March 11, 2012
March 4, 2012
why have i not blogged about this before??
I can't think of an interesting way to start this post, so Imma get right into it.
Five years ago, I worked at Oakcrest LDS Girls' Camp. I had the opportunity to be a counselor for 10 weeks to some of the most incredible girls from the Salt Lake Valley. It was one of the hardest experiences of my life, but because of the hardships and difficulties I faced, it became one of the most incredible experiences of my life.
I vowed to never work there again.
Fast-forward 3 years: my mom is called to serve on the Oakcrest Womens Committee, a group of 15 women who oversee the workings of the camp year-round. When I heard this news, I secretly thought, "Oakcrest?? Never, ever again!" However, I was quite intrigued by the OC and the changes I heard. I decided to assist my mom during the summers at the camp by driving the two-hour commute with her to spare her back, help out with small tasks around the camp, etc. I thought, "Huh...this place isn't what I remember. BUT, never EVER again!"
After two summers of this psuedo-service at Oakcrest and through a series of unfortunate events, my life was blown into a drastic change of direction: I realized I was graduating with a Masters degree in May--a mere six months away--as a young single adult in a very LDS-centered community (again). Gulp. Last time I graduated (with a Bachelors), I still had grad school to fall back on as my plan. This time? No such luck. I figured I had three options: start working in the public schools as a certified Speech-Language Pathologist (work...what is that, exactly?) , serve a mission (finally!), or work at Oakcrest (where in the crazy did this come from??). Despite all of my efforts, I couldn't figure out which direction was best. I knew what I wanted, but what did the Lord want?
Because I didn't have a clear direction to take, I chose to pursue all options. I met with my supervisors and started a very basic job search to determine where I wanted to apply, I met with my bishop to discuss a mission and start my papers, and I applied for assistant director at the OC. After taking all of these actions, the answer finally came. I was offered a job as assistant director at Oakcrest 2012.
Ha ha! Good one, Heavenly Father!
But He was serious.
After much thought, prayer, temple attendance, fasting, scripture study, more prayer, and pondering I came to the conclusion that Oakcrest is where the Lord wanted me to be for the summer. I wassurprised shocked by this answer, but I ran with it anyway.
While I can't say that I'm uber excited for a summer at the OC again, I am very grateful for the miracles I've witnessed and the blessings I've already been given for accepting the job. I've met some absolutely incredible women and already forged amazing friendships with them. I'm looking forward to working with the rest of our staff (whom we picked yesterday! hallelujah!) and learning from both the staff and the girls. Oakcrest truly is a place of miracles and peace. I know, without any doubt, that Oakcrest is where I'm supposed to be this summer.
I'm still working on figuring out the "why". Help a sister out!
Five years ago, I worked at Oakcrest LDS Girls' Camp. I had the opportunity to be a counselor for 10 weeks to some of the most incredible girls from the Salt Lake Valley. It was one of the hardest experiences of my life, but because of the hardships and difficulties I faced, it became one of the most incredible experiences of my life.
I vowed to never work there again.
Fast-forward 3 years: my mom is called to serve on the Oakcrest Womens Committee, a group of 15 women who oversee the workings of the camp year-round. When I heard this news, I secretly thought, "Oakcrest?? Never, ever again!" However, I was quite intrigued by the OC and the changes I heard. I decided to assist my mom during the summers at the camp by driving the two-hour commute with her to spare her back, help out with small tasks around the camp, etc. I thought, "Huh...this place isn't what I remember. BUT, never EVER again!"
After two summers of this psuedo-service at Oakcrest and through a series of unfortunate events, my life was blown into a drastic change of direction: I realized I was graduating with a Masters degree in May--a mere six months away--as a young single adult in a very LDS-centered community (again). Gulp. Last time I graduated (with a Bachelors), I still had grad school to fall back on as my plan. This time? No such luck. I figured I had three options: start working in the public schools as a certified Speech-Language Pathologist (work...what is that, exactly?) , serve a mission (finally!), or work at Oakcrest (where in the crazy did this come from??). Despite all of my efforts, I couldn't figure out which direction was best. I knew what I wanted, but what did the Lord want?
Because I didn't have a clear direction to take, I chose to pursue all options. I met with my supervisors and started a very basic job search to determine where I wanted to apply, I met with my bishop to discuss a mission and start my papers, and I applied for assistant director at the OC. After taking all of these actions, the answer finally came. I was offered a job as assistant director at Oakcrest 2012.
Ha ha! Good one, Heavenly Father!
But He was serious.
After much thought, prayer, temple attendance, fasting, scripture study, more prayer, and pondering I came to the conclusion that Oakcrest is where the Lord wanted me to be for the summer. I was
While I can't say that I'm uber excited for a summer at the OC again, I am very grateful for the miracles I've witnessed and the blessings I've already been given for accepting the job. I've met some absolutely incredible women and already forged amazing friendships with them. I'm looking forward to working with the rest of our staff (whom we picked yesterday! hallelujah!) and learning from both the staff and the girls. Oakcrest truly is a place of miracles and peace. I know, without any doubt, that Oakcrest is where I'm supposed to be this summer.
