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Wednesday, December 31, 2008

2008: Great Year!

Wow! I cannot believe it's New Year's Eve! I am really excited to begin 2009 with a bang! I'm hoping 2009 can be just as good, if not better, than 2008! I've had a fortunate year filled with great things: trip to Hawaii, promotion at work, meeting a very special someone, adventurous and spontaneous trips to St George and Vegas, late nights with friends, Desert Star Theatre productions with my family every month, a new niece, finding out another new niece will be arriving, making new friends, accepting my stake calling - it has really taught me responsibility, Casey leaving on a mission after 19 years of dreaming, and many, many more. I'm excited to see what 2009 will bring and I've already started working on my New Year's resolutions! I hope everyone had a great year and Happy New Year!

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Merry Christmas!

I wanted to post this early since the Holidays tend to get crazy! As they already have been! I'm grateful for this time of year where we can really reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. I've been bad about not focusing on Christ as much as I should or wanted to the last few years but I've regained a strong testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ. I'm thankful for who He is and what He's done for all of us. I'm grateful I can freely bear testimony of Jesus Christ. I know He lives, I know He loves us and that He died for our sins. He understands and carries our burdens when they are heavy and I take advantage of this greatest gift all the time. I want anyone and everyone to know I love Him and will continually work hard to show Him I appreciate and love Him with all of my heart.

As a gift, I want to share these two links that have really touched my heart and spirit this Christmas time. The first is the website of the artist who created Reflections of Christ. My new favorite book.

http://mabrystudios.typepad.com/reflections_of_christ/2008/03/reflections-sli.html


Merry Christmas!!

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

A Tribute to Lidia

One of the greatest girls known to me and on earth moved here to Utah last year and I was privileged to work with her for a year. During that year we became (I would consider) great friends. We worked close together and developed a great friendship. Last week, after a lot of consideration and prayerful decisions, she broke the news that she is moving back to Texas to be with her family. I will REALLY miss her as she has been a HUGE strength to me that only she can understand. I am forever grateful for her influence in my life and her outstanding friendship. As a tribute to you, Mango, I want to list my favorite memories I've had with you!!

1. Remember that night in Tooele out by Jason's in the summer? Oh yeah! Only you would join with me in such an adventure!!
2. Our nightly walks to improve our health that only lasted a month. I loved that we'd walk the track behind my house for three miles every night while listening to our Ipods and singing. Me my Kosy songs, and you, your Latino specialties!
3. Watching Will and Grace together!
4. Our FUN trip to St George and Vegas with Shelley and Summer and we were both so fascinated by the fancy toilets we took our pictures on them!
5. Going to the aquarium for your birthday only to try and convince KayCee to pet the sting rays!
6. Me falling down the stairs and you laughing for hours while I was attempting my Spanish.
7. Watching you try to stomach Hunan!
8. Being the first person, with Shelley, to witness your reaction of your first time seeing snow!
9. The day you told us the story about the accident you passed. You know, the "behicle that carries dead bodies?" and the flowers were strewn all over the freeway! LOL!
10. Our three movies in one night...same theater!
11. Us shopping at the Asian market!! Haha! And those nasty fluffy frozen things.
12. You stealing my Spencer away from me! Although, dang we both love that little guy!
13. You and me entertaining ourselves all night in the emergency room with Shelley. We played with the gloves, the bed, the chair and even the hospital gowns...
14. Making my grandma pee her diaper with your stories about you and your grandma. Haha!

Amiga, never a dull moment when you're around! Although I'm totally bummed you bailed as my roommate, and our Guatemala trip, I'm SO THANKFUL you were my friend! And that we'll be friends forever! I'm excited to visit you in Texas then catch the plane over to Guatemala! Remember amiga.... Alotra latho de rio aveo una garca greefa con sinco Home Depot. Saluthe. Diamo. Amor! Ciao!

Friday, December 12, 2008

Count your many blessings name them one by one..

