South Carolina

I know, I know...it's been so long, I bet you never thought you would hear from me again. Surprise!!! I'm back. I have taken a short break due to some intense illnesses and the problem that is not having wireless internet. I miss being able to use my laptop. So anyway on to the interesting stuff... YAY I went to South Carolina!!! It was so fun to see my sister Melissa and her family (Andy and Stella). I sure miss them since they live so far away. At least I was able to have some fun with them before the new little one joins the family in January.

Well on to our doings. We got to go to a real live southern beauty pageant! Here we are trying to look like beauty queens ourselves. I thought I could out do any of those dames onstage since I was Miss Teen San Bernardino County...hahaI definitely enjoyed spending time with my sweet little niece Stella. She is so cute and funny and precious and adorable etc. I love seeing her personality. It took her awhile to warm up, but she was flashing that million dollar smile. I was lucky to catch a few of those on camera...gotta love the hat.
I think the first day that we went out exploring in South Carolina, we went to Columbia. It is the capitol so it's pretty interesting to look around. We wanted to go tubing down the river, but the water was dirty...so that plan was spoiled. Instead we went to look around Andy's law school and picked up some snazzy University of South Carolina gear and looked around the governer's mansion. There were really pretty gardens there so in true Lund fashion, we photo shooted it up. Here's one of the girls...
On one of the many shopping excursions we went on, we decided that Stella needed to be fitted for a bra. Melissa wasn't sure if it was a little premature, but you can never be too on the ball about something as important as this. I'm not sure this one was her size, but the jury's still out.

There really is nothing in the world like a sister. I love my sisters with all my heart. I love when we are together. We can talk about so many things and we have gone through so much of life together it is just a unique bond. It was refreshing to have my sisters with me. I love seeing my sister as a mother. We are very different, but then again so similar. She has given me courage and strength to know that I can do it too.
I love my sisters! Julie is so funny and can imitate any and everyone. She is also always prepared and can be counted on. Melissa has a view on the world that opens my eyes and speaks to me. She knows how to explain confusing things and make them seem simple. They are the best sisters for me!
We couldn't go to South Carolina and not visit Charlotte. So we did. We started with some pizza at Mellow Mushroom...so good...and then headed to shopping. The buildings are surreal there. They are all old fashioned and connected. We lucked out and found some fantastic finds too. Very satisfying. We then drove around and looked at the most beautiful colonial style beach houses. I thought..."hey people, share the love...give me just one of the floors in this 4 story mansion." I mean hey, I'm sure they got plenty to spare. We ended the day with a trip to the beach. How could we not? It was the first time ever I touched the Atlantic. It was WARM!! How trippy was that? I loved it though. I love any day at the beach.

It was so sad to leave, but our time was up and at least I know that we are family and will be seeing each other again. I can only hope sooner rather than later.

I got a PASS!!!

Can you think of the happiest place on earth?? I sure can...it's DISNEYLAND! Well, as of yesterday, I am officially a pass holder. I love going to Disneyland and since I am in the vicinity, I got a pass. I got the Deluxe so that I can go with Julie. It will be sister bonding.
Yesterday was just one of the best days. For one it was beautiful, I sat by a pond with lovely company, I went to Disneyland and then I went shopping at Nordstrom. Does it get any better?

I went to Disneyland with David. I told him that I had never been on the Buzz Lightyear ride, so we went on it first thing. Despite his efforts, I won! (Don't judge our scores, we were spending more time trying to get the other to not shoot than actually shooting). I look funny in the picture; I think it's something between laughing and trying to aim. So fun...I need to go again...soon. Any takers?

GRADUATION!!!

Hip Hip HOORAY!!! I graduated from Brigham Young University on Friday April 25, 2008. It was a good four years, a time that I will always remember. Isn't it true that we never know what we have until it's gone. While I was going to school, all I wanted was to be done. Now that I am done, I realize how good I had it. College really is a fun time. The only thing I really had to worry about was having fun...what is going on this night or that night. Don't get me wrong, I am so glad that I am done and I am ready to move on with my life, but I will always look back on this time of my life with fond memories.My family came to support me on my special day(s). We had commencement on Thursday, Elder Bednar spoke. Then I had convocation on Friday, Elder L. Tom Perry spoke and shook my hand! Melissa was able to fly in from South Carolina with Stella. I think this was the best part of graduating. I miss them when they are gone. I started college iwth Melissa there and I was able to finish it with her there. Thanks Melissa!
I might not miss writing papers, doing projects, and reading chapters and chapters of boring text books, but I will tell you...I am going to miss these ones with all my heart. I was able to graduate with my best friends...how fun is that! Todd, Cindy, Darren, Noelle and I all rode together to commencement and sat by eachother for the ceremony. They are the greatest friends and I have had so much fun with them. For example - liars dice, Betos, Jason's Deli, Disneyland, Pocatello, Sanchez family sleepover with trivial pursuit that Darren rocked, coke zero, iphones, celebrity apprentice and the list goes on and on. I love you and will miss you til we meet again. *muah*
The girls...I have a few words. Whitney Houston, mechanical monkey, theater room, Betos, fake bling rings, free donuts, dance parties, sleep overs, that's what she said, maverick's frozen yogurt, Jason's Deli (best night of my life), Timmy and Miller, Domi Book Hub, etc. I will LOVE you girls FOREVER!!!!!
WE DID IT!!! Our classic pose.

