Tag you're it!

Tagged!

My friend Meghan tagged anyone willing to fill this out and well, I am bored and procrastinating the inevitable, so I thought I would give it a shot....

3 Joys

1. Life. What is life worth living if you aren't going to enjoy it?! Just a little something I have discovered along the way. :)
2. Teaching. Watching a student finally "get it"... truly, there is nothing like it. (Dido- Meghan!)
3. My friends and family. They amaze me. They are so insane but I love them in a way I couldn't explain.

3 Fears

1. Failure.
2. Ducks... long story-So, long story short, I tried to pet a duck, he bit my fingernail off.. and I've been afraid ever since. Oh, and I was about 7 when this happened.
3. The unknown.

3 Goals

1. To get a Master's degree- possibly a PhD.
2. To always be happy
3. To publish a book of my photo's

3 Obsessions

1. Italia! Seriously, anyone who has been must understand my obsession... The people, culture, history, food. I don't think it can get better than walking the cobblestone streets eating a hazelnut and bacio gelato, old men gathering in the piazza for their nightly smoke and gossip session, the smell of fresh pasta, clean laundry swaying in the wind hanging from palazzo to palazzo filling the air with that amazing smell of fresh clean linen. I can't get enough!!!
2. Neatness. Thank you mom! Yes, I have become a neat freak. Which is actually funny considering how not so clean and neat I was all growing up. But now, I will do the dishes 3 times a day if I have to- ya,.... I think I need help!
3. Did I mention Italia?!!? Ok, so I couldn't think of another obsession. I think Italy should count for two. :)

3 Random Surprise Facts

1. I want to publish a coffee table book of my photos one day.
2. I don't eat anything that swims or swam while it was alive (That is my rule.- Though Patrick is trying his hardest to get me to throw it out the window. I have humored him a few times and tried shrimp, salmon, trout and fake crab- but ya, I will stick to my rule :))
3. I want to earn a PhD in Modern Italian History.

I now tag everyone who, like me, is bored enough to fill this out.

Capitol Reef

For Memorial weekend I went to Capitol Reef with Patrick, Angie and her daughter. It was a lot of fun. I had never visited any of the national parks in the state- sad I know. I always joke about how I had to take an out-of-stater to visit the sites in my own state (Patrick is from Pennsylvania). Anywho, we were a little weary about the weather but we went anyway and I'm so glad we did because it was great weather... well, with the exception of the nights. We headed down on Friday morning and got there around 4pm. We camped at a small campground about an hour away from most of the sites there... it was only 20 miles but those twenty miles were bumpy dirt roads so we couldn't go much more than 20 mph... So, Friday we set up camp and hung out. Saturday we got up and headed out for a few hikes and to see the sites. We saw a small waterfall, the Heikman's Bridge which is a natural bridge we hiked to, petroglyph's, and some amazing rock formations. It was insanely beautiful and I would love to go back and do more hiking and see more of Southern Utah. One of these days!
I was sure to take TONS of pictures... because that is what I do :) so, here are a few of them!

Bellina

I have been a little slow about updating you all on my recent adoption. No, nobody was crazy enough to adopt me... but I was just crazy enough to adopt a little baby ferret. I got her on May 13, 2008 and named her Bellina. She is adorable! I already have several other nicknames for her like "B", Mexican Jumping Bean, and little shit. She is quite active and loves to play. Especially with Patrick. I especially love it when she jumps and pounces all over (hence the name Mexican Jumping Bean). She still loves to make a mess of her little condo (otherwise known as a cage); but she is getting better at using her litter box which makes me really happy!
I haven't been able to get many good pictures of her but here are the few I have thus far!

Patrick holding Bellina
Bellina's first bath at home.
So small she fits in the palm of your hand
Ya, I just love this one... Patrick is totally in love with her.
And finally, here is one with me and Bellina. Too cute!

This is just a quick clip of her playing with her ball.

100 things about me!

