Sunday, August 21, 2011

Change. Change. Change.

I got the promotion with Marriott Vacation Club!
I'll be making $4+ an hour which will greatly help me to pay off school quicker.
I'll be putting in lots of overtime ($$$) and working 6 days a week (I get Sundays off :) )
I'm really excited to be able to "move up" the ladder!
They're working with my school schedule, which means I still have to put 40 hours in each week...which means I'll be working 6 days a week, typically right after class until 7pm.

I have to go through training all over again which I am not looking forward to.
I'll be working with point-based vacation club owners.
I'll have 800 members assigned to me in which I'll be in charge of planning and booking their vacation using their points!
I'll move departments and I'll get a bigger and better desk!
I start next week!

Tomorrow begins my last Fall semester of school, for now.
Here comes another 16 units and I'll bid farewell to my sweet life.
I'll have my Bachelor's degree in December.
I'll have my minor and emphasis completed in May, 2012.
I have 9 classes left, and I can hardly wait to be finished!
I'll be graduating May 3rd, 2012.
Hold. Me. To. It.





Monday, August 15, 2011

The Scores Are In!



This is a picture for the memory book.
I have never been a "Straight A Student", I've always have a hard time juggling the demand of life.
I guess this semester was different.
Something that will keep my movin' along this upcoming next semester.
I did it.
And no one stopped me.
It's a miracle beyond belief.

I interviewed Wednesday for a promotion at my job.
I find out tomorrow if I got it.
*Fingers crossed*

I've also been able to enjoy a piece of Summer.
It has consisted of a lot of volleyball, a trip to Vegas, and being lazy.

I start school in 7 days.
16 credits here I am, again.
This is my last Fall semester of school, ever.
Bring it on!


Monday, August 8, 2011

Done!

I did it!
Completed 16 credits while working 40 hours a week!
It is possible!

This semester was a learning experience.
I proved to myself I am very capable of finishing anything I put my mind to.
I thought going to school during the Summer would be more difficult, since the weather is so nice and all my friends are out of school, but nope! Probably my best semester of school, ever!

I am officially 2 semesters away from graduation.
And that's only 7 classes....
sweet!

I am still waiting on all the grades, but so far I've gotten an A and an A-.
Not too shabby, especially with working so much and having to figure out the whole school thing again.

I am currently in Las Vegas with Kellee.
She had to pick some things up from her brother's who just moved here.
Vegas is a completely different world. I have never seen so many messed up people in my life.
Hilarious. Awkward. And an eye opener.
I am glad I live a clean life and I can remember the night before.

I applied for a new position within Marriott.
Keep your fingers crossed- it's a long shot.
But, if you don't try...you'll never get anywhere in life, so I went for it.
I have an interview on Wednesday :).


School starts up again August 22nd.
Here goes another 16 credits.
I can do it.
I just proved all the nonbelievers wrong!

This is what livin' life is all about.

<3


Oh, and also, my parents have come and gone.
And I am so thankful I was able to show them my life in Utah.
It was an amazing visit and I miss them dearly.
I'll post more on their trip when I get back to SLC.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

I'm an old Grandma!

Not really.
But Basically.

I went to bed yesterday at 3:30pm.
Yes, I slept for a whole 16 hours and it was amazing!
But really, I felt like I aged myself by doing so, especially since it was on a Saturday night!

Life is picking up, yet again, for me.
I am starting another class, yes that'll be 18 credits total, at once.
It is only a 2 week course, so it shouldn't be that bad; but it'll just add two weeks of extra intense stress.

Oh, and my parents are coming in 13 days.
The count down begins.

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Boatin' and Floatin' the days away


4th of July just is not the same this year.
I am longing to be home in California with my family.
Waving the flag and throwing candy in my home-town parade.
Watching my brothers BBQ it up at the annual Car Club BBQ.
Watching fireworks over the San Francisco skyline.
And falling asleep to the sound of little firecrackers that do nothing more than make noise.

July 2nd will have to be my new July 4th.
Since it appears that's when Utah celebrates.

This weekend I went boating!
I got up wake-boarding on my first try.
Water skiing too.
It was an absolute blast.
I have the best sunburn in the world to prove it.
After boating all day, we had a BBQ and watched fireworks.
I was out until 1:30am.
But it was such a gorgeous, fun, and laughter-filled day.
It was exactly what I needed.

