Recently

I've been majorly slacking on actual updates, so here goes! I was really sick for about two weeks and didn't do much of anything. I was sick on Valentine's day...my FAVORITE day of the WHOLE year and so that really bummed me out. To make up for it Jason got me new PJs (since that's what I was living in) and tickets to Disneyland! About two days after I got better Jason and I headed to California to watch his karate kids compete at Nationals. He now has one national champion under his belt and a few others rated 2nd-5th best in the country. After competition we went to Disneyland one of the nights with his sister and her two kids. We had an absolute blast! Spring Break starts next Friday and I couldn't be more ready for it. I have to go to Yuma for two of the days, but then I plan on just doing a ton of job applications and having my amazing sister-in-law take my pictures for my graduation announcements! Uhh...sorry if this post is super scattered...that's just how my brain is operating lately.

Recent quotes:
Larry: You know, the more you are exposed to as a child, the less you are likely to become sick with as an adult.
Jason: I know, I'm going to expose my kids to everything...exept for aids...not going to expose them to that!
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Jason: Ebola is my favorite virus!
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Michael: You are like my second mom, but I think of you as a sister...you're like my mister...
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Sarah: Why are all the girls who like the song 'Pretty Girl Rock' extremelly unnattractive?
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Guys, Men, Boys

Well, I made an update about the wonderful women in my life and now it's only fair that I do it for the men.

My daddy instantly comes to mind. The first word that comes to my mind when I think of my father is provider. My dad works hard, putting his family first to make sure they have everything they need before he thinks of himself. My dad made sure none of us had to go without, we always had what we needed and a fair amount of what we wanted. My father has to be one of the hardest working men. He is always up working before he heads into actual work and spends hours on the weekend working on stuff he brought home with him. Even with all the work my dad does, he was still a major figure in my life, never missing an event that was important to me and continuously showing his love. Growing up I was always excited for my dad to get home from work because he would put on Alan Jackson and dance with my mom and I in the kitchen. On the weekends my dad would take me "cruising" in his truck and often let me drive. Dad has helped me with countless homework assignments, given me great advice, and been an excellent role model.

Next would be my amazing boyfriend, Jason. Aside from being a extraordinary boyfriend Jason amazes me with his ambition. Jason started his own business at nineteen years old while everyone told him he was too young and it would fail. This year his business celebrated five years and I can see the impact he has had on many young people's lives. Jason is extremelly entreprenial and always impresses me with his business ideas. I love that while Jason is very business wise his main goal still remains helping regular kids become black belts with remarkable mindsets.

My brothers are also two amazing guys. I have admired Graham since I can remember. Growing up Graham was always funny and popular, but he was also an AMAZING big brother. I will always remember one afternoon when Graham was helping me try to ride my bike in the front yard and a group of his friends came by wanting him to go play basketball. He stayed and helped me despite his friends teasing him about it. When Graham was in high school he had to get up before I did, so when it was time for me to wake up he would come in and use a pillow that was shaped like an elephant to wake me up. The elephant would start off nice, but by the end "the elephant" was tossing me around. I used to love waking up that way. Bradley has been an amazing role model. For one thing, Bradley is always HAPPY, he is capable of not letting things get to him and remaining positive. Bradley has also always chased his dreams. I know others thought he should have stayed in school, but I know he would not trade those memories. Bradley has been my confidant in recent years and has always had an open ear. I love both my brothers and am beyond thankful for both of them.

Jason's dad, Larry, is also a positive person in my life. On News Years Day of this year Larry gave us a scare when he became very sick with Meningitis and had to be taken to the hospital. The disease moved into his blood and he went into kidney failure. We were all scared for the worse. However, a few days later they were able to wake him from his comma and a few days later. Larry was soooo positive...he even gave himself the nickname Meningitis Man! Larry always has something funny to say, "I'm not pro fossil fuel, I'm just anti dinosaur," or "Whenever I use a pencil the eraser goes untouched, I use an ink pen to do a crossword puzzle...I CORRECT SPELL CHECK!" I am so lucky to have such a positive and funny person for my boyfriend's dad.

