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| I love grandma :) |
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| Alicia opening gifts |
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| rolling pin |
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| first apron. So proud :) |
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| bride and groom to be |
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Gettin' Married
I don't think I ever mentioned on here that my sister Alicia is getting married (in just 2 weeks)! Craziness!! There has been a lot of planning and trying to communicate. The reception place is reserved, brides maids dresses are almost in, invites sent out...I have found myself going home more often, and this last weekend I even had the chance to go to her bridal shower. The relief society in our home ward was very thoughtful to put it together for her at a family in our ward's home. We even had some dear friends from our old ward show up, including my best friend Shanna (who passed a way a few years ago)'s mom. It was so good to see them.
I can feel this month is going to be even better but I am happy for her :)
Monday, February 20, 2012
Not a goodbye forever, but see you later
February 18, 2012- the best pup on the planet had passed on.
It's very hard for me to be writing this right now. I already miss his smile and everything about him, but I know that it was Oscar's time to go. He lived his 12 years to the fullest and my family was more than lucky to have him as our dog.
I won't forget his love for tennis balls as he tried to stuff 3 or 4 in his mouth to keep them away or the way his ears would perk up at the words "walk" or "food."
I won't forget how we had to teach him how it was ok to walk down the stairs when he met his first flight in his life (this was one incidence where he was as desperate as we were to go downstairs on Christmas morning, and I'll just say he felt the excitement. But he did not want to go down the stairs.)
The times he would sing when Josh played his guitar
How. he. loved. food. He would eat almost anything people would give him, such as when grandma gave him a whole hamburger with the bun and everything, or the time he stuck his head in the peach ice cream carton and licked it clean. Not to mention he always had his "puss in boots" expression to get his way.
just like this? I think so
The times he ran towards us and almost knocked us down when we came out to see him.
When he was fooled when we threw fruit at Grandma Wagner's across the backyard as he thought they were tennis balls. He also became confused when we tried to throw snow balls once he came to Utah. I'll just say he looked everywhere for where they landed.
The time his Barney toy was stuck in the ice in the backyard on Christmas, and he tried for hours to pull it out.
When we brought him to Yellowstone with us, we left him in the backseat of the car while we saw Old Faithful. When we got back to the car, he was in front in the driver's seat ready to go.
When my sibs and I were at our dad's and Oscar was about to get in the car, (every time) he would be in between the neighbor's car and our car and start to whine loudly because he didn't know which car he was supposed to get in.
Or the times I would come out into the hallway with a bun on top of my head or an outfit that was just a little different, and he would give me the look : "You're going out of the house like that?!" (His expression would be almost exactly like this dog's that I found online!):
When we would ask him"Oscar, where is (this person) and they weren't there, he would start to whine loudly. When we would then ask him where someone was and they were in the room, he would look at them with the expression: "I'm not stupid."
When I would take him on walks, he would burst out the door to the point of me almost falling over, and then he would stop with a strong jolt at every single tree or bush.
If there was yelling or fighting, he would run to a hiding spot and cower, and it tore my heart when he once came up to me and tried to hide behind me with a small whimper.
I heard his name mentioned or called at least once every couple of minutes; he was the center of the home.
When the sun was out and I would go in the backyard for some sunshine, he would insist he would come out with me too. When I would lie down, he lied down too and would have the largest grin while rolling in the grass while soaking in the sun.
The time when I was painting the Salt Lake temple, and he sat in front of it for hours staring at it. He would get embarrassed if we tried to take a picture of him, but he would turn back to the picture afterwards as if he knew the temple was special. If the painting was turned, he would turn towards it.
Here are a few other pics:
It's very hard for me to be writing this right now. I already miss his smile and everything about him, but I know that it was Oscar's time to go. He lived his 12 years to the fullest and my family was more than lucky to have him as our dog.
I won't forget his love for tennis balls as he tried to stuff 3 or 4 in his mouth to keep them away or the way his ears would perk up at the words "walk" or "food."
I won't forget how we had to teach him how it was ok to walk down the stairs when he met his first flight in his life (this was one incidence where he was as desperate as we were to go downstairs on Christmas morning, and I'll just say he felt the excitement. But he did not want to go down the stairs.)
