Passing Classes and End of Semesters

23.  I'm Thankful for ...... Passing Classes.  A year and a half ago, I randomly (yes... randomly) decided to go back to school for my MBA.  Sometimes, I'm still not sure why but I know that it's going to benefit me.  I have 3 sessions left of my this semester (which translates into 12 hours of classroom attendance).  I have successfully completed 4 out of my 6 semesters.  I'm also thankful that I only have one class right now, rather than the 3 that I started the semester with.

Thanksgiving Dinners... Over and Over, again

22.  I'm Thankful for ...... Thanksgiving Dinner(s).  Yes... I realize Thanksgiving isn't for 2 more days, but I've already had 2 dinners and still excited for Thursday.  I think this is one of my favorite days of the year.  The family traditions is going to be different this year but looking forward to it just as much as always.

21. I'm Thankful for ...... My Parent's and All They Do for Me.  I don't even know what to say here but my parents are great examples of how to live the gospel, doing service, being understanding, and keeping track of all of their kids.  They are awesome grandparents.  And... my mom is great cook (My dad can cook too but at a different level to my mom.)

20. I'm Thankful for ...... Decorating for Christmas.  I realize I'm technically 5 days early, but I don't care.  My tree went up yesterday and my house is disaster but Christmas is here.

19. I'm Thankful for ...... Musicals.  I went and saw My Fair Lady at Halestorm Theatre on Saturday with a good friend of mine.  I am amazed at the talents that people have and their ability to get up in front of people. 

18.  I'm Thankful for ...... My Roommates.  It's so good to have roommates that I can talk to, watch TV with, cook with, and all in all, just enjoy living with.  Plus, I grateful for roommates who are sticking around and not getting ready to move after.  I have a good house right now.

17.  I'm Thankful for ...... Projects That Come to an End.  I had a work retreat that I was in charge of on Thursday.  It was a long day and a long week but it's done and now to play catch up at work.

16.  I'm Thankful for ...... My Bed.  I just love my bed and my blankets. 

6, 7, 8, .....,15

15.  I'm Thankful for ...... My Brothers.  They are funny, smart, and most of them are great dads.  They are great friends to me and have been able to really demonstrate the importance of good character and being yourself.  They have also shown that chivalry is not dead.

14. I'm Thankful for ...... My Sisters.  They are all good examples of faith, being stalwart, and service.  If I could grow up to be like them them, I think I'll be doing alright. 

13. I'm Thankful for ...... Sundays and Church.  I'm grateful that I'm able to go to church and have a spiritual renewal.  I'm grateful that the Gospel is there regardless of where you are attending church.  I'm also grateful for my friends help me enjoy my Sunday afternoons.  Some may think that these guys don't deserve it... but it's one of my favorite things to do.  It's my one day of a week to cook (well... except this week where all we had was leftovers but they still ate them).

12. I'm Thankful for ...... College Football.  There is nothing I enjoy more (well... there probably is but you know what I mean) than heading to Rice Eccles Stadium, even in rain and snow.  Saturday I was able to enjoy a nice, strong win over UCLA and was able to watch it with my brother and my nephew, David.  Now... that was fun.  David was cheering on the teams and football (I mean... literally yelling "Go Football! Go Teams!").  He was high-fiving everyone one touchdowns (everyone within three rows of him in any direction), and was even showing us his Ute Pride by showing us his "U". 

11. I'm Thankful for ...... The Veterans and Italian Food.  Today we celebrated our family heritage.  The Fishers have come from a great line of people.  We have been taught from daily examples of the privilege of living in this country.  I am thankful for the patriotism that I feel constantly.  And... we have been blessed with the ability to cook well and eat well.  That's the Italian in us...

10. I'm Thankful for ...... Education.  I know.... That's a stretch but I am.  I never would have thought that I would have completed as much school as I have but things have worked out and the more I learn, the more I become excited to keep learning.  However, I'm going to say, this is the last of the formal education I'll get.  The rest will be for fun.

9. I'm Thankful for ...... Hatch's Hot Chocolate. I flew home from North Carolina and 2 minutes after getting off the plane, I received a text from a friend. He wanted dessert and seeing that it was a little too cold for Nielsen's, I convinced him to try out Hatch's. AMAZING!!!! Hot Chocolate was great! Conversation was great! Nice little break before going back to reality.

8. I'm Thankful for ...... Being Able to Get Away.  There are not many things that I like to do alone but traveling on business trips is one of them.  I enjoy flying alone, wandering through airports at my own speed, having my own hotel room, and truly having my own schedule.  There is something about it that just makes me relaxed.  I won't trade traveling with friends but when the time is right, those business trips can make for a nice break.

