My third to last semester

My third to last semester is going just okay.

This one class is killing me, we have weekly quizzes that are really hard. No matter how confident I feel while taking them my grades vary. I've gotten all the way from a 95% to a 70%. I honestly can't figure out what I'm doing wrong.

Other classes are going well though. I've gotten As on most assignments/quizzes. I'm a note-taker for one class, I like being a note-taker because it makes me feel like I have to go to class so I ditch less. Ha ha.

I haven't done too much that is new or different this semester. Most of my weekends are just spent doing homework, grocery shopping, and hanging out with Roland and sometimes his family.

This past weekend I got to go to Mesa and see a lot of my family. I found out that my mom is one of 100+ first cousins, I knew I had a huge family but I hadn't before had a number to quantify it.

My aunt and uncle and their girls from Minnesota were in Mesa, I hadn't seen the girls in over two years. Tianna (their youngest, she is like 14 though so not even young) and I kept confusing people. We look similar (in that we both have blonde hair and the same glasses. And we're about the same height). It was incredible to see how much she and Dayna (age 18) have grown up. I still remember little baby Tianna who liked me more than Taryn (much to the dismay of Taryn). Ha ha.

I got to meet Jessica's (the oldest) son, Bryson. He is cute. The first day he just kind of walked around and held a ball... But he and I both had on Superman shirts- so that was cool. The second day he warmed up to me (probably because it wasn't hard for him to associate me into his good-person schema since I look so much like the rest of them). He would run up to me and hug me and play with me. He thought I was pretty hilarious. Jessica is actually expecting again, she is due in May.

Other news, Wade and Rachael are en-gagged now. They are thinking they will have the wedding the last week of August, which is really awful timing for anyone who is attending school. They haven't yet decided on a location (either NYC, Phoenix, or Paris). I wish them luck in that decision.

My roommate's mom passed away last week, keep her and her family in your prayers please. They are such wonderful people.

I've been able to teach the Gospel Principles class more this semester. I love it. The insights people have into the lessons is absolutely wonderful.

I've been thinking more about what I want to do when I graduate in a year and two months (or so). My roommate Emily pointed me towards being a Child Life Specialist. I think I would really enjoy that. I've looked into it and ASU has the only certificate program in Arizona. So maybe I"ll end up going there for a semester. Who knows?

My goals for the rest of this year are to take steps to progress to where I want to be in the future.
More specifically, I want to be better about going to activities outside of church (even though I usually don't like them, mostly because I have to not wear PJs to them).

Chanda :)

Christmas Break 2012

Hello!!

I have been on Christmas break for about two weeks now. It's been great.
I got a 4.0 this semester (woohoo!).
I worked for the first week of break, but since last Friday I have been off (University closure).

The past four days (since Christmas) I haven't left my house. It's been glorious. I wake up whenever I want to, watch TV, read (I finished The Casual Vacancy yesterday- thanks Roland!), bake, clean. I've been the happiest person in the world for the past four days.

I've cleaned my bathroom, cleaned the kitchen, watched about 10 episodes of How I Met Your Mother, watched two movies (The Night Before Christmas and Pitch Perfect), baked cookies (Superman hand mixer from Roland helped a lot), baked muffins, made haystacks (butterscotch treats that my Nonnie used to make), I made a delicious dinner last night of grilled chicken, mashed potatoes, cheese rolls, and asparagus (with cinnamon sugar rolls for dessert). I have had no time constraints and I've loved it.

Next week Wade and Rachael are coming into town. It is weird not going to Idaho this break, I miss it. But I am stoked to see my brother (and, of course, Rachael). We will be going to at least one museum, the Gaslight Theatre, various food places, maybe a hike.

I finished my Spanish career at UA, but I do miss it. I really enjoyed learning Spanish and I hope to continue to do so. I really want the Harry Potter books en espanol so I can keep up with what I know.

Oh! So last December I drove (with my friends Lyndsay and Justin) to Houston to see our friend Brittany get married. Well, Brittany is pregnant!!! I am so so excited for her! Also, Lyndsay is in the MTC preparing to serve in Chiclayo Peru (she will be Hermana Batman, so cool).

Today, I break my streak and go outside. I'll be going to watch a movie with Roland. Also, I will probably take out the recycling.

This has been a magical couple of days, I hope I can remember them next semester when I want to implode.

Chanda C.

I wrote a song today.

Actually, I rewrote the words to Call Me Maybe.

As a student worker I automatically get any University closure dates off work. That's great, except when I don't have plans and need the cash mons. (Un)fortunately, in December I will have more than a week off of work.

