YEAH!!! I'm super excited! I finally did it, I bought a plane ticket home to Portland! I have not been back since my 21st birthday, a year and half ago! I was going to fly out on Friday night after work, but I waited too long, and it was cheaper to fly out Saturday morning! I will be in Vancouver/Portland Feb 14th (happy valentines day to me) through Tue Feb 17th! I can't wait! These next two weeks are going to crawl by!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
New Outlook And A Clean Break
So this past weekend I took some friends up to my parent’s cabin (that is coming soon in another blog) in Island Park, Idaho. It was a weekend of refection, and chances for me to some what try to clear my head, even though there was a lot going on. I see two people in my head, one headed down a great amazing life with Gospel in the outcome, and one down a path without the Church and not the best things in my mind. This made me think more about the personal paths I am headed down.
I know that I am no where near as close to the path of destruction as I was when I lived in Vegas, but I can feel myself and my testimony slipping away again, and I know this has to do with the company that I am keeping. Now it is a choice of destruction or happiness, and I am ready to do what I need to, to choose the happier path. I am cutting loose those in my life do not help bring and lift me up. Life is too short and too busy to feel sad or despaired! I know in my heart this is the right thing to do, and I know that it is defiantly easier after some of the experiences I had this weekend.
I need people around that can encourage me to get up at 7:30 in the morning and go to church when I am on vacation. Someone who helps me strive to be a better person and go to the Temple as often as I can. I am hoping that some of these changes will last, and that I can go onto feeling like I used to and striving to go to the ward activities and loosing myself in various service projects! Here is to a new me!
Friday, January 23, 2009
Another Shooting, Another School
I feel most days like I live in a different world. And yes, most will call it that since I am located in Salt Lake these days. I would love to know what is going on in the world around me, but I feel just like this valley I am stuck in that it is almost impossible to get out. Oh and next to the fact that I live in one of the most polluted areas and our air pollution is at RED level right now. For the record I live on the east bench, a little higher area in the valley and I cannot see the mountains we live by! It is horrible and unhealthy, but that is neither the time nor place! 
Anyway, there was a shooting 2 blocks away from Kerns high school, this school is located on the West side of town, close to West Jordan. My uncle lived around the corner from there up to about 2 years ago, and my other Aunt and Uncle live down the street. I know the area well, and know that it is an unsafe area to live in. there are lots of gangs and such and that was part of the reason why my family moved further south into a nicer neighborhood of West Jordan, and the other down to Utah County. The shock in the situation is that the shooting was 16 years old, and the official say it was a gang related shooting.
Now I am not sure if the child that was shot multiple times in the stomach, rushed to intensive care and later died was apart of a gang but I do feel sorry. Especially for the parents, I feel it would be the hardest thing to have to burry your child, and because of such a horrific crime to say the least. But this is what really caught me off guard today.
This morning I came into my office like normal. I didn’t say a word; I just basically keep my mouth shut in the mornings and get through the first few hours. Well, as I walked in I herd one of the girls talking about the shooting, and she said “I just don’t understand, it is such a good school and area.” Now, maybe compared to the South where she grew up it might be a “good” area, but last time I checked it up there with living in West Valley! I also herd her say that it was a good High School and that’s why her step daughter picked to go there.
I do not want to offend anyone, and I certainly hope I am not. Believe me, I went to an older high school and I loved it. We where also in a good area, and had the least amount of drugs and violence in our school. We consistently took home awards, and my High school was invited to march in the inaugural parade. I don’t know if Kerns High school has good academics, or award winning extra curricular activities, but I know that they are not the best, nor the safest high school in the areas. Your opinion may be one thing, but check the facts before you say something as bold as “the best school in the area.”
Anyway, there was a shooting 2 blocks away from Kerns high school, this school is located on the West side of town, close to West Jordan. My uncle lived around the corner from there up to about 2 years ago, and my other Aunt and Uncle live down the street. I know the area well, and know that it is an unsafe area to live in. there are lots of gangs and such and that was part of the reason why my family moved further south into a nicer neighborhood of West Jordan, and the other down to Utah County. The shock in the situation is that the shooting was 16 years old, and the official say it was a gang related shooting.
