Sunday, October 26, 2008

N...A...U...NAU!!

This weekend was probably one of the best weekends I've ever had at NAU! All the fun began on Friday around 6pm. :)

Friday night Steph and I both didn't have plans, so we decided to hang out and watch a movie. My roomie Karisa joined us as well. The three of us walked over to Hastings and rented "Iron Man" and "What Happens In Vegas". Steph and I then grabbed dinner at Carls Jr., and we all went back to the apartment to watch "Iron Man". After the movie was over I convinced Steph to sleep over, and the three of us (Karisa, Steph, and Me)decided to make sugar cookies! Haha. That was lots of fun. We had fun deciding what some of the cookie cutters where since we had no idea what they were suppose to be. Haha. After cookies we watched Grey's Anatomy.- I got Karisa hooked on it now. Hehe, go me! It was around 1 o'clock then and we decided we needed sleep for the day ahead of us.

Saturday was a school spirited fun filled day! This weekend was NAU's Homecoming- which meant a parade, football game and dance! Steph and I decided to attend two out of the three. At around 10:30 Steph, her roomie Courtney and I went to the bookstore so I could buy my first NAU shirt (finally!) to wear to the game, and afterwards we headed downtown to the parade! OMG, the parade was hilarious!! All the floats were made by the dorms, fraternities, sororities, and students. Basically, they were really corny but it was funny. They also had some pretty sweet old cars in it as well- it reminded me of CARS. This one guy loved how Courtney and I got so excited that his Cougar's head lights would appear and disappear that he told us "Check out the tail lights as I drive by". Haha. His head lights moved as well. Needless to say Courtney and I are entertained by the littlest things. When the parade was over (it was short, lasted only 30 minutes) I suggested we all grab a pizza!

The three of us then were walking back and grabbed some pizza from this really small but amazing pizza joint. We shared a medium pepperoni pizza and cheesy garlic bread. It was SO good!! After lunch the three of us walked back to the apartments, and then Steph and I were headed to get her a NAU shirt and off to the football game!

I was so stoked to go to the game, because I was finally going to my university's own athletic event. I wanted to go last year to the basketball games, but my roomies weren't into sports and I don't like going to games by myself. Those of you that know me, I love going to sporting events no matter if they are professional, school, church, or even just some friends getting together to play. I love sports, and after almost two whole semesters at NAU I finally got to go to one!

This weeks game was huge! We were playing Weber State, and we were tied with them for first place in the Big Sky Confernce. Whomever won this game was then determined as number 1. There was a huge crowd because of this. It was great!!

Steph and I sat in the Student Section, and that really is the place to sit. Sure you have some of your drunks and wierdos but it's so much fun. Everyone gets into the game and you all work together to cheer on the team. I had a blast standing up pretty much the whole time, and cheering on our boys! They played really hard, but sadly they were beaten. BUT, before all those start to bash my school I need to explain a few things.


Yes, we lost 14-42 but it would of been a much closer game if it weren't for two things. One- Weber State plays dirty. It reminded me when we (Mt. View) would play Hamilton. It wasn't until the thrid quarter that they finally called an unsportsmen-like conduct on them (which should of happened like 10 more times). Their guys would insist on continuing to fight and rip the ball out of our guy's hands when he was already down and the whistle blew for end of play. The Refs would seriously contiune blowing the whistle in Webers face but they still fought it grab the ball. Or their defense would not get off our players, and would rip at them. Yeah, they were redicilous! Two- the Refs were worse than those in the NBA (that says a lot!). For example, we were about to score a touch down, well deserved, but totally made a bogous call and gave the ball to Weber. Or this other time our guy was already down with the ball, end of play right...yeah Weber stole the ball and started running with it- they called it interception! Yeah...don't get me started. >:(

Even though we lost, the game was a total blast and I'm proud to be a LumberJack! GO JACKS!!


When the game was over I spent the rest of the night with Karisa and her fiance Ivan. They are so cute and lots of fun! :) Then today, I had church and took engagement pictures for the happy couple.

This weekend was another one out the few that made me glad I'm here at NAU. I felt like an actual college student, and had a blast! :)


Alright, that's all for now, keep hanging on!!!

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Best Day And Worse Day

Ever had one of those days where something really great happens, and you're just on a mega high until all of a sudden something happens and it turns into the worse day? Yep. That was today. Okay, really it wasn't the worse day I've ever had but I mean it was a day where I was hit with news I wasn't prepared for. Let me share.

When I woke up this morning I was not looking forward to Entomology at all. Today was the day we got our 16 page exam back. This exam wasn't just 16 pages of multiple choice, but rather the first 2 pages like that and then the rest essay style questions, along with filling out a blank cladogram of the evolution of the 31 orders. Needless to say it was long and very complex. It was one of the very few test where I felt so drained afterwards that I wanted to pass out.

I was worry free a little bit before coming because Neil (my professor) said if we get an email over the weekend then that's bad. Basically, you bombed and you needed to have a meeting with him to figure out how to pass. The whole weekend I was checking my student email about every 2 hours and no email. I figured "Okay, this is good!"

