Drive to Jackson, Wyoming

DAY ONE:

I left Thatcher about 730 in the morning. My car was packed and I was rearing to go. I was super sad to leave. I didn't really think people cared about me. Leaving, changed that! I have felt so loved and all the goodbyes that have been given are super appreciated. Work was especially hard. I have loved those kids like my own. I know that they love me right back and I miss that love daily. Several parents gave me cards and I will cherish them forever. What they said made all the sacrifice and work that I put into the classroom and teaching worth it. I also will miss the ladies and the fun times we had.

So I, of course, did not find my digital camera till I got to wyoming. I did have a disposable one a friend gave me, which I used, just don't know when I will get it developed! I passed through Northern Arizona aka Lake Powell which was GORGEOUS!! When I come back, I will be taking lots of pictures WITH a digital! While driving over the dam, my brand-new 44oz pepsi flew over my whole seat. To say I was mad is an understatement! It completely soaked my directions and seat. Luckily I have leather, so crisis was adverted with a few cleaning wipes! On my way to Cedar City, I had to go through some mountains. It totally started SNOWING! So, I rolled down my window, and stuck the camera out and took loads of pictures! It was so pretty and exciting to see lakes frozen over and people riding snowmobiles. You never see that in Arizona! Finally I got into Cedar City about 6 in the evening. Felt a little foolish. I was wearing shorts and flip flops while everyone else was bundled up. Hopefully my ASU tshirt explained myself!

DAY TWO:

This day started out much later than planned. I did not sleep well during the night. I have a habit of stressing myself out which means sickness and not much sleep. I finally fell into a deep sleep around 4 in the morning and ended up not leaving cedar city till 930. The drive through utah was a little boring but I did enjoy seeing all the temples as I passed them on the 15. Idaho was really pretty too but Wyoming takes the cake! The pass throught the Teton Mountains is breathtaking. Its still covered in snow since spring just barely started, but beautiful nonetheless. Once I got into town, my roommate Wendy helped me unload and took me into jackson. While driving there she warned me about moose in the area. Her and our other roommate saw one by our apartment the day before and then again near the road. SCARY!!! Don't know how I will react when I encounted wildlife. Anyways, she took me on a little tour of the town. The whole time I kept thinking, what in the world am I doing here! This place is tiny and very woody and cowboyish! They have a kmart, albertsons, smiths, dollar tree, few fast food places, and of course, loads of tourist shops and expensive restaurants! Its very charming though. I just have to get into the groove and get out and live it up here. Which I plan to do!!!

ERrrR.....REWiNd!!!

Tomm and Courtney had a baby!!! It's been so long that I can't remember when. March? They named her Amy and she is seriously so adorable. When that girl gets older she will be a heartbreaker!

Geeners got married in November!!! I was fortunate to be a "bridesmaid." I loved seeing her all made up in a pretty dress. She truly married the best guy for her and I am so happy that she found Travis:)




Canyon was baptised in February. I was asked to speak on the Holy Ghost. It was a neat experience and so fun to have family together. I am proud of Canyon and the decision he made to become a member of the church.

I turned 27 in February.YEEEHAWW....not even close.

Went to Disneyland in March. Met Woody. Got my picture and took it back to my work (preschool). One of the boys is obsessed with Toy Story. This picture made me officially the coolest teacher ever!

I April I decided to take a job in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Its kind of a cool story how it came about. Its no secret I have been struggling in Thatcher. While I loved my job, the rest of my life was stale and I was not progressing in the least bit. I was in fact, degressing. One day my friend Wendy told me about a job position in Jackson. There was one spot left and asked me to send in my resume over the weekend. I forgot about it and figured they had filled the spot. She texted me the following week and asked me to send it in. The hiring person (Heidi) was waiting for it and had recieved other applicants. So I emailed it to her and within a week I got the job. I prayed and the way it has all come together so quickly its the right thing to do. While I am absolutely terrified, its an adventure and I will grow from it. So here I come Jackson!!

Don't Judge

Its now the eve of february first, and you know what....