The times he would sing when Josh played his guitar
How. he. loved. food. He would eat almost anything people would give him, such as when grandma gave him a whole hamburger with the bun and everything, or the time he stuck his head in the peach ice cream carton and licked it clean. Not to mention he always had his "puss in boots" expression to get his way.
just like this? I think so
The times he ran towards us and almost knocked us down when we came out to see him.
When he was fooled when we threw fruit at Grandma Wagner's across the backyard as he thought they were tennis balls. He also became confused when we tried to throw snow balls once he came to Utah. I'll just say he looked everywhere for where they landed.
The time his Barney toy was stuck in the ice in the backyard on Christmas, and he tried for hours to pull it out.
When we brought him to Yellowstone with us, we left him in the backseat of the car while we saw Old Faithful. When we got back to the car, he was in front in the driver's seat ready to go.
When my sibs and I were at our dad's and Oscar was about to get in the car, (every time) he would be in between the neighbor's car and our car and start to whine loudly because he didn't know which car he was supposed to get in.
Or the times I would come out into the hallway with a bun on top of my head or an outfit that was just a little different, and he would give me the look : "You're going out of the house like that?!" (His expression would be almost exactly like this dog's that I found online!):
When we would ask him"Oscar, where is (this person) and they weren't there, he would start to whine loudly. When we would then ask him where someone was and they were in the room, he would look at them with the expression: "I'm not stupid."
When I would take him on walks, he would burst out the door to the point of me almost falling over, and then he would stop with a strong jolt at every single tree or bush.
If there was yelling or fighting, he would run to a hiding spot and cower, and it tore my heart when he once came up to me and tried to hide behind me with a small whimper.
I heard his name mentioned or called at least once every couple of minutes; he was the center of the home.
When the sun was out and I would go in the backyard for some sunshine, he would insist he would come out with me too. When I would lie down, he lied down too and would have the largest grin while rolling in the grass while soaking in the sun.
The time when I was painting the Salt Lake temple, and he sat in front of it for hours staring at it. He would get embarrassed if we tried to take a picture of him, but he would turn back to the picture afterwards as if he knew the temple was special. If the painting was turned, he would turn towards it.
Here are a few other pics:
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| his baby picture. yep that is him :) |
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| when he was a little older |
 |
happy   |
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awkward        |
Yes, he was named after Oscar the grouch as a girl told her dad she found him in a trashcan before she gave him to us, so he had his moments of grouchiness. But what do I love most about him? He would always go out of his way to make people happy. Even when we could tell he wasn't having the best days or was in pain in his older years, he would stay by my family's side with a wide grin and a spark in his eyes. If someone seemed upset or was sick, he would go right up to them and sit in front of them, then look over his shoulder with a wide grin as if saying "It will be alright." When I was very sick for a couple of days over Christmas break and could not get off the couch, he did not leave for the full 48 hours. If he heard crying in a room, he would nudge his way through with a grin as if saying "It will all be ok" before sitting next to them. That is how loyal he was, and he would give his love and support for anyone in my family in need.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Awesome News
On Tuesday I heard some incredible news. After years of research, Kalydeco was finally approved by the FDA!! You may wonder "Well what is Kalydeco?" Kalydeco is a tiny pill only for the G551D gene mutation for CF, which affects only about 4% of CF patients. For the G551D mutation, chloride cannot get into the cell walls, which causes the build up of gunk in the lungs and digestive tract. For the DeltaF508 (the gene mutation that affects about 90% of CF patients, including me), the protein does not reach the cell wall. Now that they have completed the Kalydeco study as the pill is finally available for a handful of Cf Patients, they will finally start the study for the DeltaF508 later this year.
Although this pill isn't for me, I was ecstatic to hear the news. The CF patients that can take it have had much higher PFT scores, better digestion, and more. This is a huge step as progress is rolling along :)
This article has a much more detailed explanation:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/31/kalydeco-cystic-fibrosis-cause-drug_n_1244218.html
As Kip from Napoleon Dynamite had sung: "I love technology!"
Although this pill isn't for me, I was ecstatic to hear the news. The CF patients that can take it have had much higher PFT scores, better digestion, and more. This is a huge step as progress is rolling along :)
This article has a much more detailed explanation:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/31/kalydeco-cystic-fibrosis-cause-drug_n_1244218.html
As Kip from Napoleon Dynamite had sung: "I love technology!"
