Today is Billy Gilman's Birthday

Wow, I am so sad that I still know that. Don't judge. And for those of you who know who Billy Gilman is, I commend you (or pity you as you are now in that same category as me). For those of you who don't, here is a sample of his first song (he was 11). Here is a sample of a more current song (ok, 2005). Today, he is the "National Youth Chairman for the Muscular Dystrophy Association."

I woke up this morning and saw it was May 24th. My first thought: "Two more days of Whittier." My next thought: "Today is Billy Gilman's birthday. He is 23."

Can you say "LAME" ??

This is Billy today.

Yet, this is the Billy I knew 11 years ago...

Oh the hours of watching the Elizabeth music video in order to win a contest (I won 2nd and 3rd place...prize: computer frames that I still have somewhere), the days of listening to the One Voice CD over and over again, the night of his concert (the night my sister was born) and chasing him to the airport in hopes of seeing him.

At his concert at the State Fair (yes...very exclusive), I met a girl who got to hug Billy! With no hesitation I said, "You got to hug Billy Gilman??" And I threw my arms around her and gave her a hug! Her mother shouted, "Don't rub it off!" Let's just say, I didn't make a very good impression.

No, I am not a Billy fanatic anymore (once, I had a username: billygbob...I won't even admit to what those passwords were!). However, I still have his music on my iPod and I listen to his Christmas CD in December. I have a couple of his newer (a bit deeper-voiced) songs too.

WOW, I am so dorky. Don't judge me! It was probably my one and only real celebrity/teeny-bopper crush. Took some time to let go, but every once in a while...

Class of 2011

This is long overdue, but...I did it!! Let me tell you right now. If I can graduate from college...anyone can!

I graduated from ASU on Friday, May 13th. (Pretty lucky!) Upon arrival that morning, I was so ready to be finished! I wanted the festivities over with and done.

I wandered to the sea of caps and gowns to await the procession. As I stood there by myself among the other grads, I had 15 minutes to think about what was actually happening. I looked at everyone there and wondered about their journeys. How had they come to stand where I was now? Was their journey as long and hard as mine? Was it worse? What are their plans? Do they have great expectations for their future? How much of a relief was this graduation? Or was it one more step toward their other academic goals? Was I the only one who was not planning on getting this far?

Anyway, as I was pondering these thoughts, I was also anxious to get the ceremony over with. (I was tempted to ditch out-I ditched my MCC one a couple years ago) Finally, we walked into the Arena and I could hear the pomp and circumstance music playing. I knew my family was there watching me. And all of a sudden...I was overcome. I had made it. This is real. I was literally weeping with joy and relief.

Here are some photos from that long awaited day!

With my family! (Brooke White took this photo!)

If you don't know who Brooke White is, click here or here. She was a contestant on American Idol. A Mormon girl from Mesa! Her brother graduated with me. We were taking photos right next to her family. So cool!

With my parents

Finally!!

"I reached the light at the end of the tunnel! Thanks to my parents for the gentle pushes and to my Heavenly Father for the guidance."

"I'm a Creeky, Old Woman"

Well, I made it. Another birthday, come and gone. Ahh...time to pass the torch to this girl.

It was a day full of texts, calls, emails, and Facebook messages. I'll be honest, I woke up a teeny bit grouchy. (I'm not a morning person!) But my day was quickly rearranged into a pretty good day.

Let me say, I am truly blessed. More than I probably deserve.

Wahoo!!

For those of you who know me well, you know how much I do not like school. Ironic since I teach...

anyway, from Day 1 (January 22, 2007) I was a wreck:

(and I'm not joking...I was not a happy camper)

Well, apparently life goes on even when things are hard. With some community college in there, I finally ended up turning into one of these:

I can honestly say that I literally endured college. Yes, there were some great times, but also some not-so-great times. I regret that I wasn't happy about it all the time, but I don't regret it enough to do it again. I am grateful for the experience. I am grateful to have a degree. I am grateful for all the things I learned in the last 4 1/2 years. Mostly, I am grateful that it is over. (Now, I have to find a real job and work forever, but that isn't until next week)

Now, on Day 1643, I can feel like this:

Next up: Graduation!

Get Me Outta Here!

