This is what happens when school gets too overwhelming..

To All Who Care..

I GOT A JOB! 

Somehow I knew I would get a job at Country View Manor. I felt it deep inside when Dallin and I drove to see it back in October.  And although I didn't end up getting an application turned in until January and I had to call back a week later to see if they had had a chance to review it, and although they claimed they never saw my application, but after slight begging (not real begging, just the passive aggressive type, you know) was asked to come in for an interview for PRN (as needed) ONLY.... I was hired! And EVEN THOUGH they always treat the new, little, blonde and innocent CNA as the fill in for every Friday and Sunday girl, I was able to weasel my way out of the Sunday shifts, but remain on Friday's.  I worked for the first time yesterday and here are some things I learned:

1. I need to learn Spanish.. and QUICK! All my co-workers speak Spanish. As if I weren't disoriented enough!  The woman (very nice and cute, I might add) that trained me had a very thick accent. For the first 7 hours of my 8 hour shift I thought it was hard to understand what she was saying because of just that, but as my ears trained themselves to listen further and hearing multiple "como se dice.... " realized I had spent the whole night hearing Spanish words, thinking they were English words, and hoping it hadn't been too long since I'd worked as a CNA to catch on again!  

On my break I frantically texted Dallin asking for Spanish lessons, and when his reply came as this, "I can teach you but you need to be committed to my intense course.", I faithfully committed myself. Shortly after waking up today, I realized my dreams last night were in Spanish, and although I should have realized I didn't understand my own dreams, it wasn't quite as weird as it would have been if I hadn't spent my whole previous day not understanding much of anything.

2. Old people still hold strong for most loved.  I absolutely love them. I know most people don't understand this part of my passion, but I was constantly holding myself back from hugging and kissing all the residents I met last night.  To me, they are just like a new-born baby. They are so fragile, and kind, and loving. 

3.  Lastly, I learned integrity is huge in this field of work.  Sorry to get a little cheesy, but it is exactly true. The last facility I worked in, I realized last night, should probably not be running. When I first started working there I was very confused as to why my co-workers would chart for something not done, sign for a med not given, and vouch for another who had said they'd cleaned something they really hadn't. As my first CNA job I wondered if that's just how it worked, because there seemed too much work to really get done in a small 8-hour shift. Last night I realized, the only REAL thing missing from my first CNA job was integrity. Following around this lovely Latino woman last night I realized how nice it is to work at a place where everyone is pulling their own load and working as a team.  So what if no one sees you putting garbage in the bedrooms instead of the bathroom, so what if you chart that you changed a brief and you really didn't? All those things are too easy to cover, but it's important to hold to your integrity at those moments and do it even though no one will catch it.  

I'm relieved to be working at a place that, so far, seems to be great.  Although I'm not excited about working until 10:30pm three nights out of seven, I'm really glad I found a job!

It was a beautiful Saturday morning..

So we decided to go skiing! And even though my skis were hard to maneuver and I had the first hard fall of a lifetime, it was a great afternoon to spend at Deer Valley! (congrats to Sarah and Eric who dazzled us with their new ski skills!)

My First Tag-- such a title!!

8 tv shows I love
1. Anything on HGTV
2. Friends
3. That 70's Show
4. Food Network (just the competitions)
5. hmm.. I'm not a TV girl..
6. that's all I've got.. sorry..
7.
8.

8 fav restaurants
1. Sampan
2. Buca
3. Zinn Bistro
4. Spaghetti Factory?
5. Apparently this isn't the best survey for me.. I'm not much of a restaurant lover.. Panda Express.
6. Panda Express
7. Any sandwich place
8. Wendy's? :)

8 things I did yesterday
since I'm having a hard time remembering.. I'm gong to fast forward an hour and do 8 things I did today..
1. Finally got a Parking Pass. YOu have to get a PASS to park in the FREE parking lot! Silly!
2. Rode the Campus Shuttle for WAY too long! Since when does it go all the way around campus??
3. Hung out in the math lab for 6.5 hours
4. attended a math class
5. Played with an adorable niece
6. kept a sister and brother in-law company at the Olive Garden.
7. Finally found my ipod
8. filled out this survey

8 things I look forward to
1. Nursing School
2. Finding a job
3. Going through the temple
4. A stronger stomach! :)
5. Being a great singer (in heaven, that is)
6. Raising a family
7. Weekends
8. Seeing Mr. Dallin

8 things I like about this season
1. being able to wear layers!
2. snowfall
3. skiing!
4. Sitting by the heater
5. hot chocolate
6. one semester closer to summer
7. New Goals
8. No sunblock

8 things on my wish list
1. get A's
2. be warm
3. that my car won't break down
4. learn from mistakes
5. be more punctual
6. master being on time
7. live closer to lovely friends in SLC
8. get into nursing school!

8 people I tag
1. Mckensie
2. Sarah Fortune
3. Sarah Weiss
4. Cori (sorry.. I know Lib let you out of it)
5. Alyse (ps. add me already!! emilyalice16@hotmail.com)
6. Esther
7. Mandi
8. --- sorry.. brain dead!

School such a Stress!

School started and Emily cried! This Spring semester I transferred back to UVU! I was especially nervous this semester as school started! I left UVU a year ago and although I didn't plan on ever returning, somewhere deep inside I knew one day I would be back. Only a year later the day arrived! It felt more familiar than it should have, but different all the same. I'm not surprised it felt different, mostly because I am different, but also because I think it caught me a bit off guard. As the holidays came and went I realized I had made no plans for moving yet. Sunday night came and I packed up supplies for a couple days and made my way to Provo. I've been praying for good roommates since I signed my contract a few months ago, and sure enough I was heard and have been blessed with great roommates! Change is always overwhelming for me and no later than 24 hours into the move I was again in tears. With great support and friends I was comforted and quickly felt better. I can't believe how blessed I am this semester. With all the changes and anticipated disappointment, I can honestly say I may end up enjoying my semester back at UVU. My classes are exceptionally great and being in Provo is starting to grow on me! :) (but, don't be surprised if a blog is posted in the next couple weeks with all my Provo complaints... I'm just saying..) Everything feels in place and I can't believe Provo is turning out to be a success. I am still looking for a job, and I am in great need of one so if any of you know of a Nanny job or CNA job anywhere from Lehi to Provo, let me know! Here goes to another semester of madness and glory!

December 2008

December was such a fun month! I love the holidays and it was fun to be buzzing around all the time with things to do and family parties to attend! Here are some things I did this December!

All siblings in town! (Tyler not pictured)
We also missed Sarah and Damian this Christmas!

Santa aka Dad gave me the most useful gift of the year!

After "Christmas" celebration with Dad and Jessica
at Buca di-bepo!

Christmas morning opening gifts

The house was beautiful and magical as always

Denny's on Christmas Eve at midnight.
This night was the most magical night of
my whole Christmas Holiday.
Santa was spotted and filled our night with magic! ;)

Annual Christmas Eve Linnell Party
All the sisters