9.28.2011

5K to the Temple

This summer we challenged our Young Women to get spiritually and physically fit. They would get points for doing certain things (reading scriptures, personal progress, exercising, eating healthy, etc.) And they got little prizes along the way. April did a great job heading this, and we were very impressed with the girls. The ultimate goal was a 5K from our church to the temple, and we had a great turnout. Some ran, some walked, some cheered. It was really an awesome experience!

April invited the girls to work out with her in the mornings. I had my own Biggest Loser challenge going on, so I already had my workout schedule (plus, I valued my sleep and April got up WAY too early!) However, there was one workout I really wanted to do with them, and that was run the Old Main stairs. It was a great workout. I wish I could remember how many times I made it up and down those things, but it was awesome. (I was also hecka sore for days after!) But I was proud of myself for doing it. These pictures don't even do these stairs justice!


Here are some of the girls who participated in the 5K walk/run. The ones in the green shirts were the ones who got the points goal.

The Logan temple


9.09.2011

top 3 from 9.8.11

1 - NOT getting a parking ticket when I was picking up my sister. Yes, I was inside for about 10 minutes, but we timed it perfectly by walking out as miss parking attendant lady was getting ready to ticket me. I just smiled at her as I walked up, figuring if I did get a ticket, I'd at least make her day by not yelling at her. She said she'd let me off this time, so I continued to chat her up and ended with a thank you. Totally awesome. Thanks lady!

2 - Playing volleyball, and totally kicking butt. Sure we're playing against teams where 89% haven't really played before, but there were only 4 on my team, and we did awesome! And I got to play with my sis who I've never played with before. We were amazing. I even got a couple of nice bruises, and I'm sore and out of shaped (despite consistently working out.)

3 - When I went to drop my sis off at her dorm, we were finishing up our conversation when some random girl opened the back door and started to get in. Kenz and I just kind of stopped talking and turned to look at her. She was on the phone, and suddenly looked up and said, "This isn't the right car." Nope hun, it's not, but thanks for the laugh!

Great night...

9.07.2011

FBI Fraud Alert

"Well I just wanna take a minute to talk to you all about something very serious. Once every hour, someone is involved in an internet scam. That man is Michael Scott. He's supporting about twenty Nigerian princesses." - Pam Beesly

"Hey, you know what? Forgive me for caring." - Michael Scott

So...I've been meaning to post this for a while now, but never got around to it....now I wish I had.

But, working at a credit union, you get to see a lot. Fraud especially. We've had quite a few problems with fraud lately, so my manager printed this out and posted it around the CU for our members to see. I just thought I'd share it with you.

IF YOU CAN ANSWER "YES" TO ANY OF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS, YOU COULD BE INVOLVED IN A FRAUD OUR ABOUT TO BE SCAMMED!

*Is the CHECK from an item you sold on the internet?

*Is the amount of the CHECK more than the item's selling price?

*Did you receive the CHECK via an overnight delivery service?

*Is the CHECK connected to communicating with someone by email?

*Is the CHECK drawn on a business or individual account that is different from the person buying your item or product?

*Have you been informed that you were the winner of a LOTTERY, such as Canadian, Australian, El Gordo, or El Mundo, that yo u did not enter?

*Have you been instructed to either "WIRE", "SEND" OR "SHIP" MONEY, as soon as possible, to a large US city or to another country, such as Canada, England, or Nigeria?

*Are you receiving PAY or a COMMISSION for facilitating money transfers through your account?

*Did you respond to an email requesting you to CONFIRM, UPDATE, OR PROVIDE your account information?

TELL BRANCH PERSONNEL IMMEDIATELY!
---------------------------
In my time at the CU, I have learned that THE BIGGEST tip-off for whether it's a scam or not is if they ask you to send money back. A lot of times they even tell you to "cash the check as soon as possible." So you deposit the check, withdraw the money to send back, and the check gets returned. You're out the entire amount of the check. It's not a fun situation. But if anyone brings in larger checks and says they're not something they usually get, we always ask, "Are you sending them money back?" If the answer is yes. It's most likely a scam.

Another thing, the people who are emailing you are usually VERY persistent. A lot of times their english and grammar is really bad too. If the email doesn't make sense and has a lot of spelling errors...good chance it's fraud.

Be careful of "secret shopper" jobs. Those are pretty big ones. And be careful selling things online. Even with paypal...if they want you to send money back...don't do it!

Lately the checks that are fraud have been ones that are drawn off of real institutions. The ones in the past that I've seen have been money orders, but the two most recent ones we've seen at the CU have looked like real cashier's checks. That's what makes it so hard. If you know it's a legit bank...how could it be fraud, right? Just keep in mind...if they ask you to send money back, no matter how legit the check looks...it's most likely fraud.

If you have ANY questions or even feel a little off about the situation....ask someone at your financial institution. Let them know what's going on, bring in emails, etc. Just be careful. Now, unfortunately, once you fall for a scam, there really isn't a whole lot you can do, so the best you can do is ask questions if you feel funny about the situation.

Anyway...this is random, but I just see so much working where I do. I have actually taken a fraudulent check. (My own stupidity. I didn't ask where it came from...which I definitely should have...) but it happens, and it is so frustrating for the person it happens to. Please please PLEASE be careful, and if you have ANY doubt, either don't do it, or ask someone at your financial institution.

You may be thinking, "who would ever fall for something like that?" But let's face it, if I hadn't given you these tips...and if you were in that situation...you might fall for it. I admit that if I didn't work where I do, and hadn't seen first hand the kind of fraud that's out there...I probably would have fallen for something myself. It really is a tough situation, and i feel for anyone who has been on the other end.

Anyway....I hope this helps someone out there! ;) and sorry I didn't share it earlier.... :(

"You know what...when the son of the deposed king of Nigeria emails you directly, asking for help, you help! His father ran the freaking country! Ok?" - Michael Scott

9.05.2011

it's amazing...

...what 6 years of marriage can do to a couple.

I know I've mentioned this before, but there are so
many times that Greg and I think the
EXACT SAME THING.

It's kind of creepy to be honest with ya.

But I can't even name all the times Greg has
said something, and I've said,
"I was just thinking that."

Now this is random, but here's what brings
this up.

Saturday Greg told me I had to decide on
what to eat for lunch. Since it was Fast Sunday
I told him I wanted something that would 
more more filling than greasy fast food...

so we went with Cafe Rio. We got it to
go, and though I thought we were going
home...instead we went to McDonald's
to get french fries! I swear, this guy knows
what I'm thinking at all times! 

Like I said...creepy....but I do love him!


© GREG & BRE AULLMAN
Maira Gall