After 10 days straight of playing, I'm back at work! But only for today and Friday. I work 8 to midnight right now, and then Friday I work from 1:30 to 6pm and since it's a holiday, I get some sweet holiday pay at work. Too bad my pay raise won't be in effect at that time! Oh well.
-Then- I'm off to Lake Powell for a week starting this Saturday! Weee!! I'm excited to get tan. :) But don't you worry, I'll wear sunscreen.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Advanced
That's what I am. NIC ADVANCED.
Yup, I passed, and went beyond the mark.
**For those of you who aren't interpreters and don't know what this means: I took the national interpreter certification (NIC) and it was a pretty hard test, and long, too! Like 3 hours! It consisted of interview questions of ethical dilemmas, and a performance section to demonstrate my skills. There are three levels; NIC (certified), Advanced, and Master.
I got the second level. ADVANCED. There's only one level in the entire nation higher than me, which is Master. I'm kind of freaking out and really elated. Is this really my life? It's incredible!!!!!!!!!!! This has been a life goal which I didn't think I'd really accomplish until well into my 30's. Who knew I'd pass at the advanced level at age 24? I have everything I've ever wanted. An awesome husband, a super sweet house, great job, and now NIC advanced certification. Next, my degree! I graduate in May!!!
Friday, July 17, 2009
whipping my butt into shape
... in more ways than one.
Recently my work has been very sporadic and hardly anything. In light of that, this week since I don't have work, I've done some soul searching and decided that I needed to whip my butt into high gear and do a little exploring in several facets of my life. Here's how.
Physically
I have gone hiking every single day! I go with a bunch of ladies (including my wonderful mother in law) in the mornings around 8:00, and then when Travis gets home from work, we go hiking. (For me, it's the second time of the day, and the first for him). We have hiked several waterfalls and other fun hikes. We recently did Stewart Falls and it was so chill and easy that we ran up and back. (Trust me, it's like completely flat, and a really fun run!) When we don't go hiking at night, we go wakeboarding! I'm getting much better and the last time I got some pretty sweet air! I'm not as afraid to fall anymore and in fact, I don't. I can have a seriously long run on the wakeboard, do jumps and stuff without even getting my hair wet. Prissy, I know right?! :) I am getting into shape faster than I thought I would. I hardly get out of breath anymore and I have to push myself extra hard to get to that next level. We are going to hike Timp before school starts, so that's my goal.
Mentally
I have read a ton of books this week, 3 and counting! I'm currently on The Glass Castle, and loving it. I've also read other things as well, which brings me to my next area...
Spiritually
I mentioned before that I was going to read a page of the Book of Mormon for every day Lizzie has been gone. I thought it would be wierd at first, but it surprisingly has made my reading/studying more meaningful. I have lengthy discussions with Travis about the stories and I love to talk about them. I also read an Ensign article a night, as well as getting through the recent conference edition. I've had to rely on my Heavenly Father a lot, every single day, and my relationship with Him is getting stronger. If there's one thing I've learned this week, it's to sync my will with God's, and I will never go wrong.
Educationally
Even though I'm not in school doesn't mean I don't have to stop my learning! I decided this week to take up sewing! I'm almost finished with an awesome dress and skirt. Everyday I hang out with my mother-in-law until around 2pm then I hang out with my mom after that, until Travis comes home from work. Sewing teaches patience, seriously! I've had to rip out and re-do over and over! My sweet mother-in-law always says, "It's okay, Kat, even the best seamstresses have to start over sometimes." She knows how to calm me down when I get super frustrated! That being said, the dress is turning out super cute, I just have to finish hand sewing the hem. I am also making a super cute skirt with my own Mama, who is a Master Seamstress! I have a new found respect for my sister-in-law Christy. She's a super awesome seamstress and really creative, everything she makes is dang cute, and I wish I could be like her. Thanks to Carolene and mama Linda for helping me out this week and for being my buddies when I didn't have anyone to play with! Pictures of my projects coming soon.
Last but not least... my marriage
Confession here... I haven't always utilized Travis as my confidante, even though I should. Since Lizzie is on her mission, I haven't known exactly who I could talk to, and I realized I have the most willing and wonderful husband in the world who actually listens and remembers what I say and wants to talk to me. Our relationship has reached new heights this past week and I'm so grateful for that. He has definitely fulfilled the role of confidante, listening ear, hiking buddy, lover and best friend. I'm so glad I have him and I am the lucky one in this relationship.
Anyway, I've realized that cultivating friendships takes hard work, much like anything else. I took out my aggression on the mountainsides this week, had my own enlightenments about my life, and had a lot of fun with some friends I didn't expect.
