Too Poor To Pay Attention

I saw that phrase on a shirt once and thought it was funny. Now I'm living it. As you may recall, I'm taking some Summer classes online. One of those exciting classes is "Economic History of the U.S.". As I was plugging along doing my assignments, I noticed it said they were all due May 29th. I thought the teacher just hadn't adjusted the dates from Spring semester yet, and they were not actually all due then. Lucky for me, I have tried to stay ahead in all my classes, so I completed the entire 1st unit, and a small part of the 2nd (there are only 3 units total). So 3 weeks into class (May 28th) I e-mailed my teacher and asked if those were the correct due dates. I just couldn't figure out why everything would be due after 3 weeks when the Summer semester doesn't end until August 5th. That is when I received a brief, but very informative e-mail, to this effect:

"Tomorrow, 5/29/08, the 3-week Econ 1740-41 DVD course will conclude. Most students have completed the homework sections and the first two exams. The final exam remains open for you to complete.

If you have issues please contact me.

Good luck."

I didn't know I was supposed to have a DVD, and I definitely did NOT realize the class was only 3 weeks long. 3 WEEKS!!!! Why would anyone want to take a 3-week course in the Economic History of the U.S.?? Maybe to get it over with, but that's a LOT of economics in 3 tiny little weeks. I will never make the grand mistake of not knowing exactly when a course starts and ends--and if it includes DVD lectures--again! In fact, I better go check my other classes to make sure none of them are 4-week courses...

That little "whooshing" breeze you heard just now was my 4.0 floating out the window... (At least I'm still going to the gym, or I'd be a total failure). I'm pretty sure I botched that. I did receive an e-mail from the Professor again this morning, and he said he would be willing to extend the homework and quiz dates for a couple of days, which I thought was incredible, and extremely compassionate, since I was dumb and didn't read the information on my schedule. The one problem is, you can only take the quizzes once, and I crammed them all in yesterday (I even roped Josh's cousin [who is a Jr. in High School] into sticking around and helping me with the questions since he is a History buff [and because he has had history far more recently than I have]--unfortunately he happens to prefers Art history to Economic history... ;) Thanks Christian!) I'm hoping the professor can work with me, since he saw my determination to finish. I mean really, who does 36 homework assignments in 1 day? Especially Economics...sheesh! Needless to say, I'm pooped. I think I'm going to double check all my other classes now... I'm just praying I won't end up doing 36 Psychology assignments today!

GOAL!

So I heard once that if you write down your goals you are more likely to accomplish them. So let it be written, let it be known. I have two main goals, and while I realize I alone am responsible for my success in these goals, a little help and prodding and (gentle) reminders about my progress could be helpful... Ready? Here they are:

1. Keep going to the gym 5 days a week (at VERY least 30 minutes)
2. 4.0 g.p.a. this semester, yes, all 17 credit hours!

That's enough for now. All things in moderation...Wish me luck, here I go!

P.S. If you get a chance, you should try to preview the song "Lucky". It's by Jason Mraz, featuring Colbie Caillat. Try iTunes. You won't get the whole version, but if you want to snag me sometime, I'll let you listen to my c.d. because I OWN IT!!!!!! :o)

Lessons Learned, Begin Next Chapter

So last night was the last night cleaning the floors at the JSMB. I've learned a few lessons, and now I'm moving on to "bigger and better" things. I completed my orientation at Temple Square Hospitality Corp. (for employment at the Roof) yesterday as well, and signed up for Summer semester classes. I was bummed about taking so long to get through school, and I was miraculously able to turn it into a huge cloud of motivational steam. Hopefully, that motivational steam will chug me right on through my 10 credit hours and 2 jobs. I bought the book for my dumb Computer Essentials class (not thrilled) and brought it to work this morning. It was in showing off the wealth of knowledge I will be obtaining through my 6-inch thick textbook and 3 inch companion guidebook, that he pointed out a correlation between work and school. They are installing the Microsoft Office Suite 2007 version on all the computers here at work, and that is what we will be studying in my Computer Essentials class. Not only did I get permission to do homework and assignments for this particular class at work, but my boss offered (I didn't even think to ask) to reimburse me for the class. He told me today, that he thinks I am "under utilized" and he doesn't like that. He thinks I am bright, and can do well, but don't have enough "substantial" projects. I agree with him that I don't have enough substantial projects here at work. He wants to start paying for my school classes (2 each semester). If you earn an "A" in the class, you receive 90% reimbursement; B's are 80%, C's are 70%. He said he expects me to get 90% reimbursement.

