Puppy Sitting

These are the puppies that I took care of the week before I left for school. There was one 6 month old yellow labrador named Gracie and a 2 year old golden retriever named Puppie Millie. I am a dog lover and they were really fun to be with. I was doing my tennis coach a favor while he traveled to the East coast to watch his son play major league baseball. It was an easy job and I made some good spending money for college. It taught me more about responsibility and how important it is to respect the rules in someone else's home.

The Jeep

This was my first car! It is a dark green jeep liberty. I love this car. It was a perfect size and fit and a really easy car to learn how to drive. There is a sun roof on top that goes from the driver seat all the way back to the trunk. Now that I am leaving for school and my younger brother is turning 16, he will be driving the jeep around town. I will actually miss driving. Several people think of driving to be a pain, but I enjoy the peace and quiet of driving alone. I think it is relaxing and it gives me plenty of time to think. Now I will have to do my thinking as I walk around campus and to class. 

Goodbye Foothills!

This is my high school. I took this photo one afternoon when I went to pick up my brother at school. I have been taking care of him a lot lately because my parents needed some help with their busy schedules before we leave for Denver. This high school has so many memories for so many people. I loved high school. I am certainly ready to move on, but I loved all four years. I made friendships that will last a lifetime, just like the ones I will make in college. All of my friends have evolved into amazing people and I cannot wait to find out where everyone ends up in the future. It was a good school and some of the teachers really helped me create a good steady foundation of academic knowledge to begin college. 

Exercise anyone?

This is a photo of the gym I regularely go to. Every week I go into the gym with my younger brother and we take an hour personal training session. The trainer makes sure we isolate all of our muscles so our entire bodies stay strong. I make a huge effort to have physical fitness be a part of my life in my busy schedule. I have been attending a bootcamp class at Fort Lowell park this summer twice a week with a big group of mothers and daughters. The coach makes sure we work our hardest. It is a mixture of agility exercises, and both aerobic and anaerobic work. Over the years I have found that having a coach or trainer, makes your workouts significantly more effective. They keep you on track, focused, and safe. I will make sure that I continue keeping physical fitness in my daily routine at college. This way I can keep off the freshman 15!!!

To my little brother..

Dear Josh,
You are the best little brother on earth. I am so lucky to have someone in my life that cares so much about me and is always looking out for me. For the most part, little brothers are pains, but you and I have always been best friends. You don't necessarily realize how close you are with your siblings, because they live in the same house as you. Once reality clicks in, you really being to understand and feel the deeper relationship you have with your brother or sister. You have two more years of high school and I think you have already begun to use my advice. It got me where I am today and I wish nothing less than that for you. I want the best for you. I cannot imagine something happening to my little brother. This picture is the perfect representation of our relationship. Look at how far we have come! We love each other and I will always be your big sister. I will be there for you no matter what, and you are always more than welcome to come to me with issues regarding anything! 
I love you so much,
I will miss you like crazy,
Rachel

Mommy-Daughter

This is a photo of the new body glitter shimmer tattoos offered at Gadabout Salon and Spa. My mom and I got these done this afternoon, as celebration gifts. We were celebrating my departure for Colorado. I am really looking forward to the move. These temporary tattoos were a good way for us to spend some time together and a fun way to bond.  These tattoos also have a very meaningful significance. My very own loving mother is a strong and hardworking breast cancer survivor. This pink ribbon is a way for us to celebrate her victory as well.

Tennis

This very court is where I learned to play tennis. I have been playing here since I was 8 years old and I have been enjoying my lessons ever since. My coach and I have developed a relationship over time so he knows how I learn and he has enough experience to teach in a way that makes sense. He shares stories and helpful hints that make the game more fun. I love winning points against him. He always pushes me to focus harder and do my best and he tries to motivate me to be a more competitive player. I am not a very competitive person in general, so it is hard to get me to be that way while playing a sport. But, when he pushes my buttons and makes me play harder, I feel more aggressive.