My Fam

Since I like my family I decided it was time to put some pictures of them on here so here it goes....

Here's my mom -Sue- and dad -Chuck- and my oldest niece, Bella. Bella's so cute in this picture!My parents have been traveling kind of a lot lately, so this is from their trip to DC.

This is from last summer when my mom and I went to visit my sister -Michele- in Temecula.During that same trip Michele and I ended up wearing like the same exact outfit to church.
This is my brother -Mike- and my soon to be nephew -Ryder-Here's Mike, his fiance -Danielle-, Ryder, and Bella. Bella's really excited to be getting a little brother.
This is my brother -Joey-. I think he's still planning on coming out to BYU for grad school. Look out ladies... he's single. =)Some of the guys in my life this past Christmas.

This is my sister -Amber- and her husband -Jon- This picture sums them up perfectly!I love this picture of Amber and Taia. Look at all the slober on Taia's shirt....This Easter Jon decided to go swimming with Bella!I love these girls!

Between You and God

The last day of my mission prep class our teacher read a quote from Mother Teresa that I thought was awesome, so I googled it this morning and found it. I think it's really good, so I'm gonna put it up on here.

Between You and God

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self centered; Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies; Succeed anyway. If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you; Be honest and sincere anyway. What you spend years creating others could destroy overnight; Create anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous; Be happy anyway. The good you do today, will be often forgotten; Do good anyway Give the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give your best anyway. In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

By Mother Teresa

Classes are over!

I can't believe I've actually made it through this school year.... well almost. All I have left are my finals and they're all scheduled. Today was the last day of classes and I didn't even have real class today, I just had an oral final presentation. I think it went ok, even though I'm not so sure it ended on a high note. But oh well, no more classes and I have just about made it through the junior core! I never would have thought this day would come.

I remember the first day of classes. Instead of real class we had an orientation meeting. I was so nervous for that meeting because I didn't think I was smart enough to make it in such an intense and competitive program, but somehow I seem to have done alright. Oh yeah, I was so nervous for orientation that I went out and bought a new outfit for that day and it just so happened that I wore the same exact outfit today to the final presentation. Weird little happening isn't it! Anyways, only a week and a half and three finals (technically four counting a really easy take home final for mission prep) stand in my way of summer! Thanks freaken goodness!!! Now all I need is to find a real job! argh

My First!

That's right.... I've just completed my very first tax return! Most people wouldn't advertise that, but since that is what I will more than likely be doing for a good chunk of time after graduation I am pretty excited about it. The tax return wasn't a real one, but it was an assignment for my tax class. They gave us a bunch of different numbers for different income and expense items for a self-employed business and rental property and a bunch of other random items that get special tax treatments and then made us fill out like 11 different schedules. Kinda gay, but pretty rad at the same time! I think this is a kinda big day to remember, I mean really, I've officially completed my first tax return EVER! Another good day for an accounting nerd!

Insomniac!

I hate not being able to sleep! It's officially 3:16 and after watching every episode of gossip girl that they have posted online I still am not completely tired, even though I know tomorrow is going to be a killer day! Seriously, not being able to sleep is one of the most annoying things ever!!!

the nerdy excitement of an accountant!

I have had such an amazing day!!! (As far as accounting classes go) We had a group presentation on a case that my group and I have spent 6-7 hours working on between yesterday and today. The case was pretty hard and we had no clue if we were even on the right track as far as our formulas and other answers were concerned. So we just decided that we'd stick with our answers and try to make them seem right.

We started out our presentation and everything was going alright, the teachers we had evaluating us were cool and it seemed to go really well. The first speaker started out and right away the teachers told us that to save some time he said our numbers looked good and that we can move on. So he went to the next slide and started talking about other numbers, again the teacher said that our answers looked good and that we could just move on. They even jokingly asked if we'd gotten a copy of the answer key.

