Flyin' High

I went flying today!  My friend Dallen flies planes and he took me flying today over Provo.  I have to admit I was a little nervous.  Luckily, he has a good record and hasn't killed anyone yet, nor has anyone ever thrown up while he was flying.  That calmed my nerves a little bit.  But really, it wasn't any worse than a normal plane.  Actually, it was much better.  Here are some pics to prove that I actually did it.

Dallen-my trusty pilot-pumping gas into the plane (the gas tanks are in the wings!)

After we got gas since planes can't go backwards we had to push it back.  This is me pretending to push it.  Dallen really did most of the work. 

Me actually pushing it.

Above the clouds-so pretty!

Mt. Timp-I've climbed that sucker!

Timpanogas Temple

And, me!

THE END

God is the Gardener

I don't normally address very personal things on this blog, but I felt like doing so tonight.  I am in week four of post-grad life still without job.  I have had one interview for a not-even-close-to-my-dream-job job. As I think I mentioned before, I have been applying to internships, the Air Force being my first choice.  I found out today that it is unlikely that I will get accepted due to some past health issues that aren't acceptable with the Air Force (kind of ironic since I am one of the healthier people on this planet...I'm a dietitian-to-be for heaven's sake).  I was really disappointed.  Also, I broke my glasses.  It's not that big of a deal, but it's the kind of break that can't be fixed.  The only option is to buy new ones and that  = money.  Ok, there have been some very disappointing parts of today and I had to try really hard not to throw a fit because life wasn't working out how I want it to.  I can't deny that there were good parts, too. For example, I blew my dinner group away tonight with this delicious apple cranberry stuffed pork roast.  I wouldn't be surprised if a marriage proposal came of it.  It was that good. 
Alright, on to the point.  I've been thinking about my life and the huge chasm that exists between where I want my life to be and where it currently is.  Hugh B. Brown gave a talk entitled God is the Gardener.  He tells a story about how he experienced what he perceived as a huge failure and began to bitterly shake his fist at God.  As he did this, he received a message in return "I am the gardener here.  I know what I want you to be.  And someday, when you are ripened in life, you are going to shout back accross time and say 'Thank you  Mr. Gardener, for cutting me down, for loving me enough to hurt me.' "  I don't mean to be overly pessimistic, but sometimes life is full of disappointments, failures, and set-backs.  It's like in my dreams when I'm trying to run with all my might yet I seem to be moving backwards.  But like Hugh B. Brown said, God is going to let us fall, not to punish us, but because he knows what is best for us and what experiences will refine us into the people that he wants us to be.  I have no idea what is going to happen with my life.  And yeah, it's hard right now dealing with so much uncertainty.  I guess it really doesn't matter and I shouldn't waste my time worrying about what I can't control.  I can be happy regardless and rest assured that Mr. Gardener knows what he's doing with my little life.

Does anyone read my blog?

So, I began this blog not for other people, but for me to practice expressing myself.  But I was just wondering if anyone ever reads it...that's all :)

Post-grad Life: Week Two

So, I GRADUATED! For real this time. I know I gave you all a little tease last April when my family flew across the country to see me walk and when I threw myself a party, but now it is official.
Here is a picture of my degree, which I have placed proudly over our kitchen table as proof.

 

I found this on a not-so-serious blog, but which, I think, contains some truth.  This is an excerpt from an entry of dating DO's and DON'T's:

"WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT GO TO MORE SCHOOL, unless you want people to start calling you Yawnette. Think about it! Serious! How often do guys whistle and yell "Nice degree!" or shake there heads and say "What adorable knowledge"? EXACTLY."

I wonder to what extent this is true.  Regardless, I am pursuing more education because it is important to me and I'm sure someone, someday will find it very adorable. 

I am currently applying to Dietetic Internships (DIs).  In order to become a Registered Dietitian (RD) and feel like my undergraduate education wasn't a complete waste of time, I have to do an accredited internship and then take a test.  Most DIs are 6-12 months, unless they include a master's program and then they are 2 years. I am opting for the latter.  My first choice is with the US Air Force.  I'm really hoping for this one, but they only accept 2 (!) interns each year.  The others I'm applying to are the University of Houston, a hospital in Colorado Springs, and maybe one in Boston.

As far as how I feel about post-grad life, sometimes I love it and sometimes I hate it.  Staying in bed until 1 pm- love it! Feeling like I have no purpose in life-hate it!  And so, I'm learning to accept all aspects of life and find joy amidst the vastness of uncertainty.

End of the day

MMy FAVORITE time of day.  It was a stressful day.  It usually is in some way or another for each of us, but I think it's the worse for Melissa (crazy things happen to Melissa). We drink tea. We LAUGH.  We talk. Somehow life doesn't seem so hard when I end the day this way.  THANK HEAVEN for Emily and Melissa.