A few weeks ago I was reading a friend's blog and thought she had a great idea. List 100 things about yourself. So, I thought I would go ahead and make my own list. It has taken me a few days but here it is....

1. I have only visited 9 states in the U.S.
2. When I was a little girl my dream was to be the first girl to play in the major leagues.
3. I am afraid of ducks.
4. I have eaten shrimp 6 times in my life (all in the last year)
5. My birthday is on Halloween.
6. I am a night person.
7. I love shoes.
8. I love vegetables.
9. I lived in Italy.
10. I HATE fake people.
11. I love learning about new cultures.
12. I wish I were a better writer
13. I love pretending to be a photographer
14. My favorite dessert is tiramisu
15. I love listening to the sound of traffic and trax outside my window (as long as they aren't crashing in my front yard!)
16. I have never visited the sites of Southern Utah.
17. I love to cook
18. I have a pet ferret named Bellina
19. My favorite colors are purple and orange (which I also find interesting considering my birthday is on Halloween)
20. I want to learn how to paint.
21. I always worry about not being good enough
22. I never want to stop learning
23. I own over 400 cd's.
24. I love to dance even though I am terrible at it.
25. I have an AMAZING family!
26. I make a mean lasagne
27. Baseball is my favorite sport to play.
28. I am a clean freak
29. I collect music boxes
30. I can be very stubborn
31. I have 1 (soon to be 2) nephew
32. I love the sound and smell of rain
33. I once had a pet goldfish that I named Kam... after Karl Malone
34. I have a gym membership but rarely use it. (sad I know)
35. I like to make quilts
36. I always rearrange and/or redecorate my bedroom every 6 months.
37. One of my favorite activities is hanging out on my 'porch' BBQing with my friends
38. I love to swim
39. I don't like steak
40. I don't believe in regrets.
41. I don't like that my birthday is on a holiday.
42. I broke my wrist in 2nd grade.
43. I make my bed every day.
44. The first phrase I taught myself in Italian was "I am allergic to fish" because I didn't want to be in a situation where I would have to eat fish (or any kind of seafood for that matter!)
45. I love history
46. I am scared of heights
47. I don't like being told I can't do something
48. I am addicted to Grey's Anatomy
49. I HATE dresses
50. Salty or sweet?!? Definitely salty.
51. My favorite band is Queensryche. But I also love Ladytron, Seether and lots more!
52. I always have to be doing something.
53. I want to get a degree in Modern Italian History some day
54. I love to eat frozen peas
55. My favorite place in the world is Venice
56. I love fishing
57. It isn't spicy enough unless my nose is running.
58. I am a Utah Jazz fan
59. I love camping
60. I sing along with the radio- at the top of my lungs- when I am driving in my car
61. I know how to say smurf in 5 different languages
62. I wear glasses because I am too lazy to put contacts in
63. I am a certified surgical technologist
64. The greatest lesson I have learned in life is to be myself.
65. I lived in Siena Italy for a summer.
66. I love learning about world war II
67. My favorite book is The Birth of Venus
68. I don't like artichokes
69. I love watching the sunset.
70. I enjoy cleaning my car (when I get around to it).
71. I have learned that I should never do karaoke in Spanish... it is a really sad site to see!
72. I have been to Capitol Reef- and just got back (it was my first trip to a national park in Utah)
73. I have never seen the sunrise.
74. I don't know how to ski.
75. I have had 3 speeding tickets in my life.
76. I always have something to drink in my hand. I'm always thirsty.
77. I enjoy hiking and realize I need to do more of it!
78. My favorite cookies are Mom's pumpkin chocolate chip
79. I never lit a match until I was 19 years old.
80. The first time I lit a lighter I was 22.
81. Do you get the idea I am afraid of fire?!?!
82. I still write letters and send them snail mail
83. I have never had a bloody nose.
84. I don't know how to save money.
85. I would much rather be cold than hot.
86. I hate doing yard work.
87. I love people who are genuine in their thoughts and actions.
88. I am grateful that I have an amazing family.
89. I have realized it is hard to think of 100 things to say about myself.
90. My birthday is on Halloween.
91. I once had the nick name perfect lips
92. I am terrible at keeping plants alive.
93. I like to eat beets
94. I have had at least 4 car wrecks in my front yard in the last 6 months.
95. I like to always be busy.
96. I am allergic to cats
97. I love to play softball.
98. When I was in high school my flute teacher would call me Ian Anderson because I would stand on one leg and play like Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull (hence the name... lol)
99. I have learned to appreciate the beauty of Utah. And love living here... for the most part.
100. I was hoping to have a job by the time I finished this so I could tell you where I will be working come August... but you will just have to keep checking in and I will hopefully know soon!

