A Season of Change

All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another. Anatole France

A lot of things have been happening which is why I haven't posted in a while. So here is a rundown of the last 45 or so days. I moved from my grandmothers basement to a townhouse with four other girls that I had never met before. I went from Primary chorister in a family ward, to joining a newly reorganized singles ward. I haven't had a car in over a year and just got a truck that is mine free and clear. As the end of the school year approached I was desperately looking for a summer job. My plan was to go back next school year and then do some online school in the fall. An opportunity presented itself Memorial Day weekend that changed everything. So instead of working another school year, I will be going to school full time and paying bills by making sandwiches. My personal life has also seen a lot of changes too.

It has all been a little overwhelming and the hardest part was probably saying goodbye to the great friends I have made among my co-workers at the school and to the kids. Some of those kids had been in my class for 3 years so there are a lot of memories. They are all good changes, its just a lot of adjustment. Here's to new beginnings!

Brilliance

Important Information is M s i g

There has been a recent outbreak of measles at some of the schools in my neighborhood so I was just doing some browsing on the subject. I was reading thing on the school districts website and also a couple of national news sources. However, I am a little irritated because this is what it said:

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Health officials in Utah are trying to contain a measles outbreak that may have infected hundreds of people who attended two recent community events.

Nine cases in the state have been linked to exposure to one unvaccinated person who contracted the disease in Poland, according to the Salt Lake Valley health department. Epidemiologists have determined that the infected person exposed as many as 1,000 people earlier this month.

Measles are so contagious that if one person has it, 90 percent of those near that individual will also become infected if they are not immune.

To keep the outbreak from spreading, state health officials are urging anyone who attended either event to contact the Utah Poison Control Center to determine if they were properly vaccinated against the measles virus. Those who attended the first event also are being asked to stay at home until April 29, and until May 1 if they attended the second event.

Read more: http://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Officials-Measles-outbreak-in-Utah-traced-to-1-1348868.php#ixzz1KajJAnxs

Nowhere in the article(s) that I have looked at has any mention been made of WHAT those two community events were! I am relatively sure that I am safe from the outbreak because first of all my parents were smart enough to have me vaccinated, and second of all I don't think I attended any community events that involved thousands of people lately. However, it might be useful information to know more specifics about the two community events!!

Yay! I'm 30.

Burnout

I have been feeling rather melancholy of late and have realized that it's just because a lot is happening right now. I am very good at taking care of the people around me and then forgetting about myself. I also have a horrible habit of not knowing when to say no. Recently I had a neighbor give me a book on boundaries that I am trying to read right now. I don't know what it says about me that someone who only sees me from afar on Sundays and for a 20 minute visit once a month knows/thinks that I need to prioritize. So much of my life lately seems to be working or attempting to please someone else. Balance is definitely needed.

I am taking an Institute class this semester and I have just had to stop wearing make-up on Tuesdays because I just end up crying in class. The teacher is amazing and it is the one place in my week that for 90 minutes I can relax and not worry about life. I don't have to explain in excruciating detail to my teacher why I am writing with a red pen or why the person next to me is wearing a turtleneck. I am me there and that is all I need to be. After a recent visit with a medical professional I have been vindicated because he says that I don't need to be worried about my health, I am just burned out. Unfortunately the thing that is making me burned out right now is not something I can change. I am just going to have to find different ways to cope.

A Girl Can Dream

Three words to be said: "I want this."

That is all.

Bucket List

As I approach my 30th birthday I have decided to make a bucket list. Here is what I have so far.

• Visit and enter 50 temples (Visual is not enough)
• Go on a cruise
• See "La Pieta" in person
• Visit Jerusalem
• Own a grand piano
• Learn to swim
• Fluently speak a foreign language
• Do volunteer work in a foreign country
• Read "Jesus the Christ"
• Own a house (preferably with a spouse)
• Have an herb garden
• Be debt free
• Pay cash for a car