Ay Bay Bay!

I love my hunky hubby.

We are the weirdest pair you'll ever see.

Boy, am I lucky!

a kaleidoscope of thoughts

It happened again. My dreams where I'm rescuing children. This time I was successful.. I woke up wishing I could hold my nieces and nephews. And just LOVE them like an auntie should! :)

On another note, I cried like a baby during the first 15 minutes of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. That job must be one of the greater jobs on the planet. To give back to giving and needing families; to get to know these families a little better and leave your mark in their lives. And I'm just sitting here, on my couch, balling my eyes out. Seriously, I'm sure I look ridiculous to whomever sees me like this...the only person is probably God.

In honor of the Easter season, I got those coveted bags of Cadbury Mini Eggs. And let me tell you, I looked for weeks for those stinkin' bags, but they were always sold out. I finally (finally!) found them. And I can't keep my hands from grabbing a few everytime I walk past the candy bowl in the kitchen. So good.

This past week has been about psychology, psychology, psychology. . .

MAX: "What are you going to do?"
ME: "Write my paper."/"Go to a group meeting."

All week, those have been my answers to just about everything. But, now that the week is over...

I couldn't be happier. 3 presentations. done. a million group meetings just to plan for these presentations. done. long anthropology paper. done. And, boy does it feel great!

Today..I'm a numbers girl

15 minutes til the end of class

1/2 hour until I'm home

8 hours until Max comes home from work

3 days until the weekend and the stress of class presentations are over

9 days until this month is DONE (yay)

20 days until my 21st Birthday

30 days until family comes to Utah to watch me walk at Graduation

And everyday, we're that much closer to summer sun!

Anything after that just has too many days to countdown. I'll keep you posted :) 

A Teasing Wish..

I wish school was over for me. 

What I really mean is I wish this semester was over for me. 

I'm trying to write a 2,000 word paper on a book I can hardly focus on long enough before getting bored. I've got projects coming to a close, presentations approaching, and eventually the long stretch before we hit finals week.  I'm running low on steam going to school year-round for so long... (I'm almost there, almost there). Remember how I raved about this month going by so fast? Well, it's taking a turn and not in the direction I'd like.

I've got a big, long week ahead of me. I wish it could be over. I wish I didn't have to use all my free time meeting with groups for projects where literally nothing ever gets accomplished. I really hate group projects for not only that reason, but for the reason that some people slack off till the last second or completely all together while I work hard on getting things done and organized. In a group setting, you can't control everything (Yeah, I like having control and being efficient, but when you've got multiple people to work with, what can you really do about the people who don't contribute quite as much?). Needless to say, it's frustrating. What was I thinking about getting into Psychology? That major is all about collaboration and working with others! Just wish my partners weren't so lazy...

Alright, there's my rant. Off to write this paper...or sleep my troubles away, falling into the abyss of a quiet night. 

Nothing Between Us Now!

Now, I usually wouldn't admit this to anyone...

especially to Cyber Space, but then again...it's not like it's a BIG deal.

Everyone does it.

...I farted...
...in front of Max...

For over a year and a half I was able to go unscathed, but last night...my record was broken. And now there is nothing left for him to "wait" for. Or maybe there is...
Gotta love marriage!

Yesterday

What a lovely day with my husband; he had the day off of work and we took advantage. 

Here's how it went:

1. I didn't make it to classes (sinner!); instead, I had a morning run on the face of the mountain
2. Went to the mall with Max, where we found him some nice dress shirts with his Express coupons. 
3. We ate at Chick-Fil-A for lunch (finally! people rave about it..it was ok..). 
4. Hit the movie theater for a flick. 
5. Headed home, got dressed in work-out apparel and ran up to the Y parking lot to do a shortened version of the hike. The little jog up to the parking lot was pretty tiring! We were both huffing and puffing...BUT I ran the whole thing, and Max had to make a few stops (I'm awesome, ha)
   

The weather was beautiful, and I enjoyed seeing Max in his short, little basketball shorts. He said he was "introducing his legs to the sun." I think we're both ready to let the sun kiss our skin with warmth and...possibly a tan :)

I just gotta say it

I make the best Rosemary bread ever.

We just ate it tonight with some spaghetti and sweet italian sausage.

I'm so making this when we have company again (Alexis! Mom! Dad!).

Goodnight, readers!

