tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83941437285429050242024-02-21T08:26:14.547-08:00Livin' on Love(and student loans)Valerie Oquendohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18256022293146539786noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394143728542905024.post-91602762894531790932012-11-12T09:34:00.000-08:002012-11-12T09:34:06.905-08:00Bailey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Meet our new dog...Bailey. She is a full bred German Shepherd, born September 4th,2012, so that makes her 10 weeks old right now. Having a puppy is so much work! But she is so fun to have around. Watching her attempt going down the stairs is so funny! Just yesterday we went to go see the parents and I have never seen her so excited. The mom was so gentle with her, and the dad could care less. Go figure. They live just around the corner from us, so we will see them often so they can play together. We are training her every day, hoping she will outshine all other dogs. And since she takes up all of our free time, we will have more fun pictures to come. </div>
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<br /><br />Valerie Oquendohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18256022293146539786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394143728542905024.post-89447842307979529142012-08-29T11:42:00.002-07:002012-09-03T19:12:18.108-07:00My Graduation Present<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;">To celebrate my graduation, Luis and I took a vacation that was much needed for the both of us. We have been so tight with our money, that it really was difficult to spend money on something that could have been put off for another year or two. Now I am so grateful that we stuck to our guns and kept our promise to ourselves that we were going to go on a vacation. I got to choose where we went, and I chose Disneyland, California Adventure, Universal Studios, and Sea World. I had never been to Sea World and so I was most excited about that. </span></div>
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WE MADE IT!!!<br />
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My most favorite ride at Disneyland...standing in line to go on Space Mountain. THis was Luis' first time on the ride, and he loved it too.<br />
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Can you see that genuine smile? I think this was our 3rd time on it. Of course we were too cheap (or smart) to buy this picture, so it is a bit blurry from our camera taking a picture of another picture. </div>
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Day 2...on to California Adventure. We visited the new Radiator Springs Car Land. Lots of photo ops. Gas used to be 0.63 cents a gallon?!<br />
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Mater's Petting Zoo. This one is for my nephew Cash.<br />
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The infamous picture of us in front of the Ferris Wheel, that we didn't even ride on. <br />
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Day 3...on to Universal Studios! We were standing in line to get a picture with Marge, Homer, and Bart, but halfway through the line, Homer and Bart left! What a rip! I couldn't beleive how tall Marge was!<br />
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As we were walking quickly to get out of the park to beat the crowd, Luis looked over and saw Jamar Rogers putting on a concert! He was on the 2nd season of The Voice (a show I watch). It was soooo cool! So we stayed a bit longer and enjoyed the show.<br />
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Day 4...Then onto Sea World!! We went to the big Shamu Rocks show pretty early into the day in an effort to get a good seat for their best known show. I happended to get lucky that Luis didn't figure out that we were in the "soak zone". He laughed so hard when we got drenched (Phew!). Can you see how wet we are? It was a good way to cool off. Only annoying thing was that it was salt water. ulgh!<br />
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Us on a ride at Sea World. I believe this was on Journey to Atlantis. That ride was AWESOME! Any ride that starts with a big drop is suuuweeet!<br />
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We also got a meal card when we were there. Every time we went through the line, we got watermelon. It was the best watermelon I have ever had! I had no self control, and I didn't care. It was delicious!<br />
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Day 5...time to relax at a San Diego beach. This was the first warm beach I had ever been to. Spent growing up going to the Oregon Coast, which is freezing water and really windy. Here was a lot different. Filled with people under those cute beach umbrellas, tons of people in the water surfing and body boarding, and people with instruments singing on the boardwalk. We only had a few hours before we had to return the car and get to the airport, so we only soaked our feet. It was really cool to see so many people fishing in the ocean!<br />
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I just had to take a picture of this. A lifeguard, at the beach?! I thought this was only on the movies and Baywatch! They even had one of those boards that they have on Baywatch. I was impressed.<br />
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Us on the middle of the ocean. This is where everybody was fishing. There was even a really cute ice cream shack on this dock.<br />
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Thank you Luis for the great memories we were able to create. Can hardly wait to see where you choose to go on our next big vacation when you graduate!Valerie Oquendohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18256022293146539786noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394143728542905024.post-48663962227175704952012-08-23T22:19:00.000-07:002012-08-23T22:19:36.659-07:00Guess what?!!!!! PA-C!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<br />
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I passed my national board exam, and now can say I am a Certified PA. Woooo stinkin hoooooo! It took 6 years to get here, but I am here! I am finally here!Valerie Oquendohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18256022293146539786noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394143728542905024.post-55000322683091664812012-08-21T10:26:00.002-07:002012-08-21T10:26:11.013-07:00Cheers to Change- Journal entry for the past 2 years<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;">Okay, so where do I start? First off....I am GRADUATED and am now a PA!!! I cannot even begin to talk about all of those times when I was just so stressed that no matter how much good happened, I was still bitter, or the number of times I cried to Luis saying I wanted to quit, or how many times I felt I deserved a better grade on a test, or how many times I felt my hard work actually paid off, or how many times I looked forward to Friday's date nights with Luis which was the only time we really had together with neither of us studying. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">My first semester was by far the most difficult. I believe it was 20 credits (and that's graduate level credits). There was one professor I had that hated when students asked questions, which made it even harder on me, because that's how I learn! I remember one week we had 7 big tests. It was hard deciding how to divide up the small amount of time I had outside of class between all of those tests that were weighted heavily on my grade. How can I say this? PA school makes you have good time management skills. ISU's PA program has a policy where if you fail 2 tests, you have to go before a board and basically defend your case, that you are not slacking off, and simply don't have enough time to devote. Thankfully, I did not ever fall into that trap. But that just added to the pressure of performing with each and every test (which was a lot).</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Second and third semesters weren't as bad, as we had modules of each body system and so all of our classes that were M-F 8-5, were all about the same system, instead of switching from pathology, to anatomy, to physiology, to Pharmacology, etc. And we had quizzes each morning, but then only one big test every week or 2. Much more organized. But of course, the test score was pretty much your grade for the class. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Something that I am grateful for is that PA school helped lower my competitive side of my personality. In undergrad, I was often at the top of my class (because I had 0 social life- trust me!). And my grades were not from natural intelligence that many others are blessed with. My grades were a reflection of my hard work. I would often have to tell my roommates that I couldn't go to a movie, or I couldn't go shopping, or whatever. I was always at the library. I knew what I wanted to become and I was determined to get there. Thankfully when I married Luis, I married a man that was as devoted to my goals as much as I was. Luis had his own goals and ambitions, but he was always sure to remind me of my own. He supported me in every way that he could. He encouraged me to not work and make school my work so that my grades could continue getting me scholarships, and hopefully into PA school. He did this as well and so even though we didn't technically have an income, we were able to live off of a minimal amount of money from our loans. And because we shared a common purpose, it was easier to tell each other we needed to spend the night (well, until 11pm when the it closed) at the library, or spend all day Saturday studying instead of going on outings with the school- which I sincerely wanted to go on. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">I knew more schooling would put Luis and I into much greater debt. </span>We were poor, and knew we would be for a while. We shopped the food sales like an extreme couponist without coupons. We very rarely went shopping for clothes, and we never got new furniture or went on extravagant dates. Our dates consisted of the simple things, such as going grocery shopping, or riding our bikes to the cheap theater, or going to the gym together. Honestly, these things have become some of my very favorite things to do with Luis. </div>
