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!

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)

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.

# 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.

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!

#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

 

First day of school!

So it's true, I made it through my very first day of school as a teacher at Midvale Elementary! I'm a teacher! That's nuts! Anyway I thought that I would not sleep at all the night before because of all my nerves, excitement and emotions, but indeed I guess all the preparations exhausted and I slept through the night, I was super happy about it.

Anyway I got to school early, and got everything ready, for my first day. I also was given my official class list (what I had seen was 24) but when I got my list I had 13 students on my list.

Then 8:00 came. I went outside where all the students were and we waited until 2nd grade was called to go into the building. All 6 of us 2nd grade teachers took the 2nd graders to the library, where we called the names of students in our class.

I took my students and we played a name game, I gave them seats and we went over rules, i had planned to do a lot of things with my students but came to realize that you can't get through as much with 2nd graders, but it was still a very good day. We learned a few things but mainly just procedures and rules.

The craziest part was lunch, they were behind and for some reason I didn't realize I was supposed to bring lunch cards that I had received last week, it was a bit chaotic, by the time they made it through the lunch line, we were supposed to be back in class, needless to say we were late.

Anyway, but overall the day was good, I ended the day with 17 students and a knowledge of a few students who can not sit by each other. I'm excited for another day at Midvale, I think it will be a great year!

I'm a Poet....and I didn't even know it!

Ok so I was cleaning out my room, getting ready to move out, out into the real world. Midvale Elementary here I come! Yikes!!! It will be good though, I think, I am getting a little nervous. Anyway so I was cleaning out my room and found this writers workshop folder from my Senior year of High School, and well... it's apparent that I really am definitely am not a poet, but I thought that these were funny anyway.. so here's the first poem

Graduation

I've looked to this day for thirteen years
Now it's the end and I have sudden fears
I've dedicated so many hours to this life
But now I'll be lost without this strife

It all began in kindergarten when I was five
I was sure I would never make it out alive
Being taught by the same teacher all day long
Always waiting for recess and I was never wrong

Then I went on my way into junior high
Seven different classes in one day "oh my"
Striving to make new friends and act cool
Everyone in my classes were just naive fools

Walking into the school feeling so small
I didn't belong inside these walls
School actually counted and passing drivers Ed.
But now it doesn't matter; now I need a college Ed.

I've looked to this day for thirteen years
Watching the clock and looking in the mirror
Now ready or not the real world comes
I't time to prove we've learned and were not bums
I've looked to this day for thirteen years

Yup, that's my claim to fame, haha, Who ever let me write something like this? It makes me laugh though.

The next one is just purely entertaining, I don't even understand it.

Dreams

Did I imagine or was it a dream?
In this dream there was no trouble or toil.
I dreamed that you and I were royal.
I danced and in my eye there was a gleam.
We were united just like a team.
I was happy to know you were loyal.
Luckily, my crown was not made of foil.
I looked to you to see a radiant beam.
While this beautiful dream was not a game,
I knew this was none other than pure fate.
I would not jeopardize our sweet short time.
This sweet dream simply was not about fame.
Once again I knew I could not be late.
But true, the alarm clock was the crime.

I sort of want to see if my poem writing skills have gotten better in these past 6 years, but I'll think about that another day.  

The reasons why I love 5th graders!

Here are the many reasons why I love 5th graders! This has come from my practicum time at the elementary school during the past semester.

1. Students: How old are you?

    me: I'm not going to answer?

   Students: Well then, How young are you?

2. John: Miss Love are you married?

    Addie: Why John, do you want to marry her?

   other student: her name is MISS Love that means she's not married.

3. students: You should vote for Romney.

    other students: no, because I heard that Mitt Romney is going to make us go to school on saturdays and       sundays.

    other students: He can't do that because we have to go to church, and Mitt Romney also goes to church.

4. Students: Mitt Romney should win because of taxes (They're in 5th grade, I don't even understand this)

5. 2nd grade student in our classroom, in the morning before school started (the day after elections): It;s good that Obama won because I heard that Romney did something bad.

6. Deleny: Miss Love, do you ever want to get married?

    Me: Sure I do, someday

    Deleny: well my aunt is getting married in December.

7. (On Halloween, see picture above) 

    Student: Miss Love, what are you dressed as?

    other student: Oh I know what she is?

    same student who asked who I was: Oh, I know You're snow white

8. It's a cold day and students are discussing how they are cold

    Addie: My boots aren't very warm, but I would rather be fashionable, than warm.

