Well, it's been awhile! This semester is kicking my butt! (And Ephraim's too.) We're pushing through....but barely.
So I'm now a chapter member of Phi Sigma Alpha, the Political Science National Honor Society. Unfortunately, I won't be getting enough poli sci credits to be a national member since my plan changed. I'm on my way to becoming a member of Phi Alpha Theta (the application is in process), which is the National History Honor Society. And I'm the official Executive Secretary for CEO, the Collegiate Entrepreneur's Association. And I'm so stoked to be so involved!
I've also been working a lot with Americans for Prosperity, which is a national non-partisan organization that promotes a strong economy. This election they are really trying to get the vote out for Romney. It's been fun to do polling and getting BYUI students to go to the rally they're having on Tuesday at FatCats (the movie theater here...free movies and pizza...students can hardly turn it down). And next Friday, I'm heading down to Vegas for the weekend to campaign for Romney with the Madison County College Republicans (a county organization here in Rexburg). Pretty cool.
I'm absolutely loving my business classes, and my accounting class isn't too bad either. I don't know why I didn't listen to my husband and and start taking these classes sooner! (Don't tell him I said that.) What I wish I would have done is majored in either Business or Political Science and minored in the other.
But what I'm going to do when I'm done with my online class next semester....I have no clue. Graduate school, look for a job, work on possibly starting a business, start having kids.....I just don't know. So many options! And I don't even have to choose just one! What I'm trying to do is just focus on this semester, soak up all that I can, learn all that I can, and figure the rest out later.
Meanwhile, eating healthy and going to the gym are way on the backburner. I've gained somewhere between 5-10 pounds since school started (after losing about 4 inches the two weeks prior!), which really sucks. And Red Bull has really become a staple in this house. haha.
Anyway, this weekend will hopefully give me time to catch up on homework, sleep, and spiritualness....and probably cleaning and laundry, too.
IT'S CRAZY AROUND HERE!
Friday, October 5, 2012
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Cue the Processional!
Holy cow! It's been almost two weeks! Well....school started and life has been crazy. I've finally figured out the whole graduating/Ephraim being gone thing, so I will make the official announcement here.
Here's the back story: Ephraim was gone during spring semester on his internship, and he impressed the company so much that they offered him a job! Problem was, he wasn't set to graduate until April. So he talked to his advisor and was able to work everything out so he could graduate in December and his remaining nine credits online from January to April. But I still had to stay here until July and then do my student teaching (in Vegas) from September to December....so we were going to have to be apart for a year.
So, I started looking into possibly taking 21 credits during fall semester and winter semester, graduating in April, being with Ephraim from April to August, and then doing student teaching from September to December. But then I found out I still had to take three classes, sequentially....no exceptions...so it wasn't possible.
Then, a stroke of genius (because of a suggestion from a close friend). I tried to figure out what I had to do to finish online. Well, by changing my major to University Studies (which is basically General Studies), I'd be able to finish the Business minor online and use classes I already had to create two clusters (American Government and History Education....which is pretty much the same so I've been just saying I'm minoring in Business and American Government). SO! By taking 19 credits on campus this semester and 20 credits online next semester, I'll be able to walk in December and officially finish in April....and be with my husband!
So far, it's been super busy. We haven't been able to go to the store (plus our financial aid didn't get transferred fast enough for us to go before we really got busy), so we have not been eating well. (My menu from last week is still all set, just never used unfortunately.) I haven't had time to go to the gym. And our house is fairly messy....mainly the kitchen. It's just been homework, homework, homework....and of course, class and work. AH!
Also, I always planned to get involved in some of the Honor Societies or clubs on campus, but now I'm so busy that I'm trying to figure out how that could even work. I'd love to have some sort of office or committee job, but I just don't know if I'll have time. Of course, all the main positions are already taken. Also, I'm missing just one political science class in order to be part of the National Honor Society for political science....which is kinda sucky! I can only be in the BYUI Chapter. =( But I think I can be in the National History Honor Society, so at least that's something!
Anyway, I'm really excited about this new plan. It's different than I thought it would be, but it feels right and it feels good.
Here's the back story: Ephraim was gone during spring semester on his internship, and he impressed the company so much that they offered him a job! Problem was, he wasn't set to graduate until April. So he talked to his advisor and was able to work everything out so he could graduate in December and his remaining nine credits online from January to April. But I still had to stay here until July and then do my student teaching (in Vegas) from September to December....so we were going to have to be apart for a year.
So, I started looking into possibly taking 21 credits during fall semester and winter semester, graduating in April, being with Ephraim from April to August, and then doing student teaching from September to December. But then I found out I still had to take three classes, sequentially....no exceptions...so it wasn't possible.
Then, a stroke of genius (because of a suggestion from a close friend). I tried to figure out what I had to do to finish online. Well, by changing my major to University Studies (which is basically General Studies), I'd be able to finish the Business minor online and use classes I already had to create two clusters (American Government and History Education....which is pretty much the same so I've been just saying I'm minoring in Business and American Government). SO! By taking 19 credits on campus this semester and 20 credits online next semester, I'll be able to walk in December and officially finish in April....and be with my husband!
So far, it's been super busy. We haven't been able to go to the store (plus our financial aid didn't get transferred fast enough for us to go before we really got busy), so we have not been eating well. (My menu from last week is still all set, just never used unfortunately.) I haven't had time to go to the gym. And our house is fairly messy....mainly the kitchen. It's just been homework, homework, homework....and of course, class and work. AH!
Also, I always planned to get involved in some of the Honor Societies or clubs on campus, but now I'm so busy that I'm trying to figure out how that could even work. I'd love to have some sort of office or committee job, but I just don't know if I'll have time. Of course, all the main positions are already taken. Also, I'm missing just one political science class in order to be part of the National Honor Society for political science....which is kinda sucky! I can only be in the BYUI Chapter. =( But I think I can be in the National History Honor Society, so at least that's something!
