DISNEYLAND and L.A.

I was so excited to fly to California Wednesday. I didn't know exactly what to bring, so I was the one with the biggest luggage. Julie said, "at least you have everything you need" and I did. I had no room for souvenirs, but I didn't need to buy anything.

We got our tickets to Disneyland for $55 off E-bay. What was hilarious is that we had to do a short of a drug deal to get them. (That's just the best way to describe it.) Kyle the clubs President at UVU met a guy on a corner who gave us twelve 8 day pass Disneyland tickets. They don't check your I.D. so it worked fine. We got a phone call around 6 p.m. to pass them through the fence over by Space Mountain. Kyle had to leave his drivers license behind in order to get the tickets. It was pretty sketchy but we saved almost $45.

We spent Thursday bouncing back and forth between the parks. I rode everyone ride I wanted at least once. The lines where extremely short, which made it easy to go on everything. I didn't just see the rides; I visited the Tortilla and Sour dough factories and enjoyed the fantasia play at the end of the night. We stayed from the moment it opened, until it closed. It was a blast. My favorite ride was by far the classic, “Splash Mountain”, but I did enjoy the haunted mansion featuring the "Night before Christmas."

The conference went well Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. We took a lot back with us to the school. Ideas for fund-raisers, service events, and even school activities. We also learned more about libel and laws when hosting events and what could happen. It was a great way to be informed, especially for me who was just elected last Tuesday.

It was sad to leave California. We had a quick stop in L.A. on Hollywood Blvd. where we got pictures with a dressed up batman, joker, and cat woman. We put our hands and feet in the prints of Will Smith and the Harry Potter stars. We even saw the stars placed in the cement of Michael Jackson and Johnny Depp! We only had 20 minute to spare, so we ran as fast as we could to see as much as we could while managing to capture pictures of course : )!

Lucky me, I got bumped at the end of the night and spent an extra night in CALI. I got to stay in the Westin Hotel that night with free food and a ticket to anywhere I wanted up to $400 dollars within the US. I was lucky and excited! Anyone wanting to go to Boston and New York I will be going this summer, I can’t wait to see home.

I'll post picures as soon as I get them up. I left Wed.-Mon. to Cali and am now leaving tom. for North Carolina tell Sunday. Than I am back Monday and leave to Arizona tell that following sunday. Life is really good sometimes! I can't wait to see COOPER THOUGH.

GOOD NEWS!!

After having two emotional breakdowns, which is what I am choosing to call it, I made STUDENT GOVERNMENT!!! I wrote a letter of intent this weekend, did a killer collage (Sophia my sister –in-law stepped in and completed it! I can’t take nearly half the credit), and essay questionnaire. I had Lisa Lambert the head of the mentor program write me a letter of recommendation as well as Tom Merrell a member on council. They said the nicest things about me, I felt so loved. I was so excited and nervous to turn everything in knowing I would be interviewing with my x-boyfriend. After my parents read over everything and thankfully made some great corrections, I turned it in right on time.

After having two days to write everything, which added to the sob fest, I got a call on Monday night telling me I had an interview Tuesday at 2. I feel like I nailed the interview even if I was all smiles and my face was bright red. Some people get really shaky voices when they are nervous, but me, my face goes red.

Anyways they called me to tell me I made the Club Ambassador position with another thing added. They asked me if I could fly to L.A. with them Wednesday afternoon for a convention that goes tell Sunday and includes a day spent at Disneyland. I am so excited. I made the position and get to go to California, stay in a hotel, free plain ticket, and have my food paid for. What more can I want. I have to pay my Disneyland ticket, but I everything else is covered.

In conclusion I get exactly what I want, a position on council with an extra cherry on top, a trip to Southern California. I am so happy.

Alone time and my little family!!

I am so excited to go see little Cooper, he is already growing up so fast. He is a little trooper. Jon, his dad, is a huge patriots and Red Sox fan and so he dressed Coop in little sports outfits. He is so adorable; he is already about a month old. I get to go out there the 19th I can't wait. I have not seen my sisters sense Christmas. I can't wait!