MY CHRISTMAS TREE IS STILL UP!





So if you are in some dire need of christmas cheer, come on over! It will feel like december never left!

Two Thousand and Ten...Bring it On!

2009 was a hard year. Seriously, I hated this last year, actually more like the last three, but in this past year, I have seen myself become someone I never thought I would be. I won't go into details, but I'm not proud of who I have become and choices I have made. While I know no one is perfect, we can strive to be and I haven't been. My life has consisted of making it through the day, sometimes, hour by hour, and not much more. I've let things slip and before I knew it, they had became habits. Now good and healthy actions that were once second nature, are now super hard and incredibly difficult to do. Regardless, the mark of a new year, and even more importantly, a new decade, means change. A change for the better. A time for me, Dasha, to GROW UP. A period were I will take responsibility for my actions. A decision to let go of the past and all of its hurts, regrets, and all the what-ifs. I plan to be happy again. To smile and mean it. To love unconditionally regardless of the consequences. To be a spiritual giant, someone who will stand before others and represent the church of Jesus Christ in a way that is good. I want to be close to those around me and let them back into my life and likewise be let back into theirs. I no longer want to be alone. No more a shadow or recluse from the world. No more. That's it...I'm done with that person and all the anger and hurt that she has been wrapped up in.

So with this new year means change and control.

Its my life. Time I started acting like it. And I gotta say, I am pretty darn excited about it!

MR. HOTNESS HIMSELF

KEITH URBAN!!! Gina and I had the best time this night. It was exactly what we needed and it could not have been funner. We got to see Mr. Hotness himself put on an awesome show. He even had a stage in the back and performed there for awhile so everyone had a great view. Keith also had an amazing LIGHT UP guitar that left us all in awe and wanting one. I swear I can turn my GH into one with some christmas lights and a drill. Anyway, we had a blast and did not want the night to end!

Gina and I waiting for Keith

There he is!! I hate my camera it makes him looker farther away than he really was

Keith and all his hotness....There was a stupid black chimney thing hanging from the ceiling in front of the screens that kept getting in all the shots, made me mad!

I love a man that plays guitar!

So stinkin' excited!

Our awesome feet

This guitar was AWESOME!!! It lit up! It was prob one of the coolest things I've ever seen...I will try and post the video I have of it

Dancin' and have a good time!

Nearin' the end...

Keith talked about the hard times we are all facing and ended the show with "Better Life"

The end...so fun...the usher man took this for us before he kicked us out!

We decided last minute to buy tshirts....I can't remember a concert were I didn't buy one and Gina's had a huge map on the back so she had to buy it (geography major)!

FOR YOU JULEE:

THE AMAZING LIGHT-UP GUITAR:

Gina's Graduation Party

Gina graduated from ASU in May and to celebrate, we had a bowling/guitar hero party. It was way fun and we all had a good time....

FOTC

Back in May, we went and saw Flight of the Conchords live. Holy cow. It was fun, a little dirty but still a good time....it ended up being Scott, Gina, and myself. Gina bought her ticket off Craig's List that day so she had WAY better seats than us. Scott and I were literally in the last row in the highest section and Gina was three rows from the front (I think). Scott had never seen them before, he maybe youtubed them before coming so it was fun seeing him react to their songs. It was so funny after the show. We were in the parking garage waiting to leave ina huge line Gina jumped out of Scott's car to go see her sister real quick. We suddenly starting moving pretty fast. I tried getting Gina's attention but since I have the world's quietest voice, it didn't work. We are going down the levels, and Scott tells me he thinks he hears someone yelling, "Stop!" I told him he was crazy and we kept going. We finally stop and we hear this super loud sound of someone's flip flops hitting the cement. We look back and I start laughing SO HARD. It was Gina running like crazy yelling at us.....it was so ubelievably funny watching her! I felt super bad but luckily she has a good sense of humor and didn't mind the uncontrollable laughing I did for prob the next twenty minutes...wish I would have caught it on tape, it seriously was funny:)