Lions and Tigers and Roller Backpacks, oh my!

Let's look at the ever-so-forward fashion trend of...roller backpacks. Ok, people. That was SO elementary school! 

The worst is when they are rolling along and others can't get passed them while in the flurry of commotion that goes on in between classes. They just trip and end up in frustration.

-or- 

When the halls are silent and then there's that random sound of wheels rolling across the floor. You can't help but look up and see who it is! Dun-da-da-dum! It's a roller backpack frenzy.

And I chose green in honor of St. Patty's Day! Happy drinking! (Or not. :))

Sunny Days=Running Babe

Today AND yesterday I went running. And we all know what that means(if you read previous posts), SUN! And heaven knows I need to get my butt out there and start getting in shape because I'm hurtin'!

I found a fabulous trail near our apartment. No more showcasing my pain and suffering in front of all of Provo. Trail-running reminds me of the cross-country days in high school. It's so interesting to me that a lot of what I do(exercise-wise or anything that takes endurance), I attribute my abilities to endure from the cross-country team. I'm actually taking a Sport Psychology class in the Spring which will be interesting the more I think about how sports have impacted me.

I have also found a new appreciation for the time change. The sun is out longer during the day, allowing me to run later in the evening. Especially on days like today where I took a nap and woke up at 6:30 PM. Plenty of sunlight to go on an evening run and I'm pretty stoked about that.

I'm gettin' stronger!

A Mesh of Today's Happenings

1. Woke up. Started getting ready for church and then realized that there was a time change! We missed church...oops! Not sure how I'll like this new change...the days will feel forever long.
2. Glanced out the window to see snow everywhere...again. Still hopin' and prayin' for that lovely summer sun!
3. Today's Meal: Taco Soup. The simplest recipe, the most delicious soup. I am loving this recipe; it was so easy to make, and the aroma filled our apartment with goodness. Nothing makes me feel more successful than hearing Max say it's "really good!"
4. It's PIE day (3.14), so Max and I ate some Banana Creme Pie. And it was creamy ;)
5. Making cookies. Yeah I'm pretty sure I'm on a sugar overload right now... You won't believe how many sugar-laden goodies I've been indulging myself with lately... I told Max I'm going to be diagnosed with Diabetes with how undisciplined I've been.

Once the sun hits Provo, Utah I'll get myself out the door for some exercising. Kind of excited about that since living in a cold, snowy place isn't much for motivation--I mean, I wear coats and pants everyday! It's not like I have a figure to show off...at the moment.

Off I go to finish off those chocolate chip cookies!!!

Is it already Friday?

Time is going by so fast! March is almost over...and I was worried it would last forever! Each day flies by, surprising me once more that yet another week is finished and has vanished into the past. Getting closer to the end of the semester, which means tests, projects, and a little more stress. I couldn't be happier.

TGIF.

What if I told you...

... that I wasn't going to be a Nurse? What if I became a Social Worker...

I've had several dreams where I'm saving children from cruel people. I always woke up in the middle of my dreams disturbed and even frustrated--Because I always woke up in the middle, not knowing whether or not I succeeded in saving these children.

I always knew I wanted to work with children. Always. Today I've been skimming the news on KSL and came across so many stories of child abuse. On top of that, my co-worker showed me this sad story about a two-year old boy, Peter, who was brutally beaten, starved, and eventually murdered in his crib. Something within me fires up when I read these stories and convinces me even more that I need to do something to help these little angels who are so defenseless, and cruelly victimized.

What's even worse is that Social Workers, like those watching over Peter, seemed to have neglected the bruises and cuts on this poor baby. They did not do a thing. They saw the baby just three days before his murder and still did nothing... they failed to recognize the signs. Even the Justice system lacks the 'justice' necessary to protect young children from these monsters. The court gave custody to the mother of little Peter; a woman not even capable of raising a child with her history of alcohol, and smoking, completely uninterested. She was frequently online, chatting and playing poker--leaving her boyfriend to "play" with the baby. Needless to say, things got bad fast.

What can we do? Something to think about, and even watch for.

The Weather Predicts a Happy Girl

The SUN is out!

