Presentation and Promptings

I just realized that soon I'll have to change the name of our blog...to the Clearfield Hansens.  I'm holdin' out though, until I move up there.


So this past week has been very busy, stressful for me.  This semester it seems like each teacher felt it was upon them to make us suffer.  Three of my 5 teachers accomplished this by assigning us into groups, and assigning a paper with a class presentation.  Now, let me put my feelings on group projects just out there...I HATE GROUP PROJECTS!!!  Now that you know where I'm coming from, having to do three was horrendous.  One of the groups worked really well, which was great.  The last two were okay.  One group we were just slow getting together.  The other one we did fairly well, there was just the token person turning in things late.


Between Friday and Tuesday night...I helped to finish 3 10 page papers and powerpoints.  Then Monday night I had 1 presentation, and Tuesday night I had 2 back to back.  I'm so glad they are over. So glad!  Do you know what makes it better...I graduate in 1.5 weeks so I won't have to do them EVER again!!  


So I could have vented a lot more about these group projects, but I will spare you.


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On a completely different note, more spiritual actually.  I just wanted to write down something that happened to me, so I would remember in the future the experience I had.  Because sometimes amazing experiences happen, and either you don't notice them or they aren't written down.  Then you just go through life thinking that great stuff doesn't happen to you.  I do this all the time...so I wanted to change it.


This past Thursday night when I was driving home, I started crying feeling overwhelmed.  It hadn't been that rough of a day, but it wasn't perfect at all.  I had a lot of projects to finish.  There were a few things this weekend that were going to take away my time.  And I was feeling lonely.  Even though I had seen Kyle just 4 days before, this was being rough for me that day.


So while I'm crying and thinking about all that, a thought jumped into my mind.  "I can comfort you."  I then prayed while driving (note: I didn't close my eyes...I don't trust other drivers or myself that much).  I prayed for comfort and help.  It seemed immediate that this was answered.  I also had a thought of go to the temple.  This was a strange one because I didn't plan on going, and did not want to go without Kyle.  However, the next day was completely free (besides projects needing to be done).  So, I followed it and went to the temple that Friday.  Nothing miraculous happened.  I was able to have the same great feeling as I always do while there.  However, being there was something I needed.


What I have noticed that is amazing.  I actually noticed it yesterday.  Through the whole weekend I wasn't frantic or worried about finishing or going all out for these projects.  Amazing 'cause many may know that I can be a worry wort, perfectionist, uptight person.  During my presentations I felt like I was one of the best presenters...clear speaking, eye-contact, most interesting voice.  I also have noticed that I haven't been missing Kyle.  This to me is the miracle.  Like...I miss him and all, but its not making me sad or depressed, or just really hating life (note: these feelings weren't all the time, just every now and then).  Helping me through this situation is what I am most grateful for, and its such a reaffirming experience that if we have problems WE have to ask for help...but that He will ALWAYS be there.

The Great Weekend

It started out with just me and my companion...the iPod.

Then in St. George another one joined us, Sammy.  We then traveled over many hills, streams, and mountains.  A few stops here and there, one to say hi and goodbye to a brother in the city called Provo.  Dropped off one of my travelling companions in the great Salt Lake City...and no it wasn't the iPod.  Me and the iPod then continued on for another hour.  This trip was long, and tiring.  It stretched over 8 hours, passing by various cops.  They seemed to be everywhere, but we were not afraid.  Cruise control and going slower than others deters them from picking on us for this time.

Finally I see the exit.  Antelope.  Making some turns, and missing others, I finally found...my new home.

There was no one in sight...so I crept to the basement door (in the picture it is located under the white shed looking thing).  I jump right in and give Kyle a great big....Hug!  and Kiss!  

Sorry it is blurry...too much excitement!

Many hours passed so quickly.  Eating at a new Mexican restaurant, watching Top Gun, trying to go furniture shopping, going to the library for internet and visiting with my Aunt and Uncle.  The next afternoon is when the story continues.

After our many errand to run, for there was a plenty of them.  I finally looked at the boxed up messes of the house.  I waved my magic wand, and it was all done.  Only if that were true.  I rolled up my sleeves, put Kyle's slippers on and got to work.  

