Reflection

Now that it has been four months, I think it's a good time to get back into my blogging groove...and its summer so I have no excuse. I'm back home after living in Provo for about a year now. It blows my mind how fast it went, but I loved every minute of it, even the times I spent crying over hard times.

This school year:

•  I learned the true meaning of friendship. I have been blessed with 3 best friends since the day I was born, and through the years I have met several people who I consider my best friends as well. It doesnt matter how long you know a person, but I consider a best friend someone that will never leave your side and will stand beside you through everything.
• I spent some time finding confidence in myself. I'm learning to appreciate myself for who I am and not be afraid of what others think or say about me. I have become a much happier and accomplished person because of this.
• I became more open with my friends and family about things that I wouldnt usually talk about.
• I learned that I cant do everything on my own whether I like it or not. 
• I was faced with one of the biggest trials in my life and continue to overcome it.
• I became a JUNIOR in college, and finished my general requirements for graduation.
• I became an event lead for BYUSA and planned an event for students from BYU and UVU.
• I went on a good amount of dates (mostly blind dates) hoping to find someone, but came out of them feeling more comfortable with myself and what I have to offer. I have found that even though I didnt really take any interest in these guys, each guy has helped me enjoy dating more and more. I used to hate it.
• I learned to live for the day and take every opportunity I can get, because each day is a day we will never get back.
• I learned that I am most myself when I am helping other people.
• I have learned to manage my time better, and free-time is not in my vocabulary. It's hard to believe how much I can accomplish in one day.
• I have found a greater love for BYU than I ever imagined I would. I never expected to enjoy BYU as much as I have. Between my job, my involvement in BYUSA, my classes, and the people I have met, I have come to appreciate everything about this university and what it stands for.
• I was chosen to be an Executive Director in Activities within BYUSA for next year and couldnt be more excited for the experiences that I will have, the people I will meet, and the life lessons I will learn.
• I raised several thousand dollars worth of donations towards need-based scholarships and BYU at work.
• I have learned to never take anyone for granted, because you never know if they'll be gone the next day. 
• I have realized that time is precious.

These are just some of the things I learned and experienced this year. Im looking forward to the next school year and the things I will come by. Im really excited to go back to Provo and continue my life there. This will be the year that:

• I finally get into a program at BYU.
• I continue to raise money towards scholarships for students.
• I actually achieve my new years resolution of meeting my target weight/fitness goal.
• I reach my money/savings goal.
• I hopefully study abroad in Spain and speak the language!

As for the rest...I'll just have to wait and see! Life is full of surprises.

Bring it on 2012.

Its about time I talk about my New Years Resolutions and what not, but before I do that, lets do a little bit of recapping of last year. 2011...here we go.

Had an Asian roommate.

Had a birthday in Hawaii.

Got asked to the Winter Ball over Facebook by a semi-stranger....and went.

Checked out of the PCC for the last time.

Ran into some of my fellow Phoenicians.

Was blessed with the most amazing girls.

Watched our Seasiders dominate on TV.

Had the best job and co-workers.

Had my first parasailing experience and saw 2 whales!

Got thrown in the lagoon.

Survived a tsunami.

Went to Tennessee for the first time.

Watched my brother graduate college.

Had my first Taco Mamacita experience.

Transferred to BYU and moved in to this tragic place.

Took a greyhound bus to Logan, UT and had penny candy with Erica.

Drove 14 hours to Washington for a wedding that we didn't even go to.

Got a tour of Lacey, and met all of Erica's friends and family.

Drove back to Provo with Rico and Jaymee!

Erica visited Provo for the Freedom Festival/Parade.

Hike the Y and survived.

Was a bridesmaid.

Twice...

Moved into Banbridge Square with Aliese.

Went to BYU Football games.

 Got involved with BYUSA.

 Carved the first pumpkin that I can remember.

Made my dishwasher explode.

Enjoyed life.

Its hard to believe where life has taken me already. There have been so many good and bad times in my life, but I wouldn't be where I am now without them. Its also hard to believe that another year has gone by. It feels like just yesterday that I was recapping 2010. I graduated from high school almost two years ago and I am half way gone with college. Unbelievable. I still have so much to learn and experience.

This year I want to:

1. Be more confident.
2. Have a job.
3. Go to the gym at least every other day.
4. Eat healthier.
5. Get into my program.
6. Conquer shoulder surgery.
7. Not get married.
8. Learn more about myself.
9. Travel somewhere that I have never been.
10. Write in my journal regularly.
11. Get straight A's.
12. Be happy!

12 resolutions for 2012!

Malfunction.

