Bridgette Nicole

A Picture A Day

2012-02-09T14:43:00.001-07:00

I've never done anything like this, but it seems fun!

I've done only a couple of the days that I remember...

Those of you that have Instagram, I apologize now for crowding up your picture feed with pictures everyday. :)

Day 1. your view today
My cute classroom and my kiddos (I left them out of this picture though!)

Day 2. words

Here are some of my sweet students showing me the kindest words a teacher could get.

Aww, I love them!

Day 3. hands

My adorable sister in law's hands on a dish towel...when she was little girl. I think this is SO cute!

Day 5. 10 am

Just getting out of bed on a Sunday Morning! :)

Day 6. dinner

Cooked dinner but nothing picture worthy. Watched this crazy lady on The Bachelor. I hate Courtney...

Day 7. button

My favorite buttons on my favorite coat.

Day 8. sun

I honestly don't go outside like all day.

So instead here is photo of the last sunset of 2011 in Laguna Beach.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off

2012-01-30T20:45:00.000-07:00

My dad grew up in this house

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Aka Ferris Bueller's house

Oh, I also lived there when I was a baby... yeah I'm kind of a big deal.

Who doesn't love Ferris Bueller's Day Off?

Such an 80's Classic.

So you could imagine how happy I was when I saw this little commercial...

Then the real deal sequel came out 4 days ago:

I have kinda mixed feelings, maybe they should stick to the original...

Then on Sunday, when the Sunday School Teacher was asking for someone to say the prayer, he said..."Bueller, Bueller..."

Seriously, the world will never have enough of this movie. I love it.

Oh My Word!

2012-01-23T22:08:00.001-07:00

This little conversation happened today during Science when my kids were working on a worksheet about the moon.

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Girl 1: Oh my gosh! (I don't know what she was saying this about, but I listened in after she said this...)

Boy 1: (Stunned) "Oh my gosh is a bad word, you should say, "oh my WORD". "

Girl 2: "YOU said a bad word!!! You have to say, oh my goodness!"

Boy 2: "Teacher's watching us stop talking..."

All kids: (Pretending they were working this whole time as I walk by)

Oh being a teacher, you hear the funniest conversations!

If only I could show them this YouTube Video:

J Dawgs

2012-01-21T22:00:00.002-07:00

It FINALLY snowed here in Utah!

We went to a Ward Party, it was fun to see people.

Then, we went on a date with my super awesome brother in law to J Dawgs!
Mmmmm that polish dog is to die for. Yum!

Mr. W Visits!

2012-01-20T23:47:00.004-07:00

I teach first graders and I bribe them with awesome things if they are good. Anytime they are caught doing good as a class or they get a compliment from another teacher, we put a cotton ball in a jar. When they fill it up, they get to choose what they would like to do. Most kids would choose dance parties, popcorn party, pizza party, ice cream party....but Noooo all they wanted was a Mr. Wensel party! They are in love! <3

Mr. Wensel came to visit them today. He brought Rainey our friend and the kids freaked out even more because what's better that one cool guy... two!!! They gave the kids their spelling test, they did an awesome science experiment (mentos + diet coke = EXPLOSION!). Each kid even got their own bottle to get hands on experience. My hubby is way too sweet to these kiddos.

Rainey showed the kids a couple magic tricks, they were obsessed! Then Mr. Wensel read the kids a book. Then they played a round of Heads Up Seven Up!

My first graders are adorable and they just LOVE these boys!

Disclaimer: I don't want to get in any trouble with putting up pictures of my students so I made lovely white faces for all of them ;)

Happy Birthday Hubby!

2012-01-16T18:33:00.000-07:00

Last week, we celebrated Christian's birthday! He is soooo old now... ok not super old but he's older than me so he's old. ;)

Since my man just loves parties, (kidding) I threw him one.

He does love hot chocolate, so that was incorporated into the party.

I am such a nice wife.

Thanks to our awesome friends and family who came. We love you guys!

Thanks Elise for taking the pictures, I didn't take any of these... that's why I love her.

California

2012-01-15T20:42:00.000-07:00

Both Christian and I had our childhood in Southern California. Ironically, we grew up 5 minutes away from each other, but obviously didn't know each other back then!

We love going back whenever we get the chance! My family jumped in the car last minute after Christmas and we decided to join them!

We took a trip to Disneyland. This was the first time Christian and I have been back to D-land since we got married! It was SO fun!

I got a picture with my favorite Villian! She was so rude, she covered me up! hahaha. I loved her.

My family is awesome! I love my Mom's pose the best! Gretchen's face is pretty amazing also! haha.

My cousin Jessica and baby Sage were at Disneyland at the same time as us! She is living in Singapore right now! I LOVED meeting my new cousin (I don't know what I am to her, but I love her!)

Jessica and Sage matched, they looked adorable. Jess and I grew up going to Disneyland all the time and she and I would match! :)

It sure was amazing weather there! On New Years Eve we went to the beach.

My cute hubby

I can't wait to see you soon California! You will always be home to me!

A Very Merry Sperry Christmas and German Christmas

2012-01-14T21:47:00.002-07:00

Christian's family celebrates Christmas German style. Christmas Eve is the night of celebration and the Christ Child comes to deliver gifts instead of Santa Clause.

Christmas Eve dinner with the extended family

The very German Grandparents

The cute brothers with their new pajama pants. I love the different personalities of all these boys

A Very Merry Sperry Christmas at the Balkman home. Christmas at my home is wild, fun, and well home! Sperrys, dressing up the cat, Just Dance 3, cracked wheat, and the Macarena highlighted this Christmas season. Everyone got a pair of Sperrys except me...(I'm a high heel girl!)

We then took a surprise trip to California... next blog post! :)

Double Tasking Desk

2011-12-21T12:02:00.000-07:00

My husband works from home developing really cool websites coming out this Spring 2012.

While he works he wanted to get exercise...the perfect solution was an exercise bike connected to a desk.

Do they sell anything like this? Not really anything practical or that looks good.

That's how things work in our home. I need it to look good and he needs practicality. :)

My awesome husband made it to fit our needs and the "cute" factor for me. :)

He's amazing, I know! I LOVE it!

This is where I will be spending my time until we go up to families house for Christmas.

I love that I can lesson plan, Pinterest, blog, Facebook, and read the news all while losing some of that holiday weight! Sweet! Hubby doesn't like that I've taken his desk this vacation... :)

If you want one email me and maybe he can make you one! :)

Snowflake Chic

2011-12-20T12:24:00.006-07:00

American Girl doll, Kirsten totally started this trend and it's back!

My sister had Kirsten growing up and I had Samantha. They both had the cutest clothes.

I was always jealous of Kirsten's snow outfit.

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This cute black and white snowflake pattern is super stylish this Winter.

It's such a chic, mountain lodge, sipping hot chocolate after skiing look.
Perfect for this cold weather that most of us are enduring right now!

Here is the posh Ralph Lauren version of this.

I really like the scarf but not so much the price for the scarf.

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You can actually get this look for way less... Forever 21, baby!

What a steal! Shhh, don't tell... I got this for some Christmas gifts! :)

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Blog Changes

2011-12-20T00:56:00.000-07:00

After having the same blog layout for years, I have decided to update so I am not stuck in the prehistoric age here in blog-o-sphere. I can actually do things I want to now and actually have a cute font! Yay!
I'm sad though, because I will miss this... :(

In other news, I have completed all of my Christmas shopping. Christmas is so much more fun when you actually can buy gifts for others. I can't wait to give my gifts to my family!

