the home stretch.

"If it comes easy, if it doesn't require extraordinary effort, you’re not pushing hard enough: It’s supposed to hurt like hell."  -Dean Karnazes 

Spring Break 2012 came and went like it was going out of style.  A few of my favorite girls in the hygiene program accompanied me in sunny California, or so we thought.  Wednesday afternoon (approx. 3:30 p.m.) we were Cali bound.  We made a pit stop in Vegas to get the necessary supplies at Sams Club to nourish our appetites for the week.  We somehow ended up at Wal-Mart and left with lots of treatsies and a new pair of hip shades for the beach.:)  We stayed at UBG's house (that's Uncle Billy Goat for all you amateurs out there). 

The "Spring Break 2012" crew.

Thursday morning we headed down to Santa Monica with high hopes of getting some sun. Keep in mind, it was extremely cloudy and the high that day was 60 something rather.  Our dreams were crushed.  We spent a few hours curled up in our towels and sweatshirts on the beach fighting off seagulls trying to snatch our cheddar explosion gold fish.  We still had a good time, despite the fact that we had permanent cold chills.  We walked the pier at Venice Beach trying to get the blood flowing in our bodies to help warm us up.  We dinked around in the shops and made fun of the  "Weed Doctors". They were absolutely ridiculous. And get this, our wish did in fact come true . . . the sun came out! Even though it was only for a little while.:) 

Santa Monica.

Venice Beach.

Don't be fooled by this pic, we were frozen.

Friday, we got tickets to The Doctors in Hollywood, CA.  We arrived earlier than expected and even scored us some V.I.P. tickets that allowed us to sit front row during the taping. Cha-ching! The whole taping process is soooooo long. After waiting outside in line for 30+ minutes they then let us in the door where we had to hand over our cell phones, ipods, cameras and in Shelley's case, her Ipad.  Then they moved us to another area where we waited on benches outside for another 30 minutes.  They took us into the studio, Dr. Phil's studio to be exact, where we were instructed to wait for some more time.  After herding everyone in, the power went out and they had to take us back outside.  We then continued to wait for another 10 minutes.  Finally we were allowed to go back into the studio.  They took us on another route, right back into Dr. Phil's studio.  We waited until they called the V.I.P. ticket holders, that's us just in case you forgot, and they took us into a smaller room.  Not quite sure the significance of that now looking back.  We sat in there for a good 40 minutes.  I was ready for a nap about this time.  After waiting for what seemed like an eternity they took us into the Dr's studio.  A lot goes into taping a single show.  They arranged and re-arranged and arranged  the re-arranged again so the audience appeared "ethnically pleasing" to the camera.  Hmm, maybe that's not even the right phrase.  They informed us that they had to finish taping the end of an episode and then the Dr's would come out again for another taping.  The first taping was about a lady from "Mob Wives" who had a full body lift surgery mishap.  She got jacked up and had, hands down, the flattest bum I have ever seen.  In between that taping and the next, we had a dance party! Yes! Our episode was all about "Laughing" and how it is healthy for you.  Pauly Shore was the celebrity guest.  Can you say hil-ar-i-ous?! That man is a hoot! All in all, it was legit seeing all the behind the scenes action taking place, but it sure made for a long day.  After the taping of the show, we were able to meet the Dr's.  Dr. Travis Stork is so dreamy. Wow! He is even prettier in real life and such a hunk.  I was completely content.:)  By the time we got out of the studio we were starving.  I insisted that we go to Chipotle cause the girls hadn't ever been before. Poor, little, sheltered girls.  We also hit up Forever 21 and the Walk of Fame.  It was a blasty blast, to say the least.  We stayed until 8ish to try and avoid all of the LA traffic and then headed back to Canyon Country.  We got our grub on at Wendys in Saugas.  When we left Utah on Wednesday there was a 60% chance of rain on Saturday in Cali and by Friday night it was up to 90%.  We ordered Six Flags tickets online and when we woke up Saturday morning, it was hurricane weather.  There was no way that we could have gone to the park.  I was devastated.  We decided since the weather was horrible all through out the state that we would head back a day early.  It took everything inside me not to cry.  Despite the fact that the weather was not ideal, I still had the time of my life!  

Hollywood, CA.

The Dr's / Dr. Phil Studio.

In case you weren't already aware, I'm kind of a big deal.

John Wayne.:)

I'm a Belieber.

Chipotle = God's gift to wo-man.

Some other random happenings: 

Institute's Got Talent Regional Talent Show in Cedar

St. G, represent.

Clayton's Birthday Swim Bash at Bracken's house.

Eric Church concert on Fremont Street in Las Vegas, NV.

Taylor, Me, Chanelle and Nash.

Me and Channy. 

Eric Church.

Trent and Devin, the Home Teachers.

Late night cupcake runs to The Sweet Tooth Fairy with Miss Moat

Easter this year was absolutely fabulous! Saturday afternoon we had a BBQ at The Kelsey's house and then topped the evening off with dying eggs with Tay Tay.  Sunday, we went to church and then had Tacos with Tay Tay and Taylor.  We are so not traditional.  Sunday night we had our annual Easter egg hunt with the k-town kiddies.  

Morg, Tay Tay and Me.

Sour Jelly Beans.:)

The Easter Bunny treated me real well this year.

Dino egggggg.

Us and Fernando.

Kanarra kidlets, pre-egg hunt.

Like a BOSS.

Only 2 more weeks of this semester and then the dreaded FINALS. I can't believe how fast it has flown by.  We are almost seniors, oh my goodness! Almost 1 whole year down and I'm still amazed I somehow managed to survive, and in one piece.  I can distinctly remember just one year ago, getting ready to go to my very first Dental Hygiene Orientation and now I'm gonna be a BIG SISTER to one of the new girls.  CRAZZZZYYYYY. I love my life!  Until next time, chow!