Mom

Today is my Mom's birthday! I'm pretty sure she never reads my blog, but I'm going to do a shout out anyway. I realized how many pics I don't have of my mom, so the one below will have to do. She is sadly not near as photo-happy as me. It's a bad quality pic, but trust me, she's hot! 

Things that I love about my mom. The condensed version.

1. She is a domestic diva. It took me moving out of the house to realize all the things she does!

2. She is an amazing cook. Sadly this is not hereditary. I thought everyone had an amazing dinner on the table every night, but then I realized I'm one of the lucky few. 

3. She is crazy clean. Like OCD. This used to drive me crazy, but I love this about my parents (most of the time). I would literally eat off of any surface of my parents home.

4. She is hilarious. She pretends to be disgusted with our inappropriate family humor, but I know that she is loving it inside.

5. She is so supportive. She never misses a game, a recital, nothing. 

Love you Mom!

Lately

I've been a busy girl. Between thinking I was going to die last week and lots of birthdays, I haven't had time to blog. Here is what's been going on in the land of Aubrey:

I went to my first Jazz game of the season, and was pleased to find out that my borrowed jersey represented the hottest player on the team. Between a few run ins with Salt Lake's finest citizens and "woof" (inside joke) references, it was quite the night! 

Me, Steph, and Renae. Not Steph's finest moment.

My favorite Kansas native, Kasie turned a year older and we celebrated her birth with a Duck Dynasty party. It was crazy fun! Sadly, or maybe not sadly, my entire outfit was either from my parents house or my roommate's closet. I was super proud of my outfit but I had some serious beard envy. I don't plan to return the camo sweats to my brother and have worn them several times since. Oddly enough, they're slightly flattering considering they're sweats. The camo pattern does miracles for my massive legs. 

Is that Si? 

Last week I had the joy and honor of sporting what is referred to as a PAPR. This lovely white mask and Ghost Buster like backpack is worn to protect against diseases such as tuberculosis. It's not very fun to wear, but we made the best out of the situation and had a small Instagram modeling session. 13 hours of this outfit makes for a long day!

Jess and I off to save the day against acid fast bacteria.

There's been a lot of birthdays in my life the past few weeks. I'm grateful for these winter born friends and family members because their birthday celebrations give us something to do in the boring months of January and February. One of the many is pictured below. Happy Birthday Jenny!

On the subject of birthdays, I'd like to do a spotlight on birthdays this week:

Charlotte:

1. She makes the cutest children. Her little boy Dane is my favorite person under age 10.

2. I love having such a good friend at work. She always intently listens to my musings of a single life.

3. She makes damn good cake.

Garrett, my broski:

1. He is an amazing cook. Like really.

2. He is good at everything. Everything.

3. He is super supportive and constantly goes out of his way to help others.

Other events not captured on my iPhone include a girls night with steak and a Nicholas Spark movie (does it get any better?), dinner with a long, not so lost high school friend Matt, and car decorating for a friend's Valentine lover. Coming up is my yearly migration to Arizona and a girls trip to Moab to bask in the splendor of arch that is delicate. 

A Very Bad and a Very Good Valentines Day

This year I was so excited for the big V-day. I had fun plans with fun friends that included food and a much awaited chick flick. These plans came to a halt at 2 am the morning of lovers day. I woke up with the worst sore throat of my life and a terrible ear ache. I was miserable! I suffered through the morning thinking that I could make it to the movie, but I was only getting worse. Every time I swallow (this is still a problem) it feels like a knife is slicing the sides of my throat. Yummy. Because of this, I've dehydrated myself even though I know its wrong. About 10 calories were consumed yesterday. I also made the mistake of sitting down in my hour long shower and then found that I was too weak to even get up. Needless to say, my plans were canceled. A friend I haven't even known very long was informed of my illness, and he sent over a masseuse to my house!!!! I seriously wanted to cry! Half because I hurt so bad and half because I was so grateful! That hour was the only time in my day that I didn't want to die. That act was probably the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. Other acts of kindness were sent my way and I learned a different side of Valentines. A side that doesn't include eating your weight in chocolate, cheesy cards, or flowers. This side is about thoughtfulness and love for others. As an ending note, I somehow drove myself to the doctors today. He literally gasped when he looked in my mouth. Yep, I felt real gross. I'm now the proud owner of 10 days of Amoxicillin. My parents dropped by some Sonic ice for me and I've been able to swallow a few ramen noodles. I've lost 7 lbs (water weight) and my blood pressure was crazy low. Like 20 points both systolic and diastolic lower. No wonder I felt like I was going to die! So, that is my very good and very bad Valentines Day 2013.

Decisions Decisions

Warning: This is a long, wordy, journal purpose post. Proceed with caution and only if you're really bored. This weekend I was faced with a big decision. If you know me well, or even just a little, you know that I love to always have a trip planned and I never turn down the opportunity to go somewhere new. Summer 2012 was hands down the best 3 months of my life. I had the amazing opportunity to serve on a Navy hospital ship in Southeast Asia. I met so many wonderful people not only in the 3rd world countries we visited, but in the military branches from around the world. A year ago, I was giddy about going. My life was up in the air. Would I have a job to come back to? Would I be okay without 3 months of income? What do I do with my apartment? My car? These among other questions were in my mind, but I didn't care. I felt so good about the situation. I didn't have answers to the questions, but I knew it would be okay. I felt so at peace. So confident. Fast forward a year, it's time to apply for this trip again. I was considering a 7 1/2 week stint in Central and South America. I don't know how to explain how I felt, but it certainly wasn't the peace that I had felt before. I applied anyway knowing that I would regret passing up the opportunity of buying myself some more time to think about it. On Saturday afternoon, I received the email that I had been accepted to the countries I wanted and to the unit of the hospital that I desired. It was perfect. Or it should've been. That uneasiness was still playing around in my mind. I couldn't believe it. Why? I, Aubrey NEVER would turn down something like this! What was happening to me? Before I left last summer, I was told that I would be blessed significantly for my service and sacrifice. I remember being excited to find out what this blessing would entail. Would it be a sudden improvement in my crappy dating life? Would a sailor swoon me? The moment I landed back in the states, I realized what my blessing was. My social life. I had become a recluse of sorts since my move to Utah County and hadn't made any kind of effort to develop a life outside of work and old (but good) friends. My calendar became booked, my friend group quadrupled, and I was busy every single night. Shortly after, I moved in with an awesome roommate who I'm thankful every day for knowing. It would be an understatement to say that my life is 100x better than a year ago, and I am so very grateful. So why, if these are the blessings that come from service on a ship, would I not be jumping at the chance to do it again? My mind was telling me to go, but I couldn't ignore what the spirit was telling my heart. I asked my family and a close friend to pray for me that I would make the right decision. That next day in church, the lesson was on personal revelation. Perfect right? No. As hard as I tried to get something new from the teacher and the comments, nothing came to me. I had fasted for myself and my family had too. Why was I not receiving any answers? That evening, I was looking over a scripture verse I had marked in class trying to see if I had missed anything. There, in the verse below it, was my answer. Or rather a confirmation of my answer. D&C 9:8 (marked verse)- But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right. This is where I got hung up. This opportunity was righteous, so why would I not feel that burning? Verse 9: But if it shall not be right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong....Boom. That's what I needed. My uneasiness that I had been having for 2 months was the stupor. I emailed in my offer decline and immediately felt lighter. I don't know why I'm supposed to stay here this summer. Is it to continue to take advantage of huge blessing from last year? Is something bad or good going to happen? Ah! I hope I will see the answer someday, but if not, I know that I made the right decision for me.