So... tired...

I went over to my tan truck to get my bag out and there were two guys leaning against the truck smoking. Fabulous I though to myself. I unlocked the truck, grabbed my bag, locked it back up and started to walk away. "Do you think you could, um, not smoke leaning against my truck?" I said as I turned to face the two guys. "No, I don't think we can do that," the blond one said.
"Seriously, get away from my car."
"Seriously, get over it."
This infuriated me. I must have been having a bad day, and this confrontation made me snap. I grabbed my phone out of my pocket and started to dial 9-1-1, but the blond smoker had his phone out too while the brunette just stood there.
"I'd like to report a small child choking," the creep said as I heard the dispatcher from my phone ask for the emergency information.
"The guy I'm standing next to is reporting a small child choking, and he's lying. He's also threatening me," I told the woman I was talking to, although I had a feeling she wasn't going to be any help.
As I tried to explain my situation, the blond guy jumped into a white minivan (which I could only guess was his mother's) and started to speed toward me. I jumped out of the way, and he sped out of the parking lot with his friend in a blue minivan following close behind him.
Even with the two of them gone, I still didn't feel right about the situation. Uneasily, I went to my first class.
Class hadn't started yet, but spectators who had seen the incident in the parking lot were wildly talking about what they had just seen. A friend of mine came over, put his arm around me, and kissed me on the top of my head.
"That was kinda freaky," he said as he picked up the bag he had set down a moment ago. "Guess what, though. I'm recording in your booth today."
Honestly, I had no idea what he was talking about and I was a little distracted, so all I could mutter back was, "cool."
He left, and everyone in my class took their seats, avoiding the desks close to me. I should have known this was a sign of what was to come, but I thought nothing of it.
Just after class had started, I saw a dog sitting just outside the open door, staring at me.
The dog seemed massive, a rottweiler doberman pincher mix, foaming at the mouth. I hadn't noticed a dog with the two men in the parking lot, but I was sure it belonged to them.
Everyone else in the room looked to see what I was staring at just as the dog started moving closer to me.
"Just talk to it, try to calm it down," my brother said quietly over the hushed crowd and dog's growls.
"Lucy, it's ok. You don't need to hurt anyone," I said to the beast. I don't know how I knew the dog's name, it just came to me.
As she inched closer, scowling, I laid my hand on her head to try and calm her. As I did this, I noticed the two men had slit her throat. It was a clean cut, and she wasn't bleeding. I knew they had done this as a message to me. If she couldn't finish me off, they would come back and do the job themselves.
Lucy kept eyeing me, intent do to what she was sent here to do. I put both hands on her head behind her ears to try and show her I didn't want to hurt her, hoping she would return the favor.
I could see she wasn't going to give up on her mission, so I carefully placed my leg in a position that when she lunged for me I could knock her away. I was sure she wouldn't be a match for me from this position. I've been going to the gym so much lately, and my legs are really strong I thought to myself.
Without much time to react, Lucy jumped toward me, teeth bared. I placed my foot in the hollow of her stomach, and her face fell just short of mine. She was so close at this point I could see directly into the hole in her neck. Her vocal chords vibrated as she whimpered from my blow.
It was then I remembered the others in the room. Why aren't they coming to help me?
As I stared at the dog, wondering when she would regain her strength to strike again, my brother ran over and poured hot liquid down her throat through the open hole.
"This will put her to sleep," he said as he held up a box of Theraflu.
I thought it was strange, but the dog started to doze so I was thankful... very, very thankful.
Just before the dog fell asleep she looked inside of her and said,"I'm sorry, my babies."
I looked into the body of the now lifeless dog and watched as three puppies whimpered and died.
It was horrible that such a creature and her little babies had to die, but I was very relieved. I had survived the attack, for now. I knew the men from the parking lot would find out I was still alive and finish the job the dog was sent to do. But, for now, I was safe.

