Grateful

I know that Thanksgiving is just around the corner, which makes this blog correlate with the whole idea of being thankful, but it is not necessarily Thanksgiving that has caused me to write it. I have grown to understand and realize just how much I am loved and appreciated. I was talking with a friend yesterday about certain things going on in my life and she reiterated the fact that you don’t realize how many people love and appreciate you until they lose you.

So...I finally decided to check my blog and noticed that I had started this blog about a month or so ago....hence the title 'Grateful' and now it is Christmas Eve. I really need to updated my life more on this lovely blog. Although I would say that I do have a good reason as to why I have been slacking in my blog. Many of you may be aware that I was planning on moving back to California, but things with my employment fell through about 5 days before I was suppose to move back. So gratefully I was able to keep my job with the State(they LOVE me ;) ). For the past 2 months, I have spent the month of November getting ready to move back and then the month of December getting back into the swing of normal life, all the while getting ready for the holidays.

I was able to spend thanksgiving with my family, which was wonderful(which I have not done in 4 years) and then I was able to spend the remainder of the weekend in Havasu. It was quite fabuous! Here are a few pictures from my Thanksgiving weekend in Rancho along with the following weekend while Lake Havasu.

Jason and I ~ Thanksgiving Day

Kennedy and I

Michele and I

Now that the holidays are over - with the exception of New Years, I hope that I am able to keep my blog more up to date especially with pictures!!!

Fall Update.......Yes..I am so behind on my blogs - I know!

Its been over a month...I know...Becky kindly reminded me about 2 weeks ago that its been awhile since I've updated my blog. So here I am finally updating it. I am moving home in 2 ½ weeks and life is crazy right now. Between my normal everyday crazy life and the additional tasks of preparing to move and go back to school. I have the task of selling my furniture at this present moment, which seriously is breaking my heart! I love my stuff. Plus I am going to be without a bed and possibly my washer and dryer for 2 weeks. I am not a fan of using the ghetto public apartment washer and dryer. Especially when I am rarely home to even do my laundry all at one time.

With regards to school I am still waiting to hear from both Cal State Fullerton and Long Beach regarding my acceptance into the grad programs. I was talking with one of my dear friends last night and he is looking into getting his Masters in School Counseling, which was also an option that I looked into doing. So he has convinced me that I need to apply for it. It would be sweet if we could go to grad school together!

This past month has been hectic! There has been so much going on. Nothing too exciting has happened. Halloween was good times, I dressed up as a cat for the 2nd year in a row. I bought a French Maid outfit, but changed my mind at the last minute. At work, we all dressed up as cats and my boss was the cat lady. We looked pretty hot! My Halloween week consisted of several parties and going dancing a couple times. My best friend loves to party and dance as much as I do, so we are always up for spending the evening dancing.

I also had an interesting health issue this month. Who knew that a salivary gland could get a stone? I have learned that it can. Not too sure what causes it. But I was able to take a trip to both the dentist – who found nothing effecting my teeth and my doctor who could not find anything either. He only suggested that it was a stone and that I needed to eat as much sour candy as possible to stimulate the gland and cause it to release the stone. Needless to say it worked. Which I am grateful that nothing is too terribly wrong with my health given I am switching health insurance in a few weeks.

As my time in Utah comes to an end, I have looked at my calendar and have noticed that everyday/night is filled with either work, social events, parties or plans to do as much as possible with those who live here. I am going to miss being here so much especially given the fact that I have so many people that live in Utah who love me and care for me as much as they do.
** Pictures will be coming soon**

So much to do, So little time.

SO this summer has FLOWN by like no other! Its weird to think that Fall is already here and that I am going to be moving home a a couple of months, I feel like I am not even close to being ready. Besides, basic job hunting-which I hope is not necessary if I am able to just transfer to a KC down in LA, Basic school program searching-although I think I have decided what I am going to do, now I just need to apply and take the necessary tests for that program and minimal packing I feel like I am not ready at all!

