Getting Up to Date and a Little Randomness

My life has been crazy.  There's really no other way to describe it.  It's just pretty much out of control.  Well, out of my control anyway.  Where to start?

SCHOOL:
Well, I have finished all my classroom work.  I passed my final exam for the program.  I'm currently working at Senior Care Pharmacy.  Well, it's my Externship.  My UNPAID externship.  But I'm working 40 hours a week to get my 180 hours done for certification.  At this pace, I should be done in just over 4 weeks from starting.  And I've been doing this for a week now.

I actually really enjoy it.  And they've already offered me a position to stay on after I finish my externship.  YAY!  AND the managing Pharmacist talked to me the other day about going to Pharmacy School.  Since then, I've been doing a lot of research into Pharmacy Schools and the pre-admissions requirements for said programs.  It's a lot of work.  I think I'd really like to do it.  I just don't know if it's the right course for me.  It would probably take me 2 years to get thru the prereqs since I was a history major and didn't have to take a lot of science classes.  Oh and I'd still be working throughout the process so it's not like I can really go to school full time.  And Pharmacy School is expensive.  There would definitely be student loans involved.  I'd likely have to relocate, because, let's face it, the odds of me getting into the University of Utah's Pharmacy School are not great.  And do I do all this, 6+ more years of school, in case I have to have a career for life, but really hoping I get to get married and have a family?  I know the two aren't mutually exclusive, but still.  It's causing me more than a little anxiety.

I'm still studying away too because I have to take the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam still.

FAMILY:
Kevin got his mission call to Washington DC North mission.  He leaves January 23rd.  He's super excited.  Tyler has crashed 2 of my family's cars in the last 4 months.  My mom and Kevin are going with Kristie, Scott, Emma and Adam to Disneyland in a week.  I'm jealous.  Mostly because I'm so stressed out, I could use an escape.  But alas, I must wait a while longer.  We did family pictures a couple weeks ago.  I'll get around to posting some soon.

HOLIDAYS:
Thanksgiving was tasty.  And the few days before that, Angie and I went on a little jaunt down to sunny California.  It was so nice and warm.  We sat by the pool for hours and got just enough sun so that when we returned to Utah, we weren't the whitest people in the state.  It was such a fun girls trip!  And I definitely needed some California time.  A most productive trip.

Christmas was good.  My mom copied my friend Lacee and did something a little different, gift-wise, for those of us still "at home".  We got a "Need It", "Want It", "Read It" and a "Wear It".  AND I got my very own Costco membership.  I love me some costco and I look forward to using it and especially for getting gas, which I use more of now that I have a daily commute.  For my Read It, I got an Amazon Kindle gift card.  So I'm looking for suggestions on what books to get.  Of course, the nieces and nephew were ADORABLE for Christmas.  I'll post more on that later when I get pictures done.  (Have I mentioned what a disaster my life is right now?)

RANDOM:
Well, Bealynn, my super messy, drives-me-crazy, roommate is moving out.  She told us at the end of November.  Lindsey and I decided not to fill the room.  It's just going to be the 2 of us now.  And we're pretty excited about it.  Bealynn hasn't moved all her stuff out yet, but like the cleaning nerds that we are, Lindsey and I are SUPER anxious to sanitize her portions of the house.

I saw The Hobbit.  It was awesome!  Also, it was completely spontaneous and before it officially opened.  So that was extra fun.

My random piece of wisdom for the day:
"Love is wanting to punch someone in the face.  But not actually doing it."

I got a stress fracture during Scarlet Pimpernel and have been wearing a special boot for the last 3 weeks.  I don't wear it to work and I think that it's starting to take it's toll.  I felt a twinge on Sunday (couldn't wear the boot cuz I had to play the organ).  So I've been a good girl and have worn it when I'm not at work.  I even wore it all day Christmas.  But it still hurt a bit today.  That's probably a sign that I should wear it to work.  Maybe it would be enough just to get some good stand/walk around all day shoes for work.  I'm on my feet for a full shift and my feet and back are really suffering for it.

