You Wish you Could!

2011-09-04T23:33:00.000-07:00

Long Hot Summer..... Now into fall...

2011-09-04T23:21:00.000-07:00

I am so sad to see the days getting shorter, the nights getting longer and the summer coming to a fast end. It has been a world of adventure this year. I am so grateful to say that I was able to do so much this year. Going to Africa was first and foremost the best gift I could've had to experience. Going to colorado, jackson hole, boating, hiking, picknicing up the canyon, getting into a new hobby- Cycling and working a lot!

I have four jobs right now. Two of which are teaching and coaching dance teams, the other is working at Canyon Bicycles, and teaching a Health class at the high school. I have learned so much about myself in scheduling, managing myself, being with my husband, learning new things that I love to and wished I would've started doing earlier in life.

I love Riding my bike. I can't say it is my bike- it is a loaner bike, but I can say I love to ride it. Having the wind blow past my face and wisp through my ears, being in nature, smelling the clean air, listening to the birds and hearing the water as it flows down the canyon. I am thankful to have a healthy self to be able to do the things I love.

We went to the Bahamas on a cruise and I have to say it was not the best trip I have taken. The cruise was a little rough in a sense of time and schedule. It was our first time being on a cruise and not knowing how things work we didn't do as much as I wish we could have done. I feel like we didn't even really get to see the Bahamas that much.

Coaching has been so much fun. I love being involved at the high school, working with the girls on the team and helping them achieve their goals. It is so much fun to see their growth each day we meet. I love their attitudes and sweet spirits. I am thankful I get to teach and coach them.

I have a new found love for music. I just love hearing new music and feeling good about the day. I am thankful for that escape that we get with music and dance. I have found that same escape in riding my bike and teaching. I love it!!! I love working and I love being busy!!!

africa video- CRC kids singing

2011-08-08T22:37:00.000-07:00

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0EYuWzZo1ZNHEw

One more adventure to share...

2011-07-12T22:02:00.000-07:00

Zambia, Africa.

Mothers Without Borders Expedition

Posing for the camera.

Playing parachute.

Learning Team work

Learning how to work together

Having fun, potato sack racing

Teaching a dance

David is a great artist.

Reading books together.

Manual labor at the orphanage

Dear Friends and Family-

As I return home from my trip to Africa I wanted to share my experiences with you. I do not know where to begin as there is so much to tell and so many feelings to express. This experience was very special and spiritual for me as I headed out the country I did not know what to expect. I was nervous and scared of the un-known as anyone would be. Traveling half way across the country to a place that is known for disease, death, and violence was a scary thought. Many people misjudge Africa for what it is. What you do not know is that Africa is a country of many contrasts. From the depths of darkness to the most beautiful scenery and love Africa has so much to offer any human being.

As I started my travels the first thing that I misjudged was the flight. Thinking it would only take about 12 hrs to get to Africa was a big mistake. Not knowing that I would have three stops, 3 layovers about 2 hrs each and 3 different flights to get on and off. Little did I know I arrived in Zambia, Africa 24 hrs later! I flew by myself all the way to Johannesburg where I soon met the rest of the Mother’s without Borders team. There was 21 people on our team, all girls with the exception of one Doctor and 3 other younger boys. We had two team leaders and a head director whose name is Kathy Headley-Miner (founder of MWB) who ran everything we did in Africa.

The cycle of life starts with birth as we come into this world we are born as a baby. Babies need to be nurtured and cared for, they need to be loved!!! Walking into the Lusaka hospital I saw many young girls caring for pre-mature babies who may not make it, too small to survive, and too many complications to recover. Watching these young mothers 13,14,15,16 years of age trying to feed their babies out of a cup, touching their fingers, toes or hands to get some kind of reaction out of them I realized how precious life is. These mothers do not know how long they have with their little one, and they embrace every moment they can have. Anything can happen at any time and as Kathy would say “What we don’t know, we don’t know”. One young mother who gave birth to triplets was standing there full of tears as she watched one of them pass. They have no incubators and no major resources to help these babies stay alive. The doctors and nurses do the best they can with what they are given. But it is not enough! The women share wide open rooms, stuffed and packed together with no privacy when breast feeding. As I passed by one of the little premies there was a tag that said “please feed me”. This means that the mother has passed away at birth and can no longer care for the little one. The nurses have to make sure to feed the baby and care for it. The mothers do not stay with their babies. They walk across the street to another building where there are not enough beds for everyone to sleep or rest. After having a baby they walk back and forth a couple times a day to feed the babe and care for them every two hours. I want to emphasize the mothers are not with their babies at all times, the babies are not taken to them. The mothers have to walk to their babies right after giving birth!

Continuing through Zambia we visited many Villages and compounds. A village is in a wide-open space, many mud huts with grass roofs. In the village the people care for each other. They look out for one another and if a mother or father passes and the children have no one to care for them the neighbors will step in. The families eat together and many of the children play together. A compound is more of a city. With many people wandering around, walking dirt paths that look like they go nowhere, mud huts with no doors on them, many animals running everywhere, children wandering about- no parents in sight. There is a main street in which they have a market, families have little stands built of sticks and they sale whatever they can to get some type of money to feed their family. 1 penny means the world to an individual trying to get a meal for the day.

In the compound we visited we went into HIV positive homes, men and women who are struggling and suffering from the severe effects of Aids and Tuberculosis. Laying on beds, or couches helpless with the light taken from their soul as they pray for another day. I was challenged to look them in the eye, to see them for who they are and the special person they are. Those who are sick want to feel loved, they want to feel noticed and like they truly matter. As I saw many of them sick with illness, no money to afford the medications, no water or food to take the medications with it was as if they were withering away by the second. As a group we would sing to them, talk with them and get to know their families. As they were able to share with us their thoughts and feelings I started to cry. Feeling overwhelmed because I am not able to fix the problem. But, for the 5 minutes that we were there they were able to smile, to feel love, to feel important, and like their story mattered. All we did was listen and see. We left each family with a song called “Heavenly Father” As we sang this song I could see the light in their eyes sparkle. Going through this experience I had another realization. The smallest things are the things that matter the most. We did not give them medication to heal them, we didn’t give them a loan to pay for their families the rest of their life all we did was listen, see and love the African people for who they are.

As we entered the village on our little bus packed with Mazoongoo’s (white people) the children started to run out of the huts, running on the roads to follow us to our destination. We came to a stop, got of the bus and immediately I was greeted with smiles, hugs and love from the African children. As I stepped off that bus I did not know what to do, how to react or what to say. When I saw the bright faces full of light I knew all I had to do was love. Show love and give love to these young children. They have no toys or material things to play with. Off the top of my head I am trying to think of what games to play, what songs to sing, or even what dances I could teach them. I reflected back to when I was in elementary and all the sudden I pulled out ring around the Rosie, down by the banks, do as I am doing, the conga line, and some dance moves that were easy to teach. Playing with the children for four hours in that day we taught everything we could to keep them busy. As I started the conga line with four little girls we traveled the whole village three or four times. By the end of the conga line I had about twenty kids following along, singing “CHOO CHOO” jumping around and having the time of their life doing the conga line. Luckily someone brought a donation of jump ropes and books. Sitting with the children in silence as I read to them and they look at pictures to the words was a true moment of tenderness. Some of the children are able to read and have been to school. Most of them cannot speak English, read, or write. In those moments it was difficult to connect with that individual. Somehow I was able to connect with their heart through touch, feeling and love when there were no words to be spoken.

