I went to the Carrie Underwood concert in SLC!

Ever since she made the top 12 on American Idol, she has been my favorite. I voted for her then and has been a huge fan ever since. So when Emily called me and asked if I wanted to go to a Carrie Underwood concert there was absolutely NO hesitation. I didn't care if I had to miss work. Seeing her in concert has been on my bucket list since American Idol and the dream finally came true!!! Last Wednesday, about 2:00 I made the drive to Salt Lake for the special event and I must say she was amazing! You think she sounds amazing on t.v. or the radio but you should hear her live. The minute she took the stage I was so happy and Emily and I had to stand and dance and sing at the top of our lungs because we were so excited! I was hoarse by the end of the night but very happy. :)

Call me weird but.....

So, a few weeks ago while I was visiting a friend in Provo, I was introduced to something and it immediately sparked my interest. For quite awhile now, I have been wanting to purchase a guitar and learn how to play it. It's on my "I want to do this before I die list." But I have not given in to temptation just yet, luckily. The "something" I mentioned earlier is somewhat similar to the guitar and as I played around on my friend's I knew I wanted it. Even a week after that I was still pondering and wishing and longing on the thought of how cool it would be if I owned one and learned how to play it. So last Monday, I made my way into the music store and I bought it. Just like that and it's mine. Ok, alright I'll say what it is as long as you don't think I'm weird. (Mom, that goes to you.) I bought a ukulele. How cool is that? I've had it for a week and I have loved it and haven't regretted the purchase at all. I still haven't quite mastered the task of doing three things at once (strumming, changing cords, and singing) but I'll get there. Family- you should look forward to Thanksgiving as it is my goal to have learned a song by then and play it for you. Wish me luck!


With that said, I have one final thought for the day. I have the bestest friend anyone could ask for. He has been there for me when I've felt I had no friends here in Cedar City. He listens when I talk, he gives advice (excellent advice I must say), he helps me with whatever I need including school stuff, fixing my car, tuning my ukulele, etc, he has bought me dinner countless times and will not let me repay him at all in any form, etc etc etc etc. I could name everything he's ever done for me since I met him and I'd still be typing tomorrow. He's fun; he lightens up my mood when I'm having a hard time. I could never repay in any way for everything he's done for me and besides he wouldn't let me. So with all that said my initial thought is- I feel blessed and incredibly grateful to have him as my friend. His friendship to me is priceless.

Random Thoughts for the Day

1. The ladies at the public library in Cedar City are NOT friendly whatsoever. (At least not to me, I try to say hello and smile but I get nothing back. )
2. There are some STRANGE people in the world. (And there are quite a few of them in my training class.)
3. I dislike Halloween. It is pointless and it is dumb. (Except for maybe when the little kids dress up, that's just cute!)
4. I am so so so grateful for my parents, my family and the Gospel.
5. Being in a room full of very LOUD people annoys me to no end and gives me a major headache.
6. I miss decorating buses for cheer. (We had to decorate our training classroom today at work and it reminded me of that.)
7. Anything I eat hurts my stomach except for maybe fruits and vegetables but when I eat those I had something else with it. So I think I may go on a fruits and vegetables only diet. (Hmmm... I'll have to think about that some more, It would be extremely hard for me and would take a lot of effort.)
8. I need some more friends down here... maybe some fun roommates would be nice.

That's all for now. Have a great day!