Now this wasn't bad, but somehow more needed to fit in here.  So this is the after.

It will get tidied up more once there is some time...and I am up there.

There are other rooms, but pictures are not necessary.  The description is...filled with boxes and items strewn about.

Sunday came unfortunately.  Off to church in my new ward.  Met only one new person...there will be time later to make other new friends.  After church we ate our final lunch before I would soon depart.

It was a sad day, but necessary.

The time apart makes us appreciate the other sooooooo much more.

And so the trip ended with my two companions and I travelling through St. George and then just the faithful iPod until Las Vegas.  

A beautiful sunset through a bug splattered windshield.

And the award goes to....

ME!

On Monday I received a call from the director of Construction Management for UNLV saying I was selected as the Outstanding Construction Management Student of the Year.

Here's a picture to show my constructioness.  I had a better one on my phone, but I couldn't find any trace of it.  This is me when I was working as an intern for Perini on the City Center project.  If you don't know what it is...it was/is huge.  The project had more than 10 separate projects in it.  It was the largest and most expensive privately funded project in all of North America...9 billion dollars expensive.  It was fun to go on site, but scary too because getting lost happened too often for me.  Each time we went out we had to be wearing:

the hardhat - mine was cute because stickers of the Hawaiian turtle, and a dog on the side

the safety vest - the one i am wearing in this picture was mine...just a small cheap one.  Other people had more expensive vests, and i would borrow them.  They were thick and had tons of pockets....like more than a mom's purse.

Shirt - sounds strange to mention, but everyone did...and it had to have at least 3 inches of sleeves.  It was nice being around modestly dressed people...but thats usually the standards that the workers all stopped at.

Pants - now although this made people modest, during the 115 degrees summers and being in a building that had no windows and no a/c wearing jeans while being out there did become really hot

Boots - my legs were amazing while i was working there.  I would wear heavy construction boots, and take stairs and walk whenever we did inspections.  those suckers are heavy.

I really do enjoy construction, at least most of it. 

On a different note: Kyle is doing great.  He has completed his first 2 days.  The first week is just all orientation.  Or as a friend says, he's turning oriental.  I get to visit him this weekend...so next week's blog will probably be all about our future, his current, life up there.

Off to Utah!

Note:  This will probably be long and no pictures.  


So about 2 days ago (Monday) Kyle left me.  He is now a Utahn (but a Las Vegan always in heart).  I was fine the first two days, but today missing him is really starting to kick in and I don't like it.


We had gone up to the Layton area to look for a place to rent.  After a lot of contacting people and researching online we had one day to look at about 5-6 of them.  Our plan was to look on Monday, decide by that night.  Then on Tuesday sign papers and what else.  Then on Wednesday we drove home.


All of the properties were cheaper rentals...and many looked that way.  However, we're okay with that because we'll be saving more money so we can move on up to a nicer neighborhood in our own house sooner.  We found a place through a property manager.  The place was actually his friend's and he was trying to rent it for him.  It was part of a three plex.  The interior wasn't cleaned yet and smelled like a lot of pets (we found out later that it was the smell of 4 pit bulls in a tiny place).  However, it actually wasn't that bad.  Covered parking connecting to the door, front yard, and a common backyard.  So we signed a lease.


We get back home, and a few days later get a call.  The guy's friend hasn't been able to be reached for all the okays.  But the prop. manager had a basement that just opened up, and he called it to be much nicer.  We didn't get to check it out, so now Kyle decided to go up sooner and get things situated throughout the next week.


So Friday the moving people came and boxed up all our stuff in just a few hours.  They left a lot of the boxes I packed.  They dumped stuff into other ones.  Saturday morning the movers came to pack it into a large semi.  Our stuff was piled 14' high in there.  It was crazy.  I just hope everything makes it through okay.  Fingers crossed.  The driver then told us it wouldn't be until Saturday or Sunday that it would be delivered. We were originally told like Wednesday or Thursday...a big setback for unpacking everything now.  But what can you do.