Anyway, I'm really excited about this new plan. It's different than I thought it would be, but it feels right and it feels good.
And HELLO!! I'M FREAKING GRADUATING!!! =D
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Anyone care for some dinner?
I tried something new this week. (Well, we did it once at the beginning of our marriage, but then never did it again.) And it was successful! What is this successful new thing, you ask? Planning a weekly menu at the beginning of the week, buying all the food on Monday, and then making the food according to schedule with the recipes handy.
It went off without a sitch! It was so easy! Usually, I come home and think, "What the heck am I gonna make for dinner? I don't want to make dinner. I'm too tired to think of something, and I don't really know what we have, and I'm missing something for a certain recipe, and I don't want to go to the store. Let's just go get something." And then we end up eating something that is not healthy and that drains our bank account. Seriously. With this way of living, we spend about $400/month on food. And we're only two people. It's ridiculous.
So, with the help of Pinterest, I came up with a meal plan filled with healthy dinners (feel free to browse my pinboard). Here is what we ate:
Monday: We celebrated my 25th birthday and ate out this day. But we split a salad, a meal, and a dessert. It was the perfect size. We were full, but not stuffed, and still had room for dessert! And since neither one of us is a huge fan of leftovers, there's no food left in our fridge to stink it up.
Tuesday: Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo
How is alfredo healthy? Using Greek yogurt, of course! One cup (which is actually quite filling) is about 450 calories. And you don't need anything else with it. So that could be your whole meal! It was mine. =)
Wednesday: Chicken & Veggie Stir-fry...kind of
So I made this one up a couple months ago, and it's amazing. Brown two cloves garlic in olive oil. Add one chicken breast (unless you really want chicken) and a healthy amount of lemon pepper. When it's almost cooked through, add red onions, red cabbage, sweet potatoes, broccoli, carrots, water chestnuts, snap peas, and a lot more lemon pepper! Mix it around and then add about a fourth cup of water and put on a lid to let it simmer for a few minutes. The broccoli should be bright green and the potatoes should be semi-soft. Take the lid off, turn the heat up, and keep mixing it around so the water evaporates. You can eat it just like that or with white or brown rice. A large serving of that WITH white rice is just 347 calories!
Thursday: Oriental Chicken Salad
Ephraim LOVES salads for dinner. I, on the other hand, believe that salads are a pre-dinner course, or a side. So I've made a deal with him: I will make one salad for dinner a week. This one was pretty good. I did less soy sauce because I'm not a huge fan. Ephraim loved it!
Friday: We had dinner at one of Ephraim's mission companions' house. I didn't have to worry about it, but it was NOT healthy. The next morning, I got up and worked by butt off! Literally! At least that's what if feels like...
Saturday: Crockpot Chicken Taco Chili
This was yummy. I decided we'll do one crockpot meal a week, also. I think I'll probably end up doing it on Sundays in the long run, but it worked out well for this Saturday because we were busy! This made a lot! We ended up giving some to friends because there's no way we'd finish it.
Sunday: Skillet Lasagna
Interesting. In the future, it needs something else. Maybe more sauce, or more ricotta, maybe even some good meat. It's low on calories, so I don't think adding some meat will ruin it's health value.
So, hopefully this will keep working as school begins. We're both taking 19 credits, so we shall see! Wish me luck!
It went off without a sitch! It was so easy! Usually, I come home and think, "What the heck am I gonna make for dinner? I don't want to make dinner. I'm too tired to think of something, and I don't really know what we have, and I'm missing something for a certain recipe, and I don't want to go to the store. Let's just go get something." And then we end up eating something that is not healthy and that drains our bank account. Seriously. With this way of living, we spend about $400/month on food. And we're only two people. It's ridiculous.
So, with the help of Pinterest, I came up with a meal plan filled with healthy dinners (feel free to browse my pinboard). Here is what we ate:
Monday: We celebrated my 25th birthday and ate out this day. But we split a salad, a meal, and a dessert. It was the perfect size. We were full, but not stuffed, and still had room for dessert! And since neither one of us is a huge fan of leftovers, there's no food left in our fridge to stink it up.
Tuesday: Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo
How is alfredo healthy? Using Greek yogurt, of course! One cup (which is actually quite filling) is about 450 calories. And you don't need anything else with it. So that could be your whole meal! It was mine. =)
Wednesday: Chicken & Veggie Stir-fry...kind of
So I made this one up a couple months ago, and it's amazing. Brown two cloves garlic in olive oil. Add one chicken breast (unless you really want chicken) and a healthy amount of lemon pepper. When it's almost cooked through, add red onions, red cabbage, sweet potatoes, broccoli, carrots, water chestnuts, snap peas, and a lot more lemon pepper! Mix it around and then add about a fourth cup of water and put on a lid to let it simmer for a few minutes. The broccoli should be bright green and the potatoes should be semi-soft. Take the lid off, turn the heat up, and keep mixing it around so the water evaporates. You can eat it just like that or with white or brown rice. A large serving of that WITH white rice is just 347 calories!
Thursday: Oriental Chicken Salad
Ephraim LOVES salads for dinner. I, on the other hand, believe that salads are a pre-dinner course, or a side. So I've made a deal with him: I will make one salad for dinner a week. This one was pretty good. I did less soy sauce because I'm not a huge fan. Ephraim loved it!
Friday: We had dinner at one of Ephraim's mission companions' house. I didn't have to worry about it, but it was NOT healthy. The next morning, I got up and worked by butt off! Literally! At least that's what if feels like...
