More wakeboarding! :)

So I have found a new love... Wakeboarding! It's absolutely awesome and I love doing it, however I got my first taste of REALLY crashing last weekend. I was out in the water Sunday morning and feeling rather brave decided to try a "trick." I was going to do a 180 on my board. Yeah - I caught an edge and face planted the water... HARD. So I remember feeling like my face had literally fallen off, and then about the same time Tony was jumping out of the boat right to me. He made sure I still had a face (all my teeth were there and my nose wasn't bleeding) and then towed me to the boat since I pretty much couldn't move. My face was swollen and my eye... well it's bruised a little. I feel pretty cool knowing that I have battle wounds from wakeboarding! The good news is that even after I totally crashed and burned, I took a rest for an hour or so and got back up. I was a little nervous at first and just kind of hung out in the "safe zone," but I finally got the courage to actually wakeboard and do something out there. So my adventures in Wakeboarding continue! I'm having so much fun learning and I have the desire to get better and better. I'm going to be so sad when it starts to get cold and we can't go up to the lake anymore. I will just have to replace the wakeboard with the snowboard for the winter and get up there again as soon as it's warm enough! :)

So prior to my wakeboarding adventure, I had a really neat opportunity last weekend. I was able to volunteer and participate in CAST for kids. CAST is an organization that invites kids with disabilities to come up to a lake, get on a boat and go fishing for a couple of hours. This was my first year doing CAST, but Randy, Tony and Amanda have apparently been doing it for a couple years. I'm sure this tradition will continue and I'll have the opportunity to do it again next year. Leading up to this year's event, I heard all sorts of stories about a kid named Kyle. He was assigned to go on Randy's boat with Tony last year and this awesome kid kept calling Randy the boat guy. From what I understand he spent the entire past year talking about "boat guy" and Tony and how he was going to catch more fish with them this year. So Kyle's dad called the director of CAST and specifically requested that Kyle be assigned to "boat guy" again. When Kyle showed up, there were a bunch of volunteers just hanging out and waiting to be instructed on what to do. Randy started walking toward a group of people and I heard across the parking lot "BOAT GUY" and looked over in time to see Kyle running to give Randy and Tony the biggest hugs! Just know that they had made an impression on this kid that lasted an entire year and will probably last a lifetime is enough to make me have that "warm fuzzy" feeling. I was so proud to be there and excited to have the opportunity to meet Kyle and all the many wonderful kids and their parents. I am so grateful for the opportunities I have in my life to meet these people, know that I am a part of something bigger, and know that these kids don't have a lot, but just being able to interact for a few hours one day a year with these kids makes a big difference to them. I can't wait for next year! :)

Good times

So i never realize how much I don't actually update my blog! I'm on this website almost daily, yet I don't usually take the time to write a new blog, so here it goes! I'm actually going to write something new! :)

So last weekend I learned something new! I learned how to wakeboard. And just as proof...here's a picture.

I went to Strawberry reservoir with Tony's family last weekend. Tony came up on Saturday and then left for Aspen, so it was me, Randy (Tony's Brother), Amanda (Randy's girlfriend) and Angela (Tony's sister). I get along really well with his family, so I had a ton of fun hanging out with them. Anyway - on Saturday we let the "pro's" handle the wakeboarding, so Amanda and I finally broke out the tube so that we could get on the water! It was so much fun!! Then on Sunday we decided it was the day for me to learn how to wakeboard. We got out on the water about 10:30 that morning and it was BEAUTIFUL! I was a little nervous as I had never wakeboarded before, but I was really excited to learn. So Amanda helped me get into my bindings and into the freezing cold water. Then Randy tells me he's going to drag me for a little bit and then pop me right up. So I'm thinking to myself "Right, this guy doesn't realize that it took me 4 hours to get up on water skis!" So he starts to drag me and then before I know it, I am up!! Yes, the first try I got up on a wakeboard! I was so excited!!! I was really ambitious for some reason and learned how to cross the wake and switch my board all on my first day of wakeboarding EVER! I felt REALLY good about what I had accomplished and really proud of myself for actually getting up and not being too afraid to try something new! it was a great feeling and so much fun! I can't wait to get back out there and try new tricks!

Yes, it's another picture and roughly the same - but it's more proof that I actually got up and stayed up long enough for a picture to be taken! :)

Memory Lane...

I stole this from a friend's blog so please play along if you want to. I"m excited to hear the memories that you all have of me.
1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!
2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.

