Nick-Names

I thought it would be fun to list all of the nick-names I have been given throughout my life. I have never been a huge fan of my own name so I enjoy hearing nick-names people make up for me. It seems like everyone's always making up new names for me, and I am bored at work so I am going to list the one's I can think of just for fun.

J-Bear- my dad has called me this as long as I can remember
Marie-zee- my dad has called me this on occassion but not as much as the first one
Wash Belly- it's something my cousing learned when he went to Jamacia on his mission-it's what they call the youngest child there- my dad calls me this
Caboose- my dad calls me this because I am the youngest- I used to get so mad about this one
Jaynet- my cousin always calls me this, although it might be due more to a southern accent than anything else. My mum and my sister also call me this and occassionally one of my brothers does.
Jay- my friends in elementry school called me this and I thought I was sooo cool
J-dog or J-dawg- friends have called me this on and off most of my life
Chewbaca or Chewy- my high school soccer coach and teammates called me this but I never understood why
Jinganinget- some family friends did this weird thing where they put an ing after the consonants when they spoke. My sister calls me this from time to time.
Fairy- my friend Jamie started calling me this after one basketball practice where they noticed that I run funny (Apparantly I run like a girl-but it hurts my shoulders to run with my arms down by my waist...)
Jannernet- my friends from freshman year of college always call me this, I don't really know why
Schmanet- my friend Travis always puts a schm in front of everyone's names
Jan-nut- my friend Kristen calls me this
J-Bo-(like J-Lo)Garrett always calls me this
Janay or Young Janay- Mandi and Melani used to call me this
Junet-my newphew invented a language called Joshua German where he puts a U in every word
June-my friend Melani calls me this, it's basically short for Junet
Janis/Jannett/Janna- half the time friends call me this jokingly but sometimes people think this is really my name

Currently Reading

So as most of you know, I have a LOT of time on my hands now days which is quite nice most of the time. Today I was thinking about all of the books I am currently reading and I was surprised by how many it is. I guess I am sort of ADD when it comes to books so I am always reading at least 2 at a time. But I think think this is a record for me.....

The Great Gatsby: I read this in high school but found it at work and wanted to read it again because I couldn't remember much of it but I remember enjoying it.

The Twilight Series: #2 New Moon I know what you are all thinking....I really hate fantasy/sci-fi because I have zero imagination. I never desired to read these books because they seemed so weird. My friends at my old job bought me the first one and said I had to read it because I was always saying how I never would. Well I read Twilight at work and it was actually pretty good. The author's style bugs me a lot but other times I really enjoy the way she writes. Overall the books are good so far and I want to finish the series and also see the movies.

The Book of Mormon: This is kind of a constant read thing as I am sure it is for a lot of you. I am almost through Alma (I know I am a little behind the Sunday School Schedule) but as always I learn some new insights every time.

Trusting Jesus: MY FAVORITE BOOK! I am almost done reading it for the second or third time and I just love it. Elder Holland is amazing and this book makes me feel so good about life! READ IT!

A Child Called It: I have read this one before too but stumbled upon it at work and decided to read it again because I never read the others in the series and want to read them all. Very simple read but hard to learn of all the crap this kid went through.

God Wants A Powerful People: This is a Sheri Dew book. It is pretty good and helps me feel motivated to do good things. I will be honest, her writing style bugs me from time to time. I am kind of picky but overall the ideas she presents are good.

Where the Sidewalk Ends: This has always been my favorite poetry book. My sister sent me a package a few months ago with this book. I love to just sit down and read all the fun poems. I am about halfway through reading from cover to cover.

And one I finished about a month and a half ago but cannot fail to mention is The Kite Runner. I could not put it down! I still haven't seen the movie but the book is fabulous. Another favorite that I read this summer was The Screw Tape Letters by C.S. Lewis. It was my first Lewis book and I loved his thought processes and style. He is an ingenious writer. As you tell I love to read but even more so I have a passion for writing so I am constantly critiquing everything I read. If anyone has any great books let me know!