Update- I got a job

So, I guess I should let everyone who reads my blog know that I got a job. It seemed for the past month (I started applying at places long before I actually became unemployed) I was applying EVERYWHERE! I was getting really frustrated and tired of filling out job application after job application. So pretty much out of desperation, I applied for Convergy's and immediately was set up for an interview two days after I applied, then was offered the job the day of my interview. For those of you who don't know, Convergy's is a company that does inbound call centers for different companies everywhere. Here in Cedar City, it is the Customer Service Line for At&t customers. It is strictly inbound so that is definitly a bonus. I had heard many things about Convergy's being a horrible place to work and how difficult the job was. BUT I decided to take the job because 1) During my interview process it didn't seem like a bad place to work. 2) Also during my interview, I saw dozens people come in and out and I thought "If he or she can do this job, I certainly can do it." 3) It pays well. (I won't be having a pay cut from my last job, which payed excellent.) 4) They offer tuition reimbursement plus benefits. 5) The center is never opened on Sundays.
So with those reasons, I figured after the five weeks of training I can do this job! I started my training yesterday and the training goes Monday thru Friday 7:00 AM (ick) to 2:30. So far, it's been a lot of information and there's some weird and interesting people in my training class. I hope to make friends with some of them since I will be seeing them every day for the next five weeks. (ick again) I'll survive and plus I'm thinking I'll get some confidence and it'll boost my self-esteem. Go ME!!!

Tagged. (i'm bored)

Lucky #7
7 Things I can do...
7. I can eat the same thing every day
6. I can text
5. I can drive stick
4. I can play the flute (it's been awhile)
3. I can clean
2. I can watch football and love it
1. I can do western swing and line dances

7 Things I can't do...
7. I can't focus on one thing for very long
6. I can't cook unless it's macaroni and cheese or scrambled eggs
5. I can't play racquetball very well (learned that last night)
4. I can't stand job searching
3. I can't do the splits
2. I can't say no to pizza factory
1. I can't play the guitar (but i would like to)

7 Things I LOVE about Utah
7. It's beautiful
6. My home
5. The mountains
4. The people
3. The weather (4 seasons)
2. The snow!
1. The mountains (i know. i already said that. )

7 Things I say the most often are...
7. Ick
6. Lame
5. No, no luck yet
4. I'm bored.
3. HEY!
2. You're awesome.
1. I'm getting annoyed with...

7 Celebrity Admirations...
7. Leona Lewis
6. Ellen Degeneres
5. Garth Brooks
4. Amanda Bynes
3. Nick Zano
2. Julie B. Beck
1.President Monson

7 Favorite Foods...
7. Pasta
6. String cheese
5. pizza
4. Peanut Butter
3. No bake cookies
2. Bread
1. Bagels n' cream cheese

7 People to tag.. umm.... anyone.

Help!!

In my last post I mentioned that I am now job-less and is on the desperate hunt for one! I have been looking since September and so far have had no luck :( (I'd prefer not to get in the restaurant field :( so i've been trying to stay away from that.) So if anyone knows anyone here in Cedar City or knows of any job openings or ANYTHING I could use all the help I can get!! Thanks!

My season is over.

Two days ago I worked my last day at Kolob Canyons and three days ago was my last day at Cedar Breaks. So you're probably wondering am I sad? I wondered that too and I guess the answer is yes and no. First we'll start with why I will miss it. (1) Most would think it would be a pain to drive so far up the mountain every day to get to work and I guess gas-wise it is but I considered myself lucky. I have been able to see the mountain change as seasons have changed. June and July the meadows up there were covered in wildflowers and it was beautiful!!! Then a couple weeks ago Cedar Breaks got snow!! Last weekend it snowed saturday night and I almost thought I was going to have to call in but I woke up Sunday morning and decided to try it. Well a little ways up I found the snow-plow truck and followed it all the way up which I felt much better about the drive. I didn't slide once! And the drive was absolutely beautiful! It was my favorite part of the whole season and I wished I could have stopped and took pictures but considering it was really icy I decided against that. Some of the leaves were still yellow and those mixed in with the white, snow-covered trees was gorgeous! I loved it. (When I got up there a few of the rangers had called in and said they weren't coming in because of the snow but since I made it up just fine they decided to stay open.) (2) The second reason I'll miss it is the people I've gotten to know while working with. And it's mostly the people at Cedar Breaks I'll miss. They have been fun and I've enjoyed working with them.

