2012 in Review

So this year has been a very exciting year for me. So lets cover it by month.
January:

I started my year off right by slicing my finger with a rotary blade causing me to spend New Years Day in instacare. Don't worry all I got was a pretty big bandage and a tetanus shot.
I went on my one and only date of the year in January, which of course went well as I'm still single ;)
I began my final semester of school.
February:
I bought my plane ticket to go to London, and made all my final arraingments for London.
March and April:
Nothing much happened except work and school. I decided that I was going to move to Salt Lake in August with my friend Allison
May:
I turned 24 and graduated from SUU with a Bachelor of Arts in English: Creative Writing emphasis.

Because my birthday and graduation were so close we had a party and several of my friends came up to Kanarraville and we had a BBQ.
May was a very exciting month because I went to London!!! London was the best trip I've ever taken, and the most memorable for sure. Hopefully there will be many more trips to England.

Right after London my friend Kymn got married.
Memorial Day weekend I moved in with my friend Erika.
June:
I started working at Tuacahn and the Chocolate Factory again. Discovered that the Chocolate Factory was merging with Utah Truffles and would be moving to Salt Lake City. I of course went and saw the plays at Tuacahn. Loved Hairspray, Aladdin was okay. I absolutely loved The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.
July:
I spent the 4th of July in K-town with my family

I continued working. At the end of July my family went to Idaho and Wyoming for a weeklong trip.

I had to leave early from Idaho for my friend Erika's wedding. I was her Maid of Honor, plus we've been friends forever, so I had to make sure to be there.

August:
I moved up to Salt Lake City.

Allison and I went to the Brigham City Temple open house.

September:
My friend Camilla came down from Alaska for a wedding, and stayed the weekend with me.

October:
Allison and I drove up through one of the many canyons up here and enjoyed the Autumn leaves.

Then of course there was Halloween.

November:
There was Thanksgiving with the family in K-town.
I saw Breaking Dawn Part 2, and yes I did enjoy it. Now I get to look forward to The Host.
December:
Went and saw The Hobbit and loved it!
Walked around Temple Square and enjoyed the beautiful lights.

Allsion and I went to the zoolights at the Hogle Zoo.

Made Gingerbread houses

Then spent Christmas with lots and lots of family.

Sorry Libby, stole your picture :D

All in all a very busy, very exciting year for me. Hopefully this next year will be just as eventful and exciting!

It's Official: I'm 24 and a College Graduate!!!

So this is mostly just going to be pictures because I have to finish up packing for my trip to London which I leave for tomorrow. So enjoy the pictures.

Me and the family after Graduation. Sorry Mom, but I couldn't help myself.

Me and my friends, and their fiancees at my Birthday/Graduation party. From left: Daniel, Erika, me, Kymn, and Russ.

Carolyn and Lane.

Barbara and Me.

Yes I am now officially graduated from SUU. My next adventure is my trip to London for the next few weeks, then after that I guess I'll just wait and see where life takes me.
Thanks everyone for the gifts and support. It was an awesome weekend!

Introducing the Soon to be College Graduate!

Hey everyone, I just wanted to announce that I am graduating from SUU on May 4th!!! Also my birthday is the day before graduation so I suggest that ya'll send me an ecard, text, or message on Facebook to celebrate my 24th Birthday. Also if anyone is going to be in Southern Utah on May 5th I'll be having a Birthday/Graduation party at my brother's house in K-town. So let me know if you wanna come and I'll give you the address and put you on the list.

I'm also leaving for England on May 7th!!! I'm super excited, and if you want a postcard you need to send me your address so that I can send you one from England!

Yay me!

Hello World, I'm still here!

I've noticed that I haven't been posting very much lately, and I'm sure that most of you have probably noticed as well. Since my river trip in June I haven't really done much and hence the pause on posts. School starts in less than two weeks, and this is my final year until I have a Bachelors of Arts degree in Creative Writing with a minor in Library Science. And lucky for me I will be able to walk with my big sis next May since she was able to pass Chemistry this summer! Come Monday I will be getting my new roommate Kali, Cash's girlfriend.
So what else have I been doing this summer? Well I was able to read all of The Chronicles of Narnia series, as well as finish Harry Potter for the second time, and yes I did see the final movie, and bawled like a baby ;)
I've also been working lots and lots this summer. Yes I've been working three jobs this summer. I've mostly been working at the library, as well as the chocolate factory, and Tuacahn. So lots and lots of working to try and make up for my long Road Trip that I took earlier this summer.
Of course working at Tuacahn has its perks, I was able to see both shows, which were awesome, and NO I CANNOT get you tickets to see Little Mermaid.

