Christmas Eve

Christmas cards have all been sent. (Well, almost.) I didn’t have to worry about wrapping too many presents this year because this year my family by passed the presents and we have had four fun filled days in Disneyland. And right now I seem to be the last man standing. Everyone else in the family is dead asleep. I would still be going if the park didn’t close early tonight. It has been a fun week. Disneyland is always a good idea at Christmas. It is pure magic. Christmas music and lights fill the streets and everyone is happy.

I survived my first semester of graduate school. There were moments I didn’t think I would. I was happy to finish up my last final and be able to relax for the holidays. I made a quick spontaneous trip to Rexburg to surprise Bekah at her graduation ceremonies. After that was done we moved her home and got ready to leave for Disneyland.

Today as my mom and I were leaving the park  many of the characters were out waving and wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. It made me happy. I love going to school and gaining a higher education. But there are some days I miss working as a teller. And as silly as it might sound, this Christmas I have missed it more. I miss helping people everyday and I miss wishing everyone I see a Merry Christmas. It really was great.

I guess I should go to bed since I am starting to fight to keep my eyes open.  Merry Christmas everyone. May all your dreams come true.

Sarah-ism #516: Say the kissing part

If you are ever in Disneyland and Prince Charming, Eric, Phillip, or whoever, etc. asks you, “What is your favorite part of the movie?” Say the KISSING PART!!!!
Why do I say this, you may ask.
Five years ago we went to Disneyland for Christmas as a family. As we entered the park on our first day, we were excited to find Prince Phillip there waiting to welcome us. As he greets us, he bends down and asks Dinah (who is 5 at the time) “What is your favorite part of the movie?” Dinah answers, “The dancing part.” He says ok and picks her up and begins dancing with her. I immediately tell my sisters, “The next time a prince asks you, ‘What is your favorite part of the movie?’ Say the kissing part.” =)
Unfortunately, Dinah and I were unable to test to see if this same magic works here in Salt Lake when we went to Disney on Ice last month. But we still had a great time watching the Princesses skate with their Princes.

My Grown Up Christmas List

Yesterday while I was driving around I was listening to Christmas music, of course. Amy Grant’s “My Grown up Christmas list” came on. I’ve heard this song a hundred times, I’m sure, but this time the lyrics grabbed my attention and I started thinking about what would be on my grown up Christmas list. 

Do you remember me
I sat upon your knee
I wrote to you
With childhood fantasies
Well, I'm all grown up now
And still need help somehow
I'm not a child
But my heart still can dream
So here's my lifelong wish
My grown up Christmas list
Not for myself
But for a world in need
No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
And everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end
This is my grown up Christmas list…

Yes, there is a lot of bad that happens in this world, and life can be so extremely unfair. (I remember that every time I see a girl with long gorgeous hair.) However, I wouldn’t wish all the trials away. They are what make us stronger, wiser, and kinder. They bring people together and help us to remember all the blessings we do have in this life. These were just some thought that I came to mind while I was driving.

There are a few things that I would put my grown up Christmas list: 

• A cure for cancer
• Terrorism would go away
• Child abuse would be nonexistent
• Everyone would have the Knowledge and Truth

What would be on your grown up Christmas list?

28 things to do in December

I am finding that I am a big fan of to do lists. I love checking things off. In fact, I will put things on my to do list that I have already done just so I can check them off. I am also finding that school is consuming a lot of my time and brain power. So to make sure I fill my life with other things besides school and so time doesn’t just pass me by and I miss out on doing so many other great and unique things, I am going to make monthly to do lists. The lists will have things that are specific and unique to that month. 28 is just my lucky number right now.=) Please hold me accountable for these things. I will be updating this post and checking things off as I go. =)

