Friday, January 14, 2011

New Year, New Start

It's the end of the first week of the new semester. All I can say if the rest of the semester is anything like this week has been it is going to be a wonderful semester!!!! I have loved every single minute of it! It's been a little hectic and I'll have a lot of homework but I love my classes! I really do wish I could stay in school forever and just take classes that interest me. It has also been nice to have professors that already know me. Over the break I went to SLCC and talked to an advisor there and got everything squared away so I can transfer there this summer. I am heartbroken to have to leave SUU again. If it wasn't for the one professor who I absolutely refuse to take again, I would stay here forever.
Christmas break was a good one. They were nice and gave us 4 weeks off. It was so nice to be home for a month and just relax and not have to worry about anything. When I quit TCP I decided not to come back at all so I was truly free! I did some babysitting for some extra cash and that took me back to my teenage years! It was so fun though. I had big plans to do things like scrapbook and such, but that did not happen. I was a lot busier than I thought I would be (which was wonderful).
Sharla won some tickets to the Discovery Gateway Museum and so we (Sharla and me), Jason, and Michelle took Bailee and Mason to it. Yes, it took 4 adults to take 2 kids :). I had so much fun! I really do have the cutest nephews and niece! Bailee and Mason had so much fun. I had a lot of fun too! Those kids are so smart and creative. They never stop amazing me.
Christmas itself was good. Almost all the family came over that morning and spent some time at home. It was good to have them there. The next day we had family over again because my aunt was in town from Chicago. I somehow got stuck on babysitting duty and didn't get a chance to visit. It's a good thing I love those kids!
The Wednesday after Christmas I headed off to New York to spend a week with Allison. I was a little worried because that previous Sunday NYC had a massive snow storm and it closed almost the entire city. Thankfully they got everything going again for me. My flights there were interesting to say the least. On my first flight the two ladies I sat next to wanted to set me up with a 16 year old. On my second flight we had a medical emergency. I have no idea what it was, but it was crazy getting woken from my nap by them asking for a doctor over the intercom. No one died and I'm assuming it wasn't too bad because he wasn't the first person taken off the plane. I got to NYC right around 9pm. By the time Allison picked me up and we made it to Mamaroneck all I wanted to do was eat dinner and go to bed! Traveling really takes it out of me. Thursday Allison had to work that morning so I chilled at her house until she got home. That night we hung out in Mamaroneck and at her aunt's house. Then we went to the mall in Stamford, Connecticut. I've never been there and I wanted to go. Mamaroneck is only like 10 miles or so from the boarder so it didn't take long at all to get there. Of course I went to my favorite store, H&M! Friday I spent the morning/early afternoon at our friend (I met her the last time I was there in March) Lynita's house. Allison had to work again and Lynita lives right by the train. I got on the train that afternoon and headed into the city. I met up with another friend for New Year's Eve in Times Square. There were so many people there we finally got through security and into our first corral (at least that is what they felt like) on 52nd Street (Times Square is on 42nd Street). They went thru and made more room in front once people were settled and we got to move up a corral to 50th Street. From this location I could actually see the ball. It was super small, but I could see it and that is all that mattered! We got to that location around 6ish (I had been waiting at security since 3ish). The next 6 hours went a lot faster than I thought they would. I think it helped that I just kept talking to everyone around me. I met a lot of new people. I spent a lot of time talking to some nice gals from Liverpool. We bonded over our love for The Beatles. Then I met some people from Canada. We spent a lot of time making fun of each other. I kept teasing them about the 'eh' and then they would tease me about how I over-pronounce my 'ing' endings. We also made friends with a couple from Sweden. They liked to make fun of Americans in general. Haha! I love meeting new people. I don't think I would ever do it again, unless I had a definite spot in Times Square, but I am glad I did it! Saturday night Allison had a shift at the Mamaroneck EMS. She got me in to do a ride along with her. We went on two calls that night. The first one we basically just gave an old lady a ride to the hospital. The second one was crazy! The person had over-dosed on pain killers and was totally unconscious. Allison got to bag her (as in squeeze the bag to help her breath) and I pushed a couple buttons on a machine. It was intense! Sunday we slept in. It was wonderful! Monday we hopped on the train again and went into the city. We went to the Neue Galerie. It is a super small museum by the Met that only has German and Austrian art. There was a painting there by Klempt that I wanted to see so we had to go! After that we went to Pret a Manger for lunch. I love that place!!!!! Then to MoMA of course. I could go to that museum every day and never get bored. They had a killer exhibit on Andy Warhol on film. I guess he made a bunch of movies and stuff too. Most of them were of people just doing things like brushing their teeth or fixing their hair, but it was still crazy! We decided to spend the night in the city so after that we went to find our hotel and relax a little. Our hotel was right across the street from Madison Square Garden. It was SKETCHY! Haha! I was super happy we only stayed one night. I swear it was the hotel scary movies are made of. The next morning we went and got last minute tickets to The Phantom of the Opera. We then made our way to Battery Park. Allison had never been to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. It was freaking freezing!!!! But I think the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island are things that everyone needs to see at least once. And thankfully Ellis Island is all inside. After that we were starving so we went to Times Square and had dinner at Hard Rock Cafe. I always forget just how expensive it is. At least the food is good. We then went to this place called Junior's that her aunt and uncle raved about. Their cheesecake was AMAZING!!!! The Phantom of the Opera was amazing too! I've seen it 3 times now and I could see it a million more times. It gets better every time I see it (then again the first time I saw it I was 10, the second time I was 15, and now I'm 25). The next day I was flying home. We went to brunch with her aunt and grandparents and then Allison took me to the airport. I almost missed my flight because we thought it wouldn't be as crowded as it really was. Thankfully some really nice people in line at security let me cut in front of them so I wouldn't miss it (my flight left at 2 and at 1:30 I was still in line). The flight home was very un-entertaining (the way I like it!).
The following Saturday my friend Nicole got married to my best friend Leanne's brother Spencer. Because of the impending snow, I had to drive back to Cedar that day so I went to the temple to see Leanne there. I felt bad I could only see her for 15 minutes, but it was better than nothing.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Nearing the End