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I still remember going through the interview process, and being so stressed for my first one. I knew my first interview didn't go very well, and I was losing hope. Then I interviewed at ISU and I felt so confident that it couldn't have gone better. That evening we were in a computer lab at the Ricks building (at BYUI), BIG surprise. I was trying to finish my math homework, but was so focused on my interview from earlier that day that I couldn't help but look on my profile that gave me updates on my acceptance or not. IT was just a few hours ago, it would have to be at least a few weeks before I would get an answer. And slowly but surely, I scrolled down that page and in black ink it read, you have been ACCEPTED. I just started to cry. All of this sacrifice would pay off and I would be able to be what I have worked so hard already to become. I remember telling Luis, "I didn't think I would <i>actually </i>get in!". He was happy too. </div>
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Luis was still waiting to hear back from all of the graduate programs he applied to and so we weren't sure of where we were going to live. Then he got his acceptance to University of Utah for a Masters in Political Science. He really liked what he saw about this program and so he wanted to go there. How were we going to do this? Our programs were 2 1/2 hours away from each other. There was talk of one of us doing school, while the other put it off for another year or two, applying to other programs. But after praying about it, we knew the right thing to do would be to both go to school, both fulfill our dreams. We had no idea how it would all work out. But it did. We found a place in Pocatello, that was 3 miles from my building. Luis would drive to SLC every week for his classes and stay with a really great family friend Rob and his new wife Beth. And because we only had one car, that meant I would be without a car during the week. I rode my bike to school, and to the grocery store (one time I bought milk. That was interesting). This set up helped Luis and I to really focus on our studies and do nothing but that. On the weekends we were able to be together. We made sure every Friday night was set aside for each other. A number of times we were both so stressed that neither of us wanted to spend that time together, and just fought about dumb things. But then we would always make up and go out Saturday night if Friday didn't work. I had a lot of anxiety at night time being alone, and so thankfully this was only for a year that we would have to do this. </div>
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Then came year 2. As I promised Luis, if we lived in Pocatello the first year, we would move to SLC for the next year, so he wouldn't have to commute that much! So then we looked for housing in SLC and we were lucky enough to find an affordable place to live downtown. We were a few blocks from Temple Square, and to the capitol, and to running trails, and to anything we wanted, pretty much. I was so grateful to be able to actually LIVE with my husband again. But wait. This is my clinical year! Now I am the one that has to travel! I had to go to Ogden, UT, SLC, then back to Ogden, then Vancouver, WA, West Valley City, UT, Logan, UT, Portland, OR, and ending it in the place it started, Pocatello, ID. The most interesting I would have to say would be Pocatello because I had to move into student housing again. Kind of weird. Thank you to my brother Chad and his family for letting me stay with them, and to my parents for letting me stay with them. It saved us a lot of money for me not to have to stay in a hotel! And it was nice to be able to visit with family. Chad's wife, Angela, was actually the one who introduced me to the PA profession. She is a PA herself and a darn good one. Thank you Angela for helping me find my passion! </div>
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After Luis' first year into his program, he was feeling a bit discouraged. He was getting the grades he had wanted, but just wasn't sure if he loved Political Science as much as he thought. He really wasn't enjoying any of his classes and was so stressed from all of the requirements. As he always does, he shined in all of his classes, and all of the professors loved his comments in class. He did so well that for the second year, he was offered a grader position. This meant he would grade for a professor while getting a huge chunk off of his (out-of-state) tuition, and a bi-monthly stipend to live off of. This was great experience for him and he was able to build his resume'. He graduated with his Masters degree in International Relations. But as planned from the beginning, once he got this degree, he would apply for the PhD program. He was pretty unsure of himself, but I knew he had everything they were looking for and more (his great looks!!). He then got a letter saying he had been accepted to the program and on top of that was offered a teacher's assistant position. He will now hopefully get to teach a few classes and see what it's like to be a professor (his dream job!!). Again, resume building, and a great stipend and tuition help. Couldn't have gotten any better. But wait! </div>
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After clinical year in the PA program, comes....GRADUATION!!!!! I can now say that I am a PA!! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC3JjiW-c4Rhq1rePer1vqpylWyRafVZpZ1viIvJaebo7xS7G6E5gG3GebbPYy7D3YB7NmOR40XwtmYnTuvFJOJsF24j5uRpMFZ_V8qK1rXoMges_kDiCShevo-urdDAzuFJZuxRtpxWI/s1600/2012-08-02+00.21.25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC3JjiW-c4Rhq1rePer1vqpylWyRafVZpZ1viIvJaebo7xS7G6E5gG3GebbPYy7D3YB7NmOR40XwtmYnTuvFJOJsF24j5uRpMFZ_V8qK1rXoMges_kDiCShevo-urdDAzuFJZuxRtpxWI/s320/2012-08-02+00.21.25.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And here is Ryan and I, my favorite person to sit next to. Always making me laugh at myself, and helping me stay sane. Oh, and by the way, he has 4 kids (one that was born during the program). He is a great guy and I am happy he is looking to stay in Idaho instead of Texas so we can see each other again!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht1j1lVaVl-30sCcY-543dxUkV59AzarWOrc9j7jzEXM8CSBpep_1bstHwrltAEDSwkRpJWGyO1RxxfypAspgCPQWWLqgbMxxgekbkOSeyRXNUTKBZhz8RDiG3UwAv9vcNYVlT3bDllII/s1600/2012-08-02+00.19.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht1j1lVaVl-30sCcY-543dxUkV59AzarWOrc9j7jzEXM8CSBpep_1bstHwrltAEDSwkRpJWGyO1RxxfypAspgCPQWWLqgbMxxgekbkOSeyRXNUTKBZhz8RDiG3UwAv9vcNYVlT3bDllII/s320/2012-08-02+00.19.32.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
And...I have a job! I am working in West Valley City, UT, about 20 minutes SW of downtown. We have already found a town-home in West Valley that is about twice the size we live in now. But that is it's own post...Luis will commute about 20 minutes to class, and I will have to commute 6 minutes to work. Wait, is that considered a commute? I am so excited about this job. It is in Urgent Care, and so I will see a little bit of everything. A great place to learn as much as possible. And my supervising Doctor, Dr. Oliver, is so kind and flexible. I am so fortunate to be able to work at Granger Medical. There are so many things about this job that I will love! And of course, with time, there will be things I hate, but the good should overcome it, right? I still think I need to hurry up and finish what I am doing so I can study, but no more! Now I can study whatever topics interest me, and that's okay! No test to worry about, just learning what I want to. ahhhhhhh. I am so ready for this next stage of our lives!!! </div>
Valerie Oquendohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18256022293146539786noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394143728542905024.post-52654545438253048502012-05-09T22:27:00.002-07:002012-05-09T22:27:58.354-07:00Vegas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
When Luis' parents were here for his graduation, we both had the weekend off and so we had nothing to do but play! Luis' mom was kind enough to book a condo for the weekend just 20 minutes away from the Vegas strip so we could celebrate Luis' (and my future) gradution. I was very surprised at just how many attractions came up when we were looking into what there was to do there besides gambling! I was hoping we could get it all done in the day and a half that we had. But it turns out, that was probably the best amount of time. We did feel a bit rushed trying to get to everything, but I think we got to do it all. Isabel treated us to everything...including tickets to see the Blue Man Group. I was pretty impressed with the music they made and the cool colors they used. Oh, and in every single building there is a casino, a hotel, a restaurant, and a bar. And the casinos had no exit signs (tricky, tricky)...</div>
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The first sign...</div>
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When we first got there, we went to the stratosphere which is the tallest building in Vegas. It was so cool to be so high and see the entire city before we did anything else. <br />
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We went to the Mandalay Bay Shark Reef. It was a big aquarium we got to walk through and see sharks, jelly fish, turtles, and other cool sea creatures. One my my best pictures...a stingray that was smiling at us!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhb7ZRzxoULmhjjANRJFHyrANBw_64m_NMXRlaUJOCOmk5Pz_XgWRq6zyqiLF-jJJAkIbeObzlpazQKn00b4MeJeoobqZkGkt0bFaX8YXw0MrxXDq0cvexlxCei95UfnAp6L-Sy4Ly71c/s1600/Luis+grad+and+vegas+043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhb7ZRzxoULmhjjANRJFHyrANBw_64m_NMXRlaUJOCOmk5Pz_XgWRq6zyqiLF-jJJAkIbeObzlpazQKn00b4MeJeoobqZkGkt0bFaX8YXw0MrxXDq0cvexlxCei95UfnAp6L-Sy4Ly71c/s320/Luis+grad+and+vegas+043.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
And the weather was just about as good as it could get...80s with well conditioned buildings in between...<br />
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They have EVERYTHING in Vegas...like an M&M world. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJR9HIoKor3jt4UzHNxcLL2mF_-4JoMyBCRWRCbb2XbOdYLNuZvqx7f27bZ6T6kLkQqdPFWkwqRDDNluMG59qwu_H2xGmMdbIo1OfAI4FGllkVYa1G6Z1i2cHgBCiGryOner34aB54UNE/s1600/Luis+grad+and+vegas+061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJR9HIoKor3jt4UzHNxcLL2mF_-4JoMyBCRWRCbb2XbOdYLNuZvqx7f27bZ6T6kLkQqdPFWkwqRDDNluMG59qwu_H2xGmMdbIo1OfAI4FGllkVYa1G6Z1i2cHgBCiGryOner34aB54UNE/s320/Luis+grad+and+vegas+061.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
