RED heads really do have more fun...

NEW YEARS EVE!

2011-12-31T15:56:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is the start of a NEW year!
Whoo hoo!

This week I was chatting with someone and asked them what they were doing for the New Year. Apparently I had mistyped my question and asked what their plans were for the year. Needless to say I got an interesting but good response and wondered if subconsciously I had almost asked the right question for what I needed to hear :). Ha! This last year I have just been trying to plow through school that it has been hard to work on other goals it seems. I am looking forward to that time when I will hopefully have more time for that again and be able to work on other things in life that bring me joy. One of my joys being reading! (other then textbooks;) There are so many good books out there! I stumbled across this read today and it was a good kick in the pants and I was also reminded of a good book (The Road Less Traveled) that I had read a few years ago. I remember this book being brilliant and life changing but cannot remember why!:) Perhaps I need to pick it up again :). So ONE of my new years goals will be to read these books as mentioned in this article and to also take some of this advice for greater happiness.

http://www.marcandangel.com/2011/12/11/30-things-to-stop-doing-to-yourself/
Books:
1. The Road Less Traveled, M. Scott Peck
2. Stumbling on Happiness, by Daniel Gilbert
3. Getting Things Done, by David Allen

Good stuff

2011-12-21T13:54:00.001-08:00

A friend of mine posted this yesterday morning. And I think its great and a good resource for any and all relationships. A friend of mine almost married this guy but she ended up marrying someone else ;). There are a few typos but the message is really good!
I recommend the video and reading what was written on the website (I posted the link below)

1) Taking personal responsibility (and how we put unnecessary emotional burden on others when we are not taking responsibility or carrying our own load.)
2) Be authentic (family problems are normal but by being authentic you can build more trust)

http://true-principles.com/2011/10/how-to-fix-family-problems-with-trust/

2011-12-11T21:18:00.000-08:00

Life is good. Busy as ever but have so much to be thank full for and I am blessed with so much. The last few weeks have been busy with wrapping up finals and getting things ready for next semester. But I have had a few chances to do a few fun things in-between thanks to some fun invites. Last Saturday I went to a Jon Mclauglin/Stephen Kellog and the sixers concert. I wasn't really familiar with either of their music. But was impressed! Jon Mclauhglin is amazingly talented, has mad piano skills and is a very good performer. Stephen Kellogg and the sixers was also a good band and was impressed that the whole band sang acapella for their closing song.
What else...This weekend I went and saw Midnight in Paris! Loved it and I officially really want to go to Paris even more then I did before. Then on Saturday I went to the BYU vs Uof U basketball game. It was a lot of fun. I wore a mix of blue and red for the event of course since I am not partial to either being a USU girl. However found myself rooting for BYU since most of the company I was with were die hard BYU fans. It was a good game and BYU played well.
Here were a few of my favorites from Jon Mclaughlin..

I also recommend the KISS957 video after the CBS performance ;)good stuff

2011-10-27T18:19:00.000-07:00

Finally just got this goodie on cd from
the library and loving it thus far ;)

Tangled

2011-09-05T12:24:00.000-07:00

Re-enactment with Avery singing the "flowers gleam and glow song" and supposedly healing flyn Ryder (Gary). Avery really hammed it up for the camera. We might have a little actress on our hands?

t>

Edens re-enactment. She got a little shy with the camera on.

So I seriously have the cutest and most creative nieces ever ;). They are all obsessed with the movie tangled and know all the words to the songs. A few weeks ago my mom came out to visit with her husband Gary. The girls were folding laundry and when I came out they had all tied sheets together and had put them on their heads acting like they were Rapunzel with her long hair.

2011-08-16T13:05:00.000-07:00

So this year is kinda a big year for me ;). Eeek. Yes I am a Leo girl and my birthday is this month. But I am happy to report that I had a great year horoscope. It seemed to be right on the money for what is going on in my life and what I hope to attract in my life. So if any one else is a Leo...enjoy our rocking 2011 horoscope!!!!

LEO 2011 HOROSCOPE:

This is the year of expanding your mental and physical horizons, Leo. Expect loads of travel and awesome adventure in 2011, especially between March and June when a barrage of planets enter fellow fire sign, Aries, sparking your sector of foreign travel and higher education. You'll be pondering some of the deeper existential questions like the meaning of life, who you are and why you're here on a daily basis. Nothing is taken for granted, as life becomes one giant college campus dishing out one lesson after another. An overwhelming desire to see the world, experiment with new philosophies and indulge in scholarly pursuits become potent themes for the course of this dynamic New Year!

Mental pursuits of all stripe dominant your time and attention for another year as Saturn continues his residence in your communication sector. Finding your true voice becomes a spiritual practice. Expressing yourself through carefully cultivated word choice proves especially rewarding. If you've ever wanted to write a book, learn a new language, go back to school or take up some radical new course of study, 2011 is your year to take the risk and make your literary dreams come true.

Pluto continues working you to the bone in 2011 through the extended transit in your work and health sector. You're beginning to actually get accustomed to the emotional gutting as the Lord of the Underworld dredges up each and every repressed emotional issue you've ever had with authority figures. You're coming into your own power the hard way -- but this is the kind of self-possession and confidence that becomes an integral part of your being and thus can never be taken from you.
Romantic
Saturn, the karmic taskmaster continues his tutelage in the realm of relationships for the entire year. Expect more testing on the self-love scales as you're called to evaluate which relationships pan out in a close to equal give and take ratio and which completely suck you dry. Any and all ties that waste your time and cut into self-esteem must be severed. It's high time you know your value Leo: no more settling, and definitely no more desperate measures.

You'll no longer be able to give yourself short shrift or buy into co-dependent dynamics that put your needs on an eternal backburner. You're learning the hard way how to love yourself the way you want and deserve to be loved. Relationships must honor, dignify and respect your noble qualities to pass Saturn's stringent litmus test. But the good news is that you're learning to stand up and voice your romantic needs. No longer will you fall prey to the trap of giving in hopes of getting -- and that makes all the difference.

Beauty and love abound just in time to make it one glorious summer to remember. Venus, the goddess of beauty of love will grace your regal constellation. Book special beauty treatments, give yourself plenty of playtime and vamp up your online profile because mating season will have officially begin. And just as things start to get interesting Mars joins the romantic cause. The libidinal planet brings sexy back in October and November.
Career
Get ready for the big time Leo as the almighty luck of generous Jupiter showers you with ridiculously glamorous and lucrative opportunities. Starting in June, Jupiter enters the money sign, Taurus and lights up the tip-top of your horoscope for the second half of the year. Nothing is better for self-confidence, money and worldly status. And we're not talking chump change either Lion, we're talking the kind of cash flow with the power to take you out of debt and way beyond the dreaded status quo.

Investing in travel and furthering your education are possible ways to expand your professional portfolio for the first half of 2011. With an impressive infusion of planets firing up your travel and education sector this spring, your restless instincts come in handy. Ingenuity, risk-taking and new approaches to work and career are all celebrated career themes in 2011. Sitting back doing nothing or attempting to follow the old course of action will get you nowhere fast. If you're ready to exceed your current plateau, take the plunge. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Venus brings her yearly monetary gifts in late July early August this year. Autumn is your busiest work period when Mars, the planet of action and aggression powers through the Leo stars. You'll have no problem going after what you want with total finesse, charming the socks off everyone you meet. You'll have the energy and ambition required to get things done so use this high-energy time to make it all happen. When Neptune enters your financial resources sector between April and August, imaginative thinking and glamorous pursuits open untapped money channels.

