looking..

Alright, I didn't think it would come this quickly, but my seasonal job has started firing people I thought were super good employees.. So, I'm thinking my time is coming a lot sooner than I originally anticipated.

I know I should've been looking for jobs all during these last few months, but I guess I was hoping I would have something figured out with Nu Skin so that I wouldn't have to find another part time job. My co-worker is expecting her first baby in November {yay!}, so I guess I'm hoping that when it comes time for her to go on maternity-leave that I'll be able to take over the full-time shift. I really really like my job here and I would love to stay if I can. I was worried that with a pay cut that Cody and I would be struggling, but with some cut-backs, we've actually been able to save quite a bit. Now that I'm confident that I don't have to be making $10/hr to make ends meet, I would really like to stay with Nu Skin. It's just been a great company to work for and I love it.

What I'm trying to say is that I'm getting really tired of looking for jobs. There doesn't seem to be as much right now {probably due to the fact that students are still out of school and working}, so it's been a little discouraging. Especially since I want to find a job I can do during the day to help with being called to be a Beehive adviser for the ward. I want a day job so I can be available for camp {I can only go to one day of camp this year and it's a BUMMER!}, activities and such. I'm hoping since I got this calling that God will help me find a better job so I can magnify my calling {please?!}.

Needless to say, tensions are a little high at the other job because people are worried about being fired. I was hoping I'd be able to stay on after the busy season, but I'm not very confident. I really like the job, but the late schedule is starting to bother Cody {5:30-9:30pm} because when he's home, I'm at work. I don't particularly like working that late either, but I've enjoyed the work {super easy} and my co-workers are freaking hilarious. I'll be sad to leave, but it's nice to know there are fun phone jobs out there. And it will be good to get rid of that late schedule if I can.

Day 30!

Did I learn anything?

I guess I could say that with this 30-day blogging challenge, I'm remembering how much fun I had back when I posted more and I posted about things I was interested in. I think it's nice to have a place for me to vent my frustrations, but I don't want this to be just for that. I've never felt that my blog should be the typical blog with certain days of the week assigned to certain topics. I do admire those who do that *hint* *hint* and I do love reading them. I just don't trust myself to follow-through with that kind of commitment. Maybe later..

I've had fun with the challenge and I hope more people do it because it was great!

Day 29

Something you love about yourself..

I've already answered this, but I'm going to say something ELSE I love about myself! I think I'm a pretty good photo-taker-person! I wouldn't call myself a photographer.. I mostly pride myself on my photos of stationary objects. Maybe with time I could be better, but I am not confident when it comes to taking photos of people or animals. I think I take pretty good photos though! Here are a few shots..

This last one was taken today. My beautiful cousin Eliza was married today in the Salt Lake temple and it was wonderful! I was able to get a few shots around the photographer and it was great! I just did black and white around her and then added a diffuse glow and this is what I got! I'm super proud of this photo, obviously..

Day 28

Somewhere you would like to travel..

Honestly, I would love to go anywhere. In my opinion {I have yet to be corrected from personal experience} that everywhere has something to offer! Even on our long trip to Texas in February, we traveled a good way of that through New Mexico and there isn't much to see. BUT! I believe that if we had taken the time, we would've been able to see some awesome Native American sites, beautiful landscapes, sunrises/sunsets, etc! But, here is a list of places I'd like to see:

1. Back-East History Tour {Boston, Philadelphia, D.C., NYC, etc.} - I went on a church history tour after graduating in 2004 and it was an amazing experience. Besides stopping in Nauvoo, Palmyra, Winter Quarters, Independence, and Sharon, we also stopped in D.C., NYC, Boston {only had time to take photos at the new temple there}, and Gettysburg. Due to time limits, we didn't have nearly as much time as I would've liked at these places, so I would love to go back and spend more time.

2. Germany - This has always been a dream of Cody's, and I'm afraid I've inherited that dream. I'm not nearly as attached to this dream, but I would love to see Germany. Being in a different culture is so appealing to me! Especially a culture which likes to communicate with Americans to practice their English.

3. Alaska - I hadn't really thought about wanting to see Alaska until my parents were able to go on a cruise there with my aunts and uncles a few years ago. They went in the summer, but it didn't ever get warm enough to go out without a jacket of some kind. Now, that's my kind of summer! Everything looked breathtaking, so the photographer in me has been itching to go ever since I saw their photos.

4. San Francisco - I want to see Alcatraz, where Monk was filmed, where Mythbusters is filmed, redwood forests, the Golden-Gate Bridge! All of it! And there's so much history there! The San Francisco fires! Earthquake of 1906! My dad tells me it's a very romantic city too. What better place to go on an anniversary trip?! Hopefully, someday..

