Cool Things of 2011

Went on a cruise (Feb)
Saw Lion King (Feb)
Festival of Colors (Mar)
Went to a Bruno Mars concert (May)
Ran my first 5k (May)
Saw Les Miserables (May)
Went to a Parachute concert (June)
Ran a 5k in the mud (June)
Ran my first 10k (June)
Ran a 10k with 5 other Schultz's (July)
Went Skydiving (July)
Saw Josh Groban in concert (Aug)
Went to Guatemala (Aug)
Saw Mary Poppins (Sept)
Ran a half marathon (Oct)
Went to Disneyland (Nov)

Bucket list review for 2011

- Go on a cruise









- Go skydiving


- Learn Italian
- Visit Italy
- Learn to play the guitar
- Go to the festival of colors

- Run a 1/2 marathon

- Ride in a hot air balloon
- Shoot a gun
- Write a children's book
- See Josh Groban in concert

- See Wicked
- Go to all the temples in Utah

So I did 5 things on the bucket list for 2011.
I'll be adding to this list and hopefully crossing things off as well in 2012.
First off, an amendment to one that is already on the list. Ride in a hot air balloon. Go to the hot air balloon festival in New Mexico.

Christmas 2011

I have to say Christmas turned out pretty great this year. I have found I get more excited about what gifts I gave others than what gifts I'm getting. I made some pretty sweet quilts for my brother and sister and an awesome book for my mom. I made it on Mixbook, but it's similar to ones you can make on Picaboo or Snapfish. If you want to see the quilts I made you can click here.
I did get a super awesome present this year. This is the first year my brother Kevin has gotten presents for people on his own. Usually mom buys them and just slaps his name on them, but he did it this year and it was pretty fantastic.
When we went to Disneyland in November we were behind this family in line for Star Tours. The two kids had on these sweet jackets that had this wire (e.l. wire) on them that lit up. We talked to them as we moved through the ride and after the ride we came out and saw the dad who had actually made the jackets. Kevin talked to him for a bit and then we were on our way.
Well I opened up the small package attached to the much bigger package from Kevin and I knew what was in the big package. The small package had the little controller to turn the lights on. We all ripped into our boxes and pulled out the sweetest jackets ever!

Sadly it appears Santa forgot my man. Guess I'll just have to see what I can do on my own. ;)

Carpools and cheaters

What a lovely evening I enjoyed with my cousin Richard and our new found friends Megan and Jamie. I was invited to go see the lights at Salem pond by my friend Liz. I invited my cousin to come along with me. We arrived at the designated meet up location and I quickly discovered that I didn't really know anyone there except Liz. Lucky for us, the two girls standing next to us also didn't really know anyone, we all became instant friends, bonded by our lack of outgoing-ness I suppose.
Since I didn't particularly want to drive I asked Megan and Jamie if we could go with them. We jumped in the car and headed for Salem. It didn't take long to move past the small talk and just start chatting and laughing like friends. We found the pond with little trouble and decided to just drive around instead of getting out since it was cold. We didn't see the rest of the group so we just went off on our own. We drove around the pond a few times before we discovered that the rest of the group had congregated on the bridge. We turned around to go and park and meet them there. After apparently getting too close for the comfort of the car in front of us, we passed them and hurried to our perfect parking spot, skillfully maneuvering the dip in the road with no trouble.
We quickly decided that we had made the right choice in staying in the car to look at the lights. 2 minutes on the bridge was more than enough. We returned to the car and headed to Liz's house for some hot chocolate. Small talk with the others in attendance and then to the games. We played the T-shirt game which is similar to Apple to Apple's. We had a great time, but as more people joined the game, winning became more elusive. Richard and I had been winning but then it looked like it might take forever for someone to win. Jamie wasn't feeling too good, which her neck starting to hurt her from a car accident a couple months ago. We decided we needed to end the game quickly, so we "joined" teams with Megan. Unfortunately her partner still doesn't know about this and I suppose you could call it cheating, but it was for a good cause. Jamie really was ready to go. We left the party laughing pretty hard and had a great time driving home. I wish I had some pictures of the 4 of us. We really had a great time.
Merry Christmas!

Dear Santa

I'm not sure what it is about the holidays, maybe the fact that they focus so much on family, but sometimes (especially the past few years) it just makes me more aware of my single-ness. Sometimes it's just lonely!!! I really enjoy being single for the most part. I can go out with my friends, be silly, stay up late, sleep in, buy what I want (for the most part), go on vacation, I really only have to worry about me. (Obviously I am concerned with those around me, but you know what I mean). But sometimes, I just want someone to cuddle with on the couch, to hold my hand in the mall, and to tell me that I'm just so great (words of affirmation can do amazing things).
I had a thought the other day as I did the "10 days of finals" for my cousin who is in law school and as I've sat many hours at night working on a Christmas present for my brother. I thought "some guy somewhere is really missing out". Honestly, I'd be the cutest, most thoughtful girlfriend in the world! But for now I guess my brother and my cousin can reap the benefits of my awesomeness and I'll continue to try and be patient waiting for my perfect doughnut.