And really cool shows...<br />
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And the eifle tower...<br />
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And the Statue of Liberty...<br />
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And bathroom signs that say "Dolls" instead of "Womens"<br />
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I am so glad we had the opportunity to be splurged on (haha). It was so fun to do all the touristy things that Luis and I would not have done had we gone, just the two of us. Lots of memories were made that will not be forgotten. Thank you Isabel and Dorbi fora great vacation!! </div>Valerie Oquendohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18256022293146539786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394143728542905024.post-83827429599653234372012-05-09T20:51:00.002-07:002012-05-09T20:51:54.240-07:00Luis gradutes, again!<h2 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000;">Luis is officially gruaduated from his masters program!!!!!</span></h2>
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He has a Masters of Arts in Political Science with an emphasis in International Relations. Sounds smart, huh?! I am so proud of him in all that he has accomplished. He has such a strong work ethic and I am so fortunate that I married a man who wants to do everything he can to provide for his family. What's next? Well...stay tuned...we should have everything figured out in the next week or so...</div>
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Here we are...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1aTwnfJ5Veqfdgmjqs_wDW_hLXK0gTs3Rv0yvuAf6-6YnQS3F2VD7rVzdIhXSe0d91Fhnx-iL5ZsxOEneEwJzsR99UK_0TCfrN5TFjXDtcocNBVA2KEW8BhFLvuSPM9mSbK4yw2RQm-I/s1600/Picture+160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1aTwnfJ5Veqfdgmjqs_wDW_hLXK0gTs3Rv0yvuAf6-6YnQS3F2VD7rVzdIhXSe0d91Fhnx-iL5ZsxOEneEwJzsR99UK_0TCfrN5TFjXDtcocNBVA2KEW8BhFLvuSPM9mSbK4yw2RQm-I/s320/Picture+160.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
My parents, his mom and step dad were all able to come and support Luis and I in this ending of a chapter. We were able to show his parents around Temple Square for the first time. I knew his mom would love the flowers there, and she did! She kept commenting on how they were arranged so beautifully. I am so happy we live so close to such a beautiful place that even non-members can enjoy. <br />
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This picture for some reason really brings out how small my parents are...just look at them! So cute! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP8ll2LdC0AyNrWAf4YgQvat4ixdAq9lXU1Q5CyhZkUgOmQAVscR9yscyKUejn2ZIQnsOD7eLNvRj2voEFibYUmZcXr3Yzm4WaYs2ev6bWNhYMXwFVRrsY4hle5VsILCkIAh0Ht9TRF8I/s1600/Luis+grad+and+vegas+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP8ll2LdC0AyNrWAf4YgQvat4ixdAq9lXU1Q5CyhZkUgOmQAVscR9yscyKUejn2ZIQnsOD7eLNvRj2voEFibYUmZcXr3Yzm4WaYs2ev6bWNhYMXwFVRrsY4hle5VsILCkIAh0Ht9TRF8I/s320/Luis+grad+and+vegas+005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I loved how proud his mom was of him. Someday I hope to know just how amazing it feels to go through so much sacrifice for your children and then be able to see them accomplish such a great thing. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxhYDOcjIn14LNF21TOXktY6d1jxSrt6JZsgOk1NlWyRV-7TT6U7TzQwlRhvOTq70BO-8gUoA10RTlOLTLqDvUGZ9r4Xh0v2v-nSpQ7JLwTLsa-QBQb2rS_-VxQONBfQwO6P5Cozxfi8/s1600/Luis+grad+and+vegas+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxhYDOcjIn14LNF21TOXktY6d1jxSrt6JZsgOk1NlWyRV-7TT6U7TzQwlRhvOTq70BO-8gUoA10RTlOLTLqDvUGZ9r4Xh0v2v-nSpQ7JLwTLsa-QBQb2rS_-VxQONBfQwO6P5Cozxfi8/s320/Luis+grad+and+vegas+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Through all of the long days (and nights...) of studying, the many headaches, the pages and pages of typing, the canceled fun things planned, the joyful moments of getting an A, the sacrifice of giving up "the finer things in life", the monotanous "quick and easy" "dinners", the no-fun allowed weekends, the joy of finishing another semester, the inflexibility of being able to get away, the difficulty it is to see family, the missed workouts together, the canceled sunday evening walks, the sunny days spent inside with no windows, and the mirage of a light at the end of a tunnel...makes me so proud of US for getting though this together. <br />
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And we still like each other (I think).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMv1yplk1hjFDma6evS4GCfGuugCABSmeH2qobcxE52ml9BvXlT_Mhf5w9x85dY3Tcpmk8C4JRj1Vpg3hDWFq6RPHJajDagKEP5upvidRsugvmj-_ugigBemXpDdSTvaK5RLuQWV52svg/s1600/Luis+grad+and+vegas+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMv1yplk1hjFDma6evS4GCfGuugCABSmeH2qobcxE52ml9BvXlT_Mhf5w9x85dY3Tcpmk8C4JRj1Vpg3hDWFq6RPHJajDagKEP5upvidRsugvmj-_ugigBemXpDdSTvaK5RLuQWV52svg/s320/Luis+grad+and+vegas+006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Valerie Oquendohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18256022293146539786noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394143728542905024.post-48290859486239327992012-02-19T20:25:00.000-08:002012-02-19T20:26:54.332-08:00Missing the love of my life...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8zpMmVWA4T61nP4iw15Ts0jYLnZX6crw9eiNZX1qN1kBR5pMfE9Jo2HDVFxAt9_8CEOzpM_8bbO3GRbmECS1q6PWLwAhjg3Vnc2BoUc0o966-eoPAkU_FsyphjJoAA9ni0YPrVqucYQo/s1600/christmas+2011+017.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8zpMmVWA4T61nP4iw15Ts0jYLnZX6crw9eiNZX1qN1kBR5pMfE9Jo2HDVFxAt9_8CEOzpM_8bbO3GRbmECS1q6PWLwAhjg3Vnc2BoUc0o966-eoPAkU_FsyphjJoAA9ni0YPrVqucYQo/s400/christmas+2011+017.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711069378467304898" /></a><br />1 week down, 5 more to go...<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Valerie Oquendohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18256022293146539786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394143728542905024.post-33628072743598115092011-12-12T21:48:00.001-08:002011-12-12T22:28:21.589-08:00An Early ChristmasWe are so excited for this season!!! Hope to someday have a fireplace to hang these over instead of a dead spot on the wall...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt40bspbQTHFmejOFrz3m-n2Jx8oxTF1qI8_kivaxY9Bep4MNjXLj3_W-KdPdo9fEvseZxP4ErM_TcoChU283-v4f90nzLGp8UUZyz2QTTn4i3iyMMM8aOZzOcsW-YFtbiXTCVhunzn4s/s1600/christmas+2011+003.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt40bspbQTHFmejOFrz3m-n2Jx8oxTF1qI8_kivaxY9Bep4MNjXLj3_W-KdPdo9fEvseZxP4ErM_TcoChU283-v4f90nzLGp8UUZyz2QTTn4i3iyMMM8aOZzOcsW-YFtbiXTCVhunzn4s/s400/christmas+2011+003.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685495294984318034" /></a><br />Our kind of sad looking Christmas tree...with a brown bear (Luis' ornament from my mom)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX9t3Z5Y-1hsa52z-IZ3QH8xZbPIb1DC_cObd8N99oAsI0eoCJEsKJTxm4SmDrdc-I-1k-nwddZdpECMmJufGtAAXvyL7bovHRdrr7lMASk3GTzaZr6QlDQxDsUJIElhaomQoV4D-H6OI/s1600/christmas+2011+004.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX9t3Z5Y-1hsa52z-IZ3QH8xZbPIb1DC_cObd8N99oAsI0eoCJEsKJTxm4SmDrdc-I-1k-nwddZdpECMmJufGtAAXvyL7bovHRdrr7lMASk3GTzaZr6QlDQxDsUJIElhaomQoV4D-H6OI/s400/christmas+2011+004.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685494164376140882" /></a>Luis opening his favorite present: An indoor basketball hoop with a backboard...he demanded that we stop opening presents, "this HAS to be set up right now". Guess standing in line during black Friday was worth it.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH6dWkPQJ11A9nYZuIy5KRxfAHETa9Nrsz7T-5YIPw8wPYPNHxC21OC4yXe9P6wb9vnUi4hb2PEEbNKFRsWpdaRHJgRQK7vKwcqycTOWG3NeXlV-7EgXHet0NYELkOLYgjwG_RoJhQi9Q/s1600/christmas+2011+013.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH6dWkPQJ11A9nYZuIy5KRxfAHETa9Nrsz7T-5YIPw8wPYPNHxC21OC4yXe9P6wb9vnUi4hb2PEEbNKFRsWpdaRHJgRQK7vKwcqycTOWG3NeXlV-7EgXHet0NYELkOLYgjwG_RoJhQi9Q/s400/christmas+2011+013.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685494155314412962" /></a>Since Luis and I are flying home for Christmas, we decided it would be easier to open most of our presents to each other rather than to take them on the plane both ways. So.....my favorite gift that Luis got for me was.................a GPS watch!! I have wanted one of these for many years now, ever since I started running in high school. And now my dreams have come true ;) I am so happy!!! It has some pretty neat features, like calories burned, distance ran (or biked, or hiked), heart rate, lap times, and a program on the computer that I can log all of my workouts onto. It even has a function where I can find my way back home if I get lost (who...me????). I can track my progress by comparing my past workouts to my current one, and race against myself...<div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNtMR43bcQvp4UayRRb1mFPPdhRh0TciRzKlHsCd2ykI0d9O9t-25pEj3qxT1WCMY-aS-fnS5bnJvwYq8NA1TDvd-Cuus942_mPDO49gv2IS0_Ry_iruqgHtpC419fjxtrpd-6jQwtrM/s1600/christmas+2011+016.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNtMR43bcQvp4UayRRb1mFPPdhRh0TciRzKlHsCd2ykI0d9O9t-25pEj3qxT1WCMY-aS-fnS5bnJvwYq8NA1TDvd-Cuus942_mPDO49gv2IS0_Ry_iruqgHtpC419fjxtrpd-6jQwtrM/s400/christmas+2011+016.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685486011414626050" /></a>I am signing up for a Spartan Race which is basically an 8 mile race with lots of obstacle courses that you have to get through in order to finish the race...I AM SO EXCITED!!! But I probably wont take my watch because I don't want it to get dirty. The only thing this watch needs is a camera so I can take pictures of all of the pretty things I get to see on my runs...Next Christmas I will wish for a running buddy (aka a puppy, since Luis wouldn't dare take me on!!). Excited to go visit home in just a few short days...to warmer (and probably wetter) weather...</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!</div>Valerie Oquendohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18256022293146539786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394143728542905024.post-56353456005339511832011-11-25T21:23:00.000-08:002011-11-25T21:41:11.263-08:00Holiday CheerThis is what all of you are missing out on! We went to see the lights at Temple Square tonight and they were as beautiful as ever. It helped us get into the Christmas spirit being able to hear people on horse carriages singing Christmas carols and see an awesome display of Christ's birth with a narration. It's kinda neat to see Temple Square so busy with people speaking so many different languages at this time of year. <div>This picture is a street that takes you straight to the temple...about 3 blocks from our apt. (Bonus: no trying to find parking...just walking!!)