Happy New Years

Happy 2009 everyone! I can't believe it...at this point it's getting more weird to say I graduated in 2006 when people ask. Time flies when you're having fun I guess. Christmas and New Years was excellent. I've enjoyed a break from school and fun times with family and friends. I had many friends home from school and was so fun to see them all!...

We celebrated Brooke's 21st Birthday!

Had lunch with some amazing EFY counselors that I haven't seen since...EFY? lol

Brought in the New Year with some sweet dancing and go-cart racing...but this is the only picture i have from that night :(

Laughed hard with some of my favorite girlies!

Went snowboarding for my 3rd time :) Thank you Trevor and Tony for helping me with my toe-side!...i've almost got it!

Had dinner with Mr. Russ Wright before he left back to the military.














...And went to a bunch of wedding receptions and dinners and such. I even caught a bouquet!













I hope everyone enjoyed their holiday season! Let's carry that wonderful spirit throughout this year!

ANOTHER ASHLEY CHAPMAN????

One more thing! There is another Ashley Chapman in the Mesa area and people keep thinking i'm her. First Nate's friends at the derby, then a random group at the tutoring center, and today, a girl I met at a bridal shower. I'd really like to meet her. The girl, Rebecca, at the shower today told me I even kinda look like her...or she looks like me. Either way, it's weird. She better be as cool as me ;)

Institute Christmas Formal

1. This week has been crazy busy with school, yet i'm still grateful for it. I'm also grateful for a scholarship that pays for it. When i was complaining about how discouraged i was with school a couple weeks ago, Laurie reminded me, "at least you don't have to pay for it too!" True that.

2. I'm grateful for my job as a tutor. I get to work with students (some hilarious to work with, others creepy, some smart, and some... you get the point) It's been nice being reminded of all the classes i've already taken. I feel like i'm actually retaining my education now! lol I'm also grateful that i'm allowed to do my own homework when times are slow :)

3. I love the Christmas season! The smell, the decorations, but most of all, the spirit that it brings to my life. It reminds me that being charitable is fastest way to become Christlike. :)

4. DANCING! What else needs to be said. I love it! I went to ASU Institute's Christmas Formal last night with one of my good friends and had a blast. It was so enjoyable going with someone who actually knew how to swing and ballroom dance too! ...Not to mention getting to head up a couple EFY line dances. Absolutely A-Mazing! I hadn't been dancing probably since EFY but I caught the bug again!

PS- yes my hair is big...didn't realize it. haha but it calmed down as the night went on. :)

5. ONE more week of school! 'nough said!

6. TwIlIgHt! I had a girls night last weekend and saw it...without reading the book. I know...shame on me. but i really liked it! It took me a little while to like Edward but by the end...i was hooked!

Gratitude

Hi friends! I have a few extra minutes between classes today so i thought i'd post on something i've been thinking about lately. As this Thanksgiving season is here, many of the conference talks i've been reading seem to somehow mention gratitude. By expressing gratitude we recognize that everything we have, everything we have accomplished, and everything we are comes from our Heavenly Father through our Savior Jesus Christ. Gratitude and thanksgiving must be expressed always in order to keep a Christ-centered life. My goal is to post once a week until at least the end of the year about things that happened in that past week that i was greatful for. When I think of all my blessings, i can't help but be optimistic.

1. I'm grateful that there's only about two weeks of school left. I can conquer this!

2. I'm grateful that i've been apart of a wonderful single's ward with an amazing Bishop who listens to the spirit. What an example he and his wife have been to me. We're splitting on Sunday (and i'm guessing i'll be in the new ward with new bishop) but i'm excited! I'm grateful for a STRONG young adult program in the church.

3. I'm grateful for the many growing opportunities that are brought about through the gospel. I love my calling as gospel doctrine teacher...it's helped me realize what i'm good at.

4. I'm grateful for a strong family with whom i get to be with for eternity.

5. I'm grateful for crazy weird blind dates...they make for good stories and make me appreciate the good ones ;)

...i'm only half grateful it's time for class. lol jk Everyone have a fabulous week!

Boo!

Boo! I scared you...you can't believe i'm finally writing, can you? lol Seeing as the last time I posted was after the first week of classes this semester, I think it's been way too long! We're going on week 12! Time really flies by like a jet plane and i'm hanging on for dear life this semester. lol My classes are extremely easy to fall behind in...speaking from experience. It seems nearly impossible to get caught up but i'm trying my hardest. Lets just pray everything works out. Aside from the stress load, the content of my classes are quite interesting. The financial crisis has created a real life "lab" to demonstrate the issues and principles we're learning in my finance classes while my accounting class continues to be...well...accounting. You just gotta love it. ha! Then you throw a little legality and English into the mix and you've mixed up a heck of a semester. Anyways aside from school, i'm still tutoring at ASU and loving it. Where else do you get refreshed on previous classes, get to work with students, and get to do your homework when it's slow?? Great setup...except for the fact that i feel like i LIVE at school. Oh well, it's that time of life so i must enjoy it.

I got to dress up twice for Halloween this year- 2 different events on different weekends. This is all I came up with. (Sorry Katie...both were extremely last min. lol) No blackmailing!




Oh- Ps- I tried sushi for my first time. I believe it's an aquired taste. Not bad but not something i'd crave. lol

Week 1 of School

I started the first semester of my junior year on Tuesday! Woohoo! It was quite an interesting week though. Sunday morning I woke up with a cold and then Monday was no exception. Luckily I only had one class at 6 pm on Monday because my head felt like a balloon with so much pressure. By Thursday I felt better! :) As for school, I think i'm going to like my schedule. I'm enjoying most of my classes which is awesome since this is my first semester in my finance program. There is at least one class that's going to give me a run for my money but what's new! lol

Time to kick off another semester! Go Devils!

Weddings galore!

It seems as if my life has been overrun with wedding receptions and showers lately. When I was younger I thought it was exciting to get mail- now it's predictable...either bills, wedding announcements, or shower invitations. Oh and if weddings aren't crazy enough, i've now crossed over to the age of recieving baby shower invites. Now that's weird! Don't get me wrong, weddings are definitely very exciting...but going to two receptions a week gets a little monotonous.

However, there was one exciting wedding in th bunch this summer- that of my best friend, Dawnee! Almost two weeks ago Miss Dawnee Ray became Mrs. Dawnee Godfrey! Yay! We are all so excited for her! She looked so gorgeous and so happy! Here are few fun pictures from her reception.

Congratulations Dawnee! We love you!

Oh yes! The yummy luncheon!