1 Semester, 2 Jobs, and 3 Relationships Later; Alternately Titled: TLDR

I frequently consider a return to blogging.  In fact, I probably think about it at least 2-3 times a day.  But then when I sit down to write, I just don't really feel like it. Today, I thought about it a lot more than usual and I figured the best way to get back into this is to just tear off the bandaid. I figure a relatively easy way to do that would be a brief re-cap of 2015.  And I mean brief.  At the beginning of the year I was living in Las Vegas.  I was in a different relationship, finishing up my school semester and I was, to say the least, uncertain about where I would be a few months down the road. 

Towards the end of February things started to change.  My relationship was on the verge of ending and so was my time in Las Vegas.  I was trying to figure out the best way to stay there, but it just wasn't all that realistic. 
After that relationship ended, I started dating an old boyfriend.  You know...That one that I almost married back when I was 18?  Well shortly after that began I finished up my school semester, and I moved back to Salt Lake.  
For the rest of the spring, and throughout the summer, I continued to date Jake.  We had this whimsical summer filled with fishing, camping, family time, and other random adventures.  I started a new job, I played Army for a little while and then all of a sudden (and I mean it...it was pretty damn sudden) that relationship ended.  That was probably the biggest surprise.  But when I think about it, it's truly for the best.  It still twinges a little to say that, but I'm better off. 
In August, after I started to really excel in my position at my civilian job. I started working off the clock and trying to figure out a way that I could get looked at for promotion.  As I'd only been working there a few months, I wasn't sure how realistic I was being, but all that extra work finally paid off.  I was officially promoted in October and I started training new hires and working on the development of our current employees. 
Also in October, we took an amazing family vacation to California. We spend a couple of days on the beach and several more in Disneyland.  It was fantastic and I kinda want to go back, eat some Disneyland pickles and lay on the beach.

 Hoover Dam on the way to the beach.

 My sister's adorable little family.  My niece LOVED the "big watty"

Seriously...she's the cutest little Minnie Mouse in the universe. 

Disney's 60th Anniversary was pretty Memorable.  I got this cool pin and I totally made the fanny pack look cool.
Toward the end of October I started dating Corey.  I'll tell ya more about Corey here in his one very special blog post.  
and in November I finally made that trip to the dentist I'd been planning forever.  This too will need it's own post.  
But just as a little teaser...

That was on Halloween which I spend with Corey, turning down a trip to see Garth Brooks in concert (for free) to do so. 
Now...here we are at the beginning of another year 1 semester, 2 jobs, and 3 relationships later... and I don't even know where the time went. Things are so different from when this year started.  And honestly, I can't wait to see what happens next. 

Milestones and Pebble-Stones

Usually we think of milestones as huge moments in our lives.  Things like graduating high school or college.  Moving away from home.  Buying a car or a home.  Getting married.  Having children.
Sometimes, we don't even know that we're at a milestone until the time has passed and we're looking back on it.  I suppose that is part of why they say hind-sight's 20/20. 
4 years ago today, Jake walked into my life.  Back then, we were both in the delayed entry program ready to join the Marine Corps. On that day, we had no idea what we were in for. It was just another day and to each other we people that we'd interact on the daily as time passed.  We never could have known that we'd end up here.  Even at other points in our relationship or our friendship or when there was a lack of both, we never could have known what changes would come after that day. 
The past five or so years have been the worst, best, most confusing, fun-filled, exciting, and terrifying ones that I've lived yet. I've had adventures I never would have dreamed of.  I've been places I never thought I'd go, and I've felt things I didn't know where possible to feel.  
I've been pretty fortunate to be able to turn a lot of things that seemed pretty terrible into great things.  Personally, I think that's what life is all about.  That's at least what this blog is about.  What is life without a little turbulence?  I think it would be pretty boring.  So I choose to make mile stones from pebble-stones. 
It may not seem like a big deal to most people, but I think it's a pretty big deal that I just got my first queen sized bed.  I bought a bed, a mattress, a comforter, and I even supervised the construction of the bed. For me, having this big old bed in my room is win.  It's something I worked for and saved for.  It's something I'll look back on and be proud of.  And I'll just keep seeing things that way. 

