Finding Ourselves Does Not Mean Happiness

The other day I was sitting in a class where we were discussing service and helping others.

My thoughts immediately were turned to happiness.

People everywhere all over the world are searching for one word: happiness.

With the world in which we live today, many struggles come because of the search of this one word.

That is because we are doing it all wrong.

Iphone. Ipad. Itunes.

I. I. I.

We live in a world searching for happiness within ourselves--trying to get the nicest clothes to make us happy, the greatest technology, make the most money-- only to wind up still not being satisfied and still not being happy.

People all trying to find themselves and make a statement of what they are through these things, ironically does not make them happy. It couldn't be further from the truth.

It's losing ourselves that makes us happy. Losing ourselves in the service of others, looking outside of our little bubble and the problems we may have. Seeing those that are less fortunate and having the courage to help them out. That is what brings true happiness.

Recognizing that you may not be able to afford that gift for Christmas, but you have a roof over your head and clothes on your back. 

Gratitude makes everything you have enough.

I can only imagine what the world would be like if everybody lived by that motto. 

Think about something. If I 

was stripped today of everything I had-- my clothes, food, money, home, technology--WHO would I be?

We try to define ourselves with the things that we do. Being a football player, holding certain leadership positions, being an artist-- all of these are good things. 

But if these we stripped  from you. WHO would you be? These things may make up WHAT you are, but can they define WHO you are? 

So ask yourselves. How will you lose yourself?

Till next time,

Emmaline

*If you enjoyed reading this, please share, subscribe and comment! Thank you!! Love you all!! :)

All I Want For Christmas.. Is YOUnique!

Okay so I know many of you have heard me rant and rave for days about Younique Products. Well, it's because I LOVE THEM!! And what better time to get some gifts for friends, family, or even yourself than Christmas??

Here are some of the products that I am using and LOVE. 

The amazing 3D Fiber Lash Mascara!

One of my favorite eyeshadows! "Flirty"

"Glorious" primer. And let me tell you.. this stuff is glorious! It's like silk. Is it bad to tell you that I literally use it on everything?? My hair, face, hands.. It makes everything so silky smooth! Plus, it brings out my makeup and keeps it in place :)

There are so many other products that I just absolutely love!! Their lipgloss, eyeliner, eyeshadow <3 <3 and of course.. their mascara!! My husband absolutely LOVES when I wear the mascara haha.

So yeah! Hope you guys like! Feel free to shop HERE! But this link only lasts the next 10 days so get em while its hot! 

Also... if any of you are looking for some extra cash/a part time job, let me know! If you're on Facebook anyway too, this may be just the job for you. Never leave your home! It also provides an outlet for those stay at home moms out there :)

Thanks for reading!

Xoxo,

Emmaline 

Cute Winter Signs!

It's that wonderful time of year!!! 

And I am selling some super cute signs!!

LOVE THESE!

27.00  Sale: $20!

Get yours today!

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Select your sign with the corresponding number below on "buy now!"

Send BYU to the National Tax Competition!

Hi friends! Recently I had a friend approach me about the National Tax Competition. I had no idea what it was haha! But after talking to her it was incredible to me what they were doing! And anything having to do with BYU I am happy to promote and write about :)

Mckell Andersen, pictured in the middle of the team below, told me this: 

"We are given a big tax case and we have two weeks to prepare a tax policy. We then presented to business professionals and we won BYU's competition. The video of our presentation went to DC where national officials selected 4 semi finalists that are competing for the 5th finalist spot and we are one of them."

BYU has been selected as a semi finalist in Challenge, PwC's national case competition. Over 1,000 teams competed at 95 campuses across the country with 4,400 student participants. An independent panel of judges has already selected four finalists in the Tax Competition: Binghamton University, Bryant University, Penn State and Texas A&M. These teams have already been invited to compete in the Tax National Finals competition held in Washington DC on January 15th and 16th.

BYU has worked extremely hard and has made it to the semi finals, but they need your votes to get to the finals!

Click HERE to vote daily until Friday! They have already had so much participation, but we still need YOU! It literally took me like 5 seconds to vote for them. You don't have to be a current BYU student to vote either, so spread the word! Help make a difference in these student's lives!

