Red Cross = :)

The past couple weeks have been absolutely crazy! I've been taking a lot of classes and finishing up some more training with the Red Cross but, i'm now a certified CPR & first aid instructor! YAY! I'm taking more disaster services classes as well, hoping to get deployed soon. So keep your fingers crossed for me!

On a side note, September is national Preparedness Month, do you know what to do in a disaster? Make sure you have a kit, make a plan, and be informed! Visit utahredcross.org for more tips on being prepared!

i promise i'm still alive...

Alas i have returned from my summer of no blogging!

My life has gone through quite a few changes over past few months, so here's a recap on what you missed:

• Graduated from SUU with my bachelor's degree and sadly had to say goodbye to Cedar City! Also moved out of the Alpha Phi house and helped pack and clean so we could move houses. You never truly realize how much you own until you have to move, luckily my family was there to help me! Seeing my family and friends support me on graduation day was simply the best feeling ever, so i thank them for that!!
• My mom had another knee replacement and is finally back at work, yay! Her recovery has been slow and challenging at times but i'm glad she is doing well, she's so strong :)
• After two months of unemployment (that almost drove me crazy) I am now working for the American Red Cross in Salt Lake City and i love it so much. I'm gaining some valuable experience and learning a lot about the organization and myself along the way. Hopefully i can learn even more before i leave here in December.
• I've been involved with the Alumnae Chapter in Salt Lake and it has been a blessing to be around these amazing women again and meet new sisters. I've had so much fun with everything we've done, and it has made living in salt lake bearable while i'm adjusting to the move.
• I've also got the chance to catch up with some old friends and friends i haven't been able to see in quite a while and that has been great.

That has been my life in a nutshell for the past few months! Now onto Football Season!!! And perhaps a couple visits to Cedar this fall :)

Greek Awards Banquet

Last night was the Greek Awards Banquet to finish out Greek Week and i had so much fun! The Greek Week committee worked really hard on putting events together to unite the Greek organizations and honor our various achievements. There was the dodge ball tournament, Greek Olympics, all-Greek picture, and then the awards banquet.

I was so proud to be an Alpha Phi last night. We won:

Highest G.P.A.
Most improved G.P.A.
Most Service Hours
Raquel & Courtney won Best Big & Little Sister
8/10 Highest Sorority G.P.A.'s were members of Alpha Phi

Congratulations to our Bordeaux Beau Andrew for winning Greek God of the Year!!
Sylvia Lovato won Greek Goddess of the year, but i had the honor of being nominated for the top 5!

It was a very exciting night, and i hope that they continue the tradition next year as well.

Exciting Life Change!

Sometime last semester i got to thinking i should be taking better care of myself and i should be a lot healthier than i currently was. So over the past 5 months i have done 2 rounds of dieting and taught myself to eat healthier and change my bad habits. I also did a round of intense fitness boot camp to strengthen my muscles and tone up.
The results of this have made me a new person (or rather almost half the person i was before!) Although i hate to admit how much weight I've lost, I'm rather proud of my hard work which has resulted in me being 47 pounds lighter, and within just the past couple months I've lost a total of 38.75 inches.


Here's a look at pictures over the past few months - eek! (prepare yourself)...




August








September








November









November











January











February









March










March










April










April

Spring Break

This spring break i had to work for most of the week :(

BUT when i got off work Thursday me and Michelle set off for the beautiful Mesquite!! It was great to get away and relax. We spent the afternoon by the pool and met some strange old man in the hot tub (hahaha) but had a great time. Then there was the adventure of finding a hide-a-key in hurricane-like winds...so the trip was off to a great start.

Friday we left for Vegas and spent the day on the strip. We went to M&M World and the Miracle Mile shops at Planet Hollywood and walked down the strip and around the casinos. I'm pretty sure it was the most fun I've had in Vegas.

Oh and we found out that Michelle got into Nursing School!!! We were very excited!

Saturday we set off for Mesquite again. Spent the whole afternoon laying out by the pool and spent the night playing Nerts and watching season 2 of Bones. It was the most relaxing day! Sunday we relaxed some more in Mesquite before finally heading back to Cedar.

We were sad to leave the warm weather :(

Michelle and i had the best time for the short vacation we got! Definitely one of my favorite spring breaks :)