I think that's all for now.  If I think of more, I'll share.  Otherwise, look for a end of year/beginning of year post soon.

Slacker

That would be me.  A Big Slacker!  I know you, my avid readers, have been greatly distressed by my MIA status here on the blog.  I humbly beg your forgiveness.  I will endeavor to do better.

Gratitude Day 1 - 2012

Yes it's that time again. Time to bake. Time to eat turkey. Time to go shopping. Time to be grateful.

On this, the first day of November, I am grateful for this last year. Just the fact that I've survived, is enough for gratitude. But also, I've learned so much. I learned that I'm stronger than I thought. I've also learned that it's ok not to be strong all the time. It's ok to rely on others sometimes. I've learned that sometimes you have to take chances. Sometimes the risk is rewarding. Sometimes things don't go according to plan. Sometimes you want to punch people in the face. Sometimes you realize there are people in your life you can't survive without. Sometimes you need a break and it's ok to take one.

I've learned a lot this year. That is just the tip of the iceberg. And as difficult as this part year has been, I'm grateful for every lesson learned.

De-Stress-ify

I've spent the last week living at my parents house while they've been in Hong Kong. On Thursday, I found myself thinking, "What's different? I feel significantly less stressed." I stopped by my apartment to pick up the mail and immediately realized what had happened.

Now, please understand that I have legitimately been trying really hard to have patience with my one roommate. I know that I don't control the choices others make. I'm also very aware that I still suffer the consequences of those choices others make( trust me, I KNOW this). I've been trying to roll with the punches and not worry about things I can't control. However, it's gotten to the point where I am suffering in most negative ways.

Due to my insanely busy schedule, which isn't going to change in the near future, I have tiny windows in which to get certain things taken care of. For example, eating. I do not have time to clean up someone else's mess, cook dinner, eat and then turn around and clean up my mess. I'm sorry, I just don't. And when I have 1 hour to do that in, i can't be competing with someone else in the kitchen.

Additionally, my job is to play the piano. If i want to keep this job, and I very much do, I need to be practicing. And that means I need to fit it in on my schedule. But i always feel like I'm inconveniencing someone.

So I just don't eat and I don't practice.

I'm sure this sounds like I'm being unreasonable and inflexible. I acknowledge that I'm not perfect, far from, and that I have less than desirable traits. Some of them I have a better handle on.

I know that not everything is in my power to change. But some things are. This is.

So I'm going to move. I guess I just need my own space. You try running a house for 8 years and then trying to have roommates. It's rough. This decision also helps me as I come to terms with the reality that I may be single for a long while. I have to figure out the best way I can deal with that. I feel this is best for me.

So I'm on the hunt. 1 or 2 bedrooms. $700 or less a month. North Salt Lake, I'm thinking.  Keep your eyes and ears open.  Making this decision as already lifted a huge weight from my shoulders.

What Must Be Done By 31

First off, I feel really clever for coming up with the title of my list.  Next, after last year's big 30 list, I've decided to do fewer items. And I'm going to try to have things on the list that really push my boundaries and make me step outside my comfort zone.

