I loaded that.

You know those semi trucks that you see all over the freeway? The big trucks that go so slow, probably because they are loaded to capacity with whatever it is they are carrying? Those trucks with names like Smith, or Mayflower, or my personal favorite, Cain is Able? Yeah, I loaded that.

At work yesterday, I told my boss in shipping I didn't have much to do so if they needed my help to let me know. So, she said I could learn how to load a truck. I mean, I now know how to put finished pallets of plastic bags inside a semi. I just feel so legit! :) My boss also told me that if it was a holiday, or if they were really busy, or if they had an "emergency" truck to unload, that they would have me do it.

What that? Hard work really is rewarded? That's. good. to. know.

Lazy Day Off

I worked 40 hours this weekend, from Thursday to Sunday. I have so many things I need to be doing this week, but today I just had a lazy day off. And in addition to that, yesterday I asked my siblings what they would want to do if they could do absolutely anything in this area. Teag said she would want to rent 3 redbox movies and eat ice cream in the living room while watching said movies.  Tys said he would want to go to an arcade. And Trev wouldn't give me a straight answer. Still waiting on that one.

Anyways, Teagan claimed that she was sick today and got to stay home from school, so I decided today would be a good day to do her activity. This morning, at 9:30, I went to Giant and got Tin-Tin, The Note 3, and Big Miracle, along with $15 worth of ice cream. I new it was going to be a good day at that point! So, my little sister and I have been sitting, laying, and otherwise being lazy in the living room since 10:00 this morning. That was 5 hours ago, and we are just about to finish our third movie.

I really do need to tackle my long to-do list, but this was too good to pass up.

Off to the arcade tomorrow! :)

Going Back...

I have been trying to write this post in my head for a while, but I just couldn't get the words perfect. So here goes nothing...

Someone once said,
"You never know what you have until it's gone"
Someone also said,
"Never let the fear from striking out keep you from playing the game"

These two quotes have been instrumental in helping me make my decision on where to go for the next stage of my life. I "took a break" from school this semester with the idea that I was really taking an idefinite break from college. I was so done with it. I wasn't happy with how BYU met my expectations and I wasn't happy with how I, thought, I had been failing. I felt like I'd been failing at most things there. Now I know that I have had some pretty unreal and unfair expectations of myself and of BYU. But I've been working on that.

So I have now decided to go back. I am going back to school and I am going back to Provo. I have come to the conclusion that I really do need a college education, and that it doesn't need to be finished before I turn 21 or even in 4 years. I am going to go back with money in my pocket and a drive to find a job. I am going to graduate as debt free as possible. I am going to do my best but I am not going to stop trying because I fall short sometimes.

Throughout my life I have been really, really good at excelling among mediocre people. But not so good at excelling around exceptional people. That is why BYU scared me so much. BYU is full of exceptional people who I felt I had no business competing against because I always fell short. So I let my fear of failing keep me from trying anymore.

This time going back to school, I am not going to go in a whirlwind of not knowing what was going to happen and settling for things. I am going to do it my way. With my choice of housing, my car, and my money.

Therefore, if you happen to get to the end of this, I applaud you. I also need your help. For tthose of you in Provo, I am now looking for decent priced housing in Provo starting in January. I would love for you to let me know if you hear of any apt's for rent relatively near BYU.

Thanks!

Always remember. Never forget.

In January, my family and I took a trip to New York City to see all the sights. It was a must trip, since the city is a mere 4 hours from my house. Among the sights we saw were Times Square, the statue of liberty, the subway, and the 9/11 memorial site.  Of all the places we went, the most memorable was definitely the memorial.

As we were walking around the water monuments, my little 8 year old sister, Tea, turned to me and asked why we were there. I proceeded to try to explain to her what had happened that day and just couldn't without getting emotional. I was about the same age as her when the twin towers fell and I can't say that I clearly remember that day, but I do know the impact that that day has had on my life.

I was in fourth grade. Just 8 years old. I do remember coming home from school and my parents telling me what had happened that day. At such a young age I didn't grasp the impact of what they had told me. I didn't grasp the amount of lives lost or the amount of courage those people, rescuers, people in the buildings, and plane passengers, had. I still don't but I do know the feeling that swells within me when I think about it. I am so grateful to those people, and to the security measures that my country has put in place to prevent this type of tragedy from happening again.

Always remember. Never forget.