SUMMER has begun!

Hanging with Fuzzy!

Quay's Surprise "Congrats" Party!

Us just being SILLY.

Well, to keep you updated, I still am working 40 hour weeks. I actually only have one more week of 40 hour weeks until I go back to 20 hour weeks though. I'm going to miss the doubled paycheck, but I will not miss the 7 day work weeks and the pure exhaustion. I seriously have been totally out of it since I started working 7 days a week. Ask anyone, I am no fun these days.

I have continued to work on the song I wrote, and am working on another brilliant one. We also started filming for the music video, which will be released within the month. I am excited to get a reaction back from all y'all. Oh, and for something else totally random I did this week- Dan and I went to Costco and ate hot dogs. They were yummy! And super cheap compared to everywhere else.. I enjoyed myself:) Then we watched Prestige, and Skjelse, Hadley, and her friend came over too! That movie still confuses me, even after seeing it at least 5+ times. Oh, and Skjelse broke my roommate's bookcase by sitting on it.. Oh Skj... What are we gonna do with you?!

I have planned even more in depth with my schedule/graduation plan I posted, and there are a few changes.. Like... I decided to go to summer classes in Provo. That means that when I head home for Nat's wedding I will only be able to be home for 6 days before I head back. And I'd stay longer but that is in the middle of the semester, and I can't afford to miss more. But I am excited for this summer. I have just been so bored, so I am scheduled to take 4 classes over the summer. Two I SYS classes, RMYL 223R (Nature Photography), and ORG B (Organizational Effectiveness- a business class). They should be tough, but super fun. It's a shame I won't be home longer to see all of you who live back in the D.C. area, but I'm growing up and I can't always be home.. I've got to learn how to make it on my own a little more every day. Once I actually have some money that will be easier.

p.s. If any of you readers are filthy rich and want to donate to the "Jenna Baker making her dreams come true" fund... I will GLADLY accept money ;) Just kidding... But seriously. Ha ha.

Natalie's Birthday!!
+ the AMAZING Laker game:)
(Let me know if you want me to talk Lakers.. I will!)

Me and Natalie on her birthday!

Today I am taking my good friend Natalie Luehr out for lunch to Olive Garden (because I have a free gift card!) since her birthday was last Thursday. (Oh!! P.s. my ward intramural softball team WON their last game! On Natalie's birthday and everything! Hooray!) Also, I will skype with Emily Snow again today, (we skyped for an hour and a half the other day), and we will talk more of plans for her to come move in with me here in Utah in the fall. I have never been soooo excited!! This should be great! It'll be nice to have a friend again.

For all of you who live in Utah County area... there is a j.wride concert at Velour June 5th 8 pm. Be there or .... Well, just be there, okay? It should be a great show, and I am in charge of making sure people hear about the show and get their people there. If you want directions or more information, please feel free to contact me!

Thanks for reading, and feel free to leave a comment:)
Sorry I have been so lame this summer.. Hopefully I will get interesting again!

Anyways, that's all from this teenage drama queen. More confessions to come.

- J

My Graduation Plan!

Today I spent over 2 hours going through all the classes I need for my generals, my major, and my minor. I had to plan for prerequisites needed, and classes that were only offered certain semesters. It was a little confusing at first, but I finally figured it out. And I'm kind of excited!

So, here is my plan for the rest of my life (okay, the next 3 years):

My major is Leisure Services Management - emphasis in Commercial Recreation.
My minor is Travel and Tourism Studies.

