PTX. (Yet another reason to geek out)

I recently watched the movie The Perks of Being a Wallflower. I was really good, but deep and heavy....so go in knowing that. In the movie the kids are these odd balls so of course they only listen to music that most people don't know. I've never been someone who can only listen to songs that a limited audience knows, in other words I'm not a music snob. I have had my share of liking the radio music, but I also like it when I find something and can share new things with my friends. I just appreciate quality music and talent. My brother and I were discussing real talent in music. Music really has taken a turn for the worst where top 40 is concerned. So it's always exciting to find people who really have a talent...and that brings me to my main subject....

I've talked about a group called Pentatonix on here before....but I just went to their concert. They have real talent. Not only are they an a-cappella group, they are a noncheesey, perfect pitch, meat and potatoes a-cappella group. I've loved them since they were on a show called The Sing Off...followed them since they won (yes I voted for them in every way possible) and bought their album when it was available. Then Ashleigh and her hubby (Jeremy) saw that tickets were on sale for their concert in Raleigh. Twenty bucks! And it was TOTALLY WORTH THE DRIVE AND THE MONEY!

I was geeking out hard core afterwards and still am to be quite honest. I love geeking out...

Anyways PTX is where it's at...check out my favorite cover of theirs:

Simply amazing. True talent.

Music and Happiness,
Arica

The Office 18th Birthday Party

I have become a Mary Kay consultant. I hit the ground running when I first started and since then have had life get the better of me. It's all good though, I know it's always there. I was advised to read this book from my director called Dressing Your Truth. It's been really interesting. I love personality tests and self help type things. I finally found I'm a "type 3" and it describes me very well. I am some one who finishes projects. I start something but I want it done in the simplest way, with no strings attached. I think I saw this part of me come to life when I decided to throw my baby brother a party for his 18th birthday.

I started thinking about it back in July (his birthday is in November). I thought "Holy cow my brother is turning into an adult this year" and I figured...he needs a party. My brother, Andrew, has never had a birthday party. Being the baby of the family he actually grew up just wanting the family around on his birthday. So I took matters into my own hands. I thought we needed a theme so that could get the creative juices flowing and helps everything fall into place.

The theme: The Office.
Andrew being younger has liked things that maybe more adult for his age. This show is one of them. He loves it! The quotes, the characters, the jokes, the story line...he loves it all. It helps that it's one of my favorites too. So I started from there. It was going to be a surprise party but I wasn't sure of the people to invite and it would have been more difficult.

I was very proud of my creations! Here are some of the things I included.

 The episode when Jim and Dwight forget Kelly's birthday and this is the sign and decor that Dwight comes up with for her make up party.

 This one is a blended joke. One from when Oscar comes back from quitting and they have a pinata at the party. Also, there is a Christmas episode with a toy called "Princess Unicorn"...the slogan goes "My horn can pierce the sky!"

 When Oscar comes back they have everything Mexican themed since he is Mexican...they make Lemonade with a tilde. 

 The Dundie's are an office event every year where the boss gives out ridiculous awards for the employees. Andrew gave one out to each person at his party with an award title attached.

 We played Office Olympic games...Dunder Ball, paper football, and how many peanut M&Ms you can fit in your mouth. The most went to Andrew's friend with 39! 

 It would be a party with out a little Guitar Hero, Just Dance, and Super Smash Brothers. 

We sang happy birthday and he blew out his candles on his ice cream cake. That's a reference to the office too...they get a ice cream cake for a girl who is lactose intolerant! And a card that said "Happy Birday" which I had them write on the cake. (They thought I was crazy)

We did have jello and I made a jello mold with a stapler in it, but it didn't turn out. I learned what I should do at another time. 

All in all it was a success! Andrew's friends had fun and he had a successful party. 

I love my little brother! Angrow is one of the most inspirational people I know. I'm proud to call him my little brother. 

Love and Happiness,

Arica

Harry Potterhead

If you are a regular to Facebook you can tell that I've been posting about two things:
The Election

and

Harry Potter.

I won't go into the election so much in this post because I bombard enough people with my stuff about that. All I can say is PLEASE GO VOTE! We have been given such a privilege in this country, let those people who have given their lives be respected, by exercising your right to vote. Even if you don't agree with my political stance I still want you to vote.

It so happens that I've been talking about both of these things at the same time because it's October. October is Harry Potter month. Yes, I designated this myself but it came about because I'm not really that "into" Halloween. I figured this was a good alternative. I officially started last year.

I was in line for the last Harry Potter film and looked around and thought "this can't be the end of the magic of Harry Potter". I geeked out for the last movie (well as far as I'd geek out anyways).

Got a shirt made, borrowed a wand, wore some cool eye make up. That was enough for me.

So to keep HP part of my life without the long lines and the official geeking out, I decided that Halloween was now and forever more Harry Potter Day. More like October was the month of Harry Potter and Halloween was the day to all things HP.

Here's what I did last year.

Reused my shirt from HP 7.2 premier and added some things to be Tonks. She is much cooler in the books and marries one of my favorite characters Remus Lupin. Oh yeah and she has pink hair. 

