Back to School

Okay, I'm really bad at this. I guess there isn't a lot going on in my life that I find blog-worthy... finally there is something. I've decided to go back to school, and I'm pretty sure that is an indication that I've gone completely insane.

A few weeks ago I was thinking "Okay, I've moved home and enjoyed the cushy life for a few months. Now what?" I had been planning on moving out once I found a roommate and the right place. That wasn't happening and I needed to DO SOMETHING. When I finished my Associates in '08 I always planned on going back and suddenly it was actually possible. I looked at what it would take to finish my Bachelors and pretty much freaked out. Could I commit to two more years (4 semesters) of school? So I started thinking what about the money, my job, the time? What if something comes up and I don't finish? It would be a waste, I'd be right where I am now with less money. I still felt like school was a good option though... so now what?

With a little searching, I found an option that works. I'm going back to school to get my paralegal certificate. It isn't my first choice but it is something I'm interested and definitely a growing job field. I always have felt like law is where I've been headed. I just had been planning on being on the dirtier side of things, looking at crime scenes and wearing a uniform. I'm actually excited though. This is will be an opportunity to learn a lot and will allow me to stay full time at work. It is a two semester commitment (Should be done next August) and really should open up some job options... and I don't have to take Chemistry again!

Like I said, I might be crazy but then again... I pretty much always have been

Jinxed

I've said it before I'll say it again... my poor Penelope (car) is jinxed. She just can't stay out of trouble. I was taking Collin home after an AWESOME U of U football game (no worries friends, I still bleed blue) and after witnessing some swerving and aggressive driving I told him "Someone is going to get hit and I'll be mad if its me." 30 seconds later, I got hit. Everyone is fine but the accident involved 5 cars, 9 people (including the really sketchy at fault driver), and A WHOLE LOT OF DAMAGE. Mostly it is just the headache of not having a car... or a rental til Monday... getting it fixed and just being involved. Poor Collin seems to be in the car 50% of the time when I'm in accidents but it was a miracle no one was hurt (especially when you look at the pictures).

Now that my adrenaline rush is waning... I think I'll curl up with a book and sleep off the annoyance.

Friends

There's been something I've learned over and over ... and over in the past year or so. Its nothing remarkable or shocking, and actually it is kind of one of those "Well, duh Jess" kind of things. I've learned that no matter what life throws you (and sometimes life might as well just join the monkeys at the zoo if you catch my drift) there are always people in your life that can make it better just because you can call them friend. There have been times when I didn't think this was true but its just because I was stubborn and refused to see it.

Sometimes these people are the ones that you get a random text message from that says "Just thinkin about you, hope you're doing well" and sometimes they are ones that sit and listen to you whine yourself hoarse... and sometimes they are the ones brave enough to give you a good shake and say "come on girl, put yourself together, buck up and get back on track". They could be people you've just met or known for years...

To all the amazing people I am lucky enough to call friend... whichever category you fall into... thank you for getting me through the tough times! I love you all.

FORGIVE MY SENTIMENTAL POST... USUALLY I DON'T PERMIT MYSELF TO DO THIS BECAUSE IT SEEMS SO BLOGGER CLICHE BUT I HAD TO :)

Update. I know, it's been a long time comin'.

So I realized just now that I've been giving Ellen a hard time about not being invited to read her blog and its been almost a year since I've updated mine. A very interesting year. So here goes the updates of all updates and hopefully I'll be more vigilant about updating this thing.

I'm still living in Bountiful in "The New Place" mentioned in my last entry, haha. I've had quite the shuffling of roommates. Sad to seem some go, not so sad to see others go, glad to make new friends, and still living an adventure. I have really enjoyed the singles ward that I've been going to and now that I'm not really the "new girl" any more and know most of the faces and a lot of the names it is so much fun. I've just been called to the FHE committee as a group leader and I'm really loving it so far. I was also on the Super Activity committee earlier in the year which I loved and gave me the great opportunity of meeting a lot of new people and forcing me out of my comfort zone... which I definitely needed.

I am still working for Burt Brothers Tire as the receptionist at the corporate office. The past year has seen my job expanding and I've loved taking on new responsibilities. Sometimes things get a little hectic (to say the least) but most days I enjoy it and the others... I chalk up to being a grown up and going to work even when you hate it. I've had a few opportunities on the grid for jobs that would actually utilize the expensive college education and degree that I have, but so far, no luck. Still looking and crossing my fingers that I'll find something that I'll enjoy and that will fit what I'm looking for, but at the same time I have to admit I knew what the job market was like when I picked my Criminalistics major so I can't really complain.

I am currently in a relationship with an amazing guy I met at the aforementioned Super Activity (go figure...). His name is Dustin and I have had so much fun with him. He recently left for a year long deployment in Afghanistan with the Army National Guard (2 months down, 10 to go) and I have been so amazed at how quickly I have been welcomed and accepted into the "army wives/girlfriends" family. The past two months have been a really great experience and I'm sure the next 10 will be quite the adventure :)

I really feel like I'm at a new beginning. I have been through a lot in the past year and I've finally gotten to the point where I feel things have stabilized. I am going to try my best to keep this thing updated. I feel like a post this long overdue deserves a few pictures so...

This is the "new place" with the new furniture. Like I said I had some roommates move out and one took my furniture and I was super excited I found those couches on KSL... I know they are totally 90s and a little bit tacky but that is kind of why I love them.

These are some of my fun roommates that moved out. As you can see we were a little bit crazy together. I miss them lots but my roommates now are great too.

If you noticed, the large bean bags moved from downstairs to upstairs... leaving the downstairs living room kind of empty. Soooo I hung my paper chain countdown on the ceiling. One link for every day Dustin will be gone... makes it extremely visual doesn't it :)

Some of my fun friends (Rebecca and Jamie) and I at the Super Activity. We were standing on top of Independence Rock and were "Queens of the World". Had a blast with them.

More Super Activity Fun. This time with Jessica and Natalie

Dustin and I with Dustin's brother and sister in law Scott and Steph

Dustin and I

My battle buddies Brittania, Mary, and Whitney. Wives of some of the guys in Dustin's unit, amazing women, and great friends.

And what blog post would be complete without a mention of my awesomely cute nephew Jake. He and I at the Bees game where he threw the first pitch. I am SO excited for his baby brother to get here and be an auntie x2!