Some of my close friends and family members know that I have a goal of moving to Scotland soon, hopefully this year. I've described my choice to move thusly; I feel that Scotland has been calling to me my whole life and I've been obsessed with it for over a decade. I finally feel like I'm in a position in my life to answer this call.

Some have voiced concerns of what if I realize its a mistake as soon as I go and that I'll have to turn around and come right back, some say "w...hat if you meet a man and get married?", others give me doubtful looks when I tell them that I know absolutely no one in Scotland and that I'm not worried about that. I've had a lot of people congratulate me, saying "You Go Girl!" "Go while you're young and unattached."

But the thing is, I'm not naïve.

I know that there's a lot of things that could go against my plan. I know that life could change or that I could change. I'm making huge strides in this direction; I'm in the middle of giving away a lot of my belongings and planning on selling most of my furniture. And here's the thing that I am keeping my eye on; I am open to whatever God has in store for me. It may be that I make all these changes only to stay here in the US, or even Utah (though I REALLY don't want to stay). It may be that I go back to school or become more knowledgeable in my career. Whatever happens, happens. Even if I get to Scotland and only stay 6 months - I STILL WENT! And I'm at peace with that.
Alba gu bràth!!!!

So hopefully I'll be able to write out my process as it happens so that others who want to move can have some useful advice.

Hello Void.

I have moved twice this year. First was in the middle of June to another building in my apartment complex - I took over the lease of a woman who was sharing a 3 bedroom apt. K and I move in, however K only stayed until her teaching gig was up and then moved to Texas. I really enjoyed my new roommates up our lease ended at the end of September so I have moved again. This time, I'm a 20 minute walk from my work, which is amazing. However, I have had a bit of a hard time with the woman I'm subletting from; she's changed her stories, the price and there has been a lot of communication problems due to the fact that her phone is broken. What makes the communication problem silly is, that she works at the same hospital as I do. Anyways - I moved in on the 26th of Sept and have been here a week now. I really do like this little apt and would love it, if the landlord could make the basement not smell like mold. And fix the smoke alarms. And the stair railing. And mount the toilet correctly. But he is on vacation so I will wait. I don't know how long I'll be staying here but it's month to month so that's pretty sweet. 

On the 29th of Sept, I received some really disappointing news. I had spent a long time saving and preparing for this thing that I wanted to do, but after waiting 5 1/2 months after turning my application, the answer was no. I was heart broken at first, and I didn't want to think that the 2 years that I've worked on this were a waste. I learned a lot - faith, repentance, enduring, and patience. I also learned that even though God has forgiven you your sin, there are still consequences here on Earth. So now I'm faced with a fork in the road; I don't know what to do with myself. I really want to live the rest of my life in Scotland, but there are so many hoops to jump through lined with red tape, it's very discouraging. The easiest way would definitely be to find a man in Scotland to marry, but I don't want all my hopes, plans and dreams to teeter on the edge of "maybe". I also have been thinking about going back to school. *gasp* I know - I couldn't even last a full 2 months of college before I was so done. I only finished out the year because my sister T11 convinced me to go because I was already getting the money. Phlebotomy has been fantastic, don't get me wrong - I love it. But being in Utah, the paying rate is ridiculously low. I've been thinking about becoming a Mortuary Beautician - hair and makeup for the dead. Cosmetology takes about 2 years, and Associates in Mortuary Science takes 2 years, while a Bachelors takes 4. I really want to do all my schooling in Scotland but I don't know if that is even allowed/doable. If anything, I'd love to move to up state New York - I'd love to be in Tarrytown NY in Autumn...I just want to experience live somewhere other than the western Rocky Mountains. I have so much to think about - I do know that I'll probably take the rest of this year to do that. With all the holidays coming up, plus the time I took off to move and my brother T6's wedding coming up this next weekend - heaven knows I need the money. But anyways - live continues and I must go forward. I'll try not to spend all my saved money in one place haha :)

Oh, btw - I turned 30 in September.

Vacation

I just got back yesterday from a week in my home town. I went for a few reasons, first and foremost was that I had set up three appointments with a massage therapist to help fix my hips which have been out of place for years. Second reason was that I needed a vacation - hadn't really had one in a long time and thirdly, I hadn't been back home in over a year. It was great because I told my special needs sister that I was sending a package but I didn't tell her what it was. Turns out it was me! haha She was so surprised :) I visited with my brothers and their families and got to meet one brothers fiance. The massage sessions were hard core, very enlightening and so far its worked great. I was only able to visit with one friend, some were too busy and the others have moved away. But I was able to read and finish a book in that week, which is great because I don't get to read much anymore.

Today during church, my Bishop told me that he needed to chat with me. I always get anxious when people tell me that they need to talk to me. It was ok - he extended a calling to me to be the Sunday School Class President which I accepted. He told me that all it entails is greeting people, asking for volunteers to pray and such. It doesn't seem to bad but I have a feeling that I might have to teach once in a while. But I don't think I'll mind - it'll be a new learning experience.

