A New Look, A New Town, A New Year...

Alright, I thought that it was high time that I update this thing. It has been over a month since I have written (almost 2 I hate to admit), and everyone has been bugging me to give an update on life.

So, for starters a new look - I decided that since both my younger sisters have their own blogs and neither of my parents get on here to post anything, that I would take over and make this my own blog. Even though the URL is staying the same, I have changed the title and will post things pertaining to my life - not that I wasn't doing that already! So here is to the new start to what I hope will be a fun adventure.

A New Town- Well, for those that don't already know, I am living in Orem, Utah for the winter months. I drove down here right after I finished my finals up at BYU-Idaho and moved in with my good friend Aly from efy. There's six of us girls total. For the first little while Aly and I had our own bathroom because the other girl that shares with us was living at home and wouldn't be back until early January. Aly and I went to town decorating our room and bathroom. I had the privilege of introducing Aly to Ikea. She had never been there before (I KNOW) and so I told her that we just had to go. We had lots of luck finding pictures and rugs and some other goodies. My other roommates and I are getting along great. Everyone has crazy busy schedules though so it's a bit though to all be together at the same time. It's been a lot of fun being down here in Orem where most of my friends are. It sure beats driving 4 hours to see them all the time! Here are a few pictures of my new apartment decorated during Christmas:









A New Year - Well, you would think that with a new year comes a fresh new start to everything and in most cases good luck, but as for me that has not happened yet. I failed to mention earlier that the reason I came to Utah for the winter was for a job with a design company that was hired by Novell to work on presentations for a big conference they hold in March. I started working there the Monday right after getting here, and then by Wednesday my friend Sarah and I were let go. Why you may ask? Well, thanks to the economy this conference that we were hired for got canceled and so that put me, Sarah, and 3 other people out of a job. It still makes me sick to think about because this job was perfect! So easy and I got paid GREAT money. So I started searching for a job before I left to fly back to Minnesota for Christmas. I searched and applied to a bunch of places all through my break, but unfortunately had no luck. I came back to Utah went through a bunch of interviews, got a job but then quit due to some things that I would have to design that I wasn't comfortable with, and still had no luck. Now it's almost a month later and I am still unemployed , and running out of money. I have rent and bills to pay and don't even get me started on food. It's been a really hard trial that I've faced and at this point I still don't see the light at the end of the tunnel. I know that I am supposed to learn something from this, but I just don't know what that thing is yet. I have decided though that during this non-employed time of my life I am going to take the time to read all the books I want to read and do some personal growth. I figure that's better than sitting around and doing nothing, right?



Although it seems that my year has started out in a bit of a slump, I do have to say that some good things have happened. I got accepted to go study abroad in Europe through school! I can't even put into words the excitement that I'm filled with. It will take up the first half of the summer semester which is April-May. I get to study the religious history in Paris, London, Rome, Florence, Copenhagen, Pisa, Berlin, Wittenburg, Preston, and Liverpool. Now I'm just hoping and praying that my student loan will come through so that I will be able to go for real. Since I don't have a job I don't really have the funds to go. Cross fingers for me that I will be able to!
I also had my interview for efy counselor. I am hoping to be able to do it again this summer. I really loved my experience and have actually been missing it a lot lately. You don't realize how much those kids touch you until months after. I'll keep you posted as soon as I hear anything back. It will be a while though so don't get too excited yet.
Last night the Florida Girls all got together FINALLY. It took a month of planning until we were able to all work something out. We all drove out to Chelsie's parents house in Riverton and did a taco salad type dinner, which was so good. Elyse and Laura both have their birthdays this month and so Kate, being Miss. Homemaker, baked a wonderful cake for us to celebrate those two turning 21. It was so fun to all be together again. This is the first time all of us girls have been living in the same place in 2 years! It's been a blessing to have those girls so close. They are some of the ones that I would make the 4 hour drive to see though! After the food festivities we watched the year in review movie that I have made the past 2 years. This one was especially fun to watch since we were able to do it in the theater room. So fun! Here is a picture of us all:



Well, that's my life so far. It's still busy as can be even without a job. That's life as I know it!