Kyle then left on Monday.  He liked the basement (quite a bit better than the other place) and now has the keys for it.  It's 2.5 bedrooms, with 1 bath.  He's set up utilities which should be on today.  Kyle also has gotten the insurances, and has ran so many errands.  Up there doing everything by himself.  


So yeah...that's the update of the transition for now.

Are We the Exhibits?

So for this Spring Break my parents wanted to do something with everyone, before we all lived really far apart from each other...Nathan is moving to Austin, TX and we'll be in northern Utah.
Since Kyle and I were already going up to check out houses, we all visited Salt Lake City and went to the Hogle Zoo.  All together it was Mom and Dad, Melynn, Nathan and Jessica, Jane, Kyle and I.  The zoo wasn't that big, but we went slower so it would take longer.


There were lions and tigers...but no bears.  I won't bore you with all animal photos, but there are a few.

The giraffe's were cute, especially the baby one, but they were oh so stinky!

Kyle and I at the Hogle Zoo.

Jane was constantly between Melynn and I.  Except when she wasn't happy with us, then it was her Mom or Dad.

Nathan, Jane, and Jessica looking at the elephants.

The boys were having fun trying to spin the ball as fast as they could.

Jane enjoying the hole and seeing the prairie dogs.

Now she is tired of being in the bubble.  Time difference...1 minute.

So this lemur was hilarious.  He/She was sitting right next to the window doing model poses.  Like we watched it for a few minutes.  It would shift around, but always in model-like ways.  It was hilarious.  Here's the picture of the model lemur that I got.

A typical picture.  Jane tended to cry the least on my shoulders.  However, many strands of hair just simply disappeared during that time.  Ouch!

In one of the exhibits one of the monkeys would lean against the glass.  So Nathan put Jane's hands up to the monkeys.  It was very cute.

My parents!

and last but not least here is a sequence of an orangutan jumping around.  Too bad we're not as talented as they are.

April Fool's Day at Institute

So a friend of the family had a genius plan.  He actually has many genius pranking plans.  Thankfully we haven't been on the receiving end thus far.  However, his plans are never mean.  Just large harmless ones.  The first one I saw was post-it noting someone's house.  It was a large party event.  Everyone got a sticky note and pen.  There were notes everywhere - hidden and visible, puns, treasure hunts, lost families, so many clever ideas.  This was over 3 months ago, and they still haven't found some of them.   I know cause I check a few of my places each time.


Now, for the most recent one.  Since UNLV's Spring Break included April Fool's day, our friend decided to do it a week early at the Insitute.  So around 10 pm when the Institute is dark and empty we snuck in, used our ninja-like sneaking skills and got to work.  It took a few hours, and with quite a few hands.  However, afterwards it looked so beautiful.  So what was the prank....to wrap the furniture and other items (see the bathroom pictures) in Christmas wrapping paper.

Each toilet (and urinal) in one set of restrooms were all individually wrapped.

Ping pong tables wrapped with care...along with paddles and balls.  Pool tables, foosball, air hockey too!

The foyer was a cool one.  With the couch all wrapped.  Each lamp, and a few of the tables.  In the bottom left that is Kyle with the LDSSA pictures and tags all individually wrapped and hung back up.

The kitchen and appliances were each wrapped too.  The microwaves were wrapped like presents.

Here's pictures of the culprits.  Don't mind the tired faces in the top right...that was probably around midnight.

Now...this was my favorite part.  My father-in-law is a teacher at the institute.  I have taken many classes so I know his typical routine.  First for the day he turns on music in the media player (on the far right, under the TV).  Then routinely in class he flips to the projector.  That is nicely wrapped on the left.  Furthermore he is always using whiteboards, especially to show the picture drawn on the back most whiteboard on the right.  So...we wrapped the middle sliding whiteboard.  Slid it over to the right, and slid the top one over it.  Looking at the white board, one would never suspect.

This prank was well received, and made many people wondering throughout the whole institute.  The revelation of the pranksters wasn't done until a week after.  Hopefully, we will go down in the Institute history as the best April Fools' Day Prank.