HS countdown #4-- VIVA LAS VEGAS

A week after getting a bloody nose during the dodge ball attack, my friends and I took a road trip to Vegas--and it couldn't have come at a better time. I think we all needed a break from life and we took an entire week off of school in the middle of a semester. My sister and her husband were flying into Vegas for a business trip. They had booked a room at the Luxor hotel and told us to come and join them. It was a 5 bedroom hotel suite and we didn't have a pay a dime. We ordered room service, watched movies, rode all the rollercoasters and crazy rides on the strip. It was such a memorable trip and really brought us closer together. I drive past the Luxor all the time now and think about the great memories we made during our January adventure.. I would have never guessed that I would be living in Vegas 10 years later with three little boys.

It was the BEST week.. we spent hours laughing, crying and talking about things that really mattered... and the only regret we had was that Hillary had a drill team competition that week and couldn't join us.

**one of the funniest memories I have during this trip was inside the New York New York casino. We were walking past a HUGE nickel slot machine and I put in a nickel and pulled down the big lever.. as soon as I did, nickels started pouring out. My friends were so scared (because we were underage and shouldn't be gambling) so they RAN when they saw that I had won. I thought they were crazy for drawing more attention to themselves.. and I wasn't about to leave all those nickels there. I grabbed a cup and scooped up the money and treated everyone to ice cream. I am not sure how much I won but I believe it was about $20 in nickels.. Wahoo!

And I still crack up every time I see this picture of "us" in our bathing suits. I am sure the ratted bangs were out of date back when we bought this picture.. but we liked it anyway. Can you tell who's who? Karlin and Azy look fabulous as blondes...

HS countdown #5-- TEAM SPORTS

My friend, Karlin, and I took Team Sports together our senior year. (In fact we had EVERY class together.) Anyway, team sports was a PE class- most of the students were guys- but we had fun playing basketball, softball, soccer, going to the local bowling alley once a week, and playing an occasional game of dodge ball.

For some reason-- I had a dress on when we were scheduled to go bowling.. so I changed into my gym clothes but didn't have any shoes.. so I went to the bowling alley in my socks. I bowled a killer game-- two sets of turkeys-- something I have yet to do since that day. On my way out, I was so excited and distracted that I walked out with the bowling shoes on my feet. We didn't realize until we got back to the school and we were in our next class. I stole the shoes-- and didn't leave any at the bowling alley, so I never returned them. I am going to hell for sure. I still have the shoes and can still bowl a decent game.

During the basketball season (towards the end of the first semester) my friends and I were at home game and happened to be sitting next to a few guys in our team sports class who were standing on the front row of the bleachers and SCREAMING the F-word and other obscenities at the referees. It was annoying and it was giving our school a bad name. I had the AUDACITY to tap them on the shoulder and ask them to clean up their language because "not everyone likes to hear the F-word." They apologized and seemed cool that night.. but when we got to school the following Monday, I was in BIG trouble. Their whole group of friends hated me and started spreading rumors that I was trying to get them expelled, etc. I felt bad because I wasn't trying to make enemies. They were constantly swearing at me and my friends and even hung up a picture of us in the hall with quotations coming out of our mouths such as "I am too good for everyone." and "I rule the school" (Who has that picture now? Michelle?)

Things were always amplified in our teams sports class because we were actually playing against these guys-- Karlin and I would try to get on their team, but they would always switch no matter what we did-- so they could target us. It sucked because they were big guys and I was scared of them. One particular day, I pulled Coach Poland (our teacher) aside and told him I didn't want to play DODGE BALL because I was afraid of the guys who were going to peg me with the ball. He laughed and told me not to be a baby.. so I played. The minute the game started, I had balls flying in my direction and I was relieved every time I got hit so I could sit out for a minute-- I kept praying that no one on my team would catch a ball so I wouldn't have to play again.. It sounds funny now, but it seriously sucked. As soon as I went back into the game, I had three hard balls flying my way and one happened to hit me right in the face- giving me a bloody nose. Karlin came with me to the girls locker room to help me clean up and I was sobbing.

