What to Say

Now that you've gotten out there and are involved in different things and have created the opportunities to meet new people what more can you do? Nothing right? Wrong. What you have to do now is create opportunities for the idea of a date in the mind of the other person. You may say this is manipulation, well, it is; but that's okay!
One of my good friends gave me some examples. This is what he says:

Phrases to get asked out on a date
Girl “I like doing XYZ too, we should do something sometime”

Guys “We should do something sometime” (wait for positive response, if she is quite hesitant about responding, that probably means she wants to say no but is not comfortable doing so)
“Can I get your phone number?”

Guys or girls, if you want to start a conversation with someone, find something that is easy to talk about, and maybe somewhat witty. Like if you are both eating cupcakes, start off with something simple like “Boy, these are good cupcakes, what do you think” then commence the conversation with some flirting. If things are going well, then get her number, or use the “we should do something sometime line” if you are a girl.

And now for more ideas for dates! :)

75. Go to a high school play or concert. They’re normally shorter and cost less than professional shows and can actually give you a lot to talk about.
74. Learn something new! Most libraries have educational nights that are free. Check out their websites for specific dates and times.
73. Waterfight—in the house/apt. Although these normally aren’t planned…..
72. Play the Peanut Game. Each person has a peanut on a string. One person has a metal lid and 2 dice. There is a circle drawn on a piece of paper on the ground. The person with the lid rolls the dice and if they get a 7 or an 11 they slam the lid down trying to trap everyone’s peanuts before they pull them out of the circle. If your peanut is caught you owe the person who caught it a piece of candy.* Best played in groups*
71. Have a food fight.
70. Picture scavenger hunt: 2 cameras, 2 couples, 20 needed pictures on a list. First couple to complete the list wins.
69. Late night hike. There are great places close by, don’t be afraid to break the convention of regular date.
68. Go people watching at the mall. But go with other couples and bring a list of things you’re looking for, i.e. 1 person wearing socks and sandals, etc.
67. Coloring books, popcorn and a kids movie.
66. Make homemade icecream and create your own toppings.
65. Go longboarding…don’t have a long board? Borrow one…or a razor scooter.
64. Country dancing.
63. Canoeing down the river. Don’t have a canoe?? Get some cardboard and duct tape and make your own boat. Trust me, I’ve done it, it totally works. (or inflatable animals)
62. Find a crazy holiday and base your date around that. For a great list of crazy holidays, try http://www.brownielocks.com/month2.html.
61. Fire is always fun.

1,2,3 yeah

I have been thinking about what to write for this blog post and asking for ideas; one idea I thought was pretty cool was to write about how it is that you simply meet an individual of the opposite sex that you could be interested in. This question was quite the stumper for me. How you do that? I'm most likely the wrong person to ask about this seeing as how my dating life is not exactly rockin'. However, I'm going to give you my thoughts anyway and you can take 'em or leave 'em.

My advice on this subject would be to first get out of your apartment! Get out and do things. Go to events, go on blind dates, attend your ward along with all the ward activities, get involved! The more stuff you do the more people you interact with. Second, say hello to people, give a smile. Most people have a shy bone in them but when you make the effort to step out of your comfort zone and talk to someone you don't know, repeatedly, your shy anxiety will get better, I promise. It's not going to do you any good if you get out of your apartment but then don't ever talk to anyone. Third, be comfortable with yourself! Everyone is different and we all have varying qualities, strengths, and weaknesses. When you're comfortable with yourself and confident, you'll be who you want to be, you won't worry about what other people think of you. You will be able to forget about yourself and how you look or your insecurities and focus on getting to know the people that are around. This will make you a more likable person and more approachable thus increasing your chances of meeting a potential date.

