New Chapter in Life, New Blog

Well guess what....IM ENGAGED! Jordan and I just made a blog so I guess this is my last post on this blog. Please check out my new blog and read all about us! Love you all

www.jordanandrachelnelson.blogspot.com

Note to Self: PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR SURROUNDINGS!

The past few weeks I have been trying to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. I must say that drinking that much water causes me to visit the restroom several times a day.

At work there are two bathrooms, the one downstairs and the one upstairs. I work on the first floor, so the downstairs bathroom and I are great friends. Well, today I was on my break at work and I really had to go to the restroom (for about the 7th time that day-no joke) and I decided that the first floor bathroom had probably seen enough of me, so I decided to take a little walk and go to the upstairs bathroom. As I was journeying up to the bathroom I was in my own little world-needless to say I was not paying attention to my surroundings or where I was going. As I entered what I thought was the women’s bathroom I saw a woman that looked EXACTLY like a man. Thinking I had entered into the men’s restroom and feeling pretty embarrassed I loudly state,

"OH MY GOSH! IM SO SORRY! I TOTALLY THOUGHT THIS WAS THE WOMENS RESTROOM!!!"

I ran out of the bathroom and headed for the one next to it only to find out that I really was in the women’s restroom. I feel terrible. How could I have made such a mistake? Oh man I most definitely learned my lesson on this one.

Happy Happy Joy Joy

I am having such a great summer! I have done so many great and exciting things. I am really enjoying work and my time here at home. I am so excited for the next couple of months, i have so much to look forward to. Here is my list of events:

#1-Going to Seattle to be a bridesmaid in Kayli's wedding
#2-Going to Disneyland with Jenna
#3-Being a bridesmaid in Ashley's wedding
#4-GRANT COMES HOME!
#5-Possibly another trip to Disneyland with Grant and his family

Okay here is the most recent picture of myself. I just got glasses and I am trying really hard to get used to them. So far they bug the heck out of me, but they do make a huge difference. i had no idea my eyes were so bad.

Im a Little Excited

4 MONTHS! 4 MONTHS! 4 MONTHS! 4 MONTHS!

FOUR MONTHS TILL GRANTIE PIE GETS HOME

I Guess I Learned My Lesson

WARNING!!! THIS IS A LONG POST...I JUST WANT TO REMEMBER EVERY DETAIL YEARS FROM NOW.

Let me start of with a little background info:

Winter semester ended early April this year. Shortly after that I made my way back home to Utah to live and work for the next year. If you know me you know that: #1-I get stressed out way too easily. #2- I hate sitting around. and #3- my biggest fear is not having a job when I desperately need one. As soon as I got home from school I started my mad hunt for a job. I even passed up a trip to Disneyland with the family so I could look for a job. For the first week or so I found nothing, heck I did not even hear back from any place I applied to. Then I called Alpine School District and Nordstrom to see if they had any open positions available. Luckily they both did. Right after I scored those two jobs I got a call back from a company that I interviewed with a few days earlier. I got three jobs in one day. I was very excited. I would sub once a week, work epiphany media center 4-5 days a week for 8 hours a day, and go to Nordstrom a couple of nights a week to work a closing shift. It was an ideal schedule. Too bad it only lasted one month. School got out so I no longer had a sub job, Nordstrom cut back my hours to 5- 10 hours a week, and epiphany media center had a significant drop is business and had to lay me off (stupid economy). So I was back at square one...this is where the story begins...

When I first started searching for jobs I filled out an application to work at ebay in SLC. I got an interview and they immediately told me after the interview that they had no openings. I did not really care because I never actually thought I would get a job at such an established company. Then I got the three jobs and life was great.

The day after I got laid off I started my mad hunt for a job again. I was pretty discouraged at this point. Putting yourself out there and being rejected time after time is very emotional. Then, a few days ago I got a call from Jeremy at Ebay. He said that they had a job opening and thought I would be the perfect canidate for it. I was thrilled. He offered me AMAZING pay, full benefits, a 401k, paid time off, 155 shares of stock for the company, etc etc. Without even thinking one second I accepted the job. Right before I hung up with Jeremy he said, "oh i forgot to tell you something. you will be working sunday-thursday." my heart sank as he told me that. i still accepted the job thinking there must be some way to get around working on sunday. I finally convinced myself that it would be alright if i worked every sunday and I just went to one hour of church every sunday from here on out. after all, it was an amazing job offer, and I was so sick of searching for a job.