Dear Santa,
Could you please leave me a man when you drop by my house this Christmas?
Love, Cathy

Dear Snow

Dear Snow,
I thank you for being so prompt in reply to my post of yesterday. I'm sure I looked like a 5 year old on Christmas morning when I looked out the window and saw your tiny flakes coming down. It only increased as the size of your flakes did and I'm telling you, you've made my Christmas. Now please stick around, but vacate the roads and if it wouldn't be too much trouble, take a little jaunt up to Idaho so they can have a White Christmas as well.

Thanks so much for such a lovely Christmas surprise.

Love, Cathy

Christmas Spirit?

Here it is, less than two weeks until Christmas and I'm completely void of Christmas cheer. I've done it all, put up the tree, watched the movies, listened to the music, baked cookies, gone shopping, been to parties, but alas, NOTHING. I am just not in the Christmas Spirit. I've concluded that it's the lack of snow. Considering the fact that there is NONE, it's a little on the depressing side. This is what I want.

and yet this is all I have

I can't even tell myself to just look forward to it when I go home, they don't have snow EITHER!! What is this?! I just want a little snow for a White Christmas. Blizzard! Cover the ground? Send a few flakes!? I need some help.

Be happy now

Nov. 28
My job. I love it. I'm so grateful to have a job and to work with nice people.

Nov. 29
Naps. I didn't get one today, but I really really wanted one. It's nice when I do get them.

Nov. 30
Electricity. Makes my life so much easier.

The attitude of gratitude

Nov. 21
The miracle of a little baby. The entire process is awe inspiring, from conception to birth. These little people just come from God are amazing.

Nov. 22
Espanol. More specifically the fact that I can speak it. I love it! What a beautiful language.

Nov. 23
Bad movies, so that I can appreciate good ones. Holy ridiculous Breaking Dawn. Just not sure what to think of it at all. It was so dumb. So I'm grateful for good movies, like Anne of Green Gables and McLintock. Julia. Love, love, love my sister.

Nov. 24
A warm house, food to eat, and the amazingness of the human body. Being sick is crummy, but at least my body gets rid of what isn't good and then I'll feel better.

Nov. 25
The Plan of Salvation and the many people in my life who have taught and influenced me. One of my Sunday school teachers from when I was a teenager passed away tonight. It is a very sad time, but I'm grateful for the knowledge that he is with God and that his family will see him again. It's still a sad and difficult time, but the knowledge is comforting. Thank you Jim for the many things you taught me and the good friend you were to me and my family.

Nov. 26
Technology. Computers, cell phones, and many more. They make life so much easier.

Nov. 27
Good conversationalists. It's nice to have someone to talk to on a long drive home when you're tired.

Some days we forget to look around us

Nov. 14
I'm thankful for smart people who will sit on the phone with me for an hour and help me fix my computer.

Nov. 15
Books. I love to read and let my imagination take me to distant lands with crazy adventures and true love. Although that last one gets me into trouble sometimes.

Nov. 16
A beautiful fall season. September and October were amazing and although November has gotten colder it's just a really brisk fall feel, with no snow yet and so much beauty all around.

Nov. 17
Serendipitous moments. I was going to go to the temple yesterday but slept in so I went this morning and who should I run into, but Kristi Harris who is in the MTC. What a fun surprise!

Nov. 18
My parents! They've been married for 28 years today!

Nov. 19
White Christmas!! I went to the BYU production of it today and it was fantastic. Love the movie and the play was absolutely amazing. I love other people sharing their talents.

Nov. 20
I am grateful for people who care. I need to find more people who will say things like this to me.
"My darling Cathy! I miss you like I miss the bus! I need you like I need oxygen and grapes. I hope you are well!" A bit ridiculous? Maybe. Appreciated? No doubt.

Creativity

So last night I was set up on a blind date. I was a little nervous because I don't really know the guy who set me up very well. I was informed that I would receive a clue by text message and sure enough 5 minutes before they came to get me I received my clue. The answer was brown. When I got in the car with the rest of the people (it was a triple date) they had already figured out their clues and all the clues combined took us to the Wilk on BYU campus to some lounge where there would be a brown envelope. Inside the envelope were Sudoku puzzles with squares circled. When solved the circled squares would give us GPS coordinates for the location of our dinner. Well that didn't really work and after we were lost for a while they planners just gave us the location. When we arrived in the Crabtree building we were met by a man in a suit with a towel over his arm. He took us to a service elevator and when it opened, inside was a table for six, complete with candles (electric) and elevator music. It was AWESOME! Each course of the meal was served on a different floor. I had heard of something similar to this happening at BYU-I. People would have picnics in the giant elevator in the Snow building, but seriously this was one of the most creative dates ever.
I'd love to give the guys the credit for this awesome date, but the whole thing was planned and put on by their bishop. They bought it at a service auction and he did everything else. Seriously one of the coolest dates ever.