1. Go to the temple (at least 2xs) (1x check)
2. Go Caroling
3. Go see Savior of the World
4. Play Christmas songs on the piano
5. Learn a new song on the Piano (in progress)
6. Go see the lights at temple square
7. Watch White Christmas (3xs) (1x check)
8. Hang a ornament (or more)
9. Do a secret Santa for someone
10. Wrap a present (or more)
11. Bake something
12. Finish Mark and Luke in the gospels
13. Send Christmas cards to Brazil
14. Play and sing Christmas songs with Dinah
15. Go sledding
16. Make a snowman (contingent on snow)
17. Put up my olivewood nativity
18. Go to the First Presidency's Christmas Fireside (Dec 6)
19. Read a book that is not school related (Christmas break)
20. Make a slide show with this year's family pictures
21. Finish school projects (should probably move this one up on the list.)
22. Start a snowball fight (finish it, or run away fast)
23. Kiss under a mistletoe.
24. Do at least 5 pages of my Israel photo book. (Christmas break)
25. Go to Christmas around the World at BYU ( Dec. 4)
26. Make New Year’s resolutions
27. Buy Bekah's birthday present and celebrate with her
28. Go to siblings' graduations and celebrate!!!
29. Go to Disneyland (Dec 21-15) (Ok I overachieved. But I had to have this one on the list.)

Am I missing anything?

100 Thankfuls

I'm thankful for...

Family, family, family *Friends *School/education *Temples *Music!!! *Prayer *Freedom *My car that works and is paid off. *Prophets *Gospel *Scriptures *Little Sisters and Brothers (even the ones that are taller than me.) *Second Chances *Clean water *Healthy body *Cameras *Humor *Laughter *Strength beyond my own *Nephews (So far I only have one) *Books *Home *Children *New experiences and challenges *Teachers *Technology *Mountains *Trees *People *Cousins *Home Teachers *Air Planes *Food *Holidays *People who make me laugh *Miracles *Shoes *Wii Fit (Team) *Sundays *Washing Machines (Clothes/dishes) *My sewing machine (that I am too busy to use right now.) *Sunsets *Talented people *Moon and the stars *Long naps *Sunshine!!! *Happy people *Trials *Dancing *Hidden blessings *The Priesthood *The Priesthood holders *Medicine *Hot Showers *Smart people *Inspired people *Answers *Seasons *Holidays *Happy dreams *Occasional Fridays with no plans *Chocolate chip cookies *Military *Grandparents *Popcorn *Feel good movies *Weekends *Road trips *Sunday Dinners *Happy news *Phone Calls *Relief Society *Perspective *A plan *When things work out *And sometimes when things don't work out *Light *Truth *Change *Professors *Rain *Nature *Missionary couples *Service *Plan of Happiness *Knowledge *Hugs *Surprises *Spontaneity and randomness *Late night talks *Deep thought- provoking discussions. *Art *Honesty *Optimism *Compliments *Power to heal *Faith *Repentance *Thanksgiving *Turkey *

He will be missed

I finally have some time to think about stuff other than school and school. This last week my great uncle Henry passed away. I don’t know if it’s normal to be close to great uncles, but uncle Henry was a lot like my Grandpa. Looked like him. Sounded like him. Answered to "Grandpa." And since my grandpa lived across country in Maryland, he filled the shoes willingly and perfectly when Grandpa wasn’t around.

His death was bittersweet. Yes, we are going to miss him. He was one of the most cheerful people I know. But, he had lived a full 90 years and his wife passed away some time ago. It is great to know that they are reunited. Not to mention 8 of his 11 siblings who were there to meet him. I'm sure there was a big family reunion. (Big family=big family reunion. It’s the way to go.)  Whenever someone close passes on, naturally it causes me to pause and think about death and especially life. What is it like on the other side? What is like leaving your body behind? What more can I do to make my life more worthwhile? Of course because of the gospel we have so many answers. I love answers.

His death brought back memories and feelings that I had just over a year while I was sitting vigil with my own grandpa (mom's side) while he was preparing to go to the other side. So many thoughts and impressions came to me. It is awesome (In the true sense of the word.) to be close to someone who is preparing to move one to the next act of this play called life. (Packer, May 1995) The whole experience is incredible and very spiritual.  I was fortunate to be there to say "we love you grandpa" one more time as he was leaving the room. (That is exactly what it felt like.) Birth and death are spiritual experiences, intense, but very spiritual. I've been blessed to have the incredible opportunities of witnessing both.

Although I know that this is not the end and I will see them again, it’s sad to have grandpa's generation slowly leaving. They will be missed. This life is so incredibly short. I'm thankful for life. I am thankful that I have had so many opportunities to fill my life with so many different experiences and amazing people. Each one is priceless and has made me a better person.