I have worked really hard this week, and haven't earned any money. Although the lessons I've learned along the way... completely priceless.
Recently my work has been very sporadic and hardly anything. In light of that, this week since I don't have work, I've done some soul searching and decided that I needed to whip my butt into high gear and do a little exploring in several facets of my life. Here's how.
Physically
I have gone hiking every single day! I go with a bunch of ladies (including my wonderful mother in law) in the mornings around 8:00, and then when Travis gets home from work, we go hiking. (For me, it's the second time of the day, and the first for him). We have hiked several waterfalls and other fun hikes. We recently did Stewart Falls and it was so chill and easy that we ran up and back. (Trust me, it's like completely flat, and a really fun run!) When we don't go hiking at night, we go wakeboarding! I'm getting much better and the last time I got some pretty sweet air! I'm not as afraid to fall anymore and in fact, I don't. I can have a seriously long run on the wakeboard, do jumps and stuff without even getting my hair wet. Prissy, I know right?! :) I am getting into shape faster than I thought I would. I hardly get out of breath anymore and I have to push myself extra hard to get to that next level. We are going to hike Timp before school starts, so that's my goal.
Mentally
I have read a ton of books this week, 3 and counting! I'm currently on The Glass Castle, and loving it. I've also read other things as well, which brings me to my next area...
Spiritually
I mentioned before that I was going to read a page of the Book of Mormon for every day Lizzie has been gone. I thought it would be wierd at first, but it surprisingly has made my reading/studying more meaningful. I have lengthy discussions with Travis about the stories and I love to talk about them. I also read an Ensign article a night, as well as getting through the recent conference edition. I've had to rely on my Heavenly Father a lot, every single day, and my relationship with Him is getting stronger. If there's one thing I've learned this week, it's to sync my will with God's, and I will never go wrong.
Educationally
Even though I'm not in school doesn't mean I don't have to stop my learning! I decided this week to take up sewing! I'm almost finished with an awesome dress and skirt. Everyday I hang out with my mother-in-law until around 2pm then I hang out with my mom after that, until Travis comes home from work. Sewing teaches patience, seriously! I've had to rip out and re-do over and over! My sweet mother-in-law always says, "It's okay, Kat, even the best seamstresses have to start over sometimes." She knows how to calm me down when I get super frustrated! That being said, the dress is turning out super cute, I just have to finish hand sewing the hem. I am also making a super cute skirt with my own Mama, who is a Master Seamstress! I have a new found respect for my sister-in-law Christy. She's a super awesome seamstress and really creative, everything she makes is dang cute, and I wish I could be like her. Thanks to Carolene and mama Linda for helping me out this week and for being my buddies when I didn't have anyone to play with! Pictures of my projects coming soon.
Last but not least... my marriage
Confession here... I haven't always utilized Travis as my confidante, even though I should. Since Lizzie is on her mission, I haven't known exactly who I could talk to, and I realized I have the most willing and wonderful husband in the world who actually listens and remembers what I say and wants to talk to me. Our relationship has reached new heights this past week and I'm so grateful for that. He has definitely fulfilled the role of confidante, listening ear, hiking buddy, lover and best friend. I'm so glad I have him and I am the lucky one in this relationship.
Anyway, I've realized that cultivating friendships takes hard work, much like anything else. I took out my aggression on the mountainsides this week, had my own enlightenments about my life, and had a lot of fun with some friends I didn't expect.
I have worked really hard this week, and haven't earned any money. Although the lessons I've learned along the way... completely priceless.
Friday, July 10, 2009
do you know your lines?
All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts.
-William Shakespeare
-William Shakespeare
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
tempting
This shirt is for sale at forever21.com and I'm tempted to get it only because it has my name on it. No joke I would have screamed and begged my parents to buy this for me when I was in junior high. I already have the cat collar to match it. Also no joke I literally wore one for a necklace during junior high AND high school. I took it off my freshman year because the big kids started to make fun of me.... I wonder why?! 
Monday, July 6, 2009
Thursday, July 2, 2009
P.S.
With everything I had going on this Summer semester, I still managed to get straight A's. That's a 4.0 if you didn't know. :) I'm pretty excited about it, considering I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off for those 8 weeks!
birdie takes flight
My little sister Lizzie (aka Birdie) left for her mission today. I thought I would handle it much better, and I was hoping to handle it better, but I didn't. Like an idiot I sobbed like a little baby. I was crying so hard I was gasping. I feel like a part of me has left. The part that reminds me to be more patient and loving, to genuinely care about people, not to judge. The part that reminds me to be optimistic and look for the good. That part of me is Lizzie.
