a greater good...

So I have recently made a decision that is not getting the best response from my family, when I graduate from Nursing school I am going to be an ArMy ReSeRvE NuRsE!
I feel so good about my decision and accept the risks, but am a little frustrated by the lack of support from {my mom} mostly. I am sure that I wont understand how she feels until I have my own daughter, but I wont be on the front lines holding a gun, I will be providing nursing care to those fighting for our country. I went into nursing to help others and have felt a strong pull towards a greater cause that, until now, I didn't feel like I could fulfill. I am SO EXCITED!

It's here, It's here, It's here!!!

FALL!!!!
:)

My favorite time of the year.

Today I threw a little 'Welcome' party for my dear old friend, fall.
It consisted of jam making, and delicious dessert baking.

I made four batches of peach jam..

And this incredible, heavenly thing which I do not know the name of because I just invented it.
I peeled and cored a bunch of peaches, chopped some walnuts and stuck them into the peaches, and then placed the in a glass pan. Then I mixed whipped cream, cream cheese, sugar and cinnamon together and poured it over the peaches. I threw on a couple handfuls of blueberries and baked it for 15 mins.


Put it on top of some vanilla bean ice cream and you have a little piece of heaven :)

Back on track..

Hmmm...
I think it's been a while?
Quick re-cap---
Miss Utah Pageant
Second semester nursing classes
Work
No social life,
Anyways I have three weeks off of school and just passed on the crown so now I have time to update my sad neglected blog.

Book lists! I have been reading like crazy! I cant seem to get enough of books. I tore out the Newsweek "Must Read" Article and amazon'd them all, I also copied this list of classics off of one of my friends blogs. Let's see how I'm doing-

1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
2 The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien
3 Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
4 Harry Potter series - JK Rowling
5 To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
6 The Bible
7 Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
8 Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell
9 His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman
10 Great Expectations - Charles Dickens
11 Little Women - Louisa M Alcott
12 Tess of the D’Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy
13 Catch 22 - Joseph Heller
14 Complete Works of Shakespeare
15 Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier
16 The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien
17 Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks
18 Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger
19 The Time Traveller’s Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
20 Middlemarch - George Eliot
21 Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell
22 The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald
23 Bleak House - Charles Dickens
24 War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy
25 The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
26 Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh
27 Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
28 Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck
29 Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll
30 The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame
31 Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
32 David Copperfield - Charles Dickens
33 Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis
34 Emma - Jane Austen
35 Persuasion - Jane Austen
36 The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis
37 The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
38 Captain Corelli’s Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres
39 Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden
40 Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne
41 Animal Farm - George Orwell
42 The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown
43 One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
44 A Prayer for Owen Meaney - John Irving
45 The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins
46 Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery
47 Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy
48 The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood
49 Lord of the Flies - William Golding
50 Atonement - Ian McEwan
51 Life of Pi - Yann Martel
52 Dune - Frank Herbert
53 Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons
54 Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen
55 A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth
56 The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
57 A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
58 Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
59 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time
60 Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
61 Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck
62 Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov
63 The Secret History - Donna Tartt
64 The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
65 Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas
66 On The Road - Jack Kerouac
67 Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy
68 Bridget Jones’s Diary - Helen Fielding
69 Midnight’s Children - Salman Rushdie
70 Moby Dick - Herman Melville
71 Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens
72 Dracula - Bram Stoker
73 The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett
74 Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson
75 Ulysses - James Joyce
76 The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
77 Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome
78 Germinal - Emile Zola
79 Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray
80 Possession - AS Byatt
81 A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens
82 Cloud Atlas - David Mitchel
83 The Color Purple - Alice Walker
84 The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro
85 Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert
86 A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
87 Charlotte’s Web - EB White
88 The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom
89 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
90 The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton
91 Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad
92 The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery
93 The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks
94 Watership Down - Richard Adams
95 A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole
96 A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute
97 The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas
98 Hamlet - William Shakespeare
99 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl
100 Les Miserables - Victor Hugo

I have a lot to read I guess!