I Think Gifts May be my Love Language

I love giving gifts, and I love receiving gifts.  It's not because I like material possessions.  At all.  In fact, I have way too many material things.  But what a gift shows is thought.  When you give a person a gift you have to recall mentions of favorites, wants, needs, and your overall knowledge of the things a person likes.  When you give someone a gift they truly love, you are showing them how well you know them or listen to them, or even just that you care enough to try  and find them the perfect gift.  I have probably thought about that too much, but it's true! For my birthday, my family all got me some fantastic gifts.  Everyone asked me for a few things that I wanted and I gave them some ideas, but I think they mostly just went with what they thought I would like.  My sister Megan got me a few different things.  They'll all look great in my room.  As I've moved back home we're all making a lot of changes to our living situation and I'm really excited to put up the things that she got me. 
Jake completely surprised me and got me a new pair of work boots! I'm ridiculously excited about these and I couldn't believe it when I opened up that bag and saw them.  I've been wearing the boots I was issued for the nearly 3 years that I've been in the Army...So I kinda needed a new pair.  

My mom and dad, in addition to buying me a couple of tires (Isn't it funny how the things you ask for changes so much as you get older?)  They got me a bunch of bath salts.  This may seem like a pretty simple gift, but in a dorm room, you miss out on the tub.  It was incredibly thoughtful for them to get and I have already used them!
My sister alexis got me a floral printed dress and a romper from Forever 21.  I already wore the dress and when it warms up, that romper will be a go-to.  She also got me these stinking cute sticky notes that I just want to put all over the place. 

My cousins got me some gift cards (perfect for me as I'm unemployed) as well as a mat stack book for scrapbooking.  And my aunt got me a bag from her recent trip to New York.

Gifts aren't just material things...They're a way that you show someone you care and I love them.  What do you think of gifts?

Dear Students, Cut Your Teacher Some Slack

           You may not know this--and I don't blame you, because I didn't know it until I started teaching--but your teachers are doing the very best that they can.  Most of my life I've heard people say and said things myself that are really pretty unfair.  I have gotten upset at my teacher for not grading assignments right away.  I've heard people get irritated at teachers for complaining about grading papers.  I've heard kids say that they think a teacher is mean/unfair/too strict etc...But let me tell you, it's time to cut them some slack. 
     Being a teacher is hard.  Standing in front of 7 and 8 year olds who really just want to run around all day long is hard.  Seeing kids just stare into space when you ask them to do something is hard.  Standing on your feet all day and talking loud enough for everyone to hear is hard.  Always knowing what to say when kids ask questions they shouldn't is hard.  Reading elementary school cursive is really hard.  Looking like you're happy 100% of the time is hard. 
     Did you know that a lot of the time your teacher doesn't even have the chance to go to the bathroom? Did you know that your teachers, while you've made them out to be super heroes, are completely human and occasionally make mistakes?  Did you know that your teacher wants to be there for everyone and change everyone's life like John Keating does in the Dead Poets Society and like Mr. Holland in Mr. Hollands Opus?  
    Your teachers were responsible for your start.  Your teacher is the reason that you can read books, and communicate effectively.  They're the reason that you can write.  They could be the reason that you learned discipline or time management.  Your teacher helped you graduate high school, she let you turn in that one paper late, he helped you find some extra credit when you needed it to boost your grade.  All together, they make your education possible. And with all that responsibility they get paid less than they need to support a family.   We all do the best that we can, so cut your teacher some slack. 
Sincerely,     every teacher ever. 

Two Years Ago Today

Two years ago today I went off to basic training ...

and my whole life changed.  I remember standing in my recruiters office with my parents and my sisters holding back tears and hoping that the next six months would go by as fast as possible. 

I remember sitting on that air plane reading The Great Gatsby and not paying attention to a single word I read.  I was so nervous.  All I could think about was getting there and failing.  I will never forget getting off that bus and standing in formation with my bag.  I felt lost.  Out of place.  Awkward.  I was sure that I had made some kind of mistake.

