Hello!!

Salutations, everyone! My name is Megan Tidyman. I am starting this blog as part of a “happiness project” in one of my college classes, a project aimed at acting intentionally to increase one’s own happiness, rather than relying on other people or “I’ll only be truly happy if…” situations. However, I hope to continue this blog after the project is finished. For my first post, I’ll just tell you a little bit about myself:

First of all, God blessed me with an absolutely wonderful family. I have two amazing parents and four awesome siblings, all of which are spectacular students, stunning athletes, and whom I love most dearly. They provide the motivation for almost everything I do. The picture’s just a tad outdated, but it does them justice!

Secondly, I am a book worm, sci-fi geek, and member of multiple “fandoms.” From magical creatures to devilish pirates, from intergalactic space travel to savvy superheroes, from cunning detectives to inter-dimensional romances, and everything in between, you name it and I’ve probably at least heard of it. The infinite realm of the fictional multiverse and the many stories that reside there is where I spent my childhood, learning to see the fun, quirky, and magical in everything and everyone around me. (video courtesy of youtuber Skinsby Meg)

The third thing you should know about me is that the beautiful state of Nebraska has always been my home, though I’m not entirely sure about the “and always will be” part. I was homeschooled outside the small town of Hayes Center until the sixth grade, when I began attending Hayes Center Public Schools as a proud Cardinal. My family moved to Chadron five years later, and I graduated from Chadron High School, still a proud Cardinal (as a sort of “time capsule of modern American culture,” my second high school recorded a school-wide lip dub. I’ve included the link from CHS Principal Mack’s blog so you can enjoy it, too). I don’t know where God’s taking me next, but I’m sure it’ll be exciting!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4jIALD9LKC8bkI4VEx4aDRFUDg/view

Fourth, I cannot cook–AT ALL–so please don’t ask. I have exploded multiple cakes, turned syrup into solid rock, burned rice past the point of inedibility, only recently realized you were supposed to add the powder to the ramen after you strain the noodles, asked my dear, patient mother when I was supposed to add yeast to the meatloaf, and much, much more. If for some inexplicable reason I end up in charge of cooking your next meal, I apologize ahead of time for my complete lack of ability to provide you with anything more than cheap, pre-made food: it’s for your own safety and the safety of all the poor souls subjected to the horrors of any time I spend in the kitchen. The following picture is someone else’s version of just one disaster I’ve caused.

Finally, and most importantly, I am a child of the Lord Jesus Christ. Not only is He the most important relationship I strive to maintain in my life, but the life I live is in an effort to follow His rules. I believe this includes no swearing, no lying, no premarital sex, basically the abstinence of everything that would make me a disappointment to someone with so-much-higher-than-any-reasonably-attainable standards. As a hopelessly flawed and mortal human being, my efforts are obviously in vain, but I do the best I can because I know He still loves me. There is no hate, there is no anger, there is no crushing weight of impending doom at the slightest screwup; there is only unconditional love and the promise of eternal peace.

Thank you for reading this, the first of (hopefully) many posts to come. I am excited to develop this “happiness project” with you all and learn more ways in which one can intentionally improve their own happiness. God bless! Have an awesome day!!