Write A Press Release

Write A Press Release

CONTACTS:
UCCAP Chair:
Shana Hamilton
utahcountyCAP@gmail.com
801-815-8504

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*

SUPPORT CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION

Utah County Child Abuse Prevention Team is hosting three special events to promote child abuse awareness this month. The UCCAP team coordinates efforts to prevent and respond to child abuse and has put together a special luncheon, a 5k race, and a 2008 Blue Ribbon Day.


UCCAP's Luncheon will be held April 14, at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center. It is open to the public. UCCAP will honor individuals and organizations that have made a significant contribution to protecting and advocating help for children.


The 5k race will take place at 9 a.m. Monday, April 20, at Paul Ream Wilderness Park. Runners must turn in registration forms prior to the race. Registration fee is $15 for adults, $5 for children under 12.


The Blue Ribbon Day will be held April 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It involves several activities for the entire family.

February

So I decided today that February is just a hard month. It's hard for a lot of reasons (at least in my opinion).

1. Winter is still very much here, and it's kind of annoying because it's when we're close to Spring--like we can see the light at the end of the tunnel, but Winter won't move its butt.

2. For those that are in school...It seems like February is when classes get harder. There are tests and big projects to work on that, seriously, are no bueno.

3. Ok I know this is stupid, but it is the holiday month of Valentine's Day--which may or may not be amazing, depending on if you've found that significant other.

4. Did I mention it's still freezing outside?

5. I had to say goodbye to a cousin who recently decided her fiancee was cooler than me.

6. I know I had like 10 other way good reasons, but I can't remember them.

I guess what I am getting at is that I am exhausted. I feel like my days are planned for days longer than 24 hours, and I can never accomplish everything that I want to. February has been good to me though--it hasn't all been hard. We had a fun time celebrating birthdays and weddings with family from out of town, and that has been fun! But I really cannot wait for a break. For those of you that are wondering, Spring Break is in one month. Yes.

Te Amo Mi Misionario!

So...got home from school today...and there was an awesome letter from mi hermano with 2 memory cards loaded with pictures and videos!  After spending an hour looking through pictures and stuff, I just felt so blessed to have a brother serving a mission.  

My brother, Chance, is serving in the Chile Santiago North mission!  He left April 9, 2008, and has been out about 10 months!  For those of you will siblings that have left on missions, we all know what a glorious fun-filled day it is to drop them off--yeah right.  Until this day, I did not know my body was capable of crying out that much moisture.  But like most things...time made it a little better.

I think it was only the first few months that I really really missed him, and longed for him to be back home.  But when I left for China and started that adventure, I was pre-occupied with so much that I didn't have time to mourn over his absence.  Since I've been home from China things have been better.  Christmas was hard...I still miss him so so much, but it isn't as painful now.  I really, more than anything, am just proud of him and the good decisions he's making.  He is such a good missionary and example to me!  He's one of my best friends!  Love you buddy.

(This is Chance on his balcony with the Hipodromo in the background)

Because Video Messages Rock!

I'd like to start off by thanking my readers...all 3 of them.  Ya know, I was really skeptical about this whole 'blogging' thing, I just kept thinking, "Why?  Is anyone even going to read it?"  The answer is, "No.  Most of the world won't..."  I've decided I either need to:

Be more creative

Be funnier--which is hard because I'm hilarious.

Add more pictures?

Spice up my life a little more and do something drastic, like body piercings or tattoos.

Maybe it's none of the options above.  That being said, thank you faithful readers.  (Professor Hamilton, I hope you didn't think I was being negative about blogging.  It's fabulous.)  

I thought I'd write a little bit about my latest guilty pleasure or current obsession.  Video Messages!  They are so wonderful.  I was recently introduced to them by my dearest, Ali.  Wow, thank you for showing me.  My life just got way more exciting.  

Reasons why video messages rock:

It's like real life, but not really

You get to see AND hear the person

You can add music to the video and...shabang...you have a music video

You can do things without feeling as embarrassed in real life

So naturally the best way to end this entry would be to put a video message at the bottom right?  The answer is yes.  I would so love to do that; however, I really have no idea how.  So let's just pretend I did and it rocked.  

