The busy, crazy life I lead!

Wow! What a weekend! I feel like the energizer bunny that never stops! But I do love it! My philosophy is you only live once so why pass up the opportunity to have fun! I feel like from sun up to sun down I always have something to do. I actually had 4 hours to myself on Friday afternoon and it was nice but at the same time all the craziness I would really miss if it was quiet all the time. From going out with friends, working, parties and get togethers at our place this weekend it really all just blurs together and its like BAM its Monday again! And then the week starts and I begin to lose sleep because I am a night owl and like to stay up late hanging out when I have to be at work at 7am! But again, oh well! Who needs sleep? Obviously not me!




And then there is our apartment! Which I have now began to call Grand Central Station. There is rarely a dull moment in our house. You never know who is going to come through the door, but I enjoy having people over (even if its the middle of the night ;) and am glad people are comfortable coming over. Who ever knew you could fit that many people into our little apartment. And you never know what is going to happen from wrestling matches, pillow fights to games! It is pretty much always a blast! I think a lot of people think we are crazy! My room-mate has begun to call it the crazy house! Which I have to agree, we are nuts! There is so much going on always. And you know what? I really don't want it to end, because I love having so many great friends. Where even if we're sitting around doing nothing it is a blast!

But...... then comes the next week when my room-mate and a few of my closest friends leave for a week :( to go see their families. I really hope I do not go crazy without all the people it is going to be very weird!

"Because I Have Been Given Much"

Because I have been given much, I too must give. Because of thy great bounty, Lord each day I live. I shall divide my gifts from thee with every brother that I see, who has the need of help from me.

Because I have been sheltered, fed by thy good care… I cannot see another’s lack and I not share-my glowing fire, my loaf of bread-my roof’s safe shelter over head, that he too may be comforted.

Because I have been blessed by thy great love dear Lord, I’ll share thy love again according to thy word. I shall give love to those in need. I’ll show that love by word and deed, thus shall my thanks be thanks indeed.


So yesterday was a whirlwind of a day for me and others also. We received a call that someone needed help that we did not know through our missionaries. And of course knowing me I have a problem saying no. I look at everything as a learning experience and think that everything happens for a reason in our lives. I feel that me and my friend are probably two of the most compassionate, giving, and open people. We want to help in any way we can when it comes to anything. Which you know sometimes you have to draw the line somewhere. This situation may have been a little more sticky than we had anticipated. All I could think about while being taught by the missionaries that night was the song "Because I have been given much". The lyrics just kept playing through my head. I mean really, who am I to deny someone shelter or food? When my entire life I have had the luxury of never going hungry or being homeless. Service is one of the greatest gifts we have and it is what we are asked to do all the time. And yes, I do believe service is a gift and that we are blessed.

In this particular situation it may not be best for it to continue with us, but we are going to help this person as much as possible. We want to keep ourselves safe and comfortable.

I also received probably one of the best blessings I have ever had in my life which had so much counsel and good words in it. It was almost to much to take in. I am so amazed that I can just say "give me a blessing" and he knew exactly what to say. This is not the first blessing I have received from this person and I don't think he knows what an impact his example and blessings have made on me.

All in all yesterday was crazy but a great learning and uplifting experience. I hope that I can continue to do good and give service to those in need for the rest of my life. If I have it, why not share?

One Year Later

Well it has officially been 1 year that I have lived in North Carolina! It is crazy to think how time has flown by! It seems like just yesterday me and Lacey were driving across the country with my car full of stuff. Again, I still think this was the best decision for me. I have grown so much in the past year. I have made a lot of great changes in my life.

This year has been full of excitement, new friends, and great adventures!!!

I have been on some of the best road trips ever!!!!



I have enjoyed the great east coast!! From Skiing, to river rafting, mountain trips, to beach trips and theme parks!!












































I hope to continue my adventures here in North Carolina! I have made such great friends and hope to make more and many more memories!

Some great quotes that I think can pertain to anyone!

"Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk."





"When you lose, don't lose the lesson."




"Remember the three R's: Respect for self, Respect for Others, and Responsibility for all your Actions."








"Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck."





"Don't let a little dispute injure a great relationship."








"Open your arms to change, but don't give up your values."









"Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer."





"In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don't bring up the past."


"Remember the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other."












"Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it."

