FAQ's

Last night a total stranger made me feel pretty lousy about myself while asking me questions about my life.
Seriously within 15 minutes of meeting this person, I wanted to cry. 

Sometimes people ask me questions that I'm sure they don't mean to come off as insensitive...

but I think there's a time when you just need to stop asking. If that makes any sense at all. 

So I'm here today to answer some things that some of you may be wondering...just so we're clear. 

I may come off as a bit intense, but that's just because I'm tired of feeling judged. 

So hopefully this makes me feel better. We'll see.

Why did you move from Logan to Bountiful? 

Both of our sets of parents are here in Bountiful/Salt Lake so we were driving down here almost every single week. We literally never had time to relax on the weekends, as most of them were spent in the car. Also, Jon has always wanted to go to the UofU. He really just came up to USU because that's where I was at the time he returned from his mish. Now that we're here, my feller can truly bleed red. 

Have you graduated?

Nope, not with my Bachelor's degree at least. I do have my Associate's degree plus many credits beyond that, but wouldn't have my Bachelor's for about 2 more year- thanks to not being able to make up my mind in the beginning about what I wanted to do.

So why did you stop going to school? 

{this one is awkward to answer, especially when I have to really explain myself}

When I started college I didn't qualify for any grants or good loans, so I worked all summer to pretty much pay for housing and living expenses and the rest of my schooling was paid for with unsubsidized loans. If you don't know what those are, you're lucky. Basically they started accruing interest from day one, so today I have about $4,000 in debt JUST in credit. With that on top of the loans itself, I feel like I'm drowning. 

So we would really like to get that paid off asap, and I can't really work full time and pay for life and such if I'm going to school. 

Also, Jon and I had very strong feelings that I should stop going to school so we could start a family. 

If you'd like to know more about that you can ask me. 

When will you back to school?

Haha. Probably not for a while. Like I said, debt doesn't just go away. 

I would definitely like to be a teacher in the future but can't see myself doing that before having children.

I'd really like to go back when I'm older and the kids are in school. 

Isn't it just so hard to find a good job?

{this is usually asked while I'm at work and someone sees me}

Well I actually have a good job that pays pretty well, I feel so lucky to have this job. Yes it's too bad I look super great in my uniform { :) } but I'm paying the bills and am so grateful I am able to do so. 

Why don't you have any kids yet? 

I keep wondering the same thing.

Why would Jon go into dentistry, his family surely doesn't need another one?

Working on people's teeth kind of comes naturally to Jon, maybe this is because he has worked with his dad and brother for so long. It is a fantastic job that will support our family down the road. Hopefully no one thinks we are choosing the easy road, because it is an extremely expensive one to get down.

If you'd like to talk about your thoughts on how dentists are selfish, I'll let you talk to Jon :) 

This summer really gave Jon a new perspective on being a salesman. We at least know that he does NOT want to do that forever {besides selling your skills, of course}

We are hoping that a few years after dental school  we will be in a place {financially speaking} where Jon can get an education in music/sound engineering. He has always dreamed of doing this, so it will happen. We're just trying to choose the best order in which to do things.

 Why would you dye your hair black? 

{this is usually asked by little kids. Good thing they're cute ;)}

Well it was an accident, I was definitely going for dark brown. 

Now that it has been a couple days it has actually kind of grown on me! 

So today I'm feeling extremely grateful for a supportive husband and family and friends that are so understanding. Without these people I might just be hiding from the world. 

Here's to gaining some confidence and knowing just what to say. 

My Feller

I have seen Jon more in the past two weeks than I have all summer long. 

He made a quick trip out this way just to say hi for a weekend,

and a week later I flew out there for a quick trip to say bye to Texas.

Like I mentioned in an earlier post, we went to a trampoline house for an hour. 

if you're interested in going, it's called Airborne. it's in Draper. and it's lots of fun. 

{and you might feel too old to be there but go ahead and ignore those thoughts.}

 Oh HEY

you can practice your kewl trix

and you'll even get to be a hot sweaty mess afterwards

It was so good to just spend a weekend with him. 

Thanks to my mom I was able to fly out to Dallas for free! 

She even figured out all the flights for me and made sure I got there without too much delay.  

Thanks mom!

I got out there Tuesday and stayed until Saturday. 

It was so much fun and I loved having a quick break from work!

We... - saw People Like Us in the dollar theaters, which we both loved.

- slept in much later than acceptable each day.

- chilled at the pool.

- saw Bourne Legacy, which we both hated.

- spent time with some of the great friends we have made while working out there.

- WENT TO RELIENT K at the House of Blues.

- only splurged on one meal, it was Olive Garden {we like to eat out too much so we're cutting back}

- spent all but 7 hours together.

during which he was working. and I was getting a sunburn at the poolio.