Mainly the reason why I won't miss it is because it did get boring most days and I was at the point where I was annoyed with every person that walked in and asked the same questions everyone else did. I guess that's the problem with working with the public especially tourists and foreigners. Little things bothered me and on Monday I could not wait to get out of there!!!

So now I am without a job and I am getting really sick of job searching. :( I feel like I've applied everywhere! But I really need a job so I can't give up till I get one. I pray and hope something will turn up!

Tagged!! YAH!

Thanks sisters for remembering me!! :) I've wanted to be tagged for awhile....

8 Random Things:
8 things I am passionate about: 1. books 2. my family 3. the Gospel 4. music 5. mountains 6. shopping 7. cheerleading (even though i don't do it anymore i am still passionate about it.) 8. friends

8 words or phrases I say often: 1. what's up? 2. lame. 3. um 4. really? 5. awesome 6. i'm not vegetarian i just don't like meat. 7. i don't know ask a ranger (except i don't do that quite as much anymore... but i use to say it all the time!) 8. sweet

8 things I want to do before I die: 1. tour all over Italy! 2. learn sign language 3. learn guitar 4. run a marathon 5. learn to ski 6. hike the subway in zion 7. see a play in new york 8. go to a super bowl football game.

8 things I have learned from my past: 1. Friends will come and go but family will always be there!! 2. People (guys) can't make you happy YOU can control your happiness 3. some things aren't meant to be said out loud. 4. get to know someone before you make a judgement about them. 5. He will never abandon you and He will always be there you just have to ask!! 6. there's more i've learned but my mind's blank...........

8 places I would love to see: 1. Europe!!! 2. New York 3. Australia 4. Yellowstone 5. Hawaii 6. Jerusalem 7. More of Utah. 8. Everywhere! The world

8 things I currently need or want: 1. my own laptop 2. new clothes and new shoes 3. some books. 4. a dog! 5. a new car 6. to shower 7. more friends. 8. my teeth and my stomach to stop hurting.

Reading

I love books. I think I have loved them even before I could read. I can slightly remember a time before I could read when I would watch my older sisters with a novel in their hands and wonder how they could memorize all those words! I was jealous of them and couldn't wait for my chance to read a novel not those short children's books. It seems in the past I usually always have a book on hand I'm in the middle of and I use to have to read before I ever went to sleep. This summer my job, I have to admit, is definintly one of the easiest jobs I've ever had (besides having to answer so many questions I use to not know how to answer) It gets boring at times and ten hour shifts can get long!! So I always have a book with me and if I don't have one I go crazy! Somedays, like today, I finish my book by 11 or 12 which leaves me with nothing to do all day but sit and hope that someone will text me and entertain me. Reading a entertaining novel is so thrilling sometimes I get lost in another world so easily I forget where I'm at. Now that's what books are all about. Here are some of my recent favorites that I've read and loved. Lois Lowry's The Gift and also Gathering Blue. If you haven't read these I highly recommend them. Apparantly there's a third book that is a companion to these two that I have yet to find. It is called Messenger. Also, since I'm a fan of romance novels I've read some books by Nicholas Sparks that have been entertaining but also maybe a little too romantic and a little too detailed. I haven't decided quite yet if I really like Nicholas Sparks even though I like the movies that are based on his novels. My favorite books of all time are The Chronicles of Narnia, The Work and the Glory Series, Twiligh Series (of course), and Les Miserables.

Random Post

So here's some random pictures of recent happenings since I haven't posted for awhile. So Enjoy!

I just had to post this one cause it's hillarious!! This was when me and Natalie brought Bubba and Seth to Aurora to the derby and we rode our parent's 4-wheelers. This just shows how crazy my friend is!!!

Natalie and me on our hike to Angel's Landing.. the coolest hike ever!!!

ok that's all you're gonna get... I'll post more later...........

Thanks Emily!

