wasn't this year just a peach?

Seriously?

What I Wish I'd known...

Today as I walked in the SUU to drop off some forms to the Financial Aid office, I had an overwhelming thought. WHY IN THE HELL WAS I IN SCHOOL FROM AGES 18-23?? WHY?
...
Now lets backtrack here...I started at SUU the semester following my high school graduation. Pretty normal, right? I did okay, but hated it for the most part. I had no idea what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. I had people telling me I'd be a wonderful teacher, which of course I could, but I didn't want to do that. I knew I would be miserable if I decided to pursure my elementary education degree. After dropping out and moving to Provo to sort things out, I decided that I'd be a high school teacher. Go me. I came home, took the Education 2000 class and almost shot myself in the face. There was no way I would ever become a teacher if I couldn't ever stand taking the first required class for that major, so I crossed teaching off my list and proceeded to fail out of school a good five times. And let me tell you folks, that takes a great deal of talent.
...
After moving home from Provo I landed a job working with at-risk youth. For the first few months I only worked graveyards so I didn't get to know the program or the youth very well. When I finally started working on a day time shift, I fell in love. I knew exactly what I wanted to do: work with youth, but not teach in a school setting. After three years of working in group homes, I figured I should probably get back in school, finish my degree and perhaps go to graduate school. I am currently about a year away from having my bachelors in Sociology. YAY for that; I couldn't be happier.
...
I wish I would have known all along what I wanted to do. I wish I would have waited to do school until I was sure on what I wanted to be when "I grow up". Although I don't think I'd take back any of the experiences I've had while getting to this point, it sure woulda been a whole lot less expensive...especially since the government is now paying for my school since I'm an old fart (24 years old).

So, really...I wish I would have just been more of a free spirit (if that's even possible) during the last five years. If I ever have to re-do my life, I'd start with that. I'll start school when I'm 24, go for free, and actually have a plan.

dear netflix,

Dear Netflix,
Thank you for the free trial. I think I'll stick with you. You've cured my boredom, opened new windows to me, and have enlightened me with a lot of new and exciting films. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Jill

if you want me to poke my eyes out...

• Make me go to church. Any amount church of any church sends me into ADD mode times 1000. I'm not sure why this happens, it's probably all in my mind but regardless of why, it happens. Example: I went to midnight mass (no, I'm not Catholic) on Christmas Eve with some friends and even though it's new and different I still get restless and want to throw myself in front of a bus. Call me dramatic but this really happens. 
• Make me wake up before 8am without purpose or cause. I like sleeping in and unless there is a valid reason (work or school) to wake up before then makes me wanna gouge my eyes out with a spoon. There is no reason for anyone to be up before the sun without a motive, so don't even think about making me. 
• Give me a boring lecture. I can't count the number of times I go to class having read the material that was assigned only to find that the professor is going to re-read the same information to me by way of power point slides. I literally have to force myself to stay seated and remain silent, while inside of me I am fuming and restless. I can read...I'm in college. Don't read shit to me that I have already read. Thanks.
• Put on a movie with no meaning or message. I cannot handle sitting through a movie with no purpose. Now, don't get me wrong, I love chick flicks and it's a little embarrassing how many times I've actually seen How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days or Ten Things I Hate About You, but put on an "action/drama" film and I'm gonna stab your eyes out and then my own. I do not enjoy watching people kill each other for fun, watching stupid dudes race their lame cars, or movies about the world blowing up...not my thing. Don't do it. 
• Romance novels. Gag me and then poke my eyes out. Enough said.
• Tell a stupid joke more than once. In fact, tell it every time I see you. And don't make it a short joke, either. Drag it on, and on, and on....
• Speaking of dragging on and on, tell me every detail of everything you did and ate since the last time I saw you. Really? I'll ask if I wanna know. Thanks!
• Put your 2 year-old on ADD meds. I'll poke your eyes out for you. Don't do it. Your two-year-old doesn't have ADD or bipolar, you do. Don't eff their life up to make yours easier, please and thank you. 

Okay, I could go on for hours about all the things that make me wanna poke my eyes (and yours) out but I'll be done for today. Much peace and love to all. :)

*after reviewing this post i concluded that i may or may not have ADHD. thoughts?

happy birthday dad!

I'd like to give a little shout-out to my dad today since it's his b-day! yay! Happy birthday, ya old fart.

But in all seriousness, my dad is the coolest dude ever (tied with Joey). He's the most giving, compassionate person I know. He is always putting everyone else before himself and has done so much for me it's unreal; even when I do the stupidest things on earth I can always count on my dad to be there for me.

He is also one of the most sarcastic people on earth...who woulda thunk? Some people wonder where I get my dry sense of humor, but I only learned from the best! I love my dad so much! Thanks for all you do, father! Love you! Hope your birthday is super!!!

can't wait til tomorrow...