I'm still working on figuring out the "why". Help a sister out!
February 19, 2012
a post with pictures
You read right, my friends. This post will have pictures.
November 2011
I fail at Easy Mac once again
No-Shave November
Thanksgiving with the Duvalls
December 2011
Last "finals week" ever (At least at this point...hint hint)
Blue Man group with Kimber
Christmas with the Irvings
Ice skating with Chelsea
January 2012
Start two externships to finish up my degree
24th birthday (complete with 24 acts of service)
Recieve my endowments in the Oquirrh Mountain temple
Become too lazy to put the extra roll of toilet paper away
February 2012
Girls lunch with former roommates
Sister-date with Chelsea
I shovel the first real snowfall of the season
November 2011
I fail at Easy Mac once again
No-Shave November
Thanksgiving with the Duvalls
December 2011
Last "finals week" ever (At least at this point...hint hint)
Blue Man group with Kimber
Christmas with the Irvings
Ice skating with Chelsea
January 2012
Start two externships to finish up my degree
24th birthday (complete with 24 acts of service)
Recieve my endowments in the Oquirrh Mountain temple
Become too lazy to put the extra roll of toilet paper away
February 2012
Girls lunch with former roommates
Sister-date with Chelsea
I shovel the first real snowfall of the season
talk about inconvenient
Some of you may have wondered why my blog is titled "something inconvenient". Isn't there a rhyme and a reason for everything?
The title originally came from a website that gives quotes upon quotes upon quotes. I was doing one of those silly activities your friends post on Facebook that ask you to find a picture from "this" website, then a quote from "this other" website, then something else from "another" website...the rules go on and on. The quote I found originally stated "There is no moral precept that does not have something inconvenient about it" by Denis Diderot, but I decided to only use the something inconvenient portion to title my blog (although now that I'm reading the quote again, it's profound!).
As I've sat here and typed my many, many thoughts on life (and how it rarely goes where you expect and/or want it to go), I've come to realize how inconvenient my life has become. Again (and I'll make this very short), my life has not gone where I thought and wanted it to go; I'm in a place I'd never thought I'd be (thus the inconvenience of it). BUT, I am beyond happy. I've been pushed and stretched beyond my limits, I've been through the trenches and back again, I've been built up, torn down, then built right back up again. And through it all, I've become a better me. I'm becoming who I never realized I wanted to be.
So, my peeps, here's to an inconvenient life.
The title originally came from a website that gives quotes upon quotes upon quotes. I was doing one of those silly activities your friends post on Facebook that ask you to find a picture from "this" website, then a quote from "this other" website, then something else from "another" website...the rules go on and on. The quote I found originally stated "There is no moral precept that does not have something inconvenient about it" by Denis Diderot, but I decided to only use the something inconvenient portion to title my blog (although now that I'm reading the quote again, it's profound!).
As I've sat here and typed my many, many thoughts on life (and how it rarely goes where you expect and/or want it to go), I've come to realize how inconvenient my life has become. Again (and I'll make this very short), my life has not gone where I thought and wanted it to go; I'm in a place I'd never thought I'd be (thus the inconvenience of it). BUT, I am beyond happy. I've been pushed and stretched beyond my limits, I've been through the trenches and back again, I've been built up, torn down, then built right back up again. And through it all, I've become a better me. I'm becoming who I never realized I wanted to be.
So, my peeps, here's to an inconvenient life.
January 26, 2012
The Big 2-4
So...
My 24th birthday came and went. No big deal, right? (Especially given the fact that I've been saying I'm 24 since last fall...and my birthday fell on a Sunday.)
To commemorate turning 24, I stole an idea from a blog I found on Pinterest. A woman performed 38 acts of service on her 38th birthday. Brilliant, right? After reading what she did, I quickly "pinned" the idea myself (and tried to think of alternative acts of service I could perform given that most of hers required mucho dinero). A couple of months later, my birthday came to pass and the time to perform the services was upon me.
1. Cleaned the stove for dad.
2. Took Misti on a walk.
3. Put a neighbor's garbage can away.
4. Did the laundry for mom.
5. Sent *** flowers.
6. Sent *** flowers.
7. Visited grandpa's grave.
8. Baked treats for the OC meeting.
9. Visited ***.
10. Visited ***.
11. Visited ***.
12. Wrote *** (a missionary) a letter.
13. Took *** cupcakes.
14. Baked treats for ***.
15. Talked to *** on the phone.
16. Sat with *** at church.
17. Visited grandma.
18. Prayed for ***.
19. Called ***.
20. Wrote a letter to a soldier.
21. Visited *** in the nursing home.
22. Visited *** while he was sick.
23. Wrote my testimony in a Book of Mormon to give away.
24. Wrote a "thank you" card to ***.
*** Names have been removed.
I don't think I could have spent my birthday any better way. Not only was I not focused on the fact that I was turning 24 (which, actually, has been really great to me already), but I was focused on helping others. And you know what, I re-discovered something:
Service = Love. Love = Joy. Service = Joy.