9. We were in the library one day, and the librarian had a collection of all these bugs and spiders, and books about them as well, and there was a huge spider, and one of the students was reading about it just as I walked over to see how they were doing.

     John: " If you got bitten by this spider you would die instantly, but no one has ever been bitten by this spider before."

me: " If no one has ever been bitten by this spider before, how do you know that a person will really die?"

Addie: in a shocked voice "Miss Love!!"

I just laughed.

and below are my best reasons I love 5th graders!

You can't really tell, but on this card they wrote " u ( and drew a picture of a rock) rock"

Yes! I've always wanted my own pencil!

This card was a pop-up on the back.

This says " thanks for being the sweetest teacher ever!"

Thank You Millville 5th graders! You are the best!

   

...In everything give thanks.....

“Gratitude is a feeling of appreciation and thankfulness for blessings or benefits we have received. As we cultivate a grateful attitude, we are more likely to be happy and spiritually strong. We should regularly express our gratitude to God for the blessings He gives us and to others for the kind acts they do for us.” 

I really love thanksgiving, I love the feeling everyone has around that time and the gratitude, everyone seems to have in their heart, around that time. It seems I always need the reminder to be grateful at least for me. I have been incredibly blessed in my life and sometimes I don't notice and fail to recognize the blessings I have received, so I am incredibly thankful for the reminder. I also love that, when you think about it, you really can't be bitter or negative when you have a grateful heart. I feel a lot happier when I am grateful

......And Of course who better to thank than to God our own creator.

......and who is a better example than Christ himself...

The ways Christ showed gratitude and gave us an example:

John 11:41-He prays To give thanks to the father for being able to perform the Miracles that he performs. He teaches us humility, to recognize God's hands in all things.

Matt 15:36-Even Christ gave blessings on the Food to give thanks for it.

Matt 11:27-He gave all credit to God, saying all things comes from God, He is very humble, blessed with so many talents and attributes and never forgets to recognize the hand of God in his life.

.... And my favorite scriptures to remind me of thanks are....

Alma 34:38 - Give daily thanks!

D&C 59:7 - Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in ALL THINGS!

D&C 98:1 - Rejoice evermore, and in everything give thanks.

My favorite quotes about gratitude:

“Gratitude is deeper than thanks. Thankfulness is the beginning of Gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thanks. Thankfulness may consist of merely words. Gratitude is shown in acts” – David O. Mckay

"When you walk with gratitude, you do not walk with arrogance and conceit and egotism, you walk with a spirit of thanksgiving that is becoming to you and will bless your lives." - President Gordon B. Hinckley.

What better way to start off the Christmas season by giving thanks to our Heavenly Father who gave us his son! I am so grateful this season!

Happy Thanksgiving!

1st grade dreams, becomes realities!

I remember once upon a time, I was in my first grade class, and I thought I want to be a teacher one day just like Mrs. Findlay who of course, was my First grade teacher. She was my role model, I loved her, she cared so much for us and always had fun with us, whether it was a song about new shoes, writing workshop, or a birthday spank or kiss on the cheek. I wanted to be just like her. I wanted to be a teacher because of her. I wanted to have an influence on children's lives, I wanted kids to realize what a joy it is to learn. I wanted to make a difference in others lives. But I mean who really follows their dreams from the first grade, because I also wanted to be an artist and a figure skater in the Olympics. Turns out I'm neither artistic nor coordinated, so you can see why those dreams wouldn't last long. But honestly it doesn't seem that many first graders actually follows their dreams, but I believe it was 4th grade in my class with Mrs. Spencer is where my dream of being an elementary teacher was firmly cemented. That is definitely what I desired, it was my true desire, and nothing was going to stop me, although I mean I was only in fourth grade, so I half expected my ideas to change throughout life, but I'm proud to say that yesterday I finished my last actual class in college, and will be spending the rest of my college career until May in the elementary schools. I am actually going to be a real elementary school teacher. It just goes to show a couple of really influential people, hard work and dedication, your childhood dreams can become a reality. I feel so accomplished, and so happy with my life. I know I still have till May. But that's only like 7 months away, and it will go so fast. Yup! I am pretty dang stoked!

The Military Diet... there's a reason it's called that!