The past month has been quite hectic! I took a last minute(when I say last minute-its true. I found out about a family emergency at 7pm and bought my ticket and was at the airport by 7:45) trip to Vegas for a family emergency and then 2 weeks after that I as in Cali for Kennedy's 1st birthday party.In between those trips I have been running around like a mad woman. Due to my job changing our schedule to being 10 hour days. My Monday-Thursday's are out of control. I have finally been able to figure out a regular schedule that works for me. Although I barely have time to breathe, but its all good. My daily schedule is Gym: 5:45 - 7:00. Work 7:45 - 6:15 and then work at KC until about 9:30ish. Luckily my Friday-Sundays are much more flexible, yet work at KC, gym and errands usually encompass my whole weekend.

Linette's Birthday Dinner

Nanda and I at the Utah State Fair

Kennedy playing in the fountain.....she LOVES the water!

My Aunt Katie and I at Kennedy's birthday party.

Rockstar

So.....my nutrition consultant, who rocks and I respect tremendously (see Jared Hansen's blog) informed me that sometimes its good to drink caffeine when your body has hit a plateau. I think that is what he said-regardless of the fact, he told me to try a Rockstar energy drink this week. So Friday, I run to the market (not the grocery store-thats for all of you who make fun of me for saying the 'Market' instead of the 'grocery store') on my break (yes- I am still working on Fridays when I am suppose to have them off), I buy the Carb-free Rockstar and decide to save it until later in the evening when I am going dancing and plan on being up late.......BAD IDEA! Little did I know that my body does not do well with that much caffeine. The sad thing is that I only drank about 8 ounces. I have been drinking very little caffeine, if any in the past several months. It was the most unique experience of my life. Luckily those who I was with the most that evening, knew me and knew that I had not been drinking. I am sure that did not know me probably thought that I was drunk. was sweaty and red faced.....NOT fun. My friends more or less were able to make fun of me a lot, which I welcome at any time the opportunity presents itself. It was quite the experience. Never again will I drink one of those. Here are soem pictures of Nanda, Lindsey and I at the Taylorsville dance. Good Friends + Camera = Good Times!

Nanda, Lindsey and I rockin it at the Dance.....

Who of you have lived in the great state of Utah and have been able to experience Lagoon? If you have, I am SO sorry. Lagoon is on my list, well no longer on my list, of things to do before I move out of Utah. I went this weekend and man was it an interesting experience. One of the roller coasters was pretty scary. I think its name is Wicked. Regardless of the name, you go straight up and turn sharply and then go straight down.....I used some choice words on that ride. I am just glad that I am still alive. If you have never been to Lagoon, don't go. We got there at about 1pm and left at 5 and went on all the rides worth going on. I remember doing that at Knotts(when I worked there and got in free) but it was in the middle of the week during the off season with no lines, Knotts isnt too exciting, but it is definitely better than Lagoon.

Nanda, Patrick and I at Lagoon.

It all started with a road trip to Provo.....

This past weekend was so stinking fabulous! I loved it. One of my dear friends is home from Law School, so I was able to hang out with her both Friday and Saturday. Friday, despite the fact that all state agencies have moved to a 4 day workweek, I was still at work doing overtime. Which will be super nice when I get my paycheck, although half of it will be going to taxes! I have realized that even though I have been suppose to have Fridays off the past 2 weeks, I have still managed to work on both of those days at one or both of my jobs. This week I am determined to not work on Friday! Yet I spoke too quickly because yet again I was just i formed that we are able to work more overtime on Friday.....I'm not a workaholic (well maybe I am), I just have a lot of moving expenses coming up and grad school, so give a girl a break.
Friday night, Nanda and I made the trek down to good old Provo. Michelle’s friend was having a bonfire in his backyard. So we crashed it! we got to burn some good ol statistics and Algebra books. It was good times being able to meet new people. Despite the fact that it is Provo, it was actually quite enjoyable. Being from California, I am use to being the minority with regards to my faith and not that Provo is like that in anyway, but everyone that was at the bonfire were from somewhere else besides Utah, which was a nice change. I love being around people who are different, which is maybe why I love California so much! To be in an area where the majority of people were not from Utah and did not all grow up together was a nice change. It also did not seem as cliquish as I know some people in SLC to be. They were actually friendly and got to know others outside of their 'group'. For once in a long time I felt really comfortable around single members of the LDS faith....thats a whole other blog.

Nanda, Michelle and I at the bonfire.

