imma model. What!?

Ok not really. 

 But kinda...!?

Remember back when I went to St. George on spring break oh so long ago?

Well during that vaca Aubry and I got all dolled up for a little modeling sesh for my roommate Chelsey. 

Chelsey Rae is staring up her own photog business and to help her out we did a little modeling shoot.

I felt insanely awkward the whole time and didn't know what do, however, Chelsey did an amazing job!

Aubs and I definitely had a fun time and really like the photos.
Check out Chelsey's website here, and hit her up if you need a photographer!! 

the dirty dash.

Months ago, Abby and Aubry convinced me to sign up for the Dirty Dash mud run. 

I signed up thinking that it was a waaay different type of race than I have ever done before and it would be fun to do something different. 

I thought otherwise on the drive up as anxiety and hyperventilating started trying to prepare for the unknown...as well as the known...I was about to get real dirty!

We ran the 10k course and it was full of tons of big hills, obstacles and big pools of dirty mud. 

The first mile was probably the longest mile of my life!

I did not think that we would be able to conquer the other 5 miles but the obstacles and constant throwing of mud onto each other helped get us through. 

Some of our obstacles included jumping over lots of hay, climbing over walls via a rope, jumping over large walls with no rope, running through tires, climbing through tunnels and a huge rope ladder. 

I basically felt like I was in some sort of army boot camp.

{coming in to the finish line}

And then between all of that we would have to cross huge puddles of mud that would go as high as our  chest, run uphill in mud which mostly resulted in climbing on your hands and knees so you could make it up and just straight throwing mud at each other. 

Before doing the run I did not understand how you got so muddy, it just didnt seem possible but looking back I am surprised I didnt get more in my eyes (which hurt, real bad) or eat some more! (also happened and was gross)

Abby and Aubry kept making fun of me by saying I was turning into a brunette. Not funny.  And they tried to get as much mud in my hair as possible. Not cool. I had just washed it...like two days ago!

{I was NOT expecting AubDawg to jump in like that! But at this point..what does it matter!?}

it was pretty dang strenuous run too. I am proud to say we ran the whole time and with the obstacles it was quite the workout. I definitely woke up sore the next morning. 

A shout out to Rudy for coming along and snapping so many great pics! Although I am disappointed I couldnt convince to do the race along side of us as our official photographer for the actions shots. 

The one thing that got me through this race was always been able to see my hot pink nail polish through all of the mud! After each mud bath I would make sure to wipe the mud off my nails! This LA girl had to have your nails looking good!

One of the best parts was our celebrity siting at the end! 

We ran into Brooks, the token SLC contestant from the Bachelorette this season. 

He was way nice and I think a lot cuter in person than on TV. And thats saying something since he was covered in mud! 

Overall, the race was so much fun. Way more fun than I had anticipated.

I feel like we laughed a lot. Especially at the crazy antics of Travis and how hard core Abby was throughout the course.
And who wouldnt have fun getting down and dirty!?

26 in 26.

I was talking to Heather Fay a few weeks ago on the phone, catching up and talking about life. And of course we started discussing running {since her husband is like an insane runner} and Heather casually said that she thought it would be cool to run a marathon, 26.2 miles, during your 26th year. 

I gasped. 

I am 26 now! And almost half way through my year. 

How have I never thought of that before!? 

I thought it was such a cool idea. 

And before I know it, I couldn't stop thinking about a marathon. 

I looked some up and then just decided I had to do it. 

I signed up to run a marathon. 

Running 26 miles and 26 years old. 

I was always adamant against running marathons. I thought they were crazy. 

But I was at one time against Ragnar and even half-marathons. 

And we all know how that worked out. 

I like to think of myself as a yo-yo runner. 

Sometimes I am great at it and want to do it all the time. 

And then weeks go by and realize I haven't thought about running once! 

I only like it when I am good at it. And even then, I usually curse myself when I am out running for a long time. I think I really only love running when I get to run at the beach and unfortunately with my current circumstances that cant happen as frequently as I would like anymore. But training is always a good reason to get good at it once again. 