This Saturday I have a dentist appointment for a deep cleaning and other cavities to fix. And then my Dr. wants me to come in to do blood work. I'm kinda bummed because there is a blood drive that day and I really want to donate - I haven't donated any in a very long time. But I'm sure another opportunity will come my way.

Well that's all for now.

xo

Goodbye 2014

Well its December 31, 2014 around 9 pm and I've decided to write about my year.

The year started out rough. I wasn't in a very good place, spiritually. I had made a resolution to get right with God again. So I set up appointments with my Bishop and worked hard. By the end of April, I was sacrament worry again and I had a temporary temple recommend in hand. Also I had, for the first time, been suspended from my job as a front desk clerk/ housekeeper. And then I moved to Northern Utah blindly. I moved in with my younger sisters best friend K, and two women I didn't know - N and A. Together we became the TANK house. K is a Deaf Studies Major and both N and A are deaf. I've learned just enough to get by and I do a lot of finger spelling. After about 2 1/2 months, my job searching came to an end when I was hired on at the largest hospital in Northern Utah as a phlebotomist.

I started out as PRN (on call) and then was able to switch to part-time and then to full time. I have been extremely blessed with this job.Thankfully, even though I don't have a car, I am able to get to and from work via the bus and the train. It was kind of amazing how I got the full time position - I didn't even know it was available until a co-worker text me about it. I added my name to the long list and then, the next day, the same co-worker text me again saying that I had gotten the position. I got on my work email and sure enough, I some how beat everyone else out. A lot of people were upset, because a) I'm still fairly new and b) it is the perfect position; outpatient, Monday through Friday 8:30 - 5. But the way that I was able to do that was because they decide on attendance first and then any disciplinary action and then seniority. And at the time, I had only been late once (public transportation is mainly at fault but I won't deny that forgetting that I  was on call had something to do with it).

Then in October I was Endowed in the Mount Timpanogos Temple.
I've worked very hard to get to this point in my life and I am very please that I am able to now help others on their journey. My parents, and all 4 of my sisters were able to come, along with 2 of my brothers and their families. N and A were there along with 3 other friends. I am so glad that they were able to share this special time with me.

Then earlier this month I was able to buy some vintage reproduction dresses from a store in Ogden and was able to meet Doris Mayday, Miss Rockabilly Ruby and the owners handsome son.

   

One of my Resolutions is to not be on social media sites as often. Lately I feel like I either have nothing to say or that it takes up too much of my time with nonsense. So tonight, I deactivated my Facebook account. I've already downgraded my phone to text and talk only. And then on my kindle I'm going to uninstall all the other social media apps. I'll just keep tabs on here every once in a while because I know that no one really reads this.

So 2014 has been great for me. I've made a lot of spiritual and career advancements this year. I'm sad that 2014 is ending but I am so excited to see what God has in store for me in 2015. I do know that I'll have a lot of Doctors appointments because my benefits kick in tomorrow haha it's the first time I've ever had benefits ;)

I hope ya'll have a Happy New Years!!!

Well that wasn't expected

Alright so yesterday I missed a work meeting because I was babysitting all day. So when I turned the keys in at work, my boss asked if I had time to go over what was talked about. He handed me a list of what was talked about - the second thing on the list was about cleaning the rooms (side note - I was hired to be a front desk clerk but because this is our slow season, clerks were asked to help clean the rooms to help save money. When we were asked, I wasn't at the other property so I didn't agree.). I told him that I hate cleaning the rooms; I didn't apply for that, didn't agree to it and I'm not being paid to do it. I have bad hips, which affects my back, knees and feet. Ive been limping for 2 weeks. I cant afford to put myself in harms way - physically or monetarily. He said that he didn't want me to be in pain, or see me in pain but didn't want to fire me because I couldn't do my job. He said that there weren't any positions at the other hotel (which I was originally hired at) to switch me to, so he kindly suggested that I start looking for another job. He also asked me to keep him updated on whether or not I had found a new job.

....

It looks like that opportunity is looking more and more like what I should be doing. I guess its time to buckle down and take advantage of the month and a half I have left to take care of business.

wishes and fishes

I wish I could help my best friend TK. I wish I had the money and the time to rescue her from the awful situation that she's in despite her best efforts. And I wish I could scoop up her kids A and K so that she could get some rest and relaxation. I wish I could take them to a kids museum, a park and out to eat - just spend time with them all. I wish I could, but I can't and my heart aches because of that. 

Rant

If someone has set rules concerning themselves and what you are allowed to do to them THOSE RULES ARE NOT MEANT TO BE BROKEN! Don't give the bullshit nonsense about "rules are meant to be broken". It's one thing to push the boundaries of society or when you're in elementary school and still learning, but not when you're a grown person! That, is boarding on rape. Cut that shit out, respect other people's rules and don't you DARE treat them like shit when they get upset at you for braking those rules and reinforcing them. Grow the hell up!