that's baby powder in their hair. It got EVERYWHERE) Needless to say, plenty of people showed up to the activity :P

This is also from Krista's property. I just loved the colors and serenity.

 

trying to capture perfection

 

miss maren lee

Caught In-Between a Lie (or two..)

Have you ever met a pathological liar?
If you've met them, you probably didn't even know.
Have you ever KNOWN a pathological liar?
If you have, I sympathize.

The sad thing is, you don't even realize the lies until you're in way too deep.
And then you realize that its gotten to the point that they don't even know where the lies lie and where reality lives..
So what do you do?

Do you continue to support them, and just encourage them in their lies?
Do you confront them, tell them: "I've supported you all these years, but I don't actually believe you."
Do you ignore them and just let them drop out of your life?
Do you let their lies continue to manipulate you, as they have all these years..

I've never been physically bullied, but I realize I've been emotionally bullied.

and yet, its in my nature! All I want to do is help, and fix, and make things better!
But I have to learn that there are things that are out of my control.
I have to figure out how to cope with that too.

And yet, you still love them. You care for them.
Even after all the damage...

I'm sitting here in my favorite chair by the window, watching people's lives go by. In cars, on bikes, running here, walking there. Some with people, some alone..
Its a world of networks. We all connect in some way, and each new person we meet has an impact on us, even in the smallest of matters.

Be careful what impact you make on the world.
Be careful with the networks you come in contact with.
Strive to build them up!
Not break them down...

You wouldn't want to be broken, would you?

life lessons

 

from miss maren lee

Bleeding Blue

 

Its been a rough week.

My car got towed (with a fine of $221)

I failed a test..

BYU Lost the game!

My computer broke down for two days (conveniently right before I had an 8 page essay due)

and a grounds worker dented and scratched my car with a lawnmower..

 

There were some highlights as well.

I finally found a nearby piano to play on! Its been a while..

Had tons of fun at the game with my roommates! Plus Edison :)

Made some new friends, started talking to some old ones again :)

Got assigned coloring for homework!

Went to my first college football game :)

and I retook the test and passed it :P

 

Here's some fun from the game! :)

 

 

 

 

 

this last one is actually from the Texas game last week with the storm rolling in from the huge flash flood! We got soaked, then wimped out and went home!

 

next week we have midterms, so that should be interesting..

I could use a little pick me up.

 

a tad exhausted

 

miss maren lee

Comparisons

I find I spend too much time comparing myself to others.
It is often the downfall of us women.. We analyze, overlook, criticize, and undertake.
It's this idea of perfection.. We've been told over and over again that's what we're seeking for: to be perfect, like unto God. Yet it is unattainable state of being.
Christ was the only perfect one.
And even though I know that, perfectionism still surges through my veins.
Each day I strive for that peak.
Each day I am disappointed.
And much of that disappointment comes from my tendency to compare..
That girl is more beautiful, that one is more talented, that one gets more attention from guys, that one doesn't have as many faults as I do.. She is smarter, she is more spiritual, she has a prettier smile, she has nicer clothes..
and there I am.
Left in the dust.
The dust of all these incredible people before me, who I wish day after day that I could become! Day after day after day, wondering and wishing what life would be like if I was good enough..
And so I put myself into a little box. A box all of my own where I try to see the good in me. A box where I consider- hey, I can play the piano, I have pretty eyes, I'm creative!
And it is in there, in my little box, where I remember Maren.
Miss Maren Lee, created just to be me.

But eventually I have to come out of the box and return to the world of comparisons..
The world where one product compares itself to its competitor.
Where billions of athletes compete against each other, all striving for that title of world champion!
Where girls walk down the streets of Provo in their mini skirts, hoping to be noticed, living to be compared.

And then the comparisons turn into Judgements.
The vileness of it.
In order to elevate our own dwindling confidence, we turn the biting pain of our own self criticism to those around us.
We look at others and try to find their faults in an attempt to make ours disappear...

But they never do.
And the result is a world of boxes.

Boxes where we spend so much time resolving our fears then breaking down others that the world is crumbling..
No wonder the morals of our world are being lost.

In the meantime, at least I can still find some beauty in it.

 

 

living in a box

 

miss maren lee



Here's to the Future.

Well.
Welcome to September.
First day of Fall term here at BYU! I had a real tough class this morning: Flexibility. :)
I cant believe it though, my real college life is about to set in.
I feel so little, a tiny freshman in a sea of upperclassmen, professors, and professionals.. I mean, I don't even look old enough to be in college to begin with. So everyone looks at me like this naïve little kid who just happens to be on the same campus as them..

On the other hand, it was great being able to spend these last two weeks with my family. They're so unique. :P
This weekend we went up to Island Park Idaho to spend some time at the ranch. Its just so peaceful and isolated out there. My grandparents are working on a new cabin for the whole family. Its huge! And I can tell its going to be absolutely gorgeous.
We ended up going to a visitors ward on Sunday. I expected there to be max-20 people... I mean, Island Park is not a huge place. Its basically scattered ranches for a couple miles..
There were almost 2000!! Its the craziest thing I've ever seen. To add to that, it was testimony meeting. A ton of people got up and bore their testimonies to complete strangers.
It was pretty impressive.

So I'm back at BYU. Who knows where this crazy new life will lead me.

 

These are just some fun shots from a little bike-ride/photo-shoot while I was at home.

