MY PERSONAL HISTORY-PAST 5 YEARS
2005:
August – Being the youngest of 6, I was the only child at home this particular summer. It was this summer my family decided to relocate for the last time – retirement. My dad was forced into early disability with an unknown illness that prevented him from working. He left his career of 33 years as a Safeway store manager, and retired to his hometown in Sandpoint, Idaho. We left Wenatchee, Washington in 4 large moving trucks. We stored most all our possessions and moved into our vacation home located on Lake Pend Oreille in Sandpoint, Idaho (Northern Idaho). I was going into my junior year in high school and was anxiously awaiting graduation and college. Prior to starting school, but following the hectic move, my parents awarded me with a long vacation in Southern California. Accompanied by my mother and father, we flew into Los Angeles and drove to my Aunts house in Orange County. On this week long adventure I was able to attend; Disneyland, California Adventures, and SeaWorld. I was a trip of a life time. I got to see the coast, swim in the ocean for the first time that I can remember, and enjoy quality time with my parents before making the awkward high school adjustment in my new hometown. We came home – which seemed to be too soon – and I got all registered for my classes. I was signed up to start classes one day late. Although not thrilled about the obvious integration into a very different school, I was excited for an opportunity for new experiences and friends. I was going to be attending the same high school my father graduated from. Being a small community, it seemed that everyone knew everyone, and also their parents all were originally from Sandpoint. It seemed to ring true that those who grow up there, end up back there. I was excited to begin a new adventure in my life.
The first semester was pretty rough. It wasn’t until about November that I began to have friends, and started to get invited to others’ houses for weekends and sleepovers. I was hired by a ward member at the local movie theater. I started October 31st, and between work, homework and the very few friends I did have, I stayed occupied enough to not feel homesick with all the recent changes. My parents purchased a car that November that was to be for my use. It was 2005 black Dodge neon, slick and shiny with 13 miles on it when they drove it off the lot. I was so excited – and all my brothers and sisters said I was spoiled. Following Christmas the Sandpoint Jr. Miss program was announced at school. Not knowing what it was, I blew off the opportunity for a couple weeks. It was until the first day of practice that I decided I wanted to participate. I showed up to the practice, and there were 41 other girls from my grade going out for Jr. Miss Royalty. Junior Miss is a scholarship program for high school juniors preparing for college. It consists of academics, citizenship, talent, interview, poise, and fitness. We were to learn 4 dance routines, and practice 3 times a week prior to our May performance.
My father bought me the most beautiful dress for the evening gown portion of the night, and my sister helped me pick my talent. I practiced diligently for weeks to perfect my talent – until I was skilled enough for an audience. Opening night came, and the presentation was to a sold-out crowd in a local theater (the Panida Theater) in downtown Sandpoint, Idaho.
The production was 2 nights long, Friday and Saturday. My entire family was fortunate enough to be able to attend both performances. I did well, only messing up once on my talent. When tossing the dough up over my shoulders (I hand tossed pizza dough) it slipped out the other side, and flew across the stage. Luckily I had spare dough so I was able to continue on without flaw. I didn’t make top ten, or receive any awards – but the experience I was blessed with was far better than any scholarship offered.
I gained 41 other friends and was able to get to know others in my school. Through this networking opportunity, I decided the next few weeks following Jr. Miss to run for Student Body government. The position of choice was Senior Class Representative. I was elected and campaigned with friends for about 2 weeks. When Election Day came, the winners were announced at the last ten minutes of the day. I had beat Katie Adams, a really popular soccer player, and a total shock that I had beaten her by a lot! I was to begin my position at the start of senior year. Excited, I felt welcomed and accepted by most everyone once they realized who I was. I was blessed with the opportunity to serve as an example to my peers at my high school.
2006:
September: Senior year begins. I was instrumental in the startup and organization of the beginning of the school year. I began to help plan homecoming events, and attempt to work with a new administrator (Dr. Kiebert) to help implement new rules and procedures. Homecoming week was to be in October. The theme was something about movies. I was able to get a lot of popcorn tubs from the movie theater, and also some movie trailers to be used for decoration. We spent all day prior to homecoming prepping the gym with decorations for the upcoming ‘night to remember’. I went to the dance with a group of girls whom also served on student council with me. Dateless, we attended the dance “stag” and had a fun time dancing the night away with each other.
The year was full of many wonderful memories as I was able to help plan assemblies, student activities, graduation, prom, and much much more. I was elected pep-club vice president during football season which entitled me to not only help with homecoming court/royalty ballots, but also allowed me to help award my best friend at the homecoming game! It was truly a time to remember. Senior year was great as I had many friends and a lot of activities that kept me busy at involved. I continued my position at the movie theater, working diligently to attain a long awaited promotion and raise. I started dating my first real boyfriend come January to whom I started to spend most all my time with. Del Armstrong was a very nice guy whom I was introduced too by a coworker. We spent most of our weekends outdoors riding 4wheelers, dirt bikes, snowmobiles, and hiking. We fished when the weather warmed up, and water sports in the spring/summer. I applied to Brigham Young University Idaho in the spring, and was accepted in May. Prom was the first weekend in June, and the theme was Casino Royale, as our graduating class was 007.
