My Life Lately....

Hello everyone out there in blogging world! It has been a rather long time since I've graced you with my cyber blogging presence so I decided now would be as good a time as any to write the first of many updates to come for this year. And it allows me to catch all of you lovelies up on what's new, what's not and what's going on in Alycia's life.
People say, "Oh Alycia is so self-centered that she has to talk about herself online...." But the point of this blog is so people that want to know what's going on with me can. If you don't wanna hear me talk about my life....then why would you read my blog? That's right, you ponder that.

School:
I am taking a much needed semester off and then am contuining to work my way towards nursing school at Westminster. So I'm not at SUU which leads to the next part....

Living with the Parental Units:
While it may not be trendy or fiercely independent to move back in with your parents after living on your own- it sure is economically savvy. As in NO RENT. And even though curfews, having to participate in tons of "family bonding" (which I'm certain makes us more frustrated with each other...) and having to smell the hormonal and nauseating aroma of teen boy are all not my cup of tea- cushioning my savings account is right on the money. Pun most definitely intended. And since I'm not paying rent it allows me to save the majority of the money I make from....

My Jobs:
Currently I have 3. But it's more like 2 1/2... I work a regular 9-5 job as an administrative assistant which pays nicely and I ADORE the other assistant I work with which is always nice....downside- it's a bit of a commute.....but I'm over it. I also nanny part time and am a brand new product consultant with doTERRA. I am LOVING the essential oils and have weaned off of the boatloads of prescription meds that I was taking daily before. I feel so much better- almost like my body is happier without all that crap in it. Plus not having to take 16 pills a day is nothing short of lovely. So I've started a little savings fund that will continue to grow over time.

Dance:
A topic that still pains me....no longer part of the ballroom team, and not enrolled in classes....but there is a studio up in Salt Lake that I want to start up with that is all Latin all the time. Which makes my Latina soul smile :) ay ay!

El Amor de mi Vida:
Still very VERY happily dating James. October 4th was our 6th month dating anniversary (ahhhh.....) And it amazes me how every day with him still seems to get better and better. He's still living in Cedar, with his family in an effort to save money so we've been long distance since August- and I won't lie to you, at first it was really hard for me to adjust. I'm used to being the doting girlfriend with the guy who is never more than a short drive away. And after having him 5 minutes from me all summer....it used to get really annoying to not be able to run over to his house when I needed something or just wanted to see him. We've worked it out where we get to see each other twice a month, and I've gotten comfortable with it. The only thing that kills me is when one of us has had a really bad day, and I can't hug James. It will be really nice when we just get to come home to each other-  I am so looking forward to marrying him. And before all of you start panicking, no we're not engaged yet, and no you did not miss any epic proposal stories. Please allow your heart and breathing rates to return to normal.

My Family:
I'm enjoying the quality time that I do get to spend with my family. My brother Jackson is the sweetest boy ever! Whenever I've had a bad day, need a good laugh or even a TV watching buddy- he's always got my back. Jaime and I have actually gotten to spend some time together- and I feel like I'm getting to know her for the first time...the real her, the person she's growing into and it's beautiful and inspiring to watch her come into her own; and then it makes me wonder if I'm already that person? Or if we are constantly inching closer to the kind of person we ultimately want to become?   
It's been good to be around my mom again, she has a gift for being able to change any mood. Now that can also work in a negative way....but generally she helps me to calm down and feel more optimistic.
My dad lost his job two months ago and is still out of work, he is my enrolling consultant for doTERRA, but doTERRA is a business that you build over time- not instant money. The company he worked for still hasn't paid him his bonus or for the last paycheck he earned- but the bottom line is that the sooner he can find work the better.

Life in general:Everything has been distance for me. All of my very best friends are still at SUU, and so I haven't seen them in months- Lizzy is awesome about making sure that we keep up with each other's lives and we talk on the phone several times a week in an effort to stay current. :) That girl is the electricity behind the light of my life, I'm so grateful for her.
I feel so distanced from some things and then surrounded by others- my life doesn't feel like it's spiraling out of control...but I do sense the imbalance, like I'm choosing to ignore certain areas of my life. In an effort to reclaim some of the things I've temporarily abandoned- I've started reading again, like really really reading to get some mental stimulation going- it's nice to have time off from schoolwork....but every now and again, I miss the challenge and being able to conquer new material. I also make sure that I dance a few times a week. Even if it's just jamming out to music in my room- it keeps me centered to stay moving. James and I talk on the phone every night and are reading the book of mormon together- we're almost done with 2 Nephi now :)

Overall life is good, a little lonely at times- but never lacking in fullness. I hope this post finds you all in good spirits, healthy and happy.  The book I'm reading right now inspires me so much, but there is a particular quote that I feel ties together both this post and the tone of many of our lives,

                   "Try not to resist the changes that come your way. Instead let life live through you.
                                      And do not worry that your life is turning upside down.
                      How do you know that the side you are used to is better than the one to come?"

Until next time,
Bon Voyage