Finally!! I know it's been awhile since I've posted something new but I've pretty much just been up to the same stuff. And I have tried not to use Natalie's computer quite so much (I need my own... mom remind me I need to talk to you about something.) Anyways, I love our new place. It's pretty nice and our room is huge compared to the other one. The only downfall is we haven't had t.v. yet and there is no microwave :( If you know me a microwave is almost essential to my diet. But I've survived. I know you all know about my little wreck on mom and dad's 4 wheeler. Well I am still sore from the fall. I'm pretty sure I landed on my shoulder pretty hard, it is still sore! But it is getting better so i'm lucky I didn't do anything real bad like break it. Ugh that would be painful.

Two weekends ago my friend Emily came and stayed with me for a couple days. It was a really fun weekend as it always is when I hang out with Emily (we go crazy sometimes) Not only was it fun but she picked a good weekend to come; a good weekend meaning I really needed it. I was in a bad mood that week so it was fun. She arrived Friday night and we ended up just staying up talking and laughing. The next day we got up and with a few friends went to Kolob Canyon to go hiking. I've worked there all summer yet I've never hiked the Taylor Creek Trail, which is a popular hike there. The hike was really pretty and the temperature was perfect considering how hot it has been in the past. Anyway, that night Natalie and I hosted a house warming party which was fun besides the fact everyone left too early because they had other things to attend. (our fault for starting it too early, I think) And once again Emily and I stayed up late talking and laughing. So I just wanted to say thanks to Emily (even though she doesn't even know I have this blog so she probably won't ever read it) for a fun weekend and helping me out. :)
I had a picture but it doesn't seem to be wanting to upload so sorry no picture this time.

Girl's Day

Just wanted to say thanks to my awesome mom and sisters for such a fun girl's day. We started the day by driving up to Cedar Breaks with a lunch. We took a little walk but since we were all wearing flip flops and sandals we didn't go very far. But it was still fun and I was able to show them what I've learned while working (they mentioned they were impressed because I'm not usually the one that knows things.) After that we headed to St. George and stopped at Kolob on the way. Since I've only token that drive once I didn't know as much but it was still beautiful!

At Kolob I just sit in the Visitor's Center, I never get out. Then we made it to St. George and killed time before the play, Les Miserables. I have to say I loved the play!!! Despite the 100 degree weather at midnight I didn't want it to end. I will for sure have to see it again. Anyway thanks guys for a fun day and I can't wait for next year!!!

Looking back

Lately, I’ve been reminiscing a lot on my high school days as a cheerleader. It’s been just over a year since I’ve put on that skirt and yelled for my team and oh how I miss it. Cheerleading was my passion. It was my life. Everything I did revolved around cheerleading. I guess four years of it just wasn’t quite enough since now I would give anything to go back and just cheer for one more game, do one more dance and do one more stunt. I loved everything about it including the early morning practices, the long bus rides, and the long and endless hours of perfecting a solid competition routine. There was something about yelling, jumping, dancing and stunting that made me feel happy and energetic. I felt a sense of pride in my school when I was cheering and at times I felt tears of joy because of the school spirit we had. However not all times as a cheerleader were happy. Times like when a team had an upset loss, or when we didn’t do well at cheer competition, and even when my dream of becoming cheer captain didn’t happen brought tears of sorrow and upset. But, now as I look back these things weren’t what really mattered. I don’t remember now what games the teams lost and what the scores were and because I had so much fun my senior year I was glad I wasn’t made captain. All that matters now is the memories I made. And what great memories!!! I will defiantly never forget them. We cried when it was all over but now as I reminisce I smile because it happened.

Red heads becoming extinct?

So as you all know, I have always hated being a red head. I have dyed my hair so many times just to hide that I was a red head. Finally in April, I decided my hair was becoming more and more unhealthy from dying it so many times. It seemed I was dying it every two months just because the roots were red while the rest of my hair was dark and that drove me nuts. So I finally decided to go back red, my natural color and grow it out long. Even though I had a hard time with it at first (I hated it after Julee dyed it) I'm starting to get more and more use to it and am actually starting to like it. I'm sure you've all heard that red heads are becoming more and more extinct. I've looked at articles and some say that red heads will become extinct by 2100, some say they'll become extinct by 2060. One article even said red head genes "will dilute out and become rare, but there are a variety of other factors that can change hair color that are not really understood well right now." It may be true, it may not be. All I know is that I'm one of the 4% of the world's population that have red hair and I feel lucky.

