Tales of a Sleepwalker

I have decided to document not only the happenings in my daily life but also those things that go on late at night when most are sleeping. These stories have entertained many...I hope to accomplish the same here...

My earliest memory of sleepwalking was when I was pretty young. I do not remember much but the image of me digging through a closet. My dad tells me he found me and I said I was looking for the sun.

When I was in junior high my family moved. I always shared a room with my sister Monica. When we were setting up our room I remember we debated whether we should have bunk beds or not, then we went back and forth on who’s bed would go where. That night my dad found me standing in the hallway. He led me back into my room (I remember all of this). I went to Monica’s bed and complained about her being in my bed. My dad told me to sleep in the other bed and we could take care of it in the morning.

In this same house I remember waking up one day with the image of a baby lying on two pillows. I then realized I did not have any pillows on my bed. I walked to the other side of my room and lying in the corner was two pillows and a doll lying on top of them. Random I know.

Lucky for all of you I remember when I sleep walk so there are plenty more stories to come!

Part of it All

This past week I had the opportunity to play softball with my ward. Our stake had a season and a tournament and I played one game in that season. I wanted to go more often but I always talked myself out of it for reasons such as soccer and fear of having to meet new people. The very last game in that tournament I actually showed up to play but they had enough girls so I went home to study. They won that game and in turn won the stake tournament. Since they won they got to go on to the regional tournament.

This is where I come in. Wednesday night was the first game of the tournament I joined the team. That game was fun. Halfway through the game we actually realized we were playing the wrong team. They let us play on. We won 15-0.

Thursday night we had three games to play. The first game was awesome. We were neck in neck with the other team until the last two innings. We ended up winning the game. I kept making minor errors in this game and felt I was not helping the team much but had fun all the same. The announcer took the liberty of calling me Jessie B. It made me cringe every time she called me up to bat. A dear friend on the team went up and asked her to call me Jessica. From then on she would say "Jess-ICA B is up to bat" I will take that any day over Jessie B (said in a whiny voice).

Since we won the first game we had an hour break then we would play in the semi-finals. This game was pretty intense as well. We felt pretty good about where we were at because their pitcher was not that great. However, they put up a good fight and took the game. I did shine in right field though. I caught a pop fly! My batting started shaping up in this game as well.

We had one more game to go. This game was to determine third place. Our excitement had died a little at this point but we played on. This game was a lot of fun. I believe without the pressure of the big win we just had fun. Every time of ran to first base the guy there complemented my swing. After two games I had a lot of practice. We ended up loosing this game but not after we put up a good fight in two extra innings.

By the time we were done playing I was exhausted. What a fun night. What a great group of people. I am finally ready to admit that I am part of a ward and I love it.

Today at church one of the guys sat down in front of me in sacrament meeting and put is hand up in front of me. since I am not use to talking to many people at church it took me a minute to register he was high fiving me!!

Hopefully I will have the team picture to post soon.

Days 3, 4 and 5

Day 3

I will admit this day was not very exciting but I did what I needed to. I am preparing to become a certified orthopaedic nurse. I just need to take a test on all content Orthopaedics and I will have this certification. I basically just looks good and the surgeon I work for wants me to have it. I did a little studying. I also had a very heated conversation with few people on facebook about 90 dollar tickets for people who run out of gas on the I15 in Utah county. One friend felt the new fine was very socialistic. Oh it was a fun conversation. That evening I went with some friends to Syracuse Utah for my friend Cheree. She just got her mission call!! She will be serving in Nashville Tennessee Spanish speaking! I am so excited for her.

Day 4

My day started with a nice walk to the end of the avenues. While I was walking I was studying flash cards on sports injuries. Once to the end of the Avenues I ran/walked back. It was a nice day. After that I hung out with my roommate she loves Netflix TV shows so I always enjoy watching with her. I also went shopping. I was in need of a swim suit for Day 5. After shopping my day was very uneventful. Still enjoyed it.

