22/30 Things: Years from Now

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Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? 15 years?

5 Years from Now... (age 27)
I hope to be married and living back in Florida with one or two kids. I'd love to be a stay-at-home mom during this stage of my kids' lives, but depending on my husband's situation, I could be working full- or part-time, preferably in an office doing some sort of secretarial or clerk work. We're pretty dirt poor, but loving life together. :)

10 Years from Now... (age 32)
If I hadn't made it back to Florida yet, I would really hope so by now. The child count reaches five, and I'm a full-blown, kick-butt, awesome-sauce mom. My kids don't know what a DVD or an iPod is, and my house/car/everything is significantly interactive. Life is great! If I haven't been working outside the home this whole time, I probably will be by now, hopefully doing something I enjoy.

15 years from now ... (age 37)
I have my first teenager-- scary! The kids are growing up way too fast. I've properly trained up my husband by this point and he and I are having a lot of fun raising our family. I've fallen behind slightly in technological advances and sometimes have to ask my kids to help me use stuff. Time is moving way too fast, but we're looking forward to the adventure of the rest of our lives!

21/30 Things: Superpower

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If you could have one superpower, what would it be and what would you do with it first?

I have always wished that I could teleport. I just really hate walking and the time that it takes to get from one point to another. This desire has increased over the last few years as I don't have a car to get me places. The first thing I would do would be to go visit my mom and dad in Florida. And then I would probably go to the beach. :)

20/30 Things: Childhood Memories

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Describe 3 significant memories from your childhood.

Baptism and confirmation into the church, age 8. My memories of this are actually very sketchy, but I'll do my best. I remember sitting in the office with Bishop Rothas for my baptism interview right before I turned 8. I know he asked me a few questions and I don't feel like I answered the very well. I do remember that we talked a lot about Jesus and his example of baptism. The day of my baptism is a foggy memory as well. It was my exact birthday. I think I remember that my Grandpa Bill gave a talk, and I was really happy to have him and Grandma Sue there. Even though I don't remember much about my baptism day, I remember more about the next day when I was confirmed in sacrament meeting. Our ward had just split, and I was the newest member of the newly-formed University Park Ward. I thought that was pretty cool.

Fracturing my wrist. I don't remember how old I was or even which arm it was that I fractured (funny how that happens, huh?). I fell off the roof of my Fisher-Price playhouse while playing in my room. I remember just lying on the floor on my back waving my arms and crying. My mom tells me that she didn't realize it was broken/fractured until a couple days later when it still hurt and then she took me to the emergency room. I remember going to the hospital and getting an x-ray and then getting a cast put on my arm. It was neon pink and I really liked it. Because I loved to swim and it was summer time, I got a waterproof one that I could wear in the pool, which I thought was awesome. I remember wanting to show it to all my friends.

Rides to school in the bike trailer. When I was in elementary school we only had one car that my dad took to work, so I got rides to school on the back of my mom's bike in a child trailer. I remember thinking it was pretty neat, except sometimes when I had to share the small space with my sister. I have a poignant memory of one time that it was raining and we had to have the plastic cover down, and I don't think I liked it because it got hot and foggy, or something. I was really sad that I couldn't ride in it anymore when I got bigger.

19/30 Things: Live Anywhere

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If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?

In a dream world, I would love to live somewhere like Venice, Italy. A place where everything is vintage and people slow down and enjoy life. Where I could be close to the waterfront, and take a gondola down the river any time I wanted. Where I could spend my afternoons sitting at a cafe, reading, and eating sorbet to my heart's content. Where you walk along cobbled stone alleys and everyone rides mopeds. That sounds like the life.

Semi-realistically, I would love to live anywhere on the beach. If I could have a beach front house (preferably on the Gulf Coast of Florida) with flour white sand and crystal clear water just a step away. Lots of sunshine and a wide, open horizon.  I'd drive a hippie van and maybe have a boat. But mostly I would just love the smell of the surf and the sunscreen.

More realistically, I would also love to live in DC. I love the metro there, and that would be such a nice way to get around. It'd be great if I worked somewhere in historic downtown Washington, so that I could take a stroll down the Mall during lunch time. I would want to live close enough to the historic district that I could go exploring any time I wanted. There's so much history there!

Finally, the most probable option would be to live near my parents' neighborhood in Orlando. I'd probably get a flat in Avalon's little town center overlooking the pond and fountain. I'd take my dog, Rosie, on walks and to visit my parents who are just a bike ride away. And I'd live near the awesome people in my ward that I love, and be just a 45 minute drive away from the beach. Pretty perfect.