Next week will mark my two year move to Utah.
It is extremely crazy to think about all that I have accomplished in these two short years.
In less than three weeks, my parents and brother will be out here for a well-deserved vacation.
I am counting down the days, hours, and minutes.
And, in less than a month I'll turn the golden 22.
I am SO excited.
I have a feeling being 22 will be a whole lot better than 21.
Plus, 22 has always been my lucky number.

School...is currently weighing me down.
But in 4 weeks, I'll be a free bird...
and I'll be able to fly again...for a few weeks or so ;)




Friday, June 24, 2011

.

So my last post was about how amazing school is going.
Well maybe I spoke too soon.
But I am finding it even harder these days to find time to get all of my assignments done on time.
Maybe it's the shift from the crummy weather to the absolutely beautiful Summer weather...
I would much rather be outside soakin' up the sun when I'm not working
but that is rather impossible since I am always running off to class or back home to study or write an essay or read a chapter or taking an exam.

6 weeks left till a few weeks of freedom...it'll be glorious!

Until then
It's back to the books, the exams, and the papers.
Bye Summer!


Oh!
I officially declared my minor and emphasis...exciting right?
I thought so too, until I saw the additional classes I needed to take before May 2012.
Oh well!
I'll have a bachelors of science in human development and family studies, a minor in sociology, with an emphasis in criminology. That's a mouth full, but SO worth it.
(don't ask me what I'll be doing with these...because I have no clue, yet)

Spring 2012 better get here quick if I want to survive!

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Stayin' Afloat

Yep.
I am now 4 weeks into my Summer courses.
And I am happy to report...
I am stayin' afloat!
I believe the demands of all 5 of my classes is helping me stay focused.
Teaching myself, since 3 are online courses, gives me greater responsibility.
I have not failed any exams yet.
Nor have I even scored lower than a B on anything.
Mostly As though...wahoo!
This is something to celebrate.
I'm hoping to stay this focused for the remaining 7 weeks.

In other news, My parents are coming out here in exactly 5 weeks!
I am SO excited!
I am counting down the days.

And in OTHER news...
I got a $100.00 bonus at work for receiving 29 Positive Owner Surveys regarding my customer service. Such a sweet deal. I didn't receive a single negative one.
It really does pay off to be nice ;)

And finally...it's beginning to feel like Summer.
Weather wise, at least.
I love the feeling of driving with the windows down and having the sun beat down on me.

It's a beautiful life


Tuesday, May 31, 2011

I'm Lovin' It.


I'm still loving my job. I love the hours.
I am kicking butt at selling extras.
It's awesome :)

I started school again. About time.
I am taking 5 classes and they are keeping me very busy.
I come home from work and study, study, study.
I spend my weekends in the Library.
I know all my studying and hard work will pay off...eventually.

I have gone to sleep at 6:30pm twice in the last week.
It's pretty much amazing.
All I do is sleep, work, study....repeat.
<3 Life!

I was able to escape to California a week ago for Kaitie's Graduation.
I booked my ticket at 2:30pm Friday and was on a plane homeward bound by 7pm.
I was home for almost 36 hours, it was amazing.
I'm glad I went.

My parents are officially coming out to Utah in July...it's a miracle, for sure.

Also, why is it snowing in Utah...it's June 1st.
I'm ready for the Summer sun to shine!

I went on the worst date of my life.
Seriously, blog worthy, as long as he doesn't stalk me and read this.
It consisted of ice almost down the back, lotion in the hair and on the face, peanut shells down all over my lap, and a slap on the face.
What a winner. I think I'll stick to dating my text books for awhile.





Sunday, May 8, 2011

Constant Love

"The only thing constant in life is change"

I found this quote to be a complete myth today.
My Heavenly's Father love for me does not change.
His love for me is constant.
I think I so seldom sell myself short and figure I don't deserve anyone's constant love, but the bottom line is that I do. My HF loves me, and that will never change.
Knowing I can fall to my HF and call on him is so comforting.

With all the change that my life goes through, It's nice to know there is another constant thing in my life; His love.

Think about it?

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all those beautiful Women who have touched my life.

I wish everyday I was reminded to thank the women I look up to.
My Mother did an amazing job raising me. I wasn't an easy kid to figure out. I'm still not.
But she's not the only person that has had a hand in shaping me.
I wouldn't be who I am if it weren't for the constant support of every Mother around me.
Their examples in my life have given me insight on who/what I need to become.