 Me and Trace with Prince Eric and Ariel.

Me and my friend Kymn with Danny and Sandy.

Sadly I have nothing else to look forward to this summer, but I did have lots of fun on the trips that I was able to take, and hopefully next summer I'll be posting pictures from mine and Libby's graduation trip to Europe! Also on a side note I've been looking into Graduate Programs in Library Science. There are several schools that have this program, alas none of them are in Utah ;) so maybe a year or two after I graduate from SUU I might be moving back East to continue on with my education, but that's still a little way away. So for right now I will be focusing on my final year at SUU and look to the future. Who knows what might happen in a year, maybe I'll finally find me a man ;) But I'll cross that bridge when it comes. As of right now I remain a single college student who is beginning to see the light at the end of this tunnel. I'm sure as soon as I'm out in the sunshine I'll come to another tunnel, but the best thing to do is trudge on and do it with a positive attitude and a big smile on my face.

My Beloved Portfolio

So this semester I had the pleasure of taking a Creative Nonfiction Writing class. This was by far my favorite class of the semester, yes I liked this even more than my Jane Austen/Virginia Woolf class.

Anyway the point of this is to show off my final portfolio. This is 75 pages of my best writing in the class this semester. It includes three larger projects including a memoir, (Libby once read somewhere that you should never read a memoir written by someone younger than 30, but I was required to do this), a Portrait/Biography which I wrote on my Great-Grandpa Jess Williams (all you Williams should learn more about him he was an awesome guy, I'll post my essay on the family blog so you can all read it), and an Essay of Place which I wrote about my road trip to Alaska with Libby and Audra.
My final Portfolio was a lot of work, and it is my pride and joy for the semester, and I just wanted to brag about what I did.

This is me sighing because I finally finished it!

Facebook Fast!

So Kaylie and I were talking and decided that because we are both overwhelmed with schoolwork and what not because of the end of the semester that we needed to cut something out of our life until the semester is over. Well since we are both addicted to facebook we decided that it would be best to take a break from it for the next couple of weeks. So Kaylie changed my password and I changed hers and we won't give each other the new passwords until we are done with the semester. I think that this will be really good for both of us since we spend a majority of our time on facebook. Kaylie thinks that she will become a fervent blog stalker...me I'm just hoping that this will give me more time to actually work on my papers, and actually finish them. So starting tonight I am going without facebook. I think that it will be interesting to see how many people will miss me on facebook...we'll find out. I think that I will probably extend my fast to blogging, so if you don't hear from me for the next couple of weeks, please forgive me, but I'll be off doing homework. So farewell until the semester is over and then I'll update everyone on my life.

The past two Weeks

So I've noticed that it has been a couple of weeks since I put pictures up on my blog, so I thought that I would share some pictures of my recent activities.

This is Aubrey and me waiting in line to see Alice in Wonderland in 3D. It was so awesome! I might just buy it when it comes out on DVD. It was a lot of fun and Aubrey and I were really giggly.

This video is from Enrichment night. We had a big Relief Society Birthday Party. We were planning for 30 people, we had about 20 people, but they consisted of 8 girls, 8 boys (who were our servers), the bishopric, Bishop's Wife, and our rep. It was pretty funny. We had balloons as decorations. After we were done and getting ready to clean up the guys took most of the balloons out into the hallway, and I followed them and took one of the balloons and sucked the helium out of it. I started talking and it made me laugh, which got all of the guys laughing. Anyway I started a trend. I had Kaylie record me on camera because I thought it was hilarious. I hope you all have a good laugh!

This was at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas. Erin went with me to pick up Libby and we went down a few hours before to go shopping. I bought the cutest dress, and of course I wore it today. It is so cute and flattering!
And on a final note, I just got New Moon on DVD. Yes I know what I said in my last post. I will always love the Twilight movies and books, I just don't think that people should get into the mindset that Edward is going to be the man they marry. Hello he does not exist! He's a vampire, and a fictional character. That's it. Enjoy!