This year I was able to step it up a bit with my month of celebration.

• Found one of the Harry Potter books on audio book at the library. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire to be exact. It had been a while. 
• Discover more secrets of Harry Potter on pottermore.com. I use it mostly for the author's back stories and such, but I have started to enjoy potion making and dueling as well. Oh and I was sorted, I'm in Hufflepuff.
• Had a whole day dedicated to Harry Potter in my own classroom. My three students LOVED it. Potion and wand making. Watched part of the first movie. The children called me Professor all day and we called our writing utensils quills. I even dressed up in "robes" using a graduation gown and synched it with a belt. Wish I could show the picture but that would be unwise with the students faces in them. 
• I saw an owl perched on a mailbox. Owl Post. (It's the only answer)
• I plan on being a Bellatrix LeStrange for Halloween, one of the darker characters of the series but my brother said, "Arica, you need to embrace your wild side." Bhahah...I still need to work on my costume.
• I will also be having a HP movie marathon starting next week. I'm not sure if I'll watch the whole movie or the best parts or how I want to do it.

All I can say is that this tradition I've started for myself will be more and more refined each year. My love for Harry Potter is year round, but it's this time of the year you'll be hearing more about it. 

Happiness and Harry Potter,

Arica

Halloween 2012: Bellatrix La Strange

Refer to #5

#1. I just got a COSTCO card! WOOT go me.

#2. I figured out the art project I wanted to do for tomorrow at 8:30 and got to Michael's Craft store at 8:45, 15 minutes before they close, and got the canvas I needed.

#3. I was on "e" the entire time to the store. COSTCO is in the same shopping center as Michael's. I check, after my very quick shopping trip, if they are still open for gas. THEY ARE, it is 8:55 and they don't close until 9:30! SCORE! 

#4. I drive home a little slower and Alanis Morsette comes on the radio which reminds me of the 90's. Then Bohemian Rhapsody comes on right after...I let my hair down and rock out. 

#5. I feel on top of the world.

Happiness can be simple,

Arica

Stretching

Short short update. I have been busy...really! The days of sitting around watching the Olympics, Baseball, and Football in one day are pretty much over. I have been working for The Cyzner Institute, a school for students with special needs. I have learned a lot in the last couple of months. I was able to stay on for the summer program doing their camp for the younger children. I asked them before the 4th of July break about me staying on in the fall and being a Teacher's Assistant for these same younger students under a wonderful veteran teacher who I'd learn so much from. They agreed and said I'd most likely be doing just that.

A day before teacher training came they asked me to take over an older class. They asked me to be a teacher. I prayed about it, pondered, and felt like I needed to do some stretching. I accepted the position. I have been in teacher training the last week or so and tomorrow is our complete first day. I feel a lot of responsibility about this...and I'm kind of overwhelmed. But I think in a couple months I'll have the hang of this thing. I'm so thankful for my education and my student teaching.

Running in a Circle,
Arica

Summer Rain Dance

I was recently in Idaho. (Refer to earlier post.) My friends were saying how much they loved my hair.

I said, "Oh it's because it looks better straight with out humidity."

Later we were taking a walk at night and I said, "Wow I can take a walk in the evening and not feel hot and sticky."

Then my friends preceded to ask me why I didn't just move out west. The only thing I could think of was my family and my job. Which are good reasons but I was trying to think of environmental things I liked too.

Later that week I thought to myself, "Oh yeah..I love how green it is."

And then I thought of the rain storms. I cannot help you understand my love for a pour down rain storm. I missed them so much on my mission, at school, and when we had a drought.

This summer has been anything but a drought, we've had wet days at least twice a week. (Which means I hardly ever straighten my hair, messy bun or curly.)

Each time it rains my younger sister Arin and I plan to go out and run in it. It's been a tradition of our families for a while. We love to get soaked. This summer each time Arin and I see it's raining we're usually driving somewhere or not together. Just yesterday is was pouring...sheets and sheets of rain at my work. I only ten miles away. I called Arin on my way home from work and I said, "On my way home, get ready it's pouring outside." We were both so excited. I got into my neighborhood and saw that it was bone dry. I got a little pouty. I came inside and saw Arin.

She looked at me with sad eyes and I asked, "What's wrong?"

Arin said, "It's NOT raining."

I consoled my baby sister and we hoped that we'd have a good rain soon to try again.

A little more than 24 hours later we were driving home from the store and Arin said, "It's raining....wait don't say anything."

So we acted like we didn't care. We got out of the car and it was a light rain but not enough to really enjoy. We tried to make the most of it and decided to do a "rain dance". Yet another tradition that us children started doing...I believe they really work. As kids we did them during a really bad drought and were amazed when it started raining a couple days or hours later.

After our rain dance, and we danced all the way to the door for good measure, we came inside for a half an hour. There we were in the den shooting the breeze with the fam and we hear the rain a little louder.

Arin said, "I think it's time."

We opened the door to find a shower of great proportion. It was fantastic!

