The Year 2011 in Review

It appears that this is the season for newsletters and I figured since I am my own person...I would write my own newsletter, filling you (or just reminding myself) in on my life this past year. Are you ready? Please keep your hands, feet and head in the vehicle at all times...this is going to be a bumpy ride!

My year started out with the breakup of Brent and I. It wasn't fun...but I am SO grateful that things ended and that we stopped pushing forward with the whole marriage idea. But that's enough of that...

I am still a student at Idaho State University, going on my 5th year- woohoo! NOT! January-May, I took 18 credits and completed my Pre-Student Teaching Internship at Century High School. I worked with Mr. Mike May and my partner Cassie Atwood to teach Jr. and Sr. U.S. History. I loved every second of it- the kids were awesome! A couple of the highlights were; greeting the kids every day at the door as they came in, getting hit on (and asked out!) by a couple of the students and one of the teachers, and lastly, having the kids through Ms. Atwood and I a going away party, cake and all! I sure do miss those kids...

This past year I was required to take TWO Praxis II tests. One was for my History degree and the other was for my Social Science degree. BOTH were ridiculously hard! I studied all summer for my history praxis. Since the beginning of the year I had heard horror stories of students who have had to take this exam multiple times till they received the score they needed. I have never studied harder for an exam. I spent over 40+ hours the week before studying (taking time off from work). Needless to say, after all the stress, lack of sleep and confidence...and with the Lord's help, I PASSED! The Social Science Praxis II test I took in November- and that is a story all in it's own. These key words is all one needs to understand the logistics of that day; BYU-Idaho, bad weather, wrong location, late, mean stuck-up people and a harder test than the history praxis (in my opinion). After that day, I just cried whenever I thought about my horrible experience...I swore that I would have to take the test again (this time at ISU!)...But once again with the Lord's help, I passed it! That means No More Praxis tests!

This past year my jobs have included; Ambassadors, Bengal Theater, Chief of Staff and of course being a full-time student. At the end of the summer, after putting in 4 yrs of my life, I quit being an Ambassador and working at the Bengal Theater to move home to I.F. to finish my schooling with internships. I loved both jobs- I loved the people I worked with and interacted with on a daily basis...but most of all I just loved the jobs! Best jobs anyone could have going to school! PERIOD!

Moved home in August. Back to my old stomping grounds...Idaho Falls, ID. I love being home...but after being independent for over 4 years, it is weird moving back in with your parents. I am so grateful that my parents let me move back in with them to save some money. This school year for me was full of non-paying, full-time internships. From August-December I interned for the Museum of Idaho. I worked under Rod Hansen the Director of Exhibitions. This opportunity was a priceless experience! I met and worked with such amazing people and learned tons on how a museum works. The exhibit that I helped install, take down and gave tours of was a WWII exhibit. This internship was "truly a meant to be, just for me" internship. World War II is my favorite time in history and how awesome was it for me to learn about and work so closely with artifacts from that time...But I could go on and on about this experience...

Dating in 2011 for me has been basically...umm...."un-successful?" (For lack of a better word) Lucky for me, I have gone on dates, but each date in it's own is it's own interesting and sometimes horrible story. So needless to say, I am still single and attempting to love every moment of it!

But to end on an upbeat note, this past year I was able to go through the temple and receive my endowment! For over two years, I have prepared and waited to be given the permission to through the temple. Yes, it was hard getting that permission(i.e. Not getting married, not going on a mission, not being old enough) but it finally happend, and I am SO GRATEFUL!

Overall 2011 has had it's share of adventures...heartache, STRESS, joy and some great stories....

Here are some pictures of some of the highlights from this past year...ENJOY!

Museum of Idaho Internship: Meeting and Giving a tour of the WWII exhibit to a WWII British Spy that worked for Churchill.

With My Wisconsin Girls! Alicia Doman and Leslie Stay...I can't believe Leslie is married!

Melissa and I all dressed for Halloween...any guesses what I am?

With "The Melissa's" at a Chuckars Game...I should have been in the middle...then it could have been a Melissa sandwich!

At the Corn Maze outside of Shelley/Firth area...we weren't very good at navigating.

Stuart and our friend Eric Johnson (his mom in the picture) cooking up some authentic Mongolian food...it was "tastey?"

Brooke Millward and I on our Girls Night! We went to a movie, got ice cream...and got hit on by a six year old!

Me and my Recruitment Services Family...I miss them a lot!

Blind date included; picnic, fake tattoos, squished car ride, and fireworks!

Brooke and I bought shoes for a little African Girl

ISU's Concerts on the Quad, I got paid to listen to bands and cook hot dogs!