And I'm beginning to believe that my mood is very much affected by the weather. No kidding. There's this little thing called Seasonal Affective Disorder. Yes, my friends. There is a disorder for the seasons. There's just about a disorder for anything and everything, but this one...I've got a feeling I've got it. Ever heard of the 'winter blues'? Yeah well it exists! Here's a look at some symptoms of the SAD:

• Sleep problems - oversleeping but not refreshed, cannot get out of bed, needing a nap in the afternoon
• Overeating - carbohydrate craving leading to weight gain
• Depression, despair, misery, guilt, anxiety - normal tasks become frustratingly difficult
• Family / social problems - avoiding company, irritability, loss of libido, loss of feeling
• Lethargy - too tired to cope, everything an effort
• Physical symptoms - often joint pain or stomach problems, lowered resistance to infection
• Behavioural problems - especially in young people

Now lets look at these symptoms in regards to Ashley Ruth Garrett Getz:

1. I definitely need more sleep. Max refers to me as his "little baby" because I'm always needing a nap.
2. Carbs?! YES. You won't believe how much I crave those carbs. Gotta eat my bread and noodles. Oh and I'm MAKING bread right now as we speak...along with spaghetti.
3. Lets just say I've had my fair share of those things
4. Again, ups and downs. Recently...more downs. But hey...the sun is coming out and I can already see the light at the end of the tunnel!
5. I can cope, but sometimes I do feel like giving up.
6. I'm sick right now. Does that count?
7. Max can attest that my behaviors are a little off.

There you go. Let it be known, I've got a case of the SAD's.

I got me down

In my own little ways, I think I've kind of become a perfectionist, in such a way that I have these expectations and preconceived notions of what I believed my life should be like at this point. And I'll tell you what... I've become quite depressed about it knowing that I can't reach those heights--and if I even get close to it, I fail someone. That someone is usually me. 

I've fallen short a lot and I guess that should be expected--we are born in imperfection. And me striving for perfection will never come true... at least not in this life. These past few days have not been easy, just like last week and the week before. Am I worthy of the many blessings I have now? Even with all my short-comings, I have been blessed by a loving family and by my Father in Heaven. If I could only regain my focus on the positive and good things of life, maybe, just maybe I can be joyful again. 

Elder Wirthlin said:

 "The way we react to adversity can be a major factor in how happy and successful we can be in life." 

He is a smart, smart man; I should follow his counsel so that I, too, can say "come what may" and actually, truly, and humbly "love it."

I love my Savior, and I know He will bring me out of the darkness if I let him in.

  D&C 88:63 Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

Snowing in March

We find ourselves in the midst of a "winter wonderland" except for the "wonder" part. I have to admit that looking out the window today only to find snow everywhere disheartened me. I was beginning to think that Spring was finally coming! Especially since it was so beautiful and sunny yesterday morning! However, ever since 3 PM yesterday until today, it has been snowing non-stop. Hopefully this will be the last snowfall of the year.

Spring does not officially come until the 20th, so I'm praying that the sun will be out and the warmth will envelope us in place of the cold, slushy, muddy, snow that accompanies us now.

Last night, I decided I'm heading to Girl's Camp!

It's true! It's been several years since I last attended Girl's Camp at Camp Ritchie. It is so beautiful there, and I'm excited to be going back! I will be finishing school just in the nick of time to drive home and help my mom out for the week. Here's a little description of Camp Ritchie:

1. CABINS! Yes, us girls are spoiled! But this year, since I'm staff, I get to sleep in the huge, warm lodge on beds with mattresses! Even more spoiled.

2. Beautiful mountains and glistening lake. It is so peaceful, being taken away from the chaos of everyday life and placed in the serenity of nature. The best part? No technology. Even if you wanted to bring your phone, there's no service. It's great. Truly.

3. Lovely girls and women coming together. The friendships formed at Camp Ritchie are the cherries on top of the sundae. The experience of bonding with other women is nothing like anything else.

4. The Cookies! The Cooks are awesome and they cook up yummy food for all. So fun eating meals with everyone; getting mail; catching people with their elbows on the table, etc...

5. Testimony Day. The last day of camp is devoted to listening to our Bishops, and bearing testimonies. It is such a special day, and the Spirit is so strong--I always cry on this day because of the love of my Heavenly Father gives me.

6. Craft Table. Ok, so I absolutely LOVE the craft station at Girl's Camp. I am there nonstop making little beaded creations, painting, assembling.... It's my forte. 

And this year, my mom and sister, Erin(hopefully) will be at camp! I'm really looking forward to this.