WOW!!!

Its been a long time, yet again, since I've written. School is almost over for this semester!!! Then its one more semester in the classrooms and a couple of internships to follow, then the decision on continuing on to Indiana or getting a real job and start paying back the student loans. Hard choice right?

This past week I was able to spend in Arizona. I was all over the place but spent most of my time in Morenci with my cousin Heather and her family. It was nice to relax and not feel like I was going a hundred miles an hour like I usually do. So thank you to them for the wonderful thanksgiving and letting me crash the party. I was also able to spend time with a couple of my other cousins too, which was a blast. I realized that I really like Arizona and I think I'm going to try and move down there for one of my two internships over the summer.

Other then that there's not much going on that's new. I know what an exciting life...but that's my life.

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

escuela por favor!

Hi! just going to write am update since its been such a long time. I got in a minor car accident a couple days ago...no worries I'm okay. I have to go to court though since my insurance card wasn't current. Dad gave me the wrong one when change companies...oops! And yes I will get the citation since it is considered my fault. I swirved to avoid getting hit by one car but ended up rearending the car infront of me that suddenly stopped. No biggy I guess.

School started 3 weeks ago and I feel like I can't get ahead. No matter how much I try I feel like I'm really far behind. It's going to be a really hard semester but I just have to keep reminding me of how close I am to the end and how soon I will be leaving Vegas to live in Bloomington to go to Indiana University for my master's program. I'm going to try and take an assistantship while I'm there to get some of my bills paid.

So as of now nothing too exciting but very soon I'll be off on a new adventure!

long weekends and busy summers

Nothing too exciting to report. Just finishing another summer semester. I went to Indiana the this past weekend for a leadership conference for an student organization the me and my friend are starting at UNLV. It's called Best Buddies. its a little like big brother/sister. except a person like you or i develops a friendship with a person that has a developmental disability. they hang out, do community service, and leadership projects together.

the place that the conference was held is also the place that i have been looking at for my master's program. That's right i want to live in Bloomington, Indiana and be a hoosier. (what is a hoosier by the way???) the campus was beautiful and the weather was a nice (but that's because it wasn't snowing). I have a really good feeling about it! so in about a year from now i may be headed back there for 2 years to study...we'll see in time.

i have pictures i want to share but for some reason my blog blocks them from being posted. does anyone know what i'm doing wrong???

Hi

Hey everyone. I dropped off the face of the earth once again. I tried so hard to post pictures of my camp from over spring break but I think that my computer is too slow so I'm going to try doing it at school next Thursday...no promises though.

Just a little catch-up though. So I'm taking this culture and cuisine class at UNLV for my multiculural credit. Its been a blast and I've made some new friends and I've had alot of new experiences.

I had Dim Sum for the first time and if you've never had it....DO IT! It's a great experience. I do suggest taking a Chinese friend or a friend who has had alot of experience. I also had Thai, German, Spanish and Danish food for the first time. Its been a blast. Not only because I like to eat but also because I didn't realize how little I knew about other cultures.

The best part of this update is that there is a new chapter of the Best Buddies oraganization starting at UNLV and I have been asked my the president to be her vice president. Alex the president and I met last semester and we went to camp together. Best buddies program allows a "typical" person adopt a friend with a cognitive or developmental disability.

Finally I am starting to look at grad schools. Next summer will be my internship and then I will be starting grad school in the fall, unless I get a job offer that I can't pass up. So I'm thinking about Law school (for disability advocacy), alternative Recreation therapy (rock climbing, kayaking, camping for people with physical disabilities), or occupational therapy (pediatrics). So I'm going to apply for all of them, 9 schools total, but what do you all think?

A BREAK

So finals came and went. I got 4 A's and 2 B's. Not what I wanted but I'll Take them. It's kinda silly because it was my 2 easiest classes that I got the B's in. I was a little preoccupied with my core classes that I neglected my Environmental science and my p.e. class.

I have finally turned in my resignation for coaching. I realized that I love the children but I don't like the other coaches' philosophies. I also was asked to take on more responsibility yet again for work. Nothing I can't handle, especially now that I'm only working one job instead of 2.

I am still working on getting those pictures so I can do the story telling. I forgot to take my camera ro camp with me, so a friend of mine took pictures for me. I will see her on May 31st so that's when I'll be able to do all the pictures and stories.

I have 3 weeks until my next session of school starts. I am committing what they call suicide. I'm attempting to complete 18 credit hours this summer. But while I am waiting around I decided that I needed a project to complete. My good friend Bonny gave me some really old furniture that she didn't want to restore. I have always wanted to restore furniture, so that is what I will be working on for the next 3 weeks. I am already almost done with the first piece. I will take some before and after photos too.

I have committed to my first triathlon. Courtney and I will be competing in Solana Beach on July 27th. I have been saving alot and working out for 1 1/2-2 hours a day trying to lose weight and I figured if I bought the bike that I have wanted for a long time and set a goal to work to that I would renew my motivations.

Hope all is well with everyone else. Remember your sunscreen this summer. I already got fried...LOL!