More to be thankful for

Nov. 6
My testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I love church. I love feeling the Spirit and feeling the love of my Savior. I love learning from others and feeling the love God has for all of His children. What a great strength my testimony is to me.

Nov. 7
Daylight savings time. Man what a blessing. I slept 10 hours Saturday night. Took a 3 hour nap Sunday and slept 8 hours Sunday night. Basically sleep in general, but daylight savings that made all that sleep possible. Love it.

Nov. 8
I'm grateful for my health. I've been feeling kinda crummy today which just makes me so grateful that it only happens once in a while and that usually I feel just fine. Queasy stomach is no fun.

Nov. 9
The internet. It makes keeping in touch with people so much easier.

Nov. 10
I'm grateful that I wake up well. I've met some people in life that are super crabby or not awake at all even though it appears they are. I'm grateful I don't fit in that category (usually). And I stay awake pretty well when driving.

Nov. 11
Disney's World of Color. Loved it last year, love it still.

Nov. 12
Warm clothes. How did the pioneers survive? I have shoes, and socks, and coats, and gloves, and I don't have to walked for months through the snow? Yep, I love warm clothes.

Nov. 13
My family. Ups and downs, fights and laughter, I sure do love them. Immediate and extended, thanks for loving me and putting up with me and teaching me and supporting me. I love you!

So much to be thankful for

I'm doing the thankful thing, but to keep from being super annoying to others and myself I'm posting them a week at a time.

Nov. 1

I am thankful for laughter. It's amazing how a good laugh can make you feel so much better. Thank You Mr. Bill Cosby for making me laugh.

Nov.2

I can't limit it to one today. I got my ipod back, I'm really thankful for music and how it can lift my soul and keep me going, literally and metaphorically.

Two legs that can run me up the stairs without hurting. After 3 days of super soreness, I can finally run up the stairs with no trouble. Why run up the stairs? Because I can.

The peace that can only be found in the temple. It was very fabulous. Especially after last night, but that's another story. :)

Nov. 3
I'm thankful for my car. Even if I don't like having to pay for new tires and gas and everything else, I'm grateful I can get myself from point A to B in a car with a heater and A/C. Thanks Percy.

Nov. 4
Other people's blogs. For the entertainment when I'm super bored at work and the lessons they teach me.

Nov. 5
I'm grateful for the talents of other people and for their sharing of those talents and the good wholesome activities we have in the church. Loved the 16th stake Broadway Review.

Sometimes you need a hug

I'm not quite sure why I was thinking of this. I'm not feeling especially sad or anything, but none the less I was pondering hugs. I heard some statistic that you need to be touched 7 times a day or something like that. True? False? I don't know, but I believe that physical touch can be good for your health. A comforting hand on your shoulder, a hand to hold, a hug, a kiss. I'm telling you, it's good for ya. And sometimes there are only certain people that can fill the ache of the day.
I find it interesting that when a girl is crying the thing she wants most is to be held, usually by a guy (at least that's true for me) and that one of the things that scares a guy the most is a crying girl. Cracks me up. I realize that all guys are different and handle it differently but I'm generalizing here. In college I had a couple guy friends from work. The one told me straight up he did not like crying girls. One day I asked him what he'd do if I showed up at his doorstep crying. He thought about it a minute, said he'd give me a hug and hope I stopped soon. HA. At least he'd try.
In my life when I'm really sad and just want someone to give me a hug and make me feel better, I always think of Leandro as my first source of comfort. Interesting enough he was roommates with Kevin and the night that I was so ridiculously sad and just needed a hug I went to their apartment and asked for Leandro. Good choice. He just held me there on the doorstep and waited for me to calm down, asked if I was okay and then walked me home. I wish he didn't live so far away. Since he lives so far away my second thought is Aldo. I worked with him for a couple months and although he's a bit rough around the edges, he's a big softy. I remember when I was having a really awful day he offered a hug, turned out that that just triggered the crying, but it just felt so good to be held and feel safe and loved. I'm pretty sure that's how it will feel when the Savior wraps his arms around me. Safe and loved. I know I've felt it spiritually but sometimes it's just nice to feel it physically.
I can think of a couple more people who have filled that void when I needed it and I can think of at least one who would do it if he was here. I'm not saying I need a hug right now, I'm actually in a really good place. I just love to be hugged and it's just that much better when it's a guy. One day I'll have a permanent go to guy for things like this. Until then I'll just keep waiting for my perfect doughnut. Love it. And those are my thoughts. The end.