I can't believe that this semester is almost over. I have two days left and then finals week. I really could not tell you where this semester has gone. It really doe feel like just yesterday I was making plans to come back to school. I once heard that time goes faster the older you get and I now believe that is true!
I realize I still suck at updating my blog so I feel like I have a lot to cover. If only I had an interesting life now days.... My birthday was back in October. I turned the big 25. I am still having trouble with that one. In all my wildest dreaming I never pictured this is where I would be at 25. In school again, single, and just living a mundane life. At the same time I feel so blessed at all the things I have gotten to do in my short 25 years on earth. I've been able to graduate not only from high school, but from college, and now I have the opportunity to go back for another degree. I've been given many opportunities to travel with a few more to come in the near future. I truly am a lucky girl! For my birthday my mom and my sister came down to Cedar to spend the weekend with me. We went shopping in St. George and I took them to one of my favorite restaurants for lunch (Mongolian BBQ). Then that night we went bowling. I didn't know my mom was such a bowling pro! She won the first game and I won the second. I went home a few weekends later to celebrate with the rest of my family and friends. SUU decided this year that we weren't going to have a Harvest Holiday so I made up my own and had an extra long weekend.
Last week was Thanksgiving. I wanted to avoid the snow (or what was predicted snow) so I skipped school on Monday and went home on Saturday. Besides the snow, and threat of snow, it was a relaxing week. I spent a good deal of it catching up on Dexter and reading. I started reading The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo a few months ago and have not been able to put the books down (there are three in the series). I highly recommend them to anyone who is in need of a good read.
Like I said before, this is now the last week of the semester. I have been super busy with finishing up my classes. All I really have left is my paper for art history and a couple of deposition summaries for case prep. Oh, and of course finals. I had one final earlier this week for an online class and I am very happy to be done with that class. The teacher was ridiculous! He is one of the main reasons I am transferring to SLCC next fall.
As for next semester, I am so excited for it! I am taking advantage of being at a university for one last semester. I am taking Computer Crimes, Forensic Psychology, Personality Theory, Family Law, and Intro to Communications. I'm also taking the weight training class so I have a real reason to go to the gym. This semester was so crazy I didn't really go at all and I can tell.
I will be back home at the end of next week (weather permitting of course) and I can't wait for one whole moth with NOTHING to do! I'll be leaving for NYC on December 29th to spend New Years with Allison and won't be back until January 5th. I have big plans of relaxing and sleeping!!! I can't wait!

Friday, September 10, 2010

September 11, 2001... Still feels like yesterday.

There has been a lot of focus on the September 11th attacks in the media recently with the proposal of building a mosque and Islamic center a few blocks from Ground Zero. It's been on my mind a lot the last couple of weeks. Today being the anniversary I thought I would write a blog about it to express my thoughts and feelings.

