Lauren's Happenings

Three days into November, I decided to think of one thing I am grateful for every night. So as today is Thanksgiving, I'm going to post my ongoing list.

November 3rd: Today I am grateful for the scriptures. I've been feeling off but I decided to read two times a day and it has made all the difference.

November 4th: Today I am grateful for my roommates. They always allow me to talk about talk about my problems and love me.


November 5th: I am grateful for my mentor (practicum/internship). He wasn't going to take a practicum student, but saw there was still a need after a month, so he took me in. I've grown so much from his words of wisdom and feedback.

November 6th: I am grateful for my ward and the good people in it. Everyone is so quick to help one another.

November 7th: I am grateful for boys. Not just because they are attractive but also for their roles in my life. We got a flat tire and of course all the boys knew how to change it and I wasn't expected to know a thing. I am especially grateful for a hard working man that honors his priesthood.

November 8th: I am grateful for football games. They have made my college experience so fun!! It was the only thing that kept me in Tucson my first semester.

Let me just start by saying that after my blessing, the rest of my week was FABULOUS. I know it was because of my increased strength.



Tuesday was my homegirl Syd's birthday!! Poor thing had school all day, so it wasn't too fun of a day. That evening though we went to Native New Yorker (upon her request) and had a little party. We brought the cake there too and sang happy birthday. She is a gem, and I'm so happy I've had the chance of living with her for 1 1/2 years. She is the life of the party.

Wednesday I got observed for practicum and I passed!!! Now I am officially set to graduate this semester! Wooo hooo!!!! To make it even better, the head of my major, Cindy, is that the one that observed me and she made me feel very confident in my skills. She gave me wonderful praises and some good feedback on what to work on as well.

That evening was my last class with my fellow interpreting colleagues. So naturally we had a party! Well we had the party for 3 reasons- to congratulate Letty on her baby, celebrate Kylie's 21st birthday and to celebrate our last day of class. We made it pot-luck style and it was quite the spread! We know how to party! It was a great last class!

Tuesday- NO SCHOOL!!

Best thing ever! I usually try to do something adventurous like going on a hike/mud caving or shopping. This time, I was completely content just taking the day off. So I slept in, and did homework. It was all easy homework, so I didn't mind it. In reality, I like organization, so catching up was really refreshing. In the pm though, I watched a few episodes of my fav-One Tree Hill and then went on a date with Peyton Manning. Jk, his name is Carl Ellingson. He looks like Peyton though. The date was super fun! We went on a bike ride around Reid Park (which is the only non-hobo park in Tucson and the cutest) and I was in heaven. I LOVE bike rides, they are literally my favorite hobby. Plus the weather was spot on. After riding around the whole park, we went off the path and had dinner by the duck pond. After dinner and all the bike fun, we went across the street to U-Swirl for some frozen yogurt. We also ran into a ton of mormons while there including the ASL missionaries! I guess it is just the mormon place.

Wednesday.

I had practicum like normal. I can't really remember what I interpreted, so I'm sure that means it went well. I did have a solid talk about interpreting with my mentor and have a greater understanding about my role.

I was supposed to get observed by my teacher, but the assembly went over time by a half hour, so she had to leave. I don't know if I was happy or disappointed about this. I'm not super nervous about getting observed, so it's whatever I guess.

After practicum, I had my 2nd to last class with all the girls in my major. After next week/this week, we no longer have class. This is both exciting and sad. This class is the core of my major, so this class ending shows how close graduation is.


Thursday was whatevs. Normal.


Friday.

While getting ready for school I got a call from a number in Georgia. I answered and it happened to be a lady responding to my application. On Wednesday I applied for an interpreting job online but didn't expect to hear anything. Well this woman gave me a lot of praise and said they would love to hire me. Here is the deal...this company is a national agency, so I could potentially work anywhere as long as my EIPA (The big test I took back in Oct) score meets their requirement. I would be interpreting in a school setting regardless of what state I choose to live in. Also it is a straight up full-time job with benefits and all!

