Virus Scare

Due to all of the unknown craziness in our world right now, I am hopeful things can eventually settle down and get to where we can feel at peace again. I have definitely never wanted or expected this to happen during a brand new year where things are supposed to have a fresh start--- but if you are just as confused about this as I am, it is not at all too surprising that we can only hope for the best. I will continue to take as many precautions as we have gotten advised to cooperate with and one day there has to be a sudden breakthrough with good news that the virus has been properly handled. Life never seems to not throw us one curve ball after the next during this trial of our faith that we know come to an end, but until everything is situated and under control by those who are trying to find answers. It's almost too easy with taking this new phase in life as an experience to understand that everything does happen for a reason whether we know it or not-- but it will get pinpointed hopefully soon & things in society can be taken care of with time.

With so much little information that is being shared, I am not particularly certain about lots of things related to how scared we are too have something like this on our plates. I have never felt more on top about keeping my hands washed as much as I can possible as well as lathering them with decent and legitimate hand sanitizer. I have struggled with not being able to completely understand why it is that stuff like this happens in our nation every couple of years?? I mean-- None of us expect things like a virus to ruin everything that we planned for and yet we can do whatever precautions we have to stop the ongoing spread of something that we didn't ever see headed into our path. I know this is only just temporary restrictions for us to follow through with and make certain this does not become any worse than it already is in other places around the world. 

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Over the last week and a half---I have traveled all over the state giving presentations about different and new topics that I know people in this world need to be educated on. It's been such an incredibly busy almost two weeks for me trying to make it to places on time and doing it in a professional and legitimate manner. I have been a part of the speakers network (exactly three years this month) which I'll admit has definitely turned out be one of those decisions that I'm truly honored to have gone after when I did-- because the previous job I had prior to this was not too much fun. I genuinely love being able to let everyone in our state know about how much it means to me and other self advocates with having their voices heard regardless of their situations in life. 

EARLIER TODAY---- I was able to do a threesome presentation about the overview of what it has meant to me being a part of the network and letting people know everything that it needs to continue moving forward. I absolutely loved getting in front of everybody who was in attendance and giving them a chance to hear from us what we'd like to educate hundreds of people on as much as we can possible. I enjoyed being able to spend time with some amazing individuals who continuously put lots of hard work and dedication with all that they do to make society one, where individuals who may be different than other people in this world can feel just as much part of it as anybody else.

Upcoming Events: (Repetitive Stuff)

- Dance next month with one of the other Independent Living Centers and cannot wait to dance my little heart out as much as possible!!! I legitimately hope to laugh until my heart is tired if that ever happens but I will never know until I'm there in person to find out :) #ItsTheTruthPeople

- Reapplied to be a member of the most legitimate councils ever and can only hope that regardless with how my results end up being like--- I was able to give it my best possible shot and try to keep involved about the disability community as much as I can be. I'm never gonna not let the voices of self advocates not be heard loud & clear because they are just as capable of doing things in life as much as the rest of us!!!! #NeedISayMore?

Queen Stories

Photo Album 2020

After my pageant is completed for this year--- I have decided to create myself an album with pictures and memories that I can look back on with a smile!!! It's honestly gone by so fast with not having felt like I did too much stuff throughout my entire reign, but I am grateful for the opportunities it gave me to impact other people's lives in some way and cannot imagine what my life will turn out to become-- the moment I pass on my title to someone else who can have a turn at this pageantry stuff. I am really excited about getting to make something to help me remember the times I shared with all of my cute sister queens and learning from each other as we served together is a moment that will remain close to my heart for years to come!!! I have never done anything like this for some time now and cannot wait to see what it will be like as I slowly create the pages of what changed me into the legitimately kind self advocate I am today. 