I had a really bad day today, so I've always been told to count your blessings in those times when you feel it's not enough. Besides, what a great season to list your thankfuls:

* My family of course. I have been so blessed with the best family. Not much more I can say about them as a whole other than they are wonderful.
* My mom. Yeah this can technically count as 'family' but she's my hero and definitely knows me inside out and is a HUGE support.
* My Dad. He's my number one man and one of my number one fans. He is always thinking I can conquer the world and views me as someon special. I've been really lucky to have a father with such a humble nature.
* My friends. What in the world would I do with out you? Whether I see you everyday or those I went to high school with. You'll never know your impact on me.
* Maren Halverson. What an influence she has been on me growing up. Her testimony was beyond profound and I always felt I could sense exhaltaion with her around. She certainly blessed so many lives. Click HERE to read about Maren.
* Food. 'Nough said.
* Living where I am, who I am. I heard a lesson in RS once about the chances of someone being born a female, in the United States, in Utah, to parents still together, and in the covenant. Very slim is all I can remember. Dang I'm lucky.
* My job. I've been really lucky despite missing out on furthering a degree that I've really progressed in my job. I've come to really love it and it's opened many opportunities and learning experiences for me.
* My calling. It is so intense but has taught me to be more responsible and that procrastination doesn't work well in the Church!
* Alma 26. My favorite chapter in the Book of Mormon. Having been someone who has fought depression, this has been a sacred and hopefelt chapter for me to refer to.
*Speaking of Relief Society, I have the BEST Relief Society! It's my home ward and I will never part from it! These ladies are the ladies I look up to most!
* Financially independent. Sorta. Yeah so I live in my parents' basement apartment, but I can afford my own clothes, car, bills, etc. My parents taught me at a young age at the importance of financial obligations!
* Having a car. Living in China, I've learned this is a luxury.
* Music. Ah, music. Nothing makes me feel the spirit stronger than Church music, and they types of songs I listen to can express my mood.
* Laughter. I love to laugh. I love to make people laugh. I love to laugh at myself.

Last but not least

* JOY. Jesus Others and You. I learned once that the difference between happiness and joy is one is temporarily euphoric and rather worldly while the other is everything good AND happy all together; love, hope, Christ, family, friends, knowing who you are.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Heartache

I hope she'll forgive me for this, but I figured because I treat this blog like a journal, this is something I would normally do in a regular journal entry.

Yesterday I got news from a family in my ward concerning a really close friend of mine I grew up with, Abby. She and I have drifted apart the last few years due to lives changing since high school. We've kept in contact and I found out she was pregnant and so excited for her baby girl to arrive! I knew she was due any day and I've been waiting for her to message me about it. Well her family called to tell me she did have her baby, but it died during labor. Of course, she is heartbroken, but she has kept up good faith in this difficult trial. I hope that despite what she's gone through (not even with this pregnancy) that she decides to draw close to the Lord and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If she does and makes right choices, she will be able to raise this beautiful baby girl Olivia. Please, especially if you know her, keep her and her family in your prayers.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Have you..

Here's how it works: Bold and color all the things that you have done in your life. (this was given from Mindi's blog!)


1. Started your own blog 2. Slept under the stars 3. Played in a band 4. Visited Hawaii 5. Watched a meteor shower 6. Given more than you can afford to charity 7. Been to Disneyland 8. Climbed a mountain 9. Held a praying mantis 10. Sang a solo 11. Bungee jumped 12. Visited Paris 13. Watched a lightning storm at sea 14. Taught yourself an art from scratch 15. Adopted a child 16. Had food poisoning 17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty 18. Grown your own vegetables 19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France 20. Slept on an overnight train 21. Had a pillow fight 22. Hitch hiked 23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill 24. Built a snow fort 25. Held a lamb 26. Gone skinny dipping 27. Run a Marathon 28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice 29. Seen a total eclipse 30. Watched a sunrise or sunset 31. Hit a home run 32. Been on a cruise 33. Seen Niagara Falls in person 34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors 35. Seen an Amish community 36. Taught yourself a new language 37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied 38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person 39. Gone rock climbing 40. Seen Michelangelo’s David 41. Sung karaoke 42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt 43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant 44. Visited Africa 45. Walked on a beach by moonlight 46. Been transported in an ambulance 47. Had your portrait painted 48. Gone deep sea fishing- 49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person 50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris 51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling 52. Kissed in the rain 53. Played in the mud 54. Gone to a drive-in theater 55. Been in a movie 56. Visited the Great Wall of China (close enough) 57. Started a business 58. Taken a martial arts class 59. Visited Russia 60. Served at a soup kitchen 61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies 62. Gone whale watching 63. Got flowers for no reason 64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma 65. Gone sky diving 66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp 67. Bounced a check 68. Flown in a helicopter 69. Saved a favorite childhood toy 70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial 71. Eaten Caviar 72. Pieced a quilt 73. Stood in Times Square 74. Toured the Everglades 75. Been fired from a job 76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London 77. Broken a bone 78. Been on a speeding motorcycle 79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person 80. Published a book 81. Visited the Vatican 82. Bought a brand new car 83. Walked in Jerusalem 84. Had your picture in the newspaper 85. Read the entire Bible 86. Visited the White House 87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating 88. Had chickenpox 89. Saved someone’s life 90. Sat on a jury 91. Met someone famous 92. Joined a book club 93. Lost a loved one 94. Had a baby 95. Seen the Alamo in person 96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake 97. Been involved in a law suit 98. Owned a cell phone 99. Been stung by a bee