As the door flew open, we ran outside and screamed excitedly. We'd done it. Our rain dance had worked! Soaking it in, dancing, and spinning in the moment we'd waited for all summer. We stayed out maybe 2 minutes and were soaked and freezing...and loving every minute. It was perfect. Okay so MAYBE I rolled my ankle during the moment and it hurt but I sucked it up and relished in our moment.
(Side note: this always reminds me of Hercules when Meg says "Do you have trouble with things like these? Weak ankles I mean?" Which I DO...I just rolled my ankle in Idaho last week.)

We came back in and my brother Andrew put some towels by the door for us. ;)

This is the best part.
We get dried off and change into our sweats.
Get all comfy and get a hot mug of herbal tea.

I had to talk about my cOcOmOtIOn. If you don't have one I suggest it! It's amazing for hot chocolate (it's original use) but you can heat up water fast and use it to make the herbal tea. (Of which most every one had a different flavor) Thanks be to Arin who got one for me for my birthday...knowing I've wanted one for years. 

The tea was a perfect ending to a perfect moment. I love traditions and spontaneity. Even if life isn't like the movies where everything works out "perfect", I still loved every minute. I loved sharing the moment with Arin. I loved seeing our rain dance work. I loved hanging in the den with my family drinking herbal tea and listening to  James Taylor. It was a brief pause from present cares.

Life is full of those moments...don't wait for the storms to pass...those could turn into some of the best experiences.


Warm, Comfy, and Happy,
Arica

An Agreement & A Wedding

College started at BYU-Idaho in the fall of 2006. I drove out with my parents and they helped me move in. While they were still there I met my first roommate. Emily Hegerhorst.

We had a lot of the same things to get done so we just walked around with each other. My mom said, "I think she seems like she'll be a really great friend." It was good to see that my mom was grateful that I was in good hands with a stranger but also someone who was approved almost instantly. The first semester we got to know each other, there were things I didn't understand like how does someone not know how to pay and pump gas.  But it wasn't until I went to her farm in Bruneau, Idaho that I really understood Emily. They had their own gas tank on their land and she never had to go to a gas station.

The farm was peaceful with many things to do to keep you busy. I got to experience life in a new way. I was in love. Then there was her family. They were delightful! The farm, family, and more made this one place I knew I wanted to come back to. I started with going each semester with Emily. If she was going home I tried to go at least once. Then I started going to Thanksgiving with her, it was a new tradition. I even went to their house for Thanksgiving after my mission and Emily was still on hers! The Hegerhorst's became family.

Emily and I continued to live together for the next semester with our other roommates. This is where we made a contract. For some reason we kept arguing about who would get engaged first. A third party, Megan Wyatt (Skagen) wrote out a contract stating, whomever was engaged first was owed the other a steak dinner. We both signed it. And have since lost the document. College life.

I have been paid in full by who is now Emily Anderson.

I opted for Cafe Rio instead of a steakhouse...I don't have them in NC and I miss them dearly. 

So glad that she kept her end of the contract. 

As stated by her sister, "Way to hold out." 

Heck yes! :)

I just returned from one of my favorite places in the world on Sunday. I got a call one evening from Emily and we caught up. She told me about her love life and how she started liking this guy named Ben. Months later I get the text, "I'm engaged" and next thing I know I'm buying a plane ticket. Then months later it's August and I'm flying out to Idaho for my best friend's wedding.

It was amazing. I got there in time to help set up, buy food, travel here and there to get everything to their apartment, and spend time with my favorite people. I'm so so happy that I'm not just friends with Emily but her entire family. I went there for her but I didn't realize I needed the recharge with the farm and family.

Some shout outs:
Mom and Dad H,
Thank you for the endless amount of whole milk you've let me drink. It's probably good you don't have a camel like me around all the time or you wouldn't make a profit. Also, thank you for the Thanksgivings, storing my stuff for my mission, and the open door policy. I will be back, be sure of it.

Katie, Becky, and Margie,
I really appreciate you accepting me as a part of the family, though I'm Emily's friend. You are like sisters to me as well. I love you all and I'm all too grateful that our paths have crossed.

Emily,
You beautiful bride! I love you beyond words and I'm glad I could share the day with you. I told Ben, "You just got one of the best dude!" He agreed. BFFE!

I'm being selfish and putting the picture of us instead of her and Ben. They will have many many pictures and this was a quick shot before the guests came to the reception. Friends for 6 years and will continue much longer.

Happy Heart,
Arica

THE Mission

We're all on the same team! When you're on a mission you're spreading Christ's gospel. It makes me upset when people try to make out that their mission is harder than mine was.

It's not about whose was harder but how hard you worked.

I'm guilty of this but I'm going to change. When people say "on MY mission" they're actually wrong, it's "THE mission" because it's Christ's mission. It's about bringing people to Christ...the end. That's is it. You're not going there to prove something or to go and then share your woes from the mission. And if you are then that's your loss because you've waisted to much pride on worrying about yourself.

End of Rant.

Of Course I'm Happy,
Arica

Remember Attitude

Remember. It's been said to be the most important word in the dictionary. I believe it.