Thank you all!

What are some amazing things you're doing?? 

Let me know below!

Xoxo,

Emmaline

ART

Do you ever feel like you need to take your own advice? 

Many of you don't know the side of me that get's sad, anxious, down and has really HARD days.

Days that I feel like just talking to people is a huge step for me.

Luckily today I was able to find something to brighten one of those moments up for me. Hope it helps you all too. 

I wanted to share something I wrote June 18, 2013, while sitting in a small cafe.

ART.

The fellows sitting next to me in this cafe are artists. Illustrating… creating.

In front of me are books. Words, created, written: art.

Above me music plays, the gentlemen to my right taps his leather dress shoe along. Sounds-- clashing, harmonizing, beautiful-- art.

The drink I hold in my hand: a creation with an extra drop of honey soothing my sore throat and congested nose. Helpful. A helpful work of art.

Surrounding us everywhere is art. Beautiful creations, The unique ones capture our attention, the perfect ones don't even catch our eye.

What world will we create?

I hope, I hope…

 it’s a unique, lovely, colorful, spontaneous one.

Splashes of crazy, bumps along the surface, red for courage, blue for loneliness, or perhaps we simply adore the color blue. Green for the beauty of the earth we enjoy, yellow for the intense sunshine engulfing us like a blanket.

Splashes and splatters, lines and patterns.

Tea to soothe a sore throat, foot tapping, music blaring, hands painting, people creating.

Happiness. Laughter. Love. Heartbreak. Trial.

Stepping back I see it now.

The beautiful portrait, the big picture, so unique with different colors and patterns. Imperfect, but juuust right.

Absolutely beautiful.

Life.

Leonid Afremov
Have a wonderful Friday! 
XO
Emmaline

Homemade Buckeyes

I don't know about you, but I LOVE buckeyes. What's not to love about sugared peanut butter dipped in chocolatey goodness?

 (justbakedbyme.wordpress.com)

These above are NOT mine because mine didn't look as pretty as those, but they sure were a hit with the husband and my siblings. 

I grew up making buckeyes with my mom around the holidays, who learned it from her grandma. I love hearing back stories behind food and traditions. So once that chill of winter started coming in, what better way to celebrate than with some rich, comfort food!

I got this easy recipe from allrecipes.com 

Ingredients you will need to make this:

-1/2 c butter, melted

-1 pound confectioners' sugar

-1 1/2 cups peanut butter

-1 teaspoon vanilla extract

-2 cups semisweet chocolate chips (I used milk chocolate :))

-1 tablespoon shortening

Directions

1. Combine the melted butter or margarine, confectioners' sugar, peanut butter and the vanilla together and mix well. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm. Roll into 1 inch balls and place on waxed paper.
2. In the top half of a double boiler melt the chocolate chips and shortening, stirring constantly. Use a toothpick to dip balls into the melted chocolate, leaving a small uncovered area so balls resemble buckeyes. Place balls on waxed paper. Use fingers to blend in toothpick holes. Refrigerate until chocolate is firm. Enjoy!

What's awesome about these is you make a bunch- bring them to a party, share them with friends, or keep in a little jar for the holidays!! What are some of your holiday traditions? Comment below!!

Xoxo,

Emmaline

One-Size-Fits-All Beige Knit Sweater and necklaces- BACK IN STOCK!

People loved these!! So back by popular request, I just got some more in stock! I only have a few in stock, so act fast if you want one!!! Thank you all for your response to the last few products, and thank you to all of you who have ordered! You're making me so happy. Haha!

Anyway, this will be a first come first serve since I only have a few. So if you like it, go ahead and purchase it with the button below! 

One size fits all. Beige knit sweater.

$25! :)

Hope you love!! Stay tuned for more deals. Happy shopping!

xoxo,

Emmy

SOLD OUT

Apricot and Navy Blue Double Breasted Coat!- SOLD OUT

I am absolutely in love with this jacket. That is why I have chosen it to be the first item you can officially purchase from here! Anytime you shop, your information is kept secure through paypal. To purchase this jacket, just click on the button below!! I will be selling this for the next 3 days. 

It's only $30! Great for yourself or for a Christmas gift. 