One Year Anniversary and Thanksgiving

2011-12-19T00:16:00.000-07:00

November 20, 2010

I became Mrs. Christian Wensel
To feel like you were at our wedding go here

November 20, 2011
We celebrated our One Year Anniversary! :)

I cannot believe it has been a YEAR! Time has gone by so fast since we got married. We are now considered an "OLD" couple in our newly married ward. Being married is such a blast, we have so much fun together. There is no one I would rather spend the rest of eternity with than Christian.

We went out to eat for lunch and dinner, and since we couldn't decide on one place...we went to Christian's pick for lunch and my pick for dinner. It was perfect! :) He chose Tucano's and I chose California Pizza Kitchen...yum! We went shopping together in between and bought each other things. Mind you, he never likes to go shopping...THIS WAS A BIG DEAL guys!

We bought each other matching phone covers, kinda like this one:

Since we got married so close to Thanksgiving we allow ourselves to celebrate the whole Thanksgiving break also. I really don't mind that! :)

Thanksgiving

We went to my parent's house in Alpine. Christian's dad came and stayed with us. He lives in San Francisco so it was so fun to have him with us also and he cooked bomb food for our meal! My grandparents also came into town from California. My mom is such a fabulous designer, I love our Thanksgiving table with her nice china.

We went to Temple Square the day after Thanksgiving. It was fun to go back to where we got married. :)

We cannot wait to celebrate more years together, I love my man! I wish we could have another wedding too because that sure was one fun party!

Fall Fun

2011-10-24T21:32:00.000-07:00

This past week I had fall break. It was just 2 days off of school and it sure wasn't long enough! :)

We had our favorite brother Danny stay with us.

We celebrated my bro Tyler's birthday. Happy Birthday!!!

We went hiking with our favorite people, Trent and Steph.

My hubby gave me the whole closet for all my clothes.... :)

I made a cool paper wreath, that I found on Pinterest.

Last weekend, Lauren visited from California. It was SO good to reunite with her.

I also made Halloween decorations, modge podge pumpkins, using fabric. Also found on my favorite site, Pinterest.

26.2

2011-10-08T21:54:00.000-07:00

I did it, I did it! I ran the St. George Marathon! :) Can you tell I am super happy!?
The reason why this is such a big deal is this has been a goal of mine all my life.
It feels SO good to check something off my goal list.
My Grandpa has ran over 40 marathons. He's a stud.
My Mom has ran 5 marathons including the Boston Marathon right after having a baby.
Running is in my genes.
I LOVED it! I was super sore the day after, but it was the good kind of sore. :)

St. George is always beautiful!

My well deserved medal!

The best cheerleader there is! He is amazing!

Next marathon... coming soon!

Round of Applause!

2011-09-27T21:26:00.000-07:00

So I had a sub this morning because of a First Grade Workshop I had to go to. This was my students first time having a sub this year. Things went great, I just ended up with two more students when I came to school after lunch. That was a little bit of a surprise. The best part of the day is when I picked up my students from lunch and recess and my students just gave me a round of applause. How random, cute, weird, amazing, all at the same time. I looked behind me to see if they were doing it for someone else. Nope, it was for me. I love my kids! Just imagine this picture but with 29 little first graders. hahaha. :)

Life is good.

2011-09-19T19:52:00.000-07:00

Life has been so good lately. I have started teaching my little first graders. They are adorable, so cute, and perfect! :) I love being their teacher! Here's a picture of my room!

I have also been training and training and training for the St. George Marathon...and in 2 weeks I will be running it!! On Saturday, I just ran the farthest I have ever been 22 miles, baby! :) Now just got to do 26.2 on Marathon day, and I CAN'T wait! It's amazing to find out what your body is capable of doing!

It was my brother in-laws b-day this past week! He turned 14 years old but he acts like he's 20 years old!

We love our Danny boy!

In celebration for Fall, I made a wreath! I am such a homemaker now! haha.

Obsessed

2011-06-29T08:34:00.000-07:00

I've become obsessed with some fashion and design websites lately... don't judge. I have a very creative side of me and I found things on the internet that allow me to engage in this!

My favorite being:
PINTEREST
This website is soooooo sweet! It's like an organization system for all of your awesome home decorating and DIY projects and anything else that fits your fancy. I LOVE it! I have like a million albums on iPhoto of wedding ideas, houses I want in the future, things I want to make....and this is a way to put all those pictures in ONE place and to always have access to it!! :)

Ok, my other favorite... I just joined last night and I am a huge fan already is:
LOOKBOOK
I just love seeing the kinds of outfits people put together. It's my source of inspiration for my own style. This site is like going through a magazine and looking at all the interesting, weird or cute outfits that people put together!

Manti

2011-06-27T17:35:00.000-07:00

This weekend Christian and I went with our ward to Manti, Utah (which is in the middle of nowhere...literally!!). I was so excited to go because not only were we going to see the Manti temple for the first time but this would also be Christian and I's first camping trip together!

The Manti temple was gorgeous, as expected! I had always seen pictures of it growing up but to see it right in front of me was just amazing! We saw the Miracle Pageant when we first got there and that was SO cool. It was about the LDS church and about the hardships that people in our church have had to overcome. I love plays and it was just really neat to see scriptures that I have known all my life, being acted out.

Camping was SO fun! Christian and I didn't get a tent from our wedding so we went out and bought one. Christian's requirements were that it had to be tall enough for him to stand in. I just wanted it to look good and be fairly big. :) Well, we met all our requirements and all our friends called our tent, "The Great and Spacious Building". Our good friends even called us King and Queen for some of the trip...hahaha. The best part about camping was we didn't put a cover over our tent so we went to sleep looking up at millions of stars. It was amazing! I have to say it was also nice to sleep on an air mattress...I highly recommend it!

Christian and I also got the opportunity to speak in church on Sunday. It was fun to prepare a talk for married couples. We got to speak on commitment in marriage. I love doing things with my husband, if it's learning how to set up a tent, writing a talk together, going to the temple, going camping, whatever it is...I seriously married the best guy ever! Love him!!

My First Marathon, Our First Garden, and Other Firsts

2011-05-14T20:59:00.000-07:00

-So first off I got into the St. George Marathon!! I have been wanting to do a marathon for years, and this year just seemed to be the year to do it. It's a lottery for those who want to run in it and they cap it at 7400 and about 25000 people apply. I only have to run 26.2 miles...no big deal. Yikes! But, isn't St. George pretty? One of my favorite vacation spots!

-Christian and I have created our first garden! Our apartment complex use to have a hot tub and they got rid of it and decided to use the land for a garden. We got a little plot and here are the BEFORE & AFTER pictures.
BEFORE:

BEFORE (with new soil):

AFTER:

Now we just have to wait for the plants to grow so we can get some cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, peppers, basil, rosemary!

-So, I know I am not a mother yet but Christian was super cute and made me something for Mother's Day. He knows I have been wanting to make a vase like this forever and just haven't gotten around to it. He is the sweetest husband ever! I really wanted to get a BEFORE and AFTER of this project but I forgot, I remembered when he was halfway done! Just imagine for a second that this vase or box whatever you want to call it was blue, brown, and ugly but had potential! I bet you can see it now! Now it is in my favorite colors and a gorgeous harlequin pattern! :)

-I am almost done with my first year of teaching and boy has it been fun! I LOVE teaching children and teaching them about art and music this year has really been amazing!

-Next year however, I will be teaching FIRST GRADE at my school! I can't wait, teaching kids how to read, to love school, and learn the basics...I am ready! :)

Anyways, life has been pretty good to us lately. I love being married to my best friend and I am loving this hot weather. Summer? You can come faster is you want! :)

Our Apartment!