But sure enough, as the days passed by and the waking up at 04 got easier, I became more and more confident.  I wasn't afraid to talk to Drill Sergeants and I really wasn't feeling any fear at all anymore.

 A couple weeks had gone by and we had been issued our rifles.  It was like that awkwardness I'd felt in the beginning just started all over again. I swear I couldn't even lock the bolt to the rear.  If you know anything about the M16 you know that isn't hard and it shouldn't have been, but it was for me.  I felt stupid and weak.

After a couple of days of practice though, I was finally comfortable with my weapon.  I mean, they hardly left our hands.  It would have been harder not to get good at handling my weapon.

So that was good.  I was feeling good.  I was getting to know the people around me and I was totally ready to kill it.  Then PT started.  Of course, we were doing PT all the time when someone did something wrong or not fast enough or not good enough, but it was much different when we started the real stuff.  PT wasn't really all that hard.  I sucked at push-ups but I was getting better.  I wasn't great at running, but it wasn't killing me, but every day it was cold and windy.  I was getting sicker every day and my entire battery seemed to be screwing up more and more.

But eventually it all just...started to get easier.  The ruck marching didn't hurt so bad and the packs seemed to get lighter.  My PT score soared from a failing 170 to 260.  We did our 16k ruck march and it was finally time for graduation.  I was told by the battery's XO that I was getting promoted.  My family was coming to graduation, I'd found an amazing friend in my bunk mate, and I'd finally made it through some of the hardest days of my life.

My whole family was there at graduation including my brand new niece who's birth I happened to miss in my absence.  That reunion was one that I will truly never forget.  I have never been so happy to see my family in my life.  And after family day and graduation, we said our goodbyes and I headed off to AIT.

AIT was a whole new set of challenges that made my life...interesting, but it was all a completely life changing experience.  I know that without those nights I sat up tearfully reading about my nieces birth, and without those days that I spent at sick call because I'd sprained my ankle, and without those days of feeling on top of the world I would be a completely different person.  I am so happy that I made the decision to join the Army.  It was a life changing experience that continues to enrich my life.  I love being in the Army and I hope that many others can find joy in their service.

Happy Army Birthday to me!

Hot Chocolate and Bubbly Bartenders

Last night there was a meteor shower!  Trav and I had plans to go to a museum last night, but shortly after discovering there was a meteor shower, plans changed.  We decided to take a drive up Mount Charleston and watch meteors from the bed of his truck. 

We knew that it was going to be cold.  But oh man...it was cold.  On the way up the mountain, we stopped in at the little lodge up Kyle Canyon.  It's a cute little place with a little pound out front that was nearly frozen over... We decided to go into the bar and hang out for a little bit before we braved the freezing cold out there.  

We ate some delicious chili and hot chocolate, Trav had a few drink, and we chatted with the bubbly bartenders.  We cuddled up next to the fire for a little bit.  On a relatively unrelated note, I also sat down at the piano and showed Trav that I have a random hidden talent and can poorly play the piano. 

Eventually, we sucked it up and headed out into the cold.  We drove down the road to Lee Canyon and pulled over at Robber's Roost.  It's amazing how we were less than an hour from the city and yet it was like we could see every star in the sky. 

As you can see, we were wearing basically all the cold weather clothes that we had, but the cold definitely found its way into our little cuddled up bundle.  Neither of us really had clothes for the cold...we moved to Vegas in the Summer! We thought of a few things that may have made it a little warmer a little too late, but we still had a great time out there.  It is truly so incredible to stare up at the vastness of outer-space and just...think about how freaking big it is.  We talked about how we feel so small and insignificant...and we talked about how we have to create our own significance...That we have to make our dash count for us...because the universe is indifferent. 

We obviously think a little too much.  But that was my Monday night with my man...I think I might be spoiled. 