NINJA Alumni Retreat (September)

I never really thought it was going to happen this year and cannot wait to find out more information-- because I know this could either turn out to be an unforgettable experience or something completely different. There is not much of anything else for me to share other than what I have written up on this right now--- but hopefully I can have lots of very legit stories to convey on here in a way that will not leave me with tears in my eyes, but just having had a wonderful time alongside my peeps!!! More on this later and please stay tuned for updates to come if I ever think about it down the road--- but I'm so excited about getting to spend time with people I love and admire so much, but also hopefully getting to make it a tradition every couple of years if we have the chance!!

New Legitimate Friend - Emily 

This newbie friend of mine is truly one of the most amazing people I've ever met in my life!! I have enjoyed getting better acquainted with her and I am determined to hopefully not only be her friend-- but someone that can get her laughing so hard till her heart becomes tired!! Like... We bonded quite a bit two months ago at the legislative reception held in the capitol rotunda and telling stories that I can only remember with laughter-- but you get the point?!?! I am grateful for her example of being a true and legitimate mini version of a former chick that I genuinely look up to so much more than words in a blog post could do justice!!! :) #ImJustSaying #MoreAboutThisLaterOn #Newbie #ItsPrettyLegit :) 

Fundraiser

I'm excited for my next appearance as the 2019 Utah Miss Amazing queen and getting to attend my first time ever (not true if you ask me... it's been several years) Utah Jazz Game!!! I'm nervous about being up many rows above concourse, but obviously none of us have an option to not make that any more or less important than how terrified I am of heights!!! I definitely cannot understand why it is that when I do the flying squirrel during my NINJA Youth Leadership Conference without much of any problem and then getting to an NBA game with anxiety that will most likely kick into gear is an absolute different story for some other time. I am looking forward to the unforgettable moments that I'll get to have with my sister queens as we watch the players shoot baskets and then getting pictures taken with them is definitely going to be a dream come true!!! I will try to make an effort to share as many stories and unforgettable moments as I can until after the evening is over--- but I am confident it will leave me with a big smile on my face and realizing that it may not be so bad as I'd imagined it to be like in my head. 

Other News in 2020:

I have reapplied to be a member of the 2020 Utah Developmental Disabilities Council and despite not having had the opportunity when I signed up last year, this will definitely give me a chance to stretch myself in a way that I never done until now. I am curious to know if it will actually happen for me & trying to get my voice out there in the community more than usual--- but only time can tell what this could end up being like for me. Stay tuned for accurate updates and if anything else happens and ya know maybe something could be excitedly conveyed to all of you at some point in time!!!! #Amazing

#MissinMyPeeps

I have certainly missed my peeps in more ways than one throughout this new year and even though we have had opportunities to see each other at various events--- I legitimately miss not being able to catch up with them as much as I would prefer to!!! I am definitely looking forward to more amazing and fun conversations with them (not to mention all of the many laughs we will get to share & since they know me so well--- I am not gonna be too surprised if that does not happen some time down the road.) #FunTimesToComeLater

Late Night

#BestNightEver

It was truly one of the most incredible and funnest experiences ever... Not to mention it was such an absolute dream come true!!! I am grateful that me and my twin sister, along with our best friends got to be treated like royalty and laugh until our hearts were tired!! We loved being able to spend quality time with each other and getting reassured of God's love for us... is something that I know will stick by us forever!!! All of us got to ride up in a hummer limo all the way up to the event and back home, which I will admit was such a fun experience because we got to talk crazy with each other, but also dance to our favorite singers on the sound system inside of the limousine!!!!



After we arrived at this event, we quickly got assigned buddies and walked the beautiful red carpet with all of the legit paparazzi--cheering us on with so much positive enthusiasm like nothing I had ever heard before. All of us had the biggest smiles on our faces and didn't stop for even a second to calm ourselves down--- but if ya know there was never a dull moment where we didn't enjoy being a part of such a worldwide event for thousands of other special guests like us!!! #TimTebowFoundation

Love Always

I definitely never prepared myself for what was going to happen earlier this week and it has left me in a position with having to put my trust in the Lord. I know that after hearing the news of my first time ever teacher who literally took me under their wing as one of their own, is currently faced with a very difficult battle that I never imagined them in a fight to continue being on this earth.