Brandon, Nanda, Jamie, Michelle, Sam and Ben

Saturday was a fabulous day as well. Nanda, Michelle and I went dancing at Habits! Rock On! No pictures to post at this time. Michelle was the one with the camera that night. There was somuch more going on this weekend, but the above is anoverview of the main events.

Summer Activities

I have been slacking incredibly with regards to my blog and my Dad reminded me of it last night. I have also been slacking with regards to putting pictures up as well. But I have a really good excuse. Not having the internet at home poises quite the problem. To be able to put pictures on the internet, I have to first load the pictures on my laptop and then either go somewhere that I have access to the internet through my laptop for free or I have to load the pictures onto a CD and then take it to work and load them onto my blog that way. But the sad thing is that I barely have time to load the pictures from my camera onto my computer. Luckily the state has not blocked access to blogspots on our computers at work, so at least I am able to upload a blog minus the pictures. Hopefully I am able to get some pictures tonight and get them on the blog. Don’t count on it though. But it’s safe to assume that if pictures are on the blog, I actually had time to do so.

Lindsey, Nanda and I at Noodles and Company

Nanda and I dancing at Habits

Two weekends ago( 8/1 – 8/3) was fabulous! I was able to spend some long overdue time with Lindsey and Nanda (I see Nanda all the time, but I rarely see Lindsey anymore). We got to chill at good ol Noodles and Company. Nanda and I planned on going to Studio 600(smoke-free/alcohol free dance club), but that turned out to be a bust. We were there at about 10pm and it was DEAD. So we went to a place called Habits, which is also a smoke free club in SLC.

Saturday, I was able to go to the Parade of Homes. I LOVED it. But then again I love homes, so give me the opportunity to look at new homes that are fully decorated I am all over that. My cousin, Sara and I love going into model homes and this is an extension of that love! There are some huge homes out there where people have way TOO much money.

This past weekend was pretty rockin, actuallynot really the highlight of it was getting burned/tan while having a garage sale and only making $40.00 :(. I have way too much crap1 To think that I moved to Utah with what I fit in my car and now I could not even take all the items that I wanted to sell to the garage sale in one car load is sad. Granted, my car now is smaller and half of my trunk is devoted to my stereo system. Sunday was chill. Although I did get to go to my friends church BBQ, played horseshoe and tried to be a cowgirl and roped my friend who was on a metal Bull. Fun times had by all!

Things I learned this weekend.

1.) Coconut-Pineapple Dum Dum is not as good as a Coconut Dum Dum.

2.) One friend in particular knows how to piss me off to the point that I am not even able to talk to her, which is sad because I rarely get pissed off at people. I often pretend that I am, but in this situation, I really am pissed off.

3.) Some other friends know exactly what to do to make me feel fabulous when I feel like crap.

4.) Garage sales do not do as well on the East side of the SLC valley.

Workaholic

The title seriously fits me perfectly. I am not exactly sure why, but my days for the last week or so have consisted of my going to my daytime job for 8 hours and then to the gym for an hour and a half, going home to get ready and then going to KinderCare at night to work. Why do I subject myself to this? I have a whole psychological theory behind it, but I'd rather not share/bore you with it. So I'll just share with you the basics. I love the people I work with at KC(KinderCare), so often I go so that I can hang out/work with them, I need money for the move and I love to feel needed. I am not sure why but I seem to function better when I am able to be as busy as possible. In college I worked full time and went to school full time, then in my last semester, I did an internship that consisted of an additional 8 hours a week on top of full time classes and a 40 hours work week. Seriously what is wrong with me? I am wondering if it will ever catch up to me. The sad thing is that I still have time for a 'somewhat' social life. I have been thinking that once I move back to LA, I will actually be able to slow down since I will only be going to work full time until I start my graduate program. Knowing myself, I will probably take additional classes at good ol MTSAC, just so that I can get into the whole school mentality again.
I know that you are all concerned about my social life, but no worries, I do have one, I just chose my activities accordingly. I'll blog about my social events from the past week soon. Plus this weekend Nanda and I are going dancing on Friday, which is long overdue and then on Saturday, I am going to the SLC parade of homes....which I am pretty stoked about! I love looking at homes.

