"Come Sail Away"

So as if going to Disney World for four days isn't fun enough, we then got to experience what the wonderful life of a cruiser is like! Boy oh boy is it great! On the Friday and Saturday before the cruise, everyone arrived at McKay's place.  It was pretty fun to have the whole family back together(minus Rachelle's kids).  We all went out to lunch to celebrate my dad's birthday and then took some family pictures. The rest of the night we just hung out and prepared for exciting adventures that were about to happen.

Sunday we drove to the port and after security and check in lines we were finally on the boat! We ate some lunch at the buffet, explored the boat some more, went to the sail away party and then headed down to dinner. We ate in this BEUATIFUL banquet room! It was gorgeous and it sure does make you feel special walking into such a fancy eating place.  Every dinner, we would all end up ordering multiple meals because we could! So, I got daring and I ordered lobster, duck and lamb on different nights. Of course, I always ordered a back up that I knew for sure I would like!

Just about to get on the boat! 

Rachelle and me watching the port get farther away from us!

There was an amazing sunset that night! So, we went outside to enjoy it

You should be jealous of my sleeping arrangements!

Monday was our first at sea day. I have always been a little scared of going on a cruise because I watched that one movie Poseidon where the boat gets hit by a tsunami and is turned upside down. Of course, on my first full day at sea, we are stuck in the middle of a crazy storm! But lucky for me, it got me over that fear and the boat remained right side up the whole time! Because it was such a nasty day outside we just spent the day inside playing cards and exploring the boat some more and watching movies. That night for dinner was our first formal night. We all got dressed up so fancy and then of course took lots of pictures afterwords.

At formal dinner

Ryan and Me at formal Dinner

Colby 

Mckay and Stephanie

Jayson and Rachelle 

Shane and Sam

All the Ladies

And the Men

Its my family! Minus Colby

Ryan found himself a nice new lady friend

Rachelle and McKay entered each other into the finish the lyrics competition

Tuesday was our first port day! We went to Labadee Haiti, which is just a private part of the island that the boat owns.  So all day we just hung out at the beach and enjoyed the sun. By the end of the day we finally decided to splurge and spend money to go in the aqua park which ended up being totally worth it.  We were allowed in for one hour but that hour was well spent and by the end we were all exhausted.

Dad's favorite activity, reading

At the aqua park

My whole family in front of our boat

Mom and Dad at the beach

Rachelle and Jayson

Shane and Sam

Ryan

Me

Stephanie and McKay

Both Jayson and McKay performed in Karaoke that night. They were the
best two of the night. But the MC guy picked McKay to sing another
song with him! 

Wednesday was Jamaica! And probably one of my favorites! We went ziplining across the farms and jungle life of jamaica and it was a lot of fun! We also visited a little falls that is a big tourist hit I guess. We were a little surprised to see it wasn't a giant water fall like we were expecting but we still had some fun there.

Here we are, ready for the days adventures

Once we arrived at the ziplining place, they gave us some delicious juice!

Getting all harnessed up and ready to go

Rachelle and I getting ready 

Hooking on just before I left the platform

This is the Screamer, its a huge swing that lets you free fall for 40 feet! Pretty
scary but extremely fun!

Sam, Shane and I on the screamer

Rachelle, Jayson and Ryan on the screamer

Sam climbing up the pole

Jayson

Dad going across

Colby 

Even though she tried to get out of it,  My mom
really enjoyed this experience

Going across!

At the falls. Shane didn't look in a single picture

Rachelle, Jayson, Ryan and I hiking up the falls

Here they are up close and personal

I guess it was a very tiring day

Our tour guy, Thomas! Besides the scary driving, he was great!

Thursday, I don't have very many pictures of because it was scuba diving day in the Caiman Islands! And guess what everybody, I made it down!!! Woot! After the disaster in san diego with my ears, I was pretty nervous but I did it! I, Tiare Curtis, swam with the fish and I LOVED it! It was so cool to see the ocean life! I definitely want to go scuba diving again! We had another formal that night, so there are a lot more pictures from that night again!