So once upon a time my roommate told me about this 3 day military diet, and she asked if I wanted to do it. I said yes. clearly, I did not know what I was signing up for. I didn't realize I'd be starving to death, eating foods I absolutely do not like (boiled eggs) and have to resist some of my favorite foods, (or be a creeper and shove foods like a pumpkin chocolate chip cookie that was given to me in my math class, where we NEVER get food, into a napkin, and save it for 3 days, because it was just too good to pass up).

However, since I am not a quitter I made it the whole 3 days (although I wanted to quit after the first day) Technically I haven't completed it yet since I still have to go to sleep and wake up tomorrow for it to be official, but I made it. And now I can say from personal experience that I do not like the military diet, and also it's not many calories. And I also feel complete because I didn't quit, and realized just how much self-control I have, the real test is tomorrow when I'm free to eat whatever I want.

Anyway so if you want to starve or prove your self-control, I suggest this, if not then ignore it completely. but just in case here it is.

3 Day Diet

DAY 1:

Breakfast--1/2 Grapefruit, 1 Slice of Toast, 2 Tablespoons of Peanut Butter, and Coffee or Tea

Lunch--1/2 Cup of Tuna, 1 Slice of Toast, and Coffee or Tea (any brew, as long as it's caffeinated)

Dinner--3 ounces of any type of meat, 1 Cup of Green Beans, 1/2 Banana, 1 Small Apple, and 1 Cup of Vanilla Ice Cream (YUM)!!!

Tips to Try:

• Warm the apple and/or banana and eat them over the ice cream. Delicious!
• Cook the green beans with the meat or simmer them in the broth. Mmmm :)

DAY 2:

Breakfast--1 egg, 1 Slice of Toast, and 1/2 Banana

Lunch--1 Cup of Cottage Cheese (Or 1 Slice of Cheddar Cheese), 1 Hard Boiled Egg, and 5 Saltine Crackers

Dinner--2 Hot Dogs, (no buns), 1 Cup of Broccoli, 1/2 Cup of Carrots, 1/2 Banana, and 1/2 Cup of Vanilla Ice Cream

DAY 3:

Breakfast--5 Saltine Crackers, 1 Slice of Cheddar Cheese, and 1 Small Apple

Lunch-1 Hard-Boiled Egg, and 1 Slice of Toast

Dinner--1 Cup of Tuna, 1/2 of a Banana, and 1 Cup of Vanilla Ice Cream

and that's all folks!

The return to blogging!

I've been thinking about how I miss blogging, and have wanted to post for a while, but couldn't think of anything worth writing and today in my language arts methods course, we did a quick-write, on our favorite writing, and well this (blogging) happens to be one of my faves. So I decided today was the day to come back to the blogging world. I still had no topic in mind, but as my 3 hour methods class went on we talked about poetry and we wrote some poems. So I decided I would include mine. Enjoy! And just remember this is a methods course for ELED majors!

The important thing about food 

is that it is yummy!

It is true that it makes you gain weight,

causes you to exercise, sometimes it smells weird, 

and sometimes it makes you sick.

But, 

the important thing about food

is that it is yummy!

The important thing about games

is that they are really fun!

It is true that it can become competitive, 

and you might be slaughtered, 

and you might get bored and never finish a game.

But,

the important thing about games 

is that they are really fun!

farewell openhouse/talk!

here's the cute invitation my mother made for my openhouse! obviously hardly anyone reads this but just in case....

Facebook, real books, and the cleanse!

Ok well I have just been having this urge to write another blog post even though I had no real ideas, so I guess this will be super random but that's what happens when your in Layton, Utah waiting to go on a mission (which is less than a month away now, by the way.)

So what does a resident of Layton, Utah do who is waiting for the mission?

• spend excessive amounts of time on facebook
• reads the book of mormon
• studies Preach my Gospel
• thinks about going shopping for mission clothes and stuff
• reads other interesting and entertaining books
• works at Maceys
  
• and most recently does a cleanse

Well so first, facebook! I didn't know why I've been spending so much time on facebook recently especially since I'll be honest, it's boring me lately and I could be doing so many more better things with my time. That is why I decided that I am having a facebook fast, for at least a week, starting yesterday. Plus, there's no facebook on the mish anyway, so I better get used to it.


next reading the Book of Mormon! I'll be honest I haven't done so well in the past and my mission president asked me to read the whole Book of Mormon before I enter the MTC. And well to say the least I have a lot of catching up to do, and less than a month now, to make it!


