Thanksgiving is probably one of the best holidays of the year because family gathers without the hype of presents. I love it and as this was the first Thanksgiving I was not at home for in the past 20 years, I realized how much I love my family!
I am so blessed in this life with everything I have. During this break, I've thought of many things that I am thankful for.
- My family! I was able to talk to a lot of peple in my family while they were gathered at my Aunt's house. It was great, especially when I spoke with my 3 year old god-daughter. Megan kept asking where I was so I am anxious to see her at Christimas.
- Good entertainment. Amid the world filled with R-rated movies becoming more popular and music becoming more vulgar, I am happy when I can listen and watch wholesome entertainment (like A Christmas Carol with Jim Carrey).
- Friends! My friends are the best ever! They all encourage me to live better and I love that. Recently, I was able to spend time with my friend, Chelsea, from Utah State and it was so much fun.
- Service. The feeling that comes from serving others is simply amazing and I also enjoy the relief when others serve me. It is a great principle to incorporate into our lives and the blessings are endless.
- The Church- it is the greatest thing in my life and I am so happy to be a part of it!
Thanksgiving break was marvelous and full of friends, family and food. Tuesday night, I made holiday cookies with a friend's family and Chelsea. Wednesday, Chelsea and I hung out in Logan at Utah State. On Thanksgiving, I visited my friend, Anthony and his extended family in Farmington. It was a lot of fun and the day was filled with petting goats, playing ultimate frisbee, eating food, playing games and watching movies. We also went to "A Christmas Carol" in 3-D, which was scarier than I anticipated but good nonetheless. My plans for the rest of the week include working (where I am now) and going to the big game tomorrow! Pictures will come soon!
11.27.2009
11.11.2009
Wonderful World of Work
Today celebrates six years of being a member in the working world.
Here is a trip down memory lane:
Subway was my first job, which I started working at on November 11, 2003. I spent a solid three years there and made approximately 1,000,000 subs. Actually I don't know about that. But I did enjoy working with my brother and sister from time to time. AND... Now I only like to eat subs that I make myself. I became very particular in the world of sub-making.
As most teenage girls, I babysat a lot as well. My first babysitting job was for some neighbors who had two little girls. My favorite job was watching my goddaughter when she was born while her mom taught summer school. We spent many enjoyable mornings playing Peek-a-boo in her living room. Now, Megan is 3 1/2 years old and I can't believe it!
While babysitting and working at Subway, I started working at YMCA Camp Sturtevant as a volunteer junior counselor. Little did I know that the long hours stuck in a hot camp store would equate to a job for the next five years. It also led me to the career field that I want to enter- Therapeutic Recreation.
I also worked concurrently at the YMCA child care and was privileged to change several diapers a day, dry tears of crying children and pick up heaps of toys at a time.
My last job before graduating (mind you I held all four of the above jobs at once... crazy decision!), was working with AmeriCorps. I owe the ability to attend college to AmeriCorps. Above our pay, we also received a large scholarship for the community service we performed. Basically, AmeriCorps is a domestic PeaceCorps. I worked also at the YMCA and the camp in Wausau but did additional projects and work. One highlight of this job was free range to the Y Climbing wall! It was great to climb whenever I wanted to.
Last year, I worked at Utah State University in the Athletics department. It was cool because I got to meet a lot of the basketball stars and everything as I was the one who polished the floor they played on. They never outwardly thanked me but I know I have a high chance of being in their wills someday. :)
Now, six years into paying taxes, social security and the other wonderful perks of employment, I work at Wasatch Mental Health in Provo. I work in the Intensive Residential Treatment center where we have clients who live there 24/7. Often, they are individuals who are released from hospital care and still need the guidance and staff to learn and cope with their illnesses. If you ever really need to laugh and smile, come here because every day at work is a new adventure full of FUN!
With all this work, I hope I get some social security when I am old and wrinkly but I somehow highly doubt that happening.
