Actuarial Exam 1

This is the 4th post I've done today, so please be sure to read them all!  (The first one is titled "Day 11").

So want to hear something cool (well for me)?  I'm registered to take the first Actuarial Exam (1/P - Probability) on Thursday, November 15, in Casa Grande!  It's less than 3 months away...ahhh!  I don't think I'm nowhere near ready but at least I still have some time...

Truth be told, I don't expect to pass this time due to lack of time, effort, and preparation on my part these past 3 months.  I'm registered for this online seminar to help prepare and it expires on November 16, but if you take the test in the first 6-months and don't pass, they will extend your subscription 6 more months for fee.  It's cheaper for me to take the test, fail, and have the class extended rather than buy the class again for full price.

But who knows, miracles happen.  I'm going to be as dedicated as I can these upcoming days and maybe, just maybe, I will pass in November.  My birthday is that month, that would be some birthday present!!  But still, please send me good thoughts.  Happy studying! :)

Day 13

Describe 5 Weaknesses You Have:

1. Talking to People.  This definitely isn't a strength of mine.  I'm a quiet person.  I have trouble going up to people, especially those I don't know, and start talking.  I wish I was better at this.  I'm jealous of those people who have the skill of talking to anyone and everyone, and can make friends so easily.

2. Sleeping.  I love to sleep.  I'm really good at it, LOL.  I can sleep up to 10+ hours a night, and it still doesn't feel like enough, even when I add a good, long nap in the day.  It's a hard thing to break...

3. Curiosity.  Haha perhaps being nosy is a better way to put it.  I like to know what goes on in just about any facet of life, in anyone's life for that matter.  It can be hard for me to sit back, allowing others to let me know what they want me to know about them.

4. Diet. I'm terrible at eating healthy and regularly.  I love food, but I don't eat a lot.  Even when I'm hungry, sometimes I'd prefer to go without the food, then actually prepare something.  When I actually do it, it's not healthy.  Usually candy and junk food, or without the proper fruits and veggies.

5. Mental Control.  I've never been the best at keeping my mind from wandering, especially at not-so-appropriate times.  I can be really hard on myself and others.  I'm working on being better for accepting everyone as they are, myself included.

Day 12

Describe a typical day in your life.

Well... I'm currently in a transition right now.  I was being support lax through the day and hardly being productive at all.  Well starting last week I am trying to stick to my new routine/schedule I've set for myself.  It hasn't been the easiest to follow, but I'm trying.  I'll talk of the latter:

* I wake up around 6am where I will read for 50 mins: 15 mins from the Old Testament (It's my goal to read the whole thing, less than 300 pages left!), 15 mins from the Book of Mormon, and 20 mins from a church book.  (Currently I'm reading Jesus the Christ and it's SOOOO good!  I recommend it to any Christian.  Less than 100 pages left!)
* I then begin a load of laundry
* I make lunch for my mom and myself
* I do the dishes from the night before
* Finish the laundry
* Exercise for an hour (usually 2 miles on the treadmill and the rest jumping on our small trampoline)
* Shower
* By this time it's about 10am and I begin studying for my actuarial test
* At noon I take a 30-minute lunch break
* Study for another 2 hours
* I will head to work as a part-time math tutor until I get off just after 7pm
* I go home and eat dinner, watch a few shows on TV and by 9:30pm I'm exhausted and usually head to bed by 10 or 11.

It varies some when my mom sends me on errands, Tuesdays I go to the temple, and Thursdays I do the "Saturday chores." Weekends I don't study at all but tend to the house, work, and hang out.

Day 11

Describe 10 Pet Peeves you have:

Hmm... haha I have a lot.

1. I think my biggest pet peeve is when you're going somewhere and you walk past someone and they say, "Hey! How are you doing?" but they keep walking and clearly have no intention to stop, chat, and listen to what you have to say.  Saying something like, "Hey!  It's good to see you.  Have a great day!" is completely acceptable :)

2. I can't stand it when people smack/chew with their mouth open.

3. The sound of silverware clanking against dishes (i.e. a spoon against a bowl).

4. When people drive without utilizing their blinker.

5. Short notice.

6. Not having a plan.  I can go with the flow to an extent, but I need an idea of what's ahead.

7. When people talk around me when I'm trying to listen, particularly at the temple and at church.  I'm sorry but the Celestial Room is not the place to discuss where you're going to go to lunch.

8. When guys don't act like gentleman.

9. When people honk the horn at me, trying to be funny.  It's NOT.

10. Family members trying to touch my chin just because they know I don't like it.

Another anniversary...