I met a little girl about 1.5 years old named Mercy. Mercy was at the House of Moses orphanage. They house children 0-2 years. Mercy was just sitting there on the grass on a blanket. No one was interacting with her. I walked over and picked her up, as I did so immediately she grabbed my arm and held onto it for several minutes. She sat still in my arms with our hearts connected, beating together. I brushed her face, tickled her hands and arms as I held her in my arms. For a moment in time I felt like a mother. I had motherly instincts to care for Mercy and I wanted to take her with me.

The Mothers Without Borders organization has their own Orphanage in which they house 25 children. At the orphanage there is a building where the children sleep, a school, a playground, bathrooms and an amphitheatre. It is on a plot of land of 55 acres where they hope to build a bigger school for 200 children with 18 classrooms, they hope to have gardens for food, trees for shade and animals for food. I got very close with these 25 children. We were with them for about 4 of the 11 days we were in Zambia. Many of these children do not have parents. They have lost them to aids. Three of the children are street kids, which I will describe to you a little later. The orphanage is called the Children’s Resource Center (CRC). I connected with a girl named Alice on the first day we arrived. Alice is 7 years old. Alice was very sick last year. As I met her this year she was smiling, so happy, and full of life. Alice loved to be played with, tickled and held. Alice is a very special girl to the Mothers Without borders organization. I was very lucky to be her friend. I held Alice when she cried, I made her laugh when she was sad. What Alice doesn’t know is that she changed my life forever. She has given me a new way to look at life. To remember how precious it is. Many of these children ache inside for someone to love them. I saw the true hurt they felt at the same time I saw the happiness that lit their face as we were there interacting with them. “Joy and suffering are part of the same whole”. There were two boys that I absolutely loved. Robert and Love more. About ten or twelve years of age these two boys touched my heart each day. Robert is a smart boy, who loves to talk, he gives the best bear hugs in the world and he smiles to the end of the world. Love more is a sweet boy with a little sassy attitude. He is full of love and happiness. I looked into their sweet eyes, I heard their stories, I read to them, they drew me pictures and told me life stories. I was changed forever on how I look at life. Ethel was another sweet girl 16 years of age. She is an amazing singer, amazing leader over all the children, she wants to be a doctor. Ethel goes to a school that is 6 miles away. She used to have to walk and now has a bike to ride. Ethel is very smart and I love her very much. I was weeping as I had to say good bye to Ethel the last day.

The street kids center is a place where the children who live on the street can go during the day. This place is run by donations year to year. The children who come there can get two free meals, a shower, they can wash their clothes and hang out for the day. Street kids have ran from home, been kicked out, or not taken care of. At the age of 4 or so they have lived on the streets. The street kids beg for money, food, or anything they can get. Many of them are sexually molested, abused or beaten. They sleep in the gutters with no blankets, and one pair of clothes that are dirt black. These children look scary and intimidating. As I met with many of them I realized they are special. Each one of them have something to offer to the world. Many of them have high goals in life. They want to go to school to get an education, they want to be doctors, drives, artists, the president and etc… They live on the street because they have no money and they cannot afford to go to school. Can you just imagine what they go through each day and night just to stay alive. Some things that I heard cannot be expressed. All of them have lost a parent and many of other siblings but do not know where they are. My heart breaks for them and all I could tell them was to stay off the streets, to go to school, and that I would pray for them and think of them when I left.

I became very connected to Africa. It is in my heart and apart of me. I learned that in every part of the world we are more alike than we are different. Everywhere we go, everyone we meet take advantage of those moments to get to know them, live in the present and enjoy where you are. I learned that the African people have more strength and courage that we will ever have. They live to survive, they live so simple and they live with HOPE! The African people are the most welcoming and giving people yet they have nothing and they go through the hardest of times and suffer the most pain I cannot bear. I will forever keep Africa in my heart and I will forever remember the people and the children I met. Again, What They don’t realize is that they changed my life forever!

Africa is of many contrasts. Leaving the most desperate of situations and the people I love we traveled to the tourist town to see some of the beauty that Africa portrays. Seeing one of the Seven Wonders of the World “Vitoria Falls” in Livingstone, Zambia, to riding an elephant, going on a safari and a river cruise I saw the most beautiful land I have ever seen in my life. I was exposed to wildlife that I have never seen in their habitat. This world has been created with great hands. I cannot believe the power that lies within nature and within the animals of nature. There is beauty in everything around us, we have to take the time to see it , recognize it and appreciate it. I challenge all of us to take a moment and see people for who they are, to see nature for what it is and to live in the present at all times. Do not live in the future or the past as this will take away from the moment in which you are today.

I thank those of you who helped my life long dream come true. I am so grateful for the love and the support that I have been given. I am thankful for your donations financially to help me get to Africa. It truly is an incredible place and I know that this is the first of many adventures in Africa. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!

My friend Chanda

My friend stephen

My friend Love More

our team in Zambia

Having some girl time...

Valentines day

2011-02-22T12:44:00.000-08:00

Well first off, I had a great birthday. I felt so loved with the phone calls and messages I received from everyone in my life. I am thankful for all the wonderful people! Going out to dinner with my mom and shane at Asian Star, Playing Hand and foot and losing!!! DARN IT! Sleeping over, Having to work the next day all day! Dinner again with Garrett at Red Rock, Gelato, and movies! Dinner Sunday night with my Dad and Shelly and the Johnsons was amazing!!! so much we did! Not to forget getting breakfast twice at The Park Cafe! I love French toast!

Valentines day was great and relaxing although I had to work and Garrett had the day off. So we did some little things for each other and I think that is what counts the most because they were thought ful gifts!! IT was a good first Valentines... for the next few I expect it to be bigger and better!!!

Winter games !

2011-02-22T12:25:00.000-08:00

Well, its been quite the whirlwind. For starters- I have been waiting for awhile to get performing again, there is nothing out there for us oldies!!! Anywho, So you think you can dance was in town and I chose to go to the auditions. My husband Garrett decided he too would try out... Not knowing that he was trying out... My Jaw dropped when he received a number. Let me back up for a moment, I got to the tryouts around 7:15 am expecting there to be a line down the street no one was there... I was worried! Well they were all inside because of the freezing temperatures. I couldn't believe it, there were not that many people there trying out... On a whim I decided to take a BMX bike and try to dance with it... (catch their attention) I learned how to dance on a bike when I was on drill team in high school, I haven't been on one since.. Taking a trip to WALMART at 11 at night we bought a bike and I practiced a few things in the isle way hoping it would be enough for the tryout... Come to find out it wasn't!! I did get much attention it was fun to be different and stand out... Since the bike wasn't enough, they asked me to come back and show my style of dance. Waiting for four more hours just to dance I made it through the first round. YAY! Then on to the judges!! really not that scary- I sassed it up and passed to the third round, unfortunately getting cut after my solo. It was a huge opportunity that I made it that far and got looked at. I had so much fun! As for Garrett he made it past the first round the first time!!! that stinker went out on the stage never danced or been a dancer and did some moves- I was so proud of him that he just got up there and did whatever. It was fun to have him there experience the tryout with me and support me.