So, to Mothers everywhere...who I know or don't know...
Thank You for helping me realize who I am and what I need to become.


xoxo




Sunday, May 1, 2011

Week 1

I can say I already love my job!
Marriott is such an amazing company to work for!
Take a look at why I say so:

1. I get a 75 % off discount at all hotels
2. I can stay at any vacation (time-share) property for 3 nights for free at every locations
3. Friends and family discount is also amazing
4. They have a gym on-site that is open to our use
5. They have a mail center where I can mail package to friends and fam for cheap!
6. They do not hire outside of the company (except for my position)...they only hire internally for ALL other positions. So there is lots of room for moving on up ;)
7. They have yummy catered food daily for purchase at cheap rates...(panda express wednesdays)!
8. They bought us deli sandwiches for lunch Friday!
9. Everyone is so nice, so far, and so helpful!
10. Well, because I am making the most that I have ever made here in Utah...and it's close to home, so I am saving lots of $ on gas!
11. I am home by 5pm EVERYDAY! It's amazing to have my nights and weekends off. I am enjoying it so much!

*If you are traveling and would like to stay at a Marriott...I can hook you up with my friends and family rate, just ask me and I'll be happy to work my magic!*

In other news, it snowed not once this week, but twice. I seriously considered moving home. But that would make me miserable in other ways, so I guess I'll just tough out the cold for now.

Friday, April 22, 2011

The only thing constant in life is...


...CHANGE!!!

Seriously...life is so constantly changing!

I got a new job!
Hooray!
I'll be working for Marriott, in their timeshare reservations department.
It's close to home. They work with MY school schedule. I'll be off by 7pm every night and 3pm on the weekends. It's great pay!
So, if you're in the market for a vacation...and want a sweet hotel deal, you know who to contact ;)

I start school way too soon. I am nervous but so excited! I'm ready this go around.
I was able to go meet with an advisor this week who gave me my paperwork for graduation!
May 2012 will be the end of a long journey, and the beginning of an even better one.
I cannot wait!

I spent 8 wonderful days back in California.
The sunshine was a perfect remedy for the lack of Vitamin D Utah has been producing.
(seriously, I thought it was supposed to be Spring by now...?)
I was able to relax, take some beautiful walks, and enjoy my family.
Plus, I hauled you know what and made it home in 10 hours.

While I was in CA, I had some blood work done, just for kicks.
Turns out, I have hyperthyroidism. So, I was able to meet with an endocrinologist who believes it's Graves Disease. So, now I'll be taking monthly blood work and they'll be watching my every move. No medication, as of yet.
The symptoms of Graves Disease are pretty spot on to what I have; hand tremors, fatigue, sweats, anxiety, etc.

I had a sweet surprise drive back to Utah with me from Cali.
My dearest from Kaitie was able to make the 10 hour journey back with me and stay for almost a week. It felt like having a piece of home back here with me.
We did nothing. I mean nothing.
We slept. Ate. Took a walk. Slept. and the cycle repeated.
Oh, and we watched more TV than I have in my life time.
It was a perfect way to decompress, to adjust my mindset to starting school, and to spend time with some one who I probably won't see much of anytime soon.


Kaitie and I both love Sushi...so of course we went to Happy Hour Sushi
(cheapest way to go- I recommend the Vegas Roll at Mikado on a Monday or Tuesday, it's only $5)


We went to a pool hall one night. My pool skills have gone down the drain. Sad.

I have also had the joys of being a gym slacker.
Not by choice. In fact, I crave the gym.
I've just been exhausted lately and trying to catch up on everything before I start my new job Monday!


Life is a circle. That's why they call it the "circle of life". Each day we have the task to figure out how to expand our circle for new opportunities, friends, and dreams. I hope someday I can fully learn and understand how to better manage my circle, delete the clutter and welcome in the good.
Thank YOU for being a part of my circle. You keep me rollin' !



Sunday, April 3, 2011

The End.

I quit my job.
Scary and so unlike me.
But things were bad.
Really bad.

I loved the girls I worked with.
I loved what I was doing.
The place, was awful.
The management was terrible.
The hours I was required to work
Thurs 5pm-8am friday morning
Fri 5pm-10pm
and Saturday 7:30am-10:00pm
would have been the death of me.

A few other things happened, that I cannot go into detail about publicly, but it was horrible.
I'll put it this way- when I drove away, after giving my notice, it felt like the end to a horror movie.
The sun was shining. I was smiling. I was laughing. And all felt right.
It was scary how good I felt.
It was like the Devil left me the minute I drove away.

