Questions of Life and the countdown

*Random thought of the Day: We as human beings, often ask the question to many things, that is "WHY?" Small children and animals are often known to ask this so called "WHY?" Ok, so others ask too....Some of these questions are:

~Why do banks charge a fee for 'insufficient funds', when they already know there is not enough money?

~Why does someone believe you when you say there are 4 billion stars, but have to check when you say the paint is still wet?

~When we are in the store and someone rams our ankle with a shopping cart then apologizes for doing so, 'It's alright?" Well it really wasn't alright so Why don't we say "That really hurt, why don't you watch where you're going?"

~In Winter, Why do we try to keep the house as was in the summer, when we complained about the heat?

Wow. So we are all idiots apparently? Its interesting the way the mind thinks, or rather, doesn't think. That's why I at one point wanted to go into Psychology..to understand the human mind. Good thing I stopped right there! I might have gone nuts! Well-these were a great laugh anyway(: The End.*

My last couple of weeks have been good. Time is really going by super fast! 3 weeks from today, I return to Thatcher for school. I went down there last weekend and took my online astronomy final. ah...it was rough! I pulled a C in the class. That was rough too-kinda. Somehow I missed the fact that there was a study guide to use. I studied, but just my own stuff. Dumb really! Oh well, I passed the class and no longer have science classes to worry about. My teacher was really great and I learned a lot! It was fun to go to Thatcher. I got to hang out with my roommates and see a couple of other friends. I miss my bed!

This week, I went out to lunch and a movie with my mom. If you haven't seen "The Proposal"-I reccomend it! Its such a cute movie. Has Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds in it! Way funny!

I also got to spend some time with my adorable nephew Nolan! His grandma brought him up for a few days so I took him for a few hours a couple days. He is a crazy kid and talks a lot! At 4 and a half-he has the mind of a 6 year old and will be starting kindergarten this fall! He had fun with his Uncle Dallas too(:

In other "school" news, I was able to get completely out of taking math again.

So, last semester, I took a math class that I'd already taken once. I got a D both times. Ridiculous really.....the thing is, I tutored a lot this past semester and still didn't quite get the whole math idea or something. So, after discussion with my EAC counsler and the Dean of Students, we decided I should take a learning disability test just to see if that was the problem. So, due to some connections of my mom, I found a "psychologist/resource teacher" and took a test for every subject pretty much. The results came out and I had some pretty low scores in a few things, particularly Math Reasoning and Reading Comprehension. See, I learn by repitition mostly. Things have to go over and over in my head for me to remember or understand them. At least with things like math. Give me a piece of music-I can memorize it in a week if needed. Math and science and some other stuff-not so much. So, I now have a "documented learning disability" in math. Kinda pathetic, but I'm ok with that because I have very little patience for math anymore. So maybe this is the easy way out, but really-I need to just chilax from math...for good(: I will be replacing math however, with a basic computer class. For this fall semester anyway.

Here is my entire schedule for Fall of 2009!

MON/WED/FRI

Computers 103

Music Theory III

A Capella Choir-yay!

And Possibly...Company Showchoir-if I make it when I audition(:

Fridays-I'll be taking Teachings of Isaiah at the Institute-very excited about that!

TUES/THURS

National Politics...don't judge me(: I'm interested!

Aurel Perception III

A Capella Choir

Class Piano III

1st half of the Book of Mormon

I'm excited to start school...mostly(: I'll be returning to my same job working for the business department so that should be good. 22 Days baby!

Work at the theatre has been good. Unfortunantly they have cut everyones hours, but money is money these days and things are working out! Plus its nice having the benifit of free movies when I'm not working(: I've now seen every good movie thats out that I wanted to see! Free of charge!

Anyway, I'm glad I have the weekend off and some free time. I attended the temple again this morning and it was pretty awesome! I went with the youth, as well as my friend Rebecca, in my mom's ward. It was cool. I love being at the temple!

Hope you all have a wonderful week! Until next time......

The Climb

*Random thought of the Day: "Nobody can predict the future but it’s worth trying to influence the direction." We never know what lies ahead. This is coming from a girl who generally speaking has a 5 year plan. I'm just about down to my 5th year and have no idea what's next. Oh don't get my wrong-I have my ideas but I'm not sure what exactly to do first. Perhaps its a lesson of learning even more trust in the Lord. So, we can't always predict what is next, but 'influencing the direction', is our part. Part of our own personal future plans is making the decision part and then praying about it. All in all, if we are living righteously, it all works out how it should. I know that maybe I've repeated that a lot lately, but its a lesson worth repeating. So, influence your own direction and the 'predictions' will happen. The End.*

5 weeks! 5 weeks and I go back to Thatcher. Ah...I'm really not sure that I'm ready for school yet(: I got a little burned out last semester and the summer break has been nice. Plus my online class is burning me out too...bleh! 1 more week of that!