7. I'm Thankful for ...... Understanding Professors and Technology.  I had to go out of town for work, the same week that a final for one of my classes was due.  Not the best as far as timing goes.  However, due to the advances in technology, I was able to lug around my laptop and complete this assignment and send it back to my professor.  It may not be the best paper I've ever written but I was able to get it down and finished another class in my program.

6. I'm Thankful for ...... The Chance to Start Over and Make Changes.  That's all for that... I'm just glad that things don't have to continue down the same path but if a project, or a goal I've set, or whatever.... if things are going right... it's not the end of the world.  There's a chance to make things different.

Roadside Assistance and Coast-to-Coast Traveling

5.  I'm Thankful for ...... Roadside Assistance.  I'm thankful that USAA is open 24 hours a day so I can get someone to change my tire at 5:30 am and get me to the airport.  Even though I had to reschedule my flight and day, at least I wasn't stranded and made it to North Carolina.

4.  I'm Thankful for ...... Being able to travel and see different part of the country.  Everywhere I go in the United States is absolutely beautiful.  Two weeks ago it was Seattle, living in Utah, and now North Carolina.  Every place has it's own character and is just beautiful.

3. I'm thankful for ....... the Fall and boots.

3. I'm thankful for ....... the Fall and boots.  I'm thankful for this Fall weather. I love being able to layer my clothing in a way that makes sense for the weather.  I'm thankful for boots; I'd wear them everyday but I try to limit myself... a little bit at least.  I'm thankful for the changing of the leaves and the cool nights where you have to bundle up in a blanket, yet nice, crisp days.

I'm Thankful For...

It seems that every November, Facebook is saturated with people being thankful for things.  I've decided to take a lesson from them and do my own 30-days of Thanksfulness... So, here I go...

2.  I'm thankful for ....... health care and medicine.  These areas have given my dad a career that he is great out, it has provided me with a bachelor's and master's degree.  It has given me several jobs.  It has shown our family the miracles that come through modern medicine. 

1.  I'm thankful for ....... the education that I've received.  I know I may seem like a perpetual student, but I'm glad that I'm able to choose where I want to go to school, that I have had the ability to go to school, and I have the option to continue to learn and progress, scholastically.

Happy Birthday to Me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Another year has come and gone and it finished in a fantastic way!!!!

For the past month or so, I knew my birthday was coming.  Really... who forgets something like that.  I knew I had scheduled a class on Thursday but definitely didn't want to go to class that day, so in an effort to keep my day open, I went on Tuesday night.

Now... for the past few weeks I have this friend (Josh) that kept asking me what I was going to be to be doing for my birthday.  I plan parties and dinners but this is one thing during the year that I do not want to plan.  Call me selfish or whatever, but it's just the one day of the year that I for sure want someone else to do the planning.  So... I just kept telling Josh I didn't have anything planned.

Now comes the week of the BIG DAY... Still no one has really said anything to me.  Josh is still asking me what I'm going to do but now he's telling me "don't worry, you'll find something to do."  So... come Wednesday (my birthday is the next day) and still no plans for the BIG DAY.  However, I do have a great friend, Melanie, who wants to take me out for dinner.  I wake up to a text from Melanie asking where are are going.  I give her my few suggestions and she shoots down one of them.  During the day, I get a text for a my friend, Steve, wishing me a happy birthday.  He's a day early but that's okay.  I never really expect too much and the thought from him is nice.

So... Now it's the end of the day and Melanie is coming to pick me up for dinner.  She brings along her roommate, Gennie, and we now head to Katie's house who's decided to come.  I'm excited.  I'm going to one of my favorite places for dinner, with some of my favorite people, and I'm starving.  So... we go to pick up Katie....

SURPRISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Everyone is at Katie's house.  Pretty much the best surprise ever.  Here's the secret... I've always wanted to have a surprise party.  I've always wanted someone to throw one for me.  Apparently this was in the works for a while.  They pulled it off.  I started wondering if something was going on but this is not what I expected.  I thought maybe... there would be something later in the week ... or maybe Melanie was having some people meet us that restaurant.... or something.... Not a party.... I definitely liked the surprise party and BBQ!!!!!

They put together dinner and dessert and basically had my favorite pieces of food, including (and not necessary mixed together and not in any particular order):

• Shrimp
• Raspberries
• Corn on the Cob
• BBQ's food (in this case shish kebabs)
• Risotto (at least something that I want to learn to make)
• Salad with walnuts
• Peaches

In addition, the party had most of my favorite people.  It was perfect.  Wouldn't have changed a thing.

