What a great day for a hike!

Hiking boots....check.

Water....check.

Snacks...check.
Dogs...check.

Sunblock...oops.

They call it a career.

"So what exactly can you do with that degree?" That is the question I have heard for the longest time. To those people I always replied, "Oh lots of different things. I can be a wellness coordinator, work in public health..." and that's usually where the conversation stops because a new question is asked about one of those two things. That is only two things...not lots of different things I can do with my degree. I know there is more that I can do, but those are the two areas that I am most interested in. I have been on the look out for jobs, or should I call them careers since I'm graduated, that have to do with those two areas. I am becoming more and more nervous as I am looking: there are not a lot of prospects out there. Those I have found I have applied for. I guess we'll wait and see where the applications take me...wish me luck!

When life hands me lemons I say "Now what?!?"

What a crazy, hectic, relieving, wonderful day! Graduation brings out so many emotions, most of them I felt for a split second and then a new one came. I did not go to the commencement ceremony early that morning. Everyone told me that it's a waste of time and to enjoy sleeping in one last time. I should have just gone because sleeping in was not an option for me...I was too excited to sleep! I did go to my convocation ceremony. It was short and sweet. I enjoyed the speakers. But most of all I enjoyed the company. From the moment I got to the Browning Center it was chaos: pictures, pictures, and more pictures mixed into the hooting and hollering of excitement with graduation. Everyone that I had become good friends with in my program was there. It was exciting to be graduating with all of them. Especially Keri and Shelli (we'll be waiting for you Katherine, this Fall).

I love my new laptop! Thanks Gordon!

The after party...

Karoke anyone?

But most of all I am glad that my family was able to come and support me. I feel very blessed to have such a wonderful family that is always there cheering me on! I love you guys! THANK YOU!

Well...I did it. I am officially a graduate from Weber State University. Now what?!

What I'll miss most...

Anxious, excited, ecstatic, nervous, happy, stressed, overwhelmed, unsure, sad. These are some of the feelings I have felt for the past month. The end is creeping up. The end of my undergrad schooling is this Friday (mentally I've been done since the beginning of this year). The end of my receptionist career, which technically hasn't ended just yet but it's coming, I can feel it. The end of spending a lot of time with my three amigos (Katherine, Keri, and Shelli).

That's us (Me, Keri, Shelli, Katherine)

Of course I am happy to start a new beginning, I always am when I'm making the choice to start the new beginning, but I'm really undecided about the whole thing. I'm gonna miss school (yes, you read correctly...I'm a nerd). But most of all I'm going to miss seeing my girls practically everyday! Keri, Shelli, and Katherine have become my very good friends. I have always been told that the friendships you make in college will last a lifetime. I sure hope that's the case with us. I have experienced a lot with these girls. Major moments in my life they have been a part of. We've been on vacations together, been there for life changing experiences that only the best of friends are a part of. I will never forget our spring break to California! What an adventure. We saw all of Southern California in 4 days! We even made time to stop in Vegas to watch Keri sing (Boy is she amazing)!

Yes, we're spelling out CALI!

All of us slept on a twin bed. Now that's friendship.

We made a pit stop at Suzie's old fashion 50's diner

Finally, we made it to the beach!

We stayed a bit too long in the sun...

Cooling ourselves off with ice cream

Stopping for a spiritual moment at the San Diego temple

Doing a little shopping at the Beverly Center



Us right before the Chelsey Lately show (that was for you Keri!)

We've made fools of ourselves singing karaoke, and dancing like no one is watching us.

That's Shelli and Me groovin' with my Dad while Keri sings.

We've celebrated birthdays together and weddings.

Nothing like a friendly game of pool to celebrate Keri's birth

The winners (Shelli and I let Keri and Gordon win, it was her birthday after all)

Happy Birthday KERI!

Whenever we're together, you know it's a good time. Even if we are in class, it's still the best time ever! I know we'll stay in touch. It will just be weird to not be experiencing everything with them. Instead I'll have to hear it all over the phone, or through e-mail. We're all going on such different paths, but I'm excited for the future and I will not forget the past.

Working for the man...for FREE!

Many of you know that I am doing an internship for a local health department. This internship is part of my degree requirements. I was so excited when I found out that I had been chosen to be an intern there. There was a lot of people up for the position, but it looks like they thought I was the best person for the job (I think they were right). I have had a lot of experiences to work in my community. Most of them have been worth while...others not so much but none the less it is great job experience for the future. The most rewarding experience I have had is with the tobacco prevention program. Today I taught a class at a school that is for "troubled" youth. Working with them has really opened my eyes. They come from these backgrounds that I cannot even fathom. It helps me realize how truly blessed I am to come from such wonderful parents and family that support me and build me up in everything that I have pursued or am pursuing. These kids share stories with me that no one should ever have to experience. It is heartbreaking. It is hard not to bring that sort of thing home with you at the end of the day. Tobacco prevention is the last thing that these kids need to be worrying about…they have deeper things to worry about. At the end of the class today, it was rewarding to have a few of them thank me and ask for more information so they can share it with their families. It hit me when I left that that’s what this job is all about, reaching someone.
Along with teaching the older youth, I was also given the opportunity to teach a kindergarten class in the area about seat belt, bicycle, and pedestrian safety. That was a blast! The kids were so well behaved and so smart, it blew me away! During the bicycle safety discussion we talked about the importance of wearing a bike helmet. Lots of them had “questions” which were really comments about wearing a helmet. One little boy raised his hand and said “One time my sister was standing on a stool in our kitchen and fell off and hit her head. She wasn’t wearing her helmet.” He was so serious, and it took all I had to hold back a laugh and tell him that we do not always need to wear our helmets, it is just very important to wear them when we ride our bikes. I told this story to Gordon. He really took it to heart. So much that I caught him with his helmet on while he was studying! Just being extra cautious I suppose. I am glad I can promote safety wherever I am.