Pro Packer

You would think that after moving 6 times during college that I would be an expert at packing right? Well, I don't think that practice has made perfect on this one. I don't know maybe someday....but as for now, it takes me a couple of weeks to get everything rounded up and ready to go. I just don't know the best places to put things. I want everything to be organized and orderly, but I can't seem to get it right. There is always more and more...it never ends.

On the flip side...I have actually really enjoyed this day. I slept in, but once I was awakened by a phone call I started on Laundry. I did 5 loads of laundry today! And guess what...I liked it! You just put it in, change it, fold it up and put it away. I love the smell of the dryer and freshly cleaned clothes. I also got to watch Friends while I folded. Along with laundry, I was able to organize some school files, shave my legs, curl my hair, and liven up my face with some make-up. And to come...I will be getting a pedicure with Noelle and Emily. It's a little graduation gift to ourselves. What a great day. I just hope it continues this well and I am able to get all of my stuff organized and packed. Then it's Hello California!

ABC, as easy as 123, as simple as Do Re Mi

You know that joke where people tell you to go back to Kindergarten because you don't know something that you should have learned then. Well I think I was told that too many times because I actually did. And guess what?!?! I actually learned a lot! Ha Ha , I really enjoyed myself. I made tons of friends and I know all my letters and sounds. AND I can read! Hip hip hooray.

I'm done with my student teaching! I finished last Friday and now I am a college graduate! I loved my students and I worked with an amazing mentor teacher. 5/6 year olds really are entertaining, I was constantly getting cracked up (I'm not so sure that phrase works that way). Here is a picture of my morning class. They are so darn cute!


And here is my afternoon class. They just loved me if you can't tell. The feeling was mutual. I feel like I'm in a Where's Waldo book...can you find me?

Festival of Colors

A weekend or so ago, my friends and I (along with the rest of Provo) went to a Hindu temple to attend the annual Festival of Colors. This is a spicy little celebration of Spring. Everyone gets a bag of colored corn starch and at the same time ethey throw it all over each other. I was unable to participate in this part of the celebration because I decided that I had a duty to relieve my bladder as to not cause an infection. Due to this, I stood in line for the porta potty for 30 minutes and viewed the celebration from the other side of the temple. It looked as though I was a part of Aladdin and I was witnessing the genie coming out of the lamp. The color puff was everywhere. The others quite enjoyed themselves, but they couldn't breath well and their snot was colored. I enjoyed looking at the Hindu temple both inside and out. I don't intend on converting any time soon...I'm not so sure I could stop eating their gods.
Me, Meg and Noelle frolicking on the temple.


Look at all the people...
This was after they were bombed with color.

Back to Second Grade

For the last seven weeks, I have been teaching in Mrs. Sally Curletto's second grade class. I LOVED teaching with Sally and those kids. I felt so comfortable with them and we all had such a fun time together. I taught the students dances, songs in sign language and all about rocks. Sally and I had a great time working out together to 80's teen workout, talking, and going to lunch. I'm learning more and more that I have such a capacity to love, and I have a hard time with change. It is hard to let the class go.

You know the kids really did love me too...here is a picture to show you just how much. Here are the presents they gave me for Valentine's Day. Who needs a Valentine when you have a class of 24 students?

On my last day of teaching, the students planned a surprise party for me (my first one!). They brought tons of treats and the movie "Snowbuddies." They all made me the sweetest cards...I cried. I think that I am going to make a scrapbook with all of the cute things I got from my student teaching students.

California Dreamin...

This past Friday I finished up my first block of student teaching (pictures coming soon). I was priveleged to have the next Monday and Tuesday off from school and, therefore, go home to California. It wasn't sunny the whole time I was there, but it definitely gave me sunshine the last couple of days. I got my mom to let Julie come home from school early and we had a barbeque and jumped on the trampoline. It was a blast! The steaks were fantastic. Great job mom! Surprisingly enough...I got hot! Woo hoo it's like a miracle.

Another highlight of the trip was going out with the Christiansen girls. We have been friends since before I was born. We had so much fun laughing and eating...it's what we do best! Friends forever!

No Pain No Gain

Tonight on our way home from Idaho Noelle brought up waxing our legs. Of course I'm always down to do something that happens at a spa, so I agreed. We got home and went straight to work. As you can see from the picture it was all fun and games in the beginning. It actually didn't hurt that bad, but I probably wont give up shaving as my number one hair removal technique.

Second Stage

I worked a little more on my painting and figured I would show you all my progress. I have only worked on the mountains and water so far. I am really proud because I did it all by myself. Noelle gave me no help or tips. It was a blast! Hope you like. Noelle was working on a painting of the San Diego Temple that she gave to her friend that just got married. She finished it in two days...impressive!