So, now what?!
Well, I am lucky enough to be nannying the Locko kids again a few times a week.
And school isn't too far down the road.
So really, I am not even stressing.

Everything happens for a reason.
Which, I am so thankful to know is true.

Oh, and in 27 hours my car will be packed, my gas tank will be full, and I'll be on my way to sunny california, for a nice get-away before my summer is cluttered with 20 credit hours of school.

And maybe, when I get back, I'll have some cool pictures to post.
Stay tuned.

Oh, and my sweet brothers could sure use some prayers right now.

And...I'm pleased to announce that Thomas and I are officially "friends" again.
Haha. Only took 6 months for us to actually put our differences aside and our long relationship, and be friends. We are now able to talk, hang out, and even laugh together as if nothing happened 6 months ago. I'm really glad we were able to get over the past. It's perfect closure to that chapter of ours lives. Now we open a new chapter, as friends.
But, do not worry, just friends is all we will ever be.

Peace out, Utah!

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Road Trippin'


Oh Hey...
That Road Trip I mentioned awhile back...
yea, I'm road trippin' it to California in 6 days!
It was going to be a surprise...but I didn't want my Mom to have a heart attack ;)

This will be an extremely long trip, alone...but I am up for the challenge!


Thursday, March 17, 2011

Sick of Sickness

It's true...I've been in a mad war with being sick for almost a month now.
It has landed me Two E.R. visits.
A whole lot of prescriptions.
One Clinic Visit.
Vomiting.
A fever.
Two ear infections at the same time...ouch.
And a whole lot of time off from work.
Along with some good bonding time with my bed.
I have been miserable.
I am now on some intense three-day antibiotics strictly for bacterial infections.
As if Tamiflu wasn't enough for my immune system...

In other news...
I got new tires on my car!
$660.05 hard bucks to see leave my account
But I'll finally be safe when the winter storm comes, again!
I even got my alignment fixed and new windshield wiper blades.
I think I hear a Road trip calling my name ;)

Oh! And! I'll be cruisin' to Mexico beginning of May!
Why not celebrate the start of the Summer Semester cruisin' to Mexico with some friends!
I cannot wait. I have never been on a cruise before. It'll be a nice break from life before I take on 20 units!
Yes! I am registered for Summer classes! 20 units!
I am so excited because I only need 44 to graduate!
So I'll be graduating May 2012!
Finally!
I figured since Summer classes are generally shorter, and easier, why not take on a whole bunch.
Fortunately, three of the classes I need are only two weeks each. Which means I won't be taking 20 all at once, thank heavens!

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!
I miss my Mom's Corn Beef and Cabbage immensely on this day.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

I want to talk about ME!


I am selfish.
I'll be the first to admit it.
But I would much rather be at the gym than hanging out with my friends.
I think I have finally found the me time I had been searching for.
And that time is at the gym.
So, to the friends I have been "avoiding" and unavailable to, I'm sorry...but for once, I'm focusing on me.

And Now for some updates....

I get to go snowboarding every Thursday for 5 weeks for free!
I also get a 2 hour lesson for free!
I am nervous, because we all know how much I dislike the snow and cold.
But who would pass up a sweet free deal like this?!
My work is paying for me to take 8 girls up every thursday and take lessons with them.
I guess there are perks working at WRA.

ALSO...
I am pleased to report I am nannying the Locko Children once again!!
I get to pick them up from school two days a week for about 3 hours!
I am SO happy to be able to see these two adorable, bright, and smart children weekly!

And Now A.......
FUN QUESTIONNAIRE

1. What is your middle name?
Ruth

2. How big is your bed?
Twin

3.What are you listening to right now?
The Washing Machine...