Fall 2010
RMYL 189 (1) Careers in Recreation
RMYL 215 (3) Social Recreational Leadership
RMYL 223R (2) Outdoor Skills Leadership
RMYL 244 (3) Intro to Youth Leadership
RMYL 304 (3) Leisure in Contemporary Society
Rel A 302 (2) Old Testament

Winter 2011
I SYS 100 (.5) Computer Spreadsheet Skills
I SYS 101 (.5) Computer Presentation Skills
RMYL 307 (3) Accessible Recreation
RMYL 320 (3) Program Management
RMYL 371 (3) Event Planning
Geog 120 (3) Geography and World Affairs
Rel C 324 (2) D&C

Fall 2011
RMYL 480 (3) Recreational Management Finance
RMYL 486 (3) Legal Aspects and Risk Management of Leisure Services
RMYL 481 (3) Recreation Services Marketing
RMYL 485 (3) Management of Recreation Services
Geog 347 (3) Tourism: A Conceptual Framework

Winter 2012
Geog 348 (3) Tourism: Patterns and Analysis
Geog 250 (3) United States and Canada
Phil 201 H (3) History of Philosophy 1
MFG 202 (3) History of Creativity 2
Geog 353 (3) Heritage and Cultural Tourism

Fall 2012
Geog 350 (3) Tourism Planning
Geog 349 (3) Global Adventure Travel
Bio 100 H (3) Principles of Biology
PWS 112 (3) Floral Design
RMYL 405 (3) Commercial Recreation Capstone

Winter 2013
St Dev 317 (2) Career Strategies
RMYL 487 (3) Research and Evaluation
RMYL 405 (3) Commercial Recreation Capstone
SFL 210 (3) Human Development OR ANTHR 101 (3) Social/Cultural Anthropology

Spring/Summer 2013
RMYL 496R Internship

Graduate!

Recent Events...

Me, Becky, Natalie @ Becky's Bridal Shower :)

Stephanie + Me @ j.wride concert

Me, Nate, Lorin, Austin, Jesse, Kaylee & Court
Eating @ Chili's

Kelsie, me, Teri @ softball practice

Lorin, Kaylee, Me @ their raintree apartment

Anyways, that's all for now..

- J

My Apologies

"I had to apologize to a lot of people.

I had to tell them I don't know what happened and that I'm sorry."
- Shane Doan

Throughout my life I have hurt a lot of people. Whether I offended them, or was just plain cruel. Although at times I felt bad that someone was hurt, I rarely apologized, or even felt a need to say sorry. I felt that my honesty was justified, simply because it was honest. Until now, I never realized how much I have really hurt those I claimed to love. Just because I feel something is true, doesn't mean that I first of all, have the right to say it, and secondly, am right by any means. I want to apologize to each one of you that I have hurt individually, but until I can apologize to you specifically, I hope you will take this as more than just a "sorry" but rather a pledge that I will try my best to never hurt you... ever again. I want to make this right, and you didn't deserve the pain I put you through.

I am sorry to my family for never giving you the love and respect you deserve.
I am sorry to my church leaders for showing such disrespect, when you only were trying to help.
I am sorry to good friends who I betrayed, you deserved better.
I am sorry to friends who I thought I was only being honest with, I know I hurt you.
I am sorry to roommates for treating you worse than you deserved.
I am sorry to people who desperately tried to get my attention, who I ignored, give me another chance.
I am sorry to teachers and educators who I talked back to, I learned so much from you.
I am sorry to my parents for not telling you how much I really do love you.
I am sorry to my old bosses, when I left without notice, or didn't work as hard as I could have.
I am sorry to people who've looked up to me, I could have been a better example.
I am sorry to my sisters, I never gave you the time of day, and you deserved that.
I am sorry to those who I lied to, you deserved the truth.
I am sorry to any one's heart I broke, you don't deserve the pain.
I am sorry to you boys who I just can't let go of, you may have broken my heart, but I love you.
I am sorry to coworkers who I ignore and avoid, just because you like to talk doesn't mean I can't respect you.

I am sorry to anyone who I have hurt, offended, lied to, betrayed, exploited, avoided, embarrassed, been rude to, heart broken, or in any other way caused pain.

I apologize for ever making you feel inferior or hurting you. And I promise to do my best, starting today, to never make you, or anyone, feel like you are anything less than you truly are.

If you can find it in your heart to forgive me, I will work throughout my life to made right the wrong I have done. Thank you... and I really am so sorry.

- J

MY future

I finally decided what I am going to do with my life. If you are one of the rare few who know more details then this.. please keep it on the DL. People shouldn't know those details yet..