Garrett made it into the Wasatch 100. Running 100 miles across the wasatch mountains... WOW!!! I swear he was born with some kind of animal gene... I am so happy that he gets to do the race- they have to finish within 36hrs. The race is Sept 9-10~

I am going to AFRICA!!! YAY! a dream come true. Since I was a young girl I have dreamed about going to africa and doing humanitarian work. Learning about the culture, the people, and the environment. I have been studying many books, watching many documentaries and trying to soak up all that I can. I couldn't have done this without some of the sponsorships that I have been given. Which I am so grateful for!!! THANK YOU!!!

Running on the COLD ROLLERCOASTER I have been super sick with this super caugh that won't seem to go away. Not working out for over three weeks and pretty much eating whatever I feel like I am not myself. Yesterday Was my first day feeling well

and up to working out. Only because Garrett encouraged me to do so. I hope to get back to the gym at GPP and back in with people that make you feel amazi

ng.

I ran Three miles today and Am still working on my training for the MARATHON in JUNE!! Another thing to cross off the bucket-list.

I tried a yoga class for the first time last month with Garrett as well. That was on my bucketlist. I haven't done anything but dance so it was fun to try something new.

Next on the list is to make up the A AND G DIET and EXERCISE PLAN! coming soon...

This however is not in the diet!

Mothers without Borders Zambia

2011-01-11T21:57:00.000-08:00

I cannot wait to get to Africa!

Our First Christmas

2010-12-27T20:34:00.000-08:00

What a wonderful world.... I am so thankful for the people in my life. I cannot believe how much of an influence others have on me and I am so blessed for it. Tis' the season to be Jolly!

It was our first christmas being married and boy what a fun one- I have been keeping my presents for Garrett a secret far too long... I was so excited to have him open them and see what his reaction would be... What was great is that we were like little kids all over again, slept at the in-laws and opened presents there in the morning and SANTA CAME!!! He even left me a note and ate some really healthy things leaving a big mess behind.

Driving to my aunts house for some delicious christmas waffles was way too early!!! It is tradition every year to eat waffles and breakfast out on the farm... Sorta Farm...

Not leaving till 2 o clock and recieving some really sweet gifts we finally made it home to open our own gifts for one another... It was different to be by ourselves but also fun and exciting- I'll tell ya though upwrapping gifts with two people goes by super fast! Venturing on to my dads house, watching movies, drinking hot chocolate and taking a nap, back home stopping at Walgreens for some .99 cent pizzas and chips, eating ice cream and oreo's shortly after... I would say this was a four pound gaining process over two days... Sad to say I ate terribly and my body hates me for it, but at the time I loved it....

I love Christmas time because we get to lounge around, eat bad, watch movies, and most of all be with the people whom are most important to us!!! My husband Garrett is the best, and most thoughtful of all people... I truly got lucky marrying this guy.

I will try to enjoy this last week of the new year- teaching 24/7 and getting in some long runs for I need to train for the Orem Marathon in June!!! yeah that was my present!!!

Get Runnin!

A new life~

2010-12-16T22:36:00.000-08:00

Well, Well, Well- What to say, how to say and where to begin..... That is the question????

First of all I met this really great guy on a blind date back in January. From there the rest is history.... Got engaged on July 9th.... Married Sept 25th~

Now the story- To make things a bit short My friend Brittany whom I danced with set me up with Garrett. We went on our first date to Stella's and then played the Wii at Brittany's. Let me tell you I totally thought I wouldn't go out with Garrett again. A few days went by and we started talking a little bit more, texting and phone calling.. Once a week we would hang out, twice a week, three times, four times and more... It wasn't until I went out of town that we realized we wanted to be exclusive.... mind you I was gone for 12 days.... They do say "time apart makes the heart grow fonder" They day we decided that it was over facebook chat on April fools day. I was thinking this guy is playing a joke on me, Is this for real? And it surely was...

As things progressed I was preparing for Miss Utah at the time and didn't want to think about getting too serious... Well after the pageant it was like a whirl wind we didn't waste time talking about marriage, a week later climbing Mount Olympus together, back packs, a tent, a lantern, my computer to watch a movie and little snacks as food we hiked to the top and set up camp. I knew something was up but didn't think twice about it... Till the ring box came out. I got the butterflies and couldn't really remember what was said or how... The morning came and we hiked to the tip top for breakfast(luna bars) and watched the sunrise. It was the perfect day!!!

Being married was a day of tornadoes in a good way. It went by so freaking fast I wish we could re-live each moment and have a time machine that would stop time. I am grateful to all my family and friends who came to support us on our most special day. Thanksgiving point was the spot- beautiful scenery, flowers, people, music, ceremony, and weather- I couldn't have asked for anything more.

Since the day of our wedding it has almost been three months. Living in a basement apartment which is quite nice- We have made some great adjustments: having one car, carpooling together or dropping off and picking up, saving money, learning to cook and or see what each other likes to eat each day.. Working out every morning thanks to GPP FITNESS!!! AND NEIL ANDERSON! WE LOVE YOU GUYS!!!

One thing I would not recommend is going to the ER for a stomach pain. I didn't know any better! Getting back from Mexico I was really sick and having stomach issues that weren't getting better. After 5 hours in the ER with little attention from any nurse or doctor- Three prescriptions, 1400 dollars less in the bank account and no diagnosis I will never go back!!! Good lesson to learn right after your married! I am now against the hospital and doctors offices!

Snow boarding this season up in PC thanks to a wonderful mother who gave us passes. We have been able to snow board and spend time together each morning. Part of me never wants to grow up.... Garrett makes great egg breakfasts, works out like a monster- and has a body of steel. Thanks to that I need to get my butt in gear so I don't keep getting shown up!!

I forgot to mention one thing- Garrett, I and his family went to kentucky this summer. Garrett Raced in an IRONMAN!!! most amazing experience of my life to be a spectator and watch these athletes accomplish something so difficult. I cried numerous times, especially when I saw garrett, running, swimming, or biking! He truly is an IRONMAN and of course will always be my IRONMAN! Our goal is to finish one together... Someday soon:)

Life!

2010-05-17T13:02:00.000-07:00

This weekend was a great one. Taking a trip to park city with the girls, Driving six of them in a big SUV that I have not driven forever since I bought a new mini.... Was a little nerve racking.... I also didn't know exaclty where I was going so we took a little scenic route and went too far.... OOPS! The girls had a blast- swimming, watching tv, doing glitter toes ( all MCKAY), and playing silly games. I also had to be a chef and cook pizza for all of them. Luckily they didn't burn- but I was being made fun of from my little ones as always. Thanks Girls!

