White Water Rafting

We went white water rafting in Denali park. I have always wanted to go and even my mom has always wanted to go. We were only on a class 2 & 3 trip and we did not paddle. These photos are from class 3 rapids. Definitely a great first time trip but I would love to try the class 3 & 4 levels next. They had a photographer there to take photos and these are just a few. We had a blast! Amber, me, my mom, Gina are up front.

Trip to Valdez

We drove to Valdez to go halibut fishing. When we got there, we found out that there were going to be 6 ft swells and 25 mph winds out on the ocean come Wed. morning, which is the day we had scheduled our trip. Needless to say that our trip was canceled so the next morning we drove back to Fairbanks. It's about a 7 hour drive {both ways}.

On our way down to Valdez, we stopped a lot to take pictures. Below is just a shot of snow capped mountains. It was a long but beautiful drive.

Glacier that we stopped at. Very cool. We hiked up to the bottom of it.

Horseshoe waterfall.

My dad at a different waterfall

This is the closest we came to fish...

The harbor in Valdez.

Photo's to share

Just thought I'd share some photos....

Gina, Me, My mom, Amber

Chena River {We took the Riverboat ride}

Alaska Bound

Tomorrow I leave for Alaska. My mom is going with me this time and I have 2 cousins who will also be there the same time. It should definitely be interesting. It will be my first time fishing up there too. Can you believe all these years, I have never been fishing while I was there. Anyways, stay tuned for some photos.

By the way... it's in the low 70's. I can't wait to get out of this heat!

Ciao~

Eat, Pray, Love

This is an amazing book. For anyone out there trying to "find themselves". I suggest you read this. And if anyone knows of a place to go to learn mediation, I would love your feedback. This book is a woman's journey to Italy, India, and Indonesia. She is finding herself and I found myself with her in India. How I would love to go to India for a few months to learn the art of meditation and "not harborning unhealthy thoughs anymore".

I also started another blog 20 days ago. 20 days ago, I began a new journey to eat healthy. Not only for my body but for my mind. The blog is not "upbeat". I'm journaling my thoughts and my not so happy thoughts. I want a place that I can feel comfortable dwelling in my own self pity. The one thing I realize is when I am sad or down, I always feel as though I have to reassure everyone I will be ok. Why is this? You all know I will be fine. I know I will be fine. I realized today that I am someone who puts a lot of energy into things. Is that such a bad thing? I don't think so. I am sure this blog is making absolutely no sense to anyone but it's my way of analyzing some things I need to analyze about myself. I put a lot of effort into relationships and I think it's time I start putting more effort into my mind. I turned 36. I realized I am not where I thought I would be when I was 22 and married. This is the life I have and I have spent too many years dwelling on things that "could have been". But I have realized {a lot from reading Eat, Pray, Love} that it is time to put my energy into positive things. Anyways, I am done with the self pity crap. I need to get back to my chicken (I just over cooked my rice!).

I wish you all enough~

3.8 GPA

So I did it.
First, let me explain back in the day {high school/community college} I was an average B, C student. I even got a D at Scottsdale Community College. So when I decided to go back to school in Nov. 05 to get a bachelor's degree I was terrified. I figured as long as I did the B, C thing... I'd still get my degree. {Think about it... do you honestly walk into your Dr's office and ask what his/her GPA was? I think I am going to start! ha}
Well, when I went back to school, I got some A's and then some more. A few B's (2 b's and 1 b-) along the way. Toward the end of my degree I realized that if I continued getting A's by the time I graduated I would have a 3.8 GPA. ME!!! The B, C student from back in the day.
So my LAST class (which I just finished tonight) was math. Do you realize I {thought} I HATE math! How was I going to pass this class with an A? I needed the A to bring my 3.79 up to a 3.8.
Well- I DID IT!!! Tonight I took my final exam. I could lose about 6 pts and still pass with an A. I aced the final- Finished the class with a 98% and finished my degree with a 3.8 GPA.
I am officially finished with school {except when I go back to get my master's}. I am going to take about a 4 month break. Focus on a few thing for "me". I'm going to Alaska in June to see my dad {my mom is coming too} and then Italy in Sept. Yep- flights are booked! So when I get back from Itlay, it will be time to start my masters. Alright peeps- thanks for listening! Happy end of school!

Graduation-

I finally graduated!
YAY-

The best part of it was my dad flew in and surprised me.

I had absolutely no clue he was coming.

When I was looking for my mom {and fam} in the stands,

I noticed my mom pointing to someone and it was my DAD!

I started crying... I swear I am too emotional.

Here is my father and I after the ceremony~

My mom and I~

Morgan and I~

finally, Faith and I~

After the ceremony... there as the "annual" hunting bbq at my aunt and uncle's house. So we all headed out for a bit. I ended up leaving early for dinner with Dara, Melanie, Simone, and Amy. {Unfortunately we didn't get pictures with Amy}

Dara had been outside decorating my car and I had to drive hom in this...

Friday Night Fun

So my wonderfully, terrific, awesome friend

Dara is getting married

and what better way to celebrate than a girls night out...

So here are some fun photos of last Friday night (April 17).

{Dara above at RA}

Melanie, Simone, and I before our night out.

I like this picture better, so does Melanie~

however, it's not Simone's favorite.

I almost posted the other one but decided... it's my blog!

{love ya Simone!}

Dara had no idea we were going out in style. She was informed it was going to be a casual night with 6 of us for dinner and a drink or two. To her surprise, there were about 15 of us and hummer taking us to RA and then Mist for dancing. This was when she realized we'd be going out in the hummer (picture below).