Howdy

It's been a while and I thought I might catch you all up. I hope Easter was a blast for everyone. So I just got back from Calabasas, California last Friday. It's right outside of Malibu near Pepperdine University. I was there with the Adaptive camp. It was one of the hardest learning experiences of my life, yet it was amazing. The camp ground were wonderful and very accessible. The beach was too cold for us to do much at but I have sooooo many stories to tell about the kids. When I get pictures I will be all over the story telling sessions. When you see the pictures the stories make more sense or they're way more funny.

BUT as soon as I got home I started having symptoms of the flu and I've been almost completely disfunctional. I've had to force myself to finish 4 project to turn in this week. All of which were successful and the last one being a game of goalball in my leadership class (very competative/aggressive combination of soccer/bowling/dodgeball played by people with visual impairment~too hard to explain just youtube it). and now its time to rest. but I only get 2 days to do that.

Networking

I never was so sure about things in my life until this semester! I have amazing professor who all seem to care about me, my successes and where I'm headed in life. They are checking up on me regularly and one of them is even helping me set up my own curriculum for my major (I'm her experiment).

I'm waiting to hear back about this job offer from the BLM, but what it looks like is that I will be the adaptive specialist for her outdoor adventure program. This lady takes the kids from elementary schools all over the valley to different outdoor activities like kayaking and rock climbing, so they can have a positive and conducive experience with nature (most of them are inner city children and will never have the any other opportunity to be exposed. The evidence shows that the earlier a child has an outdoor experience, the more they will like it and the more they will do later in life to help conserve it). Anyway the point to this is that I will be helping modify the program (as part of my college curriculum) so that children with special need or physical barriers will be able to have the experience too. I can't wait to hear from her and I hope I get to do this.

Today I had another chance to network. I went to a luncheon with only 5 other students and I was able to meet professionals in the fields that were related to my major. To be honest with you, for me it was a bit of a struggle since everyone knows that I tend to be on the shy side. But I was able "schmooze" with a lot of people and practically went through an interview right on the spot with all the professionals at my table. They were asking all kinds of questions and giving me business info/cards. So today's lunch was a success. I was able to impress people and meet people that may be able to provide me other opportunities in the future. That's exactly what my professors wanted and that's exactly what I was able to do.

Fantastic News

Ok so I have some fantastic news. If this doesn't confirm that this is what I am meant to do I don't know what is.

My favorite professor approached me on Wednesday and told me that she was going to nominate me for a scholarship. Then I had to meet with my academic advisor today and we got all the complicated stuff ironed out. Because UNLV doesn't actually offer the degree that I'm working for I have to take some distant education classes from ASU. However there are 2 rules that are complicating things so there is a possibility that I may have to transfer down to ASU to finish my degree.

Then after I got done talking to my adviser I went to follow up with my professor, since she's overseeing my program, and she told me that she wanted to invite me to a luncheon next week. This luncheon is for professional networking and only 10 of the top students get to go. So I'm feeling really good about this and I'm so excited.

This Better Work!

Ok so I got a personal trainer a few weeks ago and I've been working my booty off trying to get this weight off of me. I feel like I'm practically starving myself because of this horrible diet he's got me on. And believe it or not I've been getting up around 5:30 am every morning Monday-Saturday to get to the gym before my day starts, because I know myself well enough that if I don't get to the gym the three days that I'm not working with him, I won't get there at all because my days are non-stop until around 7 pm and then I'm too pooped to really work at working out!

It has only been 3 weeks, but I'm frustrated because I'm not seeing any results beside 4 pounds. No real change in my body, unless I just can't see it. I'll post my before picture as soon as I get it, so that you can see my afters in 12 more weeks.

Broken Heart...Once Again!

So many of you are aware of my recent circumstances of being forced to be single about 6 months ago. For the past few months I have been in limbo praying that things will work out. I have been holding out since last August hoping that there would be some positive outcome to this situation, but that never came.

Then I got the phone call telling me that the end is very much in sight and once again my heart has broken. Like I said before I've waited this long hoping that things would work out. On top off this there's probably going to be a fight over nothing that needs to be fought about at all. Just greed and selfishness. I don't know why that surprises me though, that's what most of this past six months have been anyway.

I know that in time with constant prayer and a lot of tears eventually I will be okay. I guess now is the time to show myself how strong I am, because Heavenly Father only gives us what we can handle...

Not a real update

Ok so I didn't have a great trip anywhere, a baby, a child to show off or even a Valentine's day event, or some great skill that I want to show, so if you were looking at this for something fun you might want to move on to the next person's page. I just want to feel important and talks...JUST KIDDING!

Really nothing new going on in my life. I just got done studying for my first 2 test of the semester tomorrow. I'd like to point out my St. Patrick's day Theme. Take close notice to my music selection...All Irish groups (not all my favorite Irish groups had music available though)This is one of my favorite holidays because my favorite color is green and because I love leprechans (did i spell that right?).

This St. Patrick's day I have made it a goal to go to an Irish Pub (or as close to what we have in Las Vegas) and listen to live music....I don't even care if I have to do it alone but I do realize it would be way more fun with someone else.