When class started Neil explained he did have our exams but he decided not to email anyone, so if we bombed we had to email him. Yeah my worry free feeling went away right away. Then he posted every one's scores on the projector (just our scores, not names with them) and I noticed there was a good amount of A's, some B's, C's, but also D's and F's. I was getting more nervous. He began passing back the test and I was one of the last ones to get mine. My classmates I studied with got theirs and had a 106% and a 111%. I felt the pressure. He then handed me mine.

I turned the pages and was trying to see where I lost points, but really trying to get to the final score. I saw a 11 and was like "OH CRAP" but it quickly turned into a 111.4%!!!! HOORAY!! I was so stoked and couldn't help but be so happy, and I was the third highest in the class. My professor said not to get too cocky, cause if you did then you do poorly next test. I figured "Heck, I'll celebrate today, but serious again tomorrow!". I was so happy that I called my Mom, Dad, Jill, and wrote Dan. Haha. I then texted Steph and said we needed to go out to celebrate. We decided to do lunch when she got out of class at 2.

Well it was around 1 so I had a good hour to kill. I then watched Extreme Home Makeover online, and still had a good 20 minutes to spare. I then decided to go check the PBR official website for updates and things since the World Finals are coming up. That was when my day went from a super high to a major low.

The first thing I saw was "Two Time World Champ Announces Retirement" with a picture of Justin McBride. I was shocked!! My first reaction was to yell "WHAT!!!!!" out loud. I then tried to clam down and said to myself "It's okay, maybe he's announcing it now and then this coming up 2009 season is his last." I then read the article and saw that I was wrong. Two weekends from this weekend he is riding his last event ever. This World Finals is his last. I was so upset.

Justin has been my favorite rider and my dream was to see him ride/meet him in person. Last year I missed that chance cause he got injured the first night and my Mom and I went the second night. Then this year he got stepped on by the jaw the event before coming here and stayed home that event. And of course Im not rich and can't go to Vegas in two weeks. I missed my chance meeting and seeing one of my heroes. I also can't see his last ride because we don't have television up here. It hurts.
I might be really upset but I'm happy for him. He is retiring at the top of his game, and I know he really wants to be with his family and move on. Hopefully he'll still be around at some events to visit or commentate, and I know he said he's going to explore the music business further. Plus, it's not like he was my only favorite. There are still so many other riders that I follow/cheer for, and love. I have a couple eyes on some of them and can't wait to see how their future in this sport continues (ie Reese Cates, Kolt Donaldson, etc.).

The PBR and so many are going to miss him but I wish him the best of luck! Justin, you're amazing!!!

After discovering the news I went out to lunch and she helped cheer me back up. Haha. That was my day...how was yours? Haha.

Keep Holding On!!!

Monday, October 20, 2008

I'm an ADULT aren't I!?!?!

You know, I love my parents very much. They are the world to me, and I have some of the best parents out there. They make sure I have the things I need, a good life, and love me. But sometimes I feel like I'm still 3 yrs. okay maybe 13 yrs. old.

I just turned 21 this past August, and according to our government/country I'm a legal adult. ADULT! Then why on earth, do I get treated like a little kid all the time!!! I admit sometimes it's needed, but honestly others it's not.

Instead of still asking for permission all the time, I wish I could just be like "Hey, okay I wanted to let you guys know..." but no. I still have to ask for permission whenever I want to go do something. It got better and I can be like "I'm going to go hang with (so and so)" but that was because I told them last minute and they couldn't be like "No".

I'm on my own in a way...let me go a little bit. Let me go have fun with friends that you love and know that I'm in good hands.

Maybe I should of got engaged! No, that would be the wrong reason to. I know my parents are just thinking what's best for me, but sometimes I wish they would kinda let go some more. We'll see what happens. Fingers crossed that they will think about the things I said. :S

Friday, October 17, 2008

Elder Larsen

So today seemed like any other Friday. Well okay, some things were different.
For example, I totally didn't go to my first class at 9:10. No, instead I decided to sleep in because I woke up feeling lousy. -Maybe it's cause I stayed up a little late reading New Moon. Haha. I also had a weird dream where I was married and pregnant...yet I have no idea who my husband was (he was hot though, haha). Twilight Series Update: I'm on the second book New Moon, which I stopped reading for a while because I was so upset after reading Chapter 3. But, school has slowed down a bit and I figured, everyone said it gets better so I better keep chugging along.
Instead of going to class at 9:10, I woke up at 10:30 and got ready to go to my last class of the day, PreCal. Yeah, sick. I hate math, but it's only cause I don't understand it. When I understand it and it's easy to me, then yeah it's kinda fun but when I don't follow and have no idea what's up then it sucks. Today was one of those "What?!" "Wait...how is that?!" days. Yeah, not fun. I came home all upset and frustrated.