Here's the deets:

Material- polyester, cotton

Full length sleeves 

Length: long

Size	S	M	L	XL
Bust:	90CM	92CM	94CM	98CM
Sleeves Length:	59CM	61CM	62CM	63CM
Shoulder Width:	38CM	39CM	40CM	41CM
Length:	70-80CM	70-80CM	70-80CM	70-80CM

Apricot

Navy Blue

Super cute. Remember, only 3 days to get in on this deal!! 

Thanks for shopping. Let me know if you have any questions! 

Xoxo,

Emmy

NEW PRODUCTS coming soon!!

I am a buyer and reseller. Some things I fix up, and somethings are brand new- but I get them for cheaper. I am also part of a line of beauty products. So stay tuned for awesome accessories, clothes, items for your home, and makeup. Everything will be purchased directly from me or through paypal. Shipping is a flat rate of $5. Only ship to the U.S. I also will post a lot of DYI projects so you can learn. I am a wife on a budget, so trust me-- things won't be too expensive! I am extremely excited about this, so STAY TUNED!! ALL SALES FINAL. MAY TAKE 2-4 WEEKS FOR PRODUCTS TO ARRIVE.

Younique Boutique

I am a partner with Younique. They are a beauty line famous for their 3D Fiber Lash Mascara. Although my interest in them came from their mascara, they also have other AMAZING products. However, I am not one to go out and recruit or sell people on it. Haha I figured that one out shortly. BUT I do just want to share their products and tell you guys that I love and do use them. They are all-natural and amazing. I am currently hooked on their "glorious" face primer. Mmm yes. It is like silk to my face. Even my husband says so :) But anyway, feel free to browse their collection HERE

I recommend any of their eyeshadows, glorious, and definitely definitely their 3D Fiber Lash mascara. Happy shopping! 

Xoxo, 

Emmaline

Taste of Home Pumpkin Bread

Since moving to Utah, fall has quickly become some of my favorite months of the year. It's all about change! The colors turn so rich and beautiful, the clothes all warm and cozy-like, and don't forget the FOOD! Pumpkin this. Pumpkin that. Squash. Corn. I love it all! One of my favorite parts is having family and friends gather in the home to make some yummy, warm and comforting food-- one of my favorites being BREAD! 

The other day we had my brother and sister-in-law over for breakfast, where I served some of this warm, flavorful pumpkin bread. It was a hit!

(I like mine best with a little bit of cream cheesing frosting! :)) 

Here is the recipe!! I got mine off of "tasteofhome.com"

 Enjoy :)

Ingredients

3 cups sugar

1 cup vegetable oil 

4 eggs, lightly beaten

1 can (15 ounces) solid-pack pumpkin

3-1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon baking powder 

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves 

1/2 ground allspice

1/2 cup water 

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine sugar, oil and eggs. Add pumpkin and mix well. Combine the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, cloves and allspice; add to the pumpkin mixture alternately with water, beating well after each addition.
2. Pour into two greased 9x5-in. loaf pans. Bake at 350° for 60-65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. Yield: 2 loaves.

If you don't want to hold back, get some of this yummy stuff as well to spread on it :)

I use Pillsbury Cream Cheese frosting!

Enjoy everyone!!!

What are some of your favorite fall foods?? 

I love hearing, so let me know below!

See y'all next time! Happy Sunday everyone! :)

Emmaline 

Read more: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/pumpkin-spice-bread#ixzz3HHxu635p

 "In a Four Letter Word" focuses on four words with four letters: GIVE. LIVE. LOVE. GROW. It's dedicated to to just that: giving more and helping better society, living more adventurously and happily, loving ourselves, loving our relationships and loving our lives and growing more through these processes each day. 

Meet the author

Emmy is studying journalism at Brigham Young University and has a passion for traveling, food, holidays and serving others. She grew up in Mesa, Arizona but currently resides in Utah where she is appreciating all things Fall.  

Thanks for stopping by! 

Emmaline 

Turn the Shirt Around

The other day I woke up frazzled- anxious to get to school on time. The start of a new school year will do that to you. Running to class I was early, sorted my things out and prepared myself for the lecture. As my professor began the discussion, I was intently following along. Until one question he proposed caught my attention. Being the writer that I am, I began jotting down notes and expanding on this one question, tuning out of the next part of the lecture-- my eyes locked on the words filling up my screen in front of me. 