MUST BE DONE BY 31

1. Finish Pharmacy Technician Certification- I know this will get done. I only have one class left and then my externship thing. And then I'll just have to take my national and state exams.
2.  Get my own apartment. The roommate thing has been good for this transitional period as I adjust to being single again and try to get my life figured out. But, I really need my own space. I need to have a space for all my music stuff and not having to worry about roommates when I have a few seconds to practice. And sharing a bathroom is just not working out, especially with this particular roommate. And I ran my own household for 8 years. So having 2 roommates, one in particular who just doesn't think about anyone else, has been quite the adjustment.
3.  Learn to play a new instrument.  I'd really like to learn the guitar, but I don't have access to one. I do, however, have access to a flute, a violin, a trumpet, and a few saxophones. So I guess I have a lot of choices...hmmm
4.  Go on a vacation.  I definitely need one of these. Hopefully it will be a super awesome one.  But even if it is just a weekend away...I just need to get away.
5.  Figure out how to be single for life. I'm not saying this is the only option. But I have to be realistic. In my heart, I've been hoping this situation was short- term. After a year of being divorced and living the single life, I need to accept that this might be the way it is. I mean, I have been married before. I know that's something that a lot of girls don't experience. What are the odds of me finding someone else who wants to put up with me on a permanent basis? I'm not being self- deprecating and I'm not looking for pity. I'm saying it like it is. I know I'm not shiny and new like I was 10 years ago. And I don't play games. It's not that I don't want to married again. And obviously I'd still love to have kids. But if there's one thing I've learned in my life, it's that you can hope all you want, and work toward the things you hope, but you have to learn to be happy in whatever situation you find yourself in. And so I need a single girl plan.
6.  Do something I've been too scared to do. I did this one last year and I think it's incredibly liberating for me. I don't take a lot of chances, usually. But I was very daring this last year. And I think I'm better for it.
7.  Be a better communicator. If I can write things down, I communicate really well. If I have to be conversational about it, I'm significantly less effective. And if it's confrontational or emotional, I pretty much shut down. So I'm going to work on it.
8.  Serve others. If it's just going to be me for the rest of my life, I'm going to need a purpose.
9.  Read 5 new books. I used to devour books. And I would read constantly. I love reading, I just need to make time for it.
10.  Get healthy. I know at least half of you are going to hate me a little for this one. I need to gain weight. Over the last 3 years, I've dropped 20 pounds. Not OK. At least not for me. And for about 3/4 of this year, I exercised pretty well. But I've not been doing well recently. So I want to put on some weight and be physically fit.

I still want to add a few more items to my list here, so watch for updates. I think it's interesting that last year, I needed a lot of distractions, so my list had a lot of "do this" type of thing to keep me busy. This year's list is more focused on refining, don't you think? Obviously, I'm getting much more wise in my old age. Or more boring...

Happy Birthday to Me!

My Sister-in-law is awesome.  She is crafty and thoughtful and amazing.  And she has outdone herself this time.

She painstakingly gathered 30 notes from my closest friends and family and compiled them into this book.  On a day I'd been dreading for a year, this was such a source of comfort and so uplifting.  There were so many fond memories and kind words!

This last year has been really difficult for me.  Things still are rough more often than naught.  But this was such a blessing to me at a dark time.  To read all the things written...I just don't deserve amazing friends like you.  And I think some of you might have been drinking copiously while writing these.  Or maybe you were thinking of someone else.  Someone much more worthy of such praise.  Thank you for all your kind words!

And as for Kristie...I can't believe how much time and effort it must have taken for her to track everyone down and keep following up to get things done.  I'm so grateful for such a caring sister-in-law who is so in tune with the spirit that she knew exactly what I needed for my birthday and took the time to make me feel so special on my birthday.

30 Before I Turn 30: An Evaluation

Well, I'm 30 now.  I gotta say, I'm a little disappointed.  I didn't receive any super powers.  I didn't suddenly become all wrinkled and hobbled.  My hair didn't turn gray or fall out.  I didn't break my hip (although considering some of the things I do in the show, it wouldn't have surprised me if I had).  I don't feel different at all.  All this hype over turning 30 for nothing.

I do feel very special, though.  I had a great time celebrating my birthday.  While it wasn't an official celebration, on Thursday, I went out with Amy, Jodi, Lacee and Melina.  Lacee turned 30 a month ago, so she's a pro.  And she's handling it really well, so that gives me hope.  We went to Cafe Rio, Target and Orange Leaf.  Pretty good night, wouldn't you say?  Saturday, I spent the afternoon with Angie, Mandy and Cecily watching French Kiss, chatting and doing manicures and pedicures.  Then we got all fancied up and went to The Roof with some very handsome gentlemen.  Then we went back to Angie and Simon's and made fun of New Moon (oh Twilight, you are so delightfully terrible), tried to cram more food into our overly filled stomaches.