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaiNP3hFqPmUUTebKdqPph01JDFBP_wXOypRp4tBTweNvqYQkdzDX9Snw-ZGC4Emis0z2zbAYEUtCY7fhQRnOJndUq_neDrGIppKrFK_0E3WXvNnxZJRiiDG6mp2bmp4jr42ad_9nxu9I/s1600/Logan+020.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaiNP3hFqPmUUTebKdqPph01JDFBP_wXOypRp4tBTweNvqYQkdzDX9Snw-ZGC4Emis0z2zbAYEUtCY7fhQRnOJndUq_neDrGIppKrFK_0E3WXvNnxZJRiiDG6mp2bmp4jr42ad_9nxu9I/s400/Logan+020.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679173338101430082" /></a>Here is a really cool nativity that shows Joseph and Mary with baby Jesus floating in the water, with shepherds and lambs surrounding them on the grass with the North Star on the top of the tree...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NKWJddW2g5_qM__UnQzXw6hdfpvlpT-2SoYFz3ORxZ1iLNMGN8QcTkOFYGZ5Ci0oSbHrdy1Pj92z8GHuIH9i_-epKFicjJ54n6wI1SiYLg8-aG1OVqdZooI8iCz0tmRh2ggaLQYSXmo/s1600/Logan+016.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NKWJddW2g5_qM__UnQzXw6hdfpvlpT-2SoYFz3ORxZ1iLNMGN8QcTkOFYGZ5Ci0oSbHrdy1Pj92z8GHuIH9i_-epKFicjJ54n6wI1SiYLg8-aG1OVqdZooI8iCz0tmRh2ggaLQYSXmo/s400/Logan+016.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679173326075514114" /></a>MERRY CHRISTMAS!! We will spend our holiday at home with some family. Luis and I have a few more weeks of school stuff, then we are HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilqvxpnuHgDWukdRBAmN01Czb1mE3dlIEO1bMAsDzGMxJPUPXADhp2ojxKqdozrf-XSS5Of6JwTT5BBp21b9VSyrGFdiL6Wy8V7UMnvUDhRfruCHuA97-PTexnGm3Iz7MHkPsha9R0i9E/s1600/Logan+015.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilqvxpnuHgDWukdRBAmN01Czb1mE3dlIEO1bMAsDzGMxJPUPXADhp2ojxKqdozrf-XSS5Of6JwTT5BBp21b9VSyrGFdiL6Wy8V7UMnvUDhRfruCHuA97-PTexnGm3Iz7MHkPsha9R0i9E/s400/Logan+015.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679173319369992978" /></a>And to all a good night.<br /><br /></div>Valerie Oquendohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18256022293146539786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394143728542905024.post-57705592464883934752011-11-25T21:20:00.000-08:002011-11-25T21:59:59.421-08:00ThanksgivingWe were able to celebrate Thanksgiving this year with My brother Chad and his wife Angela and their family. We got to see this girl!!! Unfortunately we didn't get a group picture, but jsut know we had the BEST food and the BEST company.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg77ok1PsmXKXOtxfygoWYvKxbu5_pInlG5YLOtgKKR5GHNxbx5wuF_WMHsQy21aOjj700HEzDK2pI1ji4ZN9cPH97R1DtOr7qmMKeTGdfgVOxb075eXcs_vCP0iaKFPFONrYToRazfXDA/s1600/Logan+012.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg77ok1PsmXKXOtxfygoWYvKxbu5_pInlG5YLOtgKKR5GHNxbx5wuF_WMHsQy21aOjj700HEzDK2pI1ji4ZN9cPH97R1DtOr7qmMKeTGdfgVOxb075eXcs_vCP0iaKFPFONrYToRazfXDA/s400/Logan+012.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679177213639677026" /></a>So even though it was 55 degrees when we left SLC, it was around 30 degrees just 1.5 hours north in Logan! But that didn't stop hardcore Angela from going snow shoeing and she brought me with her and her friends. It was a first for the both of us, and we both really liked it. It was really fun to get outdoors and get a workout. And the best part is that I think I could talk Luis into this activity...maybe someday on a regular basis. So...this picture shows a mountain that we went STRAIGHT UP. It wasn't easy at all! It was steep enough to where we had to use our hands to help us climb up it and not fall straight backwards (not an exaggeration at all).<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCsiSW58vt544AXjFn9hAwMLI-phUYZ_y2ulKp2VmqRDPPpww-wBTF_uw9U_oCuJMr4bST7YDzQmnwQnqxI_KGSRs4onx2mBRNEgtCcqAfiuhMHlyQuy8hKvcauU7CoWpS4i34ZMlFea8/s1600/Logan+004+%25281%2529.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCsiSW58vt544AXjFn9hAwMLI-phUYZ_y2ulKp2VmqRDPPpww-wBTF_uw9U_oCuJMr4bST7YDzQmnwQnqxI_KGSRs4onx2mBRNEgtCcqAfiuhMHlyQuy8hKvcauU7CoWpS4i34ZMlFea8/s400/Logan+004+%25281%2529.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679177208741499586" /></a>Us hot and sweaty...and happy...and hungry!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWh76xdZLdeUdpxHp2zReNzzABk-JfLOVOs-rTC0Cv8jNfk8wn16_R6IHx_zmNzxso3igiJDCIMvM54-E2aNu0lVoml5AGPYnjsS1XepaTJdSGs-XYwMuW91jRAHp57wsWBNcilVbJK1w/s1600/Winter2011+007.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWh76xdZLdeUdpxHp2zReNzzABk-JfLOVOs-rTC0Cv8jNfk8wn16_R6IHx_zmNzxso3igiJDCIMvM54-E2aNu0lVoml5AGPYnjsS1XepaTJdSGs-XYwMuW91jRAHp57wsWBNcilVbJK1w/s400/Winter2011+007.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679177189722116962" /></a>The views were to die for! So pretty to see the canyon at all different views...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUP0byqHCr7ZVppoWpf8xnhentSCp_4H4nPPO7TzZjtULBDv3udL4nRoYTIY1nwLYBwjKlFLg20_IwKOmHiaHodzQysKw9g-tlCQK7u7XeE5p-4vzcNm9HlmSPJ4En7YXzLwbgfAi-4w/s1600/Logan+002.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUP0byqHCr7ZVppoWpf8xnhentSCp_4H4nPPO7TzZjtULBDv3udL4nRoYTIY1nwLYBwjKlFLg20_IwKOmHiaHodzQysKw9g-tlCQK7u7XeE5p-4vzcNm9HlmSPJ4En7YXzLwbgfAi-4w/s400/Logan+002.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679177183908760578" /></a>This was NO Turkey Trot!! We went 3+ miles and 2.5 hours of climbing mountains, hiking snow trails, and crossing water (with iced logs...little scary). When all was said and done I was so excited to eat as much as I wanted in a warm house...love the holidays. Hopefully Luis and I can get out to do this some time next semester...he will LOVE it...Valerie Oquendohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18256022293146539786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394143728542905024.post-31538443312661361072011-11-17T23:03:00.000-08:002011-11-17T23:14:27.539-08:00Trip to University Place (haha)I was able to take a trip to my brothers to get some dental work done and had the chance to spend some time with family. It was the one of the FEW times in my life that I was excited to go to the dentist! My brother and his wife Summer were able to show me a BEAUTIFUL park they live next to. It is HUGE and even has water with islands in it. There is also a train that goes through it, which made one little boy very happy. My nephew Cash LOVES trains, and anything to do with them. Here he is below waiting for the train to come.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKyKsP3U-OvQwDlJHUR4kwGUoNcHFp1dB8gEDgk4q7ODxpCM8vhhkBETcj-F91OKr7u0dEQzYY-Ghtcor5GrKvDZV9vYNo-7gB6fqsWtfm4u6xRH01ikNUxzldMEeUo-mbvpPEpfWRuC0/s1600/luis%2527+bday+and+food+014.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKyKsP3U-OvQwDlJHUR4kwGUoNcHFp1dB8gEDgk4q7ODxpCM8vhhkBETcj-F91OKr7u0dEQzYY-Ghtcor5GrKvDZV9vYNo-7gB6fqsWtfm4u6xRH01ikNUxzldMEeUo-mbvpPEpfWRuC0/s400/luis%2527+bday+and+food+014.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676228476003473874" /></a>Us smiling...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirTTCAdaOKyWBDDzBQcNZGWTT117D_VDkReoGy_YJCmnHRSISmrYwAI1uTA0vFvtrFBQ_7VhCiN0qU9GZcHzQBHAUcp4-yfPU3GHQ_GlRKSb0ugxk82WTYH2GjAub9stsCPW8Ujye4p_c/s1600/luis%2527+bday+and+food+018.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirTTCAdaOKyWBDDzBQcNZGWTT117D_VDkReoGy_YJCmnHRSISmrYwAI1uTA0vFvtrFBQ_7VhCiN0qU9GZcHzQBHAUcp4-yfPU3GHQ_GlRKSb0ugxk82WTYH2GjAub9stsCPW8Ujye4p_c/s400/luis%2527+bday+and+food+018.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676228465586289250" /></a>And I couldn't resist posting this one...He is just so cute!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYk6mT9RrKJGmKMLmneY-C_DTs2zA_eGqyFfhS0zMvKX43ILwh3OECwB9aPAINTIZ3mWyQ5zFQN4DaXP9FFpZkxuv8K_7BSP72_hElGUlO-2EYjbhbA5sMfFazgekZh_GEnvE7tW_7mUg/s1600/luis%2527+bday+and+food+010.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYk6mT9RrKJGmKMLmneY-C_DTs2zA_eGqyFfhS0zMvKX43ILwh3OECwB9aPAINTIZ3mWyQ5zFQN4DaXP9FFpZkxuv8K_7BSP72_hElGUlO-2EYjbhbA5sMfFazgekZh_GEnvE7tW_7mUg/s400/luis%2527+bday+and+food+010.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676228461940835282" /></a>My teeth are always a work in progress, and I am excited to visit them again at Christmas time to get more work done, and to meet their new baby!!<div><br /></div><div>Summer and I were also able to drive down to Vancouver and surprise my mom with a visit for a few hours. I rarely do anything without planning it ahead of time, and am grateful Summer brought out that spontaneous side of me. It was so much fun even though half the time was spent in the car. There is no place like home. </div>Valerie Oquendohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18256022293146539786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394143728542905024.post-5127124690588563662011-11-03T13:04:00.000-07:002011-11-17T23:03:19.216-08:00School and Luis' Bday<div style="text-align: center; ">We are officially here in Salt Lake City, and LOVING IT!! It is so nice to be able to walk everywhere and be so close to everything! One thing I am not a big fan of is all of the traffic lights. I was at the VA doing my psych rotation which is 3 1/2 miles from our house. You'd think it would take 10 minutes to get there. Well...due to having to go through 22 traffic lights, it can take up to a half an hour to get home!! Annoying...</div><br /><div>Well, finished my surgery rotation and LOVED it. I was very sad when I had to leave it ;( All those guts are pretty exciting to me ;) I was able to be the 1st assist in a lot of really cool surgeries. A few of them: bowel resections (the coolest ones), CABG, appendectomies, gallbladder removals (LOTS), Whipple procedures, fistulas for dialysis, and mastectomies. I can hardly wait for my cardiothoracic surgery rotation now ;)) I will say that the traumas the surgeon got called to were pretty crazy too, making me more anxious for my ER rotation. Still I am unsure of where I would like to end up working, but I am sure happy I have found things that I really enjoy doing so that when the time comes, I will be able to be more open to jobs that will be available.</div><div><br /></div><div>Luis is doing well, studying harder than ever this semester. He (we) is so glad he will be done in May! (At least with this program...haha!) He is not 100% on what he wants to get his PhD in currently but hopefully soon we can figure that out. Whatever it is, I am just glad that <em>I</em> will be done with school in August. Whohoo!