These are just some thoughts I have had in the middle of all my busyness. This last week was insane. Decision analysis project, website redesign, 2 oral presentations, power point, interviews--and this was just Thursday. It was fantastic.

Cheers

Beautiful Autumn

Autumn has been so beautiful here. And I think it is more beautiful when you are closer to the mountains. Which I have absolutely been loving.

I love this picture.

I was at school on Friday from 9 am-6 pm, a day that I don't have classes. So I took a deserved break and went to Joanna's Halloween Party. Isn't dressing up fun!! In the picture is Amy, Buck, and me.

Catching up, Summer 2009

Washington, DC

Island Park

ok so  i have a bunch of pictures of Benjamin

I've got homework...But it is so nice outside

I planned on getting way ahead on my homework this weekend, but it was too nice outside and so I didn't. Outside trumped, because who knows how many more days we will have like this and the leaves were amazing. Amy and I went walking on the Provo Canyon Trail to Bridle Dale Falls.

And then I had a date with Benjamin. He drove.

 

Look at those cute teeth.

We laughed, and laughed....

 

...and laughed...

 

...and laughed until he fell over from laughing.

It was a super fun night!!!

Enter to Learn. Go Forth to Serve.

I've been in school six weeks, and it has flown by. I am loving it. Even with Economics. Sometimes it still is a little weird surreal. I never thought I would actually go to school at BYU and that I would be a Cougar. The faculty of the MPA program really work to make it the best experience. Part of that is the unity in the program. Some departments, like law, are very competitive. Not the MPA program. Everyone is there to help each other. And we have a lot of fun together. We have a lounge and if you want to study in there, don't plan on getting a lot done. 

We have been divided into groups and a lot of our assignments are done in these groups. I absolutely love my group, Wii Fit and I feel that I will be successful in the program because of my group.

The classes I am taking are:

• Organizational Behavior (Team work and interpersonal skills. Fantastic discussions._
• Economics Decision Making for Managers (We've already had a midterm in this class.)
• Administration Environment (We learn about different pubic administrations. I haven't quiet figured out what I am going to take from this class yet.)
• Communication in Public Administration (Writing and presentation skills.)
• Decision Analysis for Administrators (I'm learning a lot of great Excel Skills in this class. Beyond the basic Excel skills.)

This is my room. Its a little corner of my aunt's basement. I really like it, and the price is unbeatable. My aunt is nice enough to let me live with her for free. This is such a huge blessing. I don't know how I would survive paying rent and tuition. I have also learned the smaller my room is, the cleaner I keep it. I think this is the cleanest room I've ever had. Its great!!!

She lives to the east of campus, up the mountain behind the temple.

Great view of the valley. You can see all the way to mountains on the other side of Utah Lake and to Payson. I like to ride my bike. Going to school is fantastic. I can get there probably just as fast as I do driving, because its down hill and I don't have to worry about parking. But going back home can be a kick in the pants. I feel proud of myself when I get all the way without stopping.

Things have changed since I was last in school two years ago. One thing that is different is everyone has a lap top in class to take notes. Although you can often find people doing things other than taking notes. I had a laptop but I felt it was kind of big and heavy to carry around to classes, so I got this little thing. I call her Gigdet and she is absolutely perfect for classes. I put the glass there so you can see how small she is. And she functions just like a normal laptop.

Funny story: Everyone has a laptop in class and one day the professor asked us to pull out a paper and pencil and everyone began scrambling, looking for pencil and paper. Not everyone had one. It was entertaining.

I am kind of bummed that BYU doesn't always have the regular devotionals every Tuesday like BYU-Idaho. They do have them, but some Tuesdays they have a forum or a performance instead. Devos were something I enjoyed every week at BYU-Idaho.

I am glad I am school. Even with the hefty price. I feel like this is where I am supposed to be now. It has been challenging, too. And I sometimes think about what I had to give up to be here but I know that things will be good in the end.

Reasons to love Autumn

Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies
Pumpkin pie
Pumpkin pancakes
Pumpkin Smoothie
Pumpkin roll
Pumpkin squares (cake) with cream cheese frosting...
...mmm mmm good.