Months later, at a graduation party, they apologized to me.. and I think we cleared things up, but you never know.. they probably still hate me. I actually ran into one of the guys a few years ago and the first thing he said to me was, "I will never forget the day Ben Brandt pegged you in the face with that dodge ball. Do you still hate him?" I replied.. "No, not at all. In fact, I named my first son after him."

These pictures don't have anything to do with team sports because Nate Brisko was not in our class (thankfully) but I thought I would include them anyway. There was big drama about who stole Brisko's scary football picture out of his locker.. and I will finally confess. It was me. I hope that he's not coming to the reunion because if he is, he will probably be chanting my name while pounding his HATE stick..

HS countdown #6-- JOBS

I started my first job the day after I turned 14. I loved working at The Sconecutter.. a fast food joint (local to Utah only.) Before I could date, it was COOL to work on the weekends. I stayed there for 2 years and loved the people I worked with. We had a bowling league, went skiing together and I still keep in touch with some of them. And I still love their food and have to eat their every time I visit. I love their pitas and frozen yogurts. yum

During 8th grade, my parents started managing Geppedo's (a porcelain doll shop) at Crossroads Mall and the ZCMI Center downtown SLC. It was only for the Christmas season, and my friends and I worked there after school during our high school years. I cannot even BEGIN to tell you the fun that we had. It was drama-- because we got close to all the workers around us.. we got lots of dates- this is where I met JJ.. my first kiss.. and I even got asked out by a bald 50 year old-- (NO I didn't go.. sheesh.)

When I was 15, the Geppedo's corporate office sent me, my two sisters and my mom on business trips to do training at stores around the country-- only we didn't go together. That's right.. before I could drive, I flew to Austin, TX on a business trip-- by myself. At the time, it didn't seem weird, but looking back, I have no idea what I (or my parents) were thinking! I flew out my myself- got taxied around a big city, stayed in a couple of hotels, conducted training meetings, spoke at a big conference and then flew home. It was crazy. In fact, one owner from the training meeting talked to me after the meeting and we realized we were both LDS. She asked me if I had served a mission and I told her I was 15. She FREAKED out and told me that I couldn't go to my hotel that night, but had to come and stay with her family that night. She had two daughters older than me and I attended early morning seminary with them before I went to the next conference.. funny. I made it back in one piece and I believe we got paid well for it-- but HELLO

I believe we worked there at the doll shop for 3 years and I still love the mall scene during the Holidays. I actually miss those times and appreciate my parents for being so understanding when we were so irresponsible! I also fell in love with the dolls and have a great collection of my own. Of course, they are still in boxes in my parents garage, but someday I will get them out and have a little girl to appreciate them!

My senior year I worked at Seagull Book and Tape (an LDS bookstore) and it was the perfect job for me. I don't know how I balanced work, school, my studies, and extra curricular activities, but somehow I got through.. I really loved this job. I was a closing manager and was often in the store by myself. I felt like it gave me great experience and helped me gain a stronger testimony during that crazy time in my life!

I was a fanatic about saving money and keeping track of my finances. My dad taught me well and expected me to pay my way during high school. My older siblings were constantly borrowing money from me... I paid for my own lunch, school registration, pictures, gas, clothes, etc. My parents were supporting two missionaries when I was in high school and still had little ones at home, so I didn't ask for money. I believe it taught me great responsibility and I appreciate the experience I received during those important years in my life. From the time I was 14 I have been managing a checking/savings account and to this day I am a fanatic about spending more than what is in your account. When Aaron and I got married he said something about how it's scary sharing a checking account with someone else.. and I was so offended because I don't spend a dime. I got mad and said something like, "You don't know how lucky you are, boy!" We laugh about that now... but I do believe I was taught how to manage money Aaron and I have never money our entire marriage but we've NEVER had a single credit card balance.. even through all our chaos. I believe having a job at an early age taught me to be responsible for what I made and how I spent it.

HS countdown #7-- FREEDOM ACADEMY with THE FARTMAN

One of the incredible opportunities I had as president of my high school was to attend a week long summer camp at a national guard training site with ALL of the other student body presidents from the state. It was a crazy week and I have a million pictures to show for it. Just imagine combining 100 loud, outgoing, fun high school seniors into one room.. most of them were guys.. but there were several girls and we became the best of friends. The camp was run by Army Officers. We slept in their barracks and ate in their chow hall. We woke up at the crack of dawn for flag ceremony and then spent the entire day doing obstacle courses, driving hummers, touring historical sites in Utah and then sat for hours listening to motivational speakers about leadership, responsibility, etc, etc. In the evenings we had dances and swam at the pool. When we went back to bed, we didn't actually go to bed... even though we were completely exhausted. It was an incredible experience, but I don't think I have ever been more tired in my life.

One day, somewhere in the middle of the week, we went to the state capital to hear a bunch of lectures of government and junk. (boring!) During lunch we went to Memorial Park across the street and had a picnic in between legislature sessions. I was sitting with a few HILARIOUS girls (Val and Neena from T-Ville) when a couple of nice guys came to sit by us. We were talking and chatting when one of the guys (I will not name him, but let's just say he was the president of Skyline high) FARTED really loud. We were in the middle of a conversation, so the guys just kept talking... but I was trying everything I could- to NOT look at the other girls... We eventually made eye contact and started BUSTING UP! Mr. Skyline felt so bad and kept apologizing, but that made it worse. We were SO tired and so silly and we could not stop laughing. Tears started coming out and eventually WE were apologizing to HIM. It was a totally awkward moment and we had to leave for a lecture at the capital before we could really get it resolved.

Inside the capital, we each had notebooks to "take notes" on the speakers giving us such valuable information. Instead, we doodled and wrote notes back and forth to talked about how IMMATURE we were for laughing so hard. Mr. Skyline was sitting right in front of us, so we had to be extra quiet.. we were trying not to giggle as we gave him several nicknames, such as "The Oklahoma City Bomber" And the "FARTMAN" We started drawing silly pictures of the Fartman with several hearts with captions such as "the Unibomber has escaped." We got through the lecture without falling asleep and headed to the bus without ever saying a word to the Fartman.

The next morning, bright and early, we were sitting in the auditorium of Camp Williams. One of the MEAN army officers stood up to the podium to make announcements. The first thing he said was, "JANET LEE CLAWSON, GET UP HERE!" I came up to the front and realized that the big, muscular officer was holding my notebook... which I happened to leave at the capital. He gave me a lecture about keeping track of my possessions and then showed everyone that instead of taking notes from the speakers, I was drawing pictures. It was funny and I laughed and then asked for the notebook back. He said he wouldn't give it to me unless I confessed who drew the pictures with me. I tattled on the president of Taylorsville high and she had to come up to the front too. He gave another lecture about paying attention and then said (really loud) in the microphone, "Before I let you two go.. I need to ask one question: WHO IS THE FARTMAN??" The crowd started to laugh, but we did not. The Fartman was sitting the the FRONT row and turned bright RED. We wouldn't answer him and just said we had no idea what he was talking about. He teased us again saying that we had pictures and love notes about the Fartman all over the notebook. We just stood there and eventually I said, "Please don't make me say." He finally let us sit down and we tried SO HARD not to laugh. We never talked to the Fartman about it... but he still holds a special place in my heart.

*ps. It's been FUN to get back in touch with some of my friends from Freedom Academy through blogging.. it's such a small world afterall!! While looking at my notebook last week, I laughed OUT LOUD at a note from "Weena Nalker." Hilarious--is all I have to say.

**pps. If you happen to know the Fartman, please tell him I am sorry for #1- laughing at him #2- writing funny notes about him in my notebook #3- posting picture of him and telling the story over the Internet. Seriously... I am sorry, dude.