Saturday: Crockpot Chicken Taco Chili
This was yummy. I decided we'll do one crockpot meal a week, also. I think I'll probably end up doing it on Sundays in the long run, but it worked out well for this Saturday because we were busy! This made a lot! We ended up giving some to friends because there's no way we'd finish it.
Sunday: Skillet Lasagna
Interesting. In the future, it needs something else. Maybe more sauce, or more ricotta, maybe even some good meat. It's low on calories, so I don't think adding some meat will ruin it's health value.
So, hopefully this will keep working as school begins. We're both taking 19 credits, so we shall see! Wish me luck!
Monday, September 3, 2012
We are. A 25-year-old's reflection.
So. I've officially been 25 years old for almost two days now. It's a milestone. Quarter of a century. Halfway to fifty. However you think of it, I can officially rent a car all by myself and my car insurance will go down. That's pretty big. When I was a young girl, I always imagined that I'd be married around 22 or 23 (I got married at 22.5 years old) with at least one baby (or maybe on the way) by 25. Well, I can officially announce that I do not have a child, nor am I expecting one in the near future. So one out of two ain't bad.
I'm on my way to a degree, which I wasn't sure I'd ever do. I was going to be famous. And really, I was still going to be famous up until I was 22 when I realized that my dreams and goals had changed. I wanted a different life. So I went to school. It was weird to be the 23-year-old freshman with a bunch of 18-year-old girls and guys. Some guys were 21 because they'd just gotten back from their missions, but still....I felt so old! And I was only 23! But it's okay. I've really enjoyed it. In many ways, I think it was good for me to come back to school five years after I'd graduated. I was ready for it. I wasn't sick of school. I wasn't itching to be done. I wasn't confused about my life plan or trying to live on my own for the first time. I was older and had a completely different outlook. I was excited. I loved learning. It helped that I was married and didn't have to worry about dating anyone new or going to social gatherings (it's really hard for me to say no to those). I worked really hard. And I've gotten straight A's since I've been here. Five semesters. For a girl who gave up on her senior year and barely graduated (which was just stupid because I was in Honors and AP classes all four years of high school), that's really good. I'm proud of myself. Proud that I've been able to buckle down, concentrate, show up to class, do the work, study for the tests, and do well.
Funny how that works.
I've studied harder than I ever have in my life...especially this last semester...which was killer! But how much more satisfied was I to see all of those A's?? I was shocked. In tears! I aced my finals after studying for HOURS! And gosh, that semester was hard for more than just the hard classes. I had an awful run-in with my boss (seriously...horrible), quit my job as an apartment manager, found a new place for us to live, moved, got my old job on campus back, fell behind in school, and caught back up....ALL without my husband!! He was gone the whole semester on his internship! Well, he did come back the weekend we moved, but he had a bum knee and was recovering from having his appendix removed.
As I think back on these 25 years, I think this last semester is the perfect culmination of my life so far. I've struggled, like everyone has really. I've been down. I've been up. I've had support from family. I've had friends that have lifted me up. I've worked hard to get here. I don't have all the answers and I make a lot of mistakes, but I think I'm doing an ok job. I'm a much better person now than I was five years ago. I'm not that little innocent girl that I was ten years ago. I'm not that little girl who feels like she has to make up lies to get people to like or accept her that I was fifteen years ago. And I'm not a five-year-old. Ok, I tried but couldn't think of anything neat to say. I don't really remember me as a five-year-old....except that my best friend, Justine, was probably the coolest girl ever to me...so cool that I wanted to cut my hair off like she did. When I look at pictures of that time, I see a happy girl. I hope that I can become most like that girl, if I had to judge from pictures. After all, didn't Christ say to become as little children to enter the kingdom of Heaven?
So, here's my little 25-year-old speck of wisdom: Life is a journey. It takes us to many different places, and at some point, we are able to take our lives where we want them to go. We are able to make our own decisions and decide our own destiny. We decide what is important to us, we make it a priority, and we go where we want with it. Along the way, things happen that maybe we didn't expect, but we still have control. We still call the shots in our lives. We decide how to react to each situation. We decide how to handle it. We decide who we want to be. And in the end, "we are what we believe we are." (C.S. Lewis)
(This entry was actually supposed to be about planning a weekly menu, if you can believe it.)
I'm on my way to a degree, which I wasn't sure I'd ever do. I was going to be famous. And really, I was still going to be famous up until I was 22 when I realized that my dreams and goals had changed. I wanted a different life. So I went to school. It was weird to be the 23-year-old freshman with a bunch of 18-year-old girls and guys. Some guys were 21 because they'd just gotten back from their missions, but still....I felt so old! And I was only 23! But it's okay. I've really enjoyed it. In many ways, I think it was good for me to come back to school five years after I'd graduated. I was ready for it. I wasn't sick of school. I wasn't itching to be done. I wasn't confused about my life plan or trying to live on my own for the first time. I was older and had a completely different outlook. I was excited. I loved learning. It helped that I was married and didn't have to worry about dating anyone new or going to social gatherings (it's really hard for me to say no to those). I worked really hard. And I've gotten straight A's since I've been here. Five semesters. For a girl who gave up on her senior year and barely graduated (which was just stupid because I was in Honors and AP classes all four years of high school), that's really good. I'm proud of myself. Proud that I've been able to buckle down, concentrate, show up to class, do the work, study for the tests, and do well.
Funny how that works.
I've studied harder than I ever have in my life...especially this last semester...which was killer! But how much more satisfied was I to see all of those A's?? I was shocked. In tears! I aced my finals after studying for HOURS! And gosh, that semester was hard for more than just the hard classes. I had an awful run-in with my boss (seriously...horrible), quit my job as an apartment manager, found a new place for us to live, moved, got my old job on campus back, fell behind in school, and caught back up....ALL without my husband!! He was gone the whole semester on his internship! Well, he did come back the weekend we moved, but he had a bum knee and was recovering from having his appendix removed.