4. What are the last 4 digits in your cellphone number?
6666....jk....8861

5. What was the last thing you ate?
Texas Road House with the gang

6. Last person you hugged?
Eliza

7. How is the weather right now?
Cold...the snow needs to melt

8. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?
Eric aka Adventure Boy

9. The first thing you notice about the opposite sex?
Smile

10. Favorite type of Food?
Pretty much anything

11. Do you want children?
Someday!

12. Hair color?
Red

13. Do you wear contacts?
I sure do

14. Favorite holiday?
Christmas

15. Favorite Season?
Summer

16. Have you ever cried over a love lost?
Only like the past six months...but I'm over it ;)

17. Last Movie you watched?
I am pretty sure it was The Roommate or whatever that awful movie was called

18. What books are you reading?
"When You can't Do it Alone"- By Brent L. Top..
(Such a great book! You should read it!)

19. Piercings?
Just Ears, now!

20. Favorite Movie?
I love old school movies, like a walk to remember

21. Favorite college football team?
Go UTES! ;)

22. What were you doing before filling this out?
I was at the gym, actually.

25. Favorite animal?
I want a dog.

26. Favorite drink?
Water with lemon, please

27. Favorite flower?
Anything but roses

28. Have you ever loved someone?
Well of course.

29. Who would you like to see right now?
My Mom and Dad

30. What color are your bedroom walls?
Off white

31. Have you ever fired a gun?
I sure have

32. Do you like to travel by plane?
Love it.

33. Right-handed or Left-handed?
I like to CTR ;)

34. If you could go to any place right now where would you go?
Home.

35. Are you missing someone?
Always.

36. Do you have a tattoo?
Only 5...nope, never will I get one.

37. Do you still watch cartoons on Saturday mornings?
No, I work all day Saturdays, thank you very much.

38. Are you hiding something from someone right now?
Nope, I am a pretty open individual

39. Are you 18?
I wish to never return to the year of being 18 years old again.

40. What is the wallpaper on your cellphone?
A picture of my brother and I

41. Are you afraid of the dark?
If I'm in a creepy place, yea!

42. Favorite hangout:
Urm the gym!

43. 3 things you can't live without?
Water. My Cell. My Mom.

44. Favorite songs?
Too many

45. What are you afraid of?
Being lost.
Losing those I love.
And Failure.

46. Are you a giver or a taker?
I give and give and give.

47. What are your nicknames?
Em

48. What is your dad's middle name?
Daniel....?

49. What do you sleep in?
Pajamas!

50. Stuck on a deserted island, and can only bring one thing?
An airplane so I can get the heck away from that island!

51. Favorite TV commercial?
Ugh.

52. First thing you'll save in a fire?
My family.

53. What is your favorite color?
Blue

54. What are the things you always bring with you?
Cell phone.

55. What did you want to be when you were a kid?
A think a teacher? I don't remember.

56. What do you usually do when the alarm turns on?
Hit Snooze a billion and one times.

57. What color is your bedsheet?
Red

58. Who do you want to meet?
Christ

59. What do you think about before you go to bed?
All the things I have to get done the next day....


I Challenge YOU to take that survey so we can all get to know each
other a little bit better ;) Good Luck!

Monday, February 28, 2011

Good News is a brewin'


There are mounds of opportunities stewing...
and I just can't go public about them yet because they may "stew over" and become nothing...but I'll just say I am rather excited! However, I refuse to get my hopes up right now.
Because lets face it, it may turn out to be nothing!

Today is my Friday and I am dang excited to have two days off!
Work this past weekend was ridiculous.
Girls get their panties in a bunch when something does not go their way.
I have never been so frustrated with lack of communication than I was this past weekend.
Thank goodness for days off!

I'll keep you all posted ;)



Wednesday, February 23, 2011

5:54am wake up call

I work a grave shift every Thursday.
5pm Thursday- 8am Friday.
It is extremely exhausting, but it it knocks off 15 hours, in one shift, of the 40 I get to work every week.
I usually will text my Dad, to help me stay awake, around 4am my time.
After I've sent one text, I get an instant phone call from him.
(He's not a big texter)
We chat for a few minutes and it's back to work I must go.

Well the other night, I was sound asleep...kind of.
I was debating to hit up the gym at 5am or not.
I chose the later, not.
I doze back off to sleep, but not soundly.
I awake to my phone rudely going off at 5:54am.
I see it's my Dad calling and instantly jump out of bed and answer.
(you know, thinking it's an emergency or something)
Oh, what a relief he was just calling to say Hi at 5:54am.
One day he'll learn people my age sleep in past 8am, whenever they can.
His response to my sleepy self
"I'm just getting you back for all the times you've texted me at 3am!"
The difference...he's always awake at that time...I am not.

Someday he'll learn he didn't pass off his "no sleep needed" gene to any of Sowell kids.



Monday, February 21, 2011

Oh Happy Day!