That was a lot harder than I was expecting it to be! Hopefully I didn't repeat myself too much.

Graduation!!

Yay! I finally graduated... 10 years in the making and my dream has come true! It is still so surreal- I'm not sure whether to believe it or not. But, all in all after years of hard work, stress, working WAY too many hours, taking WAY too many classes at once, it has all paid off. Graduation ceremonies took place Friday May 2, 2008. The commencement ceremony was at 9am at the Huntsman Center. I met up with a few friends from the cohort. It was long and hot but the speaker, Mario Capecchi (he won the Nobel Prize this year for his research and discoveries in genetics, was pretty fun to listen to. I am always amazed by the people who were at one time told they would amount to nothing and they go on and do great things!
It has been amazing year. And I am almost sad to see it end. Ok, not really. I have met some amazing people and have learned more than I could have ever imagined. I am excited that I have chosen a career path that will not only allow me to continue learning and growing, encourages me to!

Stephen, Me and Elise- a few of my teaching buddies- waiting to walk into the Huntsman Center.

Here we are again- sporting the oh so stylish graduation getup

Mario Capecchi speaking. He was a lot of fun to listen to. He has an amazing story!

After commencement, I attended the convocation ceremony for the College of Humanities- even though that is not the college I graduated from. A large group of my friends from the teaching program were graduating in humanities and it sure beat having to wait until 7pm to walk.

The Dean of the College of Humanities speaking. I loved the Renaissance style they had going on- pauper hat and all! I want to become a professor so I can have the same outfit!
Meghan and I entertaining ourselves during all the speeches. Aren't we cute?!?!
A few more of my teaching buddies! Elise, Meghan, Me and Shemaris
Meghan and I on the floor waiting for our names to be called. Yay! It's official!

I am so happy that my family was able to come and be a part of my big day! Especially my Grampa B and Marcella! They came all the way from Arizona and it was great to see them!

Marcella, Me and Grampa B
Another picture with me and my Grampa B
Me and my parental figures. Thanks Mom and Dad for all your love and support! I never could have done it without you!!!
Tyler, Kaden (Bugaboo), Me and Darci after graduation. Thanks for coming and supporting me! I am lucky to have such an amazing family! And how can you not love my adorable nephew?!?!

After all the graduation ceremonies the fam and I went to El Matador's for lunch. It was way yummy and a lot of fun. Then we went our separate ways for the evening and I went home to take a nap before the evening festivities.

Friday night I went to my friend Maria's graduation party where I met up with Meghan as well. It was a blast. More Mexican food and lots of dancing! It was so much fun.

Me and the girls!

The festivities continued throughout the weekend. Saturday I went dancing with my friend Angie and her friends Tom and Marcello. We went to Tryangles where we ran into my neighbor Ben and a few of his friends. From Tryangles we went to The Trap Door. Where we continued to dance the night away. It was a blast! I am so glad I was finally able to hang out with some of my favorite neighbors! After dancing, we decided to go to Village Inn before heading home.

The festivities will continue again tonight, yay for excuses to celebrate!!! We are having a little party with everyone from the cohort so it should be fun! And then it is off to Green Street for some karaoke!