If I remembered all of the lessons I've learned over the years than I wouldn't have to RE-learn them all the time. I am unsure why I forget the things that the Lord and life has taught me. As I am a blogger you can hopefully assume that I have kept a journal (you know those ones that you actually use a pen) and I have, since second grade. I tend to look back on what I've written and it's amazing at the things I forgot about and the lessons I learned even in those early stages of my life. 

Sometimes what we need to remember hasn't come to us through experience. In church or discussions with friends I can learn things from  them that I don't necessarily have to go through myself. I can avoid the situations, temptations, or unnecessary steps because of their advice. I've heard this is the difference between wise people and super-wise people. But there are times when you have to go through things yourself not matter how wise you think you already are. This is the only way to truly learn the lesson taught. It's when I go through similar experiences I can take their stories or advice and apply what they suggested instead of trying and failing on my own. That's what the hope is, that we'll apply what was taught to us. The tricky part was we need to remember what was taught.

I have recently forgotten. That word too is often used by us mortals because we have to have things drilled in our heads all the time. Anyways, I digress because I need to get to the point. The POINT is, I forgot the simple lesson:

Attitude is Everything.

I have made my attitude adjustment and recently found (yet again) how great life is when you are positive and when you don't let the little things get you down. I guess happiness really does run in a circular motion...everything always come full circle. So I'm not sure who needed the reminder but I really needed a wake up call... Attitude is Everything.

Remember,
Arica

Two Fold: A Lesson in Procrastinating

I'm not going to apologize and say how long it has been since I've blogged. I have recently been blogging on another site. It's at Words of A Kind (a little button is over on the side too). It's called "micro" blogging. I really like the idea because there are things I read, hear, see, or do that I want to document but don't want to take the time to sit and write about it all. Plus I don't always have something incredibly noteworthy to write a whole post on. For the every day stuff you can read that blog. :)

I am still working at The Cyzner Institute for the time being (it's almost the end of the school year) and Tutor Time. Things are up in the air for summer and fall and I have some decision making to do in my career department. More to come on that in the future. That was just a quick update.

What I really want to talk about is procrastination. We all do it. I'm not saying I'm the worst but there are things in my life I just ignore and it's detrimental to that part of my life. A little back story to help you understand my little pedestal I'm about to get on. Most of you know that I am diabetic. I have been for almost 11 years now. When I was diagnosed I was so good at taking care of myself and being pretty strict on my carbohydrate intake and taking my blood sugar. I was a great patient for my doctor. Around college time I think I just let go because I had an insulin pump and expected that to fix everything. I've been in some sort of denial for a loooong time. I'm not blaming anyone but myself. I told people to stop asking what my blood sugars have been like or if I'd been checking or if I gave myself insulin for a brownie I ate. I would get moody and mad if they asked. So eventually they stopped. It was, after all, what I wanted.

I've finally been stationary for more than 3 months at a time since college started. I have been able to see my doctor regularly. Back in February we made a plan to get back on track with my blood sugar testing and giving myself the right dosage of insulin. I was good for about 3 weeks...when I needed to extend that to 3 months until I saw the doctor again. It was Friday and the doctors office called to remind me of my upcoming doctors appointment for Tuesday. I forgot. I told myself, it can't be 3 months already. I didn't have enough time. I need to be better about my health but it's too late to try and change it in the course of three days, it just wasn't going to happen.

I had procrastinated taking care of my body.

I suddenly had a spiritual perspective to this. It was so amazing how quickly the parallel came to me. So many people do this same thing I had done or will think the same things I thought when I found out about my appointment. They will think this on their death bed or at the second coming of Jesus Christ.

'I didn't have enough time. I need to work better on my eternal salvation but it's to late to try and change it now.'  The truth is we will eventually run out of tomorrows. They will say:

'I have procrastinated the day of my repentance.'

Let's continue about the doctors visit. I went. I didn't change the appointment. I decided to accept my consequences for not taking care of my illness. I sat in the waiting room and thought about how mad the doctor would be at me. I didn't do what he asked in the least. I tried at first but failed.

We all will be in a spiritual waiting room. Waiting to meet the Lord our God. I am hoping I do not feel like I did that day at the doctors, that my Father would be angry with me.

I went into the exam room and waited for my doctor. He was pleasant. He asked how things were going and I was honest with him. I didn't want to lie. He wasn't mad. He offered education for better treatment. I told him I knew what I needed to do but I just didn't do it. He said, "This is something that is not going to go away. You have to motivate yourself." He was disappointed because I had the tools to take care of myself and I wasn't using them to my advantage.

See, like the doctor, Heavenly Father does all of this for us as well. He gives us scriptures, the Prophet, PRAYER, temples, the Holy Ghost, covenants, and JESUS CHRIST. He offers us education if we need it (and honestly who couldn't use a little more understanding of God's plan for us?) and spiritual medicine...but we have to motivate ourselves to use it. Our sins and shortcomings are not going to go away unless we utilize the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the other tools we have been given. Heavenly Father won't be mad at us...I'm sure He just can't understand why we didn't do our part.

