As my 29th birthday approaches I’ve been thinking a lot about the
past year. My life has changed so much in the past 12 months. There were plenty
of good times and bad. Memories I’m happy to think about and ones I wish
never would have happened. So I thought I’d made a list of some of the most memorable
times of my 28th year of life. And in no particular order, except
for maybe #1 & #28, here I go.
1.
Celebrating my 28th birthday by
seeing the play Wicked at the
Pantages Theater in LA followed by an amazing trip to Tokyo with one of my best
friends, Rachelle Gleason. We got so lost our first day/night there trying to
figure out the train/subway system. Then we couldn’t find our hotel so we
walked around the streets of Tokyo late at night hauling our suitcases with us
and trying to find random strangers on the street that actually spoke English
well enough to ask for directions to our hotel. That night I learned that what
we consider an alley in America is called a street in Tokyo. And when you’re
trying to get directions knowing that difference really matters. Other
highlights from the trip include how we stuck out like crazy being
tall/white/blonde girls, walking more than I’ve ever walked before, how we
froze basically the entire time, the night we tried to order pizza from our
hotel room and it turned into the funniest and most confusing experience ever,
trying out the fancy toilet in our hotel room-that was interesting, the fact our hotel room was
basically the size of a closet, the night we found the best Italian restaurant
complete with a table of hot Italian guys who helped us decide what to order,
how excited we were to actually find the building for church on Sunday, and so
many other amazing memories that I hope to never forget!
2.
Beard Burn. Enough said.
3.
Spending the 1 year anniversary of my Dad’s passing
away with my family at Huntington Beach. Playing in the water with my siblings
(except Joey) and feeling like we were little kids again was so much fun.
Sometimes I forget how much I like my siblings until we all get to play around
together. J Then
ending the day with dinner at Ruby’s Diner on the pier. My Dad would have loved
that day.
4.
Getting to see Lola (my lab mix puppy that I had
for about 8 months) when I was in Huntington Beach. She totally remembered me
and was so excited to see me. I loved seeing her again and seeing how happy she
was with her new family.
5.
Being called to serve as Young Women’s President
in the Foothills Ward. Such a crazy and insanely hard calling. But I loved/love
my YW. I can’t believe we survived Girl’s Camp and getting them ready for Trek.
Waking up super early on holidays and weekends to put up flags was brutal, but
I was always amazed at the awesome YW & fellow leaders that were willing
to make the sacrifice and help us out. As well as the YM/YM leaders that would
always come help us too. This calling was easily one of the hardest and best experiences of my life. I really hope to stay in touch with my YW forever!
6.
That time Rachelle Gleason and I took a little
roadtrip around Europe hitting 5 countries in I think 4 days. We went to The
Netherlands, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, and Germany and saw so many amazing
things. Some highlights include the bright light that flashed as we were
driving to Germany super late at night that ended up being a speeding ticket
camera. Realizing that when you ask for water over there they give you sparkling
water which can be quite a disgusting shock when you’re anticipating a nice
refreshing glass of cold flat water. Seeing a bunch of Native Americans (aka
Indians) in the middle of the town square in Bruges, Belgium. Getting stuck in
track for 4 hours to go 7 kilometers – I don’t know how we survived that day.
Going to church in Holland on Mother’s Day and being treated with such
kindness. Making a new friend in Amsterdam that we later saw walking down the
street and called out to her like we were from there and actually knew people.
Having a Sound of Music moment off the side of the road. Stumbling across a
tiny town in Belgium called Dinant where Rachelle (accidentally) bought the
grossest chicken nugget and fries sandwich. Also in Dinant, having to try and
speak to someone who didn’t really understand/speak English and find a way to
explain that the gas station machine won’t accept our cards for some reason,
that we’re out of gas, and if she would let us charge her card we’ll give her
Euros in exchange. And of course I can’t forget to mention the fact we both
flew first class there and back. That experience in and of itself was a game
changer!
7.
