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7.28.2010

Heartbroken

When I was little, Wedding Midge was my favorite toy ever!  {I'm sure I've mentioned it before}  Not only did she have LONG BANGS and WAY longer hair than barbie, she came with a totally cute party dress underneath her wedding dress.  One Christmas I got the full Midge & Allen Wedding Set.  I remember one of my favorite things to do was remove Midge's Wedding skirt, revealing her little white mini-dress.  Then I would take Allen's white wedding blazer, and BAM!  Instantly transform Midge into Dr. Midge.  She would then drive either her Ferrari, Mustang or Jeep to her fabulous job as a doctor-of-something.


I have wanted to be a doctor for as long as I can remember.  It is THE only career I have ever thought of, or taken interest in.  When I wanted to go to "Hair School," my parents told me to get a degree, become a doctor, and then I could do whatever I wanted; but I was too smart to settle for anything less.

Over the last however-many-years-I've-been-in-college it seems like the odds are stacked against me.  I feel like I have been stuck in a rut,  and my life is definately not where I pictured it to be at 25 + 1 years old.  My parents have always stressed the importance of an education {high school was a must as well as a college degree} and it is something that has ALWAYS been extremely important to me.  I love learning.  I always have.  I always loved school, and would throw a fit if I had to miss a day.  It really seems, however, like getting a degree has been harder for me than for anyone else I know.

School isn't necessarily "too hard."  I am a Pre-Med major, and after, numerous, long, intellectual conversations with other Pre-Med/Pre-Dental students, and students of other majors in the foyer of the institute building, it has been decided that my major is definitely one of the most challenging offered in colleges today.  But like I said, it isn't that it's hard, but sometimes I feel like I am not supposed to be doing this

The first 2 years I was in school, I bounced around trying to decide a major; Broadcast Journalism, to Biology, to Photography, and back to Biology.  After deciding, I was only able to attend school part time because of work conflicts.  Then I took time off to figure out my personal life, and then again because of work conflicts.  Then, I couldn't afford to go to school full time and only work part time, so I had to drop some classes.  The cycle seems never ending.

Most people ask, "well can't you do night school, or online classes?"  HAH, I wish!  Maybe if I were a business major, or a Psychology major or something "popular," I could.  But science majors?  Yea right!  Science classes are a pain in my bum!  The classes we need are only-offered-one-semester-per-year-and-in-one-time-slot-and-if-it-fills-up-and-we-don't-get-in-TOO-BAD!  Wait until next year and try again.

Moving on...

This past spring I was fortunate enough to not have to work, and focus my attentions only on school.  I had hoped that this would be the case until I graduate next May (finally).  However, circumstances changed.  I was recently offered a job, and while I was skeptical about working while trying to finish school, I decided that I needed something else to occupy my time (at least until school starts back up in the Fall).  I went in for an interview today, and now I'm left with a very difficult decision.

I never considered a job in this field, and it isn't my dream career, however, I could not have dreamed of a better suited occupation for myself at this time in my life.  If I sat down and wrote down all of the things I would like in a job to help me get through school, this opportunity reaches far beyond those expectations.  The pay is amazing, the benefits are incredible (Medical/Dental/Retirement and I haven't had insurance for years),  Christmas bonuses, yearly raises, paid time off/vacation, monthly birthday parties, Christmas parties, annual summer BBQ's, lunch brought in almost every day, choice of 30 minute or hour long lunch breaks, choice of in-time in the mornings, it's only 5 minutes from my house, they want to start me at twice my asking salary, and start on Monday.

I realize that for most people, this job is a no-brainer.  The only drawback is that they CAN NOT be flexible with my school schedule.  So, essentially, for as long as I would be working with the company, I can't go to school.  I could maybe take a night class here or there, IF one is ever offered.  I am absolutely heartbroken.  I have worked SO hard to try to finish school, and I AM SO CLOSE!  I am so close to getting my degree.  I am SO CLOSE to going to Medical School, and SO CLOSE to being just like my Dr. Midge.

I called my mom after my interview to ask her advice, and she couldn't give me any.  She realizes what an amazing opportunity this is, and it really seems like the stars aligned for me to get this job.  She realizes that another opportunity like this probably will never present itself, but she could not, in her better judgement, advise me to put my education on hold.

