Blessings and Happenings.

As I sit here on my bed, in a room that needs some cleaning like no one's business, I can't help but feel sad. I am so blessed. There is no question in my mind that I am one of the luckiest people in the world. I am getting an education, I have a great job, I've met some amazing people and I know that at the end of the day I have a family that loves me. The more time I spend here in Boise this summer, the more I realize how hard it is to be away from home. But at the same time when I think about the times I do go home, after a few weeks I feel like I need to be back at school. My Bishop at home told me before I left for school my senior year, that once you come back home after being at school, it's never the same. I've realized that to be true over the last 3 years and I thought that staying at school during the summer would be easier than it is. During the day I am having so much fun at work and enjoying school at night. It's at moments like this though when I'm hanging out by myself that I realize how homesick I really am.

Last year there was a stretch of time when I was really struggling and I learned to fill my time with reading, music and I was fortunate enough to be close to Jamie's family that I often would go visit and spend time with her amazing family. I don't have the luxury of being that close to them anymore, but grateful that I had that opportunity and those experiences last year. Things happen for a reason and hard times come and go. At the end of the day (literally), when I am feeling at my worst, I recall how grateful I am for all the blessings in my life. There are too many positive things in my life, that feeling down for too long is not an option. I often feel lonely and sometimes even forgotten, but I know that that is never true. I am writing this as a reminder to myself but also to anyone else who ever feels or has felt this way. Things may seem difficult, but things aren't always as bad as they really are.


How about some positivity?
These last few weeks I have had so many amazing experiences.

1. I was hit from behind when I was stopped in traffic a few weeks ago. Plenty of damage to my car, but fortunately not too much damage to me. I was hit hard enough that my sunglasses went flying off my face and my chest hit the steering wheel, but thankfully because of my seat belt, there was no other damage. I have been having some back problems, but currently I'm getting help from a chiropractor and a physical therapist to restore some nerve damage that I have. Nothing that can't be fixed in a few weeks.


2. I hung out in studio with Mandi and Aubrey from this past season of the Biggest Loser. They're from right here in Boise, they are fun girls and they are very inspiring!


3. We interviewed and talked to your favorite 80's singer and mine, Debbie Gibson about her new RIDICULOUS movie, "Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus."

4. I was SO lucky to go to the Taylor Swift concert in Nampa. Gloriana opened, as well as Kellie Pickler. Both openers did an amazing job, but Taylor Swift is an INCREDIBLE artist. She often is given a hard time about her vocals, but this was hands down the greatest concert I've been to. Her set alone exeeded 2 hours and she just did an amazing job. I would see her again in a heartbeat (that is if I could get another ticket; she sells out EVERY show).


5. I spoke to Alison Sweeney at length. We were interviewing her about Biggest Loser, but I was the only one in the room when she called, so we discussed her 2 kids, what kind of breakfast she was making them, her guest appearance on Friends years ago, and her 15+ years on Days of Our Lives.
6. Hung out with Coach Pete for the 2nd time in studio, 3rd time overall. He is an amazing person, coach and a lot of fun to hang out with in the morning!

Makeover.

I am so lucky to work in the industry I do! I met Marie a few weeks ago when she came into the studio to help promote her daughter Lindsay's work with the Make a Wish Foundation. She heard on air (as did the rest of the Treasure Valley) that I was going on a date and she called in and wanted to surprise me with a makeover at Caliente, a local full service salon. Today was my date and I was able to spend 3 and a half hours with Marie as she highlighted and styled my hair, and did my make up courtesy of Mary Kay. She generously gave me the make up she used and I was able to enjoy my day free of charge.

Thanks to everyone who made this incredible day possible: all the great people at Caliente, and Hooker and Chad for coming to visit me at the beginning of my adventure. I am starting to understand even more just how lucky and blessed I am.

Looking rough. Hooker and Chad :)

Thanks to Marie and all the Caliente employees!

Alive? Yes.

So, I've been MIA for about a month or so. But in reality, I am alive and well! School is wrapping up for the semester, and I will starting up again about three days after they end. Yes it is true, this girl is staying in Idaho for the Summer months. I am slightly (and by slightly I mean entirely) depressed that I won't be going home anytime in the near future, BUT because of my decision to stay I will:

1. Spend less of my parents money by taking Summer school
2. Live by myself for the first time in my life
3. Be able to work at the radio station for a consecutive year
4. GRADUATE FROM COLLEGE IN DECEMBER

Needless to say, I am ecstatic!
To catch you all up on the last month or more of my life, here are some pictures for your enjoyment. I've been busy, overwhelmed, tired, frustrated (not unlike anyone else who is breathing) but extremely happy and grateful at the same time. Note: pictures are not in any order.

Celebrated my cousin Becci's daughter, BraeLynn's 1st Birthday in Idaho Falls.

Hung out with my roommate Baillie at Maverick one nice Sunday afternoon.

Worked 55 hours one week during Keke Luv's (pictured middle) 7 Marathons in 7 days. One of the jocks at our station, Keke raised awareness for child abuse in the Treasure Valley. One of the most inspirational weeks of my life.

Graduated with an Advanced Diploma from Institute. My home teacher and I ate some cake made by my roommate Baillie. Tasty. Yes.

Walked on campus (new Student Union Building pictured) with Baillie. :)

Worked at the station 5 days a week from 6 am- 9 am, having my life shared with the people of Boise. Tune in for the drama!

Visited Jamie and the kids in Herriman, UT. :)

Went to a Boise Steelhead's game with my cousin Ryan, and some friends from BSU, courtesy of my aunt and uncle.

Attended the BSU Women's Clinic with invitation extended by Coach Pete himself when he came into the studio one morning.

More of my hectic life to come in the coming weeks I'm sure! Miss and love you all!

March 21, 2009.

This past Saturday I had the privilege and blessing to be part of my best friend Kaitlin's baptism. Saturday morning we drove down to East Carolina and arrived at the chapel where I saw Kaitlin for the first time since she began taking the discussions. She was dressed and ready for her baptism, and looked more beautiful than ever.


Kaitlin is a wonderful person and I am so excited for her to be a part of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Kait and I became good friends my senior year of high school and our friendship has grown since that time. I can't begin to count the number of time I expressed verbally, mentally or in a journal how much I believed she would be an incredible member of the church. I have learned that our time line is a lot different than that of Heavenly Father's and He knew that in time, she would be ready to listen to the missionaries and accept the words which they shared with her.

As I think about the last 4 years or so that I've known Kaitlin, my life has been blessed because of the person and the example that she is. She has always been a person of high values and morals, someone I could trust, and the epitome of what a best friend should be. We have had our fair share of disagreements like all friends, but I don't know if there is much I would change about the times we have been able to share together; especially her baptism day. I am so grateful I was able to be a part of this special and most important day of her life.

K and I through the years... :)

Pay it Forward!

Paying it Forward, as they say...

The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you. This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make for you!
2. What I create will be just for you.
3. It'll be done this year. (This gives me plenty of time!)
4. You have no clue what it's going to be. It may be a cd of songs recorded by me (even better if Jeff were on there too). It may be a self portrait or maybe even some creation I haven't yet dreamed up. I may bake you something and mail it to you, though that may be best reserved for the locals. It may not be big or impressive. Who knows? Not you, that's for sure! But lets be honest here. This is me and I will likely do something amazing. So come on, sign up!
5. I reserve the right to do something extremely strange. But I probably will not do something strange, since I at least try to live under the guise that I am slightly normal. The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must re-post this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog. The first 5 people to post this same information on their blog and leave a comment telling me they did will win a lovely homemade gift by me! Let's keep the chain of love going around!!