Yahoo!

Is anybody else excited that the semester is over? Yahoo!!! I have been so busy the last week and a half with studying for finals I will have to admit I have neglected a few things. I just barely finished putting up my Christmas decorations and what day is it? Yes, that is right the 14th of December. I have also neglected my poor husband who has been so patient with me the last week and a half. He was very understanding and didn't complain that all we had for dinner were leftovers, soup, and macaroni and cheese. Very healthy, I know! :) This semester I only took one class (pathophysiology) and it was online. You would think since my class was online it would actually be pretty easy. But if you know me (like Candyce and Sally do) I am a big procrastinator and didn't always stay on top of my work for the class. It was very hard to get myself motivated to listen to the lectures online and to force myself to study. It was hard, but I got through it. I don't know how people go to school full time and work full time. I worked full time and barely went to school part time and I still had a hard time. Good for those of you who are more disciplined than I. Now that this semester is over I am completely finished with every prerequisite class I can take for nursing school. I will be applying to the program again this month for the summer of 2009 so everyone wish me luck! As for now I will definitely enjoy my time off from school and maybe reread the Twilight books!

Read Me, Read Me!

Hello! Everybody out there who has ever read my blog please come back! I have been very bad and have not updated in a very, very long time! I am still here, living and alive (yes, Ryan I am still alive). I have been distracted by too many things the past 3 months and blogging was not on my list of important "to-dos". Sorry guys! At the end of my blog I have included some fun pictures of things Steve and I have done so please enjoy. I will try to do a quick update and not drag on too long. Since my last blog, Steve and I went on our Vegas trip and had a blast at Hoover Dam. It was so awesome! I am not into dams, but Hoover was pretty cool! The dam was humungous ( I don't think I spelled that right) and we had a lot of fun learning about its history and construction. After our Vegas trip, it was demo time! We tore down half the walls in our kitchen to open things up a bit. We planned on the project being maybe 2 weeks, but it ended up taking us a lot longer. Thank goodness my dad came over to help because it probably would have taken us even longer than it did. It was a fun project, but what a mess it made! My house was covered in sheetrock dust and we had no furniture to sit on. Steve and I ate, watched tv, and just chilled on the floor. Even though we had no furniture for a few weeks, at least now, Steve and I can say we are no longer beginner home improvement workers we could be project managers! Once the demoing was complete in our condo, before Steve started pharmacy school, to officially welcome him as a future pharmacist his school hosted a White Coat ceremony! It was so fun to see him in his white coat and I was really proud that he worked so hard and soon he would be able to see the end result. That is all that happened the past 3 months. Right now, school is getting pretty tough for Steve, but Christmas break is coming up which we are both looking forward to. I am still working, but also taking pathophysiology online. Not the funnest! I love the class, but there is so much to know. I will be applying AGAIN to nursing school in December so wish me luck. Other than that our lives are pretty boring. I will try my hardest to keep my blog updated so please don't be mad! Enjoy the pictures!



Steve's White Coat Ceremony

Steve being helped into his white coat



It's official, he's got it on!



Steve and I at his white coat ceremony

Finally demo day!

Isn't my hubby working hard!



Construction zone with walls!



No more construction zone and look, no more walls!



Didn't Steve and I (with my dad's help) do a good job? The room looks a lot more open!

Hoover Dam

Here is a view of the bottom of the dam...



... and here is a side view!



Here is a picture of Steve and I at Hoover Dam. Isn't the dam amazing!

To All Who Are Reading-I Am Still Alive!

