World's longest post with no pictures :)

Well I guess it's about time for a new post... ;) Sorry there are no pictures again. I'm on campus right now and left my camera at my apt and Facebook is blocked until 5pm so the next post will have pictures I promise :)

Well let's see...School is almost over! I have 4 finals left to take but one is writing a talk for my religion class so it won't be too bad that I hope to complete on Sunday. I'm taking my Econ 357 final Tuesday morning in class, my parenting final Wednesday afternoon, and my macro final in the testing center on Wednesday. Basically this weekend, and especially Monday, will be intense, but in less than 1 week I can breathe :)

Some sad news...My Uncle Ray passed this past Saturday night. He had been battling with Pancreatic Cancer for over a year so it wasn't a surprise of his passing but doesn't mean it makes it any easier. My condolences to his family and friends. His funeral is tomorrow morning. It is only about 40 mins away from school and I really wanted to try to make it down there but didn't know if I could swing it with school and everything but luckily my roommate is letting me borrow her car so I don't have to rely on others to take me back to school. It'll be nice to see family -- if only it weren't under the circumstances.

My mom will be in town tonight until the following Tuesday (so about a week and a half). It is a bad time though with finals but it will be good to be able to see her for a little biti while she is up here. Friday morning a new building, the BYU-Idaho Center (so original I know...I like to call it the BUICK), is being dedicated (it's comparable to BYU's Marriot Center), and Pres. Eyring and Elder Nelson (I think....) will be here so that will be really cool!!! Afterwards, or Saturday, my roommate and I are leaving for Missouri.

She's from the Kansas City area and won't be at school in the winter so I'm driving out with her so she won't be alone then we'll hit some of the sites. She lives by a couple of the church history sites which will be fun and then for a day or too we're going to St. Louis!!! I'm get to see 2 of my friends from Disney, Katie and Jon. I'm pretty stoked. Not to mention to eat some Stake 'N Shake! YUM!

Afterwards I'll be flying to Utah for Christmas where I'll hang out and maybe get my wisdom teeth removed...(I'm in the process of working on my mission papers [side note: I'm not 100% certain of a mission but I am preparing :) ] and dental work still needs to be addressed :) ) In Utah, I have some fun, simple things planned: catch up on sleep, watch movies (especially It Takes Two!), eat junk food, make smoothies, and have fun! School starts up again on Jan. 5 (it's a Wednesday) but I'll head back on Monday so I have Tuesday to get books, find classes etc.

Speaking of next semester, I need to finalize my schedule. It looks like it's going to be a rough semester with heavy course loads but maybe I can pull it off....right?

Here was my original class list (19 credits!):
English 316 - Technical Writing
Math 324 - Probability and Statistics
Econ 358 - International Economics
Econ 300 - Managerial Economics
Econ 444 - Regional Economics
FDSCI101 - Science Foundations (GE)
FDREL212 - 2nd half of the New Testament

Well then good news came along that I'm no longer required to take Eng 316...whoopeee!!!! So I'm down to 16 credits :) But I also don't need as many upper-division classes on campus either (it's a long story but I petitioned the school being a transfer student and they approved the waiver...another whopeee!!!) So, now I'm down to 13 credits but I need 15 for my scholarship so I need to decide which additional class to drop and what to add in it's place. I thought of dropping International Econ and adding the first part of Old Testament for a total of 15 credits. But then I was talking with my econ teachers and they suggest taking all the classes (only Managerial is most math-intensive) and should be fine but if I absolutely feel like dropping one, drop Managerial. Which sounded good....