I just love Medford. :)

I wont be home again til Christmas..

I cannot wait for Fall weather!! Most my clothes are meant for chilly mornings and rainy afternoons.

anyways.. 

 

hoping for the best

 

miss maren lee.

 

 

Adventure Time :)

Well, this has been crazy. That's the only way I can describe it! My summer term has come to an end. We finished clearing out the apartment, and I have my flight home tomorrow :)

 This has been a hectic experience, but I'm so very grateful for it. And the best news is I get to come back in two weeks and continue the adventure!

 

Highlights of the Summer:

-Finally pulling an all nighter! And topping it off with I-HOP at 5:00 in the morning

-WBG: Wyview Bike Gang

- Graham Canyon Ice Cream. Enough Said.

-Jump on It Trampoline Park

-Swimming at the Glenhood

-20's themed BYU dance. Danced for 4 hours straight. so. much. fun.

-Being taught how to play Black Ops.

-Bowling at midnight and totally dominating in the first round! crushed it.

-Mean Girls and Pitch Perfect References 24/7

-Photography Fieldtrip in downtown Provo at 6:00 in the morning

-Hiking a waterfall

-Snapchat Danceoffs... oh dear... the wall twerk emerges...

-Being absolutely insane with my roommate, and discovering that we're basically the same person.

-Walks around Wyview at 2:00 in the morning

 

I also met some pretty great people :)

 

1. Rylie :)

 



 

This girl here was one of my two roommates, and she's absolutely hilarious. She was always making me laugh!! Rylie was from Ohio, so everytime she got angry or sassy her accent would pop out. After spending so much time with her you could hear a little twinge of accent in my voice too. Rylie and I could just be weird together. haha. Way too often we would pause and be like "what the heck are we doing??".. Rylie is freaking gorgeous. All the boys love her ;) Sadly Rylie is moving to BYU Idaho so I probably wont get to see her much anymore :( But she says I'm invited to her wedding, maybe she'll make me a bridesmaid haha

 

2. Tyler

 

 

Tyler is basically the reason I made it though summer semester.. Every time I needed to vent he'd always find a way to make me feel better. When you first meet Tyler he seems like the typical jock. But after getting to know him better you realize there's more to him, which is rather refreshing :) 

But Tyler and I friendzoned each other almost from the start haha. He's got a good sense of humor, and our relationship basically consists of teasing each other 24/7.

He leaves on his mission in two months to serve in Texas!

 

3. Edison!

 

 

Edison is basically like my mama :) she took care of me when I was sick, cooked for me, helped me clean, gave me great advice :) Edison is the girl who knows EVERYONE. She makes an effort to remember people's names, and makes them all feel included. Its a special talent of hers. Edison is from Arizona and is super sporty. She's awesome at basketball and easily parallels the boys when they play. ;)

Edison will be here in the fall, but plans on going on a mission once she turns 19 :)

 

4. The boysss

 

 

 

Stephen, Connor, Dallas, Clint, Tyler, and Cameron.

There was never a dull moment with these guys. Well.. Almost Never. Their favorite pastime is their video games. Cant find the boys? They're probably at Dallas's playing Halo. or Black Ops. etc..

Haha, besides that, they were always doing something crazy.

Stephen liked to pride himself in saying he corrupted me haha.

Connor was the one with the HUGE ego.

Dallas was the one with the TV. (and the one who's never kissed a girl..)

Clint was the reasonable one who liked to make sure we never broke the honor code.

Cameron was the late addition to the group.

and Tyler is still Tyler, ha.

 

Anyways, its been fun. I get to go home for a week, and I'm super happy about that :)

Then I'll be back at BYU to meet new people and continue this new college life :)

 

expecting much for the future..

 

miss maren lee

 

 

 

When Life Gives You Lemons..

I hope you enjoy this picture, it just makes me entirely too happy. Haha, I feel like it explains my personality all too well :)

And I've realized, I just love being me. Quirky, unique, weird, silly, happy, crazy, colorful, creative me.

I love my eyes, my hair, my clothes, my body, my dimples..

And not in an egocentric sort of way, just in a way that I'm trying to be thankful for what I have and not cut myself short.

 

This week I think the biggest lesson I've learned is that everything happens for a reason.

All the while that we're roaming down the twists and turns that life brings us, we may not know where we're headed, but Heavenly Father does.

And why would we NOT seek the council from one who knows all?

He has the perfect view from above.

Our perspective is so microscopic in comparison to his, yet we too often rely on our on judgment, or the world's.

And in hard times we cannot forget that he is there for us.

I read an Ensign article by Elder Uchtdorf entitled "Walking in Circles" this week. The whole premise is based on a social experiment where people were set in a desert with one instruction: walk in a straight line. Some walked during the day, some at night. Those who walked during the say and were able to keep a relatively steady path, yet those who did not have the sun walked in circles. At times they even crossed their own paths without knowing it.

Through this parable of sorts, Uchtdorf explains that we need to find "spiritual landmarks" in our lives that keep us on the right path. Such landmarks can be found through good friends, parents, church leaders, the Spirit, and most importantly our Lord Jesus the Christ.

Otherwise we are doomed to wander..

 

But not all who wander are lost :)

 

I'm also very grateful for those in my life I can turn to for consolation and advice. Sometimes all you need to do is just talk it out. Especially in my case where I tend to hold everything in until it just comes bursting out...

 

hoping all works out

 

miss maren lee