I spent Halloween alone. I was so excited. I helped me sister-in-law be adorable in her angel costume and then went home to watch Star Dust. Thought it was pretty cool with its art twist but cheesy at the same time. I was just happy to pig out and have no responsibilities. I am around people constantly, am I selfish to just want to be alone. I turned off my phone, turned on the T.V., got a blanket, some ice cream, and vegged. Halloween was beautiful this year, just the way I wanted it.

My brother’s kids are so adorable to. Sierra and Caitlyn dressed up like little fairies and Holden was an Indian. They were so adorable. They live in California and so I don’t get to see them much either. If they where hear I would have totally gone trick or treating with them. I just miss my nieces and nephews. I love kids; Halloween wouldn’t be the same without children.

Some Strength

I had an emotional breakdown late last night, which was completely embarrassing. I hate when this happens. I get little to no sleep, but I can't help it. Everyone needs to cry sometimes I guess. Its actually proven healthy (or I will just keep telling myself that). My brother and Sophia helped me a lot. Than Brandon and Lana came and got me, to go on a drive. It was really sweet of them. We talked until 2 a.m. I was exhausted, but I needed their advice and to feel comfort. I rarely break down, but when I do, which was these past two days, it rains hard.
In Elder Bednar's talk Called "With Hand and Heart," I found a really inspiring quote that really comforted me.

"There is a destiny that makes us brothers (and sisters);
None goes his way alone:
All that we send into the lives of others
Comes back into our own."
- Edwin Markham

I really liked this poem because it taught me that it’s okay to surrender and get help. We are never alone. I am there for them, I care about them, I try to help them and lift their spirits when they are sad. They repaid the price to me. I think friendship is a cherished thing.

Another quote I read in Bednar’s talk was this:

"When we treat people merely as they are, they will remain as they are. When we treat them as if they were what they should be, they will become what they should be."

-adapted from a quotation by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

This really stuck out to me because my friends really see my potential and are always encouraging me to progress and see the better side in me. It would be hard if they treated me like I was upset and a mess all the time, because that’s all I would be.

I am just thankful to have close friends I can go to for comfort. Friendship is something no one can take from you and is something you would be lost without.

A much better day

Today I sat in my first EFL classroom at UVU for my TEFL hour's for this online program I did this summer to teach English abroad. I am going to be observing for the first little bit, than eventually helping teach, and tutoring one on one with the students. I am so excited.

The professor I am working with KELLY rocks. She taught English in Guatemala in a Jr. High School and in a one room classroom up in the mountains to village children in Guatemala as well. Teaching English is something that is really intimidating. Once you research what goes into to it, you realize how hard it is. Most of the time you have to provide your own books, worksheets, and etc out off your won packet. It really is volunteer work, especially in South America.

Anyways, my class involved over 20 students from Vietnam, Brazil, Mexico, South Korea, North Korea, and Norther Japan. They are absolutely adorable and so eager to learn English. It's an intermediate classroom which is really fun. I will be doing 6 hours a week for the teacher and I hope to eventually take the students out. They all want to get to know American students, I can't wait to take them out. Some are leaving back to their countries after this semester, but some will be here next semester which is fun.

EFL classes include Listening and Speaking, Grammar, and Writing and Reading classes. I will sit in all 3 classes. I am so excited.

I am hoping to go to Spain, South Korea, and Costa Rica to teach English after I graduate and travel for a bit. We will see. : )! At least one of the 3. If I go to South Korea, they pay my plane ticket, my rent, my food, expenses for the class, and salaries. I would be a $120 away from Japan. That just sounds amazing for my first time to be taken care of. We will see.

A no good, very bad day.