I learned a lesson two fold on Tuesday.
Physical
I am taking care of my health. I am trying to be better about checking my blood sugar and giving myself proper insulin. I have to say I'm proud of myself these past couple days actually acknowledging that this needs to happen and doing it. This is not going away and that is kind of hard for me to grasp it. When the doctor said that it affected me and I can see that I really am sick. I don't have cancer and I'm not dying but if I'm not careful it could become worse. A cure for Diabetes would be amazing but I can't hold out for that. In the mean time I'm going to prepare to meet my doctor in another three months.

Spiritual
Last sunday at church we spoke a lot about obedience. I feel like this fit right in with how I paralleled my doctors visit to meeting my Maker. I want don't to procrastinate doing the things that are vital to salvation. I will not be in my spiritual waiting room wondering how upset or disappointed the Lord will be with me. I want to let Him know I tried my best and used the Atonement of Jesus Christ in my life to bring me closer to Him. Procrastination in doing the seemingly simple acts could affect so much more in the eternal perspective of things. I want to do better and become better. This way when I meet God and His Son, they will say "Well done thou good and faithful servant."

I know the God provides times in our lives when a lightbulb goes on. This was one "ah ha" moment for me. I know it came from the Spirit's whisperings.

Always in Happiness,
Arica

The Ace and TJ Show

As I drive to work each morning I tune into a morning radio show called the Ace and TJ Show. I'm not usually a fan of these types of shows because I'd rather be listening to music instead of celebrity gossip and such things. BUT they have been on the air for a long time and my sister and I have been listening to them since they started. While they do have the sleeze on the fame out there that's not the whole show. They go outside the box of celebrity "hoo ha". Filled with entertaining polls for callers to answer, charities they support or started, and original segments; I like my fifteen minutes with them in my car ride to work.

A couple of days I go tune in to hear if they are talking about anything that interests me. As I do all I hear is TJ saying, "From my understanding is that it's sacred not a secret. That's what I've hear about the Mormons." This immediately caught my attention seeing as I am one. (A Mormon that is) Apparently they had played a song concerning Mitt Romney and mentioned his "Mormon underwear" as they were describing it. They didn't say they knew what it meant or even pretend to go into that subject, it was just a lyric. They wanted to know if mormons out there were offended and told us to call.

I called within seconds of them telling us to call. My phone went from my cup holder into my hand faster than you can say "dial". I called and told them "Hi, I'm a Mormon and I wanted to talk to Ace and TJ about it." They put me on hold for 10 minutes but finally got to me. I hadn't heard the song but this is what I said: "I didn't think the song would be offensive because no one tried to say they knew what 'mormon underwear' was. We are used to having people talk about things they don't understand. I think that TJ was spot on when he said 'its a sacred, not secret'. But I wanted to clarify a little bit about why we have them. We call them garments. As with most religions we are baptized, and I think you can agree that its an outward expression of an inward commitment." (they did agree) I continue and don't let them get a word in edgewise because I knew exactly what I wanted to say, "We believe that also but we believe that there are further ordinance and promises we need to make and we make them in our temples that are world wide. When we go to the temple we receive the garments because we make promises there and they represent the promises we've made. All in all I don't think most Mormons would get offended."

They were happy with that answer and cut the line. I suppose they have to draw the line at some point as to how long you'd let the person keep going or how much time you'll spend on one subject. I was going to add that there would be some of the Mormon community that would be offended with the lyric but that is with any religion. I just learn not to take offense to things people say when they don't fully understand them. It wasn't perfect, but I felt that it was a good explanation for the time allotted and that I did my part in some way to represent the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

I wish I had more opportunity to go out into the community and just help clarify misunderstandings to those who'd like a better explanation. Not to have them convert but just so they know the facts from someone who tries to live the gospel the best way they know how. By so doing I wouldn't surprised if there people were touched enough to want to learn more and then receive the blessings we'd be discussing with them, but that'd be up to them.

I was thankful for the opportunity, no doubt directed by the Holy Ghost.

Potter Rock

I had a previous post about my search for a job. I mentioned the Cyzner Institute and how their program is exactly what I want to do. At the end of February I was at my day care job and thought how I really wanted to work with children with disabilities. It is my true passion. I love children and I love those who overcome hardships that have been given to them in their lives. Again rooting for the underdog. I had given them my resume but heard nothing from them. So I decided to follow up. They asked me to send them my resume again and I said I would love to interview. They took me up on the offer and I got an interview for the next week. As I walked into the building I got this feeling that I was in the right place. It was such a good feeling. I interviewed, and I'm not going to lie...I was nervous. At the end they said they'd let me know by the middle of the next week.

IT WENT BY SO SLOW! 

Then low and behold...I received an email. "Arica: We would like to offer you a Teacher Assistant position." I immediately called my mom and excitedly told her the news. I shadowed the current teacher assistant for a couple days and then I started. I've been working there for two weeks now and I love it. LOVE IT! There are great employees to work with and I'm doing what I always wanted to do. 

I work with a child one on one. I teach him all of the subjects and sometimes he groups with another class but I teach him for a majority of the day by myself. It's been a blast. First of all he's a HUGE Harry Potter fan so we have a lot to talk about, and I see the things I teach him really stick. The sad part is I have to let him go into a classroom next week. I will get another child but I will miss my first little boy. 