Lastly comes one of my best friends from high school, Derek Velaski. I knew Derek for a long time from mutual friends and we finally decided to hang out one day during my junior year. After that I think we hung out everyday until I left for college. Because of that Derek and I went through a lot together and he slowly became like a brother. Whenever I need advice I text Derek and whenever he needs it he texts me. I have so many great memories with this kid and couldn't ask for a better guy bestie!

NO THANK YOU!

Taking steroids up your nose is NOT fun...that is all...

Sick!

I have been so sick the last few days. I have a sore throat, painful ears, and a headache. I have actually missed a few classes which I have not done since my sophomore year. Being sick really makes you miss your mom, but luckily Jason has been taking excellent care of me. I cannot wait to feel better and eat some REAL food. I am a juicy hamburger kind of girl, so these noodles are not cutting it!

All I gotta say is...I BETTER BE BETTER BY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Martial Arts

In the (almost) two years that Jason and I have been together he has given me many things, watches, expensive purses, vacations, etc, but by far the best thing he has given me is Martial Arts.

When I first started going to the karate studio it was strictly to see Jason and keep his attention. I felt extremely uncoordinated, was nervous, and honestly did not like it. By the time of my first belt test Jason and I were a couple. When it was time for me to take my test I felt like I was going to throw up...I WAS SO NERVOUS. When conditioning was over Jason said to the testing group, "Congratulations, you've all completed the test...except for Laura...she has to break a board inorder to get her belt." I was stunned, wasn't he supposed to be extra nice to me? I walked up to the people holding the board for me to break and I'm sure everyone could see me shaking. Jason looked at me and said, "I want you to focus, I know you can do this." I decided to break the board with my elbow so I got lined up, focus, and threw my elbow. There was a loud crack and my elbow went through the board. Later that night I asked Jason why he had made me break a board, "Because I wanted you to know that you could," he told me.

Since then I have grown to LOVE Martial Arts and all that it represents. I can't wait for my classes, seminars, and often go to the studio just to help teach the lower belts.

What people who aren't involved don't understand is that Martial Arts is about so much more than kicking and punching. It is about having an indomitable spirit and never settling. I have grown so much since starting karate. Little obstacles used to ruin my day, but now I know that I have the ability to overcome these things and continue towards my goal. Jason always quotes Charles R. Swindoll, "Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you to react to it." Sometimes things may not go my way, but I can adapt and things will continue on.

Now don't get me wrong, I can still kick your butt ;) but I will continue to be thankful for not only the skills Martial Arts has provided me, but also for the mindset.

When I Was Little

A friend of mine did this the other day and I found it rather amusing, so I thought I would do the same. Basically you list things you thought/believed as a child that you later found out not to be true...if you remember why you believed this, you can also list it.

1- Growing up I was convinced that a "ghost lady" lived in my mother's wedding dress box above her closet. I was TERRIFIED to use my parents' bathroom, but every time I did I would yell, "I HATE YOU GHOST LADY" before high tailing it down the hall. Graham told Bradley and I about the ghost lady in order to scare us, but I'm pretty sure he eventually convinced himself of her too!

2- When I was younger I always thought the drink was a "Ruman Coke" instead of a "Rum and Coke"... I blame this on poor pronunciation!

3- I remember thinking people where either "tall" or "lil-tall".

4- I remember at age 14 finding out that the circular object on top of a mountain near ASU was not a "volcano plug" as my brother Brad had informed me years earlier...it was a water tower...

5- When I was little I always thought my uncle, Jay, was the "Tallest Man in the World" because he would lift me up and let me touch the ceiling... turns out he is average height and the ceiling was just low!