"I think that no matter what you do in life, it requires being honest with oneself, and you have to pull yourself out of the whirlwind of daily life."

Wow! What a week it has been!! I have so many great things in my life at this point. I have been in North Carolina for almost a year now! It is crazy, time has flown! I really never thought that I would be at the point where I am now. I am so much better as a person than I was 1 year ago.

“Life is full of ups and downs. The trick is to enjoy the ups and have courage during the downs.”

This week I had some up and down moments. I feel like sometimes I'm fighting an uphill struggle with myself. It seems like just when I think I'm over things that have happened in the past something makes me realize that I am not. I've enjoyed such great times in the past year that I just have them cover up some of the down issues I am still dealing with. But there are lots of things I am doing now to try and help me overcome these things. I am trying very hard not to keep them in.

I have the greatest friend right now and I always thought that bringing up my problems might make me look dumb or weak, but now I realize she is not there to judge and right now I know she is there for me no matter what even if its just for a shoulder to cry on for the night. Honestly, I do not know where I would be without her right now! She has done so much for me. She has been a part of the many UPS in the past year and has been there to help me through the DOWNS! For that I owe her a lot!


I crack myself up because I always tell her "live a little", but then I look at myself and I'm not really, fully doing that. I am going to try hopefully with a little help to start to talk about my past issues and hopefully move on. I need to focus on me and me being happy right now. I cannot change my past but I can become a better person because of things I have been through. I think that I can also help those who have been through similar things. For awhile there I thought I was the only one, but that is not true at all. There is so much I want to do in life and I cannot keep holding myself back.

"Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment."



"We all live with the objective of being happy, our lives are all different and yet the same."

"When patterns are broken, new worlds emerge"

Change, why do we fear it? We should embrace change! I tend to get to comfortable with everything in life and am very afraid for things to change. I like routine and sticking to the same thing week after week. I need to find the good in every change in my life.
I need to be better about just going with the flow and living a little more. If something changes, figure out how to make the best of it.
"Any change, even a change for the better, is always accompanied by drawbacks and discomforts."
Of course I become insecure about things when they change because I do not know what to expect but I need to know that everything will work out in life the way it is supposed to. But today I'm going to try and just take things one step at a time.

“Everything in life is connected somehow. You may have to dig deep to find it but its there. Everything is the same even though it’s different. Somehow everything connects back with your life. The faces in certain places may be different, but the situation is the same. Irony is a hidden factor that creeps around us in life, letting its presence felt only after it has left. Picture back to a year ago and the situation you were in. Look at how things are different yet somehow everything it is still in some way cognate. Everything connects together to form the balance of life, to maintain structure. Change is and always will be inevitable, but everything is relative, and all the moments and times in your life will come back around again, you just might find yourself on the other side of the coin. Things are always changing, as fast as everything stays the same.”

That is my quick thought for today!

"If Everybody was blind, no one would know who to hate."

I had the opportunity of hosting a blind conference at the hotel where I work recently. We had about 60 blind people staying in the hotel for 3 days. Oh man was it a lot of work!! I had a great time getting to know some of them.
It made me realize the little things that I take for granted because I can see. Crazy things like eating, taking the elevator, using the ATM, finding the bathroom etc. Its so hard to believe that small tasks like that become so difficult for blind people especially when they are in unfamiliar places. I would guide trains of people down the halls to the bathrooms, to their rooms and then give a rundown of where everything was.
I cannot imagine going to a strange hotel and new place and being able to find my way around. These people were so positive and seemed so happy and content. They would sit around and chat with us and crack jokes. At some points I would forget they were even blind.
When I think about conversations I had with some of them and I realize how positive they are I get mad at myself, because maybe that day I was cranky for some reason and didn't want to go to work, but what do I have to complain about? Nothing! I can see, I'm in pretty good health

"I think we are blind. Blind people who can see, but do not see."

I think we should all pretend we are blind and stop caring about looks and all of that stuff.











Hate is a strong word and the thing is, why do we grow to hate people? Because they hurt us? I know this is kind of going off of the blind subject but really? There are a couple people in my life who ya, I think I could really hate, but why? It doesn't help me to become a better person at all. So to those of you who are holding grudges, just look in the mirror and be happy you can see and are alive!! Stop worrying about the past people that hurt you, karma is a you know what and what goes around comes around.