After feeling stressed I decided I needed to go to happy land and watch Grey's Anatomy. Since we don't have cable or any kind of television here I can't watch it on Thursdays (it drives me nuts- I mean this is my show! Besides the PBR), and I normally watch it Fridays when I get home from math on my computer. I love this season so far. I love the stories they have told and where they are going. This weeks episode was hilarious! Oh my gosh, I don't even know where to begin. Once I was done with Grey's I decided to watch The Office- I'm trying to get all caught up. Sadly, I thought this weeks episode was weak compared to last weeks.

Once I was done escaping to TV land, I decided "Hey, lets take a nap", yeah...that didn't happen. Instead I was just relaxing, called some friends, and then my Mom. Later I had a friend come over to help me with math, which now I understand one section but of course I have no clue about 4 other sections.

Then tonight, I brought up the idea to the apartment to take our roomie Karisa out to dinner to celebrate her getting married. I love Karisa, she is a total sweet heart and I'm so excited for her. Her and I get a long really well because we are both country girls. :) We decided to take her to Chilis since she's never been. It was lots of fun and she had a good time, which was the plan since she's getting a little stressed out over everything.

Once returning home I decided to go check the mail, which basically I'm the only one that does. Normally all my roomies get mail and of course nothing for me. Kinda sucks. Well tonight was a different story. Inside the mailbox single piece of mail. It was a letter, and I figured it was for one of my other roomies until I saw "Marie Dillon". I looked to see who it was from and I flipped out! I finally got to hear from my good buddy Dane Larsen, or well I should say Elder Larsen.

I met Dane at Mt. View in Marching Band and we became Drum Major Companions my senior year along with my buddy James McMullan. I can't tell you how much I love these boys. They were my boys, and I had some of the best times with them. They didn't mind my corkyness and randomness, actually I bet they thought I was ill if I wasn't random every day. One of my favorite things about Dane was he use to die laughing at my impressions. Honestly, I suck at them but he use to find them so funny and I loved to make him laugh in the mornings.

Anyways, I got a letter from Dane tonight and I was super excited. I wrote him once before last semester in April, but I wasn't sure if he ever got it or if when my roomies forgot to check our mail in the summer (which of course got put on hold and then everything returned to sender) if he wrote and it got sent back. Before he left he asked if I would write him through out the mission and I agreed of course (meaning friend writing to another), yet I've been a horrible person and have only written him twice. I know, I'm a horrible friend. Okay, back to the letter.

Dane is doing great! I'm so happy for him. He loves his area and in fact he's been in the same area his whole mission (which I believe he's been out 15 months now) but watch now that I say that he will get transferred. Reading his letter made me miss him so much. He would make comments about my bugs for Entomology and told me a story that would fall under the "classic" and "amazing" category in my books. I got so excited that I heard from him that I called my Mom, and then Dan and Jill. Haha.

Reading his letter reminded me of the many good times we had and made me miss him so much more. I can't wait till he gets home, and I hope we can hang out more then we did before he left. Though of course, I am at NAU so it will be hard. Dan is amazing, just like so many of my other friends.

It's moments like tonight when I get a letter, phone call, email, or something from a good friend that makes me smile. It makes me feel special and reminds me that I'm loved and have touched others. I love my friends; they mean the world to me and I don't know where I would be without them. Thanks you guys!!

Well, this post is a buttload longer than I thought it would be. I hope I didn't bore you, then again I don't know who all reads this. Hope you all have an amazing weekend! Mine will be filled with homework, cleaning, New Moon, and sleep. Hooray!

Keep Hanging On...OH and PS the PBR World Finals are less than 15 days away. CrAzY!!!

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Let's Move Out...


I can't wait for the day when I hear someone say this to me:
"Nobody in the world makes me laugh the way you do. You're my best friend. I just want to be with you."
Granted, I stole that from one of my favorite movies but it's something I can't wait to hear being said to me from someone I find so special and dear.
Yes, I've had one of the sweetest guys I have ever met come into my life but it's best that we are just friends. We still adore one another a bunch, and we're eachother's person but just not the right person.
I don't reget a thing, it was a great learning experince for me and now it's time to continue that journey. Conitune on my path and in hopes to find that right one.
Wyaitt is an amazing guy, and will always be a good friend to me. Heck, we're even going to spend the weekend together riding and all that jazz for his birthday. So things are good.
Don't get me wrong, I'm still a total sucker for cowboys and always will. I hope that I will still find my cowboy. :)

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

My Boy is All Grown Up!

My baby boy is all grown up!! I'm such a proud Mama!! My baby boy Hunter hatched from his little pupa casing and is now an adult beetle. Hooray! :)

Hunter is very spunky and full of engery! He was having fun crawling around while Mom was changing the other siblings, and found out either she threw away the other pupa case...or it died (fingers crossed its the second one).

Hopefully he'll be able to have some older siblings soon!! I love when these guys are beetles. They are so much fun!! Hunter was having fun crawling on Mom, and he's Aunts were taking his first pictures.

Look at my handsome boy!



Please ignore how awful I look. I'm trying to recover from a cold. Okay well, I would love to update more but I have to go do some Math HW (well try), study some more for my wicked Entomology test coming up, and then sleep...maybe.