twitterpated.

yup, it happened, I have a twitter.

Since I am a New Media & Design journalism student, I suppose being completely proficient in New Media (aka blogs, twitter, facebook, flickr, etc.) would be useful.

I do feel kinda like a sellout though. shh.

so kids, follow me? & I'll become skilled at this whole RT, @ business.

leahmwasson on Twitter.com

song of the day/week?: In My Head by Jason DeRulo (thanks, ahlin)

guilty as charged.

I have a confession.

I made the mistake of watching the season premier of 'The Bachelor' a few weeks ago,

and now,

I'm addicted.

It's my guilty-pleasure show-to-watch, and I can't quite get enough.

The morning after I watched the first show, I woke up & confessed to my roommate Sarah.

Only because I had to.

See, shows like this don't just suck you in,

they turn you into a vacuum to suck other people in.

I couldn't stop raving about how dumb I thought Vienna was (she is) or how darling Ali & Jakes date was (darling!) or how great Jake is (fact). Ridiculous.

*sidenote: I just ran across this editorial about the show, and it's pretty hilarious. even better: I'm pretty sure it's true! hahaha. anyways.*

Now, my roommates & I are all quoting it and I think they'll catch up on the past three episodes. So now, I may have just confessed their guilty pleasure show too all in the post ... you're welcome girls :)

However, I'm pretty sure lots of other people have their "guilty-pleasure" show,

the show that may be completely ridiculous or time-consuming or just unnecessary.

just admit it.

I did :)

song of the day: Spotlight by Gucci Mane ft. Usher

as a result.

So Alexa (bestie) made this video on her new MacBookPro (so.jealous.) this morning in my Comms 377 (hence the title). and I kinda just love it. and lexy.

so if you're as bored as we were this morning in class, check it out :)

http://leealexa.blogspot.com/2010/01/boredom-in-my-377-class.html

song: 1901, Phoenix.

how to get lucky.

In my feature writing class, we read this article by Ben Sherwood (in Oprah Magazine, Feb 2009) titled:

“How to Get Lucky”

The article begins in essay format, describing how this woman ended up meeting her husband at the dry cleaners, randomly.

Or was it?

The article discusses chance events, what some may describe as a random event.

Are the people who turn chance into an opportunity, such as meeting a potential business contact on an airplane, just lucky?

“Luck is not a magical ability or gift from the gods,” Richard Wiseman writes in The Luck Factor. He insists that we have far more control over the element — and outcome — of chance in our lives than we realize. “In fact, he argues that only 10 percent of life is truly random. The remaining 90 percent is “actually defined by the way you think.”

That is one of my favorite quotes because it places 90 percent of the responsibility into your own hands. You choose how to react. You choose your attitude. You choose your path. You choose to succeed. Obviously, you counsel with the Lord and ask Him for guidance, but it is your responsibility to be open to change and foster an attitude that can define your life.

“Lucky people create, notice and act upon the chance opportunities in their lives,” Wiseman said. “If luck means being in the right place at the right time, being in the right place at the right time is actually all about being in the right state of mind.”



Here are some insights to being in the right state of mind.

[Give chance a chance]
Go grocery shopping somewhere else, walk a different way to class or if you’re me, actually walk somewhere without headphones in.

[Relax]
I am one of those people who tends to get a) anxious, b) stressed and c) preoccupied, which means I’m not really noticing those moments of opportunity.

“A laid-back attitude can lead to all sorts of possibilities, but you have to be ready to go with the flow.”

[Build your network of luck]
“Remember that you are surrounded by opportunities.”



One source in the article describes the way I sometimes feel:

She used to think it was “inefficient to invest in people you were never going to see again.” If your paths are never going to recross, why bother?

And that’s one reason why I tend to be on the phone as I’m shopping or on my computer on the airplane (besides the fact that’s usually the only time I have time to do those). Essentially, I’m closing myself off to experience those chance opportunities.

But, people are opportunities. The gift is in the interaction and the connection with another person, whether it lasts forever or not.

And who knows — you might just get lucky :)

on my mind

among other things, this is what's on my mind:

I am craving summer so. badly.

Craving it.

so badly that I am sitting here on Victorias Secret online,

shopping for a swimsuit.

it's January.

ohhh man.

this might just be a very. very. long semester.

it all relates.

it seems like everyone I know

(ok, obviously not everyone)

is taking a vacation to Disneyland

(ok, they're not all going to Disneyland but still)

or I'm suddenly seeing Disneyland commercials everywhere.

I imagine it's something like when you're on a diet

(ok, I've never been on a diet, but I'm imagining)

and all you see everywhere is food you can't eat.

