Happy Holidays!!

Well I thought I would post a quick Merry Christmas to everybody before the big day, so....Merry Christmas! I hope everyone is well and enjoying this special time of year when we can celebrate the birth of our Savior. I love this time of year and am especially excited for the holidays because all of my family will be able to be together at the same time, with the exception of Kyler. All my other siblings will be here with their kids and spouses a few days after Christmas (they will all be trickling in one at a time), and I just can't wait to see everyone! We are also VERY excited to talk to Kyler on the phone!

It is crazy that time has flown by so fast, I can't believe that I have finished one-half of my internship! Before I know it I will be out in the real world...which is a little scary, but exciting!

The newest thing to happen to me is that I found out that apparently I tore a tendon at some point (probably one of the many times I rolled an ankle in High School), that healed on its own but some fluid built up around it. I have been having problems with my ankles popping for the last couple of years. It used to just be every once in awhile, but lately it has been constantly, and it was causing my ankles to be pretty sore. So over Thanksgiving Break I decided to get it checked out since I have met my deductible for the year. I went and saw Dr. Joe in Burley, and got an x-ray, which didn't show anything. He heard my ankle pop and thought we should do an MRI. But they only do MRIs on Thursdays, so I had to wait till I came home for Christmas break. I took my personal day on Friday the 18th, and came home on Thursday the 17th and did the MRI. I got the results on Monday and found out what I already stated above. I think I can probably pinpoint the time I injured the right ankle (the one that pops the most). It was probably my senior year one day before a game when I was doing a chair (a cheer stunt), and came down and landed on it pretty hard. I rolled my ankles quite a bit, but this time was bad. It turned black and blue and swelled up, and was sore for weeks. I don't know why I never went to the doctor then. Anyway, Dr. Joe said I could either take some anti-inflammatories for a couple months (like ibuprofen or asprin) to get the fluid to go away, or get a steroid shot. My GI doc and surgeon have both warned me to stay away from these because they can cause problems for someone like me, and since I am finally getting to where I feel really good, I didn't want to do anything to rock the boat. So yesterday I went in for a shot, and I have to say, it wasn't as bad as I expected. I hate shots, worse than anything, and I got 2, one to numb it, and the other was the steroid. My whole foot felt so strange yesterday. It was tingling and numb and I was limping around. Late last night it finally started to wear off and then I was wishing for it to be numb again. It was aching pretty badly, but today has surprisingly felt pretty good. Besides being a little sore, it's really been ok. I've also noticed it hasn't popped quite as often as usual. If it helps the right ankle we will go ahead and do the left later on. Kind of weird that I could tear a tendon without knowing it, but I'm glad I'm not crazy and that the popping really had a cause!

Well that's the latest with me! Hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and a happy New Year!

Thanksgiving

Well I just finished making a handout on hypoglycemia for the hospital, so I decided to reward myself by updating my blog. I really should be sleeping, since I have to leave at 7:15 in the morning and drive to Caldwell. Or at least be doing something productive, like practicing tube feeding calculations. Haha. Anyway, I had a wonderful Thanksgiving and an excellent break from school. My break started by driving to Burley the Friday night before Thanksgiving and getting there just in time to go to NEW MOON with my cousins, niece, sister, and aunt. I personally thought the movie was excellent. I liked it much better than Twilight. Funny, I liked the book better as well. Here we are (some of us) so excited before the movie!


The next day we got together at my aunt's house because my cousin Lindsay was here from Chicago and leaving on Sunday. We played a good game of Five Crowns. I lost miserably, but I was a good sport.

Monday my mom and I saw The Blind Side...and it was amazing. I highly recommend it! Then Tuesday we went and saw The Time Traveler's Wife at the cheap theater. It was good, but sad. I must say I shed a few tears.
This is Halli, Landon, and I on Thanksgiving Day. Aren't they just too cute?

