Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Oh, hello neglected blog.

I have not updated this blog in a very, very long time.

I have definitely wanted to but haven't for so many reasons! My computer has been on the fritz, I have been working and going to school, and my job saps so much of my brain that some (most) days the last thing I feel like doing is writing.

However, whether or not anyone reads this thing, it is good for me to keep track of all the happenings in my life so I can write about it later in more detail. So, I am really going to try to keep on top of it again.

Things have honestly going so well for me these days and I just finally feel so settled and happy. I think  one of the biggest reasons for that is because I finally know what direction I want my life to take. I seriously love, love, LOVE my major and am enjoying my classes and my time here....


I think growing up in Utah County and knowing how big of school it is, I just really had no desire to go to BYU and even turned down the offer as a Freshman. And to be honest,  I probably would not have liked it as a freshman and know that my time at Dixie was perfect for me. However, I can say that BYU is perfect for me now. I feel a huge amount of gratitude to attend this school and so happy to see how my life has been guided.

My Public Health degree (emphasis in Health Promotion, minor in International Development) is going to allow me to do all of the things I really want to do and could possibly have a job doing things like....


Working with Alzheimer's and Dementia through the Alzheimer's Association.


Teaching ways to take care of our bodies in schools and orphanages in 3rd world countries.




Helping kids understand what procedures they will have with medical missions.




Or even doing fundraising for non-profit groups. 


I feel like this is what I was born to do and what I have wanted to do the whole time! I love the medical field, but really was not enjoying my classes at all. It is not that I could't do them, it is just that I had to work SO hard to do something I really hated...like biology, math, chemistry. Instead with Public Health, I still get to focus on medicine but it is just geared more to what kind of program can I come up with to help fight AIDS. Or how to get people to go and get screened for cancer. Or an anti-tobacco campaign. I just love it so much and it comes so easily. Go figure...you can actually enjoy your classes (except for taking them during the summer. I don't really enjoy that.). I never knew. I hope to do an internship in Uganda next summer and graduate by Fall. 

I have struggled a lot with watching so many people my age be done with school so quickly, get married, have kids...and I just kind of have felt behind. I put this timetable and deadline on myself for so many things and it has just taken me longer to do everything because of my health, the mission, and changing my major so many times. However, I just finally am OK with that! Who cares? Because of my experiences I have learned a ton, my compassion for those I work with has grown substantially, and I am where I am supposed to be when I am supposed to be here. 


Work continues to be the same....but not. Every day brings a new adventure in the Alzheimer's Unit and my love for those people just keeps growing so much. Sometimes I am afraid I am going to squeeze them or smooch them to death! When one passes I miss them so much and but believe I just have one more sweet little guardian angel up there taking care of me. And trust me, too many miracles have happened to save my life and protect me too many times for me to discount all those darlings up there that have filled my heart with memories, increased love, compassion, patience and understanding.

Like this one that I miss a lot! Swiss Miss was one my favorites....ever.





And finally, I am really excited and sad at the same time that I am moving out at the end of August. I seriously love, LOVE living at home. But I guess I should try and be more social and meet more people (and find myself a brown man...). So I am. And gratefully I have found an incredible place at an awesome price. 




New carpet, paint, couches...the works. My own room and bathroom. I am just so excited! And I get to live with this little snitch:


How do I know she is a great roommate? Because we were freshman/sophomore roommates at Dixie! I could not be more excited to be roomies again.


Well, that's all for now. Life is pretty great at the moment and I will try to keep it that way!

Happy Wednesday.