It's been awhile

So I realized today how long it's been since I've really blogged anything. So here it goes! Things have been changing at a rapid pace! In the last 6 months, a lot has happened to change the course of my life. My divorce was finalized, I dated a guy that was really bad for me, I've found a guy that is totally awesome for me, I've made a lot of new friends, I've gotten a new job, I've started traveling with work, I've moved back to SLC and am back on my own, My sister got married, my brother left on a mission and I had a birthday. All of these things have changed me in ways that I couldn't even imagine 6 months ago. The most recent events have really made me start thinking. My brother is 19 and going on a mission to Taiwan for 2 years. How awesome is that? At 19 he's getting an opportunity to travel the world and learn a new language and grow in ways that he didn't even know he could. My sister has embarked on a new life of coupledome known as marriage. Although she was with Trevor so long that they practically were already married, I still think the fact that they are united as one now will change things a little bit. It's a great experience and even though I didn't have the best of luck or experiences with my marriage, I wish her all the best in hers. I think she'll be successful.
Now for things with me... They're great for the most part. Once in awhile there will be hard times and rough days, but those are to be expected in any situation. I have found a job that I absolutely love! I work a lot of hours, and that is okay with me. I have an awesome team around me that are great people to work with and great people to know. They will definitely be an asset to me growing in a professional sense. I have already been able to travel with my job! I went to Denver the beginning of this month and it was AWESOME!! We worked really long hours, and when the audit day was over, we went back to the hotel and worked some more, but that's part of working on the road and it gave me something to do, so I have no complaints! Things with Tony are awesome! He's such a sweetheart and I've realized that the one thing missing in so many of my other relationships is that I wasn't challenged to maintain my personality and be who I really was. He will absolutely not let me change for him, and I love that. I am able to keep my own interests, do what I want to do and maintain my individuality while still being a part of the relationship. Last week was Tony's sister's wedding. A LOT of his family came to town and I got to meet ALL of them! It was really fun to be able to be at wedding where I didn't know many people, yet I always had someone to talk to and I didn't feel like I needed to be right by Tony's side the whole time. It's nice to be able to be across the room from someone and still have the comfort of knowing that if I were to glance over at any time, he'd be looking at me or wink at me or do something to show that I'm there with him. It's a great feeling! :)
I guess one could say that this is a great period of learning for me. I'm definitely on an escalated learning curve and that is okay with me. I like it that way. Things are definitely changing in my life, and so far I don't think there's been a negative to the changes. They're all wonderful!

Got Tagged

Rachel tagged me, so here goes . . .
1. Each player starts with 8 random facts/habits about themselves.
2. People that are tagged write a blog post about their own 8 random things and post these rules.
3. At the end of your post tag 8 people and include their names. Don't forget to leave them a comment on their blog to tell them they've been tagged, and to comment back and read your blog for the whole story.
1. I like to work from home. I know that sounds weird because it's actually LIKING to work, but I feel like when I'm home, the quality of my work is higher and I can concentrate more. I don't have the distractions of the work place and I can sit in my recliner and work away on my laptop. I think the quality of my work goes up and I feel much more productive when I do things at home.
2. If there is a sports game on TV somewhere that I am at, I will be glued to the TV. Sportscenter, highlights, and actual game, you name it - I'm worse than a guy. I have to watch it and I have to know the stats. I can't remember them 10 minutes later, but I have to watch them!
3. Sometimes I still pretend that I'm a little kid playing grown-up when I go to work and travel for business and all that. I know that sounds really weird, but it brings back thenovelty of "going to work." I think too many times when we get older and enter the realm of reality where we have to make a living and support ourselves or families, we lose sight of the novelty of "going to work" like I had when I was younger.
4. I love to swing. I know it sounds weird, but I like to swing late at night and preferably with someone. But if I have to do it alone, I'll do that too!
5. I have always imagined this long passionate kiss in the rain where you both get soaked all the way through but don't want to leave the other person long enough to go inside. It's yet to happen - in fact, I've yet to be kissed in the rain, but maybe one day it will happen.
6. I have a severe obsession with office supplies and kitchen gadgets. Bed Bath and Beyond and Office Depot are my favorite stores/websites ever! I could spend hundreds of dollars in both of those stores and still want to spend more.
7. I dream in spanish
8. I hate feet! I hate when people touch my feet or put their feet on me or near me. I can barely stand to play footsies with people and am VERY selective about those I actually let get that close to my feet. I have been woken up from a dead sleep by someone that has touched my feet!!! it's that bad!