</div><br />Nothing over here is all that exciting but we love our simple life. I have LOVED the places that are a running distance away. So many different routes I can take. I really hope the FALL sticks around for a loooooooong time....I am hoping to post some pictures soon of the things I see on my runs. You WILL be impressed.<div><br /></div><div>Luis' most recent find he is so proud of: baseball/football cleats for $20!! His favorite part is that he can change the color of the swoosh. Now he is ready for the ward to start a league already! (Can you tell he wasn't too thrilled to take a picture??)</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6-7ozGM0Q3mrzPxwPtEjWVmLYqlFioJAcFNQdvqIhRRGnpEbZHwhR4JaMy7H15cexFsKPFXH0lhVaqG1SU3A-exdjLqObwfVlOHR7U89D1qnq9Fe2Ow3NIR1zzw7qN-ByRdAadhBz0M/s1600/luis%2527+bday+and+food+042.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6-7ozGM0Q3mrzPxwPtEjWVmLYqlFioJAcFNQdvqIhRRGnpEbZHwhR4JaMy7H15cexFsKPFXH0lhVaqG1SU3A-exdjLqObwfVlOHR7U89D1qnq9Fe2Ow3NIR1zzw7qN-ByRdAadhBz0M/s400/luis%2527+bday+and+food+042.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676224139176474370" /></a>Just over a month ago we celebrated Luis' birthday. Just the two of us since we really don't know anyone in Salt Lake, and we still kind of like each other, so it was still fun. He was blessed to get his entire birthday week (haha phlup) off from school (well, at least his classes...). He studied all week!! We have both realized we don't really like cake much and PIES are WAY better so now we are going to have pies for our birthday treat. He chose chocolate oreo cream pie with real whipped cream.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNXx9ViiCAll3HSaBlCJ_59ii69ZgAcmxCB3ZjEISH2meQbzvESibiC3oY5XI-W8YVxc2vmXoEKOE6uJ87MuMZmz1PmtMbxPcI4C8kKhVlS5f8NOwpnUy4kRgnO3Wt8RL6qcIN9_CgejQ/s1600/luis%2527+bday+and+food+030.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNXx9ViiCAll3HSaBlCJ_59ii69ZgAcmxCB3ZjEISH2meQbzvESibiC3oY5XI-W8YVxc2vmXoEKOE6uJ87MuMZmz1PmtMbxPcI4C8kKhVlS5f8NOwpnUy4kRgnO3Wt8RL6qcIN9_CgejQ/s400/luis%2527+bday+and+food+030.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676224131889289122" /></a>For his gifts, I first had the bright idea to get him a LOVESAC from KSL and make it a surprise. Well...I am glad it ended up not being a surprise (he snooped onto my computer and saw the searches!!) because it weighs more than you'd think! And it took us a good half hour to get it in the Camry, and another 45 minutes to get it out of the car! But WE LOVE IT!!!!!! And it was well worth the workout it gave us that night (and the next day...). Since this gift could have maybe had my name engraved on it, I figured I should get him a few things for him. First, got him his first stainless steal sauce pan...may not be that exciting for everyone, but Luis has been complaining about our Teflon pans because they don't get hot enough. It has made our lives a bit easier already.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7PGAsSGte9zbYnLtzhgDgjzfCTqMtGpTp5P5gX5OMOg0bf5MD62mYhEbeKC8FnYt6WGhJpvUr3ZgOnuo1lTA4d17ChmHEfgmku9H3VrVc4EC_yOcdNUUnyFlx77RmAbyzlfd1dQjwnbQ/s1600/luis%2527+bday+and+food+026.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7PGAsSGte9zbYnLtzhgDgjzfCTqMtGpTp5P5gX5OMOg0bf5MD62mYhEbeKC8FnYt6WGhJpvUr3ZgOnuo1lTA4d17ChmHEfgmku9H3VrVc4EC_yOcdNUUnyFlx77RmAbyzlfd1dQjwnbQ/s400/luis%2527+bday+and+food+026.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676224121993762802" /></a>Okay, so this next picture captures a glimpse of the best present...it was an umbrella. Yup. An umbrella. Luis was SO FUNNY when he opened it. He was spinning it on the ground when it was open and clicking his heals singing "I'm singin' in the rain!". He was like a child, being the most excited for the cheapest gift. Now I know...(lovesac is on his right)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9DWeMLXvz-FyRzVnKFGEOBHOMusQaAh2vwWMUWBqATe_USC1mKyYkCAUBhKkF4mPpF5SFns1g3UC6ZW_DJ7aszecltkYgBWtAJglBRSrVN2rhWsEFbxfppheGmiVcOqfGX42iIO90dUM/s1600/luis%2527+bday+and+food+023.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9DWeMLXvz-FyRzVnKFGEOBHOMusQaAh2vwWMUWBqATe_USC1mKyYkCAUBhKkF4mPpF5SFns1g3UC6ZW_DJ7aszecltkYgBWtAJglBRSrVN2rhWsEFbxfppheGmiVcOqfGX42iIO90dUM/s400/luis%2527+bday+and+food+023.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676224117549504274" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Valerie Oquendohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18256022293146539786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394143728542905024.post-91997353126566137942011-08-21T00:21:00.001-07:002011-08-21T00:48:32.333-07:00Salt Lake City<div style="text-align: left;">We made it! We are here in SLC, only 1/2 mile from temple square. We can even see Angel Moroni's little nose from our back door. Being walking distance to just about everything is GREAT! I have officially ended my first year of didactic craziness, and after a week off to move (and relax) I have already completed my first week of my clinical year. I am starting in my surgery rotation and I have already learned so much and the surgeon I follow is great at teaching me.</div><div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">
<br /></span></div><div>For the week we had off to move, here are some pictures of our adventures. First of all, my parents made a trip here to help us move, and it was a great excuse for them to come and see us. We started off with a trip to my brother Chad's house and then we went to lava where we went down a river. Sadly no pictures from that. Then we packed everything up, cleaned, and left town by Tuesday. After unpacking, we went camping in Provo and hiked the Y in the morning.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT00Ws0wi5tO72H33SxgvCjXWCRd2eFT4VYF2UZ1-0QMWh0bYdOFvswp8FzvIXx0R2WdmOhggK-axpjr_-HUX8EWSoQIb000ED7s0Zhsdk2mutysbAV8mBeTu4dDL3dSBVdmxfJT4eN8k/s400/summer+2011+005.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643206801559441154" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtG-SI4u8rYZLqtYwn5AJoEyVaNgwNWwEG06L7t4VKfH7SKYkSU4UDg-8y6B_6JGbD9jre24m6K4o7Yb2h_o9swdA8UE4tQOccB9PGJzkHsJLQXVGxIroZc6psGDndgXJxhtylBBsLzsk/s400/summer+2011+007.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643206819832083874" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDeiwLOWY2PjHLF92UK7RNB2Y-zk91rdjLOu10vtit8PBt7ZO9xnYv9DIambzJ3X_CytFba1o0XfWvPUJtnelLDYq6ZrwzadoA1P14Dth5dCmgNt0tCahkTQY2mq4x5-42Dc0PskWTZoI/s1600/summer+2011+014.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDeiwLOWY2PjHLF92UK7RNB2Y-zk91rdjLOu10vtit8PBt7ZO9xnYv9DIambzJ3X_CytFba1o0XfWvPUJtnelLDYq6ZrwzadoA1P14Dth5dCmgNt0tCahkTQY2mq4x5-42Dc0PskWTZoI/s1600/summer+2011+014.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; "></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; "></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDeiwLOWY2PjHLF92UK7RNB2Y-zk91rdjLOu10vtit8PBt7ZO9xnYv9DIambzJ3X_CytFba1o0XfWvPUJtnelLDYq6ZrwzadoA1P14Dth5dCmgNt0tCahkTQY2mq4x5-42Dc0PskWTZoI/s400/summer+2011+014.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643206850400865842" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; "><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">my mom was such a trooper!</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; "></span></span></span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRyyqmKBqL0kkuhH50PJuSWiUZzFgbgMNKjUkZ5PnizvrtjAHYDADEqAK6Dfc5jQfE3AIwSApBpq9YsvzY44Iyq6S1EGgQC7Ihvg9brFWgoR5CVkUD-6lXxhRnU9_iB7AKeSd-zua_VM/s400/summer+2011+018.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643206838689146418" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">And of course we saw temple square... <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBgq1GveQ4OITKQNA6BmbFBIhtS4oEBCgde-Zday7r36G5txatKt0OJ6tlEuRIJNQCowOCvaRbLIXp1AcML5T3CVJpJH9xHNoYiHGNTS0SwHKjhGdH9z1jEy_zLAd83F1Ee3MlTQ-4qLo/s400/summer+2011+029.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643208393460349682" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3Rb0hS-ZicfeL7QdHro70rGUidN7wcPFC4HUi7s8F_a-CsjXHnMPeDnX6b-prjrgTymaQtalGONJuNDfCidWEJsTy2gTrVAUGmQMJTTqWJXoDvghC0n8Wcogue7Nu-to7g8Z8ngJKnw/s400/summer+2011+033.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643208403290837714" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div>On Saturday we were able to get together with more family and go to the Parade of Homes in SLC. I have found mine and Luis' dream kitchen!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0YOrDCgsBqN5yuPLn5LJuDgysH2PXzxlq7sqdHhym1Z0_OXxyIEspGCbeLKkLcVyZ7Qa0X6RCPGF0H61F3SLDUMr1kWOA27QNixSC_z7J9Zbg1UpyGd09j0l9fwtBzIzCOL-U1vIKd0A/s400/summer+2011+066.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643211809452376546" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div></div><div><div>Thank you mom and dad for making this a great week off and helping with the move!!!</div><div>