I helped "Clean the Sink" at Angies in Logan

Pictures of me in front of the Idaho Falls Temple December 2011

Adventures in Cat/House-Sitting

Once upon a time there lived a beautiful girl whom dreamed of the day in which she would meet her prince charming and her 'happily ever after' would begin....I wish I could say that this story is just that, the story of me (the beautiful girl) meeting her prince charming, but I highly doubt that...instead let me tell you the story of a beautiful young girl getting her taste of some "eye-candy."

To begin this story some back ground info needs to be covered. For the past couple years I have been the designated "go-to" house/cat-sitter for my history professors. All I can say is that there is never a dull moment when it comes to my numerous adventures of cat sitting.

So this is where the story begins....just yesterday, Day 4, I had the responsibility to take one of the precious felines to the Animal Hospital. Joy "the boy" (a nickname I call the cat) was believed to have developed a fungi on his cheek and needed to go for a check-up. After spending at least 15 minutes chasing down Joy, literally jumping on the cat to catch it and then fight the poor thing into an animal carrier we were off to Chubbuck for the 11:00am appointment. As Joy and I sat in the office waiting for the vet to come in I studied for my praxis History test (don't ask me- but for some reason I have to be able to know world history from the beginning of time to pass this test!?!). A knock came to the door and as my eyes slowly left the page I was studying it locked with that of Dr. Lundquist. It was then that my heart skipped a beat and I thought to myself, "Oh MY goodness!!! Wooh!" Dr. K. Seth Lundquist was good-looking and probably in his late 20's tops- I basically at that point was totally enthralled in him and whatever he had to say or ask. Of course I had to appear knowledgeable, witty, humorous, and attractive all at the same time (which I probably failed miserably) but I HAD to try!

Now this is where the story takes a turn for the worse....Joy did not have a fungi, Joy had an abscess, full of puss, most likely caused by a rotten tooth and I had to make the grown-up decision of what actions needed to happen. Do I have them just drain the puss and not extract the tooth? Do I have the Christelows (my professors) upset that I do or do not do something that needed to be done? Is the bill really going to cost that much!?! Yeah- tough decisions for the "cat-sitter" to make! I tried calling both cell phones to realize half way through the second call that the phones wont work because the Christelows are in England! Stupid, Shalene! Then I realized that I needed to try to call their hotel, which that number was back at their home at least 15 minutes away! So I rushed back home to get a number that didn't even work- it was the wrong one! I then had to entrust the help of Dr. Hotty- I mean Dr. Lundquist to help me try to make an international collect call...something I have NEVER done before!

The phone call was interesting...I basically spoke to two people with accents I had no idea what they were saying and was called dumb for doing and saying things wrong- Great, huh? NOT! Long LONG story short I didn't get a hold of the Christelows and I ended up having the animal hospital extract the rotten teeth and drain the puss...and I was right there to watch the whole thing, because I had to take any opportunity given to talk to Dr. Lundquist some more! haha!

I am happy to report that Joy is doing well and as for me and Dr. Lundquist, maybe I will have to make a follow up appointment with him? ;-)

In case you've forgotten what I look like!

The Best Profession in the World-TEACHING!

Above are pictures of my two favorite people in ISU's Education system....I LOVE them both! The up close picture is of Dr. Ruchti and myself. Dr. Ruchti has been my teacher for the past three years- she has taught me through her example of how to be a wonderful teacher and advocate for students. The other picture is of me and Dean Deb Hedeen (I just love saying her name!) She is the Dean of the College of Education and she is amazing! She is so full of energy and spirit and is always encouraging me to go the extra mile in life. I LOVE both these women very much and will miss them so much!

Lately, I have had numerous opportunities to share the gospel and take part in missionary work...although many of them have been disatorious, all have helped me to strengthen my own testimony about the importance of living the gospel and aspire to become like my Savior.

Now your probably wondering what crazy "disatorious" experiences have led one to become even more excited to share the gospel but let me elaborate...(and please bare with me as I begin my novel!)

