MWC Champs!!!

   Last night was probably one of THE most exciting nights of my life. Our team was in first and last night's game was to play for the regular season conference championship. We were up against San Diego State! When we played them at their place, we beat them by about 20 points. However, I think that we learned a great lesson last night. We learned that nothing is given to you and that you have to work every single possession to get a win. We were down 16 points with 10 minutes left in the game... and a few months ago, I don't know if we would have been able to do it. We had so many girls step up in the game that gave us so much hope and energy. The Marriott center felt as though it was full! It was so loud in there and the energy was absolutely incredible. It was such a great feeling to cut down those nets! So proud of my team.

MWC Champs Baby!!!

The 3 amigos. Love these girls to death! It was so fun to experience that kind of a win with my closest friends! 

  For those of you that read my blog and that are more interested on how Alexis is doing, go to.... alexiskaufusi.blogspot.com . Keep cheering her on and keep cheering my team on! We have something very special that doesn't come around a lot! So, make sure that you stay updated on how we're doing!!!! 

GO COUGS!!! 

Grateful

  The attitude of gratitude... 

    Why is it so easy for us to murmur about all of the things that we don't have in life, and so difficult to rejoice in the things we do have? The other day, I was particularly frustrated with basketball. I felt that no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't do anything right. When you know that you're giving all of your effort and things still don't go your way, it is a demoralizing feeling. As you can imagine, my initial reaction was to complain about how much I disliked the game of basketball. I questioned why I even choose to play... Needless to say, it was a bad day. 

    In one of my classes, we were asked to complete an "Adolescent Autobiography" paper. I was to choose an experience that has greatly influenced my life from ages 12-18. What do you think my first thought was? Yup... you guessed it. Basketball. I was asked how this experience (basketball) has helped in my development in 8 different domains of life: cognitive, physical, spiritual, cultural, mental, social, emotional and familial. 

   I started my paper feeling very frustrated with basketball. However, when I really began to think of how much it has influenced my life, I realized how much I owe to the game. Because of basketball I have learned so many things that will transfer over to anything I decide to do in life. I understand how to learn various skills and apply them to 'live play'. I know how important it is too keep our bodies healthy and strong. I have been able to build a stronger relationship with my Father in Heaven and have learned the principle of sacrifice. Over the years, I have embraced the entire culture of basketball and it has unquestionably become a part of my own individual culture. I have learned how to communicate with people that have various personality types. I have continued to gain a better understanding of how to handle my emotions and perform in 'clutch moments'. It has been great for my relationships with my family members, especially with my Dad. Each and every single one of my family members has been extremely supportive in everything I have done! These are just few of the many things that basketball has brought to my life.

    I realized that I am a very blessed young woman. I have had so many wonderful opportunities and experiences that I would never, ever trade. Basketball is hard and it requires a lot of my time and focus; but it has surely helped build who I am today. I am so grateful for all the things that I have learned that will help me as a person, wife and an eventual mother. I value these lessons so much and really do feel guilty for the amount that I do complain. 

   Everyone has different talents and hobbies... and everyone has their own complaints. If I have learned anything from these past couple days, it has been to complain less and to frequently exult in my many blessings. I think of my good friend Alexis, and the battle she is about to embark on and I realize how blessed I truly am. Sometimes it is difficult to take a step back from our hectic lives to really see all of the things we have. I am now challenging myself to be better by not complaining and by displaying a more appreciative attitude. I hope you all challenge yourself to do the same! 

BE GRATEFUL!

"We can lift ourselves, and others as well, when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among noblest of virtues"

-Thomas S. Monson

Carpe Diem

  Until this week, I have never truly understood how quickly and dramatically life can change. I have taken for granted the fragility of our lives and how all of us, whether strong or weak, are living day to day. We have no power of foretelling or preventing the events that take place tomorrow. We live, we learn and we work to overcome the trials that are placed before us. 

