Road trip to St. George

Brianna and me at the start of our adventure.















We went shopping and saw the movie Enchanted. We LOVED it.

Winter Wonderland at Zion Ponderosa

First snow of the season!!















It is beautiful but very cold.














Better hang out in the lodge next to the fire.

Happy Thanksgiving

I am thankful that I have a family that I love and a beautiful new house to welcome me home.



















I am very thankful that I was able to make it to Jerome for Thanksgiving this year. It is one of my favorite days of the year!! I loved the drive, talking to my sister and singing silly songs with Ella trying to make her laugh.















I am thankful for the wisdom of my grandparents and the knowledge that I am obtaining on a daily basis.














I am thankful for after Thanksgiving shopping and a stop at the Cheesecake Factory!!

Adventures at Weeping Rock

This weekend Brianna and I decided to hike into the park. Because we got a late start we didn't have enought time to hike Hidden canyon as we had planned. So we decided to hike Weeping Rock. It was beautiful. We had such a great time.

Self portraits but still pictures

Here I am on my way down from Angels Landing.












This was one of my favorite hikes. I loved seeing the ancient rock art.



Zion in the fall is so beautiful!!

My redneck night

Late last night Tyler and I took the ATV's out. Why?? To go paintballing for deer of course. We laughed the entire time we were out on the ATV's about how redneck we were. And don't worry we didn't actually hit anything.

A day in the life at Zion Ponderosa

A day in the life of Zion Ponderosa

I wake up at seven am and spend the next few minutes trying to convince myself to get out of my warm bed and start my day in a freezing room.

I shower in the pool house showers (which even I will admit the idea of it is kind of gross, but you get used to it).

I hike downhill to breakfast and visit with everyone before my work day starts at nine.

I hike across the resort to the laundry room where we fold clothes, get organized for the day and of course I pick out the music I want to listen to.

From nine until noon we clean and clean and clean. We sing along to the radio, dance and tell stories. Anything to make cleaning more enjoyable.

At noon it's lunch! I usually eat a turkey sandwich, an apple and a cookie.

Back to making more beds, vacuuming and dusting until five thirty. UGH. I am exhausted but getting into great shape and down two sizes! All the hiking and cleaning is worth it.

After work I check my email, blogs and daily news and then head to dinner at six. Dinner lasts for an hour or two because we get along so well and love to talk.

Hot tub!!

After relaxing it is time to play! This consists of Halo 3, French lessons online, chess, movies and the occasional trip into St George.

My night ends around one or two in the morning.

So what does all this mean?

Something as simple as moving to a resort for the winter has reminded me that life presents us with hundreds of interpersonal challenges that allow us to face our fears, to trust, to ask for support, to go beyond what is comfortable and never give up. I ventured out to find what my limitations were. I am learning that life is not about the things you collect, but the knowledge and experiences you take with you. That the price we pay for the joys of living are often accompanied by uncertainty. But without risk you can never truly experience life.

Angels Landing

I know you are all dying for pictures but I lost my USB cord so here is another boring post without pictures until I find it.

This weekend I decided to hike Angels Landing which is by far one of the most dangerous hikes in the park. It was a beautiful day, perfect for hiking. I set out alone with the rule that any hesitation I would turn around. (And yes I did say a pray before I went.) I hiked for about two hours and then almost instantly, without the usual "you can keep going, just a little further speech" I turned around. I am still not sure why I turned around, but I haven't questioned that decision yet. The hike was incredibly hard. Reading the signs along the way that said one misstep and I would die did not help. Still I was proud of myself for at least taking the risk and trying. For going beyond what was comfortable and trusting myself to know when to come down.

A thrilling night at the movies

Ethan, Tyler and I decided to drive into St George last night and see a movie. They usually let us take a resort van when there is a group of us going into town. So while I went to get some money and a jacket the guys came to pick me up. I heard a screech and then crash. I ran outside to see the van crashed into the side of the building. The brakes had gone out!

We all stood there for a minute taking in the damage and realizing that ten minutes later we would have been driving in a van with no brakes down a canyon. We all knew that we were being watched out for and I knew that the prayers being said on my behalf were being heard.

We still went to see our movie in St George but I drove, very slowly and safely.

Bonjour

While I am living in a secluded location I have decided to turn my desire to learn another language into a reality and I am learning French. I ordered a program online and the nights when I have extra time I sign in and study. Although I am learning the vocabulary rather quickly my pronunciation is terrible. Bama (who is studying Spanish while I study French) constantly laughs at me while I pronouce the same words over and over, trying to figure out how to make it have the correct French accent.

Au Revoir

Walmart and Mountain Men

Last night Bama, Ethan, Tim and I decided to drive into town or St. George for a fun filled night at the closest Walmart. Yes, seriously. Walmart. Because St. George is about an hour and a half away from Ponderosa it sounded like a great idea to get away from the resort and back into the "real world" for a couple of hours. (Entertainment is obviously limited here at night) We picked up some movies, treats and office supplies.

Before moving to Utah I wondered if I would still get ready every morning, wear makeup and care about putting together a stylish outfit for my day. While at Walmart I realized I was wearing jeans covered in red rock, the t-shirt I had cleaned houses all day in and my uggs. I was horrified!! I realized at that moment that I looked like I had been camping for a week.

As I started to look around all I could see were cute college aged girls everywhere that looked put together and stylish. Then I looked at Bama, Ethan and Tim and realized that we all looked like we had been camping for a week. As we left and drove back to Zion I felt so lucky to be heading back to an awesome job with three amazingly fun guys. Feeling that I looked like a mountain man didnt seem to bother me so much after that.

