Life in Flight!

This part of my life requires me to rewind just a little bit.  I've always loved to travel.  Ever since I was little I've loved to be on a trip.  It didn't matter if it was the 6 hour van ride down to Mesquite to stay at the Peppermill, the 10 hour trip to see Grandma and family down in Mesa in the middle of summer, the 12 hour drive to Disneyland, or the 2 week? road trip to Nauvoo.  I've always liked to ride in the car.  Once I learned to drive it was even more fun to go for random road trips.  My bestie can attest to this one :). I've always wanted to go for a train ride (this is on my bucket list).  I've been able to experience a couple cruises.  And I'll never forget my first time riding on a plane (and I'm not so sure the passengers around us will ever forget either. Haha)
When I was 5 Mom and Dad sat us kids down for a family meeting.  Dad told us that we would be getting up to go in the car EARLY the next morning.  We can't complain, and we can't ask questions.  The next morning we got up early, didn't complain, and I didn't ask questions (I can't speak for the others, but I was still probably half asleep).  I remember going to the airport and sitting in the terminal by one of the gates.  Mind you this was back when any and everyone could go in to the airport.  My bro came up to me asking if I knew what we were doing there.  "Picking up Grandma?" No.  "Picking up Aunt Bobbie?" No. (Both of which we did often.) Apparently my brothers figured out Mom and Dad's plan.  We were going to DISNEYLAND!! ON AN AIRPLANE!! It was amazing!   I still remember take-off.  My stomach sank.  It was just like a rollercoaster!  I guess I couldn't contain my excitement when I blurted out "WEEEEE!!" at the top of my lungs.  I do remember thinking it was silly that no body else thought it was so much fun.  Anyway, after that we would fly places; here and there, not too often but often enough.  I loved flying. 
Living where they do, Mom and Dad's house isn't too far from a small airport and their house is right under the flight path for the commercial airplanes.  So we would see airplanes in the sky a lot.  It always amazed me.
I've joked around about learning how to fly and having my own private plane so I could fly myself to Disneyland whenever I wanted.  I've had a couple neighbors who are/were flight attendants, my brother has a friend that is a pilot, back in college I worked with a couple guys that were in flight school and at work we always had to make the new pilot classes their student ID's.  There is just something about flying that I love.
About 10 years ago I got word that a local regional airline was hiring.  I decided to show up for the group interview.  I got there and quickly realized my chances were slim to none.  There had to have been at least 150-200 applicants and we only had 1 minute to sell ourselves to be invited back for a one-on-one interview.  I didn't make it past the group interview and didn't think much of it.
I'm one that strongly believes that God has a hand in all we do.  I believe that he puts people in our path at the times we need them most.  He gives us our free agency, and we have to deal with the consequences (good or bad) of our choices, but He will never leave us alone.  Sometimes we just have to not be so stubborn and listen or see what he has in store.
I've was asked to serve in a calling at church that I've absolutely been loving!  The biggest perk is that I get to serve with some incredible people.  One of those is a flight attendant for the company I'd previously interviewed with.  In passing I'd mentioned my past experience and that it's still something I'd love to do. 
Things were going great.  Our Sport Clips store is doing well.  I started working at the cosmetology school for something else to occupy my time and was actually just offered a teaching position.  I was in training and was loving it.  (Paul Mitchell Schools are wonderful!  The culture and family at the school in Provo is unmatched).  I loved what I was doing, and the ones I got to work with.  Things were good. 
Saturday night I get a text from my fellow church friend letting me know that this particular airline was hiring and they were having a hiring event on Monday.  I called my former co-worker (one of the ones that was in flight school when we worked together), who is now a pilot for said airline, and asked him what I should do.  I talked to my church friend.  The anticipation and questions started to roll in.

Should I go?

Should I not go?

What about the school?

What about the students?  I love teaching!

How would this work with the store?

But I've always wanted to do this.

Dad always says "Don't say no till you know what you are saying 'No' to."

