All In a Days Work

Here's a friendly warning..... This blog is long, boring, and random. Read only if you care!

Time to update the blog yet?? 2010 has been flying by. I can't believe it will be April tomorrow! I have been so busy trying to go work and go to school full time, I haven't had much time to do anything else. Somewhere I've been able to find a little time to keep up with my house "chores", plan two very needed vacations, and find some time to be with family and friends.

I have gone to several semesters of school and still haven't decided on what I want to go into. I feel like I am wasting my time and my parents money on classes. I know school is important and I'm grateful to be able to get further education. I hear all the time how people "wished they would have gone to college, or finished college and got their degree." I would also like to finish college and get a degree, but I don't know what I want to do. I was taking classes to complete nursing generals when I realised I don't have the stomach to go into the medical field. I decided I would like to get a major in Animal Biology but feel at the same time, that I can't do much with that degree. I have always been interested and would love to go into some sort of law profession. I have always been very interested in the criminal mind, criminology, forensic kind of stuff. I think the saying "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree" would apply here. I have teetered around with several different careers and can't decide what I would be happiest doing. My dream job would be in Africa working with and studying wildlife or traveling for a living. Yup, I would love to be the travel channels next TV host and travel different places for a living. Ahhh that'd be the life! Anyways I really want to decide and focus on what I want to achieve in school, what I want to do for a living, and what I would be happy doing. More often than not I just feel like I don't have the brains, the grades, or the motivation to do it!! I need to talk to a school counselor. :(

I have been feeling very tired, sick, and grumpy lately. I know it's a combination of certain things, but simply put "the stresses of life". Most of you know I get migraines almost on a daily basis and that hasn't changed. I still get them constantly. I need to go to the doctor's just to get them checked but where and when do I find the time and money for that matter? I work during the hours of normal operation, which would mean do it on my lunch or take time off. Both I always find difficult. It means I have to make up my hours from work and find someone else to let my dogs out. I know it's a pain for my mom to keep me on her health insurance, which is why I need to go asap!! Sorry Mom. So.... I have been exercise & "dieting" for the last couple months and will continue to do so until I'm comfortable being in my own skin. I have lost some weight and am starting to feel better about myself everyday! I can't believe I let my weight get out of control. I blame my work for the lack of physical activity it requires me to do. ;) I can't wait for summer so I can get out in the nice weather with my dogs and get some good exercise! I want to be back to the weight I was during high school! A healthy weight! I'll get there! I just need the help of my friends! They have the biggest influence over what I'm eating, since I usually eat with them! I'm trying to eat healthy and change my overall diet but I can't do that around all their fast food and temptations! It's a struggle everyday and I know it will continue to tempt me. I'm working on my self control, but I know I'll get there! I have a goal and I'm set on reaching it!

Work has been stressing me out. I have recently been looking for a new job. What I want to do is finish school and get into a career I will LOVE and ENJOY doing everyday, but that takes me back to my previous rant. I need to know what I want to do before I can do it! I have for the most part enjoyed my job and I am continually grateful for the opportunity to work. Recent changes in my work place have left me feeling un-valued and under-appreciated after being here for 3+ years. I believe I have proven myself to be a dedicated, hardworking employee. I have been here through many changes and have taken on many responsibilities since first starting, but I am continually getting "stuck" in the same position as when I started and not moving forward as I feel I can. I strive to achieve my goals and move forward in everything I do. I obviously can't do that at my current job. People ask me "oh well why don't you try talking to your boss about the situation or stick up for yourself and say something." When it comes to work, I am not one to complain & whine because I don't want them to feel like I'm not grateful just to have a job in this economy. I know things could be worse, which is why I don't say anything. I can't find it in myself to do so.

I can't believe how fast life has gone since graduating high school. The majority of my former classmates and friends are married and have children already. I feel like I'm so behind when I compare my life to theirs. Is it wrong that I am enjoying my time traveling and spending my money on unnecessary things before I have to grow up anymore? I love having my own money to spend when I want to spend it, where ever I want to spend it! I know I should be saving more of my money but I have to take advantage of the fact that I don't have bigger things to pay for yet, such as children!