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Keep Up and Keep Going
Well I started Tobi once more for this month as I take it once every 3 months. I often wonder why I need to take it because I don't even have Pseudamonas, but I know it's important to prevent it from coming in my lungs at all costs. Since Tobi can make people lose their voice, I have had awkward moments while speaking normally to somebody, and all of the sudden my voice has died as I could hardly get any words out. That's when I either speak softly or stop talking, or people wonder why I don't want to talk to them when it's nothing against them. I can continue on, but I have a goal to keep up with Tobi no matter what this year, not matter how disgusting it is or how many whitening strips I may have to purchase afterwards.
Other than that, I have also remembered the importance of exercise. Yes, many people usually want to roll their eyes when they hear of exercise or staying healthy or fit at the beginning of the new year. Truth is, once I have tried to stay in shape and keep up with it no matter how difficult it may be, I have seen great results. Most people exercise to lose weight or get toned, but I have to keep reminding myself that it is crucial for living with CF to stay strong and have higher lung capacity. We often compare ourselves to others, but each of us has our own battle and needs that are sometimes different from everyone else's. I am hoping for higher PFT (Pulmonary function test) scores and for a little bit of tone, not to mention to hopefully cut down the CF belly a smidge :) While keeping up with exercise, I have noticed how my lungs clear out more gunk. I wish CF'ers could realize how cardio activity keeps lungs strong. It's hard to feel the pressure-like feeling on your lungs when you are running or increasing the incline on an elliptical, but afterwards they feel very open and free. It's a great feeling that is hard to explain. Not to mention I feel as if exercise prevents lung infections from stepping in. I often hear students say they get enough exercise by walking around campus, but I can't emphasize how cardio activity improves lung function. On top of that, I have noticed my digestive system works better while keeping up with abdominal exercises.
I can't express how grateful I am to have a free gym pass just by being a student and being able to use new equipment!! It's hard to go up the Mt Olympus stairs from the Smith Fieldhouse afterwards and I feel more out of shape when I do, but there's nothing like getting to the top and thinking about a good chocolate milk afterwards.
If you decide not to run out in the cold or can't make it to the gym, here are some tips I have. I am absolutely not an expert, but I can at least give a little bit of advice:
-For any of you cf'ers, keep up with abdominal exercises if you have digestion problems. It will help.
-Keep up with good, complete treatments. There have been some mornings where I have skipped Pulmozyme until nighttime, and remember during a workout when I feel a greater pressure on my lungs that I skipped Pumozyme that morning...
-If you have to choose between an elevator or stairs, always take the stairs
-Remember that carbs give you energy before (but not too shortly before) a work out, and protein afterward rebuilds the muscle that breaks down during the exercises.
-Don't try to do too much at once, otherwise you will want to give up. To keep good lung function, it takes keeping up with exercise and practice.
-And most importantly keep up with what you're doing and don't give up.
To sum this all up, I read a quote on Pinterst: "We must all suffer from one of the two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons." I would rather live longer through discipline than suffer from other consequences. Besides, exercise isn't too bad as it becomes an accustom.
Other than that, I have also remembered the importance of exercise. Yes, many people usually want to roll their eyes when they hear of exercise or staying healthy or fit at the beginning of the new year. Truth is, once I have tried to stay in shape and keep up with it no matter how difficult it may be, I have seen great results. Most people exercise to lose weight or get toned, but I have to keep reminding myself that it is crucial for living with CF to stay strong and have higher lung capacity. We often compare ourselves to others, but each of us has our own battle and needs that are sometimes different from everyone else's. I am hoping for higher PFT (Pulmonary function test) scores and for a little bit of tone, not to mention to hopefully cut down the CF belly a smidge :) While keeping up with exercise, I have noticed how my lungs clear out more gunk. I wish CF'ers could realize how cardio activity keeps lungs strong. It's hard to feel the pressure-like feeling on your lungs when you are running or increasing the incline on an elliptical, but afterwards they feel very open and free. It's a great feeling that is hard to explain. Not to mention I feel as if exercise prevents lung infections from stepping in. I often hear students say they get enough exercise by walking around campus, but I can't emphasize how cardio activity improves lung function. On top of that, I have noticed my digestive system works better while keeping up with abdominal exercises.