Life of Mine

I wanted to update my blog but then again, there is not a whole lot to report. I just completed 3 days of training for work where I learned all about de-escalating potentially violent situations. I learned how to do this using verbal as well as physical tactics. I am now capable of taking down a 300 pound man-I did it! But, hopefully I won't ever have to do this. I also had the "opportunity" to be hand-cuffed as well as learn how to hand-cuff others. Luckily for me we rarely have to deal with these types of situations. Over all the training was pretty interesting, I just got bored of hearing the same old man speak for 8 hours a day, 3 days straight. I met some fun people at the training and got to learn about some of the other facilities in the area.

I am LOVING the amazing September weather lately. The days are warm and sunny and the nights haven't been too cold. I am however, DREADING winter. I went to two bonfires this weekend and had a great time at both. My intramurals started back up this week and I am excited. We won our soccer game and our basketball game. I just love playing competitive sports but also enjoy the fact that they are really just for fun. I play with some great people and we have a good time.

Oh and on a finishing note...

General Conference is in 2 weeks!

Quote

A friend of mine had this quote posted on his facebook page. Politics is a touchy subject so I won't say anything one way or another. I know nothing about this person but I think this quote is great. I don't even know if I have the quote totally right but it was something like this:


"Some people use change to promote their careers. Others use their careers to promote change."

Sarah Palin

Lyrics, yet again.

Ok I know I post a lot of lyrics but I am a big poetry, quote, and music person and so I just have to share things that stick out to me. I like this song a lot because of the lyrics and she is a good singer too. It just kind of reminds me to be patient and trusting and take each day at a time.

One Step At A Time- Jordin Sparks

Hurry up and wait
So close, but so far away
Everything that you've always dreamed of
Close enough for you to taste
But you just can't touch

You wanna show the world, but no one knows your name yet
Wonder when and where and how you're gonna make it
You know you can if you get the chance
In your face as the door keeps slamming
Now you're feeling more and more frustrated
And you're getting all kind of impatient waiting

[Chorus:]
We live and we learn to take
One step at a time
There's no need to rush
It's like learning to fly
Or falling in love
It's gonna happen and it's
Supposed to happen that we
Find the reasons why
One step at a time

You believe and you doubt
You're confused, you got it all figured out
Everything that you always wished for
Could be yours, should be yours, would be yours
If they only knew

You wanna show the world, but no one knows your name yet
Wonder when and where and how you're gonna make it
You know you can if you get the chance
In your face as the door keeps slamming
Now you're feeling more and more frustrated
And you're getting all kind of impatient waiting

[Chorus]

When you can't wait any longer
But there's no end in sight
when you need to find the strength
It's the faith that makes you stronger
The only way you get there
Is one step at a time

Bored-I never thought I would say that

Here is one of those dumb surveys that I really don't like but I am working overnight and need to stay busy. Feel free to re-post or not, I don't care either way.