Tribute to him...this is his favorite song (he likes the original Party Rock too)

This job is only part time, I work from 9:30-3, so after that I go over to Tutor Time and work for a couple hours each evening. They were really cool about letting me go part time and let me know I was valuable. 

WHAT a blessing. Honestly, I see the Lord's hand in my life over and over. I don't know how many blessings that go UNnoticed. I just know that He loves me....that is FOR SURE!

Skip

Let's face it

straight to the point, square on, dead center

we don't know we're healthy until we're sick

we don't realize we're happy until we're sad

we don't see what we have until it's gone

skip the hurt

bypass the ache

let the sun shine like the rain

let the beams pour down on me

music and dancing are a must

if only you could see what I see

today is about being free

Curtain or Wall

Blowing easily in the breeze

shifting and moving 

vulnerable

Standing strong and solid

not an inch will it move

alone

a leap of faith

a steady fate

I won't say I've given up...

I'm just taking a brief pause from caring.

Thinking makes things harder

and time makes it shorter.

Caring....that makes patience impossible. 

Brief pause now...

...patience tomorrow.

Gangsta Parrots Forever!

I love mission friendships because I realized I can just pick up where we left off and go with it. I also love that no matter how long it's been since I've talked to one of my mission friends they are willing to catch up with out it being awkward. With that in mind, Liz Harwood came into town this past weekend and stayed with me. It was like we had been companions yesterday. While we did talk about our mission, I'm SO thankful we are able to become friends outside of that. We talked about everything and it was never a dull moment. She pulled up right as I pulled in from work, and I received a hug from one of the best huggers!

We hung out that night and stayed up late. On the mission I knew Liz to be very tired by the end of the day so I assumed she'd want her sleep. We stayed up past 1am! Then the next day she went to Greensboro for some graduate school stuff and I went to work. It was good that we were both busy the whole day or one of us would have been bored. She came back to my house and we went to Fudruckers per her request. Then we went to the cheap theater and saw "Sherlock Holmes" the new one. It was good to see...at the cheap theater. We had decided to go to bed early that night but our movie got out at 11:30 and then we came home and talked again until...12:30 am. It was worth it though.

We had a full schedule for the next day but decided to take it easy and cut some things out. We did go to the temple though! It was so good! I am trying to go the temple once a month at the LEAST, so I got my February trip just in time.

We got back to Charlotte and I had stake conference. Liz had done a lot of driving the past 48 hours, so she was tired. I didn't blame her when she decided to stay home while I went to my meetings. Then we didn't stay up as late this night but we were still very tired.

The next day we went to church, fed her some yummy roast, and she went back home. She has a big decision to make about graduate school but I think no matter where she goes we'll always be friends and I'll always have a reason to visit. :)

Six Months

I am someone who lives in the future. What is coming, what's next, how can I get there...and I don't appreciate the here and now. I've known this for a long time...since I started college I have been like this:
In high school..."I can't wait for college"
In college..."I can't wait for a mission"
On a mission...."I can't wait to finish college"
Finish college...."I can't wait to have a job"
Have a job..."I can't wait......"

And so it goes. It's not that I'm not happy right now. I am totally happy! :D I just get excited about planning things out but then forget to enjoy them. As I was talking to Valerie tonight I realized that I need to work on enjoying my here and now time. It's good to plan for the future but then let the plan unfold. Even if things are as I planned I still need to be patient with my life.

I'm learning patience with the children I look after, the people in traffic, my life moving in the direction I've envisioned. So my new motto is:

I can't live 6 months into the future. 

And I'm going to stop trying.

Happy Birthday Valerie!

The Story that Made Us Friends 

It was Valerie's first semester and my third at BYU-Idaho. We gathered together every week as a Family Home Evening group and didn't really become friends until the very end of the semester....the day that would go down in history. FIRST...a background story. It was around Thanksgiving and we decided to have a thanksgiving dinner for FHE. This is when I noticed that Valerie...had roomate problems. It was bad. Anything Valerie liked they decided to instantly hate. They even started a "I hate Josh Groban" list on their white board. I went and changed it to say "love", but they found me out. I asked Valerie about this  later and she kind of broke down. They were merciless, and for reasons unknown. My roommate at the time wanted to make soup with the turkey remains so Valerie brought it over one night. I was listening to Celine Dion and Josh Groban Christmas and doing my clean checks that I had forgotten about. Valerie walked in and didn't hesitate to lend me a hand! We belted the songs and cleaned...it was our moment we'd knew we'd be friends for a long time. I was in the process of selling my contract for my apartment so that I could move to a place called Nauvoo House. At the beginning of our cleaning/singing spree, I told her about this and suggested that she could move into my apartment. By the end of our session together...I said, "HEY...you should move in with me." She considered it and emailed me to let me know...it was a go! We hung out the last three weeks of that semester and then were roommates ever since. (Minus one semester that was difficult because communication was slim due to my mission) Since then she's come to be known as: Val (a name she despised before), Lala, Greenbean, ValerTheresa, and more.