2011-05-04T17:52:00.000-07:00

I have been meaning to do this forever... I am constantly changing and modifying our house to make it look "cuter" :)
In March we received the GRAND PRIZE in our apartment complex for best designed apartment. I'm not trying to brag, but we did get a 2 night stay in Park City (We are all about a free condo!). We had a bunch of strangers come through our apartment and rate it 1 (worst) - 10 (best). It was pretty fun, I loved walking around to all the other apartments to see what everyone had done to theirs.

Anyways, WELCOME to our pad!
WARNING: I am kinda obsessed with black and cream and ribbons :)

There is a story behind that couch! It's my favorite piece of furniture that we own.
Maybe I will tell you sometime!

So my Dad asked me what I wanted for Christmas and all I wanted was a Black and White awning like he and my mom made for my wedding. So for Christmas he made me this, I helped him a little bit...

When your married you got to stake out your "space" :)

Today, I was sick in bed and this is the view from my window... talk about beautiful! Did I tell you that my cute hubby picked our apartment (most people would say, yikes!) but I think he did good!

Thanks for stopping by! :)

My French Wedding!

2011-03-07T20:13:00.000-07:00

We got married November 20, 2010 in the Salt Lake City Temple.
Amazing family and friends, flaming crepes, black & cream & french everything, being snowed in at my reception, an awesome dance party, a tunnel exit in my house to the "honeymoon" car, and a perfect new husband made my wedding the fairy tale of my dreams.

2010 Top 10 List

2010-12-30T18:53:00.000-07:00

A ton of exciting things have happened this year so here is a top 10 list of the best things that happened in 2010. :) Enjoy!

1. Well, probably the best thing that happened this year is I married my best friend on November 20th in the Salt Lake Temple (more pics to come...)

2. My then boyfriend proposed to me on the beach I grew up going to as a kid.

3. After 4 amazing years I graduated from BYU

4. I got my DREAM JOB of teaching Art and Music to 1st and 2nd graders!

5. I finally have an apartment that I can design the way I want (more pictures to come...)

6. My last name changed (meaning new initials!!)

7. I got an amazingly awesome new family!

8. After years of loathing this game because all I saw were people who fought when they played....I gave in and I have officially come to the conclusion that this is the best game ever AND it is a game that if I play well, I can beat my hubby! :)

9. Went to Washington D.C. for the first time and fell in love with the city!

10. Spent a lot of time with friends and family, saying goodbye to good friends, celebrating exciting times in their life, reuniting with family and friends. In all, I LOVED every second I got to spend with these amazing people in my life!

Thank you 2010 for being such a perfect year! Now for 2011, BRING IT ON! :)

Our Wedding Website!

2010-11-08T13:20:00.001-07:00

For information about our wedding, check out the website Christian created:

Bridgette and Christian's Wedding Website

How We Met

2010-09-09T14:00:00.000-07:00

Christian spotted Bridgette from across the Cougareat at Brigham Young University while they were both on their breaks for lunch. Bridgette was working at BYU in the Admissions Office and as an EFY Counselor and Christian was a web designer at BYU. Christian came up to Bridgette and asked if he could sit with her. Bridgette knew right away this boy was different and very intriguing. Christian and Bridgette were inseperable from then on. Holding hands through multiple arm surgeries, traveling to Paris and California, hiking, skiing, and playing games these two fell in love.

Christian and I are getting married!!!

2010-09-07T22:48:00.000-07:00

Best day of my life....August 13, 2010. I was on vacation with my family in Southern California. Christian couldn't come because he had work. After a morning breakfast on Huntington Beach, my sister Gretchen and I went to go stake out a place for our family to be on the beach for the day. Gretchen realized she had "forgotten" her phone and ran back to the hotel in which we were staying at. I continued to walk on the beach to set up a place on the beach. As I came to a spot that looked good I spotted Christian walking towards me. I didn't think it was him but did a double take just in case. sure enough it was Christian on the beach with a suit jacket on and randomly in the most perfect spot on the beach. I was shocked and so surprised that he was here, I quickly embraced him and asked him what in the world he was doing here. Christian simply replied by kneeling on one knee and asking if I wanted to marry him. I of course said YES! I was shocked, surprised and absolutely flabbergasted that he just came out to my favorite place in the world and propose to me right there on the beach!! He and my family did a pretty good job of keeping it a secret I must say because I had no idea this was coming! It was the most perfect proposal and I AM SO EXCITED!!

We are getting married November 20, 2010 in the Salt Lake City, Utah Temple!

What I have been up to...

2010-07-17T23:06:00.000-07:00

Well I graduated but still have 1 MORE CLASS to do to get my teaching certificate! I am working my butt of in this crazy class online that I got to get done this week... :S

I am working here this month for the big sale...

Just had a family reunion in my favorite place...

BEST NEWS OF ALL...
I got a job teaching this....

And teaching this....

Life is good.
I enjoyed a wonderful trip to Washington DC (my first time) which I LOVED and being an academic counselor at a camp for high school students the whole month of June.

BYU Graduation and Birthdays

2010-04-27T10:07:00.000-07:00

It has been a crazy week! I found out last week that I would be able to graduate on Friday. Thinking I was going to have to wait till August graduation because I have two more classes to complete. So I told family and friends last minute of the event and I threw together a large graduation party.

Graduation at BYU is nothing spectacular if I do say so myself. I never thought I would walk, but after being told that I would regret it and that my friend Allyse was walking in the same school as me, I did it! It actually was kind of fun. It started off with a Thursday convocation Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve spoke to us and it was a very moving speech. Video here...

Then Friday was the actual graduation from the college that you majored in. I graduated from the McKay School of Education. I had to be at the Smith Field House at 7am on Friday and the actual convocation ceremony started at 8am. My grandma and grandpa both came out for the graduation, which was so sweet of them to come out last minute.

After graduation, my family went to Mimi's Cafe which was a ridiculous wait but it was worth it. Then I had a graduation party at my house where we celebrated the graduation of my friends Allyse, Kaylee, Domineau, and myself. It was a blast and I had so many friends come and my mom's friends all rekindled their college days :)

The next day was Phil's birthday (Christian's brother). He had birthday lunch at Tucanos and then the next day on his real birthday we had sunday dinner at his mom's house in Fruit Heights.
With the birthday boy:

Then on April 26th was my birthday! :) I turned 22 years old!
I had a wonderful relaxing day that included hiking with my mom, shopping, thai food with my family, California Pizza Kitchen with Christian, playing in the park, and watching a movie about princesses.
All in all it was a spectacular week. I graduated, I turned 22, and now I am all grown up and ready to take on the world...or not. :)

Washington DC!

2010-04-02T09:37:00.000-07:00

I am going here in May...

I could not be more excited! I LOVE history and I love traveling to new places...yeah I have never been here before! :) My dad is going on a business trip and I am going to go with him and play and maybe interview for some jobs out there!!! Now I just got to get through April and May...

I can't wait for this this weekend!