And on the actual day of my birthday, I decided to play hooky from school.  I mean, I can ace a test any day, does it really need to be done on my 30th birthday?  It did not.  So I called up my sister and said, "Bring me some nieces to love on!  Oh and we are going to have an epic day of trying to finish up a few of the remaining items on my 30 Before 30 List."  Fortunately, my darling Taylor is always up for an adventure with Aunt Wendi.  Susie and Pa took us to lunch at El Matador, one of my favorites, so that was awesome.  And I finished up the day by performing in The Scarlet Pimpernel.  And a bunch of my family was there to see me!  And they brought me presents.  My sister-in-law, Kristie is amazing.  And because of that, she and her EPIC present are going to get their very own blog post.

What this post is really about, is evaluating how the 30 Before 30 list went.  Let me just tell you, I started on this list a few months after my 29th birthday, so I didn't have a full year to complete these 30 things, and there were some MAJOR life-changing things on this list.  But I'm pretty proud of myself.  I managed to finished all bu 3 items on the list.

30 Things to do Before I Turn 30
(In no particular order)

1. Go Camping- Okay, so I cheated a little bit.  I didn't have time to go camping or anyone to go camping with, really.  So yesterday, Taylor and I built a blanket tent in the basement and took her little toy lantern and compass and had a little camping nap.
2. Get rid of my Data Plan (I don't have enough self-control to stay off Facebook and other soul-sucking things)- Remember how I changed my mind and decided not to do this one?  Yep.  I learned to tie a tie instead.
3. Go ice skating(I don't think I've been since I was 12)- Another thing Taylor and I did yesterday was go ice skating.  There will be pictures.  It was adorable.  And I was pretty good.  I didn't fall or anything.  Granted, I wasn't really doing a lot intense skating because I was helping a 2 year old.  But still.
4. Attend a yoga class- You are all going to think I'm a big cheater, but I didn't actually go to a yoga class.  I did, however, do several Zumba classes and do some yoga videos from the comfort of my living room.
5. Get a spray tan (I've never been tanning- fake baking or spray tanning)- I didn't get a spray tan.    But I did try out a new tanning lotion from Bath and Body Works.  I actually really liked it.  But tanner gets all over your clothes every time you get a little damp.  Not okay.
6. Eat Eggs (my mom doesn't like eggs so I've never really eaten them...but I should probably at least try them before I turn 30)- Remember how my sister-in-law made me scrambled eggs?  And I actually kind of liked them?  Yep.  I've eaten eggs a couple times since then.  I'm such a grown up.
7. Compose a piece of music (It's been far too long and I'm feeling inspired)- I got lyrics to a song done, and the melody has been bouncing around in my head, but I haven't had time to sit down and get it on paper yet.
8. Visit a State I've never been to- First, I went on the choir trip and went to Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC.  And then there was the epic road trip this summer where I went to South Dakota, Washington and Oregon.  I'm such an overachiever.
9. Stay up all night (it's been a long time since I've pulled an all nighter...but I think I'm up to the challenge)- Did it, but I'm WAY too old to stay up all night anymore.  In fact, I'm hoping to be in bed within the hour.  I know!  Before 10:00, I'm such a party animal.
10. Get a massage (Never had one...but I want one)- My friend, Heidi is a massage therapist.  And  she gave me a massage.  It was awesome!  Seriously!  I need another one.  I'm all kinds of tense.
11. Learn to swim (laugh all you want...I doggie paddle...but I mean business now)- I've worked on the swimming thing.  And I went wake boarding and I didn't drown.  So we'll call it good.
12. Kiss in the rain (there's a lot of back story to this one and I'm not going to explain it)- Okay, I didn't get this one done.  But if it's not going to happen in Germany, what's the point, really?  You know what I mean all you students of Larry Smith?
