Life as a Life Guard!

So many people think oh Life guarding is an easy job, all you do is sit there and watch a pool. Okay I am here to tell you that is false! I have been a Life Guard for the YMCA in Houston Texas for a year now and about to quiet to go to college, and have to say I am tired out!!! Summers are crazy with screaming kids, extremely hot weather, sunburns building, and the smell of sweat, sunblock, and chlorine all day! You have to keep crazy little boys in line and make sure they are not breaking rules, make sure parents are in the pull with there 3 year old, and make sure you are scanning or not goofing off because you get into trouble.
Out of the whole summer, this was my longest day! I worked from 6:45-5:30 yeah open to close! So I get to work and of course the other guard wasn't there, so I had to wait while people at 6 in the morning pill into the pool ready to swim. Finally he gets there and so I hope up and he unlocks the locker rooms. The mornings however have been amazing staying in the high 70's and low 80's till about 1pm is great! The feeling of Fall is beginning! Well water aerobics starts so I move the lane ropes of course the lap swimmers get made because they have to move and start throwing a tantrum... Then after that I let a lane rope fall great so I jumped in and the water is 81 degree's so its freezing, it takes me going back and forth in the water to get them all set right again. Well then maintenance comes in and says they need to pool vacuumed because they are draining it tonight (easier said then done, this is a six lane lap pool with a 10ft deep end yeah the a shallow part on the other end! So I get right on it and move the lane ropes again.... I get the first 2 lanes clean as I could then the other guard got down did the others, the hose part came of so he had to jump in and reset it. So by the time we got to the last 2 lanes of course after 30 min of trying to get it to work again it is tired and decides to not suck the water anymore... So we did our best... Well basically after that I am told oh before you leave you have to clear the deck of all the chairs and tables.. hmmm great okay.. so 4 o'clock comes around and so I start stack the the plastic chairs and take the heavy wooden chairs out side off the deck... well then the other guard get s down and goes in the office.. 15min later she stacks a couple of chairs and then goes back in the office so basically, I stacked all the chairs pushed them out side picked up the medium wooden tables and then dragged the heavy ones out side also.. I got all the kick boards and mater swim gear of the deck and put away noodles and toys and trash.. yeah I'm pretty sure I got my work out today! And now you can see Life Guards don't just sit there.. Oh and your saying oh that's just because they were draining the pool.. ahh no that's an easy day usually, I'm checking chemicals, calling maintenance, cleaning tiles, vacuuming the pool, dealing with up set parents and adults about rules, and this and that, cleaning the deck, washing and scrubbing the deck.. Yeah its hard labor and I'm trained to save peoples lives. I have to swim a 500 yards every week (you try it)! Its awesome having the certification but it can be hard work! I can say I have made some great friends there, especially with all the girls and their drama and love problems. My bosses are the funnest people I have met, I'm sure they have corrupted me a little bit ;) but it has been a great time at the Y I have enjoyed it, any job has its ups and downs but mainly I am ready to leave for college =) So that was basically my day today also =)
Shanel Sue...

