...who is updating and can be surprisingly creative

I haven't had the opportunity to send out 'Christmas letters' so I figured if you really want to know what's gone on in my life this year, you can read this...so here goes

January started off with a cold winter, both the weather and life's experiences. I had recently broken up with my almost fiance, Colin, and life was hard. So, since I was an RA, I threw myself into helping my girls out as much as I could. Over time the hurt went away though I experience a hell that is only imaginable by those who have had the same experiences. I found happiness in helping those that lived in my building and I actually enjoyed the snow for the first time (I'm not a snow girl). The Winter semester moved on and during that time I committed myself to earning my Young Women's medalion which I hadn't gotten before and completed it before the end of the semester!

I didn't know what to do during the summer. I could go home to carlsbad or stay in Utah...Decisions were made and I decided it would be smarter for me to stay in utah. I moved into the Colony and started job hunting. I made a lot of new friends that welcomed me into the ward and social life. I went through...3..4 jobs? till I finally settled down working at Los Hermanos out in Lindon. That was an adventure. The school started in September and my ward changed boundaries and I had new roommats. Both happenings were for the good. I absolutly love my ward and I adore my roommates! School was a new experience this semester. I felt like I had lost the ability to learn which was frustrating, but I ended up doing okay. The highlight of the semester was when I placed 2nd at Dancesport in my class event! Woohoo!

There was a lot of change that occured too. I worked an interesting job during this last semester...juggling work and school and a social life was tougher than it had ever been before (partly because I've never really had a 'real' social life in college before). And in October, you're beloved blondie turned into a Brunette! (crazy!) Don't worry though..If Julianne is willing, I'll be back to blonde before the new year! ha! I also quit my job as Los during finals (thank goodness or I don't know how I would have survived) and am not jobless...for the first time in....a LONG time. (if you know of any openings, let me know!)

I also think I have finally decided on a major (I know! This is a monumentous occasion!) I've decided to major in Recreation Management and Youth Leadership, with an emphasis in Leasure Services Managment. I'm really excited cause I get to take all the cool buisness classes that I've been dying to take without being in the Business program (cause It's impossible to get into!).

Other than that, I've just been living life. No, I don't have a man (everyone seems to place that at a high concern). I've just been meeting a lot of people and making new friends. My goals for this next year is to meet all the girls in my ward (cause it's surprisingly hard to do that), participate/organize study groups for my classes, and sit towards the front. I also plan on getting in better shape...I've planned out my schedule (Ha! I actually have a steady schedule which is AMAZING!) to let me get back into swimming and my roommates and I are going to start doing yoga in the morning (we have way too much fun when we work out together!). I also might be going to Arizona this coming summer. It's not for sure yet, but I think I might be wanting to get out of Utah for a while and I think that Arizona will be a great oppourtunity to make new friends, get some generals out of the way at MCC, and some other work experience.

So, that's my update!

Right now though, without classes and friends around, life gets VERY boring...So, I decided to get rid of this boredm by creating things. So, I made my roommate's Christmas gift and then decorated my bulletin board. The results are as follows:

Stephanie's Christmas Gift

The Bulletin Board


The signs


Quotes and Photots (yes, I made the frames)


The board without decorations...
This was made with ribbon sewn together and stapled to the board...let me tell you, it's not the easiest thing to do)

My favorite frame...I'm kinda a fan

So, that's what I did all day! I have paint all over my hands but not anywhere else (mom's grateful for that).

Mom made two cakes for Christmas eve tomorrow...they're chocolate cherry cakes...guess who 'had' to have a piece? Yup, dad. He cut the cake and stuffed a slice into his mouth with the frosting dribbling out the side (you know how dad is when cherry and chocolate is mixed together)

anywho, I love you all! I hope that your Christmas goes well and that you're safe! I love you all and appreciate the support you've all given me in all my endeavors.

Here are some thoughts I've found recently and have loved...I hope that you can be inspired by them...

If you could envision the type of person God intended you to be, you would rise up and never be the same again

Better keep yourself clean and bright; you are the window through which you see the whole world

It is impossible for us to break the law. We can only break ourselves against the law

The real tragedy is the tragedy of the man who never in his life braces himself for his one supreme effort – he never stretches to his full capacity, never stands up to his full stature

If you ever get depressed, the best thing to do is to do something for someone else

Always be a first rate version of yourself, instead of a second rate version of someone else.

My strength is as the strength of ten because my heart is pure

People are just as happy as they make up their mind to be

I am the force. I am the captain of my life. I can choose my attitude. I’m responsible for my own happiness or unhappiness. I am in the driver’s seat of my destiny, not just a passenger.

Don’t go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first.

So much has been given to me. I have no time to ponder that which has been denied.

Whether I fail or succeed shall be no man’s doing but my own. I am the force.

It has long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sit back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things.

People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don’t believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get caught up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they can’t find them, make them.