Mouse Ears and Magic.

Hi there! :)
Sorry, same old usual stuff: busy, busy with SCHOOL!!
I had another successful quarter, kicking ped's butt this time with an A!

I had almost two weeks off for summer, and I spend 90% on a much needed vacation.
David and I headed down to St. George on Wednesday night [6.24.2015] to start our vacation a little early. When we got there we shopped, grubbed and headed to bed early for our drive to Cali in the morning. I had to show David the incredible Jazzy Java's before we hit the road Thursday morning, and he was definitely impressed.

We had one hot, [my AC doesn't like to work on road-trips] yet smooth drive to Anaheim. Once we checked into our hotel, we walked across the street so I could show David what Downtown Disney was all about. Guys, this man gets so excited-- just like me!! It makes everything so much more magical. While we were there, we bought our Disneyland tickets & some mouse ears of course; then grabbed some dinner at ESPN and headed back to our hotel for some quality zzzs.

The next day we experienced the magic of Disneyland! David had been there only once when he was a child, so it basically was his first time. I did my research and we managed to hit everything we wanted to by the afternoon! We met up with my friend Anna and her boyfriend Tim later in the day, and they said we couldn't miss the parade and the fireworks. I am so glad we listened, that alone was worth the trip by itself!!

When our feet could no longer handle it [just before closing-- almost a sixteen hour fun filled day], we drove to our Newport beach house for some much earned sleep.
The next two days we relaxed on the beach and even did some SUPing [stand up paddle-boarding] in the pier. Monday [6.29.2015] we took a boat to Catalina Island. Dave had never been on a boat in the open ocean, [let alone never even seen a real cruise ship!] so it was very special and so much fun. Gosh, I just love that man. While in Catalina we checked out the island, and did some more SUPing and fish seeing in Lover's Cove. It was an wonderful little adventure with the whole fam.

Tuesday [6.30.2015] was a marvelous day spend at California Adventure. We rode everything we wanted to [twice even], and indulged in some lobster nachos and ice cold fulfilling brews [and more brews]. The rest of the week we lived it up as much as we could at all our favorite local by-the-beach spots. Our last night at Newport, David made the whole family a spaghetti and homemade meatball dinner. It was a smashing hit, they all loved it-- and all seven pounds of meatballs were devoured.

Friday, the last morning of the beach [7.3.2015] David and I tried to sleep in, but it was too hard when everyone was leaving. We were the last ones to check out of the empty beach house. We decided on a last breakfast at Charlies Chili one of the local favorites. After breaky we drove to Vega$ for one last night of fun. My sweet Glen got us a room at the Downtown Grand, which was right across the street from the Fremont Street Experience. We didn't have a lot of money left by the end of this long adventure, but we managed to win some cash to pay for our adult beverages. :)

Now we are home, it is kind of depressing actually. I have finished the first week of school already, and I have to remind myself that I am going to school so I can have more magical vacations like that.

I want stuff!
I want to play!
I want to travel!!

So I must work hard and study harder. Hopefully only five months and two weeks until I can start my dream journey as a Registered Nurse.

Quick thought.

I just saw something someone posted; they just got back from a week long vacation in California-- including a trip to Disneyland.. And the caption was: "What a great trip, how exhausting."

Funny thing is tho, your vacation you are looking forward to.. 

- it will be here and over before you know it..

As much as you are loving your first day, with that whole week off ahead of you..

- suddenly it's time to pack up & head home. 

#Enjoythenow. 

That moment you are in--right now. The one that you are wasting your time reading my silly little pointless blog...

I challange you to go outside and live.

Slow your breath down, and focus on this present moment... 

How does it feel to lie/sit down?

 How does your inhales & exhales feel? 

What is in the sky/on the ceiling?

 What can you do to push all your stressors away? 

#BREATHE.  

INNNNNNNNNN

& 

OUTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT.

Pause to take it all in.

#bragpost

Sorry, but I have to brag for a second:

I feel like the luckiest girl in the world.

I love my school, and my cohort is the most awesome group of people. My classmates are all so fun and so smart! We are a very supportive and cohesive group, and I could not have done this accelerated program without them.

I LOVE my job, and my boss tho? #bestbossever! She is one incredible lady herself, let alone one incredible manager. I don't know how she manages to juggle everything on her plate. My coworkers are the shit too! I'm so lucky to have such great experience in such an amazing department. Did I mention I was rated as the number one CNA by my peers, and number two by our nurse team? #braggingrights.

My boyfriend's perfectness cannot even be described in words. He is beyond my wildest, most extrodinary dreams. I fall more in love with him every day. Every time I look at him I am impressed how handsome he is-- and that smile tho, wow. I can tell him literally anything, fart on him, and he just looks at me like I'm the most beautiful girl in the world.
Every girl needs a David.

I have the best friends, they are so supportive and way too much fun. I can't wait to be done with school so I can see more of them.

My family tho, like whoa. They are my rock. [They must be the reason I am so freaking cool too.] I love having such a tight family with such good, positive people. Plus, my cuzzies are the freaking cutest. It is so cool that I have gotten so much time to spend with my Grandma, she is such a great role model for me. Also, I don't know what I would do without my mother.