Wicked

My mom and I had the perfect day last Saturday! It was her birthday! We started out with Kneaders all-you-can-eat french toast, (then I slept cuz i worked the night before), then we ate at Olive Garden and then went to Wicked!! It definitely didn't disappoint! IT WAS SOOOO GOOOOOOD!!!!!! I fell in love with the music again and now have the storyline to back up my adoration :)


The 'Emerald City' and a cool dragon thingy?

Close up of the Emerald City, obviously this was a very impressive site because 25% of my pics were of it.

Me and mom :)

Queen Bee Tea

Today I had the opportunity to go to an event hosted by Mrs. Utah, Emily Nelson and her non-profit organization "Project Lemonade." It was the first annual "Queen Bee Tea" and the turn out was fantastic!!

This is Italia, Sydnee, Katelyn, Sicily, and I
(Gorgeous names I know!!!)


This was the auction portion of the event, these little girls were GLOWING and absolutely BEAUTIFUL in their princess dresses. :) It was any little girls dream to be at this event!


Practicing their princess dances on the runway during tea time.



This is what the room looked like pre-princess's :) The room at La Caille was absolutely magical and the food wasn't too bad either!...okay it was DeLiCiOuS! Especially the chocolate dipped strawberries! Thank you for inviting me Emily!

Scuba

Well, I am officially scuba certified...with no where to go!! haha someday I will go somewhere fun and exotic, but Midway's "Crater" is sort of exotic right?
This is the only picture I got. It is really steamy in the Crater, but this is one of my scuba instructors.

I am only doing this because it is 5 in the morning and I have nothing else to do haha...

My favorite shows right now? (Becca you're not alone...I also get WAY to emotionally involved in television shows!)

GREY'S ANATOMY!!
I don't care what any of you think...I have watched every show since it first started and will always be a devoted fan, even through the weird lesbian confusions and the frustration of Meridith and Derek NEVER ENDING HAPPILY EVER AFTER!!

Okay this is a new found love, it all started with an assignment from my nursing teacher. We actually have homework that requires we watch House!! I knew I chose the right profession :) The only bad part is that I have to keep rewinding and replaying every scene so I can write down all of the diagnoses and long words.

The End.

Progressions Dance Studio- Grand "Re-opening"

I am so excited for the 'new' dance studio in American Fork, Progressions! I was able to participate in the ribbon cutting on Friday and also got a tour of the facility.


Ren, Gina, Chloe, Carrie, Kylie, Jessica, Me, Staci


The Miss AF and Miss AF Outstanding Teen Royalties


Me and Carrie :)
We miss Juli but are so happy for her and Adam and wish the best for them and their life together!! Love you Juli!!

12th Night Charity Ball

The Rotary Club of Lehi hosted a charity ball tonight and it was so much fun!! They had a great band and my escort was an amazing swing dancer :) He was so awesome to keep me company throughout the night!


Miss Pleasant Grove, Staci Spinder;"Scotty" from the Chris Jones Group; Me


Miss Utah, Kayla Barclay; Miss Lehi, Emily Daniels; Me; Miss Pleasant Grove, Staci Spinder

Best Buddies Ball

The blog police (aka BECCA) have been hounding me to post something new, so here it goes.
These last two weeks have been really rough...I backed my car into my moms car, got my first ticket, had some guy/family drama, etc. Anyways I am hoping that things will look up soon.
So last weekend I was invited to the 'Best Buddies Ball' (thanks again Emily!!) and had SO MUCH FUN! It was seriously the funnest dance I have ever been to! They had a live country band and line dancing! The Best Buddies Ball is a dance for adults with Down Syndrome, it is such a fun opportunity for them to dress up nice and come make new friends.


Just dancin'!


This guy was pro line dancer!! He was stuck to my side for the first of the dance! What a stud!



This is Jessica, she wanted to arm wrestle all of the queens and, yup, she is DANG strong!!


Me and Jessica

Christmas!

We had Christmas in two shifts this year, the first shift started at the early hour of 11:30 am, then my sister had to wait till the storm passes before she could come down from Salt Lake and didn't make it till around 3:30 or 4. It was such a great Christmas!! We just lazed around and enjoyed having us all there!!