I am slated to run the Cottonwood Marathon on September 14th. 

I am actually really excited--excited to get back in the hang out it, to run with my camelback!, to accomplish something bigger and of course add to my medal collection. AND! my good friend Mo Milla just signed up to run it with me! 

Training begins this week!

Memorial Day.

My school focus a lot on American patriotism... Which of course I loooove. 

On Friday, we had a special Assembly for Memorial Day.

 I love that we go all out to commemorate a special day and its true meaning.

 Nowadays Memorial Day means the end of school, the beginning of summer, pools opening, holiday weekend, camping or barbecuing with family and friends and sales at the mall. But just like any holiday, its always important to reflect on its purpose and meaning.

 I know for me I forget that it should be a day to remember all of the fallen soldiers that have fought for our freedoms and sacrificed their lives for this country, for us. Our Assembly reminded me of this and taught each of our students to honor those and show our upmost respect on Monday. 

It made me reflect on the brothers, sons and fathers who fought against each other in the Civil War. We had the most casualties in that war, a war we fought against our fellow Americans on ideas of equality and freedom. At the Battle of Gettysburg it is estimated that 46,000-51,000 soldiers between the two sides were killed in that battle alone. A grand total of 1,030,000 Americans lost their lives, which was 3% of the population at that time.  I thought of the horrible conditions of World War I. The diseases and infections in the trenches alone cost countless amount of lives. And then World War II that captivated and destroyed so many nations and had lasting affects at home as well. In WWII, 131,028,000 American casualties, thats including the 416,800 military deaths. And today people continue to serve our country, continue to fight valiantly when the call comes in Afghanistan and Iraq. 

I was so touched in our Assembly when our students, all hailing from different countries and ethnicities, stood together and recited the Gettysburg Address, given by Abraham Lincoln in November 1863:

"Four score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forthn on this continent a new nations, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. 

Now we are engaged in a great vicil war, testing whether that nation, or any nations so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. 

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate, we can not consecrate, we can not hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us--that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the las full measure of devotion--that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain--that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom--and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth"

President Lincoln, we have not forgotten what was said on that solemn day. We will remember all those that have died for this nation. 

a night {or many nights} at the ball.

 My life has slightly turned into Cinderella!

Ive havent necessarily been scrubbing lots of floors or gotten carriage rides but I have attending more fancy Balls then I ever thought I would. 

Our culminating events for our Amabassador program at school is the school ball. 

Now this is no ordinary school dance. The students dance the waltz, foxtrot and the cha cha.  

And its always go big or go home with the decorations, set-up and fun for the dances. 

Within the three APA Schools, we have successfully had EIGHT dinners and balls in the last three weeks for five different grades. 

That means lots of late work nights doing prep work and then doing the actual event! 

 One thing that I have a love/ hate relationship with about our events is that we are on a very tight budget and so we are responsible to make all of our decorations! So in the past few weeks, I have gotten more DIY savvy than I ever thought. 

Hot glueing boxes with glitter, making decorative pillars, spray painting till my fingers were sore and black and flowers! Geeze! In the past month we have assembled boutonnieres and corsages for about 600 students. Hence I have become an expert on floral arranging. 

We had two formal four course dinners for the 8th graders at my campus. Making me in charge of all the decor and set up and assuring the night went as smooth as possible! The only bump in the night was when my heels broke. 

The last two nights have been our grand finale ball at the La Caille Restaurant for our 9th grade class. I felt like I had been transported to the Swiss Alps or was on a date on the Bachelor...

 

We had a a five course meal with escargot! It was my favorite ball yet because we have a stellar group of 9th graders. With only 28 students in the 9th grade class it has been so easy to get to know them and just love each one of them. Especially when the boys showed up in their tuxes and the girls in pretty dresses. 

Our school does an amazing job in the dance department. They attend dance classes each week and at the ball are able to do the waltz, foxtrot, cha cha, cowboy cha cha and the best one--Gangnum Style line dance which is so fun! Having these dances makes it so that each student is included (they have to dance!) they all know how,  so avoiding awkward dancing situations and builds their confidence.

