Phone Updates

So I was looking at my blog and I realized that I really don't post a lot of things. A lot of things happen to me, and then I get in the mood to write about them in my blog but then I get busy and forget and never get around to it. So I was looking through my phone today and I was looking at all the pictures and videos I have on it. That's when I remembered everything I was going to write about at one time but never got around to it. So I'm just going to go through my phone in bulk and write about the different things that have been going on. I'll call this my "Phone Update".

So the first thing I'll write about is what happened when my best friend from PA came out to visit me. We had a lot of fun, a really busy week for me though. She came out the week right after I finished finals. It was her first time anywhere not on the East Coast, so it was quite different for her. The first day she was here we just chilled out and she came to Family Home Evening (FHE) with me. The next day I had Jury Duty, but afterwards we went and hung out at the pool. Wednesday we went to Centerra and went shopping for a while, we also hiked horsetooth that day. It was her first real hike. She was exhausted. Haha ha ha, lack of air for her.

Then we headed down to Denver and I showed her around the city. We hung out a lot downtown. There is a lot of abstract art around downtown so we look at all of it and then we even ran into Rocky the Colorado Nuggets' mascot. There was a convention downtown to win Playoffs nuggets game tickets.











































After our full day in Denver, we went clubbing at suite 152. I'm not really clubber, in fact it was my first time. But suprisingly, I had a lot of fun. It was latino night so they played fun good music and I think it helped going with the right kind of friends. So I think Amanda's stay was very exciting and thrilling for the both of us. I wish she could have stayed longer.


Looking through my phone I also noticed that I didn't blog about my fishing experience with Rob. Rob is a client I work with on the weekends. I'm a direct care provider for him because he has Cerebral Palsey and is in a Wheel Chair. He is loads of fun, we do a lot of activities together. This one day I worked with him in particular he wanted to fix his fishing rods, so we went out in front of his apartment to a grassy area nex to the parking lot. We spent about half an hour trying to fix his rods and fishing lines. Finally we did it, he wanted to test it out so he reeled it back and the line ended up going in the parking lot and hit one of the cars. He thought it was hilarious. So for the rest of the time together we fished for cars. Below is a video of him catching his own car. Ha ha ha. I told him next time he needs to catch me a good car like a Mustang or Ferrari.



Now, most recently....last weekend, it was "Taste of Fort Collins". This event is huge during the summer, we have a bunch of bands come and perform and rides for the kids, they have a market where all the fancy (and not fancy) restaurants let you try their foods for a low price. There are some free samples like a farmers market and really just a lot of local activities and shops to explore. It's really fun. Last year I went with Mallory and Jon Hummer. This year, Jon was out of town, so I went with Mallory and our friend Adrian (Ade). It was a lot of fun.
This year Sugar Ray and the Gin Blossoms and Single File played. I was right up front by the stage to see the performances.
I was surprised with the Single Ray performance. I'm not really a Sugar Ray fan, but I was pleasantly surprised by how he presented himself and how he performed. It wasn't like any other concert I've been to. He tried to make the audience get involved as much as possible and made it feel like he really wanted to be there. He also didn't just perform one song after the other, there was some DJ mixing in there and he even had people go on stage and do Karaoke with him. It was pretty awesome.





So that is pretty much all for my phone update for now!

My More Active Lifestyle

So this Summer I decided to take a more active lifestyle, for two reasons. The first reason is to be more in shape of course, the second reason is to keep myself busy cause I tend to get bored during the summer. So in this new active lifestyle I've become more involved in sports and running. I'm learning new sports and trying to play on a somewhat organized team for fun. So I've been practicing basketball and softball right now, on top of my ice skating that I've been doing since January.

As it turns out, I'm terrible at basketball and softball. I'm not good at shooting hoops and catching the ball in basketball, and I'm not very good at batting, catching or throwing in softball. This has been very discouraging and I've felt like giving up. However, I've decided that would be silly of me to give up these sports just because I've never really played them before and it would be silly of me to expect to be great at them with the little experience I have with them. So I'm determined to practice and get better at them.

I've also discovered that along with this determination in practicing and increasing my skill in these sports that it is package deal with injuries. So far my injuries have consisted of a concussion from ice skating and a hurt elbow, bruised legs, sprained ankles, and twisted arms. I've come to the conclusion that becoming good at sports come with this territory and I should just get used to having these injuries. Good thing I have health insurance!

