Memories

Sometimes a song can touch a nerve, stir a memory. Sometimes a smell, or a sound. Sometimes it takes just a thought of what day it is and thousands of memories wash over me. A day that sticks out to always be remembered--like a birthday, or Christmas. No one has to tell you those days are special--you just know. And there are many memories associated with those days. Today, is one of those days for me. A day I will never forget...a day I felt my heart being ripped out of me..while at the same time, feeling an inexpressible joy. Each year that goes by I have to stop and take a remember all the things that got me to that day. Ok, so far there has only been two years I have done that, and maybe I am over exaggerating. Maybe with time it will get easier to just let this day go by like every other day. But I really hope not. I hope I always remember the day I left the my mission. And I hope that memory will take me back to my mission, and I will always treasure that time, and appreciate how that time changed me.

I figured it out.

Graduating means.... my Alma Mater gets to call me and ask for money.

Not that I would mind giving back to a school that helped me financially through the years that I was there. In fact, someday I do plan to donate. But I am just wondering...do they really think I am in a position to do that just three short months after graduation. Aren't they forgetting something called STUDENT LOANS?

Knock Knock...its the REAL WORLD at my door...

Despite the hard economic times this country is suffering through, I have pulled through and landed a job. This was not the easiest thing for me--a fresh-out of-college-English-major-with-limited-experience-girl. Not many companies right now are looking for someone with my impressive, yet limited skills right now. But I kept looking. Funny thing though--I got two offers in the same week. Ahhh--finally someone recognizing my talent--or something like that. My choice came down to either working at a job I would hate, and which would pretty much kill any social life I could have but paid REALLY well and great benefits, OR a job that would challenge me give me good experience and leadership/managing skills and be a great environment (albeit a little crazy at times) but pays considerably less and not as good benefits. Oh the joys of grown up life. Can you guess which one I took.
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Yes, it was the one with less pay. Go figure--in the economic crisis of our country I VOLUNTEERED to take less pay.

But, maybe then I will enjoy my job--maybe. But at least I won't be stuck in a dead end job that I will hate. The job I am taking I am committed to September--if it works out for longer great, but if something better comes up after that then I am free to take it. So--wish me luck, the newest office manager/assistant/receptionist/whatever of the pest control world (I know--its terribly exciting.)

Missouri

It is hard to believe but I have been in Missouri for almost an entire month...it will be this week. But as of yet, no job. Sad day, I know. But I have some leads, some interviews, and I will hopefully come up with something soon. But never fear, if you have been wondering, I am not just sitting around doing nothing. I lied when I said I don't have a job. I do have one, I just have to wait for the money to start coming in. I am an Editor for a publishing company. However, I don't make any money until the book is published. SO I am trying to find something to support me while I do what I love. But it is good experience, so hopefully it will lead me to good things down the road...like maybe starting my own publishing company....

New Year and GRADUATION

I can't believe it is a new year. 2008 was an eventful year for me, some happy, some not so happy,--so, I thought I'd look back at a few of the milestones/experiences of the past years, in no particular order:

I spent my LAST year at BYU-Idaho.
I had 14 roommates (Don't ask) one of which was my awesome sister Molly!
I hit my one year mark of being home from my mission.
I got to spend the summer in Palmyra and as a part of that I ....
Went to the Sacred grove several times a week.
Visited Niagara Falls
Visited The 1000 Islands
Went to Lake Ontario
Went to the Hill Cumorah Pageant
PLUS LOTS LOTS MORE! (See old posts!)
Mourned the passing of my beloved Grandma. (I still miss you Grandma)
Visited my Mission!
Played on a Volleyball team until....
I got hurt playing walleyball in walleyball class (it is still not completely better--sad I didn't finish my season)
Got one new Niece and found out that I have either a niece or a nephew coming in 2009!
And last but not least--I GRADUATED FROM BYU-Idaho with a Bachelors of Science degree in English Literature!

PICTURE MEMORIES

So...maybe you have heard the awesome news. Maybe you haven't...so let me tell you. I am Graduating. As of Friday, December 12, 2008, I am a graduate of BYU-Idaho. My degree--English literature (no, you cannot criticize my blog based on that.) And I have a minor in History. No I will not tell you what my GPA is, but I will take you on a photo tour of my last six years--minus my mission as that should be like four posts on its own. Here are pictures of just my time at school. Above are my "graduation" pictures. Can you tell how excited I am?!! Next we have the semesters following my mission. What fun I had with these roommates! And my old companions who came to visit!



















Next we have my roommates right before the summer before my mission--and our "jungle" themed living room (ok, so all we could afford is that one plant...it was still cool).















In my first year in "the Burg" I learned quickly the term "cold." and "Ice". But it wasn't all bad. I we had lots of fun sledding and the like. And Halloween was a great time!













The rest of the picture are all my time at SVU--I can't believe it's been six years! Time sure has flown!

Photo Tag

Post the 4th picture in your 4th file folder with a brief description.
This is me with my MTC Friends, Werner and Self. I think this was about a month or two after the mission. We always had to take our pictures in this order--its tradition. OH! I miss these girls! NOW, I tag Melissa and anyone else who may read this!