So Soon but So Far

So this week has been a little crazy the excitement of leaving Texas is kicking in and the drag of work is coming to an end, with in 5 days! I went through the summer working, taking amazing trips, and finding the love of my life and gaining some new friends in the process. I will have to say that the best time was spending time with Geoff. Waking up sometimes to flowers in my room, and a smoothie on the corner of my desk, Geoff waiting for me to get ready, telling me "I'm prettier with out make up". To sitting in the middle seat of Mindy (truck) holding on to his arm and singing with him all the way to Klein. Watching him becoming a busy bee helping to get things done around the house. Helping the Geddies with making dinner and cleaning dishes. Sitting next to mama Geddie in her room and Geoff and I just talking. I loved walking into Geoff's house and the fact that his siblings ran up to me and gave me a big hug! Daniel yelling "Shanel" and then give me a hug, April Signing to me that she loves me or I'm weird, and the girls hanging from my arms and back like little monkeys, or doing their hair and making them smile! I miss the random trips to The Woodlands with Geoff walking down the water way and gazing at the moon, just remembering how much Geoff means to me. Going to the movies and laughing all the way through even at commercials. The way I get frustrated and a little upset and Geoff simply just holds me in his arms and all my worries and frustrations go away! I loved the way Geoff always looked at me, I really can't describe it but I really feel like melting. I loved how we never got mad or yelled at each other, because there was no reason to. We would get frustrated sometimes but within minutes apologize and everything would be okay. My favorite part would be Geoff driving me home and me falling asleep on his shoulder holding his hand and once we got to my house he would grab my hand and dance with me under the stars! As you can tell I'm having one of those I miss my boyfriend moments but I guess its okay we all have them. I never new that going to Justin Nordins house that night after institute would change my life forever. I have fallen hard for a boy and now I have to wait two years to pick things back up and to see if the love is still there. Some people call it summer love, or a fling, but I think this is just a break in time that will pass by super fast and before I know it Geoff will be back and I will be running into his arms. I can't say I know what will happen these next 2 years but I do know that the feelings I have for Geoff will never leave me. Even though our journey ended a little soon, and made us grow even closer to each other then before, I know it was for the best (emotionally). It still is hard though, but no one has ever said this life was easy. I do know that if I do what's right and fallow my heavenly father everything will be okay and turn out for the best.
I leave for college in 7 days, in only a week! I have waited for this day my whole life, and as it seems my life is falling apart, it is really just beginning. The person that I am to become will form and the person I strive to be will show. How exciting and a great point in time to be young and have the world in my hands. I have had plenty of dreams but now I can make them reality! I'm not the typical Mormon girl and see myself going to college to just get married, I see it as a chance to get an education and to become independent! I hope to make my parents proud and also my Heavenly Father, and to live up to the expectation that both of them hold to me. It is god's plan to what happens but is my chose to which path I take! I am excited and will be a little sad here and there but I know it will be great. I will have Chelsie; who is Geoff's best friend, and will help me to get around school and to learn everything I need to know about SNOW!! Yeah I'm still not sure how I feel about that one... But I will live were I get to see every season transform instead of gross humidity to even dreary rainy cold sleet!! The winter semester will be spent off campus and living with Chelsie which will be a journey in its self =). Then I get to experience the transition with Thais when she comes in the Spring to live with me!!! Many plans and many dreams all lead to an amazing adventure filled with learning and more learning, life and education. You may question is this young lady ready to take on the world? I think I am but if I'm not I will have people to help and support me. I also have the best person in the universe!! My Heavenly Father!!!
You may also say this girl thinks she is going to marry every guy she dates, that may seem true but what I have learned is that the more I date people the more I find someone I can see myself with. With Derek he was my best friend and always there for me, and treated me like a princess, when sometimes I didn't deserve it. But I wonder if I just got so attached because I was scared of loosing my best friend or I truly was in love with him. I am still young and I am still learning about the emotions and as time goes on I figure it out step by step.
With Geoff it's a little different the connection is just so bold and indescribable. The love we have for each other is a little different and maybe should have waited, but we know how we feel and we know what our Heavenly Father wants both of us to do. Yes the Journey is so soon, but also the ending is so far! So I keep waiting and keep trying and in the end I will know!! I am excited to leave though, not excited for the emotional parents of letting their baby girl go, and the emotion of not being able to be with Geoff but its all part of the process. I say bring it on!!! =)
Love
Shanel Sue...

Just thinking Out Loud

So today I have been thinking about somethings in my life and kinda wonder a little bit. Maybe how people are crazy and do crazy things by trying to break people up or ruin their life.. maybe out of a little jealousy or that they are mad that they aren't with that person who they think fell so "deeply in love with"! Or they feel that they were the reason for changes in that persons life. However maybe this person doesn't realize that they just weren't meant to be and that they should stop meddling in peoples lives and just let that person be happy. Why does it matter so much to that person that another person is with that person and that they are so happy together. Why try to ruin the happiness of that person, maybe you think you are looking out for the other people, but maybe you should realize its time to move on and to grow up a little.
Idk people just bug me sometimes, and I wonder sometimes why they just don't get it or understand or why they care so much.. But I guess God put crazies in our life to keep us on our toes. =)
That's just my thoughts today