Here's the catch. I have to have my EIPA score before I can start. I won't get my score til the beginning of February and if I'm super lucky, the end of January. The joy of waiting 120 days. So let's say I wait to get my score and I pass, then I have a full time job. If I don't pass, I am out of work until I can take it again and wait 120 days. Stupid huh.

Although there is another catch. Sometimes places will allow you to work while you are waiting for your score. The lady said if a school in Phoenix doesn't hire someone by Thanksgiving, she will try to see if they will consider me.

Anyway, I was pretty excited to get offered a full time job! Even if I don't take it now, I could take it the following fall. I've been praying for options for 4 months, so this was a blessing!


That afternoon I volunteered at the deaf elementary school and it was one of the best days there. A) I gave the interpreters, teachers, and aide of room 2 my graduation announcement. It made it all more real, and my appreciation for them was so strong. That class helped me grow so much the past 2 1/2 years. Also while I was there, a student had "show and tell" so her family came to support. That meant her 3 year old little brother came. My job was to entertain him and he ended up entertaining me more than anything. He was so fun. The best part was his little hands signing. Kids signing are the cutest things ever.


In the evening, the institute had a regional luau! They served us hawaiian food, put on a show and then a dance. The dance was of course my favorite part. Luca is an awesome DJ-right on point!

Today has been all about missionaries!!

This morning I woke up at an awful hour of 6:30. I know I'm being dramatic, but I do NOT do early mornings. Especially if I'm expected to function all day without a nap. Anyway the reason I woke up so early was for a little missionary breakfast. There are a lot of missionaries getting transferred and going home, so it was kind of a farewell/gratitude for the missionaries breakfast.

Since becoming a UA student, I have grown a love for football. I will probably continue to watch their games when I graduate because they are so fun. Nothing can beat being on the 30 yard line, 5 rows up. It is amazing. So fun jamming with the "zoo" and raging. Even the long wait to get into the stadium can be fun.

Anyway, this Saturday was our homecoming game! Back track to Friday.

I drove to Mesa on Friday because all my roommates had other family things going on. So I wanted to play with my family too even if it meant being home less than 24 hours.  After devotional, I headed home. Upon moving to Tucson, my grandpa has encouraged me to drive the "scenic" way home. It takes an extra 20-30 minutes though, so I've never had the patience to tack on extra time. Well I decided I should finally do it so I can tell my grandpa I drove it and to see if I liked it better. It was actually faster than I expected and there was NO traffic. It was great. Once I was about 30 minutes away from home, my light came on my car saying I needed maintenance. I've always had the light come on and say "maintenance required soon" but this time it said maintenance required. So I freaked and drove straight to Toyota. My mother was a saint, like always, and picked me up so I didn't have to wait a few hours.



Saturday I woke up somewhat early to get a haircut. I've been needing it forever and Kelley was so kind to accommodate to my schedule. We got a good 45 minute chat sesh in too, which is always nice.

As soon as my hair cut was done, I rushed back to Tucson for the homecoming festivities. I made it just in time to get a little ready and then walk over to the parade. The homecoming parade consisted of Syd and her family (including her grandparents on both sides), Steph and me.















Now for a new week! The weekend is going to be SUPER busy, but I am ready! I finally feel stressed free and now I'm ready to party these next 31 days!

Saturday evening, I was a little bit irrational and drove home to Mesa. I was going to drive home Sunday after stake conference but since I wasn't really doing anything, I decided to head home the night before. I do not regret my decision though.

I got to spend time with my dad switching between the UofA game and the ASU game. We should have only watched the ASU game though. The wildcats didn't do so hot. It was fun chatting with my father though.


Sunday I slept in and got ready super fast for stake conference. I went to a gilbert stake center with Vanita, Madi and Aly. Before it started, each stake had 30 minutes for announcements, and that made me wish I had stayed in Tucson for the broadcast, but whatevs. I had fun with the girls and it was good to see them!