Things of Note

I didn't have a single post for the entire month of December.

I've been missing this time even longer than my absence in the fall. 

I'm embarrassed. But I'm also ready to bring this blog back to life. 

2012 is going to be a good year. 

So here are some things of note about the last few months: 

[WARNING: long post. of mostly pointless and unrelated thoughts. sorry.] 

Paintball = Awesome. Megan and Derek came to Las Vegas and we watched the National Championships. It was super fun to spend the day with them and it really was amazing to watch. We played over Christmas with a course we setup in our arena. I'm terrible really. I try to look out so I can see where to shoot and I get hit in the face mask. I'm working on that. 

I love grilling. Love it. And I love that my parents have a nice grill so I could use it over break. Delicious. 

My mom is in Florida right now. Well actually she's probably somewhere on the ocean. She's on a cruise. JEALOUSY! 

There was NO SNOW at home! What the heck?! It snowed for a couple hours on my last day but it's been crazy dry. Our ski resort isn't even open! Sad sad day! 

Oklahoma. Hugh Jackman. London. I don't need to say anything else. "Oh what a beautiful mornin'..."

Football is a joy of my life. Aubrey and Riki came down and we watched BSU play UNLV. It was way closer than it should've been but we had a fantastic time. I love watching football. LOVE. LOVE. LOVE.  Other examples of why I love football: the BYU bowl game. Oh my goodness. Down to the wire. And then success!!!!! Or the Denver Broncos game last weekend. I totally love Tim Tebow for being open about his beliefs anyway and then they went and made such an exciting game out of it. First off overtime is always exciting. But ending it in 11 seconds? That was yelling at the TV kind of awesome. Plus I was watching with my Dad. Which is my favorite way to watch a game.  

I had to work my butt off during the second half of the semester due to my lack of focus during the beginning but my hard work paid off and I got a 4.0!!!!! WOOHOO! That was a dancing around, yelling moment. And I think I only brought it up with my Dad like 30 times over the next few weeks. I worked so hard to study for my finals and be prepared and it paid off. Best feeling. I love knowing what I know now. I watch TV and I diagnosis people. It's fantastic. Also, I'm excited for the new semester. Some of it will be boring as always but it will be one step closer to graduation and at the end of it I will get to start seeing clients!! And I'm taking a weight lifting class which promises to be fantastic. 

On the note of exercise. I am embarrassed to report that I gained 10 pounds at the beginning of last semester. For a girl who has been losing for the past few years that was hard to swallow. I stepped on the scale and cried because I saw a number I swore I never would again. But. Never fear. I have a plan. This plan has multiple goals, deadlines and specific rewards. It is realistic and will help me get my lifestyle back on track and in doing so will help me get my body to where I want to be. Updates will come. 

I don't really understand the appeal of Xbox. My dad got one for my brothers for Christmas and I just don't get it. Like Call of Duty. I don't understand at all. However, I like the Wii. A target practice game. Sure! Racing cows? Okay! Mario Kart with Tater. You bet. And his attention span matches mine. It's perfect. 

Hugo is a magical movie. Magical. I loved every second of it. And even more than that I loved the afternoon out with my brothers. 

The best part of my Christmas this year was getting to be an angel in a live Nativity production done by my Stake. I was up on the roof - harnessed in which was so cool. I made some awesome friends and it really helped me focus on the reason for Christmas and the simplicity of the Savior's birth. It is probably the greatest thing that ever happened. I have a picture in my costume but didn't bother to upload it. Imagine a giant white dress. That's it. 

My brothers are the coolest. And I miss them SO much. I got to spend tons of time with them over the break and I was not ready to say goodbye. They are so nice to me and are growing up to be such good kids. They are getting so tall though. I am officially the shortest sibling.

I had a lack of gallbladder attack over break. Death in bed for two days. UGH. And it happened right after I made a batch of peanut brittle. BAD TIMING!

I am addicted to the radio. My stations at home are my favorite thing. I could drive all day as long as I have good country to listen to.

I am also addicted to Fruit Ninja on my iPhone. My high score on Arcade mode is 741. I play far too often.

New Years Eve was super fun. And by this I mean the movie New Years Eve. We went out for a girls night to see it. It was a fun upbeat chick flick and I loved it. Why? Well because it all ends happily ever after just as a good chick flick should (except for Zac Efron kissing Michelle Pfeiffer. EWW.) But also because there was a fantastic line that made me so excited for the New Year and for new resolutions. New chances. New mistakes. New successes.

"It's suspended there to remind us before we pop the champagne and celebrate the New Year, to stop and reflect on the year that has gone by. To remember both our triumphs and our missteps - our promises made, and broken. The times we opened ourselves up to great adventures - or closed ourselves down, for fear of getting hurt. Because that's what New Year's is all about: getting another chance. A chance to forgive, to do better, to do more, to give more, to love more. And stop worrying about 'what if' and start embracing what would be. So when that ball drops at midnight - and it will drop - let's remember to be nice to each other, kind to each other. And not just tonight but all year long."

I also loved the real New Years Eve. I was not looking forward to going to the singles activity but I actually ended up having such a fun night. All the boys I used to hang out with in high school are home from their missions and so we all had a blast together. I haven't danced in the new year since high school and I'd forgotten how much I loved it.

Biscoff cookies are the BEST part of flying Delta. They are my favorite, favorite, favorite.

Missionary emails make my day. I miss them so much but it is so amazing to hear how good they are doing!

I am still completely obsessed with pigs. My trip home took me through Cedar City [long story involving new tires and Les Schwab and Provo and a warranty] so one of the things I did with Megan and Derek was go out to Derek's family's house to meet his brother's pig Mojo. I was SO happy to see him and pet him. I love pigs. ADORE them really. So I couldn't have been happier. Family and sister and pig. And later that night - frozen yogurt and Friends. What a wonderful night.

The best thing that has happened to me though happened just this evening. I found out that I GOT A JOB!!!!!! I will be working as a graduate assistant for UNLV's Office of International Students and Scholars. I will be doing advising and managing paperwork and forms for the students who are here internationally. There are several reasons this is FANTASTIC. 1. It's on campus. So it's convenient to my priority which is school. 2. It's an advising position so it will look good as I apply for internships and future jobs in my therapy field. 3. Best of all - it will pay all my tuition AND a $1250 stipend/month. I really love working. I worked all through my undergrad and I am better at time management when I am busy.  I couldn't be happier. This will be such a blessing!

So that's my things of note in the last few months. I am sorry for disappearing. I have like 5 posts written in my head so I anticipate keeping up better now.