This is the dream that woke me up just after 4 this morning after having gone to bed around 12:30. I was so freaked, I couldn't get back to sleep. Let's hope there isn't a sequel and I can get some restful sleep tonight!

So... it's been a while :)

Ok, so it's been since the end of September since I blogged last... oops! I told myself that once I graduated and had more time I would blog more but that hasn't happened. I'm redeeming myself now!

After I graduated in May I couldn't find a job to save my soul! I looked all the time, but never got anywhere. My sister, Joann, and her family lived with us for a while during the summer while they hunted for a new house, so my life wasn't totally boring. I did have a photo job here and there, too, which I loved. Those jobs definitely save me as far as money goes! You can see most of the pictures on my other blog, stare at them, gawk over them, fall in love with them, etc. :) just kidding...

In August, I was getting really fed up with not having employment. I had an interview with Sherwood Hills in the Sardine Canyon, but nothing ever came of that. I'm really happy that I didn't get that job, though. It wouldn't have been a good job for me. In the middle of August, when Sherry and I were on our way up to Boise to see Gandalf (YAYAH!) I got two, got that, TWO calls for two different interviews the next day. I went to my first interview with GroupLink and felt really good about it. The interview went really well and it just felt like a good environment. The second interview, which I had to race to get to, was for a chiropractic office. It was a group interview and really not a great position. I kept praying that I would get the job at GroupLink, and about a week later they called and offered me the position! I was so, so, SO happy! I was literally jumping up and down for hours! I couldn't start until after I came back from Phoenix for Dan and Dalena's open house, so my official first day was August 31st.

I've been working as a technical writer for almost three months. The people I work with are great... mostly guys which accounts for considerably less drama - not no drama, but less. My desk is next to a huge window which looks out at the Bountiful temple and it's beautiful! After six months, I'll have benefits including health insurance so that's awesome, too.

Working in Bountiful has been good but the commute is really crappy. I'm looking into moving to the Layton/Kaysville area with an awesome girl from my ward. She works further south, as well, and it would be great for both of us.

I'm really super excited (if you can't tell) about all these changes. This weekend I'm going to brave the Black Friday crowds and see if I can't get some awesome deals on necessities for my new place (whenever it presents itself). CAN'T WAIT!!!

Crazy

So, just a quick story...
Today, for lunch, a co-worker and I went to the local Albertson's to get something quick for lunch and so I could get some water. Our water cooler is starting to taste nasty and I really needed the good stuff, but that's beside the point. We were walking out of the store when a guy sitting in his car yelled to us about all the stuff we had. After we set our loads in the car, he yelled to us to come over. I didn't dare, but Jay walked right over. The guy started talking about how Albertson's was recently bought out by another chain and the name would change soon. Then he started talking about another store that was in the same situation just down the road. He was telling us about how "NiQuil in the regular stores is like nine bucks, but right now you can get it there for a buck-fifty, and that's great cuz I got this cold I'm tryin' to get rid of..." Wow, then he asked how long we had been married... uh, seeing as how I just met the guy a month ago, it couldn't have been long! He told us that we should go over to that other store and get some "high-end perfume... you know, the stuff that's normally sixty bucks... you can get it there for about $10." Jay kept telling him that we just worked together, but he was pretty adamant in telling us about these great deals. Finally, we told him we had to get back to the office (yeah, office... I'll write that up later). The whole way back, Jay was making fun of him. It was hilarious. People can be so nuts!

It's about time!