The rest of the weeked was great too.  I went to dinner with Kelly and had a good time at Z'Tejas.  Ate way too much but it was so good.  Went shopping with Melissa Hansen and then off to play some intense dodgeball in Lehi with 5,000 of my closest friends from U of U and BYU.  Watched the end of the BSU game again Toledo.  Went golfing with Steve and Mark O. and then off to a very QUICK lunch with Kelly before taking her to the airport (she was crashing Russell and Kim's family vacation). Watched Utah beat BYU on Saturday, which was awesome.  Made Mexican Haystacks on Sunday and had some good friends over for dinner.  And... finished with celebrating Tina's birthday and took a few hours chatting with Tina and Fernando. 

It was pretty much a pretty AWESOME!!!! weekend.   It was PERFECT!!!!

How to Go A-Courting....

DISCLAIMER:  I really hope no one I work with actually follows my blog.  I don't think they do, but if so... SURPRISE... I'm looking for a new job.  Don't tell anyone!!!!  For the rest you... if you know of anyone or anything, send it my way....

A year ago, I was accepted and started the MBA program at the University of Utah.  A few months into the program, I did what it seems like all of my classmates were doing, I started job hunting.  Now the trick here is... I'm still trying to figure out what I want to do.  With background in journalism, health care administration, health promotion & education, and now business administration... I'm basically not qualified to do anything.... Or a lot of things.  I just need to narrow down what I want to do when I grow up.

So... lately starting to feel that finding a job is like trying to find a guy...  (and in my case right now... maybe even a roommate... however... maybe I should work on finding a guy roommate instead of keep having this girls move in... but that's another blog for another day)

1st- You have to make yourself appealing and hide your flaws... AT ALL TIMES!!!  I read somewhere once that you always need to act like someone is watching.  Be nice and genuine with people.  You never know when the next person you meet (or someone you haven't seen in years) might actually be "the one".  This could either to get you an introduction or a step in a professional (or personal) positive direction.

2nd- Dress for success.  When dressing for a potentially new career (or relationship), dress to impress.  But on your best outfit to show that you are serious about what you want to do and where you want to go.  You want to make sure you are dressing up enough to show you are serious about this but you don't want to completely outdue the person doing the courting here.

3rd- Networking is KEY!!!!  From colleagues, to friends, to classmates, to church, to the random person I meet on the street, someone is bound to know something (or someone perfect for me).  Now to take the advice, and use it to find an new opportunity. 

4th- Know who you are and what you can do.  MARKETING is the ESSENTIAL.  Learn who you are, create an elevator speech and practice, practice, practice.  Figure out why this person should want to call you in the first place, know what you can offer, and you will find a new relationship.

5th- Now,  you found the company (or person) you are most interested.  TIME TO DO YOUR RESEARCH.  It's time to learn all you can from the person you will be meeting with.  Cyberstalk AWAY.  Learn as much as you can, in order to ask knowledgeable questions and prove that you are truly interested in the company... (Now... remember there is a line that might turn into being creepy so just keep those things a secret but ask the right questions to get this person to share this information... trust me... it's doeable.)

6th-  Getting the FIRST Interview (or date): After talking, selling my myself, networking, and lots of effort, the phone will come.  Someone is interested in me enough to meet in person.  Now, to make them love me...

7th-  ASK QUESTIONS!!!! When meeting to figure out if the two of you are right together, make sure you are showing that you are genuinely interested in this person.  Questions will help keep the conversation going, it will show that you are serious about this new opportunity, and it will help you learn more about this person (or company) sitting across from you.

8th- Waiting for the Follow-Up: Now this is important that you realize that this should be a two-way street.  After the initial meeting, make sure you let the other party know that you are interested in pursuing a future opportunities.  A simple follow-up thanking for the first encounter is crucial.

9th- Last but not least... KNOW yourself, VALUE yourself, and STAY POSITIVE!!!! The potential new opportunity will see this and only wants someone who respects themself, is willing to work, knows what they are worth, and leads a happy life.  This will make this person intique and want to learn more about you.  A 2nd Interview (or date) or a Proposal (either works here) could be happen in the new future.

Thankful for Weekends

This past weekend was a good one.  Orginally, I was supposed to go out of town with some friends.  But due to several reasons, I decided it wasn't a good idea, so I stayed home.  It turned out to be a really good weekend.  I know that I don't usually report on my weekend, but this one was just a weekend that I needed.  I was able to be be productive, relax, and enjoy spending time with some of my favorite people...

This was my weekend... just thought I would share...