Now I am not sure if the child that was shot multiple times in the stomach, rushed to intensive care and later died was apart of a gang but I do feel sorry. Especially for the parents, I feel it would be the hardest thing to have to burry your child, and because of such a horrific crime to say the least. But this is what really caught me off guard today.
This morning I came into my office like normal. I didn’t say a word; I just basically keep my mouth shut in the mornings and get through the first few hours. Well, as I walked in I herd one of the girls talking about the shooting, and she said “I just don’t understand, it is such a good school and area.” Now, maybe compared to the South where she grew up it might be a “good” area, but last time I checked it up there with living in West Valley! I also herd her say that it was a good High School and that’s why her step daughter picked to go there.
I do not want to offend anyone, and I certainly hope I am not. Believe me, I went to an older high school and I loved it. We where also in a good area, and had the least amount of drugs and violence in our school. We consistently took home awards, and my High school was invited to march in the inaugural parade. I don’t know if Kerns High school has good academics, or award winning extra curricular activities, but I know that they are not the best, nor the safest high school in the areas. Your opinion may be one thing, but check the facts before you say something as bold as “the best school in the area.”
A Historic Event
My heart is filled with joy, and I have a slight tickle in the back end of my throat. This week has marked an amazing step in the right direction for history. I will shout it from the rooftops, Oh Happy day; we are free at last free at last! Monday marked a day of tribute to Martin Luther King Jr, and the remarkable changes that have since past in the civil rights movement. What a wonderful joyous day, and then to have the first Black President to be sworn into office the next. 
I will forever remember what I was doing the exact moment when Barack took that sacred oath. My company has a tendency to block video footage and certain websites. All I wanted to do was watch the inauguration though! I was able to get to a point on CNN, where it authorized it, however there was a wait list! I mean seriously?! Get with technology CNN! So I was getting frantic and decided to try out MSNBC. Thank somebody cause it pulled it up right away! I was able to get live feed right as the orchestra played before he took the oath. Since my office has been so quiet, I couldn’t really turn up the sound on my laptop, but I say him raise his right arm, and that was good enough for me! I got through about half of the inauguration address when my computer blocked everything (THANK YOU I.T. Department!).
At which point CNN had already published the address, and I had to fight back the tears from streaming down my face. What an amazing person! In my mind I feel that Obama has accomplished more since November 5th alone, than *wonderful* Bush did in his last two years in office. I only hope that he will someday be held accountable for all of the amazing things he did…
To be honest, the entire address was beautiful and from the heart, but here are a few pieces that really touched me:
"That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.
These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land -- a nagging fear that America's decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.
Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America: They will be met.
On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.
On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn-out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.
Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions -- who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.
What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them -- that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works -- whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. And those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account -- to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day -- because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.
Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control -- and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous. The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our gross domestic product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart -- not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.
To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West: Know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.
To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.
America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested, we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back, nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations."
I think my favorite part is, “To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.” How powerful and amazing! FINALLY someone who wants in my opinion a different option than war all the time! I know that if we all just work together, we can bring America up again, and realize how truly good we have it, and lend a helping hand things will be good again! I feel that because of greed and pure stupidity we got ourselves into this mess, and there is only one way to make it right again.
I look forward to coming years, and see how we as a nation can build ourselves up again. I am excited for these new challenges and see what path we will take. I know that we made a great option in this election, and here is the next eight!
I will forever remember what I was doing the exact moment when Barack took that sacred oath. My company has a tendency to block video footage and certain websites. All I wanted to do was watch the inauguration though! I was able to get to a point on CNN, where it authorized it, however there was a wait list! I mean seriously?! Get with technology CNN! So I was getting frantic and decided to try out MSNBC. Thank somebody cause it pulled it up right away! I was able to get live feed right as the orchestra played before he took the oath. Since my office has been so quiet, I couldn’t really turn up the sound on my laptop, but I say him raise his right arm, and that was good enough for me! I got through about half of the inauguration address when my computer blocked everything (THANK YOU I.T. Department!).