Major: Recreational Management and Youth Leadership (emphasis in Youth Leadership)
Minor: Geography (emphasis in Travel and Tourism)
= Career: Event Planner + Traveling (while photographing and blogging about what I see).

"Back up" career: Sign Language Interpreting


Yes, I have a plan on how to accomplish this. And I have never been more sure. I am going to do this, and I am going to be amazing.

Anyways, that's all from this teenage drama queen. More confessions to come.

- J

The Month of April

You think after I post about how I am going to update my blog every day, I wouldn't wait almost a month before posting again... So much for keeping you up to date on my life:)

So that got me thinking.. I decided I will do a little Q & A. If you, yes that includes you (the individual who is currently reading this), have ANYTHING you would like to know about me, my life, my friends, etc... Please comment on this post with your question and I will answer each question. Don't be lame and assume you already know everything about me. I know for a fact there are atleast 12 "secrets" that not a soul knows that I wouldn't mind sharing (if you ask..). So get thinking and asking!

ALSO- HUGE FAVOR HERE:
If you, or anyone you know, is engaged and is planning on registering at Bed, Bath and Beyond (and hasn't already done so) PLEASE let me know. Two of my good friends (who are currently engaged) get a bonus if people say the were referred by them. So please do them a favor and help them out. Let me know if you are interested in being the best person ever.

You are reading this for an update on my life, right? Well, I'd say I am engaged, but no one would believe it:) So I won't lie, i'll just give the hard facts..

What have I done since April 5th? Well, look at these pictures and see!

Click on people's faces in the photo to tag them.

Me, Kirby, and Emily (Yes, I know Kirby Heyborne.)

Me and Kirb:) He always makes my day.. Seeing him is the best.

Hanging with Emily... She is asian.

Click on people's faces in the photo to tag them.

Elijah, Enoch, Me, Seara ... Janae and Sam's Kids... They are ADORABLE.

Smith Cousin Reunion @ Ole's Cabin!
This + natalie were the people who attended.

Click on people's faces in the photo to tag them.

Skj is kind of the best.

I took a break on my way back from heber to take pictures of the mountains..
I guess I got a little distracted :)

I won "Front Row Fanatics" tickets to the Men's Volleyball game.
We got to sit ON the court... Best seats ever!

Me, and Kelly! It was her birthday!

I don't know how she managed to make that face...

Brianna's Ring Ceremony/Reception:)

Bethany left.... :(

Lorin, Kaylee, Me hangin @ their raintree apt

Enoch+Me ... he is THE cutest kid ever.

Me and Elijah... Now, he is a keeper:)

Me and the "same age cousins" @ Nat's bridal shower

yes, we can be normal too.

(just thought this was precious)

me and the bride and groom - to be.

rachel's bridal shower/girl's night!



IN addition to these wonderful events:

1) I had finals week... that was fun.. Oh! Speaking of finals.. I got my grades for Winter semester. Even missing 1/3 of the semester from the surgery, I still managed to get the following grades:
- Stats 221 :: B
- Calc 112 :: B+!!!
- New Testament 2 :: B
- ASL 102 :: A- !

How wonderful is that!? I almost cried when I saw the B+ in calc, especially since I was retaking the class, and last time I took it I got a C-... Woot!

2) I went to an AMAZING show at the Front Line Grille in SLC where Jesse (of j.wride) had a solo show. He was incredible. It was nice to hear him play solo because he really does have some amazing talent that sometimes gets blended into j.wride when they all play. Honestly, I wish more people could have come to the show. He did a great job.

3) I tagged along with j.wride as they filmed for their music video. Be on the look out, j.wride is gonna knock you off your feet:) Apparently I am socially awkward... Sad day.

4) I got a new calling... Service committee, I just got booted from visiting teaching supervisor. I've had that calling for almost a year now...

5) ATTENTION: If you live in or near Provo, on May 7th j.wride is having an INCREDIBLE concert where they will be premiering their new music (coming out on their new cd in a month or so). It's gonna be siiiick. Let me know if you wanna come along. This is not something you'll wanna miss. Their new music is legit.


