A New Chapter

So it's no secret that I really don't like goodbyes.  Lucky for me I haven't had to deal with too many of them in my life up to this point.  But this week has been a whole week full of goodbyes. I guess after my third semester of the track system that I should be use to this by now but I just haven't gotten use to it. I said goodbye to people and places that have changed my life.  I feel so blessed to have had such a wonderful semester at BYU-Idaho.  It was definitely a wonderful semester which is what makes it so hard to leave.  I love Rexburg... I know that might sound weird and you probably don't understand but I truly love it.  It will forever have a place in my heart.  This last week I finished my Associate's degree and with that being completed I'm taking a break from school for a little bit. Not sure exactly how long I will be gone, but the one thing that is certain is that I will be coming back to visit a lot while I'm gone.  

Just a few documented memories:

Doing the Can-Can in our highest heels ;)

Painting Hannah blue... What Julie doesn't think of!

Heart Attacking our FHE brother's cars

Dressing up for Halloween

Julie... There isn't anything that needs to be said

Great friends!

And Crazy Roommates... This picture says it all. HAHA

This is the beginning of a new chapter in my life.  I have said goodbye to the previous one and I am excited, nervous, and slightly dreading turning the page over to start this new chapter.  Many adjustments will be made leaving a lot of room for new experiences and growth. There are so many things to look forward to.  I love my job working at Child and Family EyeCare Center and I love my family.  Adjusting is the key to success here.  Ready, Set, Go! 

Thanksgiving

So I know I have been gone for a long time.  Life has kind of fallen away from me.  But I made a promise to one of my best friends that I would pull it together and at least update my blog.  Haha.  I feel like so much has happened in the six weeks that I haven't posted so I feel like it's kind of pointless to even try to rap it up.  I have been trying really hard to keep a journal so at least I have record there of what I have been doing.

Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays.  It has been associated with traditions, family, and food, which are three of my very favorite things. As the years have gone by my family has changed a lot and this year was the first of many to come of a new era.  So, as it may be well known, I'm not always really good with change. Especially when it comes to traditions.  Adding new traditions is great but changing or getting rid of traditions doesn't fly very well.  So potentially this could have been a trying year.  Yes there were some rough spots, which is to be expected, but as a whole I think that it went really well.  The day started with Zumba, family basketball (no matter how unconventional it was), and "getting pretty."   The day ended with a wonderful dinner, gingerbread houses (making a house for an almost 2 year old is quite hilarious), games, and chatting it up with my dear Chrissy (although she prefers to go by Christina she will always be Chrissy to me).

For me personally this was my first Thanksgiving in a new decade of life.  Since I turned 20 last month I have really been trying to make some important goals and changes in my life.  I wanted my new decade to start out fresh and make it one that I will look back in years to come and be proud of what I did in my 20's.  Of course I plan on facing the rocky road ahead and I know that I will face many challenges, however there are so many things I have going for me.  And that is where my Thankful list begins.

I AM THANKFUL FOR:

• My Mom- the best support system in the world
• The Gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, which I know to be true
• My amazing family- Parents, siblings, nieces and nephews
• The talents the Lord has blessed me with
• The wonderful job that is available to me anytime I come home
• Knowing who I am- I am a daughter of God
• Great friends to share life with
• The acting Grace of our Heavenly Father enabled through Jesus Christ
• America and the freedoms that so many people have laid down their lives for
• BYU-Idaho - The beautiful University that I have the privilege of attending
• Modern Medicine and Medical Technology- With out it who knows what my life would be like
• Missionaries- as I get closer to the time where I will be serving my own missionaries my gratitude for those who are currently serving is magnified. 
• Indoor Plumbing- every year this one is brought up in my family, it's not until you don't have it that you truly appreciate it. 
• My health-  although not perfect I often look around and feel so blessed for the health that I have
• The experiences and opportunities that I have had in my life
• This list could go on and on but before I end I must say how grateful I am for my Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ.  

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving to kick off this 2011 Holiday season!

Brace Face

I'm not technically new to the whole braces scene, but then again I am. 

Throughout my life I have had braces for about five years total.  So you could say I have had over my fair share of braces, which I would agree with you.  This time it is different though.  I got these on by choice and they are leading up to jaw surgery. I'm not sure how many of you have noticed but I have an open bite. Meaning my front teeth don't close when my back teeth are touching.  This was caused by my jaw joint flattening.  Let's just say that isn't the most comfortable feeling in the world. So that is why I am a almost 20 year old with a brace face.