85. Hop scotch. Get some sidewalk chalk and play the classic game. Or play 4Square, jump rope, or on the big toy…elementary playground games are fun!
84. Blow something up. No really, make sure it’s legal, but finding something to blow up is actually really fun.
83. Have an egg drop contest. Make devises to hold eggs and then throw them off of a building. The person with the egg that doesn’t break wins.
82. Breakfast for dinner. This is a classic. Great conversation is had over making bacon and eggs.
81. Sack lunch date. Not a lot of time in your day? Bring a sack lunch for you and your date, meet on campus and boom! You’ve got a date…in less than 45 minutes.
80. Babysit. Could be awkward, could help you find the future mother of your offspring. Your choice.
79. 20 Questions. No holds bar, down to the nitty gritty, 20 questions.
78. Finger paint. Get some pictures from Picasso to help your creative juices, get some finger paints and have at it.
77. Take a drive through the canyon.
76. Make an igloo (weather permitting).



Ya, I'm all about a happy family.

Say what?

 
In my last Relief Society meeting my Bishop gave the lesson and during it he informed us of the Stake Presidents challenge. For boys to go on a date once a week, this made me smile (my thoughts were, this is sure to up my chances of possibly getting a date) then he delivered the second half; that girls ask out a boy once a month...I don't want to ask out a boy, it's scary! This made me think of how the guys must feel. I have decided that I am going to put aside my fears and take on the Stake Presidents challenge. I've talked to a lot of boys about this and the vast majority say they like it when a girl asks them out. So Ladies, be bold, and have at it!

"You see a boy you think is cute and like a little? Ask him to go for a walk!" -Bishop Bartholomew 

In my ward last year someone gave out a list of 100 dates, they titled it: 100 Easy To Plan, Sure to Get You Action, Highly Successful Dates
I'm going to share these dates with you throughout my posts. If you try some out let me know how they go! 

100. Take a walk to the park…feed the ducks…don’t forget the bread!
99. Go running together. (Endorphins make you happy, and attractive)
98. Surprise service! Know a family that needs help? Take a date!
97. Wash the car. Trust me, this can be fun! (Just make sure that she’s clear that you’re not just using her for free labor).
96. Bubbles on the table. Find a flat service, get some straws—spread some soapy water on the counter and use the straws to make bubbles. It’s fun, I promise.
95. Karaoke!
94. Tacky bowling. Find the oddest looking clothes you can find for each other and then go bowling. Make up silly rules for the game. *Best done as a group date*
93. Make cookies for the neighbors and go drop them off.
92. Go singing at the local nursing home.
91. Hot pots. There are some great places to go around Provo.
90. Rock climbing up Provo Canyon. Don’t have gear? Just ask around. A lot of rock climbers are more than willing to take people with them and normally have extra gear.
89. Cardboard box delivery—get cardboard boxes, punch eye holes in them and deliver treats to friends…or you can decorate the boxes and have races wearing them. It’s fun, just don’t fall over.
88. Make a piñata. 2 parts flour to 1 part water, makes a great modge podge. Also, this allows you a second date of actually breaking the piñata.
87. Go to a free concert on campus. If you don’t know if there are any, check out the Harris Fine Arts Center, they are constantly advertising for free senior concerts and performances.
86. Have a mission culture night. Get together with some of your friends, each brings a dish from their mission and some pictures, you can all bring dates. It makes a fun dinner.

Ya, I'm all about a happy family.

Blind Dates

       Last year for my birthday my mom sent me a package with lots of presents, among them was something I thought was very unusual. It was a date (the fruit) with glasses and a match; with it was a note that said "when you figure out what this is, call your brother to get more information." I was so confused and had all my friends helping me to try and figure out what it could be. We finally got it... a blind date.

       Blind dates can often have a bad connotation, I have a few friends who refuse them. As for me, however, I find them exciting and fun! Some of my funnest dates have been blind. From the story above my brother set me up with a nice young man and we had an excellent time surfing.
       The key to making a blind date successful is 1st having confidence in the friend who is setting you up. 2nd go into it with the disposition of having fun! It's a blind date, this should infer no commitment, no pressure, just an opportunity to meet someone new and have a good time. 3rd to be bold enough to make the effort to see them again if you end up liking them. I've heard more than one story in the past year where someone ends up marrying a blind date, one of them being my bishop.
       The next time someone offers to set you up on a blind date, give it a chance.

Ya, I'm all about a happy family.