The clock is winding down...Only THREE more days until I can officially call it quits. Homework will be a thing of the past. First, I have to get through these last 3 days. 2 exams and 1 major paper.

Wish me luck!

Pat Tillman Run 2011

Remember my terribly pathetic running post? Well, those days are slowly coming to an end!

I began to go walking and then slowly turning it into a jog. My "workouts" would be jogging til I was tired and walking til I was rested. Not the best, but I liked it.

I made a goal to participate and finish the Pat Tillman Run. My goal time was 1 hour. Really, this was a HUGE accomplishment for me. (To be honest, before I started the run, I felt an hour was a mistake and I should have aimed for 90 minutes)

At the finish!

I finished the run in 1:02:06! Yay!

I can officially run that quarter mile without panting like before. Still not a running fan, but I do enjoy the listening-to-my-iPod-while-running-or-walking stuff.

Next up: 31st Annual Beecroft Run in May!

Home from Vegas (again)

Ever take a trip that was "just what the doctor ordered??" If I hadn't before, I have now!

I went to Las Vegas for the second time with some friends (I will call them Staci, Rex & Ted). We had a lot of amazing adventures. Here are some photos documenting a few.

(Disclaimer: there are a lot)

We took a lot of these "Bottoms Up" photos showing all the cool places we'd been to.

Me & Paris!

We went to the Las Vegas temple. What a wonderful experience!

We laughed a lot!

We visited Trump Tower!

Another "Bottoms Up" photo in the Trump elevator. See the cool reflection?

Another cool photo in between some red doors.

Awesome whirlpools in the mall!

We stopped by the Hoover Dam bridge on the way home.

Well, anyway, that was a bit of my trip. Sorry if you hear me talking about it a lot. I just liked it a lot :) Now, it is back to reality...Whoohoo!!

Why Didn't I Realize This Sooner??

I am taking a break! I am going to Vegas! Again :)

As a result, I have gotten WAY ahead on all of my homework and gotten everything in order for me to be gone for 5 days. It took me until my last semester of school to realize, not just how to get ahead, but what getting ahead feels like! I should've been taking week-long vacations every semester in order to stay this far ahead on my school work. I've found more time for callings, socializing, and even exercising! (PS, I am going to be in the Pat Tilman Run on Saturday!)

I am treating this as a much needed mental break as well as an early graduation gift to myself.

Wow, this is going to be a good week, I can tell.

General Conference

I...love...General Conference! I am so glad to have enjoyed one day of it so far. I am HAPPY to look forward to another day tomorrow. I was so touched today by the words of our prophet, apostles, and other leaders of the Church.

For those of you who may not know what I am talking about, General Conference is a time for our Church leaders, and especially the Prophet of God, to speak to us. It is the most uplifting and inspiring of times for me when I get to watch General Conference. If you are interested you can watch this short video about General Conference.

All in all, I love hearing these men speak and I love them. I am grateful to the Lord for providing such organized, compassionate, honest, humble, and spiritually powerful leaders to give guidance in this confusing world.

Spring Break Review

Well, my last real Spring Break will be over in only a few hours. Sigh...it was nice. Here is a bit of review for my week! (Since I know you are SO interested in my simple, little life :)

I started by painting tires with Ciara at AJ's Eagle Project.

While there I discovered my hidden talent of climbing through spider webs!

I cleaned my room!! If you missed that, click here.

I then proceeded to spend the next two days watching this marvelous show:

We finally made it to season 6 this week (we started in January). Glad to have my handy Lost Encyclopedia by my side for any questions.

I spent a day with Kylie and Layla. Sorry, I don't have pictures, but Layla is growing so much! I hadn't seen them in a long time. It was a good visit.

I finished another apron. This time, it was for me :)

Today, I tried this new adventure (provided by my friend Emily)

Ok, mine don't look very pretty, but it was successful in my book. I'm definitely going to work out my kinks and do it really good next time! Thanks Emily for the idea!

And, with a bit of simple homework, a couple movies, & a tour of the Mesa Grande ruins, I can say that I had a good Spring Break! I did everything I wanted to (except a hike...sorry Rachael!).

Now, come Monday, it is back to the old grind:

Joy.