2013: Another Year, Another Story to Tell

Um, is this real life? Are we already almost in 2014? I swear it was 1999 yesterday.

The year of 2013 was certainly an eventful one. From beginning to the end, there were many things that took place. If you are at all interested in what I’ve been up to this year, read further! If not, read anyways. And hey, you might be in it :)

1. To start the year off right, I got to travel out of the country for the first time! In March, one of my best gal pals Rachael and I took a trip to Ireland. It was one of the best experiences of my life and I loved being exposed to a new culture, different people, and different places. What I learned: Irish men are hot, jam is awesome, and goat cheese goes great in sandwiches. It rocked. I got to satisfy my travel craving for a bit but I’ve still strongly desired a big trip again… but that shall wait. Maybe more in 2014? (To read more about my trip, read the previous blog post!)

2. I turned 25… say what? Last I checked, I was 12 years old. How did that happen?

3. I visited another new city for the first time: Denver, CO. I was so glad I could finally visit a place that I want to move to eventually! While I was there, I was able to meet with new people, explore the city, visit the church, go hiking, and I was also able to do my first real grown up thing as a 25 year old- rent a car! It rocked. 

4. Made new friendships: You all know who you are. This summer was very eventful and a huge part was because of a lot of the new people I met this summer. Great and positive friendships were developed and my heart is happy. 

5. Work kept me extremely busy. As a member of the fundraising committee at my work, I was able to set up several fundraising events in the valley that helped raise money for our foster kids for Christmas… and oh how much fun (and exhausting) it was! Work load is increasing and responsibilities are getting bigger. Now going on almost two years at my job as a Case Manager, I am more comfortable with my job and what I do. I am tired, busy, but happy. The Lord knew that this job would fit me perfectly. 

6. I was ordained as an Elder at my church and was officially given the position as the Youth Director at my church! I have felt extremely honored and blessed to be entrusted to take on these major roles in my church and be a part of major events that took place this year (Vacation Bible School, youth rally, Family Christmas, community events, etc). I am also involved in different departments in the church so it's been quite the adventure.

7.  MY BEST FRIEND GOT MARRIED!!!!!! I was honored to be a part of her big day as maid of honor! It was awesome being a part of the wedding and to witness the marriage of my best friend and her other half. It was a beautiful occasion. 

8. MY TWIN SISTER GOT MARRIED!!!!!! I was also HER Maid of Honor! It was an incredible wedding weekend. Family from all over the country came in town to witness this huge occasion. I was so blessed and honored to also be a part of her wedding! I also loved that for once, people did NOT confuse the two of us since she was the one wearing the wedding dress ;) It was epic. It was beautiful. 

             This year involved a lot of everything: Weddings, engagements, travel (Ireland, Utah, NYC, Chicago, LA, Colorado, etc), work, tears, laughs, love, and much more. I still have my health and my amazing family that get me through the rough times and who are still my constant voice of reason. I have done a good amount of self-discovery, reflection, and learned more about myself and my goals than I ever have before. Reflecting back on this year, it is evident that each year flies by as we get older! I thought that was something only old people said, but apparently I’m old now because goodness gracious, where did the time go? Looking forward to 2014 because I have been making big and life changing plans, so stay tuned! What was the highlight of YOUR year? Was it what you expected? Happy almost- New Year to you and yours! We’re getting older but our blessings are growing bigger. Looking forward to next year. 

Cheers.

The Land of the Irish

Top of the mornin to ya, lad!

Okay sorry. I keep having to remind myself I'm not Irish.

For in case you didn't know, I went to Ireland last week! My gal pal, Rachael and I packed up our scarves, boots, and gloves and headed to the land of the Irish. The land of greenery. The land where rain never ceases. The land of hot men. The land of the nicest people you will ever met.

Before we landed in Ireland, we planned a 10 hour lay over in New York City to spend the day there. We had breakfast in Central Park, visit the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Plaza, Ground Zero, and rode the subway. It was Rachael's first time in NYC so it was exciting!

Our week in Ireland consisted of a lot of driving, site seeing, people meeting, laughs, green, sheep, rain, cold, rain, cold... and rain. What it did NOT consist of was sun, mean people, and good radio in the car. The radio in the car mainly consisted of newstalk radio and 80s music.... and the occasional traditional Irish folk music.

We took day trips and long drives to see different towns, cities, and country. The first few nights, we did not have good solid sleep because our bodies kept waking up because of the 8 hour time difference. We woke up early morning and went to sleep relatively late so we were constantly sleep deprived.... but it was fine. We're young. Whatever.

Places we visited:
Dublin
Enniskerry
Newgrange
Kilkenny
Ring of Kerry
Muckross
Kilarney
Galway
Limerick
Adare
...and random towns in between.