Randomly throughout the presentation the teachers would ask us questions that they come back to us for the answers. After I gave my little part they asked me a question that I thought was so hard, but as my other group members were responding to their questions there came an opportunity for me to find a quick fix to my answer. So, when the teachers asked me my response I gave them the quick fix, kinda funny, answer and they just started laughing and like my quick response and witty answer. It was an awesome feeling. Also, after we were done giving our presentation and the teachers were saying how good we had done I said that if they wanted to take down our names to remember as they look over the MAcc applications they could. Again more laughter.

As my group finished and we were walking out the teachers said that we were the best presentation they'd seen all day and that our numbers were the most correct that they'd seen all day. How awesome is that!!! I was so stoked. It takes a lot to feel good about your work when you're in the Junior Core and today I actually felt so smart. I seriously couldn't stop smiling when I walked out of the classroom! A good day for sure!

..time's just a canvas.

Some friends and I went to see the movie 27 Dresses tonight. I have already seen it once before and I think it's a really cute movie... chick flick obviously. The whole premise behind the movie is this girl who loves weddings and has been a bridesmaid 27 times. - See the connection with the 27 dresses - Well, she ends up having to plan her little sister's wedding to the man of her dreams. Then there are all these issue and other people that come into play, including a crazy best friend who is pretty scandalous and someone I'd secretly (or maybe not so secretly) love to be. Anyways, towards the end of the movie there is this really cute song that I think can represent many different things. It's call "Be Here Now" by Ray LaMontagne, and I have added it to my playlist. I think this song is really sweet and here are the lyrics: (It's kind of a long song - time wise, not lyric wise - but go with it because I think it's worth it.)

Don’t let your mind get weary and confused..
your will be still; don’t try.
Don’t let your heart get heavy, child;
inside you there’s a strength that lies.

Don’t let your soul get lonely, child..
it’s only time; it will go by.
Don’t look for love in faces, places —
it’s in you; that’s where you’ll find kindness.

Be here.. be here now.. be here now..
be.. be here now.. be here now…

Don’t lose your faith in me,
and I will try not to lose faith in you.
Don’t put your trust in walls,
‘cause walls will only crush you when they fall.

Be…be here now… be here now.
Be…be here now…be here now.

*Oh, I also added another song by Secondhand Serenade called "Fall For You". I found out tonight that it is my brother and his fiancé's song. I guess Danielle, my soon to be sister-in-law and long time family friend, was listening to this song when she realized she loved my brother. How cute is that? Here they are at my parents' house for Easter 2008 with his 5 year old daughter, Bella, and here 9 month old son, Ryder. We are very much an American family, but don't even get me started on that!

Would I be asked to leave?

Tonight we had our Stake Enrichment Activity and it was my first time hearing Susan Easton Black speak. Let me just say if you haven't heard her speak - you should, because she is an amazing speaker and very intelligent and entertaining! Tonight's activity was all about the origins of The Relief Society and Sister Black said some things that really made me think.

She shared a story about when the women were in the early stages of organization. When the women would meet together weekly they'd take turns going around and saying what they had done to help others since their last meeting. Whether it was cooking bread for someone or helping someone clean, they shared all the service they'd given in just the past week. After one person finished they'd move right on to the next, each woman taking a turn. If one woman said that in the past week she had not had a chance to perform any service for whatever the reason she was invited to leave after she had finished speaking. It really got me thinking. What kind of woman am I? Do I try to find excuses to justify not helping others, even in little ways. Would I have been asked to leave the meeting or gladly served and be even more willing to give whatever was needed.

