True Friendship

It's past time for me to think about going to bed, but I am determined to post every day.  So again, it's going to be short... Oh well.  Today was an amazing day.  I slept in (probably because I stayed up way too late talking with a dear friend), went to my sister's, cuddled with my sick niece, went to my nephew's baby blessing, dinner with the family, and then a reunion with a bunch of people from a BYU ward.  It was busy and chaotic at times, but absolutely perfect.  

As I talked with Steph last night, I remembered this image I'd pinned on Pinterest, and figured it would be perfect for today...

Whether friends or family, I love being able to pick up right where we leave off.  I love that some of my best friends are my family. What better way to spend a Sunday??

Family

Today's post will be a short, picture filled one because it's a busy day!  I had a fabulous sleepover with my niece and nephew last night, and my parents are almost here too!  Tomorrow, is my newest nephew's baby blessing.  Good times, people, good times!

Playing last night

The Mouse

So, for today's post I thought I would share the following story of our pet mouse.

I came home from work on Sunday evening and my roommate Allie told me she had some bad news.  I was a little surprised and very curious.  But, I was in a very good mood and said, okay, well, what is it?  She kept darting her eyes back to the wood burning stove/TV area and I wondered what had happened.  But, Allie, knowing me all too well, told me to sit down.  As I sit on the couch, she proceeds to give me a play by  play of the afternoon.  Then, she says that as she and Rachel were sitting in the living room, they saw a mouse run by.  That definitely caught my attention!  A MOUSE?!?!?!

Blogger friends, let me tell you a not-so-secret secret about me- I don't like mice or other creepy little things!  I had my phone out and ready to send our landlord an email, asking what we were going to do about this little development and when.  Luckily, Allie managed to stay calm and told me that she and Rach had covered the hole in the fireplace where the mouse came from, and we should be okay.  Okay as in, sure, I guess, but remind me never to sit on the living room floor again!  Luckily Rachel is a little lot calmer and levelheaded than both Allie and me, and she sent a very calm email to the landlord.  She also went out and bought mousetraps the next day, which we set Monday night.

Fast forward to Tuesday night.  I get off work early (the benefit of working Sunday this week!) and come home to find this:

Our now dead mouse

Yep, that's right, I come home to find a dead mouse.  Just lying there with it's eye open and everything.  Being the mouse hater that I am, I avoided that corner of the living room all night...right up until Allie got home and bravely disposed of the little creature.  And we set another mouse trap (this time with paper underneath--we don't want mouse brains all over the floor!) and as of this evening, have been mouse free.

Let's just hope it stays that way...

The One Where I Explain NaBloPoMo

No dear readers, I have not disappeared... just gotten super busy the last little while.  But that's about to change, because I am going to participate in NaBloPoMo.  What is that exactly?  Here is a detailed explanation, but basically you post something on your blog every day in November.  Given my track record, it may be difficult...but I'm bound and determined to do it!

So today, I'm going to share one of my favorite quotes.  It's from the Dr. Seuss movie The Lorax.  Granted, I've never seen the movie, but I heard the quote once and it's stuck with me...

This quote always reminds me of work.  If you know me, this will come as no surprise, but I LOVE MY JOB!!  (I'll explain in another post!) But as much as I like it, it's still a very demanding and emotionally draining job.  You can't be apathetic in my job, you have to be passionate about what you do.  And so when I'm having a bad day at work, or wondering why the patients don't seem to be getting something, I remember this quote, and do my very best to care "a whole awful lot" and give 100% and things always seem to work out.

The One Where I Take A Vacation

Last weekend I had 6 (YES 6!!) days off of work!  It was fabulous!  I had been trying to figure out when I could take a trip home, and it worked out last weekend.  I flew to CA on Wednesday night, and came back to UT the following Tuesday afternoon.My mom's birthday was on Friday, and it was so fun to be home for that (I was actually at home for both of my parents' birthdays this year--something I don't think has happened since high school! :)  My parents both worked during the day, but I honestly didn't mind!  It was so nice to sleep in, relax, watch TV, play the Wii, and not have to worry about work, or grocery shopping, or running errands, or any other the other million things I have to worry about on a weekly basis. All in all, it was a wonderfully relaxing and much needed vacation.  I didn't take many pictures, but here's two:

I spent a few afternoons at the clubhouse pool.  It was great to be outside and in the water!!  I realized that I should learn how to really swim, but I had lots of fun anyways!  And it was also nice because all the kids were in school (most of the time) and I had the whole pool to myself!

