The Month of Giving Thanks

I know it's late but I'm doing it anyways!

I've been slacking on my posts. I know. I'm sorry. Cash has been bugging me more than ever to make a post. Welp, here's a quick update. End of July Cash, pretty much the entire Williams clan (minus a few) and I went to Yellowstone National Park. It was a bunch of fun. TONS of driving but it was worth it. Then during Labor Day weekend Cash and I went on a river trip down the Green Rive in Colorado and Utah starting at the Gates of Lodore and ending up somewhere by Vernal, Utah, I think. Anyway, it was tons of fun we went with Uncle Ron and a few of his friends, Lucas, Josh and a few of his buddies as well. AND my cousin James got married second week of October and with the whole family we couldn't help but have a great time( another post about this soon.) And then Halloween. Actually, nothing really happened other than I dressed up as Rosie the Riveter for work. It was great.

So anyway to what this post really is about. . No Shave November. Just kidding, it's only about November, the month of giving thanks. So a lot friends on Facebook have been posting daily about what they are thankful for that day. I wanted to do it but I'm not a fan of doing that kind of stuff. So here I go.

30 Things I'm Thankful For

1. I'm thankful for my mom. She has the answer for everything and knows what to say and when to say it . 

(duh! she's a mom)

2. I'm thankful for the soldiers/veterans who have fought and do fight for this wonderful country.

3. I am thankful for Cash.(the boyfriend not money) I am thankful for all that he has done for me and what I have done for him. I can truly say that for the almost past 3 years we have both grown up more than we thought we could.

4. I am thankful for social networking. Without it I wouldn't be able to stalk random people I went to school with, I mean, keep in touch with family and close friends.

5. I am thankful for Youtube. There I said it, it's out there. There are some days where life just SUCKS and nothing can make it better. And then you hop on Youtube and somehow find the funniest/cutest thins ever and it just makes everything better.

6. I am thankful for Miriam Roche. She may or may not see this, but even though we fought rarely it was always felt like Clash of the Titans.

7. I am thankful for my family. I'm not talking about my brothers (yes, I'm thankful for them) but I'm saying I'm thankful for extended family. Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Grandparents. I know I have a lot, but I am thankful for each and everyone of them.

8. I am thankful for comedy. If the world wasn't as funny as it was or if people were as funny as they were, this world would be the most boring, dull, and mundane it could ever be.

9. I am thankful for modern medicine and health technology. Without out it none of us would be able to understand why we have certain health issues.

10. This should have been at the top. I am thankful for education. Not so I can become a teacher, but so we can be informed and be able create professions and careers for everyone.

11. I am thankful for food. Without it we'd all be superficial skinny snotty people. HA!!! Just kidding. Without food we wouldn't live. 'nuff said.

12. I am thankful for animals. They make THE CUTEST babies ever. (no argument against cute baby animals)

13. I am thankful for my Lin's family. Without them I wouldn't know what I would do with my free time.

14. I am thankful for music. There are just some moments in life where I just can't express with words. But a 

good song with great lyrics will always do the work.

15. I am thankful for love. L-O-V-E  I'm not talking about going all out and extravagant for one occasion (unless that's what you define as love, then ignore the rest of this number and jump to 16). I'm talking about when a person is proud of who you are, what you do, appreciates you, wants to be there with you and for you. The person (or people) who keep your 'love tank' full (by 'love tank' I mean that we all have a place in our heart that is like a gas tank, but for love. And when it's full we are confident, happy, and want to show/share our love for others. But when it's empty, we cry out for love and sad/bad things can happen after that.) I guess I should write an entire other post for this one too. I got it from a book called The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman. (you can borrow it if you would like, but remember to return it to me. It's a book that I plan on rereading for the rest of my life. (Cross your fingers so I can get Cash to read it at least once.)

16. I am thankful for my brothers. They all are very different from each other. They all may be annoying and mean sometimes, but we all get along great (Especially since we all past the puberty stage.)

