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
