I love Book Club!

My Book Club met tonight, and can i just say, I LOVE BOOK CLUB!!! It is just so much fun to meet with awesome girls and talk about books. The book we read this month was "The Thirteenth Tale." Let me just say, emotional roller coaster!!?!?? It is absurd, and crazy, and at points while reading i thought, "What the good heck are we reading this month??" But overall it was a really good book. Twists and turns i never expected. I very unpredictable plot. It was a Gothic, Romantic, Classic English style book. With great reference to some of my favorite books like "Wuthering Heights" and "Jane Eyre" I love meeting with girls, eating fun yummy treats, and talking about one of my definite favorite things, READING!!!

I am looking forward to our next book "The Maze Runner" I already put it on hold at the library!! I LOVE having a book to read. I am not sure what i would do without books! I always have one by my night stand. OK lets be honest, i probably have two or three at all times!! Then i pass on my good readings to My brother in law, or Sister, or sometimes friends. Nothing better than telling someone else about an amazing book i just read, and then having them read it and love it too! Awe the joys and adventures of reading!!!

Any Suggestions of good books I should read this year???

Happy New Year!!!

OK so not only am i officially the worst blogger ever, but i haven't been keeping up on other blogs either. I get so lost and distracted sometimes. I haven't posted about Christmas, or the new year, or heck i didn't even post about GETTING MARRIED!!! which has been over a month now. Everything went perfect. Mikel Forgot to bring his Tux to the temple, so i had to wait forever before we could walk out. And even then his uncle just let him borrow his suit jacket to take pictures in. It was funny, but i totally didn't care. I was just happy to be there, and to have gone through the temple with him and to have so many family and friends sitting there with us. It was incredible. Then we had a great Christmas together filled with family and fun. It was really great. I am excited for a new year! I know it is going to be a great year. I know it wont be perfect and there will be ups and downs, but i am ready for the adventures that will come... Here are a few of my favorite memories of the holidays that ended 2010. I am so grateful for awesome friends and family that are always there to support me and keep life great!!! Happy new year!!! Here's to new goals, new adventures, and a super 2011!!!

Summer Fun!!

I have to admit, I really love having the summer off! I know i know, that is probably the one thing most criticized about being a teacher, is that people do it just to have the summer off. Well, although that is NOT the only reason i became a teacher, it is definitely a bonus. I have been able to go camping a few times with my family, and mikel's family. I have been able to enjoy the sun, gone swimming, seen old friends. I just can't get enough of being busy, and having fun. The one thing i definitely haven't gotten to do yet that i am waiting for is SLEEPING IN!!! I have been in class all week learning new things, developing a better teaching philosophy. Which has been really fun actually, but has not worked towards my sleeping in project!! I feel like i just keep running and running and never slow down, whether it be during the school year or the summer I always seem to have plans. I am kind of looking forward to a day that when maybe, just maybe i won't have any plans. No where to go, no one to see, no errands to run! Ha just a boring old day at home to relax!! HA in my dreams, i don't foresee that coming anytime soon. But hey, a girl can hope right? I think that is something i have always done, planned ahead. I LOVE hanging out with people and seeing people, but sorry sometimes you do have to plan it before to make sure i block off that time. But then i am golden i will be there! I have been lucky to have a lot of friends that i want to spend time with lately, Practically every night i have somewhere to go, whether it is helping someone, babysitting for someone, visiting an old friend, visiting family, birthdays, there is always something going on.

It also makes me stop and realize. Life is good. I have been so blessed with amazing people in my life and amazing experiences!! Time flies by too fast, and too many awesome experiences have come and gone in the blink of an eye. Like my Master's Degree. I am sure going to miss those guys that i have been in a cohort with for the last two years. They really have become my friends and colleagues. I hate when good things come to an end. But that also just means i have to start a new adventure!... I just have to figure out what my next endeavor will be.

Attitude and Grattitude Award!!

Well Jeepers! I have to say thanks Nicole http://nicoleelkington.blogspot.com/ for passing this award on to me this week. I am honored that out of all her many many many many friends that have blogs she picked mine! Thanks Nikki Picky! I freaking Love your face!! Everyone should head over to Nicole's blog and see how Creative and super she is....but not until you find out who I'm passing the award to!


Thanks for my award i will accept it proudly and with honor!!! Yeah Sisterhood!