I feel like I am on a Saturday Night live or Mad T.V. as one of those grumpy old woman, who get angry every time one talks to them or look at them. I am on 2 hours a sleep, after a long weekend of homework and having my brother in town from the military. I felt like biting everyone’s head off when they looked at me or needed me for something. I was not a good person today and I feel bad. I told everyone not to talk to me because I was in a bad mood. It was one of those days. Does everyone have these days or am I totally crazy?
Along with the bad mood, I always get down on myself. Today I felt insecure about my school work. I felt like no matter how hard I try, I am never good enough. I am learning how to write news articles in a total different style of writing. I have to really be organized and focus on my grammar, which is a poor quality I have. I lack credibility in this department and it’s hard to keep my spirits up.
I had to write a news article about a professor of mine. My article couldn’t measure up even close to perfect and I didn’t know where to go for help.
The problem was, I wanted to do my news article on Deborah Thornton, a current professor of English at UVU. She never got back to me and with my hopes this subject would work, I waited it out for 3 weeks. We had a month to do the paper. Well about 5 days left tell it was do, I had to make the commitment to another professor, who thankfully saved me. I had to do a phone interview which decreases my points on the paper, but we both didn’t have time to meet up. Added on to the fact my paper was completely wrong and I didn’t have enough time to have the teacher give me the help me.
Being so tired, I got this overwhelming feeling and just wanted to give up and cry. I hate these days. I try so hard in school, but I always feel not up to par with everyone else. I struggle to get A’s when I work as hard as an A student. I swear my brain doesn’t work. I want to say I am stupid, but I know that isn’t true. I am smart in other areas and hope I can survive as my dream of working in a field of public relations someday.

Disco Night with the Family

Chris came into down for the weekend before he goes away for another couple months to Arizona for a military camp. Sense he is always pre-occupied for time and can’t spend time with all us individually, my brothers and I decided to try to do a classic skating disco night. Total disco fever it rocked. Four of my brothers came, and it was so much fun being together. We really do have a fun time with all our very unique personalities. Classic Skating is really the dorkiest activity, but that’s what makes it fun.

Most of us after the first 5 minutes switched over to roller blades because the skates where to worn out for comfort. Mine kept making me do the strattles; it was a real work out to try to keep my wheels going strait so I gave up fast. I don’t know how many people wear their skates; I don’t even want to know.

It was the girls turn to be on the floor to the song “It’s raining men” which was really fun. Leslie couldn’t skate on her own, so I was holding her hand in attempts to hold her up. I don’t think I was much help because she yells to me, “I am going to fall” and tried to get me to let go, but I kept holding on and she brought me down with her. We fell hard, you could hear it, and everyone saw. I have a huge bruise on my tailbone and wrist. Yeah it was hilarious. I switched to roller blades on purpose, but ended up falling anyway. (Good times)

Who all came were Brent (brother) and wife Sophia, Chris (brother) and girlfriend Rachel, Michael (brother) and roommate, Brandon (Brother) and girlfriend Leslie, and friends of mine, Kyle, Jaron, and his two friends. It was a blast. Most of us dressed up. Michael and his friends had the funniest costume. You’ll just have to see the pictures. They didn’t really have a theme in mind. They just went to DI and found matching outfits. Later we all voted that they looked like body builder painters. It was hilarious

Over all the night was a huge success, we were all acting like big dorks, but that’s what memories are for. I have the pictures to prove it!

Halloween parties

Brent and Sophie are amazing for letting me crash at their house until I can move into my apartment on November 1st. It’s kind of a long story why I am living with my parents with a horrible commute. They let me sleep over whenever I want, but I try to keep it to 2 nights a week. They have not been married a year yet, I don’t want to oppose on the newlyweds. I love my brother and new sister-in-law.

Sophia insisted on having a photo shoot yesterday before my party. I was in a weird mood. I was having the worst mood swings and didn’t want pictures taken of me, but I let her do it anyways. I was happy by the end. They don’t look so good, because I am grumpy, but I let her have fun. I think dressing up is the best part of Halloween, not the actual party.