18/30 Things: Forgiving

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What has been the most difficult thing you have had to forgive?

I've always thought that I am a very forgiving person. Before last year, I couldn't think of any real grudges I held. I didn't really know what it meant when people talked about it being difficult to forgive. I always found it pretty easy to let go of things. That was, until I experienced my first break-up. This break-up was by no means messy or bad, but it was the first time I had had to deal with anything like that. (Apparently this generally happens in high school when most people have their first relationships.) After I got over the initial shock of the break that lasted a few weeks, I tried to move on.

My attempts to "move on" were thwarted by the circumstances that surrounded me. I saw and interacted with my ex on a regular basis: we were in the same class, the same ward, and also comprised the major leadership of our ward (as Elders Quorum and Relief Society presidents). Because of this frequent interaction, it was easy to be hurt again and again by things he (usually unwittingly) did. For the first time in my life I wanted to make someone else hurt as much as I was hurting. I wanted all the worst of bad luck for him in love and life. I'd never felt this way toward anyone. 

I finally couldn't stand these awful feelings. I took it to the Lord. As a result, I spent innumerable nights on my knees in prayer and made countless searches in the scriptures to figure out how to forgive. Up to this point in my life, I guess I hadn't ever learned what it really meant to forgive, as I'd never been truly hurt before. And the forgiveness definitely didn't happen all at once, but it came slowly over time--and with a LOT of work and effort on my part. One of the hardest scriptures I struggled to apply in this situation was, "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you" (Matt 5:44), but have gotten much better at it! 

I am so grateful for this small instance in which I could learn how to forgive, so that I can now use what I've learned in future and more difficult situations.

17/30 Things: Skills

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What is the thing you most wish you were great at?

I wish that I were really good at talking to people. I would love it if it was esay for me to make conversation with people that I don't know. Mostly, I want to feel more comfortable and personable in those kind of situations. I really admire people who can do this so easily. This is something that I've gradually become better at over the last few years, but it still does not come naturally to me. I guess I am wishing for a change in my nature, really.

16/30 Things: Accomplishments

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What are your five greatest accomplishments?

1. Completing my Young Women's Personal Progress program and receiving my medallion. (age 16 or 17?)

2. Graduating from high school with AP Honors (completion of 6 AP classes and exams) and National Honors Society recognition. (age 18)

3. Getting accepted to BYU! (age 18)

4. Passing Econ 110 with an A, the class that I'd previously withdrawn from because it was so hard. That same semester, I pulled myself out of academic warning with a 3.8 GPA, all while going through my first break up and being Relief Society President. I consider that whole semester quite an accomplishment. (age 21)

5. Running my first 5K, with a time of 36 minutes . (age 22)

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

~Philippians 4:13~

15/30 Things: Animal

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If you were an animal, what would you be and why?

I think it would be fun to be a dog. First of all, people don't eat dogs, so I wouldn't have to worry about being killed for food. :) Also, people usually take good care of their dogs. Plus, they just run around and play all day, have squeaky toys, bark at things, eat food, lay in the sun, chase bugs... it sounds like a pretty nice life. I would hate to be a dumb dog, though. I'd have to be a smart one who could do tricks or maybe be a guide dog or something useful like that.

My baby puppy Rosie!

14/30 Things: Strengths

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Describe 5 strengths you have.

1. Keeping my word. I try to follow through with things that I say I will do. I don't always live up to the expectations of others or myself, but I try really hard to be honest and hard-working.

2.Organizing. I love to organize! And I'm pretty good at it, too, I think. I remember my mom used to "hire" me and my sister to organize the pantry, cupboards, and drawers in the kitchen. I thought it was fun :)

3. Computers. I think I'm pretty good with computers. I'm no geek or programmer, but I enjoy working with and even troubleshooting computers. I used to be better before I attempted Information Technology as a major. I had a traumatic experience with some difficult classes and kind of have a mental block against tech-related stuff now, though.

4. Writing. Another thing that I enjoy that I think I'm pretty good at. Just from feedback from professors and others who read what I write, I think I do pretty well at it.

5. Getting things done. If I have something to do, I like to get it done fast. There are certain things I procrastinate, but in general I've learned to do things as soon as I have the opportunity. Keeping a running to-do list really helps me with this, and I love it!

13/30 Things: Weaknesses

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Describe 5 weaknesses that you have.

