{Just Checking In}

A quick recap of this past year:

• I returned to Orlando, FL for my SECOND Disney College Program!
• Spent a month exploring the rivers of the world at the World Famous Jungle Cruise
• Ran back into the loving arms of Mickey Mouse and spent the rest of my program in entertainment. 
• Made countless memories with incredible people from around the world
• Met some wonderful girls that I am so grateful to call my friends
• Endured the stickiest, hottest summer of my life
• Moved back home in January
• Took the NCLEX-RN 9 months after nursing school graduation, and passed with the minimum 75 questions
• Accepted a job offer as a circulator in the Operating Room at a large hospital 30 minutes from home

So there you have it! I am enjoying my new life, but I miss the magic of Disney, too!

I'm excited to start this blog back up, and I hope to keep you entertained along the way!

~Courtney

Highlights of 2013

1. Taking the NCLEX-PN in the minimum 85 questions

2. Passing said NCLEX-PN

3. Seeing Cars Land at California Adventure

4. Being Maid of Honor for my best friend's wedding

5. My sister's mission call

6. My trip to Australia

7. Getting a 4.0 for Fall 2013

8. My first legitimate job as a nurse

9. Scholarships that completely covered tuition

10. Being called as Relief Society 1st Councilor

While every event is huge and exciting, my trip to Australia definitely takes the cake for this year!

I look back on this year, and I am so happy with what I accomplished!

While most days seemed ordinary, it's obvious that I have grown so much.

Becoming a registered nurse, traveling to another country, and strengthening family bonds…

it's been a wonderful year.

~Courtney

12 things 2012 has taught me

In no order of importance, of course.

1. I can easily live on my own.
2. I am financially stable enough to afford a 'fairly new' car.
3. Utah is a great state to live in, until it snows.
4. My husband will either have to love Disney as much as I do, or learn to tolerate it.
5. I am ridiculously lucky to have done the Disney College Program.
6. Thus far, nursing school hasn't been as 'life changing' as I thought it would be.
7. I am not a fan of small towns, I'd prefer to live in a big city.
8. Sometimes Heavenly Father gives you trials simply to test your faith in Him.
9. I seriously need to get in a choir next semester. Not singing is killing me.
10. Going 5 months without seeing my family makes me cherish being with them now.
11. I need to work on trusting the Lord's timing.
12. I went to church maybe 3 or 4 times while in FL, but my testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has never been stronger. I learned that being an active member of the Church does not simply mean weekly church attendance, it's much more. Stay tuned for a post about this lesson.

I've learned a lot this year.

2012 has been amazing. I'm sorta sad to see it end.
~Courtney

The Most Amazing Year

When I stop and really think about all the things I did this year... it's almost hard to believe it really happened.

Before 2011 ended, I carefully wrote my goal for 2012 on January 1st.

I had no idea how many dreams would come true this year. 

This year has been truly incredible.

I am so blessed.

January 8th, I flew alone, for the first time in my life, to Orlando Florida.

I wrote this post during my layover in New Mexico.

The next day I checked in to the Disney College Program with my bestest friend, Leslie.

It was a long day, stressful, and exciting.

Leslie and I were put in separate apartments, which turned out to be blessings in disguise.

She became very good friends with her roommates, 

and I got to meet girls from all over the world.

Character Performer training was honestly an amazing experience. 

I can't share any details, sorry. I'm trusted to keep the magic alive.

Before I knew it, I was out working. 

Bringing smiles to people's faces. Giving hugs and autographs.

I had the best job in all of Walt Disney World.

I had amazing roommates.

And fantastic fellow character performer friends

I played in Disney Parks every day for 5 months.

Made epic memories with my fellow characters

And made amazing memories while working, like this one, this one, and this one.

I got drenched by a huge fountain in EPCOT,

And spent a fantastic week with my parents and Nate. 

It was so good to see them after 5 months of Skype.

