Go Nike.

That's right.

Thanks Mags for helping me find this.

Back to school... back to school...

Today in my politics class my professor told us he used to have a goal of visiting every country in the world... about.com just told me there are 195 of them. Wow, that's a hefty goal. He joined the military, so he has accomplished seeing 50 of them. I doubt I could ever see all of them, probably not many people have actually seen them all in their life. But, I thought 50 was a great goal. So today I decided I want to beat his goal of 50 in my life. I have 4, if you include the United States.

Three years ago yesterday is when I moved to Italy, those were some of the best days of my life! I learned so much. There is this festival in the town I lived in (Viterbo, a beautiful city that has a city wall all the way around it like medievel times) that is happening right now. Its called the Santa Rosa Festival to us uhhhh-mericans such as myself who can't fully pronounce the real name in italian (it's much prettier).

The fesitval includes many street shops and booths and festivities and parades. The best part, though, is the carrying of the statue. Every year there is a different one. The statue is as tall as the buildings and as wide as the streets (which are pretty narrow, barely two cars wide). The statue is carried by the men of the city who are referred to as facchini. They wear red and white, and it is an honor to be one.

These men carry the statue on their shoulders, backs, etc. through the entire city so everyone can see it. I can't even describe how breath-taking and special it is to witness the event. Someday I will go back and see it once again!

The italian people are just so rich with culture and tradition, I truely love it! Here is a video to give you an idea...

The people were so kind and welcoming, how blessed I am for being allowed to witness such a beautiful thing!

In other news, I got a new phone..... a Droid Incredible!

They aren't kidding when they say incredible, or when they say smart phone.The thing is smarter than I am. The only thing it can't do is my laundry (but I wouldn't be surprised if there was an app for that, I just haven't found it yet). Love. it.

I am taking a Doctrine and Covenants class this semester at institute. I am so excited! I started reading D&C a few days ago when my little brother inspired me to. (I'm going to brag here a bit...) My little brother is the stud of the universe. The other night we were sitting and eating dinner together and he said, "Misty, lately I have been reading my scriptures, and I love it. It is the best part of my day." Stud, right? I know, I have the coolest little bro ever. Anyway, I decided to be like him and read two sections from D&C each night plus a chapter in the Book of Mormon. What a difference and blessing it's been! Anyway, D&C rocks my world. There is so much about the gospel to be learned from it. On our first day in class we watched a video with David A. Bednar and he was talking about the Book of Mormon being the keystone of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and the Doctrine and Covenants being the capstone. The Book of Mormon invites people to come to Christ, while D&C teaches us how to return to Him, and how to be like Him.

Elder Bednar also talked about how we must go to institute and want to learn, how we must act, and not expect to be acted upon or entertained. It reminded me of this quote I love...

"Endowed with agency, you and I are agents, and we primarily are to act and not just be acted upon. To believe that someone or something can make us feel offended, angry, hurt, or bitter diminishes our moral agency and transforms us into objects to be acted upon. As agents, however, you and I have the power to act and to choose how we will respond to an offensive or hurtful situation."

It has nothing to do with D&C but I just thought I'd share :)

Moving on... I turned in my graduation application.

WOAH

What? Am I graduating soon? Insane.

Anyway, whenever I tell someone that they always ask the infamous question...

"WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO AFTER THAT?"

Ummmm like I know? College is easy... just classes, classes and more classes. The only decisions to be made (after choosing your major of course, that one really is hard) are "should I go to class" and "do I want to actually do my homework". Real life is hard. Growing up?? UGHHH.

So I have been thinking about the answer, here is what I have come up with:

1. Apply to at least five marketing/advertising firms and/or companies I'm interested in. The economy is terrible, but maybe for some ridiculous reason one of them will think I am different than the thousands of other marketing college grads looking for work, who knows.

2. Apply for a job at the same company my uncle works for. It's all about who you know right? He is like the number 5 guy for Hertz, maybe his name on my app will hook me up with an entry level position.

3. Apply for a professional internship at Disney. That would just kind of prolong my growing up process for 6 months, yet allow me to add to my resume and play with Mickey and my Florida friends for a bit.

4. My family offered me a job. I would start up a company (probably some type of restaurant/soda fountain) for them. That always looks good on a job app, plus my mom and uncle are two fantastic people to learn business sense from. They would be great mentors for my first year after college.

5. I might apply for a job at the U.S. embassy in London. For some ridiulous reason, I have always wanted to work there. They say turning in an application improves your chances dramatically, so why not?

So there you have it, I have a plan.

THANK GOODNESS, I was afraid for my myself there for a while.

I just realized there is a heck of a lot of wordage in this post, which can get quite boring, so to break up the monotony....

A few fun pictures of Kymer and I getting our immaturity on and playing in the pool with the girls!