I had a pretty busy week. Between classwork and preparing for Emily's bridal shower and what not, busy as always. Emily's shower went well! We had a good turnout and played some fun games and ate food! I'm glad its over though...one less thing to worry about(:

I got to attend the temple this week. Emily and I are trying to go once a week til school starts and its working! I love being there! I feel such peace in the Lord's house. Being there makes me look even more forward to getting married there someday!

Well, life goes on. Here is yet another short update. Life isn't too super exciting except for a few things here and there(;

Have a really great week everyone!

Busy, Heat, Busy, Eat, Busy, Sleep, Busy, Compose, Busy....

*Random Thought of the Day: Perfection. What's the real meaning of the word? The definition in the dictionary says that perfection is: a quality, trait, or feature of the highest degree of excellence. Well, I think we all know that no one or nothing is actually "Perfect". We all make mistakes and we are supposed to. How else will we learn? Why am I talking about something we know already today? Well, Harriet Braiker said, "Striving for excellence motivates you; striving for perfection is demoralizing." We can always shoot for our best, which is the excellence. But it's never going to be perfect because God knows how imperfect we are, as long as we at least try. I'm learning that more and more these days. But it seems that each time I get discouraged from making a mistake, I hear the spirit tell me that its ok. I did my best and I need the mistakes to learn. After all, "No one is perfect... that's why pencils have erasers." ~Author Unknown. The End.*


I found a new job! I got hired on at the local theatre! I do only have about 6 weeks left of summer, but they were willing to still hire me so yay-my parents don't have help me as much! I just prefer to make my own money! Happy Day! I really like the job too. It's very laidback and easy and they are letting me have Sundays off(for obvious reasons) as well as Saturdays, due to the fact that I have something going basically every saturday til I leave between my class and Emily's wedding. So hopefully I can get in a good amount of hours for the last month or so that I'm here. Any little bit helps! It's truly been an answer to prayer getting this job. Things always work out.

I have been super super busy this week! Its nuts! My Astronomy class is SO much work! I have to keep remembering...2 weeks left-thats it! I just have a lot of studying to start doing for my final which is on the 25th down in Thatcher. Plus keeping up with my 3 labs a week and exams. AHHH....but I'm doing my best(; Emily's bridal shower is a week from this saturday so I'm trying to get all that together, plus help her with some other things.
Last night, I got to go on a really fun blind date. I'm not usually fond of blind dates but I was excited for this one and it went well! One of my mom's best friends, Elizabeth, set me up with her nephew Josh. We doubled with Ben and Chelsea. Ben is Elizabeths son and him and his fiance Chelsea have been friends of mine forever! So we went to dinner at Denny's and then went bowling and then played Mario Cart at Chelsea's, which Josh and I did terrible at(: But we laughed about it the whole time! Josh was a cute guy and we had a lot of fun together!
Mom had foot surgery yesterday. All went well and she should return home this evening, most likely in a cast for a while! Thanks to all of you for your prayers for the surgery! Our family appreciates it!

Well, this is not too exciting but I gotta work on yet more, Astronomy! Have a great week everyone!

Alpha Centauri?! Yoga?! My life is brilliant!

~Random Thought of the Day: Fact: Alpha Centauri is INFACT a star, INFACT, the nearest star to us(: I once thought it was a country. And now that I'm taking Astronomy, it makes sense! I just wanted to throw that out to Stephen, Jason and Jordan(: The End.~ PS. Dallas is getting taller than me now. No longer AS tall, but TALL-er :( All I can say is-what the H?!

Ok. Life as I know it is pretty good right now. I mean, as good as it can get that is! I started online Astronomy this week....ahh...the first lab was already confusing. Its ok though-I can get it right? Its just different taking an online class and all. But I'm sure I will learn a lot because I do love the stars and being outside. Well, I won't be outside until the end of the class when I go to Thatcher to take my final(yes i'm very excited about it)! So we shall see how it goes.