The "Book of Mormon" musical, Michael Ballams comments:

2011-07-12T14:49:00.000-07:00

I'm assuming this is legit and from Michael Ballam. For those of you who do not know who he is... He is a talented musician of the Latter Day Saint faith and a professor of music at Utah State University....I just received this forward

It is a good read and I believe delivers the message well. Enjoy

Michael Ballam: A New Outlook on the Broadway: Book of Mormon Musical

I spent the evening with Hal Prince & Sheldon & Margie Harnick last night as they were honored for their lifetime achievement in the theatre in Manhattan. Hal produced/directed Damn Yankees, Pajama Game, Fiddler on the Roof, West Side Story, Sweeny Todd, Phantom of the Opera, etc etc. Sheldon wrote She Loves Me, Fiorello, Apple Tree, Fiddler on the Roof, etc. Sheldon and Margie were VERY offended by Book of Mormon because they didn't like the depiction that one of the Elders had never read the Book of Mormon before going out into the field. I think I am perhaps the only Mormon they know, but they are VERY protective of me! I assured them, that such a thing is VERY unlikely to happen, but it did make for an interesting dramatic scenario. (Now that I think about it, there may be more out there than we know).

There is a song called "Turn it Off" which implies that Mormons shut down their base impulses. In other words, if they have a pornography or sexuality issue, they just don't think about it, and move on to other more productive things. I know that is rather simplistic, but there is some truth to the fact that we feel in order to overcome our problems we need to block the impulses and move on to better and loftier things. They thought it made us look like unfeeling, simple folk, which we are not. Perhaps I was SO WORRIED about what might take place in that musical, I was pleasantly surprised that they made the church look like good people. I asked him what he thought the message was and he said "Those Mormons DO believe some peculiar things, BUT they all seem to be nice and happy! So, just because you don't "get it" don't "knock it". I'm ok with that.

The Book of Mormon Musical is such a perplexing issue. We live in a very "mocking"world. Our humor has degenerated to ridicule and shock value. The irony of this musical is that the information center in Manhattan has been inundated for request for Books of Mormon. Somehow, people who see the musical ask themselves "what is it about these people that make them happy and loving?" As a result, they want to read the book. One of my friends in NYC is going out and giving away Books of Mormon outside the theatre and requesting to put them (FREE) inside the theatre. If the authors are really sincere when they say they have deep respect for the LDS church, it should not bother them.

I saw it in previews and was stunned beyond belief at how vulgar it was. I never dreamed I would live to hear such vulgarity uttered from a stage. I was numbed within minutes. I focused more attention on the audience than I did the stage trying to assess the response of those present. There were clearly defined "groups."

There were the South Park, young outrageous kids who were there who guffawed at every shocking obscenity (how long can you shock people before they're "unshockable"?), then there were the mature,
Broadway devotees who had furrowed brows trying to understand WHAT IN THE WORLD IS THIS?

Then there was another group I couldn't figure out. They were somewhat restrained in their reactions. At intermission I took out my pad of paper to write down some thoughts when someone from behind me said "Brother Ballam?" I thought maybe it was the destroying angel who had come to wisk me off to an eternal punishment. It was a sweet lady with her husband who had come from SLC with 150 other Mormons to do work in the Temple. They came to "check things out". During the second act THOSE were the folks I watched.

Act II is QUITE different than act I, and the tables turn about the influence of those courageous Elders and the impact they have on the people of Uganda. There is a baptismal scene that is riveting and the audience became VERY quiet as those dark black actors whose behavior had changed from anger and hostility to peace and joy as they came onto the stage dressed in white...it was something to see.

The final statement of the musical as I read it was "yes, some people believe some crazy things (like Jesus coming to the Americas after his crucifixion and ancient Jews leaving Jerusalem in 600 BC and crossing the sea...both ideas though they get a chuckle, you can tell it makes the audience think (Capt Cook...white god??? Ancient temples in meso-America etc), but there is SOMETHING about these people that is good. They are happy and loving and forgiving. There has to be something to it. I thought it was a subtle "love letter" to Mormons, BUT it is in the midst of a vulgar show that could NEVER play before our audience.

The next night I sat at the opening night party of HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS next to the widow of Jule Styne (who wrote FUNNY GIRL). She knows the boys who wrote B of M and said I should contact them and explain that I think it could play before an LDS audience (of which there are 14M worldwide) if it weren't vulgar. She thinks they might re-write it. We'll see. I didn't get the message that religious people are out of touch with reality, I got the message that those WONDERFUL, COURAGEOUS, CLEAN-CUT youngsters who dedicate AT THEIR OWN EXPENSE, two years of service in parts of the world for which they have no experience or tools, MATURE very quickly and develop deep love for the people they serve. I think that is the take most people had leaving the theatre.

Of course, I felt like going home and washing my mouth and ears out with soap. It has generated HUGE interest in the Mormons in Manhattan and in a positive way. The "Mormon Jokes" in it are the kind you would hear given at ward parties. We do have a sense of humor about ourselves, and yes, we are a PECULIAR
people and intend to remain so. I think the church has reacted EXACTLY the right way by not protesting or showing offense. We have been good sports about it, which I think will prove important in the perception the world has for us. We ADMIT that our story is unlike any other and we make no apologies for that.

Who knows, maybe were it not for the over the top vulgarity and profanity that has come to be the hallmark of our entertainment world, that segment of the populace would never have had ANY contact with what Mormons believe or who they are. If that group goes away knowing nothing more than the fact that Mormons are all over the world trying to help and serve and hold to their unusual beliefs it might do some good.

In the meantime, we have to take the higher road and realize the power of the Book of Mormon has lasted for 2600 years and will endure for eternity...the musical will not.

Michael Ballam

Read forever

2011-05-24T15:22:00.000-07:00

I am a fan, THis is a just a great commercial!

2011-05-08T21:50:00.000-07:00

This weekend was an eventful one full of fun. Thursday my roomates birthday and cinco day mayo party. Saturday, Real game, quick stop at the Carl Bloch exhibit, and a fun dinner with new friends. Here are some fun pics from the weekend.

Spring HAS finally sprung in Utah ;)!

2011-05-08T21:35:00.000-07:00

Here are some family pics from Avery's birthday and the tulip festival a couple weeks ago.

SLC vainest city ?

2011-05-03T15:02:00.000-07:00

http://www.beautyredefined.net/mirror-mirror-on-the-wall-salt-lake-city-is-vainest-of-them-all/

This is an interesting article and well worth any girl to read! SLC is known to be the most vainest city since 2007 and still holds the winning title. Click on the link "you are so much more capable than being looked at" at the bottom of the page and you will see they are trying to raise money to put positive billboards around SLC to promote a positive body image. I think its a great cause and much needed ;)!

2011-04-28T12:14:00.000-07:00

My heart goes out today to the people of Alabama...! May we all keep them in our prayers.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/28/alabama-tornado-photos-2011-storm_n_854879.html

also.. Brianna Blackwelder for being an amazing women. Although I did not know her too well, we served together for a short time for the Enrichment of the Relief Society sisters of the Ensign 7th ward. My heart goes out to her family and close friends...

http://www.fox13now.com/news/kstu-rollover-two-in-critical-condition-after-suv-rollover-in-santaquin-20110423,0,1895074.story

Happy Easter Sunday!