What will it hurt if I just go?

If I don't go, I'll never know.

So I went.  This time there was only about 75 people in the room.  Still A LOT!  I don't remember what I said, or why they picked me, but I was able to participate in the one-on-one interview.  A few weeks later, on my birthday, I heard back.
I was offered the job!
AWESOME!  Now do I really accept the job?  All those previous questions, and many more started to flow.  I literally made myself sick!  I just couldn't decide what would be best, not only for me, but for so many around me.  I had so many other responsibilities, people that were depending one me, other obligations.  I really didn't know what to do.
Through the power of prayer, the priesthood, and a whole lot of faith, I decided to jump in head first!  I started training the middle of February and haven't even had a chance to look back.  I miss my PMTS Provo friends (both those I worked with and those I was able to teach).  It's been an adjustment with the store.  The lifestyle. . .is a HUGE adjustment!  But I LOVE it!  It's surreal. 

I've only been flying for about 2 months, but I've been quite a few places, seen some amazing things, and I've been able to work with some incredible people!
Looking back I'm kinda glad I didn't get the job back when I first interviewed.  I've learned a lot the last 10 years.  Hopefully I'm better at my job now than I would've been then because of the things I've learned.

SIDENOTE:  As I've been posting pictures to Instagram and Facebook, I've been tagging my posts with #lifeinflightnorm - it really might not be the norm for flying, but sometimes it is. :)  Either which way, it's usually a great perk of the job!  And I cherish my family history.  Having been called Norman for a big part of my life by friends, throughout sports, and in college; I realize now how much the name really means to me.  I've learned a lot from my family (both sides!!) and I know I wouldn't be who I am today if it wasn't for the rich family legacy.  Not only that but I couldn't come up with anything 'catchier' for a tagline.

Expectations too high. PSH!! Whatever!

Small talk common questions by clients:

"So, are you married?"

"Do you have any kids?"

"You live in Utah and you're out of high school, so you're married, right?" (okay, maybe this is a little bit of an exaggeration, but not by far)

"I don't see a ring. . .are you married, or just choose not to wear a ring?"

And the list goes on.  It's crazy how the dynamic of clients were so different from one location to another, but that's another story for another day.  Working quite a bit, and getting to know a lot of the clients, most of the time I didn't think much of it.  One day a client made a comment that I have thought about, more than once or twice since.

It began as the typical conversation that starts with one of the "married" questions.  And was quickly followed up with a "Why not?" - SERIOUSLY people!?  1) What kind of question is that?  2) How am I supposed to answer that? - Well, anyway conversation continues to go on a little more and he says,

"You just have too high of expectations and you should lower them."

WHAT!?!  For real?  I get where he was coming from.  I do realize that a lot of times people set their sights on something specific (like my cousin and his friends that had an ideal to marry Jessica Alba, or like me saying I need to marry Brandon Flowers, Paul Walker or Channing Tatum).  People tend to place ideals on their list of must-haves for a spouse.  Those ideals are only the frosting.  There need to be key ingredients to make a cupcake, but the ingredients to make the frosting are not necessary, but sure do make the cupcake taste better.  So what was my response to him?
"I don't have high expectations, I have high standards.  And yes, there is a difference."

We went on with the conversation and I told him that I've had my fair share of dating experiences and I'm not going to settle for less than what I know I deserve.  I am not setting my sights on marrying the guy who has the most money and is the most handsome (although those would be nice), I want a guy who treats me with the utmost respect.

I've had A LOT of amazing examples of respectful men.  I see how my dad treats my mom, how my brothers treat their wives (my brother-in-law treats my sister), and I have countless neighbors and family members that treat the women in their lives like queens.  I want that.  I'm going to have that.  I'm not going to settle for anything less.

