WitChes do It best!

So three of my best college friends (Melissa, Jenni, and Buffy) came to visit Me and Jo in Boston. Because it was so rainy on their first day here we decided to head to Salem cause it would mostly be in doors. We couldnt resist the witch photography place... Pretty Hot witches right?!






Our trip to Salem was complete...

3, 2, 1 . . . . . TAKE OFF

Two posts in one day… I think this is a record…



Anyway one of the many wonderful aspects of having MS is that I get to go and have a MRI done on a regular basis…. today was one of those lucky days. As I sat there in the machine, I had time to ponder, and I couldn’t help but think of this analogy.
‘The analogy of my trip to space… and getting a MRI.’ I don’t know how many of you have had one but if you have, you too may have thought of this very analogy…. Here is the evidence to back up my thoughts.
1. I arrive at the hospital full of anticipation…. Just as I would the launching pad if I were getting ready to head off to space.

2. I am then given a change of clothes…. I must be in the proper hospital attire… no metal objects allowed. Astronauts too need to be wearing the right uniform.

3. Just look at the thing… does it not look like some weird spaceship?


4. The next step is that you have to get properly strapped in. It is pretty much like a seatbelt to my head. No weird movements allowed.

5. Ear plugs in….. I have to be able to communicate to the outside world.

6. It is just about take-off…. The MRI technician goes in the other room and through a microphone announces how long til “take off.”

7. This is where the fun begins. Loud, weird, alien like noises are a constant reminder of where I am. It really is like I am communicating to the aliens and trying to decipher the message they are sending me. Even with the alien voices being communicating to me I continue to have access to my commander (the MRI technician).

8. After another few good rounds of banging, the commander informs me that I am going to be taken out and given some kind of liquid that enhances the MRI images… he is pretty much saying that I need to refuel my tank. So the fluid (gas) is inserted and we are off again. Back into the space ship we go for some more communicating with the aliens.

9. After more communicating with the aliens… It was time to head back to earth. The voyage was over…. To top off the analogy…. Just as I was coming out of the MRI machine I look up and notice that the ceiling was painted like the sky…..with clouds and all. I really was coming back to earth. haha ... classic.

So ya that was my fun adventure.. as lame as it was, that really was all I could think about during my appt. Fun times!

Gentleman.... Start Your Engines!!

Memorial weekend a group of my friends and I decided to take the 14 hour drive down to North Carolina for the purpose of white trashing it up at the CocaCola 300 NASCAR race. This was my second annual visit so I felt like quite the veteran. It was as fun and entertaining as I had hoped it to be for round 2. We got dressed down for the race, took lots of pics, did lots of people watching, ate lots of nasty racing food, witnessed crashes, and really just had a good time with friends. This year I also understood so many more of the rules of racing. I can now say that I can call myself a legitimate nascar fan. I know the rules, the racers, and the hate that racers between each other. Here are some pics!



We had a great time!!! Thanks T and her family for being such awesome hosts!

I am a MASTER!

GRADUATION.... the day finally arrived!! It was such an amazing feeling to know that I had worked hard to make it to my Masters Graduation. Coming into the day I was filled with both excitement and anxiety. The excitement because the days of homework, sitting in class, and researching were finally coming to a close. The anxiety because I was given the honor of being the student speaker at the "School for Health Studies" ceremony. Having the honor was def a double edged sword. As most of you know, I am not someone that likes the attention... and I dont enjoy speaking in large public settings. I should have said No but I felt obligated. I have never been able to say No to people.
So the graduation itself was interesting.... and Long... too long... thanks to Crazy Lady Bianca Jagger. She was the commencement speaker for the whole college. I think that she got confused as to where and who she was speaking to. The entire speech was completely political. She covered topics from gas prices to human rights to Obama to global warming to Prejudism to the Bush administration. Not once did she address words of hope, direction, and congrats to the graduates.....Those in the audience were literally booing. Some individuals even walked out. Quite entertaining. ya she was pretty much crazy and off her rocker. Oh ya on top of all that she went WAY TOO LONG. She had been given 15-20 minutes to speak and she went on for 40+ minutes. She read off every word of her 22 paged single spaced address. I am never going to forget this day.... and now when I am in a boring, long talk..... I will think back to Bianca and realize that nothing can be that bad.
So ya.... that was my graduation. My speech turned out great... although a bit nervous I think I did ok. It was neat to be honored and to sit up on the stage with the college president, the dean, and my professors. Good times... and I am so glad that it is OVER!
It was also so fun to have my mom, dad, erin, tyler, and Jackson with me to celebrate this occasion. I want to say THANK YOU to them for their support and love over the years. I couldnt ask for a better family.

More pics of me at Graduation...

After graduation we went down to the North End.. at the best Italian Food, got some goodies from Mike's Pastries, and enjoyed the nice weather outside! It is always fun to share my life here in Boston with my family. They can finally see what it is first hand what my life is like here in Boston.

I also go to take them to a Red Sox game. We got rained out friday night... so it got re-scheduled for Sat.... which turned out to be the perfect night for baseball. These are pics from the rain out night...

a CraZy few weeks

I finally have a moment to breathe and reflect upon the last few weeks. It is has been packed full of final projects, research presentations, work, family visiting, half-marathon training, and a dash of fun. Yesterday I finished my Masters research project presentatin, so now I am finished!!! It is such a relief to have that finished up. I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders... now just graduation to go (this sat).