"And how do you feel about that?" 

I zapped back to reality. Looking up, the professor's eyes were now connected with mine. 

"Oh," I replied. "I'm sorry. Just give me a second." Reading the question on the powerpoint we were now discussing, I couldn't focus. You know when you're put on the spot ill-prepared like that, and all you can think about is how ill-prepared you are? 

Turning more and more red, I began to speak. 

Word vomit.

Blah. Blah. Blah.

"And that is how I feel about that."

"Oookay." My professor replied.

Ughhh. Second day of this class and my life is already over.

I walked out of class only to feel my shirt that seemed just a bit higher than usual. After all, I am at BYU, the more modest the better right? But then again feeling that zap! back to reality... I look down at my shirt.

It was backward.

Ah! Did I just admit that right here for all of social media to see????

Gasp.

I ran to Daniel and explained to him that I had to go to the bathroom right. Now. NOW.

And I changed my shirt. 

But you know what I've realized? Who cares. Okay, so my shirt was on backward. Who. Cares. 

Life goes on, people! As soon as I turned that white shirt around, so I did with my day.

And so can we all! Life is all about good times, hard times, sad times, sweet times. I believe that happiness is a choice. It's okay to get upset, to have life a little backward sometimes. But we need to be able to turn the shirt around-- our attitudes. Backward, sideways, inside-out-- FLAUNT IT.

Have a great Saturday!

Emmaline

A Memory

I sit and wait. Staring out the window, the drops run down my blurry reflection as the rain becomes more intense. But everyone else? Asleep. I know it has been a long ride, but really? How could they sleep at a time like this? Sometimes I wonder if I am different. Different than everyone else—alive and awake in curiosity, not standing for an eye to close in an amazing experience like this. But I was, oh, so tired. My feet worn from the days of travel, happy to finally be sitting on a bus. Days of laughter and endless games with friends; tiring, but so worthwhile. My mind drifts… somehow watching the rain fall allows for a beautiful moment of peace and exploration of the mind. I feel so blessed to be on this trip. To see the world in a new way. To find love, deeper than I thought I could have, but not with a who or a someone, but rather, a what. A place. A place where I discovered myself and beauty. Learning history, and the beauty of God’s creation. This is why I cannot close my eyes. The moment might pass me by. Oh how I wish I could freeze time! “Sniff”, I hear from the seat next to me. Looking over, I see Matt with his bloody nose. That kid. Could never handle the high altitude any way. Maybe he’d like some of my gummy bears. You know, they are the best I think I’ve ever had. Man this place with it’s food. It is perfect. “Here”, I said, tossing him a few gummy bears. A toothy smile from him. He liked them. A smile right back from me. “Look, out there”, I whispered. “The lake. Isn’t it beautiful?” “If only we could tip the cows”, he said. I smiled. Matt was always my partner in crime. My mind again wanders.

We run off the bus, excited to be in the next place. Everyone is finally awake. If only they could have seen the journey here. I run too, in my navy blue target shoes, shorts and t-shirt with my swimsuit underneath. We were headed for the lake! My mind races, feet trying to keep up as I run toward the beautiful place in the rain. A swing! Yippee! I jump on the old tire swing hanging from the beautiful willow tree, swinging, free from the cares of the world. I watch my friends as they dash into the lake, swimming toward the dock in the middle. It’s slow motion. No camera or video could capture this moment like my mind can. I smile as I watch them giggle and splash each other. I wish to chase them. Darting into the water, the water feels indifferent from the warm, rainy air. I swim to the middle of no where—the wooden planks in the middle of the vast, blue lake, little cottages all around us. Just a few kids in our teenage years—young, wild, free. I count in my head. “One, Two, Three!” I’m in midair. Jumping, off the dock, with the swiss alps surrounding me. Life cannot get much better.

            It seems to me that in this moment I was completely free. Not bound by the camera, not seeing life through a lens or through my closed eye lids while dreaming. But awake, conscious, free—memories as crystal clear and effortless as the beautiful turquoise, Switzerland water.