I left super early the next morning to drive all the way home then all the way down to provo for the Miss Utah Little Miss Day of Service. I met my little miss Mattie- who is darling and hilarious! I am so lucky to have her as my little miss... Not only that but all of the Miss Utah contestants were able to serve all day long. Making blankets, tying fleece, making puppets, necklaces, drawing and coloring on cloth. All of which these things go to the Primary Children's hospital for the patients. I have volunteered up there for two years and been able to see first hand where all the donations go, who benefits from it and how the kids react to them. It is incredible to see the difference the blankets make, and the toys and arts and crafts help the kids to think about fun in their life rather than the pain they are going thru. To see tubes and i.v.s in a two year old or even younger babies- it is attached by tape and gauz- some crying because it hurts or irritates them. How I wish so bad to take that away from them. It is then that I realize life is so precious and meaningful. That these families are going through so much and need so much in return. Service and charity are what life is all about...

Tina got married on Saturday. She is one of my greatest friends from dancing on the Nu-Skin Jazz Dance team. She looked quite beautiful! It was fun to see all the jazz girls there and be able to take my best friend Garrett. Whom I admire greatly because of his perserverance, dedication, athleticism, genuineness, kind heart, and knowledge. Thanks for all that you do.

We played a fun game after the reception and that is we each picked three directions on where to go- ending in six different turns and drives ( this was in the process of finding a good place to eat, we didnt know where or what but we just went where the directions lead us!) We ended up at Gateway eating at Z Teja's. Sharing a steak entree, Garrett taught me spanish at the dinner table and I will be taking up a spanish class in the near future so I can be really good at it.

Promethean Spark Newsletter!

2010-05-17T13:00:00.000-07:00

"I was thrilled to find out only 2 weeks before the trip that I would be joined by Arial Larsen, a professional dancer, dance instructor and the current Miss Olympus running for Miss Utah in the Miss America Pageant. She came for training purposes and ended up helping in ways unbeknownst to any of us beforehand. The boys were enraptured by her beauty and she commanded a certain respect by her presence. She was very instrumental in motivating the class to keep going when it was hard. At one point, I even had her teach (although she could only speak a smattering of words in Spanish). The boys were puddy in her hands. They gathered around her during every break and before and after class to attempt any bit of communication they could. The part I had her teach was a hip-hop step they were struggling with that I was about to bag and replace with something simpler. A new approach with a teacher they were dying to connect with in any way possible renewed their desire to learn and refreshed their ability to be in the moment. They got it and we used it in the show. Arial has a program for at-risk youth in the Boys and Girls Clubs in Utah called Dance4Life which is similar in purpose to Promethean Spark. With the in-the-field training she received in Costa Rica and training she received soon thereafter in Utah, she will be starting Promethean Spark programs in Boys and Girls Clubs throughout the Utah Valley and beyond. Thank you Arial. All the best in the pageant." Shaun Parry Director of Promethean Spark

long days!

2010-04-28T23:39:00.000-07:00

I have had such a wonderful spring this year. It feels as if time flies by when your having fun??? oh wait... It flies by so fast you don't know where time has gone. The last little while I have been super crazy busy, I haven't ever been this busy before. I teach dance for a regular job, on top of that I direct a Dance4life program at the Boys and Girls club, along with Starting a new organization called Promethean Spark, and taking dance classes! There's a whole lot more I could list....

Anywho- We just wrapped up the start week of Promethean Spark at the Boys and Girls club. It was a successful, tiring and frustrating week. Promethean Spark Utah is the first in the states and the first in Utah! I am so lucky I get to direct the Hub here and be involved in such a great cause. Promethean Spark teaches lives skills through dance to impoverished youth world wide. I had the opportunity to go to Cosat Rica with Promethean Spark and experience life changing events. Working with a Drug and Alcohol Rehab center we taught dance to a group of boys. They are very hard to work with because there is no discipline to start off. As the class continues they begin to focus, concentrate and listen. By the end of the program I saw a whole new group of men!

The kids here in Utah ate up the program. Their favorite part of the class is the "Boot Camp" section of the warm up. They're best move is the sit-ups. These aren't any kind of sit-ups these sit-ups you have to pound on your stomach as your moving. After that push-ups! you cannot stop no matter what and the song gets faster and faster as you move along. If someone stops the whole class starts all over! It is a developed love/hate relationship with the kids! We start classes full time next week with the club- there are four other teachers who are involved and will volunteer their time to be with the kids. I am really excited about this new program and know that over time with support and connection we can make this flourish to something great!

thanks!

2010-03-09T22:23:00.000-08:00

I wanted to say thank you to my new partnerships! Mount olympus waters! they are supporting me as I compete for miss Utah in June as Miss Mount Olympus! Drinking water is a neccessity in life and I choose to drink natural spring water from our mountains right here in Utah. It is what is not in the water that makes it the best and healthiest water to drink from! I am so grateful as a dancer and athlete to have water to nourish and hydrate my body the way Mount Olympus waters does for me. I also Highly reccommend climbing mount olympus when you get the chance. It is a beautfil mountain with so much to offer. You can see the whole valley here in SLC and the hike is phenomenal! I can truly say I am thankful for such beautiful mountains and to know that my drinking water comes from those mountains in a natural spring- I know I am drinking healthy!

check out the website at www.mowi.com/news.html

wow what a month!

2010-03-03T08:45:00.000-08:00

Well, it has been an exciting few weeks for me. I have been able to do some amazing appearances with Miss Mount Olympus, dancing, teaching and all the above. This last week I have been on the radio three times with some great hosts who are willing to support the Arts and those who advocate for it. I thought I was really official when I put on those head phones and talked into the mic. Knowing that the state of utah was listening I thought how nervous I was- I had to pick and choose strong words and be able to express my thoughts and feelings well. Not only that, but I will be on tv tomorrow morning with the Big Buddha show and the Boys and Girls club of Midvale! I am so excited to give these kids the opportunity of a life time. They will be getting up real early to be there and perform in front of thousands. I am so excited for them!

This weekend the girls I teach will be competing at Ogden Egyption theatre. We have pushed them so hard and worked so hard to get them ready for these next few months as they start competing in dance competitions. I have to say all their hard work will pay off!

I am still so grateful and cannot believe all of the wonderful things that have come my way in the last month. I am truly blessed! I have been so busy and so involved with what matters most to me that I havent had two seconds to pay attention to the outside world. I hope to get a chance to relax soon, but I do love being on the run! I have had some fun speding some time with people that I truly enjoy spending time with and getting to know. It is so fun to meet people that have the same interests as you, have a similar vision as you and want you to be the best "YOU" you can be.

wow!

2010-02-21T22:30:00.000-08:00

FEBRUARY FUN!

I cannot begin to thank so many people for the amazing opportunities I have had in the last few weeks. I owe it to so many supporters, my family, friends, high leaders in our community and to others who really make a true difference in their communities.

I have been so busy being able to meet with people, communicate and make awareness about what truly matters in my life.

I have to talk about an amazing experience I had this saturday. I was able to attend to a presentation at BYU by a fabulous man who makes a difference world wide. He is a dancer and teaches dance, but not only that does it all- acting, singing, directing etc. out of new york. He has made a true statement to change the lives of poverty stricken people worldwide through his program. I am so grateful I was able to meet with him, and He has inspired me that dance and the arts make a true difference in our world for everyone no matter what.