I've received a lot of compliments on my "sunshine" lately, and I can literately feel it shining out in rays. I feel so lucky and blessed every single day, and that must be where all my happiness and sunshine comes from. I am a true believer if you want to be happy -BE HAPPY.

What are you feeling especially blessed or thankful for today? If you are feeling down and out, I challenge you. Every night when you crawl in bed, think of three things you are thankful for today, and three things you want to accomplish for tomorrow.
Think happy thoughts, then sleep on them, and make the best of every day.

Another year older [and wiser too?]

Whoa, I cannot believe I am 26 already!-- Where does the time go??
I want to be a nurse already so I can pop out some babies! -only kind of kidding..

Anyway, I think this past year has brought on some good change for me..
[Some silly little things like:]
I've gotten a new boyfriend..
a new school..
a new cell phone..
a new car..
& I've switched to night shifts, and I might never go back to days..

In the next three months of summer I am looking forward to:
California,
my best friends wedding,
and too many shifts and classes in between.

It's going to be the best year yet..
[I know, I always say that.. but it really just keeps getting better.]

#blessings.

Today I'm very thankful for:

1. My grandparents! I'm very blessed to have them in my life for so long. They are wonderful people and great examples for me. Not to mention my Grandma is the best cook! Another reason Sundays rock!

2. Four seasons! As much as I wish it was always summer, it's pretty cool we get to see our earth physically change. It's beautiful on so many levels.

3. Electricity. We truly live a good life..

Hydrate.

Another obsession of mine lately: SASSY WATER.



I got the original idea from pinterest of course. It is part of the Prevention magazine's Flat belly diet. The original recipe is here.


Health Benefits:
"Proponents of the diet maintain that ginger in sassy water helps your digestion and can reduce your risk of constipation, while lemon works as a natural diuretic and promotes a healthy pH balance. Cucumbers contain erepsin, an enzyme that helps your body digest protein and also supports the health of your kidneys due to their diuretic properties. Chemicals in mint leaves also support digestion." Along with many other nutritional perks.
You can find more information here.

I make it for my mom and I every night. I put about 5-6 slices of cukes, around half of a lemon, a few mint leaves, and peal some ginger (I like a lot, my mom likes less). I bought a ginger root from Harmon's, pealed it and keep it in the freezer. When I need some I just use my potato peeler. Also, the mint needs to be twisted and broke apart a little bit to better release the herb's oil. Without fail, it always tastes great. I just fill it up with ice (and sometimes water) all day long.

The biggest reason I love it tho, it tastes AWESOME. I usually drink a lot of water, but I feel I have increased my H2O intake by quite a bit. So cheers to this amazing, refreshing summer beverage. Isn't it pretty?

just another week in the life..

WOW, what a week.

I guess I will start from the beginning:
MONDAY:
Woke up early for a quick 5 mile run with my mom
then
Worked 12 hours for time and a half.

TUESDAY:
Class, a quick cardio at the gym, an amazing homemade lunch, and the best part? A DAY OFF

WEDNESDAY: An ass kicking at body pump.
Hiked Timpanogos and toured the caves with Liz.

and went on a spur of the moment midnight hike with Jeremy to Fifth Springs hot pots.
It was so cool, I can't wait to see it in the day!
[Sorry none of my pictures turned out]

THURSDAY:
I kind of slept through class.. (Don't tell my mom)
Another awesome lunch.

The usual, staff meeting, guitar lessons.. and one of my [SILLIEST] highlights:
FINALLY DRINKING OUT OF MY OWN MUG AT MY FAVORITE BAR. kind of lame, but I have been excited about it for weeks, and it finally came!

FRIDAY:
Another long 12 hour work day.
A beautiful wedding.
Finally getting to see my BFF [another serious highlight]


SATURDAY:
A short and sweet 6 hour shift.
Seeing my best friend [two nights in a row!!] annnnnnnd the #1 highlight: I met a boy
[Side note: he has a pet jelly fish
he drinks the most rare and expensive coffee in the world: Kopi Luwak
he wants to fly me down to San Fransisco and take me sailing
he is freaking sexy.
he made me feel like the "most gorgeous girl" he's ever met..
and he somehow tricked a kiss out of me, and I loved it.
basically he is too good to be true, but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and see what happens.
Basically I have been professionally schmoozed.]

Update: He was nothing but a professional schmoozer, cheater, and loser haha. Fun times for sure tho, and no regrets haha.

Summertime :)

Amazing is as simple as 1. 2. 3!
I love summer, and I love fruit!
This summer is going to be the best yet, I know it!!
#simplethingsinlife:

1:

2:

3:

Summer Dreaming

This summer I want to get out and enjoy nature as much as possible!! I LOVE camping, hiking, wave-running, four-wheeling, swimming, boating, running through the sprinklers, picnics, laying out, boogie boarding, riding my bike, roller-blading, you name it- LETS DO IT. Lake Powell is a summer 2011 MUST, at least a few times!! :)