The Biggest WINNER

My family has planned a trip to Lake Powell at the end of May. 

We have Rock and Kenzie's wedding in April.

IT'S SPRING TIME AND SOON TO BE SWIMSUIT WEATHER.

Find a reason to get in shape and come along the ride with us! It'll make it that much more worth it.

My family was recently in town last weekend, and we were discussing Lake Powell. My mom then threw out the idea of the "Biggest Winner" contest (basically the Biggest Loser). 

Well, Dan and I wanted to be hard core about it. We have done a few things that help:

1. Bought a scale, one that measures body fat percentage. (We got ours on clearance for $30 at Bed, Bath and Beyond). 

2. Sunday night we took swimsuit pictures (All the more motivation, right?)

3. We made goals for weight loss and fat percentage lost by May 20th.

4. We limited ourselves to one cheat day a week! It keeps you going when you know you have a day to have an ice cream :)

5. We are weighing once a week, and snapping pictures every Sunday.

6. It totally helps to have a buddy to help you!!!

7. Make sure your goals are obtainable and healthy. Stay within your BMI range-- being too thin is just as unhealthy as being overweight! The sure way to lose weight and keep it off is by doing it healthily! 

If you'd like, feel free to follow along. I will be posting some of our workouts and meals, and our progress! It's the fourth day into it, and we are already feeling so darn good!! I promise our meals are easy, haha we are newbies but they are also good and super healthy! They will fill you right up! Dan and I have both taken nutrition so we love applying things which we have learned.

Here are some of the meals we have done:

1. Chicken fajita, brown rice and broccoli dinner.

-We skipped out on the tortillas and substituted our carb for brown rice. We added a little salsa to the rice for flavor and it was way good! We sliced up the chicken and cooked it on a skillet in olive oil and minced garlic, and when almost cooked added bell peppers and onions. Add minimal amount of water to the broccoli and steam it to maintain the most possible nutrients. Add some salt and pepper to taste. We also sliced up some alvocado. Voila! You have protein, good whole carbs, fat, and vegetables. 

2. I have been replacing my chocolate fixes with fruit. Don't forget you need your fruit serving!

Honestly this one is great because you satisfy that sweet craving, while also getting essential nutrients. I did strawberries, blueberries and bananas, then topped it off by sprinkling some granola over it!

3. Steak, asparagus and potatoes! Mmmm so good. 

You want your steak to be about the size of a deck of cards. Grill the steak. We cooked the asparagus on a skillet in a little bit of olive oil and sprinkled light parmesan cheese over. Cut up potatoes and cook on a skillet in light olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Again, nice variety of protein, carb, and vegetable. Get those servings in!

Take every opportunity you can to stay active-- outside of gym time. This will make a difference! Take walks together (great for talking, too!), walk to class, run to the gym (if close enough), go country dancing, go hiking with friends. These are ones we have been doing and love! Do it with a buddy and it can be fun, enjoyable and motivating. Or do it by yourself for some pondering and stress relief!

Cheers to being healthy and active!!! Any ideas?? Let us know!!!

Emmaline

Opposing Fear

Hello everyone! I hope you all had a fabulous Valentine's and President's Day weekend! Ours was full of adventure. It was a blast!! 

Today in class, we were discussing marriage. Of course, I love this topic :). We talked about why people just don't seem to be getting married anymore. We discussed that since the 1960s, the rate has gone from a whopping 59% to 20% of people ages 18-29 getting married. Wow.

Here are the top 10 reasons that statistics have show for why people don't get married (for LDS and non-LDS people-- in no particular order):

-Fear of making a mistake 

-Need more emotional maturity

-No opportunity to marry

-Desire to finish school

-Fear of responsibility

-Desire to establish a career

-Fear of responsibility of parenthood

-Pressure from family not to marry

-Pressure from friends not to marry

-Unworthy to get married

Now how many of you have heard or seen these take place? 

I know in my own life, it was even a problem.

I was just recently married at the young age of 19, and I received every piece of advice you could imagine. Especially with a mission call, everyone gave me their two sense on how I should live my life. It used to confuse me, make me scared, feel like I was lacking, and question this choice.