Here's my ode to that:

I can wrap presents well,
I am a pro with Excel,
Will watch anything with a tail,
Because I need the pay.

Will watch your offsprin

g,
While you go shopping,
I'll do anything,
Because I need the pay.

Baking, errand running,
Dinner for your hubby,
Watering your lily,
Let me make you less busy.

Hey, holidays are
Pretty crazy
I'd love to help out.
So call me, maybe?

Well, that is it for my song writing capabilities. Let me know if you have anything you need done. My talents include: proofreading, babysitting, cooking, alphabetizing, filing, typing, emailing, Facebooking, dancing, Harry Potter fact knowing, Christmas song singing, pet-sitting, house-watching, oil checking, errand running, shopping, envelope labeling, scripture reading, high school (and below) tutoring, general cheering.

Happy holidays!

Chanda C. :) :) :)

Obligatory Thanksgiving post

I'll try to keep this a little fresh, everyone is posting what they are thankful for.. But I would be rude to not follow suit.

Tucson: I am thankful for Tucson because we still need to use our AC at the end of November. I miss trees and leaves but I don't miss being cold.

UofA: It is such a blessing in my life to be able to go to a great university on scholarship. Through UA I have two jobs and have met people that have influenced my life in ways I never imagined. I love the Institute program here and I love the opportunities I have been given to grow and learn who I am and what I believe.

Friends: I know everyone says that they have the best friends in the world, and I really do have the best friends for me. The friends who helped me get through high school (even the ones I don't keep in contact with, which is most of them) helped shape me so much. Recently I've seen how much impact friends can have on each other, I'm thankful to have made friends that kept me in line with my goals and encouraged me to be the best that I can be. And now, I am thankful for my friends at UA (even the ones I don't keep in contact with...mostly because a lot of them are married now). My friends keep me keeping on. They're wonderful influences and examples and knowing that they are here for me brings so much joy to my life.

My house/roommates: This overlaps quite a bit. My roommates are wonderful. I love that when we see each other we always have something to say, but we're also good about not being all up in each others' business. We're so different in our personalities but I absolutely love them. I'm lucky to have had this opportunity to live here, with these girls, and be able to have my little dog with me. This house has been wonderful. I am able walk to school and work (or ride the bus) and I get my own room and bathroom and Luna gets a doggy door and we have a giant kitchen. It's wonderful.

Family: Of course, my family. My immediate family really knows how to drive me crazy, but with that they also know how to make me the happiest person alive. I can't wait to see Wade this December (although I will miss going to Idaho). I'm so happy for Taryn (graduating high school). I love that Aaron calls me regularly (even when I usually don't answer). I'm so proud of Melanie and her swimming and schoolwork. My dad sent me a tender birthday card (with an ORANGE envelope!). And my mom almost always picks up when I call her. They're so wonderful. And my extended family is just as good! I love that my aunts and uncles are so willing to help me out however they can. I miss seeing them, but I will see a lot of them in December for our family Christmas FHE and I really look forward to that.

I forgot a few things..

Roland: I'm so thankful that he has been a part of my life this past year. (Last Thanksgiving he joined my family at our meal.) I love how willing he is to do anything he can to help me. He drives me around for errands, he takes me on dates, he drove me to Disneyland, he lets me hang out with (half of) his family, he makes me laugh SO hard, he's so wonderful.

The Gospel: I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am so thankful for the hope and happiness it allows me to feel. I love my ward and my bishop and the scriptures and the leaders of the church. I've been praying about going on a mission, and while I don't feel that it is necessary for me right now, I do hope to serve one day.

I have so much to be grateful for. And now I get to do homework (which isn't something I am generally very thankful for).

Chanda C.

Thanksgiving, or "Rotisserie Chicken Day"

Hello!

Just a little update while I am here at work bored the day before Thanksgiving...

I went to DISNEYLAND for my 21st birthday!! It was really wonderful.
Roland and I were both feeling sick before we went, but we didn't know when we would have the opportunity to go again and we had both already gotten the time off. So we kept with our plans.
The first day was rough, we both had headaches and sore throats that were aggravated by rides (the headaches at least). It was really nice to walk around and eat delicious food and chat though.

The next day (thanks to many prayers) we felt totally better. We got to go on all of the rides we wanted and the longest line we waited in was probably only 30 minutes. We had SO much fun.