I seriously have so much to update on but I honestly cant think of anything, which is really sad. However, this last weekend something exciting happened. I overflowed my dishwasher! And my mom was in town! (Not at the same time)

Yes. This happened. Who knew that dishwashing soap cant go in the dishwasher...? Obviously not me! This was the result. And the funny thing is that I was turned away from it for maybe 5 minutes cooking myself some dinner and then I turn around and it looks like this. I was right there the whole time!

Behind the Scenes

I found this on a friends blog and HAD to share it! Thanks Sarah!

Behind the Scenes

You're at a play sitting in your seat waiting for the show to start. You're bored. You are tired of talking to the person next to you. The audience is whispering in the hushed tones. Its chilly, of course. WHen is this thing going to start? Did I stand in line forever to be on time just so that I have to do more waiting? Are the actors and actresses on coffee break? Why are they taking their sweet time? The show is supposed to begin now.

Behind the scenes, it's a totally different atmosphere. Everyone is rushing around, getting the last minute details perfect. The crew and techies are set up, waiting for their cue to begin the opening music. The actors and actresses are putting on their final touches to costumes and make-up, and they are beginning to take their place on stage. The opportune moment is here.

The curtains begin to arise just as you are wondering if you should just go get some popcorn. Being impatient has once again gotten the best of the audience.

The lights finally fin. Let the show begin.

This is us, right now in life. Sometimes we are impatient. We put forth our best effort, yet nothing exciting happens. We wonder why God isn't giving us that perfect moment to meet someone new, become extraordinary, do something incredible, or be the person we thought we would be.

Behind the scenes though, God is hard at work. He is meticulously making sure that every detail is in order for your life--just so you can experience that opportune moment. He is always busy, hard at work. He knows what lies ahead in your life. He knows your weaknesses and strengths. He knows your sorrows and happiness. He knows exactly what you need exactly when you need it. He wants you to be happy.

So if you are every wondering what is going on behind the scenes and why its taking so long for that curtain to rise, just remember, our Father in Heaven is busy making sure you can lead a happy life. Have faith and be patient.

Lately.

BYUSA RETREAT
So I've been helping out with BYUSA and I'm an event lead which is kinda a big deal so I am in the office from like 3-5 every day! It's so fun and definitely keeps me busy so thats good. I get to work with a lot of really great people. Im planning an event that we are doing with UVU in march. Its all in the works right now so Im not exactly sure how to explain it to you but just trust that it's going to be amazing and you should go! Since I am an event lead, I got to go on a retreat with all of the other event leads, the executive directors, and the vice president over activities. It was the best. Probably one of the first times I actually did something on the weekend this semester. Yay! haha. So we stayed in a cabin up in the canyons by Sundance. We goofed off, made a fire, roasted marshmallows and starbursts, had a variety show, played group games, and stayed up until 4 listening to Robert serenade us on his guitar. He is seriously SO good. He had a concert last weekend that I really wanted to go to but I couldn't make it (which I will explain later). This retreat was like 2 or 3 days after I got started with working with BYUSA so I really only knew like 2 people. I just got thrown into like everything! It was the best and I feel so lucky to have been able to go! Im so glad that I decided to get more involved. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. Expect updates on the event! It's going to be awesome, I can feel it!

I REALLY don't like this picture of me but the B/W version looks a little better,

PUMPKIN CARVING

So about a week before Halloween, Lindsay, Spencer, and I drove up to Aunt Martha's to carve pumpkins! The trip there didn't turn out how we expected. We had been on the freeway for maybe 20 minutes and there was a ton of traffic, and all of a sudden my car shuts off. Let me remind you that this happened about a month prior while Aliese and I were in the In N Out drive through which I told you about already. Freaking out, I pulled over, put my car in park, turned it on and kept driving. We were able to make it to Martha's. My whole family was sitting outside getting the pumpkins ready to carve. We went inside and snacked on some bean dip that my aunt made and Lindsay's amazing pumpkin cookies! Then we got started on our pumpkins! I don't remember the last time that I carved a pumpkin and apparently it's a big deal in this family. They had all the fancy tools and books full of designs. I chose Chester the molester...at least that's the name we gave him. It was a lot of fun but took FOREVER. I love my family and I am so glad that they are just a 30 minute drive away!

My amazing family.

Brody loves me.

