The Week of Thanks!

So not to do a Laundry List of what I am thankful for, but I was challenged this week to find 100 Things I am thankful for, so here it goes in no particular order:

1. Parents that have been together for 30 plus years

2. The ability to cook a thanksgiving turkey for 20 people and not make them sick

3. A best friend who is currently serving a mission in Peru.

4. Justin and Ginene's house because it is always filled with happiness and good food.

5. Technology. It seriously makes like easier.

6. The first snow

7. Fall leaves and taking pictures in them.

8. A brother who works hard for everything he wants.

9. My College Degree

10. Working for a company who legitimately cares about their workers

11. Airplanes! They are so much faster and allow me to see my family.

12. Karlee Bunker- She calls me just to see how I am doing

13. Money.

14. Clothes that keep me warm.

15. Indoor Plumbing

16. A house instead of an apartment.

17. The gospel of Jesus Christ

18. The fact that prayers are answered

19. My sister Holly because she allows me to see that adventure never stops.

20. Health Insurance and Medicine

21. Mountains

22. Cars that get me where I need to go.

23. A bishop who cares more about others than himself.

24. Gilmore Girls because when I need to laugh it is always there

25. The Quintana Family

26. My sister-in-law Janessa because she is always willing to do fun stuff.

27. Rain.

28. Sunglasses

29. Swimming

30. Sledding

31. Animals

32. Food to eat

33. The man who rides the bus at the same time as me and always tells me to have a good day.

34. My sister Annah because she is a good mom.

35. Hugs.

36. Friends who come over for no particular reason, yet it turns out to be the best day ever.

37. Talented musicians who give free concerts.

38. Christmas lights.

39. Camping.

40. All the guy friends who would literally severely hurt any person who hurts or disrespects me.

41. Allan Gilbert because he likes to sleep over in my bunk beds.

42. Colbie Gilbert because she is such a trickster.

43. Loving extended family. Especially the supportive Aunts and Uncles and Cousins who are there for every event in our lives.

44. Grandparents who are an example to me.

45. Memory Foam! It is like sleeping on a cloud.

46. Nachos and all Mexican food for that matter.

47. People who come to America to learn English.

48. California, seriously who knew that the best state is where I lived all along.

49. Elderly people, they are so knowledgeable.

50. Babies because there is nothing sweeter than holding a newborn.

51. Temples

52. Burgers Supreme, the most delicious burgers ever and mom and pop service.

53. A country where I can worship freely

54. Holidays, they are just so happy

55. Jason Bunker for his awesome ability to take on so many things at once.

56. Warm Boots and having shoes to walk in for that matter.

57. Electricity

58. Pictures done by really great photographers

59. The duck pond

60. Stores

61. The invention of the Mac Computer

62. Hiking

63. The houses in the fabulous 40's

64. San Francisco

65. David because he takes care of my sister.

66. Joleen Dixie because she is such a happy sneaky child.

67. My bike

68. Having the opportunity to live in my current environment.

69. Pie

70. Roommates old and new

71. Movies good and bad ones

72. Football Games

73. Free Stuff

74. Hudson Ryde because he makes me laugh

75. Laughing

76. Snowball fights

77. Chocolate

78. Pot Roast that Mom makes

79. Birthdays

80. Good Books

81. Surprises

82. Beaches

83. The ocean

84. Swings

85. Salt Lake City, Utah

86. Music

87. iphones because they help out so much

88. Pets especially fish and my old dog

89. The river by my house

90. My elementary school teachers

91. The Pevey Family

92. Our old station wagon

93. Dance performances

94. The Radio

95. Look out points

96. Handshakes

97. Smiles

98. People who say "Thank you"

99. Milkshakes

100. Good friends!

Monday Mornings!

Now I know that not many people do not enjoy Mondays. However, during this summer I absolutely despise them! I have to go to work at 7 am and work all the way until 4pm. Then I go directly to class from 4-6:30. Usually after that there is some sort of FHE activity that I can barely stay awake for and then I shower and fall quickly asleep. Today I am having a hard time staying awake and I am very hungry, which doesn't help anything haha.

I promise to post photos since it has been months since I have posted anything, later today when I have my laptop that has all of the photos on it!

Time Truly Does Pass Quickly.

It has been exactly one month since I graduated.

I will try to describe what has occurred during that time frame.

-I enrolled in a CNA class and completed it.

-I have job hunted furiously and have found nothing.

-The large majority of my friends have left the state, gotten married, and/or graduated alongside me.

-I have contemplated coming back to California.

-I have gotten new roommates.

-I have thought about returning to BYU to receive further education.

-I became a member of a brand new ward and stake.

This is just some of what is on my plate. I think the hardest thing for me is not having a routine. Not having a life really. I can only describe it as floating from one concept to the next. I want to pursue that dream and this goal, I need money, I need a job, oh wait what about this, or what about that. That is my typical train of thought. I miss learning, taking classes, meeting new people, listening to lectures, reading, homework, and yes I even miss tests. I miss my job that I had for 2 whole years, where each morning my co-worker who is also in my ward would drive me and we would talk about life and how we wish it was summer and warm.

But in actuality, the clean slate and scope of a new beginning is rather refreshing and exciting. It makes me a little nervous, scared, and uneasy sometimes, but my whole future lies ahead of me.

This week marks my 23rd birthday. I have done a lot in those 23 years and look forward to the next 23 years that lay ahead. I am not sure what I will do on my birthday or how I will celebrate but I am sure I am in for a surprise.

"The road of life twists and turns and no two directions are ever the same. Yet our lessons come from the journey, not the destination. "

I graduated or something like that.

I basically took photos of every step of the way, so here it is.

DAY 1

Last day of work at Independent Study!