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

8 Tag

I've been tagged by my cousin Michelle, so here goes!

8 TV SHOWS:
1. FRIENDS
2. Will & Grace
3. The Office (when I watch it..)
4. The Price is Right
5. Deal or No Deal
6. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
7. GSN
8. GSN

* I love game shows and I don't watch much TV so don't laugh*

8 THINGS THAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY:
1. Didn't have to work
2. Went bowling
3. Went to the Asian Market and bought crazy food with Lidia. YUM!
4. Went Visiting Teaching
5. Ate Cafe Rio
6. Finished the last season of Will and Grace with Lidia waiting for her car to be done (pathetic, I know)
7. Cooked authentic Chinese dumplings to which no one liked except me
8. Slept in a little

8 FAVORITE PLACES TO EAT:
1. Pawitt's Royal Thai
2. Joy Luck
3. Lonestar
4. Spaghetti Factory
5. Outback (yes..I love steak)
6. Joe's Crab Shack
7. Subway
8. McDonald's (gross huh?)

8 THINGS I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO:
1. Christmas
2. Summer (I hate snow and winter!)
3. Guatemala!! (Yes Lidia..I've blogged it! It's official!!)
4. Getting down to a size 6 again
5. Possibly starting school again
6. A new year with new goals
7. Selling my car
8. Getting a newer, better, durable car!

8 THINGS ON MY WISH LIST:
1. A new car
2. Be skinnier
3. Traveling
4. No loans and more money!
5. A new phone
6. A husband! Eventually... :)
7. My own place
8. A diploma from school

I now tag all of my friends and family!

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Urban Dictionary...This is great!

So my infatuation with www.urbandictionary.com began a few years ago when I accidently let the word "Wenis" slip at work. Boy was I razzed until I could prove through this hilarious website that a definition of the word exists! Well, today, out of boredom, I looked up my name just to see what would come up.

First I tried "Sammi:"

*I apologize about some of the words/language used*


1. Sammi

A Girl That Is Funny, Likes To Drive Around And Acts Like A Kid. Very Sexually Driven.
"Did you see that Sammi girl today?" "Yeah she was driving like a right twat, must have been sexually frustrated!"

2. Sammi

If you see a chick that looks like she robbed Hot Topic and is wearing everything all at once, she's a sammi. Sammis are always girls. Usually they look like they have no idea if they're goth, emo or punkrawkers, and most of the time they just look like posers. If you see one, try not to laugh. Also name of a Japanese pop star. I think.
"Ohmigod, girlfriend, she's such a sammi. Let's laugh."


I literally laughed out loud and my first thought was, "When Lidia reads this..I will never live this down." So I decided to take a more feminine, mature approach and try "Samantha:"


1. Samantha

Usually a name for a person that is a walking Goddess. Gorgeous to the maximum, fun to talk to, easy to befriend with a sexy booty. Often pulls off the innocent act but she gets around.

"Damn, that Samantha is too cute for words."


2. Samantha

A sexy female who if you are not currently dating you should get with. Samanthas are women of beauty and booty and usually a gorgeous blonde. They are all you wish you had and the best choice for a girl friend. (unless you know a samantha who is a man) If you date or dated these gorgeous Samantha's you have all you'll ever need or you are mental and let the best thing you had go, without realizing it. Samantha's are the best in bed even if they appear they aren't. Get to know your Samantha because studies show many grow up to be nude models just out of the blue.

boy 1: i cant believe i let samantha go boy 2: yea dude you're such an idiot. do u not know how awesome she REALLY is? you didnt even give her a shot boy 1: im an idiot.

Now this is more like it!!! I'm officially ONLY Samantha for the rest of my life!