Halloween Half

Here I lay in my bed. Too sore to do anything else. Honesty I was trying to think of a time that I've ever been this sore. Nothing came to mind. I think the only thing that came close was when I went snowboarding the first (and only) time.
Friday I got off work early and headed over to the mall to pick up our race packets. Good thing I had gotten off work early since I had to wait in line and hour and a half to get our stuff. They had had problems with the registration and packet preparation and many of the packets hadn't been printed. After I finally got them I headed home to get all my stuff together for the next day. I went over to Katie's house to help her with a quilt for her new baby and just hang out with her. I decided to stay there since my family would be staying there and I even remembered my ear plugs so I would be able to sleep in the same room as my dad. I went to bed just after 11 only to be awoken at 1:40 by my sister calling for directions. They didn't leave till about 9 since my sister had a work party to attend. I couldn't go back to sleep after that and layed there for an hour before I got up to get something to eat. I sat upstairs eating a power bar and watching TV with Marc for an hour before going back downstairs and finally going to sleep, only to have the alarm go off a few hours later.
Julie and I got up and got ready and headed to the mall to catch the bus. Now considering it was the end of October and 7 in the morning and that we've had a hard freeze warning, it wasn't that cold. But all that aside, it was still cold. We didn't want to have to check a bag or drop our stuff on the side of the road, so we just were in our costumes.
Julie and I stood huddled together for an hour waiting for our turn to load the bus. I hadn't realized the the Mall was blocking the wind. Once we got to the end of the mall and had to go out into the parking lot, it was RIDICULOUSLY cold. We were very grateful when it was finally our turn to get on the bus.
At the race start we continued to be huddled together inside the waiting tent. It was fun to see everyone's costumes. The lines for the bathroom were ridiculously long, as it got closer to race time things got better so we ventured out into the cold to use the bathroom and head to the start line. They started in two groups and we went in the second group.
It was all down hill. Literally. I was getting blisters on my toes around mile 3. At mile 6 I was hungry. There was never any food. Only water and diluted heed, that we are still questioning whether or not it was actually heed at all. At mile 7 I started to get cranky. My good sister just kept me running. I'm sure I would have walked a lot more than I did if she hadn't been there. My right hip started hurting at mile 5, my right knee around mile 8, left knee around mile 9. It was long At mile 12 I just wanted to cry.
Then there was dad. Cheering us on and running along side us. On the phone telling me mom we were on our way. Then I could hear mom whistling. I started searching the lines of people on either side of the path and finally spotted them.

Katie, Marc, and my cousin Rick were also there cheering us with their posters. It was good to see them and know that we were close to the end. Julie was cheering me on too. Telling me to give it all I had. I had nothing left, but she didn't believe me. Finally we finished. I found our time online 2 hours 16 minutes 58 seconds. After taking our shoes off, eating some fruit and walking around for a while, we found everyone else and headed to Applebees. Food! Then it was shower time, fit my bike in the car, and head over to Katie's. I was already feeling sore right after the race, but add to that tired and feeling quite awful and it was a recipe for laying on the floor crying. Crying seemed to help things out. My friend Phil came over and we made some apple crisp. My mom found it very entertaining to watch us slowly bend over to pick up apple peels that missed the garbage. He was also sore from his workouts for the week. All night was slow movements and the dread of sitting down or standing up. But really none of that compares to how sore I am today. I went to church for an our and then left. I was still so tired and sitting just made me more sore. Now I lay here in my bed trying to hydrate myself and thinking about stretching and taking some more ibuprofen. Wish me luck.

My life is not a movie

As much as I sometimes wish it was, my life is not a movie. There is no background music with mighty swells indicating great things are about to happen, danger music or intensity increasing chords. No conflict resolution in two hours. Nothin'. Maybe I should just stop watching movies and reading books. They give me a skewed expectation for reality.
All kidding aside I really do think they skew my expectations. I'm working on it. I talk myself through things, telling myself that these things are normal. All guys are not the sweetest, most thoughtful people ever and they aren't all dirt bags. There's a mix I suppose. Hopefully more in the middle. But as I've pondered my life not being a movie, there are a few things that I'd really like to have happen in my life that are "movie moments". At least in my book.

Random texts. Pretty simple. I find that most guys are pretty good at this one. It just lets me know they were thinking of me. I don't need words of affirmation every second of every day, but once in a while it's nice to know they're thinking of you.

I want him to show up and surprise me when I think he won't be able to come. (being friends with at least one of my friends would be conducive to this happening).

I want one of those airport scenes. The running, the hugging, the kissing. It does not necessarily have to happen in an airport.

The next one, I'm not sure is really a movie moment, but I want him to come up behind me while I'm doing the dishes or cooking or something and just wrap his arms around me. I believe my friend Katie called this the embrace from behind. So cute.

Next one, super cheesy, and not really necessary. Singing, reciting poetry and the like. The "movie moment" I think of is from Freaky Friday when Chad Michael Murray is singing Britney Spears to the mom outside their house. Really awful, really cute. Watch it here.

I may have to come back to this because I thought of a lot more last night laying in bed and now I'm completely blank. Anyway, I'll accept that my life is not a movie, but that it's still great and that I'll have my own cute little fairy tale better than any movie. someday. In the meantime, I'll keep waiting for the perfect doughnut.

p.s. I'm perfectly happy waiting until I'm married and then making him do these things, but if they happen before, I'm okay with that. ;)

I remembered one. Flowers. For no reason at all. My cousin brought me a single rose last night and I could have floated to the moon. And that was from my cousin!!! Imagine if I wasn't related. Better tether me to something.