HS count down.. #8-- STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Warning: This post is so HIGH SCHOOL. But don't judge me.. I am documenting my HS memories... it is what it is.

I loved being involved and making new friends and I think being in student government was one of my favorite things about school. I ran for office every year.. my sophomore year I lost and was pretty bummed about it. The next year I became a Jr class officer with Francine, Karlin (two best friends) and Phil Wolfgramm and we had the BEST time planning assemblies, activities and most of all Prom. And even though Phil was the only guy... he quickly became one of our best friends. We even spent a night sleeping at his house in the back of his truck.. I have no idea what our parents said about that?

One night late in my Jr. year, I had the distinct impression (while reading my patriarchal blessing) that I needed to run for student body president. Now as "high school" as this sounds, I felt like it was a BIG deal to run for president of the school-- and I knew that I wouldn't win. I was not exactly popular and felt uncomfortable with the idea. But as the elections approached, I became more and more sure that it was what the right thing. I came up with a campaign slogan, took pictures, made posters and got ready to humiliate myself. My slogan was simple.. but I believe it caught most people's attention--


I believe there were about 15 (or so) people running for President. A few days before elections started, Phil Wolfgramm came over to my house to tell me that he was NOT running for VP (as we had previously talked about) but wanted to be president instead. I started crying as soon as he told me the news. Seriously, I was devastated.. I considered stepping down, but for some reason, I just couldn't. My posters were finished and I knew what I "needed" to do. I was sure I didn't have a chance against him (because he was the cool guy and was loved by everyone.. including me!) but I was going to lose trying.

After the first week of preliminary campaigning, each office was narrowed down to two competitors.. and it was me against Phil. A week later, when the results came in, I was more shocked than anyone else. I had won--- and I was thrilled. Phil became senior class president the following week and we still got to work together (which I was so happy about.) And I believe we were able to mend our friendship after all :)

Being president of my high school gave me a lot of incredible opportunities (including a full ride scholarship to college.) Looking back, I know it was what I was supposed to do at that time in my life. Of course, I am sure I would have survived either way, but I am grateful for the opportunities I had during high school.. I was so sad to graduate!! And this is where Aaron starts making fun of me... when I start crying about what a wonderful experience I had in school. But the truth is, I did. And I am grateful for that time in my life. It was also lots of fun being in office with my little brother David! I made him run for class president his first year in high school and he stayed with it and became Junior and Senior class president.. the following years.

Here are the random pictures I have of the good times in student government... Enjoy!

For Homecoming week during lunchtime activities, the officers became human ice cream sundays.. WHY did we do this? Seriously.. was there a point? I am still laughing about Colby Holt using a banana peel as deodorant. He is still a nut..

One of my favorite nights in office was spent at Stephanie Kawa's.. it was the night before Inductions Ceremony (the assembly where the new student body officers and cheerleaders took reign.) Everyone (including the boys) had a sleepover.. only we didn't get ANY sleep. We roamed the town in our pj's (Jared Bowcutt wearing his zip up sleepers) and it was crazy. The next day for the assembly we were COMPLETELY exhausted. But it was a good time... I know I have pictures of that night somewhere.. but oh well.

The funny thing about Inductions Ceremony is that in years past, the school rents this ridiculously large GOLD throne for the student body president to sit in for the assembly. I thought it was too much.. So when it was our turn to bring in the new officers, instead of renting a throne, we moved this HUGE, old (broken) recliner chair from the student government room as replaced it at the top of the stage. I remember Mr. Garcia (one of the principals) pulling me aside after the assembly and telling me how mature that was of me to not use the throne. I laughed because the recliner almost busted in half in the middle of the assembly.. and I was thinking the whole time, "It would have been worth it to rent that gold thrown-- if it would have kept me from falling off the back of the stage." It broke minutes after the assembly was over.. phew. Anyway.. good times, good times!