In order... girls from work, the ladies of Black Mesa, on one of our last days as seasonal firefighters. The second is Kymber, Lacy and I jammin' out to the Cha Cha Slide at some restaurant in Vegas. The third, Lace and I thuggin it up on the way home from Vegas.

This is random, but cool, they have my picture hanging up for everyone to see at Disneyworld, ahhh :)

I love love love football season! My little bro in #82, represent. The Mustangs played at NAU last week. The killed the other team, way to go boys.

My BFF little sis, we spent last weekend together shopping and relaxing.... loved it!

...and I got bangs! I forgot how annoying they are to have in your face, but I am getting used to it. They are fun...ish.

Lastly, I wanted to give a shout out to my angel mother. This woman is a miracle worker! Today I was stressin' MAJOR because of my credit/debit card situation (long, boring story), about some perscriptions I needed from the pharmacy without having insurance, and about some silly stuff dealing with my cell phone. All of them were little things, but they all had their own way of making me crazy. I called my mom, she worked her magic, and everything worked out. It made my day so much better. Thank you so much mom for being the amazing woman you are!!!! I serisouly love you more than you could ever know. I don't know how I was so blessed as to be your daughter, but I thank my Heavenly Father for it every day. I love you!

She is so beauitful.

Thanks kids for listening, I hope you are all having a wonderful week, and have a wonderful labor day weekend! 

Are you really there?

I just had an experience I wanted to share. Yesterday in church I was praying for help. Lately, I have been feeling... nothing, about anything. I haven't been excited or sad or angry or happy. I have felt numb. I am not sure the reason, but I was so worried that if I started school out that way, my grades, my desire, my passion for my major... all would be compromised and I would spend my time doing nothing productive because I didn't care.

I wasn't depressed, or upset, I just simply felt nothing strongly compelling me in one direction or another.

I didn't like it.

So I prayed. I asked my Heavenly Father to help me find comfort, to let me feel the spirit so I could feel something again, so I could find passion for life once again.

Last night there was a fireside. My roommates and I hadn't really wanted to go because we had so much to do, but I know enough to know that if I were to attend I would be blessed and find the time I needed to complete the tasks I was staying home for in the first place. So went we did.

The first speaker was a girl from my ward. She did a fantastic job, she was funny and kept our attention.

But it was the second speaker who captivated my interest. I almost believe he was sent there just to speak to me. He is the assistant dean in the college of business I attend at NAU. I see him around campus all the time, always with a smile on his face. He makes my day better whenever I see him because I know he cares whether or not I am doing well when he asks.

He spoke about life. He spoke about passion. He spoke about the desire we needed to have to gain our education, the hunger we must feel, the thirst for knowledge. He reminded me about being an example of the believers, about having a hop in my step and a fire in my heart. I was captivated. I couldn't take my eyes or ears off of his words. Nothing could distract me. When he was done speaking, I looked at the clock and realized 40 minutes had passed. I felt like I could listen to him speak all night.

He said everything I needed to hear. He helped me remember my love for my major, my future career, my education, and my spiritual self. He reminded me of the joys and the pains of this thing we call college.

I know it may seem like such a simple thing, but it was an answered prayer. It was a directly answered prayer. I know my Heavenly Father hears and listens when I speak. I know He knows me and cares for my needs. I know He cares for yours too. 

I am so excited to start this new semester. I can hadly contain it. I might even be sad that I only have until December left as an undergrad at NAU. So bittersweet.

As for the semester, it will be tough. 18 credit hours, 2 capstone classes.

BRING. IT. ON.

Say a little prayer...

Please pray for my dear friend Camille Hawkins.

Camille, I love you girl, I am here if you need anything at all.

It's not what it's made up to be...

I have been thinking a lot lately about this time in my life. Since graduation, I have made a few mistakes. I have done some things when I should have known better. I have changed my mind a million times. I have made the wrong choice a few times. I have failed at a few things. I have struggled with my identity. Who is this girl, Misty Dunny? Am I the girl who never misses institute? Am I the life of the party? Am I adventurous, spontaneous and a little rough around the edges? Am I quiet, shy, afraid of change?

I didn't know who I was. Am I the girl who gets the A's or the girl who does enough to get by? Sometimes I want to be the book worm and study all day. Sometimes I want to embrace this time and ditch class in exchange for a memory. Sometimes I want to be stylish, sometimes I want to be simple. Sometimes I want to be hard core, and sometimes I want to be a lady. Sometimes I want to wear my sweats to class, and sometimes I want to be all dressed up in my business suit.

So the question stands, who am I?

The truth is, I'm still finding out. I don't know. This is the time to try a little bit of everything and decide which fits you best. This is the time to make a mistake. This is the time to take a crazy chance. This is the time to run away, or test the waters. This is the time to change your mind.