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Seven Addictions Tag

I now tag Marne', Summer, Lidia, KayCee, Brenna, and Mallory.

List Seven Addictions:

1) ICE: Oh my gosh. This is an addiction for me. I'm crazy about crunching ice. Especially the kind that comes from those fridges. Yum!

2) HERSHEY'S WHITE CHOCOLATE COOKIES AND CREAM: I love those candy bars. Hands down. They are my guilty pleasure. I award myself one at least once a week.

3) CELL PHONE: Oh yeah..it shows the generation I belong to, but I live to have my phone for two reasons: texting and Solitaire.

4) EMILY, RACHEL, AND EVA: These are my favorite girls I know. My three beautiful nieces are the best and I can't stand to be away from them long. Emily is my first niece who is becoming brilliant, Rachel is my drama queen who just adores me back, and my sweet Eva is my kindred spirit in a baby. I swear she's mine but since God said I'm taking too long, He sent her to my brother :) These girls are perfection!!

5) DIET COKE AND FRIES: Oh yeah...I've fallen in the trap of Diet Coke, but I LOVE this stuff!! Fries have always been my weekness. This is the sole reason I am not losing weight as fast as I hoped!

6) CUDDLING: A very typical girl thing, but I cannot have enough of it. There is nothing better than cuddling with your special honey and smelling the cologne. Yep. Addicted.

7) ACCESSORIES: Of all sorts. I hate clothes shopping because I'm fluffy and it depresses me to shop, but I LOVE LOVE LOVE shoes, jewelry and makeup. I would be fine wearing pj's as long as I had some amazing shoes to go with it!

Well there you go...seven addictions of Samantha Wright...sad to say that a lot are foods and not so healthy ones....

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Update!

I feel like this should be one of those "Dear Diary...Sorry I haven't written in forever!.." type of an entry. Life has been good. I have an amazing life and I'm so lucky for that!



Lets see the last month or so has been pretty full and fun! At the beginning of the month, I took Jon to a Jazz game for his birthday. Granted, it was only pre-season, but I did manage to get sixth row tickets at a decent price. And lets face it, any price is worth being that close to Kyle Korver! We had a lot of fun there and definitely something I'm glad I did!


In the middle of October, Shelley, Lidia and myself decided to randomly take a mini road trip down to St George to visit Summer for the weekend. So we packed up and left straight after work one Friday night and made it to St George in a short three hours. Shelley drove as you can tell :) While we were there, we decided to book it to Vegas for a day. I have never been to Vegas and have always wanted to see what it was like. I felt that as the time of day gets later, the trashier it gets. I haven't breathed in that much smoke since I lived in China and I had the worst headache that night. None the less, we did manage to have a blast and steal a few pics..














This is us later in the afternoon ready to get some food and order a virgin drink, just to say we did :)

Below is me and my favorite Summer!





















This is me at they Wynn Hotel's public bathrooms. Seriously, have you ever seen a more amazing toilet?! I just had to have Lidia take one!




This is the floor level of the Wynn Hotel where we briefly wandered around... If you can't tell its the Casino....seriously, maybe its just because I always go to Motel 6's and this was the first place we stopped, but I couldn't get over how incredible this hotel looked! We parked right outside of it and we walked through the doors and immediately to our right was a room full of Ferrari's. Tell me that isn't amazing.
And last but not least, a view of the Venetian Hotel. This was, by far, the prettiest part of the strip. They architecture here was out of this world. It was so beautiful!

All in all, the short trip to Vegas was fun, but something we were glad we did for only a few hours. We now know, first hand, why it is called Sin City.


A last update to give is my birthday! I turned 22 this past week and celebrated for a full week it seemed like! My friends were so good and made sure my birthday was something special. Lidia and KayCee took me to get a makeover and then helped me splurge on the makeup! Saturday was completely scheduled out for Jon. He made sure the whole day was filled with things I wanted to do. He picked me up around 9:30, we made breakfast, spent the morning in Snowbird (which I love!), then had lunch, a short nap for Sam while he watched the Hulk I think, then to Massage Envy! I had told him a while back how much I had wanted a massage! I had never had a professional one and he remembered and bought me an hour long massage. Right after that was dinner. Since he knew how much I love all kinds of Asian foods, he took me to Bonsai. We sat with two other really fun couples and had a blast. Despite having the cook literally toss a shrimp into my eye, the food was terrific! Last but not least, to end the night of with a kick, we hit Nightmare on 13th! I LOVE haunted houses, anything scary, but I don't deal with them well. I woke up at three in the morning with a horrible sore throat. Sunday my whole family came over for dinner and to hang out for my birthday. I had spent the afternoon rushing to Tooele and going to a Homecoming there. That is a story in itself.. so by the time I got home, I had missed my own birthday dinner! My mom had made a delicious cake (even though she put an extra candle on it..) and the night was fun. Monday, my actual birthday was spent with my number one man...my dad. He and my mom took me to dinner to Texas Roadhouse. My dad is so sweet, he even got a kiss!