2011-04-24T11:20:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter Sunday!
The country girl in me loves this song, and it reminds me so much of Texas ;)
Enjoy

2011-04-10T09:14:00.000-07:00

So here is a funny concept.
For all you single gals out there. What do you do with all your pictures of your ex's? Like when you take an extensive amount of pictures together kissing ect. It kinda just makes me laugh actually. Cause I guess right now I am in a grateful mood. I know that it hasn't worked out with any of those guys for a reason and I am grateful for that. I am also grateful for what I have learned from them and about myself through different relationships. I know each of them have prepared me to be better in a relationship, what a great thing, really:).

"Dont be a drag just be a Queen !"

2011-03-31T19:03:00.000-07:00

So...
I was looking over my last few blog posts. And well to put it shortly I've been kinda lame. Perhaps I a little bit needed a make over in some areas of my life. (including my blog:)) Well, I needed to add a little spice again. So I began with a little color and since yellow is my favorite I began there.
Its cool, we all go through it right. Thats what life is about just constantly getting to know your self and making changes to be better and adapting to what comes our way.
So a friend reminded me today of this song. And I mean who wouldnt love it lada gaga hit it right on the spot as she empowers herself women and all people. So to all my lady friends who have ever doubted themselves... I SAY BE A QUEEN ...cause you were born THAT way!! :)

"My mama told me when I was young
We are all born superstars
She rolled my hair and put my lipstick on
In the glass of her boudoir

There's nothin' wrong with lovin' who you are
She said, 'cause He made you perfect, babe
So hold your head up, girl and you you'll go far
Listen to me when I say

I'm beautiful in my way
'Cause God makes no mistakes
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way

Don't hide yourself in regret
Just love yourself and you're set
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way, born this way

Ooh, there ain't no other way, baby, I was born this way
Baby, I was born this way
Ooh, there ain't no other way, baby, I was born this way
I'm on the right track, baby, I was born this way

Don't be a drag, just be a queen
Don't be a drag, just be a queen
Don't be a drag, just be a queen
Don't be

Give yourself prudence and love your friends
Subway kid, rejoice of truth
In the religion of the insecure
I must be myself, respect my youth

...Don't be a drag, just be a queen
Whether you're broke or evergreen
You're black, white, beige, chola descent
You're lebanese, you're orient
Whether life's disabilities
Left you outcast, bullied, or teased
Rejoice and love yourself today
'Cause baby you were born this way"

2010-12-15T20:01:00.000-08:00

With the close of the semester there is definitely many hallelujahs to be shouting ;) I finished finals yesterday!
I am grateful for a fresh start :)

I am reminded what it is like to a student. This summers classes seemed like a breeze, this semester however was a lot different. There is so much to learn about special education. So many laws regulations and so many disabilities and learning abilities to learn about. Its amazing. I think everyone that is a general education teacher should have to take some of the classes that special educators do!! Really. And there is so many misconceptions about special ed. There is a lot of undergrads in my classes who are doing a dual major in elementary education.

The cool thing about special education is it encompasses so many things.
Really, it includes curriculum, psychological, medical and a lot of data. Depending on the severity it can include working with speech pathologists, hearing specialists, and occupation therapists. In mild to moderate cases many of the students come from rough backgrounds and just need extra attention on organization and academics. And sometimes they struggle with reading and writing because English was not their first language.

I love Calvin and Hobes and I found this comic the other night while searching for pics for a power point... kinda dorky but it made me laugh. Enjoy ;), I know for my family none of us have never particularly loved math or been the best math scholars so I found it amusing. "as a math atheist ;)"

Waiting for Superman trailer

2010-11-10T19:56:00.000-08:00

Oh and I want to go see this movie soon ;)! Its so sad that this is such a problem in America and I feel so blessed for the educational opportunities I have had in my life.

My video upload wasn't really co-operating :). Here is the link to the trailer...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKTfaro96dg

2010-11-10T17:32:00.000-08:00

Things that made me really happy this week,

1. Well first of all I got payed to watch "the never ending story" at work this week
I mean how can it get better than that. Great flick and it had been too long

2. Besides the fact that I am not sure what I want to teach other than art ;), if I register for next semester our program changed our Mexico trip to Nicaragua. Boo ya central america. Right on cool, I'm down with that ;)

So a while back someone once inspired me to make a happy list. And it is a great reference and I have been thinking about it a bit lately, so I thought I would share some of those with you and in being that its almost thanksgiving it can also be referred to as my gratitude list :) Dorky little things that bring me joy.

old movies/movies
laughing
chocolate
architecture
art
Music
dancing
James Taylor
counting crows
family
nieces
boys
cuddling and kissing :)
boys with glasses
sunsets and rainbows
the mountains
hot tubing in the snow or rain
jumping on the trampoline
good food
plays
reading
learning

Guilty pleasures:
98 degrees
Boys to men
old school Mario cart
Mario and Luigi battle on 64 (cont remember think its on Mario 3 :)?)
glee

HANG ON FOR THE RIDE

2010-10-16T09:46:00.000-07:00

With this fall semester underway Ive had many thoughts.
First it has made me very nostalgic of Utah State and Logan canyons fall weather and beautiful changing leaves.

Second, was my undergrad this hard? Why did I want to go back to school again ;). Did I have this much of a hard time concentrating in my classes :) and... I am beginning to remember why I didn't serious date much... cause its a little harder when you are a student, well it can be. And you just have less time to spend with friends. Oh the sacrifices :)! This semester has proved to be much more challenging than the summer semester.

Third, Life is interesting. I have been trying to go back to school since I graduated the first time at 24. I had this crazy idea and tried moving to cedar city right after graduation. Ha, crazy! That feels like so long ago. But that did not feel right or work out. Things worked out how they were supposed to and the Lord brought me to SLC with a great job for about 2 half years. So here I am beginning school at 28-29 in a completely different field of study. In some ways I feel more mature, and that the Lord has refined who I am more. I guess I have had a lot more life application under my tool belt. I know a lot more of who I am now. I have been influenced by so many great people in my life and had so many opportunities to serve others during that time I was working, and I am so grateful for that. I believe I know more what I want and need which is helpful in all areas of my life. Ha ha but in so many ways I still feel like the 24 year old girl with a life ahead of me not sure which direction it will all take. So here goes I'm ready to hang on for the ride :)

2010-10-14T10:14:00.000-07:00

WOW! I ran across this article the other day on MSN. Prodigy eight year old artist! I'm impressed with her work.

Here is some more of her stuff

you can see more of her work at the bottom of this link...