I can still remember that day like it was yesterday. I was getting ready for school like any other normal day. I was putting on my makeup while listening to KBull 93 (I was really into country music back then). The DJ's got on the radio and said they received a call from a woman who had received an email from her friend in Louisiana saying a plan had struck the World Trades Center. They didn't know much about it so they said they would look into it and let us know. I thought nothing of it and continued getting ready for school. I walked into the living room where my mom had the Today Show on the TV (she watched it every morning). It was just after 7am and I stopped to watch it to see if I could figure out what the radio was talking about. As I was watching the second plane flew into the buildings. I remember sitting on the couch thinking to myself what in the world is going on? You hear about things like this happening in other places around the world, but not here. Not in America. We are supposed to be the big strong country where nothing bad could ever happen to us. I went to school that day and tried to concentrate. I remember my first period class was biology and Mr. Isham tried to teach the lesson the best he could. Third period was Driver's Ed. Coach Fullster (I think that's how you spell his name) stood in front of the class and said this is an important event that is happening so we need to watch it happen and be a part of history in the making. I sat there with my eyes glued to the TV trying to look down at my homework every now and again.

I can still remember being so confused as to why somebody would want to do this. How could anyone have this much hatred towards America that they would kill so many innocent people?

I've had the opportunity to visit Ground Zero a few times in the last few years. This last March while I was there I went to the church across the street from the site and gained a whole new perspective on things. The church served as a refuge for the rescue workers that risked their safety and their lives to help. The church is now a sort of memorial to those rescue workers now. I come from a family of law enforcement and I have always been thankful for the job they do. Now I am even more thankful for those men and women around the country (and the world) that risk their lives everyday to make my life just a little bit better.

On this the 9th anniversary of the attacks I want to let everyone know just how thankful I am to live in this country. I am proud to be an American and no one can ever take that away from me! I know sometimes our country isn't perfect and our leaders make poor choices, but that is the great thing about America, we have the freedom to do so! I feel so blessed to be here! And to those men and women who serve our country as police officers, fire fighters, paramedics, in the army, marines, who ever you are.... You are truely my heros and I will forever be indebted to you and all that you do for us! There is a special place in Heaven waiting for you!

Monday, September 6, 2010

Back Home

I'm finally back to the great place of Cedar City and I feel like I came home! It definitely isn't the same as it once was, but it is still wonderful!!! This year I am living in Mandalay Apartments. I have 3 other roommates who I get along with greatly! I was worried that I wouldn't fit in at all because I am so much older than everyone else, but it doesn't seem like too much of an issue. Well, besides the fact that I am surrounded by 18 year old boys. It will make dating a challenge, but I am up for the task. That is if I have time this semester! I am taking 6 classes (18 credits) and I have no idea why I ever thought that was a good idea. I have Intro to Law, Planning and Probate Law, Case Prep, Legal Ethics, Research and Writing, and Art History of the 19th Century. I really want to make sure that I can get thru the Paralegal program in the 2 years so I am taking all 5 classes that are offered this semester. Plus art history because I just love it!!! I got my old job back working as a mentor for the First Year Seminar class. I feel even older being surrounded by freshman 4 times a week, but it's a paycheck and a pretty easy job. I am so happy being back in Cedar and back in school. I know that this was totally the right choice for me and I am meant to be here. I'll be back in West Valley in October sometime for my birthday, but I'm not sure when that will be. For now I am just going to stay busy with homework and having fun!!!

Sunday, August 15, 2010

I've Never Been a Fan of Packing

I've been attempting to pack for the last few weeks now and I feel like I've gotten no where. I am moving Wednesday back to the great land of Cedar City. I can't wait to get back there! I don't know if I am more excited to go back to Cedar or to go back to school. I've missed school since the day I graduated. I have been dying to get back! This is going to be one crazy adventure and I can't wait to start it!

Not a whole lot has happened lately. I finally had my last day at work (and I'm hoping this really is my last last day at TCP). I really do feel like a load of stress has been taken out of my life. I never thought that retail would be so hard and so stressful. I really do believe that I am meant for something far from retail in life! It is just not me. I am going to miss the friends I made during my 4 years there and I am so thankful for those people who helped me thru it all!

Today was my last day at church in the student ward I've been going to since graduating 2 years ago. It was a bitter sweet moment. I am ready for this big change but at the same time I like the comfort of the known. I've met a lot of great people there and made a lot of great memories. I am so thankful and so blessed to have been placed there with these people around me!