DI Dance Baby

So Thursday night the Institute had a DI Dance. Now you may be wondering "What in the Heck is a DI Dance?" Well I'll tell you. The DI Dance is a dance where you go to the local DI (also know as Deseret Industries) and buy an outfit. Let's just say that you can get some of the most attractive outfits.


This first picture is of Sarena, McKenzie, Kaylie, and myself. McKenzie and Kaylie are my roommates.

This is McKenzie in her hot outfit. I especially like her hot shorts.







This next picture I had to put on so that you could get a feel of my whole outfit. I think that the socks added to it. By the way those socks weren't from DI, they are actually from Europe. My awesome friend Kymn got them for me when she went on an art trip over the summer.




Here is a picture of me and my roomies. Check out Kaylie's hot overall skorts, business in the front party in the back!





Here is another picture of the four of us, just before we went to the dance. You've got to love church dances. Slow dances are awkward because no one dares to ask anyone to dance so everyone goes out in the hall until the song is over, and then there are those fun dances such as the chicken dance or the boot scootin' boogie. Plus you're in a room full of people dancing so it's hot and smells like sweat. Good times, good times!

This has a point I promise!

Okay so this post actually has a reason behind it. So I'm in my fifth week of school at SUU. Everything is going great. I have a calling in my ward, I have enough money saved so that I will be able to stay in my apartment next semester as well. I have a job working in the English Department on campus. Because my job up here is only five hours a week, I have had to resort to working at Tuacahn and Amber Lyn Chocolates on Saturdays. It kind of sucks having to drive down every weekend to work, but it is what I have to do, and hopefully I'll be able to find something else up here before too long. My roommates and I are getting along really well. In fact last weekend we had a movie and pizza night at our apartment and invited some girls in our apartment complex to come over.
I think that this is a really good experience for me. I'm growing so much. I'm becoming more outgoing and actually making friends with the people in my ward. In fact, I've actually talked to guys! I know shocking, right? I love reading about how everyone is doing. I feel like I never see anyone anymore. Libby even called me the other day and was like "I never see you anymore." And she thought that since I would be living in Cedar City that I would see her all of the time. Boy was she wrong! Anyway, that's about all right now. Love you all!

P.S. Sorry I haven't posted any pictures, I just haven't taken any. I'll need to make sure and get pictures of me and my roommates, so that you all know I'm telling the truth!

This has been one crazy week!

So a lot has happened this week.
First, let me just say that I've started school and I am loving SUU. I love living on my own, except for the fact that I have no money. I have really cool roommates, we're still a little standoffish, but not as much. I'm sure we'll get to know each other really well. I really love the SUU campus. I was walking around the east end (near where the Shakespearean festival does their green show) and it is so beautiful. I feel like I'm walking through the woods there are so many trees and it is so green and peaceful.
Second, I did finally get some semblance of a job. I am now working on campus in the English Department. I only work 5 hours a week, but it is a start. Pretty much I just lock up all of the classrooms and faculty offices, make copies, and do whatever the secretary asks me to do. I am working at Tuacahn on Saturdays still at least until the end of October or until I find something else in Cedar City. If anyone has any odd jobs that need to be done, and are willing to pay give me a call. I'm almost willing to do anything at this point.
Thirdly, I've become very active in my new college ward. I've gone to the firesides, ward prayer, family home evening, and I'm getting to know people in my ward. I'm trying to be more outgoing and talk to people...and guys, and am getting to know some really great people.
Funny story...so at FHE (family home evening) on Monday I tried to get to know a lot of people in my ward. I met and talked to the Relief Society President (who was just called on Sunday) and the next day (Tuesday) I got a call from the bishopric asking if I would come in and talk to them. (They had to call my roommate because they didn't know my last name or my phone number, but they knew that I was Jessica from Apt 11, so my roommate comes to me and says the bishopric wants to talk to you). So I quickly change and drive to the church and go in to talk to the bishopric. Now as soon as I got off the phone with them I knew that I was going to be getting a calling. Well as I got to the church I went to the clerk's office and I saw the relief society president in there talking to the bishopric. When I saw her I was thinking, "hmmm, this can't be good." So the 2nd counsilor of the bishopric took me aside and started asking me how school was going and where I was from and all that fun stuff, when he says: "We were wondering if you would be willing to be the second counsilor in relief society?" My first response was a mix between a laugh and a pfft. I wanted to laugh, in fact I did laugh as I walked to my car. Of course I agreed. The really funny fact of the matter is that my friend Kim, (who I hang out with a lot) was also called to be the second counsilor in relief society in her college ward only a week earlier. So I called her as soon as I was in my car and we laughed about it for a good ten minutes. Needless to say I am now in the relief society presidency in my ward, and I'll admit that I'm a bit nervous. So if anyone has any advice for me feel free to share it with me. Also, I guess that I am over Enrichment Night so if anyone has any good ideas for activities feel free to share!