Worthwhile things take time.

A truth of life. Worthwhile things take time. It's been proven many times. I've seen it in my own life. Tonight at the "adult session" of Stake Conference I was given just a little reminder of this truth. It's simple, it's true, and man did it hit home.
Patience is not something I have in abundance. Many times when I want something I want it right now. That, sadly, is not how life works. But when I really ponder it, it's not that sad. I think about my half marathon next weekend. I feel that it's a worthwhile goal that I have in life and I've been working toward it for a long time. I've put in a lot of effort and have slowly seen the results. I've learned a lot about myself and I know there will be a big payoff. All my hard work will bring about the goal I've been working for and I've gotten little blessings along the way. My endurance has increased, I dropped a pant size, I have something to talk about in conversation, it's really been great.
Most things in life are like that. We have those goals, no matter what they may be. We have to set our course and go forth, trusting in God, and trusting that our worthwhile desires will become a reality with time. Who knows when the time will actually come, but God loves to find any reason to bless us and He will as we continue along the path He guides us to.
So, I'll set my course and go forth. Pursuing education, preparing myself for the future, and ultimately continuing in my wait for the perfect doughnut.

Update

He called!!!!!

Moving Forward

I really like institute. It's a good pick-me-up for the middle of the week. The teacher is great and I always have a nice time. I still don't know many people in my ward and it's a Stake Institute and it's ENORMOUS. Seriously we have the largest institute in Utah County. There are 4 different classes offered and they are all full every week. These are big lecture halls at BYU we're talking about. There are lots of people. I being the not so "social butterfly" that I am usually grab by refreshment and head for the door, avoiding awkwardly standing around.
Last night before institute I had an interview with the bishop. I'm new in the ward so it was a get to know you kind of thing. No calling to report yet. Anyway it was good to chat with the bishop. He's from Scotland and every once in a while you can hear his accent. It's awesome. Anyway that doesn't have anything to do with anything. At the end of the interview he said that it looked like I was doing well and moving forward. Then he talked about a scripture found in James 3:4 and Doctrine and Covenants 123:16. It's talks about a small helm stearing a big ship. He pointed out that the ship actually has to be moving forward for the helm to be able to do anything. If it's just sitting in the water you can move the helm all you want but you're not going to go anywhere. When we are moving forward in life, that is when the Lord can turn us in the direction we need to go. Loved it.
After the interview I headed to institute, even though I was about 20 minutes late. Lots of people come in late. No big. I enjoyed the class and afterward was the first one in line for refreshments. Don't judge. Instead of taking them and running I actually stood around and ate my delicious donut. I had one rather large bite left and shoved the whole thing in my mouth. Of course at that moment a really cute guy walked up and asked how I was doing. Awesome. Mouth full of donut, I stood there chewing until I could respond. Even better that it was a huge bite and it took forever for me to chew. ( I would also like to throw in that I left my house in a hurry to make it to see the bishop. No brushing of teeth before I left, or the fixing of my hair. Who knows what my make-up looked like by that time.) Anyway, the guy was really nice and we talked for maybe 10 minutes. What the heck? This never happens to me. And here's the best part, are your ready for this? He asked for my phone number!!! I of course, gave it to him. He walked away and I left. Pulling out my phone and calling my sister ASAP to have someone rejoice with me. Silly sister didn't answer, but Sarah provided the excitement and enthusiasm I required. Now if he only calls . . . pray for me.

Where I live

so about two months ago I posted some pictures of our barren apartment. It is not so barren anymore so I thought I'd show an update.
Dining room table. thanks to Camille for giving it to me and to Marc and Katie for transporting it.

The balloons are from Carrie's birthday last week.

What is happening?

In March I decided I should start running. It's good for my heart right? So I did. I was doing 1.5-3 miles and it wasn't fun. My goal was to do a couple 5k's (3.1 miles) for the summer. I did my first 5k and it wasn't too awful. Then dad got me to jump right in to a 10k (6.2 miles). I have the half marathon on my bucket list but didn't really think it would happen this year. I've always been a fair weathered runner. If it's yucky outside I'm going to use it as an excuse to stay inside, but something has happened. I'm now running 5 miles, sometimes early in the morning and this morning just proved to me that I have lost my mind. I got up at 6:30 and went running in the rain. And it was COLD!! Right now, 3 hours later, it's 34 degrees. I could actually see by breath as I was running. Why did I go? Because missing a day makes it super crappy when I do go running the next time. It was not a good run, it was cold and wet and miserable, but I did it. Saturday is my last long run before the half. 10 miles. I wish I had a picture of myself from when I got back from the run. I was looking quite awful, but I read this once. . .