One more note it is SPRING BREAK for my school district that I am student teaching in! Being a teacher definitely has it's perks! :)

I like/I don't like

2010-03-22T19:51:00.000-07:00

I like...

teaching 1st Grade
Christian
hiking and walking with my friends
phone calls from people (especially cousins in Chicago)
that my sister got into BYU
that it is starting to get warm in Utah
reuniting with my Freshman friends
wearing clothes that make you feel good
the smell of vanilla bean lotion from Bath and Body Works
sleeping with a humidifier on when I sleep
the feeling that you get when you are with family
that I passed my Teacher Work Sample...one step closer to graduation :)
that I get a Spring Break for a couple of days next week from teaching
hearing little boys in my class say they want to marry me behind my back

I don't like...

not knowing where I will be next year
looking for a real teaching job
making cover letters
that fact that I have to take classes this Spring
the load of laundry that I still have to fold
buying things when I am poor
not living near a Trader Joes when I am craving it
throwing away Valentines roses even if they have died

"I'm sorry your not married"

2010-03-04T17:50:00.000-07:00

I just had the worst paper of my life due March 1st and I am DONE! It was the Teacher Work Sample, the only assignment I have this whole semester while I am student teaching. It was such a relief to finally get it done, it turned out to be 48 pages total! Ahh! So I am half way through the student teaching experience. I am no longer teaching 3rd graders, and now teaching 1st grade in Draper, UT. I LOVE it!!! 1st grade is so wonderful and it keeps you busy. I think that I was meant to be a teacher because I have a lot of energy and don't get tired easily and I can talk baby talk and smile all day. It's a perfect fit! :)

So the funniest thing was said to me today. This little girl who is just adorable comes up to me as I am dropping my class in the cafeteria for lunch she says. "Miss Balkman, Miss Balkman...I am soo sorry!!" I said, "what are you sorry about?" She said, "I'm so sorry your not married, that's so sad." I laughed out loud when she said that. I told her that I'm actually pretty young (21) and a lot of people my age are not married yet. She said, "Oh, that's kind of old, my Mom was 18 when she got married." Oh brother, this is why I love Utah and the kids here....hahahaha.

Student Teaching

2010-01-13T18:52:00.000-07:00

So this semester of school instead of going to school, I teach school! I am a Student Teacher in the Jordan area of SLC Valley in Utah. It is such a fun way to spend my day! I am there 8am-4pm and it is an hour drive there and back! I do miss being on BYU campus though :( but, I guess this is what happens when you grow up! So I am student teaching for 2 months in a 3rd grade classroom, which is such a great age and grade! I love them!

One of my favorite little girls loves to compliment me every day, I think she's a sweetheart but it makes me think she wants me to do something because she always compliments me. The funny thing is that it's always a different kind of compliment. Like yesterday it was,

"Miss Balkman you have such beautiful green eyes."

Today it was "Miss Balkman you have such white teeth",

and then last week she said, "Miss Balkman you have such a nice speaking voice."

It totally makes my day and then I feel bad that she isn't doing so well in the class....

I love being a teacher but it is sure a lot of work!

So Busy!

2009-11-12T20:44:00.000-07:00

I have been super busy lately but just an update on my life...

-I'm teaching 6th grade, which I love and I thought I would hate

-I have to take the Praxis Exam this weekend to see if I can be an Elementary School Teacher, hopefully I pass!

-I was a German Girl amongst a group of other Germans for Halloween

(Oh and I was Belle for my little 6th graders...no worries and also I don't enjoy being sluty, this was a one time deal and never again. I guess you have to do it one time to see why we really shouldn't dress like this :)

Sneak Peak Picture:

-I'm going to be a bridesmaid in one of my best friend's weddings :)

-In October my fam went to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico...which was AMAZING! It was super hot and I just got to relax, hike, see beautiful sunsets and experience a new culture = Awesome!

Besides all of this life has been good and keeping me going! :)

Oh and I am still dating this guy :)

Mexico!

2009-11-08T14:42:00.000-07:00

i'm so in love.

2009-10-05T12:40:00.000-07:00

This boy is pretty awesome.

He is a computer geek.

He loves Macs.

He loves anything that has to do with College Football and Texas.

He's from France and Irvine, the best two places ever.

He's German.

He's a crazy skier.

He has mad soccer skills.

And he beats me in games, which is hard to do. :)

ZUMBA

2009-08-18T10:55:00.000-07:00

I have been taking a class at Golds Gym this summer, ZUMBA! All I got to say is if you want to shed some pounds and have fun doing it, this is the way to go! Zumba is Latin dance mixed with aerobics. Rhythmic Latin music is played while you get to learn some hot moves and shake your hips ... :) LOVE IT! I am going to try and get really good at it, because I would love to be a Zumba instructor! If anyone knows me, my favorite genre of music is Latin ...I guess that's what you get when your mom lived in South America and you love samba dancing! :) Anyways, just had to let the word out and if you get a chance to take a class, just do it!!

Donna, my Great Grandmother

2009-07-17T08:55:00.000-07:00

Donna Vee Paul Jackson

It is a hard thing to see a loved one pass away. I actually have not had many in my life yet who have. My Great Grandma, Donna just passed away yesterday, July 16th. She was 98 years old and lived a good life. I have gotten closer to her in the past couple of years, since my family moved to Utah. My mom and I have frequently visited her at her home in Salt Lake. My favorite memories of her is when she would beg us to put on her Dean Martin and Fred Astaire cds and want to dance. My mom and I would help her stand as we would dance in her kitchen together. I think something we both had in common is we hate sitting, and we both love dancing to classy music like that. She loved telling me about her dating years and her first kiss stories. She was such a character, she loved talking about her many men! She was also a very good healthy cook. My favorite recipes were here zucchini bread and her bran muffins. I guess all my mom's best recipes are from her!

My mom was able to see her a couple days ago and she was told by the doctors that she was to stay in bed for the last 3 weeks. I think this was torture for her. When my mom went over, GG (I have called her this since I was a baby) really just wanted to dance. Well she was told not to do this specifically by the doctors, but GG didn't care and just wanted to get out of her stupid bed. So my mom put her in a wheelchair and put on her music and GG and my mom danced around the kitchen. My mom said that GG was laughing and giggling and told my mom that this was the most fun she has had in a long time! We were told by her caretaker that she was giggling in her sleep and was so happy.

2 days later, yesterday July 16, 2009 Donna Paul died from the blood clot in her leg, that had been there for about a year and has been worsening as days went on. I am so sad that I was not able to see her with my mom the beginning of this week. I am going to regret that the rest of my life. Although, to hear that she was so full of joy that night a couple days before she died makes me so happy.

Life really goes quite fast. I bet GG is so happy to have no more pain and I am happy to know that she is in a better place dancing away to dean martin in heaven with her husband. I love her so much and miss her terribly.

Rainy Weekend

2009-06-15T09:42:00.000-07:00

So I got a new job that I will be doing on top of my BYU Admissions job. I am now a sales girl at a spa store. It's called Take A Break Spas and Billiards. So I sell spas, jacuzzis, and pool tables. The funny this is I have never owned any of these things so it is quite funny that I have to convince people to buy them. So far it has been good. It is a lot of information to remember and I need to know a lot about chemicals, water, and chemistry....yikes!! The fun part is I get to talk to people, walk around and talk about how fun spas are <3 it!! So come buy a hot tub, you know you want to! ;)

This weekend I had to take a test to be able to teach in Utah. It's called the Praxis Exam. I didn't like it one single bit. I had to be at UVU at 7:30am on a Saturday to take the test, no sleeping in for me :(. It covered everything I have ever learned in Math, English, Science, and Social Studies. I found out from this test how little I know of our US History. We will see how I did in a couple weeks when I get my test results back, luckily you can take the test as many times as you want...you just gotta pay for it. We will see!

Besides that, it was a lovely weekend full of thundershowers, rain, and black skies in the lovely month of June. I said farewell to my cousin Jessica as she will be going to Chicago for the next 5 years for her husbands job. :( I'm going to miss them! It's so crazy that we are old enough to be leaving to go take real jobs in the world and get married....and wow, I really feel super young and not old enough for all of this yet!

Paris!

2009-06-02T12:32:00.000-07:00

One month from now I will be here...