I also had a birthday this month and I feel one year older and wiser! haha

I feel so blessed to have spent time with my family, going to dinner, movies, a little bit of shopping and most of all spending time with the most important people who brought me into this world. My parents!!! I thank them for all they have given me and all of their love and support. It was a great year this year, and I was able to celebrate with friends who I know are true friends and will always be there for me.

I had many interviews this week and I feel like it is preparing me for something bigger in this life. whatever that may be- I am not sure of what yet... It was so fun to be able to learn about differnt organizations and companies along with meeting people and learning how to sell yourself.

A funny story- I have a cat named max who thinks he is the king of animal world. Well I was gone and my mom told me max got into some candy- a pixy stick to be exact. What does a cat look like after eating a pixie stick? He loved the sugar, was rollin around in it and eating it up like nothing else. He was a wild one for a while! I also was able to take a class from the Creater of Hip Hop abs and Insanity on Saturday. The one and only SHAUN T! He is amazing and his class was insane just like the name. I thought I was going to die for one hour straight. Of course i loved it because I love to work out! Now if I could only eat right.... haha I like to eat chocolate too much!

WOW!!! new year and new arial!!!

2010-01-12T22:39:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone! it has been a long long time since I have last updated you. So many things to talk about. First of all, This last year has been quite a roller coaster. A good roller coaster. I am no longer a Utah Jazz Dancer and I sure miss the girls and performing. I had way too many things on my plate and agenda that I just couldnt do it all. I picked up a full time teaching job at the studio where I teach. I love it! I am directing many companies and Im really excited for our girls this year. We have so many dances and different things going on for them they are staying super busy.

Along with that I decided to do another pageant. The Miss Mount Olympus pageant. It was back in October. I was not going to do it and I decided to do it again becasue I love what this system has done for me and my life. I am so greatful for it and all the positive impacts it has had on me. I have a new platform though ( service) that I am working on and have been excited about.

I am debating on a few life decisions that are coming up soon. I am done with school and trying to decide what to do now. I want to travel the world! Cruises, study abroad, Dancing LA!!! auditioning for all that I can. I am a little frustrated right now because I havent had much time to get a good expereince at these things. But I am excited to finally get the chance to do them soon. I really want to go to Africa. I just need a sponsor to pay for me to go. hahah Just kidding. I am researching organizations and places to go so that I can be safe and sound when I leave. I really want to meet the people there and find a love and passion for other cultures.

I am still dancing each and everyday with a company called TamJams. I love that it keeps me motivated and moving, trying to keep up your dance skills at my age can be a tough thing when there arent many older classes to take. I jsut love dance too much to give it up! I have been volunteering at a couple places teaching the children dance and they absolutely love it. I spend five to ten hours a week doing this and it is so rewarding when you see the kids faces. I have learned much patience and love for these kids.

I have also started this new fitness program! I am changing my eating habits for life!!! I have seen a huge difference in my body and the way I feel becasue of Stepping Stone Nutrition. Thanks to a lady I work with who introduced it to me I can now stick to healthy habits all my life! instead of being on a diet!

A Few Fun Picts

2009-06-29T20:50:00.000-07:00

MY JAZZ

FAMILY

FRIENDS!

new beginings!

2009-06-29T20:30:00.000-07:00

Well, It has been a few too many weeks since I have written on my blog. I have so much to talk about. It has been an eventful summer so far. I went to Miss UTah, So ready and able to Win. I was prepared and so grateful for the peace that I felt for the love I shared and for all the great people that I was able to spend time with. I had a great group of girls we called ourselves sig what? SIGMA! thats right we had a cheer. I had a great hostess who cared so much about how we felt and how were were doing. She was perfect for me because she was so positive and uplifting with the light she carried. I did well in all the aspects of competition at least I felt good about it and that is all that mattered at the time. In the end it was a little frustrating and disappointing to find out that It wasnt going to be how I wanted it to be. I think it was a huge learning experience for me. I knew I was there for a reason, I knew I met the people I met and worked with the girls I worked with for a reason. I felt like I was able to impact all of them in a positive way and hopefully inspire them to be who they are and to stand true to that all the time. I think that is so important in life for us to stick to our guns and be ourselves at all times.

Now it is time to move on, to decide on new things and to adventure new avenues in life that I have always wanted to do but havent done yet. I have a bucket list of ideas and hope to accomplish those ideas or goals. First one is to continue dancing but to travel and dance at the same time. I have a thought to audition for a cruise line and dance on a cruise ship for a while. I have never been on a cruise and I love to be in paradise and work while doing it. Hopefully to save some money that I dont have:) I also hope to continue with school and finish my degree but also go back and get a masters if I can stick thru it. It will be alot of work and time. I would love to start cycling. My dad is really into biking and he rides his bike all the time. He has tried to get me to go and I just havent had the desire until now. Most of all I want to play. I know we all do. But i would love to travel and go to the bahamas, europe, africa and do service projects there, australia, asia and everywhere else. Too bad its not so easy to jump on a flight and do it with no costs. That would be the life. I am excited to explore and to start some new things in my life that i hope will take me farther and be able to create more to the person that i am so far.

It is hard to overcome those road blocks in life. When they get thrown at you, is even harder, we may not understand them or overcome them very easily but it is the Climb that we learn from and grow from. As Miley Cyrus says and sings. I love that song!!! says exactly what I need to hear. So anyway, I hope to enjoy the rest of summer and try some new things.

As for this week, I will be going on vacation to Cali! yeah!!! haha I love the beach, listening to the ocean move and laying in the sand. I hope to go to sea world too. Yes I still have the kid side of me in me! I will never grow up as I made a promise to my dad that I will never grow up past six years old. It is a little joke between me and him. So Ill post some pics after that vacay! until then... farewell!

teaching dance

2009-05-04T23:59:00.000-07:00

I am a dance teacher and we have had many competitions this last few weeks. My girls are amazing. It amazes me that little kids can learn so much and grow so fast in one year. I have had so much fun watching them grow up and seeing how they change over the year. They have improved imensly and I am so grateful for a job that i love to do. I am happy that i get to make a difference in the youth lives around me.

They work so hard and so long for many hours a week. I did that when i was younger i was dancing all the time no matter what and i loved it. It takes a lot of hard work and passion. I know that we all have a passion for something and are able to continue that passion through out our lives. At such young ages they are able to cope with the stresses of life and be able to discipline thmeselves enough to stick to something they truly care about. I wish that all of our youth were able to have these kind of opportunities and see what talents they truly have.

AT competitions my girls have done very well. They have taken first, and over all in many places and are able to get high point awards. As you see the hard work pays off. IT is all worth it in the end if we can learn to push thru it and stick to it.