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/39540273/ns/today-entertainment/39460865

2010-09-25T14:24:00.000-07:00

Back in July my singles ward went on a boating trip. It was a lot of fun and our friend Marco made a video of the day. Good job Marco! Very creative I must say ;)and Im in it a bit which is fun. Enjoy

miracles

2010-09-13T15:38:00.001-07:00

Just a bit of reminiscing today :)... for some reason I was telling a friend this story a little bit ago and realized it had some great principles in it I needed to learn from right now in my life.
So this one time... I went on a mission for my church :)
It was amazing what can I say! And when I got out to the town of my destination I was paired with a companion. The mission president (guy in charge :) told my companion that I needed to be ready to train a brand new missionary in 6 weeks. The only stipulation was that I needed to memorize all 6 discussions and all the corresponding scriptures word for word with in that time period. Well lets just say that it didn't happen. (I mean that is a lot to memorize :) and their was so many things to learn being a new missionary! I was only able to fully pass off 3 during that time, so as a result I did not end up getting a brand new missionary that transfer. I remember feeling very frustrated and disappointed in my self that I could not get it done in that amount of time throughout the whole first part of my mission. I did not recieve a brand new missionary to train for months later. And than about 4 1/2 months before I was scheduled to go home I trained a second sister. When she came to the mission I was intrigued to hear that the mission president had been praying for her to come out for a very long time as she had recieved her call about a year previous. About a year prior she had recieved her call but than got engaged. The wedding did not occur for some reason and she eventually came out to the Lubbock mission just later than originally planned. Sister Reber and I were able to go to a completely new area and start the misionary work from scratch. We saw many miracles that last 4 1/2 months together and there is no doubt in my mind that we were supposed to be together during that time and in that specific place to help the people we did and to build the relationship that we had and with others during that time.
Among the many questions I have for God when I get to the other side one of them will be...If really I needed to be trained to serve as Sister Rebers trainer; But both of us were not ready at that time or was it the right location or perhaps God knew that neither of us would be ready to serve together at that time a year previous. But perhaps the timing wasn't right or the location. Or perhaps none of that, life is just like that we cannot always see everything so clear cut I guess.
But no matter what God does have miracles planned for those who love him and serve him.
Perhaps I am sharing this story with my fellow bloggers because well, sometimes we don't fully see what the Lord has in store for us in this life or some times it is altered because of others choices. Sometimes we get frustrated and we are hard on ourselves and sometimes we just do not see the big picture for what god has in store for us. We forget that he is always aware from the beggining the choices we will make and where we will end up and where we will fall short. But he also knows what will take place at what time and who we need to be doing what and where with who. I am grateful for how it all turned out in the end. God can see the clear picture and our capacity and will make things right in the end he always does :)

Spiral Jetty... get a way...wazah ;)

2010-09-10T21:32:00.000-07:00

I was grateful for some time to spend with some old friends last weekend and to go camping:) The spiral jetty was beautiful and even more so because of the sky that night. It is a must see for all Utahn's and a quick free little get away. Submerged for nearly 3 decades, so cool ;), but now back! Here are some of our photos from the excursion.

Parable of the backyard

2010-08-31T20:34:00.000-07:00

Wow so I have kinda posted alot lately...So I enjoy writing (weird) and have mostly just done so in my journal until recently pursuing more education and of course becoming a blogger ;)

Over the weekend I had the great opportunity to help a close family member weed their backyard. I am grateful for the opportunity and there was many things I learned from the process. Perhaps this lesson is not very unique because gardens, watering and pruning was often used in the scriptures for Christ to teach us more about him and his atonement. In fact even Christs atonement occurred in a great garden. But for me there was some other concepts this weekend that became very clear.

To give you a little bit of background on this yard. Well this backyard had Initially received much care, it was very well thought out and planned (good job bro ;) But most recently it had been a long time since this garden had much care done to it, it had not been properly watered, pruned or cared after. It didn't mean that it wasn't a great garden it just needed a little TLC. I didn't plan to clean this family members backyard before I arrived for the weekend but it became very clear once I arrived that someone needed some help (because they have a lot of hats they wear) and I too needed to serve. So I worked on it for a most of the day, and was grateful for the opportunity. Here are some of my individual parallels

1. Importance of watering...the grass isn't green on the other side its grows where you water it. Sometimes life gets busy and other things distract us from tending our gardens, and sometimes you have to sacrifice a bit more than you thought to get the desired results, but you need to keep tending.

2. The importance of preparation or having gloves or tools on hand. You'll never know when an opportunity comes your way to have guests over or to throw a party. (yeah you can still prune your garden without the proper tools, gloves, knee pads or shoes, but your just going to get banged up a lot more)

3. Just because you didnt previously plan to clean up the garden doesn't mean that it does not need to be done...without gloves the scars will last a little bit longer and you will have to individually pull out each sliver or pricker, but eventually... your wounds will heal

4. The job will get done faster or more efficiently if you let others help you and they are willing to help

God and Love

2010-08-27T15:53:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to write a few words to express my gratitude towards my Heavenly Father and the reality of who he is and his son Jesus Christ, I feel that I do not do that enough on my blog. And since I believe my grandma to be one of my top readers I will do this for her :).

Recently I took a trip and on my plane ride to my destination, I was placed in the middle seat. I truly really believe that the two people on both sides of me were not there by coincidence the Lord knew what I needed that day. On the right of me was a Jewish fellow and on the left of me was this cute southern lady. The gentlemen on my right immediately began asking me about the schools in Utah and if they were religious based, the only time he had spent in SLC was his layover that he had just had for about an hour. Being Jewish his kids went to a Jewish school and one of his daughters even received a higher degree in Judaism. It was fascinating to discuss our different beliefs with one another and I was able to teach him more about Christ, the importance of the book of Mormon and a living prophet today. Most importantly we discussed the Holy Ghost and how to receive promptings of the spirit multiple times. He was also able to read a few articles from the prophet at general conference as we were sitting there as I talked with a the lady on my left about her experience as a special education educator, she had listened to our religious discussion and commented that it was very informative. I am grateful for opportunities to share what I know to be true with others and the strength I also receive from sharing this knowledge. The Lord truly is my guiding light in my life and I am grateful for his consistency. I am grateful that he still sees the best in me when I make mistakes. I am grateful that he is there to share my joys with me as well as sustain me through rough waters.

Also I needed to say this for myself :). Its about (you know the love thing), families and marriage. And in our church we believe in eternal families. Through out different periods of my life I have had many fears in relationships, as a result of different things i have seen and lived through. Many times these fears have held me back in relationships and also these things take time for me. But I do know that to love is important, and believe it is worth Sacrificing everything for, I believe it is one of the biggest reasons why we came here upon this earth, to love and to let others love us. Love isn't always easy and often times we have to stretch ourselves to serve more, be courages, let it grow and give it more time regardless if it might hurt us. Mostly today I am grateful for the people in my life and past who have loved me fearlessly who have stretched my heart and enlarged my soul in many ways. Those who have taught me that it is okay to be vulnerable, to love and the strength that comes from loving. I am grateful for their example and I look forward to living from their example in the future.

The TRIP

2010-08-24T10:09:00.000-07:00

Well this has been an eventful past 3 weeks, I rafted the snake river with my ward went kayaking for the first time, went to lava hot springs with a friends ward and than spent this last week in DC, NYC and turned 29 (eek):) I had to cram as much playing in as possible before school starts again tomorrow :)

Here are a few fun pictures of our DC & NYC trip... all mixed perhaps I will post one of our videos later. He he. We think were funny :) Sites visited in DC and NY
DC Temple
Holocaust museum
Washington monument
Lincoln, Roosevelt, Jefferson (If its possible to have a crush on past presidents I would pick Jefferson :)
Space Museum
Freer Smithsonian
Arlington cemetery (tomb of unknown soldier)
Okinawa
Georgetown
Took a ferry out to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island (so cool, one of my favs)
NYC library
Empire State building
Rockefeller Center
Lego store (pretty fun)
Museum of Metropolitan Art store

Shalene being the body guard while Lind's checks for directions to the closest metro

random guy playing in the streets
no these aren't m&ms they are legos ;)

time square

Ellis island... England immigrant barbie

DC and New York !

