Wednesday night, 8:04 pm. I am currently on break at work. Tonight's been one of "those" nights, where all of us aren't in a great mood and communication is kept to a minimal. With my kind of job, communication and correct tone of voice are essential.

Lately I have been keeping up with school, work, and just life in general. I try to spend time with friends as often as possible when both of us are free and we "want" to hang out. Right now I'm very irritated from being in the drive thru, so I'm going to stop before I regret saying some things.

On the bright side, tomorrow is Thanksgiving! Which means that I get to go to St. George and visit some lost family, meaning I have not had hardly any communication. And we get to eat a never ending food supply. It's gonna be awesome. :) Saturday is the day my mom and I run grandma's boutique for her for literally the entire day. It's all in good fun, but it's a very long day with no real entertainment. We just sit in a gym with a ton of other people and their booths and hope that people will come and buy stuff. We're lucky if they do.

I'm really getting into photography. I don't think I'll minor in it though, it's just a hobby. For christmas I plan on upgrading to a Nikon Coolpix S8200 with a tripod. From my photography class and my friends with the major, they have taught me some amazing tricks and such. I want to make my own. I have been practicing with my camera I have now and applying photoshop on my iPad. It's made me appreciate the world around me in its beauty.

I am glad I have the rest of the week off of school. Now I just have to deal with work, which shouldn't be too hard since I'm good at what I do. Rather, it's just communication issues or people are just mean. But I can overcome anything if I choose to.

It's time for an update

Tomorrow's Halloween! :) And I could not be more excited. I am staying home with the fam this year but we have fun anyway. :) Like last year I dressed as the Grim Reaper and I creepily would open the door and give out candy. This year I kind of plan on doing the same thing, although this time I will be sitting on our porch in a chair with a bowl of candy. My costume I owe to the cast members of Thriller from Tuachan in St. G this year. I am dressing just like them with ripped clothing. I'm going to just be sitting there and just look up at them. I'm way excited.

School has been going really well. Starting this Wednesday, I can start signing up for classes for the spring semester. Weird, right? I mean, we're not even finished with the fall! I'm still way excited nonetheless. I plan on taking English 2020, a Nutrition class, Chem 1210/1215, CSIS 1000, Culinary Arts (if I can get in), possibly Math 1050 along with institute classes. Hopefully I won't be too overwhelmed.

I have to say I love my single adult's ward. My friends from the ward have been so good to me and I have connected with them. Heather is also a nutrition major, so we're friends needless to say. Our temple trip was last wednesday to the St. G one. We performed baptisms for the dead and I had lots of fun and took a few good shots. Overall, I just love doing temple work.

I have started taking green tea supplements everyday now. While I was at the mall with the fam there was a kiosk thing. Green tea is thought to be responsible for the life long health of Asian cultures and it's filled with powerful antioxidants with many health benefits. It promotes fat loss and has lots of trace minerals in it. I take two packets, one with breakfast and one with lunch. I have seen a difference in my energy and mood. It really does help!

On a similar note, I am convinced that I'm now lactose intolarant. It's not a big deal though because now I have lactose free milk so I can still eat my cereal. The downside is that I can no longer have ice cream-especially since I work at DQ. Oh well, I'll probably starting losing weight though :).

Let me update you

Today I went back to school after the weekend plus two days. It was nice to return with it now being the middle of the week. Fall break was Monday and Tuesday. Of those I hiked both days. Monday I spent probably four hours with Ashley hiking the "C" trail and oh.my.gosh. it is so incredibly beautiful up there with all of the pretty leaves! :) I got some amazing shots and just had a great time. It had been awhile since I hung out with Ashley! We hiked to from top to bottom to the second bench, then we hiked all the way back to the top. I forgot how steep the trail was...for me it was hard, but a test of faith and we were back to the top soon after!