Ahhhh!! :) :) I am SOOOOOOOOOOOO excited!!!!!
This will be my first time leaving the country, besides Canada (which doesn't really count) I am ecstatic! I am going with Christian and his brother, because that is where they are from. I also am going to see my friend Marion who stayed with me a couple years ago, as an exchange student from France! Lots to do though, I need to get my wardrobe all fancied out and try to learn a few words of French so I don't look like a total idiot. Au Revoir!

What movie star do you look like?

2009-05-11T11:49:00.000-07:00

So the past month I have been told that I look like two different movie stars...Now why do I care or why do you care? It's stupid really but it's fun. Also I wish I was a movie star or actually a Broadway star (we can dream right?) so when people say that I look like someone famous I get super excited! haha. So here they are...

Lauren Graham from Gilmore Girls... I LOVE her!!!

Then the girl from the X-Men Origins Wolverine
Lynn Collins

Ok, so I haven't seen the movie yet, but after opening night I had people stop me on the street to tell me that I looked like Wolverine's girlfriend...I was like whhatt are you talking about? I looked up pictures and I think I can see it?

I don't know...who do I look like? I love finding resemblances between people. Who have people told you that you look like?

The past few months...

2009-05-08T10:24:00.000-07:00

It's been forever. I got done with my crazy semester of school and did well. I was a nanny for a week in St. George for the cutest kids and got tan. Although I realized I don't think I want kids for a while...it's a lot of work...at least we get them one at a time and are not just thrown 3 kids Right? :)Unless I am the lucky one who gets triplets someday :S

I turned 21... Wahoo!! The only cool thing about being 21 and LDS is I get a new drivers license!! Which I am not too excited about because I have to get a UTAH drivers license and get rid of my Washington one :( Sad.

So besides all that I am working at BYU still, which I love and looking for another part time job. Life is good. I spent this weekend in Park City with Christian's family, which was a lot of fun, even though there was no snow. We saw Star Trek...which I LOVED! Then spent mother's day with my Mom and went walking for many hours, because that is her favorite thing to do, and coincidentily it is mine too! Mother like daughter!

EFY Theme Song Video Clip

2009-03-29T23:00:00.000-07:00

Fun but LOTs of work!

2009-03-23T12:44:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I love teaching but man it's a lot of work! Whoever said Elementary Education was an easy major is seriously disturbed. Teaching, as everyone says is a very rewarding profession, but it takes a toll on you. I'm up late every night and up super early trying to fit everything in. I've had 2 evaluations so far where my teacher has come to watch and grade me on how well I can teach a lesson. My first one didn't go so well because the kids were insane that day, but today they were angels and the lesson just flowed so easy. Days like today, I realize how much I absolutely love teaching. It is so fun and rewarding to see kids get it and actually understand what they were taught. Today I taught them how to write and tell time by the hour, we did this while we sang Hickory Dickory Dock. I include song and dance into any lesson I can, because that is my specialty and it totally helps those students who need repetition to finally get it.

Not all fun and games...

2009-03-13T14:26:00.000-07:00

I'm a student teacher in a 1st grade classroom for the month and I've been in there for 2 weeks now...and wow I'm exhausted. It's so much fun but seriously a lot of work. It feels like more discipline than learning...I hate that. Now I know that if you let kids loose they will not listen to you so you got to have structure, routines, a discipline plan and all those things I don't like about the whole school thing but now I realize they really are essential. :(

Cadbury Eyebrow Commercial

2009-03-01T19:22:00.001-07:00

Viva La Vegas Valentines...

2009-02-28T14:18:00.001-07:00

Valentines Day was amazing. Christian and I went to Vegas with our friends Trent and Stephanie. They are both from Washington but Steph's family just recently moved to Vegas. So we stayed at her house. The first thing we did when we got to Vegas was of course...get In-N-Out! :) Valentines day we went into the city all day long and just wandered. It was SO much fun!

By night, we split up and while Steph and Trent went to a show we went to dinner at the Mon Ami Gabi at the Eiffel Tower. Christian is from France and he thought the food was very authentic. It was SO good and so romantic!

Christian treated me like a princess all night. We had an amazing view at the restaurant and just spent hours and hours dining, just like the French :) We then wandered more of Vegas and watched the Bellagio fountains dance to "Time to Say Goodbye" one of my favorite songs, the fountains were BEAUTIFUL!

Then, we went into the Bellagio and I heard a piano playing and I told Christian, that what would top this night off is if we listen to the piano player (I love listening to people play the piano) So instead of just sitting anywhere Christian takes us to a table in the bar right next to the piano and we order drinks Shirley temples :) and we listen to the beautiful music. We made friends with the drunk people around us because that's how we do. Greg, a drunk rich guy near our table became our friend that night. We talked to him and he was friends with the piano man and dedicated a song to us, "When I Fall In Love" It was so cute!!! It totally made my night. To top it off I got beautiful roses, Jones soda, chocolate, and an amazing date. It was so much fun and definitely a night to remember. Valentines in Vegas is not too shabby, I recommend it! :)

Teaching 1st Grade

2009-02-27T13:33:00.000-07:00

I start teaching in a elementary school next week for a whole month! It is part of my Elementary Education classes for this semester. So instead of going to BYU classes for the month, I go to the Elementary school all day...although I still have to go to some night classes and go to work on campus. I am SOO excited! I got randomly assigned to teach 1st grade!! YIPEEE! That is the grade I want to teach, so it will be perfect, I will see if that is really what I want to teach and do in the future! Wish me luck! My new name this next month will be Miss. Balkman! :)

Grateful

2009-02-11T23:47:00.000-07:00

So coolest thing EVER... My roommate Kylie recommended me to her teacher who has treated people like me with really bad fractured/dislocated elbows in the healing process. Anyways, I met with him and he wants to help me!! I've already had 2 treatments with him and he has made such a difference in my arm! My best extension in my arm has been 15' and my best flexion has been 45'. Today, he got me all the way to 10' and then my flexion all the way to 50'!! He is absolutely amazing. I have been to 4 physical therapists in the past year, that my parents have paid tons of money for and no one has made such a difference in arm. This guy is giving me free treatments and he will use me in his medical journal and he uses a different treatment (like stretching my arm differently and heating it differently) than any of the other doctors have used. Anyways, I am so grateful for my roommate for letting her teacher know about my situation and also for Dr. Draper for his amazing sacrifice and determination. He loves a challenge and man is my arm a stubborn big challenge, I thought my arm was good enough, but he said "No way, we can get it better than that!" He said we will get my arm to 0' and all my doctors said if I got it even to 25' I should be grateful. Man, am I grateful for my improvement. I know with help from my Heavenly Father I can get my arm back to where it should be. Man, this is definitely a answer to a prayer.

When I grow up...

2009-02-04T10:44:00.000-07:00

When I grow up and have a house of my own...this will be the inspiration...

I just love black, white, and red!! It's just so glamorous and classy!

My Fashion Creation

2009-01-31T20:24:00.000-07:00

Paris Black - by Bridgettenicole on Polyvore.com
I want all of these things in this ad I made. You can make your own at http://www.polyvore.com It's super fun!

Provo's best kept secret

2009-01-26T22:10:00.000-07:00

So one of Provo's best kept secrets... Omelet Night at the Utah Valley Hospital! It happens randomly every month and actually is really popular! We stood in line for 2 hours, just to get a omelet! Was it worth it? haha actually it was! The best omelet I have ever had in my entire life. Did I mention it was only 3 bucks? Yeah, Provo's best kept secret now revealed.

Stephanie and I waiting in the cold for an omelet? haha.

