The START of a new me

Ok, I am taking back all of January. I am treating today like January 1, 2012. It is time to start fresh again! New Year, New Me. It's time to get back doing all of the things that I wanted to do this year. I need to get back to the gym 4-5 times a week instead of he 2 that I am doing right now. I am just gonna put myself out there. I am going to learn and study and become the best darn social worker I can be. I will get back to writing my friend on his mission on a regular basis. I will try harder to keep in contact with my friends where ever they may be at this time. Today is a new day, a fresh start, a new me!

Yes, no maybe so?

Have you ever had one of those months where you just go back and forth on a particular issue or whatnot? Yep, that has been me all month. Yes, no, YES, NO WAY! ha ha. Sometimes I feel like I really can't make up my mind. Well I finally got that sorted out, i'm going to stay in the middle. It's not a yes or no, it's a we'll see.

On a side note, school has gotten super crazy. Monday morning I woke up and had a mini-panick attack thinking about everything I had to get done this week. That included 2 papers, plus 2 group papers..... and 500000 pages of reading! Yikes. Luckily, music has a PROFOUND impact on my life, so I was able to calm myself down with that. Then the day for the most part got better. Things started looking up. Granted, I still have a huge list of stuff to get done, but I am feeling ok about that.

Well that's really all I have going on. School, work, internship, gym, institute (which I am LOVING) and possibilities! Life is good, busy but good. I can't complain.

A New Year

I had really wanted to write this before the new year, but am greatful that I didn't because I have had quite the experiencs in the short 7 days of 2012. First, last year (2011) was a year of growing for me. I learned a lot about myself, both strengths and weeknesses. I learned I have a really big heart and a lot of love to share. Starting my masters degree in social work, while at many times was very stressful, has been one of the best things I could have ever done. Between going to classes and learning and being an intern at the jail, I know I am in right field. Being able to come out of somewhere and just know that you have chosen the right field is an amazing experience.
Life was up and down throughout this past year. I had some experiences that were AMAZING and then some not so much. If anything, I learned to not be afraid and to open up my heart and be honest. I now try to be more honest with individuals about how I am feeling. I use to hold everything in in the past for fear of causing contention or ill feelings. While I am still careful, I also have to recognize my own personal feelings. While sharing my thoughts and feelings was scary and sometimes the end result is not what I had hoped for, I am so greatful I did!!!!! If any of you are one of those people who keep everything in and don't ever tell anyone what you are truly feeling I challenge you to do this. I hope you can feel as free as I did.
This year has already brought interesting experiences..... While I can't say they have been the greatest, I can say that I learn each and everyday. I am still gonna say 2012 is going to be my year, even if I have to make it my year. I'm gonna love the life I live everyday. I am greatful for the knowledge I have gained and can't wait to see what this new year brings.

Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! On December 19 my bestest friend in the whole world will return from her mission. It also happens to be her birthday that day! I can't tell you how excited I am. I pretty much tell everyone I see. Even though I have not been able to physically see her for the past 18 months, I have had the opportunity to write MANY letters and emails. It has been said that having a member of your family on a mission brings blessings. What a blessing it has been in my life to have my best friend on her mission. While I may not be blood related, I do consider her like a sister. When I was having a hard time or problems she always knew what to say. Even when answers came a week later since she can only write and email on Mondays, they still somehow applied and gave me hope and comfort. I am honestly so excited to have her home that I am counting down the hours!!!!!!!!! Only 101 more hours to go!

I will try to write a better final "What happened in 2011" post, I do want to say how greatful I am for this year. This year has been a roller coaster with ups and downs. I have however, come closer to my Savior, Jesus Christ. This year I have gained a deeper understanding of the atonement and Jesus Christ. It is because of this that I have a deeper compassion for those that I work with. Thank you to everyone who has not hid their light and have impacted my life in one way or another.

Ups and Downs

I find it funny that I always get answers that I need exactly when I need them.

I seem to get a letter from my best friend on her mission when I really need it the most. I emailed her on Sunday, expecting a response Monday but nothing came. I received a letter from her on Thursday and boy she said exactly what I needed to hear. It was like she knew everything that I needed and wanted.

Then I went to institute. I don't even know if the lesson was really even about anything that had to do with me, but somehow I yet again, received answers that I really needed. This lesson while focused on the Savior, gave me peace and comfort. Everything yesterday just seemed to make my day go a lot better.

My morning started off well not so great, but by last night I was super happy and ready to keep on chugging. Grad school is keeping me busy, but I really LOVE my internship. Everyday I am there it just makes me happy because I am doing something I love. Having the reassurance twice a week that I chose the right program is quite nice.

On a side note can I just say how liberating being honest is. Yes, sometimes it is kind of like whoa and things don't turn out how you want them to, but in the end it's nice. Sometimes relationships may change because of honesty, but we all know "honesty is the best policy." :)

We all change.... hopefully for the better

As friends have come back from their missions I have realized how much we all change in two years. I know I personally have grown an exponential amount in knowledge, spirituality and knowing myself. I look back at where I was 2 years ago, my junior year of college, working two part time jobs and having what I thought to be a pretty good time. I thought I knew who I was and what I was going to do with my life but then that all changed senior year. I had an internship that totally made me re-think what population I wanted to work with after grad school. My view on the world changed a little. Then this past four months I have grown a lot closer to my savior which has ultimately helped me reconnect with myself. Being me and not being afraid of what other people think has been something I have struggled with my whole life. I am now finally happy with myself and other aspects of life. Part of that change was realizing how blessed I am!


I guess I look back at where I stood then and where I stand now and I am kind of in awe. Some parts of the past two years have been great...... others not so much. However, each and every experience, whatever it may have been has caused me to change for the better and made me who I am today.

May is looking up!

Let me just say that April was not a good month for me. Just flat out was a BAD month (besides Easter Sunday). I don't want to reminisce on what happened, but instead look to the future. A friend and I decided that May was going to be a GREAT month. I started my May a little early. On April 30, my sisters and I went to "The Blue Man Group" concert in Tucson along with my brother-in-law. My sister and brother had already seen in twice before. Shelly and I were fortunate enough to get our seats upgraded so we were sitting in the pit row A, dead center. You couldn't get any closer than us. Let me tell you the concert was AMAZING!!!! I would definitely pay good money to go see it again. Shelly was even lucky enough to get one of the art works they made during the performance. It was an excellent way to start off May.

I have some amazing friends. It has taken me sometime, but realized I had some friends who were not helping me progress in life and frankly I didn't really feel like they "cared." Yet, I am so blessed to have good friends who DO care. From my friends here in Tempe, to Tucson as well as my friends all over the world on their missions, I do have amazing friends. Not only that but I have an INCREDIBLE family who is ALWAYS there to support me in whatever I decide to do.

Plus my birthday is this Thursday. I can't say it's really going to be anything special, but some friends and I are heading to California for the weekend! It should be a fun trip, if anything just get away. I am really looking forward to it.

In all I guess May is my gratitude month. The Lord has blessed me with so many things and people in my life. I know that he has a plan and April really taught me to just trust in him. I encourage all of you to look at what you have in your life and what you are thankful for. Yes, times may be hard, but you can overcome them. The savior felt all of your pains and sorrows as well your joys. Simply put all of your trust in him and everything will turn out ok.

I hope the rest of you have as great of a May as I plan on. God Bless you all!