for real.

"I Can Tri"

I have always wanted to do a triathlon. I have never even done a 5k though, because I have been too afraid. Well, one day I was feeling brave. I got online and looked this one up because my friend had told me about it. I decided to do it and called Trav, because I knew he wanted to do it too. I told him I had signed up and that he should too. Well, we did it. I know that to a lot of people that's easy and so not a big deal....but to me it is because I DID IT!! And, I had a lot of fun doing it. We both loved it and we're planning on doing another one too!

Infinite-Power-of-Hope

Infinite-Power-of-Hope

Miss Rawlings-The Canyons School District Employee.

Well, starting this Friday I am a resource teacher for the Canyons School District.

My job description will go as follows:
I will be working at 2 different schools, ParkLane Elementary & Willowsprings Elementary. I'll be teaching 3 days a week at one school, and 2 days a week at the other school. Both schools already have a resource teacher but have a large case load, so I will be there to take on some of the students.

For those of you wondering, yes, this is the position that I've been interviewing for since November. After 4 interviews it's finally here, I've finally been offered the job.

I'm not sure how to explain how I feel. Mostly I just feel inadequate. What if I don't know what I'm doing and I ruin some kids life? What if the teachers I'm working with feel like I'm useless? What if I screw up? But, as Trav & my mom both told me, I'll never know until I try.

So here's to me trying.
Wish me luck.

San Clemente. Happy Graduation present to me from...ME.

While I was going to school I missed out on going to California 3 different times with my family. I also had to give up going to Disneyworld with the Barrus family. You can imagine the pity parties I had for myself. Anyway, I wasn't very happy about this so I decided that once I graduated I would take myself to California, and that's just what I did.

On Sunday, December 20 Travis, my dad, Tally and I left for California at 3 in the morning. The drive went pretty fast because I got to sleep most of the way.

Once we got there my dad of course slept while Tally, Trav and I headed to the beach. The water was freezing but it was warm outside so we played in the sand. Tally built probably the biggest whole in the ground that I've ever seen. I didn't get any pictures, but just know that it was fun. Once we were done at the beach we walked back to the condo and got in the pool. Later that night we went Christmas shopping at the mall.

Monday: We drove to San Diego to see Seaport Village. We walked around to look at the shops and ate.

On our way back from SeaPort Village we stopped at the San Diego temple.

That night my dad took Tally to the toy store and me and Trav walked on the pier and ate at this pizza place on the beach.

Tuesday: We went to Disneyland! This is seriously my favorite place in the entire world. We got there a half hour after it opened and stayed till 11:00 at night. Yeah. Intense. And, I wasn't even done yet. We took advantage of the fast pass idea and got to go on all the fun rides. We left with a promise to me that we'd be back there again this year. That better happen. However, I didn't take any pictures at Disneyland except this gem:

Oh yeah, first ride of the day was splash mountain. I was on the VERY front and got completely soaked. My coat didn't dry the rest of the day so that's why I'm wearing my dad's sweatshirt and my hair looks so hot.

Wednesday: We cleaned the condo and drove to San Diego for the Poinsettia bowl. We all know that's the real reason Trav came to California. It was a good game to go to because we won.

After the game we drove straight to Vegas to sleep. Once we got a few hours of sleep we drove back home to Salt Lake for all the fun Christmas Eve celebrations. I had the best time ever and am now trying to figure out when I can make it back there!

Sister Blonquist.

My great friend Tori is leaving on her mission this week to the Phillippines. I am so excited for her and her new adventure. I met Tori when I was in Africa in 2008, and have loved her ever since then. Tori is always serving others and bringing happiness into others lives. After her summer in Uganda she spent a summer in Fiji, volunteering. I look up to Tori for her spiritual strength and her incredible example that she sets for everyone around her. Tor, I just wanted to wish you luck, and I can't wait to see you tomorrow!

USU Graduate!!!!

It's about time I do a graduation post, right? Well, on December 12,2009 (2 days after my birthday....BEST BIRTHDAY PRESENT EVER!) I graduated from Utah State University with a degree in elementary education and mild/moderate special education! I FINALLY DID IT!!!!! Getting to the cermony was slightly dramatic for me. We left late, then went to pick my grandma up. As we were driving (in a major blizzard) there was a crazy amount of traffic. I was already panicking. Then, we realized that they had closed down part of the freeway. Thank goodness my dad was driving, or I would have been a nervous wreck. Well, they didn't mark the alternate route very well, so we had a hard time finding how to get back on the freeway. Once we finally got back on the road things went pretty smooth. I was supposed to be there NO LATER THAN 9:30, but finally got there at 10:05. I thought they would have started without me, but luckily I was there right on time. I even had enough time to find my friend and sit next to her during the ceremony. Thanks to my parents, grandma, and Travis for driving all the way up to Logan to support me!

This is a picture of the freezing cold line-up: