Trip to AZ in November

So, I have a few things to catch up.... maybe before the New Year?? :) Well, I'll date it as so...ha ha

I took David to my HOME!!! (The week before we were engaged) Mom picked us up Friday Nov 13th (sweet day!) and we checked out her work before heading to Chili's with Eric & Amanda (his sweet girlfriend). So, we all piled on the food until we were stuffed. I think I tried everyone's food but didn't find the best meal there yet. Next up was a movie (I was hoping scary to go with the day theme..). It was fun being with the family and doing our normal snacking, chatting, and watching. We finally went to bed. David was lucky and slept in my old room while I bunked elsewhere...

Next came Saturday... we had Crepes for breakfast. Yum! And then Mom & I gave David the tour of my hometown Tempe. We stopped at a park and here are some candids and posed since Mom was willingly snapping our picture. (Didn't know we were practicing for engagement shots huh?)

I think I also am losing all memory since it took me awhile to find where my elementary school was and other stuff that I should totally know! We also took David to In&Out for his first time there. Yum! By the afternoon I borrowed Eric's car and drove David out to the boonies where Dad lives. All the family was getting together to say hi and meet him :) We had lovely French Toast cooked for the whole group that is getting bigger everyday. Below are pictures with us with the pond. Then me and the nieces and nephews. (They always tackle me into some sort of game or toys, which I love!) We then headed to Cold Stone and got some ice cream. Yep, Ice Cream to go with our Syrupy French Toast.... talk about sugar huh? We picked up a movie Dad was referred to and we all watched it. Meet the Parents. Yep again. Hahha. It was good that David met the family before they watched the movie, because they could have gotten ideas to do from it... but everyone was great and Dad grilled David to get all his info and then later Dad quizzed the family to see what they remembered. Silly.

Sunday was the last day, still busy busy. We headed to Glendale where I met some of David's family! They all coordinated and met us at his cousin's house where we had breakfast and chatted for a bit before their church. They are a very sweet bunch. We didn't get to stay too long, but the point was probably mostly for them to meet me - mission accomplished. Next up we drove back to Tempe and went to my Dad's ward. We were spiritually fed and basically the theme for the lessons were marriage - so that was fun. David & Dad had a little "chat" before we piled into his van and headed to the airport. So all was accomplished that we could in those 48 hours - - - at least meeting the family and seeing my home town etc. It was great going with David and having him see all - even my room or school etc. Now when I tell stories he can imagine it better. I remember visiting AZ in September when we had just started dating - I had wished he was there so he could understand what I was describing - and then I did convince him to come :) :) Fun weekend!

PHR

I'd like to introduce you to the newly...

Andrea Everts, PHR

Yeah, I'm sure no one knows what that is huh?? I hadn't heard of it till I started my job. And now I have it at the end of my name!!! So, what is it?? Okay...

Back in September I started studying and taking an HR class to take a huge test to get these 3 initials after my name. It's called the Professional of Human Resources Certificate. It's a way for those in HR to distinguish themselves. Its not mandatory or anything like PhD or stuff, but it felt like quite an accomplishment last weekend after the 4 hour test was over and the computer printed the words - "Passed" !!! I spent every Tuesday night this fall at an HR class with about 20 other professionals where we studied all the different facets of HR. It was a 4 hour class that was pretty long for me after work, but it was definitely a help for my preparation. Then I spent the last 2 weeks studying at every moment possible, even during Thanksgiving, sadly... I was pretty worried since the test is actually pretty gruesome. I had memorized, or tried to memorize all the many HR Laws like Civil Rights, union stuff, benefits laws, salary stuff, and so much more. And then the test is actually isn't just factual, but more about the HR best practices and what the best thing to do in certain situations might be. So, it felt tricky - and who knows how I passed. David, co-workers, and friends would tell you it was because I studied ALL the last few months anytime I could. Yay!!! I'm done!!! And even better, I passed the test and I have something to put on my resume and get a bit of a raise hopefully :)

Now it's on to the wedding planning... only about 2 months away. Can't wait!! Oh, and Christmas, which should be good too.

My Best Friend

I just had the BEST weekend ever. REALLY!!! One of those moments every person waits for and dreams of.... Yep....

I'M ENGAGED!!!!! To David Clark!!!

...