We finally made it to the door!! YAY!!

Gold's

2009-01-08T16:41:00.000-07:00

So all I really wanted for Christmas was a Gold's Gym membership. I use to go to the gym everyday back in high school and since then I have just used the smelly gross BYU gym facilities, so thanks to my amazing parents I am now going to be fit and fabulous! :) Watch out!

Top 10 of 2008

2009-01-03T12:19:00.000-07:00

1. I got 30 stitches in my left knee from a running accident
The culprit... this sidewalk... :(

2. I shattered my left elbow on a trampoline and had 3 surgeries. Was in a hospital for 3 weeks this year. :) Now have a bionic elbow!!

3. I went to Boston for a surgery

4. I was an EFY counselor and got to sing the theme song

5. I was a Sports Camp counselor

6. I met an amazing guy

7. I got a job at BYU Admissions as an Assistant and Tour Guide

8. I got my first 4.0 ever

9. I got into the Elementary Education program at BYU

10. I was able to wear skirts and dresses almost everyday for my job on campus

What a great year!!!! :)

Dance Dance Revolution

2008-12-30T12:24:00.000-07:00

I am obsessed...

My family owns DDR and since I have been at home this past holiday I have totally taken advantage of it. :) I spent two hours last night tearing up the floor with my sweet moves! DDR= Best game ever!

Color Code/Meyers Briggs

2008-12-23T14:22:00.000-07:00

I am really into reading into people's personality types and why people act the way they do and why certain people get along better than others.

I am pretty much obsessed with the COLOR CODE book. I took the test when I was younger and have read the book more than 20 times. I love finding out what colors everyone is. I am: YELLOW - WHITE, but mostly YELLOW.

YELLOW- These are the fun lovers. Fun, or the joy of doing something just for the sake of doing it, is what motivates and drives these people. They bring great gifts of enthusiasm and optimism and are generally charismatic, spontaneous, and sociable.

WHITE- These are the peacekeepers. Peace, or the absence of conflict, is what motivates and drives these people. They bring great gifts of clarity and tolerance and are generally kind, adaptable, good-listeners.

Take the test online- Color Code Test

Another one that I make all my friends take is the Meyers-Briggs Type Indicator test.
In this test, I am a ESFP but also a ENFP.

ESFP- For the ESFP, the entire world is a stage. They love to be the center of attention and perform for people. They're constantly putting on a show for others to entertain them and make them happy. They enjoy stimulating other people's senses, and are extremely good at it. They would love nothing more than for life to be a continual party, in which they play the role of the fun-loving host.

ENFP- ENFPs are warm, enthusiastic people, typically very bright and full of potential. They live in the world of possibilities, and can become very passionate and excited about things.
ENFPs are charming, ingenuous, risk-taking, sensitive, people-oriented individuals with capabilities ranging across a broad spectrum. They have many gifts which they will use to fulfill themselves and those near them, if they are able to remain centered and master the ability of following through.

Of course there are weaknesses about each personality- but why would I share my weaknesses, people might rub it in :)

There are many tests online. Here's one that I've used, Myers-Briggs Test At the end of the test, you will get 4 letters that indicate what your type is. Many tests you have to pay a fee and then you get a document sent to you giving a lengthy explanation about you, but there is so much online about each trait, that I would suggest just exploring!

My favorite thing to do is explore what type of personalities are best in a relationship with each other. The boy I am dating right now, we are polar opposites. Opposites attract right? It's funny because test results say it probably won't work out, hahaha we will see about that! Sometimes I like proving these tests wrong, they can't tell me what I can and can't do! :)

If anyone reads this, let me know what the tests say about you, and we can see if we can still be friends ;)

Done with Finals!

2008-12-17T14:26:00.000-07:00

I'm done with finals and I'm feeling good! Now it's time for Christmas cheer!! :) I can't wait to watch this... when I was younger I use to watch this every week. I just adore Bing Crosby- best singer ever and Vera Ellen- an AMAZING dancer with super long legs! I guess you could say this movie inspired me to sing and dance.

Oh Finals, Oh the Library

2008-12-08T23:38:00.001-07:00

I just LOVE finals time and I just LOVE being in the library till midnight and soon to be 2am once the library is open until then just for finals! Wahoo!! I have SO much to do and SO much to study and I should not be writing in a blog but it gives me a little break from writing a paper and studying names of authors of books that I will not even remember after finals...but that's ok, I'll pretend I'll know it really well to get a good grade and then I will get it out of my mind forever. I love school actually, that is why I am going to be a teacher, but I really don't like Finals, they STRESS ME OUT! :) Ok, I'm done!
Oh here's a pretty picture of my building that I work in on campus...

Movie Weekend!

2008-11-17T14:06:00.000-07:00

This weekend, besides going rock climbing with my dad I saw some great movies. I saw Madagascar (the first one) for the first time, which I can't believe I JUST saw it. It was SO good!! Then the next day I saw Madagascar 2...I was laughing hysterically the whole time. I love kid movies, so I wouldn't recommend the second one if you didn't like the first. Unlike most sequels, this one was a good one to see. I loved the dancing lion Alex, he just made me laugh the whole time!!! Great movie!

I then saw the James Bond movie, which was pretty good. I am not much of an action shoot em' up kinda girl so it wasn't my favorite. I think I liked Casino Royale much better. But from what I hear, this movie is necessary in watching the 3rd one. Christian, loved the movie though, so I might not be the best critic. :)

Festival of Lights

2008-11-17T00:11:00.000-07:00

I went to the Festival of Lights a couple of weeks ago at the Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork, Utah with some of my friends. It was so awesome. It was such a cool cultural experience. I absolutely love that culture! The temple was beautiful. We got to go inside and sing songs and then they brought in cows inside the temple, which they worshiped...it was very interesting. The cows being animals peed on the ground, and they were right near us, and we were sitting on the ground...it splashed on one of my friends...gross!! The most interesting thing we saw was a man came up and put the pee on his face. It is suppose to be a sacred act because they believe God is inside the cows. After, we watched a dancer do a dance to the Gods. I love the beautiful festive wear that all of the people wore. I was really tempted to get my own Hindu wear. We did however get a dot (bindi) put on our forehead, meaning that we are ready for marriage... or also symbolizing our third eye! :) All in all, it was a fabulous night and I really appreciate the Hindu religion now.

Batgirl Saves the Day!

2008-11-04T11:09:00.001-07:00

I was having fun with a website and made my first scrapbook blog thingy!! It's dumb, but sometime I will make a cute one! :)

Halloween!

2008-11-03T21:23:00.001-07:00

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays...simply because you can dress up and be crazy and it's completely normal and accepted! :) Halloween this year started the day before with a little ward party, that was simply smashing... :) Then Halloween day, I had dinner with Christian, Allyse & Rob and then I went to the Hollywood house with Christian, Lauren, Kylie, Caitlyn, Piper, and Jenni! It was super fun and a good night. Then, it totally rained and it was a great Halloween! haha. I was Batgirl (my favorite superhero/costume)

The group on our way to the Hollywood House

The Girls

Me with some hot superheros... MMMMmmmHmmm :)

I found mini Batman!!! He is so cute!

Some of my favorite girlfriends

With some awesome superheros/fighters who look like superheros

I work with this nerdy boy in my ward :)

My Roomies...Rosalie (Twilight), Batgirl, Man Eater, and the Nurse

Batman and Batgirl...saving the world!

Me and Kylie

Kylie, Lindsay, and I

Doctors are my favorite! <3

California!!

