"Goals that are not written down are just wishes"

With another year out of they way, I think its only natural to start thinking about some changes that you want to make for the following year. I hate making goals... I almost refuse to make any sort of "New Years Resolutions" purely cause I never really accomplish them! So whats the point??

I always enjoy reading other peoples goals and what they strive to work on for the upcoming year. Last month I taught a lesson to my laural class and talked to them about being successful and accomplishing goals to improve ourselves. This lesson made me start thinking over the last few weeks that I cant really be teaching a lesson on something if I am not willing to follow the same advice!
So here we go... here are a few things that I want to find myself working on for this next year!

1. Lets get Physical...physical!
I really miss teaching at a gym! I miss the exercise, I miss the energy, I miss the people, I miss everything about it!! I started teaching not only cause it made me feel good, but it was a fun outlet for me! I need an outlet again and I know where I can find it. I just need to get back to studying for a certification exam and re cert my CPR! That's it!!

2. Planning ahead!
I haven't been putting my all into my calling with YW's. I have been making up excuses for being to busy, tired, stressed etc. with work! Well enough is enough!! I was talking to my mother a few weeks back and started complaining about my lack of time and energy to do anything more. I just don't feel like I have what it takes to be in Young Women's and my girls could use a better leader. I wish I could remember my moms wise words directly but essentially she told me that the calling is for me to be a better leader to the girls. That maybe that's why I am in the Young Women's program so I can grow more and offer something that the girls may need at some point. After the tragic events of this week with a youth in our ward, I feel blessed to be in working with the youth and feel the need to give these girls the example and friendship I was blessed with as a youth!

3. Time to get Savvy... Technology Savvy!
You guys see this cute blog... yeah other then me making these posts, it is all kept up by my sweet husband John! Every time I get on our blog he has updated the background or changed up the music! I HATE IT! I hate that I don't know how to do it! I attempted it ONCE and it took me FOR-Freaking-EVER!!
I have future plans of wanting to start an online business of sorts and I need to learn how to work it.

4. To be... or not to be a GRADUATE STUDENT!
I want to go back to school! SO BAD!! I will admit that seeing John enroll for classes and get his books to start the spring semester has me REALLY JEALOUS! I miss school!!
I miss the lectures, the people, the conversations, etc. I know that when your in the full swing of it all it doesn't sound so charming but when you sit a desk all day and do the same thing for 8 hours, classes sound A-MA-ZING!
So I am going to making up my mind what I want to study and when I will be putting in my application!

5. Happy Home...
I am sure every couple/family make this one each year... well so will we! John mentioned this when we were driving home from Las Vegas after Christmas and I cant help but agree and see the need for it more and more!
Family Home Evening!!
I dreaded FHE when I was a kid. It was torture time that my parents would attempt to inflict on us once a week. Most of the time it turned into laughing during prayers with my brother (oh we still do even as adults... awful I know), pinching one another while parents aren't looking, making fun of ones input, etc. (If this doesn't sound like what FHE was like when you were a kid, count yourself lucky!!)
So when ever John brings up the need for our little two-person family to start this practice in our own home, I cant help but start feeling the anxiety. :)
But really... we need to! It helps set habits that I have easily gotten out of over the last few months that need to be refined and strengthened! I see so much confusion, sadness, suffering, and destruction in the world today and it does nothing but destroy my spirit! I am grateful for a husband who reminds me of the things we have been told will strengthen us and prepare us for those difficult times. So... FHE is now on at the Powell home!

I think 5 is enough... not to mention that I now have taken 20 minutes out of my work day to type this out! :)
Maybe number #6 should be "STOP THE PROCRASTINATION"!!

Happy 2010 everyone!! Have a happy and successful year!

Little Drummer Boy

My favorite Christmas song is "The little Drummer Boy".
Anytime I hear this song it makes me tear up. I can not listen to these words without thinking how much I feel like the drummer boy who doesn't have anything great and wonderful to give sometimes except the most simpliest of gestures.

When the Holiday season rolls around, I am gently reminded of all I have been blessed with and how much John and I have to be grateful for. We eat (probably a bit too much if you ask me) :), we have a nice place to live, we both have great jobs, and most of all wonderful families!

Growing up my parents did a great job of teaching us all about the spirit of Christmas. It wasn't always about presents and treats. It was about the birth of our Savior and what we do for one another to continue to spread the Spirit during this holiday season.

My parents taught us through example by adopting families for Christmas even if the budget was already tight and taking breakfast to the homeless early Christmas morning.

To me that is what Christmas is about... its those simple gestures.

