Truly An Inspiration

Sheri LaMar was my first grade teacher.  She truly understood what it took to be exceptional.  I have learned so much from her not just by being her student but by seeing her through her fight with cancer. She always had a positive attitude which is difficult for many people that went through similar trials.  I had the chance to talk about her in one of my Consumer Health lectures.  We were talking about how our attitude can change outcomes on situations.  My professor was very touched by the story and could tell that she was an extraordinary individual.  She had a very clear understanding of Heavenly Father's plan and accepted this challenge.  I am very lucky to have had her in my life.

"You'll know when I don't have enough air when I stop breathing."

While we were stressing out about tests, homework, work, school and all our personal lives we decided that a vacation was needed.  Stacey, Javier, Pepe, Marissa and I headed down to Moab. None of us have ever gone so it was an adventure for all of us.  We headed down Saturday afternoon, checked into our (tiny, gross, spiders in the pool, women's flip flops under the beds) motel room then headed down to the arches!!!

We first went to see Cache Valley.  There was a cut in the rocks that kinda looked like a unfinished heart.  Marissa decided to finish it.

Stacey got attacked by a bush and decided to fight back by falling on it.

After cleaning her up we went to the Balanced Rock.  Which looked like a fish. Just not in any of these pictures.

Then we made our way to the Delicate Arch.  This is where we first got a taste of the wind. And yes, we did taste it. Well, all the dirt that was flying around.  We also said goodbye to Pepe's hat which was taken by the wind.  We just hope some kind of rodents are enjoying it as a new home.

We went out to eat in downtown MOAB.  I was being tortured by all the jeeps and Javi was being tortured by all the motorcycles.

We were going to wake up early to get some sunrise pictures.  We are college students on vacation, you really think we would? Woke up just in time to get ready and check out before noon and headed back to the arches.

First was the Sand Dune Arch which Javi and I climbed on top of.  Don't worry, mom, I was careful.  This is where we had tons of sand in our shoes.  Not smart enough to take off our shoes.  

Further past this arch was the (not very broken) Broken Arch which Javi and Pepe climbed to the top of.  A lady there reminded me of mom because she had to look away because she was so worried.  They were careful too and survived.  

We then headed out to hike the 17ish mile hike around the rest of the arches.  It was so much fun.  The beginning was a paved walkway that just seemed too touristy.  Once we got up higher we got to climb random rocks, get scared we were on the wrong trail if on one at all, were by ourselves for a majority of the time and got to see some sweet sights.  We were like little kids jumping around the rocks and getting excited about different places to climb and explore.  Marissa peed on me, made me throw up my Crystal Light by making me laugh and jumped up and down clapping her hands when we met people from Washington.  She is glad I am her sister because if she peed on anyone else they probably would have cried, no one else laughed at the joke she made when I threw up my Crystal Light and I am the only one who understands why she got so excited when we met someone from Washington. 

The trip was so much fun!!

Zachary S. Scoffield

I absolutely HATE saying goodbye to people.  Especially when I have seen them pretty much everyday for the past four months and I have to say goodbye for two years.  I have had many friends go on missions but I have never been this close to someone that was outside of family leave.  Yesterday was our last day to see Zach before he headed into the MTC (which will be a brutal 2 months because he will be a mile away from us still).  We had a nice small bonfire planned for last night with our little group of friends for a last hang out.  Zach had errands to run so he wouldn't be down until 7.  I was at Junior's at around four when the door opens and in walks Zachary.  Junior and I were so excited.  He had been in Fresno packing for the last few days. What a great surprise.  We met and talked to his parents while he showered.  They are so sweet and I could tell they were having a hard time letting him go like we were.  We had a great time at the bonfire and took plenty of pictures, but it seems like we will still not have enough to hold us over for two years.

Zach will be a fantastic missionary and the people of New York better know that they are lucky.  I will miss him tons!

Good luck Zachary!!!

Just got burned.

