Dressing Up as Justin Bieber

I wasn't a huge Justin Bieber fan in the beginning.  

In fact, I enjoyed mocking him when all my teens were freaking out over their J Biebs 

obsession. I just thought, "Seriously? Some kid on YouTube? Lame."

Then on Black Friday last year, his cd was on sale for $7.99.  I totally bought it.

And I totally listened to it and actually liked it!

A few months later, Cassity and I decided to kind of mock all the teeny boppers and go see the Justin Bieber "Never Say Never" movie.  We both cried.

I LOVE THAT MOVIE.

Justin Bieber is tender.  I give him props for where he's at in his career.

Conclusion:  I like Justin Bieber! 

(Clarification:  I'm not in love or obsessed.  I just think he's a good kid and support him).

Another reason why I'm connected to Justin Bieber is we kind of had the same hairstyle for a while. Here's a picture of me and cardboard Justin Bieber in Toys R Us.  I took this picture to-- once again-- make fun of teens who were drooling over it in the store.  I have a similar picture in my office at work.

So I kind of feel like he's my buddy because almost every day, someone says something about me looking like Justin Bieber, or referring to our matching haircuts.

I usually stress over Halloween costumes.

This year I decided early on what my plan was.

Embrace the Justin Bieber look and go all out!

These are a few examples of J Biebs outfits that inspired the "costume" I created from clothes I found at D.I., Ross, & Saver's.

I loved putting together my outfit, in several shopping trips to different stores.  Thanks to Cassity and her sister Cherish, we finally found what I was looking for.  The last touch was the pair of shoes, which I found on a random trip to Saver's with Nathan.  Turns out they're old school "Supras" and Justin really wears them!

This picture proves that not everyone should wear skinny jeans. Sorry!

This is me with Kaitlyn, a staff member at the Boys & Girls Club.  I have so many fun pictures with me and the teens, but since I can't post them publicly, this is the best I can do to show my interactions with others. 

So I rocked the Justin Bieber character all night at the teen Halloween dance party.

Everyone knew who I was!  And even if they didn't at first, they'd say, "What are you, a gangster?"  Then I'd say, "Seriously?!  Who do I look like?"  They'd immediately respond, "Justin Bieber!"  Then I'd do a little celebration dance and move right along.  I had a blast and took lots of pictures with "fans."  I was pleased with how much the teens praised my outfit and costume.  Overall, it was a very successful event.

Here's one of my favorite Justin Bieber songs. It's always on my running playlist.  :)

Never Say Never

Baby Baby
(Another favorite. Cassity and I totally memorized the Ludacris rap part on a roadtrip once. Haha!)

Well anyway, that's my Justin Bieber story.

It was a good costume choice and I enjoyed being famous for a day. :)

Week 5-- Master Pass or Fail

This was by far the most difficult week I've had in the program.  Not because of material covered, papers assigned, or presentations given.  It was difficult because I wasn't at the top of my game; I wasn't doing well in our "mock counseling" sessions and it really rocked my confidence.

Like right now, at this very moment, I worry about whether or not I will pass or fail this assessment.

I am nervous!  My face is red and hot and has been that way for the past hour.

At least I can recognize the emotions and identify where they stem from.  It was when we had split up into groups and we tooks turns as the counselor, client, or observer.  This week we had specific scenarios to role play and it was all around a frustrating experience for me.  I looked up on the board and saw the topics we were going to cover:

1. Parents are getting divorced. 
2. Student is referred by someone else; issues with depression and suicide
3. Student found out she is pregnant
4.  Parents just don't understand their situation
5.  Problems with bullying.

So I was thinking, "Are you kidding me?  I deal with these issues almost on a daily basis." I could pretty much reinact each scenario and know the exact dialogue the teen used, and then be able to act out how I responded. 

*sigh*

Well, turns out, my skills aren't as great as I thought they were.

While I was in the middle of talking to my "client" about their parents getting a divorce, my instructor abruptly stopped me and said firmly, "You are asking all these questions for YOU.  It's not about YOU.  It's about THEM.  You need to ask questions for THEM."  Then she just backed away like, "Okay... now go ahead and do it right."  Sheesh!  I was a mess.  I know I was bright red, and usually when my authority approaches, I'm hoping (or expecting) them to compliment or give some kind of positive comment.  Obviously I have a hard time not being "perfect" or not doing it right.  I really struggled through that scenario.

