Thoughts of 30

Today is my last day in my 20's. I'm not going to lie. 29 was a very very hard year. I went through a lot of things that hurt and probably made me stronger. It's a year I think I am so thankful to move off of. But--it's probably a year I should be grateful for as well.

I think I learned that I can do anything I want to this year. I had many adventures and did many new things that I know my parents even question. I've heard my dad say many times that I must not be his daughter. I've met some amazing people too. I also have had opportunities to grow and become so much more.

But mostly--I've learned that I need to look for the joy in life. Amazingly--there are so many things that bring it. I think meeting new people, establishing new relationships in life with people, learning more about who I am, watching others find joy in their lives and families--these all bring joy. Sadly--I don't have more family than my parents and sisters--but I've had such opportunity to joy in their happenings and be proud of them for the things that they have done. I have some amazing sisters. And they are such examples to me of strength and obedience. I am lucky to have them. And my parents are absolutely amazing. They are my rocks. Through everything I have been through--my dad is there to listen to me--through tears and laughter--at evening or even 1 am. I am so grateful for amazing parents. Just like Nephi--I've been born of goodly parents.

Looking forward to the future though--I am seeing a lot of reasons to have hope. I have so much to offer the world. Never in my wildest dreams as a child would I have imagined myself where I am today. I always figured I'd get married, have a family, etc. But--I'm grateful I've had this chance to be where I am and go through what I have gone through. I never would have imagined that I could amount to so much. I know that I didn't do this alone--I had a lot of help and guidance from a loving Heavenly Father who has put things in my life that I know have put me where I am. I can't really say all of what I'm deciding right now--because I need to finalize it and figure it out more. But--I can say this much. I am better than I was before. And grateful.

SO--30 scares me some--it is a big number. But--the opportunities that lay ahead and the chances I have to grow are exciting. And I pray that the Lord and I see eye to eye on our timing and that I can make the most of me to best serve Him in the world. I don't know all what I'm going to amount to here--but I know this much. I have potential to be a goddess. And I have potential to do amazing things. I just have to keep believing and have faith.

So even though 30 frightens me a little, I think it is going to be a year of extreme growth. If you have been a follower--get prepared...because I think I've got some things in my future this year that will surprise many of us :)

Here's to 30. As from one of my favorite movies--

So--goals for the new year--be 30, flirty and thriving! Here's to 30!

Ribs and Ice Cream?

I'm blogging tonight because I have got to get some thoughts out. For those who follow--Matt and I decided not to date anymore this past week. And I've been okay with it. He's a good friend and I'll probably always look to him as such. But--after the many times I've been "dumped" this year--I couldn't help but think of this clip:

I know it is silly to think these things--but how true is it? I mean--a guy can tell you how great you are as he is telling you he just doesn't see it going any farther--and that you are going to make a great wife to someone someday. But really?

Anyway--I am grateful for the chance I had to date Matt. I learned a bit from him--about what I want and what I need in a relationship. He was also very motivating for me as to my career and job. I think he reminded me of why I do what I do.

But--in a nutshell--change is always good to. I think I need time to refocus on me again--I find with each break up I have--I go through this whole "who am I?" phase. But--this time--I feel like I know me. But--I still feel like I need to work on me.

I have recently decided to work on my doctorate. This is going to be a challenge for me--I need to figure out financing and if I can even get into the program. I figure I'll take it one step at a time. But--I know that it is something I need to do--I can't just sit and wait for life to happen to me. This is the motto of my life--a lesson I learned from Elder Bednar in college.

So--for now--we'll cross our fingers that I can figure it all out.

Also--other good news--maybe. I have been invited to be on the Utah National Board Coalition Board. Whether or not this is a good thing--I don't know. But I'm excited for an opportunity to do something more to try to help teachers in Utah.

So--here's to change! Hopefully I can survive it all!

I'm not missing...yet

October 18, 2011

I really am not missing--just way behind. And realizing how much I have missed blogging on here. I have been through a lot the last few months since I blogged and I have gotten way behind. I'll have to play catchup again sometime--but for now--I want to post about what has been happening to me most recently.

I became an aunt! My baby sister Kimberly had a baby on October 5. Carter Kim Gundersen entered the world at a whole 7 lbs. and my whole family is thrilled--especially my mother who is now calling herself grandma. She has never been grandma--but Big Sister. This will be such a fun addition for Caleb and Kimberly. He's a handsome little boy and I'm excited for the chance I have to be his aunt.

My mom is heard to be saying, "He's sooo cuuuute!" And he sure is. I am thrilled to have this experience.


