Flashback

Remember back in the day... you know, about 15 years ago. There was a group that was pretty popular. And then they seemed to disappear. And then they reappeared again. And in Orem, UT. Woa. Funny enough, Boys II Men came to Orem to do a concert. My friend Becky invited me to come with them, so I figured why not? It's always fun to go back to middle school days, right? So here are a few pictures and videos!

They performed some old Motown songs.

Here's the group of us that went. Kyle, Becky, Melissa, Ali, and me.

And, I apologize that the videos aren't so great. It didn't help that they didn't have lots of lights on during some of these songs. But I think you'll still recognize it. :)

Ha ha. Good times!

So much for my bedtime...

Well, since starting working, I have done really quite well at going to bed earlier than I used to. Usually about 11:00 or shortly thereafter. I've been pretty proud of myself. But, then came last Friday. And since that time.... I've been up until past midnight almost every night. And it's all because I'm glued to the tv - watching the Olympics!!!!


Okay, I'm not really complaining. I love the Olympics and it's so fun to watch. The swimming and gymnastics that have happened the last few nights have been a lot of fun. I have to admit. I am enjoying it a lot. Even if that means that this morning I didn't hear my alarm for almost a half hour. (I was up and out the door in 13 minutes. I think that's gotta be a record.) But, just for fun, I'm going to throw on a few fun pictures. :)

Of course, watching Michael Phelps swim is very exciting. He rocks at it!

The Womens All Around Final for gymnastics. This was awesome! Go USA!!!

Just Thinking...

So, I just went and saw Prince Caspian - the movie. I've been wanting to see it for awhile, and finally did. I've been thinking about it since I left. I guess part of that thinking comes from something my institute teacher said in class. She played for us the song that plays during the credits and pointed out a couple of things that have made me think. It's interesting to see that Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy don't feel like they really belong in the world they live in. They were kings and queens in Narnia, so England wasn't quite right. I think that's often true for us. We don't quite feel like we belong here, because we don't. We know that there is another place that we're working to reach. There's somewhere else that we belong. And when we come to truly believe that, we are changed. There are instances and times in our lives when we catch that feeling. I believe that one of those places is the temple. When we're there, we catch that glimpse of what our home trully is.

Here's a link to the song. See what you think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CkbCAsUmUQ

And here's the lyrics:

I've got my memories

They're always inside of me

But I can't go back - back to how it was

I believe now

I've seen too much

But I can't go back

Back to how it was

Created for a placeI've never known

Chorus:

This is home

Now I'm finally where I belong, Where I belong

Yeah, this is home

I've been searching for a place of my own

Now I've found it

Maybe this is home

Yeah, this is home

Belief over misery

I've seen the enemy

And I won't go back

Back to how it was

And I got my heart

Set on

What happens next

I got my eyes wide

It's not over yet

We are miracles

And we're not alone

(Chorus)

And now after all my searching

After all my questions

I'm gonna call it home

I got a brand new mindset

I can finally see the sunset

I'm gonna call it home

(Chorus)

Now I know

Yeah, this is home

I've come too far

And I won't go back

This is home

A little game

My friends Audri and Michelle have this on their blog and I think it kind of sounds like fun!

Here's what you do

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you.It's actually pretty cool (and funny) to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you (or, even if you don't have a blog please still leave a comment....it'll be fun). The end :)

American Idol Concert

So, my brother, sister-in-law, sister, and I attended the American Idol concert last night. We've all been pretty into American Idol this year. And it was actually a really good year. Many of the top 10 were actually really good. So we figured, let's go to the concert! It was a lot of fun. Talk about super loud, that's for sure. Thousands of screaming girls - out of control. But it was still a lot of fun. Here are a few pics of our adventures there!

Me, Janell - my sister, and Daniel - my brother waiting in deep anticipation!!!!

Chikezie - was totally one of my favorites the whole season. Too bad he didn't last a little longer.

Michael Johns - He was never one of my favorites during the season, but he totally rocked it out. It was the best I had ever heard him sing. :)

Carly Smithson - this girl's voice rocks. She's really good.