I talked to my mom, big d, janelle, louisa, and rob about the job offer to see what they had to say about it. They all told me that i should not take the job and I will be blessed. My mom even said, "Heavenly Father is testing you right now. You got this amazing job offer but you have to work a full day on Sunday.He wants to see what you will do and if you have enough faith." That night I read my patriarchal blessing and I have a whole paragraph dedicated to keeping the sabbath day holy. That is when I knew that I should turn down the job. The next day I had to go into Ebay to sign some paperwork. I had full intentions to talk to somebody about the sunday shift.

When I arrived at ebay to sign paperwork I realized it was a group tour of the company, a group company welcome, and a group signing of paperwork. It was a little awkward to talk about my Sunday shift in front of a group. AFter i went on the tour of the company I fell in love and I once again decided that maybe I should keep the job. As I was driving home from ebay I got the idea to keep the job for the 6 week training (you do not work on sundays when you are training)and keep on searching for a job and then just quit once i found a job. (not the most honest thing to do, but i am in need of money)

once i got home I had a feeling to email my boss and let her know that I can not work on sunday. i told her that due to my religious beliefs and practices I would not be able to attend work on sunday, but i would still love the opportunity to still work there if they could just give me sunday's off. about a half hour later i get an eamil back basically saying:tough luck. take the shift or leave. i was back to discouraged mode. Doing the right thing is not always easy.

about 5 minutes after reading the email from my manager, I get a call from her. she said, "Rachel you will never believe this. Between the time I sent that email and the time I am calling you right now, someone has quit and a sat/sun off shift is available. would you like it?" i think i screamed into the phone, "YES!" I really was being tested and I chose the right thing to do. Heavenly Father in return blessed me with a great shift and an even better offer.

I know this all happened because I paid my tithing on sunday, i attended all 3 hours of church on sunday (even thought I only wanted to stay for 2), I listened to the council of my parents, and I trusted in the Lord. Life is good when you follow the commandments of God. I guess I learned my lesson:always keep the sabbath day holy.

I Do Not Run....

So I decided about 2 months ago I wanted to run a 1/2 marathon (about 13 miles). I wanted to do this to lose a little weight, get in shape, etc etc. Well I started training and realized that running a 1/2 marathon is a little too ambitious. I decided that I would start with a 10k. So right now I am training for a 10k (about 8 miles). I an kind of nervous to do this because I AM NOT A RUNNER. Luckily, Grant's sister Katie will be doing it with me. The race is August 22 in Orem. Wish me luck. If anyone wants to join just let me know.

ABC's (I was tagged)

A- Attached or Single: a little bit of both
B- Best Friend: I have way too many...my sisters and mom, GRANT, shannon, ash hole, chels, etc.
C- Cake or Pie: CAKE! i love cake
D- Day of choice: friday. because you can stay out late because you know that you can sleep in the next day and you know you have two days ahead of you to do NOTHING
E- Essential Item: cell phone
F- Favorite Color: changes daily, but almost always is purple
G- Gummy Bears or Worms: worms
H- Hometown: Lindon, Utah
I- Indulgence(s): florence chocolates, designer jeans, shoes, and brownies
J- January or July: January...BIRTHDAY MONTH!
K- Kids: Not yet. i should probably get married first
L- Life is incomplete without: My family, the church, my education
M- Marriage Date: single
N- Number of Siblings: 4 sisters, 1 brother
O- Oranges or Apples: oranges
P- Phobias or Fears: the back side of someones wrist
R- Reason to Smile: grant comes home soon!
S- Season: spring /fall. not too hot, not too cold
T- Television Show: desperate housewives, greys anatomy, SYTYCD, ellen and oprah
U- Unknown Fact About Me: my idea of fun is taking a nap and watching ellen and oprah
V- Very Favorite Store: Nordstrom, buckle and express
W- Worst Habit: sleeping in and not getting ready for work
X- X-ray or Ultrasound: I have only had an x-ray, so x-ray
Y- Your Favorite Food: anything mexican or italian
Z- Zodiac: Cancer. Aquarius.