It tastes like Autumn.

5 years ago today...

I was traveling home from Brazil. I like to use this day as a landmark in my year, like a birthday or New Years day, to look back and reflect and look forward and plan. It's fortunate that it happens right around conference time because that gives me additional items to reflect on and apply to my life. It's a good time of year to just reflect and think with general conference and the changing of season. I have a lot to reflect on and consider right now with the sudden changes that have happened in my life. It's great!!! 

I've been turned around so many times I have no idea which way I am facing...

So this summer I was the worst at posting blogs. But that is not entirely my fault. There were a lot of turn arounds in my life this summer and every time I started a new post it was out of date and inaccurate before I got it posted. Here is one example below. I started this about a month ago and I believe it was the very next day that my life changed again and what I had written here became inaccurate. I do not have a good job. And I am not going to school in Salt Lake.  I am just going to post what I have below, even though I typed it a month ago. So as you are reading this put yourself in the past about a month. And I will have another update with what has gone on since then coming soon.

SUMMER 2009 FLYING BY

This last week I was walking around Temple Square and I saw leaves falling from the trees. And they have started to put lights up. NOOOOO! I'm not ready for summer to be over. Although this has been a full and a half summer.

First of all it was my 10 year high school reunion. Wow!! I can't believe 10 years have gone by. This is definitely on of those things that you don't think will actually happen and then all of sudden its here. Its been a full 10 years and a lot has happened. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to make it to the reunion because last minute I headed to Washington DC for a job interview for a position in the white house.

However, the very week before that (DC) happened I found out I was accepted to BYU EMPA program which I was pretty excited about. The day after I this news, I was contacted by a department of the White House  Organization inquiring if I would be interested in being considered for a position that had just opened up...and could I come in for an interview. I had sent them a resume last year when I was looking for a job but nothing was available. I wasn’t looking for a new job but I told them “Sure.” (Why not, right?) I can handle a little get away trip. So I took a day off and went to DC and made a weekend trip out of it. I felt good about the interview. And they told me that they were impressed with and that I was definitely a strong candidate. But they also told me that the 4 other people they had interviewed were also very strong candidates. So I was flattered but not guaranteed anything. I had a fun little weekend in DC, too.

For awhile there I was feeling a little stuck in my life with an unsatisfying job and no alternative options. Now I had two possible outcomes. One, working in DC, which I would absolutely love. I’ve loved DC since I was a kid and went there to visit my grandparents. And Hello, the WHITE HOUSE. It would be an awesome experience. And on the other hand if that didn’t work out there was Grad school which would also be great. I felt like I was in a win-win situation. No matter what happened, things would be great. 

Well I didn't end up getting the position at the White House. I am really ok with that because I have a good job and I will be going to school in the EMPA program at Salt Lake.

Back to present day. So you see (BYU Salt Lake, White House, BYU Salt Lake, and now BYU Provo--Peru and another trip to DC in between--which I still need to post) This has been a very busy summer and my life has changed a lot many times. Every time I get settled on a plan it gets thrown out the window. Fortunately I am flexible and I am good at making whatever comes my way work. Who needs a plan anyway! School is going good and I am enjoying it. I still get a little nervous about not having an income and the financial cost this is going to be when I am done. But I keep reminding myself that it is an investment and will be worth it in the end.

~Cheers

This morning...

Began like any other Monday morning. Woke up, got ready, rode the bus to work. Little did I know that this would be my last morning riding the bus, climbing the stairs to the second floor, clocking in, checking my email. Little did I know that I would be cleaning out my desk and leaving for the last time. This morning I had a plan that I was prepared for. But that all changed when I got a call from BYU offering me a opening in their full time MPA program. Oh and by the way it starts tomorrow. "OMG" (I'm not a big fan of that saying but it seemed to fit.) After a quick discussion with my parents and weighing the pros and cons in my head I decided to go for it. So I am now officially unemployed. (The loss of my regular paycheck was a little twinge in my stomach.) But I am officially a student at BYU in the MPA program. And I feel really good about that. More details to come later. I need to get to bed. This is going to be a big week.