Hola :)

So, I've debated blogging about this because it's so personal but truth be told, I don't think a lot of people read this blog and I semi-use it as a journal so I'll give it a whirl anyway...

Yesterday, July 27, 2012 was the year-mark of when I went into the MTC.  I had been dreading this day for awhile and as it got closer, I kept getting more and more anxious, but what are you going to do?  It's not like you can skip right to the 28th (as nice as that would be) but the significance of the day would still be there.  But as the day came, felt a little too long, but eventually passed and I survived :)  Luckily, my mom had a half-day at work and was done by noon so we had a good time shopping at Savers and other stores and eating some Jamba, etc.  It's become quite the tradition between to the two of us and I LOVE IT.

Not many people knew what the day held (I don't even think everyone in my family knew) probably due to the excitement of the Olympics/Opening Ceremonies and the other daily life activities that we find ourselves absorbed in.  I did post the following as my Facebook status:

"Life is really good at throwing curve balls, you just never fully know what to expect.  Had you asked me a year ago today where I thought I'd be in a year, I would've answered approximately 2,380 [I Googled it] miles from here... Congratulations MTC District 38-C on your year mark!!! :)"

As a result, I received the sweetest text from a friend, "Saw your status.  Just wanted you to know I am thinking of you.  God does have plans for us and I know that someday in this life or next it will make more sense."  It was just what I need to hear and from her especially, for she has been through her fair share of trials and heartache, particularly as of late.  I'm so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who makes Himself and His love known to me daily, making it impossible to forget that He is always there, loves me, and ready to bless me.

I figured it would be fitting to post a few extra photos from the MTC (I still have yet to post them all...)  It was a short amount of time, definitely a hard time, but a great time that I'm so grateful I had.  I wish it was for longer, but I have no regrets.  The church is true.  God is real.  Jesus Christ is my Savior.  I love them all :)

 Me with my companions (currently serving in Albuquerque) and our friend "Minerva" (serving in Chicago)

 My district (there were more but some went home and others went to other MTCs after 3 weeks) with our teacher Hermano Stevens

 All the girls in my district (others serving in Arcadia, CA and Costa Rica)

 "Stretchy Bands!" Haha you can't expect us to always exercise ;)

 My Aunt Connie and I :) She and Dale are serving in LA

Krysta, my friend from college.  She's serving in Fiji

 Serving around the world

My district with more elders (they went to the Dominican Republic)

Happy Anniversary!

Wow been awhile...my bad...I need to get in a better routine/schedule with this blog (I'm a HUGE believer in routines!).  Not much to report on (haha well that's a lie but just one thing I have in mind right now...)

I graduated college a year ago today!  Can you believe it?!  That's crazy!  ONE WHOLE YEAR being done with homework, tests, projects, all-nighters, group presentations, etc. etc. and it feels SO great!!  Don't get me wrong.  I miss it at times.  A LOT actually.  Not so much the school part but the aspects that are attached, like living on my own, having roommates, social gatherings, etc.  I don't always miss the roommates but I do a lot because my house gets to be so quiet and it was like instant-friends and social life without having to try too much.  Sure they were also instant-trials and patience builders but those are good to have at times.

Here's a picture of me the night of graduation:

 July 22, 2011

And here's a picture I had my mom take of me today:

July 22, 2012

What a whirlwind of a year it's been!  Throughout the year I found myself complaining mostly about my Bachelor's Degree because it didn't pay off as soon as I would've hoped.  I work part-time as a math tutor where high school students have the same job.  HOWEVER, I'm always reminded how incredibly blessed I am to have a formal college education.  It has opened doors that otherwise would've remained shut (and I know this will continue to be the case) had I not received as my brother puts it, "That piece of paper that says I'm smart."

I love to learn.  I hope this desire only continues to grow.  I'm so grateful for the opportunity I had (and now have) to further my education and hopefully use that to better others' lives.  With that I just want to end with my motto for my life/daily advice: "Learn something new everyday -- no matter who the teacher is.  Then to have balance, teach someone everyday -- no matter who the student is." 

I LOVE LEARNING!!!  

Day 10

Describe Your Most Embarrassing Moment


I am going to be VERY vague about this because it was very humiliating.  Only my brother, Scott, and my sister-in-law, Becky, know about it because unfortunately they were with me, but at least it was them and someone who isn't family... It happened last year one evening when we were driving to their house after eating dinner at Benihana. And that's all I'm going to say. :)