13. Brush up on my French (That would be the language...in case you're confused)- I was fortunate enough to get cast in The Scarlet Pimpernel.  And we sing in french.  And I got to be the french consultant.  This means I had to brush up on my french.  CHECK!
14. Take a tap class (I can tap, but I've never really taken a class.  I'd like to take a ballroom dance class...but it's awkward when you go to those by yourself.)- I didn't take a class, but I have been working on it on my own.  I know.  That sounds like I'm a crazy person, but I kind of am.
15. Be able to do the splits (I'm actually getting really close...how many 30 year olds do you know that can do the splits?)- It makes me die a little inside to say this is one of the things I didn't finish.  But I was getting really close and then my life got super crazy and I stopped having time to stretch much.  But I got REALLY close!
16. Watch 5 movies everyone quotes but I've never seen (there's more than 5, but I need to start somewhere)- Done.  
17. Read 5 "Classics" (Cuz I want to feel literate)- I read 5 Classics this year.  I've missed reading.
18. Make 6 new recipes (I love to cook)- Lots of tastiness.  Good thing I did this early on because I haven't cooked, I mean REALLY cooked, in weeks.
19. Learn a new car-related skill (as a single woman, I really should know more than I do)- I tried changing my own windshield wipers.  I think I know the theory behind it.  But I couldn't get the old ones off.  So...I didn't get this one done either.  FAIL.
20. Learn a new handy man skill (If I knew how to fix things I wouldn't have to sit on my washer during the spin cycle...on the down side...How do I coerce guys to my house if I know how to fix things?)- I cleaned out the sink in the bathroom.  Remember how I took apart the sink to do it?  More importantly, remember how I put it back together?  Yep.  I'm awesome.
21. Learn a new computer skill (I'm pretty tech savvy...but I'm a nerd)- Totally fixed my iPhone when I changed to t-Mobile and it wouldn't send picture texts anymore.  I'm so cool.
22. Go on a spontaneous trip- EPIC Roadtrip 2012.  Need I say  more?
23. Make a 72 hour kit (cuz, you know, I should be prepared)- CHECK!  All prepared for 72 hour disaster.
24. Wear a bikini (I never have and I if I'm ever going to, shouldn't it be before I'm 30...plus I'm working out and looking pretty hot right now)- Did it.  And might I say I look pretty darn good in one!
25. Memorize 2 piano pieces (I don't memorize as much anymore...and I really should)- I actually only got 1/2 of one song memorized.  However, I learned a lot of other new songs this year and I think my sight reading skills have improved a ton.  So I'm counting it.
26. Try new dishes at restaurants (I have a tendency to just order the same thing every time)- I'm not very daring.  I like consistency.  But I think I did a really job of it this last year.  I was very brave.  
27. Do something I've been too scared to do (I don't have anything specific in mind)- I'm not going to tell you what it is because it's a little embarrassing that I was nearly 30 before I tried this particular thing.  But I will tell you it was absolutely life changing and I don't know how I lived before.
28. Go to a foreign Country- CANADA is Foreign.
29. Get a stamp in my passport (I've had one for 4 years dang it!)- CANADA wouldn't stamp my passport.  But I had to flash it to get in.  So I did use it.  I'm counting it.  
30. Have the perfect kiss (thank you FRIENDS for this idea)- I'm not going to give you details.  A lady doesn't kiss and tell.  But suffice it to say, I can't imagine a better story or a better kiss.

So there you have it.  Honestly, 27/30 isn't too bad.  And I probably will finish up 2 of the 3 left in the next few months (I'm really determined to do the splits and get those windshield wipers fixed).

And stay tuned because I've got some awesome things on my To Do List before I'm 31.  But I'm going to go for a shorter list this time.  I'm not going to be stressed out about getting things done again.