I can't wait for the following months!! I get to go to the MUSE concert. Its one of the favorite bands around my household. We are all beyond excited! Then next comes Citizen Cope! My absolute favorite! There are a select few bands that I listen too on a daily basis and these bands tend to get me through my day. Citizen Cope is one of the bands that instantly makes me feel relaxed. I love love love it! I can't wait to be enjoying some of my favorite music live, with some of my favorite people, while having a drink or two! It's going to be a good time! :) Next comes my San Francisco trip with my awesome sister Nikki! We will be down there for pride weekend! I am so excited to go enjoy the celebration in none other than San Francisco! Go Pride Weekend! This trip will be the one holding me off until my Hawaii trip! I can't stop day dreaming about the nice relaxing time I'll have! I'm going to get my relaxation on like donkey kong! I have wanted to go for so long now! I have so many plans for this trip, I just hope I can get my finances in order to make it happen! I see this as my reward for working so hard! I can't wait to go enjoy it with with some of my favorite people! Then I have my very anticipated trip to meet my dads family in the Philippines! I have been dreaming of the day I get to go! My family is supposedly planning a trip for next February. I hope we will follow through with the plans this time! I can't wait!

Easter is this upcoming Sunday and I haven't done anything for the last several Easters. I remember it was a huge holiday for me being a kid. A basket full of candy and jelly beans mysteriously hidden for me to find! What happened to my easter basket? I haven't had one in years! I was at the store the other day looking at all the Easter egg kits. I think I'm going to be festive and get the boys to dye easter eggs with me! I'll have a blast at least :)

I know this blog doesn't exactly stick to a certain topic! It's more of a compilation of random 2010 events, thoughts, ranting & raving. I'll try to stick to one thing next time!

Skydiving

So I went skydiving for my very first time.... AMAZING! It was an experience unlike any other I've ever had. I had been wanting to go, but was never really serious about it until another friend had set a date to go. We planned on the date and I kept up with the weather for the weeks prior. I was cool as a cucumber the entire time. I wasn't really nervous about going, until we were on the way there and I saw the Huge red airport hangar! I instantly got knots in my stomach and started thinking twice.

So we got there, got signed in, filled out all the paperwork, and got ready to go. Waiting for the first group to get back, was nerve-racking to say the least. They got us all geared up and I started getting followed by my instructor and video photographer. I'm not good with cameras. It was almost embarrassing to have them up in my face, but I knew I wouldn't regret getting video for my jump. When the plane got there, they loaded us all up and got the show on the road. I remember kissing Lindsay and jumping in the plane. On the way up, all I could think of was my dogs and how much I missed them. I was worried that if something happened, they would be alone! Pathetic I know, but they are my whole world!

My instructor told me when we were about halfway up and again when we we were about there. We got all the way up and my instructor volunteered us to go first seeing how we were the closest to the door! I went into a state of silent panic and wanted to back out but convinced myself not to. He scooted me to the door and my video photographer jumped out. All I remember is getting right up to the door of the little plane and looking down. Bad idea!!! I think I would've passed out if there had been time for that. I jumped and spun for what seemed like forever until we got straightened out and I saw Ryan (my video photographer) flying in the air next to us with a huge smile on his face. My goggles kept moving around. I thought for sure I was going to lose them. The whole time I thought I was doing something wrong because my instructor was talking but I couldn't make out what he was saying, thanks to how fast I was falling.

When we pulled the parachute and I realized it went smoothly, I quickly calmed down. It was such a beautiful ride to see Ogden from the air. It seemed like so much happened in the shortest amount of time. I kept trying to wrap my head around everything that had just happened. It was so amazing! Since I was the first to jump out, all the others were behind me. As we were just floating down, my instructor pointed out a couple of the video photographers still "dropping" without their parachutes. I immediately freaked out at sight of the first one, thinking something was wrong because it's hard to gauge the distance between them and the earth from looking down. I realized it everything was fine, when I saw all the others doing the same thing. I was worried about landing, but it went super super smooth. As soon as I got down, Ryan had his camera up in my face! I didn't even have any words to described what just happened the last 8 minutes. All I could do was smile and sigh. I immediately wanted to go back up and do it again! Over the next couple weeks, all I could think about was skydiving! I know it's going to be an expensive hobby! I can't wait to do it again next summer! It was an AMAZING experience I will never forget!!

Here's the link to my Skydiving Video! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWCBWe4V8H0


Getting all geared up.

