My Last First Day of School

Today the 2012-2013 school year began...I started my new internship today and my first day of classes are tomorrow. It will be my last first day of school for myself. It is a little weird to think about. Its something that makes me really excited to think that after this year I will never have to go back to school again - but it also just doesn't seem real.  It shouldn't seem that weird to me because I worked for a year in between college and graduate school. But that's just it. I knew I was going back to school eventually and was just taking a break. After this year I won't just be taking a break. I will be done - forever. Weird.

I still feel like a child in some ways. I still feel like I have so much to learn. I still feel like school is the way of life that I'm comfortable with. I am good at school. Its my thing. Give me a bunch of reading to do, papers to write, & tests to take. Piece of cake. Easy Cheesy. I always pull through. But life....well life just looks so big and intimidating. I did my internship at the State Prison and I loved it. I have mentioned it before in previous blogs. That was a real job basically. I did everything the full time staff does except with fewer clients. I did well. But in my head the entire time I knew that I was going back to school. Next time there won't be that thought. How odd.

I am excited for what this last school year brings and more importantly for what life after this school year brings. I believe it will be challenging but so rewarding. It will just take me sometime to fully wrap my mind around the concept. But I know it will be good and that I can succeed in whatever comes.

And so here is to tomorrow. ....... Fist pump in the air!!!!! I'm going to rock my last first day of school!!!!!!!

Sunny California!

So last week I finished my internship at the prison - which was a bittersweet experience. I was so sad to leave and yet I'm so excited for my new internship. Since I don't start my new internship until next week I decided to take advantage of my break to go visit my dad in California. And to make it even better, Matt took time off work to go down with me. :)


We went to City Walk ...Matt wouldn't stand still for a picture unless I was in it with him as can be seen below.

Then we went to Six Flags. Remind me to avoid that park in August. I forget how hot and packed it gets. I think next time I want to go to Disneyland.  

 (Matt never takes a picture without making a face so I gave in & made a face only to have him pose normally. Figures.) 

(After every ride his hair would look like such. hahaha)

We also went to the beach with Aubrey & Erica....

 (Matt thinks I don't know how to put sunscreen on so he likes to assist me.)

 That is Erica and I in the water...not just random people

 Aubrey was in love with the pizza from Zeppy's Pizza at Hermosa Beach. 

I don't actually like this picture but wanted to post it because Matt is wearing his new sunglasses he got for his birthday that day.....He thinks they are the coolest. 

And of course the main reason I went down last week was to see my parents' play. They did a wonderful job. Unfortunately I didn't get a picture of Nita, but I did manage one with my dad wearing tights. Hahaha.

We finished the night strong by eating at Denny's with Jesse & Karla. Matt was kind and shared his free birthday dessert with my brother who was more than happy to consume it. 

The rest of the time was spent chilling at my parents' house and playing with Aubrey's girls when we stopped in Vegas to split up the drive. My nieces chose to inform me that Matt is "sooo much cooler than me." Hahaha I'll live with that I guess.  It was a fairly fast trip and crammed pack but it was much needed. I haven't been down to my dad's place for almost two years now. Way too long. My life is pretty happy and things are going somewhat smoothly. I honestly cannot complain. But there is something about being with family that just rejuvenates and refreshes me. I love it. 

Summer Days

Well it's been a while hasn't it. I've been crazy busy with my internship at the prison and work, and truth be told, simply playing with Matthew. Its been a lot of fun. As usual I forget to take pictures often but I did manage to capture a few over the last few months. 

Shooting at the Ranch 

Brent & Emily's Wedding

 A closer shot of us in case you were wanting one.

Brynlee sporting her good find at Target's dollar selection

(I watched my nieces in Vegas for a week in June)

Fishing at Panguitch Lake with my family. 

The 4th of July - Brog family reunion.

(The day consisted of four-wheeling, tubing down the river, rope swing, loads of drunk rafters/tubers wanting to rope swing, baking hot sun, and lots of food.)

Four-wheeling up Willard's Peak

It was so beautiful!

We took a small break so Matt could make a phone call...he tends to do that often. 

The view was amazing!

These are just a few ways that I've chosen to spend my summer months. It's been so nice to just go to work and play on the weekends. I will admit that I did very little work on my Master's project. And do I regret it? Not a chance. Its been wonderful. I'm sure I'll pay for it when I go back to school in a couple of weeks though. Oh well. 

I am grateful that I could play and spend the summer with people I love.