2010-08-02T16:05:00.001-07:00

Yeah its official! Tickets are booked! My friend Shalene and I are going to DC and NYC in 2 weeks to play, see the sites and visit our friend Lindsey! Im super excited...and believe it or not I have never been to the East Coast!!! Happy 29th to me and (26th?;)to Linds!

Work hard Play hard ;)

2010-07-20T21:04:00.000-07:00

I just finished my first 2 semesters of grad school last week... woot woot ;) and in just the last 3 months I feel I have learned oodles.
Top 5 things learned or knowledge that has been built upon:
Well that educational theorists rock:
1. Dewey, Piaget, Vygotsky, Maslow, Rogers, Bloom, Gardner!
2. More history of education
3. Curriculum mapping is where its at
4. I can write APA style papers!
5. Prezy and editing videos is fun

Also I have tried to do a little bit of playing in the process
1. double water ski (true story I have not done that since I was like 13, I must say I successfully got up the first time)
2. My family and I are big James Taylor fans and I got to go to his co concert with carol king with my fam (sweet baby James oh how I love you :) Best b day present ever :)
3. Mom came to visit.
Trips to come... Jackson hole and snake river

Here are a few family pix from over the weekend... and Beck and I at the concert

Happy B-Day Eden ;)

2010-05-31T21:39:00.000-07:00

she was pretty excited about her scooter :)...

MAT

2010-05-31T21:26:00.000-07:00

It's been a while... I am about three weeks into my Masters program and this last month has been nothing but crazy ;) I am enjoying my classes and it is nice to have two familiar friends in the program. I am learning a lot and I am grateful for the people in my classes and the diverse backgrounds that we all come from. We are all specializing in different teaching fields and come from a variety of different bachelors degrees. Just to give you an idea, we have a girl that just finished her PHD in biology, a guy who is going to be teaching Mandarin, and the list goes on. It provides great perspectives, debates and discussions. Meanwhile I feel as if I am a sponge just taking it all in.
In one of our classes we have the opportunity to volunteer in an after school program called youth city. There are four different locations in downtown salt lake and sugar house. We get to observe the kids and participate in games and classes. We will than be teaching some activities and lessons to them in a couple of weeks. Their is a great energy in the classes as we come up with ideas on how to better education in a variety of ways and how to be better educators.
Now here is something cool to look at! I thought this was pretty inspirational...thanks grandma for sending this over. For those of you who haven't seen this. Check out this artwork... it is all flowers. Its in Brussels at the Grand Place. The pictures look pretty fantastic when you see them in a large scale

2010-04-29T11:52:00.000-07:00

The painting is done! And they hung it up today in the lobby. :) Pictures to come... I also recieved well my first assignment for grad school in a packet in the mail yesterday, 2 weeks.

So... yes I will admit it I get these group emails from this guy, Who is a success mentor. Im kinda a dork in that way and like that kind of stuff. But I got this one and thought it was good and that I would post it today during lunch. Its all about facing fears and overcoming ect...

So here goes. Enjoy the read.....

"So I'm driving down the street the other day, and I had one of those flashes from the past that sent a shiver down my spine.

It was "The Domes".

What's that you say?

Let me explain. "The Domes" was a set of round roofed buildings across the street from Fairmont Junior High. It was the closest parking lot to school property where a large crowd could gather and two testosterone filled kids could punch each other for a few minutes before the police came screaming down the road and everyone scattered.

I spent 3 terror filled years of my life petrified that I would be challenged to meet someone at "The Domes". Every day I lived on edge of the ever present threat. I had seen my share of guys a lot tougher than me get kicked in the head at "The Domes". And I wasn't about to try it out.

So why do I bring this up?

Because I'm 34 years old. I haven't had a fist fight for almost 20 years. I do yoga 3 times a week! Come on!

I don't even remember the last time I was challenged to a fight. Probably 10 years, at least.

But I was paralyzed with fear for just a moment when I looked over and saw "The Domes" last week. It caused a rush of adrenaline that gave me an instant headache. I wanted to vomit. And the funniest part about it is that "The Domes" is a church building now!

Here's the point. We all experience fear.
Good fear

Bad fear

Consequence or survival driven fear (RATIONAL)

And ego driven fear (IRRATIONAL)

(If you don't know the difference between fears- go watch the free video at my website called "The Conversation" www.TonyLitster.com)

Fear is the way our brain keeps us alive. So we should appreciate fear.

The problem, is that irrational fears can keep us from living our purpose.

How so? Let me explain.

I believe that each of us has a God given purpose that we have to figure out in our life. We get impressions to do things. We have certain causes that fire us up and get our juices flowing. We have things that give us a nagging feeling that we can't explain or rationalize- we just have to figure out a way to do them. This is our heart calling us to live our purpose.

The problem is that part of living our purpose is parting with our past. We can't cling to the past and live our purpose. This doesn't mean we cut all ties with people from our past, or dump every tradition or belief we were raised with.

It means we have to lose the old person that we thought we were. We must shed the ego idea of the story we make up about who we are and who we need to be.

Our purpose calls us to be something and someone much greater than the old story.

This requires change. And as soon as we make fundamental changes in who are being- ALL HELL WILL BREAK LOOSE!

No problem with this. Its just our brain doing its job. But its during this turbulence that we have to learn to distinguish between healthy fear and "The Domes".

Fear of jumping off a bridge- That's a good way to stay alive.

Fear of getting eaten by a wild animal- We should be grateful for our brain in that moment.

Fear of people laughing at us- We all have it, but if we want to live our purpose we have to face it head on.

Fear of failing in a relationship, in our finances, or with our purpose- We really need to see this for what it is.

Fear of getting beat up by a 15 year old kid with a lot of pimples and really bad breath (THE DOMES...)- RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When an old friend sent me a text message this morning that said "Meet me at The Domes", I knew I had to write this email.

We all have irrational fears. The Domes have become a symbol that reminds me that even though something might scare the crap out of me, (for 20 years!), living my purpose requires that I face it.

I want you to live your purpose.

I want you to find joy in growing.

And I want you to meet me at "The Domes."

To your success,

Tony "

After school stuff....

2010-04-06T22:30:00.000-07:00

I am working on a painting with some of the kids at my school. Since the school I work at is brand new this year we pretty much have no permanent art work hanging in our school. So I talked to the principal in hopes to change that :). A couple weeks ago I took pics of a handful of the kids in our after school art club that we started. Here is what I came up with and here is our progress so far... its a 30 x 60 canvas. It has been fun to have a canvas that big and to see the kids get really excited to be participating! I anticipate 2 more weeks until a finished product so I will have to update when we finish.

2010-04-06T21:22:00.000-07:00

I went to Zions a couple weeks ago for a weekend trip. I hiked Angels Landing...um scary. It probably would not have been that scary if it wasn't for all the snow at the top. We were sliding a lot! Here are some fun pics showing off those beautiful red rocks!

Jack Johnson

2010-03-13T10:33:00.000-08:00

I discovered this Jack Johnson song today and I just liked it, you know one of those songs that you have had on your computer forever but for some reason you have never noticed it. ;)

ZUMBA

2010-02-27T14:04:00.000-08:00

So today I Went to my first Zumba class, I am pretty sure that they stole some of my moves or else I was born to dance like that :) I recommend it to all.