Experience #1:
For the past year, my friend Curtis and I have taken history and education classes together. Curtis is like one of those individuals who people think they must be mormon because he acts just like he IS mormon- but alas, no, Curtis is a non-denominational Christian. Curtis and I have been talking about our differences in our religions for the past 6 months. A couple months ago I felt prompted to give him a Book of Mormon and write my testimony in it- easy enough, I thought. Well I thought wrong....along with reading the BoM, he read an anti-Mormon book (GREAT-NOT!) Reading the BoM led to more conversations and more questions. I began truly searching answers out in the scriptures to try and help me to explain basic truths to Curtis and it was through these times, that for the first time in my life I actually READ the scriptures. I actually looked forward to reading them, I was understanding them, and spent hours actually searching through them. (I may be 22 years old...but YES, this was a first for me!) Well long story short...Curtis agreed to meet with the sister missionaries, because let's face it- I wasn't very helpful in explaining the church and I wasn't very patient with him and his constant disagreeing. So three weeks ago Curtis, the sisters and I met at my house on a beautiful Saturday evening. Now, Curtis is one of my dear friends and I really do care a lot about him...but boy was I mad at him that night! The evening was spent basically getting yelled at, stating that we were part of a satanic cult and that I was going to go to Hell. It was the first time in my life I have ever been embarrassed to have someone as a friend! I apologized over and over to the sisters- and then wrote a LONG facebook message to Curtis sharing my testimony of why I believe in the LDS church. Curtis and I are friends, but after this experience, sadly, our friendship is and will never be the same.

EXPERIENCE #2:
Last Monday I went on a date. I had an enjoyable evening spent eating sushi and talking about myself. The guy I went with apparently has known me 18 months and knows me a little too well (if you catch my drift! stalker-ish?) Anyhoo....Nice guy, super thoughtful and overall a good person, but let's face it- if one is not attracted to another the relationship will NEVER work out. At the end of the date he asked if we could go on another. (Now you are probably wondering how does this co-inside with missionary work?) Well, this gentleman is not LDS. Every since the age of 16, I vowed I would only date LDS guys, well it would be an uber long story of how I agreed to go on a date with him, but it happened. In response to his question about a 2nd date, I had to stand up to my beliefs. I explained about how I wanted to marry in the temple and how important it was date those that share my beliefs. I felt empowered as I bore a little testimony to him...well....he then said, he had an awesome idea- how about date me and as we date he meets with my "preacher-missionaries!" haha! Um- NO!

Below I posted one of my favorite stories growing up- this story illustrates the importance of withstanding temptation. As my testimony has strengthened these past couple months, I feel that Satan is pressuring and tempting me more than he has ever done. I know that Lord has blessed me with so many opportunities to help me grow and develop into the young women he knows I can be- and I am grateful for that!

So grab a couple chocolate cookies...sit back...and enjoy the story!!!!

"TRAGEDY AT RAYAD"

Once upon a time there was a little kingdom called Rayad. The tiny people who inhabited this kingdom were call Rayadites. They lived happily, sharing and caring about each other. Life was good to them. There were only a few things they needed to watch out for; for instance, chocolate cake or wearing the color red. If any Rayadite ever ate chocolate cake or wore red, his spirit would become weakened, and he would care less and less about himself and the rules of the kingdom.

Also living in this tiny kingdom was Zynock, an evil person who wanted to destroy the kingdom and all of the people in it. He hated for them to be happy and loving, for that made it harder for him to influence them. He knew what weakened their spirits and made them easier to capture. But Zynock also knew that he could not just offer the Rayadites chocolate cake and have them devour it - they were not that foolish! Nor could he make the most wonderful garment in bright red and expect them to wear it immediately. The Rayadites wanted to be good and strong. They had promised each other that they would help and strengthen each other in time of need. So how could Zynock weaken this people? How could he get them to succumb to him so that he could destroy them and thus the whole kingdom?

"Let's see," he said, "I can't get them to eat chocolate cake right off, but maybe I can get them to develop a taste for chocolate."

That's when chocolate chip cookies were introduced to the kingdom of Rayad. At first the cookies were ignored and scoffed at. Then some commercials and billboards were produced that showed handsome, wonderful-looking Rayadites eating chocolate chip cookies. And nothing happened to them, except they became more popular and sophisticated - at least that's what the message conveyed on the screens and billboards.

It wasn't long before a few Rayadites could be seen eating a chocolate chip cookies every now and then, and they seemed to be doing fine. They were still loving and caring and hadn't changed at all - so it seemed. So more and more Rayadites began eating the cookies. What they didn't realize was that the portion of chocolate chips in each cookie had been doubled. They were getting a double dose of chocolate, disguised in the cookie. You'd hear phrases like these: "That cookie is really good except for a couple of places where it tastes pretty chocolatey. But don't miss the cookie just for those two places. It's too good a cookie, and you can overlook the taste." "I heard that one of our friends has eaten a chocolate chip cookie, and she says it's nothing to be afraid of. It won't ruin your life if you eat it."

That was true: lives didn't seem to be ruined by chocolate chip cookies. Things were pretty much the same as usual. However, some of the teachers and leaders and parents in Rayad suggested avoiding the cookies because tastes for chocolate were being developed.