But then, I found out that one class I need for grad school (Yes, I am eventually planning on pursuing Economics), Econ 388 - Econometrics, is being offered! Well, technically I knew this already but I thought I didn't meet all the prerequisites which it turns out I do, so I go to add it and sure enough its full. Stink! The next time the class is offered is next Fall, but I graduate in Spring, so basically next semester is my option unless I take classes after I graduate before going to grad school. So, I go to talk to the teacher (who happens to be my Macro teacher now) and explain the situation and he says the class is full but he anticipates people dropping because some students are Comm and Poli Sci Majors who don't belong in the class. He said come the first day and I should be fine and if not, he'll work with me as most as he can. Well cross your fingers!!! I would love to take this class now if I can. The main problem is this class if very work- and math-intensive so I would definitely drop Managerial in its place. With Econ 388 and Math 324 plus 2 other econ classes I think I'm set...

So my schedule will probably be this next semester (16 credits)...
Math 324 - Probability and Statistics
Econ 358 - International Economics
Econ 300 or 388 - Managerial Economics or Econometrics
Econ 444 - Regional Economics
FDSCI101 - Science Foundations (GE)
FDREL212 - 2nd half of the New Testament

I'm contemplating adding FDREL301 (1st part of the Old Testament) for a total of 18 credits. Which I know sounds INSANE but one, I really want to take all books of scripture which I can take teh 2nd part of Old Testament Spring semester and complete this goal or not worry about it. Plus, yea it's 18 credits, but 4 are religion, and 1 is a redundant GE that I'm told is so easy you don't have to go to class... I don't know what do you think? Am I totally crazy?

So I know this is a way long post and Good job if you were able to read it all...I promise to compensate next time with pictures!! Cross your fingers and pray that I get into Econ 388 (sorry so much of this was talking about classes...man am I a nerd or what? lol). Thanks for the faithful followers (if I have any haha) who put up with me :)

It's ABOUT Time...

So, what's it been 4 months? Yea... Sorry :)

I guess it's about time I said SOMETHING... I'm still at school (recall that I transferred to BYUI) this past summer. The first semester was a little rocky but it's MUCH better this semester and I'm actually starting to love it! I have great roommates and, for the most part, am enjoying my classes. One, Econ 357 - Environmental and Natural Resource Economics (such a mouthful!) is really giving me a run for my money but other than that, all is well with school :)

I finally picked a "major" and am sticking with it no matter what!!! Drumroll.... University Studies! Which is not an actual major...2 minors with a cluster (which is half a minor) becomes the major. My minors: Math and Econ and my cluster: family life. Everyone asks what I plan to do with this and here's the honest answer: I DON'T KNOW!!! I love numbers, applying them, and learning about people so I figured I'll mesh them all together. I'll probably end up working in a bank/analyst type job or go into Public Administration. We'll see how it turns out. I only have 2 more semesters to go...pretty stoked! Yet freaked for the real world...

Other piece of good news...I'm headed to Dallas in a few weeks!! I'm going with my school on an internship expedition where we go and meet some companies down there and try to network/make contacts. I'm nervous but excited. It will be a good experience and learning model for me. I'm applying for some internships through Southwest actually. I'm not saying I plan to live in Texas for the rest of my life (though I can tell you I don't plan to return to Arizona...) but I'm just exploring my options. Where they want me and ultimately where HE wants me is where I'll end up :)

Anyways, hopefully next post isn't in February :)

I'm Lame

I'm super lame. Nothing to talk about. Or too lazy to do so lol I wish I could say I don't have time but that would be a lie now wouldn't it? haha I'll try to post soon because I have so much I want to share but I have to be careful in case it doesn't pan out. So we'll see how it goes.

I'm still alive. Tomorrow I plan to have my first day in a long time where it doesn't matter what time I wake up. It's great to be caught up with homework yet can be boring...

Tonight: I'm going to cuddle up in bed, watch Dan in Real Life (thanks to the month free of Netflix courtesy of Lanae and Andrew!), and write some missionaries. Most of them have passed one year marks...crazy!

Have a great weekend and may your Friday night be more eventful than mine :D Although I went to "Magic Moments" today which is a Disney talent show and it was awesome! So I do get out every once and awhile ;)

Stop?!

So...I'm not the best at blogging right now mainly because I feel like no one really reads this...maybe I haven't promoted it enough...so I'm thinking of stopping and waiting awhile until I start again...