WESTMINSTER/HAWTHORN ACADEMY

2010-02-25T12:10:00.000-08:00

WESTMINSTER:

So... wow alot has happened in the last month or so of my life. It has been crazy but in a good way. I am now driving a new car a 2008 pontiac G6 which I really enjoy and if all the paper work goes through will be mine. I have been accepted to Westminter Master of Arts teaching program. (It is located in Sugar House area of Salt lake, just about 15 min South of downtown) I start classes the 2nd week of May and if everything runs smoothly according to schedule.... I will have a teaching certificate to teach secondary art with an endorsement for grades k-6 art and a masters degree all by the end of next spring. 1 year baby. And somewhere in all the middle of that I need to pass the Art praxis ASAP.
I have heard great things about the program. I have heard school districts in the Salt Lake area will usually interview Westminster graduates first because of the high esteem and the great program. I am excited to get started and of course to meet everyone that I will be taking classes with. It will be interesting to see what background we are all coming from and what we will all be teaching in the future. As far as I have heard their will be 10-15 of us in the secondary program and we will all be working towards getting a masters in a variety of different subject areas. Also another bonus is that we will be traveling to Mexico the last semester for a week. Which will also be great.

HAWTHORN:

This last 7 months has flown by more than I can believe. I have learned so much working at Hawthorn and have got to know so many students. Sometimes it can be overwhelming because I work with atleast 500 different students in the school. Some of them I would adopt in a heart beat and others...well... :) Bless thier parents hearts. I heave learned much more about kids and how to be better at controling a classroom and how the importance of proper discpline. That is something I have never been good at Im kinda a softy. Some times all you want to do is laugh or smile at a kid cause he is so funny. Also the importance of CLEAN UP. It can get really crazy in a classroom where kids are making art and along with that comes a real big mess. Your room can be spotless and within 10 minutes it can be a disaster. So teaching the importance of cleaning up after themselves and being respectful to the supplies is also very important in an art classroom or any.

Top things I've learned working at Hawthorn thus far...

1. Learn how to think like a kid!
2. Always be ready to directly answer any possible question...I mean anything
3. All kids love to be helpers, use their help! :)
4. Make kids be responsible for their actions
5. Classroom management (all those silly things do work)
6. Running a classroom can be a lot of money, work, and their is always, always papers to be going through
7. Always be finding creative ways to single a kids talents out in the midst of many

Top things I am grateful for....

1. My fan club...Hello's and hugs in the hallways.
2. Notes and pictures delivered to my room
3. Helping Emily... and Kadens lost lunches
4. Ms. Z's kinder class I love all of them and of course Mrs. Sherwoods 1st grade class :)
5. Prodegy lil kids that amaze me
6. Grace singing "Love story"
7. Today was really cute too...a tender mercy. Milo a little prodegy first grader himself, usually known as a beat boxer. But today as he sat down to class Milo busted out some Janice Capp Perry. I asked him what he was singing and than he started singing again..."Jesus was no ordinary man...but there was some who did not understand...they saw him working miracles...but some were still deceived....Why did they not believe?" he knew all the words it was pretty adorable.

Im grateful for all the things Ive learned at Hawthorn but I am not going to lie I am very anxious to start school and learn much more.

opinions needed ;)

2010-01-15T10:38:00.000-08:00

Alright ya'll in need of some feedback.... :) For those of you who can comment. Masters in Education...what do you see me teaching? Secondary Art or Elementary Ed....?

Accident # 2

2010-01-06T06:32:00.000-08:00

2 accidents in a week and a half, can you believe it! Last night I was rear ended and my car was, well steaming and the engine was all exposed. I am pretty certain they are just going to call it totalled. Perhaps the vibes in the universe are telling me I need to be humbled or that it is time for a new car! Any ideas? .... maybe a bigger beafy - er car ;)??

Happy Holidays & New Year!!!

2009-12-29T16:33:00.000-08:00

The new year is fast aproaching which always causes for a bit of reflection time on life and the past year... here is some snippits, and pictures from the past year of my life :)

-went to Moab for the first time!

- Ran the Wasatch back Marathon. (ha, those are our shirts I did not see the name till I put on the shirt, still pretty funny) Rumor has it Van 2 was all married. Cheaters. And I am not sure who was born in 78?

- Took National Interior Design Liscencing Test (NCIDQ)

- visited Cathedral Gorge (i look really mad in this pic :) ha)

- drove a lawn mower for my first time in Iowa

- Moved 3 times in 2 months, Last one finally got it right :) Megs your awesome. Hooray 10 year reunion for us!

- Became a major Harry Potter fan!

- Worked at a London Market where I got to try all kinds of British food!
(world is not the same untill you have had a Yorkie :))

- Started working at a charter school... kinder TA & teaching art! (here are some of the kids "starry night" interpretations

- got to see WICKED in denver for the first time! ...And I really loved the Denver art museum and this display

-croched my first hat

-Got to play Santa Christmas Eve (never wrapped so many presents)

- lil lance got crushed by a drunk driver on Christmas night :(

Inspiring prints

2009-11-07T12:15:00.000-08:00

Kay Nielson you rock!

M.C. Escher

2009-10-17T13:25:00.000-07:00

The first 6 weeks of school are over, which means that we get to move on to the next artist, and I am really excited. We will be studying M.C. Escher I think a lot of his stuff is so amazing and I am excited to learn more about him. He is very into architecture and patterns. Here is a few that are cool. Here is his website for more...

http://www.mcescher.com/

My Love Story

2009-10-17T13:14:00.000-07:00

My love Story....taking applications :) ha ha jk
When I had quite a bit of time being unemployed I starting looking up different artists. I have always thought of illustrating a children book and I came across this website of wonderful children artists and I fell in love with this print.

Did I mention I really like my job? ;)

2009-10-01T10:36:00.001-07:00

Here are some pics of my classroom, isn't it cute? :) I do really like my new job and its fun having your own classroom. These pics are from the first week of teaching. So here is some of the 6th graders art work. We are working on Monet and painting in his techniques. So far I have some really great painters in 6th, 3rd and wow I was blown away with some of the 4th graders talents this week. This job is rewarding. The vice principal came in 2x this week just to observe and both times it was perfect timing.

Hawthorn 2nd week

2009-09-10T14:47:00.000-07:00

Alright so my first week teaching art!
I have been with the six graders this week and it has been alot of fun! Today being my third day I had a girl bring a drawing of me and a boy with a little note on the back that said "keep painting". Adorable. And one lil chubby boy ask if I was a Mrs. or a Ms. (This same boy is also the one who told me he likes to blow things up and kept raising his hand to give me some other paper saying that I should vote for him as the 6th grade senator) It has been a good week thus far I just wish I could give the kids more time to paint. A half an hour a day is barely enough time to get anything started before cleanup and the next class, so I have just been letting them leave the room messy. We will see, I might get it down more. But they are also so excited to be in art that they want to ask me questions for the first 10 min of class.
This is a great school though everyone is so nice and their is a great energy about having a smaller staff, uniforms ect... I can tell it is going to be very rewarding everytime you look around their some lil kid laughing crying, making a new friend or yelling out hello to you in the hallways.