I have realized that all of that the mistakes I have made, the wrongs I have chosen, the times I have changed my mind... those are the times that most distinctly define who I am. The times I have taken a chance, those are the times that have molded and shaped me in to me. Misty Dunny. Misty the business student. Misty the family home evening leader. Misty the girl who worked at Disney World. My experiences have made me... ME.

This is who I am.

I am a runner.

I am (almost!) a college graduate, with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Marketing... and a history minor.

I am not afraid of change.

When I was 19 I moved to Italy. I knew only one other person on the entire continent. It didn't scare me a bit, and it was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I learned to be independent. I learned to be confident. I met new people, some of whom changed my life. I had experiences I wouldn't change for the world. I learned how to travel, I learned to be understanding of culture, and people who are different than me. I learned to embrace diversity. I learned I can live without tv, walmart, a car. I learned I can be thousands of miles from home and trust myself to take care of myself. I learned you can be in the most beautiful country in the world, and still prefer to be home with those who mean the most to you. 

  

When I was 21, I moved to Orlando. This time, I knew nobody. I had never been east of El Paso, TX. I learned to trust in my Father in Heaven. I learned the importance of having the priesthood in your home. I learned to love children unconditionally. I learned you can't run away from your problems. I learned one person can change your life forever. I learned the importance of best friends.

I am 22 and single. And loving it.

 

I LOVE ADVENTURE.

I love white V-neck T-shirts.

I like Lady Gaga.

I can run a chain saw.

I love mexican food.

I love to fish.

I love to snowboard.

I am easily distracted.

I procrastinate (working on that).

I like to wear high heels.

I go shopping when I'm feeling down.

I cry watching sappy old movies I've seen hundreds of times.

I am proud to be an American. I am very patriotic.

I am a Republican.

I don't like to talk on the phone.

I love the gospel. I know I could never live without it.

I have high standards, and do my best to live by them. Sometimes I struggle.

I love people.

My family means more to me than anything else.

...I could go on forever, but the bottom line is that our experiences shape us. We should have no regrets in this life because everything we do teaches us something about who we are. If we make a mistake, we can learn from it. This time in your life isn't what it's made up to be, you have to make it that way.

Happy Weekend!

Ps. I'd like to add that if it weren't for my angel mother, none of these experiences would have been possible. I am so thankful for the blessing my parents are to me. 

500 Days of summer

Hello friends and lovers.

It's been too long. I've missed you so.

I am so busy doing nothing. I work all the time, but there are no fires. We do more weed whacking and paint chipping than firefighting.

Alas, such is life.

I am so thankful to have a job during these hard times.

I have been having such a wonderful summer! I wish there were really 500 days of it. Have you seen that movie? Fantastic. If you haven't, I'd advise you to do so. My summer kind of reminds me of that movie, a little rollar coaster of highs and lows, peaks and valleys of fun and dull. Today was part of the dull, all too much time spent killing weeds and melting in the sun. Tuesday was the fun, I went to a BBQ with people from my engine, that always produces a fun time.

Meet Engine 21, the "Pride of the Rim"

We love eachother.

Anyway, we had a BBQ, complete with steaks, mashed potatoes, and corn on the cob, can't go wrong there.

My 4th of July was alright, nothing to really rant and rave about. I worked that day from 8 am until 11 pm. My engine worked the fireworks, and it was surprisingly fun! We were right where they were shooting them off... I began by just simply watching and "ooooh"ing and "ahhhh"ing, the BOOOOOM was shaking the truck we were standing on... then we turned around and saw....

OPEN FLAME!!! WILDFIRE!!

We jump off the engine and run to the rescue... thankfully it was only about golf ball sized. We stepped on it and it was out instantly. We spent the rest of the fireworks running around stomping out flaming ash. It really was a pretty great time.

My engine enjoying the show :)

The next day I was lucky to get to celebrate the 4th once again in Winslow, with my family. Oh how I love my family! Honestly, who could ask for more? We just love each other, always. I really can't explain it but there is just so much comfort in these people.

I know right? We're pretty cool.

Anyway...

I just started reading the book the Hunger Games.

It's LOVE. I am not too far in to it, but I am loving it so far, I can hardly put it down to do any work.

I have heard about it from a few people, everyone seems to love it, so far I do too!

.... I started this post yesterday and didn't finish it, by now I have finished the Hunger Games, and if you check out the post just below this I think you will see how I felt about it.

I'm a little OBSESSED.

You should give the book a try if you haven't already!

I'm off to prepare a 20 minute talk for sacrament meeting tomorrow (I know right, are you kidding?! 20 minutes?! The longest I have spoken for is 8.)

Happy Saturday!

In case you're wondering....

I want to marry Peeta Mellark.

If you know who that is, way to be awesome.