16 Hours of Relaxation

From this last Friday at 11pm to Saturday at 2pm I had the most relaxing time. It has been a VERY long time since I've felt so relaxed and at peace. It was amazing. It was something I really needed. I've been so high strung, busy and stressed that I probably would have exploded soon.

Water has always calmed me. The sound of rain, the sound of a waterfall, but most of all being out on the lake or the ocean. Boats are so soothing to me. I just feel like I'm so far from all of my stress and my life in general. It helps me take a step back and just clear my mind and rejuvinate my body.

One day I'll be able to own my own boat and not have to rely on my good friend Aaron. He was explaining to me about how much speed boats run, they are about the same as a new car, depending on the kind of boat. I think I'm going to start learning more about boats. Maybe I'll start up a boat fund. ha ha ha. I have so many other funds, why not?

Today I started looking at power boats and speed boats. I've come across the one I really want I think. Here is a picture of it.


Isn't it pretty? It is called a Supra Gravity 24 SSV. It has 340 HP and holds up to 16 people. AWESOME. This is now my dream boat. SOOOO PRETTY.

One day you'll find me out on the lake or ocean just chillaxing on this pretty baby. Oh yeah.....be jealous.

It'll be a while before I can afford it...I'm still in school....but even if I don't get my dream boat here, I will get a boat. It's the one thing I know that relaxes me. The material item in life that I'd really like to have. So one day, my 16 hours of relaxation won't be so limited.

The Duties of the Citizen

So I have to tell you the truth....I never expected to get called for Jury Duty. I feel like I was called on the worst day too. Amanda is here to visit me for a week, and I was called for Jury Duty today, the second day Amanda is in town. But I have no excuse, so I sat in the courtroom for 4 hours while the judge and the attourneys questioned us so that they could find the most fair and impartial jurors for the case.
So I have never been called for Jury Duty, I'm a first timer. So I head to the court building, they tell us not to park in the 2 hour parking spots or we will be towed because we will be there longer for 2 hours. They tell us we can park where the court structure is but we have to pay. So I'm driving down there and all of the parking spots are 2 hour parking! Where do they expect me to park? So I park about 3 blocks away from the building in a neighborhood.
Then I get into the building but of course this is my first time and I have no idea where to go so I ask the guard for directions and he tells me where the jurors assemble. When we get to the assembly room I had to fill out a form and then take a juror badge. We sat in a room for about half an hour before the Jury Commissioner came into to welcome us. It was very brief and then she turned on a video. So for about an hour we watched a video about how to be the best juror and what our duties were. The movie was interesting I must admit, and in a way helpful in understanding my role as a juror.

After the video we sat in the room for another half an hour, finally the bailiff came in and walked us to the court room. The courtroom wasn't really what I expected, it was a lot smaller, but I guess that's hollywood for you, it continually disappoints you. We all piled in on the benches in the back of the courtroom where prospectors could sit. They explained to us that they would call us up in groups and ask us questions to determine who would be on the jury. Before we seperated into groups they asked the whole group if any of us felt that we could not be on the jury. So many people lined up. Apparently everyone felt they couldn't be there. I stayed sitting down cause there was no point. For an hour and a half each person in line had to present their reasons to the judge and attornies. Only about half of them were legitimately excused.

Finally the first group was called to the jury box and the judge and attorney took turns asking us all questions. It took about two hours with a 15 minute break included. There were a lot of questions they asked us. It wasn't too bad. I found it kind of interesting.

Again they asked us if we would be willing to be on the jury and then they told us this court case would last up to 4 days. That's 4 week days from 8am to 5pm in a boring courtroom! Ridiculous! All the case was was a car accident. silly. I hoped that I wouldn't be called on the jury or poor Amanda would be bored and lonely!
After the hours of questioning, they called my name and told me I would not be on the jury because my stepmom worked for the company that was suing. Thank goodness! I was very grateful to not have to stay there. However, I think that if Amanda had not been in town I would have wanted to stay and provide my civic duties, it was actually pretty interesting and a good experience.

Mothers

Happy Mother's Day! Since this is the day to celebrate mothers, my blog today is of the appropriate topic.