I had a light bulb go on today... I realized that the reason I haven't posted for a while (other than my exciting trip to Boise) because I felt like since I didn't have a job I didn't have anything worth writing about. Since I graduated I've done nothing but Body Jam, take a few pictures, and look for a job. I was getting so irritated from not having any interest or interviews from anyone that it was affecting my whole life. I've been really frustrated for a really long time and every little thing that went wrong just added fuel to the fire. A little while ago, I finally got an interview with a resort in Sardine Canyon, but after the interview I didn't hear anything back from them... not even a phone call or email saying they "went another way"! I was a little bummed because that had been my only interview since graduation.
Last week, after the Gandalf Extravaganza, I had a really great interview with a technical support company called Group Link based in Bountiful. Everything went really well and they seemed pretty impressed with my resume. Yesterday, I got a call from them asking for some references and examples of my writing and other projects from school. I sent them this morning and got a job offer from them this afternoon!
Seriously, I have been praying so hard for so long that I would find a JOB, any job! And now I've found one that will actually utilize what I learned in school and that will allow me to grow in my abilities. It's so amazing how things can come out of nowhere. I have until Friday to accept the offer and I'm still praying that all the kinks can get worked out so I can become part of the team and FINALLY have a job... and a way to pay the bills!
Thanks to everyone that has supported me and prayed for me these past few months. It's definitely paid off!!!

AWESOME!!!

Ok, I know it's been pretty much FOREVER since I've posted, ever after I promised to update on what's been going on. I'm just at the point in my life right now where every day is the same. I've graduated which is pretty exciting. It would be more exciting if I could find a job. However, not having a job has allowed me to do some pretty AWESOME things, one in particular that I will be writing about in this post.
I have been teaching Body Jam since January and I absolutely love it! Going to the gym gives me something to look forward to every day when nothing else is going on. I love getting each new release, working my booty off to learn it, and teaching it to the people who actually COME to my class. The feeling I get when I'm teaching is amazing. I love hearing people let go and get crazy because I know they are having as much fun as I am AND getting a wicked awesome workout.
Last week was kinda rough. I had had a rotten day to begin with, but then when I went to my Jam class, not one person showed up. It is so frustrating when I drive all the way to Layton for nothing. I was very upset. But yesterday, that all changed.
Part of why I love Jam so much is because of the creators who love it possibly more than I do. Yesterday, around 10 in the morning Sherry (my teaching partner) and I drove four hours to Boise, ID. There is a reason for this insanity, I assure you. Last year, the Boise Gold's gym participated in a program called "Dance 4 Life" where they raised money for AIDS awareness (I think). They won the competition... and their prize was to have the Director and Choreographer of Body Jam come teach a master class at their gym.
As soon as we heard about his visit, we made plans to attend the class. The drive was totally worth it! We got there early, ate a small dinner, went to the gym, got ready, and waited for about an hour for the class to start.
As soon as Gandalf entered the room, the energy was completely different! We were so stoked and so excited! He started teaching the class (with his awesome New Zealand accent) and it was amazing. The microphone went out about half way through the class, but he still did an amazing job. The routine was off the hook and, even though I was dying, I had a BLAST! Afterward, he stuck around for pictures and Sherry and I got to get a picture with him and just the two of us.

I don't know how to put it so everyone will understand how huge this was for us! I guess you could say it's like a starving, aspiring singer meeting their favorite singer in person. It was so... AWESOME! I have been giddy ever since, and you can probably see why. He was really cool, too. We got to talk to him a bit after all the picture-takin'. He told us about his cute wife (who is also an instructor) and their new cute little baby. It was so cool to see how down to earth he is.
After the class, we went and changed and drove home that night (I had to get back for an interview in the morning) but we were so wired that the natural high kept us up and safe. It was a totally AWESOME day!!! Thanks to Sherry for telling me about it and going up with me!
AWESOME!!!!!

P.S. My class tonight had about 26 people... it ROCKED!

It's been a while!

I realize it has been a very, very long time since I last posted and a lot has happened in my life since then. I'm not going to go into details right now. I'll most likely do each event in it's own detailed post (hopefully with pictures!) and catch up that way. Just be aware that very soon, in the near future, everyone will know where I've been the last couple of months!

Tagged by... Me!

