Jazz vs. Spurs

This day was something that I have been dreaming of and praying for for almost a month now. I needed a mental break, a night out on the town, and a night spent with some of my favorite men (that don't even know I exist haha, but that isn't the point.)

After asking a few different people to join me, I ended up going with this gal next to me in the picture. I am so glad that I did!

We had so much fun and did a few things that we've never done at the games! We even saw Jay's twin! Bonner on the Spurs has a lot in common with Jay haha, it was great entertainment for us. Sadly, the coordination was not given to Jay so we do not get to reap the benefits of the NBA.

First off, we decided to go out on the floor! Just the feeling of being down there was incredible! Such a rush and high that I did not stop smiling until I was home in my bed.

About 3rd quarter, I looked over and said to Shay, "Is that Karl Malone?" Her reply, "Where?" It was bugging me that I couldn't get a close enough look to find out, so I decided to take a zoomed up picture and find out. But the picture didn't help me much so I kinda just left it alone. After the game, we were taking our sweet time getting our jackets on and I noticed a crowd out on the floor.

IT WAS TOTALLY KARL MALONE!

Well obviously we had to take a shot and see if we could get close so we went down, joined the crowd, and inched our way closer and closer to him. I got close enough that I could have reached out and touched him (but I didn't because that is CREEPY) and then he was quickly ushered out of the building!

I grew up in love watching Karl Malone and John Stockton. They are and will likely always be two of my all-time favorite Jazz Players!! (Paul Millsap is right up there with them! LOVE HIM!!) anywho...

Since we were out on the floor, we were debating on which way out was our best option. We looked toward the tunnels and really wanted to go, but hesitated and then finally just darted and went down there. Right when we got back there, I heard Shaylee shout out "LOOK, it's baby bear!" and sure enough 1/2 Bear just came out of his and Bear's fenced off area. He turned smiled real big and walked away!

We then just wandered, loving being down there, wanting to see one of the players but not having much luck.

We ended the night walking over and waiting for a few players to leave. We saw a trainer, one of the managers, Bollerjack, Matt Harpring, Devin Harris, Alec Burkes, a few wifes, and Earl Watson. We decided our creepy stalking had to come to an end and started back to my car.

Like I mentioned before, my smile was ear to ear and did not fade all night last night. Even blogging about it tonight is making me happy again!

I love the Jazz! Something about being in the arena, watching the games, being part of "Jazz Nation" just makes me so incredibly happy! It is one of my favorite places, feelings, and experiences to have!

We Are UTAH JAZZ!

Back to the Daily Grind!!

Today and this first week, I am "running" to school. It is my last semester of classes and then I'll get my BA degree in December after student teaching!
It is so crazy to me that this semester has come!!
We were sitting in class this morning listening to one of our teachers go over the syllabus. She mentioned Seniors...
This realization is something that I knew, but I guess I had not connected or something.
I gasped (kinda loud) then looked around at my classmates and said to those next to me "We are seniors!? We are seniors!" (I know, I know, kinda sad. But it is the truth.)
BUT I AM A SENIOR IN COLLEGE!!
Is that not crazy??
It is!

As I arrived at my apartment, I couldn't help but smile.
I cannot wait to not have to clean up non-family member messes, listen to way loud music during all hours of the night from upstairs, make dinner for one, and to get out of my freezing cold apartment!
Though, I am excited. I do hope that it doesn't speed by.
I have made some good friends through school, (not alot... but some) and I will be sad to say goodbye not knowing when we will see one another again.

Right now I'm running to... ask me in a few weeks when chaos begins and I may be running from. Either way, I am here. I am happy. I am a SENIOR!!! (i still just can't believe it!!)

Goodbye 2011!

As I lay here in bed for the second night in a row not being able to sleep I have been thinking of the past year. The lessons learned, experiences and opportunities had, and the changes that have come.

You know that old saying "one lie turns into another"?

