Kari McLemore and Skyler Smith's wedding reception - Kari & I



Daina, Kari, Sarah, Jenny (holding Aubrey's baby Olivia) - old roommates!

auction, weekend, 30 days, and PackRat

Here are some pictures from the Future For Kids silent auction the ATSU PA classes held last week.



Avi & Shea; Derik, Molly, & Jenna, Sarah & Megan; Stacey, Sarah, Megan, & Beth, Nate & Erin; Rodney (Founder of Future for Kids)

The weekend turned out to be nice. I did a lot of studying for my Monday morning quizzes. It was Ka^ri'sand Skyler's wedding & reception Saturday night. I went last minute to a friends pool party for about an hour. Rachel & Becca concocted a nice swim attire for me. Then I went shopping with Josh. Let me tell you, we looked GREAT! I was wearing my mismatch swim stuff with high heels carrying my purse. Josh was in his swim shorts & flip flops carrying a wet t-shirt (he had been thrown into the pool earlier). Yeah, it was great. We then made raw hummus and read the National Geographic from 1970. His family is friends with someone whose pictures were in the older NG's. It was great looking at the styles and topics back then.

Sunday night was my ward's last Bishop's fireside, since the university stake is making changes and our ward will no longer exist. He decided that he wants our ward to have our last Sunday (July 20) as a testimony meeting on the Book of Mormon. Yep, he challenged us to read it over the next 30 days. That's 18 pages per day. I will admit, I wasn't looking forward to the challenge when he first suggested it. My time is limited. In the past I have been a bit of slacker and never fully completed the Book of Mormon challenges. I decided that this is the perfect time. The Bishop knows what the ward needs, and this is something I need in my life. I have been reading and I don't want to put the book down. I wish I had more time in a day to ponder the words. I can already tell this is going to be the best 30 days ever!

This morning was the PackRat. It is a mock board exam to gage how much we have learned/retained over the year. I took the night off studying, got some good sleep, and had a good breakfast. After 130 questions, my brain shut off. I still had about a hundred questions left and I was done. I took a quick restroom break and felt a little more refreshed. But my mind wasn't as focused as I needed to be. Exams are bad enough, but a 225 question, three hour exam? That's almost unbearable. And I get to do it again next year after clinicals, and then take the REAL board exam. We got our scores this afternoon. Yep, I'm about average. I haven't retained very much information from the year, but I'm right with the rest of my class. I feel really encouraged to start rotations in less than two months! Glad that's over.

toward and away

Our lab today was all about suturing. We practiced a couple different techniques on pigs feet. It was great fun learning how it is done. I'm not a pro, but I enjoyed doing it. It is hard to maneuver the tools and not bend the needles (the pig skin is a little tougher than live human skin). I'm sure every time I see stitches I will be critiquing the work done. Doing the procedure labs always gets me excited for rotations. Only eight more weeks until they begin.

Pictures courtesy of Beth Hill!

nose bleed

Before I could take the rental car the dealership had me sign all these papers, one of which stated that I would fill the gas back to the same spot as when I took it.  It was a super long and busy day yesterday with class starting at 7 and going until 3.  Hence, I was in a rush for our Future for Kids charity silent auction so I stopped off right after class to fill the gas up.  The Forrester is just a little taller than my own Impreza and with my rushed moves I wasn't really paying attention to door placement.  Yep, I was standing in the normal position (where my head would be over my car door) and smack the door hit me right in the face.  Ouch! That hurt and within a couple of seconds I had a nose bleed.  Good thing I wasn't too far from my house, but what a way to start my night off.  I headed home and controlled the problem.  Then quickly got ready for the night.

It turned out to be a fun filled night.  I was sweating before I got to the auction (lovely 110 degree weather), wore my red highheels (looked hot, but killer on the feet), was out bid on a few of things I really wanted, and didn't get any dinner.  By the time I actually got home I was exhausted.  Good news, I won a few items at the auction, loved seeing everyone all dressed up, and was really glad my car wasn't towed (I had forgotten I parked in a 3 hour parking lot...I was there for 5).  Plus, I really do like my car, Ned, because I know how to maneuver it well.  And my friend Josh was offered (and accepted) a job at his "dream law firm."  He's been working with them during clinic this past year.

a couple things

Natasha gave me a slight scare the other day. She said that she put Gidget up for sell in an ad. She feels like since she is having all the upcoming changes in the next few months that she needs to do the best thing for her and Gidget. So...a couple was coming over last night night to meet her and maybe take her on a trial basis. I was sure happy when I came home and heard Gidget barking at me. I don't think I've even been so excited to see her. When she went to the vet that morning, I didn't know if I'd see her again. It was a sad feeling. But the couple backed out so we still have her for a time. I know in a couple months I will be moving out with Rachel, but then I will be prepared for that change.

My car went in for a 60K maintenance check up yesterday. Since it was such an extensive work-up the dealership gave me a loaner car. I think they do it intentionally so that I will have the desire to buy a new car. I've been sporting a 2009 Forrester and I sure do love it.