Okay - so now is the part to tag people. Since I don't know who reads my blog (if anyone) then you are tagged! :) It may be more than 8 people, but some of the people that actually check this already have posted this ... so if you do read my blog and you aren't one of my links, message me and I'll add you! I love keeping up with friends! :)

Time to return

I can't believe it's been a whole month since I posted anything here. Life has been crazy that's for sure. I've been working long hours, having busy weeks and just going crazy! I just got back on Friday night from working in Denver for the week. It was definitely interesting and I'm beginning to think I'm really going to like this job. I had a great time in Denver! It was an exceptionally long work week but it was kinda nice to be out of the office for a while.

Besides work, life is going one day at a time. I have found a house that I really like and am trying to purchase it right now. It will need a little bit of fixing up, but I think it's a really good deal, so I'm hoping that I can get everything taken care of to buy the house soon. It will be nice to finally have someone to call home and really make it my own. I have decided that feeling "home" is a very important factor to life. It's one that I missed for a really long time and I'm hoping to find it soon. I realize that part of a home is what you make it, but part of it is who is there, and having the freedom and the ability to make the place your own and make it somewhere that you want to be. This is what I'm looking to find.

So that is the update on my life right now. I don't have much more going on. I'll keep posting as I get new stuff to say or think of something witty to write here! I did hear a really good quote the other day though - it's said in the movie "Kung Fu Panda" but it just kinda hit me "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery but today is a gift, that's why we call it the present." I just really liked this and thought I'd share it.

Leaving

So I didn't think it would be hard to leave my company at all - come to find out, I'm going to miss the people, the familiarity, and the attachment I've grown for this place. It's a strange feeling to know that I leave today and I won't be back. I will keep in touch with some, and others I'll say so long to, but overall it's a very interesting feeling to know that all the bonds I've worked so hard to form will be ending and will be a part of the past at this point. But I have to keep positive and know that a new opportunity is just around the corner with the chance to grow, learn about myself, learn about other people and begin a new adventure. I'm finding life is a big adventure right now and I'm absolutely in love with adventure!

Word on the Street

So - I have news. Again!! I know I talked about embracing change, but right now my life is so full of change, I have no other option than to embrace it! The newest piece of news is that I got a new job!! The Western Electricity Coordinating Council offered me a position as a Compliance Programs Coordinator! I previously had no intention of going anywhere but my company I'm with now (Mountain land rehab), but I was offered a position to grow, learn and improve myself. This company has a great program going on right now and I am excited to become a part of the team at WECC. The opportunities for advancement with WECC are endless and I feel that it is a very intelligent career move for me at this time in my life. While i have come to love Mountain Land and the team that is here, I have realized that there isn't the opportunity for advancement that I had hoped, and there have been some serious road hazards in the way for me. I'm hoping that this new opportunity will provide me with part of the sense of fulfillment that I expect from a career. I feel I worked hard to go to college and earn a degree and it's time that I get to use that! My last day at Mountain Land is May 9th, which will be a very sad day for me I'm sure.I feel each person that comes into your life by any means is there for a reason and I have met a lot of people here that will stay with me for a long time! I'm lucky to have met and worked with most of them! This new opportunity is definitely one to look forward to and will stretch my mind and I am excited for that! So I'll keep you all updated but that's it for me for now! :)

The challenge

So I've been issued a challenge. I am currently undergoing the challenge of weight loss with a few of my friend. Visit "conquering Goliath" on my friends list to see the information on the challenge. I'm really excited to have some help in this category. it's always encouraging to have friends that are facing the same challenges you are on a regular basis and that can help with suggestions and information. I began my weight loss challenge about 10 months ago and have currently lost 34 pounds (I haven't done my weekly weigh in yet though). I have noticed a change in my size, my energy level, the food I want to eat and my overall appearance. My mom brought something up to me the other day regarding this though. She said I have seemed to be "consumed" by the thought of losing weight. I don't think it's a consumption as much as it is that I was ready for a change in my life and this is the first one I wanted to make. I have been heavy all my life and I am sick of it! I'm taking my life into my own hands and I will lose the weight I want and this is giving me the self esteem boost that I dearly need at this point in my life. Besides, what a better "hobby" than fitness? I have joined multiple fitness websites, and am a subscriber to Fitness magazine. I think this is a great way to fill your days and it not only boosts your self esteem, but it helps your health and your overall outlook on life. It's like the quote from a favorite movie of mine "exercise produces endorphins, endorphins make you happy, happy people just don't kill their husbands."