Tyler, Erin, and Jackson have been out visiting for the past week and I have loved having them here! Jack is pretty much the greatest, most cute, most fun kid ever. I love that I have been able to spend some time with them. It just wont be the same when the head back to pheonix.

My 2nd half-marathon was on Sat! For some reason I was more nervous for this one than my first. I think it was the fear that I wouldnt do as well.... but no reason to fear... I completed it with even a better time! I finished with a personal best of 1 hour 52 minutes. My goal was to get under 1:58, so I was pumped that I ran the 13 miles that fast.

Almost at the finish line... yes I look hammered.

I still dont understand how people run 13 more miles on top of what I did. I think all you marathoners are crazy! The best part of the run was that I had so many friends do it with me. There were about ?50-60? from my wards.

team "Sweetfeet"

I have to give a special shout out to JoAnna cause I was her running "Made" coach. She completely rOcked the race and I am so so so proud of her cause I know how much she didnt want to do the race. haha. Although she claims she wont ever do it again, I am pretty sure I can get her to do another one in a year. Jo and the rest of my friends that ran as well were my inspiration... knowing that they were going through the same thing I was, was what got me through those hills at mile 9.

Jo, Me, and T - - - You girls are amazing.


My nephew Jackson was there to cheer me on.

Not much else going... My mom and dad will be here in Boston in a few days for my graduation! I am excited to see them...

Here are a few pics from my friend Laura's Circus B-day! Of course we had to dress up a little.




Let Summer Begin!!

It's Official... Boston does believe in Spring!

So Boston finally got the memo(a little late) that Spring is supposed to arrive in March.... cause this last week has been BEAUTIFUL. I finally think that SPRING is here to stay.... About time!

I love spring because...
-One my wardrobe doubles... shorts, capris, and t-shirts. Oh ya and flip-flops!!
-I dont have to bore myself to death by running on the treadmill... running anything over 5 miles on a moving belt is not my idea of fun.
-School is almost over.. just a few more weeks. Pray that me and my roommates survive!
-Friends and family from Utah start making plans to come visit me in Boston. Can't wait to see my Mom, Dad, Tyler, Erin, Jackson, Melissa, Jenni, Buffy, & hopefully Whitney B. and Brittany in the next two months!!
-At restaurants you can eat outside on the patios... gotta love that.
-I dont have to dread walking my mile to the T in the freezing cold everyday.

I hope you are enjoying the Spring as much as I am!

Sox are back ON!

2.5 hours of waiting in line... 13 friends... 390 dollars... 70 degrees of perfect weather... 2 hours of pre-game hangout... 1 Fenway Frank... onry snob in front of us.... 1 Grand Slam by Big Papi... 9 innings... 21 strands of twizzlers... 2 disgruntled security guards... 1 stadium full of Puerto Ricans... 37 chants of 'Milton Bradley'... 3 season ticket seats... 1000's of crazy(drunk) fans... 16+ pictures... 1 Victory = BEST DAY EVER... Gotta Love the Sox.


Me and Nat... we arent just pretending we are hard core... we are hard core. The glasses were a gift left by our friendly bunch of friends that sat in front of us. Thanks guys!

Walking for a Cause!

Today was 'that' day where I realize how much I love boston. Winter has finally left(lets hope for good), and my day was filled with pure awesomeness. I had been planning a MS charity walk for a few months now and had invited all who wanted to participate in it to join me. It was a 5 mile walk along the south shore to help raise money to find a cure for MS. It was probably the free t-shirt, but I talked six of my friends into joining me! We had a great time. The past few months we have been trying to earn money.. my team "Marsea" had set a goal of raising at least $1500. With the help of all my amazing friends, family, and random acquaintences..... we met our goal. We earned exactly $1500. I am in awe as to how generous all of you are. It never fails to amaze me to see the love and willingness you each show to me! I dont have any doubt in my mind that a cure is going to be found and one day I will be FREE of MS! This is only possible because of how great you all are. Anyway the walk turned out to be a huge success. It was a beautiful morning, I was with great friends, and we got to walk along the coast in the fun new england town of Cohassett. The atmosphere was so fun and I always get so inspired by people that are willing to give of themselves to help others.


I really do want you all to know that I appreciate all the thoughts, prayers, and love that you have shown me over the past year that I have had MS! It means the world to me that I have such a great support system. Wish you each could have joined me in the walk... but dont worry, NEXT YEAR I am recruiting you all.
At the finish line. We made it .... and are one step closer to finding a cure!

Oh ya I thought that I needed to add a few pics from the party my friend Natalie put on to raise money for the walk. She came up with the fun idea of "Cupcakes for a Cause." Look at all the amazing cupcakes she made and sold as charity!! Thanks nat for rocking and creating such a fun event. It means the world to me.

Me and Natalie... the amazing chef that busted out all these cupcakes.

This is what else has kept me sane the last few weeks.

BLUE MAN GROUP... I especially loved getting mobbed and strangled by rolls and rolls and rolls of toilet paper.


Rockin' it at the 'silver pearl' cocktail party.

Also went to a Tristan Prettyman concert at Paradise Lounge. She was great.
Other than that have just been trying to keep my head above water with all my homework and work stuff to get completed before the end of MAY! I am literally going crazy trying to get everything accomplished. Just trying to take it one day at a time... and then it will all be oveR!