When I decided to up and move to Dallas, TX. And
then finding out I had a friend who was also looking for a change and was going
to move there with me. I’m not going to lie, there’s still a decent sized part
of me that’s still shocked I actually went through with the move. And now I
can’t really even remember how it all happened. I think I just started to feel
like I didn’t have much of a future in St. George – I didn’t think my career
was ever going to really go anywhere there and there were zero dating
opportunities – so what was I sticking around for. In a sense I feel like it
all happened so fast but I remember being in those moments after I decided to
move but before it was public knowledge and feeling like the process was taking
forever. The other interesting thing to note is that early that year, around
January to February I had contemplated moving out of St. George. But at that
time I didn’t feel like it was the right thing to do and then shortly
thereafter I was called as Young Women's President. I think I needed those
experiences before I was ready to leave St. George. I honestly thought it was
going to be harder to leave St. George than it has been. Don’t get me wrong, there
are definitely things I miss. I miss my babies! I have always had an extremely
close bond with my sister’s 6 kids. I've spent so much time with those kids and
they have been such a huge part of my life. It was so hard leaving them knowing that
the distance will change our relationship and I’ll no longer be the aunt that’s
always around and a major part of their lives. All I can say is thank goodness
for Facetime. Of course there are other things I miss too – my house, knowing
my job/company so well that it was like second nature, the good group of
friends I developed my last year or so in St. George, my Young Women &
friends I made in that ward, and being so close to most of my family –
especially my sister with our sister lunches and swimming Saturdays. But
overall I feel like I knew Dallas was the right move so why look backwards. I’m
really happy here and just look forward to what the future has in store.
8.
How my financial situation completely changed
this year. I made really stupid financial decisions for a lot of years that
really haunted me. I had a ton credit card debt, student loans, a car loan, and
a mortgage. Thanks to the money I made from selling my home, quitting my job
and then being financially incentivized to stay on an extra 3 weeks, and moving
to a new city where I make more money I have been able to pay off all my debt
except a bit of student loan debt. I can’t even begin to explain how
amazing it is to get out from behind credit card debt. I fully understand why
Prophets and Apostles have warned against it for so long. Life is so much freer
and more enjoyable when you don’t have that stress always looming. Don’t get me
wrong, I’m no money-bags now, but I have a few more options and that is a
great thing. Now I just look forward to having all of my student loans paid off one day and being completely debt free. Except I'm hoping to buy a house later this year, but I'm ok with that debt. It doesn't count.
9.
How it took me less than 24 hours to sell my
house. And it went to a family who that house was made (and modified) for. I
loved my house and even now as I look at the idea of buying again it’s hard to
find one that has so many awesome features like my house in St. George had. I
don’t know how I’m going to top my old kitchen. Granted my first house was far
from perfect, but I really did love that house. It was perfect for me during
those 2.5 years I owned it.
10.
When I started the job search in Dallas and
ended up with 3 job offers – 1) Mary Kay Cosmetics in their international tax
group, 2) Caliber Home Loans as they create a tax group and move from
outsourcing all the tax filings to bringing it all in-house, & 3) American Airlines
in their corporate income tax group. I was so overwhelmed and grateful to have
so many offers. It was such a stressful time trying to juggle all the moving
parts, but it was a great struggle to have.
11.
Switching jobs from American Airlines to Caliber
Home Loans. From the beginning I knew I really liked the people at Caliber. It
was definitely the best set of interviews and an environment I knew I would enjoy
working in, but I couldn’t get American Airlines out of my head. I love to fly
and travel and I really think that was one of the biggest factors for me
choosing to go with American. Even during my in-person interview with American
my thoughts were screaming (not even exaggerating) that I needed to pick
Caliber. But over the next few days I had talked myself into American. My
thoughts kept coming back to the same thing. I know the industry. I can still
travel for free. It’ll be great I thought. Except it wasn’t. The people were
nice enough. The work was somewhat similar. But from the end of the first week it
didn’t feel right. The easiest (and I guess most dramatic) way to describe it
was that I felt like I was dying inside a little each day as I went into work.