A while back I created a "Wanted" ad for my knight and shining armor/my prince on a white horse/the cupcake list of ingredients of my standards that I won't settle for less than.  I was playing around with Photoshop today and this is what I created.  It's the same list from before, just a little easier to read.  *If there are any single girls (especially teenagers) reading this.  Know first and foremost, YOU HAVE VALUE!!  Know you don't have to settle.  Respect yourself enough to hold your ground.  Lets all help each other raise the standard, rather than lower it.  Set your boundaries BEFORE dating.  Know where you stand NOW, so when the time comes you don't have to make a decision on the fly.  Because more than often, if you wait to make the decision things will escalate farther than you are comfortable, and it's hard to get out of that situation.  But if you know where you stand, you know where not to let yourself go.*

I want a guy who respects me enough to stand by my side when I won't succumb to him wanting to just fulfill his physical desires.  "Peace Out Bro!  If that is all you want.  You are not worth my time!"  I get society has changed, I get the world is trying to blur the lines of what is appropriate and what is not.  I'm grateful to have grown up in a church that not only helped instill a solid set of standards into my life, but also teach me that I HAVE VALUE!  I respect myself enough to hold to these standards, and I respect my future husband enough to hold to these standards for him as well.  I am, by no means perfect.  I've made my fair share of mistakes.  I realize that my future husband is also not going to be perfect.  But in my journey to meeting my prince, I've also tried to learn from my mistakes so I don't make those same mistakes again.  I'm trying to learn each and every day how to be better tomorrow than I am today, so that I can be prepared for when I do meet him.  Don't freak out all my Utah peeps, I know he may seem like he in not out there, but he is.  Somewhere.  It's okay to be older than 19 and not married.  It is okay to continue to live your life to the fullest until that time comes to meet your spouse and marry.  But know what you want.  Know what you want and strive to live with those same standards and values that you are looking for.  Just remember that your spouse is not going to want to settle either, so you need to be up to par as well.

What are your ingredients in your future spouse that makes up the cupcake?  What's in your frosting?  Love and respect yourself enough to not settle for anything less than your high standards.

Declarations!

Since it's late and I'm needing to get up early for a class tomorrow, I am going to keep this short and sweet.  I've known for a while that I need to get blogging.  I know I've done a few things here and there, but I really need to dive into.

I'm going to do it just as soon as I have time.  I'm going to do it as soon as I have everything else taken care of.  I'm going to do it when I'm not so tired.  I'm going to do it when I have it all figured out.  I'm going to do it when. . .

No more when!!  I just need to do it.  So tonight, being short on time and needing to say who I am out loud rather than just through words on a paper, I put myself out there to the YouTube world.  And frankly, I could care less who does or does not see it.  I feel kinda bad since my first attempt to record the video didn't work.  I wanted it to be totally raw, one take, no editing, what you see is what you get video.  Oh well, you get the second take :S  I recorded the video and didn't watch it.  To be honest I don't plan on it either.  I had to start somewhere and I don't want any excuse to take that video down.  It's not always easy to believe my declarations, but I need to!  I need to get Scratch and his little minions to leave me alone! (I believe in God, my Heavenly Father, and in His son Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.  I believe they are 3 separate beings.  With my belief in the Godhead, I also believe that Satan is the adversary and he is doing all he can to make me not happy and to fail.  I like to refer to Satan as Scratch - he's not going to do anything big to cause me to walk off the cliff that I see right to the side of me.  He is going to cause little scratches.   Little scratches that get deeper and deeper, that slowly cause me to lose my way.  I also believe that Satan doesn't work alone.  He has those he controls to help him, hence the minions.  They do whatever he says to work to get us off track).

http://youtu.be/nPa96Zfardw

I know I have a lot that needs to be shared with others.  It's not meant for me to keep only for myself.  I've learned through my challenges and struggles.  I'm constantly trying to find the lesson in all I'm faced with.  Hopefully my lessons I've learned will help others along their journey.  And hopefully I can remember my lessons so I don't have to keep repeating the same challenges :)

Watch the video or don't, but after some experiences I've had I was able to get the assistance of strangers in determining "Who I am!".  I am going to share my list with you.  From that list, I created a few statements to repeat to myself to remind me who I am.  I hope it's okay that I share my personal experiences with you.  Is it okay if I tell you who I am?