 I loved watching them dance and see their talent, excitement and enjoying being there. 

Now with the dances over I am so exhausted and a little sad. I have loved working with my Ambassador Team so much the last few weeks and of course I don't mind ever mind dancing and having a party to attend!

 It has also been such a great accomplishment to work hard on something and see it come to fruition and better yet--the students love it! 

Now, only three weeks till summer! 

#LDSconf

I was just telling my niece and nephew this weekend about how when you get older your perspective changes on a few things...

Like how candy cant be your preferred dinner choice 

or like when I finally realized the tips of asparagus is the best part

and that Sunday naps really are necessary 

and when General Conference isn't a break from getting to go to church

{or when its really not just one session that they rebroadcast over and over again. which is what I really thought}

Every six months we are fortunate enough to gather for General Conference and hear inspiring word's from the Lord's Prophet and Apostles.

Although there are many times during the 8 hours of viewing that I want to take a nap, the talks are always uplifting messages of faith, service, love, patience, hope, gratitude and peace. 

"Prayer is one of the most basic and important foundational building blocks of our faith and character. Through prayer we are able to express our gratitude, love and devotion to God. Through prayer we can submit our will to His and in return receive the strength to conform our lives to His teachings. Prayer is  the avenue we can follow to seek His influence in our lives, even revelation."

--Bishop Dean M. Davies

"God's light is real. It is available to all! It gives life to all things. It has the power to soften the stink of the deepest wound."

"Understand and accept that darkness exists--but you do not have to dwell there"

--President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"As daughters of God we are each unique and different in our circumstances and experiences. And yet our part matters--because we matter. Our daily contributions of nurturing, teaching and caring for others may seem mundane, diminished, difficult, and demeaning at times, and yet as we remember that first line in the Young Women theme--"We are daughters of our Heavenly Father, who loves us"--it will make all the difference in our relationships and our responses."

--Sister Elaine S. Dalton

"Obedience is a hallmark of prophets; it has provided strength and knowledge to them throughout the ages. It is essential for us to realize that we, as well, are entitled to this source of strength and knowledge. It is readily available to each of us today as we obey God's commandments."
--President Thomas S. Monson

"I am asking you to be true to the faith you do have."
--Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

 "If you're not a full-time missionary with a badge pinned on your coat, now is the time to paint one on your heart--painted, as Paul said, 'not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God.'"
--Elder Neil L. Andersen

I feel so lucky and blessed that not only was I able to attend Conference this year with good friends but that I live in walking distance to the Conference Center.

I loved being able to drive to the end of the avenues, park my car, walk for a few minutes and enter inside. Leaving was easy, traffic free and I was home in no time. I absolutely love being so close tot he headquarters of the Church. 
I am grateful for our Prophet and the opportunity to apply all of these messages to my life as I strive to be more like the Savior. 

the STG.

Oh spring break. 

How I have missed thee. 

Having days of during the year is always the plus for working at a school. And spring break could not have been more anticipated. 

I went down to St. George with Auby and Chelsey for a few days. Our only escape from some cold weather of the wasatch front. 

We hiked Zions. What!? I hiked! Getting outdoorsy only has its moments. 

We hiked Angel's landed. Which I didnt know that it took four hours long (which I compared to a marathon) nor that fatalities have occurred here when I agreed to it. 

But it was fun and adventurous and I had my camelback so I felt pretty legit. 

Other activities in STG included Dixie Rock to talk about feelings and breaking down Aubry's walls. 

We hit up the St. George Temple, had a little photo shoot (pics to come!) and talked about wanting Chick-fil-A ... a lot.  Laid by the pool at the attempt to get some rays and ate a lot of Easter candy. 

Oh and stopped to get graham canyon from the creamery on the way back..

When we got back Aub dawg and I continued to do fun things everyday for the rest of our break. Including going running together (or longs walks...), getting a pedicure, and finding the best quesadilla cart SLC has to offer. 

Needless to say it was a great spring break. 

Now only 7 more weeks till my next day off. I dont know if I can handle that.