Tired . . . .

I'm tired.  School these past few weeks have been interesting and intense because I got so used to NOT being in school but overall I am enjoying the classes and at the same time I am wondering if I will ever be done.  I really should have just stuck to it out of High School and things would be different but you can't change the past so no point in dwelling on it.  I am also doing a Boot camp work out that starts at 5:00am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and those that really know me know I am NOT a morning person - so needless to say the 4:30 alarm chime is not a welcome friend.  To many things to do and not enough time but all there really is to do is to keep going.  So . . . . time for a random fact about Mia quiz - - - - Of these three things 2 are true and 1 is not - - - - do you know which is which . . .

1 - The movie Thirteen going on 30 makes me cry . . .

2 - I harbor a secret desire to be a Limo driver . . . 

3 - I love gardening . . .   

"Where you be?!" . . .

 

 So . . . . my first time in the South was an experience that began on a Greyhound and I have to say it's the last time I will ride a Greyhound:) - Now, first off - the week before I left Greyhound Canada had a gruesome misfortunate murder that took place and frankly left me wondering if I would make it to Tennessee alive:).  One of my companions on the 14 hour trek (that could have been made in 6) happened to be very chatty informing me about how beer and weed are just "for fun" and recreational and gave me a step by step do's and don't list on crack cocaine and being a bootlegger and getting $100 for just a beer from friends on a weekend.  It certainly was a educational eye-opening trek:).  I have to say though, that it was wonderful to see some really beautiful country  - Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee were chalk full of trees that seemed to encompass everything but the strip of road we were driving on.  The big cities like Louisville, Nashville and Knoxville seemed to pop out of the trees just as you were upon them and not seconds before - it was really beautiful.  I was also able to stop in Elizabethtown and took a few pics from Mario and Wendy.  I had a great time with my mission companion Alma and learned how to speak southern from her friends as I overheard things like "Where you be?" to ask someone where they were.  It was great and at the end of the week I was talkin' southern.  We also got to go to Opryland and the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville as well as BB King's Blues Club. 

Mario and I before I experienced the great Greyhound tour.

           Yeah!!  Elizabethtown - Orlando and Kirsten were just of to the side - you can faintly see them:)

Alma and I on our way to Institute . . . 
You got that right - the Grand ole Opry!
Ummmmm - -I think the pic is enough said:)
 

"Somewhere in middle America" . . . .

Yeah!!!  The USB camera cord has been found!  I have been waiting for weeks to finally be able to post some pics and now is the time.  It has really been a busy few weeks and some of the best times were had one the Indiana-Tennessee tour 2008 - Here is goes, folks . . . 

This is somewhere in Wyoming in the Budget truck and for some reason I like this pic:)

Now, this is somewhere in Iowa - which I have to say was the most beautiful of all the wonderful states that I drove across.  It was clean and beautiful and I have to say had wonderful rest areas:)  I could for sure see myself living there someday.  Now Illinois most definitely does not look like a place that I would like to live in - sorry to all those Illinois faithful but where we were was really not that great.

Haha - so this is one of my favs!  Here we are at the good ole' Purdue and I made them strike this great pose - I have to say that Marcos looks way too scared:)

 One of my favorite parts of the Purdue campus was this great Aslan water fountain that I have to say looked like just a statue but was really a working water fountain.  It was a wonderful campus and made me feel really Collegiate and happy for Mario and this great opportunity.

You are missed . . . .

       Ok.  I get it.  Everyone hates my "And I was thinking" post.  I was waiting to post until I got my new USB cord so that I can post some pictures but I just picked one up today and it doesn't work and I need to return it and keep looking   - - urrrrrrr - - so I will post some trip pictures soon.  Hopefully by monday.  What I really want to say today is - Mario, Wendy and Ethan, you are missed beyond comprehension.  It was a wonderful trip to move Mario and fam across the country with only one draw back . . . .they didn't get to come back with us:).  