I remembered a lot of the discomfort and inconveniences that come with having braces, but remembering them is a lot different than experiencing them.  My lips look puffy all the time now and the inside of my mouth is all scraped and raw from rubbing on the metal.  The pain from the teeth being moved is the thing that is the easiest for me to handle.  It does make me laugh though when eating an apple that is cut into bite sized pieces is my proud feat of the day though.  I have eaten a lot of soft foods this week, mashed potatoes were definitely the highlight. Oh and my favorite thing is when people (my mom and lovely roommates) tell me I look 5 years younger.  *Joy I look like I'm in Jr. High again when I'm actually a sophomore in college*

Braces have changed my life in a few different ways that kind of make me laugh.  For instance, the amount of time I spend brushing my teeth has probably tripled, I don't know how long the little timer they gave me is but I always take longer than it. Instead of brushing my teeth 2 or 3 times a day like I use to I now brush my teeth closer to 5 times a day. Which means I spend about 25 minutes just brushing my teeth a day.  This does not include flossing, which is a lovely event, or applying wax so the braces don't rip apart my mouth while I'm sleeping.  My getting ready for bed ritual now takes a very long time. I have made a system where I floss the upper teeth in the morning and lower teeth at night which is nice so that I don't have to do it all at the same time. The eating habits aren't that hard for me to handle.  But I do rinse out my mouth with water several times after every time I eat. 

Well I am officially a brace face for about 14 month.

A Month Gone By

So I know it's pretty pathetic that a whole month has gone by since I have been on here and updated.  I'm a busy woman what can I say?  And this last month has been quite a crazy one. Since it is hard to sum everything up I think I will just make a list, and try to keep it in chronological order. But I make no guarantees.  :)

• Trained my replacement at work
• Got a bone scan
• Had my last day of work
• Enjoyed the High School Homecoming scene vicariously by doing hair, going shopping, taking pictures, and co-hosting a dinner
• I sent off my dearest Alane to New Mexico
• Moved back to Rexburg
• Started my 3rd semester at BYU-I
• Started the tradition of Bread Night. (it's been a success)
• I've been social every weekend!
• Painted my roommates, literally
• Put a purple streak in my hair
• Started to plan a wedding (no my own but my roommates)
• Went home for Conference weekend
• Took Tracy and Brad's engagement pictures
• Got braces (yes I am on my third round of braces, it's a long story)

Well that's my last month in a nutshell I guess. Hope you enjoyed. 

Okay so this is my last week before leaving my beloved family, home and friends behind for a few months and return to my studies.  Although my break from school was short, and near existent when considering online classes, I have done a lot.  Let's have a look, shall we?
*Disclaimer:  These events are in no particular order and there may be missing information*

• Finished my first TV series
• Baby sat around 7 times
• Scrapbooked that last year of my life
• Added three temples to my list in one week (two in one day)
• Went boating about 5 times
• Walked Provo canyon twice
• Made a trip to St. George
• Worked full time
• Built a wall (never knew that was in my job description) 
• Refereed soccer games
• Went to the dentist all by myself and had no cavities
• Watched the first BYU game of the season
• Went on an awesome hike
• Finished my online class with an "A"
• Drew and discussed weddings
• Went to Seven Peaks for the first time in years
• Cheered at several XC meets
• Helped ask my brother's date to homecoming
• Almost got braces on
• And the list could go on

Doesn't look like I did too bad for myself.  And I STILL have a whole week to go!  Woot!  It's going too be good.

A First for Everything

Okay so as most of you know there always has to be a first to everything.  This is pretty obvious.  But it is when the first things happen that create the special event.  For example:  your first date, your first car, your first kiss, your first pair of heels, or your first formal dance.  Okay you get the idea.  Well a few weeks ago I experienced a new first in my life.  I know this is quite late but I feel like this even is just too monumental to go un-blogged (is that even a correct term?)  Are you ready for it? Drum roll please....

I officially watched a full season of a TV show!  I know it's a shocker right?  Well for those of you who don't really understand why this is so monumental here is a little history.  Growing up I never watched TV.  We watched movies but no TV.  We didn't have cable and really I had no idea or desire to watch TV.  Occationally I would catch a random episode of this series or that series.  But this last semester at school somehow I got stuck on So You Think You Can Dance.

I can proudly say I saw every episode from Auditions to the Finale.  If I missed it when it was broadcast live I would watch it online before the next week so I could stay caught up.  I really enjoyed watching it this season and I was so happy to my favorite dancer from the beginning win.  I know it may not seem like a lot but I thought it was very cool that I stayed with my show through out the entire season.  For those of you who didn't watch it, you are missing out.  There was such a wonderful group of dancers this season that it was so hard to see someone leave every week.  It was such an exciting show.  I loved watching each dancer grow and progress into what they could be.  I loved the choreography and I personalities of the dancers.  All around I just really loved this show and was sad to see it end..  So there you have it ladies and gents. My first complete season of a TV show.

Blogs

So although it may not seem like it I really do like blogs. My problem is that I would just rather read them than write on my own.  Then there are sometimes when I actually get a really great idea for my blog post and then I never really get to it or life just gets crazy.  Just now I thought of two blog posts in the last week that I've wanted to write but it's just never happened. But I love reading my friends blogs.  They are pretty great and they are awesome.  Every time I read them it makes me want to get on mine, hence on doing this write now.

Writing is exciting and I have always really liked it, so I'm not sure why I don't do it more. When I was younger I started writing so many stories and plays I can't even count.  One play actually got to be quite lengthy.  But now I'm one of the worst journal writers I know, I haven't written just for fun in who knows how long and I barely take pride in my assigned writing for school.  How sad is that?  Well my hope is that from all of my awesome friends who are my inspirations in blogging that I will be able to rekindle that love I once had for writing and become a better blogger. Let the journey begin!