Another thing I think people are questioning me on is my dating. Which--yes--I am dating. I have been dating a nice man for the past 3 months. His name is Matt and I think he's pretty great. He's one of the smartest guys I have ever spent my time with and just being with him makes me feel like maybe I have potential to be smart too.

Matt and I met a while back at the National Board Dinner (I think that may have been in February)--yes--he is also National Board Certified. I didn't really get to know him then, but we saw each other at a few different National Board events.

Us at the National Boards at the Capitol Day

When I first saw him--I don't really remember thinking much about it because I was dating someone else at the time. I do remember the thought popping into my head--"I wonder what it would be like to date someone as achieving as him?" And look, here I am.

Honestly--it's not the easiest thing dating Matt--we've had our share of ups and downs--but I find overall just knowing him has been very rewarding. If nothing else from this relationship--I am grateful for one more thing from passing my boards, and that is my friendship with him and the renewed passion he has shown for teaching. He truly is one of the best teachers I know and the students he teaches each day are surely some of the luckiest Jordan District can have.

I'm usually not very vocal at all about guys I date on here--usually I leave everyone guessing. Mostly it boils down to the idea that I don't want to disappoint anyone with my break ups or the disappointment of things not working out with a certain guy. But--for some reason tonight I am just so proud of this guy. He dedicates his life to making the world better for his high school students and I just am so thankful for his example. He reminds me on days when I am exhausted from my job that maybe it is worth it--maybe there is a kid out there who will look back and say, "Miss Merritt--in 1st grade, she taught me to love learning." And that makes it all worth it.

So--as for the future--who knows. I like the guy a lot. And I am sure no matter what happens, we will always be friends. I guess for now--we'll just all wait and see. But--Matt--I am thankful you have taken a chance on me and let me into your life. Hopefully I can be just as amazing to make you just as proud.

Yoga

September 4, 2011

So--I haven't really caught up all the way on my blogging--I still have a few stories left to go to get caught up! But--I have started doing Yoga this past week. I had made a personal goal in my physical goals to work on flexibility--I have never been very flexible--period. But, my friend Bridger was buying a livingsocial deal to do yoga and he invited me to join him. We also bought one for our friend Roque for his birthday. So--the three of us have been attending yoga here in Draper. It has been interesting. I went four times this week. And I love the way it makes you feel--physically and mentally. Well--my body maybe hates it a little--I still am not great at being flexible (I still have never been able to reach my toes). But--my spirit is enjoying the time to meditate and ponder about me and my being. It is also nice to just think about breathing. I love the new age relaxing music that we listen to as we do the poses. And I love feeling the muscles in my body that I didn't even realize I had. But--four times may have been to much for 3 days!

So--I have a new goal to continue to go to Yoga at least a couple times a month to put me in the right zone of thinking. The deal we bought only lasts us for two weeks, but this studio also has free classes on Friday evenings. So--if I have free time on a Friday night (ha--it may be happening more now that I've made some recent decisions...in the past few weeks I've decided to narrow my dating down to one guy...) you might be able to find me at yoga.

It has made my mind think so much more differently lately. It is more focused and relaxed.

What U Get

August 28, 2011

I am having a ponder moment tonight. Tonight while I was listening to my Backstreet Boy Pandora station as I was driving home from Heber, it played Britney's What U Get--I hadn't heard it in forever--and as I was listening to it--the thought crossed my mind that I am what I am...and I can't really change that. Forgive me as I have a relive my teenage years moment by listening to Britney...

I've been dating a lot of different guys in the last year or so--and as I've reflected on it--I am me. And that is who I am...and it is pretty much the way it is. I can't change who I am from each relationship--but--I can learn and become better from each one. But--I have learned this about myself: I am this spontaneous girl who loves to have fun and learn at the same time. And I like the way I am...

Really--I can only become better, right? Maybe that is what it is all about--liking who you are and working to become even better. Hopefully someday one lucky man will realize that :)

Anyway--maybe I'm tired and my pondering is off...but just food for thought.

Journey!

July 21, 2011

My friends Dorothy and Shannee and I decided we needed to go to the Journey concert at Rio Tinto this summer. I love LOVE Journey! It was a great concert live!

Foreigner opened for them and I knew a few of their songs. But I knew most of Journeys--thanks to growing up in the 80's. It was a pretty amazing concert!

Donut Falls With Gabe

July 20, 2011

My friend Gabe and I got two hikes in this summer--a new record for us. We usually get just one! We decided to hike to Doughnut Falls because he'd never been there before. So--we went. It was so wet! The water levels were high.