Merry Christmas Everyone!

Okay so every year I have this idea that I will be able to send Christmas cards to everyone I know and love. But then every year Christmas comes to fast, and postage is too expensive. Sadly this happened again this year. I started with the international ones. And after 40 bucks in postage, and carpal tunnel in my hand I gave up. I did get some Christmas cards out to people in the US, but they are few and far between. And it's not that I don't love all of you guys, it's that I'm poor and time has run out. So I will put in this blog what I put in the Christmas cards!

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To My Dearest Family, Friends, and Loved Ones!

It's that time of year again. The time of year that tends to bring out either the best or worst in people. This season for me has been such a happy one. I have just come to realize how many people I have the privilege of calling friends and loved ones. I feel so blessed to be able to associate with so many wonderful people. Each and every one of you are blessings and miracles in my life. You were brought into my life at a specific time, and have helped mold me into the woman I am today. And I am so grateful for that, and for each of you.

This year has been an adventure. I worked hard and achieved two of my life goals. I got my motorcycle license, and bout a motorcycle, and I went back to school and am working toward becoming a Paramedic. I just finished my EMT-Basic course. Now to throw a curve ball, I have also applied to the University of Kent, in England, to pursue a Masters Degree in European Theatre. I should know by the end of the year if I have been accepted or not. My two great passions in life are theatre and medicine. I just am not sure which fit is best for me, or if both are. We'll see!

Christmas is a wonderful time to be our best selves, and to start over. I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and know that you are loved and thought of. Merry Christmas to all! Become a kid again, and enjoy!

Love
Sarah

* Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. -Norman Vincent Peale

* He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree. -Roy L. Smith

* I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. -Charles Dickens

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I am so excited for this Christmas! I get to spend it with my family in Cali! I haven't seen them since April, and it will be so good to be able to spend some quality time with them.

I have had quite a few a-ha moments recently. And I have come to the realization that I have been taking my family for granted. I just thought they would always be there and always love me, and we would always have a great relationship. And I hate that I have taken advantage of them like that. They are amazing, and they do love me, and I am lucky to have such a good relationship with them. But I need to put more work and effort into it to show them how much they mean to me! Christmas is all about having the people you love around you, and laughter and love.

I just feel so blessed! And I am so grateful that I know Christ Lives and is an active part in our lives, if we will let Him. I know the gospel of Jesus Christ is true, and following those truths is the only way to have lasting peace and happiness. I am so grateful for my Savior and cherish the love that He continually shows me. I pray that the feelings of this season will stick with me throughout the year so that I can become more like Him. So that I can and will be a true Christian in every sense of the word.

I love each of you and pray that you will have a wonderful Christmas!
All my love!
xoxoxoxoxo

Quote Worthy!

So Patrice told a story that I had to share. Her brother Shane was sassing her Mother about the fact that they have two Christmas trees and was wondering if they had decorated them yet. And Patrice had a brilliant snappy come back that I thought the world needed to know of... she said:

"Yes we decorated it with shut the hell up, and your an ass tinsel."

Pure genius... I laughed so hard I almost peed my pants!

Oh Christmas... the time you spend with your family... it always brings the best out in us! =D

I heart Patrice!

Patrice came down and visited this weekend! It was fantastic. I forgot how much I love that crazy girl. She can make me laugh like no other. In honor of her visit we had to visit Pirate Island, and we were lucky enough to get the secret Pirate Cave! It was so exciting. And hilarious. Dinner was eventful since we had Patrice, Cherie, Erika, Christian, Cindi (Cherie's sister), Missy (Christian's girlfriend/love), and me all in one location! It was awesome.



I really like this picture of Patrice it's oddly attractive... I can't really pinpoint why.. .but I really liked it!


Patrice is trying to learn the art of shakeface but caught a fit of the giggles instead. Thus why this picture is so awesome, and so very Patrice.


The giggle fit continues in all it's beauty, and in all it's Patrice-y-ness.


Christian and Missy decided to show us all how the art of shakeface is done! They are so perfect for each other. Love it!


Our cave was so awesome it had hidden booty and Chandeliers... it was quite posh for this pirate establishment!




Christian got transformed into Helga the Viking! And his scarf made very impressive boobies!


When the balloon guy came in we knew that we had to get the girl viking hat for Christian.


Christian is just enjoying all the treasure/booty in the cave!


This is a mid action shot. Patrice was holding her sword in her mouth like a true pirate, but of course I had to catch the moment as it fell out and chaos ensues.


Okay I absolutely love this picture! Cherie is all limbs and Patrice is all torso... it's so funny. When Cherie sits down she is so much shorter than Patrice, but when she stands she is taller! I love the two of them together. So awesome!

This weekend really reminded me how blessed I am to have such fantastic friends. That we can be apart for long lengths of time, and yet when we get back together it is like no time had lapsed at all. It's so fantastic! I really am grateful to be blessed to have so many fantastic friends!

Gotta Love Jagger Time!

