30 Day Challenge

ALL I hear from Grandma is how I never update my blog and because I love her I'm gonna try one of these "30 Day Challenge" things. Starting with day one: a recent picture of yourself and 15 interesting facts.

1. When I'm walking by myself, I spell my name with each step. Right step: I say in my head "R", left step: "A", right step: "C" and so forth. What's extra weird about that is that when I do this I spell my name RacheAl. I don't know why, I have done this since I was little.

2. I despise socks. Even if it's -10 degrees outside I refuse to wear socks (when I'm not wearing shoes of course). It even bothers me that Tre wears socks. I beg him to take them off when we are together, but he loves socks. One of the divides in our relationship.

3. I don't chew gum. The feel and even the look of it disgusts me. I am currently taking anatomy and we use real cadavers (REAL DEAD HUMAN BODIES), well people have been telling me that I need to chew gum to help with the smell. I'll take my chances, thanks.

4. I have recently started watching "the Jersey Shore". And I've gotten my mom hooked, too. We laugh so hard at all of the ridiculousness. Reality TV is my guilty pleasure.

5. I hate shopping. I'm like a guy that way. I have to go to the mall with intent (i.e. I need brown shoes) or else I get crabby.

6. I hate trying new things.

7. I won't eat ice cream or watch scary movies until it's dark outside.

8. I get embarrassed when people SHHH me or tell me I'm being too loud. Unfortunately, it happens quite frequently.

9. I love weddings. I would go to bridal expos for fun. (Me and Alison (who shares this love of weddings with me) have actually talked about going.)

10. My nostrils flare involuntarily when I laugh.

11. I can take a nap almost anywhere no matter what is going on around me. As a sleep-deprived college student, this is a gift.

12. I love music. I make lists of songs I want to download and then buy 10-15 at a time. I make a playlist and listen to it for weeks on end. Lyrics mean a lot to me and music makes me feel better about any situation.

13. I love shows about murder (i.e. 48 Hours Mystery, 20/20, Snapped) because I am so interested in what motives people have to do such horrible things.

14. A perfect day would be a day at the beach. I love everything about it. When life gets too hard, I always threaten to run away and live in Hawaii.

15. I'm addicted to facebook. I claim that I'm not, but I am. Simply because I like to make fun of the stupid things people put on there.

Life is [complicated] [tiring] [busy], but [good]!

Some exciting things have been going on around here. So exciting, in fact, that I have had zero time to write about them. Well that combined with the fact that I'm super lazy haha.

Summer was good. and hard. We will start with the good. I didn't end up taking summer school, because of the tonsils and I don't regret it. Summers are my time to relax and be with friends and family.

I got a raging waters pass again and spent time (not enough) there with Ali-SHON.

We went to the Real Salt Lake game for the 24th of July.

Went to Kentucky for a leadership conference, I-LEAD. I went last year and was nervous that it would be redundant, but the people that I met there made it a total different (and wonderful) experience.

Probably the best news EVER: I am going to be an Aunty!! Come April, I will have a bouncing baby to play with ALL the time!!Tre came home from Missouri for a couple weeks and so we went to California to visit his new niece and to spend some time together before the BIG move. We had such a great time!







I'm going to try to stay caught up better. But how many times have I said that before? Yeah, seriously.

I'm also going to be starting a "spotlight" of important people in my life each week. So look out for it!


Reasons to Smile:
1. Utah Football has begun! We played #15 Pitt and won by three!!
2. Lots of trips are coming up: (Miami in October, Colorado and Las Vegas in November, Missouri in December).
3. The fact that I have already started buying the cutest things for my soon to be nephew/niece.
4. I finally figured out what my favorite movie is: the Titanic.

Warning: Graphic Content Ahead

I came home from my cruise to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico on March 26th. On the drive home I suddenly got a sore throat. I haven't been better since. That sore throat turned into strep throat. Well, Kind of. It was misdiagnosed as simply strep throat. I took a very basic antibiotic: amoxicillin for 9 days and I never felt any better. Then one night I got really sick and had to go to Urgent Care. When I got there the doctor said that I had something called peritonsillar cellulitis, which can be very serious. I had to get steroid shots in my hips and was put on way stronger medicine. The doctor said my mom had to sleep with me that night because there was a chance that because my throat was so swollen, my airway could close completely.