What do you think?

Switch Point

Hey Everyone,

It's been a weird last couple of days. Really the whole last month feels so weird. I'm no longer in Orlando -- that's right! I finished my program. It's a switch point in my life.

This brings about mixed feelings. I loved my experience! Don't get me wrong, at times it was rough and the work felt like slave labor yet I had so much fun and met so many people and made great friends. It was sad to leave so early compared to everyone else (since I'm a BYU student the program ends sooner for us to go back to school). It was hard to say goodbye but it does help that I know I will get to see some people again. I've already seen Jenna and Hannah and I are planing to live together this fall.

But on the same hand, I was a little ready to go too. Not so much to school but to move on to the next thing, which happened to be school. This was definitely overwhelming. Thursday night, I didn't sleep. AT ALL. I left for the airport around 6 in the morning where I had a 4-hour flight to Denver, a 3-hour layover, then a 1 1/2 hour flight to Salt Lake City. There my mom met me at the airport and we drove the 4 hours to Rexburg. Talk about a long and exhausting day! There I met up with Scott, Becky, and finally got to meet Adam!!! As well as my cousin, Rendi. My mom and I stayed with her and the next day checked in, moved in, found classes, got books, and got all situated. Rendi was a lifesaver!

The rest of the day was spent getting groceries and hanging out with family. We went to my aunt Rilda's house in Shelley, which is about 40 mins away. Sunday my mom took me back to campus and she left for SLC to catch her 8pm flight back to AZ. Definitely wasn't a moment to rest. Sunday I unpacked, went to a fireside, and later went to Jenna's apt to play games. That was a lot of fun. I feel so grateful she thought to invite me :)

Today I'm running errands. I woke up early (not by my alarm clock :( ) and showered, then hit campus to run through my schedule once more, talk to the Financial Aid/Scholarship people, talk to housing, and also had to go to the Health Center to get a TB test (they sprung that one on me last minute). It's now 2pm and I've done so much today and yet have all this time. I'm so bored!!!

I know I'm going to regret saying this but I wish classes would start already because then comes homework and I won't be so bored. Of course, when this really takes affect I'll regret this plus hopefully I'll have more friends to hang out with :)

I'm taking a full load this semester and I actually forgot about it until I started to buy my books. I'm beginning to think what was I thinking?! My classes are: Mission Prep, Accounting 201, Microeconomics, Statistics, and Math for the Real World. Wish me luck with this endeavor!!!

Sorry this is so many words. I would post pictures but I forgot my camera and stuff at my apt but then again I'm so bored I may actually walk to my apt and back just to give me something to do. This is one perk of BYUI...

Last semester: I lived "far" from campus (20 min walk), lived in a shack, and paid for laundry, internet, and utilities separate from rent ($257/month) making a total of about $280/month.

Here: I live CLOSE to campus (literally across the street), live in a nice place, have a washer and dryer INSIDE the apt (!!!!!!), and internet and utilities are included in the rent. I calculated that total I pay about $250/month.

I could get used to this :D

I'm an AUNT again!!!!

I just found out that my sister-in-law, Becky, had her baby 1 hour ago! My brother, Scott, a dad, weird but soooo cool! I cannot stop smiling :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

Adam Scott Peterson

March 24, 2010

9:04 AM

6 lbs, 11 oz

19 inches long

Full head of brown hair

I cannot wait to get back to Utah and meet this little guy! I told Scott and Becky that I'm hogging him since everyone else gets now with him. I wish I was there but we'll have a great meeting! I CANNOT WAIT TO HOLD HIM! My joy is full...imagine what I'll feel when it's my own being born :)

Recap

I figured it's time for a new update but theres not much to update...

I got deployed AGAIN! It's to the same place - All Star Movies. I was less than amused because I hated it last time but it's not sooo bad this time around. They have actually put me in shops which is really nice but I still miss Saratoga. I got deployed 2 weeks this time - last week and this one but it is official next week I am scheduled to work at Artist's Palette...yay!