 Pretty sure we wouldn't have worked out in h.s. if I didn't approve of this band..

good thing I LOVE them!

 what.a.hunk

 We went with our friends, Ben and Kyle. 

I've known Ben longer than I've know Jon {12 years!} 

and Jon has become good friends with Kyle over the summer.

And to the right is the one and only, Matt Thiessen. 

Admit it, you agree that his hair is beautiful. Let's convince fell to grow his out again!

POOF

During the concert I saw one of the guitarists throw his pick into our section and it totally hit a girl in the face!

Don't worry, she didn't even notice.

After the concert I looked on the ground where she was standing and there it was!

I've never {jk} seen Jon so happy.

We love Texas and could totally see ourselves there in the distant future,

the only thing is it's quite a long drive to and from Utah {family roots}

Some things I will miss about the great state of TX:

- the heat! it's so much better than the dry Utah heat.

- the kind people.

- I felt very safe there. weird?

- affordable living, and it is FAR from ghetto. 

- sodapalooza. .49 cent drinks at the gas station, my kinda heaven.
- having a pool in your back yard. whether or not you share it with 117+ other people, it's great.

~

I'm curious to see how attached we are to each other when he gets home {in 4 days}

If I learned anything from this Summer, it is that I am so grateful for the relationship I have with my feller. 

we indeed make each other better, 

and I never realized how true that was until we were separated for many weeks at a time. 

 I guess there is another thing I learned : We are HORRIBLE at talking on the phone.

Lately {in Pictures}

 Health challenge: drink two of these a day 

{that's 66 oz, people!}

 Playing with Jon's hurr

 I park under a tree everyday...

 Mini German pancakes, anyone?

 Dying eggs we'll never eat

 You'd think they would look better...

 Pretzel Maker, I'm gonna miss you

 Sadness

 G.P.'s again, we love'em

 Mr. Feller lookin' goooood

 Trying new 'dos

 Who else hates packing?

 Finally got around to washing the bird poop off.

We are so attractive.

Oh yeah...we went to Cancun!

Everyday I think about how I NEED to blog about our trip to Cancun...and it just doesn't happen!

 I think I'm just dreading writing the longest post ever and
boring you guys. 

So I'll try to keep it short and sweet.
How about breaking it up into multiples? 

Mmmmkay :)

If we are friends on Facebook, you may have seen my advice-status to 

NEVER travel through the Mexico City airport. Here's why:

Our plane from Salt Lake left 45 minutes late. It was annoying, but none of us were too worried

because we were expecting a two hour lay-over in Mexico City. 

We landed, went through the long line of customs and some other security check thing.

Then we got most of our bags set to get on the flight to Mexico (checked.) 

Well, suddenly we all realized we didn't actually have much time until our flight was scheduled to leave..

So we began to run. 

After going through security again, we hurried to our gate.

The only person there was the desk person
{mom- what is their position called?}

Uhh...where are all the passengers? Where is the airplane?

YEP. the plane was gone. And it was 2 minutes before the scheduled departure time.

For real?

So we were stranded. In Mexico. No one working in the airport actually knew English.

Luckily two of our THIRTEEN travelers knew Spanish from their missions 

twenty years ago...

We were worried about all of our bags being on the plane.

Most of them were still on the land, except for Amber's : /

Once the drug dogs were done sniffing them {what?} we could retrieve them.

After lots of arguing, lots of hours, and lots of stress,
they figured out they could put us on the stand-by lists for the following flights to Cancun.

Problem? It was now 8:30 and there were only two flights left. And like I said...Thirteen of us. 

Soooo 9 people in the group got on the flights, which left
me, Jon, Jacki and Brian.

By this time is was midnight. 8 hours in that airport had been enough.

We went to find one of the employees that told us he would get us a hotel room if we didn't make it.

We didn't find him until 1:30.

So we were driven out into Mexico city, which wasn't lookin' so hot...

{no offense to anyone that lives there.}

 I was scared for my life!

We got to the hotel,
got checked in,
 went to our rooms,
found that mine and Jon's had a two-inch crack at the top of the door {??}
and it smelled like someone died in there,

decided to sleep in J & B's room {thanks guys!},
got grossed out by the bathroom,

and started to go to sleep around 2:30.

Then someone walked in our room.

Ok, for real. We're on Punk'd, aren't we?? Where are the cameras.

No no. they just gave US the wrong key. No big. 

Anyway, after an hour and a half of semi-sleep, we were up-an-at-em.

Back to the glorious airport we go!

There was some sitting. Some stale doughnuts.

Some flights we couldn't get on.

But alas, we were on the third flight to Cancun.

YAY! HALLELUJAH!

