I'm going to...

MONGOLIA!!!

So I've actually had my call for a while, but I've been a tad bit busy to update this... and by busy I mean lazy. I had some big plans that I was quitting my job at the end of December and then taking the long way home and then spending whatever time I had left enjoying living off ( I mean with) my parents again. You know get used to being spoiled and close to family before I'm off by myself for a year and a half. So until the 17th of March, I'm in Burlington and loving every minute of it so far. I'm planning on subbing up at the school when I can, so don't be too worried about me becoming too used to being unemployed and sleeping in... HOWEVER, only having worked one day so far in the last few weeks, I am looking forward to hopefully some job in the future that resembles unemployment but with pay and benefits somehow included. When someone figures that one out, let me know! So here are some pictures of my little trip home and some of the awesome people I ran into :)

A street with my name... in Vegas!

My UPX training buddy Shay

Me, Preston and Hailey, my cousin Julie's super cute kids

Me and my buddy Shane after the BYU game

My favorite cousin KIM!!!

Joshy, Britt and I playing black-light mini golf

Happy bday to me!

Wildlife in Yellowstone

Cheri's family, also in Yellowstone

A physical sign to help you know you're getting closer to home :)

I'm still alive!

I was getting a little frustrated that people don't update their blogs more... and decided to stop being such a hypocrite and do a little posting of my own. So probably the most exciting news is that last week I submitted my mission papers! I should hopefully hear something in the next few weeks and will keep everyone posted. Here's some other things I've been up to :)

This really has nothing to do with me, but I did take this picture of Camie, Joey and the baby...

I graduated!!! Well back in March, but I finally walked :)

Graduation was held at the University of Phoenix stadium, where the Cardinals play. That is also some random girl who I don't know.

My mom and dad came down to help me celebrate and we had a little bocce ball tournament... I almost won.

The little caterpillar is finally growing up...

One week in Wyoming

Good News and Bad News of the week

Good News:

My mom and my sister Cheri have been here visiting and it's been sooo much fun! We've had the best time!!

Camie had her baby, he's adorable and pretty sure I'm the favorite aunt.

I found out my awesome roommate is actually related.

Bad News:

I found out my roommates good-looking brother is also related.

I unfortunately didn't take any pictures of me, my mom, my sister, my nephew or the brother, so here's some from my trip to Wyoming over the 4th of July.

Shooting fireworks was a little too loud for Spencer... Good think uncle Justin was there.
Me and Shell Falls
Cheri and Spencer
Mom, Dad and Baby Sydney
Sydney and Brynn playing in the rain

So I went to Italy

I'm a firm believer that opportunities present themselves to all of us and we can either chose to take advantage of these times and possibly change our lives forever or we can choose to let the moment pass us by and try to be content with what we have. So what does this have to do with me going to Italy? Absolutely nothing... however, be bold, be brave.

This is St. Peter's Square in Rome

Florence at sunset. We hiked up this huge hill and were just in time to watch the sun set over the city with a group of about 50 people.

If you watched Angels and Demons, you might recognize this place!!

We took a night train to Venice, we got there at 5:30 in the morning and had the place to ourselves. It's an awesome way to see everything, without being crammed in like sardines.

Cinque Terre, again in the morning. Monterosso.

This is a little town on Lake Como, it was beautiful and set right among the southern Alps.

This is the replica of David's shadow... and some little guy who wishes he could be him.

The Duomo in Milan. It had crazy decorations on the outside and some huge amazing stained glass windows.

The inside of the duomo in Florence, we hiked all the way to the top and this is a painting... so crazy!

Outside the old city Pompeii and Vesuvius in the background.

We had a great trip and became experts at hostels, Regionali trains, gelato and scoping out good looking Italians... so if anyone wants a tour guide or a travel buddy, I am definitely in!

a few things...

First and foremost. I was able to go to Florida and live it up for a week with my sister and her family and seriously had the best time EVER. We were able to see Ray Lamontagne in concert and seriously of all of the concerts I have been to it was my ALL time favorite. It was an amazing venue and I swear he's better live.

Proof that we were at least outside the place.

This is the best I could of the stage. They wouldn't let us take pictures of the singers and really I can say that I respected their wishes... mostly because I was mesmorized enough that I don't think I hardly moved the entire time.

But that's not all we did. We went to Busch Gardens, the beach and played soo much.

With my crazy life, it was just the break from reality I needed. Well to get me through the month anyway :) Because I'm actually headed to Italy in a little less than a month! I've got my tickets and everything is set and ready to go! I'm going with a friend of mine, who's parents live in Rome. So hurray for vacations!

Ta Da!

So let me tell you all a little story. I can still remember walking out of the fifth grade classroom and thinking to myself that I would be so happy when I got out of school. I was never going to college and I was giving serious thought to the whole "16 being the legal age to drop out" idea. But I guess my "life path" (I just made that up) had other ideas. I have been very fortunate to have opportunities open up for me that have allowed me to keep going with my education and now after this little accomplishment I have finally reached a spot where I can stop for a while. Wahoo! Now a lot of people have asked me what I'm going to be doing know that I have my degree and let me answer your question with a question of my own... "What do you think I should do?" Because seriously, I have no idea.

Also, parting thought. With all my years of knowledge-gaining experiences, I bet you would have thought I would have learned that having headphones on means that I can't hear other people, not the other way around... don't worry, a nice lady at the gym reminded me.

Finally in the same room with Grant Hill...

First of all, I'm very proud of myself because this is a new record for me as far as posting goes... I guess I just keep experiencing so many cool things, I can't help but share! So to continue on with random/awesome things I'm doing, I got a text message this week from my friend/carpool buddy Dalisa and she said her husband had gotten box seat tickets to the Suns vs Nuggets game and he couldn't make it. Wow, Somebody loves me... So here are some pics from our awesome night out. It was a great game and VERY VERY worth the late night and early morning.

This was pre-game, we got there pretty early, we were so excited.

This was our Suite.

So this came on our tv right before game time... seriously, Grant Hill had an awesome night and he's still my ALL time favorite!

Dalisa and me!

Final Score!!