A Collections of Moments

Life is fragile.  
I think sometimes we forget that. We act like this day we're living right now isn't even going to be a memory a few months from now.  Sometimes, that may be true.  It's not likely I'm going to remember wanting to pull my hair out over studying for all my tests, but I'll probably remember the A that I get on the test.  Moments are fleeting but it's a collections of moments that make up your entire life.  I don't know about you, but I think I want my moments that I string together and look back on to be some good ones. 
 In an effort to improve the quality of my collections of moments I made a list... I kinda love lists. And this one is mine.  It consists of the things that I'd like to complete in the near future. Near can be interpreted as anywhere from a week from now to 5 years from now. 
1) Toss out the clothes & shoes that I've had since the 8th grade and buy adult clothes 2) Pass this semester
3) Be a good blogger.  Not because I wanna be blog-famous.   4) Read books just for fun.
5) Embrace my natural hair color and quit dying it. 6) See more live music. 
7)  Volunteer.  Love.  Give. Share.
8) Stop eating pizza Lunchable and Bagel Bites. 
9) Take care of my body. 
10) Start a collection so that when I'm old I have something of virtually zero value to pass onto my children.  
11) Write some music 
12)  Get married and have some kids (kids can come later than the "near future" timeline...)
13)  Let go of the things that don't enhance my life in any way.
14)  Spend more time without my phone in my hands. 
15) Don't just write lists like these. Actually do the stuff I put on it. 
Right now my life is sort of crazy and I'm not exactly sure what to do with everything that's happening.  I'm trying to just take this lesson with me.  I'm not going to be on this Earth for forever.  I have to make every single day and every moment that passes by count for something.  
What does your string of moments look like?

When We Make Plans

October is a big month for me.  It marks an anniversary that sometimes I want to forget altogether...But other times, I remember as being a huge life changing event that sent me on a path I wouldn't have picked.  And it's better than the one I did.
In October of 2011, I was preparing to leave for Marine Corps Boot Camp.  I was so ready.  I was going to make it.  I wasn't scared.  I knew I was doing the right thing for me.  Unfortunately, I made the decision to go for a little bike ride.  That little bike ride down a mountainside completely changed my fate for the rest of my life.  At that point in time, my plan was as follows:   Marine-->Wife-->War-->Mommy etc.  
Well, it has been three years now and I'm none of those things and I don't think I could be any happier that my plans didn't quite work out.  Sure, sometimes I wonder what it would have been like to be an active duty Marine, but I found something else.  I created a new career for myself.  One that I'm almost definitely better off in.  Not only that, I was inspired to go to college after my little break from life.  Part of the reason I chose to join the military was that I wasn't ready to go to college.  Breaking my arm gave me some time to grow up and get ready for it. 
I didn't end up marrying that boy and living with him happily ever after.  Again, sometimes I wonder what it would have been like...but where I sit right now, I'm happy that we didn't stay together.  We probably would have had a few months of wedded bliss before the realization that a mistake had been made... Right now, my injury is a faint scar and a distant memory.  Sometimes my fingers go numb or my arm tingles...but I don't really notice any limitations. My plans that didn't work out are lessons that I've learned.  Life is amazing for me.  I don't think I have ever been so happy.  If I could go back, the only thing I would do is hit myself on the head.  The bike ride was a pretty stupid idea.  But hey...shit happens.  I suppose this is where I say that I'll chalk it up to better luck. 
I suppose the only thing that's left to do...is ride a bike.  I haven't in three years.  If I ever do that again, I'll let you know how it goes. 

The Important Things in Life

A few wonderful things happened this weekend.  Let's start with the most important one:

photo cred

Gilmore Girls is on Netflix.  Don't panic.  Just go to the nearest smart TV, computer, laptop, tablet, etc...and watch until you feel like you can't take any more quick-witted humor and Emily Gilmore.

Okay so maybe that isn't the most important thing ever, however, my life is about to get very hermit-like because of that fact, so it's at least a little important. 

Also this weekend Trav and I went out to First Friday.  It's on Fremont street.  Basically they hold this thing on the first Friday of each month. We honestly weren't all that impressed. It was basically normal Fremont Street except you had to be 21 to enjoy.  You also had to wait in line to get in. They do have bands and such playing on the street, but they do that every weekend...so we didn't really get it.  

Instead of spending a lot of time out there at "First Friday" we decided to go grab some food and listen to an awesome little one man band.  I even brought my real camera. There is a noticeable difference in the pictures we took...