It looks as though I will be spending an adequate amount of time today praying and asking for guidance.  I called my bishop for a blessing, and hopefully, afterwards I'll have some guidance.  This is one of the biggest decisions I've had to make thus far in my life {yea, I'm fairly sheltered}, and I don't have a lot of time.
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7.25.2010

Adam

Today in church, there was an overall "theme" in the talks given by three different speakers.  One could sum it up as "Family and History."  One talk focused on a girl's ancestors who were Mormon pioneers and their struggles to move westward to avoid persecution for being Mormons {in a brand new nation founded on religious freedom}, another dealt with one guy's findings as he took a family history class at BYU, and another was about the history of America and the Mormon's role in it.

My grandpa is really into Genealogy.  I mean REALLY into it.  His garage is full of old family photos, and journals and he belongs to just about every family history website ever.  I've always known that I come from royalty (this explains a lot!), and our royal heritage can be traced back to almost every branch of my family tree.  I didn't realize,however, the impact of coming from royalty can have in tracing ones lineage. {Royal families have immaculate family history records dating back to biblical times.}

Anyway, a few years ago, my Grandpa was able to trace out family back to Adam!  You know, like Adam and Eve?!?  It's crazy to look at a piece of paper and see how I directly connect the first man ever on earth!  This year I've also been personally studying the Old Testament.  One other little fun thing I've been doing is tracing my lineage through the Bible as I read stories of my ancestors.  It has been such a blessing, not mention so neat, to have this work done, and I'm grateful to my Grandpa for doing it!

This is a link to the "condensed-non-forked-tree" version of my family tree.  The real predigree that my Grandpa has is hundreds of pages long.


There are also some really cool names on this list:
-  Noah {yea, the guy with the arc}

-  King Priam of Toy and daughter Helenus {while Homer's the Iliad was said to be fiction, it's based on these characters}
-  Charlemagne Emperor of Holy Roman Empire


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7.23.2010

E I E I O

Old MacDonald had a farm
E I E I O
and on his farm he had a
Farmer's Market...
So BF and I decided to go!


Yesterday, I had to go grocery shopping.
We were in dire need of produce so I made BF go with me to check out the local Farmer's Market.
I knew the food was fresh, and locally grown, but figured it would be expensive, which is the reason I've never stopped by before.

Here's what I bought:
16 ears of corn
2 LARGE lemons
4 humongous bell peppers
4 cucumbers
an entire stalk of radishes
6 pluots (plum/apricot hybrids and my new favorite food)
a clam shell of blueberries (see photo below)
basket of grape tomatoes

AND WE ONLY SPENT $20!

Below is a comparasion of $4 of blueberries from the grocery store, and $4 of blueberries from the Farmer's Market





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7.21.2010

Here comes the bride

My new people magazine arrived the other day.  Most of the magazine is jam packed with exclusive photos from Carrie Underwood's wedding to hottie-hockey-stud Mike Fisher {uh oh, another Carrie Fisher!}.  It was gorgeous!  She has always been a style icon of mine.  Her hair, makeup, and clothes always look amazing.  Lucky for us, her makeup artist/bridesmaid dished on the products she used on Carrie for her big day!  Other than the air brush system, all of these products are easy to find, and relatively inexpensive.  My favorite part is that she used Too Faced's new eye palette!  {The Naked palette is awesome too.  I have both!}

If you loved her wedding makeup and are dying to snag some of the products for yourself, I've listed them below!


Face:

Temptu Air Brush Makeup System $225.00 at Sephora
Temptu AIR Pod Foundation $55.00 at Sephora
☆☆ Bobbie Brown Corrector $22.00 at Nordstroms
☆☆ Makeup Forever HD Microfinish Powder $30.00 at Sephora
☆☆ NARS Bronzer in Laguna $32.00 at Sephora
MAC Powdered Blush in Pink Swoon $18.50 at MACcosmetics.com

Eyes:

Tarte Indelible Wink Liquid Liner $22.00 at Sephora 
☆☆ MAC Fluidline Eyeliner Gel in Blacktrack $15.00 at MACcosmetics.com
Andrea Modlash False Eyelashes #53 $4.29 at Walgreens


Lips:

MAC Lipstick in Hue $14.00 at MACcosmetics.com


  {Source}
{Source} These products were not listed specifically as wedding coverage makeup, but are among Carrie's favorite products.
☆☆ These products were not listed specifically as wedding coverage makeup, but are essential for wedding makeup.