That's basically the end of that part. 

Long enough?

The Feller Family advice for all of you:

Go to Cancun! But please, travel through Atlanta and avoid Mexico City
 at all costs.

You'll thank yourself. 

The next post will be about our awesome vaca. 
{Like I said, this was the bad part. Cancun was fantastic}

Goodnight, for now!

Waiting for the drug-dogs to finish.

Suuuuper excited about being stuck at the airport!

Guarding our bags.

Yes we had a ton of bags.

Peeps trying to get it all figured out.

And then there were four...Please ignore the placement of Jon's hand. thanks.

Jacki&Brian. Troopers. Brian basically SAVED us!

Now the www knows how the four of us look
on less than 2 hours of sleep.
We are preeeeeetttty! 

Temptations...

...are all around me.
hot pizza, soda, movie popcorn, CEREAL...they're all calling my name.
Seriously, it's only day five and this has felt like the longest week of my LIFE!
haha okay, I'm being dramatic. But really, this cleansing stuff is tough.
Props to those who do this all the time. 
The results so far: pretty much the same as last post.
No headaches which is awesome.
Less fatigued.
Weight loss. I feel more comfortable in my skinny jeans :)
and a whole bunch of hunger ;)
I'm pretty sure the only reason we're SO hungry is because we sometimes go eight hours without food because of work, and we can't snack. I wish there were more snacking options than herbal tea...
and water.
I mean today we ate smoothies at 9, and just barely had our main meal {which took forever to make} at 4:30 instead of 1 or 2. We'll get it figured out though.
It'll be interesting to introduce all the foods we haven't been eating to see how our bodies react to each item.
If you're going to do this cleanse, drink a ton of water! I'm bad at that, and I'm pretty dehydrated. Especially when I'm at work. My lips are perma-dry which is gross.
Sorry customers.
Any previous cleansers out there who have some tips for a rookie to resist all the goodies all around?
I'd just hate to cave in before day twenty one.
But I'm a Christiansen. Which means I have one MAJOR sweet tooth.

Be Clean

So remember my goal of completing P90X? Well...I've already quit.
More like paused.
Jon and I are doing a 21 day cleanse. Have you ever cleansed before? Wowzers.
It's a strict "diet" in a way, where we are taking out all of our normal things we eat and going quite healthy.
The meals are actually quite delicious, they're just really short lived. 
Today is day two. and I'm craving just about everything imaginable.
{a bit dramatic}
I'm really excited for the end results! I haven't had a headache at all in the past two days, which I normally have them daily. I've cut out caffeine, and really every drink but water, so I'm quite shocked to find out that my headaches weren't necessarily caused by the caffeine.

Here's what a typical day looks like:
Breakfast- mango and pineapple smoothie
Snack- water {for real?}
Lunch- grilled chicken and veggies {there are lots of dishes to choose from, we liked this one a lot}
Snack- water {i need a cooooke!}
Dinner- peach and pineapple smoothie

According to the book this cleanse came from, we're supposed to get massages a few times a week, take special supplements, get your colon flushed out weekly {ouch!}, and more.
Sounds like a cleanse for wealthy people... so we're just going with the food options. which is great!
So far I haven't had headaches {like I said before}, I have more energy {I'm usually ready for a nap by 2}, my hair looks fuller {probably just a good hair day...}, and I'm learning to like {really cold} water.
Lots of people are joining the cleanse bandwagon, so if you're interested check out the book called...
Clean: The Revolutionary Program to Restore the Body's Natural Ability to Heal Itself.
By Alejandro Junger

19 days to go. Let's do this. For reals this time. Then I'll get back to P90X ;)
I'll be back to update on our progress and results. 
ps. Thanks Gordon's for letting us join you on this adventure!

Being alive is a gift

 "There comes a time in your life, when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it.   You surround yourself with people who make you laugh.   Forget the bad, and focus on the good.   Love the people who treat you right, pray for the ones who don't.  
Life is too short to be anything but happy. 
Falling down is a part of life, getting back up is living."

Being alive is a gift, living life happy is a choice...

Sometimes when I am feeling down or hard on myself, I go back to this quote that my mother in-law shared with us. How profound. Really! Rather than focus on the bad, let's focus on the good and build on that. We are so lucky to be here on this earth today. If you are feeling unhappy, look at your life and all that your are blessed with. If that doesn't make you just a bit happier, ask your Heavenly Father for the strength to carry on. He hears you and understands.

You deserve to be happy.  

President Uchtdorf gave a talk this last conference that I, and many others, will always remember.

If you have ten minutes, read it! If you already have, read it again. It's something we may need to hear over and over...and over again.

Click HERE to read.

Whilst I wait...