Well, that about sums up my life the past month... Thanks Lidia for the Vegas pictures I stole.. :)

Friday, October 31, 2008

Happy Halloween!!


Yay! I love Halloween!! This year, since our branch have been duds the last few years at this, we have decided to go out and be something outrageous. We decided we should all be a Redneck/Hick family. I, fortunately, got to play the part of Ronald McMillan and Shelley was my wife LaFawnda with the rest of the staff as our children. More pics to come later!


Friday, October 3, 2008

Happiness Begins with Me!

I have had this thought on my mind a lot the last few weeks. I had to post a few thoughts about it. I have wondered if I'm happy and what makes me happy. What actually defines ones happiness? I was grateful to go to Women's Conference this past weekend. It was beautiful and uplifting! I especially enjoyed Elder Uchtdorf's talk. What a happy man he is! The things he talked about really made me think that I am special woman and I deserve to be happy! So, with much thought to this, I realized that much of our happiness depends on our mood and attitude, not our circumstances. I realized that true happiness is how I view life and what I see as joyful, not things or situations that come. So, with that said, here is a list (yet another one!) of some simple things I have learned to take joy in and realize I am happy!

  • Being healthy is really important to feel mentally happy, so I have really taken a liking to walking at night with my iPod blasting and staring at the sky.
  • Laughing at simple mistakes and trials! Life throws twists and turns...go with the flow and it's a fun ride!
  • Knowing you always have something to work on to continue being happy.
  • Being righteous.
  • Continue finding ways to become even closer to the Lord and our Savior
  • Being a citizen of the United States with a right to vote! I have a say!
  • Meeting a veteran of the military. I was privileged to meet Gordon Ewell (Google him!) the other day and I felt very humbled and fortunate that I have people like him serving our country!
  • Having a difficult calling and working hard to fulfill it and actually accomplishing it!
  • Being privileged to see baptisms each month as these young kids make a huge step in life. They have the most amazing, simple testimonies.
  • Primary programs! I feel the spirit so strongly at those! No wonder God asks us to become like little children. They are so happy and grateful!
  • My family of course. I have been so lucky to be blessed with such a great family!
  • My friends. Each one of you who reads this, you have impacted my life enormously! I have such special friends!
  • Strangers I meet at the Credit Union...I met a family with 6 Autistic children(www.autismbites.com) who have such a beautiful view on life. Thank you Kirtons for showing me how life can be despite the challenges.
  • Being a good example to try to impact peoples lives for the better.
  • Being in Church.
  • Expanding your horizons by placing yourself in difficult situations and taking every good opportunity you can.
  • Accomplishing goals.
  • Diversifying your life.
  • Traveling and experiencing culture shock!
  • Recognizing that you have control over your life and happiness!

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Auf Wiedersehen Elder Wright!

Today Casey left for his mission to Munich Germany/Austria! I was privileged to be the only sibling who went to the MTC with my parents. It was a beautiful experience, one that Casey desperately needed today. He couldn't have started his mission in a more spiritual and accepting way. Hats off to the volunteers, missionaries, workers, etc there who make it a smooth transition and a positive experience for the missionaries and families.

Casey is a remarkable kid! I couldn't be more proud of my baby brother!! He has been one of my best friends and confidantes in my life and I am so blessed to have him as my closest sibling and friend. We have been through a lot together, and a part of me feels like I've left! I already have a huge hole in my heart and I will miss him so much. He is more than well prepared to serve the Lord and the people of Germany and Austria. He is dedicated and excited to fulfill his dream and spread the Gospel. I'm grateful to his testimony that he has born to me both in Spirit, actions and words that thy Gospel of Jesus Christ is true. Heavenly Father loves us and wants nothing but the best for us. I'm so proud of Casey and the example he is and the brother he's always been.