I just visited my friend's website, and she had this fabulous "tag" on her blog. I love it because it is a "tag yourself if you want to be tagged" so no pressure for anyone who doesn't want to do it!! How great is that?!So here are the rules: The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you. This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
2- What I create will be just for you.
3- It'll be done this year.
4- You have no clue what it's going to be.

The catch is that you must repost this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog. The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me! Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it!!!So there you have it! If you want me to make something for you...hmm, what could it be? A new toilet paper dispenser? just leave me a message.

My Family

I very much appreciate my parents for teaching me to be a good person (don't laugh, mom). I was brought up to know that I should do all I can to help someone when they really need me. I have always tried to really help as much as I can when one of my friends or family members is in a bind. There may have been times when I couldn't help out, but I do when I can.
As much as I appreciate the way I was brought up, it severely screwed me up...
As much as we may try to help, we should refrain because most of the time, those you are helping wouldn't do the same in return. If we help someone by picking them up if they are stranded or trying to make them happy when they are sad or chewing out a guy when he's hurt our best friend... none of that matters when we need the help.
Don't get me wrong, I know there are a few exceptions to everything. There are a few people who are willing to help... my parents for example (hence the way I learned to help friends). However, when I am in desperate need of doing something, a certification video for example, the people I try to help blow me off.
Now, I know I'm very frustrated right now and I know I will most likely feel at least a little different in the morning, but if I didn't at least write how I'm feeling I would probably explode as I try to sleep tonight.
For those of you who are and have been willing to help me, I am very grateful and I will always be there for you when you need me.
For those of you who choose frivolous activities with others when I really need you... well, I may not be available if you call.
When I have a family of my own, I may just teach my kids to count on themselves and no one else. That way they won't get disappointed as much!

ALL CLEAR!!!

No, I'm not talking about the snow (obviously) or my face (tragically) or guys, although I do have a date on friday :)

I'm talking about GRADUATION!!! About a week and a half ago I had a meeting with my Comm advisor just after I paid $30 for my graduation application. She put the notes in my file that, barring any incompletes I may get from my classes this semester, my major is all clear for a graduation on May 1st! This did not mean I was ready by any means... I won't be "ready" until I know I've passed all my classes. However, I met with my minor advisor today and, save an incomplete from my independent study this semester, I will be TOTALLY set to graduate! I'm so overly excited about this, as anyone who has attended college for more than 4 years would know! Yes, I'm only getting a Bachelor's degree and I've been at the school for 7 years. That is completely beside the point.
The fact is, I am FINALLY graduating and it feels AMA-ZA-ZING!!! I am completely stoked and can't wait until that day actually comes! But, until then, I will keep doing what I need to do to get there.
Hallelujah!!!

Catching up...