6- I always thought the song "Shameless" by Garth Brooks included the line "I'M SHAVING!" instead of "I'm Shameless!"

7- I have no idea where it came from, but in my family we have a tradition of pinching eachother's butts and yelling, "TOPEKA!" I thought this was something that everyone did...you can imagine my embarresment when it turned out it was only my family!

8- I thought "chingadera" was another name for the remote...WAY TO GO DAD! ;)


Lastly, just for kicks, I throw in some funny facts about me when I was younger:
1. I always insisted on listening to Rush Limbaugh while eating lunch.
2. I had an imaginary friend who smoked, her brother sported a pony tail, and they eventually moved to Denver.
3. My mom always used to blowdry my hair right when I got out of the tub. When she finished I would run naked down the hall yelling, "YOU CAN'T SEE ME" at my dad and brothers.
4. I cracked my head open hiking when I was five. I remember crying hysterically because I thought they were going to use a sewing machine to stitch me up.
5. I had the Clifford CD when I was little. On one of the songs it said, "Whose the greatest of them all?" all the kids on the tape would yell, "CLIFFORD" but not me... I yelled "GRANDPA!"
6. My favorite movie was 'Twins' which is rated R and stars Arnold Armstrong and Danny Davito.

Wow, haven't done one of these in awhile!

Your name?
Laura

How old are you?
22

Do you have any nicknames?
LA, Grumpy Bear, Miss Priss, Loretta Lynn, etc.

What was the last movie you watched?
The Dilemma

Do you wear boots in the winter?
All year long.

Are you looking forward for something?
Valentine's Day!!

Do you eat meat?
"Go meat!"

Should you be doing something right now?
Nope-> Done with homework, the house is clean and don't have church until 7.

Do you know how to dance?
Yes and I love it.

Do you have a brother?
I have two! Jerome and Chucky Dan ;)

What about a sister?
Nope, but I have the most amazing sister-in-law in the world.

Who`s your favorite band?
The Eagles.

Who`s your fav. actor and actress?
Denis Quaid and Sandra Bullock...maybe.

Last incoming text?
"How r u babes?"

Have you ever painted your face for a sports game?
Yeah for homecoming in high school.

If you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would you go?
Somewhere relaxing.

The last time you were in the fridge, what were you looking for?
Cherry Coke

Are you listening to anything at the moment?
Country Station

Anything good happening tomorrow?
I only have one class... wootz.

How often do you clean out your ears?
Haha a lot... my parents used to call me the Q-Tip Queen

Has someone ever made you a Build-A-Bear?
Yes, Julia made me a cowgirl and Brittany made me a fairy.

What is something you need to go shopping for?
Socks...exciting

Did you have imaginary friend(s) as a child?
Yes, her name was Marynn and she was a very bad influence. She smoked and her brother had a pony tail, but luckily they moved to Denver.

Do you usually write in print or in cursive?
Kinda a combination.

When is the last time you were on a bicycle?
I don't even remember...

Do you own a credit card?
Yes'm

Do you or would you like to have children?
When I'm married and have a steady income.

What are some girl names you like?
Jaelah, Reid, Lilah

What are some boy names you like?
Levi, Jace, Liam

If you could have anything right now what would you pick?
A puppy haha

Update

Well, I've officially had all my classes. While I thought Bio Stats would be my hardest classes, it's one of the easier. My easiest by far will be Business Writing. Soils will be my most difficult and Entomology will be the hardest to remain awake through. I just keep reminding myself that I just need to make it through this semester and then I'm DONE!

Outside of school I've been keeping myself busy with work, karate, and hanging out with friends before we all go our separate ways. I received a really cool event to coordinate at work and a video montage to go with it, so I'm pretty happy with that. Karate is going well and I will be testing for Brown I belt (three away from black belt) on Thursday...yikes! All my friends are doing well, we're all just trying to coordinate jobs and places to live for after graduation.