Here are a few photos!!!

                                        Our first night in the city.

Sweet live Irish music in Temple Bar

  Not only did we (well... Rachael) have to drive on the other side of the road, but it was manual. My friend rocked it!

 Kilkenny Castle... what a rad little town.

 

                          Just me in front of a stone hedge. I love them.

 

                                             Kilkenny, Ireland

 

                                The famous bridge in Dublin, Ireland

 

                                                Dublin, Ireland

 

                                           All smiles in the city!

 

 Umm... a cup of beer at 7am where the elevators are in our hotel. Oh Ireland.

 

                  In Newgrange... I loved this run down building. So artistic.

 

 Trim Castle--where they filmed Braveheart. I felt like such a brave heart.

 

                           Oh just me. Posing like a girl in Adare, Ireland.

 

                                 Along the Irish coast at 7am.... sheep!

 Shout out to my dear travel buddy, Rachael! I could not have asked for a better travel partner. I haven't laughed so much ever and her positive attitude made all the difference. It was phenomenal sharing this experience with you!

The people were all so friendly and always willing to help us find our way. We actually enjoyed the public transportation system there. It was raining all week while we were there which was unfortunate because we were not able to capture the beauty of it all when we took pictures. But, I prayed my heart out for at least a few hours of sun and clarity. Jesus answered my prayer and we had sun for a few hours in the morning on our last day there while we were along the coast. God is good.

I can't believe heaven is going to be more beautiful than Ireland. It's freaking mind boggling.

Things I have learned and will bring back and apply in America:

1. Be nicer with people you don't know. It's easy.
2. Be more eco friendly: There were so many smart cars and air dryers instead of  paper towels in just about every restroom, including nice restaurants. Save the environment!!
3. I, as an American, need to be more informed of the world outside of the U.S. The Irish are.... why can't I be?
4. Irish men are extremely good looking... and nice.... which makes them even more good looking.
5. Jam DOES make everything taste better.
6. According to an Irish man we met, his answer to my question when I asked him why are Irish people so friendly? He answered, "We live by the philosophy that it could always be 10x worse in life. Just move on and be happy." Done and done.
7. Their portion sizes are awesome!
8. What is the biggest city in the world? Dublin. Because it just keeps Dublin and Dublin and Dublin.... (a drunk guy that hit on us told us this joke. It was awesome.)

Thank you, Jesus for this experience. I feel very blessed that the Lord made it possible for us to make this trip happen. Answer to my prayers... literally.

Wonderful experience and I am now more anxious and excited to plan my next trip out of the country. World traveler Jenn in the making!

What I Want For Christmas

 

I like this time of year.

It’s cooler, I can bust out my boots and scarves, and have an excuse to drink a hot cup of coffee in the middle of the day. I do enjoy the holiday season when I keep in mind what this holiday is truly about. One main way that society does celebrate and participate in this holiday is to buy gifts for each other. Where did that concept even came from? I’m not really sure. In the Nativity story, the wise men brought gifts to our baby Savior years ago. So I guess that somehow got changed throughout the years to US getting the gifts and our Savior getting absolutely nothing. Hmm...

Again, not sure how that ended up happening. But as a grateful woman for the gifts that I have received in Christmas’ past and that I will receive this year, there are only a few things I really do want for Christmas. 

Here are a few:

1. World Peace 

      (I am forewarning you: this section has nothing to do with political partisan). I sincerely do want world peace. It also may come across as a cliché wish but I truly do desire this as a gift for Christmas. The fact that there are countries in this world that are still killing each other while other countries are not willing to help other struggling countries saddens me. I won’t get specific on what countries or even which foreign policy is in action right now that allows this to happen, but I do believe it should be addressed. Why can’t we all just get along? I’m sure we will all live in a happier world. Just sayin.

  

      2. More Responsible and Loving Parents In The World 

      As I have mentioned in previous blog posts, I am currently employed because there are parents in this world that fail to take responsibility for their own children and make decisions in their own lives that directly affect how their children think, act, and behave. There are children and teenagers in this world that do not know how to make the right decisions in life because they never had a parent to role model that way of thinking for them. Because of that, they are in jail, homeless, have mental health issues, or involved in substance abuse. Why can’t we all just be responsible and take accountability for our own actions and take care of our own dang children? Less children would be in foster care and on the streets, and more would be employed, educated, and know how to love themselves and others.

  

      3. No Debt 

      I am truly grateful to have had a college experience in a great Christian college on a beautiful campus with amazing and challenging professors. I am so grateful for those years that I established lasting friendships, fell in love, discovered more about myself, and gained a good college education. But I am not grateful for the debt that I am now in. What I want for Christmas is for my thousands and thousands of dollars of debt to be forgiven as a “Thank-You-For-Serving-Our-Community-and-Doing-Some-Good-In-This-World”. Is that too much to ask?