Anyways, that's all from this teenage drama queen. More confessions to come.

- J

I know... I know...

I go from posting once in a month to posting twice in a day... But I need some help. Yes, your help. So please (after reading this) comment on the post and give me an answer and your reasoning.

I have a dilemma. I can not decide whether to stay or go. Aka, whether to reside in Provo for the spring/summer, or head back to VA. There are pros and cons to both (below are listed some of each).

STAY IN PROVO
Pros:
- Spring/summer is SUPER fun in Provo
- I'd probably be guaranteed a job (could get between 20-40 hrs hopefully)
- Would be around friends from my ward the past 10 months
- Could be around cute boys;)
- Be around to support and help out j.wride
- Continue to work on creating stable relationships with friends out here
Cons:
- Stuck in the same routine
- Not have support of family
- Miss my good friend's wedding in NC this summer

GO HOME TO VA
Pros:
- Be around my family (including nat's wedding and katie's baby)
- Get out of this small town and go to a more familar place
- Have the road trip of a life time!
- Have a better healing process post-surgery with help of family
- See the new Twilight movie with Keva:)
- Finally have some down time/no pressure time
- Get some ASL classes taken at NOVA
Cons:
- I'd miss my friends in UT
- I'm used to things here and the weird utah ways
- I might not get a job
- I'd be living in a house with my youngest and oldest sister
(If you know us... you know that's asking for trouble.)


Here's the deal... You might look at this list and be like "DUH!" but I can't see the "duh" in this, so if you do, make your vote and help me out. I'm getting no clear answer either way, and i'm feeling uneasy about both. So PLEASE give me your advice or suggestions and help me out a little.

Thank you so much, and I'd really appreciate any of your insights into the matter.

- J


p.s. The sooner your comment/suggestion, the better. So get some helping-hands points and comment... Thanks:)

I'm the Worst... :)

I used to be obsessed with blogging and informing the world of my life, but I haven't been lately. For some reason there is this weird satisfaction with posting your life online and having others read and comment about it.. I know I am weird, but I enjoy it:) I watched an episode of the tv show 'House' last week and there was this lady who posted every detail of her life on her blog. Readers would post comments and agree/disagree with certain situations or fights with her husband or medical decisions. Now, I am not that insane. I am pretty sure you'd get bored if I put that much detail out there, haha. But, I do enjoy posting more of my life. Therefore, I am going think about posting daily events on here instead of bi-weekly summaries. (If you get emails of my blog and no longer wish to get them, no worries, just let me know, and I'll take you off the list.)

So the past couple days. I went to a j.wride concert at Muse Music Cafe (you know how much I love that place). J.wride was amazing as always, and if you haven't heard them yet, go to facebook.com/jwridemusic or myspace.com/jwridemusic and take a listen. It will be well worth your time... In fact your life might just be a little bit better if you do.

And, JeanMarie Stewart bought an italian soda and shared it with me. Delicious.



The concert was rather fantastic, especially since Court Eccles has been added in as the bass player. He seriously is INCREDIBLE. He is one of the most talented musicians I have ever known. And, it's kind of fun to have him around. I knew him back in high school and its good to have someone to chat with about my "past life". Plus, he's a real chill guy, a good friend.



Afterwards I went with Nate, Court and Jesse to Denny's (we did this the week before too), and just hung out and talked. It was fun, I really enjoy spending time with the guys. Plus, there's something fun about hanging out at midnight:) They are really great guys. (Hence my facebook status exclaiming j.wride is my ecstasy.)

This up coming weekend they will be playing at SUU, so if you're around- check them out.