Like the Drummer Boy; I dont have a lot to offer, but what I do have, I can do "my best for Him"!

Come they told me, pa rum pum pum pum
A new born King to see, pa rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

So to honor Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
When we come.

Little Baby, pa rum pum pum pum
I am a poor boy too, pa rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

Shall I play for you, pa rum pum pum pum,
On my drum?

Mary nodded, pa rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum.

Bahhumbug to you!!!

I need to vent... not a better place to vent in this world than on a blog that hopefully more people will see and learn a bit of a lesson from!

BE KIND AND POLITE!!!

(*Note: I will be the first to admit my own weakness... I am impatient and definitely can lose my temper. John has experienced many melt-downs of mine over the almost two years of being together and the short 6.5 months we have been married! I am not a perfect tempered person!)

However, my parents raised me to respect my elders and those around me. I take responsibility for my actions and to be polite and courteous when I am out in public, talking to someone, at the dinner table, at a restaurant, at a grocery store, etc.

My father still comments on our table manners even now that we are all adults! And you better believe if I, or anyone else for that matter, were to talk to anyone within ear range and be disrespectful or impolite that he would call us out ( in front of everyone ) on it!

With this being said... was no one else raised the same way? Or has majority of people forgotten common courtesy and manners!?!

I have days of rude students who feel that they deserve the world to be served to them on a silver platter, bib already tied around their neck, and don't forget the spoon feeding! Talking to those in my staff, including me, like we are nothing but to bend over backwards for their every want and request. Uh, nope! Welcome to the real world kiddos. Universities have whats called policies and procedures. Sorry you dont like them and feel that they inconvience you. You dont like your teacher? You didn't turn in your homework so your failing? Didn't pass your tests or quizzes so your failing? Your teacher doesn't grade on a curve so your not getting the grade you think you deserve? You missed the deadline so no one is accepting your request form? (oh this list can go on and on) Well kiddo, life isn't fair and take some responsibility...

Oh wait, its my fault? I didn't do your homework? I didn't register for the class? I didn't take advantage of study groups, go to class, or even talk to the teacher themselves, I neglected to turn something in on time... ha! Nope. I managed to graduate with my own degree and wont be accepting any of your excuses why this world is out to get just you!

Can I mention a student who came rushing through the door, ran straight into me, and not turn around to say "excuse me" or "sorry"? When I offered up the first of apologies for being in his way and his response... "..."! Yes he looked at me and said nothing!
That just pushed me over the edge! I looked at him and said "EXCUSE ME!". It didn't phase him. He just started walking away as he said over his shoulder, "excuse me".

SERIOUSLY!!

Another example brings me at Trader Joe's. I love love love Trader Joe's. My reasons for loving it could be a topic of another post at some point. My example is as follows:
I am walking in the fruit section to look for the awesome fruit platters they use to sell (*side note: They don't anymore) and I happen to find myself in their pre-made sandwich section. Since I hadn't already eaten I figured a sandwich would taste yummy! So I reached in and grabbed a sandwich! I started reading the label when the lady next to me (who had been in that same spot since my search for the no-longer-available-fruit-platters and my decision making process for which sandwich to grab) turns to me, folds her arms, and HEAVILY sighs. I look at her, look at the cart that is not even in the same refrigerator section about 5 feet away, and look back at her. "Sorry am I in your way?" I offer up and move back a few steps...

Sure enough she walks past me in front, to her cart, and walks off... HAVING SAID NOTHING!!

I not-so-politely respond to her passiveness with a "well Merry Christmas to you to!o"

SERIOUSLY!!!!!!!!

Look I love man-kind! I love my spiritual brothers and sisters no matter where you live, what color you are, what gender you dig, what you do for a living! I have absolutely no need to judge you and the person you are based on any of that... BUT when you treat others and myself like we are nothing more than just annoyances to you, I don't care who the heck you are, you have been judge in my book and I will no longer stand by!

People show respect, show love, and try to show patience. Its hard... its freaking hard sometimes. But I read way too much of the news that shows me how sad and hurtful people are to one another out in this world.

Kindness has to start somewhere!! Kindness has to start from someone!

This is my new goal... to be kinder and more patient. I cant expect those around me to act the way I want if I dont act the same.

I am no better then someone else who is walking through the same door, driving down the same road, and in search of the same grocery ingredients. My priorities are just as important to me as they are to someone who has their priorities on their minds!

With that being said, have a very Merry Christmas and please be kind!!