The day after Thanksgiving we went bowling. Here are the little boys. They were so fun to watch. They all had a different technique of throwing the ball, and then they all would wait anxiously while the 6 pound ball slowly made it down the lane...and I mean slowly. I lost at bowling too.
I had to throw in this picture of Nathan. Is that not a great bowling pose or what? Go Nathan go!

During the break I was also able to get a few much needed things done, like drycleaning my favorite coat, ordering some piano music, playing the piano a lot, sleeping in, washing and vacuuming my car, and helping my mom clean her house and get ready for company. All in all it was just nice to get to do regular things like that that I never have time for now!

I stayed in Burley until the Sunday after Thanksgiving, basically I was gone as long as was possible. All of my siblings were there except Brock and his family (but they will be here for Christmas!) and of course Kyler. We had a full house and it was crazy, but I wouldn't have it any other way!

Ode to Psych

Psych is pretty much the best TV show ever. I'm serious. I think it's moved into my number 1 spot (ok, I don't know if anything will ever beat Gilmore Girls, but you get the picture.) If you've never seen it, you are totally missing out. It's not on right now, and I am sad. It will premier again in January. If you don't know what it's about, here is a brief synopsis: Shawn's dad was a detective, and trained him while he was growing up to be a great detective, but Shawn doesn't want to be a detective, so he pretends to be a psychic instead. Him and his best friend Gus work for the Santa Barbara Police Department, solving crimes while convincing everyone he's psychic. He's very witty and smart, and soo funny. I'd thought I'd entertain you with a few of my favorite quotes. And believe me, I had a HARD time choosing.

Shawn: Ahem. My pilot's license? It's out back in the Cessna. Or perhaps your referring to my license to kill. Revoked. Problems at the Kazakhstan border. I'd tell you, but then I'd have to kill you....which I can't do, because my license to kill has been revoked.

Bad guy: But know this: One stupid move and I've got more than enough plastic bags for your body parts.

Shawn: Note to self: call Hefty with commercial idea.

Shawn: Gus, don't be Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Marzipan.

Gus: Azkaban!

Shawn: I've heard it both ways.

Shawn: (In a morgue): Gus, you have to be covered up. You're a cadaver, and cadavers don't wear Abercrombie and Filtch.

Gus: It's Abercromie and FITCH, and no you havn't heard it both ways!!

Shawn: Look, it's not important that it was me that saved Lassie's life, or that I was right, or that he should have listened to me from the start, because I was right. The important thing is that you're unharmed...and that it was because of me, and I was right.

Shawn: Well, it could be anyone, Lassie has tons of enemies.

Gus: His ex-wife

Shawn: His mailman

Gus: His Landlord

Shawn: Bigfoot

Chief of Police: Well lets focus on the ones that Detecive Lassiter actually busted.

Shawn: Well that only rules out Bigfoot. Which, by the way, little known fact: Bigfoot...he only wore size ten!

Shawn: Could you check for a John Doe, please? Or actually, could you look up all the Does...Tai Kwan, Cookie, Play, Do Si...

Shawn: I'm not into the whole Tony Robbins motivational thing...I'd prefer his brother Baskin.

Ok, so I could go on and on and on, and I know it's funnier if you've seen it, but maybe this will prompt you to check it out.

Here's a clip to watch: http://www.hulu.com/watch/4455/psych-the-answering-machine

Stick it out through the commercial, it's worth it.

Denver...and some other stuff

So I just got back from Denver a couple weeks ago. I went with the other interns, from Pocatello and Boise. We drove two suburbans there and back-through the snow on the way back, I might add. We attended the National American Dietetics Association Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo (ADA FNCE for short). It was exhausting but sooo much fun! I got so much cool free stuff. There were HUNDREDS of booths with fun new products to try-so much food that we didn't even have to bother buying breakfast or lunch. We would just hop on up to the Expo and grab some juice, and oatmeal, and fruit, and bread, and bagels, and cookies (healthy, of course), and salad, and little lemon bites full of calcium...you name it. Then we were good. Haha! We also attended some really cool sessions on cool topics (and not so cool sessions), and did some shopping and eating out.