At which point CNN had already published the address, and I had to fight back the tears from streaming down my face. What an amazing person! In my mind I feel that Obama has accomplished more since November 5th alone, than *wonderful* Bush did in his last two years in office. I only hope that he will someday be held accountable for all of the amazing things he did…
To be honest, the entire address was beautiful and from the heart, but here are a few pieces that really touched me:
"That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.
These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land -- a nagging fear that America's decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.
Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America: They will be met.
On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.
On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn-out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.
Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions -- who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.
What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them -- that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works -- whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. And those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account -- to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day -- because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.
Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control -- and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous. The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our gross domestic product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart -- not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.
To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West: Know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.
To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.
America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested, we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back, nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations."
I think my favorite part is, “To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.” How powerful and amazing! FINALLY someone who wants in my opinion a different option than war all the time! I know that if we all just work together, we can bring America up again, and realize how truly good we have it, and lend a helping hand things will be good again! I feel that because of greed and pure stupidity we got ourselves into this mess, and there is only one way to make it right again.
I look forward to coming years, and see how we as a nation can build ourselves up again. I am excited for these new challenges and see what path we will take. I know that we made a great option in this election, and here is the next eight!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
$106 Million Jackpot!!!
So here is how the conversation went:
Roommate: Hey what are you doing tonight
Me: I am a looser, so nothing
Roommate: You are not, but what are you doing tonight
Me: Nothing that I know of, what do you have planned
Roommate: Do you want to go for a drive?
Me: Sure, where to?
Roommate: Lotto is up to $106 million, how about Malad?
Me: HECK YES!
After we worked out the minor details, it was official; I was going to M
alad in about an hour. Oh what a fun, at the seat of our pants trip! I have not been up to Idaho in months, and it was nice to just get away! My mom grew up in a town about 25 minutes north of Malad, called Arimo. I have a lot of fond memories of Marsh Valley, and yes I am a bit of country girl at times (don’t tell!).
We made really good timing, and it was such a beautiful day for a drive! The roads where good and the sun was shinning! I first tried my luck at some scratch offs when we got there. I was not feeling lucky (or maybe it was a higher power telling to knock it off!), and called it good with $5. I am not a huge fan 
of lotto; I normally just like to scratch off. After my roommate got her multiple tickets (she is super smart, she does 10 pulls, meaning she is will get to use the same tickets for 10 drawing that equals out to 5 weeks, saves a trip every week when it is over $100 million), we where trying to figure out where to eat. I only had one place on my mind, but it was an additional 15 minutes up the freeway. She agreed and we where off!
In the little town of Downey there is a truck stop off the freeway called Flags West. I used to go there all the time when I was little with my Grandpa and everyone else. There are strong emotions tied into that place, and it made my day! Besides that who doe snto
like truck stop food?! We both ended up getting the petite country fried steak. I have always wondered what the regular size looks like, because the petite took up the whole plate alone! Of course I picked the scone in place of the roll, ode to the homemade scones… YuMMM… I was such a horrible person I took a picture of it and sent it to my mom and aunt, and I got some not very nice responses. My mom thought that I was driving up to her place, which I turn laughed at since it was still at least 2 hours north of there! Hello, I actually have a job that I go to on a regular basis!
I decided to try one more time at the scratch offs. I bought 3$ worth because I liked the design (I know sometimes I do act like a girl…), and at least won a dollar. I 
was not feelin it this time. Oh well. My roommate bought another ticket just to be safe, if not she would have always wondered what it…
We made it home by 8:30pm and it was a nice micro escape from the city. I forget how much I love a good drive, and a great time with my roommate. It was wonderful to be able to go back to Downey, I can’t begin o explain how happy it made me. Yay for a new year of random adventures!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
What a Long Eventful Day...