Close Encounter

As many of you know, John and I moved to Tucson, Arizona a little over 4 months ago. Its been a great move for the two of us and has provided lots of interesting moments.
Tucson definitely is not on short supply when it comes to wildlife. In fact, I would say that I probably attract more wildlife than any other person living in this city!
I have experienced 30+ scorpions in my apartment, snakes of all kinds while I am running or biking, and now for my second time seen a group of Havalinas. For some, this isn't that big of a deal. For me, its major!
My post will specifically discuss my experience with the Havalinas as of last night.
It was around 7pm on a Sunday evening and I was walking back from our Clubhouse in our apartment complex.
It was dark outside and the path I walk on isn't very bright (to be honest nothing in Tucson is very bright. They avoid whats called "light pollution". So everything is kept fairly dim). I was listening to my headphones and not really paying attention when all the sudden I am face to face with a Havalina... not a little one either. So I back up a few steps and try to bypass this ugly pig when to my left I see a second one! (CRAP!) They both immediately go into strike mode and I can hear them starting to grunt/whine/yelp/moan or whatever it is they do. Feeling a little panicky, I back track my steps to original position when I see a THIRD pig to my right. (HOLY #$!&)
I begin walking backwards at this point. Grabbing a hold of my trusty cell, I call my husband.... TWICE! Not answering. I call my mother for final words... NOT ANSWERING. I have given up to dying alone at the mouths of these wild pigs.
Then my mind starts working up for my emergency exit routes. I could try running through one of the two pigs or I could hide behind the pillar I am already hiding behind, OR I can try maneuvering over to the set of stairs that lead up to a family who we know and hide out by their door til they leave. As my mind is going through possible plans, I notice the group is now coming towards me. Eyes still on me... hair still standing up!
I realize I needed to act quick! I immediately turn around and walk briskly back the way I came.
As soon as I saw the break in the building and fence I RUN FOR IT!!! I run all the way back to our apartment and rush inside.
I am hoping to find my husband doing something that justifies not answering his phone while his wife was potentially getting attacked by wild animals. Nope, he was just consumed by the never ending pass time of ESPN! SERIOUSLY!!!!!
So I not so patiently say, "John! I was about to be attacked and you didn't answer your phone!" Confusion clouds his face so I begin to explain the last few terrifying minutes.
What do you think his response was??? Oh if you thought it was any sort of sympathy, asking if I was OK, or even go out and check the area.... ha your thinking of your husband. Not mine!
He starts laughing at me!!! Yes ladies... laughing!
A look on my face probably tells him that laughing is not the best way to handle this situation so he gives a few last attempts of asking about my mental status and if there was ever a death caused by Havalinas (I am sure there is!!).
I am about to let this all past by when I start to wonder something...
"John, how long would I have to be missing before you would think to come looking for me?" I ask, his response
"I don't know, three hours maybe."
Words are not able to form!
"Three HOURS! John we live in TUCSON! I would be killed, stuffed, and over the Mexican border in three hours."
Ugh...
I hope you all had a great Sunday!

Happy Times!!

Last weekend I met my parents up in Phoenix! We joined up with my sister Rebekah who lives there with her family. We were able to go to the Mesa temple before it closed for the next 6 weeks. It was such a great occasion. I love going to the temple but its even better having family there with you. Made me think what a great experience it will be when ALL my family can be there together!
We also had the special oppritunity to take my sweet soon-to-be-a-teen neice to the mall to get her some makeup for her 13th birthday. Cant believe she is going to be a teenager and am so proud of what a good girl she is. Haley is such a great daughter and sister! I just love her!!

After the mall I returned to Tucson and my parent followed the Sunday morning just in time to hear me speak in our ward for our first time. YAY! :)
We had a great time for the rest of their stay. Lots of things to see and places to eat. We loved having them for the weekend and cant wait to be back in Vegas for Thanksgiving!!
Here are some other pictures from my trip to Phoenix. Just playing around with my nephews and neice before bedtime!

Good New Minute!!

So after two LONG and emotional months of trying to get a position with the University of Arizona, I have finally succeeded.
I (Meghan) and the new Coordinator of High School Programs for College of Engineering with the UA! I am thrilled and nervous all at the same time. This position is EVERYTHING I was looking for after finishing with UNLV. Looks like things are finally starting to come together! I hope all is well with our family and friends. We miss you all terribly but are looking forward to this adventure that lies ahead.

Powell Life

So, we have both received callings and I gave a talk already last week!! We love our ward family, they go out of their way to befriend us. We have a ward BBQ this Friday, and we are having smoked turkey! We have made some friends and I have found a few that like the UFC so I think we will survive. Meghan is still cooking a lot, and making me fat!! It's like being at my aunt Kathy's house; there is fresh bread products everywhere! Anyways life is good, we are surviving.