*deep breaths*

We continued to rotate and take turns, and each of us kind of got tripped up in places.  But then my turn came around again and I was working with a client who's parent's "just didn't understand."  So I was trying to find out what was going on and how she felt at home, etc.  Suddenly my instructor stops me-- again-- and said, "What is the emotion she is feeling?!"  My mind was blank. Ummmmm.  So I finally said, "I can tell she's frustrated."  Instructor:  "Did she tell you that.?"  Me: "Umm... no."  Instructor:  "You should be able to identify the emotion in the first 3 questions, and then go off that."  *siiiiigh*  Okay.  Totally didn't do that.  So I recognized her frustration... and then had no idea where to go from there.  It was another poor performance from Bree and I was a mess again. :) 

But here's the thing, people.  I do this in real life every day!!  Maybe I'm just really crappy at the way I do my job and have never noticed. :)
There are specific things we need to cover in our FINAL INTERVIEW next week.  It will take 5-10 minutes, depending on how long it takes us to cover the 5 required parts of listening, etc.  So if we get it all in and take care of business... boom. Done.  They'll stop you.  Otherwise, you might start floundering after a while and dig yourself into a big 'ol hole and still not cover all the right points.

I'm freakin' stressed out.

After my second attempt, my instructor told me I'm thinking too much; trying too hard to cover all the points. That is true.  I have a hard time being natural when I'm totally being evaluate in a fake counseling situation. :)  Our "clients" next week will be students who are 2 years into the program.  We can hope they'll be "nice" and not be some ridiculous character, but we have no idea what we'll be dealing with.

I have a headache and know I have a lot to work on.  It's helpful my roommate has her master's in mental health counseling.  I will pick her brain all week and make her practice this with me over and over again.  It's just frustrating because I've felt so good and confident throughout this whole program... until now.

One more week to go.

My interview next week is at 7:35pm.  It will last 10 minutes tops.  After that, the instructors will review my grade for my paper and presentation, and tell me whether or not I have been accepted into the program.

This approaching half-marathon doesn't phase me anymore.  Bring that on.

As for the final interview... barf.

Running Mantra

I felt weird today.

Probably because of a non-stop stressful work day, and I was exhausted.

I was supposed to go to Britt's and run on the treadmill at their facility.

I was really looking forward to it.

Then I got an e-mail reminder about a stake youth committee meeting tonight.

*sigh*

By the time my meeting got out, I was a complete slug.

No energy.

No motivation.

All I wanted to do was go to Wendy's and Baskin Robbins and eat my face out.

I went home instead, so at least that's one good step.

But I made myself freakin' pancakes.

I ate them with syrup and peanut butter and powdered sugar.

And then I felt sick, so I brushed myself to prevent more eating.

I was supposed to run 3 miles today.

No running took place.

I just didn't want to do anything.

I'm running a half-marathon in 4 days. WHAT?!

Then I read a blog post from my sister-in-law, Annalece, who isn't quite my sister-in-law, but she's married to Javi, who is the brother of my brother-in-law.  She's quite the amazing person.

Anyway!  She shared this little quote picture and it was JUST what I needed!

I needed this!!!

I will say that over and over again during the race when I want to stop and give up:

I RUN BECAUSE I CAN.

Last year, my friend Jessee told me how she always needs a "mantra" to chant to herself when she runs a race.  The one she used was, "It's you vs. you."  I decided to use "I dare you to keep running" when I ran my first half-marathon, taken from Switchfoot's song, "I Dare You to Move."

Now I know what I'll be telling myself as I pound the pavement on Saturday:

I run because I can.

And I think that will really help me.  

No more slug Bree.

... Another Blind Date

Hey, so remember Hiking Boy?  He called me today!  I hadn't heard from him since he randomly called me to tell me about the hang gliding deal he saw on the internet.

I haven't gone hang gliding yet-- still debating.

Anyway, I chatted with Hiking Boy for a few minutes.  I asked him about hang gliding and he said he'd gone 3 times already.  Wow!

Clue #1-- He went hang gliding without me.  He must not be interested in me, which is okay.

So we kept talking, and I was thinking, "Really, this boy is so sweet, but so formal"... haha. :)

And then he finally says this:  Well I don't want to offend you and I hope this goes over well..."

Ummm... okay??  (I was totally curious to see what was about to come out of his mouth.)

He told me he has a friend he'd like to set me up with, and was wondering if that would be okay.

Relief.  Really?!  He's calling to set me up with his friend?  I actually thought that was AWESOME!  First of all, that gives closure to the lingering option of Hiking Boy who is 8 years younger than me and just seems so YOUNG but there was always that "what if" thought.

Clue #2-- He wants to set me up with his friend.  He's totally not interested in me!  I'm okay with that. :)

So the rest of the conversation was actually pretty fun and I told him of course I'd go out with his friend.  We discussed how me and this other guy should get in touch, and finally decided it's best to avoid Facebook and do the old-fashioned phone call and REAL blind date.  When I asked Hiking Boy what his name was, he told me his first name-- purposely left out the last name.  I called him on it, but thanked him because I really don't want to go looking for him on Facebook.  Let's just keep it good and old-fashioned.

Then Hiking Boy suggested maybe we could double. Haha, well sure!