I was definitely not looking pretty so I guess I did it right. And I suppose I'll just keep on doing it. I guess there are worse things in life that to have a ridiculous habit of running.

It's Conference Time

Twice a year it comes. Twice a year it doesn't disappoint. I am loving this October Conference. For one it's a whole heck of a lot warmer than April was, second October is when Dana is here and third I'm sitting at home this year to watch instead of running around Temple Square wanting to pull my hair out.
Conference weekend started Friday night with the Mission Reunion. I think every conference it gets a little bit more depressing. Only because there will be 50 people there and I know about 10. Makes me feel old.

Denae (my trainer), me, and Morgan (who I trained). 3 generations in the mission.

We make up for it by going out to eat afterward with the 10 people we know. It's always so fun to sit around and talk about the mission, laugh and just get to know each other a little bit better.

After dinner we headed back to Sarah's house where we would be staying the night. Saturday morning poor Sarah had to go to work so Pam and I got ready, ate breakfast, and watched conference with Sarah's roommates. Then we packed up and headed for temple square to meet up with Denae for the second session. Sadly that didn't happen. Pam and I watched the 2nd session in the Joseph Smith Building in the Legacy Theater, I love it there probably more than the conference center. After conference we went to the Gateway mall. We walked around there for a bit, not finding much and then headed back to the car. Although my shoes were flat my feet were killing me and I ended up carrying my shoes. Once at the car we headed to Bountiful to see DANA!!!! I love that she comes every October conference since that's the only time I ever get to see her and all other communication occurs on facebook. We went out for our usual conference ice cream and just talked and talked. I really wish she lived closer.


Now I'm sitting at my house watching conference on this beautiful October Sabbath day. Life is so good.

Quick to forget

So Sunday night slash Monday morning brought me a little bit of trials. You'd think having just listened to President Uchtdorf's talk on Saturday, I'd be in great shape to take on the week, but apparently Satan knows me pretty well and he snuck right it. I kept trying to tell myself that it was fine and that I was blowing things out of proportion, but since when do I ever listen to me? So what did I do? I went to the two people I always go to for advice (besides my mom) Laura and Dana. They were, as always, very helpful, loving and supportive.
I listened to Elder Uchtdorf's talk two more times and when I got home from running errands after work I went for a run. It's amazing what a little spirituality and some running can do for the body and soul. :) I felt much better and I think I can take on the world, at least for one more day.
How silly I am to know so much, but to be so quick to forget when problems come and seem to consume everything. I think the two things from President Uchtdorf's talk that helped me most were, forget not to be patient with yourself and forget no that God loves you. Hopefully my memory lasts a little bit longer. :)

I recommend to everyone, male and female, to watch or listen to Elder Uchtdorf's talk. Reading works to but I think it has a little something extra coming directly from his mouth.
Watch it here.

September

First of all, I just want everyone to know, I love September. It's the best month. Harvesting starts, the weather isn't so hot, but it's not super cold, the trees are starting to change, and there's just something in the air. It's just great. If it could be September 10 months out of the year I'd be perfectly happy with that.
With my September I've been pretty busy. The first weekend in September was the big camping trip for Labor Day. The second weekend my cousin James had his "mission farewell" so we (my 2 cousins and I) headed up to Ogden area for that. My brother, sister, and cousin from the other side of the family also attended and we had a lovely time. Kevin and Marc enjoyed playing on the toys at the park by the church.


Last weekend I headed back to Idaho again for family pictures. Every September or October brings the traditional family pictures that we've had taken every year by the same people. We've got it down. We know all the saying "mom made me do this" "the photographers a geek" "dad has smelly feet" "fuzzy pickles" and on and on. We whipped through it this year as we do most years. Previous to the pictures was dad's big 100 mile AMA bike challenge. If you would like to read of his experience you can check it out here
We had a great time following him around and cheering and were so proud when he finished and didn't die! He even came in first place! Way to go dad! This was Julie and I waiting to cheer for dad as he rode by.

This weekend started with the BYU vs. UCF game. My friend Ryan had an extra ticket so I went with him and his mom and learned the ins and outs of BYU football. GO COUGARS!

Saturday morning I got up early than I wanted and headed out for my 9 mile run. It wasn't as awful as I was expecting but I was definitely tired for the rest of the day. I did make it to pick peaches which was awesome! Along with my love of fall and September in particular comes a love for picking things. Fruits and vegetables, I love to pick it. I say it makes me feel very Anne of Green Gables. I just love it. I was pretty much in heaven yesterday as I climbed the ladder and later the tree to pick those peaches.


After the peaches I headed back to Orem to meet up with my friend Pam to go the Relief Society Meeting Broadcast at the conference center. She had gotten tickets at the last minute and had an extra one for me. I can say with confidence that this is the best Relief Society Broadcast I've ever been to. I've always loved Elder Uchtdorf and he always gives amazing talks but this one really just blew me away. It was so good. Have you ever heard something and it's exactly what you needed to hear and you didn't even know you were anywhere close to needing to hear it? That's what happened to me. It was so amazing. I encourage everyone to go and listen to or read the talk. AMAZING.