Reasons why today was a good day

* I got to sleep in, late
* The girls were awesome at work tonight
* I made it to the gym after work and it was pretty much empty
* My grade changes from last semester were posted! 4 more credits checked off!
* It didn't snow
* Today is my Friday...I get the next two days off!

And tomorrow...

* I'm going to the gym first thing in the morning
* Then I will most likely take a nap, because lets be honest, naps are amazing
* I'll clean out my car
* Do some laundry
* Organize my room
* hit up institute class
* and then maybe go back to the gym


Life is pretty darn amazing, don't you think?!


***I am focusing on the positives in my everyday life. Sure, there are moments of frustration between each of those happy times, but they don't matter. Being optimistic is the best medicine around...and counting my blessings is what keeps me going***

Sunday, February 20, 2011

The Little Things

I FINALLY went back to work yesterday(after three unexpected weeks off)...for a whole 14.5 hours.
By 5:00pm I was drained and ready for bed.
But that's not why I'm writing about my day back at work...
But, here's why.

There's one particular girl in the program who has come from a pretty abusive past.
Probably one of the worst child abuse cases we have in the program right now.
She has a sister, who is younger in the program as well.
But, back to this girl...
She doesn't have any contact to her mom right now, in fact the mother is in jail.
They have two Aunts, who I can't figure out.
They don't come and pick the girls up when they are supposed to.
They let the girls down like there is no tomorrow.
It's been really sad to watch over the past few months.
The only family they basically have doesn't want them.

So, yesterday morning I was probably more crabby than I normally am on Saturday mornings because I was tired and not feeling up to par.
This girl and I hit it off on the wrong note since she woke up.
All day I felt like I was having to ask her multiple times to complete tasks, such as making her bed, folding her laundry, cleaning up her trash, etc.
It got old, real quick.
Then, while we were ice skating, she had one of the other girls come ask me if this other girl could use the restroom.
I lost it.
I said "X, How old are you?!"
X: "15"
"And YOU can't ask to use the bathroom yourself?!?"
I was ticked! Annoyed! ARGH!
I politely told her to use the restroom, but next time she needed to ask me.
We got home that night and I went to do room checks, and her bed was STILL not made.
The only one in the room with sheets still in a pile on the bed.
I, lost it, again!
I called X into her room.
Told her to please have a seat.
I told X there seems to be a miscommunication between X and I today.
I explained how everything I asked her to do today didn't really get completed, in fact, I should not even have to ask for these things to get done. She's been there long enough to know how things are ran on Saturday.
She instantly started to cry. She clenched up. Fists closed tightly.
I was getting my game face on and restraint methods ready.
She started yelling, not at me, but at her life.
How everyone doesn't care about her, how she feels betrayed by her aunts, how her mother abandoned her, how she wanted out of the program. How she hated her life. She hated everything.
I confirmed her feelings, and agreed with her that she has every valid right to feel that way, but that she wasn't allowed to feel like that forever.
I worked through it with her.
Finally, when I could tell she was ready to listen to my 2 cents, I chimed in.
I told her how thankful she should be to her Mother for giving her up, because her life now is ten times better than it was before. She should accept that her mom knew she couldn't provide for X and her sister, and that she needed to be grateful her Mother loved her so much to realize this. I went more into detail about her situations, but you get the big picture ;)
I was also able to explain the little things to be thankful for in life.
X is guaranteed 3 meals a day, a bed to sleep on, X has to shower everyday, clothes are provided.
Yea, she has been through hell, but I wasn't going to let her revert back to the abuse days and miss them. I had to get her to see the road ahead, not the broken road behind her.
After a good hour, she agreed she would write her emotions down and write a letter to her aunts explaining her pain.
When we got up to leave, she turned to me and thanked me from the bottom of her heart for talking to her and listening to her.
She said she needed to hear everything I said to her...what she doesn't know is, I probably needed to hear what I said, more than she did.
I always get caught up in the big ordeal going on in my life.
I forget to take a step back and be thankful for all the little, more important things I have.

So, by the end of my shift, I was thankful I went to work.
I was thankful I was in the right place and the right time to lend an ear, speak a few words, and learn an important lesson with this young girl.

"We have to take the good with the bad, smile with the sad, love what we got and remember what we had...
Things go wrong...but life goes on"


*I shared this story more so I will remember this night. I wish you could all have been flies on the wall. It was intense, but amazing all at the same time. I wish I could remember every single word that was spoken by both of us, but I can't. Regardless, I have a brighter look on my life, and hopefully, so does X