I got better, but just like Uncle Ryan said, I got sick again just a couple weeks later. I went back to the doctor and had to get more shots and more medicine. I have been to the doctor 6 times and received 5 shots since April 11th!!

I was referred to an ENT (ears, nose, throat specialist) to which he said that I needed my tonsils out. So yesterday that is what I did.

The night before surgery, I was looking on the Internet for food suggestions and instead found a ton of horror stories about how horrible the recovery is. I knew I shouldn't be reading them, but couldn't pull myself away either.

Yesterday, Mom took me to the hospital and I was hooked up to an IV and we think the nurse may have hit a nerve (or maybe I was subconsciously more nervous than I was consciously) because my whole right side tightened and I couldn't breathe well. It felt like someone was sitting on my chest and I was dizzy. My first panic attack. haha.

The surgery was pretty simple, all in all. Went in and woke up in recovery. I was told that right after the doctor you are fine because you still have anesthesia in your system, but later on in the night it hurts so bad. Luckily, my mom has been taking such good care of me that I am just fine.

Yes, I am sore and it hurts too swallow, but the pain is manageable. I know someone else who got their tonsils out on Friday and she is just so miserable. Hopefully it stays this way.

I just want to thank everyone for their well wishes, company and sorbet :)

Reasons to Smile:

1. Priesthood Blessings (Brandon gave me the sweetest blessing yesterday before my surgery. I cried.)
2. Haagan Daaz Raspberry Sorbet
3. Eclipse comes out in one week
4. Loritab
5. My Mom. I love her so much!

Southwest Baptist University Athletics - Bearcat basketball announces addition of D-I transfer Tre Smith

Southwest Baptist University Athletics - Bearcat basketball announces addition of D-I transfer Tre Smith

All Good Things Must Come To An End

Just when you think that you have things figured out, life throws you a curve ball. About three weeks ago Tre called me and told me that his head coach at the U wanted to talk to him. He went in for the meeting and coach told Tre that even though they had promised him a scholarship, things had changed and they no longer had one. He also told Tre that they had recruited 8 new players and the amount of time Tre would play was unknown.

Even though Tre has worked his butt off for the last three years, and every time they put him in the game he does the best, they still are taking him for granted. His coach told him "Sometimes you have to be selfish" and so he took their advice and left the Runnin' Utes.

A school in Missouri has been looking at Tre for quite some time and now they are getting their wish. He went on a recruiting trip on Thursday and signed the papers on Friday. He is officially a Southwest Baptist University Bearcat.

He leaves for a summer camp for the month of July and then he will be able to come back for three weeks and then he moves there at the end of August.

I have been dating Tre for the last 6.5 years and we spend a large majority of our time together and so it is going to be a very large adjustment for me to have him that far away.

When Tre first told me that he was considering transferring schools, I cried and cried for three days straight. I'm slowly coming to terms with it, but some days it is still really hard. I am going to miss him so much! When we are together we have so much fun; he dances, sings and teases. He is a kid and makes me one too.

When I tell people that Tre is moving, everyone says, "So what does that mean for your relationship?" Honestly, I don't know. So many things could happen in that amount of time. But what I do know is that if we are supposed to be together, the Lord will provide the way. That fact is what helps me through the tough days.

I just wanted Tre to know that I love him and that I know he is going to be great out there. The Utes are gonna be regretting this decision.

Dear Erin,

I have been making fun of Erin and Alison as they keep threatening to cry because this year is over, but in reality I have to in order not to cry myself. I have met six of the best people in the world; and change scares me. Because as hard as we may try, our friendships will never be the same as they were in the UPC office.

Rob Crosbie

Rob is amazing. He is hilarious and all-around fun to be with. He cares about UPC and it's future more than anyone else. He has been a great mentor to me this last year; helping me to develop my leadership and interpersonal skills. He has always been there for me and has just been a very true friend. I am glad he is sticking around another year; because I need him. Then he will be off to Med School to become a great doctor, but until then I will be savoring the moments.