My other "latest try", is.......Yoga! So its very random but it really seemed like something I should do! They have this class through the city and I'm probably going to just go a couple of times due to lack of money. I went Tuesday for the first time and it was very interesting! Hard actually-I'm not in the best shape and am working towards getting a better shape and Yoga does that, as well as relaxes you apparently!

Our 4th of July holiday was pretty awesome! We hit up the parade. And I saw my dreamtruck...again....(: Ok so its not neccesarily my dream truck but I sure would like to drive one someday!
Parade was pretty cool. Not too hot outside either.

After that, in the afternoon, I went to Fool's Hollow Lake with some old friends, as well as some friends from EA. Including Curtis-yay! He's so cool, even though he is mean hee hee! I know for a fact that he was glad to see me though(: I'm sure gonna miss him since he won't be at EAC anymore!

Anywho, then I went home and Brooke and Nathan came over! Yay! So we visited them for a while and then we went to a bbq at our old Bishop's house-The Adams! It was pretty cool. Ok, so Kaylee DRAGGED me to play volleyball. PS-I'm not so good at sports, but especially v-ball. But her family was nice and didn't care that I'm incapable of NOT hurting myself or others. Haha-no it was not too terrible. We ate some great food and watched the fireworks right from their backyard! Smile!

The summer is going by faster than I thought. I'm not really working. Just doing some work for my parents and continuing to teach Jake and Anna piano lessons and babysitting a bit as well. I'm glad I have my class to keep me busy though, as well as TRYING to compose....ah...I need to get more in the groove. Lots of music in my head that needs to be written down! However, I am making the best of the summer. Its been very interesting the things that have gone on this summer and the life lessons I seem to be learning. I certainly know the Lord and the gospel are teaching me a thing or two. Those of you who recieve the Ensign monthly, may I suggest that you take a few minutes to read this short article entitled "Getting beyond Getting through It". This article was truly and eye opener for me because this girl was going through some similar emotions that I was until recently. I have learned though how much my parents[all 4 of them(:]care about me. They know whats important to me and that I do try my best and that I'm not perfect. My Heavenly Father certainly knows that too! He just wants me and all of us to hold on to whats important and keep sight of whats good and righteous. Though I've hit some trials this summer, I've learned that "Having trials is an invitation to grow....its a chance for us to become better and grow and learn, even if we are living righteously." I hope we can all remember that.

Have a really great week everyone!

Dare You to Move

So I have to say, I really need to get more in the habit of running. I know I have said this before, but I'm having a new outlook on things...once again. [It's just part of life ya know?] I'm finding that running is something that lets me be by myself and actually have time to think. Of course, I have a lot on my mind right now and as I ran this morning, but in general-it takes me away from the madness in my oh-so-sometimes-thrilling life. Plus, when I run, I listen to my ipod and I find theme songs for life as I know it at the time. This time, the theme song, one I've heard many times but never thought about much or how it had to do with my life right now until I was thinking and running. I'd like to share the lyrics with you today. Its somewhat of a love song, but I've learned from Dr. Bishop that there are many ways to look at lyrics of a song.

All We Are by Matt Nathanson

I tasted tasted love so sweet

And all of it was lost on me

Bought and sold like property

Sugar on my tongue

I kept falling over

I kept looking backward

I went broke believing

That the simple should be hard

All we are we are All we are we are

And everyday is a start of something beautiful

I wasted wasted love for you

Trading out for something new

Well, it's hard to change the way you lose

If you think you've never won

Cause all we are we are

All we are we are

And everyday is the start of something beautiful

And in the end the words don't matter

Cause in the end nothing stays the same

And in the end dreams just scatter and fall like rain

Cause all we are we are, all we are we are

And everyday is the start of something beautiful, something real

ALL WE ARE WE ARE

I've learned a lot this week. Sadly, I'm seeing a repeat of last summer....rough....yet different situations and this time I actually know how to deal with it a lot better. I'm working on a lot of "self" things and its been good. I know I have to be greatful for what I do have, and have faith in the future. I'm greatful for the following things:

~My music. (: Where would I be without it? I love the inspiration I've had this summer and the people that inspire me. Music is my heart and soul.

~The scriptures. I tend to slack off a bit during most summers, but not this time. I'm determined to read everyday and learn more from the Book of Mormon. It's so powerful and gives me hope.

~My family...who teaches me not to give up hope and not to be so selfish(:

I start my online Astronomy class on Monday and I'm slightly looking forward to it(: I know it will keep me busy and it will be a fun class. Plus my friend Tiffany is also taking it with me so we can help each other out(:

Other than that, nothing is really going on. I'm just lookin for work and composing and planning Emily's bridal shower and helpin her with plans! Yep-trying to stay busy as always!