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7.19.2010

Weekly To Do

This week, my only plans are to enjoy being outside, maybe improve my tan, and catch up on some reading.  I went to Costco last week with my Grandparent's and as we perused the books section, I noticed that books are significantly cheaper at Costco than anywhere else, so I grabbed the Hunger Games, and The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner.  I'm finishing Water for Elephants {audiobook} today, so it's nice to have some backups.  I think, also, I'm going to shoot for some F. Scott Fitzgerald.  I've had this book on my shelf for years and never read it.


 
Anyway, when I woke up this morning, I ran to Starbucks, the frappuccino was calling.  I went to the far-one-with-the-drive-through-window, because I didn't bother changing out of my pajamas before I left, and was sporting a make-up free face that only a mother could love.  As I paid, I gave the girl my debit card which states "SEE ID" in all capital letters on the back.  She asked for my ID, and, glancing it over, stated, "Wow, that doesn't look at all like you!  Maybe next time..."  She then made a gesture with her hand as if wiping her face, "makeup?"

**Facepalm**



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7.18.2010

A Rare Accomplishment

Yesterday, my grandparents celebrated their 57th Wedding Anniversary!


We went over with an ice cream cake, cards and gifts to celebrate.  In true Grandma fashion she stated that she was frustrated with her pants because they tie in the back.  "Isn't that silly that they would make pants that tie in the back?"

She then realized she had them on backwards.

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Aww Crap, I broke a nail

Lately my fingernails have been getting really long.  {I heard once that hair and nails grow faster in warm weather.}  However, with the fantastic length, comes major breakage.  Unfortunately for me, my nails always seem to break all the way down, right at the base!  Recently, I found a YouTube video with a trick on how to fix this problem. 

 

 

 
I've been trying it now for over a month, and I have to say, I'm sold!  It's called the "Tea Bag Method" and is super easy to do, and can be done with items you may already have. 


  1. Start with clean, dry nails.  Go ahead and file/shape your nails, and remove the cuticles.
  2. Take a single tea bag, and remove any tea leaves.  Then cut a small square out of the bag using any household scissors.
  3. Using a base coat nail polish, apply a dot over the crack in your fingernail, and then cover one side of the tea bag square as well.
  4. Place the tea bag- polished side down over the crack- and smooth out using a small nail tool.  For added strength, wrap a small edge of the tea bag around the edge of your nail and again smooth out.  To secure this edge, apply more base coat to the underside of your nail. 
  5. Let dry, and the apply base coat to the rest of your nail.

Tada!  If you choose to just wear clear top coat, you can barely see the tea bag {it was almost invisibl on 2 of my 3 cracks}, however, once you paint your nails, you won't even notice it's there!  I'm not sure how long the tea bags will hold up because I've been changeing my polish & tea bags about once a week for the last 3 weeks.  It only takes a few extra minutes of "Manicure time" but it is SO TOTALLY worth it!

 
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7.15.2010

When all the world is green

Oh what do you do in the summertime
When all the world is green?
Do you fish in the stream,
Or lazily dream
 On the banks as the clouds roll by?
Is that what you do?
So do I


Ahh, summertime! I can not get enough.  I love the song above, my mom taught it to us when we were very little, and singing it has always brought back wonderful memories of childhood.


I often wish I lived in a place where it summer all year round!  Today I'm feeling especially summery  I've got a braid in my hair {braids are driving me crazy- in a good way- right now}, shorts and bare feet!  My outfit even reminds me of the grass and sky.  To top everything off, I'm sporting some green and peach eyeshadow {inspired by grass and sunshine!} 


The only things that would make today better would be a "swimmin-suit-nap" and a Big Stick popsicle!


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7.12.2010

Miss Priss Beauty Poll | July 12


1. Mood: Sentimental!  Unwritten Law's Seeing Red has been popping up on my iPod a lot lately, and it brings back SO many meories from my youth {i.e. high school dramatics involving certain boys} .  "... and all I want to hear is your voice," ugh, it gets me every time!

2. Highlight of last weekend? Going Swimming, BBQing, Cheeseburgers, and seeing the M's, oh yea, and finally seeing Eclipse!

3. Three staple makeup items in your makeup bag? I don't really carry a "makeup bag," but I carry a little bag in my purse {small pink one} that has Cover Girl Wetslicks lipgloss in Raspberry, Bare Minerals travel brush set, and Rimmel Stay Matte face powder in Translucent.

