Christmas 2020 in Pandemic

It was a quiet Christmas this year due to the pandemic. However, it was so nice to spend time with family and hold little Davie. There is so much to be grateful for and I just have to hold on a few more months until the Covid vaccine and things go more back toward what we know as normal.

Memories of Christmas

Friday is Christmas and honestly they all run together. I have a hard time remembering specific Christmases unless there is a reason. Like my trip to California or Leanna's wedding. In the midst of this pandemic, I will use this holiday to remember and be grateful for family.

The Lonely Winter

With the pandemic, this winter is different from years past. My boyfriend is already home in Texas so we are doing long distance. Katie is not coming home this Christmas. It is scary to see family as not to spread Covid. It is an uncertain time for me but I am trying to remember I am truly blessed. I need to have more faith.

Baby Blessings

Today is my nephew's baby blessing. I am really excited. I looked at pictures from my own baby blessing and a lot of the extended family was there. My dress also looked old fashioned even for 1993. Only immediate family at Davie's due to the pandemic. I will update!

Gratitude

I am just grateful for everything I have in my life. There are so many things I want to do (marriage, children, PhD) but I have to be grateful for everything I already have and have done.

Corona Thanksgiving

Thursday is Thanksgiving but who knows if we are eating together as a family this year. Covid is worse than it has ever been and the governor advised against interhousehold dinners. A lot of members of the family are also sick. I guess it's just inevitable we might get Covid too. I will update!

New Boyfriend

I have a new boyfriend. I am hoping for the best. In other news, I am still paranoid about Covid and now my easy going father is too. I am already paranoid about my sense of smell/taste and Covid just makes it worse!

New President!

After a crazy whirlwind of a week, Joe Biden is officially the winner of the election. The past 4 years of Trump as president have felt like a dream. Or a nightmare. I hope we finally have a real leader who will see us out of this pandemic. I am also excited to talk about it with my political science class this week.

Baby All Nighter

I spent last night with baby Davie. He was awake most of the night. I certainly have gotten a lot of baby practice these past 3 weeks. He is already so big. I hope to spend more nights with him.

Memories of Snow

We had our first snowfall of this winter last night. October is way too early for snow! Even though I am from Utah, I am still not a fan of snow. Maybe it is because I don't ski. I think throughout school and work I have just been forced to stand out in the cold and snow too often. I also hate driving in snow. Luckily it is supposed to warm up next week.

First Week with Baby

My first week being an aunt has been so fun. Davie is just precious. Leanna is still healing though. This is also my last week teaching at Lumen. I will update!

New Aunt

Leanna's baby was born Friday night. They are still in the hospital. I cannot wait to get to know my nephew, Davie, and be an aunt. Hopefully I will have plenty of time this week.

It just gets crazier

My birthday went well and my classes have been ok. Trump was diagnosed with COVID and is in the hospital right before the election. These are certainly historic times.

Almost 27

My 27th birthday is on Tuesday. I feel like I have accomplished so much but there's still so much to do. I wish I wasn't still single. There is so much to be grateful for though. I am blessed even when the turmoil of our country is insane.

Big Things Coming Up

My nephew is due in just 3 weeks! We went and bought baby items for him yesterday. I started my college class last week and the students are awesome. On a bad note, I have already had a parent take her student out of my middle school class because the content is too "left leaning." I guess I have always just been around educated people.

Anxious Times

It's finally hit me how hard things have been and how anxious I am. First year middle school teacher, college instructor, new apartment, confusing dating dynamics with guy. Not to mention anxious getting sick from Covid. I need a break! White flag!

Labor Day

Well as expected, things are already over with the new guy. School started and Katie is in town for the holiday weekend. I am excited to teach my students though. Leanna's mini baby shower was today. I will update!

Back to School

School starts this week. I am just as excited as a teacher as I was as a student. When I was a student I would always try to look my cutest and be confident. It was always exciting but nervous. I will update!

Happy Birthday Sean!

Today is my brother's birthday. He would have been 32 today. Happy birthday Sean! I am also moving to Orem today and I am nervous. I'll update!

Orem, New Guy

I'm finally moving down to my new place in Orem this week.I'm also dating a new guy. School start also got pushed forward two weeks, giving me more time to prepare. I will update!

Professional Development Week

It was my first week at Lumen as a history teacher.For both Lumen and LDSBC, it has been mostly trainings. This week will be lesson and classroom planning. Teaching during a pandemic!

Living in the Valleys

I am moving to Orem in 2 weeks. I have lived in the Salt Lake Valley most of my life. I lived in Cache Valley while at USU. I figured I might as well move to Utah Valley to complete the triad of Utah valleys. I will update about the move!

History of Callings

The callings I’ve had in the church: family history committee, temple committee, visiting teaching district supervisor, ward mission secretary, family history and temple committee, family history and temple co-chair. I’ve been in temple and family history so many times but I’ve never felt like I’ve truly magnified that calling. I want to do better before I move to Orem and get a new calling.

