The Hokanson's

In a previous blog I told you about my friend Kelsey's dad. Things weren't getting any better or any worse. Yesterday Kelsey calls me when she got off work. I thought she was calling to see what I was doing, so I yell in excitement that it's spring break only to not hear a happy answer on the other end. I hear Kels crying. I immediately asked what was wrong. Through the tears, Kels somehow managed to get the words out that her dad passed away that morning. My heart sank! I didn't know what to think. I can't even imagine what Kels is feeling. When Kels got home we shed many tears together and talked about it. After several hours and tears Kelsey went home with her brothers to be with their mom. They are all doing pretty well considering the circumstances. I am amazed at Kelsey's strength! She is such a great friend and I know that I can count on her for anything. Right now they are making funeral plans and spending time together as a family. I think a few of us from Salt Lake are going to go up to the funeral on Monday.

Kels I want you to know I love you and am always here for you! You are amazing! I love you!

Festival of Colors

Today Kelsey, Becky, and I went to this Festival of Colors down in Spanish Fork. It is a Hindu thing to celebrate spring (I believe). At first I wasn't sure what was going on then Kels showed me some pictures before we left this morning and it looked so cool. So we ventured down to Spanish Fork. As we were arriving at the temple there we got really excited. We went and bought our chalk and started throwing it all over us and others, as well as others throwing it on us. I was nailed right in the ear to start off by some random person. Then they went and got Becky in the face. When the actual celebration started it was really cool. The arrangement of colorful chalk went flying in the air. The color was so vibrant and you couldn't breathe when you in the middle of it all. We found out the hard way. But needless to say it was a blast. We are already planning on going next year but going way more prepared with face masks!



Standing in line waiting for the shuttle "school bus"


Who's the genius who wrote this? I think they need to learn their spelling...


Where the party was at


Waiting for the shin-dig to start.. yes we were covered already


Throwin' some chalk


After the big cloud of chalk.. we were in the center and couldn't breathe so we moved



The aftermath....

When you least expect it

Life is good besides being sick once again! Monday I woke up with a sore throat, went to work and started losing my voice so I thought I was getting laryngitis again or allergies or a combination of both. Well Monday night I was feeling a lot worse and knew it was more than allergies. Tuesday I wake up for work and had a hard time breathing. I still went to work but stopped and got medicine on my way home. I am feeling tons better but still don't really have a voice and a stuffy nose, but at least I can breath a lot better.

On a happier note. I got a second date! Wohoo! And now this Friday we are going on a third date. I am super excited about it. Ryan is such a good guy. Thank you Ali and Jason! I still think it is pretty funny that his name is Ryan. Like mom said, you must be attracted to guys with the name Ryan. I told her that I guess I am. But as for now, we are not officially dating but like each other. I will keep you all updated. But life is great and I am still looking for work for the summer and for next school year.

I am so grateful for my roommate Kelsey! She is such a strong girl! Kelsey is going through one of the hardest things in life right now. A year ago last February, Kelsey's dad was diagnosed with Oral cancer. He had gone through all the treatments he could. When they thought it was over they guessed wrong. About a year later, this February, Kelsey's dad went to the doctor to have a check up before surgery. While there they discovered a sore on his chin and did some testing. The tests came back and more testing was done. After all this, they found out that he has lung and throat cancer and was given 4-6 months to live. He could have treatments but that would only prolong death. So needless to say, Kelsey's dad is miserable and going downhill pretty fast. Kelsey is holding on a lot stronger than I would ever be. I just love this girl! She is such a great example to me. I couldn't ask for a better roommate! I love you Kelsey!

I Gotta Feeling

This last weekend was so much fun.. it made the weekend fly by so fast! Friday night I went on a blind date with a guy named Ryan. Ali and Jason set it up and came with us so it wouldn't be completely awkward. We started the date off my going to a hockey game. Grizzlies won and we all had a great time. After the game we went to Winger's and got dessert then headed to Ali and Jason's and played games. We ended playing games and chatting until about 2 in the morning. It was so much fun! I haven't been on a good date in so long. As Ryan was leaving he asked for my number, so that's a good sign right? :) I am still waiting for him to call, hopefully I won't have to wait much loner. Then on Saturday Kelsey, Becky and I went over to Old Navy and got some cute skirts. Afterwards, we met up with Jeff and Brad and went to Park City for Brad's birthday. It was fun, we went shopping at the outlets then their grandma took us out for dinner. She is super sweet and funny. After Park City we went back to our apartment and played games until we realized we were losing an hour of sleep and parted. Sunday we went to church, then Ali and Jason's for dinner then back to our house for ward prayer. It was such a good weekend it flew by so quick. I hope the week goes by just as quick, so far it's not.

Job Fair

Today I went to a job fair held at BYU. My friend Becky and I went down. It was a joke trying to find parking. The first place we tried right next to the Wilkinson Center was full so he told us to go park at the other visitor center. We get there and as soon as we pull up the guard put a sign up that said lot is full. So Becky asked her where we can park and she was like over by the Marriott Center. So we go over and find our way there and couldn't find parking. We finally found parking and then ventured to find our way around BYU campus. Eventually we found the place and we were both nervous. As we are there we found a sign that said what districts were there. So we scoped out who we wanted to go see and walked around.

I wasn't planning on visiting with out of state districts but I spoke with San Jose school district and was kind of impressed but nothing really struck me. I kept going on through districts. I talked with Canyons, Alpine, Weber, Logan, Granite, and Nebo. Still not really any good feelings. I loved Granite schools, but I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that I work for them already with subbing and did my student teaching with them. Same with Canyons. Well, we were about done and we found Tooele School District and were like why not. So we listened to the spiel about the district. Depending on where you are at in their district they will pay your housing. Sounds good to me:) As I continued to listen I was becoming quite fond of this district. After all was said and done I walked away with a good feeling. So I am hoping that something will come from it. There are building 2 more elementary schools and a new high school. I am hoping that it will work out and I get job with them or Granite Schools... we'll see come the next few months! Cross your fingers and pray it will work out!