I haven't been to work (at All Star) in about 4 days...Thursday and Friday I was scheduled to be off which was awesome to have 2 days. Saturday I had work at 7:30am which is gross and I got there about 7 but as usual they were overstaffed so I opted for an ER which made my day! And today I called in sick and yes I am legitimately sick. My throat is so raspy and it's near impossible to talk...feels like my throat has been sewn shut and my head feels like a brick...hard to sit for long periods of time.

Tomorrow I have a short shift 11 - 5 and I'm determined to go and Tuesday I'm off again. So 5 days of no work in a period of 6 days which sounds awesome but other than no money for some of those days heres another downfall...my next day off is the following Saturday! That's 10 days of work straight...YIKES!!! But then again I do deserve it.

I've been reading a lot of church books lately. When I told my mom I was thinking of a mission and I wasn't sure she sent me 2 books about preparing and things to know etc. so I've been reading those and in one of the books, the author, John Bytheway, suggests some books to increase your spiritual knowledge so I'm eager to begin those books as well. I have always enjoyed reading but always been too lazy or tired to do it but occasionally I get really into reading and read a ton...this is one of those occasions but hopefully it lasts awhile :)

Other than that, I can't think of much to say. Oh Friday, was my "twin's" birthday. His name is Jon (I posted a pic of him and I a few posts down) and Friday was his birthday celebration! Katie, his girlfriend and my roommate, did a lot of the planning and I assisted. We slept in, ate a big breakfast, went on a scavenger hunt at Magic Kingdom, came back and then a group of us went to Benihana for dinner. It was so much fun!!! I love those types of places and made for a great day.

Sorry this is all just words. I have pictures to post but don't want to move to get my camera...sorry for the laziness. They are on Facebook if you have an account and want to look there. Until next time, have a great one!

PS The next post will probably be about my nephew being born...my sister-in-law is due in 7 days!!!! Wish I was there but can't wait!!!!!!

Whats on my MInd

It's been a really off week for me.

I don't know why exactly but an obvious reason is I had 10 days off due to my mom and stepdad coming to town. Monday was my first day back. I had yesterday off and called out of work today mainly due to lack of sleep.

I'm thinking with the Daylight Savings Time change tomorrow I will loose an hour of sleep and I have to be at work at 7am so it's not going to be fun :(

I'm thinking how my program ends here in less than 5 weeks now. I have mixed emotions about it. At first I was so excited to go back to school, then I really started to like my job and didn't want to leave, now I'm excited for it to come to an end but don't want to have to say goodbye to the amazing people I have met.

I've been thinking immensely of serving a mission. My 21st birthday isn't for another 8ish months but still it's heavily on my mind.

I'm thinking that my sister-in-law's baby shower is happening now and I'm not there.

I'm thinking how sad it is how I won't be there when my nephew is born.

I'm thinking how I'm the odd one out of my family. The rest are all married, starting to have kids, and stayed in AZ during college -- missions don't count but Scott did move when he got married.

I'm thinking that my friend's birthday is tomorrow and I'm not there to join in the celebration or give her a birthday week. So Happy 20th Alexa!

I'm thinking that I have a lot on my mind. Almost too much.

Quick Survey

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Let me know... :)

My life in Pictures.

I promised the next blog post would be pictures. I'm determined to deliver! Read below pics for explanations :)

My mom...we got a Ford Mustang for our rental car!

Me in front of our Mustang :)

My mom in front of the Orlando Temple (it was windy!)

Me in front of the Temple (it was also cold!)

The Orlando Florida Temple

My roommate Jenna. I think she looks like my cousin, Heidi

EPCOT

Cinderella's Castle

My work costume.

Me with my roommates Kimberly (left) and Jenna. We moved the couch into mine and Jenna's room. Our other roommate, Katie, woke up to a surprise!

A fun day out!

My friend Hannah and I. We went to Downtown Disney with Katie and had Ghirardelli!