Tuesday I spent all day with my family. We hiked on a trail I'd never been on before and worked the same night. It was a turnoff just before the "road is closed sign. My mom called the trail as hell's trails because the incline was so ridiculous. It was also very narrow; one wrong step and you be tumbling down a few hundred feet. Nevertheless, we still had a great time, also good exercise. The coolest part was the human carvings in the rock. I guess it looked like their god of war because he was big and powerful looking with a "t" for a head.

The most entertaining day of the weekend was monday, right after I returned home from the hike. I left around 3:20, and got back at like 6:40 ish pm. Earlier my mom called me while I was with Ashley to come work but when I got home, she had it covered so I rested and ate dinner. I then watched Family Guy with my brother downstairs, which by the way never happens. We laughed hysterically because the episode on at the time was particularly original. I don't think I will ever cease to stop loving that show. Around 11:00 pm was when kitty came downstairs with the mouse in her mouth. Last week we had the first episode when we first found it in my mom's room. We lost it unfortunately. So, I pulled out my iPad and taped the entire ordeal right up until we lost it again in our storage room. Needless to say, my mom and I were entertained for the night. :)

Things are going well right now. I have been keeping up with all of my work and opening up to new people which is hard for me. I have been improving, though and I expect I will see some progress and rewards.

I never know what to title my blog entires. Although I do have a lot to say about things lately.

So, it's monday again. I'm actually one who likes these days. I don't know exactly why, it's just that Sundays are always so relaxing and I get so much sleep that it's always good to return refreshed. I also have the day off of work, so that's always a plus.

The last major event of my life was the Xango trip to corporate office in SLC. It was a leadership conference, as well. I don't think I have felt more motivated than I have after taking those notes and listening to some of the best speakers I think I have ever heard. I now want more than ever to be engaged in this amazing business. It's going to finanacially set me free and promote my wellness. I have also met some friends through this. What's not to lose?
We drove up the same day and got home around three in the morning. It was definitely worth it though! :)

Lately I have been a little bit frustrated with my peers. It's just that sometimes I don't remember to look through their eyes and see their point of view. I guess I just need to remember that it's not about you but rather it's about them. You have to forget yourself and be a leader because a leader is someone who is always serving others.

Dang.

So, the last major event in my life was the institute date night w/ Mike. Interesting date, I have to say. It's for a good way though! It wasn't at all awkward, surprising for a first date and I had maybe known him for like three weeks, and that's not hanging out or anything, just in our Isaiah class. Anyhow, he got lost trying to find my house. :p No surprise there, our house is hidden and it doesn't help that our address is basically a duplicate of another street. Whatever, keeps us safe I guess.

What I had to do was meet him at the district office and he followed me to where I was. Thankfully my parentals were not around, so I saved him the nerve wracking experience of meeting them. I hate doing that anyway, because it's just awkward. In a way, I would much rather hang out casually than to get all dolled up for a date and having to act all lady like. But that's just my opinion. I just hate awkward.

We were supposed to hike the C trail with the institue but we got all mixed up. Unknowingly, I led Mike to the top in mistake. We just hung out there, looking over the view. I took pictures of all the pretty leaves and the landscapes around us. We ended up hiking the trail from top to bottom, in the dark. Thank goodness we kept the conversation going the entire time. I wasn't thirsty from lack of water, but because of our lively conversation. I am so thankful that I was comfortable with him.

By the time we got to the bottom, my feet were on the verge of tears. My tennis shoes thankfully held well. His Jeep was at the top and we were at the bottom of the four mile slope. I am so thankful I took my phone with me because it provided light in the darkness and I was able to climb the invisible dirt hills.

It was rather interesting, for my mom had to find us in the dark. After a slightly awkward ride back to the top, we went to dinner at Costa. After it was good night, we hugged and went our separate ways. I haven't had that much fun with a guy before :)

School's been great, I have been keeping up with my institute class. I cannot tell you how much my classes have helped me in my daily life. Everything just falls together, I get things done I didn't think I could. My health and ablities have increased. I am happier. Institute has been the best thing that's happened to me. I do my studying there, I feel His presence. The friendliest people are there. You won't be sorry you went!