2009-09-01T20:38:00.000-07:00

This is a really great inspirational video of a bold ten year old boy speaking about education and the influence that teachers can have on kids. Kind of corny but good. Check it out if your interested.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAMLOnSNwzA&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Faddingitallup.teachfor.us%2F&feature=player_embedded

2009-07-20T18:30:00.000-07:00

Around the month of April I found this card with a great quote that has been one of my inspirations or life motto's that I have turned to for the last few months of my life as I have been searching for answers and the place where I need to be in my life right now...
"God would have not put the dream in your heart if He had not given you everything you need to fulfill it"
I got a job at a charter school in West Jordan! It is called Hawthorne Academy... check it out!

I get to head up their integrated Arts program and oversee what they call the "Meet the Masters program" They are also one of the few schools in Utah that is a part of the International Baccalaureate curriculum program. It is a part time job but will give me a great start to the educational side of art and be a great opportunity to also work as a teachers aide and help other teachers and I am hoping it will turn into full time in the future.
The school is now under construction and will be ready for us to move in come August 24th the first day of school!

Thanks everyone for all your support and prayers I am excited for a fresh start and for this great opportunity to learn!

2009-07-20T16:45:00.000-07:00

So I went to the fray concert this weekend!
We got front row tickets for $23 dollars and I am not really sure if that was legit or if the guys we went with wouldn't let us pay full price since both my friend Ashley and I don't have real jobs yet. And I'm not going to lie I had a blast. It has been a while since I have been to a real concert and not just live music. I really like the Frays music and was introduced to more of their stuff. I especially like Jacks Mannequin who opened for them. And I am pretty sure I am in love with Andrew McMahon their lead singer. Both lead singers are pianists for their band. And I must say that's hot. I'm a big fan of outdoor concerts and the Usana in West Valley is a great place to see a concert.

http://www.jacksmannequin.com/

2009-06-16T22:30:00.000-07:00

The past couple of weeks I have had lots of time to spend with family. My Dad just moved to Utah and my Mom and her husband came to visit this last weekend. Its been a lot of fun. This video is hilarious and is classic of Edens personality. Some of the highlights included in this package of a weekend is...the Legacy center, full of swimming and slides, lots o movies, lots of Bernstein bears reading, scooter riding, Avery nibbling her shirt, laughing, eating, and of course the band aids. Thanks family for a fun time! :) Love ya

2009-06-16T22:14:00.000-07:00

2009-06-16T22:12:00.000-07:00

Avery you nibbler :)

2009-06-16T18:56:00.000-07:00

2009-06-01T14:55:00.000-07:00

MOAB! So I went to Moab this weekend with my singles ward. It was a lot of fun and there was a great turnout! We hiked Devils Garden on Saturday with some friends came back had some sloppy joes, followed by some musical entertainment and dutch oven. Than on Saturday we had church at our site and than headed off to delicate arch. Overall it was a great trip and I hope to make it out there again soon. Here are a few of my pics from the trip!

2009-06-01T13:50:00.000-07:00

2009-06-01T13:26:00.000-07:00

It has been a long while since I have posted any photos! So here is a few summer events thus far. Linds and I at the Hare Krishna temple in south salt lake. A bonfire we had up the canyon and some beautiful flowers I spotted on a morning run!

2009-04-28T19:56:00.000-07:00

Food for thought, I thought this was pretty humorous
Do you think God is a Mac or a PC God? ;)

2009-04-23T16:51:00.000-07:00

On the range w/ my man ----------> ;)

2009-04-21T19:20:00.001-07:00

I really would like to attend this
Its only $100 dollars a plate ;)

www.gw.edu/gala2009slc/glenn_beck_at_the_capitol.php

2009-04-20T05:36:00.000-07:00

Coconut Oil, yeah baby!
Check this article out, as some of you know I just got diagnosed with mono...but I have already noticed a great difference from taking coconut oil pills in my healing process. Check out all the things it helps your body out with. I guarantee most of you will get really excited ;) What? it gives you more energy and helps you loose weight, but it is completely healthy and great for your body! Um, yes and yes. And it can be used for all other types of healing

http://www.ask.com/bar?q=if+taking+coconut+oil+pills+makes+you+itch%3F&page=1&qsrc=19&ab=0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.treelight.com%2Fhealth%2Fnutrition%2FCoconutOil.html

2009-04-16T18:00:00.000-07:00

So Monday morning...
I'm just walking down south temple street in Salt Lake City heading to the doctors office, when on my right I see this older gentleman with brown hair in a suit. Immediately I start staring and thinking to myself is that Thomas S. Monson or Elder Holland? I cant quite tell so I am still just staring at him while it appears that he is getting something out of his car. And I keep thinking.... "this cant be? Does he have a driver why not a black car? Shouldn't he have someone with him is by himself?" He than begin to walk towards me. Our pathways soon begin to get closer one to another and I just keep staring. It is definitely Elder Holland (a 12 apostle to the LDS church). Finally I muster up a smile and a hello. He than gave me a side hug as we begin walking on now the same pathway.

Our conversation went something of this sort...
Me: "Sorry that I keep staring at you!"
E. Holland: Chuckle
Me: "I'm really sick"
E. Holland: You'll get better, red heads always get what they want"
Me: That's right
(As we are standing in the elevator, E. Holland picks up his purse and looks as me and says...)
"I don't usually carry this, my wife forgot her purse out of the car"
So I chuckle and wish her well, we say goodbye and we wish each other a good day.

After the whole thing happened, I kept thinking "Casandra couldn't you think of something more intelligent to say like how AMAZING his last conference talk was, instead of talking about how sick you feel... but I didn't. All in all it was really awesome to see an apostle of the Lord, and to have him give me a hug, when I was just some random stranger, he really did glow and had a special goodness surrounding him.

2009-03-20T16:57:00.000-07:00

OPRAH YOU ROCK MY WORLD!

This is a quote by Oprah I stumbled across today...

"Ive come to believe that each of us has a personal calling, that's as unique as a fingerprint and that the best way to succeed is to discover what you love and than find a way to share it with others in the form of service, working hard, and also allowing the energy of the universe lead you."

I subbed for some more junior high kids today...9th grade. And call me crazy but for some reason I think Jr High kids are fun atleast at this school that I have subbed at 3 times they are pretty cool and well behaved kids.

2009-03-06T16:13:00.000-08:00

Alright, so it has been a while since I have written on this. At least it seems as though it has been a while. It has been a crazy good 2 weeks. (Oh and thanks Lind's for blogging about the fearless heart song, couldn't of loved it more, you truly do have a fearless heart :)
So as most of you know I am currently unemployed and I am not going to lie I am loving it :) I took a substitute job on Monday at a High School for Social Studies and Utah Geography. It is fun to be back in the classroom. And than I have been studying like crazy for a big test called the NCIDQ at the beginning of April in Denver. (Boy is their a lot of info) It is an Interior Design licensing test. This upcoming Monday I am substituting for a 4th grade class! Ahh, this might be scary and test my classroom management skills for sure. I am going to have a hard time disciplining random peoples kids and raising my voice that loud to do it. So any teachers out there? Suggestions? Helpful hints :)

2009-02-24T11:58:00.000-08:00

So by now...
I think most of us have seen or heard about the Myan calender and how thousands of people believe that the world is going to end in the year 2012. I am not claiming it will end than, but I do believe it is a lot sooner than we most of us expect or can comprehend. The Second Coming of the Savior has been prophesied about since the beginning of time, it is heavily laced throughout the Old Testament and New testament. Our government system has been raveling downward for more than 30 years. Their are many within our government system who are as sheeps in wolves clothing. Many of our freedoms have been stripped from us and are constantly being taken away from us at alarming rates. Our governmental system will soon be heading to a new world order and much focus will and has been placed on Jerusalem. Please watch these 2 videos and judge for yourself and decide if Christs return "is near even at the doors." Matt 24:32-33. If so how glorious it will be :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4pMM1bRKtc
The song to play with this clip could not be more perfect "Come thou font of every blessing" With such words as "prone to wander Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love, take my heart, and take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqaesQ2EE8w&NR=1