It is time! Now I get to pass on the award, which really.. is the hardest part for me. Who to choose, and How will they represent the sisterhood He he!!

Well To these lovely girls, Who i freaking love and adore for many reasons beyond belief and explanation!!! Congrats You are who i choose to share the sisterhood award with, because you AND your blogs show great positive uplifting Attitudes and also a huge display of Gratitude!! I love you like sisters!!!

Lauren http://laurenjadenkaylie.blogspot.com/
Laura http://laurabjett.blogspot.com/?zx=c865013fafc6cb1b
Daija http://jonathananddaija.blogspot.com/
Shalise http://buzybugpixies.blogspot.com/
Lisa http://maddiandandrew.blogspot.com/
Jess J. http://littlejessicarene.blogspot.com/
Suz http://shoosanne.blogspot.com/
Stacy http://robandstac.blogspot.com/
Jess S. http://jesykalynne.blogspot.com/
Kelsi http://kelsibonner.blogspot.com/?zx=ca2f21c950c1c5c5

You received the Sisterhood Award, now what? Here's what you do:

1. Put the logo on your blog or post

2. Nominate up to 10 blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!

3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.

4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.

5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.

CONGRATS!!

Are you serious!??! Off track time is ending again.... SO soon??

There ya go, The moment captured in essence! I did it! I made it through the graduation! YAHOO! And I did it with some of the best Friends!
But that also means that i am nearing the end of being off track. I have to tell you that being off track is the best thing in the world!! Nothing like being off track, reading books watching tv you have missed. Hanging with Friends you never get to see

 

And playing with my niece and nephews! Who i freaking LOVE!!!!

All and all it is great! Except the anxiety i feel just about now when i have only a couple days left and i know i have to be back on Friday and i start freaking out, and dreading waking up, and wondering if i am planned and ready (Even though i spend the first few days off (at least) every time i go off getting ready for when i go back! It's like the first day of school all over again anxiety wise! HA BUT then i get there and its back to normal like i never left!

Here's to the last few days of being off track!!

Thank you!!!

I just want to put a special THANKS out to Suzanne and Nicole for being the best ever!! They totally took care of me when i had my surgery and brought me food and books and magazines to read and just kept me company. They seriously are the best friends ever THANK YOU GUYS!!!

And of course my family. My sister Brittany let me crash at her house for days as i couldn't even get up to go to the bathroom without crying! Her and her husband and kids were great to help me out! But they always have been there to take care of me and make sure i get what i need. They are the best ever. And my Parents took me and suffered through my craziness and restlessness at the hospital. And Heather kept checking on me. It was a family event for sure! But hey i didn't hit any doctors this time! That's an accomplishment!!!

I really had a lot of people reach out in love and support and i think that's what made it a great experience!! THANK you for all your love and support!!! I couldn't be here without you!

How do you know?

OK so Just a warning this is like random thoughts of Alisha placed into a blog post.. SO as i sit here i wonder How do you know....

How do you know WHO to invest time into? Whether it be a relationship, or just a friendship. Some how i always end up picking people to invest a lot of time and effort into getting to know them, getting close to them, caring a lot about them; Only to end up hurt in the end. I think part of the problem is I care too much in the first place. I guess i just figure if i am really going to be friends with someone and let them into my life, they would probably do the same and care too right? Well not always. The thing that gets me is when they SAY they care but their actions don't really say the same thing. Ya know? I am not asking for mountains of effort and show, just little things to say, "Ya know what, your not wasting your time, because i care about you too!!"

Also How do you know when enough is enough? How do you know when to keep trying, and when it is time to let go and move on?

How do you know when the choice you are making is the right one?

How do you know that everything is going to be ok?

How do you know When to stand up for something, or when to respect other people's differences, rights and freedoms?

How do you know when you have given your best?

How do you know that you are not alone?

How do you know that even though you are in a room FULL of people, or surround by others and still feel out of place, that it's ok and that's how it should be?

How do you know that being happy when someone else is sad, is ok?
Or being sad when someone else is happy?

How do you know what to wear to work when when you leave its sunny and nice and when you go home it is snowing?

How do you know what to buy someone for a gift?

How do you know when to tell things lightly and when to just say it like it is?

How do you know when your blog post is TOO long?... When you start talking about something that isn't what you started talking about!!!

How do YOU know?

Life is good!!!

