Eleven

"On a scale from one to ten YOU are an eleven" - Iago from Aladdin

This is how I would rank my co-workers, you my friends, are an eleven! On Friday Katlin and I had planned to meet up get some food and have one last grand adventure before I leave.  I arrived at her apartment and she said that we should go to Olive Garden.  We both love their bread sticks and pasta and we always say that we should go.  I was down with that, so off to Olive Garden we went. Katlin said that since it was dinner time on a Friday it might be a uber long wait.  When we got to the restaurant there were at least 30+ people waiting in line.  Katlin went up to the hostess and told her we were with Patsy's part.  Now I was super suspicious because Patsy is my boss. Lo and behold when we got back to our table there was my boss and co-workers.  Katlin and Patsy had been planning this for over a month.  I was so happy and surprised! Not all of my co-workers were able to make it, but it was totally fine - they all had legit excuses.  We had a wonderful night a delicious food and laughter.  They were kind enough to get me a present.  First aid kit, a hymn book and chap stick.  Boom! I am ready for Canada. :) After dinner Katlin and I went up to the USU gymnastics meet against Arizona State.  We saw the last two events and USU was only behind one full point.  I know, in gymnastics one point is huge, but considering Arizona State is ranked 26th in the country.  USU lost 192.575 to 194.600.  It was a fun meet.  I love watching gymnastics and Katlin has never been to a USU gymnastics meet.  Good times all around. It was such a fantastic night! Thank you!

Awesome Sauce

I just wanted to give shout out to all of my family and friends for dealing with me.  You are the best! My panic button has been pushed, so daily reminders that things will be okay are greatly needed and appreciated! I have one of the coolest uncles ever. Period. We were chatting on facebook and he asked how I was doing.  I told him I was a little freaking out.  He asked why and then proceeded to give me awesome advice.

And when face challenges, ask yourself what the Lord would have you learn from the challenges, or how he would have you respond. Sometimes it is just that you need to be patient. Other times there are specific principles that apply. Sometimes we get the same lesson taught to us over and over again, not because we didn't learn it the first time, but because once wasn't enough for us to learn it thoroughly enough that it becomes part of our nature, which is how we become more Christlike. - Dave Warner (me uncle)

Although I am super nervous about entering this new chapter in my life I am grateful beyond words to know how many amazing people will be back home cheering and praying for me.  Saying thank you is not enough, but I mean it with all of my heart! T.H.A.N.K. Y.O.U.

Little Things

[I love this song!!]

I'm grateful for the tender mercies in my life.  Everyone goes through ups and downs, mine just seem a little more frequent with preparing for a mission.  I have less than a month!!! Freaking out! Yesterday I was having more of an "eh" day, but talking to a friend and my scripture studying helped.  I decided to pray out loud last night rather than in my head like I normally do.  Funny how something like praying vocally (like you should do) can make a huge difference! I am so grateful to feel of my Savior's love for me.  I know that He lives and wants all of his children to be happy and successful! 26 more days!

Brrr...

I checked the weather this morning  and it was 1.  Then I decided to see what the weather was like in Calgary.  Bad choice.  It was -22 but it felt like -38.  I'm going to freeze in Canada.  On the bright side the Angel Moroni was put on top of the Calgary Temple!! Woot!

Sweet Temptation

Halloween to New Year's eve is filled with sweets galore.  New Year's Resolutions usually include getting in shape / losing weight.  My brother, Shane, is not helping out with trying to cut back on the sweets.  The day after Christmas he bought two boxes of Reese's.  Boxes. Yesterday I come home and he has bought a box of Cadbury creme eggs for the family.  Good thing I'm going to Canada soon :)            

Christmas Break Photos

1-Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert - Salt Lake City
2- White Christmas

Gorgeous tree at the Joseph Smith Memorial building

Devery and I

Jane Seymour!!!! We were six rows from the front in the center section!

Nathan Gunn

Awesome picture of the dancers

We're Bells!!! Hehe

These two girls are so adorable, I almost can't stand it.  They were in love with the bell costumes and were so excited to get a picture in them.  MarleeAnn kept saying "I got to be the bluebell." Haha

My friends love me! They plus my family took up the entire front row they came to the show.  You are the best!!

My cousin, Stephen, helping me pick out clothes for my mission.

Stephen got excepted into BYU-Idaho six days before the semester started.  He was waiting for the results for his SAT exam.  Stephen is not from Utah...he is from Maryland.  Once he got the call that he was excepted he packed his bags and started a drive across America for Idaho.  Thankfully he decided to stop in Utah to visit family.  Woot! It was fun meeting up with him in Provo and hanging out for a few hours.

