Accident

One poor Chevy Malibu.

One freeway.

One very shaken up driver.

One accident.

Took three sobriety tests

and failed them (apparently).

Took 10 minutes to convince the Highway Patrol that I was not under the influence

just very cold from standing outside in the cold for 30 minutes

and very shaken up from the accident.

Car is in the shop.

I have a rental.

I'm completely okay.

It could've been worse.

My new nickname at work is:

Mario Andretti.

My photo shoot

I've never liked getting my picture taken. But I'm trying to change that attitude for various reasons. So, when my friend, Scott, decided to have photo shoots for free, I took him up on the offer. It was wet, I came straight from work, but I still love the pictures and I'm trying my best not to be too critical of the subject. Ha ha. Enjoy.

 

Another First

I feel like I keep doing a lot of firsts this year.

From being in a major calling for the first time ever

to

taking my first real destination vacation

to

actually dating (meaning going on dates... not specifically dating anyone).

It only seems right that I add something else to the list:

Rock climbing.

It was our RS activity this month.

So much fun. 

Except for right now when my arms are screaming that this was a REALLY bad idea 

(yes, it took a day for my arms to start hurting).

And it may have also proved to me that my weight lifting in the mornings may not be doing anything for me. 

Oh well!

I still loved it.

We'll call it the bright spot in an otherwise ridiculously emotional week.

(the job is starting to get better. I have a lot of meetings. 

My first counselor got a job offer and moved to Portland, Ore. today so I need to get a new counselor

I lost my house key and couldn't get into my house one night. Luckily, I found the key in a parking lot the next morning.)

First Day?

My first day did not go smoothly.

At all.

I currently have:

*no desk

*no computer

*no work to do

My morning was spent in a short training.

My afternoon was spent reading over a policy handbook that I'm very familiar with.

I had to kife other people's desks.

And for about 2 hours I had to sit next to a guy who picks his nose.

My paycheck on November 4th better be worth this...

200th Post

I have thought long and hard of what I want to say in my 200th post. 
And then I found it: The picture that says it all.

The reason why I love it? 

I feel like in the last year of my life, I've gained the vision I've needed to have for a long time. I was coasting for so much of the past three years, it's nice to have goals again, to be working towards something.
And even though I complain a lot and get angry or sad or depressed, I wouldn't give any of that up for the joy, the fun, or the good times that I'm having. Because it seemed that once I gained a vision of one thing, it was easy to make goals in other areas of my life... and in the past 9 months, I feel like my life has changed from night to day. I feel like I actually may have changed.
So go out—find your vision, your goals, your dreams—whatever you want to call it. And then live it. 
That's what I want to say for my 200th post.
Cheers.

Funny Moments

Remember this post from about a year ago...

Something similar happened today.

I shouldn't be allowed to interact with men.

Or maybe I should do it more often because I seem to come away with the best stories.

There I was... straightening shelves. And someone starts talking. There are a fair number of crazies that come to the library, so I ignored it. He then repeats himself and I realize--the guy's trying to talk to me. 

We have a short conversation wherein he learns that I work for the Church and therefore am LDS and I'm getting my masters degree in library science--hence the volunteering.

Then he asked for my number.

I made him repeat the question to make sure I heard him right.

I was kind of shocked and didn't know what to do. 

But I pulled it together and remembered my assignment from the ward mission leader. I said, "Well, if you want my number you're going to have to take a copy of the Book of Mormon from me because that's the only way you're getting it."

He agreed.

My concerns are:

1. Apparently the old "preach them the gospel/bear testimony" deterrent never worked. 

It didn't work on the mission, it doesn't work now. I should just stop trying.

2. I don't really want him to call. I don't like to go out with complete strangers. 

I don't even know anything about him except his name.

3. I feel bad that I gave away my copy of the Book of Mormon not in a spirit of sharing the gospel, but rather to try and get him less interested. I hope that doesn't get counted against me.

So, the question becomes--what am I going to do if he calls?

Start date

It only took two working days and five different people to let me know

that I will start my new job on October 18th.

But I get to start going to meetings with my new team. 

That starts today. This morning actually.

I'm a bundle of nerves and excitement.

I also get to go get my picture taken today

by my friend, Scott. He's an amazing photographer.

And to be honest, I'm trying to learn to get over my fears...

One of which is that I'm not photogenic and I'm always scared to get my picture taken.

The other is that I don't perform in front of others--musically, I mean.

One of these days, I'll be fearless.

Well, it's officially official

It's official.

I'm starting a new job!

Though I technically don't know what my start date is.

It's with the Audiovisual department. 

I'll be handling legal documents and working with the team that creates the content for http://new.lds.org

And yes, I do get paid more.

By the way, don't forget to watch Conference tomorrow. 

And while you're at it, I totally recommend watching this video that my co-workers (new ones and old ones) put together.

It's awesome.

http://new.lds.org/pages/why-conference-matters?lang=eng