Is it sad that I have been down in Provo for two years and have never once done the BYU thing of hiking the Y? Well, I finally made my way up there.  I headed up there with Marissa, Zach and Stacey on Saturday.  It was such a nice day! I thought I put enough sunscreen on. Nope. Not at all.  (I looked like I wore sunglasses, but I didn't.) Zach showed us "his spot" that is a little above the Y on a sweet rock.  It was tons of fun and we can't wait to do it again.

Zach isn't as mean as he looks in this picture... haa

Javier brought us some brownies after he got off work at the Creamery.  Super sweet of him because they tasted sooo good after the hike.  He gave Zach a ride home on his bike. So cute.

When we got back I realized that I definitely needed some Aloe Vera.  But, we were out.  So I headed to Buy Low to pick up some.  I couldn't find it so I walked up to this guy that was stocking the shelf.

Me: "Hi, do you guys happen to have some Aloe Vera?"
Employee: Turns around... "WHOA!..... uhhhh ya."

I was super burnt and he could tell.
Thanks jerk.

After I couldn't get real Aloe Vera at Buy Low Javier sneakily went to Walgreens to get me some Menthol Aloe Vera that made my burns not hurt so bad.

Now two midterms this week and home!!!! :)

AY AY AY!!!!

Well, our party was a success! It was complete with two sweet pinatas, chips, salsa, Jaritos and of course, the classic mexican music.  It reminded me of all the parties at home (where I will be in a week!!)

Not So Spring Springtime

It has been freezing lately.  But now, it is starting to warm up! Spring is finally here.

In the time that I have last blogged I have finished Winter semester, signed up for a training to be a domestic violence volunteer, started Spring term, already taken two anatomy lab quizzes, started training to be a volunteer, signed up for a CNA program, had dad visit :), picked up Shannon Toolson from the airport and had a great conversation with her, made Easter baskets for Javier, Pepe, Junior, Zach and Brock, said goodbye to Kyle Richardson for two years and all my other friends who went home for the summer.

Check out Marissa's blog and Nick's blog to read more about some of that.  Their pictures: courtesy of me.

It has been super busy.  Busier than I expected.  Monday through Thursday I have at least four hours (two of lecture and two of lab) about the human body.  Thankfully I love my anatomy lab TA's (my lecture TA is Jessica Coleman, love her too!) and my physiology lab group and graders (suuuper relaxed).

We are on a kickball team that should be pretty fun.  Marissa and I missed the first game for training to be volunteers.  Tomorrow night we have a Cinco de Mayo party!!! Super pumped for that.  Saturday we are going hiking and have our second kickball game.  I'll let ya know how all that goes and post real pictures of how things are going down here in Provo (our internet doesn't work and I always forget when I have my laptop where there is internet).  Soon. I promise.

Happy STD Awareness Month!

Yup, there actually is an STD Awareness Month. And that month is April!

I had two amazing health classes this semester. I have learned a ton and loved every minute of these classes.  To give you a feel about how my infectious disease class was like....

- What's the difference between love and herpes?  Herpes is forever.

Last Week of Winter!

Today=HOURS of Interior Design. Wish me luck.

I only have 7 hours of class left of this semester!!!! And two of those hours are volleyball. Heck yes. 

Now, back to last weekend.

We went to the Saturday morning session with Lively (He served in our ward back home) and his roommate Ben.  While waiting for Nick to get our tickets, guess who we see! DeAndra's brother who is serving in Salt Lake.

We then headed home so we could catch the afternoon session, that I slept through.

Marissa and I made cinnamon rolls that night for Sunday morning.  My first time making them without an aunt, grandma or mom.  They turned out pretty well.

We headed up to Salt Lake for the afternoon session (tickets courtesy from KC).  Javier, Pepe and Junior got tickets but didn't have a ride so we were going to take them anyway.  It was nice to be able to go in.  We got to visit with Judy and Gary for a bit but there are so much more security stuff that we didn't get to meet anyone.  Here they are afterward, they were looking for someone for a couple minutes but they never found them.  Still don't know who they were looking for. ha

Monday I bought roller blades!!!!!! We are so good.

