change...

Well, it's time for another big time change in my life. As I look back at my life thus far, I've had quite a few big time changes within the past 5ish years. I moved away to Texas for college, went to Chile to study abroad, went to D.C. for an internship, moved back to Utah for grad school, and now, I'm heading back to the east coast (woohoo!) However, this change is going to be quite different from the rest. Yeah sure I'm going to be heading into the real world, starting a real job, working full-time, earning my own money, paying for my own insurance (and yes, my dad is counting down the days until this happens), etc...but that's not what makes this different. This change is different because it doesn't have a deadline. There's no time limit. No definite end.

When I went to Texas I knew I'd leave after four years of college...I knew I'd leave Chile after the summer ended...I knew I'd leave D.C. after 10 weeks of my internship...and I knew I'd leave Utah after only one year. But this change doesn't have that aspect. I'm going to D.C. to start work...the end.

Does it scare me? Honestly, not at all. (Which I find to be a little strange.) But the truth is I'm not scared. In fact, I kind of like it. It's nice. Yeah, in some ways I want to plan the next five years of my life...or at least the next two. Everyone likes having some sort of plan. But on the other hand, I like the unknown. I like having the option to go wherever. Maybe I'll stay at this job for ten years? Maybe I'll leave after one? Or maybe I'll start coaching soccer? Or start a business? Or run a marathon in my free time? Or serve a mission? Or go back and visit my Chilean family? Or so many gazillion possibilities. Ahh yes, I love it.

No definite end. A new beginning. So many possibilities. And if there's one place for this change, what better place to be than our nation's capital?

After all, who wouldn't want to drive by all of this on the way to work each day?

mom...

Well, since today is my mother's birthday, I wanted to dedicate a post to her. Simply 'cause she's wonderful. 

But seriously.

It's crazy how we come into this life and we're given a family and parents, and somehow we get the best family for us. Yeah...I'm pretty sure that's not an accident. But I am so unbelievably grateful for my mom. I remember ever since I was little I thought she was incredible. She always knew everything! (And still does). I remember one time when I was a wee child I was late coming home from my friends house...what was I going to tell my mom? I knew I'd be in trouble. I couldn't possibly tell her that I just forgot. I came up with the perfect plan...I changed my watch so that I could pretend I was on time and my watch was just off...brilliant! I was confident that I would fool her. Ha...wrong. She didn't even fall for it a little bit...she caught me right in the middle of my lie. How could she possibly know that? Psychic? Was she watching me? 

The answer: she's my mom. 

Mom's just know stuff. I think it's a gift with motherhood. Or I hope it's a gift with motherhood. Otherwise I might be in trouble. But the interesting thing is not every mom knows the exact same stuff...but every mom knows all the "stuff" they need to for their kids...making them all knowing. At least that's what it seems like to us anyways. She knows what takes mustard or chocolate out of clothes (yeah...I'm a messy eater). She knows the best way to bake brownies, or cook a salmon. She knows what will help my tummy when it hurts. I still call her to this day for random questions and little nit-picky things or when my tummy hurts or when I need advice. Sometimes I wonder if I will ever reach that stage where I know everything that only mom's seem to know...or maybe my daughters will just end up calling my mom for questions...who knows. But even more than a little stain on a shirt or baking the perfect cake, she knows Christ and she knows how to serve others. And she is constantly doing that. In just the past few weeks I've been amazed at the time she's given up to help other ward members or family members or her little measly daughter (a.k.a. me). For me alone she has spent numerous hours and days making things for me or sewing something or painting something etc...just for me. Not to mention everything else she's done. And now she's going to sacrifice her time and sanity to drive 36 hours across the country with me to D.C. Now that's true love. But it has been incredible to watch her help and serve everyone around her. And she hasn't complained about it one bit. She finds joy and love in it and she's happy to do it. Wow...she is such a great example. 

I could make this post quite lengthy...but I will keep it short. I just wanted to say thanks Mom, you really are the best. One day I hope I can grow up to be like my mom. 

We been buds since I was little:

And we're still buds today:

Happy Birthday Mom...I love you! 

friends and babies...

My friends are starting to have babies!!! Yaaaaaay! Okay, well not quite yet...but there are a couple little guys coming in January. We had a baby shower for Katie today. It's always fun to get together as friends, whether it's just for fun or to celebrate various occasions. Between the gifts and the conversation topics, this was quite a change from the usual bridal shower...but still so much fun. 

I really have some incredible friends...no matter how long we have been apart, it always feel so normal when we get together again...as if we saw each other just yesterday. I seriously love it. I love you girls! 

And for those of you that couldn't make it...we definitely missed you...as always.

CPA part 2...

One section down...only three more to go...blah.

Hopefully after July 19th (one week and 2 days) I'll be halfway done. No...let me try again...definitely after July 19th I'll be halfway done.

Well I just took my 5 minute study break...time to get back to studying...

PS yes I know, this is DEFINITELY the worst blog post ever...I'll do a real post after next week...

Thompson...

I am obsessed with my nephew. My friends and family all know that. It's probably because he is the cutest thing in the entire world. Seriously though, he really is. And the fact that he's always so stylish makes him pretty cute too, thanks to my amazing sister-in-law who dresses him so well (I mean look at those sunglasses he's wearing...such a stud). 

I haven't posted in awhile. Life has been crazy busy and I fail at blogging sometimes. But I wanted to dedicate a post to this little stud because I'm going to miss him so much when I move to D.C. I hate thinking about living so far away from him. I just love him so much and it's been amazing being close to him this past year. 

Trevor and Melissa, I think we'll have to set up weekly skype dates when I move away. No, we'll definitely have to do that.

 

prayers please...

Two weeks from yesterday is when I take the first part of the CPA exam...panic mode!! I will get done what I need to...but I'm going to have to work hard and possibly slack off on my school work for the next couple weeks.

Dear School,
Please stop giving me work so I can study for the CPA.
Love,
Danika

Your prayers are greatly appreciated :)

game time...

Yesterday I signed up for the first part of the CPA Exam (don't worry...there's only 4 parts). Now it's time to get studying...62 days.

for sale...

Yesterday I leaving my house in Alpine to drive back down to Provo. I saw three little girls on the side of the road selling something. I reminisced back to when I was a kid and tried desperately to stop cars so I could sell them my extra sweet lemonade or melted candy bars. So I decided to stop and buy whatever it was they were selling. I pulled over and read their sign: "25 cents for a picture." Sure enough these little girls were selling little hand drawn pictures: a butterfly, a snowman, or an apple. I told them to give me their favorite and they gave me the apple.

Seriously made my day. Kids are the best.

everyday conversation...

"Is Trinity University a Catholic school? Or Baptist?"
My response: "No, it was founded by Presbyterians, so that's how it got the name 'Trinity', but it's not affiliated with any religion today."

I can't begin to count how many times I've had this conversation. At least 50 times. Maybe even 100. Do I get sick of it? Yes, sometimes I do. But it's not the questions people ask that gets tiresome. In fact I love talking about it. It's what their asking means. It simply means that they don't know any better. They have never heard of Trinity. The fact that they don't know...that is what gets tiresome.

I don't blame people for not knowing about Trinity University. Not at all. In fact I had never heard of the place myself until I received a letter from the coach. But sometimes I just wish people understood. I wish they knew what a great place it is. I wish they knew that the education is excellent. I wish they knew that the soccer teams are a big deal. I wish they knew. Just a little bit.

I miss people just knowing.