Tuesday, May 30, 2006

I hear they're hiring dancers in Vegas right now....

On the verge of making some big decisions, I’m considering leaving the “stable” 9-5 for a different kind of a job. (No I’m not going to become a dancer in Vegas…and If I did I wouldn’t write about it here : ) There are a few wilderness therapy programs I’ve researched and plan on sending applications to a few of them. I would be a field mentor for troubled kids/adults. 8 days in the wilderness, 6 days off to travel and ride Dollar, and an active lifestyle to prevent that ghastly weight gain my family knows too much about all sound really appealing. The money is not great, but since when did that matter to me. I hope everyone had a nice memorial weekend.

Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Moving on, making necessary changes

(Originally posted Jan. 17, 06; Just as relevant now)
I hope you enjoy these. After a great deal of thought, I am ready to move forward in certain aspects of my life, leaving the past to the past.

I demolish my bridges behind me...then there is no choice but to move forward.
Firdtjof Nansen

You cannot step twice into the same river, for other waters are continually flowing on.
Heraclitus

The worst thing you can try to do is cling to something that is gone, or to recreate it.
Johnette Napolitano

The Athenians, alarmed at the internal decay of their Republic, asked Demosthenes what to do.
His reply:
Do not do what you are doing now.

Joseph Ray

Monday, May 22, 2006

Hitch Hiking is Awesome!

(sorry no pics..I had to travel light)
5-22-06
Friday-
11AM – A guy from work, Jason, told me he was going down to Vegas for the weekend and my wheels started turning….I knew my friend Keith had been down in Zion since
Wednesday and should be there till Sunday. I had found a ride at least part of the way to Zion.
12PM – Went home on my lunch break and packed my canyoneering gear
4PM – Jason and I left work and drove south
8PM – Got dropped off at the Toquerville exit (22 miles from Zion)
I then hitch hiked to Mosquito Cove camping area where I hoped to find Keith camping with some of his friends. I left him a message on his cell telling him where I’d be and spread out my sleeping bag on the banks of the Virgin River. An overly nice fellow camper stuffed me full of hotdogs and insisted I take some money from him. So with a full stomach and 5 bucks in my pocket I went to sleep under a gorgeous star filled sky with the soothing sound of the river running past. I was nervous Keith wouldn’t show up and I’d be stranded. Luckily, Keith woke me late that night letting me know they had arrived.
Saturday-
The sun finally was successful at waking me up after I tried to ignore her for a while, and then I went and found Keith’s camp site and our group set out to do Key Hole and Pine Creek Canyons. It was a special trip for a few reasons; a few being, we stumbled upon a sleeping owl deep in the Pine Creek slot. It opened its eyes and watched us as we walked past, moving nothing but his head. He was magnificent. There was also a raven who came right up to us as if saying hello and then it kept swooping down the last 100 foot rappel just to swoop back up moments later. It was a very memorable day of canyoneering.
Sunday-
I headed back up to Provo to start yet another week at work.
Thanks for everyone who remembered my birthday. I love and miss you all! Life as a 23 year old ain’t too shabby!

Monday, May 15, 2006

Pics of Canyoneering trip to AZ



Me doing the guided Rap in Cibeque canyon.




Me sitting in the water course enjoying myself

My big head

Sick of being sick

I’ve been sick since Thursday with a bad cough and a lot of congestion. The fever left Saturday, but the cough remains.
Weekend highlights:
-Played in my softball game Fri. night anyway and had a beautiful slide and a beautiful play at short (even on drugs)
-Passed out by the pool Sat morning for a few hours
-Sat afternoon went and watched BYU track meet to see my friend Kelly run for the U.
-Went to IHOP Sat. night for roommate’s birthday
-Passed out on the couch for 4 hours Sun. afternoon
After that not so eventful weekend I’m now back at work.
My B-day is on Wednesday and I better be well!!! (All major credit cards accepted)

Saturday, May 6, 2006

Nicholas Reed

My sissy Aimee had her fourth baby on Thursday, April 7th at 6:17 AM – That’s right, an “all-nighter!” He was 6 lbs and 12 oz, 20 ¼ inches long. Isn't my big sister beautiful!

Friday, May 5, 2006

Finding Joy in Simplicity

I recently returned from a canyoneering trip in Arizona. My time was spent in canyoneering courses, descending Tank Canyon and Cibeque Canyon, networking with other ACA members, and catching up with friends. We camped on the White Mountain Apache Reservation and I had the opportunity to get to know a few locals. My favorite part of the trip was the chance to spend a lot of time in the water. The canyons in Southern Utah are generally pretty dry and don’t usually have heavy flow running through them. One of my courses taught “swift water” and I had a blast jumping in the rapids and trying to control my course around obstacles down stream. I also loved all the jumping into pools from various heights. I got a lot of practice with ropes and learned a lot of methods to make my canyoneering hobby as safe as possible.
It was hard (really hard) to come back to Northern Utah, but I’m here now and making the best of it. Since returning I’ve moved into a new position at work, quality control manager, have spent some quality time with Dollar and spent a lot of time thinking about my life. As complicated as I sometimes try to make it, things are actually quite simple. I have a cush job that pays all my bills, I have an amazing horse, I have incredible friends, and a supportive family behind me in all my endeavors. I love you all!!