What a long and adventurous day... So with it being the new years, I have decided to go back on my medicine. Not that kind of meds, even though I feel like any given day I can open my purse and present a pharmacy, but I went back on my B6's and iron pills. Yes I do suffer from anemia, and it sucks! Well on my last checkup, I was on the suggested dose of 1 tablet (65mg), my iron count was still at 27! At my age and being a woman, I should have an iron count of at least 45. So we uped my dose to 250mg a day.
Anyways, so my mom as amazing as she is, bought me more iron at Costco (sadly different mg size and brand) so I took an extra one to compensate for the change. Next thing I knew all day today, I had the chills, I felt nausea, and I had this horrible sharp pain in my tummy. I talked to my aunt (who is amazing and a nurse) and she first asked if "helga" was back... No, helga is staying tamed right now (my over bearing cyst that I love to hate), and this pain was much higher and sharper! Then she realized that I Must of overdosed on my vitamins... Oh the pain!
Later I caught the sneak peak of Bride Wars. It was not too shabby, and I will blog about that on my movie review blog, but after wards I had to take my friend Beth back to American Fork. With this amazingly wonderful storm, it was getting nasty again, and I was stressing out about the drive. As I was pulling out of my circle, my dashboard lights went out! Ugh, I figured it must have been a fuse, but I still the chance on the drive.
It is a strange feeling to drive in a storm, without any dash lights, now way to see the speed, and what not. Thankfully I made it safe to American Fork, to my surprise as I was helping my friend with her luggage (I picked her up at the airport) and I noticed that my park lights where not working! Thankfully we checked the brake lights, but the park lights where out! I didn't feel it was safe to drive home, so I stopped at the Phillips 66 'heart' station off the American Fork exit and asked for help from the guys up front. This gentleman (bad at names, oops) was awesome! He got underneath my dash and went through all of my fuses, and found the bugger that died! He saved the day! I was stressing out, because I didn't want to pay an arm and a leg! I love home nice they where there, and would recommend then to anyone!
So on the rest of the drive home, I started to get thirsty. I had my leftover drink from work today ( I have up soda again) and thought it sounded good. It was a cranberry raspberry Fuze, one of my favorites. Well the second it hit my lips, my tummy started to hurt again! I really hope this passes through my system and goes away, I cannot handle this pain any longer! Oh well, tomorrow is a new day, and I have to think positive thoughts!
Monday, January 5, 2009
Ode to the Ice Scraper
Ode to the snow scraper... Last year in one of my many many fights with the snow, I broke my snow scraper! It was cold, I was stuck on a sheet of ice and I got upset and may of tried to use the scaper... Long story short, it got the best of the it, and didn't pull through.
This year, the ice has been bad (especially since I get to work by 7am, I get to deal with it more than in the past) and I have resorted to using an old expired credit card. Some mornings it was definitely more work than others and I have been honestly too lazy to buy me a new scaper.
This year for Christmas, mom bought me not one but two scapers! One is a really nice shorter one and one that is longer and has a brush on one end. With how much snow we have gotten this year and everything else, I heart my scapers. They have done wonders for me. I do not get worried or stressed out having to go out to my car and use my hands anymore. Oh how wonderful life is again!
New Years Eve
These past few weeks I have not been feeling myself. I am not as outgoing and bubbly as I normally am… Trust me I am trying to work on. Anyway I really did not feel the need to go out and hit the town. However I felt almost obligated since my friend from Washington wanted to hang out. This was her first experience for new years here, and I felt almost like a horrible friend. Well, after an eventful and busy day at work I finally made it home. Shortly after my friend showed up and it was nice to just catch up!