Embracing Change

I had a rather interesting discussion with my Dad last week. I told him that I had filed for divorce and that I was planning on moving on with my life. He said to me, "it's time to stop being a Chameleon. Find who you are and don't change that." I think that truer words were never spoken, and those words pierced me. I realized that I have changed the person I really am deep down inside when I have been in past relationships. I've been so desperate for someone to like me, or me to fit into their world, that I haven't paid attention to my own desperate desires and needs. So this is my opportunity to do this. It's a very refreshing and scary experience at the same time. I have to have the confidence in myself to do whatever I want to and know that if I have my priorities in the right place for myself, I will be able to succeed and be happy. I now have the difficulty to face that I will have to make myself happy and that I am the only one responsible for this. I know this is kind of a weird post coming from me, but I feel like I've had a long time to reflect on this and I just needed to verbalize my feelings right now. I have friends that write these blogs just as an update on their life, or as a scrapbook of their day, and then I have friends that delve into the deep thinking and use this as a journaling tool. While I really have no intention of journaling my deepest darkest secrets for the entire blogging world to see, I do feel that it's appropriate to let people know what struggles I face on a regular basis. So this is one of them. Hopefully I'll be able to go through this trial in my life, and rely on my faith to get me through whatever is thrown my way. I feel like I've overcome a lot of issues lately, but I realize that my trials are only as hard as I make them. I can come through on the other side perfectly fine, I just have to have faith.

It's Official

It's official. I am getting a divorce. After a year of fighting and 6 months of separation, Chris and I have finally called it quits. It's been a hard battle and a very taxing emotional experience, but I feel it will get better from here. But, for the cause of keeping everyone up to date on my life, I figured I'd write it down so there won't be any confusion later. I have come to terms with everything,and I actually made the official decision. It's been hard, but I did it.

Not much to tell

There's not much to tell right now, but since it's been awhile since my last post, I figured I'd just write a little. Things in life are really challenging right now. It's always hard to run into someone and explain how things are going in life. On one hand they are going extremely well, and on the other, they are miserable. I am more confused than ever right now, but I'm hoping that soon enough I will have the courage, strength, and comfort to make a really hard decision. I was talking to a friend of mine the other day, and both of us have been at different points in our lives regarding the gospel. We were both raised in it, but have had our little speed bumps and twists in the path here and there. We're both at a point right now where we're ready to commit heart, mind, body and soul to the gospel and believe that it is the right path for us. We were talking about how nice it is to have girlfriends that have the same standards, beliefs and values finally. It's really hard trying to keep to the straight and narrow with so much temptation to veer. Having those close girlfriends allows for you to keep each other on track. I just hadn't realized how influential my friends are on me and how much strength they give me. So to all my friends out there - Thank you!!!

TAIWAN!!

It's official - My little brother got his mission call last night. He has been called to serve in the Taiwan Taichung mission!! He leaves June 25th. It was so incredibly awesome to see his reaction last night. We had to wait until after 8 to open the call which was killer for the suspense factor, but my dad had a meeting and didn't get home until then. We had all written down our predictions and turned them in to mom just before he opened the call. He was so sure he was going stateside based on the postage of the package (weird superstition). Anyway - He opened the letter and started to hyperventilate as soon as he got to the location. He is so incredibly excited and I couldn't be prouder of my lil' bro. A little while ago, he had a dream that he was going to open the China mission - and I don't think he could have gotten much closer to China without actually being in there!

It's times like these that make me realize how grown up, mature and a spiritual giant my little brother is. he is such an example to all those that meet him and it's so great to see him be so excited for a mission. He has grown up so much in the past year with being on his own and going to school. My mom and I were talking the other day about how good an influence his roommates have been on him. We were all kind of worried with him being in an apartment with a bunch of return missionaries based on some of the stories we'd heard from people. His roommates could not have been better. He was totally prepared by these guys and my family is grateful for their influence on him. My mom and I decided that we were really glad that he decided to go to UVSC, stay close to home and not go to the U. Although I wouldn't have traded my experiences in my freshman year for the world, I think a lot of what has shaped me today has been a product of that environment. Things would have been much different had I stayed closer to home, been with my high school friends and not had the opportunities to grow and experience all that I've experienced. My brother and I are different as night and day, and I'm grateful for that. I look up to him so much and it will be hard to know that he's on the opposite side of the world from me for 2 long years, but I can't wait to see how he grows, learns and matures in that time. I already view him as a spiritual giant, and I'm sure the people of Taiwan will be blessed to be in his presence. He is so loving and so kind that they will not be able to stay away from him. He will be a force for good in that country.

The book game

Rules:
1. Grab the book closest to you.
2. Open to page 123, go down to the fifth sentence.
3. Post the text of the next three sentences on your blog.
4. Name of the book and the author.
5. Tag three people.