Clue #3-- He wants to set me up with his friend AND wants to do a double date with a different girl.

But really, I'm totally okay with all of this and I respect Hiking Boy even more for just being up front and honest about his thoughts.  He never came out and said, "Hey, I think you're a great person but I just don't think you're right for me."  He did say he thought I was fun and we had a good time together... but I'm just assuming he figured I'd fit better with someone a little older and maybe a little further along in life.  I accept!

So now it's just that weird waiting period where I know this other guy has the "go ahead" from Hiking Boy to call me... and hopefully that will happen sooner than later.  I know the guy's first name, but I won't reveal it.  I will give him a nickname, just like all the others, but I'll have to meet him first to know what kind of nickname works best.

Until then... Hiking Boy just might prove to be a stepping stone to something great.  You never know.  :)

Week 4-- Presentation Done!

Today I turned in a 12 page paper and did a 5 minute oral presentation.  I worked for HOURS on these the last few days, and even part of last week.  This is a huge CHANGE in my academic habits.  I knew I couldn't leave it all 'til the last minute, and tried to work on a little bit each day.  I finally tackled the paper by Monday night, but then I still had to come up with some kind of presentation!

I stress over these things, but really... they always turn out okay. :)

I love Power Point!  I spent WAY too much time picking out just the right font with the perfect colors and shadowing.  I loved including pictures and clipart and doing all kinds of slide transitions and animations and what not.  Oh yeah, it was good.  Unfortunately, when I popped in my zip drive in the class computer to project on the screen, my sweet, perfect fonts didn't transfer over to this older computer, and I was a little bummed.  But I still delivered my presentation and didn't go over time.

I will confirm that I DID juggle some balls and spin a basketball on my fingers as part of my presentation.  Gotta love the visuals. 

My teacher and 2 "guest instructors" were observing and evaluating.  One of my classmates said she could totally tell that they loved my presentation.  They were saying things like, "Wow, " and "oooh, ahhh" when I added my tricks.  I included THIS PICTURE at the beginning of my presentation to explain how much I didn't like middle school or high school. :)  But somehow I'm over it and want to be a junior high school counselor!  Yee Haw.

500 Days of Summer girl told me she loved my presentation.  Her exact words were, "You finished your presenation and I just wanted to hate you because you're so good"... but I'll take that as-- she really likes me and just can't hate me.  :)  Others gave me nice compliments and I felt good about it.

But don't you hate that time period AFTER you finish a presentation when you sit there and think of all the things you wish you WOULD HAVE said?  The things you rehearsed for hours and then totally left out of your dialogue?  So I kind of beat myself up for awhile, but I've decided what's done is done, and I think I did a good job.

As for my paper, I have no idea how much they'll pick it apart or scan for the nitty gritty details... but I worked hard on it, got good feedback from Brittney and another friend, and I turned in my best effort. 

I liked having the 2 bonus instructors there to observe us "in action" during class.  They'll be there again next week and continue to watch and listen.  One lady, Kim, actually knows my good friend Katie Bastian, so that was a fun common interest to talk about.  I really like her and would love to do an internship with someone like her-- fun and animated and spunky.  The other instructor is a man and although he wasn't super lively, he did an activity with us and I really liked his demeanor and the way he talked to us.  I like picturing them in their "school counselor" roles and how they might interact with students.  Then I think about myself and try to see myself doing the same thing. 

One thing Kim told me is that University of Phoenix is the best school counseling program in the state.  Here's why!!!  Most of the class instructors ARE school counselors currently, or HAVE BEEN school counselors in the past.  She explained how different it is to sit in a class of someone who is only "educated" in the field, but has never done a day of school counseling in their life.  Whereas, at University of Phoenix, the instructors can give you real life experiences and send you away with real tools and practices to use that have worked for them.  Her "testimony" of counseling solidified my happy feelings of deciding to pursue my degree from University of Phoenix.  So far I'm really enjoying it! 

2 weeks left of this assessment program.  The last week will be a "mock counseling" session with someone who will role play as our client.  Kind of like the real deal.  But we don't have any assignments due next week so I'll be able to relax for a little while.

One of my classmates is a single mom with 4 children, but I learned that she's a runner! She also did the Red Rock Relays in May and Septmenber, and the Ragnar Wasatch Back in June.  Another girl chimed in about her expriences with sprint triathlons (my goal for next year).  It was fun to just talk to each other about our lives and discover how much we have in common. 

I also treated myself to a sandwich at the cafe place they have here in the building.  It was shredded pulled pork on flat bread with ranch dressing and vegetables.  Holy cow, it was sooooooooooo good!  After my successful presentation, I feel I deserved it. :)

I'm excited to go home now!

Bree is happy.  :)

Bike Ride Date in the Canyon!