Brooke White - did quite well really. Even if we couldn't get the greatest picture of her. :)

Group Number

Syesha - she was always one of my top favorites during the show. Her songs were mostly good tonight, although I was not at all impressed with her. Sad day. But she does have a great voice.

Utah's own little hero - David Archuleta. He did a really good job. It seemed like he may be losing his voice, but he still did a good job.

And, of course, the American Idol himself - David Cook. This guy really rocked. I was very impressed with his stage performance and everything. Well done!

Lions and Tigers and Bears... Oh My!

Except for the fact that the Hogle Zoo no longer has any lions and the tiger didn't want to come out and play. Disappointing. But, the zoo was fun! I went with my brother and sister-in-law, Daniel and Jenny, and their little girl Hayley. My parents also came with us, as well as some of Jenny's family. It's been a long time since I've gone to the zoo, but I believe it was a grand time to be had by all. The Ghost of the Bayou - although it totally looked fake, it's an all-white alligator.

Not albino, just white.

The only lion I got to see - and it tried to eat me!

Me and Hayley by the elephants

A bald eagle in front of the American Flag. We went to the bird show, which was actually really cool. This is how they ended the show, with the bald eagle in front of the flag. It was pretty cool.

This is a red panda. It's like a bear, cat, racoon, mix. But I guess it's actually most closely related to bears. It was so cute. I know the picture doesn't quite show how cute his face is, but he looked so cute and cuddly. (Although he probably wasn't cuddly :). But he was my favorite!

Daniel, Hayley (sleeping), my mom, and me on the Zoofari - the train!

It's 10:30...

and I'm going to bed. I just had to mark this day down in history.

Happy 4th of July!

What a great weekend! I was able to go home with most of my family to spend time together and celebrate our nation's birthday. Maybe I'll eventually get pictures of us on the 4th, but I just wanted to say how grateful I am to live in this country and for the many blessings we enjoy. I know that I definitely take things for granted a lot, and things aren't perfect, but we enjoy so much here.

I am also very grateful for those who have given so much throughout the years in the cause of freedom. Working with war veterans last year gave me a whole other perspective on the sacrifices that so many have made for us to live here and have the rights and freedoms that we do. Thank you to all those who have, who are, and will serve this great country.


"Have mercy, O Lord, upon all the nations of the earth; have mercy upon the rulers of our land; may those principles, which were so honorably and nobly defended, namely, the Coonstitution of our land, by our fathers, be established forever." D&C 109:54

Happy Birthday America

Update on my life

Well, I guess since I've posted about all the other dilemma's, I guess I should update everyone on the new turn of events. Shortly before leaving for my trip, I had an interview with Wasatch Mental Health. This was for the job that I was kind of hoping for all along. Then I left on my trip and got a phone call right as I was walking on the plane in Phoenix. They offered me the job and I took it. So, I started that today. (It's a little bit rough since I just got home yesterday, but what do you do.) So I guess I have a pathway chosen and am now continuing on with life. I still don't know that I love that it's "career time" in my life. But I guess I have to be a grownup. At least I still get to work with kids! :) So, if you're wondering, I'm working in the YOP - Youth Out Patient - which means I'm a therapist for children and teenagers. I'm pretty much getting thrown right in, so here's to another adventure.

MA cont.

Day 3 - Lexington and Concord

We saw most of the sights in these two towns and the "battle trail" in between. We learned quite a few things about the beginnings of the Revolutionary War that we didn't know before.

This is the Battle Green in Lexington. This cute little old man told us all about that fateful night of the "shot heard 'round the world".
This is the Old North Bridge in Concord.


Concord is also home to Sleep Hollow. Oooooo.... Super fun! :) We did go there. Didn't see any headless horsemen. But we did get to see the graves of Henry David Thoreau, Louisa May Alcott, and Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Day 4 - Cambridge

What a beautiful house! This is the house that belonged to Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. It was amazing! We got to tour through it and learn more about the man and hear a lot of his poetry. It was actually super cool!

The Boston Temple! I have this on day 4 because this is when I got the picture. We were actually able to go to the temple on day 1 of the trip, but didn't have a lot of opportunities for picture taking time. So, when we went past it again, we stopped to try to get some good ones. It's a beautiful temple!

So, there's a very brief recap of the trip. Hope it was enjoyable!