I tag: bj, emma, christine, louisa,ash hole

A New Goal

After dealing with grumpy people all day long at work, I have decided that I need to make a personal change. I am going to make a goal to always be happy. Grumpy people are not very much fun and I do not want to be one of those grumpy people.

For BJ...New Hair

This is for you Barb, my new hair. Not the greatest picture because i took it from my cellphone, at work, with crappy lighting. I look kinda odd...

Minesweeper

Im obsessed. I cant stop. I am addicted to MINESWEEPER. I have a serious problem. I sit at my computer at work and play Minesweeper alllllll day long. It has gotten to the point that I will not leave work until I have beat my fastest time record from the day before. Yes, I am a nerd.

Cinnamon Toast....A Family Favorite...

As far back as I can remember, my mom has made me this breakfast. In fact, i woke up this morning and my mom had a slice of this toast waiting for me on the kitchen counter. As a kid I used to love when mom would make this treat, but this morning as I was eating it I started thinking about what I was eating....

1 piece of Grandma Sycamore bread (white, of course)
1/2 a stick of salted sweet cream butter (okay i am exaggerating just a tiny bit)
3 Tbs. sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Dont worry, Im sure this breakfast incldes: love handles, cellulite, and a double chin. Maybe next time I will opt for a different breakfast. Sure tastes good though :)

Home Sweet Home

Im home now. Living at home has its ups and downs. I miss my roommates, the 24 hour social life, school, Rexburg, doing whatever whenever you want etc etc. I do however LOVE free laundry (saves me $10-$15 every week), free food, free rent, my family, my friends from high school, being close to my second home (Nordstrom-hehe), seeing Grant's family more often, making money, etc etc. I am also excited that I am done with school for 9 months!

The move back home was fine. I always HATE moving. I have to admit that I am only half unpacked. :| My first week back home I started my mad hunt for a job. I think that first week I sent out over 200 resumes. Unfortunately, I did not find a job. I was very discouraged. My whole life I have always been able to find a good job. The second week I was home I was able to get my substitute teaching job back. I quickly filled my week with teaching jobs. On Tuesday of last week, I got a call from a guy I interviewed with the previous week, and he offered me a job. I was so excited. So was able to score two jobs!! Oh and later on that week I was shopping at Nordstrom and they offered me a job as a rover! So anytime Nordstrom has extra shifts they give them to me.

So I started my job yesterday. It is interesting. I sit on the computer all day and answer in bound phone calls. Pretty boring, but it is a job. Well that is it for me.

ps: grant comes home in 5.5 months :)

Catch Up Time

Wow it has been way too long since I have been on here. So here is a little catch up on my life.

December 2008: I finished my thrid semester of school. I went home for winter break and I worked at Nordstrom in the hangbag department. I spent Christmas at home and I got to talk to Grant on Christmas day. I rang in the year 2009 with my family.

January 2009: I started my fourth semester of school. I moved back into my old apartment with some new roommates. My roommates this semester were Ashley Smith (from Rexburg), Bailie Kuehn (from Kaysville), Kayli (from Seattle), Beki (from England), and Lauren Smith (Georgia). We all get along great and became great friends. I turned 20 years old on the 20th!!! CRAZY! i am so old. I am taking Physical Science, Geography, 2 study skills classes, Family History, and the History of Education this semester. I have a full load but i am very eager to get into major classes.

February 2009: Grant sent me flowers on Valentine's day. he is so sweet. Grant and I started dating two years ago on the 7th. I had midterms and did really well on all of them. I had tons of fun with my roommates and the snow was sooooooooo bad this month.

March 2009: Just the same old routine school, homework, gym, and friends. Due to some events in my life I found out that I will NOT be returning to Arizona in the summer and I will be going home to Utah instead. Kayli and Ashley both got engaged this month and I will be bridesmaids in both their weddings. :)

The semester is ending this week. I am excited for the warm weather, summer activites, moving home, working, and having fun with old friends this summer. I am not excited to find a job in this terrible economy! I will keep you all posted on the job search.

Here are a few pictures from this semester...

This is me and my newest bestest friend Ashley. I swear we are twins seperated at birth. All semester people thought we were twins or sisters.

Me and all of my roommates. There is Me, Ashley, in the blue dress is kayli, bailie, lolo, beki and rachel (beki's sister)

My birthday! My roommates took my to Red Robin (an apartment favorite). We have Me, Lolo, Ashley, and Mallory.