Thursday night was pretty fun though. Kyle came over with a bunch of costumes and we put together costumes for a couple parties I am attending. I hate the whole aspect of the one time a year slut outfits, so I was a more covered cat, flapper girl, and will be a modest cop later this week. I don’t feel comfortable having my butt hang out. Anyways, random thought. The actual party this night was a blast. My friend showed up in his bunny costume which he chooses to wear on a regular basis. It would be so uncomfortable and hot in a huge bunny costume. Matt is crazy.
The best costumes I have seen so far are a tea cup from beauty in the beast, eggs and bacon, a bunny in a hat, Wendy from Wendy’s with her burger king, and an Oreo. People are so funny; I don’t know where they get their costumes.
Funny quote by Sophia this weekend and sense I am blonde I can say, total ditz moment:

“My ring is falling off because my fingers shrunk in the cold, my hands get smaller in the winter, but wait my ring won’t fall off because I have knuckles.”
Hilarious sorry Sophie, but I had to quote that.

Sophia thankfully helped me make my page a little prettier. She even made the title for all those who always say, "I wish I could get inside your head sometimes, just to see how your brain works." I know I say crazy things and have a pretty adventurous personality, but when it comes to writing, I AM NOT SO GOOD. Really, I feel like a 16 year old, writing in her diary about some crush she has on her teacher, or some boy who sits at her table in class. Isn't it funny to look back at old diary entries? I use to get so self conscious about people reading that thing, but now I look at my journal on a regular basis. I wish I could fall in love that easily and actually like any guy who said hi to me. It's not that easy any more. Reality struck and too many bad experiences keep me too cautious. Does anyone ever feel like they want to be alone because it’s so much easier looking out for just you? Call me selfish, but I actually like being alone and independent. Is anyone reading me?

Anyways, you will not believe what happened to me yesterday. I was walking around Alpine because I was too lazy to go running. I took my cell phone with me to make some phone calls while I had time. I was talking to my brother Chris on the phone, not watching where I was going. Luckily I looked up in time to notice I was about a foot away from a deer. The deer was just as afraid as I was; we were both frozen in our tracks staring at each other. It really was a precious moment. JK. I was so scared that thing was going to attack me. Luckily we both just walked away slowly. For now on I will definably watch where I am going. There are so many deer, wolves, fox's, and people have actually spotted mountain lions up in Alpine. I am lucky it was a deer just as scared as I was. Not too long ago a young boy was killed camping by a bear and a mountain lion was stuck in a neighbor’s garage until animal control came and took it away. My story isn’t even remotely that interesting but all I am saying is, at least it was a deer.

Yeah, life isn’t that interesting right now. Does anyone have any cool Halloween costumes ideas or something I could borrow? I’ve dressed up so much; I am out of all my costumes.

Pumkin Carving, and Acting

Saturday Night
Can I just say Murder Mysteries are so confusing? I think I need to try it again. I had fun watching everyone play around and act, but was completely lost with what to do. I think the main problem was because Matt and I didn’t prepare ahead of time, but sh… no one has to no. I knew not one person there which made it hard to be funny and act with strangers. It was an adventure for sure. The best was the end when we took group photos just like in high school. I felt 16 all over again, but with a group of random people I don’t know.
The 5th annual Masquerade ball was a blast. I was Mrs. Maloney a sophisticated lawyer, who was mean in the court but nice on the streets. (The paper said something like that.) My whole Saturday night consisted of acting out parts and I don’t act at all. I was happy when the music started and I could just dance and be me again. The only part of the night that was a disaster was when I lost my sweet lace gloves and totally ruined Matt’s sister’s mask. Other than that, I was happy Lisa came with Wes and there awesome friends Dan and Alisha (I believe). You can really tell a couple is happy and have a good relationship when they can treat someone else of the opposite sex like a human being. So many guys I talk to who are married, in a relationship, or engaged act like I am hitting on them. I give props to both of them for being awesome and completely normal. Too bad everyone acts like everyone is hitting on them. Does anyone know what I am saying or agrees?
Sunday Night
Lastly, tonight was a blast. My family carved pumpkins and sense I am a little impatient my mom helped with mine. Carving pumpkins is a lot different now. It took hours to carve out such simple pictures. Pumpkin carving is so technical now days. It was really fun. No one wanted to do the cut out of the seductive woman with the vampire biting her neck. It was quiet interesting; I don’t know how kids view that? I was thinking about doing it for fun, but no one could stand looking at the image to long. The best part was the photo shoot at the end with the pumpkins. I feel like I had about 3 photo shoots the past 2 days.