I am super nervous about moving back into student apartments in Cedar! I hope I'm not the crazy old roommate this time around. I have had a couple roommates in the past that were older than I am now... but I'm still worried I'll be stuck with 18 year olds. EEK!

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Updates are so over-rated :)

I started this blog thinking it would be a great way for people to keep in contact and know what's going on in my life... only I suck really bad at updating it!!!

Last time I was here I was waiting for my plane to head out to NY to see Allison. I had a blast! Needless to say it was an adventure ;) We spent some time in the city and loved every minute of it. We saw the play "A View From The Bridge" starring Scarlett Johanson, Leiv Schriber, and the lady that play Susan on Friends. It was an alright play. Scarlett didn't do so hot. Of course we hit up my FAVORITE places... H&M, Tiffany's, and MoMA! The weather was perfect (which was a bit of a scare because they had a lot of rain and flooding before I got there). I'm excited to say that I have already purchased my next plane ticket back to NY for New Years! We have big plans to spend it at Times Square.

I've kept busy with work lately. I am trying to work as much as possible and save money because I am headed back to SUU this fall! I decided that I needed a change and my Psych degree isn't getting me too far. I'll be doing the Paralegal program which will take 2 years. I am so excited to go back to school! I miss it (and Cedar) so much.

Allison tagged me in this thingy on her blog so I guess I'll end with that:

8 Things I Am Passionate About:
1. school
2. art history
3. the Eiffel Tower
4. my true friends!
5. living life to the fullest
6. living a little to no regret life
7. accomplishing my goals/dreams
8. finding out love really means

8 Words Or Phrases I Use All The Time:
1. Mother F'er
2. I'm just super
3. For the Love of Betsy Ross
4. Oh dear!
5. BFF
6. I hate boys :)
7. You are my airplane
8. OMG!

8 Things I Want To Do Before I Die:
1. Visit all seven continents
2. Move
3. Read all the books I own
4. find out what love means
5. Be on stage again
6. Participate in La Tomatina
7. Watch the running of the bulls
8. have a handful of useless degrees

8 Things I Want Or Need:
1. Money for school
2. Money for traveling
3. a new car (definitely a want)
4. freedom
5. trust
6. to live in Paris
7. sleep
8. a better job

8 Places I Want To Visit:
1. Does Paris count? :)
2. Spain
3. Italy
4. Greece
5. Turkey
6. Antarctica
7. Australia
8. China

8. Restaurants I Love:
1. Applebee's
2. California Pizza Kitchen
3. Costa Vida
4. Sequoia
5. Gossip
6. IHOP
7. The Pizza Factory
8. Mongolian BBQ

8 Shows I Like To Watch
1. Friends
2. Scrubs
3. Gilmore Girls
4. Days of Our Lives
5. Monarch of the Glen
6. The Soup
7. Chelsea Lately
8. Dexter


*** I'm supposed to tag people but I won't. You are welcome :)

Monday, March 15, 2010

I'm sitting in the SLC airport waiting for my flight (and because I'm Shelly, I am insanely early). I'm heading to New York to spend the week with my friend Allison (the one I went to Europe with last summer). I decided to bring my laptop to keep me company and after realizing that the airport has free wifi I am very glad I did!

Not a whole lot has happened lately. I've been keeping busy with work and trying to figure out my next step in life. The last few weeks have been pretty stressful. First I lost my wallet. And of course because I have the best luck in the world, I lost it on my way into work at the mall. Some kind soul found it and decided to try using my credit card. Which worked. Thankfully the nice people at Mastercard reversed the charge after it went thru. So I spent the following week doing everything I needed to do when a wallet is lost/stolen. My new driver's license still hasn't made it to me (so all I have is the temporary paper one) so thankfully I have a passport so I can still get on my flights! I now believe I am pretty knowledgeable about ID theft, so if anyone is unlucky like me and has to go thru this, let me know and I will tell you what to do!

I went to Las Vegas a few weekends ago with my friend Camille. It was a lot of fun. We stayed at the Hilton that is just off the strip. Nice hotel, but the pool hours suck (it closed at 5:30). I did a bit of shopping at H&M and Sephora of course and made a stop at Tiffany's. I'm saving my purchase there though for when I get to NYC! I didn't loose too much money gambling. I did find my new favorite game now that the horse game is gone. It's penny poker slots. It's regular poker but you can turn on the slot machine option and do more lines so you have a better chance of winning. I can't wait to go back to Vegas and spend more time on that machine!!! :)

Other than that, like I mentioned, life is pretty boring. Hopefully I'll have some good adventures in NYC I can blog about to spice things up a bit :)