17. I am thankful for TV series. I don't know what it is, but television shows that last longer than 2 seasons are amazing. Dr. Who, The Big Bang Theory, How i met Your Mother, etc. . all those shows are amazing. AND I LOVE THEM!!

18. I am thankful for nature. Any and all things not touched by man are beautiful and amazing.

19. I know I already said I am thankful for education, but I am thankful for my Humanities class. I don't know what it is (I've said that before), but this class has made so many connections with so many other things in my life that it has opened my eyes up to a lot of things.

20. I am thankful for movies. Just like TV shows they are made for our entertainment and for us to memorize and quote at the right time int he right moment.

21. I am thankful for being a Romantic. I know, weird thing to be thankful for, right? I'm learning new things in my humanities class every time we meet and I'm slowly becoming sad that it comes to an end in a couple of weeks.

22. I am thankful for strangers. Another weird one, I know. But there is something about talking with random strangers of having them help you with something that you're struggling with that make it all that much better.

23. I am thankful for vehicles. Without them I would never be able to get to where I need to go.

24. I am thankful for being free. And by free I mean that I am thankful for the fact that I have the choice to vote and be heard. That I can say what I want and not be punished for any of it. So yeah, I am thankful for this nations president(s) and what they and our founding fathers have done for what we have today. (Don't go all political on me.)

25. I am thankful for Instant Netflix. I wouldn't be caught up with all the shows and movies everyone somehow magically have time for.

26. I am thankful for Teen Mom 2. WHY? It's a great birth control method with what and who they have to deal with. I know everyone goes through it, but watching it is better than living it. (too harsh)

27. I am thankful for footie pajamas. WHY? Because they make everything so much easier to deal with and they are super cute!!! Just like this one (If I was rich enough, I'd have all them) (Cash buy me one. . . PUHLEEEASE!!!!)

28. I am thankful for electronic devices. I would probably do nothing or get nothing done if I didn't have certain electronic devices.

29. I am thankful for clothes. I  probably will never have a sense of fashion unless I employ a personal shopper, but there are some outfits that are just super cute and sometimes make me a tad jealous that I don't have those clothes. (too superficial?)

30. I am thankful this damn post is done even though it's three days late. 

PSY - GANGNAM STYLE (강남스타일) M/V

I'm pretty sure ya'll have heard of this song before. If not, then listen to it because it has over 150 million views on the interweb at a site called the Youtube. I love this song. Yes, I do know the dance. And I have no regrets.

New Blog

Hey friends. I'm taking a Humanities Class that requires to have a blog. So I've made a new one. There are a few things that may or may not be interesting for you to read. But it also could start up some pretty deep/cool conversations. So check it out.

-Love, Peace, Chicken Grease

K.

All You Are Is Mean

Ever have a coworker who is just MEAN!? I do. And let me tell you. . . She is MEAN!! 

We all have our fights to battle in life which is understandable but taking it out on someone who doesn't even have any part in your problems is unacceptable. Spreading rumors and bashing someone is no way to treat anyone. At all.'

 I didn't know what to do for the longest time. I tried different ways to approach her and her meanness. But it just didn't work. So I finally decided that enough is enough and went to the boss man. I told him the problems that she has been blaming on me and the rumors she has been spreading  and that even though I'm not the only one she is mean to I get the brunt of it all since I have to work side by side with her.

Let me tell you. It was a relief. I felt better and more confident than I ever have before with situations similar to this. I told my wellness coach what happened and how I dealt with it and she was very proud of me :) She said that she could tell that standing up for myself was a very empowering moment and feeling for me. Which is true!! 

If I could tell my coworker how I felt about her there would be many curse words and fists flying in the air. So instead I decided that my favorite female artist, Taylor Swift, will say it for me. 

- Love, Peace, Chicken Grease

K.

Update?

Alright, so I know I should have been keeping up on my "blogging" but I've just been too busy. So be prepared that this will be a very lengthy post. . . Where should I start?