Fall Break

The fall break has been fabulous so far. Bree came into town from Minnesota, who I just happened to meet in Boston when she was doing her master at Boston College. I have not seen her in over a year. It was good to catch up on life. She and I have both had our fair share of health problems, but what a strength it is for both of us to know we know how the other feels. She is still in the long trail of figuring out what’s wrong, which I hope the doctors find out soon. She’s tried everything. I just pray she can figure this out, so she can get back to life and living.

It really is hard to wake up and keep moving everyday when your body is fatigued and exhausted. It’s hard to function when your body isn’t absorbing the nutrients it needs and when your body isn’t working at a healthy pace. I know how hard it is to suffer, but going through these trials have made me a lot happier and a brighter person for those who need me. It’s made me appreciate the little things and the moments when I can run and wake up feeling energized. I am thankful for the days I feel great and I try not to waist a moment.

Someone who is sick needs you to just listen to them. Being sick takes over one’s life, just as work or school can take over people’s lives for a time. Someone talking about a typical day at work is just as casual as someone talking about what they are going through. They may come off as complaining, when it’s just a part of their lives. If one could look at it this way, than they would be able to listen to those who need a little sympathy and just an ear to listen. Going through this type of suffering is tough, but people come out strong. They can’t go through that hell alone. This is just a little advice for anyone close to someone who suffering through an illness or trial.

Anyways, this week has been much enjoyed. One I was able to make it to Jason’s farewell from the mission. I cried when he sang and was so happy to hear his testimony. How crazy to see someone so close to you change into a better being. It really makes me happy to see someone I loved be so happy.

On Thursday I had time to go to the 80’s club which was a blast. A good group showed up and I was exhausted by the end of the night.

Friday night a group of us made it over to the piano bar (tabernacle) which was really crowded and had no places to sit. I recommend going, but getting there early. We ended up at Appleby’s and ate dessert before making our way back to the crowded bar. It was nice crashing at the Marriott with Bree in the amazingly king size hotel beds. We wore each other out.

Today we spend the day eating at the top of the Joseph smith building, seeing the Joseph Smith movie, and making it over to the church museum before saying good-bye. I just love her strength and the way she understands me. She will be much missed.

Little Cooper

Yesterday, after 37 hours of horrible labor, my sister had her first baby boy, Cooper Burke Show. Cooper weighed in at 6 pounds and 1 oz. Born: September 13^th at 3:49 p.m. I don’t ever want to experience the pain my sister went through, at least for that long. She is a tough cookie and she survived it well.

I am sad to say I have not had a chance to speak to her or Jon. After 2 days of labor and no sleep, she is sleeping and she and Jon are taking in the first moments of being Mom and Dad. She and Jon are going to be great parents.

I at least talked to Jill yesterday, who helped Michelle through some of the Labor pains and was one of the first to see little COOPER. She was so happy to hold him in her arms. She told me it was so weird to think that the baby was just in Michelle’s belly and then right there in her arms. Birth is such a powerful thing, I hope to be there when Jill has a baby or the next time Michelle does. It’s hard having them both so far away.

I want hop on a plane and go see everyone, but luckily I missed my flight to her baby shower and booked another one for the 3^rd week in November. I don’t think I could wait tell Christmas, it’s going to be hard waiting a month. I look forward to stories and pictures until I get to hold him in my arms. : )