As I think back on these 25 years, I think this last semester is the perfect culmination of my life so far. I've struggled, like everyone has really. I've been down. I've been up. I've had support from family. I've had friends that have lifted me up. I've worked hard to get here. I don't have all the answers and I make a lot of mistakes, but I think I'm doing an ok job. I'm a much better person now than I was five years ago. I'm not that little innocent girl that I was ten years ago. I'm not that little girl who feels like she has to make up lies to get people to like or accept her that I was fifteen years ago. And I'm not a five-year-old. Ok, I tried but couldn't think of anything neat to say. I don't really remember me as a five-year-old....except that my best friend, Justine, was probably the coolest girl ever to me...so cool that I wanted to cut my hair off like she did. When I look at pictures of that time, I see a happy girl. I hope that I can become most like that girl, if I had to judge from pictures. After all, didn't Christ say to become as little children to enter the kingdom of Heaven?
So, here's my little 25-year-old speck of wisdom: Life is a journey. It takes us to many different places, and at some point, we are able to take our lives where we want them to go. We are able to make our own decisions and decide our own destiny. We decide what is important to us, we make it a priority, and we go where we want with it. Along the way, things happen that maybe we didn't expect, but we still have control. We still call the shots in our lives. We decide how to react to each situation. We decide how to handle it. We decide who we want to be. And in the end, "we are what we believe we are." (C.S. Lewis)
(This entry was actually supposed to be about planning a weekly menu, if you can believe it.)
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
What Family Can Teach You
After our ten-day trip, we are finally back home. Let me tell you, it was so nice to sleep in our own bed without any interruption....especially since we got in at 3 a.m.
The first night of our trip, we stopped in Reno to sleep and stay with my grandparents. Their little miniature poodle kept trying to mount Steinway, but he would have none of it! Go Steinway! The next day we took him to stay at my other grandma's house (Granny) because she is a doglover and basically has doggie heaven in her backyard. Then we headed off to Lake Shasta in California to join up with Ephraim's family.
Seventeen people (three one-year-olds included)...just brothers, sisters, their families, and their mom. It was a pretty crazy adventure. We rented two vacation homes, both with pools, but mostly stayed at one (which had the three families with children). Each family made one breakfast and one dinner, except those who had to double up.
Saturday night, we hung out at the house. Sunday, we went on a hike to a waterfall where four of the men jumped in and almost froze their buns off....followed by lots of swimming. Monday, the women went on a hike to Castle Craggs....so tiring! Tuesday, we went to the lake! Boating, tubing, wave-running, swimming, and WAKE-BOARDING!
Holy cow! That is hard! I've never done it before, but I got up on my first try...and then fell down two seconds later....literally. That happened about 17 times, but then I finally did it! It was awesome! I felt accomplished. I set out to do something, and I did it. It took awhile, but I made it happen. I did that two times, and then I was too sore to do it anymore. Falling hurts!
On Wednesday, the men went on the hike to Castle Craggs (we figured it'd be better to not take the kids....we were right). Then Ephraim took some family pictures of two of the families. The more kids you have, the harder it is to get everyone to cooperate. Thursday, we went to Waterworks park in Redding. That was fun. But I think the best part was going with the kids and listening to them say this was the best day of their life....even better than their birthday!! That's pretty major. On Friday, we stayed around the cabin...everyone was so tired! Then, Raquel (one of Ephraim's sisters) and I got a surprise birthday cake! (Hers just past and mine is coming up.) It was the best chocolate cake I ever had....homemade by his mother. My mouth is watering just thinking of it!
The next morning it was time to head out. We went straight to Granny's house to see Steinway, who was so excited to see us! She and my two uncles just loved him....and how could they not? He is the best dog ever. We had a BBQ, and I got some cool birthday presents. Then we left Steinway there and went to stay at Grandma and Grandpa's house....they were happy they didn't have to worry about their little gay poodle chasing after our dog. The next day, we had lunch with my cousin, Sara. It was a good lunch...we talked for four hours. We had to leave the restaurant so the server could get more tables. Then dinner at a steakhouse with my grandparents and great-grandpa for my birthday. It was AMAZING! We played lots of Crazy Eights and Dominos and Sorry with Great-Grandpa, who is 91, has dementia, and lives with my grandparents.
Then we went to their wedding store, where I bought lots of stuff for some parties coming up. We're having a friend's Rexburg open house here in a couple weeks, then a bridal shower in October, and a baby shower probably in October, also. I got a great deal! Then we had lunch with my cousin, Stevie. Good to see him. Then we picked up Steinway and drove home.
And here we are! This is more detailed blog than I had planned, but oh well.
I think the best part of this trip was that I got to know members of my family better. I talked with Ephraim's brothers and sisters, with my cousins, with grandparents. It was really neat to see where certain traits come from and the effects that we all have on each other. I think I got to know my husband better, as well as myself. I've found people that I can trust and rely on that I never knew I could before. And to be honest, I found that some people I can't really rely on no matter how much I love them. I've found qualities in each person that I admire and qualities that I don't admire. I think it's good to pick those things out, so we know what we're working toward and can figure out how to get there. My family is pretty crazy, but I feel blessed to have them....all of them, whether new or old. I hope they know that. =)
The first night of our trip, we stopped in Reno to sleep and stay with my grandparents. Their little miniature poodle kept trying to mount Steinway, but he would have none of it! Go Steinway! The next day we took him to stay at my other grandma's house (Granny) because she is a doglover and basically has doggie heaven in her backyard. Then we headed off to Lake Shasta in California to join up with Ephraim's family.