I can't express how grateful I am to have a free gym pass just by being a student and being able to use new equipment!! It's hard to go up the Mt Olympus stairs from the Smith Fieldhouse afterwards and I feel more out of shape when I do, but there's nothing like getting to the top and thinking about a good chocolate milk afterwards.
If you decide not to run out in the cold or can't make it to the gym, here are some tips I have. I am absolutely not an expert, but I can at least give a little bit of advice:
-For any of you cf'ers, keep up with abdominal exercises if you have digestion problems. It will help.
-Keep up with good, complete treatments. There have been some mornings where I have skipped Pulmozyme until nighttime, and remember during a workout when I feel a greater pressure on my lungs that I skipped Pumozyme that morning...
-If you have to choose between an elevator or stairs, always take the stairs
-Remember that carbs give you energy before (but not too shortly before) a work out, and protein afterward rebuilds the muscle that breaks down during the exercises.
-Don't try to do too much at once, otherwise you will want to give up. To keep good lung function, it takes keeping up with exercise and practice.
-And most importantly keep up with what you're doing and don't give up.
To sum this all up, I read a quote on Pinterst: "We must all suffer from one of the two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons." I would rather live longer through discipline than suffer from other consequences. Besides, exercise isn't too bad as it becomes an accustom.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Loving life
Loving life.
Now considering to become fluent in ASL.
I cannot emphasize how much I am loving my classes right now.
Classes today, studying in between, gym time for an hour and a half, made my first steak on the mini grill (while asking my mom over the phone how to marinade it, she exclaimed "You've never made steak before?!?! haha oh mom)
And I was happy to hear they are giving freshman free mugs of hot chocolate by the library for a few days this week. Can't wait to get mine tomorrow :)
And now about to get more study time in
But still working on my New Years Resolution to do treatments before 10 pm
And to eat less junk food
And exercise every day...which really means that maybe, hopefully, it will be every other day
And that is all for now.
Now considering to become fluent in ASL.
I cannot emphasize how much I am loving my classes right now.
Classes today, studying in between, gym time for an hour and a half, made my first steak on the mini grill (while asking my mom over the phone how to marinade it, she exclaimed "You've never made steak before?!?! haha oh mom)
And I was happy to hear they are giving freshman free mugs of hot chocolate by the library for a few days this week. Can't wait to get mine tomorrow :)
And now about to get more study time in
But still working on my New Years Resolution to do treatments before 10 pm
And to eat less junk food
And exercise every day...which really means that maybe, hopefully, it will be every other day
And that is all for now.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
New Schedule
I'll pretend that this post was a week ago (since I started classes). I absolutely love my schedule this semester. There were a few classes *cough* physical science and American Heritage *cough* that are the pits and I struggled horribly in. This semester, though, I actually enjoy what I'm learning. After getting ready and doing a treatment, I hop on the shuttle every day to start class at 10. Here's kind of what it is like:
Mon and Wed:
Book of Mormon
Living With Plants
Writing
ASL
Tues and Thurs:
Ballroom
Social dance
ASL
Friday:
No class until noon!
Living with plants
Writing
Don't you see what I mean when I say this semester rocks?! And I have to admit that living with plants is a great class to complete a biology credit. The teacher is very enthusiastic and one of the coolest teachers I have had. It says a lot when the students actually enjoy learning about plants by the way he teaches about them.
This is the first semester I am taking ASL for the first time. My teacher is deaf but is such a sweet lady. I never would have expected to take ASL before, but it's for my major and I actually enjoy it.
Writing-eh, not too shabby. My teacher is also British and very down to earth so it's all good.
This is also the first time to take any ballroom or social dance class. I wasn't sure if I would ever learn ballroom because I didn't just want to take it because my parents did. But once I took one class of Jazz technique, I knew it was a little too advanced for me. I was thinking "ok, so sorry if I am doing my splits, but my front toes are pointed 2 inches away from the ground instead of an inch." and "well too bad my arms don't close together at the right second for my chaines." I still love jazz and may eventually take the beginning class to refresh everything since high school, but realized the technique class just wasn't the right class for me and there were much more advanced moves I was not familiar with, so I decided to finally try out ballroom and social dance to learn something new :) Besides I'm not going to worry about having too many hours put in to practice dance when my priority is to prepare to become a speech therapist later on.