4. Less Hungry People in The World 

      Okay I’m going to bust out a statistic that will sadden you a bit. According to a World Hunger website, there are 870 million people do not have enough to eat  and 98 percent of them live in developing countries (www.wfp.org/hunger/stats). Food tastes too amazing for 870 million people to miss out on. They deserve to experience the happiness and satisfaction that food provides…. and they can’t. It’s saddening and sickening. What I want for Christmas is for everyone in the world to experience the best possible feeling… a full stomach.

5. Unemployment Rate IN THE WORLD to Go DOWN!  

      (Again, no political partisan here!!)  A couple of weeks ago, I was watching the morning show and they had said a sad statistic about how recent college students from the last 3 years are still looking for work and how it may not get any better. My heart felt heavy when I heard that. I got a job right out of college and an even better job 7 months after that and I must say, it feels freaking amazing to be an employed woman in society. It’s not fun sending out resumes, researching, interviewing, and getting rejected after so much work and prayer being put in the process. Not fun at all. What I want for Christmas is for every willing and able person that actually desires employment to GET THE SAME THING. 

6. Donuts Not To Be So FATTENING!!!! 
 Enough said.

7. For More People To Find Jesus 

      I am a born and raised Christian believer and I must say, it is my favorite thing about myself. Having the hope that I have a Heavenly Father that is in complete control of my life only after I give Him permission to do so is a wonderful feeling. Having a Heavenly Father that ONLY wants what is best for me even though I am not able to see what He has planned for me. Having the faith that what He is doing and will do in my life is going to rock is the best feeling in the world. Knowing that I have a Heavenly Father that is still willing to accept me back in His sweet family and continue to call me His daughter even after I mess up leaves me speechless. Why can’t everyone feel that same way? It is sad about how many people in the world do not know about this and about Christ. Or even worse, they know this but reject it every single day. What I want for Christmas is for more people to accept and love Jesus. It makes life better, simple as that.

These few things on my Christmas Wish List are a lot to ask for and I'm aware of that. But in this holiday season, lets keep in mind what truly is important and why we celebrate this holiday. Lets keep our Heavenly Father in mind and that He sent His own Son to come down and die for us lame, sick, selfish, bozo heads in the form of a baby boy. Instead of keeping our focus on Mariah Carey Christmas songs and gingerbread houses (which are fun!!), lets keep our focus on what we are called to do in this world, DO GOOD, LOVE EACH OTHER, and SHOW JESUS TO OTHERS. If you do all of this, it will feel like Christmas EVERY DAY.

Merry Christmas, everyone.

The Latest On My Life.

Wow has it been a crazy summer and now Fall.... there have been many changes in my life lately. Let me fill you in.

This summer was a rather busy summer. I was the assistant director for our Vacation Bible School program at our school which kept me busy for the majority of July. I also went camping for a week in the sweet mountains in Utah for work with my foster boys. It was really great and liberating to be in nature and go camping underneath the stars. It had been a really long time. There were a handful of graduations I attended this summer so that had me going out of town quite often... which I loved. In the midst of all of these projects and activities I was apart of, I worked.... I worked a lot. That alone kept me busy.

Now Fall is here I couldn't be happier. It's my absolute favorite season and I want it to last just a bit longer.

But here are some changes that have been taking place recently.

1. I have recently been appointed a couple of major leadership positions in the church and I am extremely happy about that. I am so happy knowing that I have been appointed positions in the church that will help bring others closer to Christ in some way. I feel honored and humbled to be entrusted to take on these roles by my church leaders.

2. My roommate from college is getting married and I'm the maid of honor! I am so happy for her and she deserves the best and feel so blessed to be apart of her special day. Wedding will be taking place next month in California. Stoked to be friends with her. Love you, Katelyn :)

 

3. My best gal friend also got engaged and her wedding will be next Fall! She is one of the people I know that deserve all of the love and happiness in the world and I am so happy she found it! So happy that I will also be able to share that day with you. Love you, Jackie!

4. Sooo I started up a "Jenn's Travel Fund" a few months back so I would be able to plan a trip to leave the country when the opportunity presented itself and now I get to use it! I'm GOING TO IRELAND!!!! Tis true! Ireland has been #1 on my bucket list of places to go visit since I was about 15 so I am glad that it is finally coming true. My gal pal Rachael and I will be going in the spring! I am also planning a trip to Chicago for a few days in February for the ONE project. Looking forward to visiting one of my favorite cities. Yay for traveling :)

5. Work is going well. I can't believe that I've already been there for almost 10 months now. There are days that I ask myself "What did I get myself into?" and there are some days that I remind myself "THAT'S WHY." I just got an evaluation by my supervisor a couple weeks ago and I appreciated the positive feedback. Guess I'm doin somethin right. Can't take the credit though. Super thankful that I have a God that hooks a sister up with knowledge and stuff. Note: If you are curious to know what I do for work, read previous posts.