"Avoid the cookies?" came the cries of surprise. "What for? What's wrong with them? They're not chocolate cake! How stuffy can you get?"

Some who refused to eat the cookies were even laughed at and made fun of. Zynock himself started chuckling. He had no idea his plan would work so well. And Zynock was patient. He didn't care how long it took to destroy Rayad, just so it was destroyed.

Chocolate chip cookies seemed to be moving pretty well. Zynock didn't worry about the words of caution and counsel from the leaders, because his commercials and billboards were so exciting and enticing. He had to make them that way, or the truth of the leaders would have swayed the Rayadites away from the cookies.

Now it came time to introduce a new product of destruction. No, not chocolate cake, not quite yet. Rather, Zynock began advertising spice cake, white cake, yellow cake, carrot cake, any kind of cake but chocolate - but all with chocolate frosting, rich chocolate frosting. More commercials, more billboards, a few songs to hum and sing all day about how wonderful chocolate cake would be, although they're not eating it - yet! Get them thinking about it before they will actually succumb. Then in the kingdom of Rayad, you could hear:

"Have you tried that yellow cake with chocolate frosting?"

"Well, no. Is it good?"

"Oh, yes! Granted, it is chocolatey, but it's not chocolate cake. And it really doesn't have much more chocolate than those cookies we've been eating!"

"But the cake doesn't seem right. I mean, cookies are one thing, but cake?"

"Ah, come on! The important thing is the chocolate, and this is no more than you've already been eating. Everybody's eating it. You can't pass it up and be the only one left out."

In the meantime, the songs were subtly strumming away in the background, singing the praises of chocolate cake. Right, the words were not good, but the beat and the rhythm were so cool that many Rayads listened just for the music. After all, what can music do?

Zynock began thinking again: "One thing that strengthens those Rayadites is when they are together talking to each other. What can I do about that?" Then he reasoned, "Well, it's all right for them to be together. In fact, maybe there is some way I could use their gatherings and parties for my purposes. Aha! I've got it!"

So parties in Rayad began changing. Instead of the Rayadites talking to each other and playing games so they could get to know one another and share their strengths and talents, a new trend began. Everyone who was anyone had the new kinds of parties.

"Have you been to a party over at our Rayad friend's place yet?"

"No, I haven't."

"You should go. It's really cool!"

"Oh? What do you do?"

"Well, it isn't like any other party you've been to. It's pretty cool. All you do is go and sit down and watch stuff on the screen."

"Stuff on the screen? Like what?"

"Oh, exciting, scary stuff that's pretty good. There are a few scenes showing people eating chocolate cake, but no 'biggy.'"

"People eating chocolate cake? But..."

"Oh, it's not bad, and besides, there's nothing anymore without a little bit of that. It's just fun to get together with your friends."

So Zynock stood back and watched his plot unfold. "Let's see now. They're eating chocolate and they're eating cake. They're listening to songs and watching movies about chocolate cake. They're becoming weaker and weaker, although they're not even aware of it yet because they haven't actually eaten it - yet! They are falling into my trap! They think their leaders and parents are square and stuffy. It's very helpful when their friends tell them what I want them to hear. Friends are my greatest asset!"

"Hey!" says a friend Rayadite, "have you seen the latest movie?"

"No," comes the response. "I thought it was C-rated, for chocolate."

"No, it isn't. It's R-rated for Red. There's no chocolate in it."

And so Zynock continues his plotting - this time a gorgeous garment, but not in red...yet. It's a luscious pink color.

by Ardeth Kapp

Up I Go the 2011 MOUNTAIN!

Motivating myself, and yet still terrified of what's to come for 2011! Continue reading and find out what goals I set as I begin my climb up the "goal mountain." Bring on 2011!!!! Shalene is READY! (or thinks she is!?!) Ready or not it has come!

Bring on the NEW YEAR!

25 Goals to Make this Year a Kickin' Awesome One!

1) Attend the Temple once a month

2) Run another half marathon

3) Call/Talk to all of my siblings once a month

4) Sing in Sacrament Meeting at least once

5) Be in a play (particularly a musical)

6) Continue to get straight A's

7) Do one act of service daily

8) Make my bed everyday

9) Hand out 3 Book of Mormon(s)

10) Do NOT take a nap everyday (Twice a Week ONLY!)

11) Sweets only once during the week

12) Be better with money: SAVE!

13) Take more pictures of myself (documenting fun memories)

14) Read my scriptures and pray everyday

15) Have a better attitude about attending church meetings- and attend them!