I wasn’t challenged. I wasn’t excited by the work. I went from having so many
responsibilities and duties at SkyWest to being bored out of my mind at
American. And I hated that. By week two of being at American I found myself
staring at my cell phone wishing to get a call from Caliber saying they were
still interested in me. I wasn’t sure why I kept thinking that. I felt like
they were crazy thoughts, because at that point I had told Caliber no the first
time, then a few weeks later they came back and asked me if I was sure about my
decision at which point I told them no again. So why would they give me a third
chance. However that same thought and staring contest with my cell phone
happened a number of times over the next few weeks. Then one day I got the
call. They were still interested and even though they thought it was pointless
to ask me again – they did. I couldn’t say yes fast enough. I knew this was my
way out of a situation I knew wasn’t right for me. Within a week of the call
from Caliber I’d given notice at American and was looking forward to starting
at Caliber. I still can’t believe how it all worked out, but I’m so grateful
for the do-over.
12.
I got strep throat for the first time this year.
That wasn’t great, but it was memorable and 28 things is a lot to come up with.
So that counts.
13.
I had to say goodbye to Leni & Fritz when I
left St. George. I still wish I would have brought them with me. In hindsight it
was stupid that I didn’t bring them and I have a lot of frustrations about the
reasons I decided to leave them behind. If I had it to do over again I would
have brought both of them with me without a moment’s hesitation. L I think about getting more cats in the future but it just makes me kind of sad thinking about it. I don't want more cats, I want Leni & Fritz.
14.
I discovered NexGen dip powder and my nails have
never been the same. J
I get so many compliments on my nails since using dip powder. I got my own set
of NexGen dip powder stuff for Christmas and have done them on myself now twice. It’s definitely
a process that takes time to get better at, but I like being able to do my own
nails!
15.
I got my first Brazilian Blowout on my hair this
year. Talk about game changer. I anticipate years and years of Brazilian
Blowouts in my future. I finally got to see what having straight hair was like.
Being able to get out of the shower and within 10-15 minutes having perfectly
dry and straight hair was amazing. (I say “was” because at this point it needs
to be done again and isn’t really working any more. I need to find a good salon in Dallas
that does them ASAP!)
16.
I cooked my first turkey! It tasted just like my
Dad’s turkey used to taste. It was so good and actually really easy to do. It
felt like a little bit of my Dad was back with us for Christmas dinner that night and that made me
really happy.
17.
I had my 5 year anniversary from when I went
through the temple for the first time. It’s always great being able to mark
that anniversary with a special trip to the temple and this year I took my Mom and sister with me which was nice.
18.
I got my very first set of rim on my car. It
made me feel very grown up until a girl I worked with at American said only
drug dealers have rims on their cars. haha. Oh well, I still love them.
19.
I did a 30 day ab challenge with Rachelle
Gleason. It was so hard and by the end it took so much time just to get through
the exercises for that day. But I did get a lot much stronger than I was when I
started. Too bad I didn’t keep doing it because I’m pretty sure I lost whatever
strength I had gained that month.
20.
I became an annual member of the Dallas Zoo
which led to one of the most exciting moments of my year….. I pet a giraffe!!
Multiple times even. And when I went back to the zoo a month or so later I
swear the same giraffe came over by me again and let me pet him
some more. The zoo also offers this overnight adventure thing and I totally
want to do that at some point. How rad would that be?!
21.
I bought my first pair of cowgirl boots. I’m in
Texas – I kind of have to right? If you know me, you’ll know I’m not a big fan
of boots in general, but as far as boots go I think my cowgirl boots are pretty
cool. The night I bought them I wore them to the rodeo at the Stockyards in
Fort Worth. It was great. I felt right at home. Ok, not really. I felt like a huge
poser. But it was fun and so why not! Sidenote, I had so much fun at the rodeo! I
could seriously go back again and again. I think I might be a secret cowgirl.
22.
I got my first crockpot this year and I see big
things in my future. So far I’ve used it twice and the chicken was delicious!
And I’ve got some big plans for BBQ pulled pork this Sunday. We'll see how it goes...
23.
I went to Lake Powell for the first time this
year. My friends Jaimie Cook, Trisha Wilson, and I did a quick one-night
campout at Lake Powell during the summer. It was a lot of fun although there
was a torrential downpour while we were there that pretty much ruined out lay
out and swim day. That’s ok, it was still fun.