Life is good!!! WOW.... it has been a long time since i can honestly say that phrase and mean it!! BUT for real. I am just happy. Today was a good day. I was goofy at school and just happy to be there. Yesterday was pretty good too!! And i joined a new book club. We had our first meeting last night. Well, they have been doing it for awhile now, i just joined so it was MY first meeting... not theirs. But I LOVE reading, so it was fun to have other people to talk to about what i am reading. It was seriously WAY fun!! And i met some awesome new girls! Friends ROCK! Also, I love my ward. That has been a long time since i have said that too. But i really just love it. I LOVE lOVE LOVe my job... Now, that of course may change seeing as Parent teacher conferences are coming next week (HA) but i am actually ok with that for now!! Although i did get observed by my principal today for an evaluation... And they are getting rid of at least 250 teachers from my district, But somehow it is still ok and i like my job? My new place is fun. WAY different, and takes some adjusting, but i like it! So, really, i don't actually have a lot to report, other than, things are pretty darn good. And i like it!!

NOW.... and THEN......

SO i have some of the BEST friends anyone could ever ask for. I was going through some of my old pictures, and laughing at how long we have all been friends. I have know all of you SINCE MIDDLE SCHOOL!! Even some since ELEMENTARY SCHOOL! So i started putting together just a few of the pictures of our group together over the last decade....(or longer) Oh how i love you guys you always make me smile!!!! Here's to you guys!!! I seriously could not be where i am today without these girls. I have leaned on every one of their shoulders at least once and turned to them for support and strength. And they have ALWAYS been there for me when I needed them! I have learned Millions upon millions of lessons from each of them and i am so thankful to have everyone of you in my life! I hope you enjoy the memories as much as i did!! I can't wait to see what happens with us over the next decade! Love you!
P.S. If you have any other note worthy pics to add to this blog, let me know!!!!

CATCH UP THURSDAY!!!

Well it says something about life when you run out of time to blog!! HAHA What is this world coming to!!! Just kidding. It has been a busy first 3 weeks of third grade though! I am lucky to leave work by 5:30 *(When i should be leaving at 4) and on top of that my crazy intense Master's class!! Seriously who wants to write a 35 page paper for me!?!? Anyone? ANYONE? But I have resorted to posting yet again a slide show of pictures, so at least those who have fast enough internet can catch up on what i have been up to! There are pictures of Thanksgiving point, and swimming, the zoo... and who knows what else =) I have some funny school pictures too, but i wont post them here obviously! BUT Can you believe all of the babies at the zoo!? Britt got a family pass to the zoo and i paid to join them on it, so we have been there a few times this summer! I can't believe all the cute babies! I personally am ecstatic about the tiger babies!!! I love tigers! Ade is excited about the elephant baby! We went to vote on her name, and one of the options is AISHA, which is much like ALISHA, and Ade knows how to spell my name, so she proceeded to say, "LOOK!! they want to name the baby elephant ALISHA! lets vote for that one!" I had to explain they were NOT naming the elephant after me... flattering as it would be. YIKES!

I can't believe how times flies! Today was my niece Ade's FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN!!! Can you believe it! Those of you who know me know i love her like crazy so it was a big day for me too!! She loved it and apparently did great! And no tears from her or her parents.... GOSH i guess that leaves me to cry!!! She is all grown up and going to school!!! I love it! SO i am adding a pic of her just before leaving for school! She is so cute! (** I stole the pic from Britt)

Also this last week Daija was in town and the girls and I got together for dinner! This was the first time we have ever brought the guys. It was a blast! Full of catching up, funny moments, like the bench breaking! And yard games, it was a pretty intense gave of boys against girls Bocce! I love those girls it was SO fun to get together again! Some of them i have known sense ELEMENTARY school!!! Yikes! We are getting old!!

Never settle for less than you deserve!!

Today i realized something HUGE.... You can't let happiness go when you have worked so hard to get it back. Recently i had a really rough time in life where i felt really low and down. I didn't even know what to do. But i worked really hard to stay positive and keep trying. I finally got to a point where i really honestly was happy again. Maybe even the happiest i have been in a long long time. Then i let something get in the way, and almost ruin it again. Something i thought i had always wanted, but when it was finally right in front of me, it left me with an awful feeling. I just felt dark and not right, so i had to send it away, i had to let go. And to be honest i thought it would be a lot harder, but i actually feel pretty darn good that i was strong enough to actually do it! I am proud that when i didn't feel right i follwed my heart and let it go, so that i could save my happiness, save myself from darkness. How lucky am i, even though i have distanced myself from the church and my faith.... I have held on to enough to still pull through when i needed it. I have been trying to find myself bit by bit, just in time to avoid the pain of what i had just escaped.