On the way to the dive location

This was still when I was a little nervous about making it down

Formal night pictures! We met a new friend that
night and I think I was laughing about what was
being said. 

Rachelle was practicing with her camera. She took these sweet pictures
of the couples and then one of me and ryan alone

What a great looking family right?

Sweet moon shot!

Friday was our last port day and that was Cozumel! The boys went scuba diving again and this time I hung out with the girls and went parasailing! Bought myself a new bag and a little surprise for my poor man that I left behind! It was a penguin so I think that made up for leaving him for two weeks!

Sam and I at the beach

Stephanie relaxing the shade

Sisters

The four of us on the boat getting ready to parasail

Sam and I parasailing

My mom and Rachelle

Guess what everybody, Betty Ann Curtis Parasailed! Many years ago, she
said no but she has finally done it!

And the day wouldn't be complete with out holding the iguana

Because I held it, Sam decided she needed to as well

Then Rachelle really felt like she had to 

Waves of Cozumel

We played Mormon rook every single day

Saturday it was back to the sea for us. We swam, rock climbed, ate at johnny rockets and just enjoyed life that day.  It was a pretty relaxing day and I rather enjoyed it!

The Parade on the boat

Our waiter made us dance every time this one song came on

Best part of Johnny Rockets was the AMAZING oreo sunday!

The family with our waiters! They were great!

The moon was amazing that night!

Just some fun shots with the moon

Sunday we packed up and head home.  It was a great trip and I decided cruises are a great idea! Thanks Mom and Dad for everything! It was amazing!

"Here's Where the Fun Begins"

First, I know this is a few days later than Mothers Day but I just wanted to say that I have a wonderful mother and I am truly grateful for everything she has done for me in my life! The most recent big thing she did is she took us to several Disney parks (thanks to McKay and Stephanie for getting us in) and then took the entire family on an amazing cruise!  She supports me with any decision I make and is always willing to listen to me.  I love you Mama!!!

Second, I will now update on the Disney part of my trip! On the Tuesday after graduation, Shane, Sam and I all boarded on a plane and headed off to Florida.  There we met up with my Mom and Neeha and went to McKay's house where we would be staying until the cruise. McKay works for Disney so he is able to get into the parks for free and up to five others for free as well.  So, each day they would drop us off at the park and then we would go do fun things.  Thanks again McKay and Stephanie for letting us stay at your house and getting us into your park. You really went out of your way, and I truly appreciate it!

Waiting in Line for the space ride

Neeha, Donald Duck and I

Not quite sure who he is, but great picture
 nonetheless

After the long but fun day at EPCOT

The first park we went to was Epcot! My favorite ride there is SOARIN.  We ended up doing that one three times.  We also went on several other rides, saw some cool acrobats and enjoyed walking through many different countries.

We were trying to make our way home when we got lost and found something even more wonderful, TRUE chicago pizza!

Day two we headed on over to Magic Kingdom! Here we went on the classics Space and Splash mountain, Its a small world and many other rides. Probably one of my favorite things was this Monsters Inc. comedy show.  It is an interactive computer comedy show! So funny! And the thing that is crazy is the computer monsters would react to things that were happening in the audience right then, making priceless faces and great jokes right away! Not sure how they did it but it made me leave amazed and happy!

On the monorail to magic kingdom

A picture of the picture from Splash Mountain

Sam, Shane and Neeha on the Jungle Cruise

Buzz Lightyear ride

Buzz Lightyear ride

Buzz Light Year Ride

Shane's head was getting burnt so he bought a sweet hat! We are waiting
in line for Its a Small World After All

All of us at Magic Kingdom!

The last day of parks before the cruise we went to Hollywood Studios! That one was a lot of fun. Some of my favorites were the Star Tours, Rocking Rollercoaster and Tower of Terror!

Us on Rocking Roller Coaster... the girls may have been a little terrified!