"I'm responsible for their deaths. He's all but said it out loud. He won't help me"

A great and Terrible Beauty - Libba Bray

This book is intense... that's a rather captivating part too! :)

Grand Concert

Friday night I was able to attend Timberline Middle School's Grand Concert. This year, Timberline performed a song that was written by Mack Wilberg, the director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, for Timberline Middle School. Dr. Wilberg was even there on Friday night to see it performed. The song featured the choir, the band and the orchestra! It was so incredible to hear this song and be a small part of the history that accompanies it. When this song is published it will read in the dedication, "written for Timberline Middle School." Now how cool is that?? Being at Grand Concert sent me on a trip down memory lane. I remember being in 9th grade and performing at Grand Concert both nights and thinking, why don't they just let the choir sing every other number instead of making people sit through the band and orchestra perform songs in a row?? This year, I was entranced by the band director. I have decided that it's all about the director and the pieces chosen for the entertainment value of the crowd. I can honestly say that I enjoyed watching the band as much as listening to the choir this year.

On my trip down memory lane, I remember how big Grand Concert was to me. It was one of those moments during 9th grade when you truly have to put EVERYTHING into the songs just to make them great. I remember singing "Prayer of the Children" and the goosebumps I got from that song. This year, the choir sang a song called Cross Cry. I've heard this song sung before, but this choir had every single one of the hearts of the singers in it. The accompanist played from memory and after the song I was left with the same feeling that I had after "Prayer of the Children." I was so amazed at the heart and the talent of these young 14 and 15 year olds. In the last few months, I've really gotten to know some of these kids. I accompanied 3 groups in Solo and Ensemble, and have even hung out with these kids on weekends. They amaze me. I think how I was at that age, and while I feel like I was so much older than they are, they have something that I never had. They are so strong in their standards and their beliefs. While I'd like to think I was that strong, I see these kids chastise each other for accidentally swearing, or keeping less than the highest standards. It is so awesome to see that these kids are being raised with the standards they set for each other and they keep each other accountable for their own actions. These young people will enter the world and will be strong warriors of the spirit. They will touch countless people through their influence and their example. People will want to know the gospel and Jesus Christ because of these kids. They're only 15 now, and I can't imagine how powerful these kids will be when they're 18 and graduating high school. It has been the best experience for me to feel a part of them and to have them treat me as one of their own. I am only bettered by being a part of them and in all reality I look up to most of them (literally and figuratively!).

The power of Friends

It's no big surprise that trials happen to everyone in their life. Right now, I just so happen to be going through a BIG one. I have decided that it's times like this when I realize the power of having good friends. I had the opportunity to go out with some girl friends last weekend (you know who you are), and I have spent the entire rest of the weekend realizing that there is a reason we went to lunch right now. I think each of us are going through or have recently gone through some really rough times and in talking and sharing our stories I was overwhelmed by the power of the spirit that my friends have in them. They are so strong in the gospel and so faithful that sometimes it just amazes me that they are my friends. One thing that really stood out to me is that one of my friends said that sometimes, no matter how hard you pray, you have to realize that the Lord does hear and answer each one of our prayers, but we have to recognize that the answers may not come on our time. This just hit me like a brick wall. The trials that I have been dealing with lately are really starting to wear me down, and as hard as I feel I am praying or trying to listen for an answer, I have to step back and realize that I need to continue listening, but that the answer might not come right now. Then there's the part about the answer I want versus the answer that is the right thing to do. There's times that I am scared I have the answer already, but I'm unwilling to admit its the answer I've gotten. One of my friends recently asked me what kind of sign I'm looking for and I replied with "A lightening bolt." I replied out of humor, but now that I think about it, there was more truth to that response than I realize. But for now, I am going to try my hardest to do what I know is the right thing, and hopefully that lightening bolt or brick wall will hit me without causing too much damage!

My first blog!!

This is officially my first blog. I've had blogs in the past, but this is the beginning of my blog that keeps up with all of you! My life is crazy, it's fast and there's a lot of things going on right now but I'll try to keep everyone posted on what's going on. I am currently employed as the Executive Assistant for 2 Health care companies. They're jointly owned, so that's why there's two of them. I love my job and it has become a large part of my life. I book travel, organize meetings, assist the vice-president of the company and fix, create and proofread numerous forms and documents. It's really fun and right up my alley. I have a lot of great co-workers and my boss is really great. Life has had it's ups and downs, but it's finally starting to level out and that's a good thing. I graduated from the University of Utah last May with a B.A. in English. I know what a lot of you are saying - English?? what about music? well, the music thing is still a passion, but I decided that if I wanted to keep it as a passion I needed a different major. So English won out in the long run. I am currently teaching voice lessons in Alpine and I am loving every minute of it. Life is pretty routine right now, but it's going well! So that's about it from me for right now. I'll post again when I have more to post! until then - peace out yo!