She also talked about when she was in her twenties, newly single, and had 3 small children (all boys). She had decided to move out to her parents' beach house in California to live. After various visiting teachers that never came to visit her she finally had one lady, Janice, that came (alone) every month. Although Janice was about 20 years older than Sister Black they became pretty good friends. After months of visiting with each other. Janice had stopped by again and instead of focusing on Sister Black was kind of wallowing in her own problems. When Sister Black basically called her out on it Janice said that she had just been to the doctor and found out that she couldn't have anymore children. Well, Janice already have 9 kids, but she said that her life goal had always been to have 12 children and she was so upset that she couldn't fulfill that dream. She then asked Sister Black if there were any wishes that she had that weren't fulfilled. Instead of trying to one up her, Sister Black just said that she wished the area they lived in had a better library because she had already read all the books and was starting to go through and edit them. Janice asked her why she didn't just go back to school and Sister Black said it was because she had the money for tuition, but not enough for tuition and a baby sitter. They finished their visit, and a few days later Sister Black received a phone call from Janice. She said she'd been thinking and thought she'd come up with a solution that would benefit both of them. She offered to babysit Sister Blacks 3 kids one night a week for an entire year so that Sister Black could go back to school. That way Sister Black could go to school and Janice could experience having 12 kids. They also agreed not to really discuss how they felt about the deal until the end of the one year period. At the end of the year Janice asked Sister Black how she had liked the past year and Sister Black told her she had loved it. She also told Janice that she'd been offered a scholarship and really loved school and she thought she even wanted to get her PhD. Then Sister Black asked Janice how she liked the past year. Janice said that Heavenly Father knew better when he stopped her at 9 kids. She said how the boys were so rambunctious and that they'd never just sit still like her kids. This story really touched me also.

The end of my sophmore year of high school and throughout the summer before my junior year I had the best Young Women's teacher ever. There were only a few other girls my age in my ward, but I was the only one that'd be at church every Sunday. Needless to say that this teacher (Sister Ingleby) and I got to know each other very well. This time in my life was probably one of the hardest times I have ever had. Every Sunday Sister Ingleby and I would just talk about life and some of my problems. She seriously is one of the reasons I made it through that time as well as I did. I would seriously end up crying every Sunday and she'd just sit and talk with me. She also motivated me and was really the only reason I received my Young Womanhood Recognition Award. When Sister Black was talking about Janice I just kept thinking about Sister Ingleby. Her and I still keep in contact and our friendship would never have happened without her taking her calling seriously and being a real friend and support to me. She was an amazing example to me of what it means to really take an interest in those that you serve and really be a part in their lives, not just another person pretending to care.

I know this is a really long post, but I just wanted to make sure I remembered this activity - even the little details. It just really reminded me that we can all make such a difference by just the little things we do. Janice didn't watch Sister Black's kids every night and she didn't just give her the money to hire a cheap babysitter: she gave of herself what she was able to give and look what a difference she made in the life of Sister Black. I hope that I can always remember and be thankful for the people who make differences in my life, and I hope to be able to make positive differences in the lives of those that I work with.

How frustrating!

Why do some people feel the need to joke about stuff that to the people they are "kidding around with" feel very strongly about. Lately someone told me something that to me means a whole lot, and then after they got in trouble for their actions turned what they said around to make it all out to be some kind of a joke. I don't think it was funny. Just because they feel the need to deflect the negative attention off of themselves doesn't mean they should belittle or take lightly the feelings of others. And for the future, if you're not sure about something you are thinking about saying, make sure it doesn't have any significant impact on those that you are spreading that information to. Just because you may not take it seriously doesn't mean others won't.


~That has just been on my mind all day and I just wanted to get it out there..... aka I needed too vent.~

ZOBMONDO

Ok, so my roommate has a game called Zobmondo and it's basically a would you rather game. I thought it might be cool to answer some of the questions and post them, so here it goes

Q1: Would you rather....
a. Discover a cure for cancer
or
b. The fountain of youth

Answer: So easy! Definitely discover a cure for cancer. Who really cares about the fountain of youth, we're all gonna grow old anyways, so at least we'll all look old, and if there's cure for cancer then there will be more people that are looking old!

Q2: Would you rather....
a. Always be the driver
or
b. Always be the passenger

Answer: Ok, now this one is kinda hard. I do like driving (especially manual transmissions), but every time I drive down to St. George I just keep thinking how I wish I didn't have to drive. So, although I hate how some people drive, I do think I'd rather always be the passenger rather than the driver.