So I got to spend Thanksgiving with the Jagger clan in Chicago. It was so fantastic. The only downside is I didn't find my camera batteries until the last night. So Uncle Mike, Pat, and Granee have all the good pictures.

Man I love my family; I forgot how cool they were and how much I love and appreciate them. I wish I could have spent more time with them, but school wasn't finished and I had only so much vacation time!

I wish all my family were closer, but it was so great to spend time with them. I won't continue being all mushy, but as it is the holiday season I am so grateful and happy that I have such an amazing family! I love that I can be ridiculous and sassy and know that these people will still love me no matter what I do! Plus their Jaggers so they're crazy too!


Sam and Gene deciding to give shakeface a try.


Jen and Abby trying out shakeface, but looking a bit more windblown. =D


Pat and Gene trying shakeface, it's always hard the first try... and you always end up laughing.


Than Pat stole my camera and got some quality shots of the family! Here's Pat and Sam.


Gene and Pat... and a shadow from what Pat's thumb I think.


Pat and Uncle Mike


Pat and Jen looking so cute!


Pat and Abby... she's too cute to be his kid!


Aunt Colleen, Abby and Pat.


And this is a candid shot of Grandma Carol and Grandpa Jack... trying to decide what to order... but I think Grandma's on to me!

Christmas Cards!

Okay so I have been a horrible human being, and fallen off of the blog world. Well I am trying to right that wrong. But first off I am working on Christmas Cards, and I need everyone's help! I need all of your addresses, so I can send the cards! And right after I post this I will update a bit!

I love you all and thank you for your patience!

Happy Turkey Day!

Hello Everyone! I just want you all to know that I am alive.... barely... this past month has nearly taken me out! But if I can survive this next week I will be good! So I will give you a recap of my last month.

-Car accident on 11/18. Stupid lady turned right in front of us, we swerve to miss her, but she hits my side of the car. I have a very sore back and neck, and a bruise on my right thigh, but I'm alive. Luckily I wasn't on my motorcycle!

-Clinical hours at American Fork ER on 11/21. The coolest thing ever! I know I shouldn't be happy at others pain, and I wasn't, but being there made me realize that I love helping people, and having the knowledge to make a living out of it. I am loving my EMT class, but it is jut kicking my butt, in a good way! I saw so many things, and it is good to see that I can handle it.

-I am in the process of applying to the University of Kent (England) for my Masters in European Theater. We'll see if I get accepted... and we'll see where I am with the Paramedic Program.

Those are the highlights of the last few months. Right now I'm in Chicago hanging out with my family there! It's a Jagger hub, and it's fantastic. Anyone want to move to Chicago with me? I love it here.

But I also wanted to just say that I am thankful for so much, and I am grateful for this time of year! Holiday season can bring out the best in everyone, and I am really trying to be the best person I can! And celebrate the reason for the season! Love you all and hope that you have a fantastic Turkey Day! Eat loads of turkey for me!

Sweet Deal!!!

I thought I would share my good news, cuz I'm kind of in shock! So I have started my EMT class, and oh man it is kicking my butt!!! But I love it. Well the bookstore ran out of the textbooks, and I had to wait for the backordered ones to come in. Well Cherie and I headed to DI, mostly cuz she wanted to check and see if they had a few plays she needed, and some other random stuff's. Well I thought I would check for some cool books, and just on an off chance I checked to see if they had my textbook. Well I found an older edition, which my teacher said was acceptable! So a $77 dollar book only ended up costing me $5!!!! So I splurged and got some other books to read! Man sometimes I love Provo... well really only for their DI, because loads of college students have provided for an awesome book section!

Our Potential

September 11th is a day that will forever be embedded in the minds of every American, or even every human, who was old enough to understand what happened that day. I know exactly where I was when I heard and saw the tragic moments of that morning. It was my first week of college. And it was my first week of Nursing pre-requisites. I always knew that I loved the Medical Field. (Equally as much as I love theater.)

Now to side step for a bit, I have always wondered if I should be a paramedic or a nurse. I feel Heavenly Father has granted me certain talents, and abilities that make me perfect person for the medical field. On September 11th America saw first hand the work of my heroes. The first responders. Those who put the needs of others before their own needs. I won't say that the first responders were the only heroes, because they most certainly were not. America saw so many heroes in so many forms during that time period, we all turned into better people because that is what we, as a whole, needed. We needed to be better people, we needed to make ourselves useful, to help out in some way. We needed to care for one another, we needed to treat one another as brothers and sisters. Out of this tragedy came so much beauty, in human form. People were their best selves. We became true Christians in every sense of the word. It is beautiful to think of what we can become. Of who we truly are.

As I commemorate this day in our national and personal history, I look at my life so far. I can and should do better, and I know I am better than I once was, but I am no where near where I can and should be. I want to be a person worth admiring. I want to be proud of my work, of my profession, of myself. I want my Heavenly Father to look down on me with love and pride knowing that I am follow in the path I should. I am proud to be an American, I am proud to be training to be a first responder. I am so happy that I am learning skills that can and will help me to save lives.