Ultimately I realized that this decision was up to me, the Lord, and Daniel. I felt so at peace with it and that it was right and the timing was right. So what else matters? At the end of the day, I am answering to God and to no one else. At the end of the day, I am doing what He would have me do. At the end of the day, I chose my love and loved my choice. And I am soooo, so happy. Nothing is better than kneeling across the altar with the one you love and committing yourself to them, knowing in that moment that the decision you are making is right. Not just for today, or for a few months, but for eternity. To have a best friend, confidant, and lover. Daniel is truly helping me become the person I want and need to be. We have been blessed with true happiness since making this decision and trying to live true to our covenants.

In the reasons above, I found it interesting that 3 of them were the result of fear. We know that fear is the opposite of faith. I saw this video of Elder Russell M. Nelson of the LDS Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and it touched me deeply. It reminded me of the experience I just recently went through, feeling peace when people around me may have not.

Russell M. Nelson knows who he is and does not live in fear. Russell was married in 1945, at the age of 20. He graduated medical school at the age of 22, gained many awards and achievements from being a heart surgeon, and performed the first successful heart surgery. He saved the life of a beloved man, who would later become a prophet, President Kimball. Elder Nelson is doing what the Lord created him to do.

May we live a life of love and faith, not listening to what the world has to say about us. Live so that the Lord will be on our side, remembering our divine identity and purpose here, and have an eternal perspective, so we can conquer all.

Of Female Beauty

      In contemporary society there are many attractive voices clamoring to be heard. Many offer strong opinions on what makes a woman beautiful.  Media today has all sorts to say about that—creating an unrealistic image in our society of what a beautiful woman is.  Most women do not fit that mold, leaving them unsatisfied and struggling with self-image problems. 

Recognizing the gap between reality and popular culture, the makers of Dove beauty products developed “A Campaign for Beauty,” wherein the answer to what makes someone pretty would be revealed.  Creators are determined to make media, models, and the human race aware that one does not have to fit into a uniformed Barbie mold. In a commercial created by Dove titled, “Evolution”, we watch a model who starts off as looking like herself come to work.  The model arrives ready to shoot pictures for magazines, fashion, billboards—the images that we all see everyday. 

When I first saw the model, my naïve mind thought, “Wow, she is not like the person I see in the magazines. She doesn’t look like she has the features that those beautiful models possess.”  Hmmm…why would I think that?  After all, she was that model.   But what I saw next introduced me to reality. Producers took this model, put pounds of makeup on her, covered up all of her imperfections, did her hair, changed the lighting, and then snapped pictures. 

      But the process didn’t stop there. They then took one of her best photos and doctored it. They elongated her neck, made her eyes bigger, airbrushed her face, made her features more striking, and slenderized her cheeks. That was the image that appeared on the billboard. The image that people pointed at as they walked passed.  That is the image women see and think, “Wow, she’s so perfect. How come I don’t look like that?” The answer is simple.  Because even the model doesn’t look like that.  Hardly anyone does. 

      Our perception of female beauty has been distorted by popular culture. And whether we like it or not, this is something that defines us. That makes up part of our society. That girls and women everywhere from the time they can apply makeup and from the time they watch their moms paint on cosmetics, strive to be like. And the matter of fact is: we will not be satisfied with who we are and what we look like if we keep striving to be someone else—a woman who in many cases, does not exist or who is also unsatisfied with her looks. 

      This image of beauty can prevent us from reaching our full potential. What if women considered that being beautiful was defined by being unique, confident, happy and healthy? Now that would be an image worth plastering across a billboard. Women everywhere have become addicted to finding the latest trend to look like that… but who decides what that is? I admire someone who is 100% confident in herself—one who strives to achieve what God would have her. 

No other earthly creature competes for vanity the same way humans do…and we admire and love the many qualities of each. Consider dogs, for instance.  Take the competition and emotion out of the human beauty equation, and it is easy to recognize what makes one species of dog from another—all are beautiful and unique.  And we simply classify them based on what we value most.  Some recognize the Golden Retrievers for their loyalty; another adores a poodle for its curly crazy hair. Any way you cut it, a Golden Retriever, no matter how hard it tries, will never be a poodle. Bottom line. And you know what? I think I’m okay with that.

Emmaline 

To watch Dove's commercial, click HERE