Katie's boyfriend, Jon. He is seriously my identical twin! Can't you see the family resemblence?

My roommate Kimberly and I

My roommate Katie and I



Sorry some of the pictures were sideways and these were not even all of them! but glad you finally got to see into my life some and not just read about it.

Remember Me?

Hey everybody :)

Sorry I'm so bad at this whole blogging thing. I feel like I have nothing to tell you. I know what you're probably thinking...you're in Florida working at Disneyworld and there's nothing to update? Well yea lol All I do is work. For long amounts of time and it can be quite exhausting.

Initially I worked 5 days a week for 8 hours a day, being a 40-hour work week and it was nice. Lately it has gotten MUCH busier and so now I work 6 days a week but still mainly 8 hours a day. But when you're working almost 50 hours a week it is very draining. I miss school so much. I have always loved school and this is definitely making me more excited to go back.

I work at this quick-service "restaurant" at one of the resorts (Saratoga Springs) called the Artist's Palette. I'm not going to lie but I hated it at first. It's a long time on your feet, physically exhausting and draining, I didn't know anyone or what I was doing, plus being away from family is never easy. For at least a week I told my mom just about everyday that I wanted to quit and I came close a few times. I'm so glad that I didn't! I don't want to be a quitter. Sometimes you got to take the runt jobs to appreciate other things.

Well I feel like I know what I'm doing now and I was the first CP (College Program Student) of the bunch to start (there are 8 total) and I've been done with training for about 3 weeks now so a lot of them are now asking me questions and I can answer them! It's nice :) Plus I've been getting to know the people I work with and my feet/legs have toughened up so being on my feet for so long doesn't hurt as much anymore :)

The other day (Friday) I went with a guy from work to the parks. I actually had 2 days off this week (such a blessing!) and so the 2nd day was spent on having fun and so did he (he's a seasonal worker so only works a few days of the week). We went to Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and then back to Magic Kingdom. We were out for about 10 hours total and so much fun! I love being able to get into the parks for free and at my own leisure. It was really rainy and cold that day so the parks were so empty...PERFECT!!!

This week I have been deployed to another resort. It's all the All-Star Movies resort (the All-Star Resorts are by far the busiest of all the resorts so they are constantly deploying other workers to help out). At first I was excited to go but then yesterday happened (it was my first day) and my mind quickly changed. I don't see the point of deploying people - every place is different so I wasn't adequately trained to help out as much as they needed. They should just hire more people for the resorts. I had to work 10 hours yesterday and my legs were not liking that. I wanted to cry I was in so much pain. But did make it through. I didn't want to go today (I need to go in a few hours) and I still don't really but luckily my good night's rest helped a lot. 5 days left of this place then back to good ol' Saratoga!

Being here has really made me realize how much I love (and miss) my religion. I have to work Sundays - there really is no set way around it. And it SUCKS!!!! I absolutely hate working Sundays. I have always enjoyed my Sundays; I would get so much out of them and now I don't have it. I have been able to go to church one Sunday (last week), yesterday I was able to go to Sacrament Meeting, and the other times I went to what's called Gathering (a little sacrament meeting at night). The ward here is so amazing to help give all the CPs rides to and from church activities and I'm just so grateful. But I can't wait to be able to go to church every Sunday, not go to work afterwards, and able to go to FHE and other activities. 2 months to go!

Well sorry this was a lot of words but this is my life as of now. I know theres no pictures again. I tried uploading them but it froze and I got impatient. I PROMISE next time my post will be all pictures. Hopefully it doesn't take me too long.

Loves

As it goes...

Hey all :)

Well sorry it's been a little while...Lets see what has happened since last time....

It's been almost 2 weeks since check-in which feels so long ago! CRAZY!!! I work at one of Disney's Vacation Club Resorts, Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa, and work in their food area. It's considered quick service but high end too. The name of the "restaurant" is called The Artist's Palette. I just finished training yesterday and start tomorrow "on my own" and I'm FREAKED out right now! I work 8:30am - 4pm so I actually need to go to bed in the next little bit.