Seventeen people (three one-year-olds included)...just brothers, sisters, their families, and their mom. It was a pretty crazy adventure. We rented two vacation homes, both with pools, but mostly stayed at one (which had the three families with children). Each family made one breakfast and one dinner, except those who had to double up.
Saturday night, we hung out at the house. Sunday, we went on a hike to a waterfall where four of the men jumped in and almost froze their buns off....followed by lots of swimming. Monday, the women went on a hike to Castle Craggs....so tiring! Tuesday, we went to the lake! Boating, tubing, wave-running, swimming, and WAKE-BOARDING!
Holy cow! That is hard! I've never done it before, but I got up on my first try...and then fell down two seconds later....literally. That happened about 17 times, but then I finally did it! It was awesome! I felt accomplished. I set out to do something, and I did it. It took awhile, but I made it happen. I did that two times, and then I was too sore to do it anymore. Falling hurts!
On Wednesday, the men went on the hike to Castle Craggs (we figured it'd be better to not take the kids....we were right). Then Ephraim took some family pictures of two of the families. The more kids you have, the harder it is to get everyone to cooperate. Thursday, we went to Waterworks park in Redding. That was fun. But I think the best part was going with the kids and listening to them say this was the best day of their life....even better than their birthday!! That's pretty major. On Friday, we stayed around the cabin...everyone was so tired! Then, Raquel (one of Ephraim's sisters) and I got a surprise birthday cake! (Hers just past and mine is coming up.) It was the best chocolate cake I ever had....homemade by his mother. My mouth is watering just thinking of it!
The next morning it was time to head out. We went straight to Granny's house to see Steinway, who was so excited to see us! She and my two uncles just loved him....and how could they not? He is the best dog ever. We had a BBQ, and I got some cool birthday presents. Then we left Steinway there and went to stay at Grandma and Grandpa's house....they were happy they didn't have to worry about their little gay poodle chasing after our dog. The next day, we had lunch with my cousin, Sara. It was a good lunch...we talked for four hours. We had to leave the restaurant so the server could get more tables. Then dinner at a steakhouse with my grandparents and great-grandpa for my birthday. It was AMAZING! We played lots of Crazy Eights and Dominos and Sorry with Great-Grandpa, who is 91, has dementia, and lives with my grandparents.
Then we went to their wedding store, where I bought lots of stuff for some parties coming up. We're having a friend's Rexburg open house here in a couple weeks, then a bridal shower in October, and a baby shower probably in October, also. I got a great deal! Then we had lunch with my cousin, Stevie. Good to see him. Then we picked up Steinway and drove home.
And here we are! This is more detailed blog than I had planned, but oh well.
I think the best part of this trip was that I got to know members of my family better. I talked with Ephraim's brothers and sisters, with my cousins, with grandparents. It was really neat to see where certain traits come from and the effects that we all have on each other. I think I got to know my husband better, as well as myself. I've found people that I can trust and rely on that I never knew I could before. And to be honest, I found that some people I can't really rely on no matter how much I love them. I've found qualities in each person that I admire and qualities that I don't admire. I think it's good to pick those things out, so we know what we're working toward and can figure out how to get there. My family is pretty crazy, but I feel blessed to have them....all of them, whether new or old. I hope they know that. =)
Thursday, August 16, 2012
A blonde, a brunette, and a redhead walk into a bar.....OUCH!
Some pretty rad things this past week.
1. My husband officially got a job offer where he's been doing his internship these past few months at a company called The Trade Desk. (They do online advertising and search engine optimization and all that stuff.) And this was not a small offer. We're very excited. He graduates in December and will move to California (Ventura Beach area) in January. Unfortunately, I don't graduate until July, and then I have student teaching in the fall, which I'll be doing in Vegas. I'm thinking about loading up on credits for the next two semesters, however, and graduating in April. I wouldn't be able to work, but with this offer, I don't really need to at this point. But it all depends on scheduling with the classes. If I can make it work, I'll do it. We shall see!!
2. My husband got back home at 5 a.m. this morning after being gone for a month! I'm so happy he's back. It's good to have him here. =)
3. We got new phones. The Epic Touch....an android! It's pretty exciting for me because I have NEVER had a nice phone. I never really thought I needed or wanted one, but it was buy one get one so we got two for a hundred bucks!! AWESOME!
4. We're going on vacation tomorrow!!! While Ephraim has been traveling all over the country these past few months, I've been stuck in Rexburg since January. I'm happy to be getting out of here, especially since the smoke from the fires in this area are causing a lot of issues around my facial area. (You know, dry and puffy eyes, congestion, hard to breathe, etc.) So what does this mean? I'm doing laundry and packing. The worst part of vacation for sure. But we do get to stop in Reno and see my family on the way to Lake Shasta. STOKED!
5. I got tons of pictures up! Unfortunately, we only have pictures of us and pictures of our wedding, so we look pretty stuck on ourselves. But now that we have an awesome new camera (that would be number six!), I'm hoping we'll get pictures of and with the family to put up.
6. I already mentioned it. The camera.
7. I got my hair done! Pretty snazzy. I've never done anything crazy with my hair, and I love this. It's an ombre....kind of.
(Picture taken by my new awesome phone!!!)
See....now I'm a blonde, a brunette, AND a redhead. (I guess you can't see the blonde a whole lot in this picture...it's down at the bottom.) So I guess that makes me smart, fun, and fiery? I don't know. Bring on the jokes!