Ha.  You were probably thinking this was a date with a NON-RELATIVE boy, but guess what... my most enjoyable dates seem to be with my nephews, dad, or brother.  So... until some magical boy decides to show up for me, I'll continue to have fun with the current men in my life.

I LOVE MY FAMILY!

We couldn't have picked a more perfect day to go biking in Provo canyon.  The leaves have changed, the skies were blue, and it really felt like a warm, summer day!  I loved it.  Everything around us was beautiful.

We rode from the mouth of the canyon up to Vivian Park, which only took us about 32 minutes.  Not bad at all!  For some reason I had been expecting it to be much farther away and wasn't sure how physically exhausted I would be.  Obviously I psyched myself out, because this ride was great!  A good, steady uphill, which meant a fun and easy downhill the whole way back.

We hung out at the park for an hour or so-- if only we'd been able to strap a frisbee to our bikes!  It was perfect weather and I was itching to play.  But instead, we talked about my pathetic financial situation and Nathan gave me a good "Personal Finances 101" session and many helpful hints.  He's supposed to e-mail me with a summary of what we talked about (*ahem Nathan*) so I can remember all his good advice and really put it to use.  I appreciate his knowledge, experience, and expertise in an area where I definitely could use some help!  There's nothing like discussing your finances with your brother who's 6 years younger than you. :)

I was so happy the leaves were so colorful!  The mountains were so bright and vibrant.

I paid careful attention to the trail and the uphill/downhill portions because this is the very course I will be running for the half-marathon in 2 weeks!  I really love that the majority of the trail is lined with color-changing trees, or the Provo River gushing along.  It was peaceful and lovely.  I just hope I can enjoy it that much when I'm running.  Even on my bike, towards the end, I could fore-see where my "I'M SO EXHAUSTED" points will be, and where I'll have to tell myself to just keep pushing it because the end is in sight.  

Action shot of Nathan.  Yee haw.

Overall, we had a fantastic adventure.  There were all kinds of people out-- bikers, runners, walkers, roller-bladers (Yay!  I'm not the only one!)  Long-boarders, etc.  But for most of the ride we could just stay side-by-side and chat away about life.  Nathan and I have always been close friends-- even when we were little-- I was always on his side. :)  I'm glad we're still good buddies.  I think we need to do these kinds of outings more often.  

It was a good day!

NOT READY for Half-Marathon

Here's the thing.  I'm stressing out over this Halloween Half-Marathon, only I'm really trying not to let the rest of my body know that I'm stressed.  Otherwise, I'll be on the toilet for the next 2 weeks. :)  So how do I handle this situation?  That stresses me out too-- trying not to be stressed.

After the Red Rock Relay I was in a good running groove and I felt confident about officially registering for the race, and paying the $45.  Then I got sick-- the kind of sick where you wish you could just cut your own head off to feel better.  But the worst part is I missed 2 weeks of running... the very 2 weeks that I'd planned to run like crazy and really build up my mileage. 

One of the sick weeks was the week after Cassity had surgery for a deviated septum in her nose, so it was like my facial/nasal pain was shadowing her's.  The second sick week for me was after Heather had her baby and she was actually very sick, herself-- even spent a few nights in the hospital-- so the timing of me not feeling well was terrible.  I tried my best to still be supportive and helpful to those around me.  But I'll be the first to admit that I am a huge WHIMP when I get sick.  Such a whiner and complainer.

Yesterday was the first day I'd gone running since the sickness phase.  I did an easy 45 minutes in 10/1 intervals. That means I'd run 10 minutes, walk 1 min, and repeat until I'd gone for 45 minutes.  It felt good.  This morning I didn't have a lot of time, so I did the 10/1 interval routine for a little over 30 minutes.  So as great as it is that I'm running and feeling healthy again... this girl is NOT ready to go bust out a 13.1 mile run!

(The infamous shoe that will take me to the finish line)

Naturally, this should be the week that I do a long run... like 9 or 10 miles.  After going a couple weeks without running at all, the thought of suddenly running 10 miles just makes me want to barf.  And it physically makes my legs feel weak just thinking about it.  Lame, I know. 

I have plans to go on a long bike ride with my brother on Saturday... probably not the best day to squeeze in a long run as well.  So at this point, I'm planning (and hoping) I can do a 10 mile run on MONDAY.  Monday morning would be ideal, but we all know I'm not a morning person.  On the other hand, who wants to run 10 miles at night running towards car headlights?  Such a tough decision.  I'm just crossing my fingers and hoping I can bust it out. 

Next week is the last week I can really push it and train hard;  then that last week in October needs to be a "resting" period, with maybe one or two small runs so my body is up to par for the big race on SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29th.

Wish me luck!!!

p.s.  I won't even mention the part about trying to decide if I should run "in costume" or not.  That's just unnecessary stress I don't want to have.