“Gain a modest reputation for being unreliable and you will never be asked to do a thing.”

I have come in contact with quite a few flaky people in my life. And here is my thing....don't commit if you're not going to go through with things. I really could care less in the end. I do care when I'm the one waiting around for something to happen. These flaky people in my life I want to have in my life as people, but it is so hard for me to understand their logic..... they act like they want to be there and hang out and then they pretty much just "dissapear" REALLY PEOPLE? It is time to grow up and start thinking about other people other than yourselves. Start treating your friends with a little respect and be straight forward and honest.


Lines from Jack Johnson's song "Flake"
"I know she said it's alright
But you can make it up next time
I know she knows it's not right
There ain't no use in lying
Maybe she thinks I know something
Maybe maybe she thinks its fine
Maybe she knows something I don't
I'm so, I'm so tired, I'm so tired of trying"

"It seems to me that maybe
It pretty much always means no
So don't tell me you might just let it go
And often times we're lazy
It seems to stand in my way
Cause no one no not no one
Likes to be let down
It seems to me that maybe
It pretty much always means no
So don't tell me you might just let it go"


The first quote is totally me.... I'm really bad about acting like it is okay that the person screwed me over or didn't show up. Because I am a SUCKER or can be.

Definition of unreliable: Not reliable; untrustworthy.
Craziness how untrustworthy is part of that definition, to think that some of the people you know that are unreliable you cannot trust.

Imagine that!! If people are unreliable in your life what happens if you really need them, are you going to be able to trust them to be there? Probably not, so maybe I should eliminate the unreliable, flaky people in my life. Do I really need to continue to think something is going to happen when its not? Is it worth my breath and time?

I THINK NOT!!

I want to be there for people, but I also want that in return. Don't we all think that is fair?

TIP OF THE DAY ON HOW TO DEAL WITH FLAKY PEOPLE
Stop initiating and see if they picks up the slack. Sometimes they won’t and sometimes they will. If they don't, it’s good you found out sooner and not later. No one needs a friend who will never call or go through with plans. Hope for the best though. Always assume the best without panic. Maybe they are just busy and dealing with her own demanding issues. Once they get in touch, you will have lots of new stimulating things to talk about.

My nieces and nephews! :)

Kids! Aren't they great?? I have been blessed to have a total of 10 nieces and nephews now! 5 boys and 5 girls!! I have seen them all grow and change. I am so happy to be close to all of them and to know that they know who I am! Its crazy to think that when I was 11 years old I was an aunt already. Who would have thought that when I was 22 that I would have 10! There are so many different personalities with all of them. You have your princesses and then your boys who love to play in the dirt and the boys who are not as daring!

I have seen all different types of techniques with discipline and that kind of stuff so I have learned a lot and hopefully will be taking some of that with me when I start a family of my own.


I have witnessed the miracles of hospitals, watching my nephew be born at a tiny 1lb 14 oz. three months early. Seeing him in the incubator looking so small and helpless, but having hope because of how I was raised, that whatever is supposed to happen will happen. Watching him grow now to 2 years old its crazy to think that he was ever that small.


I love having pictures up of all of the kids and I love the diversity of our family, they are all beautiful children. I always have pictures up in my office and love to get questions about them. I am a very proud aunt and hope to one day be a proud mom! Hopefully my brothers and sisters will be as close with my children. Family is the most important thing in the end.

Thoughts for today In a Nutshell

I realize some things about myself that may not always be good things. I have a tendency to not worry about myself and always care about others. Which isn't always a good thing because it can get you hurt pretty quickly if you do not keep some sort of wall up. I have always told myself that I hate it when people are mad at me or there is tension. Most people I know find me very outgoing and some may think I really don't care about others opinions. Well I wish that was the case. We all have insecurities some more than others and some different than others. Hey that's life! If we weren't human we would not have these issues.

I think I need to change the way I think about things before they happen. I need to start caring for my friends and being there to support them how I can, but there is only so much you can do for people before it starts affecting you. People are going to make their own decisions, all I need to start doing is just stand back and let them do what they want to do because sometimes getting involved is not always the best thing to do. Its so hard because all I want to do is help, but I know some people just want to do what they want and if they want to change they are going to do it in their own time.