I ate like 5 churros, which is all a girl could ever ask for. Also, we discovered this adorable little restaurant called the Jolly Holiday Cafe (it is Mary Poppins themed- made me nostalgic). It kind of took the place of the bakery on Main Street USA, put me in a room with peppy music and loads of baked goods and I'll be over the moon.

For the holidays Disney had a whole slew of special treats. My favorite were the gingerbread beignets! SO GOOD. Who knew you could improve from a traditional beignet?

We also had a Dole Whip and a Turkey Leg (we had never had those Disney staples prior to this trip, which is crazy considering how often he and I have been to Disneyland separately). Those were so delicious.

Roland and I had agreed that if we didn't get along at Disneyland that we would have to break up, thankfully for us we got along splendidly.

The semester is winding down and I can't express how grateful I am for that. My classes are going well, I'm getting good grades. But I have given up on my dream of speaking Spanish. That's been squished out of me. And I realized that Statistics is just a way to confuse people. And I hate online classes. So, a lot of learning experiences this semester.

I'm excited for next semester (I'll be taking almost all Psych classes). It has been tough working two jobs and taking classes, by the time I get home I just want to sleep or watch TV until my mind melts. We'll see how next semester goes. More classes and hopefully more hours at work (why do I do this?)!

My friend from high school died last week, I missed his funeral because I was in California. I hope and pray that everyone affected by his death will find a positive way to deal with the tragedy.

That's been about it. Thanks for reading.
Keep on keepin' on!

Chanda C.

I really will study...

I have a Spanish exam tomorrow.

Tonight I just haven't really felt like studying. So instead I ate dinner, chatted with my mom, looked at funny things on the internet, facebook-stalked, texted old friends, made banana bread.

About the banana bread, I have this terrible (or wonderful) habit of not being able to follow recipes. Not because I don't know how, but because I always assume I can make it better. My last few loaves of banana bread haven't turned out very good. For example, the most recent one was too dry. I think it is because I substituted things too much. Like whole wheat flour instead of white, et cetera. It actually didn't turn out too bad because I ended up making a really tasty bread pudding out of it. So I guess that was a win.

Anyway, I really want some good banana bread so I told myself that I would follow a recipe EXACTLY. And then I started the recipe and realized it wanted me to use THREE bowls (ridiculous). Ain't nobody got time for that. And then I remembered that I had been wanting to try something new (browning butter before adding it to the recipe) and then I just took a giant leap from there. Let's hope this loaf turns out well. That is what I am trying to say.

In other news, my profile is up on the site for the conference where I will be giving a workshop. I'm really excited (despite some typos/spelling errors). I hope I do well and don't embarrass myself.

I should be more focused on my Spanish exam. I want to write in Spanish, but I'm not sure how to add the symbols so I don't know how much it would help me practice.

How do you focus when you don't want to? How late do you normally stay up? Lately if it gets past 10:00, I'm out for the count. I don't know why but I turn into a pumpkin so quick. I sleep until at least 6:30, so I should be getting enough rest. I don't know what is going on.

Thanks for reading!

Chanda C.

Starting my career! (LRC320)

Kind of, anyway.

This past couple of weeks I have been asked to do TWO workshops.

Those of you that know me know that my one true career dream is to be a motivational speaker. I tell everyone this even knowing that the likelihood of it happening is pretty slim.

However, I am THRILLED to be able to do at least a little part of what I want to do in the future.

One of the workshops I will be doing is a motivational workshop for the SALT Center (where I am a receptionist). One of the learning specialists there knows of my career aspirations and, when planning the workshop, thought of me. I can't wait to be able to talk to students and hopefully motivate them to see and fulfill their potential! I'm so excited and I've already started working on what I want to talk about.

The other workshop I will be doing is for the LDS Single Adult Conference. I will be teaching  a workshop (possibly 3 times) to single adults about how to support their adolescents through their divorce. I am excited to share a little bit of my experience (being an adolescent when my parents divorced) and hopefully help parents connect with their children.

I seriously can't wait. I'm incredibly intimidated by the thought that I will have to somehow fill up 45 minutes talking about what teens want from their parents. It'll be great experience and definitely something I can learn from.

What did you want from your parents when you were an adolescent? How did they support you?
Also, what motivates you to do your best?

In other news, I decided to experiment with my old cookie recipe (my family calls them "Chanda's Cookies" because I always used to make them) and I would like to say that it was a lovely success. I wanted to increase the amount of oatmeal in them, and I did! So that is exciting. Also, the ones I made just now are half chocolate and half butterscotch chips...sogood.

What are your favorite cookies?

Chanda C.