We're engaged!!! Aren't we cute??? I haven't stopped smiling since Friday Nov 20th - when it all went down. .I'm so happy and in love. My life is taking a big turn soon and I'm just thrilled. I'm getting married to my best friend and best person in the world. I'm so lucky to have David in my life.
So, here's the brief story. Maybe it won't be so brief... we'll see. David & I met in our singles ward back at the beginning of 2009. We were friends and that was it as we continued on our seperate paths and dating others etc. David always likes to tell me how he was interested in getting to know me but had to wait till I was available - and it did finally happen on August 1st. Our first date was up in SLC by the Capital above a park called Memory Grove. That first date we had Jamba and walked through the park and chatted until we got above the park and watched the sunset over the Salt Lake Valley. That spot became "our spot". Over the next 3 months we've spent EVERY day together. I've been on cloud 9 and still am. Last week we went to AZ so David could meet my family and had a great time. I had thought the ring might have already been picked out and ready... but Wednesday last week David totally threw me off by saying we should go ring shopping sometime around Thanksgiving. I have been so excited to be engaged but figured I had a bit more waiting to do...patience Andrea right?? Well, he was just getting me off his track and also made up another story about going on a double with some friends in SLC. So we were supposidly waiting for his friend to get off work and we "happened" to drive through the area where our spot is. David casually said - yeah, lets get out and go visit our park... (I was starting to maybe suspect something but still not getting my hopes up)... We chatted a little bit and David mentioned some good memories we've had, etc... And then all the sudden he got on one knee!!!! What??? Yeah, I was in - shock mode - so as he was down there I said (in somewhat of a shocked or threatening tone) David! What are you doing???!!! He then proposed... (I just couldn't believe that the event I had dreamed of was happening right then) And I said YES!!! We took a few pics and watched the beautiful red orange sunset. Then we didn't go on the fake double date - and instead we visited family, called family, and just spent time together till we were exhausted.

Here are some responses from our announcement:

- My grandma Ginny - "We'll it's about time! We were all hoping. Now your Dad doesn't have to worry about you. We like him!"
- Grandpa Clark - "Oh great! So you finally decided huh David? That's wonderful"
(I guess our grandparents thought 3 months was too long of a wait?? :) )
- Autumn Clark (6 yr old sibling) - Wow, so what am I going to be?? (She's hoping a flower girl)
- Megan Davis (previous roommate) - She let out a blood curdling scream in the chapel about 5 min before church was starting. It scared me!!
- My mom - "Oh my gosh!! Even though I already knew... I think I'm going to cry..."
- My dad - "So, where did the momentous occation take place??"
- David's dad - "Are you sure you want to be apart of this (looking at all 9 kids running a muck)??"
- Diane & Bri - "Congratulations" - in a sing song voice...
- Eric - "Cool. ...Well, dad called and asked if I talked to you yet, so I figured..."

And I'm sure I'm missing some, but anyway... most everyone said Congrats and then begins the 100 questions - when? where? how? dresses? honeymoon? reception? food? etc etc... But we hadn't figured out details yet. All we knew was that someday soon - We're getting married!!! Yep. We're nailing some details down. So far...we've got:

Marriage Date: Friday February 12; 1:00PM; SLC Temple
Reception that night to follow somewhere
And a reception in AZ on March 20th....

Yay for us!!! Still can't stop smiling, or really focusing, or anything really. But who cares right? Once in a lifetime experience. And a forever lifetime experience together as David & Andrea Clark. I can't wait....

Especially Annoyed

Okay, first off, I have to say I'm not a speech pathologist, speech therapist, or even an English major... BUT, my mom is... and even as a child as she would continually correct me, I'd say things wrong just to bug her. He he, I was a bad child...

Maybe I'm getting payback now. There's one word that I swear EVERYONE and their Mom and dogs say wrong and sometimes I just get so annoyed!!

Especially. Yes, that's the word. Say it now before I teach you how and maybe you do it wrong too. Remember, everyone does basically.

Es-pe-cial-ly

Pronounced = [i-spesh-uh-lee]

Why do people put an X in it??? I always hear: EXpeshuhlee. But Look above, there is no EX in it!! Seriously! And maybe I even said it wrong once. But someone pointed it out...and now I will forever hear it and just drive myself nuts!

And now, it will drive you batty too!! Sorry... :)

I'm 25!!

YIKES!!! 25???!!!???

Okay, I'm not OLD at all.

I know. But I'm a 1/4th of the way from dying. At least I hope I live to 100. So, here's a re-cap from my day yesterday. Thanks again to everyone who helped me feel SO LOVED.