Family Reunion
So on my wonderful dads side of the family we had a reunion. It's been pretty much 12 years since the entire family has gotten together under one roof. And let me tell you, there is no roof big enough to hold the love that flows through each of us. The St. George Crew (Cash, Me, Charles, Julieann, and Dad) made breakfast on Saturday for the big family reunion day. After breakfast we went down and cheered on my cousin's kids games. Which was more fun than I thought. (can't wait for them to cheer on my future kids in sports). After being cheerleaders we made our way to a wonderful park where we had a BBQ and fun games like egg toss and kickball. (Kickball was awesome. And as I was looking around I noticed almost all of my family members were barefoot. Then I realized. . . You know you come from a brown family when everyone is barefoot and playing kickball on a baseball diamond.) After the BBQ we all went back to get ready and have a family dance/talent show at my Aunt Laura's church. We had tons of fun and learned many new things of where we come from and who we are. I know a lot of them wanted to come down to St. Geezy for the next reunion, but the days they were planning are during some of the most hottest times of the year, after we explained that to them we have agreed to keep it in Sandy for the time being. On Sunday, (Mother's Day) we all dressed up for church wearing pink for my grandma (She's battling cancer) in support of her fight. She's a strong and beautiful women who has much love and much support around her everyday. Anyways, here are some pictures of the reunion.

 Cash and I trying to make breakfast.

 Charles and I playing in the Egg Toss (we won)

 My Aunt Laura Lui and My Grandma Salote Kalilea Pale Vuki

 Me and My Dad :)

 The fam watching the talent show

My Dad's Family. 

(Top (L-R) Heleti Sione Vuki (my dad), Ana Finau Vai, Peni & Fane Tuipulotu with Kimi Tuipulotu, Misieli Mitch Vuki. Bottom (L-R) Laura Lui, Grandma Salote Pale Vuki, Grandpa Sione Fifita Vuki, & Salesi Kautoke Vuki)

And the entire Vuki family.

 7 kids, 22 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren. 

Our family logo printed on all our shirts

(Famili ta'engata means eternal family and the seal is the tongan national seal meaning God and Tonga are my inheritance. So basically we are an eternal family that is tied together through our faith in God and our heritage)

Solar Eclipse

So I'm pretty sure you all knew about the Solar Eclipse in Kanarraville, Utah. Obviously with so many people wanting to come to the house to watch the fun. I decided to put together a potluck dinner for everyone so they can enjoy fun, food, and the eclipse. I know ya'll want pictures but I was too busy being a host (actually I didn't have a camera and didn't really feel like taking pictures either) so I let everyone else take pictures and just enjoy the company. SO MANY PEOPLE were in town it was just ridiculous. I've never seen K-town or Cash's house packed with as much people that were there. It was still tons of fun and I'm glad everyone had a great time. I met Cash's cousin Sally, her husband Mike, and their two out of three kids Serena and Sam. They are all a blast and I can't wait for them to come back down! 

 New Job

So I started a new job about a month ago. No I didn't leave Lin's (sadly. JK) I went from seasonal produce girl to Meat Deli Clerk/ Poultry Specialist. I pretty much work EARLY mornings. Depending on the size of our load I'm either at the store at 4 a.m. or 6 a.m. which sucks, but I get off more earlier than ever thought of so that's nice. If you don't know what a Meat Deli Clerk is (or if you are just curious but don't really care) I pretty much take care of the lunch meats, cheeses, hot dogs, bacon, and sausages. (pretty much Aisle 6). And I'm also in charge of the frozen bagged chicken that somehow everyone loves to buy. So that's my new job. I work with another lady named Julie. We have our ups and downs but we work pretty well with each other. 

So. . . That's been my life so far. It's been crazy, but I love it. I'll try to update my fitness blog with some interesting things I found out about myself, but it's late and I'm tired. So I'll do it another time. So keep your eyes open for that update. 

- Love, Peace, Chicken Grease

K. 