1. My husband officially got a job offer where he's been doing his internship these past few months at a company called The Trade Desk. (They do online advertising and search engine optimization and all that stuff.) And this was not a small offer. We're very excited. He graduates in December and will move to California (Ventura Beach area) in January. Unfortunately, I don't graduate until July, and then I have student teaching in the fall, which I'll be doing in Vegas. I'm thinking about loading up on credits for the next two semesters, however, and graduating in April. I wouldn't be able to work, but with this offer, I don't really need to at this point. But it all depends on scheduling with the classes. If I can make it work, I'll do it. We shall see!!
2. My husband got back home at 5 a.m. this morning after being gone for a month! I'm so happy he's back. It's good to have him here. =)
3. We got new phones. The Epic Touch....an android! It's pretty exciting for me because I have NEVER had a nice phone. I never really thought I needed or wanted one, but it was buy one get one so we got two for a hundred bucks!! AWESOME!
4. We're going on vacation tomorrow!!! While Ephraim has been traveling all over the country these past few months, I've been stuck in Rexburg since January. I'm happy to be getting out of here, especially since the smoke from the fires in this area are causing a lot of issues around my facial area. (You know, dry and puffy eyes, congestion, hard to breathe, etc.) So what does this mean? I'm doing laundry and packing. The worst part of vacation for sure. But we do get to stop in Reno and see my family on the way to Lake Shasta. STOKED!
5. I got tons of pictures up! Unfortunately, we only have pictures of us and pictures of our wedding, so we look pretty stuck on ourselves. But now that we have an awesome new camera (that would be number six!), I'm hoping we'll get pictures of and with the family to put up.
6. I already mentioned it. The camera.
7. I got my hair done! Pretty snazzy. I've never done anything crazy with my hair, and I love this. It's an ombre....kind of.
(Picture taken by my new awesome phone!!!)
See....now I'm a blonde, a brunette, AND a redhead. (I guess you can't see the blonde a whole lot in this picture...it's down at the bottom.) So I guess that makes me smart, fun, and fiery? I don't know. Bring on the jokes!
Thursday, August 9, 2012
R.I.C.E.
By the way, these Target commercials with the teachers singing about what their students will need....HILARIOUS!
On to more interesting things (at least I hope so).... training was going so great! I found a 10k on September 15th, either in Rexburg or Pocatello, and I was super excited. Then on Saturday, I went to zumba for the first time in months. I was super excited, because sometimes a girl just needs to spice up her life a little bit. (Did you just sing that in your head? Yeah, I just did, too.) Anyway, during the very first song, my ankle totally inverted. OUCH! It hurt real bad, but in soccer, the coaches always told me to walk it off. So I just took it down a few notches and worked through it.
For the rest of the day, it was ok. A slight pain, but not debilitating or anything. The next day, I wore heels to church. Definitely felt it a little more. O Monday....yeah....ow. And by Tuesday, I was hobbling. R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) So I haven't been able to run at all, and I'm really sad about it. But, it's getting better, so I'm thinking in a couple days I should be able to slowly get back into the groove.
Until then, I guess I'll just do sit-ups.....?
On to more interesting things (at least I hope so).... training was going so great! I found a 10k on September 15th, either in Rexburg or Pocatello, and I was super excited. Then on Saturday, I went to zumba for the first time in months. I was super excited, because sometimes a girl just needs to spice up her life a little bit. (Did you just sing that in your head? Yeah, I just did, too.) Anyway, during the very first song, my ankle totally inverted. OUCH! It hurt real bad, but in soccer, the coaches always told me to walk it off. So I just took it down a few notches and worked through it.
For the rest of the day, it was ok. A slight pain, but not debilitating or anything. The next day, I wore heels to church. Definitely felt it a little more. O Monday....yeah....ow. And by Tuesday, I was hobbling. R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) So I haven't been able to run at all, and I'm really sad about it. But, it's getting better, so I'm thinking in a couple days I should be able to slowly get back into the groove.
Until then, I guess I'll just do sit-ups.....?
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Plasma Time!!
I must begin this entry by saying that Rexburg during the 7-week summer break is absolutely beautiful and incredibly peaceful. I am so grateful for the short lines at the grocery store and being able to walk around campus. Getting around on the streets, however, is not so easy. Because the place is empty, this is the time the city takes to completely tear up roads and put them back in, draw new lines, etc. Whole streets are shut down! And it's multiple streets at once! And it's not like this place is so big that there are so many options. Oh well. Small price to pay for short lines!
Now, on to the good stuff. I have an announcement! (No, I'm not pregnant. Why does everyone assume that when a married Mormon girl has an announcement, it's that she's going to have a baby?) Anyway, the announcement is: I'm training for a triathlon!!!
The Olympic Triathlon is:
Run: 6.2mi (10k)
Bike: 24.8mi (20k)
Swim: 0.93mi (1.5km)
I hadn't really mentioned this to anyone in case I decided not to do it after a week or two. But it's been two weeks now, and I feel really good about it. I started riding my bike to and from school back in June (almost 4mi each way) everyday, and I love it! (I was so scared at first, just ask my husband. I looked ridiculous trying to get started on that dumb bike.)
Also, I've seen a huge difference in my running. A couple weeks ago, I could run for about 15 min before I needed to slow down and walk a little. But yesterday, I ran for 40min! And I felt like I could go longer, but my training plan only said 40min today. The one I'm most worried about is swimming. I took a swim class last winter semester, but I still struggle. So, I start with a private swim teacher next week. I'm pretty excited about it.
Unfortunately, the program is 4-months, so by the time I'm ready, it'll be December...which is the off-season. So I'll just have to keep going. I might be in California in January, so maybe I'll have to do it then. And I'm planning to do a 10k run in September.
But with this means that I need to pay for swim lessons, new running shoes, and a road bike. And you know what that means? $$$$ Which means.....it's plasma time!