This past weekend was general conference, Elder Holland's talks are always good. And I heard Elder Oaks' talk in Priesthood session was good too. If you wanna know my fav's, feel free to ask. Between sessions and before and after I spent the weekend doing homework, trying to catch up. I went through a chapter of calc problems, read some in the new testament, worked on some stats, and caught up a lot in my ASL class. And yet with how much i've accomplished, it's amazing how much I still have to do.... JeanMarie came over today and helped me a ton with calc. Thanks to her, I got more accomplished than I ever would have on my own. She's amazing. I seriously took her forgranted all these years and a big shout out to my pal JeanMarie for sticking by me and always being there to help and support me. If you know this girl, and you know me, you know how amazing she is, and how crappy I've treated her. She never deserved that..

Well... here's highlights from the past couple weeks of non-blogging... enjoy:







































































Anyways, that's all from this teenage drama queen. More confessions to come.

- J

j.wride!

Friends and followers:

If you have a facebook, go to www.facebook.com/jwridemusic
and become a fan!
They are good friends of mine, and are an AMAZING talent.
Take a listen, you'll know what I mean.

Thanks!
- J

"When you can't have what you want, it's time to start wanting what you have."

This week I attended almost all of my classes. I missed one calc lab, and then two classes on Friday (story of why is coming later). So again, progress! Each week I can't believe how far I have come from Feb 17 when I lost all use of my fantastic right arm. I can now write legibly with my left hand, and write in cursive (that was a toughy), but am still working on learning to write those infinity signs you have to use all the time in calc. By the time I get it, I'll probably be able to switch to my right arm again. Lame, I know.

Seth Brunner, Me, Josh Flores

This week was nothing special, at all. I worked on getting caught up more, that was... fun? Friday night I stayed in and studied and did homework.. Then Saturday woke up early for cleaning checks and studying (for a STATS 221 test that everyone else took 3 weeks ago when I was all surgified). Josh drove me to the test and I was like.. hmm.. I'll probably get a 40. Mother said to aim high, reach for the stars, and get a 42. I was like, okay, doable. Seth helped me study and review all the material I either missed or didn't understand completely, and so there I went. When I walked out of the test, I look up where the scores were and saw a certain number. I was wondering if I had accidently looked up my ssn instead of my byu id #, but after checking seriously like 8 times.. I got an...


88%

How great is that?! An 88! Last stats test (that I actually was healthy, and not broken, and attended class for, I got an 83. And I got an 88!) That means that my grade in this class is 100% on homeworks, and an average of 85% on tests. I am seriously so lucky! Best day ever! Josh and I went back to Alta to celebrate and ate nice big bowls of ice cream. It was great.

Last night I did more homework, studying, and planned a sunday school lesson. BUT I had the opportunity to go to Bethany Weiler's "Pi" day party and eat some pie while she helped me with Stats. She made 4 pies, they were delicious! I also had the pleasure of meeting Rani's "friend"/friend Bayden (from her mission). He was great. I'm a fan. p.s. I talked on the phone with another kid from their mission (Josh) and had a jolly ol' time. Thanks for the chattin Rani+Bayden+Josh.

Oh! (For those who already read this and noticed I posted without telling the story I said I would share.. my bad.) So Thursday night I had my shoulder immobilizer off as I was getting ready for bed and I tripped over some chords in my room and lost my balance. Yes cringe if you know where I'm going with this. I tripped and caught myself with my right arm (the one that is all broked) and then it couldn't hold me up because it hasn't healed yet, so I fell and landed right on the shoulder. As soon as I hit the ground I just started bawling. It hurt so bad! Up until 4 weeks, if something like that happens, the surgery may need to be redone. So please keep me in your prayers, that the shoulder will continue to heal, that I don't have to go through this all over again :/

Well, that's it. Sorry I have no other cool stories. But, hey! That's life:) And that's MY life.

Anyways- that's all from this teenage drama queen. More confessions to come.

- J


(Oh! And a shout out to Josh for always being willing to drive me around (since I can't drive yet), I really appreciate it!)

Official Announcement

Road Trip!

I am officially announcing my road trip this summer from p-town, Utah to Washington, D.C.