To move or not to move. . . That is the question

So lately I've been thinking about moving back home to the George of Saint. But I don't know. Don't get me wrong I love SUU. I love the classes and the atmosphere here at SUU. BUT I can't afford it and I hate the location of it. This has been the most stressful, depressing, energy consuming, confusing, anxiety attacking semester I've ever had. I started mornings at my job so now I'm up by 4 a.m. and with school, homework, and life I'm usually in bed by 9 or 10.  So I'm usually getting 6 to 7 hours of sleep which for me isn't all that bad. (I work better off of 6 to 7 hours of sleep than I do with 8.) But I have a problem. I get so stressed and have mini anxiety attacks that I'm going to sleep in and get fired that I constantly wake up every hour just to check the time to see if I slept in.

I HATE IT. I hate that I am constantly waking up.I hate that I can't have a good nights rest, not even on weekends. I hate that I'm constantly worrying about if I can make it next month with paying rent and other bills. What stresses me out even more!? Rumor Has It  (I love Adelle) SUU is raising tuition.. EFF. . . I can't afford to pay rent, let alone if tuition raises how am I supposed to go to school?!

Anyways vent over.

So I've been thinking about moving back home. I don't know. I made a Pros and Cons list and my "pros" are two pages long and my "cons" are only a half page. So yeah. My pros for moving back are pretty big. But I can't afford to be "seasonal" at Lin's. . BUT Lin's is hiring!!! They are hiring for a Meat Deli Clerk which for the past two weekends I have been working and training for. SO. . . Tomorrow I'm going to call Jordan (Meat Manager) and see if I can apply for the job and if he will give it to me and handle me working part time evenings for the next month or so until school is out. And if he gives it to me then I'll move back home, go back to school at Dixie, and save up some money so I can try living on my own again some day. I guess you really don't have to read this since I've already made up my mind that I'll move back if I get the job. But I like typing out my problems. Eventually you're going to hear my reasons for what I do, so why not just put it on here and let you all read it. Right?

- Love, Peace, Chicken Grease

 K. 

P.S. Sydney, If you read this. If I move back we can finally do our concealed weapons permit and gun!!

Check It Out

So I made a new blog. It's like my public journal for weight loss. Hope you enjoy my "journey" to healthier me.

fromjiggletoflat.blogspot.com

P.S. I'll have a link to it on the side of this blog as soon as I figure out how to do that.

- Love, Peace, Chicken Grease
      K.

The Bucket List

Lately I've been thinking about what I want to do before I die.

Not hinting or saying that I'm going to die - because I'm not.

But I've always wanted to make a bucket list.

So here it goes.

The Bucket List 

(in no particular order)

Watch Phantom of the Opera in Las Vegas 

Go to Europe

Get in a fight. And WIN ( Fight Club style)

Go to the San Diego Zoo

Enjoy the sunset on a beach in Mexico

Convince Cash to go on a couple of cruises.

Visit the east coast 

Walk the Great Wall of China

See the Pyramids of Egypt

Climb to Machu Pichu

Swim with dolphins in Florida

Hold a baby sloth, monkey, tiger, panda, bear, elephant

Ride the trolley in San Francisco

Visit Mount Rushmore

Own a pet cow, pig, chicken, llama, 

Get my concealed weapons permit and own a handgun

Taser someone

Go whale watching

Go on my ISV trip (I have not forgotten to do it and will do it next year. Hopefully)

Get married, have kids, and watch them grow while I grow old with Cash.

Tour around a castle

I know some of these are pretty far out and pretty expensive but a girl can dream right?

More Pictures

I know it's been a week, but here is some of the other pictures from my birthdaypalooza.

 Cash gave Will Smith a wet willy.

I love Matthew McConaughey

Cash met Joe Montana

Cash rode around with Evel Knievel.

Cash and Ali didn't get along too well.

 Cash met John Wayne (Heff this was for you)

Cash was serious about his internship at the White House

He had to spell check for Pres. Bush.

 Cash said it was OK to kiss Elvis. Who wouldn't?

Charles doesn't like Shaq that much.

 We got on the stage with the Blue Man Group.

 This is what happens when we don't shave. We're a pretty hairy family.

I don't know what was going on.