Peru pictures are FINALLY HERE!!

Our adventure began in the Amazons. We flew from Lima to Puerto Maldonado. We were picked up at the airport, that had a total of 2 gates. We left our suitcases at the agency's offices are traveled by bus to a dock and then by boat on a river for an hour to our hotel. This was one sweet hotel. There was no electricity except for the lobby; at night they used kerosene lamps. And our rooms opened to the jungle and we watched monkeys from our rooms. At night we slept with nets over our beds like a canopy. We went on hikes through the rain forest, talked to a medicine man, and just relaxed.  Sleeping in the jungle when it was raining was so relaxing.





 
Cuzco was once the Inca capital of the world and it was fabulous. Shopping fantastic. People fun. A taxi ride across cost only a dollar. We visited the Inca ruins around the city and drove through the Sacred Valley.

After an hour and a half train ride from Cuzco we get to Aguas Calientes. The mountains around Machu Picchu were amazing.






From Aguas Calientes we hike up Putucusi (literally straight up) and got an awesome view of Machu Picchu.






Machu Picchu was fantastic. The only thing I would've changed about the whole trip is to have more time here.





































  These are the Floating of Islands in Lake Titicaca. They are literally man-made out of the reeds. Many generations ago when there were conflicts between Peru and Columbia there were people that didn't want to be associate with either and so they built their own islands in the middle of the lake. And people still build and continue to live on these islands.
I loved everything about this trip. The adventure was fabulous. Peru has so much to offer and it was so great being in South America again.
One more adventure checked off the list. On to the next!!

I know, I know...

I know I am way behind on blogging and I really need to post Peru pictures. Life has been busy.

Quick note from Peru

I just noticed that I have 100 posts. Wow! This trip to Peru has been fantastic. Right away I started remembering all the reasons I love South America. Before my mission I was more partial to Europe and I wasn´t that interested in So. Am. But of course on my mission it became one of the best places in the world. I love the fun unorganized towns and streets. Random small stores along the street. Where you can buy just about anything you need without going too far. The people are so nice and so laid back. And they want to please. They will anything to serve you. The food and fruit is so great and cheap. And Peru has not dropped the ball. It is a great place and this has been a fantastic trip.

Brief run down

First couple days were in the jungle, we had to take a boat to a remote, rustic motel with no electricity except for in the lobby.r

We´ve spent the last couple days in Cusco, a very fun city with Inca Ruins and great markets.

Today we head to the town near Machu Picchu.

Everything has been perfect, except for I somehow got pink eye. But one of the girls I am traveling with is a physicians assistant and knew just what I needed. We went to the pharmacy to get it. No prescription needed. Another great thing about South America.

More details and pictures to come.

Cowboy take me away

A few days ago I was talking with a friend about how much I love the Western Stampede Rodeo that comes to West Jordan on weekend of the 4^th of July every year, just down the street from my house. It makes the city is so  patriotic and so "...Where the green grass grows"-like.  And there is no better way to celebrate the 4^th than watching the bulls and cute cowboys. I'll admit I'm a sucker for a guy in a hat.  My friend asked me if I went last year and I couldn’t remember going last year. Which was weird. I go every year that I am in WJ. It’s just one of those things I don’t miss. But I couldn’t remember going last year. Then later it hit me. No, I did not go last year. I wasn’t in West Jordan. I wasn’t even in the United States for the 4^th of July. I was clear on the other side of the Globe. I was in Israel.  I can’t believe that it has already been a year. I look at the pictures and I say to myself, “I was actually there.” It still feels so surreal and amazing.

