World Superbike Races

Can you see me at a motorcycle race? Well I went Memorial Day! Yup, the big World Superbike Championship that was held at Miller Motorsports Park. It was fantastic and so much fun! Lucky me I just happened to be the next person Steve talked to after his brother ditched out leaving him with an extra ticket. :) Woot woot to me! Steve is awesome for taking me. He had to basically explain everything. I had no clue about this environment or sport. But don't worry, I started catching on in the end. 

They had a motorcycle set up at the angle that the riders take the turns. Crazy low! I felt like I was going to fall off.  

Steve and I getting majorly sunburned. 

They had this Dodge SRT-8 Charger with a professional driver that would take you drifting around this little track they set up. 

And this is my face while drifting. Hahaha I don't know what happened with my hair but it was a ton of fun.

That had this fantastic lemonade there. So yummy. 

Anyways, it was a really fun new experience for me. I'm glad I was able to go. The sunburn was worth it!

Monday's Music

The sound quality isn't fantastic but it's the most decent youtube video out there of this song. So enjoy :)

Facing Fears

I've been facing a few fears lately, and whether it's been by choice or force that really doesn't matter right now. At least I'm moving forward right?!

In my schooling we finally moved past using fake arms to practice IV's and we practiced on each other. My first tries were partially successful, not entirely... but at least I was sticking a real vein. After that I boosted my self esteem with some easy veins provided by a couple guy friends. Fear faced. (For the time being, until I have to practice on a patient.)

I've been feeling more comfortable in the O.R. lately. I was perfectly fine Saturday during our extremely long femur case, but then I had one of those moments where the mother bird pushes her baby out of the nest so it can finally learn how to fly on it's own. I got pushed up to Endoscopy to do the ERCP exam ON MY OWN. I hate this exam. Mostly because I can't understand a word the doctor says (accent plus mumbling = complete confusion) and the atmosphere tends to get stressful quite quickly. There were only 2 techs working that day and then me, a student. One tech was covering the O.R. case and the other was out doing portables, so while I'm holding down tech hall doing E.R. exams, lovely Endo calls letting me know they're ready for me to come for the ERCP. I kind of died inside. But I went up and I did the exam all by myself. Fear faced. (With grateful help from the nurses working in on the case.)

So I had a bit of pushing out of the nest moments this past week but I'm grateful for them. It's a terrifying but nice way to see where you're at. I think I'm doing all right.

Character Love

If you know of any Matthew Crawleys

 or Levi Savages

... send them my way please.

Talents

I learned something this past Sunday.
Singing has always been so much a part of my life, it's almost like my staple. Kind of. I figured everyone knew I sang. Obviously.
And then I sang a solo in church at my singles ward and had more then one person telling me that they had absolutely no idea that I could sing.
What, really?
And then I thought some more about it. I have been in that ward for over a year now and I have never once gone to a choir practice.

Matthew 25:25 "And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine."

Fail.

I am now resolved to use my talent more and at least start singing in my ward choir.

Now... if only I could get over this nasty cough I have...

Monday's Music

Mommy

Dear Mom, 

I love you. As I've grown and come to see many other family situations I realize every day how blessed I am to have you as my mom. I am grateful for the relationship we have. It's the perfect in between of best friend but yet a watchful mother relationship. I enjoy telling you about my life, and your advice is spot on... most of the time ;) You work so hard for me, you have my whole life. You even took on an extra job to help me out with my tuition. I try so hard to do my part, but I'm grateful that you have my back. I'm grateful for the gift of music that you have passed onto us kids. I am blessed to have your ear for music around. Granted it might have been slightly annoying while I was learning the piano, but I love that I was able to go to you for help with my solo. You help improve me. I love that you are in the Mormon Tabernacle choir. You're a great example to me. Thanks for the way you raised me. I know I turned out the way I did because you helped nudge me in the right direction every time I veered off. I love you mom.