My parents and I also went out to dinner on Saturday night.  We decided to go to BJ's Restaurant.  Amanda has been saying how good it is--and they have gluten free options--but I'd never been.  They didn't disapoint!!  This pizza was amazing!!

The One Where I Remember I Go To A Community College

So way back when (okay, so really it was like in April) I was seriously considering graduate school.  I thought about doing an Occupational Therapy (OT) program, but I needed to take a few prerequisite classes first- such as anthropology, sociology, physiology, etc.  So I decided to take some classes up at SLCC (Salt Lake Community College).  Summer tuition was cheap, and I got the in state tuition rate because it was summer.  Perfect!  I signed up for both anthropology and sociology, figuring it might be a little hectic taking two classes and working full time.  Yet, I knew I had to take them in order to be able to apply for grad school in time.

Well, despite being a BYU graduate, it took me a while to connect the dots.  SLCC is a community college--and was super easy for me! Anthropology was an online course, and I had three assignments each week: 1) Take a 5 question, open book quiz (with a retake possible); 2) write a half page paper on an assigned topic, post it on the discussion board, and then comment on two other people's papers; and 3) write a one page paper on a specific topic and email to the teacher.  Well, being the efficient gal that I am, I would do my homework on my graveyard shift--Friday night!  And almost every week I was the first one to post on the discussion board--and couldn't make my comments until Sunday night.

Sociology wasn't much harder.  I did have to go to class for this one, but sitting in the back it was easy to look engaged in class and really be focused on Pinterest or Facebook.  The first test I figured I should study for, then when it took about 10 minutes I was kind of bummed that I spent a good 45 minutes studying for it.  One of our first discussions in that class was about a sociologist who studied insane asylums, and when the professor asked if anyone had experience in a mental institution, I became one of her favorite students because I work at one!  After that, I always had interesting stories to share and easily got participation points.

So, anyways, the point of this is not to say that I am a genius-- believe me, my anatomy grade would definitely argue with that--but to explain one concept.  I learned that I need to be more aware of my surroundings.  BYU is not SLCC-- both have different expectations.  It made my summer a lot easier, but I regret that I didn't get much out of either class...  I guess it's always a trade off, right? That said, classes are over, I passed, and now I'm taking a break for a while! :)

The One Where I've Been Home for Three Years!

Three years ago today, August 13, 2009, I came home from my mission.  How time flies!!  As I reflect on my life the last three years, I'm amazed at everything that I've done, learned and experienced.  It hasn't always been easy, but I have learned so much about me and the Lord's plan for me.  I am so grateful for the experiences I had in Sao Paulo, and the foundation it built for me.  Not a day goes by I don't think about the mission and the incredible people I met there!  Saudades!!

And now, some pictures from my last day in Brazil:

Sister Call, Sister Chamberlain, Sister Simmons and Sister McGary

The four of us all arrived at the MTC together and spent our missions together!  I was lucky enough to be companions with each of them at some point during the mission.  What a blessing!  We still keep in touch and I am so grateful for these girls!!

 Sabrina, Irma Silene, Sister Call, Bruno and Irmao Gilmar

Irma Silene lived next door to us in my last area (Campo de Fora).  She was wonderful!  She treated us like daughters and always took such good care of us--feeding us dinner after a long day, letting us wash her clothes there, and even painting our nails on p-day.  Her whole family was very supportive of us, and would help us any way they could!

Sister Call, Irma Sheila and Irmao Tarso

A wonderful family in my last area!  They were so involved in the ward and helped us out so much!  I loved doing divisions with Irma Sheila!  She was so kind and patient, and a true friend during a difficult transfer!