Well that saying held true for me with doctors this past year. One doctor led to another doctor which led to another... You get the point. I don't know that I've ever seen as many doctors as I did last year. I saw 6 new doctors about my shoulder. Had something stuck in my foot so I met yet another doctor. And lastly we finally decided I was ready for sinus surgery. You may wonder how this has anything to do with anything... But it does I promise. I had to grow up a lot in my medical awareness. I got my first solo shot, I learned how to fill in the paperwork (that may seem childish, but keep in mind that my mom works in the clinic so generally it is done for me before I even show up), I had to figure my schedule even more precisely than usual to accommodate appointments and travel time, I got really good at driving in Salt Lake county (which is so so so much easier than Utah county!), and I got to meet a few amazing people during physical therapy at TOSH.

Everything happen for a reason.

This has always been something that I firmly believe in and just trust when things come up or don't go as planned. When I transferred schools I learned that I would be adding one more semester onto my graduation plans. I was upset at this for my whole first semester as I took a very light schedule filled with 3 pre requisites and 2 pe classes so that I would still receive financial aid. The semester almost felt monotonous. When it finally came time that I could apply for the program I was just praying that I would get I. So that I wouldn't need to prolong graduation even longer. I got in and it is so obvious now why I had to wait. Things have fallen smoothly into place. My cohort is amazing! I have 24 automatic friends that I spend every class hour with. Because of them, I have learned so much about myself in regards to my future teaching career. Before the semester ended there were a few conversations about how sad it is that we only have a few more months together and then we may never see each other again. But even if that ends up being our "fate" then I am grateful that I got to know them and that they were a part of my life.

Never say goodbye because goodbye means going away and going away means forgetting.

Once college comes, it is hard to stay in touch with old friends. Everyone who was always by my side has now been scattered across the state at different universities and colleges (one even as far as Oklahoma). If they aren't there, they are serving our lord all around the world. Some get married, many change and do not seem at all like the people you once knew, and then there are always the ones that stick by you through the thick and thin even if from a distance. Two of my good friends (that graduated with me) are married, one has applied to law schools all over the east coast, four others are trudging through classes and living it up like no other. Two previous roommates are planning weddings, one is in the navy, another travelled to Spain to study abroad, three more moved back home after learning English, one recently decided to prepare to serve a mission. Time flies, people change, but if we say "see you later" rather than "goodbye", memories, lessons, laughter, and friendship can and will still make it through! Many times I feel down, frustrated even that I don't see my friends or talk to them as often as I'd like. But then through all the chaos, we get together, we send a message on facebook, I get a phone call or a text, and I know that they are still there. We can still talk for hours and not miss a beat just as we did when we spent every day with one another.

It is now 2:07 and I'm feeling slightly more tired. I'm retiring my iPod for now, but I will resume when I wake up... If I can fall to sleep :)

It is ok to take a break.

From the time that I turned 14 I've had a job. I was not able to find one this past summer, I thought I'd go stir crazy! For the first little while, I really did. I was bored! I needed something to do, I needed to feel productive. I ended up becoming my house maid. I cleaned, cleaned, and cleaned some more. I had made a list of things I wanted to accomplish around the house and I was able to check them all off. Because I wasn't working, I was able to do more with my summer. I didn't have to worry about writing days off or rearranging my schedule. I went to all three nights of the Ute Stampede. I got to go to St. George two different times for different "Girl Trips". I got to go on all of our camping extravaganzas. I was free to do whatever, whenever.

Little victories make the world go round.

If we spend time focusing only on the big things, we forget to notice the small things. Working with the kids that I do, little victories are extraordinary. It should be like that for all kids. I spend a half hour each day in a general ed classroom and I have tried to pay close attention to the little victories in there as well. They are everywhere! And when kids and people in general know that what they are doing, small or large, is being notice/appreciated, then it becomes more and more worth the hard work. This has also helped me to notice the little things about myself. For so long, perfection is all that I have worked for. (I still am very anal so I won't say that I don't work for perfection anymore.) But now, I allow myself to see the small things along the way. For example, I had a huge project due at the end of this past semester. I was stressing so much about it, but at the end of each piece of the project, I took a step back and took it all in. It made the project much more enjoyable. I felt so much better about each individual piece which in turn made me feel better about the entire thing!

