Sunday, November 9, 2014

bucket list for my 26th year

Ok so here is my bucket list for my 26th year, my goal would obviously be to accomplish them all, but really at least 12 of these would be awesome, so I can accomplish at least one a month.

paintballing (not sure why I have such a desire to try this, I heard it's painful, but i've always been a bit curious)
write a book
use my passport to travel
go to my mission
travel alone
take a picture every day
run a half marathon
hike mount timp
learn a song on the ukulele
read 10 books
go to a national park
get a massage
do one act of service daily
journal at least once a week
learn 10 cook 12 dishes
take a new class for fun
hot air balloon ride
make a tshirt quilt

well this is what I can think of right now, but maybe I'll add to this list, there is one more thing, but it's a secret! 

Reflections of 26 years!

So here I am, 26 years old and wondering, and thinking about my life, reflecting my past 26 years and thinking how I can improve and make the most of my next year of life, I feel that the older I get the more I think about my life and think about how I can improve it! I'm not going to lie, there's been times that I've thought, why is my life going the way it is going? I've thought about how my journey has been so different from any of my siblings. I mean all of them were married way before my age. But then I think of the awesome experiences I get to have and how great it is that each individual is unique, we all have our own path and our own story and journey. And although, if you would have asked me 8 years ago (as a high school senior) if I would've seen myself here where I am today, I would've laughed. But I know I really wouldn't have it any other way because the things I've lived through my life, and learned are particularly unique to me and I couldn't have learned my lessons another way. It's unreal how much God knows and loves us, that he lets us experience our own path, you know one size does not fit all, so I'm grateful, that doesn't mean I don't question my life and where it is going sometimes, but I do trust the Lord. So what have I accomplished in my 26 years of life?

1. First I fought off a birth defect, okay probably the doctor was incorrect the first time, but still according to him I should be paralyzed, and in a wheel chair, but last time I checked my legs work just fine, and my spine… well it's golden!

2. I had my first (and only) boyfriend from kindergarten to 2nd grade, talk about a long term relationship. Never thought that at 26 my only relationship would've been an elementary one.

3. I got baptized as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints, (It will be 18 years on Nov. 30 from my baptism, and Dec. 1 for confirmation) greatest decision of my life, although I may not have known it at the time.

4. I got voted for student council in 6th grade, that was a pretty big deal back in the day.

5. I survived a surgery and 6 weeks of a juice diet, to this day juice is a little hard for me to drink, except orange juice. I may have thought I would never come out of that experience alive and here I am 9 years later and my teeth and jaws work just great!

6. I graduated from high school, it really is a big deal, to graduate even high school!

7. I bought and paid for my first car in one year. I think that it is a great feat, to completely own my first car by the age of 19. I don't know if many can do that.

8. I moved out of home for the first time and went to Utah State University. I mean my experience at college away from home for the first time, was a huge learning experience! I wouldn't trade that for anything. My roommates I had through the years of college taught me so much i learned from each one of the 22 roommates I had through my 4 years of college and am grateful to them. I learned from my classes, yes even the one's that I failed and had to retake. I learned how to balance a job and school, never really excelled in the social aspect, but hey 2 out of 3 is pretty good.

9. I worked off and on at Maceys from 2006 to 2011. When I got that job as a junior, I never thought i would've stayed that long, but I learned a lot from a retailer job, I learned to be a conversationalist, learned a lot about produce and their codes, and I made some really great friends working at the 2 different stores.

10. I went to Moscow Russia for 4 months and Kiev, Ukraine for 2 months. This was the most shocking decision for me, I just decided to go to Russia to teach English, i knew I'd be going with a group but literally knew nobody I would be going with, and me being the shy person was surprised I was willing to step so far out of my comfort shell. but was grateful, for my host family, those Russian and Ukrainian kids, and my friends that I worked with their. I felt like I learned so much more about the world while I was there, everyone really is the same in their own way, sure culture is different, but at the end of the day we are all brothers and sisters, here for the same purpose.