Day 5

I started my day at 7am packing and preparing for a boat trip!!! A bunch of my guy friends have a friend who has a boat and someone whispered in his ear that I wanted to go boating. So he called me up and planned a trip. We were suppose to be to his house at 8am so my roommate and I made it there ten minutes early. Which is impressive. The other two that were coming with us did not make it till 9am. Not so impressive. We set out for Utah Lake. It was such a fun day. We started by just swimming around the boat. Eventually we tried teaching my roommate to wake board. It was fun we will get her up next time. I went next I got up but was not able to do much. We did some tubing. Had lunch and just lounged around the boat. I absolutely loved it. I was far better than my original plan to sit on the shores of a lake and read.
One thing I found interesting and very flattering was this guy that took us boating. I met him for the first time in April at a friends birthday dinner. We talked some but nothing memorable. Then he was there when I went to the U2 concert. I do not remember anything special about these encounters but apparently he just adores me. In a little sister kinda way. He always tells the boys to invite Jessica. I have not been able to go to anything else until today. So all day he praised me up and down and told everyone (my roommate and two other friends I brought) how wonderful I am. It was funny. As the day progressed he expounded on why he felt I was so wonderful. He liked how I am able to be Mormon but be real and non judgemental as well. He has obviously not had good run ins with Mormons before. At one point he said he really felt there was something to this life that we were preparing for something greater. I told him I completely agree and I know that in our next life we do have an opportunity to be powerful and receive great blessings. I told him that because I believe that I believe we are earning those blessings and showing our dedication and desire for greatness. He loved every word I said.
Today was a reminder of how important it is that we are sharing our light. That we are being Christlike examples. I am grateful he has been able to see that in me. Especially during a time that I feel I need to improve in this area. Apparently I am not doing as bad as I thought. I am grateful for this reminder of who I need to be.
After boating I came home and showered then ran out for dinner with some friends. We wanted to go to a place in Park City but once we got on the road there traffic was backed up for two hours, so we flipped around and went to Charlie Chows. It is a delicious Mongolian Grill. Had great dinner with some great friends.
This week has been so great. I am so glad I took the week off even though I had no real plans. I will also keep you posted on this weekend because it is going to be fun filled!!

Day 1 and 2 of my week off.

Day 1

Monday turned into my catch up day. I got those things done that just needed to be done. Cleaned my room, did laundry and cleaned the kitchen. The best part of the day was the run/walk I went on. I love the Avenues. It is such a fun neighborhood to walk in. Such fun houses and building to see and hidden parks. I just love it. After that run I made lunch and watched Mythbuster "Shark Week". Busting all the myths of Jaws. It was fun I do not watch TV regularly so it was nice to do it because I can this week.
In the evening I read and I went for a walk with a dear friend. Yet another great walk through the Avenues. It was fun to chat and share stories.

Day 2

I set out to pick up another dear friend for our day trip to Antelope Island. I was shocked when I heard there was an island on the Great Salt Lake. I have not made it to the Lake since I moved to Utah so I figure it was time. Once on the island we drove to Garr Ranch and wandered around. We saw tons of Bison on our way to the Ranch. After the Ranch we went on a 3 mile hike to Dooley Knob. It was a great hike. However, on this island there is no shade or trees for that matter. It was noon so the sun beat down on us. Thank goodness for mother Cheree and her snacks. It is the only way I survived. At the top of this island we pondered life.

On the way down the mountain we discovered the millions of spider that lined the trail. We were surprised we had missed them on our way up...they were every where. My favorite moment was when Cheree tried to snap a picture of one but realized she was rather close to several others so she dropped her phone beyond their web.

After the hike we went to the beach side of the island and grabbed some lunch. Buffalo Burgers...quite delicious. Then we walked down to the beach and made our way through the cloud of brine flies and into the muggy waters of the Great Salt Lake. You can walk out quite a distance before it gets deep. It was a nice walk and we watched the brine shrimp swim. Then we headed home. Such a fun trip.

I got home in time to take a very short nap then head out to SOCCER. I love soccer right now it is so much fun. Every Tuesday I play with a fun group of people in North Salt Lake. Tonight's game did not disappoint. We played for a good hour when it started to rain. We played through it a little but then in started to come down hard. Right before we got under the picnic areas it turned to hail. By this time we were soaked to the core. Once the storm blew through and the rainbow appeared we headed out to play some more. This time shoes were squeaking and I was sliding all over the place. It was a great game.