They made me wear ballons while they sang happy birthday to me at the restaurant.

Ash and I love to eat! This is our late night run to DQ to get corndogs.

Oh this is me all ready to go to Ashley's birhtday party.

The pretty flowers i got from Grant.

I love him so much. 6 more months!

I forgot to tell about my trip to Utah! In March all six kids were at home! this is me, all my sisters, and my mommy. we are all best friends.

Janelle and I. she is getting soooo old. She even has a cute little boyfriend (Ryan). He fits in perfectly with our family.

I love my sisters :)

My Friend Asher

My good friend from school passed away this past week. here is his obituary...

Asher Moshe Flans Palmer
Asher Moshe Flans Palmer 2/4/1989 ~ 1/28/2009 On January 28, 2009 Asher Moshe Flans Palmer was called home to Our Father's presence whilst he slept. Asher was known for his amazing smile, strong body, and athletic skill. He was a big flirt with an outgoing personality, clever wit, and a "whole lotta chutzpah."Asher was born February 4, 1989 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He graduated from Brighton High School in 2007 and then attended BYU-Idaho. He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served as assistant executive secretary. He excelled in tennis, baseball, and football. He enjoyed scout trips, camping, and hiking. He especially liked being deep in the Grand Canyon. Asher loved life candy, cereal, Dr. Pepper, and Caf� Rio. Asher loved his mother and he was the joy of her life. Above all Asher loved his Father in Heaven. He had a strong testimony and wanted to do what was right while here on earth. Now, he will preach the gospel along side his brother Ryan who preceded him in death. Asher is survived by mother Sherri Palmer, father Kent Palmer, siblings; Georgia Ladd (Eric), Amber Marcello (Anthony), Page Hoppe (Lincoln), Hubbel Palmer, Taliatha Holmes (Rob), Etienne Palmer, grandparents Sam and Mildred Gold, 11 nieces and seven nephews. Funeral services will be held Monday, February 2, 2009, 11:00 a.m. at the Butler West Stake Center, 1845 East 7200 South. Friends may call at the Cannon Mortuary, 2460 E. Bengal Blvd. (7600 S.) Sunday from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. and the day of the service at the Church from 10:00 - 10:45 a.m. Interment Elysian Burial Gardens. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the LDS Church missionary fund.

Gotta Love Her

Well I have officially started my fourth semester here at BYUI. I will post more about that later but first I need to tell you all about my newest roommate who happens to be a freshmen. Meet Lauren Smith (AKA LoLo). She is from Georgia. This is her first time ever out on her own and I am lucky enough to witness all of the emotions and life lessons she is learning while being out on her own. Let’s just say that she is learning quite a bit.

yes this is her....So time for story #1 about LoLo: this is her first time ever experiencing winter. so one night, all of us roommates were walking over to an indoor pool party and LoLo kept on slipping on all the ice that was on the sidewalk. well after about five slips you would think you would figure out how to maintain your balance on ice, oh no...she slipped again! but this time she slipped and slid underneath a car. The good news is she has invested in strap on ice picks for her shoes.

Story #2- LoLo decided to do the dishes. She put all the dishes in the dishwasher and then put dish soap in the dishwasher. 30 minutes later i walk into a flooded kitchen. What a mess.

Story #3- LoLo cooking-She was making potato soup for our sunday dinner and peeled the potatoes in the kitchen sink. Well needless to say, our sink clogged. So LoLo decided to fix the problem by vacuuming the potato skins out from the sink! The sink was still clogged but luckily we found this handy gent in our ward to come fix it. we had to flush it all the junk down the toilet.

This semester has been very entertaining so far. Gotta love LoLo. Thank you LoLo for all the great laughs.

Caitlyn's Wedding

Caitlyn got married in November. Here is a picture of the beautiful bride and her three bridesmaids at her luncheon.

My Adventure With Chelsea

My first night back in Utah I went out with my best friend Chelsea. We first had to find a "clean" gas station so Chelsea could fill up her car. Chelsea is a germophob and will only go to "clean gas stations" and once she gets there she has to use a paper towel touch everything.

The rest of the night was spent going to starbucks, hanging out with old friends, and going to a Christmas singing party.