My relationships are very much strengthened. I have met so many new friends since I started. General Conference...I have no words to describe how awed and inspired I felt while listening to it. I feel that I have all the answers to my questions. It's an amazing feeling. The scriptures also help with that as well, but I think that the best thing is prayer. It's that moment when you connect with our Father in Heaven and he does hear and answer you. We are so blessed to have that.

Just Dandy :]

Wow, things are really moving fast. The weeks are blurring together. It's good news though because that only gets me closer to my favorite time of year, which is October to November. I don't know really why I like it so much, it's probably because of the beautiful leaves on the C and the weather is certainly a nice break from the heat of summer. I love the heat but it can only last so long before I begin to go crazy cause at work it's pretty much miserable after close.

Some updates: I really feel like a college student now. :) For like the first two, three weeks I would park in the best place possible, go to class, and go home after. Lately I have stuck around after getting out of specifically, my institute class on M W. I stay there and just read from the New Testament to keep up with what we're supposed to be reading for the next class period. It's helped me a lot, actually. I have noticed that I'm able to be more productive and get some things done if I but read those days. We have been asked to invite people to institute. I have and I haven't brought anyone back with me, just gave them the invite and hopefully they consider coming because I know it would make a difference.

Some of my assignments have required me to walk all around campus to different buildings. I am pretty sure I know where everything's at now. I feel pretty welcomed on our campus. A note to the current high school seniors: hang in there! You're gonna love college! :D Thankfully I have been keeping up on my homework, and thank goodness for the library's basement. It is my favorite place to get some things done besides home. It's dead silent, which can be good or bad. You can concentrate but when you get up to leave, you basically sound like thunder. I'm intimidated when I'm ready to go because I know I'm not quiet while packing up. Oh well.

University 1010 is still a waste, I think. On the bright side, I know what my experimental education experience is going to be. My nutrition majors meeting was yesterday and I found that the chair person goes on trips to England/Japan every summer to look at food from a different perspective. Basically, I am so stoked to have that opportunity. And it's going to get my UNIV 1010 nonsense out of the way, so needless to say, stoked for the summer. Haha so far away...

It's fall...where'd summer go?

So, this is my life. Going to school, balancing work and school work. Meeting new friends, having fun while listening to my history professor lecture and taking pictures. 


The past couple of weeks have really flown by. I swear I just started school and now we're working on our fifth week?! I will never cease to love my schedule. I have class at eight MWF and eight thirty TTH. After those classes I have institute right after. I am currently taking Isaiah and The Life of Christ/New Testament Doctrine. I will never regret adding these classes to my schedule because of all the benefits and blessings I have received. You can never go wrong with institute. You might think that my Isaiah class sounds complicated because "It's Isaiah." To an extent, some of it yes, but my amazing teacher makes it as clear as black and white. Some principals and Isaiah's way of writing are starting to make sense, I think. At least I know what he's referring to. As for my Life of Christ class, it's an easy understanding and has taught me many latter day principals. 


The most homework I have had is for English. I go to class, have discussions and take notes. Then I also have assignments online through Canvas. Needless to say, that class keeps me busy. 


History 1700 has its share of homework, although not strictly enforced with due dates. You can read the textbook but I can guarantee you that most people don't. I am included. For those before me who have taken that class, their advice was just to pay attention and take notes. I take my iPad to class and record his lecture with my Soundnote app and type notes. 


My Wellness Dynamics class is so relaxed. Sometimes I forget that I have that class in fact. We have our class discussions and take notes. Our final is completing the online workbook. It's very easy. I like what we talk about because it deals with nutrition and our well being, also what I am majoring in. 