You don't even know how hard it is for us to make normal faces, but somehow, we pulled it off.  Honestly, Container Park might be my favorite part of downtown.  It might be totally new, but it's such a great addition to the area. We at the barbecue place and listened to the music while little kids (and adults) played with giant Legos and ran all over the play area.

The next morning a few of us from ROTC did some volunteering at Shade Tree.  It's a homeless/domestic violence shelter for Women.  Some of us helped organize their supply room with their clothing and toiletries, other served lunch, some did laundry...It was an overall, very rewarding day that I'm really glad I got to be a part of. But I think we need to talk to the guy on the end about looking like he's having a good time...

Well, I've got to get over to Travis's to go make some pumpkin cookies.  I've been craving them for a week, and although I'm not much of a baker, I think I can pull this off. 

Haaaaaave you met Trav?

Here it is Thursday and this is only my second day of blogging this week.  There is something wrong with that picture.  For that I apologize.   I blame the boyfriend.  Yep.  I said it.  I'm no longer a single lady. Being single was fun, but I suppose I wasn't planning on being single forever.  I was hoping that eventually someone would come a long that would make it so I didn't really care about going out to party and all that.  And that has finally happened.
Meet Travis.  Neither of us can just make a normal picture face, so this is what you get. I met Travis a little while ago and now I really just don't want to let him get away.  We've been having all sorts of random adventures through out Las Vegas since the first day we went out.  We went to my favorite bar, (atomic liquor), went for a night hike up Mount Charleston, found out that swimming at the Palms is free Sunday through Thursday, went to the shooting range, and basically discovered that the other is the coolest thing since sliced bread.
Travis is goal-oriented.  Smart.  Cute.  Exciting. Funny (but not funnier than me of course.  I'm the funny one.)  And way too much like me. 
 I never thought I'd say this, but I'm really happy to be out of the dating pool and wading in the waters of a relationship. I can't wait to see where life takes us next. 

A Gateway to the Rest of the World

Online Dating.  I've been doing it for a little while now.  At first I was a little bit embarrassed by it.  I thought that dating online was only for older people who felt like they were running out of time to meet someone organically. I found out quickly that that is not the case.  It's simply how things work these days.  My friend Shannon (check out her guest post tomorrow!) met her husband using the app OKCupid, and I've known a few other people who have met their significant others through an app or some other form of online dating.  
Online dating has its pros and cons.  Sometimes you get messages from questionable people who are clearly just out for one thing, and one thing only.  Other times though, you meet people who are interesting.  You might meet people who actually want to take you out on a date.  You might meet someone who is destined to be your best friend.   For me, as someone who is living in a relatively new place, it's very beneficial for me to use it.  I can meet locals and learn about the amazing city around me.  Already it has paid off to have a way to meet new people and make friends.  Last year while I was here in Vegas, I was lonely.  The only way I saw to make friends was in class.  I had no problem talking to people in class, but it never went beyond the classroom.  Thinking about giving online dating a shot?  Well, here's how you date online and live to tell the tale (or just don't walk away really disappointed)

1. Don't put the people you chat with on a pedestal.  Chat with them but wait to really make up your mind about them until you've actually been out with them.  They might seem awesome in text but not at all in practice.  If you build them up before you meet, you might be disappointed.

  2. If you're looking for more than just a hook up, don't play into guys asking for pictures, Snapchat screen names, or those who obviously have less than innocent intentions. It enables them.  

3.  Be careful! People are weird... 4.  If you live in a "destination" sort of place like I do (Vegas) pay attention to who is actually living where you live, and those who are just visiting. 
5.  If you're not interested in somebody, don't talk to them! It's easy as that...

6.  Most importantly, have fun.  Meet new people, create relationships, and let online dating be a gateway to the rest of the world. 