1. Doing everything on my own. I tend to want to do everything and not let others help me. I've learned a lot about delegation as I've served as the Relief Society president in my ward for the last year. It's still something that I struggle with, but I'm learning to be better about it.

2. Taking long naps. I don't do this one as often as I used to. It was pretty bad in high school and the first few years of college, but I've gotten a little better. I used to need a nap every day, but I only nap occasionally now. The problem is with the length of the naps. I'll sleep for several hours, giving myself a headache and messing up my sleeping schedule.

3. Talking to people. I don't like to carry on conversations with people that I don't know or just met. I think it just comes from inexperience. I usually just don't know what to talk about, and it doesn't come easy for me.  Guess it's something I need to work on.

4. Not eating breakfast. I know it's considered unhealthy to do that, but I rarely eat breakfast. It's usually because I'm not hungry right when I wake up, and I don't wake up with enough time to eat before I need to leave.

5. Getting really cold, really easily. Growing up in Florida ruined me, I guess. Even on a sunny day, if there's a slight breeze I am freezing! I love being warm, and I even enjoy the humidity. But I also hate wearing coats, scarves, mittens, hats, etc to keep me warm. I never grew up wearing those things, so I guess it's just a habit I can't break. I can't win!

12/30 Things: Typical Day

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Describe a typical day in your current life.

I wake up about 40 minutes before I have to be at work and get ready in about 15 minutes, then head up to campus. I work about 4  hours each day, sometimes up to 8. Between calls at work, I do personal work, which is whatever happens to be on my to-do list that day. Typically I do my scripture study, write in my journal, and apply for second jobs. After work, I come home and finish up anything left on my to-do list. I like to get a nap in there, too. Then I'll head back up to campus on my bike for an aerobics class (Zumba or something similar). I absolutely love the classes! It just feels so good to workout! Then I ride my bike home, very refreshing in the cool night air. The rest of the night is spent with my roommates and sometimes other ward members.  We just hang out and goof off, or we actually do something like get dinner, play volleyball, play Rockband, go to the hot tub, etc. I finish off the night with a shower and prayers with my roommates. Life is great! (I love spring/summer terms!)

11/30 Things: Pet Peeves

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Describe 10 pet peeves you have.

1. Being able to hear someone else's music from their headphones.
2. Proper use of "Joe and me" vs. "Joe and I." General incorrect grammar and punctuation, too.
3. Wearing your CTR ring backwards.
4. When I answer a call at work and the caller is talking to someone else so I have to interrupt them to answer the call. Um, excuse me, YOU called ME.
5. When my roommates don't wash all surfaces of their dishes, or don't use hot water to wash them.
6. Unwrapped food in the fridge/freezer.
7. Certain speech impediments or slight accents. (I know they can't help it, but I can't help but be annoyed.) One that especially gets me is a accent where everything is pronounced like you are five: pencil is "penso" and drawing is "drawring", etc.
8. When my dog has long hair (it's gross).
9. When people sing the lyrics of a song wrong. (I probably shouldn't complain, since I do this, too.)
10. People who talking during movies, especially when they make fun of everything. Just enjoy the movie!

10/30 Things: Embarrassing Moment

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Describe your most embarrassing moment.

This is a toughy. I mean really tough. I can never think of embarrassing moments. Maybe I try too hard to block those out of my memory, or maybe I don't make a big deal of something when I'm embarrassed. I am honestly at a loss for this one.

Here's something at least... I was pretty embarrassed at the ward talent show last semester when I convinced a couple of my friends who've all learned to do a Rubik's cube to perform with me. We did a race to see who could finish solving their cube first. I was feeling pretty high and mighty, convinced that I would win. But when we got up there I found that it was super distracting to do a Rubik's cube with a crowd of people cheering you on. And so, I lost my place several times and ended up leaving the stage without even getting close to solving it. It didn't help that I had a particularly difficult scramble on my cube. Ah well, it's all about the experience, right?

9/30 Things: Influential People

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List 10 people who have influenced you and describe how.

1. Mom- raising me on 80s music. :)
2. Dad- giving me great advice.
3. Jesus Christ- teaching me how to live.
4. Sara, my sister- being my friend most of my life.
5. Kim Johnson, my best friend- geeking out about Harry Potter with me.
6. Sara Rose, one of my young women's leaders- being so loving and kind and showing me what I wanted to become.
7. President Monson- being a great teacher and example of service.
8. President Uchtdorf- his inspirational messages.
9. Founding Fathers- creating America, this great country I live in.
10. The Beatles- providing the soundtrack to my high school years.