LAst JAzz GAme

2009-04-26T00:41:00.001-07:00

I am a little sad to say that it was my last game on THursday performing for the JAzz for this season. I cannot believe how fast time flies by and where the year goes. The game on Thursday is different than any other becasue it was a playoff game. Playoffs are completely different from all other games. The excitement of the fans and people that are in that arena, almost every seat is filled, they have fireworks, and it is crazy! Not only that but we were able to win the game with a very slim shot....

The whole game was amazing I thought. We performed a new dance that was so much fun for me to dance because i really liked the song we danced to. I have definatley learned alot from the Jazz and especially the girls on the team. We have all become pretty good friends throughout the year. and It will be hard to not see them for awhile. it will be different and I will not know what to do with my free time! oh wait.... Yes i will because i always have to be busy so i will find lots and lots to fill my free time with not having practices.

We had a competition today and the girls I teach did amazingly well. I am so proud of them with all that they have accomplished this year and how far they have grown and how much they have improved. I think that is the best thing about being a teacher is seeing your students grow. It is always so much fun to teach them and definately it is a learning experience each and every day. But thats why it is so fun! Dance is crazy1!!

This is the last week of school and then finals!!!! hoooooooooorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NEWS updates!

2009-04-15T21:06:00.000-07:00

BRooke and I at Britney concert!

The pussy cat dolls !

Well hello there. So it has been a long while but i have been super busy as usual. I have a new blog now too since I am miss pioneer valley i made a pioneer valley blog that you need to check out. Misspioneervalley.com

I just finished with the 2annual dance4Life concert and it was awesome. I am so proud of the club kids that came and did the show. There was a great audience there that supported the kids and i was so happy!

GO JAZZ!

I went to britney spears concert last night and boy was it amazing! it was like an acutal Las Vegas show. I did find out though that she wasnt really singing the whole time. now i can understand with all her dancing and stuff but come on! I wish she sang more. I loved the pussy cat dolls. That was the best entertainment along with the dancers that were britneys back up dancers. One day i will be one of them! if im not too old!

Jazz is starting to end. We will go to the playoffs playing the lakers! booo

So hopefully we can strike a win.. but well see...

After that its time to prepare for miss utah. which i have been having so much fun doing. I am really excited for this year and i feel really good about all the girls and everything seems to be much more relaxed.

I am almost done with school! yeah!! two weeks left and then finals then im out baby! whooo whooo

I have been on a new eating healthy lifestyle change and boy has it been tough but easy and good! haha i just love sweets way too much. but my body is adjusting to healthy food now so that is good. My mom has been doing it with me and im really proud of her because unlike me she hasnt cheated! and diet coke is hard to let go! haha love ya mom

anyways thats it for now... talk to ya lata gata!

inspirations!

2009-03-12T23:50:00.000-07:00

HEllo!
Well I have some inspiration tips today. I have been on a little positive role assignment. I need to think positive, be positive about myself and start to see the positive in the life of mine.
I have started to do some things that have really helped me to be that positive person we all like to be.
I just wanted to share something that I think would help others look at their own self in a postive manner and start to believe in who you are and what you stand for.
Never ever believe anything negative someone says about. lifes too short to dwell on the negative things in life. We cant please everyone right? YEs we like constructive critiscism... but that is different than being negative nancy. I have learned in the past couple weeks that things can be so tough, we were sent here to go through the tough times, not only go thru them but being able to learn and grow from them and when we can see how to do that and the things that we experience through that then we are able to become better as poeple, and all around discover the perosn that we really would want to be in this life.
We need to surround ourselves with happy things, postive people and enjoy all the happy moments and experiences that we get to experience. we need to live in the moment and enjoy that moment for what it is and what it offers us, becasue if we dont then we have just let something pass by in our life, that maybe we couldve benefitted from. I have done this so many times, I look to the future, I want to know answers for each little thing, i get caught up in what is to come, or what will happen that I dont live in the moment of now! And what that moment is, how i feel at that time and place. Remember life is too short, to hold back, to think negative, and to dwell on the tough and rough times. it is so easy to forget what it is all about, to say poor me poor me. Take a second and think of what that does to us.... does it make us happy? do we become better people? no! we end up being worse or feeling worse than what we were before. So a little tid bit of advice from your little friend here that has been through it all, has experienced the ups and downs, has looked to the rough, has said oh poor me, but has also lived in the moment, loved herself and has given it all i got...... BE YOURSELF! AT ALL TIMES, IN ALL PLACES AND IN ALL THE THINGS YOU do! discover you!!! discover the person you want to become and become that person, for if you do then everyone else will love you that much more, but most of all you will love yourself for all that you have to offer. and then if you do those rought times and negative things will not impact the person you are!!!!!

ahhhhhhhhhh!

2009-03-05T23:56:00.000-08:00

I totally just wrote this whole novel and my computer cord came out and killed the computer. I lost it all. I will try to revise what i had said.

anyway, I just got back from mexico a week ago and it was so fun. I did a service project for a school out there. collecting school supplies and being able to tour the school with the kids. They all live by the porte vallarta city dump. and alot of the families work in the dump. We even got to feed the workers and give them juice. sometimes that s the only food they get all day. can you imagine having one sandwich and a glass of juice a one day workingout in the hot sun with flies and birds all over.... i cant even think about that....

I got to swim with the dolphins and get a kiss from a sea lion which was one of the best parts of the whole trip. and I ate whatever i wanted whenever I wanted. I thnk I gained ten pounds!

I have been so busy with school and dance that i have not had a second to write in the blog. I feel like it has been so long. Things have been picking up one thing after another its crazy. I feel liek the days run into days....

I teach alot at my studio and i just love seeing the girls and watching how they progress and grow. I cant wait for competition, they go in a few weeks and i think we will do really well.

It has been a long week this week I cant wait for it to be friday. except i have to work the game tom night. It should be fun we play Denver Nuggetts! I hope we win! and we better win the play offs! go JAZZ!!!!

hello!!!

2008-12-11T13:08:00.000-08:00

My friend Jayme just got married... I went to her wedding and i couldnt believe it!

IT has been a while since i last wrote. I have been so busy and i honestly cannot believe it is already decemeber and christmas is right around the corner. I have no special christmas wish list.... darn it. I hope to be suprised though so we will see and hopefully it will be something good. BEtter yet i think its important to focus on the service and things that we can give to others during this time of year. I have been thinking alot about those who dont have much, those on streets and the kids that have nothing. I hope that santa can visit them too!!!

I am done with school next week! finally! i feel like this semester has dragged on forever. the funny thing is i bought all these books and i didnt use one of them for my classes. WASTE OF MONEY! I didnt open one of them at all! I hope i can get by without it.. haha ha

Im still dancing alot and trying to figure my life out. I am doing miss utah agan this year and im so excited for it. I have already started thinking of the things i want to work on and or change so that i can come back and be myself and most of all have so much fun doing it!