Bonjour

Hello Guys~

I have had a long week and am very excited for it to be almost done (I still have to work one more day before I get a day off). I just finished teaching a training course. My class was great and I really enjoyed them. Unfortunately it was a pass fail course and the one person I thought was very capable of passing the class was the first person I ever had to fail in my 4 years of teaching this training class. Needless to say I'm very disappointed and I didn't like the way I felt doing it.

I also am about to face my first testing week of the semester. I can't believe that it has already been 5 weeks of school. That means I only have 11 left.


My cousin had a baby this week as well and my sister is headed to Brazil for 10 days. Lucky her! So it's been eventuful for all. I hope everyone is doing well. I love you!

Thoughts on happiness

So believe it or not there is a class about the Psychology of recreation...and its mandatory that I take it. It's been very interesting the things you learn. Do you know happy people live an average of 17 or more years longer then depressed people? Did you also know that optimists have less accurate perception of reality then a pessimist? I have made it the goal to become the happiest pessimist you'll ever meet! LOL!!! (supposedly this is an impossible task but since I'm a happy pessimist anything is possible if I'm real about it).

Yes there is an air of sarcasm in this text.

I suggest everyone read Authentic Happiness by Seligman. My prof. using it as a text book, but it is kind of a self help book to. Really worth the read though

Updated Info

Ok so maybe I spoke too soon. Its not necessarily official that I might be leaving Las Vegas. The day after I posted that blog, I talked to my supervisors about letting me temporarily leave so I could do the internship, they told me that it really wasn't possible for me to have that much time. They were going to have to let me go and fill my position. Then the next day I was given more responsibility at work, kinda a mini promotion. So I think they are trying to keep me...and it might just be working. I also found out that my job already counts toward my hours for the mini internship, so I really don't need to do one.

I'm going to explore my options here in Las Vegas before I make an official decision. But I love my job and I'd really like to stay there, but at the same time it would be fun to get more experience in the other areas of this work. I leave you all posted.

By the way I might just do some Valentine's stuff this year. I think it would be some what therapeutic to my current situation...lol!

I'm leaving Las Vegas...

for the summer! In the program that I'm in you have to get 300 hours in the field you intend to work in and then you have to do 2 internships, one mini (2 months) and one regular (4 months). I've made it official, I'm leaving Vegas for the summer for my half internship. I'll either be headed to Sacremento or Idaho. In Cali. I'll be working with children with medical conditions and in Idaho I'll be doing an out door camp for children with developmental issues....oh and this spring break I'm headed to SoCal for another camp.

Just an Update

Hey all...

So the past 2 weeks have been an adventure. Classes started and I've had a ton of homework. I'm not used to this load since this is the most amount of classes I have taken in one semester. It's always hard to get into a structured schedule when your work hours and study hours are pretty unpredictable.

Usually you never see the same 2 faces in your classes, but since the program that I am in is a combination program and is fairly small, I get to see almost all the same people all day and since I'm a bit shy, I'm sure it goes without saying that I'm out of my comfort zone sitting in the class room with a bunch of rude rich kids, who find it entertaining to talk over the professors and make fun of people.

Other then that, my professors are great and I'm learning alot. I'm excited to see how I do and what I learn!!!

Valentine's Day

I know its a while away but I was just looking at backrounds for my blog and saw Valentine's Day blogs....Just to let you all know I will not be acknowleding that holiday this year and for the next month I will be picketing any location with decorations, unless its absolutely nessecary for me to go in it.....

Adventure in a Boring Life

Ok so for the past few months all I've been able to do is work, go to church, sleep, eat and spend time with my family. Not that the last one is too bad. I really enjoy my family, but for a person my age, that's not the most exciting life, and being in the circumstances that I'm currently in I'm not allowed to do much else.

So anyway the adventure in my not so exciting life was my first day back to college classes. It was great. Just another confirmation that my education is headed in the right direction. One of my professors was impressed with my reasons and choice in major, simply its very similar to what she does. So she seems to have taken a special interest in me and told me to be in regular communication with her so she knows how I'm doing. I don't know about anyone else, but its nice to have some one care about you like that. All my professors seem to be a somewhat interesting, not like that boring professors I had when I was a pre-law major.

To top it off I signed up for a pilates class at school. Tomorrow I will have one more new class to conquer, but this one I think I might be ok in....since its the topic of the field I already work in(with my luck though it will be my hardest class to take...lol).

Butterflies in My Tummy

I'm so nervous!

You know how when you were little you and the night before school started you couln't sleep and you tossed and turned all night?

Yeah that's how I'm feeling right now. I can't belive that I'm feeling like this either. I am so excited to get back to a real university campus...but why am I so nervous? who knows any more. I want to sleep so bad, but I just can't do it. Usually I read before I go to bed because that helps me fall asleep, however I read my scripture and then like 10 chapters in my book, but that didn't do it. So here I am blogging. I've set up a new backround and check out my music.

Now I'm trying to figure out what else I should be doing to try and get a decent night sleep.......