There She is! Miss America

My decision to go back to UNLV has been a...conflicting one. Before I came out here to Fort Knox, my plan was to go back home, work my lil' ol' job for another few month and go to a small school in Utah that was a little less expensive and possibly a bit easier to handle.  
You can imagine my family's surprise when I woke up one morning and my mind had completely changed.  I had chosen, once again, to leave home and be on my own.  In some ways, I get so sad to leave. I'll miss my family so much, but I just can't stay. 
I was reading a blog post that Amelia wrote and it occurred to me why I feel that way.  I highly recommend that any twenty-something living somewhere besides their hometown gives it a read. I'm sure it will resonate with you. *** Today my little sister sent me a SnapChat that said "It seems like you think home is a bad place".  I'm assuming she said that because I posted some BuzzFeed article on Facebook about the things that people say to you when you leave home. So...I've decided to write an open letter to the world about growing up, moving out, and being your own person. 
**** My family is the number one most important thing in the world to me.  I love them all more than anything in the entire world.  Today I flipped through some pictures I have saved on my computer and I just couldn't believe how much we have all changed. 
We went from this little family just playing music together on a Friday night for our friends...

To a grandma and grandpa

A mommy 

A college student 

And well, you know all about my stuff...

But the point I'm getting at, is that in the span of about 6 or 7 years, a whole lot of things have changed. We've all lived some life and had some adventures. My little sister is about to experience living on her own for the first time. My sister and her new husband are learning all about the ups and downs of parenthood.  My parents are trying to figure out what the heck to do with an empty nest...

And me? Well I'm just trying to find the place that I fit best in this world.  I'm working on shaping my character and rounding myself out (not physically...ha. ha.) I want to "home" to be wherever I'm at.  Right now, home is my barracks room at Fort Knox. While it isn't the coziest and I'm not always super happy to sit in there and run up my phone bill, that's home. I live there and it's mine. 

For now. 

I'll always have Salt Lake to go back to.  It will always be a place that I can say I grew up in. But it's also a place that I've grown out of.  It's different and so am I. Life continues to push forward there when I'm not around.  So I need to make a home wherever I rest my head at.  

When I'm gone, I miss my family.  I miss the, while extremely annoying, familiar hum of the freeway while I fall asleep in my bed.  I miss my mom singing "There she is! Miss America!" when she fist sees me that morning.  I miss fighting over the last piece of nearly burnt-to-a-crisp bacon.  I'll miss random, late night trips to Walmart with my big sister...And I'll always miss those things. It will never go away, but things can't always stay the same.  

I'm just so lucky that I have made so many great memories with the people I love.  I can't wait to have a family of my own so I can teach my kids everything my parents have taught me.  And teach my future husband how to keep the cupboards closed and to dry off in the shower (I'm talking about you, daddy) I have been extremely blessed and lived an amazing life filled with great things.
But it's time for me to write a new volume of my life.  I can't even say it's a chapter, because I'm pretty certain this is an entirely different book of life I'm writing here. 

This Time Will Be Different

Well, I did it again. I made a huge life changing decision. It's one I've made before, but then, the timing wasn't right. I was overly excited for something that was very difficult to accomplish in a short amount of time.
I've been spending some time around the colleg campus in Louisville and I just felt homesick for that life. I felt, all of a sudden, like I needed to make a change.  Since I left school, although I've been working very hard and saving money, I have felt so very...stationary.  It was like I still new what I wanted but didn't really have any true plans to pursue it.  Being here and working with Cadets has simply changed my mind.  
I'm going back to UNLV.

 

Yep.  Real life. I'm doing it.  All I have to do is submit my immunization proof and I'm in.  It was so easy. I called the registrar's office and there was nothing to it.  A sign that I have to do it.

 

While I'm at it, I'm going to attend ROTC courses to later (hopefully) become a Commissioned officer.  Just thinking about it, I have butterflies. That alone tells me that I have to do it.  It was like I woke up this morning and just knew what I had to do. 

 

At first, I thought I was being ridiculous thinking that I could get home from Kentucky and start school right away, but now, it just feels right.  I know that I've said that before, but I feel so much more confident this time. On top of that, I'll have a little bit more money in my pocket. If you'll remember last fall semester I was ridiculously broke. Like so terribly broke I couldn't eat out. Like ever.

 

This time...it will be different.  And I cannot wait!