2008-10-22T19:42:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I went down to California aka the place I was born and lived for 10 years...it's one of my all time favorite places! I went down there with my mom and brother Tyler and his gf Jessica and my sister Gretchen and Christian! It was so much fun! We stayed at my Grandma's house which use to be only a mile from my old house. We went to Newport Beach and Laguna Beach, it was so warm and I got a tan! Yay for tans in October!! :) We also went to Knotts Berry Farm! It was a blast, we were like the only people there. We didn't have to wait in any lines to get onto any rides. So, in 4 hours we were so tired and dizzy and feeling sick because we had gone on every ride at least 2 or 3 times! We also went to the swap meet, and I got a really cute pair of designer jeans with diamonds on it for cheap! So California was amazing! On top of it's amazingness we stopped at In-N-Out and went to my other favorite fast food, El Polla Loco and Rubios! My favorites! Anyways, I love roadtrips and I love my family and I love Christian :)

My little Cousin Sydney!

My cousin Abby, she is as wild and crazy as I was when I was little...I was lucky to catch her in my arms for a picture, this girl is always on the go! haha :)

Love him!

We are so wierd! :)

I LOVE Palm Trees!

Kylie's Birthday!

2008-10-08T21:52:00.000-07:00

Kylie turned 20 and boy did we celebrate! We LOVE our Kylie!!

Kisses for the Birthday Girl! :)

My Cute Roomies

Piper and Kylie

Domineau, Piper, and I - The Roommates kids unite :) (Our moms all went to college together and now we go to college together...)

Life is good!

2008-10-07T14:33:00.000-07:00

I am super lame at updating this... Anyways, update on my life...

-It's my roomie Kylie Holt's B-day today.. 20 years old! :)

-I LOVED General Conference, I got to go to the Saturday Afternoon session in Salt Lake and I sat in Brother Uchtorf's seats for family, because Christian's grandparents are best friends with him and his family (they are from Germany also, and Chris's grandfather was a member of the seventy, Brother Busche) So, we were in the very front and center, it was SO cool! Not to mention, I got to meet some of the members of the seventy afterward and speak to one of the French men who spoke that afternoon!

-I have been super busy with school

-Last week I had a storybook reading night at my house, because I had to read 50 children's picture books, and I didn't want to read them all by myself, so my roommates and I made a party out of it! :) It was very successful and I got my homework done!

- I love my job! I work in the Admissions Office in High School Relations and I am a assistant to a representative who travels to the East Coast to recruit people for BYU. I get to make travel plans, conduct and record surveys, talk to high schoolers and parents on the phone, and get to do public relations for BYU! It's pretty much amazing!

-I have an amazing boy in my life right now, who I adore, he is such a great guy and makes me a better person.

-I go to Physical Therapy twice a week, and it's pretty fun...they do stretching exercises on my arm and massage it, while I sit and squirm and read People magazine! Fun! haha!

-I love seeing my friends here at BYU, it is the best having everyone that you love so close and convenient, I sure missed everyone this summer!

-I am going to Canada this weekend with Kylie to see her brother who just got off his mission last week!

-I am going to California next week with my family

Lots of fun and Lots to look forward to...I love college!!!

I'm Fixed!

2008-08-21T12:47:00.000-07:00

I flew out to Boston 2 weeks ago and had my 3rd surgery on my elbow. After many prayers & blessings it was a success! The surgeon, who is the best elbow surgeon in the nation was very confident going into it, which made me feel at ease. The surgery didn't magically make everything better though, the doc said it is now up to me. Meaning in order to have motion in my arm and elbow I got to work hard on it...nothing ever comes easy does it? So since my trip back east I have been in a machine (aka the torture machine) that stretches my arm and tries to increase motion. I have to be in it 23 hours a day...yes I am in it as I write this! Here is my arm in the torture device...
As you can imagine things can get pretty boring when you're in bed for two weeks...thank goodness to nice people like this boy Christian who has spent almost everyday by my side taking care of me even when I'm crazy and weird on my drugs :)

Here are some pics of my adventure in Boston...

Stanford

2008-06-25T07:48:00.000-07:00

We found a surgeon! She is a elbow and shoulder orthopedic surgeon at Stanford University! So, yesterday I went to Stanford so she could check out my elbow and see how she could help me. Yes...I flew all the way to Standford just for that! I have never been to Standford before, so this was an adventure! Let's just say, it wasn't the way I imagined an Ivy League school. The school looked like a mission, it was very Spanish. The city which Stanford is in is called Palo Alto. Let's just say, I want to live there someday!! There were BEAUTIFUL old homes, tons of trees and a great outdoor mall nearby...all you need! :) Anyways, the surgeon is great! She is very confident in working on my elbow and she says we will need to do surgery in the next few weeks and she doesn't think I will need to have a external fixator (the device with pins that would stick out of my arm)...thank goodness...so I like her, I am confident that she will do a good job on my elbow, but only time will tell!

Here are some pictures of Stanford...

This is Palm Drive, the entrance to the University

Houses in Palo Alto... I didn't have my camera so I found some of the houses I saw in person yesterday on the web!

Where in the USA?

2008-06-18T15:16:00.000-07:00

So, I went to the doctor yesterday and what he told me, things are not good. With elbow accidents as bad as mine you only get 3 chances and then you are out. Meaning...I have already had 2 surgeries and I can only have one more and then there is nothing else that can be done. The doctor I went to said that he himself didn't feel comfortable doing this last surgery and felt that I should go to someone who has made a living off of just doing surgeries on elbows...which there aren't many and people who just do that don't live in Utah the elbow guros are mostly on the east coast. So...the question is where in the USA does Bridgette get to have surgery?? It might be in Minnesota, New York, or Indiana or even somewhere else. My parents are trying to arrange stuff today, so we will see where I get to go...not that it really matters because I will be out of it, but it would be pretty cool to get surgery in New York or something! :)

Exciting Weekend

2008-06-16T08:41:00.000-07:00

Father's Day my fam and I went for a hike in a canyon really close to my house, it was gorgeous, reminded me of hikes in Washington...It made me miss my favorite hike, Tiger Mountain

It's Monday and I went running at 6am this morning (haven't woken up that early for running in a long time!) It was absolutely amazing! I am going to run every morning at that time because so far this morning I have felt very alert and happy and it has made me crave good foods. I'm going to loose 5-10 pounds (I want to look like I did as a sophomore in HS when I was running varsity cross country) this summer and keep it off so I am going to make this early running thing a habit so I can accomplish this goal.

I am not working Sports camps or EFY this week or next week and already I am sad, I passed registration walking this morning on my way to work and it made me wish I was there :(

One of my best friends from BYU, Allyse got married this weekend at the Salt Lake Temple. Kaylee and I were bridesmaids for her. It was so fun! It was a first for both of us, we have never had such a close friend get married, let alone be a bridesmaid for anyone, so it was a cool experience. There were 65 brides that day going through the temple on Saturday! How crazy is that? Our dresses were totally cute and chic, they were light purple (periwinkle) in a satin fabric...super cute and Allyse's grandma made them!! My dress got super wrinkly but it's ok, it was probably from wearing it all day! The reception was fun, it was at a church in Lake Point, Utah aka middle of nowhere, so lots of hick lookin people but super nice. Going to a wedding made me think of what I want for my wedding...
-colors=black, white, and red
-summer wedding, so its hot outside
-my sister and my best friends as bridesmaids
-I want dancing to be a huge part of the reception, and we will have songs ranging from sinatra to shakira...PERFECT! haha
-I have to go on a honeymoon where it is sunny and hot :)
-I don't even care what temple I get married in, I would like to have a reception in Washington though, but I have never been too excited to get married in the Seattle temple (it's just not my favorite...I LOVE the Salt Lake temple, Logan temple, bountiful temple, and san diego temple...I like the castle looking ones...but I know it really doesn't matter

Ok no more talk about weddings...I need to find a guy first or have that missionary of mine back before I can even start really thinking about this stuff, but i guess it can't hurt to have an idea of what I want! :)

My Summer Thus Far...