Pioneer Day

This Pioneer day will definitly be a good one to leave Utah with. My friend Kristen has an awesome backyard with a view of the SLC valley, which if anyone has been to my parents house, the view is similar, with the exception of mine being the San Gabriel valley :) . It was good times with many good friends. We were able to see the fireworks from Butlerville Days, along with Downtown and the ball game fireworks. There were many other shows that we were able to see, but those 3 being the most visible. My friend stole my camera and was trying to take as many pictures of her and boys as possible, so my pictures were very limited and I was not i very many of them....SAD DAY! But hey, the one picture of me that I did get on my camera s posted!

The view from the backyard

Nanda and I at the BBQ

Memories......

What's your favorite memory of me?


Here are the directions:

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 cool (and 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.

Year of Concerts

This year, I have decided to attend as many concerts as possible. So here are some pictures from the concerts that I have attended so far.


April, Nanda, Kirsten and I at the One Republic Concert in good Ol' Orem, Utah.

Nanda and I with Matt Nathanson!!!

Anne, Becky and I at the Ryan Shupe Concert ~ Snady Amphitheater, not the best concert, but good times had with friends while hanging out on the grass.

Matt, Becky, Brad and I at the Styx conert in Logan on the 4th of July ~ This concert rocked just for the fact that there were so many interesting people at the concert! And yes, I do have the skills to take a self portrait with 4 people in it :).

Sylvia, Jessica, Nanda, Patrick and I at the Life house concert. ~ Sorry Jessica...where did you go?

4-Day Workweek!!!

Its official….DWS is going to a 4-day work week! The governor passed an initiative indicating that all government agencies would be closed on Fridays as part of the Governor's 4 E's program: Energy, Environment, Employee Benefit and Extended Hours. So every weekend will now be a 3-day weekend. Although I am not too sure how much I am going to enjoy being at the office as late as 7 pm Monday – Thursday. There was much speculation on whether or not my office will be able to due so due to the fact that much of our work is guided by federal guidelines and policies. I will not go into detail, but being away from the office for 3 days in a row each week would make it hard for us to follow some federal policies.



The sad thing is that I hate to sit around and do nothing. So knowing myself, I will be able to take a couple Fridays off when it first begins(8/4) and then I will want to fill my day with something which will end up being working at KinderCare...not fun!

Summer 2008......So Far.

The summer is already here and it has been fabulous! Besides the fabulous things that I have been able to do while with friends in SLC this Summer, I have been able to travel a couple times already. For the past 3 weekends I have been either out of town or entertaining guests.

I was able to fly into Vegas, where my Dad lives and then drive down to So. Cali and visit my brother and his family. My brother and Michele had a daughter, Kennedy, back in September 2007 and she is the most beautiful girl in the world. I adore her and I am pretty sure I am her favorite Auntie! We also got the chance to go visit my Aunt and Uncle down in Newport Beach. I was also able to see my cousin, Tim, who I have not seen in a very long time.

The weekend following Fathers Day, my mom came up to visit me in SLC. A couple of the highlights of the trip included Ragtime at the Sandy Amphitheater, the Bountiful Temple and some shopping. We also went to a mexican restaurant that was the worst place I have ever been to. Who serves enchiladas with flour tortillas and ground beef? I thought ground beef was only served at whitxican restaurants like Taco Bell and Del Taco. It was nice for her to be able to come and visit. Luckily the weather was perfect.

The following weekend I was able to go on a turn around trip with a friend to New Mexico so that she could drop off her children at their Grandma's. That was an adventure. The trip was about 9 hours each way and we were able to leave last Saturday night and came back Sunday evening. It was a beautiful trip. I have never seen Eastern Utah. It is probably one of the most beautiful landscapes I have ever seen. Although the trip was quite entertaining, if you have ever been around Linette and I, you would know why. I do have to confess that I did kill a rabbit, butterfly and hundreds of other bugs, while driving. So hopefully they will Rest In Peace.

Welcome

So I have finally succumbed and joined the world of blogging. I have learned that facebook and myspace is not enough for me, I needed to add one more way of connecting with friends and family.
Granted Facebook and Myspace are quite the interesting way of sharing what is going on in your life, given the many posts and pictures that friends and family post of you. Whoever is able to look at facebook, will basically know what you are doing every moment of your life and often times have pictures to go along with it. I think it is much more interesting to actually read what the person is thinking and experiencing, which is why I am branching out and creating a blogspot.