Thank you to all of those who have listend to my story of these events time after time after time, those who have delt with my rollercoaster of emotions with this boy, and who have loved me and supported me no matter what stupid choices i make again and again. I know its been a long road these last 2 years, and i know i made my fair share of dumb choices with situations before this as well, heck you don't end up with an ex husband and a dud boyfriend of 2 years at the age of 24 without making a few dumb choices along the way... I am just lucky to still be alive, and that my choices haven't left me to die, or to a dead end where i can't learn and grow and hopefully end up in a much better situation.

I just pray that i will remember this lesson, and continue to put my needs and feelings first. That i will remain a strong woman who fights for herself. And that all of us with strive for happiness no matter how dark the road ahead looks...

Merry Unbirthday to me!

OK so Suzanne, me and Karen decided to be crazy and go to Disneyland to celebrate all of our "Unbirthdays" this weekend. We drove to Vegas and stayed at Kelli's house,(a friend of from BYU)and then got up super duper early to drive to Disneyland we didn't even get to really sleep much at all! Then we went all over Disneyland having a blast. There were a lot of people there but amazingly it wasn't too bad. We got to do everything i wanted to do, and more! Dennis Quaid was right in front of us at Space Mountain he went on the car right before us. The people around us were freaking out, it was funny. Also they were filming the Disney Christmas special that is going to be on ABC on Christmas day, so the Jonas Brothers were there performing at the park, they had a cool stage with presents and Christmas trees, it was really beautiful and fun! People were pretty crazy though! Then we got stuck in the Indian Jones ride FOREVER! They turned on a huge bright light and we had to talk to the mechanics and the people that work there. We had to keep taking on and off our seat belts while the shut the power off and on. Then it started working we went a little ways in the pure darkness, and stopped again right underneath Indian Jones! Just before the big boulder is coming at you and you drop, which happens to be my favorite part, but when you get stuck and they turn on the lights and Indi Kept looking around and just hanging there while the boulder spinned a head of us, it kinda ruined the suspense of the ride. BUT we got little vouchers that let us come back and ride it again later when it was finally fixed... It was a long ride! It was a super fun trip. Then the next morning we went to Newport Beach which was beautiful. It was windy though and the waves were HUGE I loved it! The weather in California was so nice it was even hot a few times! It was like 76 or 78 degrees, and just lovely! A little cooler at the beach, but hey it beats snow!! Then we drove the entire way home it rained a little bit but we saw an amazing rainbow it was so bright and vibrant! Then it became a double rainbow. It was like the first time i have ever seen a full rainbow completely arch across the sky and you could see both of them even though the top one was lighter! It was gorgeous. Perfect ending to a fabulous weekend!~ It was a crazy but super fun weekend! I didn't take as many pictures as i wanted to but here are the ones i did take!

I've been dreaming of a True Loves Kiss!

OK so here is how lame i am.... Day one of being off track and what am i doing? Laundry... while watching ENCHANTED!!! ALONE! Super exciting i know. But it makes me think... Ya know, i really have been dreaming of a true loves kiss. But then it gets me wondering whether that is really possible? What makes happiness, and how do you find it? You would think at 24 i would have life a LITTLE figured out. Most people in Utah have multiple kids by 24. Or at least a somewhat successful relationship, or even friendships for goodness sake!~. But here i am moving every six months, trying to find my place in the world. The only thing i do have figured out is my job. And even then i still question that once in awhile too. It just seems like life is full of never ending tests. And just as soon as you think you have it figured out and you understand, it totally changes. I think even people that are married, don't always know what makes them happy. Some people think once you find that person, life just magically changes. But i know from experience that life isn't automatically easier when you get married. Sometimes it's even harder. I think everyone is given different challenges at different stages in life. But somewhere there is sunshine and light. You just have to find it. SO i am officially on my journey for happiness. Who knows where it will lead me, maybe i will move again, maybe i will switch jobs, find new friends, or find a new relationship. Maybe even just a hobby. I am not sure yet... But I've got plenty of time to figure it out. Wish me luck?