24.
While I was still working at American Airlines I
was able to go to a tax software conference in Florida. Disclaimer: this was
before I had any clue I would be quitting the next week, so it’s not like I
went with the intention of wasting their money on me. Anyways, it was my first
time in Florida so that was pretty cool. I got to see little alligators in
a pond at the hotel. And the conference even rented out part of Universal
Studios Theme Park for us so I got to go to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Theme Park. Unfortunately they didn’t have Hogsmeade (the “muggle” side) rented
out for us, but I did get to go down Diagon Alley (the wizard side) and that
part was pretty awesome! I even tried my first butter bear... it wasn't great. I definitely want to go back and see the rest!
25.
I didn’t decorate at all for Christmas this year
(or Halloween either for that matter). It was super lame. After the last few years
of decorating my whole house, even putting up the lights on the outside, this
year felt strange. I think it’s because I’m renting now and I honestly haven’t
even unpacked all of my stuff yet. I think that’s partly because I know my time
in my current place is limited and where I have a roommate now I don’t want to
go through the hassle of checking to see what decorations she would be fine
with and which ones she wouldn’t. She may not care at all, but it’s easier to
just not do any of it. I’ll have plenty of time in the future to go crazy
decorating my future homes.
26.
True Confession… I’ve created 4 additional
Instagram accounts this year bringing my total to 5. I know, it’s ridiculous. But they each have a different purpose related to separate Chatbooks I wanted
to create. My 1st one is the main account I’ve had for years. This
has all the fun/normal pictures I’m fine with anyone seeing. And for a long
time this one was all I needed. Then I found myself caring more and more about
how many “likes” my pictures got and being kind of bummed when they didn’t get
very many. And I hated that I cared about that. So, I decided to create another
account (#2) that only my Mom and sister Amber know about. This account is
where I post ugly pictures of myself that I think are funny but only for a
limited viewing audience. I’ll also post a bunch of similar pictures here that
I want to document but don’t want to blow up my main account with. The good
thing about this private account is that I never care about how many likes I
get. At most I’ll get two and if I don’t get any then oh well. The next account
(#3) is just for funny posts. Some might be slightly inappropriate, but they
made me laugh and by posting it here I’ll end up with a Chatbook full of things
that I think are funny and will be good for a laugh. Then I created an account
(#4) for just spiritual posts. I thought it’d be nice to have a place I can
collect those as well, so that’s what that account is for. And lastly, my latest
account (#5) is an account I created just for 2016. I decided I would post one
selfie pic a day for every day in 2016. I thought it would be a fun way to look
back on this year and see how I’ve changed from day to day. I don’t do cute
smiley pics every day, but I do something that shows my face at least and
includes a caption that describes at least a little bit of something I did that
day. I’m only a few weeks in and I already find it weird taking daily pictures
of myself (and this is coming from a picture whore) so it may be a long year,
but I still think the idea is cool.
27.
I found the best movie theater ever. It’s near
my house in Flower Mound, Texas and what makes it so great is that your seat is
a full lazy boy recliner that literally reclines all the way back. It’s
amazing! Oh, and did I mention they have a full menu that you can order food,
drinks, and treats from and then servers come and bring you whatever you order
while you’re sitting there in your lazy boy. And the drinks come with free
refills. You just push a button to get the waiter’s attention and they’ll bring
you whatever you want. It’s awesome.
28.
I’ve decided now that I don’t fly for free I
need to start taking roadtrips. There are a ton of awesome locations not too
far away from Dallas in surrounding states that’d I’d love to visit. So
although I’ve come up with this plan this year while I’m 28 I’m hoping to
execute this plan in the coming years when I’m 29 and older. That still counts
for this list right?
And with that, my yearend wrap-up is complete. I’m sure
there’s a million other amazing things I’ve forgotten, but I’m sure those
things can be found in one of my many Instagram accounts. :P
Now let's just hope nothing crazy happens in these last two weeks of my 28th year that I'll regret not having on this list. I guess I could always do an addendum post right? Ok, maybe I've listed to too many Undisclosed Podcasts. :)
Bring on 29!
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