Now, on to the good stuff. I have an announcement! (No, I'm not pregnant. Why does everyone assume that when a married Mormon girl has an announcement, it's that she's going to have a baby?) Anyway, the announcement is: I'm training for a triathlon!!!
The Olympic Triathlon is:
Run: 6.2mi (10k)
Bike: 24.8mi (20k)
Swim: 0.93mi (1.5km)
I hadn't really mentioned this to anyone in case I decided not to do it after a week or two. But it's been two weeks now, and I feel really good about it. I started riding my bike to and from school back in June (almost 4mi each way) everyday, and I love it! (I was so scared at first, just ask my husband. I looked ridiculous trying to get started on that dumb bike.)
Also, I've seen a huge difference in my running. A couple weeks ago, I could run for about 15 min before I needed to slow down and walk a little. But yesterday, I ran for 40min! And I felt like I could go longer, but my training plan only said 40min today. The one I'm most worried about is swimming. I took a swim class last winter semester, but I still struggle. So, I start with a private swim teacher next week. I'm pretty excited about it.
Unfortunately, the program is 4-months, so by the time I'm ready, it'll be December...which is the off-season. So I'll just have to keep going. I might be in California in January, so maybe I'll have to do it then. And I'm planning to do a 10k run in September.
But with this means that I need to pay for swim lessons, new running shoes, and a road bike. And you know what that means? $$$$ Which means.....it's plasma time!
Saturday, July 28, 2012
I Need to Get Out of this BOX!!
During winter semester, Ephraim had to read a book for his business program at school called Leadership and Self-Deception by The Arbinger Institute. Since then, he's been wanting me to read it. With spring semester being my absolute toughest, especially with life kicking into high-gear, I didn't have time. Now that it's the summer break, I decided that I would make time for it. And now I wish I read it sooner...
The book reads like a story and it's a very quick read (I started just two days ago...a total of maybe three to four hours). I'll try to summarize it, but I'll probably butcher it. We betray ourselves and end up putting ourselves in "the box," which leads us to self-deception.
How do we betray ourselves? Well, you know when you get a feeling that you should do something for somebody? Maybe do the dishes for your husband or bake cookies for a friend or call up a family member. Well, if you betray that feeling (meaning you don't do it), many times we start coming up with reasons why we shouldn't do it...we justify ourselves (this does not include not doing it because of time or ability constraints).
Why should I do the dishes? I just did them yesterday...why doesn't HE do the dishes? He never does! He's so lazy!
I don't want to bake her cookies. She never does anything nice for me. I'm a really good friend, and she's just not. I don't even know why I'm friends with her!
Why doesn't that family member ever call me? They'll probably just give me one-word answers as usual. They don't care about talking to me. Gosh! They're so selfish!
We end up magnifying and inflating their faults, while inflating our virtues. We deceive ourselves and become "in the box" towards them. We end up constantly focusing on what they're doing wrong, and we claim that we want them to change.
But we don't. Because if they do something right, then that proves us wrong. And we don't want to be wrong because we have all these inflated virtues. So we find some way to blame them and keep justifying ourselves....self-deception.
As I was reading this book, I found myself thinking about the people that I've been in the box towards, as well as people I've been out of the box toward. (You can be both at one time.) I thought about the new girl I work with who I want to look better than because she got the job instead of my friend. So I don't help her as thoroughly as I could.
I thought about my old tenants when I managed an apartment complex, most of whom I focused on really helping and wanted them to have the best experience possible. So I changed things that I thought would make them happy. When they were happy, I was happy. But when I didn't get a thank you for the new doggie waste bins, I put myself in the box and thought about all the things they should be doing because I was such a good manager.
Mostly, I thought of my old boss at the apartments (and this is much of the reason I had such a tough spring semester). I left on a really bad note, and though I've claimed to want to move on, I figured out that I really haven't wanted to. Everything bad I hear about what's going on there justifies my actions, thoughts, and feelings. See! She really is a horrible manager! Look at these things she's doing wrong! No one even likes her! I did a great job there, and she's the one missing out. I could go on with all of those thoughts...but I'll just stop there. This book made me think about the things I could have done differently. Yes, she made mistakes, but SO DID I. I ignored my own mistakes. I inflated her faults and inflated my virtues. How would we get along if we're both doing that to each other?
Of course, then I started thinking, Well she's in the box, too!! She did the same thing I did! The book seemed to read my thoughts. "Don't accuse others of being in the box. Do try to stay out of the box yourself." Another suggestion I could've used: "Don't focus on what others are doing wrong. Do focus on what you can do right to help." I became so wrapped up in wanting her to mess up so that I could justify how I was feeling, that I became angry and unproductive. And I was unwilling to talk to her because I "just knew" that she wouldn't hear it. Maybe she would have if I had just handled it a little differently.
Well, like I said in the last post: I have made mistakes, and I do have regrets. But I can't change the past. I can only move forward and focus on improving my future.
I do hope that you'll read the book. I only skimmed it (and poorly, at that). I plan on reading it at least one more time to try to really grasp it. I believe that it has the power to truly transform a person. I hope it's done that for me, and I know it can do that for you, too.
The book reads like a story and it's a very quick read (I started just two days ago...a total of maybe three to four hours). I'll try to summarize it, but I'll probably butcher it. We betray ourselves and end up putting ourselves in "the box," which leads us to self-deception.
How do we betray ourselves? Well, you know when you get a feeling that you should do something for somebody? Maybe do the dishes for your husband or bake cookies for a friend or call up a family member. Well, if you betray that feeling (meaning you don't do it), many times we start coming up with reasons why we shouldn't do it...we justify ourselves (this does not include not doing it because of time or ability constraints).