     Since I have been back from the mission things at times have been rough but I could always find solace in the company of Mario and Wendy and my spirits were always lifted by the smiles of my litte Ethan.  I have been blessed with a wonderful family.  I am grateful that as siblings growing up my parents taught us the importance of loving one another and staying close and nurturing the friendships that we have with one another.  As our family grew and we were able to welcome Marcela and then Wendy I was more than grateful that I could finally have the sisters that I have always wanted.  That is why letting go of Mario and Wendy if even for a short time is hard.  It's the good hard though, because you know that what they are off doing is important and worthwhile and that bonds of friendship and love are not easily broken.  Mario and I got to spend a last day together and I am soooo grateful for that and the laughter and fun that we shared.  I love you three!!!  I just thought that you should know - you are missed . . . .

And I was thinking . . . . .

There are moments when you think that a creative photo pose is a good thing . . . . but . . . . . . then you actually see the picture and realize how wrong you were:).  Here is one from the mission . . .

Overcoming Obstacles . . .

I guess there are times in all of our lives when moments seem too much and obstacles are unsurpassable. I've been wondering a lot lately what is truly the difference between those who can withstand and overcome and the others who seem to let those obstacles get the better of them. There is much in human nature that lends itself to the ways of self-pity, anger, frustration, hopelessness and so many other negative points. Sometimes it's hard to realize that yes, while those emotions are part of who we are, there is a greater part of us and a greater power that CAN overcome those sometimes depressing and damaging feelings. We are all born with the Light of Christ and we can come to know Him and understand that it is Him and His power that is the only way to get the hope that we need to overcome obstacles. Hope, to me, is the key. I really am wishing for all of those who have obstacles that are maybe in their minds too much, that they can come to feel the Hope that is in Him. . . .

Pet Peeves - Take 2 . . .

Hello. So I noticed something yesterday at work that brought to my attention another huge pet peeve that I have. First, though, as I type those words I realize how dumb that phrase "pet peeve" is, to express something that bothers a person. Man, where does that come from! Anyway, I was at work and had frozen half a bottle of water for the next day because I love really COLD water. After about 2 hours I was totally annoyed that the bottle was basically dripping with water onto my desk, papers, me - as I drank it - - - so annoying!! Now, I realize that nothing can really be done about changing nature or physics or whatever but I just had to mention the annoyance factor. . . . .

Gabby - this is for you! . . .

This is for Gabby since he hasn't stopped nagging me about not updating. The past month has been a busy one, there have been many wonderful things happening and I'm sorry that I haven't talked about them. The month of May was filled with it's share of Birthday's and Homecomings! Little Samuel turned four and we had a rockin' Spiderman party at the house and I just can't believe that he is that old. Marcos then came home one week later and the Chard home hasn't been the same since - - - it's been happier and more alive and sadly the reason why I haven't updated as much can be traced back to this exact day, when Marcos came home, because since then my Laptop has found a new home in his room:). I cannot tell you how happy I have been to get Marcos home - it's incredible how time can play with out minds and hearts because to look back now the time has flown by but while the two years where going on time was slow.  Then after having him home we had a fun surprise party for Mario's birthday and it was also like a congratulations for him getting into Purdue because it's truly amazing and I am very happy for him.  

More to come . . .

Maria Susana Munoz-Cabrera Chard - Happy Mother's Day!

My mother means everything to me.  She is my rock and my best friend.  I love her and wish her all the love in the world.  There will only ever be a handful of people that know me like she does and loves me all the same.  I love you mom!!!!  Happy Mother's Day!!!  I love you enough . . . . .

Mia

So . . . I did a dumb thing:)

Now, I know that we have all had those moments when right after a deed is performed we know that we messed up - that happened to me the other day.  I was enjoying a day off and was maybe a little too bored.  I was thinking about my eyelashes (of all things:) and was annoyed that they weren't longer (haha - I know this sounds crazy but just wait - it gets better) and my mind was taken back to a conversation I remember having on my mission.  A certain sister a few months earlier had accidently pulled out her eyelashes with the curler and they had grown back and and by trimming them they grew even longer.  That conversation came back to me and from the fact that I remember her having crazy long lashes I came to the conclusion that what worked for her would surely work for me and so . . . I would trim my eyelashes - someone sadly should have been home to stop me:).  I went into the bathroom and found my dad's mustache trimming scissors and so with careful and steady hands and my face plastered to the mirror I proceeded with my momentary laps of sanity.  The moment that the scissors came down I realized I had made such a dumb mistake.  I'm the type of person that can't even trim her bangs evenly and somehow I thought that I could trim my eyelashes . . .ahhhh . . . . wow - so, needless to say I am hoping that my jagged edged eyelashes will someday come back to normal.  Let this be a warning to all of you out there . . . . Don't do dumb things! . . .

