Work

A view from where I work. Obviously, the view is much better in person. The building in the picture is the movie theater. If you click to enlarge you can kind of see the temples.

Work has become my life lately. It has been interesting to transition to the workplace. No longer do I feel "old" (as I did at BYU-I), but I often feel very young. My job gives me the opportunity to attend functions with wealthy business men and women (but, mostly men). Nearly all of them are well into their careers and are very experienced. Many times I feel like a fish out of water at these events- being so young, so inexperienced and so not wealthy.

As I have observed some of these business people, it has become increasingly apparent to me where I need to focus my priorities. Some of these people have lost all understanding of what's most important in life. It is NOT our careers, people!

As I was leaving work one day, the thought popped into my head that in the end all of these trivial business matters won't matter. When we get to the other side it's not going to matter how much money we made.

I love this quote by President Uchtdorf: "The Lord doesn’t care at all if we spend our days working in marble halls or stable stalls..."

Just some thoughts. Oh, and by the way- I really do love the view from our office. On one side we can see the Salt Lake City skyline. On the other we can see the Jordan River and Ocquirrh Mountain temples. It's beautiful.

And, I do enjoy my job. Things are going well.

Some Thoughts on the "Latter-days"

Is it just me... or has the world become even more filthy recently? I like to keep up with the news and it just breaks my heart to read about the things going on. Such as- someone blowing up their house with themselves and their children in it... and cutting the kids beforehand. How could anyone do that?! There's just horrible, horrible stuff going on. Music is getting nasty too. There are fun, catchy songs, but when you really listen to what the songs are talking about you find that they're not so awesome after all. And then there's the whole issue with gay marriage being legalized (and Prop 8 being thrown out the window). Let's be honest, we could go on for quite sometime talking about the problems going on in the world.

We must be getting closer to the Second Coming... 'cause this world is just getting nasty.

When I think about the fact that my kids are going to have to grow up in the filth, it sometimes frightens me. But, I'm thinking I'm going to have some rocking awesome kids. Heavenly Father is saving the best for last. :)

I'm thankful for the Gospel to help me be strong in this world. The "For the Strength of Youth" pamphlet was recently revised and updated which was definitely inspired and timely. Also, I'm looking forward to hearing what the Brethren have to say in General Conference coming up.

Below are some scriptures that talk about the last days. Yup, definitely describes our day!

Some verses from Luke 21:
10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:

11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

Some verses from 2 Timothy 3:
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

These ARE perilous times. But again, I'm grateful for the safe haven of the Gospel.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Valentine's Day! Consider this my valentine to you. :) I love you all. I'm so grateful to have great friends and family in my life.
Love, Carrie

P.S. I have serious blog updating to do. My life has just gotten 100 times busier, so I will do it sometime when I get around to it. :)

Thoughts on This Whole "Working Thing"

Today was my second day of work. Things are going well so far. I like the people I work with. Also, there is a great view from our office. We can see both the Jordan River and Draper temples on one side of the office. On the other side, we can see the Salt Lake City skyline. In fact, directly north of us is the building I did my internship in.

We are hosting a huge event on Thursday, so I've been helping get ready for that. I just kind of do a lot of things here and there, which I really like. Variety really breaks up the day. I'm basically the CEO's assistant, so I spend a lot of time in her office doing whatever she needs me to do. I think this will definitely be a great learning experience. I'm looking forward to learning more about how businesses run in general. I'll have the opportunity to make a lot of professional contacts, which will be good.

It feels good to know I am actually making some money now. I've been a poor college student for a long time. Confession: if you know me you know that probably 90 percent of my clothes are from DI. The biggest thing I'm looking forward to is being able to buy brand new clothes. Can't wait!

Anyway, that's life for now. My days are long- especially with the commute (which includes a bus ride and riding TRAX). And then I come home and have FHE or Relief Society visits. Tomorrow is institute. But, I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing right now and that is good.

Super Saturday

Yesterday was definitely an exciting Saturday! It started with cleaning the church with my ward in the morning. Then, in the afternoon I got together with some mission friends at the new Culver's in Lehi. (Culver's was very popular in Illinois.)

After that, I visited Grandma for a little bit.
Following that, I went home and got some stuff ready for my bro-in-law's surprise birthday party. We went to his family's house in Orem for that. It was fun. It's awesome that we know his family- his Mom was my YW leader and I was in YWs with his sister. So, it's always fun chatting with them.

(Sorry to cut you off there, Traci.)

Love this silly girl.

After the party I hung out with a girl from my ward. We chatted for a couple of hours. It was pretty awesome.

Then, I woke up early this morning and started my super Sunday by attending ward council (it was an hour and a half long... but our Bishop is awesome, so I can't complain too much)! Church was good. And, tomorrow... I start work! Yikes! I haven't thought too much about it (until now). It's like the first day of school... got to get your lunch ready, pick out the outfit, etc. I'm feeling pretty excited, which is definitely a good sign. We'll see how it goes.