2011 Wrap Up

[I apologize, this is going to be a rather long post] It's that time again; out with the old and in with the new.  Sometimes the days following Christmas can be depressing. It seems that the world just goes ahead and moves on (like already putting things up for Valentine's Day and St. Patrick's Day) while I want the feeling of Christmas to still be lingering in the air.  Sigh.  At least next year I'll get to experience Boxing Day!

TOP 11 MEMORIES OF 2011---[chronological order]

1- Senior Clinic

Being one out of eight seniors out of everyone in my program to be chosen to be a senior clinician was an honor.  It was by no means a bed of roses, but it helped me to rely on my Heavenly Father.  I learned that I capable of doing hard things and all things are possible with the Lord.

2- Tale of Two Cities

I love the Hale Center Theater in West Valley City.  I have never been disappointed with a production that I have seen.  They are top notch.  I was thrilled to find out that my mom had gotten tickets to go see this show as a surprise for my Spring Break.  It is now one of my top favorite musicals ever.  The story, the actors, the music, the set, the costumes were all breath taking. It is an incredible story of forgiveness, sacrifice and compassion.

3- A Wicked trip to Boise

My co-worker and friend Jill decided that we really wanted to go see Wicked.  It was playing up in Boise and it was playing during dead week/finals week at school.  It was so much fun!! Our 10 hour round trip was well worth it! Mucho gracias Jill for the epic adventure!!

4-  Graduation with friends

Graduation in May was very bittersweet.  Everyone in my program was graduating except me.  It was very hard to see my friends moving on and I still had a semester of school left.  I’m grateful for my friends that they helped me get though the undergraduate program and for the wonderful memories we had!! Miss you gals and I look forward to meeting up again someday!

5- Surviving Human Anatomy

This was one of the hardest classes I have ever taken.  I was so ecstatic to see that I had pulled off an A- in the class.  I was really intimidated because nearly everyone in the class was taking it for a second time.  Thank goodness for an incredibly amazing T.A. (seriously, she’s the reason I passed the class).  It does give me great joy to say that I managed to go the entire semester without touching a heart or cadaver.

6- Pioneer Day Concert

Brian Stokes Mitchell was one of the guest artist for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir’s annual Pioneer Day Concert.  I love this man so much.  He has one of the most amazing voices I have ever heard.  He was the guest artist a few years ago for the Christmas Concert.  They have loved working with him, so they have invited him back a few times.  I was excited beyond words when I found out he was doing this concert.

7- Summer Vacation

Since I did not get much of a summer break once anatomy was over Devery and I took a road trip down to St. George.  We spent two days in Zion National Park and accomplished one of Devery’s life long goals: hiking Angel’s Landing.  Like most things in life, it was challenging, but well worth it in the end.  The last half-mile climbing up chains to get to the top was a little scary, but we survived.  Then there were the over zeal chipmunks at the top that wanted to steal our food.   We also went to Tuachan and saw “The Little Mermaid”.  It was a terrific show! I thought it was even better than what they did on Broadway.

8-  Mission Call

I won’t elaborate too much on this memory since I already did a post on it.  I’m sure anyone who has served a mission remembers the day they opened their call. Canada Calgary.

9-  Lucy’s Wedding and My Endowment

Such a neat day!! I’m glad that I got to share it with one of my good friends.

10- Christmas Memories

• Last minute trip with Katlin to the First Presidency Christmas Devotional. Haha, it was great.
• White Christmas – So many special memories and friendships made. One of my more memorable moments happened during the opening dance number "Happy Holidays/Let Yourself Go". I was doing a pivot turn and as I was turning my foot slipped out from under me and I ended up on the floor.  I honestly don't know how I did it, but about five seconds later I managed to jump right up and continue on with the dance. The girls in the show said it was the most graceful fall they had even seen and people wondered how I got up so quickly.  My answer: adrenaline.  I just was on the ground and my first thought was "get up and keep dancing".  Yeah, I have pretty sweet ninja-like reflexes.  I also got a nice bruise on my leg.
• Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert with guest artists Nathan Gunn and Jane Seymour.  The concert, as always, it was spectacular!!! Christmas just isn’t Christmas for me anymore without seeing one of the MoTab Christmas Concerts.  This year the narration was on Good King Wenceslas.  I had never really heard the lyrics to the song before and I was amazed to notice that it is symbolic of Christ.  Super neat!

11- Durango

There is not one memory in particular that stands out.  Durango is my adorable five-year-old Maltese puppy.  Yes, he will always be a puppy to me. I just love how it has become our tradition for him to fall asleep on my bed.  Once he notices that I am getting ready for bed he will go down to my bedroom and fall asleep on my bed until I put him in his kennel.  I’m going to miss my puppy so much.  There is just a special bond between you and your pets.  They love you no matter what. :)