I have met some people out here who are just great. Hannah, my neighbor, and I have hung out a lot, my roommates are simply AMAZING (and it's not like when you say you love them but deep down you're annoyed....I really do love them!), and people are just so friendly. Who could ask for more?

My job itself is not the greatest, working with food never is, but most everyone is friendly (the chefs are a different story) and keep saying it's ok for me to ask them questions and believe you me that I will! I'm hopeful I'll catch quickly so when the busy times start I will be ok. Wish me luck.

The perks of the job are great! I have hit all the parks already just here and there. It's nice to get in for free and don't have to rush or worry about time to get everything in. Plus right now I get a pretty good discount on merchandise so I'm trying to get all my shopping done if you know what I mean ;)

Well I took a picture of me in my costume for work but can't figure out how to post it on my roommate's computer (another reason they're so sweet...they let me use their computers!...this one is a mac) but it is my profile pic on Facebook to give some of you an idea.

Hope next time will be a better post complete with pics and better stories. Loves

ORLANDO

Hi all :)

Well I found the computer lab in my apartment complex and what a relief. I've been in Florida for a little less than a week. My mom and I flew in this past Thursday but I checked in yesterday and it's been chaos ever since.

We got here right at nine but of course people came before so it took a while then I had to go find an apt then 2 hours to go get fingerprinted with background checks etc then we ate lunch then went to another long housing meeting. FINALLY that was the end to Disney for the day...so much info and emotion for one day. My mom and I finished shopping (I needed to buy some shoes for work) and enjoyed the time together. She left a little over 2 hours ago - her flight is in 45 mins. It was extremely hard to say goodbye. It always is for me but this time was even harder because everything is foreign. I hate the unknown (who does??) but oh well. I'll get through...somehow.

I start orientation tomorrow with a class called Traditions which is the history and tradition of Disney. Since I don't have a car I'm at Disney's discretion and their buses. My class is at 8am but need to take the 6:45am bus to make it in time. GROSS. but this summer I had to be to work by 7am somedays so I'm sure I'll be fine. Luckily, my roommate, Jenna, has the same schedule tomorrow so we'll go together.

I'm really excited for my roommates. I have only met 2 (I should have 3, at first I didn't think the other is moving in but she is (Jenna met her) so she's just a little late). Jenna is from Utah and goes to BYUI (yay she'll help me up there!) and Katie is from St. Louis and goes to BYUH. Diverse group but they seem sooo sweet. I really hoped for good roommates this time around and I think I just may have hit the jackpot!

Well, I just want to give a little speel out to my mom (though I don't think she reads this...) but she was so sweet to come all the way out here with me, helped me gathering everything, but more importantly gave me a hug when I needed it most, calmed my nerves, wiped my tears (yes, they have been in full supply), and just gave me the comfort and reassurance that I needed. I don't know what I would have done if she wasn't here. Probably would not have made it. Yay for her! I love you, Mom!

Well I better get going. I'm so tired and need to unpack. I'll post hopefully soon. I left my camera at my apt so pictures next time. Have a good one!

It's been awhile and might be too...

Sorry guys this is going to have to be QUICK! I don't have a computer and my mom's crashed so I'm at the library doing last-minute computer things...

I leave Thursday morning to head to Orlando! My mom and I fly out at 8am. It's exciting yet so freaky. Needless to say it hasn't really hit me yet...hopefully I won't freak out when it does :) Well I won't have a computer in Florida either but I'm told that there are computer labs there and that is what I'm hoping to use. I don't know how it's all going to work so if it's awhile (again...sorry I'm so bad at this!) before you hear from me I'm sorry.

I end the internship April 16 and am flying to SLC where my mom will meet me (she's driving my car up) and then we'll head to Rexburg to start school on the 19th. Crazy I know but I feel it's right and so it will get done somehow :)

Love ya!