Love at first bite

So, on my little whirlwind trip to DC there were a few places that I for sure had to go. One of them was Potbelly’s. Bekah ate there once a week when she lived there. She loved all the food, especially the ice cream sandwiches. I didn’t get there the last time I was in the area, so, Saturday afternoon while I was wondering around downtown D.C. with no particular destination in mind, (One of my favorite ways to travel.) I wondered to Potbelly’s to order an ice cream sandwich. The whole atmosphere of the place is fun and antique looking. A little bit like The Cracker Barrel but smaller. As I watched them make the treat, I knew that my life would never be the same after one bite. They take two of their soft, loaded with chocolate chips, “homemade” cookies and stick a scoop of vanilla ice cream in the middle. My eyes got wide and I started salivating. And yes, after one bite I was in love. Chocolate chip cookies are my weakness anyway and adding ice cream to it…it was hopeless.
I realize that it would be hazardous to my health to live so close to such goodness. But after I finished the divine delicacy I began thinking that in spite of all losses that a move to DC would involve (family, friends, etc) that sandwich could make the move worth it. My lip popped out at the realization that the closest Potbelly’s to Utah is in Texas. Why hasn’t anyone opened one in Utah. Don’t they realize…? They obviously have no idea what they are missing out on. The prices are really very reasonable. I was surprised at how cheap it was for being in downtown DC. (Kitty korner from the White House.)
The fates smiled on me again on Sunday afternoon when I was facing spending the next 8 hours of my life on two planes, that don’t feed me, and a layover in Atlanta. I know that some people frown upon making purchases on Sunday, but I needed to eat. So I wondered around the airport browsing my options when I came upon none else but a Potbelly’s. Right there in the same airport I was departing. It was fate and I couldn’t resist a sandwich and another heaven sent ice cream sandwich. 
I could to go their website and check out the calorie damage, but with some things ignorance is bliss. And this is definitely one of those things. So if you are ever in the DC area there are many important places you don’t want to miss, such as the Lincoln Memorial, the American History Museum, the Holocaust Museum, and Potbelly’s. 
Beijos

Look at this Picture...

What do you see wrong with this picture? Here look closer...

If your answer is there is no clock above the refrigerator. Then you are right. You might not have noticed that because you didn't know that you are suppose to have a clock above the refrigerator because you haven't had a clock above the refrigerator your entire life. And you probably don't keep looking to the top of the refrigerator to find out what time it is, or find out how many minutes you have before you have to run out the door. And so you probably don't feel as lost as I do when you look to the top of the fridge to find out what time it is and the clock that has been there your whole life is not there.

This is my mom's new refrigerator complete with ice maker and water dispenser, and it fits just perfectly into the nook in the wall. However there is no room for the clock on top of it. 

Mr. D'Arcy (not the Austen icon)

I work for Mr. D’Arcy (yes, pronounced like the Jane Austen dream boat). I actually don’t know a lot about him as far as his personal life goes. He is an older man who has had a lot of experience. And because of his experience he is very intelligent and sensible, and I would say one of the wisest business men I’ve known. One of the best qualities I’ve observed is his ability look at situations and come up with solutions that work in a win-win fashion. He has a quiet corky sense of humor. He is a bit old-fashioned and he's tries hard to adapt to the technology age and make friends with his computer. I silently laugh to myself when I go into his office and find him with his two fingers punching an email.  He works hard and diligently, and when he’s done he leaves work at work and doesn’t take it home with him. I’ve never met his wife, but I’ve talked to her on the phone and she sounds like a sweet heart.

He is from Chicago (I’m pretty sure.) And he isn’t a member of the church. I’m not sure what brought him to work in Utah 20 years ago. And I am not sure what exposure or experience he has had with the church beyond living here and working with members. His office is on the NW corner of the Zions Bank Building and his window faces straight towards the temple. Today I was in his office watching the rain (which is awesome) and I started wondering what an intelligent man like him would think about that stunning building across the street. Is he ever curious about what is inside? Or the significance? Has he ever asked? I know he has asked other questions, like about the leadership of the church. But that is all I’ve heard.

Maybe sometime the opportunity will come up to discuss more…

Time marches on

Today during my lunch break I was sitting Deseret Book with a couple books in my hands telling myself the reasons why I should not buy them, when someone came up to and "asked are you Sarah?" I looked up and saw someone that I used to know quite well. Sarah. She was a women who was in a lot of my classes my last few semesters at BYUI, but I had not talked to since I graduated. We had worked on group projects together. Hiked through the Tetons together and we even worked together planning and running a mountain bike race. She is a really great person and I enjoyed her a lot. The last time I saw her she was 5 or 6 months pregnant with her first child. Today I saw her and she had a kid and another baby. Right away in my head I started doing to math trying to figure out how long it had been since I saw her. It seemed like there was no way that she could have had time to have a toddler and another baby. “Wow, you’ve been busy.”-was on the tip of my tongue, still baffled, and wondering what the heck I had been up to in the time that has passed. I guess there have been a few things that I have been up to and have kept me busy too, although they don’t seem to compare with having two kids! But I like to think my last 2 ½ years have not been a waste. I may not be where I had planned…Actually, I don’t think I really had a plan. I had a few areas I wanted to pursue, which haven’t exactly worked the way I would’ve liked. But I’m not done yet. I am still pursuing. I am busy.