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<br /></div><div>We are hoping for more visitors since we no longer live in the armpit of Idaho (Phillip!!) So we hope to see more visitors, or at least come and park by our apt while you tour downtown!!</div></div></div>Valerie Oquendohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18256022293146539786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394143728542905024.post-91397718383960229372011-07-29T21:59:00.000-07:002011-07-29T22:22:12.351-07:00Summer 2011The PA program decided to start an annual white coat ceremony, and we got to be the first class to go through it :) It was a lot of fun going to Boise and celebrating a year of accomplishments as we prepare to embrace our 2nd year in clinicals. As always, seeing my brother Travis and his family is always an adventure and just made the trip even grander. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhujzXti_7pTH0OSGyCEv7dUBLaKG5-T80r35pnFtPRwUcgc844iBPXbCjOiYACXFSQzs7SGqbjlSx_oOjq7SgE5_WCIarRH53fXlPWn0K0GrIJKa3uX55WCIXY_d_DMOdy-DAiDYMcaeI/s1600/blah+008.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhujzXti_7pTH0OSGyCEv7dUBLaKG5-T80r35pnFtPRwUcgc844iBPXbCjOiYACXFSQzs7SGqbjlSx_oOjq7SgE5_WCIarRH53fXlPWn0K0GrIJKa3uX55WCIXY_d_DMOdy-DAiDYMcaeI/s400/blah+008.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635009417965615698" /></a><br />Luis is a VERY clever person. He found a bunch of PCP pipe at the DI and used a handle from my resistance bands (which he broke) and turned it into his own baseball tee! He even made it so you can change the height on it (just for me). Don't mind all the garbage in the background. We are moving in 1 week to Salt Lake, so EVERYTHING is a mess. And quite frankly, I could care less. I've got tests to worry about!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbJ3Ebux-Ff2lxNgl2W7CZ7yplbEY3IVoztKNpzQrulmjJnr22iJAkVqXALPStTcaDyD3mp0CI2dYzHhf5aSRKbZqPjPjKeJRzJZqFAX5rky2ywvOfBfaFDRmUMA9KZo5yDL19QoQOUP8/s1600/pioneer+day+008.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbJ3Ebux-Ff2lxNgl2W7CZ7yplbEY3IVoztKNpzQrulmjJnr22iJAkVqXALPStTcaDyD3mp0CI2dYzHhf5aSRKbZqPjPjKeJRzJZqFAX5rky2ywvOfBfaFDRmUMA9KZo5yDL19QoQOUP8/s400/pioneer+day+008.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635007999996548466" /></a><div><br /></div>In other news...Luis and I participated in the Pioneer day celebration fun run and bike race. The bike race was 16 miles, and Luis was such a great sport doing it because he has not been riding his bike for exercise lately AND he does not have a top-of-the-line bike (to say it nicely). In the end it was funny to hear how he was open to the idea of someday getting a nice bike where he could be more competitive in bike races (since he's not much of a runner...darn it!). I ran the 10k (6.2 miles) and ended up doing better than I was expecting since I hadn't been training for the race at all. We signed up for this 2 days before the races, so we gave it all we had with our regular day-to-day workouts going into it. I ended with a time of 45:30, equal to 6.2 miles at a 7:34 pace. Not as fast as I used to be by a long shot, but I was still impressed with myself. Here we are with our friends who talked us into signing up. The one of the left (Eric) got 1st in the 10k for guys and I got 1st place in the 10k for the girls!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp1U5HjBaithkcd9H1_ByUoDNLx_GWUsbNoRmr82gw39eCIN9RT4NywQQdI8Xagx_Q-KWRlfrAfWNaHOQfTjmW3l9XdSkzbDGFk5DpvdxblGY5TybDbfwAUfIfc73Vi4ReDr94kLRTdCc/s1600/pioneer+day+001.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp1U5HjBaithkcd9H1_ByUoDNLx_GWUsbNoRmr82gw39eCIN9RT4NywQQdI8Xagx_Q-KWRlfrAfWNaHOQfTjmW3l9XdSkzbDGFk5DpvdxblGY5TybDbfwAUfIfc73Vi4ReDr94kLRTdCc/s400/pioneer+day+001.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635007174135623554" /></a>1 more week in Pocatello and Salt Lake here we come! It will be awesome for Luis to not have to travel anymore for classes. We will be 3.4 miles from his school and .6 miles from temple square. Maybe this next year we will be able to explore just a teensy bit more...Valerie Oquendohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18256022293146539786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394143728542905024.post-35774531628977222642011-05-27T17:01:00.000-07:002011-05-27T17:14:27.873-07:00Home Sweet HomeWe were able to go home for a week between semesters a few weeks ago and it was so much fun to do nothing! We had ideas of how we would spend our time once we arrived, but many of them didn't happen, mostly because of our laziness, but being lazy was fun too.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQZGl36Msixqk7h49jO8u-Jj0YkqCEjyQRA-ANFaVx84tU0VUdEI6dfikGOnj0Fce1jOcwDWV8yHzwKKv9JYvPY7zLFrSkXV1ty7gdAe2KzHsc-QBaEyVGRr8ud2EufODXD9JwevX8qk/s1600/CIMG3094.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQZGl36Msixqk7h49jO8u-Jj0YkqCEjyQRA-ANFaVx84tU0VUdEI6dfikGOnj0Fce1jOcwDWV8yHzwKKv9JYvPY7zLFrSkXV1ty7gdAe2KzHsc-QBaEyVGRr8ud2EufODXD9JwevX8qk/s400/CIMG3094.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611550703587331826" /></a>We were able to go to the waterfront in Vancouver and it was beautiful as ever. A little cold, but worth a picture. This semester has 10 weeks left and then I will be done with my didactic year!!! I can hardly believe it! I am amazed at how much stuff they have stuffed into my brain in just 1 year! Luis has the summer off from school, and is in line to get work from the temp agency in town. And oh yes, he has promised to COMPLETE P90X this summer while he has the extra time. The picture above is the before picture. He has 80 days left and then the after picture will be on here. After the semester we are planning to move to Salt Lake where Luis will be a lot closer to his school. I will have my clinical year based out of Logan, which hopefully includes some rotations in Salt Lake as well. I get my first 3 rotations told to me on Tuesday! (I have been a little anxious waiting for this...).Valerie Oquendohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18256022293146539786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394143728542905024.post-42603735992636214582011-04-26T14:46:00.000-07:002011-04-26T14:54:47.987-07:00PA and Polysci school<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGjK0WnlES38bX4JB22KFnvWQPwUHalUDUk88qyhfEi9_f5SczY3jZqcyAtGVHDk3D3UDVN4_JF-vk3Dy2JmGbIhAk923vK2zy8OeoT34SRB0GR9Tc09pU9KJQdftfHwVBwHwJBtF4puk/s1600/2011-04-22_15-22-17_812+%25281%2529.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGjK0WnlES38bX4JB22KFnvWQPwUHalUDUk88qyhfEi9_f5SczY3jZqcyAtGVHDk3D3UDVN4_JF-vk3Dy2JmGbIhAk923vK2zy8OeoT34SRB0GR9Tc09pU9KJQdftfHwVBwHwJBtF4puk/s400/2011-04-22_15-22-17_812+%25281%2529.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600012226546063714" /></a>PA school is so much better this semester than it was last! Maybe it's because now I know everything (yeah. right.) This semester I feel like we are applying our knowledge (at least trying t0) with mock patients and labs. Here is my favorite one so far that I have actually been anxiously awaiting since day one. Luis is enjoying his schooling, but is sure happy to be finished commuting every week to Utah. Next week is his last week! We are so blessed that Rob and Beth put up with him! We are planning to move to Farmington, UT for my clinical year so Luis can be a little closer to his school. Clinical year is so close I can feel it! And even though it is currently white on the ground (people around have been calling it white rain?), it is getting closer to summer! Have every reason to be happy.Valerie Oquendohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18256022293146539786noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394143728542905024.post-38490479782184249492011-01-02T21:20:00.000-08:002011-01-02T23:07:34.436-08:00We are alive<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6NUaotfP0HJ2-u-Bgcc5sBsegsuKLTHRsswV5VPpttyv_00VNnG049QERWjOKdlkfzEupczs-vBGCejHawlcCZdyQ1CgnqVOrpzaT5yGjxCO21_Cu8_X89VEdbavw6gjtWf0j9a3YKVw/s1600/Christmas+2010+307.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6NUaotfP0HJ2-u-Bgcc5sBsegsuKLTHRsswV5VPpttyv_00VNnG049QERWjOKdlkfzEupczs-vBGCejHawlcCZdyQ1CgnqVOrpzaT5yGjxCO21_Cu8_X89VEdbavw6gjtWf0j9a3YKVw/s400/Christmas+2010+307.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557852631499533506" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOLREyrUhK5gSE6TI6XIeduMZlUAwM2RzA5JZqUpbeBEh3sLTQUTyA20yaazzD9S_RUbPXmGpbQWYQ3pkTBua4QVHrUHuqIQG-jTFocuZIuvKfvU3TQuiQ9sxxaol845LhYt_qFlx4P-I/s1600/Christmas+2010+295.jpg"><span style="font-size:100%;">So obviously I have not been posting on this thing for quite a while. So here is an update on our lives...</span></a> <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOLREyrUhK5gSE6TI6XIeduMZlUAwM2RzA5JZqUpbeBEh3sLTQUTyA20yaazzD9S_RUbPXmGpbQWYQ3pkTBua4QVHrUHuqIQG-jTFocuZIuvKfvU3TQuiQ9sxxaol845LhYt_qFlx4P-I/s1600/Christmas+2010+295.jpg"><span style="font-size:100%;">We are currently both in our graduate programs and are loving it! I literally have no time for anything but class and studying, but what else was I expecting? For those of you who do not know, I am going to Idaho State University for their Physician Assistant program and Luis is commuting to the University of Utah once a week (and stays for a few days) and is in their Political Science program working on his Masters. We have completed our first semesters and are beginning our second next week.</span></a> <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOLREyrUhK5gSE6TI6XIeduMZlUAwM2RzA5JZqUpbeBEh3sLTQUTyA20yaazzD9S_RUbPXmGpbQWYQ3pkTBua4QVHrUHuqIQG-jTFocuZIuvKfvU3TQuiQ9sxxaol845LhYt_qFlx4P-I/s1600/Christmas+2010+295.jpg"><span style="font-size:100%;">For Christmas we were able to fly home and spend a few weeks with both of our families. I love that all of my siblings and their families were able to make it home for Christmas this year. I was grumpy for a few days in there, but I really enjoyed the memories that were created. Luis and I were able to get a few pictures of us as you may have noticed. We haven't ever done that before (except at our wedding) so it was a fun experience. We also got family pictures taken that I will post when I get them. Here are a few pics from the visit...</span></a><br /><br />Us at the top of Mt. Hood<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOLREyrUhK5gSE6TI6XIeduMZlUAwM2RzA5JZqUpbeBEh3sLTQUTyA20yaazzD9S_RUbPXmGpbQWYQ3pkTBua4QVHrUHuqIQG-jTFocuZIuvKfvU3TQuiQ9sxxaol845LhYt_qFlx4P-I/s1600/Christmas+2010+295.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOLREyrUhK5gSE6TI6XIeduMZlUAwM2RzA5JZqUpbeBEh3sLTQUTyA20yaazzD9S_RUbPXmGpbQWYQ3pkTBua4QVHrUHuqIQG-jTFocuZIuvKfvU3TQuiQ9sxxaol845LhYt_qFlx4P-I/s400/Christmas+2010+295.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557847438687786418" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapxttA3caHk8A1cmXCUYp64RX_aSp2UPdGRabDJM7RQNGWMAevby0UtjEjMNbpT5Rv6M1hoJEoV-gMqML0SnZEtJnywUMkDU3Zmh6oKzFb3LjDI6LmLNQquGiSyx0BAH_l0xSMc8knVU/s1600/Christmas+2010+262.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapxttA3caHk8A1cmXCUYp64RX_aSp2UPdGRabDJM7RQNGWMAevby0UtjEjMNbpT5Rv6M1hoJEoV-gMqML0SnZEtJnywUMkDU3Zmh6oKzFb3LjDI6LmLNQquGiSyx0BAH_l0xSMc8knVU/s400/Christmas+2010+262.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557847429185578418" border="0" /></a>G'pa with a few of the little ones<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZsuJIOmjVCLuN6uBPi8jbGTQ-6HOwWA9mF79aIBgriIrAN0f4smSgMfCu5umUPEtHtECTSid8bxzB6feT2PeF3YzNftoBN5o_BvTg9ju9urMckuU5vsNf3nS8Sxq_Q6RuNw_Y1npDlXs/s1600/Christmas+2010+184.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZsuJIOmjVCLuN6uBPi8jbGTQ-6HOwWA9mF79aIBgriIrAN0f4smSgMfCu5umUPEtHtECTSid8bxzB6feT2PeF3YzNftoBN5o_BvTg9ju9urMckuU5vsNf3nS8Sxq_Q6RuNw_Y1npDlXs/s400/Christmas+2010+184.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557845439232237218" border="0" /></a>Our Fancy Nancy tea party...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGEqHo3YuekaHa0GMNi5e78cU4f_ipubyRSpwFrmbNKEBlhx-KVZzHpzQaHfdZveJiEQ7e_fiw_GQPhZnsUQgxuQ4ellOsfL0wcGQ4kFl5aGn3BlE0jUFJUxwxm4bvWJ19ywR3dN0IwE/s1600/Christmas+2010+176.