This was really good to hear--who doesn't want to hear their boss say they are bright, and capable. I really appreciated that. It was nice to hear, and from it, I received another puff of motivational steam. I'm feeling very good about the "English Degree Route" that I have started down. I'm really excited to take the required classes, and am ready to dive right in, head first- and hopefully coming out on top.

(P.S. Don't forget you are always welcome to comment, even if I don't know you!)

The Hostess With the Mostess

It's official! I'm quitting the carpet cleaning job at the JSMB. The hours are absolutely killing me--especially when I have to be at work by 8:00 the next morning. So last week I applied for a temporary (through the end of the Summer--which is exactly what I was looking for), Part-time job hosting at the Roof Restaurant (in the JSMB on the 10th floor). Today they called to officially offer me the job (they still have to run a background check--hopefully they don't find the body at the bottom of the Great Salt Lake...). I have an orientation on Thursday for an hour, which will in turn be my last night cleaning carpets. I will be telling my supervisor tonight that Thursday will be my last day. (They are an "at-will" employer so I can quit with little or no notice, and they can fire me with little or no notice). Normally I would give two weeks as a courtesy and a formality, but I can't take this schedule anymore, and the job is only through the end of the Summer, so that's only another 4 months or so. I'm very excited, I think this will be great. I won't work every night (unless I want to). They told me I could pick up shifts where I wanted, or I can decline shifts as needed. I'll work at (very) least 2 days a week. I will be off work by 8 or 9 p.m. during the week, and 9 or 10 on the weekends. I'm really so very excited. I think this will be great. So stop by and say hello sometime (at the Roof--the creme brulee totally makes it worth it)!

Also, I'm tempted to take another English class, and another Math class this Summer to keep plugging through (both online) but I can't find an open English class online--so I'm pretty sure I'll take the Summer off as planned. Josh however, is taking Math online (I wanted to take it with him) so he'll have some homework, but it won't be bad. I've taken Math classes online before, and I actually really like it. They make you use this MathLab program that is really helpful. They show you step by step, the computer will help you with your homework, you can take practice tests/quizzes online. The other thing that is really nice about the MathLab is that you can take your actual quizzes and tests online, you don't have to go to the testing center at school. That is so convenient and nice!!!! When I took my chemistry class online, not only did I have to spend 20 hours a week on my homework and quizzes, but I had to go to the testing center on campus to take my tests, and it was always so crowded, and you are limited on when you can go (based on when they are open).

And now, mad props to Josh. He has worked really hard this semester, and has done really well. Not only has he impressed me with his diligence in getting everything done (and fending for himself for dinner, and sometimes cleaning the house on his own), but he has impressed his teachers with his level of work. His teacher from his 'Principles of Interviewing' class offered him a part-time job this Summer interviewing people who come to visit the campus. That was really neat. I don't think he knows just how proud of him I am, so Josh--mad props--awesome job and I love you for it (and other reasons too!!!). One of his other teachers liked his final paper so much, she asked if she could use it as an example in her future classes, and he agreed.

What did I tell you? We are so blessed. We have so much to be thankful for. Thanks Josh, for being diligent and working hard, and not complaining--not even once, not even in jest--that I haven't been home to make you dinner, or always help with the housework. Oh, and one more thing to put limitations on our time and availability, but opening new doors for blessings--Josh was called to be the Elders Quorum Secretary in our ward. We have 2 apartment complexes in our ward boundaries (1/2 of each are actually in our ward), so we have a lot of "moves". The Elders Quorum usually helps people move once a week in June and July, so they are busy, not to mention the other awesome responsibilities they have. I'm learning though, that when you do the very best you can, and you are living as you should (doing your best, not your "almost-best", but your full BEST), the Lord will help you fill in the gaps. He lifts you when you can barely put one foot in front of the other. I've felt this blessing in my life quite often the last couple of weeks. I know as we continue to do those things that are right and true, He will continue to bless, strengthen and support.

Caught It!

