Conference!

Ok, so because I suck at updating this thing I decided to take some time and blog about some important events from this past semester. I should probably wait three more weeks 'til I'm done with my first year of nursing school (yeehawww!). But, I'm bored right now. So here it goes :) I went up to Conference in October with some awesome amigos. We had a ton of fun! We left Thursday morning, and when we got there I accompanied a friend to a mission reunion. It was fun to meet new people, but I was definitely excited to hit the sack after driving almost the whole way and not much sleep the night before.

Meghan, Allie, Me

Friday we had lunch at Rumbi's, which is yummy! Sweet potato fries take a little getting used to, but I liked them.

After lunch, we drove up Provo Canyon and hiked up to Bridal Veil Falls. Beautiful place! My friend had directed us on how to get there, and said that it was a simple trail consisting of fairly flat switchbacks to the top. Easily done in flip flops. I guess if we would have been able to follow the real trail on the way up it would have been so... However, we did make it safely!

I def win the flexing contest!

See, hear, speak NO evil!

Isn't it beautiful?

After the hike, we got some more food and ice cream at some place I had never been before. And I still don't remember the name. We went back to my friend's apartment to relax, and then went out to a party. By then we were super tired. My wonderful aunt who was out of town let us use her home for the weekend. So we went back and crashed!

We woke up early Saturday morning and headed to SLC. We had tickets for the Saturday AM session of Conference. It was wonderful! Totally worth it. We ended up seeing the PM session in the JSMB. Again, so good. The weather was beautiful and we ended up hanging out on the grounds taking pics and relaxing in the cool grass. The flowers were so colorful and bright!

In front of the Conference Center

For some reason my GPS was being mean and wasn't working. So we got lost trying to find a certain store, and ended up finding it half an hour after closing time. Sad. However, we did make it to the highway and back home safely. For Dinner = Texas Roadhouse!!!! And yes, of course we EACH asked for our OWN box of to-go rolls, complete with the cinnamon butter. Delicious treat for the long drive home.

After dinner, I met up with some cousins and their friends to hang out. It had been almost 3 years since I had last seen them. WAY too long! However, I really missed seeing Jillyn and Sarah, who are currently serving missions. Next year they'll both be home, so it'll be great. We had fun together!

Liz and me

Kevin and Me

The AWESOME group of people

Sunday we watched the AM session in our pj's. I caught Allie and Meghan snoozing a few times... But didn't have my camera on my to prove it. We made our way out around 1 and listened to the PM session on the radio. Its not fun to do that. The static alone is enough to distract, the thunderstorms we ran into didn't help! We had a lot of fun. And I'm soooo happy we all could pull a last minute trip up there!

April 2011, we are excited for you! :)

Change

"Life’s challenges and changes provide opportunities for us to grow as we exercise our agency in making righteous decisions." ---Elder Steven E. Snow

Nursing school has made its mark quite often in the last few blogs of mine. For obvious reasons, its one of the biggest parts of my life right now. Along with that has come the huge unbalanced life of mine. Its been frustrating to me, and I've tried different ways to keep it balanced. But now, I think I've figured out a way to help my craziness.
It hit me a few weeks ago in church when I came to the realization that Nursing school has taken the forefront in my life. Of course, it will take a lot of my focus, but it doesn't have to take all of my focus for me to be successful. I've started to lose touch with Elena. I don't want that anymore! So...I had an epiphany yesterday. I needed a physical outlet for all my stress, and to improve my energy throughout the week to get everything done. Dance isn't available right now, especially since I'm unemployed and it costs $$. But, I can still work out. I don't need a gym to do that... so, bring it on P90X, yoga, and running shoes! :)

The 2nd part of my new goal is to go to bed between 10-1030 on weekdays, and wake up between 6-630, allowing me time to workout, shower, eat, and study. But not just school study, scripture study. I really need to strengthen my "armor". Recently I was challenged to read the whole Book of Mormon between now and the end of August, estimating about two chapters per day. It is do-able. It will help me, and not only will it help me but it will enable me to reach outside MY circle of needs, and help meet others. I need some outward focus in my life, because it makes my problems and struggles seem more bearable and easier to overcome.

I feel good. Today was the first day of my new goals. It felt great. I wasn't rushed to get to school. I was able to focus, and I felt more awake. I'm excited. And, I just wanted to share it.

I feel so grateful to be alive. I'm grateful for a healthy body, and the opportunity to make it even healthier. I'm grateful for such an amazing family, and I can't imagine life without them. I'm grateful for all the opportunities the Lord has blessed me with, and for my Savior who's love and understanding makes life so much easier to endure.

"We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things." ---A of F 1:13

My Birthday Week!

WOOHOO I'm 22!! Its so fun to get old. :)

It was a nice birthday this year. I didn't do anything extravagant, but I had my wonderful boyfriend here the WHOLE week. He lives in Missouri, so we only get to see each other every month or so. Not so fun. He got here late Monday night, so we just caught up and decided to hit the sack by midnight since I had school the next day, and I couldn't miss it!

My awesome brother Nate

My gorgeous little sister Emily

My birthday roses :)

However, Tuesday was a different story. My friend had let me borrow his kayaks, so Coty and I headed out to Canyon lake to explore. Its my favorite lake around here, and the drive itself is amazing. He isn't a fan of the desert, but he loved the lake. Can't wait to show him the Northern part of the state- its absolutely gorgeous, and he has no idea! Isn't he smokin'?! ;)We had so much fun, and I def want to invest in some kayaks. I already have a list of things I want to DO and BUY after I graduate and pay off my loans. I'm excited, and it pushes me!

I'm so glad he's strong enough to carry me!

The night before my birthday we went to dinner with Lisa and Dom. We went to Oregano's and it was soooo good. I ate too much. Coty and I shared a pizza, Pablo Picasso salad, and then the four of us shared a pizookie (sp?). Mmm... To die for.

Free Birthday Dozen :)

Yes, this is my super hot boyfriend. Chivalry at it's finest.

My mom made my birthday dinner. We had steak, cheesy potatoes, veggies, sparkling cider (my fave) and cake. Actually, we didn't end up eating my birthday cake until a few days after because everyone wanted to be together to sing, but with our conflicting schedules it just didn't happen. So I drooled over it until Sunday when I decided to just have some myself. I mean, it was MY cake. :) Anyways, the dinner was delicious. My mom is my favorite chef. She's amazing, and I love her. I love my whole family!

Mural on a wall that my oldest bro helped paint of the history of Superior.

The beginning, and end, of my modeling career. ;) haha

Wow. He sure is easy on the eyes!

Friday morning we woke up and headed out to Superior. This was the town that I grew up in for the first 11 years of my life. My tata still lives there, and that is where my parents were raised. It has a LOT of history to it. I had a blast taking Coty around and showing him all the places I went to, my old house, school, pool, softball field, among other places. He had fun, and we ended up walking around Main Street and took some pictures. I wish we had more time. I've been dying to take him up to Payson, Sedona and Show Low. That will just have to wait for the summer. His plane was scheduled to leave at 430, so once we got home from Superior we had enough time to just relax and cuddle some more before I took him to the airport. It was so fun. I wish that he lived closer. I'm grateful that he was able to miss a couple days of school to be here with me for my birthday!

--XoXo--