First semester as roommates, see we didn't even have any pictures from before this because we really just became friends toward the end. (Winter 2008)

Second semester as roommates. (Fall 2008)

AND THEN I WENT ON A MISSION. She was a great pen pal...and had amazing insights that I needed. When I got back from my mission we weren't going to live together (due to communication) and I thought we'd just end up hanging out all the time when I got back to Idaho. BUT....

SHE SURPRISED ME AND VISITED ME IN NORTH CAROLINA!!!

We went around Charlotte, showing her where I grew up. We went to the Temple in South Carolina and visited an art museum. We stayed up all night catching up on our lives. It was like we never left. (Summer 2010)

We got back to Idaho and while we didn't live together...it was probably good for us both. We were so busy and stressed. I'd go over every Sunday and we'd talk, laugh, cry, or vent. It was our hour! 

Then we roomed together again and had the BEST semester ever, of course with great roommates. It was a great way to end our college time together! 

 This picture has been said to sum up our entire friendship...and it's true.
(Winter 2010)

 Classic Lala face!

Our semester was pretty much a domino effect of hilariousness. We'd start laughing about one thing and it just rolled into another. 

And so it will be forever...whenever we get together we will just fall right back into sync. When I was in Utah for my student teaching and went to visit Rexburg...it was like I never left.

 We really don't care what we look like, act like, or smell like! :P
(Fall 2011)

 We are ourselves true and true...it's one of the things I love most about our friendship.

Granola and Wheatgrass

Why are we so amazing? 

(Thanksgiving 2011)

Val...I love your passion for plants, that we searched for bugs in the Olive Garden garden, your "long story short"s, random dance parties that made everything better, your cooking, our weirdness that is accepted by each other for some reason, and all of our nicknames! 

Love, ATP

A Good Brake

Sometimes I astound myself with what my brain comes up with as I'm driving. It's generally when I'm by myself. Alone in my thoughts.

This came while I was driving in the car with my mom. Any time I drive my mom is still a little nervous. That's with any of us kids. I noticed that she didn't think I was going to stop in time for a car that was slowing down. Then I had this thought. 

Even though I knew I was going to stop and that my foot was on the brake even before she started worrying about the situation, she needed reassurance. So the next time I was slowing down I made sure to tap my brakes a little sooner for her comfort. 

I likend this to relationships of any sort, romantic or not. Sometimes we know that everything is fine, things are in control. But our friend, coworker, loved one; they don't know how we're feeling. They're not sure everything is okay. We have to give the relationship brakes a little tap for comfort. We just need to let them know that we are there for them from time to time. It just helped me to see that's why we surprise people in little ways; giving a present, a hug, a note, or an act of service....all of these are pressing the relationship brakes...letting them know we're still good.

Make Someone Happy Today,

Arica 

Children Ask the Wisest Things

There are some funny things that kids say and being at my job it's been one of my favorite things to report back to my family. But there are other times where they say something profound that you didn't know you needed to hear.

Tuesday

Mood: flustered

Health: Poor-coughing, sore throat, headache, dizziness, sniffles

In the middle of these two things I was taking care of 18 children. They take a daily nap where  the teachers can break each other and go get lunch. When I was about to leave, one of my cute little boys (2 and a 1/2) wakes up and says: 

"Miss Arica, are you happy?"

I stopped to think about it. In that moment I was not acting as if I was happy. I reflected on his question as I went to lunch and felt the sunshine on my face. I concluded that even though I didn't feel well I had plenty to be happy about. I started to count my blessings a little more and could answer with an honest, "Yes" to that little boy when he asked again later. I'm pretty sure Heavenly Father wanted to remind me of all that I have.

A Few of My Favorite Things

sharpies: who knows why...just love having a good collection of sharpies. 


post-it notes: they're so handy. 


my little puppy joey: really my mom's puppy but I love her too. 


cuddling: friends, family, anyone who's not creepy! 


comfy clothes: i'll admit it...sweats are the best thing ever! 


pony tails: hair off my neck please! 


clear starry nights: super romantic date is star gazing. :) 


the smell of campfire: i love camping for this very reason. 


underdogs: if no one thinks they can...then i go for them! 


spontaneity: usually the most fun you will have. 


car windows rolled down on a sunny day: favorite pastime with my dad. 

getting to know someone on a more personal level: i am a blue on the color code test. 

lists: organizing my thoughts and crossing things off is the best feeling. 


lyrics: if an singer/song writer can express exactly how i feel, it's pure magic. 


oh there are more...but the title says "a few"...

Three Years Ago

On this very day, I entered the MTC...received my "dork dot" and went on a journey that would change my life forever. It might sound crazy to some..but I will hold Provo, Utah in my heart for the rest of my life.

Sister Page and Best Friend Emily Hegerhorst 

(she would be in the same spot 6 months later!)

Two Dozen Years

A Birthday in Review:

January 13th:
I went in to work to sign my papers for my new job! YAY! What they didn't tell me is that they wanted me to stay and work...ummm okay. So I did, but got off early so that I could go to  get SUSHI with my mom and brother. We went to New Zealand Cafe. I quaint little place that is hiding the best sushi ever.