- WORK. Till 4 when Jayne told me to go home :)
- At work they decorated my cube, I did catch them (today is my boss's b-day and I snuck in early and decorated her office window and put up balloons, that was even more fun!)
- TEXTS. I got a bunch from family and friends.
- One person, texted me every hour yesterday, and sent me one today too...haha
- Facebook. I'm not really good at that anymore, but people still wrote me.
- Calls. Yes, I love those too - although since I was working and out it was hard to answer a lot of them.
- Lunch. I had lunch with my favorite Steph at the Training Table.
- Baskin Robbins. Mom bought me a couple pints so I went and picked them out and took them home... YUMMY!!
- Eric called, and Briand called - one of the many highlights of the evening :)
- Date with Chris.... more below
- My Apartment got decorated while I was gone... it was everywhere, as you will see also

Chris took me to the Garden Restaurant on top of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, and we could see the SLC Temple and the city down below. He didn't even know that that was one of my favorite places - I even wouldn't have thought of it, but I surely LOVED it. Then we decided it was cooling down so we could take a walk to the Conference Center and get a tour of the roof. So, we had our own private tour with a lady who took us around and told us many cool stories. And I even convinced Chris to take a picture... he hates that, but since it was my birthday I figured he'd do anything right? Yep. But I only got him to take one other one that night. I should have really milked it for all I could get... oh well. Here we are on top of the roof with a view of the temple:
Then we headed to Bountiful. I should have stopped at Grandma's, but it was Chris who was planning, so I didn't say hi. But we went and walked around the Bountiful temple and just watched the sun set. Yeah, it seems pretty romantic writing this, and he did a great job and making me feel all special. Thanks Chris!! But, we are barely dating, if that, so it wasn't mushy or anything - no one start getting ideas. I don't know that this will go anywhere, so why put on my blog huh? Oh well, just don't ask me too much please cuz I freak out about dating... This blog will be more for me anyway someday. Anyway, i LOVE the SLC sunsets. They have so many gorgeous colors. A lot like the flowers Chris got me, see?
And here's what we came home to - my cutely decorated, or trashed, however you think, apartment. I love girls!! It was the sweetest thing. I've missed my old roommates and friends, so it was something I truly needed and I felt loved. Thanks Shayla and Katie. Awe!!
(Even in the shower...I didn't find that till I got ready to hop in...)

And they even got my car...totally embarrassing driving to work!! :) What a great day!! The celebrations will continue ALL WEEK, and maybe longer. Come celebrate with me if you want!! The party's here....

Shorty - It's your Birthday

Go Shorty, It’s your birthday, We gon’ party like it’s yo birthday,

Thanks to 50 cent!! This is a song, in case people didn't know. Instead of the famous primary songs, this song always enters my head when I hear "birthday" !!! Anyway...

I'M 25 TODAY!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!

Here's me as a child... I'm so dang cute huh? I tried to find one of just me as a little baby, but I'm not in AZ so that's not easily accesible.

Anyway I was born on a beautiful day - July 22, 1984. At 5:30 PM. 5 lbs 11 oz - such a small little cute thing!!

And today has been WONDERFUL so far. And really, all I've done is W O R K E D. Ha. But, I woke up to little sticky notes of "happy birthday" all over the apartment from my new roommate. Then I got to work and they were in the process of putting streamers up at my cube and had candy and pasteries set up for everyone. And then Steph and I went to lunch just the two of us at Training Table and had fun telling stories... And now, I'm sitting here, continually getting texts and facebook notes that show me how much people really do care. I didn't even think more than 5-10 people knew it was my birthday, so it was a shocker to see otherwise. One girl from my ward has texted me about every hour to say Happy Birthday - thanks Shayla! She's great. And now I'll I've got to do is stop by Baskin Robbins and pick up some ice cream my mom ordered for me, then head home and see what is planned for the evening. I'm not incharge of it - but it will be great no matter what. Date with a boy, Chris - fun fun.

Here are some fun exciting events from my life that I just wanted to review in picture, I can't believe I'm so OLD!! Joking! I've done SO MUCH already. And now I can get my car insurance lowered and rent cars for cheap. SWEET.
Okay - I didn't find too many cool pics. Oh well...guess I better go and enjoy this day rather than blog about it huh? Yeah. Sweet! Happy B-day AND!!!

Dancing

One of my favorite things to do is DANCE. Yup. I used to have spontanious dance parties with just me and my roommates many nights of the week. Sometimes it was a joke that when life was hard or something - Sarah and I would turn up the grooves and just get funky. Well, somehow it doesn't work as well when I live at home alone inbetween a condo above and below. I'm afraid I'm too loud. (Actually last night when I was playing my keyboard at midnight I got a bang on my floor because I guess I was too loud..haa...oh well, I was nice and stopped. A bit shocked that someone would actually pound on the ceiling, it wasn't in their bedroom or anything...c'mon guys...i guess I usually just ignore the noises).