And today. I went to my new ward with my roommate Carrie. I think it's going to be a good one. Afterward I came home and finished getting things ready for my dinner with my cousins. It's fun having family close and doing things with them. We had a great chat and dinner was good and I just feel so blessed to have so many good things in my life. Life is good.

Epic camping

I've been a bit slow on getting this one up but it's definitely noteworthy. Last weekend for labor day my family made room in our various schedules to go camping. I LOVE CAMPING! And camping with my family is especially fun.
It was a bit confusing in the weeks before deciding when we were actually going and where we would go, but on Friday the decision was made. A different place every night. Not my mom's favorite choice but workable.
Friday afternoon my mom, dad and brother David headed up to Wright Creek right next to Green Canyon for those Idaho people who know where that is. They got everything set up and then Julie, Kevin and I went up later. I didn't get in til late since I was driving from Utah, Julie had to work as did Kevin. We opted for the pop-up camper so we were all sleeping in the same place. Luckily I had ear plugs. No one snores like my dad. Except for maybe Katie from my Guatemala trip. :)
Saturday morning we were up and at 'em, with some delicious pancakes for breakfast.

Julie and Kevin headed off on the 4-wheeler to set up some picnic for Kevin's friend and Dad, David and I headed up to Antenna Ridge to check out our next camp site. It was a beautiful drive. We even found some snow and David built a tiny snowman. Coming back down we decided that it was quite the drive to come up for one night and decided we should just go to our third camp site and stay for 2 nights. What a great plan.



We got back to camp and ate lunch and then David and I headed out to pick choke-cherries for my mom. What is a choke-cherry you may ask? It's a tiny berry that doesn't really taste very good, but when large amounts of sugar are added it makes an excellent syrup that my mom loves. After we picked for a while we headed back only to be told that dad had discovered the mother load and that we were to follow him and pick some more. And pick we did. There were SO many. We finally had to stop when we ran out of bags to fill. We then went back to camp and finished packing everything up and headed to our final camp site, Packsaddle Lake.
We went camping here when I was about 6. This was a memorable trip, as my brother David fell hands first into the campfire and had to be rushed out (30 mph) on the ridiculous road that led out to the hospital to have his burns treated. He spent the rest of the trip with socks on his hands. Luckily there were no such incidents this time.

Saturday night did prove a bit tricky since Kevin had had to go into work and was coming up later and didn't know exactly how to get there. We sent directions as we went but when the time for him to come actually arrived we discovered that he directions weren't as good as we thought. Luckily my phone got some reception and after some discussion and my dad driving out to find him we were successful. David, Julie and I had walked down to the fork in the road to put out a glow stick to indicate the right direction and came back scared out of our minds singing every ridiculous song our mother had ever taught us.
Sunday was peaceful (don't judge). We had our delightful breakfast and then we sat down for our Sunday School lesson provided by dad. It was on service and charity and I felt it was a great success. We followed up our discussion with a talk from the conference Ensign and then some reading from the Book of Mormon. Then we were off to the lake. Mom opted not to go since she still had very vivid memories of the last trip here and trying to climb up the trail with 4 small children. As I climbed back up to return to camp I felt sorry for my mom and my poor six year old self.
Sunday night was definitely the highlight of the trip for me. We were all sitting around the fire after roasting our hot dogs and marshmallows and dad suggested that we play Charades. It was a bit difficult until someone suggested that the person who was just it give the next person their topic. By far my favorite one was when I gave Kevin Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. He did an excellent job. Click here to watch the scene he acted out.
Monday was pretty uneventful. We ate breakfast and then packed everything up and came home. I took a nap and then headed back to Utah. All in all it was a fantastic trip and I think the only thing that could have made it better is if it had lasted longer and the Walker's had been there. LOVE CAMPING!

Guatemala Part Tres

And the moment you all (or at least my dad) have been waiting for. The conclusion of my Guatemala trip. I think we have made it to Monday of our trip. We set of in the morning to find Manos de Colores. Another after school program. We decided that a taxi would be a good idea. Ha! The taxi driver was so lost. He did stop a couple of times for directions and even called the place. We did finally find the place. Poor taxi driver. After the meeting with our British guide Bryan, we headed for Escuela de la Calle. I really liked this program and what they were doing for at risk kids. I actually had to translate at this one. Everywhere else we had been (and would go) had English speaking people.
This is one of the teachers at the school and a few of her students. The girls were so cute and so excited to get their picture taken.