 We went to Fremont street and watched three different bands play all 80's music and watch drunk people dance. One couple was a hoot to watch. Too bad I didn't get a picture of them :(

I bought my first alcoholic drink just because. I'm legal, why not. 

 Then we watched the light show play We Will Rock You by Queen. It was pretty awesome. Specially the Willy Nelson impersonator behind us doing sign language dancing. I was too afraid to take his picture :(

The we took Charles' girlfriend Julieann (She's cool since her b -day is right after mine) to the M&M factory to watch the 3D movie. It was way fun.

Birthdaypalooza

So, January 30th, 2012
I turned 21. 

Yup, I'm officially legal. 

It's exciting.
 Saying "Oh, I'm only 20." was getting annoying.
Not anymore!

Since we only turn 21 once, I made a whole week about it and called it 

BIRTHDAYPALOOZA

 January 30:
I turned 21 and had cake and ice cream with my family in St. George. And my friend Ben came over too. But I didn't get a picture with him. How did I miss that?

We tried to take pictures of us kids. . It didn't work out like my mom wanted. But it describes whole we really are. 

February 1:
Cash made me dinner. Steak and potatoes. They were tasty :)


February 2:

Jessie took me to see One For The Money. It was awesome. I loved it.

February 3:
Nothing special

February 4:
Went to Mesquite for dinner with my dad, step-mom. Charles (brother), Julieanne (his girlfriend), Cash, my aunt and uncle and a bunch of my uncle's golf buddies.

I ate an oyster. It was weird. I don't think I'll eat one again. At least I ate one. 

February 5 & 6:
VEGAS!!!

Vegas was SO MUCH FUN! We went to Madame Tussauds Wax Museum and met many cool celebrities there. I have to say from watching us and other tourist taking pictures. Madame Tussauds is the only place you can  harass celebrities and get away with it.

I hung out with Will Smith

 I pondered with Arnold

Cash won a fight with Chuck Lidell

 My mom chatted with Simon Cowell      

I answered phone calls for President Obama.

Don't worry, there are more pictures to see. But you can view this for now. 

- Love, Peace, Chicken Grease

K. 

Procrastinators UNITE!! . . . tomorrow

Today in one of my classes we talked about procrastination. We listed reasons to procrastinate, what some of the signs/characteristics of procrastination, and how to stop yourself from procrastinating.

And wierdly enough a lot of what my class was coming up. . I do/have. It's sad. I know. This applies with my previous post of me being addicted to Netflix. 

Netflix is just better than doing homework. 

I know it's not legit, but I enjoy taking quizzes I find on the interweb. So after my class I went online, found a procrastinator quiz and took it. My results? 

According to your results, you are somewhat of a procrastinator. Your score indicates that you either procrastinate significantly in a specific area (or areas) of your life, or are a moderate procrastinator overall. Whatever the case may be, this can become a serious problem.

Somewhat? How is that a viable answer? Then again, I guess that's what I get for taking a test off of Google. So, why am I talking about procrastination other than it was the subject of a class today. 

Welp, here's why. I have a paper due tomorrow morning by 10 a.m. I need to pack or start to pack for my trip to Vegas. (YEAH!!) AND I just remembered that I have pictures I need to pick up for my photography class tomorrow. Now why aren't I doing any of these things? Because I'm creating this blog post, waiting for Jessie to come home to see if she wants to go with me, watching Enchanted, and eating applesauce. I love applesauce. 

- Love, Peace, Chicken Grease

K. 

Addicted to Netflix

I have to admit. . . 

I'm addicted to Netflix.

I don't have a very active social life outside of Cash and his family. 

(which I don't mind)

I secretly watch shows that I make fun of or say that I have better things to do when it's showing.

Why?

Because I secretly get jealous that people have television and can watch it whenever they want.

The only "TV" that I watch is football and westerns at Cash's uncle's house on Sundays after dinner.

 Then again I'm either asleep from a full stomach or reading the newspaper because it's more interesting than a  sports game. 

I think I know what I want for my birthday next year.

 I know it's 363 days before that will happen but if Cash doesn't get cable or satellite before my birthday. . 