Next, I've been studying the book of all books for a missionary, Preach my gospel!The truth is, I hate shopping! So therefore I am dragging my feet at shopping, it just overwhelms me and I get bored, and I hate trying on clothes, thus equaling I have not yet purchased my clothes, but it will happen because... I am the world's best procrastinator!!!

I used to read a lot, and then I stopped reading very much but over these past few couple days I've realized why I used to read so much in the past and the reason is I enjoy it a lot, here are te books I've read recently.

The Hunger games - I heard what this book was about and did not think I would enjoy because it seems so evil, but I admit once I picked it up I could not put it back down and can't wait till I can get my hands on the next 2!


next The Perfect Man- you know there was that movie, it was a fast and easy read that I knew I could finish before I got a hold of the 2nd book of the hunger games series, but it was a little too cheesy for me just like the movie.Then since I finished that book, I started reading a book, I started forever ago and then kind of forgot about it A train to Potevka its a true story about an American spy when he was assigned in Russia and he just tells about some of his experiences there. I like it a lot since I can relate!
and for the next 2 weeks I will be finishing up working at Maceys and then I will be finished. most likely forever! I never thought I would see this day come! I am soo happy!!
And my latest and greatest project is my mother and I are doing a cleanse. Today was our first day of it! And I thought I was going to die especially since I work at a grocery store where there is all this delicious looking food. Anyway a cleanse is where you drink just lemonade(a special kind you make) and that is it that's the only food you have for roughly 10 days, and doing this assists you in cleaning out all the toxins in your body! it should be a long 10 days. Wish me luck!

Bike Riding is awesome!

So basically, I finally decided to get serious about the mission thing, anyway so my mission president sent me a packet over a month ago, and gave me a list of things to send to the mission office asap! asap means after the holidays are over right? I guess it could I don't even get to the MTC for another 6 weeks. Anyway so in the packet it said that every missionary would need a bike, and then a few pages later it said every missionary except sisters need a bike. So you could only imagine the confusion, plus I met a guy who just got back from that mission in July and he said sisters didn't need bikes! But as I was finally getting ready to send the paperwork the president asked for I decided I better call the mission home and ask if I really needed one. So the missionary answered and said they just changed it and indeed every missionary needs a bike. So there you have it, I will be a bike riding missionary! I'm a little excited about it!

Anyway as I was Waiting for my mom to get home for work I decided to research bikes. The president was kind enough to send some options of places to get bikes from, so there were 2 websites that you could buy bikes from that would ship it to the mission office. So then I looked at the first website and it was overwhelming to me, especially since I have never in my life gotten my own new bike, whenever I have gotten a bike it had been one of my sisters previously. So then I went to another website, and it was much easier, especially since it was a bike website specifically for missionaries, and there were only 3 bike choices for sisters and it included with the bike all the gear, that I would need. So I thought that sounded great!

Then my mom came home and agreed that it was the best deal! so thanks to ctrbikes.com I now have my very first new bike that will be shipped to my mission for free. So I will get to see it in person in April when I get there! I'm really excited about it!

However it is quite funny because I never really ride bikes ever, and haven't ridden a bike in years, but it will be great! because I will get a great workout every day and I will stay fit! and just me a riding a bike in general should be pretty entertaining, my companions will probably always be waiting for me but it's all good!

Here's a pic of my awesome Bike!

A blink of an eye and....

2010 was over. Yup it's crazy that it's the last day of 2010! It's been a really great year though. So it's time for my yearly review.

January
I spent most the month of January preparing to go to Russia, and on January 29th I departed Salt lake City to go to Russia, knowing not a soul who I was going to spend the next 4 months with.

February
I spent the month of February getting adjusted to the culture, cold, host family, and teaching the children in Russia. Not to mention celebrate mens day!

March
Spent more time adjusting To Russia and loving it soo much more, and had one vacation of a life time. I traveled to Sweden, Finland and Estonia, and while on this trip I visited the sweden and Finland Temple to do baptisms, and there was a bombing in one of the metros in Moscow while we were away!

April
I spent yet another wonderful month in Moscow Russia, and began to love everything about Russia so much more!