11. Impact! This was a life changing experience. So grateful for that opportunity.

12. I went on a mission to Arcadia, California. This was another super surprising decision, I never had plans to go on a mission. Missions were for weird girls who couldn't get married. I guess I didn't get married, so maybe I am a weird girl, but without revelation and inspiration that could not have been denied I never would have gone. That year and a half was invaluable time. I learned so much. I furthered my testimony of the gospel and what our Savior did for each of us, and was able to help some of my brothers and sisters to see the light and the truth. Some of my best friends, came from the mission as well. i'm glad God knew me better than I know myself and that he had his own plans for me. I would not be here today without that experience.

13. Part of the mission was learning Spanish! That was quite the feat. I hate making mistakes I want to be perfect, so it was a challenge, because in order to learn spanish you have to make mistakes or else you will never learn. i still remember learning bendigras in the MTC, which I learned a few weeks later was actually bendigas. Oh but I feel like learning Spanish is a big reason that I have the job I have.

14. graduated with a bachelors degree in elementary education. I was successful in completing my degree after finishing my mission, that was quite the accomplishment. It's not easy to get a college degree. Many don't attempt it, but I'm grateful to my parents for teaching us the value of a college education, I do think one degree is enough for me, but who knows what is in store for me.

15. Got my first teaching job as a 2nd grade teacher at Midvale Elementary. After applying and applying, and no interviews, I landed a teaching job with the very first interview I had, and was so grateful for that opportunity, and to the chance Shad took on me.

16. Moved to Midvale. Another out of my comfort shell kind of experiences. Until I had interviewed for my teaching job, I honestly didn't know Midvale even existed, so on a whim I moved to a place where I knew 0 people. However, I lucked out and moved into one of the greatest YSA wards, with one of the greatest bishops, although the roommate situation hasn't been the greatest, I always am having the opportunity to learn.

17. Completed my first year of teaching. that was a big deal. If I ever hear someone say teaching is easy, I might smack them, because it's not easy, yes teachers get summers off, but we still work through summer and even if we didn't teachers really work 24/7 during the school year, whether is actual or thinking about it. i'm proud of that accomplishment. It was worth it, although at times i seriously wonder, but i think in ways I am making a difference.

18. Ran my first 5k, with the help of my sister Emily, 5k is not a lot, but for me it is.

19. Began my 2nd year of teaching at Midvale Elementary. Just as I said it's not easy, but I am learning so much from my students this year and for that I am truly grateful.

20. Bought a Nissan Altima, and qualified for my first and only loan on my own. Incredible really that I didn't get my first loan til now, and I had built up enough credit without loans to qualify on my own.

Well I guess I could only think of 20 major events, I wanted to get to 26, being as I am 26. But there are other continual learning experiences, such as experiences learned from friends and family, who have in essence been a part of my life the majority of my life. Now I have experienced a lot in life, but I could do more, I mean part of this life is always looking to improve.

I'll be honest I feel like a big portion of my recent life has been ruled by that feeling that I should be dating and find a marriage, and feeling pressure, trying to think of where I should be to make that happen, stressing myself out, because I'm awkward when it comes to guys, feeling insecure, and not knowing what I would have to offer, and thinking that i have to because that's what God wants me to, in order to obtain all of his blessings marriage has to happen. But I have to have faith that it will happen when it's meant to happen. I just get to live my life, serve God, improve upon myself, and trust that through that i will find the right person, and trust if i don't God does have my best interests and he has a plan for me, so with that being said, I'm going to make a list of goals, of what to accomplish in the next year. But that's the next post!




Tuesday, December 31, 2013

The December 29th's of my life!

 
So I was thinking today about how December 29th is a pretty important day in my life. Why? It is because On December 29, 2010, was the first time i finally made it to the temple, so exactly 3 years has past since that day, and the blessings that come from it still have not ceased, originally that's why I wanted to post on my blog, because it is pretty awesome, also I'm still waiting to receive my final temple ordinance, but I'm patient. However, as I was thinking of that monumental day, i started thinking about journals, and well I decided I was curious about all the December 29th's I've experienced so I dug out all my journals to see, if anything else monumental happened on a December 29th, so here we go.

The first December 29th that I recorded was:
Monday Dec. 29, 1998 (I was 10)
I basically wrote about how I had a lot of stuffed animals, and that Holly and I got matching bedspreads for Christmas, and even the sheets matched. haha!

next:

Sunday December 29, 2002 (I was 14)

I wrote about how the next year we were going to 11:00 church the next year. (I wish that were true now) I also apparently went to tithing settlement and made $530, that year, I must've babysat a lot that year, pretty impressive, considering I was only 13 most of the year, and Nick turned 22, so we celebrated.