I had unagi (eel) of course...my fave. It was called the caterpillar roll, so this is what it looked like.

It was divine...man just writing about it makes me want some more.

We were in the car and I said, "Now for something sweet!" And my mom took us to a cute little frozen yogurt shop called Sweet Frog:

It's just a like a place in Rexburg called Kiwi Loco...so I was excited and kept comparing everything to Kiwi Loco. We even had a stool shrinking race like back in the college days...oh those days. :) 

January 15th:

We celebrated my birthday as a family a day early because we wanted to allow the whole family to be there. We had Pollo con Crema, 24 cupcakes (um...yeah that was on purpose), and homemade ice cream! STUPENDOUS! 

This is was 24 Years looks like....

 ...pretty spectacular if I do say so myself.

I received a Kindle as my birthday present from everyone. I LOOOVE IT! I'm reading on my hour lunch break every day and finding all the good books out there. I'm so excited. 

January 16th:

MLK Day...also known as My Birthday! But I had to work from 9am-6pm. I was grateful for my job but it landed on a day when everyone was home and could CELEBRATE with me. Oh well...we went out to Showmars that night and hung out together...it was an amazing time to celebrate my two dozen years. 

I really am thankful for the people who called, texted, facebooked, and took me out to dinner! I am so lucky to have a great family who knows me so well and works to show me how much they love me. 

If You Let Yourself Be,

Arica 

Color Code Test: BLUE

I thought this was pretty spot on...a little insight about me...and now you know a little more too.

Blue: 49.06%
Red: ??? %
White: ??? %
Yellow: ??? %
(I don't know the other percentages because that would cost money)

Blues (Motive: Intimacy) Blues are motivated by Intimacy. They seek to genuinely connect with others, and need to be understood and appreciated. Everything they do is quality-based. They are loyal friends, employers, and employees. Whatever or whomever they commit to is their sole (and soul) focus. They love to serve and give of themselves freely in order to nurture others' lives.

Blues have distinct preferences and have the most controlling personality. Their personal code of ethics is remarkably strong and they expect others to live honest, committed lives as well. They enjoy sharing meaningful moments in conversation as well as paying close attention to special life events (e.g. birthdays and anniversaries). Blues are dependable, thoughtful, and analytical; but can also be self-righteous, worry-prone, and moody. They are "sainted pit-bulls" who never let go of something or someone once they are committed. When you deal with a BLUE, be sincere and make a genuine effort to understand and appreciate them.

Credit Given to: Color Code Test

Firsts and Learning Curves

Firsts and learning curves of 2011

Some of the things that are listed here are vague or general for the reason that they are either personal or just things I don't want everyone to know. If there are things that you would like clarification on I would be glad to share and explain in a personal message.

Leadership

I was called to be the Relief Society President for the winter semester of college. It was a learning experience and I kind of wish I had a do over. In hindsight I could have done things differently and been more involved in my sisters lives. But I think that's why there are firsts to everything so that we can take what we learned through that experience and build upon it. I am now the secretary for the Relief Society Presidency, so I am magnifying that calling with the ideas that I wish I'd implemented when I was the president. My presidency now is amazing and we really work hard together to work for what is in the best interest of the sisters. 

Friends Can Turn into Family

Relationship

While in the same semester I met a nice young man and we started dating. This being my first serious relationship I learned SO much about myself. I look back and wonder how I even focused on school while I was so wrapped up in what was going on with me and Dane. He was a great guy. We had a lot of fun and laughter together. It was a great first to have and he was a great person to be my first boy friend. In the end we had to go our separate ways but I don't regret a dating him. 

My Worst Fear

My Career

It was this year that took a lot of classes that helped me realize what I really want to do with my life. My team and I helped a little boy with cerebral palsy to communicate and have more control over his life. He was only 5 but he didn't have any options as to what he wore, watched, or liked. After coming we discovered that he could answer yes and no questions and make choices. His parents took into account our counsel to let him choose more often. I remember telling my partners in the car "THIS IS WHAT I WANT TO DO!" and I meant it. I wanted to go to children's home and help them meet goals, allowing their parents to help their children more. In another class a partner and I went to a child's house who had PDD-NOS. We went into his home once a week and did intervention with him. We set goals and worked toward them. It felt so good to write that report and see his progress. I just realized how I want to help children with special needs. 

Alone Time

How to Job Hunt

In years past I got a job because my mom worked there and they knew I'd be dependable. Then when I got to school after my mission I needed to get a job. I asked around and my very good professor put in a good word for me with another professor. I got the job just on recommendation. Now I am looking for a full time job from people who don't have know someone to recommend me. It's been harder than I thought. I really learned the ins and outs of searching. And you CAN'T just rely on the internet as a source. I found that going to places in person makes a difference. I also found resources at the library, by accident, but it was amazing and I've found a lot more leads than anywhere else. 

And that my friends is the highlights of what I learned in 2011. It was an amazing year as I graduated, moved to Utah, moved to North Carolina and now have started being an adult. There is light at the end of the tunnel for everything you start, that's for sure, and it goes faster than you might think. 

Onto 2012...and all the things I want to accomplish this year...let's make it happen!