Have a great week everyone!

LOL!

Just a small town girl livin in a lonely world

*Random thought of the Day: OK so this random thought is a tribute to my dear Stephen! Who is leaving on his mission tomorrow. He is going to(and I quote)" the Western America Mission...which is Ogden Utah." Lol! I'm so excited for him! So, in "tribute" to him, I just want to put this list on here that he made about me that probably wouldn't have gotten me through the sometimes boredom of World of Music class. Steve is the one on the end in the blue. This pic was me and all 3 of my favorites during music man! I love them!

The LIST:
YOU KNOW YOU'VE BEEN AROUND RACHELLE WHEN.....

~You start painting your toe-nails with white-out. (it really was nail polish..stephen just got confused)

~ you say "butterscotch" when someone asks "How are you?"

~ you hate high school musical even more

~ you start calling her premadonna or the Princess Warrior

~ you wear a warrior princess tiara because you can!

~ you AND your best friend start having dreams about her

~ you burn or nuke your fish sticks

~ you start saying "What the Rachelle?!"

~ your arm gets stuck in your car window

~ you start telling people not to speak in public

ah...good times....good inside jokes. Stephen you are so cool! You will do amazing things and make everyone laugh on your mission! Good luck!

The End.*

So, this past week has been pretty great! Thatcher was flippin amazing!

Monday, I just hung out with Jason and Jordan and went to institute. Monday night, I went to the hot springs for FHE! It was so fun! I had never been so it was fun to play in the water with my friends!

Tuesday, I didn't do a whole lot, but hung out with my people and took some pictures of Emily and Derek and then I played raquetball with some friends that night! Super cool! Unfortunantly on tuesday, I picked up a cold or flu so I was really sick when I left wednesday morning. So when I got home, I just slept alot! Still feelin a little sick but much better!

Thursday night was so great! I had the opportunity to go with some other young single adults to do baptisms at the temple. I really enjoyed it! It had been over a year since I'd gotten to go to the temple so I was long overdo! It was an amazing experience being there with friends! I hope to go more this summer.

Other than this week, nothing much going on except Duane and Andrea moving in! What a hectic house we have right now!

Well-there is my quick update for the week!

TTFN!

Home Sweet Home and yet more, wedding bliss

*Random thought of the Day: When asking a friend once how life was, he responded with "Life is like a box of chocolates. I left them in the sun too long and now they are all melted and don't look very pretty!" (: Well, some of these days I feel like that. But yet, life seems to go on right? Especially when adjusting to change. The End.*

I'm in Thatcher. Let me tell ya-true bliss right here! As much as I love my family and living free, I sure have missed my own bed and my apartment and my friends. I actually slept good for the first time all summer last night! Ok, so I'm only here til Wed morning, but I'm going to sure enjoy it! The twins are here for the summer so its been fun to see them, as well as Jason and I'll see Jordan today, and probably hang out with my boys most of the time that I'm here! Yay-I love my boys! Unfortunantly my work won't schedule me much so I have basically this whole week off! So I'm glad Emily invited me to come down with her.

Today I'll be workin on her and Derek's slideshow for their wedding cuz Jason is good at that stuff!

In other events, Mom's wedding has come and gone! Crazy! And it was a crazy day! Below we have pics of our new little family. And then there is the 4 generations. Me, my mom, my grandma and my great grandma! Sweet huh? Ok, so it was EXTREMELY windy....:( there were a few good pics of me not having to hold down my hair or my dress....hmmm.....but oh well.

Emily and Cassidi both came to the open house. Emily actually helped alot with food and stuff so I thank her tons! PS-the pic of me and those 2 girls-yeah, first picture EVER with both my best friends at the same time! See, Cass and Ema have never hung out really or been friends so I'm changing that! Cuz they are way too much alike(:
Brooke came too! That was happy! I love you Brooke!

It was super great to see all the family and friends! I had fun! Congrats mom and to my new stepdad Duane!

Not too much else is going on. I'm in the somewhat process of finding a 2nd job or perhaps better one due to complications at Licano's. Bleh. So we shall see what happens. I am continuing to compose and try to stay busy! But a nice little get away to Thatcher is going to be good....already is(:

Those of you whom I got to see this weekend-Awesome! Thanks for supporting my mom!

Hope everyone has a grand week!

TTFN