2008-06-13T09:37:00.000-07:00

The past few months have been quite an adventure! For those of you that don't know, I was with a buddy of mine at a tumbling gym here in Provo in March. I was jumping on a trampoline, a super bouncy one and i was jumping really high! It was awesome until I thought it would be cool to do a flip! But because I am no gymnast and it's not very smart to flip when you are up in the air really high, I over rotated the flip and ended up landing on my left arm...causing the bone to come out of my skin (compound fracture) and my elbow to shatter and my ligaments to tear. It was ugly. I was screaming and crying obnoxiously, it was the most pain I have ever felt in my life. Luckily my friend is an EMT and is going to be a doctor so he knew how to make me stay calm, and I didn't faint before the ambulance came. The ambulance finally came after what seemed like forever! I rode in an ambulance car for the first time which I have always wanted to do, but I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would. I was put out right away and had a sling on once I woke up. I was to have surgery a couple days after. Those next few days were super painful and I just slept or tried to sleep all day and all night so I wouldn't be able to think of the pain. I went into surgery a couple days after, where a prosthetic elbow was put in, to replace my lack of elbow. I was super nervous for the surgery, especially since my mom started crying right before I was to have it because my Grandmommy had died in surgery years ago and my mom was in that same position saying bye to her when she last saw her. It made me tear up and really nervous to go in, I was shaking until I had anesthesia. Luckily I didn't feel a thing and surgery went well. I woke up to my Mom, my mom's best friend Maria and her daughter Piper. All I remember from that was from what Maria told me and that was...I had just woken up and I had to take medicine right away and I had to eat crackers and I was given so many crackers that I felt as if my guests should have some crackers also. So I offered all of them some. They thought that was so funny that even when I am on drugs and sitting there in a bed half asleep that I would try and be the host...i guess it's just natural! ha.

So anyways, many Gilmore Girls episodes, visitors, fruit baskets, balloons, chocolate boxes, and movies later I was finally able to return back to school. Unfortunately this was a horrible time to be out of school because it was nearing the end of the semester. Getting caught up was awful and being in pain was just not any fun. I also hated asking people to help me with everything. When I had been at home my mom would help me bathe and get me dressed and do everything. Going back to my apartment was hard but I had to do it. Luckily I had amazing roommates this past year and they were all willing to help me with anything. Especially my friend Kylie who would wake up at 12am, 3 am and 6am and give me pills and even dress me! Amazing girls, I love them so much!

After a while I was able to do everything. The best part of the whole surgery though was being able to get my hair done!! I would bathe myself but I couldn't wash my hair, so every other day I would go to the salon and they would wash it and make it pretty for me :) I love being pampered!

So, a month of doing everything with my right arm, doctor visits, being stuck in a soft cast and sling, my friend Kory moving me out of my apartment, physical therapy, and getting my hair done, the dr. announced that something wasn't right and I would have to go into surgery again and have something done right away.
We went for another opinion, the other doctor didn't like what he saw and also said the same thing. He said the doctor had done things right but the metal piece in my arm just wasn't staying in place and it had to be dealt with asap. Without surgery just yet I went to the hospital and the first doctor put me out and tried to maneuver it without having to cut my arm open. The metal piece didn't budge.

A week later, I was FINALLY done with school, I had surgery by the other doctor who would decide what to do once he was in my arm. I trusted this doctor more, he was younger and had new technology compared to the first doctor. He ended up putting a smaller metal piece in my arm to work as my elbow. A week in the hospital and many gilmore girl episodes later I was finally released and able to go home! The coolest part of this surgery was a huge foam cheese block to rest my arm in that made it so my arm didn't swell like a big balloon like it had in my last surgery. I ended up going back to work only a few days later. I was not up for it yet, but I told myself that I would feel happier. After a day of working at my BYU Admissions job, I felt so much better. I am convinced that the best medicine for me is being around people. Seriously!

The Cheese block and a picture of me in the hospital...

My ultimate goal was to get better as quickly as I could and be able to get my arm moving. It was stuck in a 90' angle since March though...with no movement at all! I was given the best summer of my life and I was not going to let something like this ruin it for me. I had this job in Admissions at Brigham Young University which I have had since February and I was not going to give it up and I was given the job I have wanted all my life...an EFY Counselor at BYU, on top of that I was also given a Sports and Dance camp counselor job at BYU too! Why do so many good things happen at the same time? Well not all good...I thought I was in heaven until this elbow thing.

As of right now, I have been able to work my arm so its usable. I don't wear a sling anymore but I do have a metal contraption for my arm to help me move it. I try not to wear it much, it makes me look like a freak...not that I care or anything! I cannot straighten my arm it is still in a 90' angle, but I now can take showers and wash my hair!! WAHOO!!! :) Huge accomplishment! I have been working my admissions job full time 8am-5pm since school got out. Last week I was able to be an EFY counselor to 14 and 15 year olds...SO FUN!!! It was probably the best week of my life. The Lord was with me the whole week and guided me to tell me what these kids needed to hear. It was such a great spiritual and social experience! I love that mixture! :)
5 Top things that made EFY so awesome:
1. Had an amazing group of youth
2. Attended 2 dances, which I got paid to have fun and dance at...how cool is that?
3. Was given the theme song to sing in front of 2,000 people, after learning and hearing the song only a day before
4. Realized I can do anything, even be a positive role model for youth, if I put the Lord first in my life
5. Met some cute boys (other counselors)! haha...honestly that is why I went to EFY when I was younger...I can't believe myself :) haha.

EFY PICTURES:

It was such a great experience!! This past week I was able to be a Sports camp counselor. This weeks sport was soccer...my favorite! It was fun. It was way less strict than EFY was, which was hard to get use to. But it was great because I was able to work during the day at my Admissions job and then at 4pm I would start my Sports counselor job till 9am the next morning. It was crazy and exhausting and you just play with the kids, go to Seven Peaks (the water park), eat with them, give a devotional and get them to bed and get them out of bed in the morning! Love it!

When life is going well though, there is always something that turns it around. I went to the doctor this week and found out my arm is not doing well AGAIN! I have been going to physical therapy for the past 5 weeks, since my last surgery and my arm has not had much movement at all. I guess the scar tissue is preventing movement. So, the doctor told me I will have to go into surgery again and this time I will have to have pins put into my arm and this rod type thing put on the outside of my arm....haha cool huh!?? I have no idea what this will do but apparently help my arm? Anyways, we are going to go to yet ANOTHER doctor and get another opinion just to be sure this is a good thing to do. The ultimate goal is to get movement back into my arm and unfortunately I have not had any since March...so this isn't good.

I know things happen for a reason and I should be grateful for not being paralyzed or losing anything permanently but this is kind of a sucky trial. I know I can get through it though. I thought the timing couldn't be any worse, but really it has been such a blessing. Being out of school, having a job in which I sit at a desk and don't have to use both arms, and even being a counselor...it was never been part of the dream to be a counselor who could only use one arm, and not be able to participate in everything, but it has been a great thing for me.

Who knows, this next week I could be in surgery again getting pins put in me that I get to wear for the next few months :(...we will see. I know I make it a big deal but I know that this is just a small trial I have to go through and I believe this is just to prepare me for bigger trials later in life.