Another Year Older and Wiser Too....?

"Happy birthday to me....Happy Birthday to me...Happy Birthday Dear Shalene...Happy birthday to ME!" Well ladies and gentlemen, I am officially 23 years old! Woo-hoo! ;)

Lately, I have had a lot of time to reflect...I think the reason why is because my schooling is slowly coming to an end and it time to make some tough life-altering decisions.

What have I been thinking lately (and please if you have some advice or suggestions...I would LOVE to hear it.)? My plan is to walk in May and receive my diploma and degrees the end of August. In case you are wondering- What?! Let me explain, I am a double major: History and Secondary Education/History with a minor in Social Sciences. In order to graduate with a History degree I need two semesters of a foreign language; hence this summer I am going to be cranking out Spanish I and Spanish II for my foreign language credits. So I will technically graduate at the end of the summer, but I am walking in May with my education class. In fact, I will be LEADING my education class in the graduation procession! I was chosen to receive the 2012 Outstanding Student Achievement Award! (Which is the highest honor a student at ISU can receive!-Oh and the picture above is the one that was taken to be on display in the College of Education and in all the programs...I think I look funny, but oh well-) Okay...now that I have tooted my own horn...let me explain my dilemma of decisions.

Life-Alternating Decision #1: Go On a LDS Mission

For the past 10 years I have had the desire to go on a mission. My family and close friends can attest to this...and if I could have I would have already gone. But for the past two years, I have always received answers to not go through; scholarships I have received, leadership opportunities, and with the thoughts of marriage possibilities. But a mission has always been in the back of my mind. The beginning of this year- I had planned that once I graduate I was outta here and off to serve the Lord! But once again...a couple of wrenches have been thrown into the mix. Receiving my award is one of them, don't get me wrong, I am very honored, but now with this award...this could make the difference between me getting a job or not. There aren't very many history teacher job openings. What if I waited a couple of years- would I be able to get a job or not? So...I don't know what to do....

And then it comes down to money....Going on missions are expensive! This past year, I have been unable to work, because of my internships. I will have absolutely NO money come September when I was tentatively planning on going out on my mission. In fact, because of these Spanish classes I may actually have to take out a small loan to pay for the last few credits of my education! So....I don't know what to do...

Life-Alternating Decision #2: "Try" to Get a Job Teaching

At this time in my education, I should be excited and anxious to get a job teaching- but to be perfectly honest...I don't know if I even want to teach! It so hard and I'm so scared! I don't think I will be a good teacher or have the energy to do everything! In a lot of ways, I want a job that I can just do from 9-5 and not have to worry about anything once I get home. Teaching is different. Teachers put in so much energy and time into their students and lessons. Teachers spend many sleepless nights worrying about certain students and how they can make their subject come to life...believe I KNOW! I don't know if I can continue to do this...don't get me wrong, it is rewarding at times and I love my students- but it so hard! And most likely, I will end up getting job somewhere far away- and that is scary too! So...I don't know what to do....

I guess what I am saying, is I have absolutely no idea what to do! I'm completely stressed out! I feel like I am choosing between the "good, better and best" but have no idea which is which. I feel like the Lord in a way is saying all is good- do what you want. But then I feel like, by receiving this award, my decision should be made up: Teach! So...I don't know what to do...

Advice, PLEASE!!!!!

"Thirteen Reasons Why"

This past week, my best friend gave me this book to read. Although she had never read it, she had heard that it was good. I have read tons of books in my life, some funny, some adventurous...and for the most part all entertaining. But never had I read a book that has made me think so much about how I interact with people. Let me explain...

"Thirteen Reasons Why," is about a girl who commits suicide, but before she dies, she records the stories (or interactions) she's had with people who have impacted her life and had helped her make the decision to end her own life. Thirteen people to be exact.

I have to preface, that I do recommend this book- but warily. Suicide is a tough subject, and this book has made me think how I have treated people or not treated them....meaning, how I have not reached out to some people.

I guess, this book really hit home because I am student teaching right now. I did have a student who tried to commit suicide and (luckily) was unsuccessful. I have personally known three people who have committed suicide. Why didn't I reach out to help them...Did I see the warning signs...Why didn't I show them that I cared more?

This post may sound like rambling, but I decided that I needed to write this down somewhere, so that months down the road or even years later, I can look back and remember how I felt after reading this book. To me, this book wasn't so much about a girl who took her own life, but more about affect we have on people; positive or negative. Each interaction, however small, makes a difference. I want to make the difference.

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!!!!