Saturday December 29, 2007 (19)

I apparently watched saved by the bell, got ready and drove from Layton back to Providence, to work at Maceys at 1 until 8, and it was a slow day.

Monday December 29, 2008 (20)

Basically I ran a mile on the treadmill at what I said a pathetic 15 minutes 4 mph, and then I ran errands all day, I read part of the day, went to Crownburger with Stacey and Nick for Nicks birthday and watched Eagle Eye.

Here's the sad part.... I didn't even write on December 29, 2010. I guess I must've been too overwhelmed, by the experience to record my thoughts, that's too bad, but I still remember the feelings of the first time. It was crazy.

Jueves (Thursday) Dec. 29, 2011 (23)

We had district meeting about asking questions, my leg started to hurt again when I knew I had to go to the chiropractor again, and our schedule kept changing up, but we did see this guy we had met once who is not all there and said " hey i know spanis! como sta mo bien grenas noches mo bien! and then he repeated that whole thing over again, and I remembered it was a year since I went to the temple.

Saturday Dec. 29, 2012

I put my original temple recommend in there, i miss the missionary stamp on it. I played with Emmett, and the stake young women presidency and families came to our house and had a party.

Okay so apparently the December 29ths in my haven't been that monumental, but at least one was, and I'm grateful for the gospel in my life, and for the temple blessings that I receive daily.

Also what better way is there to celebrate, since you can't go to the temple on Sundays, to go to church, take the sacrament and renew all those precious covenants that I made.

(Disclaimer: I realize this is 2 days late, I began it on the 29th though)

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

These are a few of the reasons I teach!

Admittedly, as a first year teacher, it's been.... hard, I feel more often then not I just want to quit, I consider all the different possibilities, that don't include it, and so on and so forth. But I'm not blogging to vent and I know I'm not a quitter, and today was one of those days, So I realized that I have got to keep a journal daily of the reasons why I do it, and I decided today was the day to start... so here it is,,, i wrote a song, well... not a song but rather lyrics to a song. It's super cheesy, but i love it anyway so here it is.

These are a few of the reasons I Teach
(sung to These are a few of my favorite things)

Being creative and being with children. Warm hugs and high fives and laughter and smiles. Students that listen and show that they learned.

These are a few of the reasons I teach.

When they talk out and don't listen, when the time runs out. I simply remember the reasons I teach and then I can feel the energy!

Improved progress monitoring and jokes that the kids make, the second grade team at Midvale Elementary. Excitement, and silliness and performing on stage

These are a few of the reasons I teach.

When I'm tired, and out of patience, when I can't grade more, I simply remember the reasons I teach, and then I feel gratitude!

The challenge and it stretches me and puts me out of comfort. I want to make a difference in this crazy universe. the chance to love students when they don't get it at home.

These are a few of the reasons I teach.

When assessing and managing, and I need D.P. (Dr. Pepper) I simply remember the reasons I teach and then I realize I can!


Obviously there's way more reasons I teach and it may not make sense, but I like it anyway.

Sunday, November 3, 2013

# 3 I am grateful for fast and testimony meeting.

Admittedly, fasting is hard, but so worth it, when you go in with a purpose, However, I always look forward to fast Sunday, because it means testimony meeting, and I love hearing all the faith filled testimonies, they are always so inspired, and i learn so much, and I love that time to think and contemplate and even share my own. ok fine, it's true confession, I hardly ever share my testimony, but I at least think about it and reflect on it. Also I hope i share it in my daily actions. Anyway back to fast and testimony meeting and my gratitude for it, I guess now is as good as a time as ever to share my own testimony seeing as I am grateful for it.