Me and my instructor.

In the plane halfway up!

Jumping out of the plane!



My instructor fixing my glass in the air!




Smooth sailing and about to land!

I didn't have any words to explain!

This is one of my friends who I went skydiving with, Ken. He was super nervous the whole time! I don't care what he says about being "brave". He went second right after me and told me when we both landed, that he watched me drop out of the plane and got all scared for my life.... and his! ;)


This is Marcus! The one who set up the whole skydiving trip! Thank you Marcus!! I can't wait to do it again!!

Multiple Blessings

I love the holiday season! It's the time of year when you aren't thinking about yourself, but others. How I wish I could give a little something to everyone. Especially the people less fortunate then myself. It always makes me very grateful for the blessings I have in my life and the people who make up my entire world. What would I do without them, I don't know. I'm trying to make a conscious effort to stop thinking about myself, to do more for others, and always remember what I'm grateful for. ♥ Here's a little list of some of my blessings.

My Parents - They raised my sisters and I in a loving home. We've always had what we've needed and then some. They've sacrificed a lot to give us many opportunities. They are supportive and loving. They are the best parents I could ask for!

My Family - They are always there no matter what! I couldn't and wouldn't be without my family!

Lindsay - He's always been supportive of me, he keeps me smiling, he is my best friend, and the love of my life! He puts up with me and does many things for me on a daily basis. For him, I am very grateful he's in my life.

My Dogs - If all else fails, my dogs are always there for me. They can always put a smile on my face. They love me unconditionally and I love them right back. They are my babies!

My Friends - They are always around to keep me company and have a good time. They are also supportive and non judgemental. I can always be myself around them! I love them like they are my family.

My Work - It's not my favorite place to be but I am always grateful for the work. It reminds me that I have to work for the things I want in life. It keeps me pushing to do better, to achieve more, and to keep a good work ethic. I am thankful to have a job!

My Little Sister - She's such a doll. She's always helping me with my dogs. Keeping them company, letting them out when I'm at work. Since my dog's are like my children, it keeps my mind at ease. Thanks a million Cheech! :)

Life - I am glad to wake up everyday and experience new things. Without it, I would have none of these blessings.

The Troops - All the people out there serving our country so we can be here. I'm grateful for their service and sacrifices.

I am grateful for everything else in my life, the good and bad. These are just the main things that keep me going! ♥

Holiday Creations

I was out grocery shopping when Lindsay, Ken, & I decided we needed to make graham cracker houses: Our rendition of gingerbread houses. We spent a good hour looking for the “perfect” material. We scoured multiple stores before we were satisfied with our $100+ purchase of candy. Yeah, we still have a cupboard full of candy. We also bought 3 boxes of graham crackers just to be safe. We got home, unloaded the 20 grocery bags of candy from the car and immediately started our houses. What we thought would be simple construction, turned into an 8-hour project. We used all the graham crackers so the boys had to make a side trip... TWICE. Needless to say...We had a blast with the houses!! It was the perfect project to get us in the holiday spirit! I like mine the best. :)


Our town of houses.

Ken's house. Note: Ken's pool. He also has a floor plan and a pretzel bay window not shown here! hehehe.

Arthur's house. I love his shingles, walk way, and pile of firewood.

Lindsay's house. He has a sweet car port, wreath, and bridge/walk way as shown in the picture.

My cute house! :)

My house again!

Some of the candy we bought.

Ken is concentrating hard.

Lindsay and his house.

Arthur and that doofy smile.

Crazy man Ken.

Working hard on the construction site.

Hoodies

So during a long night of shopping with the sisters, I found something I couldn't resist buying. The second I saw them; I knew I’d be spending more money than necessary. The most adorable matching dog hoodies, one for the baby girl and boy! And I know most people think dressing up their dogs is ridiculous and I somewhat agree, but it had to happen. I actually think they don’t mind them. It’s the first thing I’ve put on them that they don’t try to chew off! Kiko even growls at me when I try to take hers off. Anyways, here’s a plethora of pictures...

Kiko and her pink skull hoodie.

Matching Hoodies.

Kiko again.

Kenji and his black skull hoodie.

Playing.

Kenji again.

He wouldn't move once i put his hood on.

Kiko love's hers.

Both my baby dogs being good for the camera!