I am so grateful for the opportunities I had to serve those around me. I know that many of these acts seem menial, and there are a few repetitions, but I truly believe that the smallest things can make the biggest difference.
This is definitely a tradition I'd like to keep going for a long time coming.
My 24th birthday came and went. No big deal, right? (Especially given the fact that I've been saying I'm 24 since last fall...and my birthday fell on a Sunday.)
To commemorate turning 24, I stole an idea from a blog I found on Pinterest. A woman performed 38 acts of service on her 38th birthday. Brilliant, right? After reading what she did, I quickly "pinned" the idea myself (and tried to think of alternative acts of service I could perform given that most of hers required mucho dinero). A couple of months later, my birthday came to pass and the time to perform the services was upon me.
1. Cleaned the stove for dad.
2. Took Misti on a walk.
3. Put a neighbor's garbage can away.
4. Did the laundry for mom.
5. Sent *** flowers.
6. Sent *** flowers.
7. Visited grandpa's grave.
8. Baked treats for the OC meeting.
9. Visited ***.
10. Visited ***.
11. Visited ***.
12. Wrote *** (a missionary) a letter.
13. Took *** cupcakes.
14. Baked treats for ***.
15. Talked to *** on the phone.
16. Sat with *** at church.
17. Visited grandma.
18. Prayed for ***.
19. Called ***.
20. Wrote a letter to a soldier.
21. Visited *** in the nursing home.
22. Visited *** while he was sick.
23. Wrote my testimony in a Book of Mormon to give away.
24. Wrote a "thank you" card to ***.
*** Names have been removed.
I don't think I could have spent my birthday any better way. Not only was I not focused on the fact that I was turning 24 (which, actually, has been really great to me already), but I was focused on helping others. And you know what, I re-discovered something:
Service = Love. Love = Joy. Service = Joy.
I am so grateful for the opportunities I had to serve those around me. I know that many of these acts seem menial, and there are a few repetitions, but I truly believe that the smallest things can make the biggest difference.
This is definitely a tradition I'd like to keep going for a long time coming.
December 27, 2011
Domestication: Part Two
Remember my last 3-week break between semesters? Remember how productive I was and all the things I accomplished?
Yup, this 3-week break has been NOTHING like that.
The semester ended, I decided to take a week from school before starting to study for my Praxis exam in three weeks (smart move?...probably not), I re-learned how to stay up until 4 a.m. and sleep in until noon, Christmas came and went, and now I'm semi-celebrating Kwanzaa.
Below you will find a small(ish) list of the things I had hoped to accomplish during the break.
1. Babysit the niece. (done)
2. Craft each of my Christmas gifts to my family. (half-done)
--> I used this idea for my brother's and sister-in-law's gift. It was a hit!
3. Read plenty of good books. (not even close)
4. Catch up on my LDS readings. (done-ish)
5. Attend the temple. (soon to be done!)
--> Oquirrh Mountain temple in South Jordan, UT
6. Bake something delicious. (working on it)
7. Work out, run, do me some yoga or pilates, etc. (seems to have slipped my mind)
8. Study for the Praxis. (just started today...)
Looks like I've lost my domesticated ways.
Yup, this 3-week break has been NOTHING like that.
The semester ended, I decided to take a week from school before starting to study for my Praxis exam in three weeks (smart move?...probably not), I re-learned how to stay up until 4 a.m. and sleep in until noon, Christmas came and went, and now I'm semi-celebrating Kwanzaa.
Below you will find a small(ish) list of the things I had hoped to accomplish during the break.
1. Babysit the niece. (done)
2. Craft each of my Christmas gifts to my family. (half-done)
--> I used this idea for my brother's and sister-in-law's gift. It was a hit!
3. Read plenty of good books. (not even close)
4. Catch up on my LDS readings. (done-ish)
5. Attend the temple. (soon to be done!)
6. Bake something delicious. (working on it)
7. Work out, run, do me some yoga or pilates, etc. (seems to have slipped my mind)
8. Study for the Praxis. (just started today...)
Looks like I've lost my domesticated ways.
December 16, 2011
Santa is My Best Friend
Santa came early this year.
He brought the most incredible gift I could have ever been given.
And thanks to Santa, my sister/best friend/other half, Chelsea, and I will be going to see Coldplay in Portland, Oregon on April 24, 2012.
Can I get a "HUZZAH!"???
And luckily, the end of the world doesn't happen until after the concert.
*Side-note: Santa is spelled with the same letters as Satan. Morbid, right?
He brought the most incredible gift I could have ever been given.
And thanks to Santa, my sister/best friend/other half, Chelsea, and I will be going to see Coldplay in Portland, Oregon on April 24, 2012.
Can I get a "HUZZAH!"???
And luckily, the end of the world doesn't happen until after the concert.
*Side-note: Santa is spelled with the same letters as Satan. Morbid, right?
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