Quick Update

Sigh... again, I slack! I've been meaning to update for a LONG time, mostly because of all the changes and events.... but with all these changes and events, it's been hard to find the time.... Okay, a quick update and I promise, a more lengthy one (with pictures) soon. What's been going on:

1. I left 1-800 CONTACTS. The timing couldn't have been better. I started my new job the DAY after my internship ended. I love and miss my old co-workers, but am THRILLED to finally be doing something I am genuinely good at. I now work for a law firm called Witt & Associates.... Four weeks ago when I got hired, it was Witt & Anderson. Long, long, long story short: One partner decided to leave (this happens a lot in law firms for those who aren't familiar with the business). Thus, we've had to re-arrange our entire company. This means that new paralegals get thrown into the deep end without swim lessons. In the words of Andre the Giant: "I only dog paddle." So, while it has been a nerve-wracking experience, I have learned a TON! I love the job, the work and the people. But, most of all, I LOVE knowing that I am REALLY good at what I do! (I know because my new boss reminds me all the time!) And, I really go home satisfied, knowing that someones life is genuinely better because of the work I am doing.

2. We had Jared's brother and his family stay with us during BYU education week. This reminded us of two things: a) how much we miss JR and Rebecca and their kids, we love them to pieces and wish they were closer! b) how NOT ready we are for children. Jared and I have become very accustomed to doing what we want, when we want and taking our sweet time doing it. Having my neices and nephew here reminded me that when I am a parent, my decisions will no longer be based around what I want and what is best for Jared... my entire universe (not just my decision making ability) will be based solely on how things will affect my kids.... Call me selfish, but, I am not ready for that. And, in the words of Elizabeth Gilbert: "The decision to have children is like making the decision to tattoo your face.... YOU REALLY NEED TO BE SURE IT'S WHAT YOU WANT, BEFORE YOU DO IT!!"

3. I finally read all the Twilight books... and yes, I am now an obsessed fan.... Sigh.... I love Edward!


Well, that's all for now, more later w/ pictures. Hope everyone is well, love to all!

Birthdays and Reunions

My Grandpa D's 80th birthday party was this last weekend. It was fun to have the whole family together to celebrate! On Saturday, we had the annual Watson reunion, I took lots of pictures since I was the only one who remembered a camera. We had tons of fun!

Me and my "little" brother!

My Mom and her favorite (aka only) grandson:

All of the boys in my immediate family:

My Grandparents! Happy Birthday Grandpa D!

My gorgeous sister and my nephew:

My little sister also had a birthday, she turned 22! Where does the time go? To me, she is still 12 and my little brother is still 6! Sometimes when I see my brother at my parent's house, it still shocks me! Here are some pics from her birthday party:

And, last but not least, my Mom and sister and I went to get pedicures on Thursday. When the nail technician asked me if I wated something (and I quote) "Parrotic." I was SOOOO confused, then she said "You know, fo fowth of Jewry." Then, in an effort to seem like I understood, I just nodded and smiled politely. So, she set to work... it was after she started adding the poka dots that I realized she meant "patriotic" and "Fourth of July!"

Sigh....

It's been a while! What an odd few weeks it has been!! Okay... News...

I've started my internship with the Legal department at 1-800 Contacts and I love it! The people are great, crazy at times, but great! In order to better manage my sanity (aka eliminate a LOT of drama in my life) I decided to leave Marketing and go back to the Call Center for 30 hours a week and I'll continue my 10-15 hr a week internship with Legal. Sigh... I loved the Marketing department, especially the people, but the drama and stress was truly taking a toll. (I'm pretty sure work shouldn't make you cry on a regular basis... am I right?)

Second... Jared and I have been doing some spending... We've been wanting a new bed for quite some time, mostly because we have a 3rd party in bed with us... our 90lb doberman! Jared also takes up a lot of room, but with the three of us in a queen size bed, it was a little crowded!! So, we got a new King Size TempurPedic bed... We LOVE it! So comfy! I highly recommend them! We also got a new grill and a new book case! These two items we should have purchased a long time ago, but oh well, they're done now!