Happy Mother's Day :)

Flirting Techniques

In talking with my grandma today we came to the topic of how to best flirt with someone on a bike while you are driving by in a car... (I happened to have passed a very good looking someone riding a sweet road bike and wearing fantastic soccer warm up pants on my way over.)
Grandma's suggestions revolved around cutting him off and then proceeding to conversation, or perhaps accidentally bumping/hitting him allowing you to get out and make sure he's okay. Or maybe just driving by really slowly with your window rolled down. But then again you would probably want a car with electric windows instead of my cars automatic lean/reach over and crank that sucker around until the window is finally rolled down... and it would probably be ideal if he were heading the same way as you instead of having to watch him bike away in the opposite direction.

Childhood

158

Hymn 158: Before Thee, Lord, I Bow My Head

Before thee, Lord, I bow my head
And thank thee for what has been said.
My soul vibrates; my poor heart sings
When thy sweet Spirit strikes the strings.
How sweet thy word I've heard this day!
Be thou my guide, O Lord, I pray.
May I in patience do my part.
Seal thou the word upon my heart.

Do thou, O Lord, anoint mine eyes
That I may see and win the prize.
My heart is full; mine eyes are wet.
Oh, help me, Lord, lest I forget.
So may my soul be filled with light
That I may see and win the fight,
And then at last exalted be,
In peace and rest, O Lord, with thee.

Look up, my soul; be not cast down.
Keep not thine eyes upon the ground.
Break off the shackles of the earth.
Receive, my soul, the spirit's birth.
And now as I go forth again
To mingle with my fellow-men,
Stay thou nearby, my steps to guide,
That I may in thy love abide.

A New New Years Resolution

Already one of my new years resolutions has gone to pot. That goal fell apart maybe two months into the new year. Sad. It had such great potential.
It was a goal to read the scriptures for a half hour every day. It went really well for the first while. I read the Book of Mormon much faster then I normally do. But then life happened, and scripture reading kept getting pushed aside until right before bedtime. It takes me long enough to get ready for bed as it is, and then to try and add a half hour reading time on top of that... so you see my problem? Time management. Especially during the day.
So I've reconfigured the goal to be slightly more practical in my life but still have it require at least some effort and planning. I changed the goal to reading my scriptures during the day or evening, it just can't be right before I fall asleep. It doesn't matter how long I read or how much. Just as long as it gets in during the hours of alertness. :)

Wish me luck.

***

A Birthday

It was dad's birthday on Thursday and it was just like him to plan his own birthday party. More of a whole day event full of fun activities with the family. It was awesome. I like my dad's birthday parties. :)

**Go Kart Racing**

**Zip Line**

**Sailing on the Great Salt Lake**

**City Creek**

(We were tired at this point if you can't tell.)

**Buca di Beppo**

(My newly discovered favorite photograph. I love everything about this.)

I am so blessed to be in the family I am. I'm grateful for them and love them so much.
Happy Birthday Dad

Personality Shoes

I have an extremely talented friend who finished decorating these babies for me!

I'm absolutely obsessed. 

It's almost like I want to high kick my feet into everyone's face so they can notice my shoes. 

****

Natalie and I made a trip to the store today. I give the cashier my credit card only to have him acting strange. He practically demanded to see some I.D. He was honestly scoffing in his head thinking "why does a 15 year old have a credit card?!" 15... seriously? I look 15?! That is 6 years too young! I'm 21 punk! Hello let me flash my sideways license around your face one more time in case you didn't catch that. He tried to be all conversation about things after figuring out that I was older then him and I wanted to shove the fact that I'd already gotten a degree in college and am halfway done with the next... 15? 

I know people are thinking "Hey when you're old you'll look really young. Take it as a compliment." But guess what, I'm not old right now. I'm a 21 year old who won't be taken seriously because I'm getting mistaken as a 15 year old. Such a bitter sweet situation. 

****

When is the last time you watched Swan Princess? That movie has some great lines, completely enjoyable. Sometimes I forget how funny these old Disney movies are. (I know, Swan Princess isn't Disney but it fits into that same style/category.) 

Did anyone use to watch all the credits roll by just waiting for this beauty?

Just a warning, they did not include this anywhere in the DVD, not even the special features. I was heartbroken. What were they thinking?