My amazing roommate suggested that we have a girls night, instea
Dinner was like usual amazing! We where there for a few hours! It was so cute because the owner knows my roommate and exactly what she likes to order! I tried something new it was some type of funky named soup that had coconut milk in it. It was not too shabby! Plus they served it in this awesome container, and fire in the middle! I tried to get a good picture but you cant really make out the flame!I tried to brave the spicy curry, and it was so good this time! I fell in love with the potato-ish one! My favorite is this beef and broccoli with a Thai noodle cooked in a black soy bean sauce. Mmmmm…. So yumm!
Afterwards we 
made a few quick stops then headed back to my place. We had a bucket of goodies, Lil Smokies and tons of drinks (non alcoholic of course, silly!). We played a few games, and my favorite was Harry Potter Clue. I gave this to my roommate for Christmas and it has been really fun! There are tons of different things about it, and it is not like Clue at all! It was mostly funny how my roommate thought she was out of house points and lost, but when we where cleaning the game up, she found 10 points that got slid under the board! She still maintains that she won!
After a night full of games, and being non chalet, we turned on a movie and I like the looser I crashed at about 2:45am! It was nice to not have to worry about putting myself together and being the life of the party.
2008 In Review
This past year has been fun of ups and downs, and I am glad to see what is coming my way for the next year! In January my brother Cody came to visit me. He got home from Iraq on Christmas Eve, but did not go on leave until about the second week in January. It was so nice to build up our relationship, and just get to know each other again. We have never been this strong!
The end of January my roommate at the time Ariane and I went on a road trip up to my parents cabins and got to go to the Rexburg Temple Open House. It was my first time to one, and it was such a beautiful and amazing temple. On the way home, I decided it would be fun to have a tire blowout! That was an adventure on its own… Ariane and I both thought we where going to die (crazy town truck driver and what not) so we said our goodbyes and she planned her funeral. Thankfully I am still alive this day!
The spring came and went, and I realized how much I hate the snow. We had a few fights, and a lot of car problems… I have since then tried to ‘forgive’ the snow, but it is still not the best relationship.
On March 27t
h, I had the joys of welcoming Veronica Julie Capell into the family. My
uncle Joe and his Wife Amber had a beautiful baby girl. She is such a doll. Sadly she had phenomena when she was born and she had to spend the first 2 weeks in NICU. It was so sad to see her all plugged in, but she is healthy now, and beautiful! I love playing with her and she is super smart!
In April Ariane, this guy named Jackson and I went on a weekend road trip to Vegas. This was the first time I have been back since I moved away 3 years ago now. It was a crazy weekend, but full of wonderful memories. Things changed and so had I, but it was nice to go back and eat at the Bellagio! My old friends where so swe
et to put a job application inside my menu. The executive chef changed and the food was not as good as I remembered it, but it was nice. We later went to the Stratosphere, and rode the elevator to the top had enough time to look out and then had to be evacuated due to the wind! I did win $200 on a slot machine, after only playing $0.25! It paid for my whole trip!
In May I woke up to a horrible phone call from Verizon. I hated working there, and was thankfully seeking other employment opportunities, but never expected to be let go. They still do not have answer as to why, just that I did not have a job anymore. I took it really hard; I always gave a 110% effort. I even went as far as to speaking with lawyers about wrongful termination and hazards in the work condition, and had a strong case. However, after speaking to my Bishop he suggested to just let it go, since I had found a job with better benefits and one that a actually love!
The day after I was terminated I started work at a company called 406 Real Estate Services. We specialize in foreclosures. My job descriptions are changing everyday and I enjoy that about my job. I also get to pick my own hours, and normally work 7am-3pm. I love having weekends off and nights as well!
July was an exciting month for me! My roommate Ariane and I flew to Orlando to visit our friend Tremaine, who was working there in the summer. It was an action packed 5 day weekend, and I loved every minute of it! We went to Universal Studios for the 4th of July, Disney World, some clubs downtown, Karaoke, slept by the pool all day and had BBQ’s, went to Cocoa Beach
and played some beach Volleyball. When we where dreading having to leave, hurricane Bertha came in and sadly our flight was the last flight our before they closed down. Oh how I would have loved to stay there another night! I met some amazing new people, and miss them all so much!