SUU here I come!!!

Alright everyone. I have made my decision. I am going to SUU! Yes, and I am determined. I've prayed about it and I've made pros and cons lists, but SUU is the place for me. I already have an apartment at the Stonebrook Apartments, and I have my schedule all taken care of. So all of you who are upset at my choice you can shove it where the Sun don't shine. I've made my choice and I'm determined to do what I want, and what I feel is right. All I ask is that you at least support me in my choice (Libby). Sorry for all of you who were determined for me to go to Utah State. Why don't you go there yourselves.

I'm Officially a Dixie Graduate!!!

Today, May 1, 2009 I graduated from Dixie State College. Actually I graduated back on December 19, 2008, but I walked for the commencement ceremony today!!!

This is me and my friend Kim. Kim and Libby were the only reasons that I actually decided to even go to the commencement ceremony.

Here I am in the D for Dixie!!
Graduation was awesome. It was shorter than I expected, which was a good thing. My parents and Libby came to support me. I am now officially a college graduate. In two to three more years I will be graduating with my Bachelors!!! I Can't Wait!

Graduation

So I know that I officially graduated from Dixie State College back in December. However, I have decided that I am going to walk at the Commencement ceremony next month. Anyone is welcome to come and support me if they would like. It is on May 1, 2009 at 6:00 pm in the Burnes Arena. Feel free to come!

I've Been Accepted!!

So I just wanted everyone to know that I have now been accepted to both Utah State University in Logan and Southern Utah University in Cedar City. Yeah!!! I haven't quite decided which to go to yet but I'm working on it. Just wanted to let everyone know!!

I'm Almost Done!!!

I just wanted to let everyone know that I only have just over a week left at Dixie State College!!! Next Friday I will be done with my last final! I am so excited, and so done with Dixie! This has been one hard semester with some fun classes, but I will be glad to be done! Now I just have to stay focused and get through these finals and I will have my Associates of Science!!!

Sadie's

So last Friday (Sept. 19) I went to Sadie's at the college. It is actually a really funny story. So my friend had been bugging me about finding a date to the dance but I didn't want to because I didn't know any guys to ask. So Friday rolls around and I still don't have a date. I saw my friend on campus and she was like "have you found a date yet?" and I said "No, I'm not going." She was like "Come on I'll help you find a date." I told her that if she could find me a date by that night then I would go. So a couple of hours later as I was walking to the testing center to take a test and I saw my friend talking to some guy. She saw me and started pointing at me. My first thought was "Oh my heck, she actually found me a date!!" So I walked over to her and she was like "Jessie this is Sam, your date for tonight!" I didn't really stay and chat because I had to take a test. So after I got off work at Tuacahn I went to my friend's house and then we went and picked up our dates. We got pictures but I haven't gotten them back yet. I did end up having a great time, even though I was dreading the whole thing. After the dance we went and had ice cream at Denny's and just laughed and talked. I also found out on Wednesday that he is in my Mythology class. So another date and no call back, that's okay I'll survive, I'll just dream of finding Mr. Darcy.

Another semester at DSC!

So this week I began another semester at Dixie, but what is different about this semester is that it is my last semester at Dixie (praise the Lord)! If you can't tell by my little comment I am very excited to be done at Dixie. In December I will be graduating with my Associates of Science Degree then after that maybe a mission or maybe off to a University away from home, so I can see what it is like to live on my own! This semester I am taking three literature classes, which I am already really enjoying; nutrition, which is my final general ed class!; and a photography class which I am really excited for!! (Oh yeah, bytheway, if anyone has an old film camera with an adjustable aperture and shutter speed they would be willing to let me borrow I would love you forever;)!!!) I am afraid I may be a little overwhelmed with all of the reading I will have to do for my classes, but so far I am thoroughly enjoying an excuse to read stories, and an excuse to get out and go to random places so that I can take pictures!