Like I said, I would be happy going anywhere. But there you have my list!

Day 27

Something that stresses you out..

1. Angry people.. Customers, husbands, family members .. It just sends my anxiety levels to the ceiling!

2. Weight-gain. Which, in turn, brings on more weight-gain. I could have it a lot worse, but it's still stressful when you can't keep a tight grip on your weight!

3. Change. When I got laid-off, I wasn't as stressed as I could have been. But having a change in my schedule/routine usually stresses me out. Cody can testify I wasn't my usual bubbly self during this time.

4. Acne. Again, this stress brings on more acne. I think I may have just found the right face wash (from Nu Skin, FIGURES), so I just need to calm down and stop touching my face.

5. Not being able to understand people. Inside jokes, new instructions, or just misunderstanding people. They just make me so angry!

Day 26

A movie you're excited to see..

Now that I've seen the last Harry Potter, I don't really have any movies I'm looking forward to. It was sooo good! There are a few that look like they'll be good, so I will probably see those..

Cowboys and Aliens looks pretty cool. First time I saw the trailer, I was like "worst title EVER!" but then I learned that it was the name of the graphic novel and they wanted to keep the name the same.. FINE! I've missed Harrison Ford, so I'm excited to see it.

And I'm afraid I wouldn't be American if I weren't at least a little excited about Captain America. The posters look awesome, at least.

Day 25

Something you miss...

Being young and carefree! Being a grown-up is no bueno..

Day 24

A book you're reading right now..

I've been working my way through the series for a little while now. I keep getting distracted by random books here and there, but I'm determined to finish! There's nine in the series, so I've got a few books yet. I was hoping to read through Harry Potter for the second time after I'm finished with W&G series. So many books and so little time!

Day 23

Something you crave a lot..

ice cream

milk

shakes

cereal

bread

rolls

oompas {I can't find them anywhere... BOOO!!!}

Day 22

What makes you different from everyone else?

I laugh at most everything! In my opinion (and in many of my friends' opinions as well), I am one of the most easily entertained people you will meet. I used to feel a little put-off when people would tell me that. But now I consider it to be a blessing! I've never seen a movie I didn't have at least one positive thing to say about. I've been told that conversations with me are fun because I'm not a downer, I laugh at jokes, and I am engaging. I am a genuinely sweet person.

Day 21

A picture of something that makes you happy..

taking photos!

Day 20

A photo of something you can't live without..

His hugs.

Day 19

Nicknames you have; why do you have them..

I don't know if I know the reasons behind my nicknames, but I should at least be able to tell you who calls me them! *ahem*

Fefe - given to me by my babysitter when I was little, apparently. This one has stuck for most of my life.

Fe - Family and close friends (i.e. roommates and friends I've had FOREVER) call me this. This includes Cody. I feel like I'm in trouble when he calls me Felicia. Fe followed me from Highland, to Spanish Fork, and then all the way down to Cedar City, thanks to my roommates discovering it during the first few weeks of school. Most of my friends in Cedar City were first introduced with Fe, and then learned my real name later.

Eff-Word - When introduced to my old friend Shawn, he felt confident that he wouldn't be able to remember Felicia or Fefe, so he proceeded to call me Eff-word for the duration of our friendship. (not the swear, just like it's spelled)

Day 18

Plans/dreams/goals you have..

I think I've already covered most of this, but I suppose I could reiterate. My goals and dreams include being a stay-at-home-mom to 2-4 kids, to write a book someday, be a good wifey, make my home something to be proud of. My plans? To make ends meet and still have time and money left over to date my husband and go on fun trips together. We're actually hoping to go to Germany in September this year, but I'm hoping that since I've officially typed it on the interwebs that I haven't jinxed it. *fingers crossed*

Day 17

Something you're afraid of...

I would have to say my biggest fear is losing those I love. Every time Cody is late getting home from work or if I don't know where he is, that's all I can think about it. A late night phone call from a friend or family member sends my mind wandering as well. I'm sure I'm not the only one who worries about this.

Other fears I have are drowning, suffocating, fire, heights, spiders and snakes outside of cages (otherwise, I think they're pretty incredible), barbed wire, and most other things anyone is afraid of.

Day 16

Another photo of yourself..

Day 15

Put your *Zune* on shuffle: First 10 songs that play..