Post ICL Update

I thought I’d give an ICL update. It’s been 5.5 months since surgery. My vision is still great. The major side effects were the floaters and the blepharitis. My mind has gotten used to the floaters so I don’t see them as much. I’ve finally gotten the blepharitis under control using eye drops and eyelid wipes. It took about 3 months though.

Lazy Summer Days

It’s another year of lazy summer days. No NSLC in DC this year due to the pandemic. I stay up way too late and wake up way too late. My work ethic is none. That has been every summer since middle school. I have my LDSBC orientation this week at least. I will update!

New Cat

Katie’s cat Charlie lives in Utah now! He is super fun to have around. Not much else to report on. Only one more month before I go back to work. COVID is still raging.

New Bishop

My YSA Ward is getting a new bishop today. I’m sad to see my bishop go. After having many bishops in my life, he cared about me the most and accepted me as I am.

Father’s Day

Today is Father’s Day! It makes me realize how appreciative I am for my dad. It wasn’t always the easiest having divorced parents but he made it work. I didn’t always agree with everything both my mom and my dad did growing up. However the love was/is there. Love you Dad!

Following the Spirit

It’s amazing how the evolution of the soul can be. I feel like I’ve finally matured in some ways. In regards to my testimony, dating, career, and family. I know the right things are out there, I just have to trust in the Lord. Though I need to be patient and trust His timetable, I can be happy and do all I can while I wait. I finally feel at peace in my mind with my life and where I’m at.

Church During Covid

We had our first sacrament meeting in the middle of the pandemic. We sat every other row and wore masks. The sacrament bread was served in cups. There were no hymns and they were very strict on doors we could use. Although it was very short, I felt the spirit more than ever! It was so nice to take the sacrament again.

Something New

I have gone on 3 dates with a 41 year old. I didn’t think I would be attracted to someone 15 years older. However, he’s really nice and smart. He’s on a business trip for 2 weeks now. I will update!

Boring Summers

I am usually bored to death every summer except for the summers I spent in Boston, DC, and Denver. The summer I worked at the zoo I was anxious everyday. This will probably be another boring summer. I have always been a student or a teacher and have had it off. I need the structure of work and school. My sleep schedule always gets messed up.

Teaching License Drama

The state of Utah has yet again changed teaching license requirements. I’m so confused about whether I have to do their new program to upgrade my license. It’s so frustrating, I may just get a college job early. I’m emailing my principal tomorrow for feedback. I will update!

Slanted Vision

I saw two different eye doctors last week who confirmed my retinas are completely fine. It must be problem with my ICLs that are causing my slanted vision. My vision is still completely clear, lines are just slanted to the right. I am meeting with my surgeon tomorrow to figure this out. I hope there is a solution and he doesn't say it's all in my head. It is also the last week of school! Then I can prepare for my middle school classes in the fall. I will update! P.S. Today is Mother's Day and shout out to my mom and grandmas!

Everyone is going mad

It is week 8 of the pandemic and everyone is on edge and ready to go back to normal life. Sadly, I do not think normal life will come back for another year or so. I do not have the virus but I continue to have eye problems. I now am seeing flashes! I did my teaching demo last week and have my interview at LDSBC on Friday. I am so excited to be a real actual teacher next year! I also am glad that things are slowly opening up. I will update!

LDSBC Interview

I have to plan a lesson plan and film a teaching demo for LDS Business College tomorrow. I have to make it really good because I really want to teach at the college level. As for everything else, we're still in quarantine. I still have my full time middle school history job lined up for the fall so I am excited.

Sick Paranoia

This whole COVID 19 thing has made me question every little cough and pain my body has. It seems like the virus has so many diverse symptoms that anything can be a sign that you are sick. I have a little cough today and had a mild sore throat a couple days ago and it made me so paranoid. I was also back at the eye doctor on Wednesday to get some ingrown eyelashes removed. I just want to be back to being normal and healthy. This environment of paranoia is not good!

Easter 2020

Today is Easter, although with the pandemic there are not any traditional Easter church services or parties. At least it gives us a time to really appreciate the true meaning of Easter Sunday. Spring break ended last week so it will be hard to go back to work tomorrow. I have calls with Kaitlin and Jessica today as well as the immediate family. I might find out this week that I got the middle school teaching gig at Lumen though I am not counting on it. I will update!

General Conference and Update

We are still in the midst of the COVID 19 pandemic and it does not look like it is getting better anytime soon. It's hard to be home all day but since it's mandated by the federal government, we really don't have much choice. Not much to report this week. On Thursday I interviewed for a middle school social studies position still at Lumen. This week is also spring break so I get even more of a break. On Friday I went to the eye doctor for my 2 month post op. I was seeing 20/15 in both eyes! That's a long way from being severely nearsighted. He saw no infection so I don't know why my eyes were red and dry for 2 weeks. This weekend was General Conference. President Nelson announced a new proclamation on the restoration and we all did the Hosanna shout. I will update next week!

