It's been a while

I thought I would give everyone a quick life update since I haven't did so in a while. Life is really good right now. I am enjoying it more than I have in a very long time.
Reasons:
1. I found out not too long ago that my job will be around for another year. This is such a relief, I was not in the mood to look for another job. If I have to look in a year then I will but I didn't want to just yet.
2. I get to live close to all my nieces and nephews. I am in love with these kids. They are some of the cutest people ever. For the most part I get to see all of them at least once a week.
3. With that being said, I also get to live close to most of brothers and sister. They are all incredible people and I really enjoy being close to them. Family is the most important thing to me so this works great. I know Beck and Char don't live close but I get to talk to them on a very regular basis. I love them girls.
4. I have some of the most incredible friends a girl could ask for. Seriously, I love them so much. I don't know tons of people who have have such great friends from childhood. I love chatting with Candice, Lindsay, and Laura on the phone. We always have so much fun. I hate that I don't get to see them more often. I have also made friends from my Single's Branch that I really enjoy. They are great girls and I am glad to have them in my life right now.
5. I've realized recently that I don't have to stress about things. Heavenly Father knows us each perfectly and loves us each perfectly. I know when life gets hard we sometimes feel as if we are the only people who have ever felt this way. But it is so untrue. People have been feeling the same feelings since the beginning of time. Not to mention that Christ suffered every emotion imaginable. I know when I am feeling super down or alone and think for sure no one has ever felt this before, I remember that He did. He knows the deepest despair possible.