Dara and I on our way to RA. Melanie wanted everyone to make goofy poses for photos so they were not so boring. Dara and I do a good job but we are still way too cute!

Inside the Hummer. Who knows what we were doing at this time. Melanie is at the end probably singing her heart out!

Missy and Melanie.

Missy and Amy planned this great night out. Unfortunately, Amy got the Flu on Wednesday and was unable to go. We all felt so bad because she did so much to plan all of this. Amy is awesome and I know we are all thankful for her effort to put this together. We definitely missed Amy that night!

Our drink at RA. It was huge and we got to share it but I have no clue what was in the drink. I didn't think it tasted good at all but it was fun to drink out of it.

{from l-r: Melanie, Simone, Dara, and Missy}

Melanie- enough said

Margie and I

Melanie and I

Missy, Simone, Kristin, and Melanie at Mist

End of the night outside of our Hummer!

We made it home safe and sound~

Tri for the Cure

Melanie, Simone, and I completed the relay sprint triathlon for Tri for the Cure this morning. I swam, Mel biked, and Simone ran. We had a lot of fun and it was a great experience for my first "tri". Here are some photos~

Melanie and I outside the bathroom. They wanted us there by 6 am and we were suppose to start around 7:15. We ended up starting at 8:20ish. It was insanely unorganized!!!

Melanie, Simone, and I waiting for the event to start!

Taking a quick breath before I go under the lane marker for my next lap.

Me swimming~ a 400

Simone taking the chip off Melanie's ankle so she could begin the run- I was so occupied trying to get a great photo that Melanie almost fell off her bike trying to balance herself after an 8 mile ride. Luckily she didn't fall and I got this awesome photo!

Simone on her 2 mile run. This was a walk in the park for her!

After the race ~ We finished and came in 2nd place for the relay! YAY US!!!

Paradise Hotel 2 {secret addiction}

Ok- I have to let you all in on a little secret. I am OBSESSED with Paradise Hotel 2. It is seriously smut television at it's best. Single men and women out to eliminate one another for a grand prize {I have no idea what it even is}. I have come to love: James, Mike, Krista, Lauren, and Tanya {she was eliminated in the last show!} Anyways- thought I'd share my newest obsession of smut television.

Sad thing is... it's the only show I watch!

April 12

I woke up yesterday and did not feel so well. Thought maybe it was because I never ate dinner and my body was just weak. So I kept my plans with the girls and decided to take them to the Maricopa County Fair. I lasted 4 rides, 1 game, and walking through the livestock. I felt bad for leaving so promised them we'd go to Border's bookstore. Morgan has been wanting a book {Dragonology}. I told her she had to save her own money to buy it- and she DID! By the time we got back to my house, I was 10 times worse and wiped out. I called Stac and he was going to come pick the girls up. I felt horrible for promising to take them to Border's but knew there was no way I'd make it. So, Stac took them {whew} and I slept from about 2:30 in the afternoon until 6 am in the morning. Finally feeling a bit better so it's all good. What a day! Here is the only picture I got of the girls at the fair. You can see how cute Faith looks in her new glasses! She said none of the kids have made fun of her, they tell her she looks cute! Hope you all had a great weekend!

Update-

“I'm selfish, impatient, and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control, and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best.” -Marilyn Monroe


As for life, it is good. Almost done with school. Just finished the last assignment for my final core class and next will be a 5 week math class. {Wish me luck, math gives me anxiety}. I'm finally to a point were I feel guilty if I do not work out, so that is good. I'm doing a relay tri in 3 weeks. I will be doing the swimming, only 400 meters, but it will be fun. Planning to go see my dad this June too.

The girls are doing well. Took Faith to get her eyes checked out and she is now wearing glasses. I don't have a picture of her in them yet, but will post a photo as soon as I can. She looks adorable though! She struggles in school a little but hopefully things will be working out for the better very soon. Had to do some talking with teachers but the outcome looks good. Morgan is doing well in school, straight A's with the exception of one B.

These photos are from New Year's Day- I know, a little late. My cousin's kids and Morgan and Faith. We always go to my mom's house on New Year's Day for black eyed peas, pork, and saurekraut.

Almost time...

So in 2 months, I am graduating! I have 5 more weeks of school left {that is not including the extra 5 weeks for a math class I still need}.

This has been a great 2-1/2 years. I have made some major changes in my life.
1: Going back to school. I was terrified and not sure if I could do it. I had no idea how much going back to school would change me.
2: Career change. This was huge because I left a job that I absolutely LOVED. I left great friends and I ventured out into an entire new world. I miss SB Etc a lot but I LOVE where I am now and the guys I work with... are awesome!
3: New friends. I have made some amazing friends that I spend every Wednesday night with. I think sometimes we know a bit too much about each other but it's definitely been a fantastic experience and I will miss our Wednesday night classes together!
4: New experiences. I had an opportunity to volunteer at 3 different agencies here in the valley: American Cancer Society, Juvenile Detention Center, and Terros {with their crisis team}. The experiences were absolutely incredible and definitely gave me knowledge to things I was unaware of. I have also made GREAT friends at the agencies- I heart them and their friendship.
5: I have grown as a person. The experiences I have had, the friends I have made {and lost}, the knowledge I have learned have helped me to grow into a better person.

I want to thank each of you who encouraged and supported me over the last several years. Without you all, I would not have made it to the point I am at today!

xoxoxox
ME

Tell her....

I found this and just wanted to share.... OH, and 11 weeks 'til I am done with school!!!