The summer was also when I decided to try to give the ward another shot. I started going to activities more and made some amazing friends, who I would not trade for anything in the world! We went to Lava Hot Springs on a campout, and met Heather. She is one of my bestest buddies, and amazingly fun to hang out with. Truly a kindred Spirit! That was where I also me
t Dallin. He is such a great friend to be around and has helped me though some seriously tough times this year! My friend Rachelle and her family have a boat and I was able to go on tons of outings with them. She is such a wonderful person, and helped me a lot when my living situation went downhill.
I started to Read the Twilight series in the beginning of summer, and was excited for the 4th book to be released! We all went in a group and went and saw Get Smart beforehand. We also hung out at the Gateway, and went to build a bear. I am normally a person who can wait a while to get something, but it was fun just have a late night fun night, with good friends!
In August I turned 22. Yes I feel super old, and I realized that my body needs more sleep than I ever considered in a week living in Las Vegas. Rachelle hosted a birthday girls night, and it was nice to be with people who cared about me! I was sad though when Cody didn’t call. He remembered my birthd
ay last year when he was in Iraq, and I was bummed when he forgot…
August also brought a change of events. I had finally said that enough was enough with my roommates and found a place in Sandy. I love where I live now and feel as though it is too good to be true! Penny my landlord/roommate has been amazing and such a huge inspiration in my life! There are 4 others who live there, and they are all returned missionaries. They where also amazing to let me crash on the couch when I didn’t feel like I could go back to my real house in Centervi
lle.
The fall came and went, which means the elections. One of my brothers old friends from Vancouver and I started to hang out. His name is Michael, and in all honesty it was strange to ever see him again, since it has been almost ten years! It is nice to have a brother figure around again, since mine is so far away. We watched the debates together and proud fully cheered when Obama was elected. I have never gotten this much into an election before, and I am glad that I took the time to be educated on the real issues. I am excited to see where he takes us!
Thanksgiving was fun and eventful; my parents came down from Island Park. Michael ended up joining us for the holiday and thankfully my dad was on better behavior than normal! I was also glad to see that no fights broke out and we all left in one piece! Of course it left us to some early morning shopping, and sleep was overrated! It was fun to hit the tradition of the sock sale and have a fun morning with my Mom and Aunt! That weekend Cody was also deployed back to Iraq. Hopefully he can be safe this tour!
I was fortunate enough to get tickets to the 1st Presidency Christmas Devotional. This is the second year in a row that I have gotten to go to it, and I had plaza seats this time around! We where less than 20 feet from the first presidency and it was way easier to look at them than the big screen! It was also the first time I got to hang out and see some old friends from Washington! Caitlyn and I went to Girls camp together and the same singles ward, whereas Beth I met at the Singles ward there. It was a total blast from the past and super great to see them again! They have both moved down to Utah County, so I have been hanging out a lot!
My mom ended up spending the month of December with us, and there where times I will be honest where I was getting frustrated. I am glad though to have her around and to know she is there for me when I need someone! I was able to take her to a few free screening movies, and I know she enjoyed it. I especially loved Benjamin Button, and recommend that one to EVERYONE!
Christmas was different this year; however it has not felt like Christmas for awhile. My dad stayed in Idaho, and my brother never called. My mom and I stayed the night at my Aunt and Uncles in West Jordan, and did everything very low key. We did have a few bumps, or power outages and some road closures, but still had fun together! It is always comical to watch my uncles play Rockband! Oh and my mom can totally belt out Blondie!
There is good and bad in everything in life, but I believe it is all how you look at it. I would love to say that things will be better this year, but I know it is all in my attitude! Thank you to all of those that where such a big part of my life this year, and I will be honest that Utah is starting to grow on me. I still miss home and look forward to the spring when my car is paid off and I can afford some weekend trips out of here!
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