Spring Break

This past week was my spring break. I packed my bags and headed to the exciting city of Memphis, Tennessee. Yep, I spent my entire spring break in Memphis and I mostly loved it! It was great because I actually had a meeting in Memphis the friday before spring break (April 3) so I got to start a little early. So here is the breakdown of my spring break.
Friday, I wake up, drive to Memphis, go to a great meeting, honestly great, and then go hang out at James and Kara's for a while. That night I went to a Grizzlie game (basketball) with Ben, Brenna, Arianne, and Kirsten. Oh and before the game we went and had barbeque at Central barbeque. It was pretty good barbeque. The game was lots of fun and our seats were great. Afterwards we went to get Sheridan's and had frozen custard. Friday was a great start for spring break.
Saturday was conference and it was great. I went to Ben's and watched it with him. He had fun conference activities planned that we could do while watching conference. It went by so fast! James and Kara invited us over for lunch in between sessions, so we went there. The food was really good or maybe I was really hungry. Either way, I really enjoyed it. During the second session we started a puzzle. I have not did a puzzle in forever and I actually liked it. It was a great side activity. We didn't finish the puzzle then, but it did get finished (without me!) Later that night we played a fun game called Hand & Foot.
Sunday was conference again! I loved it so much. I love knowing that we have modern day prophets to lead us in these unsure times. I feel so blessed for this knowledge and when I have the opportunity to hear them speak, I just love it. In between sessions our Branch President had invited everyone over for lunch. I got the recipe for an amazing pasta salad that I look forward to making. Seriously delicious! I went to watch the second session at Renee's but ended up falling asleep. Oops.
Monday I spent the day with Renee. We did some shopping and had lunch at one of her favorite mexican restaraunts. I thought it was going to be warm over my break so I had mostly packed short sleeves so I had to go shop for warmer clothes. I know, life is so tough, I was forced to shop. It was a fun day. We went back to Nae's and just hung out. Oh, she did make a great dinner that night. As you might already be able to tell, I ate a lot over spring break. Not a good thing but the food was all really good.
Tuesday, I decided to go shopping with Kara. I didn't really find anything but it was still a lot of fun. I love being able to hang out with my family. They are seriously the best. Anyways, we did a little shopping then went back to her place to just chill. Ben was having the missionaries over to teach a discussion and for dinner that night and had invited me as well. My assignment was to make mountain dew potatoes. As I was peeling the potatoes I cut my thumb twice. Yea, no good but amazingly enough, they have almost completely healed. After dinner and the discussion everyone watched American Idol. I hadn't watched any this season so I wasn't as up to date as everyone else. Lucky for me, Renee is a huge fan and will talk about it during the week so I did have some info. Tuesday ended up being one of my favorite nights of my break. I really enjoyed it. But whatever.
Wednesday I went to the temple with my mom! It has been a long time since the last time we were able to go together and I loved having her there with me. I usually just go alone so to have someone there was great. I love love love the temple. After we went to lunch with Renee. I then headed to James' place. That night I went out with a friend to a dance show. She then had some kind of school meeting that I went to with her. While there someone asked if I was from high school or a freshman shadowing her. Umm, nope! I know I look younger than I am but I definately don't look that young! We went to dinner (yes, this is me eating again!) then I told her we had to go for a walk. I was in desperate need of some excercise.
Thursday I went to lunch with Ben. We ate at the Barbeque Shop. It was some of the best barbeque that I have had. Lunch went by so fast, we only had an hour. And that was actually the only thing I did on Thursday. All I could think was how my break was almost over. It was stressing me out. I was not ready to go back to Jackson!
Friday I got up and went to Nae's house to hang out with her and her family. We went and saw Hannah Montana the movie. I enjoyed it and I may have cried. It was a good movie! That night I went to eat at Pei Wei and saw Monster vs. Aliens in 3D. My first 3D experience and I have to say it was great. I wanted to get a picture with our really awesome 3D glasses but this did not happen. I tried but whatever. I am not going to ponder on this because then I might just aggravate myself. We went to Ben's and started playing SkipBo but ended up watching hillarious TV.
Saturday morning I was at Nae's. The day started off quite horrible but by the end of it I had fun. Renee and I had a disagreement and that is never fun. I have thought a lot about what she said and I still feel that I am not out of whack. I'm still just Sandra and if anything I feel like a better Sandra. And I am really happy and we are suppose to be happy. I'm not saying I don't see her point on a few issues and I hope that she sees mine. Anyways, that made Saturday start off a little rough. That afternoon I went to Ben's where he had it set up to dye easter eggs. I really enjoyed it, even if my eggs did not turn out the way I had imagined. They have some really fun egg dyeing kits out there and we had 3 kits. Lots of variety. Once again I should have a picture but I don't. If anyone needs a camera, I totally have one that is not being used. We went to dinner and headed over to a friends for icecream and games, 2 of my favorite things.
Sunday, yay it's Easter but no it's the last day of my spring break! Very conflicting feelings. I got up nice and early to curl my hair. Well after 2 hours, it didn't work. Amy and I decided my hair looked dirty, how, I don't know since I had just washed it that morning, and so I reshowered, redried my hair, then spent the next while trying to straighten it. Good times, I love doing my hair twice in one day. I went to church but left after Sunday school. I went over to James and Kara's where the family was hanging out. It was raining so they hid a few easter eggs in the house. It was fun watching the kids find them. Even Will got in on the action. He found one and put it in his basket. Aubree found the one that had the "big" prize. There were several eggs with dollars and quarters but she found the $6.00 egg.
After that was over, I went to Ben's where I was suppose to start dinner but instead started talking to his roommate Dave. Also a really cool guy. Anyways Ben got home and dinner was started. He had invited his 2 investigator friends over and the missionaries for dinner and to watch the testaments. The food was good, the company was good, it was a great Easter. I got a really cool Easter basket. It was done in all pink and green, my 2 favorite colors, and had a theme, I really like themes. It was an outdoor relaxing theme. It included books, sunscreen, Chrystal Light, and ofcourse all the yummy candy. Now all I need is for the weather to be warmer and a maybe a pool to sit beside! It was so nice. I can't remember the last time I got an Easter basket so I thought it was perfect. Not to mention very thoughtful, I'm telling you, Ben is a great guy.
Anyways this was long and all I really needed to say was that I had a great spring break. It was fun and I am glad I spent it the way I did. And today I am back at work, not wanting to be here, counting the days until I am out for my summer break. In June I only have to work M-Th from 8-11. Can't wait! I can handle that. They may be the perfect work schedule. That leaves my plenty of time to play.