6.  Thanksgiving this year was wonderful. Hung out with some friends in the outdoors with some great weather in the morning then had family over for Thanskgiving dinner (YUM tofu turkey!). With everything that I deal with in my job, I was extra thankful this year for the things that I do have in my life. I am thankful for a God that has my best interest at heart ALWAYS and that He has the answer for everything because I am one gal with A LOT of questions. I am also thankful for family. I have taken family for granted in the past but after working at my job, I have a new appreciation for family and I am thankful for that, especially knowing that there are so many kids in the world that don't have that. I am also thankful for positive friendships in my life. I am the woman that I am because of these three things: God, family, and positive and healthy friendships. The Lord really blesses me even though I don't deserve it. Amazing.

7. I'm ENGAGED!!!!!.... just kidding.


Other than all of this, life is still going well for me. I have a stable job that I actually enjoy going to and happy about where I am in life. However, I have not stopped planning and thinking about my future and making daily effort in doing the things I want to do in my life in the future and making sure I do my part in making these happen for me (move out of state, go to grad school, become financially independent, grow up, focusing on my walk with God, learning more about life, etc).

Update on the life of Jenn Ariza and looking forward to an even more busy Winter :)

God is good. Life is good. Donuts are good.

I'm out.

10 Things I Will Not Miss In Heaven

 

The beauty of being a believing Christian is having that sweet assurance that I will be going to heaven someday to hang out with my Jesus for eternity. No more troubles, pain, and sadness. When I think of that, I find myself thinking of more specific things that I will absolutely NOT miss.

 

Here are a few:

1. Politics
Yes, any political decision that is made can directly affect my work, my family, and myself. Yes, it is important to pay attention to and know what is going on in politics. But, it’s messy and I don’t like it very much.

2. Love handles
That bulge that sticks out just enough that makes me want to pull my pants up just a little higher so that the handle is not as obvious when it’s sticking out of my pants. Even though I eat well, low intake of sugar, and exercise on a regular basis, I still have that hand full of “love” on each of my sides that will NOT go away. They should be called hate handles instead because they are only getting bigger as I get older.













3. Dead animals
Thanksgiving turkey that still looks like a turkey. Fried Chicken. Steak. Road kill. Dead animals make me sad. One of the reasons why I am a vegetarian is because the concept of eating something that was living, breathing, and cute at some point and is now chillin on my plate---dead? No thank you.

4. Student loans
I am thankful and grateful for having the opportunity to go out of state and having an amazing college experience for those 5 years of my life. I discovered a lot about msyelf, found myself (for the most part), met some great people, learned a lot, and now have a college degree hanging on my wall. But now I'm in debt thousands of dollars to the government because of it. Sweet.















5. Menstral Cramps
That’s right…. I said it! Cramps! My appetite changes for those few days because either everything gets me nauseous or I want to eat every sweet and fried thing in sight. Did I mention it is absolutely painful? I am bloated so it looks like I’m 5 months prego. I’m not in the best mood because well…. would you be if you were in constant pain for 4 days and medicine didn’t work? You can’t call in sick to work because how lame does that sound. “Hi, boss. I can’t come in today. I’m throwing up because I’m cramping. No it’s not contagious….”

It sucks and it’s painful. End of story.

6. Keeping Up With the Kardashians
Need I say more?












7. Bad people
Bad people are mean. Bad people don’t give a snot. Bad people make horrible decisions. Bad people don’t know how to treat other people. Bad people are rude. Bad people need Jesus. Bad people need to just go away.

8. Speeding tickets
Okay okay okay…. Yes it is important to have rules and regulations to live in a safer community. But when you are going 80 on a 65 with no cars around you and no one is in danger and you’re driving back to Vegas from California on an open road… what’s the harm in that? Just sayin.

9. Break ups
I’ve experienced my share and I know I’m not the only one. Break-ups are something no one ever wants to go through. There is no medicine you can take to make the pain of a break up go away. There are many different ways to cope with a break up but many of them are not appropriate, healthy, or wise. You can’t take a medicine to erase the memories you had together. Appetites change. Life is different. You are different. Break-ups suck. Period.











10. Really really expensive stuff
$42 for a salmon at a fancy restaurant? $5 for a bottled water at a concert? $6 for a bag of candy at a theater? $8 for toilet paper? $84 for a blouse? Seriously… will this blouse get me a husband? Cure AIDS? End world hunger? What is so stinkin special about this blouse? Expensive and overpriced things have been one my pet peeve for years. What is so special about something that it has to be over priced? Ridiculous.