   Alexis Kaufusi

    This past week has been a very tough week. My dear friend, Alexis Kaufusi, was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma Cancer. It started about a month ago when Fus' noticed a lump on the left side of her neck. Through various tests, they have come to find that she has 9 tumors from her clavicle up. Fus' will begin her chemotherapy treatments starting next week and will start a long and hard fight. All of this is still a complete shock to me. I cannot really make sense of it in mind. I don't understand why these cells have invaded her body. I don't understand why someone as young and as healthy as she, has been forced to deal with this disease. I cannot comprehend the fight that she is about to embark on. I hate the fact that there is nothing I can do to stop it. 

    Fus, is one of the strongest girls I know. I watch her and I marvel at her attitude and her ability to cope with all of this. Every single person that approaches her with questions, she answers with grace and optimism. Every person that demonstrates remorse, she demonstrates her appreciation in return. She looks forward to the rest of her life, and although there is fear and doubt that shadow her thoughts, she has looked me and many others in the eye and proclaims that "she will beat this." Alexis, is and always will be one of the most loyal friends I will ever have. In any condition, Fus would stand up for me and fight for me. She and her family have given me so much over the past 2 years. They have been my second family as I live away from home. She has given me much of the support and love I have needed to grow into the girl I am today. I know now, that as hard as this will be, it is my chance to give back to her. To demonstrate my love and appreciate for her. She has thousands of people that love her and that are prepared to stand behind her throughout this battle. I have faith that she will overcome and rid of this disease with fortitude and great health to live the rest of her life to the fullest. 

    I love her so incredibly much. I am grateful for the wonderful blessings she has bestowed in my life. She will forever be apart of me. She will be okay. She knows that by choosing hope, anything is possible. 

      Fortunately, Hodgkin's Lymphoma Cancer has a very high cure rate. Fus will be in great hands for the next 6 months, receiving treatment's at the Huntsmen Cancer Center in Salt Lake. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers! 

Many say that each and every one of us will know someone that will be diagnosed with a cancer. I have always heard of others being diagnosed with cancer and have always felt disheartened. However, having others that are close to me including Alexis, it makes you realize how much you truly love them. I am grateful for Fusi's positive attitude and outlook. I am grateful for the Gospel and it's power that will undoubtedly play a huge role in her recovery. 

Live great and Love deep

Love you Fus'!!!!

 " Faith in something greater than ourselves enables us to do what we have said we'll do, to press forward when we are tired or hurt or afraid, to keep going when the challenge seems overwhelming and the course is entirely uncertain."                                                                        — Gordon B. Hinckley

Viva La Vita

  These last couple of weeks have been great! We have been kicking butt in our conference, my grandparents came to visit, Trina Hill got engaged, my sister got engaged (so excited), went to Vegas and saw Donny and Marie. I have been having a lot of fun and school really hasn't been overly stressful... so far. Next week, my parents are coming to town, so things just keep getting better!

   It was so fun to spend some time with my grandparents! I really didn't get that much time at home for Christmas, so it was nice to just hang out with them without feeling super rushed. They were so much fun and I loved seeing them wave the Canadian flag at my games. They are, hopefully, coming down to Vegas for the Conference Tournament... which would be an absolute blast. So, I hope they can make it. 

    I know what you're thinking... did I crash a bike, or something? The answer is. No. Let me tell you the story....

   So, after our victory at UNLV... we went to Cafe Rio as a team. We ate our delicious meals and were all about to leave. I noticed that the drink stand had Vanilla Coke... which I LOVE! I have never been able to find it, so I was pretty excited and filled my cup pretty full. After I finished filling my cup, I walked outside to find Morgan Bailey (my teammate) sitting in shot gun, which is where I was originally sitting. So, I was walking around the front of the car, glaring at her... NOT paying attention to what I was doing. Still looking at her, I took a pretty fast step to get to my seat and the next thing I know.... I trip flat on my face in the middle of the parking lot. I didn't notice one of those cement parking things, and I tripped SO hard. The most devastating part..... I lost a good majority of my Vanilla Coke. I wish someone had it on tape... I apparently screamed, my coke flying everywhere.... quite the visual, eh? 

The after math..