Last studying session in the library. I definitely could not focus.

My best friend here Branda. We are in the same major and always study together. This moment was bittersweet as we studied together for the last time.

Walking to the testing center for the last time!

I can hardly wait!

Together taking our last test!

I just had to go to yogurtland! SO excited last test done with!

Oh and Chik Fil-A too. And I bought a new pair of sunglasses.

DAY 2 Commencement!

Me and Emily (old roommate)

Me and Keith (neighbor, friend, everything basically)

Lining up. So excited!

Texting Annah I am pretty sure!

Starting to walk in!

Yay

We are so happy almost there! It was quite the walk!

Oh and I ran into Jason so we snapped a quick photo.

More walking

Filing in! There were 6,000 of us!

Keith and Branda

The Quintanas all graduated today! They are my family here, everywhere, forever, and always! I will miss them so much. Amanda is headed to Peru and Africa to teach sanitation techniques to those countries. Branda is going on a mission! And Diego is married with his brand new baby. Everyone is moving onto bigger and better things.

Me and Diego

Me and Amanda

Me and Branda

Friends from the home! We all went to high school together and have been friends. Natalie graduated with a Bachelors and so did I. Halie finished her Masters this year! So exciting!

Silly photos.

Another one.

I like the reflection of the mountain in the building

DAY 3 Convocation.

So happy it is sunny and not freezing!

Me and Holly

Me and Natalie again

April and I went through our entire major together! I got to sit by her it was so exciting!

In the back of the car riding home.
PS more to come of all the family. I had a professional photographer follow me around on day 3. He will be emailing the photos shortly which I will post.

A Wedding Tribute

Keith and Kylee! Great neighbors and friends! Getting married so soon!

Emily and Tabor! Love these kids. Emily was my roommate last year and she recently met Tabor who is so great!

Janelle and Steven! They have been my neighbors the whole time we have been here at BYU!

They are getting married in Medford next week!

Devin Price and Preston Mathews!

Devin was my dearest lovely roommate last year! I love and miss her dearly and I am so proud of her! Preston came to our group a little later and he is just a gem! Love you guys!

Update of Recent Happenings

Saturday March 5th:

Last BYU home game of the season! I am pretty sure it wa sthe best day ever! I got a free towel! Also I got to see the university unifed in support of the team and saying good bye to the star players.

Sunday March 6th:

I was able to attend the devotional of L. Tom Perry. Afterward I met him. He is such a happy man and he told us he was proud of us for continuing our education! It was definitely a journal writing experience!

Thursday March 10th:

I went to Chef's Table, which just happens to be the most expensive, romantic restaurant and has the best views in Provo, UT. It was ridiculously priced and ridiculously delicious. We got a ton of food. It was an experience I most likely will never have again and that I enjoyed very much.

Friday March 11th:

I saw Tangled which made me believe in Disney again, it really was like the old movies with good songs and good story lines. Everyone should go see this movie, and then watch it again and again!

Saturday March 12th:

I ran for 15 minutes straight, and didn't feel sick afterward. This is quite an accomplishment since I have had asthma for my whole life and have never run ever.

Monday March 14th:

PI Day We had a variety of pie and invited all of our friends over to eat it. I was only expected about 10 people to come, but around 40 arrived. It was a great reunion of friends and the "family" that I have here in Provo. I loved this day so much!

Wednesday March 16th:

Today was my friend Devin's birthday! She was one of my roommates here in Provo who graduated in December and now resides in California. I made her a movie using my Macbook and it had all these recordings of people saying happy birthday and pictures set to music. I was so proud of it. Anyways I sent it to her and she watched it on her birthday. Coolest thing ever technology how I love you!

Thursday March 17th:

Saint Patrick's Day So I wore green. I was honored at a luncheon for graduating seniors for my major. I received an award for my efforts in the major. It was pretty funny. I then proceeded to study for hours and hours for a test that I don't have to take until Monday. oops. I came home and set up the scavenger hunt for my friends and I to find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. It was really fun. We also feasted on corned beef and cabbage and potatoes and cupcakes :) It was an Irish filled day that I will remember for a long time.

Take a deep breath!!!!!

Things to come:

March 18th: Divine Comedy

March 19th: Our Stake Service Project

March 25th: The inventor of Facebook comes to BYU! Plus massive birthday party for friends!

March 26th: Festival of Colors and the fabulous Bishop's Ball

March 27th: My ward's reunion from Glenwood, our last one before we all move!

Life. It happens.

"When stress levels rise, when distress appears, when tragedy strikes, too often we attempt to keep up the same frantic pace or even accelerate, thinking somehow that the more rushed our pace, the better off we will be.

One of the characteristics of modern life seems to be that we are moving at an ever-increasing rate, regardless of turbulence or obstacles.
Let’s be honest; it’s rather easy to be busy. We all can think up a list of tasks that will overwhelm our schedules. Some might even think that their self-worth depends on the length of their to-do list. They flood the open spaces in their time with lists of meetings and minutes—even during times of stress and fatigue. Because they unnecessarily complicate their lives, they often feel increased frustration, diminished joy, and too little sense of meaning in their lives.
It is said that any virtue when taken to an extreme can become a vice. Overscheduling our days would certainly qualify for this. There comes a point where milestones can become millstones and ambitions, albatrosses around our necks."

- Of Things That Matter Most, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Oct '10 Conference

"Life is like photography, we use the negatives to develop."

This quote is pretty interesting and I liked it a lot. Whenever a negative thing comes into our life or a trial we are tested and tried and oftentimes come out a better person on the other side. This is an exciting time in my life and I cannot believe the possibilities that are unfolding.

I am proud of myself and I am looking forward to the next stage of my life and career.

Let me know if you have any suggestions as to what I should do!