October 24, 2008

Did you know....?

My friend Janssen posted an entry today about her college experience and how she ended up in the major she graduated in. She then asked this question:

"What was your major and would you do it differently if you could go back?
Or if you don't have a degree, what would you pick?"

As many know I graduated with my bachelors in Business Management - with my emphasis in Finance & Human Resource. I always pride myself that I did not change my major at all while at BYU-Idaho. However I suppose I never mention that I changed it before I got up to school.

All my life I have grown up around the 'entertainment industry' -- meaning my dad worked as a Technician for the Virginia Tech Music Dept for most of my childhood. and then as a light & sound tech at various hotels on the strip. I grew up around music, theatre, and dance. It was what I wanted to do for soo long. I started playing the piano when I was in 1st grade which does not make me good...b/c i hated practicing...like any 8 yr old. I was in band all throughout high school - I can remember singing with the choir at church from a very early age. I have danced since I was three. So when we moved to vegas - I was in band my freshman year, tried some theatre my sophomore year and stuck with choir for my junior and senior year. Of course when it came time to fill out college applications, in the little desired major box, I wrote Music Education.

I was excited! I have always admired my music teachers. My first being my mom --- so it seemed like the logical thing to do. I was working at a bank for my 'real job' -- but all my 'fun times' included music of some sort. Why not? I took music theory ap my senior year and loved every minute. I loved figuring out cords and triads. It was like a puzzle to me. I even applied for a scholarship with the music dept at UNLV.

Well my parent's were not too excited. I think they knew it was something I might end up hating if I tried to make it my life. When I got accepted to BYU-I for the winter/summer track - I thought - fantastic! I am going to take classes at UNLV before I go... get some pre-reqs out of the way. Perhaps if I liked UNLV I would just stay. My parent's convinced me to minor in Business -- so I took intro to business that fall semester along with geology, an intro to dance class and Spanish.

As the fall semester progressed -- I realized I loved my business class - however, did not enjoy the environment surrounding UNLV. I could not wait to get out of town. I realized how much I liked my job and just put it on the back burner to think about.

I started to make my schedule for BYU-I... and suddenly realized -- if I majored in music it would take me for-ev-er to graduate. I would have to take so many one and zero classes -- making my schedule hectic every semester. Did I really enjoy singing and theory that much? I really started to evaluate my 'declared major' --

One morning I woke-up and promptly decided that music was not for me. While I loved it -- I did not want to kill myself for it. I called up BYU-Idaho and told the nice gentleman on the other side of the phone I would like to change my major - and was there any possible way to do that. Once he discovered I had not even started up there yet - it was as easy as clicking a button. And Folks --- I haven't looked back since.

I loved my major --- I love business - I loved learning about the various elements. I also loved my college experience more because I think I was able to diversify my classes a little more. I had more opportunity to take different classes of my interest - like 2 piano classes, a dance class a semester, horseback discovery (my biology credit on horse back!) , photography and I even got to create my own emphasis for the HR one -- all b/c of my core junior bus. classes.

Because I choose to major in business - I was also able to be more involved in organizations on campus. I had the opportunity to serve more because I was not consumed with little classes. I also was a major participant in my music and dance classes - I was a TA for both at one point or another. For my job all four years I tutored math on campus - teaching all along the way. So I still had many opportunities to teach - just not the subject I originally thought.

I have had many opportunities post graduation as a direct result of my activities during college. I worked as a program assistant for Youth programs at BYU-I last summer - doing marketing! I worked for Wells Fargo -- and now For WAMU now part of Chase . I am working to get experience in the industry - so I can then go and be a recruiter and/or trainer! living the dream!

But never fear -- my music dreams have not been squashed -- I am a faithful singer in the choir at church & institute when I am in town and I play piano and will be singing with Alyson in church in a few weeks! I figure I can continue to use my musical talent in other ways -- to benefit my family, friends and others around me -- and not have to kill myself for it. ;)

October 22, 2008

Today's Find

My friend posted this website where people put interesting notes they find on it.

I liked today's find . The first message I saw was "Don't think too much -just play." I think that was written just for me. ;)

October 11, 2008

High School Tag

So I haven't really ever done one of these -- but got tagged - and figured it would be fun to pass on too!!


1. Did you date someone from your school? What 'dates' I went on -- yes.

2. What kind of car did you drive? I didn't drive during high school -- but I rode in lots of cute little cars. Tyler's truck/April's gold-then silver Saturn/George's various family cars/my parent's van or little car... and soo many more!

3. What was the most embarrassing moment of HS? hmmmm -- embarrassing moments --- I can not really think of anything. I was just plain awkward to be honest.

4. Were you a party animal? hmm - social activities, church dances,

5. Were you considered a flirt? I do not think so - akward remember - although I was in love with George & Tyler most of my HS career.