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGEqHo3YuekaHa0GMNi5e78cU4f_ipubyRSpwFrmbNKEBlhx-KVZzHpzQaHfdZveJiEQ7e_fiw_GQPhZnsUQgxuQ4ellOsfL0wcGQ4kFl5aGn3BlE0jUFJUxwxm4bvWJ19ywR3dN0IwE/s400/Christmas+2010+176.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557845431647201250" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOLREyrUhK5gSE6TI6XIeduMZlUAwM2RzA5JZqUpbeBEh3sLTQUTyA20yaazzD9S_RUbPXmGpbQWYQ3pkTBua4QVHrUHuqIQG-jTFocuZIuvKfvU3TQuiQ9sxxaol845LhYt_qFlx4P-I/s1600/Christmas+2010+295.jpg"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >Of course it went by WAY too fast, but we are anxious to get this next semester going.</span></a>Valerie Oquendohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18256022293146539786noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394143728542905024.post-50445095455397202282010-08-24T21:13:00.001-07:002010-08-24T21:19:21.377-07:00Happy Anniversary!It has now been 2 years and one day ago that Luis and I have been married. I know it isn't that long, but it seems like it has gone by so fast! Yay for us! Unfortunately we weren't able to see each other because Luis has been in Utah for the past week, but he is coming home tomorrow! (Which seems just as exciting as being married for 2 years). Lately I have been reminiscing about when we were dating because lately we can only talk to each other over the phone. But I kind of like it because for some reason I get jittery feelings when he says something a certain way, or he tells me that he loves me. Now I have the best of both worlds!Valerie Oquendohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18256022293146539786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394143728542905024.post-74573217262176204482010-08-22T12:03:00.001-07:002010-08-23T19:20:26.061-07:00We're HERE!!!!!!!It feels like this move has taken a long time to complete. Of course we don't have pictures on the walls yet, but our kitchen and bedroom are functional. We are now living in Pocatello. The current plan is that as I am in school from 8-5 monday through friday (which Iam sure will feel like 24/7) Luis will go down sunday night to University of Utah for their polysci program and come back Wednesday. <span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 255);font-family:lucida grande;" ><strong>THANK YOU</strong></span> Rob and Beth for letting him stay over. Without him this plan would get even CRAZIER I can guarentee it. I have met all of my classmates and have been very impressed with how diverse this group seems. And everyone it seems loves to be active, which will keep me motivated. I am super excited for this program to start (which is tomorrow...eek!) and I also feel a little nauseous thinking about it. What have I gotten myself into?! I think sometimes. I know this will be worth it, no doubt.<br />I will be posting pictures of our new <u>2 bedroom</u> apartment soon. It feels huge compared to our last dinky place. And we are so happy to have more than walmart to choose from for groceries. That's right. We have a <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:lucida grande;" >WINCO!</span> By far the smallest one I have ever been in, but who cares?! And Natalie- the roads are better here.<br />We have both been waiting so long for this moment in our lives it seems. And now it's here!!! Sooner than we know it, it will be over. So we must soak it up :)Valerie Oquendohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18256022293146539786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394143728542905024.post-13909303257442623742010-06-14T16:43:00.000-07:002010-06-17T17:45:52.033-07:00A week of new recipes<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLtS4dDntHwSpC4tKoYgcp9E3_8GVdD4vxijXUu4gSF825_ZxhWnpqiaCOb53drkpCQktviraZVWD4tQH09CHgcrZ244swEbRO4KEPTI5KbCVyX7F_gQ9Dn_CnxmGfyMwgEfqbvPF9L1A/s1600/CIMG2790.JPG">It took longer than a week for me to come up with a weeks worth of new recipes that I thought would be worth trying and making, but here is what we came up with: </a><br /><br />This one is called orange chicken. Best part of it is it is made in the crock pot. Nothing is better than coming home from a long day and having dinner be ready when you get there!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483907604450229858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLtS4dDntHwSpC4tKoYgcp9E3_8GVdD4vxijXUu4gSF825_ZxhWnpqiaCOb53drkpCQktviraZVWD4tQH09CHgcrZ244swEbRO4KEPTI5KbCVyX7F_gQ9Dn_CnxmGfyMwgEfqbvPF9L1A/s400/CIMG2790.JPG" /><br /><div>Arroz Con Pollo<br /></div><div>This is a favorite dish Luis' mom Isabel makes, and we were abole to FINALLY find the turmeric seasoning that we needed to make it. And I couldn't get the picture to rotate. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482779781285894658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhktvzmA18F-o038tb_t47f0k4M1mznT_bbvjPSMKCPCgX1Fdg9dRG7M7VEn5O_hfw-ZTV0pFtOHUmrg5C3TWeyg30CEogYbFqs-Ob9V6_oBC2wOxhCGTcohEcjSbGyEb8zfEkha9F-zQc/s400/CIMG2791.JPG" /> Fajitas. It was tough for me to bite into an onion but they were good, nonetheless.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLCEUqbeqvRhUmvFWVpT_xu04eOZtqvjQo8o8tfmnsFgKknrMAXosGVYxT0usY9ABUnFK4oYk_x7qNlrAWng49o9YGpPgSZD6dWXyj58t7jwmo_clS2s_lTlQe8weSzTw-GkXGioi-ds/s1600/CIMG2808.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482781707583482002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLCEUqbeqvRhUmvFWVpT_xu04eOZtqvjQo8o8tfmnsFgKknrMAXosGVYxT0usY9ABUnFK4oYk_x7qNlrAWng49o9YGpPgSZD6dWXyj58t7jwmo_clS2s_lTlQe8weSzTw-GkXGioi-ds/s400/CIMG2808.JPG" /></a> Homemade waffles with strawberries and bananas. Someday I will make this with oregon berries.<br /></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1dukLaAJbFbXFmSIurKWKNkGqPV6duBALHcA_Qc9Uk-Dtotix2p3Fy82ezku4a8I8LM0OXa4X7ODYWoIfBjh7lnhMYCdBt0_aoouW4pvuEDFnD1oyDgGtHWVFecWtd7d6EezZIQfusc/s1600/CIMG2806.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482781696094960034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1dukLaAJbFbXFmSIurKWKNkGqPV6duBALHcA_Qc9Uk-Dtotix2p3Fy82ezku4a8I8LM0OXa4X7ODYWoIfBjh7lnhMYCdBt0_aoouW4pvuEDFnD1oyDgGtHWVFecWtd7d6EezZIQfusc/s400/CIMG2806.JPG" /></a><br />Jambalya. I love the view of this picture.<br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482781689579627410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgth4C6_-GSQ5kUyoYD1TpO-o6vHey5egNyNZETX0a8PaHbvouT7M9E5xvlog46azGmv33NEELSnNfn3N-rGcdGU9z8qvg4y-YsJ9yjOLmWvYVdxbsWk7b5jZgMy-x7swLtm5_0-JE0ME/s400/CIMG2804.JPG" />BBQ chicken with broccoli bacon salad and pasta salad. I do not like cauliflower except for in this dish. Thanks Angela!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482779789880445202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJwZl1me0eQUXPjdjnIpH8AwqRWTnHy585F4OUcPgc1WXxULqNnwQgXqixWLzYRwNrkm3ISIptlg5rLr40pF9RlsB5an7_gaj8ldILYd7r4wlzmUX5CYenM3_m4Qw7W_mxqKWajzul9G4/s400/CIMG2795.JPG" />Egg rolls with fried rice. We make fried rice pretty often, but egg rolls were a first. We made some with pork and some chicken, with cabbage and carrots. Turned out great for our first time.<br /><div><div><div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ZfGTMMT7moMBnWEMwCQ1wpUY11dBs6Mo8b-PhBgUB4W00Df2grKlWx1Sm0NxEGidCuITJbkXzV1L8ojyOtIbfEsJuxOav0qs8REzID9Sws_Y-US9tYqu1TD_4CLXVDBmCINgUd2JZHI/s1600/CIMG2787.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482779756984628930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ZfGTMMT7moMBnWEMwCQ1wpUY11dBs6Mo8b-PhBgUB4W00Df2grKlWx1Sm0NxEGidCuITJbkXzV1L8ojyOtIbfEsJuxOav0qs8REzID9Sws_Y-US9tYqu1TD_4CLXVDBmCINgUd2JZHI/s400/CIMG2787.JPG" /></a> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Valerie Oquendohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18256022293146539786noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394143728542905024.post-72018260337623946382010-05-15T18:07:00.000-07:002010-05-22T13:14:23.551-07:00How it all began...This last week marks 4 years since mine and Luis' first date. CRAZY! We have been together for 4 years (and 3 days now)...each one of them getting better than the year before it. It is so amazing how time flies by. We graduated high school together, will soon both be graduated from BYU-Idaho (one semester apart) and this August we will both be starting graduate programs together. We have been through a lot these past 4 years together. And I know these next few years of grad school will be even crazier than any we have experienced, but we feel it is what the Lord wants us to be doing right now. I thought I would share with everyone how it all began...and of course mine and Luis' stories varies on the details, but here is my version...<br /><br />Luis was in a fit to compete PE class and I was in a weight lifting class our junior year of high school. One day our classes played a game of dodgeball against each other. Let me just say that dodgeball in the dumbest game ever invented. I love exercising, but whenever our class would play dodgeball, I was willing to do anything but get hit in the face with a ball. My teacher said I would lose points if I didn't play and so I decided to stand in the back and pout about having to participate. Out of nowhere, for a split second I see a volleyball come flying from outer space, right into my face! I was so ticked off! That is why I don't play stupid games! Because it hit my nose, tears were rolling down my face, (and no it wasn't because it hurt really bad, although that may have been part of it). I went and sat out for the rest of the time, despite my points that would be lost for the day. At the end of class, I see a brown prince charming coming to rescue me and to see if I was okay. I was really impressed that someone would admit to hitting me in the face (maybe it was becasue I was awestruck at his beauty...hehe). That was the first time we officially met each other.<br /><br />Third trimester of senior year I see him again. we were in an anat and phys class together. Luckily we had a mutual friend that was able to make the "hanging out" phase a little easier to start up. We started going out to lunch with our friends together and then he asked me out to a movie (He was using me for a ride because he didn't have a car, nor a license). But I didn't mind. We saw The Da Vinci Code and because it was a really late showing, I fell asleep. To this day I have no idea what that movie was about, but I do remember having a great time. We went with different people to the prom, but we did manage to get to dance with each other. I left for college a few weeks after graduation and he went to WSU-vancouver. We talked on the phone just about every night and spent lots of time together during summer breaks, holidays, and my off track. Almost 2 years later from out first date in May, he proposed on April 13th 2008. Then we were married August 23rd 2008. Now it's almost been 2 years that we have been married, totaling 4 years! From day one he has been sweeping me off my feet (first by a dodgeball).