Historic Time

I truly feel like I am living in a historic time. We are quarantined to our homes and more and more people are dying from the virus. I woke up with a sore throat this morning and freaked out because that is sometimes a symptom of the coronavirus. I will update next week if I am still alive!

Earthquake and the Virus Continues

The COVID-19 virus is still alive and well and the U.S. is probably going to remain on lockdown for at least a couple more months. As a history person, I truly feel like I am living in a historic time period. On top of all of that, those of us in Utah woke up to a 5.7 earthquake last Wednesday morning. As someone who has been fearing "the big one" since childhood, I was surprisingly calm. The aftershocks were scary though. That is the last thing we need. I will update on the state of the world next week.

COVID-19

I had no idea that the COVID-19 virus would hit the world so hard. Pretty much all of Utah is shut down. The schools are going to be online only for the next two weeks and the Natural History Museum is closed. I am excited to work from home, but I am still worried. The cases keep going up in Utah. I am fine except for two annoying floaters that appeared in my right eye last week. It probably came from my ICL surgery. What is annoying is that they will NEVER go away, I will just get used to them. But with all the illness going around, I am truly blessed.

Feeling Unspiritual

I have really struggled with feeling spiritual lately. I know I have a testimony of the church, I just have become complacent. I definitely do not want to go back to being inactive like during my teen years. I am going to definitely try to work on improving that this year.

California Trip

My mom and I just got back from California today! We arrived on Thursday and got to spend some great time with the Albanos and Norregards. We had good California food. Poor Hannah had some medical issues on Friday and had to go to the emergency room. She was fine in time for Shauna and Charles' vow renewal on the Queen Mary on Saturday. It was great to celebrate love and family. It ended up being very touching. On Sunday I got to hang out with Jessica and go to the Aquarium of the Pacific. We flew back today. It was so nice to visit family and friends and get away from the day to day!

General Update

This week is going to be crazy. I leave with my mom to visit the Albanos and Jessica in California on Thursday. I also have my 4th interview for the Kumon assistant manager position tomorrow. My eyesight is still great from the ICls and therapy has also been really helping me. I hope that once I get a full-time leadership job and move out of my childhood home, I'll feel more like an adult. I also want to start dating again. I just hate feeling stuck. I will update how the trip goes next week!

Last Minute Trip

My mom and I are making a spontaneous trip to California from Feb 27-Mar 2 to see Aunt Shauna and Uncle Charles' vow renewal on the 29th on the Queen Mary ship. I am so excited to spend some time with my precious extended family. I will update!

ICL Surgery

For the first time since I was a little kid, I have 20/20 vision in both eyes. It has been amazing waking up and having good vision. I keep on reaching for my glasses and then realizing I don't need them. The surgery itself was on Thursday. It went well despite the fact I was awake the whole time he was cutting into my eyes. I seriously did not get enough relaxing medication through the IV. I was nervous the whole time. I have enjoyed my vision though. I get to wear eye makeup again in about 5 days!

Sick Days

I have been sick with the flu this week. I have learned my lesson to get a flu shot. I’ve applied to a couple college jobs at UVU and I have my ICL surgery on Thursday! I will update next week about my vision!

Days at Utah State

The two years I lived at and went to Utah State from 2012-2014 were so much fun! I loved living on campus in the LLC and Merrill Hall. I also made great friends including Kaitlin and Jessica who I still hang out with today. I wish I had spent longer than 2 years there but for some reason I was in such a hurry to finish my bachelor's degree at the time. I had plenty of time in hindsight. The only regrets I have are that I didn't spend more time there and I did not find a spouse while I was surrounded by so many great men. It was also a great time to spend with Leanna. I also loved all of my political science and wildlife classes I took. I remember the great nights spent hanging out in the library, Poetry and a Beverage, and in the dining hall. I did not realize how easy I had it. Logan was a very, very cold Utah city though.

6 Weeks of Confidence

Before I bring myself to date again, I am taking 6 weeks to work on myself and build my self confidence. I am going to do one thing that challenges myself everyday. I am going to try to do better at talking to strangers, serving others, pushing myself. I will update! I really want to learn to love myself.

Health Week

I have a plethora of medical appointments this week. Monday I am seeing a retina specialist about my histo scar. Tuesday I am getting my pre surgery done in preparation for the ICL. I have to take the whole day off work. I just don't want any bad side effects. Friday I am meeting with my therapist. This is year I am really going to work on my health and become healthy and beautiful! I will update next week how it all went. There is a lot to unpack!

New Decade

It is 2020 and the start of a new decade. This year I hope to finally conquer at least the daily struggles of OCD and really focus on my health. I want to progress in the job and dating situation too, but I am making my health my first priority. I am starting off by using some of my inheritance money to get permanent contact lenses. No more glasses!