After the winter 2010 semester concludes at BYU, I will be driving over 30 hours, over 2ooo miles, across the country back to my hometown, where I will be residing for 8 months. Yes, 8 months. And yes, I am super excited to be able to have my car in D.C. where I will be. It will be great to have some independence and my glorious stick shift. Maybe I'll even teach molly how to drive stick. She'd hate it :)

Anyways, you're hearing it from me. It's official. I will be in VA at least from May until December. And we'll see from there. So if you're an east coaster, I'm coming baaack! And if you're a west coaster, well, you better miss me!

Anyways- that's all from this teenage drama queen. More confessions to come.

- J

“Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today.”

This week was tough, I'm not going to lie. Heading back to school was super hard. I didn't make it to all my classes, but I did make it to 7/12.. That's progress for sure. I wish I could have gone to more, but I'm trying, so that's really all I can do. Problem is, I'm not struggling making up the material, I'm struggling making up the written homework. Online homework I am able to get 60% of the time, but written homework takes so much longer. Especially since I have to do it left handed, and I am most definitely right handed. If anyone has any tips... please help me!

So besides drowning in school... I had a rather excellent weekend!

Thursday I went on a date with a boy in my ward Tyler. He is from Cottonwood Heights (salt lake area). We went to subzero! (His first time.) And we just sat there, ate our delicious ice cream, and talked. It wasn't a super intense date, but I had a really great time, seriously! He's an amazing guy.

Friday I went on a date with Michael Slawson, who was willing to go with me, so I could double with Emily the Asian, and her new boy toy Brayden. We went to California Pizza Kitchen (where I used the gift card my gracious mother gave me)! We had a great time, lots of delicious food, Italian sodas, and laughter.

Kenny and Natalie

Then afterwards, we went to Spark Restaurant Lounge for drinks where we met up with Natalie and Kenny, and Christine and Bryan. We mostly all got the double berry martini which is to die for:) Except Em/Brayden who got a Shirley Temple. We loved that cotton candy on top. Brayden, Em and I shared each other's drinks. I had a great time, and since I had a gift card for Spark too, I paid for Bryan/Christine's, and Natalie/Kenny's drinks. I was so gracious that they came with. It was like my people meeting my "family".. haha.

Saturday I played Settlers with a few friends in the ward: Moises, Spencer, and, Natalie L. I almost won, and then out of no where Moi was like BAM, and won the game.

Saturday night I went to a benefit concert for Clark Kimble who was diagnosed with a fulminant hepatic failure, a life-threatening liver disease, at Muse Music Cafe. Four different groups performed. First, Ask for the Future. They were the only band I had never heard before, and they unfortunately had one of their band members pass away the night before. But they were incredible. I loved their sound, their music. After which was a band I love, Double or Nothing. My friend Nate Smeding is the drummer, and man oh man, he is incredible. Then followed Nate Baldwin and The Sound. Lastly, was j.wride. And you all know how much I love j.wride. They were amazing as always, but this time had a little bit different of a sound. Garrett was back! And he played the electric guitar, and Court Eccles (from Springfield, VA) joined the band and now plays the bass. Court is seriously amazing. His talent is far more experienced than anyone else I know. As Jesse said, "No human should be able to do that".

Double or Nothing
(Nate is in the back.)

Me, Nate, Melissa

Jesse, Court, Me

Jesse, Court, Me

(j.wride)
Garrett, Austin, Court, Jesse

I was able to talk to some amazing people last night. Melissa Barnes met me there and hung out with me:) I also was able to talk to one of Jesse's best friends Brittney who is actually in Jon(my cousin)'s ward. She is a pretty great girl, and we have a lot in common. I met this guy named Ben, who actually worked at the cafe. And he was hilarious. I think I talked to him for 2 hours.. I was a fan. I also met a kid named Travis, who is in the band Empirates, and he played some for us, and he has got some talent! Later on, I met Ben's cousin Parker, who Melissa actually knew from freshman year, and beyond. Pretty much the night wasn't anything that special, but ended up one of the most amazing nights. I just had such an amazing time.

So thanks to all those who made this week possible. And thank you to all those who have driven me around because I still can't drive myself, lol. Seriously, thanks!

Anyways- that's all from this teenage drama queen. More confessions to come.

- J