Why should I do the dishes? I just did them yesterday...why doesn't HE do the dishes? He never does! He's so lazy!
I don't want to bake her cookies. She never does anything nice for me. I'm a really good friend, and she's just not. I don't even know why I'm friends with her!
Why doesn't that family member ever call me? They'll probably just give me one-word answers as usual. They don't care about talking to me. Gosh! They're so selfish!
We end up magnifying and inflating their faults, while inflating our virtues. We deceive ourselves and become "in the box" towards them. We end up constantly focusing on what they're doing wrong, and we claim that we want them to change.
But we don't. Because if they do something right, then that proves us wrong. And we don't want to be wrong because we have all these inflated virtues. So we find some way to blame them and keep justifying ourselves....self-deception.
As I was reading this book, I found myself thinking about the people that I've been in the box towards, as well as people I've been out of the box toward. (You can be both at one time.) I thought about the new girl I work with who I want to look better than because she got the job instead of my friend. So I don't help her as thoroughly as I could.
I thought about my old tenants when I managed an apartment complex, most of whom I focused on really helping and wanted them to have the best experience possible. So I changed things that I thought would make them happy. When they were happy, I was happy. But when I didn't get a thank you for the new doggie waste bins, I put myself in the box and thought about all the things they should be doing because I was such a good manager.
Mostly, I thought of my old boss at the apartments (and this is much of the reason I had such a tough spring semester). I left on a really bad note, and though I've claimed to want to move on, I figured out that I really haven't wanted to. Everything bad I hear about what's going on there justifies my actions, thoughts, and feelings. See! She really is a horrible manager! Look at these things she's doing wrong! No one even likes her! I did a great job there, and she's the one missing out. I could go on with all of those thoughts...but I'll just stop there. This book made me think about the things I could have done differently. Yes, she made mistakes, but SO DID I. I ignored my own mistakes. I inflated her faults and inflated my virtues. How would we get along if we're both doing that to each other?
Of course, then I started thinking, Well she's in the box, too!! She did the same thing I did! The book seemed to read my thoughts. "Don't accuse others of being in the box. Do try to stay out of the box yourself." Another suggestion I could've used: "Don't focus on what others are doing wrong. Do focus on what you can do right to help." I became so wrapped up in wanting her to mess up so that I could justify how I was feeling, that I became angry and unproductive. And I was unwilling to talk to her because I "just knew" that she wouldn't hear it. Maybe she would have if I had just handled it a little differently.
Well, like I said in the last post: I have made mistakes, and I do have regrets. But I can't change the past. I can only move forward and focus on improving my future.
I do hope that you'll read the book. I only skimmed it (and poorly, at that). I plan on reading it at least one more time to try to really grasp it. I believe that it has the power to truly transform a person. I hope it's done that for me, and I know it can do that for you, too.
Friday, July 27, 2012
The Journey: Change and Regret
Anyone who's known me longer than five years knows I'm a very different person now than I was then. How did I change, you ask? Well, you know the saying that people don't change unless they want to? That they have to change for themselves? Yeah well, I don't think I really wanted to change in the beginning. I was miserable, and I was totally fine with it. In fact, it was fun to me.
On the way home from work today, Lady Gaga was telling me not to hide myself in regret. "Just love yourself and you're set!" She said, "I'm on the right track, baby, I was born this way." Well, let me tell you something. I was not born this way. I've been changing my whole life. And I hope I'm always changing. (Sorry to those of you who wrote in my yearbook "Don't ever change!" Which was everybody that didn't know what to say...)
You know when people say, "I have no regrets because everything I've done has made me who I am today and blahblahblah...." ?? Well, I don't buy it. (Although, I have said it a time or two.) Of course I regret things in my life! I've learned from my mistakes, and if I could do things again, I would definitely do them differently. I would not fight with my sister so much. I would not call her names. I would not tell my mom that I hate her. I would try to stay friends with certain people, and I would never become friends with others. Yes, those things have brought me to where I am today, but what if I could've gotten here faster? What if I could be further than where I am now?
What I think we should say instead is: I have made mistakes, and I do have regrets. If I could go back, I would change some things. But I can't, so I don't dwell on those things. Instead, I look to my future. It is bright, and I can be different. I can be better.
If you haven't figured it out, this isn't really a blog about how I got where I am now. It's more about the journey that starts right now...and every day from now on. I've changed a lot....and I'm still changing. The difference is, now I want to.
So come with me on my journey to a better me.....
On the way home from work today, Lady Gaga was telling me not to hide myself in regret. "Just love yourself and you're set!" She said, "I'm on the right track, baby, I was born this way." Well, let me tell you something. I was not born this way. I've been changing my whole life. And I hope I'm always changing. (Sorry to those of you who wrote in my yearbook "Don't ever change!" Which was everybody that didn't know what to say...)
You know when people say, "I have no regrets because everything I've done has made me who I am today and blahblahblah...." ?? Well, I don't buy it. (Although, I have said it a time or two.) Of course I regret things in my life! I've learned from my mistakes, and if I could do things again, I would definitely do them differently. I would not fight with my sister so much. I would not call her names. I would not tell my mom that I hate her. I would try to stay friends with certain people, and I would never become friends with others. Yes, those things have brought me to where I am today, but what if I could've gotten here faster? What if I could be further than where I am now?
What I think we should say instead is: I have made mistakes, and I do have regrets. If I could go back, I would change some things. But I can't, so I don't dwell on those things. Instead, I look to my future. It is bright, and I can be different. I can be better.
If you haven't figured it out, this isn't really a blog about how I got where I am now. It's more about the journey that starts right now...and every day from now on. I've changed a lot....and I'm still changing. The difference is, now I want to.
So come with me on my journey to a better me.....
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