Best of luck!!

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Intro continuation... 50 Things About Me

Again, a stolen idea. But hey, in my defense, I'm new to this "blogging" stuff! Here are some random, possibly unknown facts about Moi:

1) I think olives and mushrooms are the grossest things ever. Period.
2) I love thunderstorms and I think I'm backwards..the sun depresses me.
3) Ironically to number 2, I love to tan. Haha. Guilty pleasure, I know.
4) I LOVE to be stressed and overwhelmed. I may be a witch during it, but I enjoy it!
5) I'm obsessed with wanting to travel to not-so-common places!
6) I'm deathly afraid of vomiting. Truth.
7) I have a mysterious talent of flooding every toilet I use as a "guest."
8) I fight the urge to play in mud more often than not..
9) I actually kinda like the smell of mildew..yeah I know
10) My dream pet would actually be a chameleon.
11) I prefer mountain life over beach anyday.
12) I hate snow and being cold.
13) A car I've always wanted wouldn't be a Mercedez or BMW or even a Lamborghini, oh no, but a Dodge Sprinter! Imagine pimpin' that baby out!
14) Google is my number one visited website multiple times daily.
15) I would love to travel space someday, if I could get over the shooting at a million miles an hour towards outer nothingness.
16) I crack myself up. Sad, but true.
17) My mom is the only person who can truly embarrass me.
18) I do a GREAT impression of the T-Rex from Jurassic Park.
19) I don't know how to flirt.
20) I secretly still enjoy teen films :) They make me laugh
21) I have peed my pants twice - both over the age of 15.
22) I have stapled my finger at work. No bueno.
23) I am a daddy's girl.
24) I still love sitting in front of fans and making my voice sound funny.
25) Ross is my ONLY weakness for shopping.
26) Shoes are my passion!
27) I can type extremely fast...one of my few, raw talents..
28) My mind is a Spell Check. Bad spelling bothers me a little.
29) My two favorite cities in the world are Qingdao and Park City.
30) I love hot water. The hotter on my skin, the better.
31) I have never had stitches
32) Never been on the Collossus at Lagoon. No desire. And NO Wicked! I'm a chicken alright?!
33) Rockband and Guitar Hero are the best games around.
34) I love country music
35) I wanna be a cowgirl
36) I am almost 22 and still don't know exaclty what I want to do when I grow up. Only ideas.
37) I dream of being an author and motivational speaker on Oprah.
38) Judge Judy is a secret favorite TV show. So is the Cosby Show!
39) SnoCones are incredible!
40) I am fascinated with WWII and the history behind it all.
41) I enjoy culture shock
42) I have my own 'Bucket List' already.
43) I actually really enjoy what I do for my work...loans, money, tellering, IRA's, etc. I pretend I don't but I actually do!
44) I'm a game show freak and desperatly want to win Deal or No Deal.
45) I'm addicted to FRIENDS and wish my life were like that sometimes.
46) The dream of being a soccer mom is big for me..with 12 little ones!
47) I love hicks/red-necks
48) I find humor in places I probably shouldn't. Everything is funny to me..
49) I'm more attracted to hilarious, weird guys like Rainn Wilson than I am the Gerard Butlers. Don't get me wrong, Gerard Butler's are almost perfect, but can they make me laugh like the "Naked Drummer"?
50) I LOVE filling out surveys.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

TFCUM - continued!

This post idea comes from my wonderful friend Marne' (www.marnitzzle.blogspot.com) who just so happens to be in the Financial Industry as well. My fellow co-workers and friends of mine all joke that we are "Bitter Bankers" and the list that Marne' has given and ones I will add on will only show why that statement is actually true! So those of you who who bank with a Credit Union particularly, listen up. TFCUM - Tips For Credit Union Members:

Tip 12: We do not babysit accounts. Do not expect us to call you every 1st and 30th of the month to let you know your Social Security deposits have come.

Tip 13: If you request a full year's worth of account statements and it takes the teller/personal account representative more than 10 minutes to research it and print it out, do not ask us to staple it, then briefly glance at it, make highlights, then ask us to shred it when you're done. There is a reason we are now charging to print statements.

Tip 14: Do not complain about the systems we run off of. We all know computers give grief. Especially when we get a new system. Its not like WE made the choice! We hate it just as much, if not more, than you guys do!