So if you know me, you know that I HATE running. Yes, I hate it. Well, that was before Emily prescribed some new asthma medication for me. Since I finally worked out the pre-authorization with the insurance, I got my month's supply and began taking it right away. I signed up for the Salt Lake 5K and was able to get the singulair before then. I was doing really well at the gym pushing myself to up my endurance, and things were going well. Then I hit a reading high, and decided I would do the stationary bike for a little while, so I could read. Then I got really interested in the stairmaster, so for the two weeks leading up to the 5K, I didn't run AT ALL. The Friday night before, I decided I probably needed to run a little before. I ran for about 11 minutes, and then the gym closed and they kicked me out. :(  Saturday morning came, and I was up early. Bummer! I like to sleep in at least a little on Saturdays.  As I donned my "free" t-shirt and hat, I wondered if I was really awake, and what on earth I was possibly thinking when I signed up. But, I somehow made it there. A couple puffs of my rescue inhaler, a few gulps of water, and I was off. I wandered around Liberty Park for a few minutes, hoping to find someone I knew, and then I saw the group from my ward who were walking/running the 5K in remembrance of Bryce Brown. I started to get really excited about it. Finally, we all started. I did really really well at first. I ran almost the whole first mile, and was doing well. I hit the gatorade stand, and thought I was getting water, but ended up with gatorade, and was sorta bummed about that. My goal was to finish in 45 minutes (or less, obviously), and to run for at least 15 minutes. I finished in 39:29, but only ran 13 minutes of the race. I wasn't in it to win, but I definitely caught the running bug. I have decided that I will do my best to train to run the half-marathon next year. I have already tried to push my endurance at the gym. Just this week, I was running at the gym, and made it 0.25 miles, and decided i could make it to 0.5 miles, after making it that far, and still doing well, I decided I could do 0.75 miles. Well, I did it. I pushed through some definite pounding in my chest (left side, then the right), but I made it. So I walked another 0.30 miles, and finished running the mile I started. I was so pumped. I have been really excited about it. I'm not great at running, I have horrible endurance. I attribute all my exercise success to Emily (my sister-in-law). When we were there for Christmas, she told me "you have to start somewhere". So after making a goal of attending the gym 5 days a week--every week, I have tried (and so far successfully) to keep it up (i just finished 13 weeks). Going that often has allowed me to be able to set other goals and achieve them, but it has given me the confidence and ability to keep going. Sometimes, it's really frustrating because i can't see any evidence of it having any affect on my weight, or physical appearance. The other day, I did drop 2 pounds overnight, and was only back up less than an entire pound the next day. That was encouraging. I usually fluctuate a little, but so far, it hasn't come back --KNOCK ON WOOD. So back, to the 5K. Afterward, we stopped at Redbox and rented Juno (not that great) and got some Jamba Juice drinks, and came home to enjoy a movie and some treats. So there you have it, I have caught the running bug, and plan to keep this up for awhile. 

I got the free hat from work (and a shirt, water bottle, and healthy snacks), and the short sleeve shirt just for signing up. I bought the long-sleeve shirt myself.  Next year my shirt will say "Salt Lake Half-Marathon" instead of "5K".

Judd and Jessie's Wedding

I know it's taken me a couple of weeks to get these pictures posted, but here they are. Judd and Jessie's wedding, April 17th, 2008. Enjoy!

After the actual wedding, everybody waits and waits for the bride and groom to come out.

Then the bride and groom make their first "entrance" as a married couple. Awww, tender!

Then the bride and groom get passed around in a hugging line.

Since Jessie just works across the street, two of her friends from the Membership department at DMBA came over to see her as she and Judd emerged.

Pretty soon, you have to start taking all the family pictures, and bride/groom pictures before you get random people from someone else's wedding in your pictures. There were a lot of weddings that day, so we had to move fast. (Betty, Jessie, Judd, Todd--Jessie's Parents).

The photographer they had was really good to be there ALL day. He didn't go home that night until after they left (in their newly "decorated" car). However, he was quite possibly the most obnoxious human being on earth! (Patrice, Jessie, Judd, Mike--Judd's parents).

Here are all the siblings, I would attempt to name everyone, but you would get a lot of weird made up names like Jethro, Gomer, Sarah, Jane, etc. So, these are all the siblings and their spouses.

Unfortunately, we forgot to take the camera to the reception, so that's all I have for pictures. Everyone looked really nice, and the cake was delicious! We got to take some extra eclairs home, as well as a gigantic chunk of the cake. It was so good. It was chocolate cake with raspberry filling. It was one of the cake flavors we had at our wedding, but didn't get to have more than one bite of, so it was awesome! Well, except for when I bit down and found out the little beads on the cake were actually beads, not edible decorations. Though it was painful, the cake was so good, that I just ate around them! :)