Last Friday, Jason and I went and saw Green Hornet and got ice cream... Green Hornet turned out to be a really good movie. Saturday we went to Peoria and celebrated Christmas with my dad's family. I was so happy to get to spend time with all of them; they definitely keep me laughing! Sunday Jason and I went shopping, saw The Dilemma, visited with his parents and just hung out. Monday there was no school so I had lunch with my friend Diana, went shopping with Tosha, and took karate.

Sorry this isn't a very exciting post...I'll try to put some pictures up soon!

Light at the End of the Tunnel

It's here...my final semester of school! WOOHOO

I only have to take 12 units which is great, but they are soils, bio statistics, entomology, and business writting...which isn't the greatest. I've had soils and bio stats so far and they don't seem like they will be as bad as I expected and I know people in both.

I've been looking for jobs and I have high hopes of being able to find a job in Tucson.

Four months and I'll be a college graduate...

Beautiful

A friend of mine recently posted a blog entry about the beautiful people in her life after reading the following Audrey Hepburn quote:

"The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes that she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman is seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. True beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It's the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows. The beauty of a woman only grows with passing years."

It inspired me to do the same, so here's to the beautiful women in my life.

First, of course, would be my mother. Growing up I never realized how blessed I was to have a stay-at-home mom, but now looking back I am incredibly greatful. My mother was always there for me, being supportive, encouraging, and loving. My mother never missed an event I found important and supported me through years of dance, soccer, cross country, horseback, FFA, etc. My mom has always been there to help me along the way, and continues to do so from 100 miles away. She always has open ears, great advice, and is willing to drive two hours to help me move! I love you mom!

Next would have to be my amazing sister-in-law Sara! She has been a role model to me since the first day Graham brought her to the house and she is just as beautiful inside as she is out! Sara helped me get involved in my horseback riding and FFA and through example taught me that self-confidence and a good sense of humor are what makes a girl beautiful.

Next to come to mind are all the other beautiful ladies in my family. Grandma White who taught me that everyone needs a little crazy in their life, to wash my "mall hands", to lotion my "rusty" knees, and you that, "I've only just begun to live." Grandma Pink who always let me have her old makeup and perfume, who encourages me to have a healthy lifestyle, and who serves as a great example as a woman of faith. To Aunt Lesley who I helped me learn to read and always let me tag along. To Aunt Leslie and the adventures we've had (the Indians with the boa constrictor, getting kicked out of Starbucks, and staying up all night). To Aunt Jacque who got me addicted to picture taking, who made me beautiful dolls, and who has one of the most sincere hearts I have ever encountered.

To Jason's mom, Joan. I love going our vacations of laying out by the pool all day and shopping while the boys have to do actual work. Who lets me sleep at her house when I'm scared and who always has medicine for me when I'm sick.

To the best friend a girl could ask for, Miss Julia Paige. Julia has been there for me every day since we first met. She has helped me get over tough breakups, she has encouraged me to chase what I want, and she has shown me what it means to be truly strong. What I love most about Julia is her ability to make anything fun and her ability to not let what other people think/say affect her.

To the best neighbor ladies a girl could ask for: Kristin, Vicki, and Janne. Kristin who let me and her daughter create fake crime scenes throughout her home, gave me countless rides, always had a key when I was locked out, and somehow always knew where my mom was when I couldn't find her. To Vicki, who always let me tag along, who has helped me to become more creative, who let me stay with her while my parents were out of town, and who helped me develop my love for children. To Janne, the beautiful woman who inspired this entry, for all the giggles and laughs, all the Hilary Duff movies, and for beating that bus (yikes!).

To two teachers who helped me become who I am and enabled me to go as far as I have: Miss Cole (now Mrs. Williams) and Mrs. Wahlund. I was blessed to have both these ladies for two years each and grew so much because of them. Both helped me to crack out of my shell and inspired me to help others.

To all the other amazing ladies in my life...