Dancing can happen anywhere right? Lately this is where I've been seen busting a move:
- FHE Salsa dance lessons
- FHE after the Salsa dancing lessons while everyone was mingling (yes I was the one in the middle of the gym still going, and had an even bigger smile on my face doing it alone in a big space)
- FHE later that night when I was asked to catch some balls for baseball, yeah...I was still dancing in the outfield...
- At the GYM. Zumba class is normal to dance in with all the other ladies, but what about on the treadmill? YEAH, never seen that before. I think people must think I'm crazy, or have a limp, or just am too happy - cuz I'm always wiggling and walking to the beat on the treadmill if I'm really really in my dancing mood.
- In the elevator at work. Yep - what a secret right? It's nice to let it loose sometimes.
- Outside. This is what I did yesterday and I do usually during the summer months. I take my IPOD and while I'm walking or exercising (although yesterday I did that in the gym and then headed outside too) - I find a parking lot that is vacant (hopefully) - and get down with me and my IPOD. That makes me 100% happy. Really. REALLY. HAPPY.

Generally if I've got music, I'm happy. And I can't live without it. From the shower, to eating, to driving, to exercising, to at a baseball game, or ice skating, etc. I speak the language of MUSIC. I just wish I had more skills in it. But heck that don't matter, I still LOVE it. Every part of it.

My mom always said she could tell if I was happy because I'd be humming around the house or something - well, I can tell this week has been great because of that too. Thank you for happy days right?? !!!

TGIF!!! Happy Friday everyone. Turn up the music and just dance! It don't matter what people think of what you be doin. :)

Crazy 8's

The 8 Things about me!

Thanks Delia for taggin me. Now the rest of you, are tagged, and should post with your answers on your blog and then tag new people and leave a comment on their blog that they are tagged.

8 Favorite TV Shows:

1. Lost

2. Ghost Whisperer

3. Castle (new...)

4. Dancing with the Stars - actually only watched like 3 times

5. MONK - I love OCDness

6. Numbers

7. What I like about you

8. Reba

8 Things I did Yesterday:

1. Worked - as usual. I volunteered on a "project" to do excel stuff - no one wanted it and I wanted it done right, so I am taking it on...

2. Made copies of my condo key - I had a friend spend the night last night in an emergency. And it was probably good to make a copy so that I don't lock myself out. Now I just need to give the key to a back up. Yay family!

3. The GYM baby - used the bike for the 2nd time ever - I sweat a ton. Sweet.

4. Played Human Foosball at FHE - I was planning on watching, but it was great after a bit of persuasion. Gotta live life now right? But I absolutely LOVE regular foosball.

5. Screamed a lot from being pulled seperate ways at FHE - Yeah, you know my screams...

6. Watched Castle and the recap of Dancing with the Stars - I think I'm going to like Castle, it's about a book writer who decides to job shadow a woman cop and he tries to help solve the cases...

7. Chatted on the phone with some family and friends :) I'm always multi tasking - calling while driving or headed to the gym or cleaning...

8. Played the piano until midnight - I started at like 11:20, but I just felt "in the mood" - plus this has been one of my new goals to work on... it was fun.

8 Things I look forward to:

1. Spring - the green, flowers, short sleeves and capris, and the sun!

2. Going to the lake with whoever will take me wakeboarding this summer

3. Getting better at the piano - like way good....what a dream

4. Going to Provo this weekend maybe

5. A friend teaching me to snowboard - before it gets warm as I want

6. Listening to music - I think it's just part of my life. I'm happy if there's music on.

7. Taking cool pictures and videos and editing them - or using old family/friend pics.

8. Going to AZ in a couple weeks

8 Favorite Restaurants:

1. Red Robin

2. Jimmy Johns - subs! Best place and close to my house, I should open a franchise

3. In & Out

4. Pete's Fish and Chips

5. Sushi - somewhere... haven't found the best place yet

6. Yoasis - frozen yogurt in Provo... I like the sour yougurt taste like in the East

7. Jamba Juice :) - Citrus Sqeeze (yeah, maybe these aren't resturants, but they won't kill my stomach like the other places probably do)

8. PF Changs - lettuce wraps are wonderous

8 Things on my Wish List:

1. Piano - electric or keyboard - more movable and able to hook to my computer

2. TIME - don't we always want more time?

3. Eternal life with family forever... :)

4. Marriage and babies - lots of cute babies

5. Be fluent in Espanol, can't that just happen overnight?

6. Take all the classes I want - Ice Skating, Piano, Dancing, Singing, Guitar, Photo's...

7. Be irraplacable at work

8. A big POT - to cook with...

8 People I tag:

(or a few since I don't have too many blogger friends...)

1. Katie

2. Brooke

3. Lindsey

4. Mom - you can comment yours since you don't have a blog...

5. Anyone else who reads/wants to!