First of all in some of the testimonies that I heard today they talked about death of parents and grandparents that happened recently in their lives, and it reminded me of the time when I was on my mission, and the phone rang. It was president Becerra calling to tell me that my grandma had passed away, he didn't tell me which one, but he didn't have to since I had only one living Grandma at the time, well I guess technically at that time, I had none. I don't know why or how, but I only felt calmness and peace at that moment. And I don't know why I wasn't more sad, maybe it was because of my understanding and knowledge of the gospel and the great plan of happiness. Well, I did feel sad, mainly for my family and grandpa, but i was okay. It was a little puzzling, because it wasn't expected, I had no idea that my grandma wasn't doing well. For some reason, my family doesn't like to tell us anything that they might consider a distraction on their mission. But anyway at that moment, the plan of salvation was such a comfort, knowing I would see my grandmother again, and I just felt a particular closeness to her, knowing both her and I were doing the exact same thing.... missionary work, just on different sides of the veil, and I know both my grandmothers are excellent missionaries. Anyway i guess I also thought particularly of this experience of my grandma Jean because this month it will be 2 years since she passed away, and I just really love her, well both my grandmas. So yes I have a testimony of the plan of Salvation.

Another testimony I received just this week, on halloween, to be exact was the importance of visiting teachers and home teachers. It all started when I was at school and we were having a halloween party, and suddenly i wasn't feeling well. It was mainly a  stomachache, which was odd since I had literally only eaten applesauce that day. Well as the day went on, I just felt worse, almost like the flu, so after my team meeting, I booked it home, and the stomachache flu turned into unbearable sharp pain in my stomach, unlike anything I had ever felt before. I had no idea how long it was going to last or what was happening, and it was then when I realized I was alone. i couldn't call visiting teachers because i have none, and more importantly I couldn't call home teachers because I had none. I knew or felt i deserved a priesthood blessing in the moment, but realized I had absolutely no one to turn to, well anyone that was close by at least. And I realized that visiting teachers and home teachers are really important, i've never cared or worried too much before, since I've had my family and at school i had friends there, but here I still pretty much don't anyone. True it's my fault, I haven't really put myself out there, and it's not a complaint just a recognition, that someone might need me as a visiting teacher one day, and I should be there so if needs be i can help them. I also have an extreme testimony of priesthood and the power of it, that experience confirmed just a little stronger, that when I do get married, it will have to be to a worthy priesthood holder, because it's hard not having it technically right now, and i'm grateful to my parents who taught me these important things.

I have a testimony of many other things, but I'm sure during the rest of this month I'll have opportunities to share as long as I keep up on it.

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Day #2 I am grateful for my awesome place I live

My landlord came today, painted the room I will move into which is the master, which means my own bathroom and...... with winter creeping up the carport! I'm real excited about it, so now i get to move into the master bedroom, which will be super awesome! I'm also happy about how affordable this nice condo is, and that I found it so I don't get to commute from my parents, which would be insane. I'm also grateful for Saturdays! There you have it day 2, short, sweet, and to the point!

Friday, November 1, 2013

#1 I am grateful for Russia.... and Mitchell!

So it is officially gratitude month! Let me tell you I have soo much to be grateful for.... I will begin today with gratitude for Russia and the people that I met there. We had a Russian reunion today and ate Russian food, I made a Russian salad, and it turned out pretty good, I was super excited! Anyway, it's been way too long since I have had Russian food and seen my friends I met through Russia, actually it's been more that 3 years. That's an insane amount of time. I miss Russia and all those fun people. As I was thinking about Russia, I realized how much it taught me. I learned how people are the same no matter where you are, even though we have cultural differences. I learned patience, and I learned how much I love kids, and I learned how much I love traveling. I really learned to love to travel... so much, that I'm desperately looking for a way to travel this summer. I don't know where, or how long, but I will travel this summer... somewhere. But anyway I will say that because of Russia and the experiences that I had there, I am who I am today, and I will always love my friends I met in Russia.


From tonight, it was a semi halloween party, and we all wore red without talking to each other, i took my popcorn costume off!

 
Red Square!



So grateful for these Students! Mark, Sergey, Daniel, and Lena!



I love Sharma!!

In any case it's obvious of my love and gratitude for sharma!!

And of course I can't forget to be grateful for my oldest nephew who is now 9!
9 reasons I am grateful for Mitchell

1. He makes me laugh
2. He never ceases to amaze me at his intelligence
3. He's such a good example for his 3 siblings and me too!
4. He's the first Nephew I ever had.
5. He tells awesome jokes
6. He plays awesome baseball
7. He's great at the drums!
8. A year ago he made an awesome decision to be baptized!
9. He's Mitchell