I am sure we've all been there at some point. For me it's the very first time: my pants are smaller aka I think I have gained weight in my thighs. Me, a health guru gained weight? I don't know exactly what happened but I am guessing I just didn't pay attention to my portion sizes and what it was I ate. My job probably doesn't help either. So now I am more than ever watching my portion sizes and making sure I get my fruits and veggies. Not to mention exercising hard core. "You're at the age when it comes off fast". -my mom. I sure hope it's true. I cannot tell you how frustrating it is when I can barley get my pants completely done up, let alone feel comfortable while I am wearing them. I will not let it get to the point to where I can't get them on at all. This is going to be my first weight loss story;I will let you know how it goes. 


Photography has really become a hobby of mine. I love taking pictures and experimenting with what I have learned in my class. Photoshop is my best friend. It's so convenient, having it there on my iPad and then just uploading pictures from my camera via connection kit. 

Reality is setting in

No, I'm not having a hard time in school. I am just realizing just how these next four years are going to turn out. Lately I have been conflicting between my hobbies and my major. My major is nutrition, which I have come to know and love, but is it what I want to be doing for the rest of my life? What a dumb question, of course it is! :) It's just that photography and writing are also right up there with it. I guess what I have been worrying about is, did I choose the right major? I did. I know that writing and photography are things I really enjoy doing, but my future is with nutrition. Although, who says I can't have all three? Maybe I will find a job where I can combine all of my talents together. Dare to dream, I guess, but I don't know what the field will be like by the time I'm completely finished. Thankfully, I am sure I'll be able to finish all of my school at SUU, which means no moving out for me! :D I just relaxed after I realized the good news.

Let's see, school is still my favorite. :) This week was particularly easy to come by because Labor Day cut it into four days. My Hist. 1700 class has been cancelled all this week because my professor had meetings. I kind of miss that class: my teacher is hilarious, I have many friends in the class, and what we study is actually kind of interesting. I have met a few friendly souls since I started, but only because they made the first move in most cases. I guess what I need to do is come out of my comfort zone just a little and open up to anyone who interests me. That shouldn't be too hard since I'm already pretty outgoing, but easier said than done right?

School's In Session!

The first two weeks of school have come and gone and I can confidently say that I love college! :D I like not having crowded hallways, a 'set' schedule, and probably the best part is that there's no cliques...anywhere. My class sizes are an average of like forty people. As intimidating as that sounds, it's actually kind of fun. The classrooms are like auditoriums because they start from a higher level and they gradually come down to a flat slope, which is the very front. My favorite classes are probably all of them, although I really enjoy my institute classes because it's church during the week with people who actually want to be there. No offense against seminary, but it seems like half the people were forced against their will to go. In institute, everyone is excited to learn about the gospel principals and they actually sing the hymns instead of just the annoying mumbles. 


I'm glad to say that I have met a lot of new people and I have also caught up with some older ones. That alone really adds to the experience. I'm so thankful that they're all nice and outgoing. Yesterday I had Kylie and Austin over at my place. We partied to Just Dance 2 for the Wii. Whoo! :D Needless to say, we had a boogie blast.

My Schedule is so chill, I think I could cry because of how nice it is. I had never realized how much high school sucked until I started at SUU. I think everyone would agree with me. To me high school was like hell school. I really didn't like it. I had my fun times with tennis and my friends but other than that... blah!!!! However I met most of my best buds at high school, so I guess it isn't all bad. I love having class at eight, then at nine, and a break til three. It's amazing. Oh and the fact that class gets out when the professor deems it appropriate. Then on their syllabus there are a few days when there's no class. Ha ha man I <3 it! 


I'm so excited for my nutrition major! I just love that field. The faculty that is over my department are amazing too. They're so nice and want you to succeed in your future career plans and just care so much. I really couldn't ask for anything better. 


As far as homework goes, for me it's a piece of cake. Probably because I'm taking just my gen eds, but honestly, I like just the way it is. Plus, the classes are set to MWF or T, Th. That way I don't have to ever wonder if it's an A day or a B day. Man, why'd I have to wait eighteen years for this? 

I have joined the blogger's community!

August 29, 2011.