I went shopping yesterday and bought myself a new outfit for no reason but now im in the hole with money a little bit. its always nice to get that pay check when you rely on it! ANd i get to speak in church after christmas.. how lucky is that! Im a little nervous since i haven done it for awhile but i feel ok about. and at the moment i am watching cheetah girls!!! have you ever seen it. no i have not and i feel like a little girl watching this show as the time passes... i have a game tonight and its a late one... STarts at 830 these games are always on tv so they take longer too. we dont normally get done till like 12. Then early to rise again in the morning and go to school for the last day of the semester. I have two semesters left though so hopefully i can push thru it and find a real job that i like! I dont have much coming up but i have been having so much fun lounging out and hanging out with my special friend..words cant explain how amazing it is and how happy i have been lately. I have to say its amazing when you do the right things in life and follow the gospel along with your heart. Miracles can happen if you do that!

hey

2008-11-20T12:39:00.000-08:00

HEY HEY HEy! long time no post! ha ha
Well I have been super busy but what is new. Im feeling a little guilty because i haven gotten in much time to volunteer, except for tues up at primary childrens. I just love working there the kids are like precious gems. I am almost done with school and so ready to get outta there. one more semester hopefully. then off to grad school i go! oh great!
I have had like ten papers do that have to be ten pages long it seems and i just can never get enough to write about with that many pages! along with that jazz has been crazy this month like always. BUt the month of NOV we have nine games along with practices tues and thurs. It has been a lot of work but i enjoy most of it until i messed up at the game! UGH! happens to best of us. but since then thats all i think about so i always freak out that ill mess up again. NOPE! I WONT LET IT!
I went to the miss utah USA pageant this last weekend and that was fun to watch. I guesss once you compete in a pageant you get addicted to all of them. so you go to all of them and watch. Miss Kendyl was in it though and i had to go cheer her on. PSS she looked amazing!
I really cant believe it is almost thanksgiving either. I do have to be careful on this turkey day. I cant stuff myself too much for i might kill over and die. not only that i might not fit back into my costumes. ha ha I just want to say i am grateful for my family and the love and support that they give me. Especially my mom. She just alwasy knows exaclty what to say to make me feel beter. I think all moms know that though. I wish i had some crazy stories to tell but unfortunately i do not. SO until then... HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

2008-11-02T16:27:00.000-08:00

HELLO!!!
WOW happy late halloween! I have to admit im not the biggest fan of halloween. I like dressing up when i have a costume. so i need to plan ahead next time and come up with something more creative. this year i was a fire woman. I got the costume from my step mom and jsut hurried and put it together. I have been crazy busy with all the stuff going on in my life. WE started a new jazz season already! we have had two season games now with many many more to come. ITs been fun so far and i feel that we will go really far this year. Thanks to D_WILL! My favorite player besides kyle korver. Along with that school seems to creep up on you when you least expect it to. I normally am pretty good about staying up to date with all my work and this year it seems i get more and more everyday so i do as much as i can. I have to admit i have been eating way too much candy this halloween. thanks to halloween im going to be fat within a week and have to go get lipo! ha ha jk I do need to be careful though. im such a sweet tooth my teeth are going to come out.
DOes anyone have a new idea on any adventures? I want to go on vacation to somewhere exciting. like europe, africa, the bahamas or a cruise! but with the economy stuff going on i dont think ill be able to go for awhile. I wish money grew on trees and that non of us had to work. we could all play all the time and not worry about a thing. DONT WORRY BE HAPPY! and sing along to that song.
WEll i just wanted to update you for a bit. nothing too exciting is happening. I just been keeping my little self busy to let time go by. I love staying busy. when im not i dont know what to do with myself. I jsut cant believe its already NOVEMBER!!!!! two more months and its going to be 2009! I feel old!

diet

2008-10-21T22:27:00.000-07:00

okay okay!!!! so i started on monday my healthy eating habits and you know what? its been working out great. I think after two weeks ill give up again though cause thats what always happens. WEll we have our last pre season game on thurs and then opening nights starts next weds. Im really excited for this season it will be a good one! but i have to say practice was really really hard tonight and last week thurs! we have had so much to do latley, it seems so crazy! time just flies on by and the next thing you know we learn a dance and perform the next day!
makes me feel good though to work so hard and hopefully that im losing all that i eat that day! ha ha i promise im not psycho!

I have been preety busy with school and teaching but it has been fun. I think that i teach at the number one studio and girls i just love ya so much! parents thanks for your support!
also, I had a test on monday a week after our fall break and no i didnt go anywhere! why? because im lame and never plan anything till the last minute. I want to go on a cruise! maybe one day! but i think my test went pretty well and let alon its not in the best class its pretty boring!
SAt i get to go to frightmares! i have never been so it should be interesting! I dunno if im going to dress up yet or not, i dont really have anything to be nor do i have a costume that fits me anymore! and halloween isnt the best holiday for poeple like me! I loved it when i was little because i always wanted to be someone but now i think im too old! I had a great weekend. I worked alot doing modeling for apex alarms and it was really fun! we were the vana whites on stage, showing off all the gifts they were giving away while they played the price is right. long story short, we went to chilis after the show and boy was it a crazy night! dont you just ever have those moments when you least expect it! where everything happens all at once and after you ask yourself what just happend? welll that was my experience on sat night but i have to say it makes me laugh so it was good times. it will be marked in history!

fitness

2008-10-14T20:49:00.000-07:00

SO I e to confess that i have been pretty obsessed with the crap i eat and how much i workout!
It has been getting on my nerves alot lately. i cant stand it. I think about it way too much but it doesnt help me eat any better. I actually feel like i eat alot worse and alot more because i tell myself oh,, I cant eat that. But guess what? I eat ten times more of what im not supossed to eat. I need Help!
I think it is ridiculous with how much i work out that my body never changes. You have to be so concious of what goes in your body and what comes out. The bad thing is we all see ourselves as something were really not, for example: I think that im fat and need to lose 10 lbs. I know that im really not that fat i just dont feel comfortable with myself. and other peoople may see me differently in a better way than i see myself. I am a big sweet tooth, so i could work on the sweets and the sugars in my daily diet but i have tried so many darn things and i feel like nothing works. I have been feeling like i am not good enough, too fat, too ugly and the color of my hair now is not helping much. WHat can i do?
THis crap has been eating away at me the last few months and i cant seem to do anything about iT!

2008-10-12T21:46:00.001-07:00

The Hills

TIME!