I LOVED this concert!!! It was so amazing! It was the top ten and each one sang about three songs except David A and David C, they sang about four or five. Every single one of these singers sounded so good... I decided it's so much better to hear someone live than T.V. David Archuleta is still the most popular I think. In between his songs he couldn't even talk because everyone was screaming so loud and wouldn't stop! Anyways, yes Mom this concert was worth the drama, the money, and the drive. It was awesome!!!

Las Vegas

This picture is kind of weird cause it's sideways and upside down but I actually really like it. Anyways this weekend was so much fun!! First on Saturday we arrived in Vegas at about 4:00 and after Mat tried to give us directions to his house but then decided to just meet us somewhere and have us follow him we made it to his house. FYI he has a pretty nice place and a very nice truck!!! Then Mat took us to dinner at Olive Garden. (his treat even) After the concert we ended up just chilling and watching a movie at Mat's house. On Sunday after we were slow getting up and getting ready so by 12 or so we decided that we might as well do something while we were there (Emily was fine driving back to SLC late.) So thanks to Mat he drove us down the strip so we could take pictures and stuff. It was really fun and I enjoyed the weekend a lot. But I have my awesome cousin to thank for letting us stay at his house and buying us dinner and driving us around. I owe him big!!!

A Fabulous Night

I think this is what I have loved most about moving to Cedar.... the guys. This night was an absolute blast and this is the only picture Ihave to show for it (great picture though, huh?) Well my friend Jonny (the guy on the far left) moved from Cedar yesterday because he is done with school. On Thursday Bubba and Natalie planned this BBQ as a going away party at Bubba and Jonny's house. It was quite the party for being planned the same day. Forty five to fifty people showed up and some people Bubba and Jonny didn't even know. They had food, games and a movie on a big projector in the garage. Everyone left by 12 except me and this guy named Dean. Well me and these three guys ended up staying out in the garage till 4 in the morning. Ask me what we did till that late and I honestly couldn't tell you. We just talked and laughed the whole night. Anyways, I have loved hanging out with these guys and I can't wait to meet more people and have more fun!!!

My Job

This is at Cedar Breaks, my view right from the visitor's center. If you haven't been there I highly recommend you go. I don't have pictures of Kolob Canyon yet but I will soon; that place is a beautiful place as well except I have to drive up the road to see it. My friend teases me all the time because I have a really good job with the best pay considering how easy it is. In case you were wondering exactly what I do I basically just run the little gift shop inside the Visitor's center. I also get bombarded with questions from the tourists and at first I knew nothing which was quite embarassing. I am, however, getting better at answering questions and telling people about the park so I don't always have to say "Go ask that Park Ranger over there, she'll know more than me." Anyways, sometimes when people walk in the door of the VC (visitor's center) and see the view from the window, which is usually the first thing you'll notice, they'll say things like, "WOW! what a great place to work." One foreigner said something like "So we have to travel 100,000 miles across the world to see this and you get to see it every day." That made me think about how lucky we are to live in such an amazing place. As I drive up the mountain to work, which is a very pretty drive, I always think about how blessed we are and how great Heavenly Father is for creating this world, which is hard to comprehend. We who live in Utah have so many things to see and it amazes me how many people have never been to these National Parks or National Monuments. So, go out and enjoy the nature around you; it definantly is a gift from God.

New to the blogging world

So I decided since I enjoy reading other people's blogs so much (especially my sister's) I thought it would be fun to create my own. Mostly I'll just share what's going on with my life and maybe some random thoughts. I don't know yet, we'll just see how it goes. Hope you enjoy and I hope I can figure all this out!!