4. If you could raid one person’s closet, whose would it be?  The J. Crew Closet!  I would be in heaven if I could just have 1 of everything in the store.  Seriously

5. Your life described in a song? Stronger by Britney Spears, this has been one of my "theme songs" since high school.

6. How would you describe your ideal Friday night?  With a bunch of friends, maybe a pool party, followed by a BBQ and chit-chatting around a bon-fire.  It's summer... and this would be the perfect summer Friday night!

7. Breakfast? Bacon!  I watched the food network last night, and on Unwrapped the theme was Bacon.  I craved it all night!

8. Worst movie you’ve seen so far this year?  The only one I can remember is "When in Rome."

9. Outfit:  Red boyfriend t-shirt, demin capris, and gladiator sandals.  I'm so comfortable, and these t-shirts ($8) are my new favorite, I have them in every color!

10. Your weekly goals: To have fun!  I plan on floating on my little raft in the pool all week!



Your Turn
Copy this and fill it out in the Comments Section or on your own blog post.
1. Mood:
2. Highlight of last weekend?
3. Three staple makeup items in your makeup bag?
4. If you could raid one person’s closet, whose would it be?
5. Your life described in a song?
6. How would you describe your ideal Friday night?
7. Breakfast?
8. Worst movie you’ve seen so far this year?
9. Outfit:
10. Your weekly goals:

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7.07.2010

July 4th Weekend

Thanks to BF's new work schedule, we were able to escape the Las Vegas heat and head out to his family's cabin in Duck Creek, UT on Friday evening.  We spent most of the weekend on the ATV's and just relaxing in the fresh air.  I was excited to hear that Duck Creek Village was putting on a fireworks show, because I haven't gotten to see REAL fireworksthe past two years.  The "show" was a disappointment to say the least and consisted of the package of $9.99 fireworksyou can find at any local grocery store.  Wah wah wah.  I guess my totally tacky awesome 4th of July nails will have to do!





We had planned to head home Tuesday evening so the drive into Las Vegas wouldn't melt the rubber on our tires.  That morning BF woke up around 4am in SO MUCH pain.  Because I was sleeping in the loft, I could hear the agonizing moans, and his mom's futile attempts to offer him Pepto Bismol to cure his "stomach ache."  BF is a pretty tough guy and so the fact that he was in so much pain worried me.  Around 8am, I woke up again to the sounds of him vomiting, just as I was about to fall back asleep, I had a very strong feeling that I needed to get up and get to the hospital.  I jumped out of bed, threw on my clothes, and told BF's roommate (also with us) to load up the car.  I told BF's parents that I was taking him to the hospital.  BF's roommate drove us down the mountain to Cedar City, while I sat in back and tried to make BF comfortable.  The normally scenic drive through Cedar Breaks seemed never ending.  Finally, in only 25 minutes we were at the emergency room. 

Once checked in, BF begged the nurse for something for the pain.  She gave him 3 shots of something into his IV, and within 20 minutes he was "comfortable."  The doctor told us that his symptoms indicated anything from an intestinal infection to appendicitis.  After blood tests, urine tests, a CT scan, and 6 hours, it was revealed that BF had a kidney stone!


I felt awful for him!  I've had 3 kidney stones (in high school and my first year of college) and I KNOW how much pain he was in.  {They say that kidney stones hurt worse than child birth.}  Luckily, the doctor said it was only 1/2 a centimeter from the bladder, and once it got there it was small enough (4mm) that BF would pass it without any pain.  I really felt bad, because for the last few months, BF has occasionally complained of a stomach ache.  He would say that his stomach hurt, he would feel like eating, and would just want to veg out with me on the couch.  He NEVER once gave any indication of HOW much his stomach hurt, and now I know!  It was caused by that pesky Fletcher {BF named his stone "Fletcher the F***ing pain in my stomach"} traveling from his kidney outwards.

Anyway, after some strong prescription meds, and a little R'n'R, he felt much better, and we were able to make the drive home.  Thanks to everyone who commented and e-mailed their well wishes!  It wasn't an ideal 4th of July weekend, but we did have a great time before all of the commotion!



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7.06.2010

Fletcher



Today, I spent most of the morning/afternoon at Valley View Medical Center in Cedar City, UT.

What did you do today?