1. What time did you get up this morning? 3 PM- I work nights so it's not because I am lazy
2. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? The Dark Knight
4. What is your favorite pastime? Baseball/ other sports
6. What is your middle name? Marie
7. What food do you dislike? Fish
8. What is your favorite CD at moment? Viva La Vida-Coldplay
9. What kind of car do you drive? Saturn
10. Favorite sandwich? Turkey on wheat, tomatoes, lettuce, cheese, oil and vinegar
11. What characteristic do you despise? Lying, being undependable
12. Favorite item of clothing? sweats
13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Africa!!
14. Favorite brand of clothing? American Eagle
15. Where would you retire to? Hawaii
16. What was your most recent memorable birthday? I have no idea-probably my surprise birthday party at McDonalds when I was 15. haha That isn't very recent though
17. Favorite sport to watch? BASEBALL
18. Farthest place you are sending this???
19. Person you expect to send it back first? Not sure
20. When is your birthday? soon
21. Are you a morning person or a night person? Night
22. What is your shoe size? big
23. Pets? my puppy Mollie is with my parents but I miss her a lot, Nirvana is a good cat and i miss him too
24. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? I graduated last week but you already knew that
26. How are you today? grand
27. What is your favorite candy? sour patch kids!
28. What is your favorite flower? Gerber Daisy's
29. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? Dec 25- Christmas! and Jan 23
30. What is your full name? you probably already know
31. What are you listening to right NOW? kids snoring at work, and LOTR playing in the background
32. What was the last thing you ate? ice cream sandwhich
33. Do you wish on stars? Yes
34. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? electric pink
35. Democrat or Republican? I understand both parties views but I lean democratic
36. Last person you spoke to on the phone? Melani
37. Favorite soft drink? i dont really drink soda
38. Favorite restaurant? Olive Garden
39. Hair color? Blonde
40. What was your favorite toy as a child? Cabbage Patch Dolls, Barbies
41. Summer or winter? SUMMER!!
42. Hugs or kisses? both, but mostly hugs i guess
43. Chocolate or Vanilla? depends
44. Coffee or tea? neither
45. Do you want your friends to e-mail you back? I don't care
46. When was the last time you cried? when my sister showed me the slide show she made for me for my grad
47. What is under your bed? a duffle bag i think
48. What did you do last night? worked
49. What are you afraid of? death-not me dying but others, and crazy stalkers/rapists
50. How many years at your current job? 3 years at the job I just left, 4 days at my new job
51. Favorite day of the week? Sat and Sun
52. How many towns have you lived in? 6
53. How many people will you send this too? none
54. How many will respond? i don't know

Still alive and kicking!

Well I'm sure if anyone actually reads this (which I kind of doubt anyone does) they are wondering how everything turned out with my post-graduation plans and all. Well I will attempt to update you now, considering the fact that I am working in the middle of the night and need to stay awake somehow. I don't want to go into too much detail on here because I am sort of paranoid about creepy stalkers and such. I graduated last week and it was great to see some of my family. My parents, sister, grandparents, and two aunts and uncles came out. We had a great time and it was fun to be able to introduce my family and friends to each other. We had a great BBQ with everyone and it was a really good turn out. My cousin was amazing in planning and coordinating everything with my mum and it was so fun. Graduating was neat but it was very hot and I thought I might pass out in my itchy robe and hat that was too small.

Well I got offered a job before I graduated and they wanted me to start right away but I told them I couldn't because I had graduation and I needed to work the week of the 18th at my current job because it is our busiest of the year. They were very flexible with me and so I started here on Monday. I work as a counselor for troubled teens. I already love it and feel like this is really where I am supposed to be. I already find myself getting attached to the kids which is hard because their stay at this facility is quite brief. I am working mostly overnight shifts which is hard but hopefully I can get used to it. I just love working in the day with the kids. It is kind of ironic because this job was last on my list of the ones I wanted-mostly because of the hours. I am working over 60 hours this week because they had me working everyday this week plus I worked my old job a few hours too. The work schedule here starts on a Sat but I started on a Monday so with my training I ended up being scheduled to work everyday. It is totally fine though because I don't have a ton else to do and I generally enjoy working lots as long as I am able to still have a social life.

I moved apartments this week too which was also an ordeal but everything worked out wonderfully. I lived at my roommate's brothers' house for a week because we couldn't move in to our apt right away. Her grandparents let us keep some stuff in their garage and I also kept some of my stuff at a friend's apt. I was so stressed all summer about finding an apartment and a job and it is nice to have this resolved. My new apartment needs some cleaning and the showers are disgusting but mostly I like it and am so grateful to be living with one of my best friends. It would so much harder if she wasn't there.

All in all, life is good and I am just amazed at how everything has fallen into place. As stressed as I was, I kept saying that I knew everything would work out if I did my part. I am so grateful for the blessings I have seen and for being able to draw closer to the Lord as I prayed for guidance and direction. I am overwhelmed at the love and support from family,friends, and coworkers and will hopefully be settled in my new ward, apt, and job quickly. I hope everyone is doing well. Sorry this is so long and boring.