I could go on, and on, and on about all the amazing things Florida gave me.

I will remember the Disney College Program for the rest of my life.

Working at Disney World, hanging out with Mickey Mouse, that was one dream come true.

And how fitting that my life long dream of being a nurse came true at Disney World too.

I remember the day I found out I made it into nursing school like it was just yesterday.

So many of my dreams came true this year.

It almost doesn't feel real.

But it is.

I'm loving being Courtney, Student Nurse.

(Even though I look like a barber, not a nurse in that horrendous 'scrub' top)

And I fulfilled a ridiculous dream of owning a 'sports car'

(aka, 2 door car) (named Tink)

Obviously I'm not covering everything that happened in this year.

Tiny dreams came true this year too.

Like living alone (in Price for the summer)

and going back to Logan for the day.

and welcoming home a missionary and sending one off.

Turning 21.

Living in a different state.

Becoming a seasonal employee with Walt Disney World.

Getting an international Pen Pall (Hi Naomi!!)

and adding to my U.S. Pen Pall list.

Getting the high score on a nursing school exam.

and being with my family.

2012 was the year that dreams came true.

~Courtney 

The Difference 3 Years Makes

This ever adorable picture of me was taken during my first week of college at Utah State University.

I was still figuring out who I wanted to be (hence the peace signs).

I was new to living on my own, without parents, and adjusting to a roommate.

I had just struck up new friendship and rekindled old ones.

I was living entirely off my parents.

I was job free, and worry free.

I knew where I wanted to go, but not so sure how I was gonna get there.

Life was so incredibly good.

Flash forward three years.

This equally adorable picture of me was taken during my first week of nursing school

(excluding summer semester, roll with it)

I am incredibly happy with who I've decided to be.

I am a seasoned pro when it comes to living on my own, and having my own

bedroom is so totally worth the price.

I have successfully kept friendships with good people, and learned to weed out the people who aren't.

I live entirely off my own dollar.

I work part time, and have a lot more worries to manage.

It took me long enough, but I got where I wanted to go, and now I'm working to stay there.

Life is so incredibly good.

Would I have guessed that it would take me 4 nursing school rejections before getting in?
Never.

That I'd leave the school I loved and go to community college to finish prerequisites?
Yeah right.

That I'd work full time as a medical assistant for a full year?
Uh-huh. Sure.

That I would move to Orlando Florida and spend 5 months at Walt Disney World?
No way!

That I'd write a missionary for a full 2 years, but then be told to change directions?
Nope.

That I'd move to Price, Utah for nursing school?
Where's that?

Life is so unpredictable, and I have learned to find joy in the journey.

I'm grateful for this blog, that has allowed me to journal for the first time in years.

I'm grateful for my family, who I love so very much.

I"m grateful for the friends who have made me who I am today.

I'm grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I"m grateful for my life.

Life is so incredibly good.

~Courtney

11 Things 2011 Has Taught Me

In no particular order of importance

11. It takes the IRS years to pick up on ID fraud on tax returns (3 years to be exact)
10. While it's hard, I can survive an entire year  physically separated from a loved one
9. I loved my car, Maxwell, more than I knew I did. I miss my car every single day.
8. My parents love me enough to let me live rent free at home during this transition year
7. Working full time and going to school was a lot harder than I anticipated.
6. I now understand why pneumonia kills elderly people. It kicked my trash, and I'm only 20.
5. Getting wisdom teeth removed hurts, but the fear of a dry socket is worse.
4. I loved Disney as a child, this year has made me realize that I still love Disney as an adult.
3. Being rejected from nursing school twice was difficult. Tasting the bitter makes me desperate for the sweet.
2. Preparing six different nursing school applications is really stressful. Hopefully I'm accepted to at least one!
1. 2011 taught me a lot about myself. I feel more confident in myself, but also have learned a lot about my weaknesses and short comings.

I'm excited to see what 2012 has in store for me!

Happy New Year!
~Courtney