Here is a trip down memory lane:
Subway was my first job, which I started working at on November 11, 2003. I spent a solid three years there and made approximately 1,000,000 subs. Actually I don't know about that. But I did enjoy working with my brother and sister from time to time. AND... Now I only like to eat subs that I make myself. I became very particular in the world of sub-making.
As most teenage girls, I babysat a lot as well. My first babysitting job was for some neighbors who had two little girls. My favorite job was watching my goddaughter when she was born while her mom taught summer school. We spent many enjoyable mornings playing Peek-a-boo in her living room. Now, Megan is 3 1/2 years old and I can't believe it!
While babysitting and working at Subway, I started working at YMCA Camp Sturtevant as a volunteer junior counselor. Little did I know that the long hours stuck in a hot camp store would equate to a job for the next five years. It also led me to the career field that I want to enter- Therapeutic Recreation.
I also worked concurrently at the YMCA child care and was privileged to change several diapers a day, dry tears of crying children and pick up heaps of toys at a time.
My last job before graduating (mind you I held all four of the above jobs at once... crazy decision!), was working with AmeriCorps. I owe the ability to attend college to AmeriCorps. Above our pay, we also received a large scholarship for the community service we performed. Basically, AmeriCorps is a domestic PeaceCorps. I worked also at the YMCA and the camp in Wausau but did additional projects and work. One highlight of this job was free range to the Y Climbing wall! It was great to climb whenever I wanted to.
Last year, I worked at Utah State University in the Athletics department. It was cool because I got to meet a lot of the basketball stars and everything as I was the one who polished the floor they played on. They never outwardly thanked me but I know I have a high chance of being in their wills someday. :)
Now, six years into paying taxes, social security and the other wonderful perks of employment, I work at Wasatch Mental Health in Provo. I work in the Intensive Residential Treatment center where we have clients who live there 24/7. Often, they are individuals who are released from hospital care and still need the guidance and staff to learn and cope with their illnesses. If you ever really need to laugh and smile, come here because every day at work is a new adventure full of FUN!With all this work, I hope I get some social security when I am old and wrinkly but I somehow highly doubt that happening.
11.02.2009
The Humor of Family History
My ancestors had twin girls. One of them was named Marguerite Ivy and the other....
you guessed it: Marguerette Iva. My mom said the girls went by Marguerite and Iva to avoid confusion. Gotta love those ancestors!
Now back to listening to the eerie music playing in the library.
you guessed it: Marguerette Iva. My mom said the girls went by Marguerite and Iva to avoid confusion. Gotta love those ancestors!
Now back to listening to the eerie music playing in the library.
10.27.2009
Bucket List
About a month ago, I went camping with a recreation class of mine. One night, we decided to make a personal bucket list for ourselves. If you don't know what that is, just google it. So here are some of the things on my "before I kick the BUCKET" list
- Learn how to surf
- Complete a triathlon (next summer)
- Learn Norweigen
- Write a book
- Be in a dunk tank
- Ride a rollercoaster (I am terrified of them)
- Go over 100 mph in a car (But do it where I won't get caught)
- Make a kite
- Build a canoe
- Use a fire extinquisher (doesn't have to be during a fire, I just want to see what happens)
- Learn sign language
- Run a marathon in Madagascar
Those are some of the items I have on my list of 60 things to do before I die. We'll see how far I actually get.
- Learn how to surf
- Complete a triathlon (next summer)
- Learn Norweigen
- Write a book
- Be in a dunk tank
- Ride a rollercoaster (I am terrified of them)
- Go over 100 mph in a car (But do it where I won't get caught)
- Make a kite
- Build a canoe
- Use a fire extinquisher (doesn't have to be during a fire, I just want to see what happens)
- Learn sign language
- Run a marathon in Madagascar
Those are some of the items I have on my list of 60 things to do before I die. We'll see how far I actually get.
10.09.2009
10.08.2009
Two Decades Ago...