Tip 15: Never, ever assume that just because you have a pad of checks left, you have plenty of money in your account. We will not waive the bounced check fees for your stupidity.

Tip 16: When applying for a loan, and you're denied because of credit delinquency, do NOT come back to me in three weeks stating you've paid them, because I guarantee that the reports have not updated and I hate pulling them again!

Tip 17: Also on the showing ID for cash back, a Costco card does NOT count as valid identification. Nor does a Temple Recommend!

Tip 18: If you develop bitter feelings toward your banker, chances are so have we and we talk about you too.

Tip 19: Never write a check to someone, then come in the next day to put a stop payment on it because you found a chip in the paint from the painters work. It defeats the purpose of the "negotiable instrument!" It is now the painters money!!

Tip 20: Hey, we're only young college students only working to get by, do you REALLY think we're experts at your IRA distributions? Contact your accountant! Thats what you hired them for.

Tip 21: Don't complain about our Soft Hits During the Work Day. We don't like the music either.

Tip 22: Don't request we get candy other than Smarties or Tootsie Rolls. If we gave out Hershey Kisses or delectable chocolates, we'd be asking to see you more often!

Tip 23: Don't come in assuming you're our favorite member. Those with that attitude, news flash, you're the ones we hate seeing the most.

Tip 24: Be civil. There is no need to take it out on a TELLER!

Tip 25: Do not expect us to bend the rules by approving a loan through the drive-up on a Saturday. We have rules for security purposes, and we get fired for breaking them! Have respect that it's our job on the line, not your convenience.

Tip 26: A personal request...if you are a construction worker, or you are just feeling a little too hot, please, please, PLEASE do not carry cash in your back pocket then bring it in on your lunch hour to deposit it. The sopping, stinky bills makes us lose our lunch.

Tip 27: When a teller or loan officer tells you there is something they can't do, do NOT just shimmy down the teller line or to a desk for a second, third, fourth, and fifth opinion. We stick to our guns.

Tip 28: Do not hit on us. We do reserve the right to close your account...

Tip 29: When we ask, "Is there anything else we can do for you today?" it is an invitiation for you to leave our station or desk. Do not spit out, "Nope. Not unless you're giving out Zeros today!" or "How about a large fry with that!" Its really not funny.

Tip 30: When we close our lobby and five minutes later you come screeching around our drive through demanding $5000 and we say, "No, sorry, you'd have to come into the lobby tomorrow" do not scream at us that we closed early. No we didn't.

Tip 31: Do not try to get us to cash pay-stubs, or merchant coupons. We may be unfocused and take them, but you'll be charged a fee and we won't waive them.

Tip 32: When we ask how much you gross per month in income for a loan application, give us the actual amount you make. We know that cashiers at Seagull Book and Tape do not make $8000 a month. We do verify your income. Save yourself the humiliation.

I'll stop there, its all common sense! Thanks Marne' for the urge to vent as well!

Monday, August 25, 2008

Wo Hen Ai Ni Changle Er Zhong!!

Today marks a significant day in my life!! Three years ago this very day I took off for the greatest adventure of my life! At a young (and crazy..) age of 18, I hopped on a plane with my cousin and we flew around the world to begin a new, short life in the beauty of China! Never, ever did I expect to enjoy it as much as I did. Never, ever did I imagine I would learn as much as I did. Never, EVER would I have thought I'd miss the place, my friends, students, and my life there. Not a day goes by that I don't think about my life over there and the incredible happiness it brought me. I am still growing and learning from that amazing experience I had. It's days like today that humble me and make me proud to have lived my life the way I have. Sure, I'm WELL behind every single one of my friends in school (all of you are graduating soon!!), but I am SO grateful I didn't choose to start college immediately and take some time out for myself to broaden my horizons and change everything about my core beliefs! I gained a testimony that only China would have brought me. I learned a new language (in which I have mostly forgotten), made new friends that will have a great place in my heart (Krissie, Amy, Bryce, Mandi...all of you!), and I taught and was taught by the most amazing 3000 students!!!