Taking some pictures at fun photo spots

The Girls in front of the big hat

Shane and the hat. I decided to join his pic and make a funny face.

Another great photo moment at Hollywood Studios

Waiting for a 3D show to start

Tower of Terror, a favorite of ours

McKay and Stephanie joined us for Dinner!

We went to Animal Kingdom after the cruise! Another grand time but unfortuantely I didn't get those photos from my mom!

"Today is the Day where your book begins, The rest is still unwritten"

Wow, so much has happened over the past few weeks, I graduated, went to Florida, went on a cruise and took my certification exam! But I think I will just take this an update at a time! Let's start with Graduation!

I am officially a college graduate folks! Yep, that is correct, Tiare Curtis is no longer a student! Graduation was pretty great.  My parents came in to town the week before graduation but of course my dad took off on a business trip while my mom and I hung out all week.  It was pretty fun to have her here and actually get to spend time with her.

Thursday was the big commencement where Dallin H. Oaks spoke! We started the day off with a Naperville reunion! It was a lot of fun to see the families I grew up with.

The Girls at Breakfast

 Then after commencement we took lots of pictures and went to Brick Oven for some delicious pizza!

Before Commencement, Shane, Sam, Stacey, Jackie and I

Jackie and I! 

My wonderful roommie and I

All three of us graduated together!

I don't really know what is happening in the picture, but I love it! The people
who came to support on Thursday

And this guy came as well! 

Friday was the day that I actually walked. Since Shane, Sam and I were all graduating, we decided to all go to Sam's convocation so that way we didn't split up the family. After we took more pictures with those that came to this convocation! Thanks to everyone who came! 

The Friday Supporters!

My sweet cousin came and supported!

Shane got his masters!

 Funny story with this next picture... Everyone wanted to see where Shane worked on Campus.  So, we trekked on over to the building that before I realized Shane worked there, I had thought it was an empty run down building. Of course the building in my opinion is close to that and the only elevator they had was a freight elevator. My grandma was in a wheelchair so we needed to use that elevator.  So, onto the elevator we went with my grandparents, grandma, parents, aunt, cousin, me and my brother. My dad and Shane confidently shut the two front doors and pushed the button for us to go up... nothing happened. After a few more button pushing, we decided to open the doors and try again. Yeah, the doors didn't open. So, we were all stuck on this freight elevator in the creepiest building on BYU campus. As you can see, Shane was stressed trying to save us! It was pretty hilarious! Shane managed to get a hold of one of his co workers who came and helped us and when those doors opened, I don't think I have ever seen my grandpa move so fast to get off!

So, Graduation was a pretty great time! Thanks BYU for being an awesome school! (Of course it just lost a lot of awesomeness now that I am gone!!! Just kidding...but really!)

"As we go on, We remember"

So, I am sitting here not wanting to write a paper. Its my last paper of College EVER!!!! That is a really weird thought...really weird! But as I sat in my seat staring at the computer, I decided that I should just update my blog real fast.  Maybe that will get my writing juices flowing...hopefully?

I finished my internship and now all that is left(besides the paper) is to graduate! It is crazy to think about the last five years and how much I have changed! When I first came out to college, I came in the summer term so I decided just to go to the apartments for the summer. Yet, I didn't realize how intimidating it is to be a recent high school graduate living with college graduates! But luckily my next door neighbors offered me to be in their secret cookie club.  I don't think they will ever realize that by that offer, they just offered me a lot more; friendship and confidence.  I started making cookies with them and we would deliver to random doors and sign it from the secret cookie club! After, I became really good friends with them and that summer turned out to be really fun!

I moved into the dorms shortly after that and that wasn't as intimidating.  I already lived at college for a couple months now, so I felt like the older one compared to everyone else.  I started to learn more about myself.  I feel that the first full year away from home is when you really have to figure things out for yourself.  Start to put everything you learned from your parents into practice and seeing what works for you. So that year, I grew a lot! I grew spiritually and emotionally.  I learned how to deal with girl drama, living in a small place with six girls will definitely teach you that! But I also started to find out my own reasons for believing in the gospel. I explored different majors and found out more about myself. I fully realized just how not cut throat I am and how I really wanted to work with people.