Third... And more depressing... About a week or two ago, I found out that our favorite babysitter growing up passed away. Our families have been close ever since I was really little, her Mom would babysit us when we were in half days for Kindergarten and Lindsay, their youngest, and I were good friends growing up. It seems that Nicole's death was attributed to a complicaiton of a pain patch that she was wearing, the FDA is investigating these patches as there have been many odd deaths related to them... So, please, if you're wearing a patch for chronic pain... PLEASE TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR! It broke my heart to see her family and how upset they all were! Nicole was such an amazing person, she really and truly had an infectious, lively personality!!! I will always remember her amazing stories and fun activities. And watching the three amigos will never be the same! I love you Nicole & will always remember you!

Well, that's about all the news for now, I will post pictures soon of other stuff... TTFN!

Bittersweet moment...

I took my very last "final" today. The last one I will ever take... knock on wood. The sun was beginning to set as I was walking to my car after the last test (I took two today). Knowing that it could be my last time on campus as a student, I turned around to look at the school. As I stood there, in a semi-cathartic moment, I thought: "Sigh... What an odd feeling to have this chapter in my life ending."

I am honestly a little sad, I loved going to school, learning new things, getting to know my professors and their idiosynchrisies. It sounds very nerdy to say but, that school has sort of become my second home. I feel like I know every inch of that building and a good number of the people working in it. As I turned to go back to my car, I felt like I was leaving a part of myself behind. It felt as if I was saying "goodbye" to a huge phase of my life.

You know, for about the last year I have felt like I am in a tunnel, with no light at the end. Then, all of the sudden, my final finals crept up on me! It feels surreal to think that I will never have to buy textbooks, sit through seemingly endless lectures about legal ethics or register for classes again. I honestly don't know what I'm going to do with my time after work and on the weekends. But, I can't wait to find out!

And, every once in a while, you get attacked by a police dog....

We had a guest speaker from a K-9 unit speak in my Law Society class tonight. When the speaker asked who would like to put on a sleeve and be attacked, I immedeatley volunteered. It was AWESOME! Afterwords he laughed and said that I was officially a first (I figured it was because I was the first girl to volunteer so quickly) he laughed again and said "You're the first person to ever be attacked in high heels!"

It was sweet!!!

Post Secret Adventure

As promised, here are some pictures and info about what’s been going on lately. Earlier this week, Karen (my little sister), Jared and I drove clear up to USU to hear Frank Warren speak. Frank Warren is the curator / creator of Post Secret. For anyone who hasn’t heard of it, I highly encourage you to check it out (http://www.postsecret.com/).

Anyway, Jared got off at noon and wanted to leave immediately… the only problem with that plan was that the event opened its doors at 6:00 pm. This meant that when we arrived in Logan at 1:30, we had approximately 5 hours to do…. Oh WAIT! There’s NOTHING to do in Logan! So, we drove around, went to Barnes and Noble, and then drove around trying (fruitlessly) to steal internet. Sigh, finally, they opened the doors for the event! It was really, really great!! I especially loved Frank’s closing statement (and I think it’s a mantra I will try to live by) “Free your secrets, and become who you are.”

My gorgeous sister… trying to steal internet… sinner….

Waiting, waiting, waiting…..

Ah, finally, what a great speaker!

Karen and I before the event started.

While driving around the campus, we spotted these signs… We were all a bit shocked thinking: “Boy, conference dances sure are different in Logan, I don’t remember a single naked conference dance where I live… Then we noticed the “that’s #30”….

Bueller.... Bueller....

Okay, I know I am slacking (again), but I promise to post a bunch in the next few weeks. I just haven't been doing anything very blog-worthy lately, just school and work. We did have Jared's Boss's family over for dinner last Saturday they're so fun! Their kids are the cutest and so funny! My Mom and Dad came over for dinner yesterday since Jared told me to make an extra tray of lasagna (big mistake). But, just to give you a preview of what's coming up:

Wednesday March 24th: Marketing Department Excusion to Noah's

Monday March 30th: Hair Appointment, I'm going to try something new!

Wednesday April 1st: Post Secret Event at USU

Sunday April 12th: Shannon and I are going to see WICKED (yay!)

Friday April 24th: LAST DAY OF SCHOOL EVER!!!!! HOORAY!!!

I'll post all about thses things as they happen.... until then, see you later!

Proof...