Happy Sailing!

The Draper Temple

Over a month ago I signed up as a volunteer at the Draper temple--thinking I might be doing some ushering, or at least be inside the temple.  Instead I was a designated sandwich maker...not quite what I had in mind, but it was still cool.  My mom and I worked on the last day for all the VIPs...aka...the important people,  (my invitation was lost in the mail).  It was actually a really neat experience seeing how everything was run and how organized they were.  After our shift was over some "high ups" gave us the green light to go through the temple when there was a little down time.  

Thoughts and feelings:

1.  First of all, it's five minutes from my house.  I feel so lucky!!

2.  That temple was one of the most beautiful buildings I've ever been in.  It was immaculately clean and decorated with the finest furniture from all around the world.  As I was walking through I kept thinking, "Ok, this room is my favorite," but then I'd walk in the next and think the same thing.  So beautiful!!

3.  I have always thought I would get married in the Salt Lake temple, like the rest of the world.  It's an amazing temple with so much history and most of my family has gotten married there.  However...after going through the Draper temple, I think it may be a toss up between the two.  We will see which one wins.  I should probably find my significant other before I further the wedding plans. 

4.  I want to be a temple worker!!  The peace and warmth that you feel there is indescribable.  All you feel are good things.  I would love to be around that all the time!  

The Draper temple is open for at least another month and a half...if you have not walked through it, slap yourself silly and go through.  It's remarkable!

An Assignment For Class (Write a News Story)

An Inaugural Address

This morning at 10:00 am in Washington D.C., Barak Obama was sworn in as the 44^th President of the United States of America. 

Immediately after, President Barack Obama gave his first speech as President. 

“I stand here today, humbled by the task before us,” said the President.

His speech was started with gratitude and appreciation for former President George Bush.  He then thanked the public for the chance to serve them and the country.

The President addressed the public about the nation’s difficult times right now; explaining the stresses and strains that have made influenced the economy for the worse. 

The President said, “The challenges we face are real,” and they are many, but they will be met.

The challenges the country is facing are new.  The way they are being handled is new, but the nation’s values are old and true, “they are the quiet force of progress,” President Obama said.

He praised the public for choosing to have hope rather than fear.  Then said that all are equal and free, and everyone deserves a chance to pursue happiness. 

The President moved on to explain that greatness is not a gift, but that it is earned.  America has the freedoms that they do today because of its ancestors and their sacrifices they made years ago. 

He assured the public that things would be difficult no matter the time.  The Founding Fathers dealt with unimaginable things, but made it through.  He encouraged the country to pick themselves up and dust themselves off. 

President Obama encouraged the people to continue to be hopeful.  The economy will get better.  Changes will be made to better the country and the world.  He assured the public that costs would be more affordable.  He is concerned about making things work, whether the government gets bigger or smaller.

He closes with a quote from the Father of the country.  He urges the country to press on and to “keep your eyes fixed on the horizon.  God Bless,” President Obama.  

I still miss it.

I haven't written much about the last part of my China experience...because it was the hardest.  There were times when I felt like I would be in China forever.  At one point there were 5 calendars up in our rooms so that everyday my roommates and I could cross off several days.  I was so ready to be home...or so I thought.  

That last week finally came, and suddenly I was feeling like I didn't have enough time to do the things I wanted to do before I left... forever.  I felt like I had so many pictures to take, places to visit, and goodbyes to say.  

Those last few nights in China were a joke.  Even with prescription sleeping meds, I still wasn't sleeping more than a few minutes!  I was so excited to be home with family and friends; however, I never anticipated my goodbyes to be so hard.

I broke the news to my kiddles that I was leaving about a week before...this is the reaction I got...At least I know that some of them loved me! 

I honestly never thought that saying goodbye would be so hard.  I developed such a strong attachment for these kids!  It's amazing to me how we can know so clearly the love that we have for each other when we can hardly speak one another's language.  Leaving these kids was one of the hardest things ever.  I'd take anyone of them home with me in a heartbeat.