I just have to mention again that I met one of the sexiest men on Tuesday.  :) 

Friday I had a date with Ben (Lively's roommate).  We went to dinner, played mini croquet at the Provo Beach Resort (I was TERRIBLE) and watched  a movie after.  It was tons of fun.  I hadn't even heard of this beach resort place so it was a good first time going.

Kelly Orgill (my first roommate) had her birthday last night.  Her sister in law made Cafe Rio food. It was delicious.  She also made a completely homemade oreo ice cream cake (okay, so the ice cream wasn't homemade).  It was soooo good.  It was good to see Kelly again and Taylor Cicotte (also from freshman year).  

Now I should start my work, huh?  Wish me luck to not procrastinate and actually get everything done fast!

BEST DAY EVER!!!!

If you don't remember the major crush I have on Nick Martineau on the BYU basketball team go here:I promise I'm not a stalker

Well, I walked into the gym today before my coaching volleyball class and sat down by Chris. Started to complain about how I have so much to do and then looked up and saw Nick. Holy crap I could not stop shaking or talking about him. Chris was a good sport.  He said he would take my picture with him but I had to ask him. It was perfect.  He was walking out of the gym by himself so I asked him. I don't remember a time when my voice or hands were that shaky. You can probably guess how excited I was.  It took me about half an hour to stop shaking.  Definitely made my day.

So, we have this friend named Junior.  His real name: 'Eniketi Osolua Fevanga Junior.


He's Tongan, 28 years old,  majoring in Recreation Management and Youth Leadership and has cerebral palsy.  You have probably seen many pictures of him on here lately.  He was in my ward last year but I never really got the chance to really know him and those that take care of him.  I have to admit that I didn't understand what cerebral palsy was and I had no idea how I was supposed to communicate with him.  We got to meet his family today after General Conference, they are absolutely amazing.  He lives in WyView and most of those that help him have moved onto missions, marriage, jobs or just different housing.  

Last year I only got a glimpse of what these college students do for him.  I saw Aaron and Chris carrying him down 3 flights of stairs, people feeding him, hoisting him into cars, and giving him tons of love (sometimes maybe too much) haha. I knew that Chris, Aaron and Stacey give AT LEAST 2 hours (sometimes more than four) of their week to feed Junior at the Cannon.  This can be hard to do with homework, classes and just other stuff that people worry about, which is understandable.  They have been helping out with him for over a year now and have done so much for him and I am sure I don't even know the half of what they have done.

Lately you have had the chance to see more and  more pictures of Junior.  He lives with Pepe and Javier and Zach lives upstairs.  I knew Pepe and Javier last year but again, never got the chance to really know them.  I have seen from the outside stories like these where non family members help out their friends that are disabled so they can run a triathlon (I'm not dissing on these stories because I cry when I watch them and still think they are awesome).  Almost all the people who take care of Junior are not family members and have no obligation to take care of him.  They choose to live with him (or in the same stairwell so they can still help), choose to feed him, taught the nurses how to walk and take care of him (and still have to remind them of what they need to do for Junior), and still are able to be his friend even though the frustration can feel incredible high.  

 
Junior can't walk, go to the bathroom himself or feed himself.  These guys take Junior to the bathroom, change him and when he wants to go somewhere in the car- get him into the car.  Javier, Zach and Pepe all have jobs and are going to school. Even after super long days when they are exhausted they still haul this 200 pound guy to the bathroom.  When he needs to go up stairs because there isn't a ramp they carry him on their backs.  I feel terrible because I am a girl and can't change or take him to the bathroom and I can't really walk him because I am too short.  I try to help out as much as I can but it is nothing compared to what these guys do and how much they sacrifice to help Junior out.  The don't look for recognition and don't get any compensation.  Everything they do is voluntary.  You don't meet people like this every day.

President Uchtdorf talked us that we must do what Christ did and seek for opportunities.  He also reminded us that when we answer someone else's prayers, we usually answer our own.  If you missed his talk, go read it, it's awesome.