The best thing, to me, about Christmas is the day after. Don't get me wrong. I love Christmas and I love giving. I love the feeling that Christmas brings and how much more giving everyone is in general. But like anything, it gets old. I can't handle all the gaggy decorations, the TREEs inside, the sick lights, and of course, the music. Like I said, it's okay for a while, but since most people start these oh-so-wonderful traditions around Thanksgiving, a month of it is PLENTY.

I love the day when the tree comes down, the decorations get put away, the house gets back to normal, and no more non-stop Christmas music on the radio. Ah, only 24 more hours to go!

Merry Christmas!

YAY! Merry Christmas, everyone! Hope your day is as awesome, chill, and fun as mine has and is continuing to be. I get to talk to my sister again today (4 hours yesterday)! Can't wait! I love that little baby cakes so much! She's my BFF and the best sister in the world.

Anyway, Merry Christmas. Hope everyone got what they wanted! I know I sure did!

did i mention?

• I love my real family

• I love my pretend family
• I love my baby sis 
• I love Joey Cat
• I love all of my friends 
• I miss all of my friends that don't reside in Cedar City.
• I am STOKED I passed all of my classes and am no longer on Academic Probation!
• I can't wait to go back to school on Jan. 4, 2010!
• My Jr. Jazz team is jazzy, and I think it's absolutely fab.
• I have a car and that's a big accomplishment for me at this point in my life. 
• My bed is better than your bed, unless you're April cause her bed is AMAZING.
• I am excited to learn to play my Ukulele, finally. 
• The only thing I've had to "eat" today is a Rockstar this morning for breakfast. I think my stomach is eating itself. 
• I can't wait to go eat Taco's with my "family"
• I get to talk to my baby sis on Thursday! YAY!
• My parents are most definitely cooler than yours. Sorry, but you should be jeal. 
• My friends have the cutest kids on earth. Every single one of them. And I'm glad that I can be their "Aunt Jill". I like that. 
• I feel so happy. I haven't been this happy in a while. Pretty much, my life rocks right now and I wouldn't trade it for anything...unless you're offering to take me the Hawaii. That could most definitely be arranged.
  

my (pretend) fam

I'd just like to give a shout out to my pretend family, because although they aren't blood related they are some of my very best friends and without them I'd be pretty lonely/pathetic (not to say that I'm not pathetic regardless). Plus, my real family is pretty awesome as well. I'm just a lucky duck. Anyway, I'd like to introduce ya'll to my (pretend) family.

Most of you will recall my ex-running partner, April. April and I have been friends since H.S. (high school, duh) and have played on teams together, been running partners, started the VCCPDC (volunteer Cedar City Police Department Crew, duh), and co-presidents of the B.R.A. (nunya business what that means). Besides all of those fine accomplishments, April is like a sister to me and I love her to death. And she's gonna kill me for posting this picture, but since she won't let people take real pics of her...this is all I got! SUCKA!

The next member of my (pretend) family that I'd like to introduce is Tennile. Tennile and I have only been friends for about a year, but she is one of the sweetest and most caring people I've ever met. She is always up for a good time and willing to try new things, which is probably the raddest thing on earth. I know that if I ever need anything, I can count on Tennile! Love her guts.

The newest member of my (pretend) fam is John. Now, although I've only known John for a couple of months, he's probably one of the funniest people I've ever met. John is hilarious. Seriously, pretty much everything that comes out of John's mouth makes me laugh. He's a riot. John and I are slowly, but surely, making a uke band. We both have ukes and neither of us can actually play them, but we're working on it. We finally got them tuned last night...so we're well on our way.












And so there you have it...my pretend family. Although various other people attend on occasion, it's normally the four of us just chillin'. We welcome and encourage anyone to attend our nightly family dinners, basketball sessions, and ukulele jams, so if you weren't mentioned but would like to be a part of our "family", feel free. We don't discriminate.

more pics from photo shoot

Dear Body,

I don't know what else you want me to do? I went to bed at 8pm last night and slept until 10am, why are you still tired? Wake the eff up.

Love,

Jill

yeah, just call me nanny jill...

Today I got to play with my favorite kids on earth, minus their baby sis Kenlee. I picked them up from daycare at 3pm and the fun began...First we went to the new pet store in Cedar, which by the way is awesome! We held all sorts of animals and spent a while just looking around. After that we decided we'd have a photo shoot so we could give new pics of them to their mom. We ran home, changed clothes, and I attempted to do Kaidence's hair. I have no idea why I try to do other peoples hair when I rarely do my own, but that's beside the point!

Here's what we came up with:

Those are just a few of the many shots we took. Aren't these the cutest kids you've ever seen?! It was so cold outside and I thought we might die, but we made it!

P.S. don't judge my photography skills. I'm just tryin' to be creative for Amanda's Christmas present this year...and this is all I got. Take it or leave it, baby.

the week of basketball and stuff

This week seemed to FLY by so quickly that I barely even realized that tomorrow is FRIDAY! (well actually it will be Friday in 10 short minutes, yay!)