 

I have a checklist a mile long of the things that I have to do before I can go, but it isn't phasing me at all. Before I felt overwhelmed and stressed out, as if there was no possible way to accomplish anything at all. This time...this time will be different.

The First Step

 
I constantly remind myself why I started this blog.  In my short life I have learned so much, but the most important lesson I have learned is this: 
Life is good.
I decided that in my effort to continually keep my head up and work towards bigger and better things, I want to share 5 things a week that demonstrate just how good life is.  I'm sick of complaining about all of my petty first-world problems.   I promise, this isn't the worst thing that ever happened to you. 
I'm ready to embrace the fact that there is so much more to life than the bad/stupid stuff.  It may not always seem like it, but if you ask me, the first step is looking at the good parts.  Some people have gratitude journals, I have this. 
1.  I was able to apply and get accepted to an active duty assignment for the summer. I get to spend my whole summer on an active duty base working, playing, and seeing old friends.  I am so excited to have this opportunity. 
2.  I got approved for my first real line of credit besides my car loan. I am super excited about this.  I'm working really hard to get all my finances in line and build my credit.  I have big financial goals for a young'un and I am so glad I get the chance to work on them. 
3.  My civilian job is so patient with me and lets me jet off to different places whenever I have to.  The Army is taking me far more places than I expected and I am quite fortunate to have such a flexible boss that just wants it to be smooth sailing. 
4.  I have awesome parents that understand my need to...ramble. They let me live at their house rent free and deal with all the messes I make.  There is a slight possibility that this is because I make a mean batch of enchiladas but either way, they put up with me and I am so lucky to have them. 

5. I got into a major car accident and walked away with a tiny scratch on my knee and some lessons learned. 
Being able to look at the bright side is something that I have learned over time.  I haven't always been good at, but it has truly improved my quality of life more than I can even comprehend.  If you happen to see a few things in your life that make things work right, maybe stop and appreciate it for a minute.  You never know how good it can make you feel until you try.

Making It In a Man's World

I know...I know.  I didn't post all 5 days last week.  But I do have a rule about blogging.  Blogging is not allowed to get in the way of life. If blogging gets in the way of life then life is not being lived to blog about...so live first, blog second. 
This weekend was so crazy.  In fact, this whole week was kind of crazy.  I hate to stay up late anymore...I don't know why, but I just can't do it.  I've been up late pretty much every day this week.
I have been car shopping to no avail.  I really hate car shopping.  I'm mad that I even have to do it right now.  I didn't want a new car.  I liked the one I had, so I'm a little upset about this right now.  And it only gets more annoying. On the bright side, while I did work and car shop all week, I also got to spend a little bit of time at a music festival in Ogden.  It's about an hour away, so driving two and from there twice kind of sucked, but it was worth it.  
We watched an incredible, Grammy Nominated, all girls bluegrass band play.  
They were serious, so inspiring.  They make me want to play the mandolin all day long.  They played mostly their original songs as well as a few songs also sung by women in the bluegrass world.  I know it seems kind of medieval, but there aren't really a lot of women in the bluegrass community, so it really means something to me and my sisters to run into people who have made it big in a man's genre of music.  
This kid was equally inspiring.  His name is Sammy Sammy is 13 years old and writes incredible songs.  You would have no idea that he's 13.  I just don't know what he's going to do when his voice changes...Hopefully his whole career won't be over!
This is me and my little sister.  She graduating high school this year and it's kind of a big deal.  We were watching Della Mae and singing along with the songs that we knew having a great time.  I'm really going to miss these times when she goes off to college...It will be the first time that she's the one who's gone instead of me.  Weird.  
The last night we were there, I stayed up until 3 in the morning playing music with some really great musicians.  I was so tired and was barely holding my own in the jam, but it was so inspiring.  It really made me want to get back into the music and really learn to be great, just like the are.  I added one of them on Facebook and now I'm feel like I'm all brushing elbows with fame.  The kid's only 19 and can play circles around me...He's amazing.  
So there you have it a great weekend at the Ogden Friends of Acoustic Music Festival!  I hope you all have a great week.  I know Monday is a rough one for some, so keep your heads up!