This next clip is well worth watching as well....
"If president Mckay can't move them than nobody can." "Why doesn't the LDS church say more about the last days?" "We are not dealing with a stupid prophet we are dealing with people that would not take council, you have been warned"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKldpMBzMYs&feature=related

What great optomism Gordon B. Hinkley has and we can look to and learn from as well as Thomas S. Monson. The Second coming of the Savior is not so much as an end but a beginning of glorious things awaiting to come :)

2009-02-09T11:30:00.000-08:00

I wanted to give a shout out to the girls over at MHTN and tell them I love their guts and will miss them terribly, thanks for the good times and for being a great friend :)
This was a quote at work a couple of days ago and I find it quite appropriate for my current situation in life... unemployed (darn economy) single and living life on the edge. So here is my new motto :)

“Laugh at yourself, but don't ever aim your doubt at yourself. Be
bold. When you embark for strange places, don't leave any of yourself
safely on shore. Have the nerve to go into unexplored territory.” -
Alan Alda, American actor (1936-)

This year is definitely going to be a courageous year of traveling to unexplored territory and I find it to be quite exciting... !
Here is another favorite quote by Albert Einstein "In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity"

2009-01-22T02:43:00.000-08:00

Alright, so yes! It is almost 4:00am and I have not been to sleep yet for the evening and I am writing on my blog, don't worry I am already home and after a hot shower their is nothing like some good contemplation time early in the morning. ha ha. So what am I doing up? Alright I might be a little crazy but at work we have a set of drawings going out in the morning hence the long hours. When I left there was 3 people on the project still there. Welcome to the wonderful world of Architecture where your life is ran by deadlines. I suppose it is like most fields. But I will say Architects are known for their crazy hours of bragging about how late they stayed up the night before, how they are constantly working on some project that will be better and more effecient than the last and receiving ridiculous wages.

So the real reason I am writing is to say well....Adam Duritz your amazing! Tonight as I was drafting away a co-worker had this 'Counting Crows' song playing. And again I was reminded of the beautiful lyrics in this song and the way that Adam portrayes this experience he is going through. For those of you who have been in love before you can understand this feeling. Your not ready for it, you never are or never will be. It can be scarry because their is so much at stake but yet you have to go through with it, you have to be willing to fall and fall hard to find out if this person is really it. This song has a way of morphing you into some other world and making you understand exactly what is going on. So for those of you who have not heard the song "Anna Begins" it is pure genius and describes very well what it feels like when you are falling... or should I say being lifted :)

Here are the lyrics;

My friend assures me its all or nothing
I am not worried- I am not overly concerned
My friend implores me for one time only,
Make an exception. I am not not worried
Wrap her up in a package of lies
Send her off to a coconut island
I am not worried - I am not overly concerned
With the status of my emotions
Oh, she says, were changing.
But were always changing
It does not bother me to say this isnt love
Because if you dont want to talk about it then it isnt love
And I guess Im going to have to live that
But, Im sure theres something in a shade of gray
Or something in between
And I can always change my name if thats what you mean
My friend assures me its all or nothing`
But I am not really worried
I am not overly concerned
You try to tell your self the things you try tell your self to make
Yourself forget
To make your self forget
I am not worried
If its love she said, then were gonna have to think about the
Consequences
She cant stop shaking and I can t stop touching her and.....
This time when kindness falls like rain
It washes her away and anna begins to change her mind
These seconds when Im shaking leave me shuddering
For days she says.
And Im not ready for this sort of thing
But Im not gonna break
And Im not going to worry about it anymore
Im not gonna bend. and Im not gonna break and
Im not gonna worry about it anymore
It seems like I should say as long as this is love...
But its not all that easy so maybe I should just
Snap her up in a butterfly net-
Pin her down on a photograph album
I am not worried
Ive done this sort of thing before
But then I start to think about the consequences
Because I dont get no sleep in a quiet room and...
The time when kindness falls like rain
It washes me away and anna begins change my mind
And every time she sneezes I believe its love
And oh lord.... Im not ready for this sort of thing
She s talking in her sleep-it s keeping me awake
And anna begins to toss and turn
And every word is nonsense but I understand it and
Oh lord. I m not ready for this sort of thing
Her kindness bangs a gong
Its moving me along and anna begins to fade away
It s chasing me away. she dissappears, and oh lord Im not ready for this sort of thing

2009-01-19T21:10:00.000-08:00

Wow mom thanks for sharing this video about the prophet 'Joseph Smith'. This video is awesome! So I thought I would post it. Very well put together and it brings up some very interesting truths. Love ya

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByJY-N85i7s

True Companion

2009-01-14T22:22:00.000-08:00

Here is a great video! Recently a friend introduced this song by Marc Cohn to me. This song is great. So...to all my single friends who are in search of their 'true companion' I dedicate this to you!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6WD03obwQw&feature=related

Suzie Ormans Book "Women & Money"

2009-01-14T21:58:00.000-08:00

So along with some of my goals that I have set for the year 2009. One of them is owning the power to be in control of my finances. Not that they have been out of control but their is always a better way right? And their is so much to know, from 401k, IRA's to simple budgeting steps. And I love learning. This book thus far is amazing and very empowering of how women are they way they are with their money, and how we live in a generation that is unlike any other. At no other time have we had 50 percent of our working class run by women. She than dives into specifics. It is a must recommendation to all. Enjoy ! :)

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0385519311/bookstorenow79-20

2008-12-25T11:28:00.000-08:00

Cute neices Avery & Norah we had a slumber party and a dance party about amonth ago, Check out Avery's shimmy!

2008-12-24T14:07:00.000-08:00

the pinata...
Shalene & I
Could you possibly blend in any more w/ the background?
Sarah & I

Dancing to thriller
the roomies & Derek
posin'
dancin'

Work Stuff

2008-12-24T13:41:00.000-08:00

This is Browning Park Eleme ntary, for those of you are familiar w/ Green design, majority of this school is done that way. Here is some tile patterns...
Exterior of the building
This is a good pic, cause you can see the transitions in the floor & ceilings! I am excited it is looking good ! Of course still under construction & the floors have not yet been polished
I do A LOT of casework ...

This is Ben Lomond High School, the ceiling clouds are coming in nice, check out the variations in heights and the curves
Exterior of Ben Lomond High School it is an addition, we are doing the middle, can you tell? Their mascot is home of the Scotts, hence the plaid in the glass. Do you see it :) ?

2008-12-24T13:23:00.000-08:00

Flight home got delayed until the next morning
Babt donkeys are adorable
Midland
McCarly's house w/ Merrens & the Elders
Sailing for the first time, its tough work
Texas Tech campus
Whataburger in Odessa
Cool church no other explanation needed
Ever cow girl needs a hat

2008-12-24T12:27:00.000-08:00

This is my room

This is the study

Front Room

Masquerade Ball

2008-08-17T09:31:00.000-07:00

The "Reason"
for the occasion
Lindsay & I,
The atmosphere,
Shalene & I,
Joel the date