Colt got a 22 for his big gift, and was so so excited!! (Can you tell by the HUGE GRIN on his face?! haha yeah i know..)

My mom is so beautiful!!


Just hanging out.


"Old Faithful" was burried in a huge snow bank!!



Some of my loot. I got a Cricut machine and some boots!!



You know those kids that think that if they can't see you, you cant see them?...Well apparently Colton never grew out of that stage...


FLERN! My favorite sister!

Sp^rk Christmas Cocktail Party

We had fun...the place was awesome, the nonalcoholic drinks were yummy, the music was great...fabulous party!!

I Served My Time

I was in jail last week. I know that you had all better expectations of me, I had better expectations of myself as well...I just dont know what happened. Okay I went to "Jail" for the Muscular Dystrophy Association as part of a fundraiser that they had organized for Jerry's Kids. I felt horrible because all I was able to raise was $25 dollars...people are just holding onto their money a lot tighter these days. I was honored to be asked to help and overall it was a great experience and I even got 'cuffed and stuffed.' I felt legit.

What I've Done...

Copy and paste the 200 statements then bold the ones you have done!! Hope you enjoy it!!
1. Touched an iceberg
2. Slept under the stars
3. Been a part of a hockey fight
4. Changed a baby's diaper
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Swam with wild dolphins
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a tarantula
10. Said "I love you" and meant it
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Stayed up all night long and watched the sun rise
15. Seen the Northern Lights
16. Gone to a huge sports game
17. Walked the stairs to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
19. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
20. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Bet on a winning horse
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Taken an ice cold bath
28. Had a meaningful conversation with a beggar
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Ridden a roller coaster
31. Hit a home run
32. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
33. Adopted an accent for fun
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Felt very happy about your life, even for just a moment
36. Loved your job 90% of the time
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Watched wild whales
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Gone on a midnight walk on the beach
41. Gone sky diving
42. Visited Ireland
43. Ever bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited India
45. Bench-pressed your own weight
46. Milked a cow
47. Alphabetized your personal files
48. Ever worn a superhero costume
49. Sung karaoke
50. Lounged around in bed all day
51. Gone scuba diving
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Done something you should regret, but don't
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Been in a movie
60. Gone without food for 3 days
61. Made cookies from scratch
62. Won first prize in a costume contest
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Been in a combat zone
65. Spoken more than one language fluently
66. Gotten into a fight while attempting to defend someone
67. Bounced a check
68. Read - and understood - your credit report
69. Recently bought and played with a favorite childhood toy
70. Found out something significant that your ancestors did
71. Called or written your Congress person
72. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
73. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
74. Helped an animal give birth
75. Been fired or laid off from a job
76. Won money
77. Broken a bone
78. Ridden a motorcycle
79. Driven any land vehicle at a speed of greater than 100 mph
80. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
81. Slept through an entire flight: takeoff, flight, and landing
82. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
83. Eaten sushi
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read The Bible cover to cover
86. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about
87. Gotten someone fired for their actions
88. Gone back to school
89. Changed your name
90. Caught a fly in the air with your bare hands
91. Eaten fried green tomatoes
92. Read The Iliad
93. Taught yourself an art from scratch
94. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
95. Apologized to someone years after inflicting the hurt
96. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
97. Been elected to public office
98. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream
99. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
100. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you
101. Had a booth at a street fair
102. Dyed your hair
103. Been a DJ
104. Rocked a baby to sleep
105. Ever dropped a cat from a high place to see if it really lands on all four
106. Raked your carpet
107. Brought out the best in people
108. Brought out the worst in people
109. Worn a mood ring
110. Ridden a horse
111. Carved an animal from a piece of wood or bar of soap
112. Cooked a dish where people asked for the recipe
113. Buried a child
115. Been inside the pyramids
116. Shot a basketball into a basket
117. Danced at a disco
118. Played in a band
119. Shot a bird
120. Gone to an arboretum
121. Tutored someone
122. Ridden a train
123. Brought an old fad back into style
124. Eaten caviar
125. Let a salesman talk you into something you didn’t need
126. Ridden a giraffe or elephant
127. Published a book
128. Pieced a quilt
129. Lived in an historic place
130. Acted in a play or performed on a stage
131. Asked for a raise
132. Made a hole-in-one
133. Gone deep sea fishing
134. Gone roller skating
135. Run a marathon
136. Learned to surf
137. Invented something
138. Flown first class
139. Spent the night in a 5-star luxury suite
140. Flown in a helicopter
141. Visited Africa
142. Sang a solo
143. Gone spelunking
144. Learned how to take a compliment
145. Written a love-story
146. Seen Michelangelo’s David
147. Had your portrait painted
148. Written a fan letter
149. Spent the night in something haunted
150. Owned a St. Bernard or Great Dane
151. Ran away
152. Learned to juggle
153. Been a boss
154. Sat on a jury
155. Lied about your weight
156. Gone on a diet
157. Found an arrowhead or a gold nugget
158. Written a poem
159. Carried your lunch in a lunch box
160. Gotten food poisoning
161. Gone on a service, humanitarian or religious mission
162. Hiked the Grand Canyon
163. Sat on a park bench and fed the ducks
164. Gone to the opera
165. Gotten a letter from someone famous
166. Worn knickers
167. Ridden in a limousine
168. Attended the Olympics
169. Can hula or waltz
170. Read a half dozen Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys books
171. Been stuck in an elevator
172. Had a revelatory dream
173. Thought you might crash in an airplane
174. Had a song dedicated to you on the radio or at a concert
176. Eaten raw whale
177. Know how to tat, smock or do needlepoint
178. Laughed till your side hurt
179. Straddled the equator
180. Taken a photograph of something other than people that is worth framing
181. Gone to a Shakespeare Festival
182. Sent a message in a bottle
183. Spent the night in a hostel
184. Been a cashier
185. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
186. Joined a union
187. Donated blood or plasma
188. Built a camp fire
189. Kept a blog
190. Had hives
191. Worn custom made shoes or boots
192. Made a PowerPoint presentation
193. Taken a Hunter’s Safety Course
194. Served at a soup kitchen
195. Conquered the Rubik’s cube
196. Know CPR
197. Ridden in or owned a convertible
198. Found a long lost friend
199. Helped solve a crime
200. Commented on someone's blog