On top of everything I live with a couple of the greatest girls and live in a wonderful apartment with some great classes :) There will be more to post later but my homework is calling my name
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Cheers to 2012
I'll say that 2011 was a good year. I won't forget: (get ready for another list. You know you love them) :)
Screaming with pre-schoolers in Mideivel Times
Riding only thrill rides at Disneyland for 12 hours non-stop
Seeing Jimmer play on the court
Having ice cream poured down my back as the other artists and I were made into sundaes
Throwing colors at my siblings (and Brady) at the color festival for the first time
Prom with the coolest high school students ever
Graduation
Playing on boulders at Moab
Youth Conference
1 ft in diameter fro's at girls camp
Planking 4 states at once
Visiting Texas for the first time since we moved
Harry Potter 7.2
Moving into Hogwarts
Football games
Dancing some nights away at Byu
Chilling with the wardies in our Bishopric's pool and hot tub
Laughing until 2 am with friends till our guts hurt at Del Taco
Having my prayer answered to see and hear President Monson speak at the devotional by getting one of the last seats
969836596 trips to the physical science lab
35875 hours studying
Black Friday shopping for about 10 hours in Arizona
Taking pictures with statues in Arizona
Moving out of Hogwarts, but very happy at the same time
Seeing Kara and Kasey get married
And banging on pots and pans for 2012 with friends from high school
It's been a very good year! I have a feeling that 2012 will still have its rough edges, but it will be a very good year. I'm glad for new beginnings to start over on some things, too. I was able to go to a farewell today, and his talk was really good, but (his bishop, I believe?) gave some great insights. I was reminded of how precious life is and it matters how we spend every second of our lives. One thing he said that stood out was that we need to build our own "reservoirs" of knowledge, goodness, faith, and courage by doing the small daily acts that matter to keep us strong to carry us through years of adversity, want, frustration, fear, etc. He mentioned that if we use our time wisely, then we can have enough faith and strength to keep going. So that's one of my new years resolutions: to use my time more efficiently, especially by doing the things that matter most such as communicating often with my Father in Heaven through prayer, reading my scriptures daily, and looking for ways to serve. Sometimes for resolutions we look for ways we can change or things to do (and yes I do have those goals on my list), but in reality sometimes we just need to keep up with important daily acts.
Well other than that, I hope everyone has a great year!! Time to party like it's 2012!!
Screaming with pre-schoolers in Mideivel Times
Riding only thrill rides at Disneyland for 12 hours non-stop
Seeing Jimmer play on the court
Having ice cream poured down my back as the other artists and I were made into sundaes
Throwing colors at my siblings (and Brady) at the color festival for the first time
Prom with the coolest high school students ever
Graduation
Playing on boulders at Moab
Youth Conference
1 ft in diameter fro's at girls camp
Planking 4 states at once
Visiting Texas for the first time since we moved
Harry Potter 7.2
Moving into Hogwarts
Football games
Dancing some nights away at Byu
Chilling with the wardies in our Bishopric's pool and hot tub
Laughing until 2 am with friends till our guts hurt at Del Taco
Having my prayer answered to see and hear President Monson speak at the devotional by getting one of the last seats
969836596 trips to the physical science lab
35875 hours studying
Black Friday shopping for about 10 hours in Arizona
Taking pictures with statues in Arizona
Moving out of Hogwarts, but very happy at the same time
Seeing Kara and Kasey get married
And banging on pots and pans for 2012 with friends from high school
It's been a very good year! I have a feeling that 2012 will still have its rough edges, but it will be a very good year. I'm glad for new beginnings to start over on some things, too. I was able to go to a farewell today, and his talk was really good, but (his bishop, I believe?) gave some great insights. I was reminded of how precious life is and it matters how we spend every second of our lives. One thing he said that stood out was that we need to build our own "reservoirs" of knowledge, goodness, faith, and courage by doing the small daily acts that matter to keep us strong to carry us through years of adversity, want, frustration, fear, etc. He mentioned that if we use our time wisely, then we can have enough faith and strength to keep going. So that's one of my new years resolutions: to use my time more efficiently, especially by doing the things that matter most such as communicating often with my Father in Heaven through prayer, reading my scriptures daily, and looking for ways to serve. Sometimes for resolutions we look for ways we can change or things to do (and yes I do have those goals on my list), but in reality sometimes we just need to keep up with important daily acts.
Well other than that, I hope everyone has a great year!! Time to party like it's 2012!!
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