I got to hang out with Katie for 4 whole days!!

This is the Convention Center where the conference was held. I don't know what is with the big blue bear, but he kind of grows on ya.

So while on this trip I got to thinking of all the trips I've gone on, and I think I've been to some pretty cool places. Keep in mind I've only flown twice, and both times it was to Cleveland, so I have DRIVEN to most of these places. I went to California for band and cheerleading twice, and between the two trips I've been to Disneyland (twice), California Adventure (twice), Universal Studios (twice), Knott's Berry Farm, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Medieval Times (twice), and Huntington Beach (twice). I also went to Seattle for band where I rode a ferry, saw the space needle (opted not to go up in it because of time and money, but now regret it), took a tour of an aircraft carrier, went to the biggest mall I've ever seen, Pike's Place Fish Market, and tons of other stuff. And of course while on these trips we got to perform at Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, and at a huge competition in Seattle. Thank You Mr. Floyd! Then two summers ago I took a road trip back to California with two of my roomates and best friends, Amy and McKenzie. We went to Disneyland, Universal Studios, Santa Monica Pier and Beach (that has all the rides featured in Cellular, the Hannah Montana Movie, and Bedtime Stories, and I'm sure plenty of other movies-LAME roller coaster BTW). We also stopped in Vegas and walked the strip and went to M&M World, which was tons of fun. We rode the roller coaster on the California/Nevada border, and went to the PRICE IS RIGHT! That was an awesome experience. We were on the Halloween episode, wearing our orange and black ISU shirts. Even though none of us got be contestants, it was still fun. I also took a road trip to Las Vegas my sophmore year of college with my roomate Mandy and her boyfriend (now husband Aaron) and her sister Jenny. We rode the Stratosphere (INSANE!) and the New York New York roller coaster. We were there right before Christmas so it was nice to see all the Christmas decoratons in Vegas. M&M World was decked out for Christmas, the Bellagio Water Show was Christmas songs, etc. Then the first time I went to Cleveland we went to Kirtland and saw the temple and church buildings there-a very neat experience. We also went to Cedar Point, an amazing amusement park. Kyler and I rode some dang cool (and big) roller coasters there. I want to go back so bad...Can ya tell I LOVE big rides and roller coasters? Lagoon does nothing for me anymore...I've moved on to bigger and better things. I have pressed pennies from most of these places, as well as from Yellowstone, the Boise Zoo, and the Perrine Bridge (obtained at the Twin Falls airport). Haha. So, I'm pretty sure I love travelling and doing fun things with my friends and family (like riding insanely cool rides) and hope to do so much more in the future...Next stop: BOSTON!...(hopefully).

I gave in...

Well, I did it. I finally decided to start a blog. Some people have been telling me that I should, so I just decided to go for it. A lot of this is for myself. I don't keep a journal very well. I write in it maybe every 2-3 months if I'm lucky. This way, I will be more likely to write things down that are going on in my life in a cute, fun way, and with pictures too! Anyone who knows me knows I love to take pictures but am not a huge scrapbooker. Asking me if I have my camera with me is usually a stupid question, along with asking if I have any chapstick. Anyway, it will also be a way for my family and friends to keep up with what's going on in my life, if you care to.

So I'm going to backtrack a little and start with last May and go through the summer. In May I graduated from the Dietetics Program at Idaho State University, with a BS in Dietetics. Yeah!

I would just like to thank everyone in my life who helped me through these last 4 years. My roomates, my friends, all my family, and especially my friend Katie and my wonderful mother.
(Are ya digging the pink tassles?...'Cause you KNOW I am!)

So yay! I'm done with school right? Wrong. I got an internship in Boise through ISU and started that in August, which entails working 32 hours a week, class one day a week, and many many assignments, papers, projects, presentations, etc, but you'll here more about that later.

I also graduated from Institute. I am so thankful for this wonderful program. ISU's program is great. I absolutely love all my teachers and everyone I met there.