I should announce I am officially in graduate school. (I missed good news moment in RS.) I was accepted to the BYU EMPA program, stands for Executive Masters in Public Administration. The classes are at night at the BYU Salt Lake Center—A bitter-sweet thing. Sweet because I can work and go to school at the same time and I don’t have to depend on student loans and the classes are just down the street from where I work. Bitter, because I don’t have a good excuse to quit my job. I know am I lucky to have a good job. And I am very grateful. But this is really not where I want to end up. And I don’t feel like it is helping me progress any closer to where I would like to end up except for financially; but as far as knowledge, skills, and enjoyment go. NO. So, I pray that something will come along that will be a better fit for me and help me get to where I really want to be.  In the mean time I’ll hang in there. Keep busy. Do the best I can. Enjoy what I can. Keep going.  

I love May...

And now its over. There are some many good things about May. Spring. Sunshine. Flowers. Memorial Day. May is also

• Date Your Mate Month
• National Barbecue Month
• National Bike Month
• National Blood Pressure Month
• National Hamburger Month
• National Photograph Month
• National Recommitment Month
• National Salad Month
• Older Americans Month

And a few other highlights...

1 May Day, Loyalty Day, Mother Goose Day, 2 Brothers and Sisters Day. 3 Lumpy Rug Day, World Press Freedom Day, 4 Hannah's Birthday. 4 Renewal Day 5 Cinco de Mayo 6 No Diet Day 8 Iris  Day 7 National Tourism Day-yup like this one. 8 No Socks Day, V-E Day, 9 Lost Sock Memorial Day 10 Clean up Your Room Day 11 Eat What You Want Day, Twilight Zone Day 12 Fatigue Syndrome Day,  Limerick Day 13 Frog Jumping Day, Leprechaun Day 14 Dance Like a Chicken Day 15 National Bike to Work Day - third Friday of month, National Chocolate Chip Day 16 Love a Tree Day, My Birthday, Wear Purple for Peace Day 17 Pack Rat Day. 18 International Museum Day, No Dirty Dishes Day, Visit Your Relatives Day 20 Be a Millionaire Day - now we all can go for that, 20 Pick Strawberries Day 21 National Memo Day 22 Buy a Musical Instrument Day Cori's birthday. 23 International Jazz Day - Saturday of Memorial Day weekend.  Lucky Penny Day 25 Tap Dance Day 26 Sally Ride Day 27 Sun Screen Day 30 Water a Flower Day

Benjamin and I swinging away. At our family memorial birthday BBQ.

It was my birthday SHOUT HURRAY!

May 16th once again came around. And I'm official one year older and wiser too. I had a lovely day. I slept in until 8 am (Yes, sadly, that is sleeping in for me.) I hung around in my pajamas until noon. I went to my family's ward BBQ. Did a little shopping

And I went rock climbing with Abby, Steve and Caleb. This was my one request for the day.

We took Caleb for his first rock climbing trip. He did an awesome job climbing up. I was impressed. Unfortunately, once he was almost to the top I realized we forgot to teach him how to come down. Oops!! We coached him and he caught on part way down.

 

 

Dinah decided to give a try and she climbed all the way up. Getting her down took a lot of encouraging and coaxing. You wouldn't think it but it can be unnerving to come down because you have to lean back and completely trust the person belaying you.

The rest of the family came up to roast hot dogs and marshmallows. It was a fantastic evening.

 

             

 

I am actually feeling pretty good about being another year older. Each year that goes by the more I do and experience. I am excited for this coming year and what more there is to come. Anything can happen.

No matter how old you are, there's always something good to look forward to.

Lynn Johnston