Growing Up and Leaving Home! A New Beginning

So I have 2 weeks left till I leave for college and this last week I have faced many stomach aches and emotions! Sometimes I just cry and I don't know why, but I think I am starting to understand. For one being almost that time of month doesn't help. But I have come to realize that the realization of leaving home and everything that is comfortable to me, I am leaving behind. I will be in a state I have never been to, I will have friends and no family. No family to boss me around or tell me what to do 24/7, and sure you could be thinking why aren't you excited? Why are you freaking out because you are leaving? Fear is the number one thing that is the problem! Fear of being in charge of my self and not being able to run down stairs to mom for advice is going to be a big challenge. I sure talk like I'm little Miss. Adult and ready to be on my own, but my mom and dad are who taught me everything I know especially my mom. She has been at my side my whole life even when I went through my terrible teenage years of wanting her to leave me alone! she was always there by my side! She helped me to grow into the person I am today, and to gain the faith I have in my Heavenly Father! Yes at times we don't see eye to eye but what daughter and mom do? Life is about change and fear comes with that change. I don't know why I am so stressed about it but I do know that I will miss my family even though I'm going crazy right now! I will miss them. It will be hard for the both of us but its all a growing process and I guess parents have to realize emptying the nest comes sooner then you think! Stress of being an adult comes sooner then you think! As a youth I wanted to grow up so fast and now I look back and in a way wish it would slow down! I leave for college in 2 weeks!!! I never thought that would happen, and now its here coming at the speed of light. I am grateful for family and how they are there for me but I guess this is a journey I have to figure out on my own, and learn the life lesson of growing up.. Yay me haha
Well wish me luck these next 2 weeks they will be a little bumpy!
Love
Shanel Sue...

Great Weekend!

So Friday was pretty laid back I woke up went to work real early,went and tried to work out but then got a phone call from mommy and so I had to head then home! Well when I got home I went to the mail, which there was a letter from Geoff best day ever I love getting letters =). I decided it would be good for Duke to go to the lake so he could swim so I took him down there and he loved it he enjoyed it a lot, the funny thing is he whines the whole time he is in the water idk why I guess because he is a boy ;) haha! Well I got home relaxed and went to bed early because I was really tired!

Saturday I didn't have work but tried to sleep in, so such luck I was up at 8am blah well I just relaxed and enjoyed doing nothing (I'm ready for college)... Well I had to make rice for the Hawaiian party for singles, but I planed on going to the movies with Cne to see "eat,pray, love" so I dropped the food off and then went and picked up my twin! It really crazy how much a like Cne and I look a like, people mistake us for each other all the time! Well we got to the movie's and talked about all the drama in our life well mostly hers lol, I think it is just nice to vent to a girlfriend that you know won't go behind your back and tell other people or judge you!


Well the movie was long but had a great point to live your life, find balance but sometimes unbalancing your life is the way you balance your life, and enjoy life! However it's a movie I only would watch once lol! Well when I got home my stomach hurt really bad so I just went to bed!
Today was a very inspirational day full of lots of learning! In Sacrament a guy from the bishopric came to talk to us about Heavenly Father being our personal trainer, training us to be spiritually strong and more like him. He strengthens us through our trials and through our trials we become more like him! He talked about the Pioneers and how the endured many things and also related history to events that happened to the saints during this time, like when the saints were in Missouri and had such a tough time well during that time Missouri wasn't a state because it wanted to be a slave state and the saints were voting for no slavery, and the bank that Joseph Smith established the president at that time was a general not a great economic president so the panic of i think the 1830's happened were many banks were harmed and many of people were effected! He told us that the saints that stayed with the church through all the adversity at those times had a understanding of their Heavenly Father and the plan and how we learn to grow like him! I also had a inspirational thought come to mind.
" I have heard many people say if I lived in the times of the Pioneers I couldn't have made it", but here is my thought: we were not put in that time not because we couldn't handle it but because we are STRONGER! We are the chosen ones we will see things that no other person before would, and we will see and feel Satan's power unleashed all over the world, that is why we are here! to be strong and to make the standard of righteousness and not the world"!-Shanel's Thoughts
anyways he told us that we need the strength of the Pioneers that established this church, the amount of faith they had in the lord is unbelievable and there stories still inspire us today!

Well in Sunday School we are in 2 Kings 2 and we are learning about Elijah and the about the Holy Ghost, some said that the Holy Ghost was not in a way being used during this time except from prophets. The guy next to me showed me in the Bible Dictionary what it said "For some reason not fully explained in the scriptures, the Holy Ghost did not operate in the fullness among the Jews during the years of Jesus' mortal sojourn (John7:39; 17; D&C 16:7). Statements to the effect that the Holy Ghost did not come until after Jesus was resurrected must necessity refer to that particular dispensation only, for it is abundantly clear that the Holy Ghost was operative in earlier dispensation." That was really interesting to learn about that and how the Holy Ghost wasn't feeding the people. However I believe that the people didn't have the knowledge or the desire to unhardened their hearts for the Holy Ghost to be there.
In Relief Society I learned of The Lord's Covenant People, we are the people on the earth that has all the keys to the our Heavenly Fathers Gospel and through 3 covenants that make in our life we make it to our Heavenly Father again. So we have Baptism first where we take upon our selves the name of Jesus Christ, which means we get to represent as Jesus Christ; also meaning we take upon our selves other peoples burdens and try to help others. We gain the Holy Ghost who administers through us the Gospel and also brings us peace.