Thanks to my mom and Kyler for coming!

My brother Kelby graduated from dental school in Cleveland, OH from Case Western. My mom and I flew out and attended, along with my brother Brock (who is attending dental school in Boston at Tufts University), and his daughter Taylee. We had so much fun!

My mom and I also went to Wicked when it was in Salt Lake, and it was amazing! I had always wanted to go, and I wasn't dissapointed!

I planned to stay in Pocatello for the summer for a change, but after looking and looking for a job, unsuccessfully, I moved home. Over 600 dollars of rent was wasted, but what can you do? I got a job in Burley babysitting 3 kids 3-4 days a week, which was fun. Sometimes hard, but fun.

Kelby and his family ended up living with us for the summer while he hunted for jobs. I always thought it would be so fun living with little kids all the time, and I finally got to do that with Taylor and Ian, and we had a blast. Now I get to live with my nephews in Boise: Tanner, Nathan, and Landon, and I love that too!

In August my brother Brock came for a visit from Boston. This was the first time meeting my nephew Porter, who was born in February. We had a blast going to the City of Rocks and just hanging out. Brock's 3 year old daughter Taylee and I had so much fun. She asked me one day if I was her cousin, and I of course explained that I'm her aunt and she's my niece. The next day she asked how come I'm not her uncle. I then explained that uncles are boys and aunts are girls. Later she was following me around and someone commented, "Taylee, do you like your Aunt Jill?" She responded with, "Yes, and she's my aunt 'cause she's a GIRL." I couldn't help but laugh out loud. We are so excited that they are coming for Christmas!!

The weekend Brock was here was my little brother's missionary farewell. I am so proud of Kyler! He has always been such a great example to me, and I love him so much. He is serving in the Dallas, Texas Spanish speaking mission, and loving it. Kyler and I love to watch and quote TV shows and movies together. I miss him so much, but I am so proud of his decision to serve the Lord.

In August I also started my internship in Boise. It was soooo much work to apply and it semed like it would never get here. This is what I had been working towards for the last 4 years! I debated a lot about whether to put the Pocatello internship or Boise my number one choice, and in the end chose Boise. I couldn't believe it when that was the one I actually got! Guess all that hard work and studying paid off. I decided it would be a nice change and that it would be fun to do rotations and work in the big hospitals here. My brother Chad also offered to let me live with him for free so it was a lot cheaper for me as well. Since they are both through ISU, I am a still a student, registered for 15 credits. They aren't doing me any good, because they are undergraduate credits and I have already graduated, but I'm not bitter at all, can ya tell? So far I have really enjoyed it. I have done rotations in Long Term Care (old people are so cute and funny!), Kidney Dialysis, Sports Nutrition at BSU (I made handouts on gaining weight for the football team,) and at the Health Department where I got to do things with Meals on Wheels, the HIV Van for the homeless, a Diabetes program, School Nutrition, helped with a Lipid Clinic where people got their cholesterol checked, and most of all WIC. The last week there I did staff relief where I saw clients on my own, which was scary at first, but very fun. I had to prick little kids' fingers to check their iron status, which was not too fun sometimes, but I really enjoyed working at WIC. I also got to work with a great staff who I will really miss! Next week I start at West Valley Medical Center in Caldwell where I will be for 5 weeks, then at St. Al's for 6 weeks. I'm pretty scared for clinical, because it is such a long rotation, there is so much to know and remember, and it's been more than 2 years since I took my clinical class. I am also not looking forward to the huge paper and case studies that will have to be done, but at the same time am very excited to work in the hospital environement and be able to see so many interesting things.

I love my fellow interns!

About a month ago my sister Tysi had a little girl! We were so excited to buy cute little girl things! We got to go see her at the hospital just a couple hours after she was born, which I have never done with any of my nieces and nephews. They've always been at least a couple days old. It was also very fun taking her other kids and watching them meet their new little sister for the first time. Her name is Halli Anne and she is adorable!

So there is a little update on my life. More to come soon!