A Christmas Carol

Tonight I went to Hale Center Theatre (no relation to the owners) to see A Christmas Carol. My Grandpa bought the entire family tickets and it was so fun to go and share the fun Christmas spirit with them. We drank hot wassail and enjoyed the fun atmosphere. A perfect way to start out the season!

Four Wheelin' and Shootin'

I LOVE to go four wheeling and shooting and stuff but rarely get to go. Today we got a bunch of our family together and went out to the west desert. It was so much fun!


Us girls took the 4wheelers out for a ride. We don't need men!!

Me and Colt gettin ready for a ride.

My stepgrandma weighs like a buck fifteen and the kick from the 22 knocked her right over hahaha

I look tough, but I am really a HORRIBLE shot. I only hit one clay pidgeon :(

Me and my mom are best friends :D

Earwax

So in one of my classes in high school we tried some earwax candles and ever since then I have been dying to try them at home! Well, I tried them, and they are SO FREAKIN COOL!!! I know that everyone likes to read about earwax...lol but I had to share my secret.
My mom didn't believe me and was a little worried that I had smoke coming out of my ears (literally)...but she warmed up to the idea when I tried them on her.

You can find these at Good Earth, or other health food stores I'm sure, for like $1.39 each or something. And it cleans you out pretty good so you only have to do it every couple months or so.

Miss Utah Workshop #1

I had a great time at the workshop last week and learned a ton. I also increased my stress load by 10. AAAH! I did get to meet Miss Utah, Kayla Barclay...she is awesome. It's no wonder why she was chosen!! I am always inspired when I meet these amazing women.

Homemade Pumpkin Pies

Me and Erin made home made pies the other day... COMPLETELY home made. We boiled the pumpkins and make the crust and everything!!!


(**For loyal blog followers who are worried that this may be Harold..its not. But this poor little guy didn't stand a chance either :D)


Beautiful.