Sorry to everyone who checks my blog and hasn't seen a new post in over 2 months. That is my fault. I am a big blog slacker! I hope none of you have lost hope and will come back and visit me! A few things have happened the past 2 months, but I won't bore everyone to death by updating everything about my life so don't worry. I feel like this summer is going by too fast! It is already August! How sad! I haven't done anything at all this summer that would be called exciting or fun. Unless, you think waking up at 3 in the morning to draw blood is fun! All I do is work so to take a little break from my obvious "hobby" of drawing blood Steve and I are going on a road trip to Vegas in a week. I am so excited! I am excited to go to Vegas, but I am more excited to be getting out of Utah! We will only be going for 3 days, but it will be a nice little vacation for us before Steve starts school again on the
25th. Now Vegas is not the exciting part of our little vacation; the exciting part will be when we get back and start "demoing" (as they say in "Flip This House") our kitchen! Yes, Steve and I will be tearing down walls in our kitchen to open up our place a little bit. I am a little nervous because it is a big project and Steve and I have never done anything like that before, but I am excited to see the end result. No worries though to anyone who thinks Steve and I will be doing this alone. My dear dad will be here to supervise (thank goodness)! Wish us luck and I will keep you posted on our home improvement project.

Happy Anniversary!

Steve and I celebrated our first anniversary on Friday, June 6. I can't believe we have been married a year! This year has just flown by! I can remember last year how I was so excited to marry Steve and be with him for time and all eternity. What wonderful words those are! This past year Steve and I have experienced so many things together. We have disagreed, cried, laughed, and compromised together and our marriage is stronger for it. There were many changes that happened when we became husband and wife, but I wouldn't change anything for it. If some of you get nauseous over cheesy things, then I would stop reading my blog now because I want to tell everyone how much I appreciate and love my husband. Steve is a wonderful man who takes care of me and makes me feel safe. He is my best friend and I can tell him anything. He makes me laugh, especially at myself when I have my "blonde" moments, but most importantly we laugh together. He is such a smart person and teaches me new things daily about everything. He is a worthy priesthood holder and I know will make a great father one day for our children. He will teach them values and morals that will make them become wonderful people. He is very good with handling our finances and even though he just rolls his eyes when I tell him I spent money on something he still lets me go shopping! He is able to calm me down when I get flustered over something and is my shoulder to cry on. Even though challenges may come our way I know that with Steve at my side we can get through them together. I hope if you (Steve) ever read our blogs you especially read this one because I want to tell you that I love you very much and you make me a better person everyday! Happy Anniversary! I know that was pretty cheesy, but I did warn everybody! I did post a slideshow of our first year together so I hope everyone enjoys!

No Indiana Jones For Us!

When I think of Memorial Day, I think of spending time with loved ones, barbeques, not going to work, and of course being outside. This Memorial Day I did 1 out of the 4 things on my list. The only thing I was able to enjoy was not going to work, but that might have been better than what Steve and I actually did on our Memorial Day. Everyone sit back and relax for a story is about to start! About a month ago, the association for our complex sent out a flier telling the residents that on May 8 someone would be coming around our complex to take out the covers over the swamp coolers and to also fill the tanks with water (I guess that's what they were doing, I'm just not really sure!) Well, Steve and I were not home on this particular day because like any American we were at work. We were very lucky that we have had a really cool spring so we haven't turned on our swamp cooler until recently. When we turned it on it was making this weird noise, wasn't cooling down our place, and if we had it on long enough we would start smelling smoke. Not a good sign. So the Sunday before Memorial Day, Steve and our good friend Darin decided after church to go onto the roof and see what the problem was with our swamp cooler. They were up there for a while cleaning it off and trying to readjust the water level. When they finally finished our swamp cooler was fixed! I guess the problem was that there was so much dirt around the tubing and everything else on our swamp cooler that water wasn't able to flow. Now that the problem was fixed Steve and I thought our troubles with our swamp cooler were over. Boy, was I wrong! That night we had gone over to Steve's parents for dinner and we didn't get back until almost 11. Well, when we walked into our home Steve thought he heard water running somewhere. We listened and looked everywhere and finally realized it was coming from outside and it was our swamp cooler overflowing! How could that be? We thought we had fixed the problem, but apparently Steve and Darin set the water level at the wrong level and the water was able to overflow. Steve was really nervous about it overflowing all night so he hurried and called Darin to see if he could help him fix the problem. Now understand it was 11:30 at night when Steve called Darin and I was getting pretty tired and I really didn't understand why it had to be fixed now. I guess Steve didn't want our place to get flooded which is a good reason, but still couldn't this be done in the morning? Darin is such a good friend that he said yes so they once again went up to the roof. They were only up there for about 15 minutes when I heard a "thud" noise. I didn't think anything of it until all of a sudden these loud footsteps were running down the stairs, then I knew something was wrong. Within a matter of minutes there was a loud banging on the door, when I opened it Steve was standing there and the only thing he said was, "Darin fell!" My heart jumped into my throat and the first thought that popped into my head was, "Do I need to call the police?" I hurried and followed Steve, but he was headed up the stairs not around the building. That was odd, if Darin had fallen wouldn't he have ended up outside? I didn't have time to ask so I just followed Steve upstairs, all the way up to the 3rd floor and into our neighbors home. When I walked into their place, right away I saw Darin covered with insulation and dirt standing in their kitchen! Darin had fallen all right, but not off the roof, he had fallen into our neighbors kitchen ceiling! It was a mess everywhere! Their whole kitchen was covered with insulation, not only that now there was a big, gaping hole in their ceiling! What a sight! Darin was so embarrassed and Steve and I felt so bad. The worst part of it all wasn't the big whole in their ceiling, our neighbors are from Serbia and didn't understand a thing of english! Try explaining to Serbians what you were doing on the roof at 11:30 at night! Now that is really confusing! We did the best we could to explain the situation and how we were going to fix the hole. I think they understood (hopefully). We cleaned everything up for them and told them in english and some hand gestures that we would come back in the morning to patch the hole and to fix everything up. That is exactly what Steve and Darin did (notice I said Steve and Darin)! They went to Home Depot at 7 am to get supplies and they did not finish the project until 4 that afternoon. I did help somewhat with the cleaning and of course the running back and forth to Home Depot for things they had forgotten to buy. Why can't men make lists? What a long day! Even though this project took the whole day to complete we were just happy that we had finished it and didn't have to come back for anything else. It was a very memorable day and Steve and Darin learned a very important lesson. When you are walking around the attic of a building DO NOT step on the sheetrock, step on the beams!

Go David Archuletta!

To all the American Idol fans out there how exciting that our very own Utah connection, David Archuletta, made it to the final. I am such a big fan of the show this season and think David Archuletta has such a great voice! I know I am a dork, but I TIVO the show every week (I love my TIVO and I don't know what I would do without it now!) It is so cool that he has made it this far! The finals next week are going to be so exciting and I can't decide who is going to win out of the 2 Davids. I really like David Cook's originality, but I think I am going to be biased and hope that David Archuletta wins! Not only is the Idol finale next week, but here is another dorky confession of mine, after the Idol finale is over my favorite summer show is going to start, So You Think You Can Dance!!! I just love that show and think it is so amazing how well some of those people can dance. I wish I was just as talented. So this summer if anyone tries to call me on Tuesday or Wednesday nights and I don't answer, you'll know where I'll be, in front of my TV watching So You Think You Can Dance!

Hurray, Hurray!!!

I know, I know, it has been a while since I have blogged and I am sorry. After my last blog nothing exciting has happened in my life except HURRAY Steve got into pharmacy school!!! We found out last Monday after we came home from Steve's grandpa's 80th birthday. When we got home Steve checked our caller idea and noticed someone from Nevada had called and left a message. He listened to the message and surprise it was Dr. DeYoung the head of admissions for the University of Southern Nevada. Steve automatically called him back and Dr. DeYoung gave him the surprising news. He had gotten in! I was so excited and proud when Steve told me. This is such wonderful news for us. We have been so blessed! When Steve got the call a couple months ago that he had received an interview we were overjoyed, but tried not to get our hopes up because he was 22 and probably one of the youngest applicants, but when he received the news that he got in that was even better. To get in and receive a doctorate of pharmacy at 26 is such an accomplishment! I am so happy for my husband and am glad that all of the hard work in studying and having late nights has finally paid off and he will be able to accomplish his dream soon. The Lord does work in mysterious ways and yes, I didn't get into nursing school a month ago, but this is why. The Lord knew that it would be a little hard if both Steve and I got into our programs at the same time and were both going to school full time so right now it is Steve's turn and someday it will be mine.