• Visited my sister and new baby, Michael Bradford at the hospital
• Lunch at Subway with my mom
• Had a couple good phone calls (I'll share more on those later)
• Went the Driving Range and chatted with a friend
• Pizza, Friday Night Lights, and Games with friends (Pretty much rocked at Ticket to Ride and Sequence)
• Massage
• Organized my garage & Arranged stuff to go to DI
• Pasta Dinner with my family
• Mowed my lawn
• Lawn games with David (not sure what it was called but it was a combination of badmitten, croquet, boche ball, frisbee & football... he made it up)
• Fire Pit w/ S'mores
• Read
• Church
• Made dinner of Massaman Curry with some friends
• Games with Friends (Didn't do so well but it was fun)
• Little Texas Hold 'Em (Now I owe some guys dinner.... almost had them cooking for me)
• Started Celebrity Apprentice (power went out so I went to bed)

All in all... it was  fantatic weekend.  It was just what I needed....

You know you're a runner when...

I found an entry similar to this on a blog that I'm following. I guess I should add that to this this... that I follow blogs of runners, even if I don't know them. So, I decided to post something similar. I got this list off of this running website.  I took off my favorites (aka ones that relate to me).  I've bolded the ones that I've actually said/thought recently...

You know you're a runner when...

• your first thought when you look at the weekly weather forecast is, "When can I fit in my runs?"
• you have more running clothes than regular clothes in your laundry pile.
• you use phrases like "10 mile" and "easy run" in the same breath.
• you've lost a toenail. And you tell people, "It's not that bad."
• a beautiful summer day turns overcast and you're glad because it's much better running weather.
• you smirk when non-runners ask you, "So how long is this marathon?"
• you have a drawer full of medals and other race souvenirs that you're not sure what to do with.
• you no longer make fun of fanny packs because your running belt looks very similar (although cooler) to one.
• you've used an old race T-shirt to wash your car, dust furniture, or clean something else.
• you get an invitation to a wedding and you automatically think about what race the date will conflict with. 
• you have an old pair of running shoes to cut the lawn, another pair to wash the car, another pair you wear when painting, etc.
• you have dreams about showing up to a race late or not wearing any clothes.
• you're always hungry.
• you know how to take a cup of water from a water stop without choking on it or spilling it all over yourself.
• at least one of your web site usernames or email addresses has the word "run" or "runner" in it.
• you know where your illiotibial band is located.
• you no longer hate port-a-johns. In fact, there have been times when you've been very happy to see one.
• you've had your running shoes for three months and you know it's already time to replace them.
• you spend more time researching running routes than local restaurants when traveling to a new city.
• you know where exactly one mile from your front door is (in any direction).
• you know how to correctly spell and pronounce plantar fasciitis.
• you own more pairs of running socks than dress socks.
• you pack more running clothes than bathing suits when going on a beach vacation.
• you have running clothes and an extra pair of running shoes in your car, "just in case."
• your holiday wish list can be fulfilled at any running or sporting goods store.
• one of the first things people ask you when they haven't seen you in a while is, "What race are you training for now?"
• you have several drawers dedicated to running shirts.
• you get excited when the new Runner's World comes in the mail.
• your Facebook or Twitter updates frequently involve running.
• you always have your next race on the calendar.
• your runs are sometimes longer than your commute to work or school.
• you get jealous when you're driving in your car and pass runners.
• You know the location of every 7-11, public restroom, and water fountain in running distance from your home.
• you spend more money on running clothes than work or casual clothes.
• you frequently get asked, "When's your next race?"

Can't Go Back Now

Discovered this band from a friend's blog...

Life Unexpected

Time for an update... It's been awhile.

During the past few months a lot of unexpected things have happened to me. Last fall, I thought, I have a great house, living alone (which I thought was great), finding a program that I was actually enjoying, had a job that I liked.

Fast forward a few months...

I had a great friend that moved in with me. I was so excited. While loving living alone, I was so happy to be living with her. She's amazing. Landlord had different plans apparently. About 18 after friend moved in, I was told "I need to raise your rent and I have someone who wants to move in." My friend and I lasted 2 weeks. We both signed contracts on new places and were out of there.

So, that brings me to second change...I ended up having to move. I know, I have a lot of friends that have told me it would be good to buy but for some reason that's a commitment I can't bring myself to make. I can't even last in a house more that a few months before I feel like moving. Well... I had basically a forced move and it's been the best forced decision. Love my new house, my new room, walk in closet, own bathroom, and enough room to have more than 10 friends over at a time.

Third change... the house is bigger, which required me to get roommates. Let me tell... KSL ads does good. I found some great girls to live with. We are all independent and different but also have a lot of similar interests. Easy to live with, cute, social, smart girls. I think this is going to work out well.

Last, school has been a beast so I won't go into much detail... other than somehow I passed a class that I thought for sure I failed. So, that's good.

It's funny how much life can't be planned but somehow it all still works out. I may not get what I want when I want, but somehow it keeps going and going well.

And... all I'm going to say here is that I guess I wasn't right for Ragnar.