It's been way, way, WAY too long since I've blogged and I feel really bad about that. I was actually going to try and be really good this year and, well, January flew by with only one post... so I blew it. But I can always start now, right?
So much has happened since Jan. 4th... I started my (hopefully) very last semester of school FOREVER! I still can't believe I've been there for so long and it's going to be over in about three months. Things are going really well, I guess. I procrastinate A LOT but I just get in moods when I really don't want to do school work. In fact, I have to wake up really early tomorrow so I can write a storyboard for a music video that's due tomorrow. I'll hopefully get it done before 7:30ish so I can go to the gym and get a run in.
I've been slacking a lot there, too. I'm all signed up to run the Ogden half marathon in May and I'm only at 3 miles consistently. I might be able to do more, but when I do go running I only have time to run 3 miles. I am teaching Body Jam tuesdays and thursday, so that's giving me a little extra cardio exercise, plus I practice almost every day. I have to make a video of my class to send to the corporate Les Mills so I can be certified which means I will be able to teach Jam in any facility that is licensed for it. I'm really stoked, but really nervous. I plan on making a few different videos so I can send the absolute best I have! That's about the extent of my physical activity which needs to change if I going to contribute anything to the family weight loss challenge. I'm not doing so well with any sort of diet... I blow it about every three days or so. I'm going to reach my goals if it kills me, so I'll keep working at it.
I am still in choir this semester, my very last one. I was going to not go back, but when I found out that within my 18 credit hours I still somehow had 11 free every day, that was a sign that I needed to be there. So far this year, we gotten to sing for the Prophet (way cool), and member of the 70 and one ward. A week from today, we'll sing for two more wards. It really is fun, and I am actually making more friends this semester, although for some reason I'm losing some, too. Just a side note... boys are stupid.
Anyway, one more thing that has changed this year is my social life. Surprisingly, quitting my job didn't give me as much free time as I'd hoped. I can't even imagine how much more exhausted and burnt out I would be if I were still working. Anyway, a few friends and I started having date nights about every other week. The first was kind of a bust, not exactly what we had planned but still kinda fun. I was a little preoccupied because it was during my BJ training and I had a routine to learn that night after everyone left, but it turned out ok in the end. The second one, just about a week ago, was actually really fun. I took an old friend who I hadn't seen in a while and all six of us had a lot of fun just playing games. This weekend, we're going to do pretty much the same thing, only we are all going to make dinner together. It should be pretty fun... I hope!
Last, but not least, I just wanted to post some pictures. They are all pretty old, but I don't remember writing about any of them, so I thought I'd make this very LONG post a little more interesting (because that's what pictures do... make things more interesting). ENJOY!!!
This is from when my ward went to Temple Square at Christmas time... a little old but it's such a generic picture, I had to share mine!
Ha this is a present my sister's family gave my dad for his birthday. It's for when we go camping so everyone can find our spot!
This is my super cute Bo Man playing with his new toy on Christmas. He didn't really know how to use it, he was just trying to copy his older cousins :)
Oh yeah! We painted my room... It's not exactly put together yet, so there will be a whole story later when it is... hopefully BEFORE the end of the semester!
This is from our first date night... my date Jonathan and the other Lisa.
This is from a LONG time ago. I stole Alexis and took her to do baptisms and to get ice cream. We went to the WSU football game afterward, then to take some engagement pictures, and then to dinner at Rumbi Island Grill where I think they gave me fish instead of chicken because I started getting itchy. Gross! P.S. the guy behind us is my date this friday...
This precious photo is from yesterday :) Amber came up after work because we were having a girls' night and she came early to help me practice BJ. I didn't want to jam right after I ate so while we waited, she "watched" t.v. with dad. They were both asleep after about 20 minutes and I had to take a picture. Tender!
Ok, that's all :)

Nervousness

Tomorrow I start my last semester of school... my very last forever. Of course I'm excited to be finishing up. Getting through school has been really, really hard for me, though. I've never really liked school, except for the occasional classes that I'm passionate about. But this semester is a little different. I will be taking 18 credit hours, plus two Institute classes, equalling seven classes and an internship. Luckily, I saved enough money last semester that I don't have to work, which is a great blessing! I quit my job (another, more thorough post about that after my last day...) but I will get to do a couple weddings during the semester, which I absolutely love! I will also get to teach a class at my gym, which will only be maybe one day a week.
This whole experience will be so different, and I'm very nervous. I haven't been jobless in six and a half years, and that scares me a little bit. I'm praying that no major expenses come up within the next four months and that I will be able to make it through.
Another thing that makes me nervous (now please, don't laugh) is a few of my friends and I have decided that we want to have date nights at least twice a month. I haven't been on a date since I started working my job last August. So pathetic, I know, but there just isn't much time when you work nights! Now that that job is over with (or will be on tuesday) I will have a lot more time to spend with family and friends and meeting new people.

Lots of changes, lots of drama (in my eyes) and a lot of unknown... but hopefully a lot of good will come out of the next few months!

P.S. If anyone has ideas on FREE dates (seeing as how my funds are pretty much non existent) I would be very grateful for input!