I ended the night at the groccery store and as I toted all of my food and blankets and shoes up the stairs I biffed it. Luckily my head lost momentum and I only bit the step instead of shattering my teeth on it. My only scars are on my fingers from the grocery bags. When it comes to falling up stairs I am skilled.

I am loving this week off!!

Just a thought

I got a calling over text message, then a few days later was asked to speak in church over a text. To be honest I really just laughed when those text came through. I know my Bishop is very connected to technology and don't mind his invites and reminders about ward activities. It is kinda nice to be reminded he is involved and aware of our activities.

Today I was text and asked to come be set apart to my new calling during Sunday school. I quickly responded "I will be teaching Sunday school and unable to make it." The response was "okay same time next week then." I did not bother to respond I will be teaching Sunday school next week. Now I realize this is similar to an email that they might send out just quicker response time. However, I am saddened that the personal interaction is lost. Likely the person sending the text does not know who he is responding to, just one of the many he sent a mass text to. I think it is so important for people to feel like they are known and that others are aware of them. We all crave that feeling. When we become one in a mass text that feeling is lost.
I will continue to resist advances in communication technology because I miss human interaction.

The other night I sat with 5 friends all of which had their phone out. I miss the days of sitting around and just chatting without interruption. When everyone was in the same conversation without talking to someone else they would obviously rather be with. I have been in car rides where I was merely the chauffeur, because everyone had the phones out texting and calling others. I might look into that new car feature that will not allow phones to be used in the car. Not only will this keep me from being tempted to text while driving but everyone else will have to sing along with myself and Barry Manilow or NSYNC.

Maybe that is the real reason everyone is on their phone in my car.
I know I must go forward and embrace these changes but I should not have to loose human interaction. I am grateful that I can be so connected to my family despite the miles between us!

I Can Do All Things Through Christ.

I was asked to give a talk on this subject this week. My thoughts went immediately to the many things I am trying to accomplish in my life. Marriage, bettering my role as a nurse, and living a healthy lifestyle to name a few. I couldn't help but think of all the solutions the world has to offer. A few years back "The Secret" taught us all how to have everything we want in life. Oprah and Dr Oz always have the latest information. Their are fad diets to produce immediate results and whatever problem you have I am pretty sure there is an App for that. None of these fads really supply us with a long term solution. So my first thought was if we turn to the Lord first for direction he will help us accomplish all things.
I called my dad and asked him for some direction in the planning of my talk. He offered great insight and took the talk in the direction I wanted it to go. He said as we come to understand the nature of Christ we gain greater insight on what the word ALL means in the statement ...I Can Do ALL Things Through Christ.

Christ focus is on our spiritual development those things that are going to bring us back into our Father in Heavens presence. So ALL things is going to mean spiritual matters rather than our worldly desires and aspirations. Even if our desire to be the top in our field of work is in the best interest of our families. We need to be disciples of Christ.

When we fear our responsibilities or feel inadequate in our callings and responsibilities.

Let us remember...I can do all things through Christ

When we feel there is no way we can pay our tithing this month.

Lets us remember... I can do all things through Christ.

When we do not feel up to home/visiting teaching, or we do not know how we will fit it in our busy schedules.

Let us remember...I can do all things through Christ.

It is all we focus on the spiritual that the other aspects of our lives will fall into place.

Let us be like Joseph of Egypt who's only focus was to serve those he was asked to serve. Maybe we too will progress to positions of great power because of our Christ like service.

May we have similar desires as the sons of Mosiah who turned down a crown to serve their Lord and Savior and bring others unto Christ.

I believe I can do ALL things through Christ when my priorities are in line with the will of my Father in Heaven.

Searching for structure

I feel right no I am suppose to date...I am suppose to attend a singles ward...I am suppose to meet a new boy every week... I am suppose to make myself available for all those eager boys to date...I am suppose to be meeting new people all the time...I am suppose to attend institute...I am suppose to enjoy large ward summer trips...I am suppose to enjoy several ward commitments throughout the week to keep me social. I am suppose to be connected to everyone and everything all the time (smart phone).

I just want to be me. I want to go to church and feel the Spirit. I just want to fulfill a calling.

So I ask myself will I be happier in a family ward or will I be avoiding all those things I am suppose to do.