Ricks College

Okay, so I was looking through some old photo albums from Ricks College. I was so young and so naive. Ricks is the place where I experienced my first real heartbreak, my first roadtrip with just the girls, living without my family, and even was the time I experienced the most embarrassing moment in my life. It was truly one of my favorite times in my life. I was blessed to live with my best friend, Lindsay. I remember when we were leaving Jackson to go live in Rexburg. We loaded up the horse trailor, yes that is right the horse trailor, with our belongings. Lindsay's dad and his friend Jerry Bus drove us out there. We had our Harry Potter books to read, our favorite stuffed animals and we were college bond. The trip itself was interesting. Brother Freeman thought that we should all take turns driving but I wasn't comfortable driving a big truck. Lindz offered to take my turn but I ended up having to drive. There were so many great experiences there. I lived with some of the most amazing women possible.
I was thinking I would share my most embarrassing moment. As I was looking at my pictures I was reminded of this because of course, there were pictures. It was the night before a big statistics test. We were having a group of people over to study for the test. For some reason I was outside where we had a plastic chair. I went to sit down on the arm of the chair but it didn't quite work out the way I had hoped. The chair arm broke and a part of the plastic went right through my pants into my leg/bum. It gets better, I reach behind me and pull out the plastic then I notice I am bleeding. Really bleeding! I take off my pants, go into my apartment and lie on the kitchen floor; in that order. We knew I needed to go to the emergency room so we had to find me some shorts to put on and head out. Unlucky for us, we didn't really know how to get to the hospital. We did find it and they wouldn't let Lindz come back with me and I thought that was bogus. Then the doctor happened to be the dad of a girl in my ward and the nurse was this very nice looking male! I was so embarrassed to have them there due to where this wound was. After 2 layers of stitches and some ruined clothes I was done. And to top it all off I was worried about studying for my stats test. I did go talk to the professor the next day and since I couldn't sit on that side of my body, she let me take the test in her office. Funny thing is I don't think I would be half as embarrassed now as I was then.
I actually do have pictures of this but this was before digital cameras and I dont' have a scanner. I only have pictures of after the stitches and most people wouldn't be interested in looking. But they are funny and it was a really funny night.

My Birthday Month

I was emailed this from a friend. It is what my birthday month (July) means. Lets see if it fits!

Fun to be with. So I think I can be fun to be with but this is for each of you to decide!

Secretive. I don't really think of myself as secretive but I have been told by others that they think that I am. But really, I am pretty open. Secrets are too hard.

Difficult to fathom and to be understood. Me? Sometimes I do feel misunderstood. It must be because I was born in July

Takes pride in oneself. I try!

Honest. I am honest! I find this is very important in life. Everyone should be honest!

Concerned about people’s feelings. Umm, yes. I do worry about others feelings and try not to offend people. It doesn't always work but I did say try.

Tactful.

Friendly.

Approachable. Just this past Sunday I was told that if there was one word to describe me this might be it. I try to make others feel comfortable around me.

Emotional temperamental and unpredictable. What? Does this mean I am moody? I would like to say that yes I am a female and yes I do get my feelings hurt but I'm in no way irrational about things.

Moody and easily hurt. I don't think moody would be the right word. That makes me think of those people on an emotional rollercoaster. I do have my ups and downs but moody?

Witty and sparkly. I can be witty but sometimes it just turns out to be ackward. I'm surprised that ackward isn't on this list.

Not revengeful. Or am I? Nope, I'm not! I am sure I, like everyone, has had some crazy revenge filled thoughts but I would never act on them.

Forgiving but never forgets. This is actually true but at least I forgive. I can't help if I have a fantastic memory. If it makes it better I also remember the good things people do and say!

Dislikes nonsensical and unnecessary things. I pride myself in being a sensible and logical adult.

Guides others physically and mentally. Let me be your guide! Hahaha.

Sensitive and forms impressions carefully. I am sensitive, though not as much as I use to be and I really do try to form impressions carefully.

Caring and loving.

Treats others equally.

Strong sense of sympathy. This can be a bad thing because I feel for people deeply.

Wary and sharp.

Hardworking. No difficulties in studying. I was a really good student.

Loves to be alone. Yea, I like to be alone with YOU!