Or couples who are "baby hungry"

(ok, not baby hungry either, just a point here, people)

and all they see everywhere is babies.

You get the point.

Yes, I'm one of those people who has a super weak spot for Disneyland

(c'mon, happiest place on earth!)

and all I'm seeing here in dark & dreary Provo is Disneyland!

John Mayer and Owl City, getting me through the week.

can't wait can't wait can't wait.

My last blog was all about looking back, and while that was fun & all, 2010 is here. I think I'm ready, so ready, to look forward.

1) my Capstone class, and here's why:

I'm learning how to customize blogs, learn Flash & html, make videos, take photos, make slideshows, write blogs, make podcasts. Cool. Also, I have class with some of the coolest kids around ... just sayin' :)

2) PARIS. ROOMMATES. THREE-DAY WEEKEND? This has the potential to be nothing short of incredible!

3) Courtney's 21st birthday weekend at an amazing timeshare in Vegas! (Let's disregard the fact I can't even walk onto a casino floor yet. hahaha.)

4) Bridesmaids at Taryn's wedding! A weekend back in AZ will be much needed.

5) An internship at Utah Valley Magazine this semester. I can already tell I'm going to learn so much and get a great experience.

http://utahvalleybridemagazine.com/

6) TWO religion classes this semster -- and yes, I'm totally excited!

7) Leah turns 21 in 2010!

8) This boy :)
9) Finishing school in June, graduating in August. In three years. From college. Whaat?! When did that happen?!

10) An internship in D.C. this fall, perhaps?!


Song: Neon (acoustic) by John Mayer. My love for this song has gotten a little ridiculous! Also, Crawl by Chris Brown.

a year in review.

leah’s life in ‘09 (in photos)

what a year. definitely full of surprises, some twists, some turns.

More than anything, these 16 (ish) pictures represent the incredible love my Savior has for me. He is watching over me, protecting me, and most importantly, guiding me in directions that I would have never turned.

And I am so excited for what 2010 has to bring ...

[one] This was the year I fell completely in love with photography. and I went kinda crazy, being part of an engagement, photographing bridals and the whole nine yards.

[two] I got a job in March working at Avenia Bridal, a couture bridal store in Provo (I know, Provo!) Let’s just say, the dresses are beyond incredible and job has been a blessing in more ways than one.

[three] Worked as an RA in Wyview. What an interesting experience! At one point, Katie, Sarah & I had 8 phones (one in my room) between us!

[four] Got offered a job at the Daily Universe, BYU’s newspaper. So, during Spring semester, I wrote for the paper in my Comms 321 class and designed the paper. Basically, spent 40+ hours in the Brimhall building!

[five] Concerts! Went to Lonestar, which we actually loved. and Iron & Wine, also a winner.

[six] Made new friends! Yup, everytime I think I have all the friends I need, I have plenty of friends, the Lord throws some more amazing people at me to help me out. And these people have been such blessings in my life.

[seven] For the first time in my entire life, I didn't spend the summer living in Arizona (or really, in Arizona). I stayed at school to go to school and for the Daily Universe. and I basically spent as much time possible outside, a result of a Utah winter.

[eight] I GOT A CAMERA. a pretty, pretty Nikon D70 from my parents for my 20th birthday. and honestly, that camera has been another limb, especially this summer.

[nine] I took a photojournalism class. two of my favorite things: photography + journalism = love.

[ten] Surprised my best friend Courtney in California for her 21st birthday. such a crazy trip, but sooo much fun. awesome because we have planned three Cali trips together, and this summer we didn’t think it would happen. and it totally did! :)

[eleven] Prescott, Fourth of July weekend, Marsh family + Wasson family, a Dad run to Costco, airsoft guns, fireworks. best.weekend.ever.

[twelve] I feel like this picture describes my fall semester 2009. I get home at 10 p.m. (and later!) almost every night, and this is what I felt like eating. hahaha.

[thirteen] Commuted back & forth between Provo and Eagle Mountain to nanny the Boyer’s this summer and fall. Oh, I just love those kiddos. Played mom for a week in October, and we just had a blast!

[fourteen] Flew home on an emergency whim after Erik's surgery. He ended up being admitted to the hospital the next morning, and that night, we both (kinda) slept on that tiny bed, listening to Owl City and watching Big Bang Theory. good times.

[fifteen] Photographed Kyle for my photojournalism essay. that included walks at Bridal Veil Falls, a visit to his dance studio and of course, packing pictures.

[sixteen] Visited Kyle in Winchester, V.A. And for once, he was right -- totally a "5" trip, aka. I loved every minute of it : )