She was set apart last night and it was a beautiful experience for our family. She was able to bear her testimony with us and I was a witness to the special change that took place in her. She IS a missionary and she is truly wonderful. I cannot wait to hear stories about her mission and the things she experiences. She has only been on the plane for 2 hours now and I still can't pull myself together. My eyes are puffy and red, and they hurt from crying so much. I know she isn't gone forever, but she is my best friend, my confidante, and I will miss her every single day for the next 545 days.
I decided that I was going to read the entire Book of Mormom while she is gone, to keep myself spiritually minded and also for me to track how long she has left on the mission. There are 531 pages in the Book of Mormon, which is perfect, because it gives me some wiggle room if I forget to read a day or two.
Lizzie is my little baby. I think I truly cried harder than my mom did today at the airport and on the way home. I have watched Lizzie grow and blossom into a beautiful young lady. I can't take credit for any of her accomplishments, but I am so incredibly proud of her! From 3 days after she was born we have been inseparable. (Apparently it took me a few days to warm up to her.) She has been my shining star, and the only one who can change my mood when I am sad or upset. (Travis is still learning, catching on pretty fast.) She truly has a gift of healing. The bond we share is so strong, which is why I am a pathetic miserable mess right now!
Lizzie truly is my best friend. At times when I had no friends, I took comfort in the fact that I would always have Liz. She has been on this rollercoaster life with me and never abandoned me. How many of us could say we have friends like that? I'm lucky that my best friend is my sister and we will be together forever because we're related. When my friends distanced themselves from me, gossiped about me, decided they didn't like me anymore, I always had Lizzie. I still have her, but in a different way. This next year and a half is going to be really difficult for me. It's going to be hard finding my identity without Lizzie. I'm afraid that I might learn I am not as awesome as I thought I was. Lizzie was always there to cheer me on and lift me up. Now I have to do that on my own. She's always been a part of how I identified myself, and now I have to find out who I am, apart from Lizzie. I'm not sure I ever wanted to do that.
I know it was hard for Lizzie to grow up as my younger sister. I'm a spotlight hog and I regret not giving her the support and attention that she needed. However this is something I won't get to do in my life. I won't ever serve a mission as a single sister. This is completely HERS and something she can hold on to and reflect on for her entire life, and eternity! I can't wait for people to get to know her and fall in love with her! Birdie has spread her wings and it's her time to fly. I could not be more proud.
She was set apart last night and it was a beautiful experience for our family. She was able to bear her testimony with us and I was a witness to the special change that took place in her. She IS a missionary and she is truly wonderful. I cannot wait to hear stories about her mission and the things she experiences. She has only been on the plane for 2 hours now and I still can't pull myself together. My eyes are puffy and red, and they hurt from crying so much. I know she isn't gone forever, but she is my best friend, my confidante, and I will miss her every single day for the next 545 days.
I decided that I was going to read the entire Book of Mormom while she is gone, to keep myself spiritually minded and also for me to track how long she has left on the mission. There are 531 pages in the Book of Mormon, which is perfect, because it gives me some wiggle room if I forget to read a day or two.
Lizzie is my little baby. I think I truly cried harder than my mom did today at the airport and on the way home. I have watched Lizzie grow and blossom into a beautiful young lady. I can't take credit for any of her accomplishments, but I am so incredibly proud of her! From 3 days after she was born we have been inseparable. (Apparently it took me a few days to warm up to her.) She has been my shining star, and the only one who can change my mood when I am sad or upset. (Travis is still learning, catching on pretty fast.) She truly has a gift of healing. The bond we share is so strong, which is why I am a pathetic miserable mess right now!
Lizzie truly is my best friend. At times when I had no friends, I took comfort in the fact that I would always have Liz. She has been on this rollercoaster life with me and never abandoned me. How many of us could say we have friends like that? I'm lucky that my best friend is my sister and we will be together forever because we're related. When my friends distanced themselves from me, gossiped about me, decided they didn't like me anymore, I always had Lizzie. I still have her, but in a different way. This next year and a half is going to be really difficult for me. It's going to be hard finding my identity without Lizzie. I'm afraid that I might learn I am not as awesome as I thought I was. Lizzie was always there to cheer me on and lift me up. Now I have to do that on my own. She's always been a part of how I identified myself, and now I have to find out who I am, apart from Lizzie. I'm not sure I ever wanted to do that.
I know it was hard for Lizzie to grow up as my younger sister. I'm a spotlight hog and I regret not giving her the support and attention that she needed. However this is something I won't get to do in my life. I won't ever serve a mission as a single sister. This is completely HERS and something she can hold on to and reflect on for her entire life, and eternity! I can't wait for people to get to know her and fall in love with her! Birdie has spread her wings and it's her time to fly. I could not be more proud.
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