Q3: Would you rather....
a. Be really smart and really boring
or
b. Be really dumb, but funny and entertaining

Answer: I think both of these options really suck, but if I had to choose I think I'd rather be really smart and really boring. At least I could become a successful business woman, I just wouldn't have any friends. But if I was smart enough and use those brains to make tons of money then I'm sure I can buy friends.

Q4: Would you rather....
a. Be derived of chocolate
or
b. Be deprived of caffeine

Answer: Again, this question is not that hard for me. I'm not a huge chocolate fan, but I LOVE Dr. Pepper. So as long as I can still get my Big Gulps then I can live without Reese's.

Q5: Would you rather....
a. Always have to wear cheap, well-matched clothes
or
b. Always have to wear expensive, mismatched clothes

Answer: I love bargain shopping! I love finding cute clothes on sale and I totally love to match. It's pretty embarrassing, but I love matching every little detail. At the same time though, I do love accenting plain outfits with some awesome bursts of color with a handbag or shoes!

K, well I think that's enough!

My pick for the new summer band/song!

*We The Kings*

K. let me just tell you I randomly saw their video on MTV one day and I actually was about to change the channel, but decided to watch and I ended up loving their song/video! Then I really wanted to hear it more and more so I went to itunes and bought the whole cd for like 6 bucks.... good deal on that one cuz the whole cd is way good.

My top picks from the cd are:

1. Check Yes Juliet
2. Don't Speak Liar
3. All Again For You
4. Skyway Avenue

They have the perfect vibe for a fun and carefree summer, so check them out!
Also, the band may look a little sketchy, but just listen to the music!

This is it???

So what happens when you create a blog and tell everyone to check it out and then have nothing on it? Well at least I already have music on here so that's something, but probably not enough!

My mom sent me this email a while ago so I figured this was something to add on here.

4 Jobs I've had in my life

1. Server @ The Pizza Factory (Provo)

2. Jimmy Johns Employee

3. Snowie (A snow shack place one summer)

4. A Paper Girl When I Was A Little Kid

4 Movies I would See Over and Over
1. Hairspray
2. Love and Basketball
3. Grease
4. Brian Regan's DVD (Not really a movie, but close enough!)

4 of my Favorite Books
1. The Work And The Glory Series
2. A Light In The Attic
3. To Kill A Mockingbird
4. Everybody Poops

4 Places I Have Lived
1. Provo, UT
2. St. George, UT
3. Fontana, CA
4. My Mother's Womb!

4 TV Shows I Watch
1. Arrested Developement (Well the DVD's since it's no longer on the air)
2. The Office
3. Grey's Anatomy
4. Friday Night Lights

4 Places I Have Been that I Loved
1. Balboa Island, CA
2. Snorkeling in Hawaii
3. "The Ocean" in St. George! (It's true you can see the ocean in St. George. If you don't believe me I'll prove it to you, cuz I have seen it many times with my own two eyes!)
4. Disneyland/California Adventure

4 People Who E-mail me Regularly
1. My Mom
2 BYU (Sports Stuff, but mostly junk from the Marriott School)
3 My Professors
4, Facebook Notifications

4 of My Favorite Foods (Places)
1. Little Caesars
2. Noodles & Company
3. J-dawgs
4. Chuck-A-Rama

4 Places I'd Rather Be
1. St. George playing with my nieces and shopping with my mom
2. The Beach
3. Laying Out At The Pool
4. Sleeping


4 Things I am Looking Forward To
1. Summer!
2. Being Done With The Junior Core
3. Receiving Notification That I've Been Accepted Into The MAcc Program
4. Having a real job!

My 1st Post!

I've really wanted to start a blog for a while now, and I'm so excited I finally did it! I'm horrible at writing in Journals and stuff like that so I hope this will be an easier way for me to kinda keep track of my life.

*The name of my blog*
So when I was little I really hated the name Gen! If anybody called me Gen, I'd freak out and shout at them "DON'T CALL ME GEN!" As I got older I didn't freak out as much, but I'm just not a Gen. That being said, there are a few people in this world that it's ok when they call me Gen. But for everyone else, just call me Genna!