I'm not sure this post is making any sense, but I am so touched by today, by the memory of those who lived and died in those moments. They were selfless and honorable in the moments that matter most. Can I say the same for myself? I truly hope so, and if I can't yet, I hope to be able to say so soon. I am truly grateful for the love I feel towards my country, and towards humanity. I am so grateful to be alive today. To be constantly growing, and learning, and loving. What a fift life is, what a joy it is to be alive... to deal with everyday things. I don't think I realize how truly important everyday is. I only hope that with this light bulb moment I will grow in heart and mind, and do a little better tomorrow than I did today.

Pictures of My Summer

So I have been really blessed to just have a good summer, and to truly be happy. So I thought I would share in some of the good times!



I got to go up to Yellowstone and see some of my family! Jenny, Jordan, and Jeff were all up there. Plus a lot of other people that I love. It felt good to support them, and also brought back a lot of good memories!



I also had the chance to support Christian and see the play he was in at the Sundance Theater. I love this picture because my smoothie cup was made of corn! It was so awesomely Hippie that I loved it!



I also found my new favorite restaurant!!! It's a Pirate restaurant! I thought I had died and gone to heaven. We are so going there for my birthday and everyone is invited! Please dress up!



I love this picture because it just shows the craziness that happens at work. This picture was taken yesterday. The owners dog Jackson decided to jump in my lap and then not let me work. If I stopped scratching his back he would start licking me, and pushing my arms away from whatever I was doing, until I would start scratching his back again.... everyone in the office was laughing at me. But luckily Samiee came to the rescue!



And finally I wanted to show some of my favorite purchases from the summer, other than Angus my motorcycle. In Yellowstone Jenny and I happened upon a 3 dollar bin for shirts and hoodies that were messed up, and I fell in love! And then had to get some tacky shirts and souvenirs for friends! LOVE IT! I am so grateful that I have people who understand, appreciate, and share in my sense of humor!

I like a crazy life!

OK, so I have fallen off the face of the earth, and haven't blogged in quite some time. Well it has been slightly crazy recently. So as usual I have filled my plate to overflowing. I am not going to school to become an EMT. That is on top of working two jobs (which ends up being around 50 hours of work a week) I now am taking 9 credits as well. So I work Monday- Friday from 8-5, then go to school on Tuesday and Thursday from 6-10pm. Then work my second job on Saturday. I know it's crazy, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I will be a certified EMT-Basic by Christmas if all goes according to plan. And then in December I am also taking a course that will certify me as a phlebotomist.

It's a lot to handle, but it feels right. So I will continue on in this course. Also I am looking into graduate schools in London, Manchester, Leeds, and Edinburgh. This time it would be a Master's in Theater. I know... crazy! But that's why you all love me!

My Fantastic Summer!

Okay... I have fantastic friends and wonderful memories in my life! These are just a few of them! PS I love adventures, and this summers adventures were going to playmill, and the Japanese festival... among other things!

Fantastic! Pray for adventures! It works!

The Books That Are Overtaking My Life!!!

Okay, so for awhile, I lost my desire to read, that was until my co-workers introduced me to the Stephanie Plum series written by Janet Evanovich. This has to be one of the funniest series I have read. It is so funny, at work, there are giggles from all over the office as we are all at different books in the series. It's awesome! So far as I know there are 15 books in the series, and then 4 inbetween books. And I will admit that I've read the first 8 in a little under 2 weeks. Gulp. Obsessed... I think so! But they're fantastic. And I've come to the point where I think these characters are real. I also have that problem with characters from Bones as well. Ha ha ha....

If you need anything to read... I recommend these! Two thumbs up!

The Power of Art

So this season of So You Think you Can Dance has been wonderful. I have thoroughly enjoyed quite a few numbers, and I find that I want to share it with all of you. I know that most of you enjoy art in it's many forms, and realize the power and gift of art. I am so grateful to be able to appreciate it's many wonders.

This seasons dances have been some of my most favorite. This post is dedicated to Melissa and Ade's dance this week that was choreographed by Tyce. It is absolutely incredible and left me in tears. I am so glad that they danced it. It needed a woman who carried maturity, and trust in her partner. And it needed Ade's strength and gentle personality. It truly was inspiring.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_TCK5OCgss&feature=PlayList&p=6EA793E24AD0A0DD&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=35

Summer Fun

A few weeks ago Christian turned the big 30! So we had our very own sushi bar to celebrate. We had all sorts of ingredients, and then created our very own sushi surprises!!!



I love that Christian had a seaweed flavor savor!! Priceless!



Kjersti was in love with the wasabi the whole night, so on a dare she put some on an Oreo... her reaction was priceless...so I had to document it!







There really wasn't much of a point in this post except to say that I love my friends, and have had way too much fun just hanging out and being ridiculous with them!