Have you ever known someone who always have to have "proof" of something before believing it? Every once in a while I will find myself doing this. But, before too long, something stops me in my tracks and reminds me that God has a hand in this world. The most recent evidence of this in my life has been Sara. She is my cousin, Annas', baby and she was born with a heart defect. I was so scared for their new little family (Sara is their first baby)!

We went to visit her in the hospital before surgery, in the N.I.C.U. (Newborn Intensive Care Unit). That is one place I can honestly say I don't EVER want to see again, it really tugged at my heart strings! But, by the miracle of modern medicine, she had her surgery and was released fromt he hospital about a week or two later!! She'll be able to live a normal life and do all the things other kids do! Holding her at the hospital after the surgery, I couldn't help but wonder: "Who would ever need more proof than this?" (I hope Anna doesn't mind me posting this photo.) Aren't they the cutest little family?

The best policy?

I would like to preface this blog by saying three things:

1) If you are not interested in reading my ramblings while standing on my soap box, please stop reading now.

2) It has been brought to my attention that my blog is “lonely.” I am sorry. I will try my best to update more often. (No, Kateka, your comment has nothing to do with this blog entry, I love you!)

3) I am ALL for honesty as it pertains to ESSENTIAL human interaction (even if it may not be very nice). For example: “Hey Bob, I am concerned that your weight may be affecting your health.” Or “You know, you should try to be more honest because your lies have hurt other people.”

Those three items being addressed, I would like to know: Is honesty ALWAYS the best policy? Or, have we come to a point in our society where we’ve taken this (and many other things) to an extreme?

Long ago in lands far away, there were certain laws called “chivalry.” For me, this brings to mind two people who have a disagreement; one confronts the other, to his face directly and voices his qualms. Now, this was usually followed by one of two things: the second person would admit their wrong-doing and a truce would be made OR they would deny their flaw and promptly be slapped across the face with a glove and be challenged to a duel. The sword fight would happen a few days later and the eventual winner would receive bragging rights. This meant he was allowed to either tell EVERYONE within earshot of the other person’s transgressions. Or, (as I believe was more unusual) take the win stoically and remain tight-lipped in order to allow the loser some amount of respect.

Granted, this amount of pompousness was bound not to last forever. This type of behavior inevitably evolved with mankind. Even a few hundred years ago in the Wild West cowboys would voice their opinions; challenge the other to a shoot-out and then give each other ten paces before promptly firing upon one another. The winner would be bought several rounds of beer and regale his bar buddies of the “evil-doers” wrongs. I suppose that in some regard (in the most formal areas of our society like business and law) we still allow our adversaries some amount of respect before tattle-taling their “misdeeds” to the public.

Now, in either setting, those who did not provide warning, be it slap in the face or “pistols at dawn”, were considered most cowardly and were socially shunned. I would dearly like to know; when did we stop providing that type of courtesy to those we were about to descend upon?

It seems that today, those who are constantly voicing their view of “just being honest,” even to the extent of brutality are considered brave, emotionally independent and strong. However, it seems to me that calling out “flaws" or pointing out unbeknownst qualms publicly and blatantly is not my idea of strength. Ensuring someone of the fact that these “dirty articles of laundry” have been voiced, discussed and beaten like dead equine (all in the convenience of your absence) seems like nothing more than cruel and unkind mistreatment.

What in the world happened to “better left unsaid?” And, for things that absolutely cannot go unsaid, what happened to giving due discretion and respect to individuals? What is wrong or “undignified” about discussing another’s flaws with them face to face BEFORE you air what you feel is their dirty laundry?

May I add: Why is it that those closest to you feel that it is “more okay” or even “their duty” to do this? Why do family members believe that they don’t hurt your feelings when they do these things? Wouldn’t it stand to reason that if you’re closer to someone’s heart, you’re in a better position to put a dagger through it?

I am not perfect, nor are you gentle reader. If I have ever done you the terrible disservice of airing your dirty laundry, I truly apologize. If I have ever pointed out to you what I felt was a “flaw” unnecessarily, I am deeply sorry. Honestly, I will do my utmost to never discuss an issue I have with an uninvolved third party. More importantly, I will never chastise you for something you’ve done or not done that has not and will not harm someone.

I pray that some day we will return to a society that values things like discretion (things better left unsaid) and addressing you face to face (mano-a-mano) before involving others.

Am I right? Or, am I over-sensitive?