Two decades ago, I sat (or perhaps laid) on my mother's lap, screaming my head off as a three day old baby. Wow, how things have changed! No longer do I sit on my mother's lap but I am pretty sure I still scream at times (especially when I get mail... hint, hint)
Anyways, as the title states, I am two decades old now. This birthday had a bitter sweet taste; allow me to explain. In my family, I have a tradition of rounding up in ages. So for my uncle, he has been "almost 60" since he turned 50. I always liked it because it was never to my disadvantage. That all changed on the eve of my birthday. Uncle Bill called me and wished me a happy "Almost 30" birthday. Now if 20 wasn't hard enough, 30 is not looking too great. Nonetheless, I am aging and having to start thinking about the vast world of retirement homes, which color walker I want and how I am going to pass the driving test when I am 84 years old.
For my birthday, I had a marvelous time with friends in Provo and Salt Lake. For a small re-cap, my friend Chelsea came down from Utah State to spend the weekend in Provo. BYU played USU Friday night and we won of course. Although I must give Gary Anderson props for the improvement on the team. Then Saturday morning, Chelsea and I went to General Conference in Salt Lake. Saturday night, Janet took me to Quarry, this sweet rock climbing place. We haven't been rock climbing in over a year so it was interesting to say the least. As much as I thought my arms would hurt, they didn't!!! Then after that, we had cake (Janet made a Jello-Cake!) and ice cream. On Sunday, we fed these sweet ducks at a retirement home (probably where I will be in a few years). For my actual birthday on Monday, we had FHE at our apartment and did a cool activity. I also got some sweet presents including a few games, a cook book and other stuff.
Anyways, as the title states, I am two decades old now. This birthday had a bitter sweet taste; allow me to explain. In my family, I have a tradition of rounding up in ages. So for my uncle, he has been "almost 60" since he turned 50. I always liked it because it was never to my disadvantage. That all changed on the eve of my birthday. Uncle Bill called me and wished me a happy "Almost 30" birthday. Now if 20 wasn't hard enough, 30 is not looking too great. Nonetheless, I am aging and having to start thinking about the vast world of retirement homes, which color walker I want and how I am going to pass the driving test when I am 84 years old.
For my birthday, I had a marvelous time with friends in Provo and Salt Lake. For a small re-cap, my friend Chelsea came down from Utah State to spend the weekend in Provo. BYU played USU Friday night and we won of course. Although I must give Gary Anderson props for the improvement on the team. Then Saturday morning, Chelsea and I went to General Conference in Salt Lake. Saturday night, Janet took me to Quarry, this sweet rock climbing place. We haven't been rock climbing in over a year so it was interesting to say the least. As much as I thought my arms would hurt, they didn't!!! Then after that, we had cake (Janet made a Jello-Cake!) and ice cream. On Sunday, we fed these sweet ducks at a retirement home (probably where I will be in a few years). For my actual birthday on Monday, we had FHE at our apartment and did a cool activity. I also got some sweet presents including a few games, a cook book and other stuff.
Here are some pics from the amazing weekend!
10.01.2009
Sweet September
Sorry for the time off in blogging but unfortunately learning about ancient civilizations, volcanoes and getting new fish, blogging took the back burner.
Last weekend, Candace (one of my roommates) and I, along with her brother and his friends, went hiking Mt. Timpanogos. If you don't know what or where that is, go to the following: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Timpanogos
Good old wikipedia. It is 11,749 feet and the summit is about seven miles in hiking.
We left at one in the morning and arrived at the summit around 7am. We took an hour break at a fire around 4am to warm up and sleep a little. We then hiked back down the mountain later and enjoyed the beautiful leaves of fall.
That weekend we also had a BYU football game (which we won) and the General Relief Society Broadcast so needless to say, I didn't sleep. I stayed awake for 40 hours I think.
This week, Janet and I made a sweet dessert and I have included pictures of our handiwork. We are very inventive here. Perhaps we will make our own cookbook.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)