That's what I want. 

Cable.

Nothing else. 

Write that down. 

Cable and nothing else.

(well maybe a few bucks to shop with)

-Love, Peace, Chicken Grease

K.

Bills, Bills, Bills. . .

I hate bills. 

They make me poorer than I can afford.

'Nuff said.

-Love, Peace, Chicken Grease

K. 

I love First Days

So. . . This is me, never fails, on the first day of school. Ever since I could remember.

I LOVE FIRST DAYS!!

( I also LOVE this movie! I don't own it and I don't know why.) (upcoming birthday present idea?)

Anyway, as you all most likely know today, 1/9/2012, was the first day of my second semester here at SUU. I hit a rough patch at the end of last semester, but totally straightened it out and can now officially say I'm ready.

I'm ready to start the process of studying what I dreamed to study.

Social Science

Why social science? Because in middle and high school, those classes were my most favorite/ best grades I ever earned. So. . . Why not get a degree in it and start teaching what I really love. It's a BROAD range of subjects I could go deeply into with social science. I could go into anthropology, archaeology, criminology, economics education, government, linguistics, international relations(totally awesome opportunities to travel!), political science, sociology, geography, history, law, and psychology.

Who wouldn't want that many opportunities with just one degree. Granted there may be ups and downs during the next few years. But, I feel more confident than I ever was before. Just like the weird but yet awesomest mainly memorized movie about cheerleaders starring Kirsten Dunst.

BRING IT ON!

- Love, Peace, Chicken Grease

K.

New Year's Resolution(s)?

For me, this is the most dreaded time of the year. Well, not really since my birthday is at the end of this month :)
 But I do dread trying to figure out what I want to change in my life for the year so I can be a 'new person'. So I'm going to try something a little different this time.

Where did New Year's Resolutions come from??

It came from all the way back in 153 B.C. Janus, a mythical king of early Rome was placed at the head of the calendar. With two facesm Janus could look back on past events and forward to the future. Janus became the ancient symbol ofr resolutions and many Romans looked for forgiveness from their enemies and also exchanged gifts before the beginning of each year.

The New Year has not always begun on January 1, and it doesn't begin on that date everywhere today. It begins on that date only for cultures that use a 365-day solar calendar. January 1 became the beginning of the New Year in 46 B.C., when Julius Caesar developed a calendar that would more accurately reflect the seasons than previous calendars had. Although the date for New Year's Day is not the same in every culture, it is always a time for celebration and for customs to ensure good luck in the coming year.

Welp, I guess I should join the group and tell everyone my resolutions, right?

I didn't make three or four TOUGH resolutions, I made 21 SIMPLE resolutions.

 (some may be more simple than others.)

Why 21?

Because I turn 21 this year!! WOOT WOOT

So here it goes, my 21 new year's resolutions

(some are obvious)

1. Get a gym membership and ACTUALLY go more than once a week. (any gym buddies?)

2. Be less picky about the foods I eat.

3. Run a few 5ks.

4. Weigh myself every week and track my progress.

5. Grow my hair back to the length it was before I chopped it off (This will pretty much take all year)

6. Make new friends

7. Start saving money to go abroad next summer (Where? Click here  )

8. Start saving money for a wedding sometime in the future.

9. Turn 21

10. Skydive or do indoor skydiving
11. Create my first savings account (in order to help with 7 &8)
12. Go on another amazing river trip
13. Gamble for the first time (why not? I'll be old enough)
14. Read more books
15. Find a hat for Cash that he really likes and that ACTUALLY fits.
16. Study my a** off for a 4.0 this semester.
17. Watch the sunset AND sunrise within a 12 hr time limit.
18. Enhance my shot glass collection with a few out of state (hopefully out of country) glasses
19. Figure out two more things to put on this list.
20. Lear to do some awesome parkour moves to get around campus.
21. Survive past December 21, 2012.

Can I do all these? We'll see. I'll let ya'll know when I cross off one of these items.
(I guesss I can finally cross off #19. That was easy)

-Love, Peace, Chicken Grease
K.