2008-10-08T22:50:00.000-07:00

I feel like it has been forever since i last logged onto this thing! for anyone that has a second i need some help in customizing my blog! its boring and i want it to look cute like everyone elses. I dont have much knoweledge in this department so i would love the help.
I have lots of news. I did miss pioneer valley a few weeks ago and was honored with the title. so once again i will be going on to miss utah next year. i am so excited to go back. I think having a year under my belt will help me decide what i can do better and what i can change. We did an appearance for this already for the AScend alliance. It was so much fun. Lots of my friends were there and it was fun to be all dressed up. We walked around and helped the famous people that were there make sure they were taken care of all night long. I need to start working on my platform and more community service so i can start putting together this year and what it is i want to do.
I have been practicing and dancing alot latley. getting ready for the new year and really excited to be a part of a team and dance again. along with that i teach dance at a studio and this year has been alot of fun. working with my girls and watching them grow is the rewarding part. yes it can be hard and frustrating sometimes, so i do have to take a deep breath for a second and remember why it is that i am there. I love those girls and adore the studio! check out eliteacademy.us for more info!
along with all of this i have been in school full time. I love my classes. I feel like since now i am in my major i am learning more and able to apply the things i learn to everyday life. not only that i try to get my homework done before the due date and i try to include myself in the discussions in class. normally i get tooo shy and scared to say andything because i dont think what i have to say is that important. I am wrong!
I just finished up my modeling classes with my agency as well. Finally! that took a few weeks and some long hours to get thru that. but it doesnt stop there... we keep going to training, we need to do photo shoots and I have started to do promotional work. which is fun, because i have met some wonderful people to work with and feel that i have a great connection in the future. hopefully if people like me! ha ha
This week i hope to catch up on that homework. i have a big test coming up in a week, and fall break is next week so how does my teacher expect me to study i dont know! but i must. not only that i will be doing alot of dancing and some appearances with my job that make it that much more fun.
I have to confess that i am really excited for these next weeks to go by real fast! when you look forward to something in the future i swear time slows down until that time comes. then when it does it goes by jsut like that! I look forward to a friend coming home from thier mission. I honeslty get so excited each week i get to read letters and then i find hope to keep moving in the direction of my dreams. Right now i feel i am mixed in them and need to find my true path of happiness. I hope that time soon comes, cause i feel stuck!
well its getting late so off to bed i go and
to all those whom i know- I sure love and appreciate you all!

happiness

2008-09-11T21:50:00.000-07:00

So I bet we have all experienced a little down time in our life. Well this week has been really hard for me. I am just not feeling like the same old arial i used to and i want to change it. Anywho ill get over it. but i have learned that its all in how we choose to be and how we choose to look at situations.
I have been working on trying to be positive and optimistic! i think its how we shall all view the world. give everyone a chance and try to be open!

2008-09-06T10:14:00.001-07:00

the adventures of arial and emily!

2008-09-06T02:04:00.000-07:00

So I have a best friend named emily! when we get together we are pretty crazy and we love to dance.

well, I went over there, we had movie night! yes i know im a home body and just like to hangout. anyways, we always have these random nights, tonight we went to the store, mind you its almost midnight. so i think the store is closed but she is adiment on going to target to see if there open. we get there and its closed. we ended up going to alberstons, and they closed within five min of us getting there. were at the check out stand and emily asks the cashier if they accept target gift cards!! we were laughing our heads off, it was totally off gaurd and way random, it just came out of her mouth! so were pretty fun and crazy girls to hangout with when we want to be.

I have started school this semester and practices. I have been super super busy and here i am at three in the morning writing a new blog! i know im crazy. but, i love my classes and i go everyday, its hard work to wake up early and drive so far to school. practices are great we have a trainer that i love, i just like wrking out period, i mean who doesnt! along with that i am teaching dance each week trying to prepare my girls for competiton and they have learned alot of material.

I havve been lacking in my personal life, it just never seems to work out somehow. i hope someday my time will come to be completely happy with a significant other. I went to one of my best friends weddings today, and it made me sad and realize how im growing up. that out of high school everyone goes there seperate ways. you dont realize how busy you get and wrapped up you are in your own life until you look back and know how much time has flown by!

life

2008-08-24T11:31:00.000-07:00

I LOVE MY FRIENDS AND IM SO HAPPY TO KNOW THEM!!!!!!

Ever wonder what life would be like without something?

well what i mean is, imagine if you didnt have family, friends, love, passion, talents, pets, a home, and poeple to talk to? life would be pretty boring don you think? well i like to sit and ponder when im in the right place to do so. I have been in california for a couple days and i just have realized how lucky i am to be here, to have the opportunities that i do and be able to travel, meet different people, see different cultures and be apart of different families. I would love to move here someday soon hopefully within a few years. I love the environment- the beach the palm trees, and especially the warm weather. I will be sad to leave her because i feel like i have not been here long enough. I am sad becasue i will have to go back to school, start dance practice and start working full time!!! ugh! I wish i could be little again and have no worries about life. just run around in my diaper and make other poeple take care of me.

I love my life and i am happy to be me. I do get down on myself alot and i have realized i cannot do that because its not worth it. we need to remember there is always someone who has it worse than we do when we are at our worst. and when those times come we need to be willing to help them when were in need, it will only put our heart in the right place!!!

loves

2008-08-06T13:46:00.000-07:00

Ola! this week has been one heck of a week. Evertime i think i will get a vacation or a rest in never happens!!!! I have been preparing for another pageant, yes ill admit i got hooked after my first try. This time i have had more fun, not too stressed or worried about anything because i have done all i can do to be the best me i can and now its just time to relax and enjoy the ride. WE got up early this morning and were on fox13 we even rode a mechanical bull out at the sl county fair. It was fun. i thought i was going to break something though.
along with that, I ran in my first marathon last sat and placed third in my division. holy cow did not expect that, but i didnt let anymore people pass me by so i ran faster and harder. I hope to continue them and run as much as i can because i love it. i dunno maybe i should turn into a runner instead of a dancer! because there is another one coming up this weekend that i hope to do. so well see!

skydiving!

2008-08-03T16:22:00.000-07:00

Wow! I have to say i just did the most amazing thing in my life time so far. I was able to jump out of a plane and go sky diving yesterday. it is the biggest adrenaline rush i have ever had. I was just as nervous doing that as i was in the miss utah pageant. We were up about 1300 feet and it was cold. the wind blows so loud you cant hear yourself scream. it was beautiful looking down at the earth from way up there. I felt like i was flying! we free fell for about a minute then we pulled the chute and it took us about four minutes to get back on the ground. it seriously seemed so long but when we landed it was so short!

When getting of the plane you just float out. you dont have to jump that hard and i was surprised i actually did it! yeah! one thing to check off my list!

2008-07-31T08:28:00.001-07:00

new jazz dancer 08!

just lean it like a cholo! Jazz dancers 07!

2008-07-31T08:18:00.000-07:00

top ten finalists at miss utah 08!

miss utah pageant/jazz dancer tryouts

2008-07-31T08:07:00.000-07:00

so it has been one heck of a summer. I cant believe its already august and i still havent been on vacation. well thats because i have been busy doing the miss utah pageant and right when that was over i had jazz try outs for the utah jazz. two of my really great friends made it and im really excited to be on a team with them and dance with them again. i know we will do well this year and i hope the jazz win the conference!
as for miss utah it was one heck of an experience. I didnt know what i was getting my self into until i got there. after preparing for so long and so hard its amazing at how fast it goes by. the week seemed like one day. It was very exhuasting i have to say, no sleep, with lots of practice wears you out. the day i got home i think i slept for hours and hours. Being a first timer into the miss america organization has really opened my eyes and has made me realize the things that are important to me. I have enjoyed being a part of this organization and plan to continue to be apart of it in the future. the life experiences, the memories you make, and the people you meet are unforgettable. The number one lesson I learned was to stick true to myself, and most of all be the best arial I can be. I have to say i did just that so I felt like i succeeded and won in more ways than one. Thank you to all of those who have helped me and inspired me to be the best me! I am grateful for all the people i have met and made relationships with. I look forward to the upcoming season and year.