My Year in Review, and Man What a Year!!

It's time once again to say "Goodbye" to 2013 and "Howdy Hey" to 2014. Every year on New Years, I think about what is in store for me. I remember last year I thought, "Holy cow, this year I'm gonna graduate and go to college and leave home. What a big year!!" And a big year it has been.

At the beginning of the year I sang with these 9th Avenue ladies at Battle of the Bands at my High School.

Over Daddy's college Spring Break came our family's trip to Disneyland! So much fun, and we were all the perfect ages for it. 

Over the kid's spring break, we went for my sister's Sweet 16 road trip to exciting Moab!

Late spring brought some highly anticipated and bittersweet changes. First, the final choir concert of high school (been with these gorgeous girls singing and dancing since Junior High).

Then LDS Seminary graduation.

Then High School Graduation!! 

Summer brought many things.

A second job.

My first big purchase (of my life).

My second big purchase (of my life).

A Cafe Rio Mint Limeade addiction (great way to beat the heat).

A Grey's Anatomy addiction (really, where had it been all my life??).

Diving into a YSA Ward head first by going to Summit with this girl!

Learning how to write to a bagillion missionaries due to the age-change. 

Ghana

Zimbabwe

The Philippines

Callifornia, Oregon, California

Minnesota and California (again).

Then came autumn time, a new home, and a new school.

Got all packed up to move away.

Moved to college. 

Signed up for/participated in my first rodeo.

Had a blast being fun and crazy!!

Now it's winter time, and the Holidays have come and gone. I'm preparing for another fantastic semester with many more adventures to come!! 

As I begin a fresh new year, I can't help but think what a big year this one is. It's gonna be even bigger than 2013! "Holy cow! This year I'm going to finish up my freshman year of college AND leave on a mission." And what a wonderful year it will be.

Well It's Bulls and Blood, It's Dust And Mud

So...

This past weekend I was in my VERY FIRST RODEO. My event?

Women's Steer Riding

It was quite an adventure (to say the least). If you're in for a wild ride, READ ON!!

Alright, so what you just saw was my whopping 3.5 second ride.

You also saw my killer wipe-out.

There's still some speculation as to whether I was knocked out by the steer and then landed on my head, or was knocked out BECAUSE I landed on my head. You decide!

Either way, I ended up being unconscious for approximately 2-4 seconds and then (apparently) jumped up and gave a big thumbs up to the crowd! Upon walking out of the arena, my roommates quickly realized that perhaps a hospital visit was in order.

This is the story of my killer concussion...

I don't know what all you know about concussions, but here are a few quick facts:

1. A concussion is a brain injury and ALL are serious.

2. It is the swelling of the brain against the skull.

3. Most concussions occur WITHOUT loss of consciousness.

4. Recognizing a concussion when it first occurs helps prevent further injury or even death!

source

I guess this is where I should be concerned?!

YES!!!

Meanwhile back at the hospital:

When I arrived at the emergency room I was incoherent.

**Disclaimer: All of the next text is as told to me by my two roommates, I didn't remember any of my behavior.**

As the doctor began my examination, I had no recollection of time. My most recent memories were those of summer vacation in July. I recognized my roommates (but I thought I only knew them from Facebook connecting before the start of the school year). As the doctor started asking me questions I was able to tell her the date but didn't remember anything! I knew I had been steer riding (and scolded myself for stupidity) and that I must've come off onto my head. I also kept asking if my mom knew and if she was mad. When I say I kept asking, I mean I kept asking.

I've always loved Dory, off of Finding Nemo. After this weekend's experience I appreciate her on a whole new level.

photo credit

learn about her short term memory loss

So if you haven't seen the movie, you get the idea?

Well, that was me. On almost a perfect rotation I would ask the same questions:

Is it the 11th?

Did I ride a steer?

Did I land on my head?

Does my mom know?

Is she mad?

She's mad, huh?

Is it the 11th?

.

.

.

You get the idea.

I had no clue a concussion could do this to someone! Here I sit, 6 days later, and I still have parts of my short term memory that I will never get back! I don't remember anything I've been taught in classes over the last week and a half. I have no memory of the steer ride OR ride to the hospital. I didn't know the names of friends I had made in my classes. I didn't even know my class schedule there for a while. 

The upside to this whole experience? 

My mom is not mad, just glad I'm okay (such a mom answer).

I don't remember the potentially traumatizing experience. ;)

I now relate to one of my all time favorite Disney Characters.

So maybe those aren't the best "upsides" but this just serves as a warning to all readers of the next few blog posts. If they seem scatter brained, know that I'm not a terrible blogger and give me the benefit of the doubt. Heck, I didn't even remember I had a blog until today. I suppose this is my plea. Most blogs have rocky starts anyway, but this one is extra rocky, loopy, and concussion-y. Bare with my cyberspace! 

And as my final salutation to you for the evening I give you my new favorite phrase to holler at my roommates:

"Come on ladies!! I'm CONCUSSED!!"