Sacrament is where ever week we have the chance to remember those covenants that we promised and to remember what our savior did for us. and then we have the temple where we are sealed for all time and eternity to our families! So we can be with them forever if we keep the commandments and live by the covenants we made in the temple! We also get to be the first resurrected and granted many things if we live righteously!

Also the Abrahamic Covenant which grants Abraham that his family and off spring will be many of the righteous and will do many great things on this earth! Genesis 17:4-8, Abraham 2:11.
Church was very inspirational and helps me to grow and understand the gospel so much better!
Well I got home, let the dogs out and then Skyped Chelsie!!! That was fun catching up with her, its weird I only have a couple weeks till I leave for college! Well then I cleaned my room a Little organized stuff for college its kinda taking over my room ben's here and there, bedding a furniture haha its great! Hopefully I can get it all there! Well now I'm just waiting to talk to my best friend Thais !!!! I love that girl and miss her but any moment now she should be Skypeing !!
Love Shanel Sue

Pimples on the Forhead are a Sign of Good Works!

This morning I kinda struggled to get up I didn't really want to, but I did I felt nauseated again ah this is really annoying.. I seriously can't eat anything without it hurting my stomach worse! I have tried soup and fruit.. Fruit does a little better but we are out ahh thank goodness I have Sat off. Well once I got to work it was 95 degrees in the office!!!! Yay didn't help things at all. Well I just sat out side and drank water which helped a little bit. It actually wasn't to hot, it was cloudy all morning so I thank god for that one. Oh something really amazing happened at work today, I was sitting out side reading my book when this little girl came up to me (she's about 3 or 4) and asked what I was doing, I told her I was reading a book and she asked what it was about, I told her its about God! She goes "I miss God, do you miss God?", at first I thought how precious this little girl was, I said "of course I miss God! Then she goes do you miss Jesus? I said "Yes I miss Jesus" She then went Yay I miss him to! Wow how amazing this little girl was, if only we could remember what it was like before we came her, to be God and Jesus. I mean someday that will all come back but I just made me wonder if she could really remember Jesus and God and it almost seemed like a message to me that God lives and so does Jesus Christ!
Oh and the girl I worked with today her and I began to talk about not feeling good, her and I are going through the same thing in a way, we can't eat, feel nauseated, cry randomly through the whole day.. We both decided that it is stress of leaving but I think mine has a little more added to it.. but its okay I have anxiety when I'm stressed!!!
Well after work was over my mom picked me up to tell so we could go do some service.
My mom got a phone call last night from Eden Morris (my Young Women's laurel teacher) that her neighbor had just told her that she found her 7 year old daughter dead in her bed, that she had chocked to death after eating something.. She also told her that DPS showed up and told her that her children would be taken from her if she didn't have her house cleaned up by Friday! So Eden called us and others from our ward.. When I got there everyone was there people from Fellowship of the Woodlands, from our stake (some Klein boys) and all through the community came together to help this lady out!
She has a mentally retarded boy who is adorable but is crippled and can't really speak, she is a single parent and is a nurse.. Oh and before we got there DPS called and said we had till 3 today! I don't think you understand the condition of this house down stairs you couldn't see the floor, up the stairs you couldn't see the floors, in the loft upstairs up to the ceiling was piles of clothes, dirt, new(with tags still on), and washed! My mom and I just jumped right up stairs and had the boys come up stairs with us and start putting clothes in trash bags and then they would carry them out side to the donate trailer! by the time we all finished this house looked brand new.. the carpets are a wreck but this house was spotless! I felt so bad for this lady, she is sitting in the front room with preachers from Fellowship trying to figure out how she is going to barry her 7 year old daughter and wonder if she is going to lose her children! She has millions of people running in and out of her house throwing stuff away donating all her stuff and she can't really do anything about it, because she is emotionally distrait! I can't even imagine! when she gave me a hug and thanked me I cried! However it felt amazing to do something for someone else for a change and helped me not to feel sorry for my self!
Well after we left I noticed I had a huge.. no wait... A LOT of pimples on my forehead!!! ah I guess that's what you get from hard work

When I got home I got to the mail and there was a letter!! ah how I long to get a letter from Geoff today! its the only way I get to know what's going on!!
Well I felt a lot better after helping somone else I think that's why Jesus did so much service for others, he was constantly being an example to us!!!
Love,
Shanel Sue...