After Escuela de la Calle we took a bus back into town and got some delicious lunch. I am not a horchata fan, but the horchata came with the meal so I decided to try it. It was SOOO good. It was like Christmas in my mouth. Delightful.
*Apparently it's perfectly normal for men to stand outside of random businesses with GIANT guns. What the heck?
Our last NGO was Nuevos Horizontes (New Horizons). This one didn't work at all with what we were doing since they don't like to work with teenagers (because of the demographic of the people they help) and they require a 6 week commitment. But I really liked this one as well and would like to go and volunteer there if I had 6 weeks to commit. They work with abused women and children in a shelter. I don't know why, but this one really pulled at my heart.
It was a long, but very successful day. We decided to head to Guatemala City early the next day so we could have time to explore there and maybe make it to the temple. The rest of Monday was fairly uneventful. I think we watched Baby Mamma to keep us up past 7. :)
* They have electric water heaters right on the shower head. You have to decrease the water pressure to get hot water. Luckily Joel explained this to us early on so we could understand the art of getting the right temperature of water.
Tuesday morning we were up and on our Greyhound bus heading for Guatemala City. It was nice to have some space and I slept for most of the trip. It was actually a lot of the same road we were on coming from Pana to Xela, but I did the curvy road much better the second time around.
After another fiasco with the taxi driver we arrived at our Hostel by the airport. We hadn't been there 10 minutes when Katie was called to the front desk because she had someone waiting for her. Her friend Marco had come to find her so we got ready and headed out to see Guatemala City with our own personal tour guide.
He took us to an authentic Guatemalan restaurant. I think that was the first Guatemalan food we had. It was a really nice restaurant and we had a nice time. After the restaurant they dropped me at the temple and then they were off for more sight seeing. Katie had already been to the temple and Jamie forgot her recommend so it was just me. :)

The temple was nice. Only the second time I've been in Spanish. When I was in the MTC in Spain and we went to the temple it was always in English because the missionaries made up the majority of temple patrons in our sessions. It was fun to chat with the temple workers from Utah and the Guatemalans. I love the culture of our church and how it doesn't matter where you are, it's the same. I was standing outside the temple waiting for Katie and Jamie to return to get me and started chatting with a sister standing there. First she asked if I was a missionary. I told her I wasn't but that I did serve a mission. Then she asked me if I was married. I told her no, and she "But you're so pretty!" hahahaha. Somethings don't change, no matter the country.
Sitting in the Celestial Room of the temple I was overwhelmed by a feeling of love. The love God has for all of his children. Here I was sitting in another country and he knew me. He knew the sister sitting next to me. He loves us both. He knows our weaknesses and our strengths and he wants us both to be very happy. I was a great way to finish my time in Guatemala.
Wednesday morning came and we were off to the airport. I had developed a sore throat by this time and was feeling very worn out. The trip was so fun, but I had no idea it would be so stressful being the one responsible for getting us around and talking with everyone. I loved it and would gladly do it again, but I was glad to be going home. Next time around will be better since I'll have an idea of where I am and what I'm doing.
Katie, Marc and their girls picked me up from the airport. We went to dinner to try and avoid the traffic rush into Utah County. I also got a table for my kitchen thanks to Camille for thinking of me and Marc and Katie for fitting it into their van.
My cold is leaving I think. Just a stuffy nose and a cough every once in a while, but I think I'll survive. What a great experience.

Camping, but not really

My friend Pam's ward had a camp-out and she invited me to go along, so Friday night we piled in the car with our sleeping bags and headed to Heber Valley Camp. To say we were roughing it would be far from the truth. The only thing that may have qualified this as camping was the fact that we were in a forested area, there was a lake, and we did have a campfire. Here's our "tent"

The bunk beds were wood and didn't have padding. I think the roughest part for the other girls in the cabin was having to listen to me cough half the night. :(

On Saturday they had a challenge course. You had to climb up a log pole, then cross the tight rope like expanse and then they clipped you into a zip-line and you zipped down. It was loads of fun.

After the zip-line we headed down to the lake. After waiting out the hail storm we climbed in and paddled around the lake. All in all it was a very nice camp-out.

Guatemala Part Dos

The second night in Panajachel we stayed in a Japanese Hostel. One nice thing about these hostels is that most of them had internet. Very important. Sunday morning we were up early and headed into town to church. The NGO we were looking at was founded my LDS members from Virginia and the coordinator, Joel, lives in Draper and comes down two weeks a month. He met up with us at church. After sacrament meeting Joel took us to see Casa de Sion. They have a feeding and education program working with the kids in the surrounding area. They also have a clinic that is used when medical teams come in.



After the tour (and a delicious Millet Burrito) Joel took us back into town to catch a bus to Chetzeltenango or Xela (pronounced Sheyla). It wasn't as squishy as the van from Antigua to Pana, but the road was so curvy. I got a bit car sick so that wasn't too fun. There was a lot of scenery though.
*There are pine trees in Guatemala. This was so shocking to me. I guess I just had in my head that it should be tropical jungle type stuff.
When we arrived in Xela we set out to find some food. What we found was a parade of an all girls school marching band and "flag twirlers".

The only thing we could find that was open to eat was McDonalds. Go figure. I never eat McDonalds unless I'm in a foreign country.


Well I'll finish sometime. Not much left, but I've got to get to my camping trip.