Today at church I wonderful talk was given in sacrament meeting about Mothers. My good friend Shelby gave the talk. It was a talk that really touched me and changed my perspective. A lot of the time growing up my mother and I did not get along. Sometimes we still don't and it made it hard to see the positives about being a mother. Today my perspective changed. Shelby talked about the "Attitude of Gratitude" that President Monson talks about. He said "Mother, who willingly made that personal journey into the valley of the shadow of death to take us by the hand and introduce us to birth—even to mortal life—deserves our undying gratitude. One writer summed up our love for mother when he declared, 'God could not be everywhere, and so He gave us mothers.' "

I thought that was an amazing quote about mothers. It explains why the role of motherhood is so important. Although my mother and I have had our moments where we don't get along, she still is an important person in my life. Without her I would not be here on this earth. Today I decided to have the attitude of gratitude about my mother. I made a list of everything positive she has taught me and has done for me:

To My Mother:

The first most important thing my mother has done for me was bring me into this world. It takes a strong and loving mother to bring a child into the world. It's amazing how wonderful of a person my mother must have been in the pre-mortal life for God to trust her with his children.

My mother also raised me the best she knew how. What a strong woman she is for having raised 3 children under such low circumstances.

I'm grateful to my mother for all of the qualities and skills she's taught me. She's taught me how to love and care for those around me, even for strangers I do not know. She's taught me that reaching out and serving others is important. It is such a Christ-like attribute and I'm glad to have learned it from her. I've also learned how to have determination and to set goals. I've learned that although the road get's bumpy, I'll get to my destination if I have faith.

I've also learned how to be independent and to fend for myself. Having independence makes you a stronger person and gives you the ability to help others who are in need. However, she's also taught me that no matter how independent I become, I still will always need to rely on the Lord.

I've learned so many things from my mother and I'm so blessed to have her in my life. She is a beautiful daughter of God and I'm thankful to be her daughter.

To All Mothers:

To all of you beautiful daughters of God out there who have the opportunity to be a mother right now in your life, You are a special gift on this Earth. The world would not be here without you. You are our teachers, leaders, friends, and most importantly the women in our lives who could not love us more on this Earth. The role you hold on this Earth is the most important role that helps lead all of God's children to salvation. We thank you for all of your love, support and duties.

Happy Mother's Day!

Life is Eventful

The other day I had some time available to catch myself up with some of my friends and their lives. Blogging is amazing. So many of my friends from Pennsylvania and here in Colorado have so many things going on. Their lives seem so eventful, they always have something to post, something they are getting ready for and are excited about, something they are enjoying.

Many of my friends are getting married, or have just gotten married and are starting their lives together. Another big portion of my friends are having children and expanding their families. It seems like everyone's life is busy and eventful and that they are looking toward something.

Looking at my life, the only thing I have to look forward to right now is graduating and that is still a year away. I feel like my life isn't very eventful, I feel like there is no exciting news to talk about, no updates that people want to know about. The update in my life right now is that I have finals week next week and I'll be finished with my Junior year in College.

I guess I'm just waiting for the day when I have something to update others' on, something eventful and exciting. All I really have to look forward to is graduating next year, the increase in student tuition and fees due to the economy next year, rising need for student loans, working this summer to pay off my car, and hopefully starting a softball team this summer. Looking at all of those things to look forward to, it doesn't sound like a whole lot of fun (except maybe the softball team!).

Taken Over by the Fear

The dictionary describes Fear as: a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid.

Everyone has fear. Some people fear spiders, some people fear snakes, some people fear death and some people fear love. As I look at all of these types of fears, one thing that seems to be related to all of them is one main fear. Fear of getting hurt, whether that be physically, mentally, spiritually or emotionally. Why do we fear hurt and pain? Why aren't we willing to go through the pain to feel the good or to learn a less for us to become better people?

My question is, is it worth it? What will we get out of feeling pain? How is it more beneficial for us. I think that's what we are concerned about. We can't see how it can turn out good. We can't see past the pain. And perhaps we can't trust. We can't trust others or we can't trust in what will happen. Perhaps we're scared of the unknown or disappointment. Or sometimes we think we know what will happen are tricked by our brain into not going into something good because of a past experience. Perhaps are fear originates in our brain. I don't think it originates in our hearts because our hearts are true and know exactly what we need. Our brain sometimes strays from our heart and that's when the fear begins.

When our fear begins, if we're not careful, we could be taken over and not listen to our hearts. Our hearts could be forgotten. That's how I feel sometimes.
I think Lilly Allen explains this feeling well:

I don't know what's right and what's real anymore
I don't know how I'm meant to feel anymore
When do you think it will all become clear?
'Cuz I'm being taken over by The Fear

-The Fear
Lilly Allen