And Yet Again...

As some of you know, for the past couple years I have been trying to get into nursing school. I have applied many times and have been let down, but was never really affected by it because I usually didn't have all the pre-requisites I needed yet. When I applied again last December I had completed all of my pre-requisite classes and was definitely ready to be accepted. I had pretty good grades, maybe a B in a couple of classes, but overall I felt like I could compete with the other applicants. So I put my application in for the IHC program and for the past 3 months have been waiting impatiently for a reply. Well, I did get a reply 2 weeks ago and yet again it was a no. I opened up my emails that Saturday night saw the answer and just started to feel really down and sad. I had applied so many times and still wasn't good enough. I started to feel maybe nursing wasn't for me. I thought this was something I wanted to do, but when a person gets turned down so many times it kind have makes them wonder about doing other things. I don't want to keep applying forever just to get in, but I don't really know what else I would want to do. I love being in the medical field and I love helping others. I thought I could have made a good nurse, but apparently that goal and dream isn't happening for me right now. I was really sad when I read the email and will have to say that there were some tears. But having such a wonderful husband, Steve comforted me and just reminded me that maybe that's not the plan the Lord has for me right now. Then what is the plan!? I thought about that a lot and it is hard for me to not see the future like the Lord can. I wish I knew what he had in store for me, but maybe this is a little trial I have to go through to figure out my own future. I know the Lord has my best interest at heart, but why can't he just let me reach my goal? At first I was frustrated and even started to feel dislike towards nursing, but after a little time to think I still want to be a nurse and will try and apply again in August, but during these next few months until August I am really going to ponder and see what path my life will take. Sorry about the dreary news.

Brand New Windows At Last

As I was reading over my past posts I realized that I never gave an update on what happened with my shattered windows. Well, we FINALLY have new windows!!! They were put in about 2 weeks ago and Steve and I love them. After the "incident" it was a really stressful time for Steve and I. We learned first hand what it was like to deal with insurance companies. It wasn't too awful dealing with them except we learned our deductible for our vandalized windows was crap and that they wouldn't pay for a whole new window replacement, just the panes which wouldn't meet our deductible so we found out we were going to have to fork over our own money to replace them. After finding out that we would have to pay for everything, Steve and I started calling many window repair companies, got a lot of different estimates, and finally decided to go with Quality First Home Improvement. They were a wonderful company to work with and gave the best price (trust me you wouldn't believe how much some people wanted to charge just to replace the panes!!) When we finally ordered the new windows we had to wait another week before they came in so Steve and I literally lived like vampires. We boarded our windows with plywood which made our bedroom so dark at night that I would have a hard time getting up in the morning because it didn't feel like the sun was up yet. I slept in a few too many times during those 2 weeks being windowless and loved it! I am so grateful for my friend and coworker Anna (thank you, thank you, thank you!) for telling me about her cousin's husband's company. Randy was so awesome and so nice. He was able to come with his partner and install brand new windows in an hour! Our new windows totally make a difference in the noise level and keeping our condo a lot warmer. Who knew that windows from the 70's would not keep the draft out :) I feel a lot more secure with double pane windows, but really to be honest if someone did want to break in they could easily break both panes, but on the positive side it would take them longer to break 2 panes instead of just one! Even though it was a scary situation to start off with in the end something good came out of it, brand new windows. Now if anyone is looking to replace their windows for any reason at all (especially if some drunk decides to smash them in) I know exactly who you can call and they will definitely deliver.