May
It was a bitter sweet month. It was my last month in Russia! I visited St. Petersburg! I had a spectacle with my students and at the very end of the month said good bye to my students, host family and Russia, then made my way to Ukraine.

June
I spent a wonderful month in Ukraine! Played with children all day every day and visited Odessa and komenyets podolski! I had a blast partying it up in Ukraine with 7 other awesome american roommates, as well as 2 other pretty much roommates. It was pretty much a party all day long everyday, I loved it!

July
This was my last month abroad and it ended with a bang! I spent 2 weeks finishing teaching the Ukranian children, then took off for a week long tour to Hungary, Austria, Czech Republic and Germany. Then after a flight to New York, an unexpected 24 hour layover in New York, I finally arrived in Salt lake city where I waited for my parents to arrive. Then I finally got my long awaited oreos and started back at the clearfield Maceys.

August
I took a look at my life and took it on and figured out who I was through Impact, moved to Logan and started school at Utah State University, and started working at the Providence Maceys once again.

September
I took an unexpected turn in my life and began the process of filling out my mission papers, although even after I started my papers I did not believe that I would be going for real on a mission, and just got crazy busy with school.

October
I finished my mission papers and turned them in, and just went to school some more.

November
It was a pretty big month, graduated impact. Then I turned the double 2's. Then after waiting patiently I received my mission call to Arcadia California, in the spanish Language. Then for thanksgiving me and the parentals went to College Station Texas to visit The Meldrums (my sister, brother in law, Mitch and Faye).

December
It was a great ending to a great year, I finished another semester at Utah State making the Deans list for my 3rd semester in a row. I moved back home, enjoyed spending the christmas holidays with family especially my sister and her family who came from Texas, had a great visit with troy who is in the philippines on Christmas Eve. Had an excellent Christmas! And to top it off I went to receive my endowments at the temple.

It really has been quite a fabulous year full of exciting times and adventures, and this next year in California will only proceed to get better!

I have been called to....

the California Arcadia Mission!!!! I will be speaking Spanish!!!! And I enter the Provo MTC on February 23, 2011!!!! Woohoo! Ok so now that you know I'm super excited about it, I'll share a bit of this experience!

So when I first read my call, I will admit I was slightly disappointed, that I was going to California, because I wanted to go at least somewhere I have not been before, although before I opened my call I had a feeling that I would be going stateside. After thinking about it for a while though, I realized I was excited about it because it's warm there. Also when I get back from my mission I can go and visit whenever I want to since it is so close. Plus it's by LA and like Disneyland so of course I would go there all the time anyway, so I'm way pumped.

Then I read that I was learning spanish! I was way excited about that because when I knew I was going on a mission I thought if I was going to learn a language I would really want to learn Spanish, because I knew I would for sure be able to use it when I got back, since so many people here speak Spanish I could use it. The best part though knowing Spanish will definitely assist me when I am getting a job as a teacher, also then I could be able to communicate with parents, so that's way awesome!

Then when it comes to leaving on February 23, that's awesome because that means I'll get home around August 23, just in time to go to school for the fall semester just after I get back.

The best part of this mission call is I will be sooo blessed!!! And I can assist people in finding the truth. I am sooo excited!!

who would've thought!

Isn't life so very interesting? Yes, yes it is! Do you ever wonder where your life will take you? Or sometimes do you even think you know exactly how your life is going to go and then wham suddenly your headed down a different direction? Well Let me tell you, I have been surprised multiple times on which direction my life has gone. However, all these different paths have been quite excellent paths.

A few different directions my life has taken is:

• going to USU when up until my senior year of high school I was always going to stay at home and go to college at Weber State
• Planning on going straight through college, no stops, getting my degree as quickly as possible and then suddenly find myself taking the semester off to go teach English in Russia

The last major life's different direction is the latest and greatest decision to once again put off my schooling to go on an LDS full-time mission. This decision is still in progress. My mission papers are complete. All I need to do is have a few interviews and then exercise my patience while I await my call to see where I will be for the next 18 months. Craziness! I always thought when I was younger I would never go on a mission because I was sure I'd be married before i had the chance. I also though that if the opportunity did come I wouldn't because I'd be too scared or it just wasn't "right" for me. But the amazing thing about the gospel is we get to trust in the Lord and he will assist us in anything we choose to do.

I'm soo excited about my decision to go on a mission. I know I won't regret it!