Apologize for stepping out of bounds.

I am not the type of person to let people get to me. And if I do, then I generally just complain for a second in my head and move on. I am embarrassed to admit, but one day my irritation made me "step out of bounds." As weird as it sounds, even though I felt way bad about it, I was almost ok for doing it. For quite a while I had been getting frustrated with this individual and the way they were treating some people. I really did feel sorry though because I was out of line, so afterward I made it a point to apologize. The individual claimed not to have noticed, but I am still glad that I apologized. As one sided as this may sound and as self conceded as it may be, I felt like the bigger person. After that day, I felt that I had more patience for what the individual was doing. I did not accept it in any way, but I realized that ignorance really is not bliss. This whole thing may not make any sense, but just go with it.

2011 had ups and downs. But in all, I learned a lot. The things written hear are only a few of the top lessons. To write all lessons learned, I may need a lot more space and then I'd feel bad for making you read all of my ramblings.

Thank-you 2011! Thank-you for the people that I have met, thank you for allowing me to slow down, thank-you for the lessons, experiences, and opportunities! You've been great, and you will be missed!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

I didn't do very well in my posting this month about Thanksgiving. But here is the top 26 for the year. They are different than my 25 from last year.

I'm Thankful for...

1. For my coaches that I have had in my life.

Truly they have shaped me into the person that I am.

2. The schooling that I received.

In my multicultural class we continually talk about how

things could easily have different for each of us.

It has made me really appreciate my education;

the quality of buildings, supplies, teaching,

and the support that followed me through school.

3. Funny childhood memories that all involved remember.

4. My JOB!!

Honestly, I leave the school a few days a week

completely exhausted and spent.

Yet each day, I look forward to getting to go back.

5. My chosen career path.

I cannot wait until next fall when

I'll either be interning or student teaching!

6. Veterans!

7. A plethora of blankets to sleep under each night!

8. Old photographs!

9. Physical Therapy.

I'm not all the way better yet,

but I'm getting there and my therapists are amazing!

10. My roommate Clara!

She has easily became one of my best friends.

11. My cohort.

Sometimes, I may get a little tense.

But I still love being with them each day and learning with and from them.

12. The UVU Education Program!

13. Rafikki!!

I don't know if he's ready for another winter, but I'm sure he'll do great!

14. The scenery we have.

Everywhere I look I can see something beautiful!

I especially love snow covered Nebo at this time of year.

15. My Maverick Gas Card.

I've needed it A LOT this semester and

it has saved me a few cents every gallon.

16. WinCo. I love this store!!

17. I have been able to take institute this semester.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE my class and my teacher!

It is Bro. Eggett, Teachings of Thomas S. Monson.

(I highly recommend it)

18. My Theracane!

I use it daily!

(Just google Theracane if you don't know what I'm talking about)

It is a weird contraption, but it helps so much with the shoulder pain.

19. A warm fire to heat our house.

I miss the fire during the week,

so on the weekends I practically spend every

minute that I can next to fireplace.

20. Slippers!!

21. Hometown Friends!

I spent a few hours the other day with two of my greatest friends.

It was so nice to catch up and I cannot wait to see them and

the rest of our group for our Christmas get-together.

22. I get to spend Thanksgiving with some of my favorite people!

23. Little Victories!

24. Left-overs from home!

I think that one explains itself.

25. My weekend job at Chevron.

26. The Streets.

They are my second parents!

I don't know if I've every told them how grateful I am to have them in my life.

But I really am so thankful for all that they have done

and I do not know where I would be without them!

I'm Thankful For...