It looks something like this one. It drives a little more smoothly than my manual Impreza. And it sits a little higher off the ground. I like it. Too bad I'm a broke student and can't afford a new car.

Father's Day was spent out at JP and Mary Ann's with the boys and Rachel and her roommate, Becca.  We had a delicious dinner (as always) and it was just nice to spend time with family.  There was much reflection that day; overall, it was a nice day.

potty training a dog

I need some serious help in this department. I am about ready to strangle the dog. Gidget has been potty trained for a few months now. For some reason the past few weeks she has decided to go in the house again. I've about had it! Natasha (my roommate) and I have been trying to figure out why she is being such a pill lately. Both of us have been gone more this past month, so maybe she hasn't been getting enough attention, right? We thought maybe she was trying to punish us for that. We have been extra attentive while we are at home (the same usual hours as before) but she is still lashing out. She is intentionally going potty in the house. The other day we had gone on a walk and to the park for an hour. I brought her home, left for about an hour, came back and she had pooped on the hardwood. Another time, Gidget had peed in the house, so Natasha put her in "time out." We keep her outside except for the her cage which she can come and go freely into that from outside. Natasha and Blake had gone to the temple and did some errands. She came home and felt terrible that she had put Gidget outside. She brought her in, and immediately Gidget peed right in front of the doggy door. Again, yesterday, I was doing some laundry and Gidget decides to pee on my carpet. This morning I woke up to a pile of poop on my carpet. Good thing I put my glasses on or else I would have stepped in it. I don't know what to do. The "time out" sessions are not teaching her anything. Please give me some advice before Gidget goes to doggy heaven.

Gidget pouting!

Weekend Update...

It was a nice relaxing fun-filled weekend before my quarter begins. I finished exams on Thursday, so it has been a short break for me. I was glad to enjoy my days off! Friday I went to breakfast with a friend from school (Erin), enjoyed waffles with fresh blueberries, and caught up on the latest in life. I went to the park with Gidget for about an hour and read a book. Met up with another friend from QC for a Jamba and talked! Came home and found a pile of Gidge's poop on the hardwood floor. A little upset, I made her stay outside of my room. She pouted knowing she was in trouble. She has been put in "time out" a couple of times this weekend. Her "time out" consists of staying in the backyard or the cage inside the house. Not sure why she is acting out, but I'm definitely not enjoying the tantrums.

Friday night was Trisha and Danny's reception. I went out with my friend Josh. Driving out to the church reminded me of how far away I used to live. For some reason, when I lived out there it didn't seem that far. But now that I've been so close to everything, it seems like quite the distance.

I definitely enjoyed my night with Josh. He has a way with making me laugh and enjoy the simple things. He is studying law and will be taking the Bar this July. Unfortunately for me, that means he is super busy and I probably won't see him again until after that.

Saturday I slept in. I went to a matinée with some ward friends and saw "Kung Fu Panda." It was pretty cute. I have really been wanting to go swimming lately. So I invited myself and Rachel over to my friend John's to go swimming that afternoon. He was super sweet about letting us come over. They have a nice pool, tramp and swing set. I was in heaven for a few hours enjoying the sunshine! Since Katee and Drew's reception was out in south Gilbert, I went over the JP and Mary Ann's for a few hours. It was great seeing them. Max loves his cars and trucks. It was fun playing with him. After the reception, I went to a party with Rachel. I wasn't really in the social mood, so I didn't stay too long. I went home and watched "P.S. I love you!" It was a cute movie that made me do some thinking. Needless to say, I stayed up way too late.

I slept in this morning, then went to church. It was a good day of learning for me. I visited with the Bishop for a time after church. He was very nice and called me after dad had died. I always received a Father's Blessing before my school quarter began, so the Bishop was nice and did that for me. For dinner I participated in a dinner group with my ward. Afterward, I went for a nice walk and did some good thinking. I played the piano for a while and now just anticipating my five o'clock alarm! Another quarter is really here.

Two of my best friends came down to my dad's funeral.  It was such a nice surprise.  Deanna and I grew up in Delta.  We then met Heidi in Ogden.  We had some great days up there and have been through a lot together.  I appreciate their friendship and support during such a difficult time.

My nieces and nephews were loving all the bouquets of flowers, and wanted to share them with us.

My beautiful mother, Mary, after the graveside services.

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

I decided to pick up a book and read tonight.  This book has been sitting on my shelf for the past few months waiting for me to have time to read.  I sure enjoyed this good easy read about Santiago and his adventures in life while pursuing his Personal Legend.  i really like the life purpose that developed beyond Santiago's dreams.  There is something about knowing how to be content with the present.

My friend Deanna laughed at me when I told her that I read a book tonight.  She said "Haven't you been reading enough these past couple of weeks?  I don't think I've read a book since high school."  I laughed.  I find contentment and pleasure by drifting into someone else's mind.  It's nice to step away from reality for a few hours.