I have decided to create a Blogspot Blog! I will primarily be using this as a journal, to record some interesting and important events that have occurred. I used to have a Wordpress blog, but I find Blogspot to be much easier to use and navigate around. Hopefully things will workout nicely. You might want to be sure you have a few minutes to read my posts because I tend to write a lot. :)

Okay, so let's start from where I last left off in my journal. It's probably a good thing that I write in my journal for intended readers. I don't write anything too personal for my eyes only. I remember writing about the week before I started school. More specifically college at SUU, Southern Utah University here in my hometown. My summer, like many others, went by in a flash. The day after I graduated, I knew that this would be the case. It's amazing how time flies when you're busy with things to do.

The main highlights of my summer were my tennis playing nearly everyday with Joree. :) I am very passionate for tennis. Watching, reading, and most importantly, playing it myself. I feel that it's a great bonding sport, since it's only two people. Four people if you play doubles. I find that I like singles the best because I seem to be the 'leader' type, who does everything on their own. I honestly don't like to rely on other people if I don't have to. The saying, "If you want something done right, do it yourself" stays true to its meaning here for me.

Summer time is magical: how your skin goes from being as white as the snow to as brown as mud. For me it did anyway. I'm very thankful I have that kind of skin that tans out well. I owe it to my fatha's family genes. I loved just being outside. I didn't have to be doing anything productive to have a good time. In a sense, you could call me a nature girl. I am very fascinated with all of God's creations. The sky always has something to say, even without clouds. The sun warms me. The wind and the animals (mostly insects) have their own personalities. My kitty, Cloie was a very big source of entertainment for me. It's like she goes under a transformation whenever she comes outside. It's the wild side of her. I guess the natural habitat is much different than being inside around our human things. :) The way she would cross the lawn, like a lion prowler on the hunt for prey always had me chuckling. Whenever my mom and I would come home from grocery shopping, she would literally roll all over the driveway. The cutest thing you'd ever see. She purrs and licks herself while doing it. That orange and white fluffy bunny. We call her roller and bunny. Bunny because she feels just like one with her amazing fur coat. Roller is self explanatory.

I would say that I got to mostly everything I wanted to do this summer: vacations, everyday hangouts, working for profit, tennis, getting my tan, exercising. Did I mention tennis? I went to Savannah's home-court in Lancaster/Palmdale California. I rode a plane from Vegas to Burbank all by myself! I spent M-F. July 18th through the 22nd. Probably one of the most fun times I have ever had with a friend. Well why? It's because I finally saw HP72, a day at Sixflags, a day at Santa Monica beach, and just being there with her and her surroundings, the hometown, family, friends and school. It was something new everyday. I miss that sense of adventure. Thank you so much Savann :)

My co-workers I owe a huge thank you to. The laughs at work kept me if not all of us going when we all wanted to shoot the next customer. Not literally though. At my kind of job, you just have to experience it for yourself before you will ever understand that sometimes, things are just plain frustrating. Thankfully it balances itself out with the rewarding experience of constantly serving another.

Now the exciting subject of me starting school! Yes I am a freshman and I absolutely love everything about the college life. I live at home so I can save money. It's a whole three minutes to drive, there's no need to move out when your school is a few miles away. I'm a nutrition major. I love everything about it. I have always been a freak about my health. Yes I do still eat out whenever I feel like it and yes I do eat what I want to. The secret is to do it in moderation. I love learning about the benefits of nourishing yourself. My favorite word, nourishing. It's like taking a shower, washing all of the imperfections off your body everyday. The whole subject I have always liked. Exercising included. I am very excited to learn more as I progress further towards my bachelor's. Kylie, my friend I met at YSA, has opened up a lot of new opportunities to me. I have met a lot of friends through her and have just done what college kids do. No, that doesn't mean I have done drugs or any illegal stuff. No, what I mean is I have hung out with people older than me and have spent a lot of time at Randal Jones Theatre. It's been so fun, especially when I saw "The Glass Menagerie." I had forgotten how great the festival people were at what they do. That's about all I have to say about my college experience, for now.

Thank you for reading! :) Love, Taylor.