Life Can Change So Quickly!

Well, many of you probably saw on Facebook that today was a very exciting day for me. Let's start with the fact that my diploma showed up in the mail. It was very nice to see that beauty. That piece of paper represents YEARS of hard work and stress.

But, even before that, I had a job interview. Let me give a little background. I was sitting at the library yesterday, applying for jobs and sent my resume to this particular organization. Thirty minutes later I received an e-mail back inviting me in for an interview TODAY. Talk about crazy. So, I had the interview today. Things just felt right. During the interview the lady interviewing me stepped out to grab the CEO. At that point I thought that maybe that was a good sign. :) The CEO came in and we had a nice chat. Basically, what I felt like was the lady interviewing me was lobbying him for me to be hired. It was interesting. After he left, she sat there for a second and then said, "I don't usually do this, but I'm going to offer you the job right now." Whoa! I kind of saw this coming, actually, and I thought about possibly telling her I'd like to give it a day or two and think about it. But, when she offered it to me, I told her "yes." The words just came out of my mouth.

So, there we have it. I start on Monday. I'm not sure how it's all going to go down... my main concern is that it is only 32 hrs/wk and no benefits. I didn't realize this was the case when I applied, or I would not have even applied to be honest. But, they told me there is a strong possibility of it going to full-time. All I can say for now is that it's where I'm supposed to be and things will all work out somehow. (But, prayers that it'll go full-time would certainly be appreciated) Before my interview this afternoon I prayed that I'd have the Spirit with me and that the interviewer would as well. I prayed that the interviewer would know if they should choose me or not. I'm not sure if she's a member, but I could sense that she definitely felt it was right as well. I could sense that she thought it was absolutely crazy that she was offering me the job right then and there, but she knew she needed to. She told me I was the first interview and she scoured the other resumes but I have everything they want.

So, we'll see how things go. At this point, in this horrible economy, I am really happy to have a job!

Thoughts on the Job Hunt

I couldn't believe they actually felt a need to put that in the job requirements!

I saw this on the side bar of The Church Employment website. I know it is very serious, but I kind of had to smile when I saw it. That's not what I want to see when I'm job hunting. Thanks for the words of encouragement!

Well, I'm going on 5 1/2 weeks since I "graduated," but I've been job hunting longer than that. I realize I have no room to complain- there are many people who have been job hunting for much, much longer than I have. Despite me going a bit crazy(okay, A LOT crazy!)not having a job, there are many moments when I feel complete peace and know that things will all work out. I'm doing the very best I can- actively applying and seeking for employment and certainly praying for it. I feel very fortunate that I've had a few interviews this month. Even though they did not turn into job offers, it was great to get the interviewing practice. Plus, it makes me feel good to know that my resume has caught the attention of some people.

As with any trial, there are great blessings that do come. Having so much time on my hands has allowed me to have time to exercise, go to the temple, and devote a lot of time to my calling. Also, I was able to spend several days last week with family in St. George. I definitely would not have been able to do that if I had a job.

Also, I feel fortunate that I can live at home right now, rent-free. And, I am lucky that I only have myself to provide for. Some people are really in tough situations- out of work and have a spouse and several kids to provide for.

So, things really aren't too bad. Of course, they aren't competely peachy and I do need money soon here to pay off some school debts and start saving, etc (my biggest goal right now is to get my very own car!). But, I'll just keep pressing forward. Things will all work out.

Visit to Enterprise, UT

One day last week I was able to sneak away and visit my friend and former roommate, Alyssa. It was fun to hangout with her before she takes off for her LDS mission to Fresno (yay!) very soon.

We actually met up in St. George, went to the temple together, went out to eat and then headed out to Enterprise. Enterprise is about 45 miles outside of St. George. It's a small town (pop. about 2,000). Alyssa and her family live about 3 miles outside of town. There is a dirt road you take to get to her house. In my mind, it was very much "out in the middle of nowhere." They have a well for their water. Also, I didn't really get cell phone service out there. The Mountain Meadows Massacre Memorial is off the road from St. George to her house, so we stopped there for a little bit. I'll do a separate post about that.

The night I got there we played the game "Dominion" with her parents several times. It was a lot of fun! The next day we went four-wheeling. It was my first time four-wheeling and I have to say, it was pretty fun. Other than that, we just hung out and talked.

So glad I got to see her one last time before her mission!

Cute Kids

I spent this past week with these cute kids and their parents. We had a grand 'ol time together!

Sashes, sashes, sashes!

This week Christi and I finished up counting sashes for Chad and Buffy. They have a wedding rental business. (utahchairrental.com)There were a lot of sashes!