Haven't Had Enough

I work [practically] full time, go to school full time, am in a LDS sorority, have homework, and still find time to be social... Have I had enough?

Nope.

I am on the University of Utah Ballroom Dance Team. Yes, we have one. Is it recognized by the school? Not yet, but we're working on that. Thus I pay to be on it and it isn't cheap... but it's worth it! :) I am making scarves and headbands to make up the difference in income and expenses.

The ballroom dance team consists of three teams, the Black Team, the Red Team, and the White Team. (Yes, they are the school's colors, original eh? ;) haha) I am on the White Team and I absolutely love it. People have come and gone from it and we have done a lot of switching around with partners and such, but I think it has made us an even stronger team. We've hung out after practices, played practical jokes on each other, arranged socials, and I even miss them if I have to go more than a week without seeing them. We have way to much fun together!!!

We've performed twice now. Once at Rock the U and another at a LDS Stake's annual formal dance. It was a blast and a huge learning experience. We perform again on Monday, April 18. I'm so excited! The White Team did a Rumba routine and now we are learning a Waltz routine! The Waltz is my very, very favorite style of dance! I do love Country/Freestyle Swing a ton, but the Waltz is just so elegant and beautiful. Freestyle Swing takes the best of all the dances and puts them together, thus throwing footwork out the window. It must do this because there is no way of combining all the dances and keep the footwork! It's just fun to let go sometimes! hehe.

There are so many wonderful people on this team, including some people whom I've known before. I went to high school with two girls, Audrey and Kirsten. Kirsten and I actually grew up in the same stake as well! Two guys I met through the IOTA frat, Griffin and Thom. Grif joined with my referral... well he actually could've done it himself, he's that good, but he found out about it through me. I'm so glad I decided to take the Ballroom Dance class for my extra two credit hours, it changed my life. I've made a ton of new friends as well, Paul-who almost dropped me, Dianna-lovingly nicknamed Dance Nazi, Brown-headed Marc, Red-headed Marc, Elizabeth-my official eyelash-putter-oner, Jen-whom I've almost collided with multiple times, Molly-our mother hen, Aaron-who likes to switch between teams, Greg-we are awesome at the Titanic, and other wonderful friends whom I will write about later. There will be more adventures to come, trust me.

I'm following my dream. I've always wanted to be on a ballroom dance team and I'm doing it. It's the first time that I've actually done something that doesn't sound completely respectable and safe. Not that being a teacher is lame or anything. I really want to be a teacher, that is one dream I have always had, but it's not far fetched like being a pop star. haha One thing I've learned, when there's a will there's a way, and sometimes we've got to get out of our own way and simply take a leap of faith. Don't be afraid, you can do hard things. ;)

New Adventures

Once again, it has been awhile since I posted on my blog. Life's been hectic with work and school starting again, but I think I've got it together again. I'm taking 12 credit hours again - Math for Elementary Teachers (don't be fooled by its name, it's horrid), Home-School-and Community Relations, Assessment and Data-Based Decision Making, and Elementary Ballroom Dance. It'll be a fun semester! I work during the day and go to school at night, however, I always make time for fun... sometimes too much time.

Oh, but I've had the best weekend ever! First off I got to go to a bonfire with my friends. So much fun! That included an hour and a half drive, off-roading on sand dunes, and singing/dancing to blasting music. I slept on the way home. I also found out that Ugg boots are not good for icy terrain... as Sarah, Collin, and Amy found out at Solider Hollow last week. I had to crawl up the hill. It's super cool just so you know.

Never be afraid of a new adventure.
You never know where it may lead!

Ready... and Breath!

I've had to keep reminding myself that this month.

I went through a lot, but I was able to handle it!

Most of my pain has been relieved,

let me explain :)

Back Relief:

My back feels so much better! There are still moments when it's tender, but that's what happens with back injuries, they never really go away. I'm okay with that now. :) My coworkers have been awesome and let me rest my back for a week or so until I was up for lifting things, like children, again. My amazing friends have given me lots of back rubs and shoulder massages and helped me pop my back when it got stuck in a funk.

School Relief:

Finals are finished, finis, terminado, klaar, terminat, finito, and fertig! Hallelujah! I finished everything I needed to do. I may have not done it all with flying colors but I did what I could with the metal capacity I had at the moment. I used my planner and found joy in crossing things off that I finished! I know that I have one A, I think the rest will be B's but I don't really care anymore! Now I just need to register for next semester! Woot woot!

Social Relief:

I still miss my friends, but in a good way. Ephraim was able to come back like once a week so I got to spend time with him! Allie left, BUT I got a letter from her yesterday! :D She loves the MTC and thinks I would love it too... I think she was hinting at something haha. But that's not on my current list of things to do... SO ANYWAY! I love her and I'm so glad she's doing what she feels is right, just like I am. I have also been able to spend time with my other friends. Yes, we were all busy with finals for about two weeks there, but now we're all done and making big plans for the break... or at least lots of little plans! Oh and I still don't want a boyfriend, but the thought doesn't make me break out in a cold sweat anymore. I think I'm ready for anything my Father in Heaven has planned for me! And I have every one's Christmas presents ready and I'm so excited to give them out! I don't even know if I can wait 'til Christmas!

Family Relief:

I get to see my mom more! I'm done with school and I can see her after work and on Saturdays! We even went shopping yesterday, SO MUCH FUN! Love that amazing, talented, beautiful woman! My dad and I have been on better terms lately! We just give each other space and I'm home more because school and finals are over. Happiness in the household.

Moving-Out Relief:

So life happened and Elisa may not be moving out with me anymore, she is deciding on which college to go to and then she will move out/in with me if she ends up going to the University of Utah. I and totally supportive of this decision and I want her to do what is best for HER, not me. However, I have found a totally awesome duplex and I will be moving in with my childhood friend Annie and possibly my friend Alexis if all goes well. (Elisa might move in once the school situation is sorted out.) I'M STOKED!!! I have sent in my application to the landlord and they will let me know asap! I may be on my own at the first of the year. I also will probably be dirt pour, so the simple pleasures will be my entertainment! :) Oh so happy!

Colon Relief:

My doctor and his nurse are pretty much my heroes right now! They have taken care of me these past three years as I have been dealing with my ulcerative colitis. Amazing people (once again, as in strikes AWE.) My body hasn't really reacted to the stress even though I ran out of medication for like a week or two. It's been handling it like a champ! I know I have been blessed and I am eternally grateful to my Heavenly Father. PLUS I haven't even had a flare up even though I let my defenses down over the past few days. I'm healthy and happy once again!

I have so much to be grateful for!

My friends and family have been absolutely amazing.

I could not have made it through with out them.

It would take way to long to write.

Basically I have been able to

LAUGH, TALK, DANCE, PLAY, SLEEP IN,

and just be happy again.

Christmas break, here I come!