Let's start from the beginning... Well of last year. A short trip down 2011.
JANUARY
Now my 21st birthday wasn't too fun so last year for my 22nd I felt like I HAD to make up for it by having a huge dinner then heading to VEGAS! I had such a blast! We stayed in the Cosmopolitan (it has just opened). I was so lucky to have some friends meet me from Utah, and party the night away and have brunch together... That made my year! But I have to top that this year and not sure how I will do that.
FEBRUARY
This is going to be a hard one for me to write... the semester was just starting and things were getting busy. Friday night February 25th there was a huge bonfire planned up around the lake about 40 minutes east of Tempe, now that day I went to Flagstaff to shoot a story which is a 2 hour drive so I was exhausted and didn't feel up to the socializing you could say, but despite my unwillingness to go I went with my roommate Kasey and our other friend Kristen. I had a bad feeling that day and couldn't shake it, for some odd reason. A little background...My friend Kendra we were really close last fall but we got in a tiff so we had been on bad terms for a while for some stupid reasons. We stopped talking and went our separate ways yet hung around a lot of the same people. I thought just one day we would be able to put things aside and move on and be her friend again. But this night was nothing like I planned. Later I knew why that bad feeling was there. About 50 people were at the fire and some people were riding the rhino around, which is a four seat ATV. The next thing I knew Kasey was gone and someone came to the fire saying there was an accident. I automatically knew Kasey was involved. I was running so fast to find her. First I didn't think it was going to be as serious as it was but I quickly learned this wasn't minor. It was an out of body experience as I went to get Kasey away from everyone that had gathered around Kendra who was extremely injured. I was helping Kasey as other helped Kendra and the cops were called as well as the ambulance. I thought everything was going to be fine and we would just spend the night in the hospital but I was wrong. As the paramedics showed up and started working to help Kendra to clear her air way and get her to the hospital they knew they wouldn't get her there fast enough so the helicopter was called, flares were down and most everyone had left except for the people directly involved. I watched as the paramedics wheeled Kendra into the ambulance. Not too long after that one paramedic came to ask Kasey questions as we were sitting there trying to get her to relax. He let us know that Kendra had died, there wasn't anything else they could do for her. The helicopter was sent back and I broke down. I was in shock. I couldn't believe this was happening. I didn't ever get to say sorry, make up for the stupid reasons we stopped being friends or just hug her. She was ten feet away from me in the ambulance but she wasn't there anymore. The police came and now questioning everyone involved by that was done it was 4 AM and knew that Kasey should probably go to the hospital. We arrived around 4:30 and didn't find out that her lung had collapsed until about 7 and she immediately had to go into surgery. We were so emotional. Luckily my mom came to the hospital along with others to show their support. Kasey was in the hospital for 3 days, and because she has no family in Arizona I spend the nights with her there. It was an experience that I will never forget, the sorrow, sadness but I also felt the spirit so strong there. I learned how fast life can change that night, and to never hold a grudge no matter what. It still breaks my heart that we weren't on good terms but I know one day I will be able to see her again.
MARCH
MY LAST SPRING BREAK :( I really wasn't planning on going anywhere for Spring Break but my lovely roommate convinced me to head south of the border and get my tan on in Rocky Point, Mexico. How could a girl say NO?! I am so glad we went. We hit the beach all day, and went into town during the night. I had some of the best street tacos EVER that weekend. It was a good way to END my senior year.
APRIL
School was quickly coming to a close... So I put together my resume reel. Take a look...
I spent endless hours at the Cronkite School and always found a way to have fun... I couldn't have asked for a better group of people to end my college career with. I miss everyone so much AND we all knew how to party! I love the memories I made and got to share :)
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| CLASS OF 2011 |
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| Tara and I dancing on the table at school. |
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| Monday/Wednesday NewsWatch Crew |
MAY
GRADUATION
What a crazy feeling... to graduate from college. WHAAAATTTT? That happened? I still can't believe it. I had the time of my life, from living in the dorms to walking across the stage to get my diploma. What an amazing experience.
GO DEVILS!
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| Me and Sparky! |
JUNE
Moving back home... Ok no one ever told me how hard this would be. What an adjustment! Seriously, don't get my wrong I love my mom and step-dad, and the comforts that come with living at home BUT I haven't lived with them since I was 18 and boy have I changed (in a good way). AND I HAD SO MUCH STUFF... It took me 3 weeks just to move all my stuff back to their house. The next move is coming soon, six months has been enough for me :)
JULY
The only trip I saw this summer.... I got to road trip with my best friend Jessie to Santa Monica for the weekend. She was living in LA at the time and moving back to Phoenix to live with me and my fam because she got a job in AZ. We drove Friday night, spent all day at the beach and of course hung out on Pier in Santa Monica riding the ferris wheel and eating at ice cream. It was a good break from the Phoenix HEAT!
AUGUST
This was a rough month for me, emotionally, physically, mentally and everything else in between. I felt the stress of getting a big girl job and getting on track with all those grown up responsibilities. I was torn not knowing what I wanted to do, and what career to pursue. I did a whole lot of soul searching this summer and really figuring out what I wanted my next step in life to be. I came to the conclusion to follow my heart and to really listen to my heart, do what I feel is best and listen to the promptings of the spirit. You never know how life will pan out and never did I think I would experience the things I have but Heavenly Father has a plan for each of us. Sometimes I don't like or understand why or how certain things happen but each trial, success, and accomplishment I am thankful for. I learned so much about myself and felt ready to conquer anything that comes my way.
September
It was the end of an ERA... My best friend Jessie was moving to South Bend, Indiana.
I have known Jessie since sophomore year of college. We both went to the Cronkite school. We have been through a lot together from living across the street to across the hall. We literally spent every day of our senior year and post graduation together. She is an amazing friend! She that knows me so well, understands me, and has always been there for me. There is no one I would rather watch Jersey Shore, or get Jack in the Box tacos with! I miss her like crazy!
END OF THE YEAR...
It was Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and the New Year.
Christmas was quiet and calm, nothing too exciting. Christmas Eve we went to Cheesecake Factory for dessert like we usually do and stay up late watching movies. Christmas we had breakfast with our neighbors, went to church, and came home and had your traditional Christmas dinner; ham, potatoes, and rolls. It was pleasant! I had the whole week off of work and got to spend time with friends that I hadn't see for a while. Now for New Year's Eve to the most overrated holiday (to me at least) I went with a bunch of friends to Mill Ave. where there is a block party, live music, rides, and fireworks at midnight. It was fun seeing everyone.
2012
As I celebrated 2012, and reflecting back on 2011 of course I made goals like everyone else. Be healthier, positive, patient, hopeful and kick ass this year. I am ready to take this year by storm... what ever it is that comes my way, I am excited for. I can't wait to see what happens and all the blessings that are in store. One song that I love and feel that it is an amazing message, makes me want to be better and truly make a difference every day.
Beyonce- I was here
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