<br /><br />And it has been the best 4 years of my life.Valerie Oquendohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18256022293146539786noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394143728542905024.post-26618179577204496532010-04-17T15:03:00.001-07:002010-04-19T10:23:24.583-07:00Conference WeekendOne of my favorite traditions I have kept of my grandma's is making cinnamon rolls on conference weekend. I got this recipe from my friend natalie. The first time I made them last year I killed the yeast and put WAY too much cinnamon and sugar mixture in them. Can you blame me? It's the best part! Anyways, this year they turned out great. And we even had some friends over to enjoy them with us. John and Nycole actually got married this last weekend. We were sad we couldn't make it, but are so excited for them! The talks were amazing too! We learned so much, but have realized how much more we need to be doing with the knowledge that we have. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq5l9UdOrqShel2obKU9Ytkt3dUF7Jivvh4gHpiabkOBGkuebZyPH6bEziB4EwXapIrvoehyXV11-zTyFcCVqXVqIGlQP3yuwaOptfE6yR_erTJuLwQxDMStAtndZeQsciUCwoJHDafGM/s1600/other+013.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461230557716906210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq5l9UdOrqShel2obKU9Ytkt3dUF7Jivvh4gHpiabkOBGkuebZyPH6bEziB4EwXapIrvoehyXV11-zTyFcCVqXVqIGlQP3yuwaOptfE6yR_erTJuLwQxDMStAtndZeQsciUCwoJHDafGM/s400/other+013.JPG" /></a> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461231393328520114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXY4cy7MLbFvIucPkYBv720eTKRhOBKz3wx250Z2T_pze4XERzpN0rUBCNnRKAJ_QSwcFs6hJz8gjgHy1ehsXHsfAulp0mGItVip_0oKykKr1RdW1OEoQpMtvbpXigFJZoSz934JbhKhQ/s400/other+014.JPG" /><br /><br /><div></div>Valerie Oquendohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18256022293146539786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394143728542905024.post-55347841036862811362010-04-17T14:30:00.000-07:002010-04-17T15:03:10.939-07:00Graduation!<div><div>I have finally graduated from BYU-Idaho! Now I have about 4 months to get a job before school starts back up again. Graduation was so much fun because a lot of family was able to make it. My brother Travis and his family, My borhter Chad and his family, my brother Rob and his family, and my parents! Luis and I aren't very used to having so much company, so the time went by way too fast! Most everyone was here by friday afternoon, and so we went to Big Judds. I hadn't ever been there but people say you HAVE to experience before you leave Rexburg, so we went. My brother Travis ordered the Big Judd, but shared it with his family of 4. He was trying to get Luis to eat one by himself, but luckily Luis didn't think it would be the greatesdt idea. I didn't either. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461224037705400018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPD1vBGqaVOirXHtodInRg3NdnFP5djXpmX8SR95e2MPuSRaWUuk8u_71IpSyx-a2BckdvOa_02LChvxMFETEoA4QNPierIls7EyOZDX8l_uAT38eDrP40WqOXpdZcDPzV4RsCsVBhKCs/s400/other+026.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><br /><br /><div>I think the girls liked it. Passion NEVER lets me take a picture of her, so this picture speaks a thousand words. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461224051510721666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaeVYvLwNtY_b5iKTQc77_gLGUvqiwP3jyw0mrjZDZ5x3QgZEBIc0r0hUeb-WF0R5OhukylpPui3s0HkY12Eyjmi2BcT9YSkvu4WucL8KnyG8VrEYoN9L7Bdn6c-EmOB9StwFSg4zKvZA/s400/other+029.JPG" border="0" />And this is ice cream on her face, before lunch. Vacation spoils all of us :)<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461224043322639346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAtSs9zRm3GamrgJRVU037ZleIZScvJ-AWCkVtVQbw0zOhGjJ_A2ZN5dnUHcmr638jf-bGgI2xrkGDByv5lsL-G5qwwJTKmj5_AbnEZwJQs0dFnidn5G5RA3XChTvT_3EXn6LW__7L-18/s400/other+030.JPG" border="0" />My brother got a hotel room and so we all went swimming that night. no pictures :( But the next day I got to stand in a long line and pick up this funny looking blue cover. </div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461229836508793282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 297px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwVCkCLP9xTqOtwMO_GcZQ6OI_Ew2Fz0KWAE_6ywhQlw-Dks2M4OZOHLwV0RT0ae6XBnI2qXntkjDe5IdvEReJP2g0HXDnt3pOPNgU5Q78n3MM4kCtp5QgZTiqi4oZKw7D-TVB4Q-OFQs/s400/other+049.JPG" border="0" />And here is Jaedyn. I just want to squeeze those cheeks! <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461224478397241106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidEXcpgIEZnE093ikFx4_RnBgJZ34PTemyGbniJmPvdXcqG_MVu1oH31tt-YXAa_w9KXYuJjR7WXognOhlenVdDK1ZkcTkr5qBUWuyZKpjk52o3S9vUOP1uDLvoKvW2bwYRssnrjHY2u0/s400/other+052.JPG" border="0" />It was more exciting than I thought it would be. I think it was because whenever family comes into town, everything is just so much better. Here's to the man that has believed in me and has supported me on those late nights and early mornings. Thank you Luis for driving me to early classes, picking me up, making me lunches, and especially for agreeing with me when I was mad about a grade, at a teacher, or a classmate. And NO-thank-you to making it so hard to wake up every morning and leaving your bed head, and know I wasn't going to see you for so many hours. I am glad to be the dumbest smart person you know. </div><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461229183768031298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOYeqfjDM90PI_lESGS7D4Y5DlOatOAPMzzgAyx-s0Pr4RjySAq11k8Tf8YLJfIqOObwTPzxrUQ_WVCGxrXGtTI9Law2KmUFz6_xyfi9rWtZFujdp7cHXbN2vvfCcZn3gstJHFPyZmvzI/s400/other+041.JPG" border="0" /><br />Luis celebrated by not shaving for 5 days. Sometimes it's nice to not have to shave every day. This picture is dedicated to you, Chad. You are his inspiration. It's just <em>too</em> bad that BYU-I has strict grooming standards. Darn.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461224488552763202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM2OuQjby9QzTb8dczB9eqzoCpFKTG49C2f7x5SV2gFDe3a5Denkcq3FeaYZRul6A0sCGiJCTl9JVh7YMpoNDjLNIty0g4JY76kuF3RXj8oH_7oMT9t2KkT5s8rpPLVdL1I4OcUH__EGM/s400/other+061.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Valerie Oquendohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18256022293146539786noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394143728542905024.post-3246193950980482082010-04-17T14:23:00.000-07:002010-04-17T14:30:13.446-07:00A Typical Day in RexBURRRRgWe looked out the window in the beginning of the second week of April, only to find this...<br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv8BnN8r2HzuEdcrfzCEfHWF2f6dUQfb_j5IJWanL0HgCDbIdGaebceS5GtGIBvHuVIiLC4JJhX-U-ZjBgNhNUHul34ZxSCuqRzMhbWmQYyonP5Mxatly3M3JViQd3tzFl3EOqK8w9x4M/s1600/other+018.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461220810865677650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv8BnN8r2HzuEdcrfzCEfHWF2f6dUQfb_j5IJWanL0HgCDbIdGaebceS5GtGIBvHuVIiLC4JJhX-U-ZjBgNhNUHul34ZxSCuqRzMhbWmQYyonP5Mxatly3M3JViQd3tzFl3EOqK8w9x4M/s400/other+018.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAWbEUwDYS0EjAylfqQnpCQm4CBKAArTMkTQKl25MRkKOQkZadJ734bPKVLcYj6tGkvIDy1g5HpuoY2voqmPIDjOdq-rNlXEpxPHhGzt7G484LAkb0nQeGUB6afMJqdJMw49IuMd2HgD0/s1600/other+015.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461220800439044978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAWbEUwDYS0EjAylfqQnpCQm4CBKAArTMkTQKl25MRkKOQkZadJ734bPKVLcYj6tGkvIDy1g5HpuoY2voqmPIDjOdq-rNlXEpxPHhGzt7G484LAkb0nQeGUB6afMJqdJMw49IuMd2HgD0/s400/other+015.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />We were a little disgusted to see this since my parents and other family were driving into town just a few days later. But luckily, when we got home that evening, we saw this...</div><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461220832755347282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgCVGw1j8dU50CA5SJdlWQTYGcOHf9qEaFqE6FPIdZ3ed5YNytkkBT875QlXBKzPPllP8cnhalc4NPtp5pUQ1k-TwwM-L0BdYvWd4Yq6IKqVIIAHyr7C5-ELrPVmi77kPfz7nAEdXjF9E/s400/other+022.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461220821074375682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFRSHrzAn0kdYSwexVQsRaD9kSUh8Drn6qN5rwr-Ydcfa5n4lPRBmVh13FktY8G7_sj1hFHV4cVLVHO1ufYVdrapWAWxwXfsh81Axk2S4G_E9FIgpEHkvqRudW2QFT8QJSQbUX0C1cH7U/s400/other+019.JPG" border="0" />Just another typical day in Rexburg.<br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Valerie Oquendohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18256022293146539786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394143728542905024.post-66018694331493812862010-03-17T11:09:00.000-07:002010-03-17T11:20:41.412-07:00A GREAT DEAL (unless you live in Denver)So...Luis and I just got back from Albertsons to get some tomatoes and crackers (we're having company for dinner!, very unusual) and we left the store with much more than anticipated. Another <span style="color:#cc33cc;">FANTASTIC</span> deal was found. When we got there, there were <span style="font-family:verdana;color:#33cc00;">PILES </span>of cereals at the front of the store, just waiting to be eaten (I'm sure Luis was jsut thinking "oh, great. Not again!"). I thought to myself..."why are there SO many people buying cereal at 1.59 a box? Don't they know that just over a month ago they had <span style="color:#33ffff;">QUAKER</span> oatmeal squares for 1.00?" But then I read THE SIGN. It read...<br /><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">BUY 5 BOXES AT 1.59, GET 4.00 COUPON ON YOUR NEXT PURCHASE. </span><br /><br />This meant that each box came to <span style="color:#ff0000;">.88 CENTS</span> when you buy 5, including tax! Just thought I'd give you a heads up on the <span style="color:#ff6600;">AMAZING </span>steal. Cereals consist of honey bunches of oats (all varieties), post selects, fruity/cocoa pebbles, and raisen bran!!!!Valerie Oquendohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18256022293146539786noreply@blogger.com1