This week was pretty good. No school, tons of basketball, and a little bit of work. We had two practices for the 7th/8th grade team I'm coaching and the girls are actually starting to remember the plays, so it's getting to be less of a nightmare. Tonight I was the only coach there (out of 4), but it went well and we had a blast...and I guess that's the important thing at this age. I have to keep telling myself it's okay if they aren't very good because "the important thing is that they have fun"...Secretly, I wanna rip my hair out and give up on them sometimes but then they do or say something so funny that I can't help but just smile and remember that it's gonna be okay.

On Tuesday I took Kaidence, Mark and Kenlee to the SUU vs. UNLV mens basketball game. Holy moly it was a good game....until the second half. It was still lots of fun, even if SUU did get their asses kicked in the end. The kids had a blast and they definitely reminded me of why I don't have my own kids! Three kids is A LOT of freaking work--even if they are behaving! Thanks to Amanda for letting me borrow her kids when I feel like I want a baby. It cures me every time! Love their guts, but so glad I don't have any.

Wednesday was totally intense. April and I went to the CHS vs. CVHS boys basketball games. Yes, games. We watched 3 games in a row, totalling to 5 hours of sitting on the oh-so-horrible-bleachers. CHS won all the games and it was a totally fun day. PLUS, I found a little hottie to crush on. I mean, I know I'm 24 and he's like 17, but MAN...I'm Cedar High's biggest fan now. WATCH OUT!

And for all of you worried parents out there...

NO, I'm not really going to hunt down the sexy little 17 year old CHS basketball player...yet. 

I'll wait til he's legal, at least!  

life and stuff

• I get to talk to Enna tomorrow. Ask me if i'm excited? And if you really had to ask, you don't know me. 
• I'm at work tired as hell right now. I'd rather be in bed.
• Snow=my worst nightmare
• I'm in a slump.
• I GET TO TALK TO MY BFF TOMORROW!
  

guess what?!

i'm done with school (this semester), Bitches! 


hahaha 

and i even passed my classes. yayyyyyy

my holidays will be spent doing...

1. Sleep. I feel so deprived of the stuff lately that I can hardly function at times. My life got turned upside down when I had to start going to school every morning by 8am. I know, that's not even super early..but for me, it's death. So over Christmas break, I'll be catchin' some zzzzzz's for sure!

2. Work. Duh...gotta do it. If you ever wonder where I am (and I'm not sleeping), I'll be at the Depot. Drop by and say hello. :)

3. Basketball. Ah, yessss. We went and shot around last night; I need to start going more often because I love it and I suck.

4. Traveling. I mean, not far or anywhere super exotic. But I have plans...and I'm excited for them. Be jeal.

5. Family. I'll play some cards, eat some candy, probably watch a few flicks and just chill with the fam. It's been a few years since I was able to enjoy them over Christmas. Can't wait.

6. Friends. I'm sure I'll get lots of play time with the friends in over the break (because I make time with work and school, so I'm sure it'll be fine without school!).

Wow...this turned out to be quite the boring list. Now here's something to spice up my life (and probably yours too) a little...

HERE'S WHAT I WISH I WAS DOING OVER CHRISTMAS BREAK:
1. partying every day all day non-stop.
2. dance parties
3. eating unlimited amounts of grilled cheese
4. moving to NYC and opening our bar called "meet me upstairs"
5. driving across the country, stopping everytime I feel like it.
6. going to some jazz games; having them actually win!
7. and, sleep, of course. because you know what i say.."gotta sleep now, cause they won't let me in hell"

only 3 finals to go, baby!!

I did it! I think that I passed all my classes! 


I only have 3 finals to go and I'm done for this semester. Feels good! Ah, yes. Christmas vaca, here I come! 
(and by that I mean, HELLO DEPOT!)

ah, someone else has a crazier family than i do....

This weekend I was able to take a random road trip to the Salt Lake area with John and Britt tagged along, too. First we dropped John off in Provo and headed for Lehi where I was able to see Trentie Poo for the first time in a couple of months. Then Annie Brown came over and got me after work and we went to sleep.

Yesterday I went with Annie and her family to her dad's moms house. When we walked in, the very first thing anyone asked was if I was her girlfriend (she had warned me that this would be happening). I replied that, "yes, I was" and that we were engaged. I had a sick nasty heart ring on to prove it...Anyway, the next few hours were to say the least very interesting. I have always known my family was kind of quiet and possibly on the boring side, but I could have never imagined how "normal" they really are until this exeperience at Annie's family ginger bread decorating contest.

Some highlights of the day were:
1. Annie's lesbian cousin's GF almost beating Annie's obnoxious brother up, at least twice. She had a glare that could kill.

2. Annie's ginger bread house not staying together even though she has had years of practice; mine was awesome.

3. The drive up and back. John makes things fun.

4. Seeing Trentie Poo and Annie B. I miss their guts so much.

5. Pretending to date Annie Brown, the most Mormon girl I know, in front of her entire family.

Thanks John for letting me drive up with you! I had a freakin' blast!