Chester is on the top right...just so you know :)

HALLOWEEN WEEKEND

So this is the weekend that Robert had his concert that I couldn't go to! Saturday we had Stake Conference and after that Aliese, Kyle, and I were either going to go to the concert or Zombie Fest. Right after conference I got a call from my friend Sam asking if I wanted to go on a date to a corn maze at thanksgiving point! Obviously I said yes, so I didn't get to go to the concert but the corn maze was super fun! After the corn maze, we went to California Pizza Kitchen for dinner and then went to the other guy Steven's apartment and played catch phrase, It was a really fun night. Probably one of the best dates I've been on (there haven't been that many to compete with). So that was saturday. On Sunday, we had Stake COnference again but Aliese and I went to the wrong building because we assumed it was at the same place as it was on Saturday. We walked into the wrong stake conference looking everywhere for Kyle and then realized that we were in the wrong place. So we walked into our conference late, which wasn't a big deal, it was just funny. Sunday night I spent the night at Lindsay's. I had to stay up until midnight to register for my classes for next semester but in the end I was able to get pretty much everything that I needed! I couldn't decide between Mission Prep and Survey of World Religions, but its pretty much impossible to get into Mission Prep with the awesome teacher that everyone wants so Im taking Survey of World Religions with Taylor! Im actually really excited for this class. I've heard a lot of really great things about it. MOnday was Halloween and I had class. That night, we (me, Aliese, Kyle, Brandon, and Kara) went to Kyle's family's house in Salt Lake because they were making donuts! They were so good! Then we watched a couple episodes of The Munsters and then drove back to Provo. Thats pretty much the gist of Halloween weekend. A lot of spontaneity but thats the way to live! No pictures from this weekend :/

SNOW

So it's pretty much officially winter. It snowed today and its been snowing at night a lot but mostly in the mountains. AND THERE'S CHRISTMAS MUSIC ON THE RADIO! I love this time of the year. My family is driving up (in my new car :) ) in a couple weeks for Thanksgiving and Im seriously so excited to see them! All of my cousins will be there too! Im exciting for my new car too since my current one is obviously not safe to drive. I love the car...like a lot, but its old and starting to break down and it's not a good car to have in the snow. I honestly cannot believe that they got me a new one. It's not brand new, but it's a 2008 Nissan Versa. Its cute and I feel so lucky and blessed to have such amazing parents! I don't feel like I deserve such a nice car, considering my family like never has really nice cars, but it is what it is and Im so grateful for it! I believe thats it for the updates with me!

Quotes of my life.

Couldn’t agree with this more. I have to constantly remind myself that everything happens for a reason and there is no use n trying to force things to happen such as relationships or anything else really, because everything is going to work out the way its supposed to. Its not worth it to get stressed or worried about things because chances are that it wasn’t a problem in the first place. We tend to over think a lot. Get your mind out of it and live life freely. Everything worlds out the way God has planned it for you.

Another good one. You will never be put through anything that you cannot handle. Always keep that in mind when you are struggling through something. Know that you will get through everything that comes your way.

This one is just funny.

Withdrawals.

My girls.

I miss cruising with reggae blasting in the background.

THE Karla Antivilo.

Free matsumotos anyone? Thanks Olson and your himsh child!

Instead of updating you on all of the things that have happened recently here in Provo (which will happen soon, I promise), I've decided that I need to vent my Hawaii withdrawals to this computer screen. I miss hawaii so much. It's a Friday night and all of my roommates are gone, so Im left alone to think. And we all know what happens when I think too much. I got looking through all of my pictures, and the ridiculous videos I had to take for my online bio class with a couple friends. It brought back so many amazing memories that I wish I didn't have to leave in Hawaii. I was so comfortable with myself there. My hair was always perfectly curled and volumized from the humidity, I never had to wear make up, I was always tan, I had amazing friends, loved school, and had the best, most rewarding job anyone could ask for. To this day I often wonder and wish I would know what would have happened if I had stayed there. I would have continued to make wonderful memories that would last a lifetime, while living on a beautiful island with nothing to worry about. The culture made me feel so welcome, wanted, and loved. I miss that. Provo is wonderful, but I don't get the same feeling that I did there. Although Hawaii was great, it's not where Im supposed to be right now. There is a plan for me, and I believe with pretty much everything in my heart (there is a little bit of doubt, since BYUH will forever hold a place in my heart) that this is where I need to be. Yes, Im sure I would have survived in Hawaii and found an amazing career and possibly a husband several years down the road, but why settle when I know that having faith in my decision of coming here, knowing that  its God's plan for me, will provide a life 1000x better than that I could get from being anywhere else even though it's not the easiest option to be here. I am SO grateful that I am able to make my own decisions. It has made me grown in ways I didn't even know possible. My life continues to change every day, and continues to surprise me as well. Despite my withdrawals, I feel so blessed to be able to attend such an amazing University with other students from all around the world. I hope and pray that BYU will greatly influence my life, and my schoolwork will go as smoothly as I hope it to go. I am blessed with a lot of things and couldn't be more grateful for the friends and family that I have that have supported me through everything in my life starting from day 1. Life is beautiful and I cant believe where it has taken me. One day, I hope that I can return to Hawaii where I spent a year of my life learning to become the best that I can be.