Since I don't have an iPod, I changed this to Zune {since they're awesome}:

1. Puscifer - World Up My Ass

2. Coheed and Cambria - Crossing the Frame

3. Michael Buble - You and I

4. Weezer - Butterfly

5. Them Crooked Vultures - Caligulove

6. Jack Johnson - Flake

7. Paramore - Where the Lines Overlap

8. Tool - Lateralus

9. Evanescence - Haunted

10. Queen - Another One Bites the Dust

Pretty awesome shuffle list, if I do say so myself :)

Day 14

A photo of you and your family..

Cody and I with my family

Cody's cousin Marcie, me, and Cody's niece Ashley.

Day 13

A letter to someone who has hurt you recently...

Dear Cody,

I love you, I am in love with you, you make me so happy, and I can't imagine life without you. Most days, I know you feel the same way. But then sometimes you get so upset with me and you say such hurtful things to me. We've been married now for over five years; I feel like much of that was happiness, don't you? We've accomplished so much and we've grown up lots together! I'm nowhere near perfect, but I've matured a great deal since we were first married. Unless you are truly thinking about leaving the next time you get mad, I would really appreciate you not threatening to that effect. It only makes things worse, and you know it. But if you are unhappy with us, with this marriage, by all means, just do it. You've already expressed that you think therapy would be a waste of time and money, but you've never said we didn't need it. Next time things reach "a breaking point", I will insist you either leave me or make a real effort to find an alternative to therapy for us to fix things. I am happy with you, I'm happy with our marriage, I'm happy with the way you are providing for us. Maybe I'm just too easy-going, but I would think me being happy would count for something. I love you and that's the end of it.

Love, Fe

Day 12

Something you love about yourself...

I'm sorry, but I have a few things. {SO VAIN!} I feel I've been very blessed to have the hair I have. I hated it when I was growing up because it was curly and I didn't feel like I could do anything with it. It was hell to brush through after baths (mostly because I hated brushing my hair.. endless cycle) and it was just tangled all the time! But then entered the straightener! Oh, blessed day. I love having the option to wear my hair curly or straight. I've missed having long hair lots since I cut it all off, but at least I can still wear it curly if I want.

Also, I really like my eyes. Nothing against brown or blue eyes, but I love having hazel because the color changes! My mom's eyes are a lot cooler than mine, but at least I got a small amount of the coolness. I also got my dad's bushy eyebrows, and normally I would complain about them. BUT! I've got the tweezing down now so I love them! I love that I don't have to draw my eyebrows on. I love that they are full, dark, and defined.

Last thing, I like to think that I am a positive person. This blog hasn't always seen that side of me, but I think I do a pretty good job of being happy and being kind to other people. This makes retail a good fit for me, except I don't really like working with customers.. Nu Skin has been great for me because they are technically customers, but they are familiar enough with the company and the policies that I don't usually have to worry about them being annoyed or angry.

Day 11

A photo of something that makes you happy..

That's right. Right now anyway, Harry Potter makes me very happy. ALSO, having all of them in paperback would make me so so happy. Someday, hopefully. NEXT WEEK IS THE MIDNIGHT SHOWING OF PART TWO OF DEATHLY HALLOWS! I'm so freaking excited.. Hopefully photos will follow that day.

Day 10

Songs you listen to when you are Happy, Sad, Bored, Mad..

I'm going to go ahead and change this one up a little to suit my preferences! I listen to either Ke$ha, Tool, Eminem, Britney Spears, or Skrillex when I work on Mondays at Nu Skin because that's the stocking day and those bands keep me pretty well entertained. They help to keep my energy up a bit while I'm lifting boxes and walking around. In the car, I like music I can crank up and roll down the windows. Those would include Coheed and Cambria, Avenged Sevenfold, Disturbed, Paramore, or Foo Fighters. I will listen to any of these bands for the most part no matter what my mood is.

Day 9

Something you're proud of this year..

I don't know if I've already posted about this on here, but I recently (end of May) cut 10.5 inches off my hair and donated it to Locks of Love. This has been a goal of mine for a few years now and it felt so good to finally be able to do it. It took a while to grow my hair out since I had highlights in it before (you can't donate bleached hair). Don't get me wrong, I really miss my long hair. But it's helps to know that my hair will help someone else. Look here for before/after photos..

Day 8

A letter to your parents..

Dear Mom and Dad,

My heart is just broken right now for you and the pain you're experiencing. I

would give anything to take some of these frustrations away and help, but I

can't. The only thing I can say is that you have loved us and wanted nothing

but the best for us our whole lives and there's nothing I appreciate more than

that knowledge. All you can do is your best and pray for the rest. Easier said

than done, I know.. But that is all you can do, really. Just know that I love

and appreciate you both so very much and I hope and pray for things to get better

very soon.