I helped tirelessly to once again prepare the gym for the dance. By the time we were done with the dance floor, false ceiling, palm trees and giant Vegas statues – the gym was unrecognizable. The Friday prior to prom I was in involved in a collision on the Long Bridge on the way into town. I missed a couple of my finals, and could not move my neck. Del, being 6’3 and my height barely 5’3 – I couldn’t even look up without a shock of pain going to my head. We met up in Coeur D’Alene Idaho, and had dinner at a restaurant down by Lake Coeur D’Alene, where we also took our prom photos. Following dinner, we drove back to Sandpoint to attend the dance. After the dance we drove out to my parent’s house where a fire was prepared and chocolate covered strawberries awaited our arrival. We had such a fun time creating memories and talking about what was in store for our future as we both planned to head off to school in the fall. Graduation was the following weekend. I walked with Stephen Lee, a classmate that also served on Pep club presidency with me. We were the 4th individuals to walk through the line, and had to wait for the other 293 students to shake hands and receive their diplomas. It was long, and rainy so most of my brothers and sisters went to grandma and grandpas after they saw me go through the line. After the graduate procession to the baseball field where we through our caps, I went to my grandparents for pizza, presents and cake. We took photos at my the Noble homestead prior to dinner. I then left my family and attended my Senior Class graduation party. Also a 007 theme, I won a duffle bag, a $50 visa gift card, and a beauty kit.
The party was so much fun as there were many blow up toys, casino games, and dancing. Food was scattered all around the building, and red bulls were handed out for free to keep us energized throughout our long all night function. The next morning my family let me sleep into about 10 am, when I was awoke by my nieces and nephews whom were saying goodbye so that they could head back to their respective homes. At breakfast, a position I applied to at a new local hotel called and offered me a housekeeping position. I started the following week and worked both housekeeping and as a box office associate at the movie theater through the summer until I moved to Rexburg, Idaho for college.
2007:
September: College started following the Labor Day holiday. I moved in to an apartment with 5 other roommates, whom I didn’t know prior to the semester. I signed up for 15 credits, and spent my time socializing with my Family Home Evening group and my roommates. The semester was fairly decent, minus a hard math class, and a messy Peruvian roommate who never cleaned up after herself. Following the semester, I returned home for a few months to prepare for a job position I had accepted in Alaska selling tours for Princess Cruises/tours. I was invited to apply by a family friend Chris Mills. I was trained to direct motor coaches and answer basic customer service questions regarding individuals travel plans. I was in Alaska working hard to earn money from May to September. It was here that I grew to mature and grow and become more independent from my family and friends.
I loved those I worked with, and began to gain a personal love for hard work and dedication. I became like family to these few friends I had stumbled across. Come the end of the season – I planned a LDS road trip with a few coworkers of mine in the great state of Alaska. I know that I fell in love with the work, the beauty of the pure land, and the hearts of the full-time residents.
2008:
September: I decided following Alaska to stay in Sandpoint for the winter, working at the movie theater once again. I was promoted to assistant manager, and began to work full-time. I spent time with my family for most of the year, and focused on personal growth and entertainment. I went on a cruise with my parents and an old friend of mine to the Eastern Caribbean. I was able to spend some time in the Bahamas’ and also in Florida. It was very fun to travel with my parents, and also witness them enjoy themselves.
2009:
During the summer semester I returned to school at Brigham young university where I declared my Child Development major. After summer session, I returned home where I continued to work full time at the movie theater and live at my parent’s house. I went to Mexico on a weeklong cruise with my best friend Autumn Starnes. Going alone to Mexico in the heat of swine flu was certainly and experience to remember. We spent all our days lying by the pools, playing beach volleyball, tanning, drinking lots of water, shopping and touring the destinations in Mexico. I enjoyed the cruise very much.
2010:
In February, seeking independence, I moved into my own apartment in my hometown of Sandpoint, Idaho. I lived closer to work, and was able to work more often and pose as an on-call employee. Where I was close to the theater, I also was able to ride my bike to work which was very exciting. In March, my washer disconnected from the wall, and shot water all over the floor and flooded my (and the lady below) apartment. I had to live there for a week with dehumidifiers and fans. The apartment was very hot and loud. Following the flood catastrophe I reapplied to Brigham Young University Idaho hoping to start back to school in the winter semester. As I waited for my acceptance letter from the school, I took some time and traveled to see friends and family in Rexburg, Seattle, Spokane. I also took some time to travel to General Conference in Utah where I had the opportunity to attend the Saturday evening session inside the conference center. I was as excited as we waited in line from 9 am. After conference my friends and I stayed in a house in Park City, Utah where we had fun watching movies, eating, sleeping in and hot tubing. When we arrived home I then decided to move back into my parents’ house the 1st of July to save money for school. I received my acceptance letter to school in late mid-September and was glad I made the choice I did to move in with mom and dad. I spent the rest of the year saving up, spending quality time with family and friends, and preparing for school. It was this particular fall that I set a personal goal to graduate with my Bachelors by the time I am 25.
PERSONAL LIFE GOALS:
1. Marry in the temple
2. Finish family history on mom’s side (back to Adam and Eve)
3. Raise my children to be righteous active members in the church
4. Keep a daily journal
5. Attend the temple as much as possible
6. Travel to Scotland to research family history
7. Do the temple work for my grandfather
8. Own my own business (wedding coordinator) as a hobby
9. Scrapbook for my family
10. Print off blog journal’s yearly
11. Attend a super bowl
12. Visit all the church history sites in the United States