I know this hasn't gotten anything to do with me and somehow it feels like there is only so much I can do... but I am just grateful to help out in anyway that I can possible with this new trial of faith. Due to the circumstances of this situation, I am truly grateful for the knowledge that I have of the restored gospel and realizing no matter the struggles that we deal with in life everyday---I feel very much at peace knowing that we are never alone. 

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Speaking Opportunities (Presentation Chaos)

Over these next couple of weeks, I am excited to be doing presentations on brand new topics that I've never done and cannot wait to share with as many people as I can!!! I am definitely nervous about all this new material I will be studying throughout the next several days and trying to make sure that I do not end up talking too fast or freezing up on myself for not knowing what to say. It is truly one of the most heartwarming experiences ever for me to inform and educate the community about what it does mean to have my voice heard, even when it is extremely difficult in more ways than one!! Please stay tuned for a lot more updates and hopefully stories to come down the road-- because I am determined to make sure those will be shared!! 

#DreadPride

To make this a long story short--- I have known this chick for some time & never not seen them with out dreads in their hair!!! If they didn't have them at all, I would not even recognize who they were at all whatsoever-- but since they left their heartfelt mark in Logan, Utah this past summer-- I made this new friend who I continuously remind them that they need dreads of their own!!! We made a decision about making our legitimate friend something that I never would have imagined ourselves doing-- but I am certainly not against trying to make it work out in some way or another. Please do not think for a second that I will give away what this surprise will be due to the reasons of the fact--- (I'd rather NOT have this peep of mine unexpectedly find out about this and then not be surprised by it at all. But you totally get the idea, right??! #Excited4ThisOne

#ValentinesDance2020

Whenever all of the independent living centers hold a dance activity-- I never want to miss out on it for any reason whatsoever and love spending more time with my peeps!!! I love getting to show off my legitimate dance skills to people that don't necessarily get a chance to see in real life, but I really enjoy getting down on the dance floor so much more than people think. I usually want to dance my heart out when nobody is watching me unless somehow I end up seeing the looks on their faces and then giving it my all out there!!! #iLoveDanceSoMuch #ItsTheTruthMyFriends

Best Day Ever

YESTERDAY---- I spent the entire day being up at the Capitol building and getting trained about how best to talk with our state legislators related to the issues that we as young people who have disabilities want to have addressed & hopefully taken care of in the near future. I am grateful for everything that I have been able to participate in and see myself getting involved with, has really been nothing short of a dream come true!!!

Later in the afternoon----We all headed down into the Capitol Rotunda and spend the rest of our day listening to people with disabilities share their messages about standing up for what they believe in-- etc. It was really hard to listen to all of the speakers, due to the fact sound echoed almost everywhere and I'll admit it made me proud to know self advocates were letting people know what was important to them. I legitimately had the absolute best time of my life spending time with the best people ever-- and getting to advocate for people with disabilities is something that I am truly passionate about more than anything in this world.

Favorite Highlight:

I always love getting to spend time with some of the most amazing people who work at the other independent living centers throughout our state!!! They are definitely more just my friends, but also like a second family to me who are always there to motivate and give me encouragement to help me follow my dreams, no matter what they are!!! I am incredibly grateful for their examples to me of what it truly means to speak up for yourself and just be as professional as I can to have my voice heard--(which to me is a little bit tough in one way or another because a lot of what is being talked about is stuff I don't know too much information on.)



I would easily love to admit that I continuously share an overwhelming sense of love to these legit people who don't fail to bring a smile to my face whenever we run into each other!!! I am so grateful for their dedication into making sure that we are doing whatever it takes to live an independent lifestyle and even though it is a little bit harder for me than most people who know would ever think it to be, I am hopeful to step up my game and make it become somewhat a reality, if you know what I'm saying?!?! #StayTunedForNewUpdates