6. Were you in band, orchestra, or choir? ahhh yeah! I played Clarinet my freshman year... but I hated marching... sooo Sophomore year I tried Theatre --- and Junior & Senior year I sang in choir. I was soprano section leader my senior year. ooo -- and I pretended to be able to play the piano... but mostly I just played parts during practice. oh yeah -- and I was in Madrigals my senior year also! ;)
ps... I do not think that people who choose to increase their talents are dorks... cough cough Britt...j/k

7. Were you a nerd? hmmm -- depends on what 'nerd' constitutes. I was in all honors and advanced placement classes -- I graduated high honors -- but I didn't really go out of my way to study or anything. I just liked school.

8. Were you on any varsity teams? nope nope nope --- I danced my entire life... soo sports were out for me. Although if I could have picked a sport - I probably would have wanted to do Soccer... ;)

9. Did you ever get suspended/expelled? No.

10. Can you still sing the fight song? hmmm - I was taking money to my sister last night and heard the fight song -- and started humming along. I think I played it a million times my freshman year.

11. Who were your favorite teachers? Loya & Pope - my junior and senior English teachers. My music theory AP teacher (yes-- I was a declared music major at UNLV... music ed... then I changed my mind....and went to BYU-Idaho... Business Finance)

12. Where did you sit during lunch? in the court yard in front of the cafeteria -- freshman year by my English class on the stairs. Sophomore year - either at the table closer to the offices or with George and his friends. Junior & Senior year at 'Our table' in the middle of the court yard.

13. School mascot? SKY - HAWKS! whoot whoot!

14. Did you go to homecoming, and with who? Only went my Senior year --with Miles Orton (who looked super nice...) it was the craziest date I have ever been on... meaning nothing worked out for him! Poor Kid. We decided to go two days before - I hated my dress...that shiny forest green lacy thing... - my dad asked him what his intentions were (we were -- friends -- that's it) - he didn't really want to dance - the place we went to dinner -- well we couldn't find it! I do not even remember what we ended up eating that night. annnd -- yeah.. that's all I remember. but being with Miles was fun - just sad that everything went wrong. lol

15. If you could go back and do it again, would you? No, I like my independence and not being pressured to be someone other than myself.

16. What do you remember most about graduation? My name is Amber Allen - so that means I sat on the front row - in the first seat - on the corner. We had a million more guys than girls - so most of the guys had to march twice. I remember the speakers talking - but I have no recollection what they spoke about.

17. Where did you go on senior skip day? So I was really excited about Senior Skip day -- waiting all my years till I could actually skip a day -- and not feel guilty. Well my mom told me that if I skipped she would find some way to call the truant officer and have me spend a night in Jail. true story So --- I didn't ditch b/c knowing my mom - she would find some way....

18. Were you in any clubs? Swing Dance Club, A 'new to the school' helpers club, hmmm there was something else b/c I got a cord for it... can't remember though.

19. Have you gained some weight since then? gained and lost -- now I'm back down-maybe even less -- but I look a million times different... I grew'd up! no glasses, braces, I wear a little make-up, actually do my hair -- care what I am wearing. :)

20. Who was your prom date? I only went to my Junior Prom -- with Tyler Smith --- it was perfect for my 16-yr old life. I loved my dress - dinner was soo fun -- I loved dancing - I was treated like a princess the whole evening, although the week leading up to it - we almost didn't go! He kissed someone else... drama, drama, drama is my dating life -- even at 16!

21. Are you planning on going to your 10 year reunion? 5 more years -- heck why not!! :)

22. What cliques were you in? I was really a social butterfly (still am) - I hung out with lots of different 'cliques' - because I made friends with all types of people over the four years. I guess we could group them into a few categories: Band, LDS, Choir

I tag - Lindsay, Hop, Kim, Cynthia, Pamela - and anyone who would like to do this... ;) kinda interesting looking back!

October 9, 2008

Tantalizing Thursday

There are so many good adjectives. Usually I just stick with the usual - Terrific, Fabulous, Tubular, Marvelous, Manic, Wonderful... etc. Today I wanted to find a 'new' word. So my Co-worker and I set out to find a new Thursday adjective. We brainstormed, we used the thesaurus, and yes -- googled it. Among the list there was 'tantalizing' --- I smiled and knew that was my word for the day.

Do you have any positive "T" adjectives or other fun describing words?

Here are a few reasons why at just noon this Thursday morning -- Tantalizing - is the word to describe my day:

*My alarm went off at 6:20 so I could go running this morning. I hit the snooze for 1/2 hr. No running.
*I was going to do my hair curly -- decided too much work and put it up in half-ponytail.
*Got to work - decided I wasn't going to make it through the day - bought a Vanilla Bean w/Carmel Blended Creme from Starbucks... mmmmmmm sooo goood
*Yesterday I got pizza for lunch instead of eating the lunch I actually brought from home....
today --- I was going to eat the lunch from yesterday -- we decided to order Cafe Rio... Pork Quesadella here I come!!