Pulling at my heartstrings . . .

     So . . . my new job started last week and it's been a little bit of a rough go to tell you the truth.  I haven't had any real clear directions as to what my purpose is to do with the 17.5 hours that have been given me.  I was told to work with the kids - especially the English Language Learners and those that need help in math.  I was told to get a list from some teachers and pull the kids out and help them.  There is definitely more to what the job is than that but the hard part has been finding my niche - until the last few days.  Yesterday I had an experience that to most people would be nothing but it really got me thinking and definitely pulled at my heart.  I was sitting in the commons area during the first lunch period and trying to figure out what in the world I was going to do with the time that was given me and then almost out of nowhere - in the middle of middle school lunch madness with kids running in all directions, I hear a whisper - "Can I sit next to you for a minute?".  I looked around for the owner of that whisper and I saw the top of a browned haired boy as his eyes glanced over the brick divider between my bench and another - "Sure" was my reply.  He came and sat next to me and proceeded to tell me just about everything about himself.  He was waiting for an aunt to bring him diabetic sugar testing strips because he had just had a class and needed to check his blood but forgot the strips at home.  He was 12 and just oh so cute and talkative and truly the first really nice kid to me in the week and a half that I had been there.  He told me all about how he loved to read and was especially interested in the Titanic.  He explained that his aunt had a Durango and began to explain in detail all about what they are like.  It was extremely pleasant and so fun.  His aunt finally came and we both watched out the big glass doors to see if she would come in and finally I sent him out because it seemed that she was waiting for him.  I watched my new found friend, Trevor, go out and as he took the strips I could see that his aunt was yelling at him and getting after him for what I could only assume was his forgetfulness which was the cause of her having to come all the way to the school.  Now if anyone knows me they know that I am defensive of anything and anyone that I feel is being unjustly attacked.  I felt for Trevor and became instantly angry at his aunt for getting angry at the one kind kid that had come my way.  It was such a small incident but it has been on my mind since yesterday.  I wonder how I act and treat others.  There are many times that I think that I am like Trevor - being kind and talkative and wanting a friend and there are also many times that I am like the aunt - a little angry or frustrated and I seem to take that out on the ones closest to me.  I'm not getting down on the aunt because frankly she came all the way because she loved Trevor and just was helping him but it was interesting to see a different side to things.  I'm not sure that I am making sense on the blog as compared to what is in my head:).  I guess the point that I'm trying to get across is the age old adage "There is always more than one side to every story".  I have seen that in other cases like discovering today that an 8th grader with a failing Math grade and behavior and attendance issues might just be a scared kid that doesn't know how to share that maybe her bad grade isn't due to the behavior issues but that those are really the outward expressions to maybe hide that she really doesn't understand because she doesn't even know her multiplication tables and has somehow made it to Pre Algebra with such limited knowledge.  There are so many things to consider whenever we decide to judge others on any matter and I'm grateful that this week I have relearned that lesson.  Now comes the hard part to any lesson learned, the application of said lesson - we'll see how that goes :) . . .

I have no excuse . . .

Ok - I was looking at other people's blogs and thinking to myself that I wish they would update sooner and then I realized that I'm coming in on almost a month with no updates and so I have NO room to talk:).  I'm not sure why it seems to take me so long - I honestly most of the time think that there really hasn't been anything significant happen to me and so why should I update with a random thought or two, and then it dawned on me that that's kind of the purpose of a blog. Finals will be ending for me come next Tuesday and that gives me great happiness and reason to celebrate.  Yeah!!! . . .  

