Being a Bum

Today I was extremely unproductive. A bum, if you will. I'm not taking classes right now and I'm "on call" at my catering job so the hours are very unpredictable. I had today off and my function tomorrow was canceled so now that day is free, too. I only feel good about spending my time leisurely when I've done something really productive during the day or have worked especially hard during the week. Even if I didn't need to work for the money, I think I'd have a job so I could feel justified in having fun. Don't get me wrong, I love having nothing to do, but too much nothing to do is very unsatisfying.

Even so, today was enjoyable. I learned how to carve board with my friend that I met skiing at Spring Clinic and afterward we went to dinner at Tucci's. I also got a few errands done. I still have to finish an independent study class this summer, so maybe I will get going on that tomorrow. Or maybe I will just learn to enjoy being a bum.

Start of the "Sunday Editions"

From now on I'm going to try to post something of a spiritual nature on Sunday. I seriously heart Sunday; it is hands-down the best day of the week. I love going to church and everything about it: feeling the Spirit, taking the sacrament, increasing my desire to becoming a better person, and associating with wonderful people. I love Sunday dinner with family and friends and the feeling of satiety that only comes after stuffing myself with Grandma Rae's ham and funeral potatoes or thyme chicken. I love having nothing to do but relax and reflect on the beauty of the Gospel and the many blessings in my life. I really get to thinking about all that I've been given. "Count your many blessings, name them one by one...":


1) My family- My mom in particular is amazing. She is the sweetest, most genuine person I've ever met. She will initiate a conversation with anyone and makes everyone around her comfortable. She is the best listener and the person I love to talk to the most. I am also lucky to know everyone in my extended family. Both of my grandmas are wonderful. They are so generous and have been such great examples to me. I could do a whole post on my exceptional family.

2) A healthy body- Our bodies are so powerful and capable. I'm thankful for a body that can do most anything I ask of it.

3) Food and Shelter- Not only is food delicious and fun to eat, but it keeps us alive. I have never worried about going hungry and I haven't even had to eat Ramen noodles as a college student. I also have a great apartment that could probably fit five or six families in another part of the world.

4) Loving Heavenly Father- I am so grateful for the knowledge I have that I'm a daughter of a Heavenly Father who loves me and wants me to become as great as He is. This knowledge is priceless.

5) Endless Opportunities- I can do whatever I want in life. This is America, after all. I can be a lawyer, communications director, CEO, banquet server, or janitor (been there, done that!). I am fortunate enough to go to BYU and I know that the amount of hard work I put into my education will equal what I get out of it.

6) Earth- There is truly beauty all around. In Utah, all you have to do is look east towards the mountains to realize what a wonderful earth we have been given. I'm so grateful to be blessed with such beautiful surroundings.

7) My wonderful friends- You gotta love good friends, and I definitely have some great ones. I'm also grateful for the opportunity and ability to make new friends everywhere I go.

I'm sure there will be more of these "blessings" posts. There is just TOO much to be grateful for.

Excited for Camp Walden

Today I secured a job as a summer camp counselor at Camp Walden in Diamond Point, NY. The camp is located on Lake George in the Adirondack mountains. From the pictures online and the DVD I received in the mail, the camp facilities and surrounding area look absolutely amazing. The camp has tons of recreational activities available: swimming, wakeboarding, sailing, kayaking, a water trampoline!, basketball, softball, tennis, horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking, camping, and a zip line, just to name a few.

This seems like the perfect summer job for me. From June 26 through August 15 I will be playing outside with fun kids all day long. I will probably be working with the 1st/2nd grade girls since I have the most experience with this age group from teaching skiing. After speaking to the camp director it sounds like there are a lot of awesome people who work at Walden that I'll get to hang out with on my off-time.

I'm excited for this job because I really love working with kids. Teaching kids can sometimes be challenging, but it is so rewarding to see them grow. For me, working with kids develops characteristics like patience, conscientiousness, creativity, and optimism. I know my patience has improved immensely since teaching kids. I'm looking forward to being a positive role model for the campers and making sure they have an awesome time. Some of my favorite memories from my youth are from summer camp. I will have to post about some as the summer gets closer.

SKIING

Air time

Group shot @ snowbird (the crew)

This is what I've been up to for the past few weeks. Skiing with friends on a clear day with soft snow-it doesn't get any better!!!!