I can say this from my own personal experience, I was in a place before where I knew that things needed to change but it took time for me to finally make the decision to change this is why I feel I can write about this kind of stuff. I made decisions and pushed people away for a very long time, I now look back and realize that I was very wrong to do this. its crazy how I can see this in other people that I know.

Well I know that most of my blogs are serious but I guess this is how I get things off of my chest so I'm sorry to those of you who think I'm crazy but I like to get my thoughts out.

As Forrest Gump says "Life is like a box of chocolates you never know what you're gonna get". And that is so true, but just take a bite if you don't like it move on to the next, but at least give the piece a chance because if you don't you may regret it.

Beach Trips!!

So I've had probably some of the best beach trips ever with some of the best people!! The midnight swimming, laying out, playing volleyball, jetskiing and just hanging out was awesome! As everyone knows I am in love with the beach, I am like a fish!! If I could live at the beach I would love to! When I go to the beach I feel so worry free and relaxed, why can't everyday be like that?

Now I have learned a few lessons about beach trips.......
Lesson #1: The larger the group, the bigger the hassle when it comes to making decisions
Lesson #2: Whoever says you can't fit 10 people in one hotel room is lying!
Lesson #3: Applying sunblock right before you go into water has no purpose!
Lesson #4: Playing volleyball with a drunk old man and realizing that maybe you could use more practice because he is better that is an issue.
Lesson #5: Hold on to your bathing suit when getting taken out by a wave.
Lesson #6: Whoever says people with a broken finger cannot swim & play volleyball are also liars!




All in all the beach trips have been great this summer! I am pretty sad that they are coming to an end!! Great memories and friendships have been made at the beach... I hope that they continue! I have been a beach bum my whole life, I am blessed to have been able to go to the beach pretty much every summer my whole life!! I love that I live 2 hours away (or less if you drive like me) and don't think I'll ever live too far from the beach again!!

"Take time to stop and smell the roses"

I've realized that dwelling on the negative things in life really gets you nowhere. I love the saying "take time to stop and smell the roses". Don't dwell on drama or negative things, look at the positives in your life because I'm sure when you do there are tons more positive things than negative things. People come in go in our lives, some leave great impressions and some on the other hand do not. Some tear you down to where you think that you are going to hate them forever and not be able to forgive them but then you realize Why?? why dwell on it? I've tried to become the better person and move on and forgive people which in my life there have been a lot of people that maybe I never thought I would forgive, forget and move on. Be grateful for the true friends and family that you know are always there to support you.

You never know what could happen tomorrow so be happy for today!

--Laugh about your shortcomings. You don't need to take yourself so seriously. If you are developing your self-esteem, then you can be amused by your own nature.

--Hold yourself accountable for your choices. Don't give away your power.

--Realize that you possess nothing: Lovers, children, a house, furniture, or a car. When you make peace with this thought, you release yourself from bondage. You can never lose what you do not possess. Everything is a loan.

--Take risks. Don't lose your swagger.

The past 8 Months in a Flash

So here I am blogging.... didn't think I would ever do this but I figure its good to put things in writing.

I must the the past eight months have gone by so fast!! Moving to North Carolina was probably one of the only great decisions in my life that I have made. I thought that I was happy with my life before I moved here and leaving there was so hard to do. But now I realize this is where I am supposed to be. My family has always supported me in everything I have done and I love them for that. I know there are plenty of families that aren't as open. I am so blessed to have the family that I do. I look at my past and think "gosh what an idiot I was!! Why would my parents and family put up with that?" Well obviously it is unconditional love which I hope that when I have a family of my own I will be able to have that also.

Its crazy how one decision can change so much in your life! I have met some of the greatest people and them some not so great people, but hey thats life! I feel that I have a great group of people around me that are supporting me and helping me become a better person. Most of you know who you are so I don't need to name names. I love being able to open up to people and not be judged for past decisions. I have moved on and am still working at doing what is right and I truly appreciate the emmense amount of support that I have received. I hope that my close friends know that I am always there for them to listen and not judge at all.

So the moral of me moving here showed me that money is not what makes you happy in life that is only a temporary happiness!!

Having great family and friends surrounding you is what is going to make you happy in the end. Just knowing that I can always turn to someone is what helps me get through some of the kinks I am working out!