So on facebook everyone is doing a daily "Thankful for..." I kinda missed the band wagon and I don't update my status all that often. Therefore, I've decided to do it on my blog instead. Last year, I made a post of 25 things that I was thankful for on the day of Thanksgiving. I'm going to kind of combine the two ideas I suppose and make my own little thing. :)

I want to use different things than I did last year. So I'm thinking on the actual day of Thanksgiving, I will make a post with both last year's and this year's list of things that I am thankful for.

But for now, I will catch up on the past 8 days and then hopefully I will do better with blogging and I will post a "Thankful For" everyday until Thanksgiving.

1. For my coaches that I have had in my life.

They have truly shaped me into the person that I am.

Especially Lisa and Marci!

They became my 2nd/3rd mothers during

November through February for 3 whole years.

I'm not sure how they put up with it, but they did! Thanks!

2. The schooling that I recieved.

In my multicultural class we continually talk

about how things could easily have been different for everyone of us.

It has made me really appreciate the education I recieved

and the quality of buildings, supplies, teaching,

and support that followed me through school.

3. Funny childhood memories that all involved remember. :)

4. My JOB!

Honestly, I leave the school a few times a week

completely exhausted and spent.

Yet each day, I look forward to going back,

to seeing my kids again, and being able to make a difference!

5. (This kind of goes with #5) My chosen career path!

I cannot wait 'til next fall when I will be in a

classroom full time either as an intern or as a student teacher.

6. The mountains!

That may seem odd,

but I LOVE LOVE LOVE the scenery at this time of year!

We are so blessed to be able to look out and

see such natural beauty surround us each day!

7. Left-Overs from home! I think that one explains itself :)

8. A plethura (spelling?) of blankets to sleep under each night!

My BEAUTIFUL Baby Sis!!

A few weekends ago we had to take some pictures for Shay to put in the yearbook for her Sr. Tile. She didn't want to go, but I think secretly she enjoyed being able to pose for the pictures. We took over 100 so I won't show all of them. I'll try to keep it to a minimum, but I have to boast a little because she is beautiful and AWESOME!!!

I kept trying to get her to do a "laughing" picture because I think they are so fun. But everytime she would do it she just looked like a fool!!

She was getting a bit tired..

This one is one of our favorites!

The "dead" hand!!

She complained the whole time that she was in the tree.

She was scared of how high she was, and we kept

telling her that she was only like 3 feet off the ground.

She didn't believe us and we had to BEG her just to jump down!

This pose was my dear ole dad's contribution haha.

The Weeknight Abode

I'm all settled into this years apartment. Last night was my first night and it was good. The girl that I am sharing a room with works way late so I have really only talked to her for a few minutes, and that was on Saturday when we took my stuff up. But so far so good. My roommates are fun and a little crazy... (you'll get a better picture later.)

We brought up a load of my stuff on Friday but then headed out to go to the Bees game. (went on practically a double date with my parents and Aunt Kristy-Uncle Tony... awesome right??) Anyway, then we brought up the rest of my stuff on Saturday. I had to get back home by 2 and the rest of the fam had a family reunion that afternoon. So mom and I had about two hours to get a whole lot of stuff accomplished. We were only able to grocery shop and unload my kitchen stuff.

So yesterday I had to do the rest. I put almost everything in its place (well found a place for everything) then decided to make the bed. I was not warned that my bed is a twin XL so the one set of sheets and mattress pad that I had did not fit what-so-ever! My mom said Saturday night that she wished that we would have at least got my bed made... if we had done it then, then I wouldn't have had to sleep on only a blanket last night. But it was all good. I have a very cozy blanket so I was able to get some sleep. Grandma brought up my sheets today so now I have a made, ready to sleep in, bed!!

Last night I went to FHE. When I returned there was a sign on the door that read "TRAMPOLINE, just saying!" so I double checked that I was heading in the right direction and walked in the door not sure what to expect. This is what I found.

For the next hour or so there was over 10 people on this at a time playing dodgeball and hanging out. It was a bit odd... But what can ya do??