Thank you.

I am compassionate
I am determined
I am beautiful
I am strong
I am tender
I am kind
I am giving
I am honest
I have integrity
I am accountable
I am trustworthy
I am loyal
I have, and know my divine nature
I am full of valor
I am thoughtful
I am calm
I am peaceful
I am open
I am generous
I am likable
I am sensitive
I feel connection
I have a sense of belonging
I am courageous
I have a zest for life
I am amazing

From these powerful words I created my declarations.  Can I share those with you too?

Thanks!

I have a sense of belonging and a zest for life though determined, compassionate, and strong valor.

I know my divine nature and I am accountable for my loyal and generous giving.

I am open to feel a connections with others by being courageous and likable.

I am beautiful.

I am physically, emotionally, and mentally strong.

I am AMAZINGLY AWESOME!

I've been able to have some amazing experiences recently, a couple of which are very personal and sacred to me.  But I do want to share with you of my knowledge of my Heavenly Father.  I know he is there and he listens to our prayers.  I know he answers our prayers.  I know that we may not always get the answer WE want, but He knows us best and if we go to Him, we need to be open to HIS answers.  I know that families are forever.  I'm grateful for my family.  I have the best immediate family.  My parents and siblings (and their spouses, which I consider regular siblings), nieces and nephews are the best!  I learn so much from them daily.  My extended family is incredible.  I've discovered that my close relationships with my cousins is uncommon.  I'm grateful for their examples and their friendship.  I lost my Uncle this last summer and it's been REALLY hard.  I'm not sure why.  I've lost other close family members in the past, but for some reason, this has hit me really hard and continues to do so.  I'm blessed to have spent the times that I have with him and I'm grateful that I was able to hear him bear his testimony of this gospel and of the Atonement of my Savior.  Through some some incredible experiences, I KNOW that our family is forever and that the loved ones that pass before us are with us all the time.  They are there to help lead us, guide us, and comfort us.  I am truly blessed to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I am also very grateful for the struggles and challenges I face.  I know that my Savior is there to help me through each one.  I know I never face these challenges alone (although sometimes in the depth of it, that is sometimes easier said than remembered).  I am grateful for all of those that I've learned from and who have helped me strengthen my testimony.  I'm grateful to be in business with family!  I know a lot of people that did and probably still do, think we are crazy.  Our priorities put family first.  Family is what matters most and I am blessed that my family is as close as we are.  I love this gospel with all of my heart and I'm grateful for the guidance it continually gives me.

I'm grateful for the past little while to learn and grow as much as I have.  Has it been easy?  No.  Has Scratch been able to get some of those wounds pretty deep?  Yes.  Am I going to fight through this?  YES!  I know with the strength I've been given through my Saviors gift of the Atonement, I can conquer all and win this earthly battle with Scratch and his minions.  Because I know this right now at this moment, does this mean I will never have doubts or question things?  I sure hope not.  If I never doubt, I never seek to learn more.  If I'm not learning, I'm becoming stagnant and eventually falling backwards.  I don't know about you, but I want to keep moving forward.  I realize I'll have ups and downs, but I want to always be moving forward.  I'm grateful for the past and the many things it is always teaching me.  If it wasn't for the past, I wouldn't know what to do or how to find the answers to my future.

Now that this "short and sweet" post is quite a bit more lengthy than I was planning, I really need to rest my body and brain so I can be open for more learning when the sun comes up (and be open to learning in my dreams if it so happens).

If you are reading this: know you are loved.  You are amazing.  You are of value.  You are worth it.  You have a divine purpose and inspire and encourage others.  Try not to doubt yourself, but when you do, don't get down on yourself.  Realize you are human and we will all have ups and downs.

Best of luck and Lots of Love!