16) Do the W.O.W. Diet with my sister-in-law Mel (Word of Wisdom Diet)

17) Go on a Trip (Anywhere)

18) Fulfill ALL my jobs (School, Ambassador, Chief of Staff, Visiting Teaching Coordinator, Bengal Theater, etc)

19) Take my nieces and nephews (individually) to spend time having fun with their favorite aunt

20) Be more social

21) Blog once a month

22) Do NOT procrastinate essays

23) Read the Book of Mormon

24) Study and PASS both Praxis II tests

25) BE HAPPY!

BTW these goals are in no particular order, but they include areas in my life I need to improve on.

I am so excited for 2011 and I know this will be a year of growth and change. I am super nervous for whatever is ahead of me- but I am truly hopeful and know that the Lord will bless me.

Everyone HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Bring on the NEW YEAR!

Update of 2010 Goals

Update on How I Did with 2010 Goals

REMINDER OF WHAT THEY WERE.....

Top 10 Goal for 2010!
1) Attend Institute: For those of you who do not know what "Institute" is, it is where one goes for religious classes...I have been lacking in this area for about a year. Don't get me wrong I always sign up (I just don't go). Ooops, intentionally!
2) Nap only ONCE a week! Many know that I LOVE my naps...but I tend to get a little carried away and sleep for hours, then my sleep cycle gets thrown off- thus continuing this bad cycle! (That is probably why I am awake right now) I can already tell this will be my hardest goal-
3) Run another Half-Marathon and/or Triathalon: I just plain need to exercise more, and pick up my running again!
4) Read my scriptures and pray everyday
5) Have a better/closer relationship with my siblings
6) Prepare to go through the temple (if they let me...age might be a determining factor)
7) Learn to say "NO"
8) Socialize more (it may appear that I already do this...well you're wrong...I'm always so busy)
9) Kiss or Makeout at least once this year! (With someone I like) ;)
10) Just be HAPPIER!

I will be completely honest here...sooo....judging prohibited!
#1: I signed up so that should count, right? Attendance, the first few weeks...
#2: Napping (if you haven't noticed, it is once again on the goal list for the second time around) Instead of cutting down, it increased!
#3: Nope! I was even MORE lazier
#4: Almost everyday, at least 4x a week
#5: Yes and No
#6: Age was a factor, so instead I worked on remaining worthy to enter the temple
#7: I plead the fifth! I still haven't placed that word in my personal speaking dictionary
#8: Does socializing more with my boyfriend count?
#9: The ONE and ONLY goal I actually COMPLETED successfully and probably a bit more regularly! ;)
#10: Am still working on it!

Ummm....so I didn't do very well....but I can tell 2011 will be at least half of the list! I hope!!! But as you can read, my record for goal keeping is a bit low!

Jocelyn and I With OUR Amazing Fort!

Happy Holidays Spent with Mi Familia!

My Family!

The quote, "It's the MOST WONDERFUL Time of the Year," is truly an understatement for the remarkable holiday's that I have had this past season. Christmas, although hectic and a bit overwhelming at the Summers' household, was a fun and spiritual experience that will forever be in my memories. Now before I go into any great length of details, I have to explain how Christmas at my house is spent. Each year my mom picks a theme in which we surround ourselves and the family christmas party around. In years past we've had; Follow the Prophet, A Country Christmas, and Return with Honor. This year was a Simple Christmas, in which we put Christ back into Christmas. Although, I went into the party with apprehension, I had the best Christmas Eve ever! At the beginning of December my parents gave everyone in my family a packet which included a story of a family that filled the manger with straw of good services. And so with the story in hand, a bag full of straw, and a small manger (that we had to assemble ourselves...and it took me two weeks and a picture description to finally construct the 6 pieces wooden thing) we were challenged to serve others and by doing so we could fill the manger and soften the bed for the baby Jesus. To be completely honest I may or may not have put extra straw in it for extra good services- but I feel that I really took on the challenge and rocked it! Everyday I looked forward to doing little acts of service and searching out people that needed an extra little boost.
So then on Christmas Eve my whole family (as seen in the picture) came together and dressed as if we were from Bethlehem and went back in time of Jesus. We ate flat bread, cheese, grapes, nuts, and fish and told stories of centering ourselves around Christ and then completed the night with explaining the symbolism behind our kind acts of service and how we helped make the baby Jesus' bed better. It was truly a more spiritual Christmas than I have ever had. I would rate it ***** 5 Stars or Two Thumbs Way UP! Thanks MOM and DAD for putting it all together and all the hard work it took to do everything.