The BEST news of the month

In April, 2006 I graduated from UVSC with a BS degree in Health Promotion. I was ecstatic to be done, and even more ecstatic at the prospect of moving out of Utah Valley for good. Upon graduation, I faced a mound of debt, larger than any balance I have ever had to pay off. I immediately set a goal to have it paid off as fast as I could (shows how good of a goal-maker I am - not putting any time parameters on it). I got to work and started making payments. Nick and I brainstormed ways I could have the balance paid off by December, 2008. I went to Seattle in October, and kind of lost momentum after that. I got back on track and kept on trucking - promising myself that if I paid it off, I would reward myself with a new car. With one payment left, I got the car (with a good window of time before the first payment). I was going to pay the last payment of the Student Loan at the first of August and the first payment of the Car Loan at the end of August.

On Tuesday, I got the best news of the month. Welcome to the good news minute portion of the program:


"Dear Stacey McAllister:

We are pleased to inform you that the remaining balance of your student loan(s) listed in the table below has been forgiven as a way of thanking you for taking care of your loan obligation in a diligent manner. Within 2-3 weeks UHEAA will send a document indicating the paid in full status of the loan(s).

Sincerely,
Borrower Services"

It was only the last $250 of the balance (which I'm sure I paid, several times, in interest throughout the course of carrying the balance), but still, what a thrill, and a teriffic surprise from "The Man." It's official - I'm out of the student loan tunnel!

congratulations to the happy couple!

My sissy got married on Thursday. And what a wonderful day it was!

After quite the long weekend of self-inflicted stress, I got my mind off the pity wagon, and embraced the fact that I have two younger siblings that are married. I LOVE my family! We had a good time at the wedding, and I think, perhaps, my favorite part (beside Brian's ADORABLE niece) was that my sissy actually let go of the reins enough to enjoy the day. I didn't get a picture, but after the ceremony and the plethora of group photos, she sat down, put her feet up, and hung out with her new brothers-in-law and her husband. I was relieved and so happy for her. The kind of sappy happy you get watching a Sandra Bullock chick flick. Witness the smiles:

Ethan and I prior to the ceremony - can't tell we're related can ya?


Beautiful couple #1 - Paul and Marianne


Beautiful couple #2 - The Parents (looking happy as ever!)


Brian's niece, Avery. She fed me ice cream, and I nearly took her home with me

Congratulations sissy! You made a gorgeous bride!

Blue Plate Diner

I remember the night we went to the Blue Plate Diner. He had come over to drop off a mix CD, which turned into hanging out...all night. His friends had plans for dinner and I didn't want to crash the party (with the friend in from out of town). He made every attempt to make it clear that my company was desired, but in my typical stubborn nature, I had myself convinced that no one wanted me there. I made some outlandish request for pancakes (not thinking that any of the guys would follow suit), not of the Denny's variety, and he made it happen. Quite elated that I had manipulated dinner plans in my favor, I gleefully hopped in the car.

Upon arrival at the diner, we were the first of the group to get there. We perused the menu, as well as the city weekly provided at the door. The group filtered in, one car at a time, and we proceeded to order. I got pancakes and french fries - an unorthodox combination. We chatted, caught up, and decided to move on to phase 2 of the evening.

I was tired, so I hung back while the guys threw out ideas for the remainder of the evening. Keys on Main seemed to be the consensus, and immediately I felt ready to go home to bed. He was so considerate to accompany me home, against my insistence that he go out with his friends - one of the boys had offered me a ride home. I was annoyed that he would be so unrelenting, but by that point, I didn't care anymore. He drove me home, saying "I would rather be here watching a movie with you, than anywhere with those guys."

Immediately I melted, realizing how much he cared for me. My annoyance turned to comfort as we watched Holiday Inn together. He kissed me goodnight, and when he left, I scratched my head and considered, exactly, what I felt for him. I knew I was in trouble.

Another Reason to Love the Mayer

I had no idea that John was a part of the tribute to Michael Jackson. I've been "mourning" the loss of one of music's greatest talents since I heard of his death, so, naturally, when my dad mentioned that there was a memorial that would be televised tonight, I had to tune in. I heard that all-too-familiar electric guitar and immediately had to scour the web for a full video. I knew I loved John Mayer before, but this is a merging of two fabulous talents. I only wish John would have joined in the singing...

Random Thought on Singledom

While hopping from blog to blog this afternoon, I stumbled upon a quote I found very comforting to me in my singledom. It goes a little something like this:

“Girls are like apples...the best ones are at the top of the trees. The boys don't want to reach for the good ones because they are afraid of falling and getting hurt. Instead, they just get the rotten apples that are on the ground that aren't as good, but easy. So the apples at the top think there is something wrong with them, when, in reality, they are amazing. They just have to wait for the right boy to come along, the one who's brave enough to climb all the way to the top of the tree...”

Glad to know I'm not a rotten apple today.

By the way, here's where I found this gem. She had some great insight on Independence Day. Rather than try to duplicate a post, I think I'll let her words suffice - we have very similar feelings towards our Nation's Birthday. God bless America - we need His help more than ever!