Jeremy Wilkerson

JerBear was my first close friend within UPC and I appreciate him always putting up with my crap. Anytime I need someone to talk to, he is always the first person willing to listen to me whine (which is quite often haha). He is coming back for round two this upcoming year and I am lucky to have that support system with me as I am plunging into the unknown.

Erin Kucic

Easily the cutest girl around. She is genuine, honest and beautiful. It doesn't get much better than her. Throughout all the drama, fights, whatever- Erin has been able to remain friends with every single person. Never choosing sides or getting caught up. She makes me smile and I strive to be more like her in every way. She is going to Thailand to work at a non-profit organization (so like her) and then off to D.C. after that. I wish her the best of luck and know she will be great in any aspect of her future. She just better come back to visit.

Michelle Doong


She is such a fun spirit to be around; always making us laugh (whether its with her or at her :) )

She loves unconditionally and is such a great friend; always there when you need a "catch-up sesh". She, too, is going big places and will excel in any situation. She is an all around people person and makes every situation a better one.

Ashley Swapp

Ashley is my sister-soul; we are practically the same person. Which either causes us to fight or get along great. Through it all, I love her. She has been there for me through some really hard times and I could never express my gratitude enough. She is so driven and motivated and has huge dreams. After graduation, she is moving all the way to Japan! What a brave girl; i wish i was more like her in that aspect.

Alison Tuft

Alison-Sweet-Alison, I love her oh so much. She and I have somehow gotten ridiculously close over the past few months; and my life is forever changed because of her. She has had the greatest impact on my life. When I am around her, she makes me want to be a better person-to strive to be more Christ-Like. She is one of the nicest, yet, level-headed girls I know. A lot of the time, I envy her- she is just "cool"- knows who she is and what she is about and I value that greatly in a friend. She is so gorgeous, and doesn't even realize it-which makes me appreciate the fact even more. We have had the best of times together and I will do whatever it takes to continue that friendship, even though she is graduating. Alison, I could never thank you enough for your loyalty, compassion and amazing friendship over these last few months. I love you.

I have learned so much about myself and about life in general, through these people. I will miss you all.

BreakEven

....by the Script is stuck in my head.



I am currently sitting in the Las Vegas airport waiting for my friend Cassie. I started travelling this morning at 9am and it is past 6 right now. Wow, all just for a one hour flight duration from SLC to LV. I actually got re-routed to Los Angeles-that's what took me so long to get here. We are coming to LV for the MWC Men's Basketball Tournament. I love Basketball!

Anyway, I just decided to come on Wednesday. Until that day, I was just much too busy to come (I have 4 Midterms next week!!). That was until last Wednesday: the BYU vs. Utah game. We were down by a lot and I knew Tre wasn't going to get a chance to play, because even though he is better than half of the players on his team, his coach never plays him because he is short. Being short is not a disadvantage for Tre, but rather, an advantage. He is so quick he can get right in there. But Tre got some courage and went up to the coach and said "Put me in, and I will play my hardest". Somehow-it worked and he got in for about 8 minutes. Even though we lost the game- I didn't care in all honesty, I was happy for Tre!!

Then on Saturday, Tre got even more playing time-approximately 14 minutes. He played so well and the sports announcers were going crazy about him for a full 5 minutes-everyone was so impressed. Because of his hard work, his coach called him into his office on Monday morning and told Tre how proud he was of him and to be ready to play in the tournament game (tonight!) and here I am.


I am just so relieved that he is finally getting a little bit of recognition for the dedication he has for that team. Now, all he needs is a scholarship, and he'll be set! :)

I just wanted to give a shout out to my Grandma K. Today is her Birthday! I am bummed I won't be there to celebrate- But i just want all 2.5 of you out there who read this blog- to know how much I LOOOVE her!




Reasons to Smile :)

1. That mom works for Jetblue (AKA the best airline in the WORLD- all other pale in comparison)
2. Utah Basketball & Tre getting playing time
3. All the cute sun dresses that I bought
4. Even though I am dreading having 4 midterms next week and a huge interview, I am glad to be getting it done before spring break-so I can totally relax.
5. That in one week I will be driving down to St. George to visit some family, before continuing the trip to San Diego to get on a cruise with my best friends to Cabo San Lucas.


..::Life Is Good::.