It wasn't until I moved into the Riviera that I was able to discover Therapeutic Recreation and continue forward with that major. The Riviera, three years of my life was spent there and I feel that I really learned a lot about me.  I went through my extremely shy, not confident stage. That first year, I had a lot of trials that I had to work through.  This is when I truly had to figure out who I was and learn how to embrace who I was.  I think I have always known me, but I never embraced that. But I was able to learn how to fully love me for me.  Even though that year was so hard for me, it was very much needed.  I am a much stronger person now and I am trying to help those that are in the same boat I was a few years ago.

I moved into my grandparents basement for a few months and that is what helped me to be the crazy outgoing girl I am now! I saw that I had to reach out to others if I wanted to have friends. No one was going to come knocking on my grandparents door to have me come do something. Its funny now because I tell people that I use to be a completely shy girl and they won't believe me because now I tend to be the voice for the wards I am in and my last two years in the riviera, everyone knew who I was because I was always out chatting with people, having parties and inviting everyone to do things!

This last year of college, I started to see more and more about what I really want to do with life.  I still have no idea but I really feel like I have grown as I have dug deeper into what I want.  I have learned more about what relationships are and how to deal with pains and joys that come along with that.  I have learned so much more on forgiveness and truly letting go of the past.

I am so glad for my time at college and everything I have learned, not just in the classroom. There were a lot of hard times emotionally but I know because of those experiences I am stronger and better today.  I learned how to take those trials and turn them to a good learning experience.

Now, I sit here facing a very unknown future, but I am not as scared as I thought I would be.  I know that I have a solid foundation to face whatever else is out there.  I am really exciting for the next chapter of my life!

Thanks to everyone for being a part of my college chapter.  It really is those around me that have helped me get through the good with the bad.  I have learned so much from the examples of those around me and I am so grateful for that.  Just as those friends my first summer have no idea how much they helped me then, I don't think any of you will ever realize how much you have helped me and how much you mean to me! So, Thank you!

Sorry that was a long post, I just got to thinking about me graduating from high school and me now and boy oh boy am I different! I love it!

Here is a picture of the three men that had a huge effect in my life.  I knew Bishop Hart for all three years at the Riviera and Brother V and Brother Fisher for the last two years.  But they have been an amazing bishopric and they truly helped me so much! They are being released in a few weeks but we won't ever forget them and what they did for their ward!

Izzy, Brother V, Michelle, Carson, Brother Fisher, Bishop Hart
 at the Bishopric final party

Raindrops keep fallin on my head

Today I finally have a day off and it is windy and rainy so  naturally I just want to curl up in a nice warm blanket and read a good book.  However, I have to run fourteen miles today(praying the wind stops for the rest of the day so I don't get blown away!), interview for a job, run errands I have been needing to do for like a week now, go to the doctor, work on the four videos I have, write my papers for my internship, get ready for my internship this week and go to FHE tonight. So, sadly I will have to take a rain check for reading a book all day and relaxing.

In other news, I may die after my run today! Thomas and I drove around last night trying to find a good route for my fourteen miles. By the time we reached seven miles, Thomas was already freaking out about how long the run was going to be. That was only half way...yikes! But he now has given me permission to complain after my run about how sore I am and gave me permission to sit around for the rest of the day!

I only have three weeks left of my internship! I can't believe it is almost over! Then it is finding a job and being on my own! Graduation is in 24 days!!!! I can't believe how close it is, that is so crazy!

Well, here are some pictures from the past week:

Thomas and I went up to Salt Lake last Sunday and
walked around Temple Square. It was really nice and relaxing!

Midnight showing of Hunger Games! Yeah, it was amazing!

On the way to Festival of Colors!

Michelle, Dallin, Stacey, Thomas and I at the Festival of Colors!

Okay, it is time for me to be productive!!!