The time has come to register for fall 2011 classes. This will be my 7th time going through this process. The internet shuts down, every single Aggie that has facebook begins complaining about how they can't register, and then the next day all you talk about is "how annoying Banner is." Needless to say, it is much harder than it needs to be. Registration opened at midnight, and we are all battling for our chance to get the classes we need in order to continue on our educational path.
So whilst I wait, I write.
Something I like to do is Blog Surfing. I could honestly spend all day long reading through a random persons blog, then when I get tired of that, go to the top of the page and hit "next blog..." I love it. It satisfies me and keeps me entertained. I learn more from strangers, mothers, (gay) mormons, burn victims, crafters, friends, etc...than I seem to learn in my classrooms.
{pause. hit refresh on Banner. continue}
Something hit me today. Well it has been just pinching me for the past while, but it slapped me right in the face today. I AM SELFISH. I swear it seems that all I worry about is ME ME ME. I keep wondering "why am I so stressed?" or "why is this bugging me so much?" Um, hello Ashley. Look around you. Listen to what everyone else is saying. Once you literally forget yourself and go to work, things will get better/easier/simpler. You already know this. How many times do you have to learn?
A lot, apparently.
I am so blessed, you guys. We all are. If you are anything like me, we take the small things for granted.
{refresh.}
Look in the mirror. What do you see? I am critical and will more often than not judge every aspect of my face, body, intelligence (or the lack thereof. Oh look, there I go again), personality, weaknesses. I am my biggest critic.
What I hope to be able to see everyday, and not just at moments, is a reflection of someone who is confident, loving, forgiving, innocent, effort-ful (is that a word), and happy. Because that is who I am.
I am trying, and that is just what I need to keep doing. Try to be better, always.
Someday I won't be too scared to write in my journal, letting go of the fear of reading back and being ashamed or embarrassed. But happy with what I have done and learned and accomplished, and how I have grown. Because if I am trying to be better, always...there's no way I won't grow.
I got some much-needed ear time from 2 of my best friends today. Thank you, ladies. I hope that someday soon I won't have to rely on others words to feel better about myself. I will know my worth and strength and capabilities on my own.
{refresh.}
I will let my walls down and be vulnerable. I will give my life to the Lord. I will trust, with all my heart, in the man that loves me and wants to call me wifey. I will love him endlessly, and never put anyone above him or my Father in Heaven and Savior.
{refresh. nothing.}
I think I will give up on Banner until tomorrow.
Or else I'll keep rambling and you will all think I am crazy for writing on my blog and not in a journal. Don't worry, I'm working on it.
Thanks for visiting and listening. It means a lot.
Until next time: Desire
ps. Happy bday Mom and ValPal

HelloDecember!

The month I have been waiting for forever is finally here. I can't believe it! Even though I have to thaw out after each walk to and from campus, I'm doing it with a smile on my face. I love this time of year (minus the shivers). I love the spirit that is constantly present as everyone is in the mood to serve and focus on the important things in life. I am so grateful my Savior came to this earth, fought for each of us, and died for us. I want to be more like him. We are so blessed! 

I am so ready for something new. Soon enough :)

So I was doing some blog-stalking (I know the people, don't worry) and came across this cute girl, Kirsten's, blog. She started this 30-day posting challenge. I think I want to copy her. Here are the guidlines...

Day 01 - A recent photo of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself
Day 02 - A really good memory.
Day 03 - A picture of you and your craziest friend
Day 04 - A habit that you wish you didn't have
Day 05 - A picture of somewhere you've been to
Day 06 - A picture that shows your true self
Day 07 - A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you
Day 08 - A picture that makes you laugh
Day 09 - A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most
Day 10 - A picture of someone you see yourself marrying/being with in the future
Day 11 - Your celebrity crush
Day 12 - A picture of something you love
Day 13 - A picture of something you hate
Day 14 - Picture of someone you could never imagine your life without
Day 15 - A picture of something you want to do before you die
Day 16 - Someone you would want to switch lives w/ for one day and why
Day 17 - Your favorite song
Day 18 - A picture of the cast of your favourite show.
Day 19 - A picture of someone you miss
Day 20 - A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel
Day 21 - A picture of something that makes you happy
Day 22 - A picture that confuses you
Day 23 - A picture of you and the person you have been closest with the longest
Day 24- A picture of yourself and a family member
Day 25 - Picture of yourself and a family member
Day 26 - A picture of something that means alot to you.
Day 27 - A picture of something your afraid of
Day 28 - A picture of you last year and now, how have you changed since then?
Day 29 - A picture that can always make you smile
Day 30 - Who are you?

So if you read my blog, I hope you don't get bugged by this little activity. You should copy it too! It will be fun. Day one will be today or tomorrow...or soon, when I have time.

Happy December!