I need to document some of my most favorite memories I had there (mainly for me to always remember, but hopefully you'll enjoy!). I'll never forget that first night there...I was so so tired from flying over 18 hours total, finally getting to Beijing at midnight their time only to BREAK MY TOE!! I had to waddle to my next flight with Bryce and catch it to Qingdao to meet our school. They picked us up and we had a two hour drive to the little village I was to spend the next 5 months in. It took forever!! After what seemed like forever (and Bryce requesting to pull over to pee :) ) we pulled up in front of a school. It was glorious. Not because I was excited to live there, but because it was nearly 4 am and I was beat. They took us to our "apartments" which ended up being a CLASSROOM (Yes, I lived in the Physics Preparation Room 1)!!! It was HORRIBLE accomadations compared to what we were told we were going to live in. It had been changed as much as they could to an apartment and it really wasn't too bad. Just the kitchen/laundry room/bathroom. Wait...I didn't have a bathroom in my apartment!! That was the first thing I asked! River (our Savior in China) showed me my bathroom. It was outside...across my apartment and a hole in the ground. No way. I quit. I was catching the next flight out back to the US the next morning. But I needed sleep before I planned it. :) I knew my parents would be anxious to hear from me, so I grabbed my phone and it wouldn't dial out of the school. Crap. So I turned on my computer to email...all in Chinese. Crap. I don't know how, a miracle perhaps, but I was able to find Hotmail and I sent a short message to my dad: "Dad, Save me. I'm here. And its awful" Something to that effect :) Needless to say, it scared him to death. I crashed immediately after (not even unpacking or even changing clothes!) and the next morning, my life in China seemed to be much better looking after that night. I know that wasn't a great memory, but it is fond now!

Another few favorites, I loved starting classes and hearing the gasps and wow's from all of my students as I walked in the first time. They were almost as excited as I was! We quickly developed friendships and had many fun memories and class sessions together. The first classes we all had I taught them "Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree" and I have pictures showing them playing along. I remember the gifts they graciously gave to me all the time. Homemade gifts, old hand-me-down gifts, one of them being my all time favorite. It is a little stuffed pig key-chain that I named "JOOOOOO!!" Or "PIGGGGGG" in Chinese. I still cherish that ugly, little thing today :) I remember traveling with Bryce and our friends to Beijing (that is a story in itself I'll share later...still a little personal) and Qingdao. We stayed in hostels, traveled, shopped and dined. We emmersed ourselves in the culture and enjoyed it to the fullest. I loved going to Church there, our small "branch" of 10 members and traveling two hours to get there. I loved looking forward to the weekends to get our "Chinese Hamburgers" from a street vendor across from our school and taking "sanluancha's" into town. I loved visiting the most beautiful parks and spending hours playing and rock-climbing there. I loved developing a better friendship with my cousin during the short time we were there. I loved going to our little shop on campus and buying popsicles and yogurt (things we literally survived off of!) and going to Weifang to visit our friends who ran a pirated DVD shop! I miss the food, the smells, and the rain of China. I miss being humbled and loved, I miss hearing a completely different language all the time, and I loved when Bryce and I spoke English and everyone shushed in awe to hear a different language. I miss being there most of all...

Thank you to all of you friends and family who supported me through that time. Those who knew me then and faithfully emailed me to keep me sane during those difficult times of China and cheered with me during the great memories! It will be an experience that I will never forget or regret!!!


PS If anyone is interested in checking out the company I went through check out China Horizons on my Links page!

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Initiating a Blog!

I'm so excited to start a Blog! I know, it sounds totally lame, but I have a goal to keep a "journal" and I love to read my friends' blogs, so I decided to join the crowd and keep up with the times and pace of life!

A little introduction to me: My name is Samantha Wright and I grew up here in the Wasatch Front of Utah! I come from a great home and community and have a fantastic life! I currently work at Deseret First Credit Union first beginning as a teller and worked my way over to the loan side of banking. I've been in the financial industry for two and a half years and before that I taught English in Changle, Weifang Shandong China. I learned my real passion for work (haha..) at Nielsen's Frozen Custard where I scooped and flipped for three years! I love music and playing the piano, I love the Twilight Series, I hate snow, I love to eat ice, pickles, popcorn, and nuts. I love to play outside, mow the lawn, and I hate weeding. I like to travel and I want to be rich someday! I laugh a lot and love to be spontaneous and be happy! I have one sister, three brothers, two sisters-in-law and one brother in law. Lucky me, I'm the favorite Aunt to three nieces and two nephews! I have three calls in Church! I currently work as the YSA Rep in the ward, girls camp assistant director and Stake Primary Secretary. I'm kinda hoping I get released in the first two as the last one is brand new!

Enough about me for now! Ciao!