A Multi-Stake Single's Dance Experience, Anyone? . . .

Alright . . . so I debated very much whether to tell this tid-bit or not but I decided to go for it because thinking back on it makes me cringe at some moments and so I thought it might be fun to share (it will especially make all you married people extremely lucky that you have found someone and don't have to endure the harsh realities of awkwardness - otherwise known as "putting yourself out there" haha). Anyway, I attended a multi-stake single;s dance last weekend. Yea, that's right - I said multi-stake single's dance. I totally hate dances but especially the stake ones that feel like you are back in the 7th grade and only like 30 people out of possibly hundreds decide to show - that was last Saturday night for me. I did however, make myself a promise that I wouldn't leave until I had talked to 5 people I had never met and so just like with missionary contacts(you have to talk to 20 new people a day as a companionship and let's just say that that wasn't my favorite part - awkward and scary are the two words that come to mind) I knew I had to complete my goal. So . . . I went in and my worst fears were confirmed - it was just like I had imagined, except that it seemed worse given the "Fiesta" theme with some people opting to wear Mexican sombreros. At that point I knew I had a long night ahead of me. They had tables set up over half of the gym because it was a dinner as well - I just came too late for that part. There were exactly 4 people from my new ward there and 3 of them I had talked to before, but I know they don't really have an interest in being "best buds" with me, so weighing that with the fact that I knew no one else there I went with the decidedly less awkward option and I went to their table. I sat down and they said hello and they just continued on with their interesting conversation, why I sat wondering what in the WORLD I was doing there. Then a nice kid named John came and sat down by us and was wearing one of those not so great sombreros. After talking to him I realized that he was a great kid but was developmentally slow and so being my age was really like a little kid. We talked about a few things and then out of the blue he asked me to dance. Of course I said yes, but the awkwardness sunk in as he was shorter than me and we danced "slow dance" style to a not so slow dance. Haha, we were the only one's that were slow dancing and there were about 10 other people on the dance floor and they of course were not slow dancing due to the fact that you didn't slow dance to that sort of song. Well - it was a prime moment and I have to tell you that it will go down in history as one of my "Mia classic awkward moments". So, by that time, I was up to 3 new people and ready to get the last 2 out of the way and get the heck out of there. I had noticed a kid when I was coming in that was speaking Spanish outside and I saw him kind of standing by the dance floor alone. He is about 6 inches taller than me and kind of cute and so I decided to make my way over and introduce myself. I was so stinking nervous but proud of myself that I did it. I went over and introduced myself and asked about his Spanish and such. While we were talking they started ChaCha Dancing lessons and he invited me to join him to learn how. It was fun and we ended up dancing the chacha after that. After we danced I left for a minute and then came back and sat down with my ward people. He saw me and came over and we chatted, and then we ended up dancing a few more times that night. It was fun, even though the setting was totally awkward. So . . . it ended not so bad but I really do have to say that I envy all of you that have found that person to be with forever because I'm not so sure how many more nights like that I can take:). There has got to be an easier way . . . .

Finally . . . . I join the ranks of the employed!

Yes, my friends - I finally got a job after 3 months of non-productivity and very poor living. I will be working for the Ogden School District as a Gap program staff assistant. I basically will be working as sort of mentor for middle school age children and help them set goals that will get them through the end of the school year. I am excited and I think it will be great because it will help me towards my end goal of wanting to be a teacher. I just decided that a little while ago and so that path is a little new but I think it will be a good one for me. A thank you definitely goes to Mario who helped get my foot in the door - thanks bud! I will for sure update on how this goes!

Nephews . . .

Alright . . . so, I'm not biased at all but I have to say that I have, for nephews, some of the cutest kids around! Samuel has grown up to be such a little boy, who is happy and fun and full of energy. His little brother Mason is not far behind him with energy, now that he has started to crawl and his sometimes serious face is intense but once you get to know him -he's all smiles! Then we have the newest addition - little Ethan. He is absolutely cute and handsome and when he smiles I would have to say that my heart melts. I am so happy and proud to have these little guys and know that they are truly blessed with the parents they have. . .