Sorry About the Delay and Happy (Late) Chinese New Year

Here is my family and my cute grandma. Did you notice the flower on the right with red envelopes tied to the leaves? I wonder if there's any money in them? Hmmm...

This is my cute cousin Jaylene and me.

Here is Steve taking in all of the food! He doesn't know where to start!




This is the table where we put all of the yummy homemade Chinese food! There are so many people over that we had to set out 2 tables in my grandma's living room.

Hello again! I know I have been a slacker the past two weeks and haven't posted anything for a while. Sorry to everyone who have been checking my blog and have seen no new posts. I will try to redeem myself and post a few pictures this time. The pictures I will post will be from a couple weeks ago celebrating Chinese New Year! How fun! If some of you don't know Chinese New Year was this month on Feb. 6. It lasts for 2 weeks and it's just a celebration for the new year on the Chinese calendar. On the first day of Chinese New Year we have a big dinner with everyone in my family with real homemade chinese food. Yummy! Red is the big color because it stands for good luck so every where you look red is in the decorations and the clothing. After dinner we all gather in my grandma's living room and pass out the famous red envelopes filled with money. Yes, we get money! The tradition is that anyone who is married gives out the red envelopes to the children in the family or non-married adults to wish them a good new year. Last year Steve and I had so much fun because we weren't married yet so we received a lot of red envelopes, but this year it was a bummer for us because we are married and instead of receiving a lot of red envelopes we had to give them out instead to the youngin's. It was still fun though! Inside the red envelopes there isn't a lot of money because we have to give out so much so the norm is to put $2 in them, but what makes the envelopes even cooler is if you can put actual $2 bills in them! Even though Steve and I had to give out envelopes this year we still received some money from my grandma and mom. So we did get a little something. It was so much fun to get together with my entire extended family to celebrate a new year in the Chinese calendar and I love keeping this part of my Chinese heritage alive. I hope everyone has a great Year of the Rat! Enjoy the pictures and did anyone notice all of the red? I hope that means extra good luck for Steve and I!

Drunk Men and Smashed Windows

Last night was a very traumatic experience! As Steve and I were settling into bed around midnight, we had just turned off the light when all of a sudden we heard this noise down a little ways from our condo. We weren't sure what it was until we heard glass shattering from next door. This guy was yelling something and smashed into the windowpane again! Steve and I were up by then!!! We both jumped out of bed, I ran to get the phone to call the police while Steve made sure the man wasn't coming into our home. I have never been so shaken up in my life. It was the first time I had EVER called the police and my voice was shaking so bad. There was so much confusion and Steve and I were so worried that the man was going to come inside. When we heard glass shatter from the other condo next door we knew he was just on a rampage of some sort and he wasn't going to come inside. My adrenaline was rushing so fast! I don't think I have been that alert around midnight for a long time. Everything happened so fast and then it was over. The police were able to catch the man (thank goodness!) and told us when they came over to get our report that he was from Chicago and was very drunk from what they could smell from his breath. They weren't sure why he did what he did, but they reassured us that they did catch the man. I could not believe what had happened to us! We don't live in a very safe neighborhood, but our condo is kind of secluded so I thought we were safe. I guess I was wrong. It is one consolation that we weren't targeted in any way, but he had attacked everyone else's condo too. After the "incident" we found out that he just went down the row of bottom condos and smashed in everyone's windows. Needless to say Steve and I did not get any sleep last night. I am just glad neither of us are hurt and we are safe and sound other then being a little shaken.

Newbie on the Block

Hello everyone! I have been debating for a while now about making a blog and I have finally done it. Before I created my own blog I have been reading from my friend Robyn's and realized how a blog was able to keep me updated on her life. So please be patient with me all you experienced bloggers while I still try to learn the ropes. Hopefully in the next few days I will have pictures and more up.