Always broods about the past and the old friends. The past was fun and I really enjoyed it but brood is not the word to use.


Homely person. What does this mean? If it means plain, that is just mean. So I am taking it as I am someone who prefers to be at home, and this is true. I would prefer just hanging out, most of the time, over going to some crazy place.

Waits for friends. Never looks for friends. Not true. I feel as if I put forth an effort to make friends.

Not aggressive unless provoked. Definitely not aggressive in any aspect of my life. I can be assertive if needs be.

Loves to be loved. Well who the heck doesn't love to be loved. That's ridiculous. I hope it says that on all the months.

Ballets and Roller Skating

This past Friday night was so much fun! It started off at James and Kara's. The family got together and had some fantastic dinner. Then we left to go to Ginny's ballet. There is something about little girls in tutu's that is so freakin adorable. I loved it! Ginny did a great job and was by far the cutest ballerina there. And I don't even think that I am being partial, she really was!
I left the recital and headed out for the night. A group from my singles branch was celebrating Eve's birthday with dinner and some rollerskating. Roller skating was so much fun. I loved it, even if it did make me sweat and I don't really like to sweat. It was so much fun. I did have quite the fall. I was skating with Ben and he decided to fling me forward, no big deal right? Except for this time I lost control. I should have let go of him at this moment so only one person had to go down but I was hoping he could save me from my fall. He almost did, but almost doesn't count in life and we both went down. I guess in the process it was like a car accident, there were a few spins involved before the final crash. Once we were down we had to stay down for a moment and laugh. It was so funny! The skate patrol, or whatever they are called, came over to make sure we were okay and I think to tell us to get off the floor. But I wasn't done laughing. I love that feeling when you can just laugh! So, while I am sorry to have pulled Ben down with me, Im glad we both went down, because falling alone might not be funny. I now have a bruise on my left hip but it was worth it.
And of course, I am so upset with myself for not taking any pictures skating. What is my problem, I keep my camera in my purse so I don't get why I don't take pictures. So no matter what this weekend I am taking pictures.
Saturday night I went and hung out with some of the girls from the branch. We talked for a while and then watched, "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas". It was good, and somewhat depressing and the ending surprised the heck out of me. I recommend the movie, at points it was slow, but overall good.
I'm glad to be getting to know the people in the branch better. If you would have asked me this time last year if I would be any of their friends I would have said no but they are a great group of people. I'm still getting to know them and at times I can be a little weird. I sometimes talk to much or I say things that I should only really say to people who already know me and like me regardless of my weirdness. But they are a fun group. Sadly enough, most of the ones I am making friends with are probably not going to stay here long term.
I was thinking yesterday on my way home from Memphis, What if this is my forever? I'm not unhappy here so it wouldn't be the worst thing, but it's also not what I imagined my life being either. When I lived in Utah I really didn't ever think I'd live back in TN. But when deciding what to do after grad school I knew I was suppose to be here. I just don't think that I will be here permanently. Not to mention I think I could be happy any where I lived. Anyways, just something I was thinking about.
I guess life works out the way it is suppose to. Most of you know I was worried about my grant funding being cut at the end of this school year. I was told last week that we are safe (it's not definite but pretty sure) for one more year. After that they are unsure if they will continue with the funding. I figure that it's no big deal because at that point I will be ready for something new anyways. I have a short attention span when it comes to jobs. I go in, fix what needs to be done and then I'm ready for something new.
On a closing note, Amanda Ross decided that she would email me this week and tell me to add her to my blog so she could live vicariously through me. I emailed her back and said I would add her but unfortunately it wouldn't be very fun to live vicariously through me. I don't have any juicy things to write and I use to use my blog to complain about boys a lot or being single but as of now I am pretty content. She emailed me back saying, "Dangit Sandra!!!!!!!! I demand you live a more exciting life!! (This is one of my unreasonable pregnancy demands!)" I told her if she wanted exciting she should ask Candice to let her in on her blog. So if any of you have any suggestion on what I can do to entertain Amanda, please let me know.
Goals for the week:
1. To have something to write that will entertain or to have an exciting event to write about!
2. To take pictures!!!!!!!!