Probably not a story I should tell my Mom

The past few days we have been talking about hiking in some near by caves after work. Last night was finally the day we went. There were seven of us. Bama, Brandon, Ethan, Tyler, Seth, Louise and Seth's dog Dixie. We left around eight at night and drove out to the caves. We explored, told stories and got really dirty and had the best time.

Right as we were getting ready to leave Seth called for his dog and she didn't come. He went back into the caves and started looking around. Right at that moment I heard a howl and nervously asked if that was a coyote. Bama said that it sounded more like wolves. All of a sudden we heard six or seven wolves attacking something nearby. You could hear them howling, fighting, whimpering and then nothing. Silence. We knew that if that was Dixie she wouldn't have survived. The boys immediatly went to try and find the dog while Louise and I stayed in the car, worried and prayed that everyone would be kept safe and that we would find Dixie and be able to take her home.

They searched for about an hour when all of a sudden Louise and I heard a whimper. We got out of the car and started calling for Dixie. I flashed my light back into the cave and saw two scared eyes looking back at me. I had found Dixie!! Louise and I climbed into the cave and carried her out. I yelled "We found her!! She's fine!!" The boys came running back and were so relieved. Seth kept thanking us the entire drive home. One thing we all agreed on was that we are family up here. We watch out and support each other, even if it means searching for a lost dog in the dark.

How I spent my first day off

Today after listening to Saturdays session of conference the recreation guides let me join in with the guests for an ATV ride. It was so much fun. While on our ride it started snowing!!!! It is so cold here, beautiful but cold.

Tonight our plan is the hot tub under the stars, a movie and a game of chess. (One of the guys up here is teaching me to play chess. I surprisingly really like it. I cant decide if it is the game or the one on one time with someone I think is so cool. I think it might be a little bit of both.)

I am starting to see possible reasons that I am supposed to be up here. The majority of the people who work here are fun, laid back, and very valiant members. I cant remember the last time I watched all of a Saturday session of conference. I cant remember the last time I have spent so much time with genuinely good, caring and fun people. I cant remember the last time I have felt this quiet sense of peace.

I might be turning into a cowgirl

Tonight after dinner some of my coworkers and I went shooting for jackrabbits. We didnt see any rabbits, but we did shoot some cans. On our way back to the resort we came face to face with a bobcat!!! They said it looked pretty small but I thought it was huge!! Kylene would have freaked out!!!

Arrival at Zion Ponderosa

I am officially a member of the staff at Zion Ponderosa Resort and let me tell you getting here was quite the experience. Friday I was planning a day of packing, getting organized and then having Saturday to spend time with my family before I headed out on this grand adventure Sunday, arriving at the resort Monday morning. Friday I received a call from Zion and they asked if I would be able to come a day early to have dinner with the staff and get to know people before they put me to work. I was so impressed that they wanted to include me even before I was working there. Then it hit. That gives me one day to pack, and drive to SLC before heading to Mt Carmel on Sunday. Thanks to such a loving and supportive family they helped move me out of my apartment and get things packed that I needed and on the road by Saturday at 2:00 pm. That would have been impossible for me to accomplish on my own.

My drive to SLC was horrible. I cried from Boise to Burley. Once I reached the Utah/Idaho border I witnessed a semi truck over turn and come skidding into my lane of oncoming traffic. After witnessing that accident my adrenaline was going and again I start crying. The "fun" continued when about thirty minutes later my engine light went on, almost simultaneously I lose power in my car. So I pull over and turn off my car and called home. I surprising didn't cry until my Mom got on the phone and once again the tears. I know. I know. More tears. I started my car and drove to Aunt Janell's and Uncle Bryce's home. With many tearful calls back and forth between my Mom, my Dad and Amber. The next morning came the next dilemma. Being Sunday there was no one open to look at my car. After talking to my Mom and Bryce I decided to go ahead and try to drive to Zion. I said a million prayers along that drive. I was so worried that my car would break down on in the middle of nowhere, no cell service and no idea what to do next. Not only did I make it to Zion safely but the moment I drove up to the resort my engine light shut off.

I honestly have no idea why I am here. All I know is that it is the right place. I am scared, lonely, and homesick but there is a peace that surrounds every moment. And that peace verifys that this is where I need to be. Having all the problems getting down here also verifys that this is the right change. There seems to be many obstacles before greatness comes. I just wish that I knew more about why I am here. Is it to meet sigificant people, become more independent and brave, increase my reliance on the Lord? The only friends I have met so far are a cockroach in my dorm and a bat that flies by my window at night.

What was I thinking??

So maybe cutting my hair short was not the smartest decision. Its cute dont get me wrong but the timing was horrible. Timing was not something I thought through. Cutting my hair has been one too many changes. Everytime I look in the mirror tears start welling up and I think "who is that person" and what was I thinking? Those two questions are not things I need to be focusing on the day before I move to another state to live in a national park!!!

How do you start a new adventure???

With a new haircut!! I went in for a trim and walked out with SHORT hair.

St Lukes Womens Fitness Celebration Race 2007

Kylene, Mom, Amber, Caitlin, Ella and Kreshie walked in the St Lukes Womens Fitness Race this weekend. It was so much fun. Over 12,000 women participated, making it the largest womens 5k race in the nation.















Despite the rain it was really fun.

Bright Eyes and Mute Math

Kylee and I went to two concerts this week Bright Eyes and Mute Math.





















We Loved the Bright Eyes concert and Mute Math's opening Indie-pop band Eisley. Mute Math was a disappointment. We thought that they had to cover up their mediocre music with bright lights and smoke. Being in a crowd of people listening to live music is one of my favorite things to do. I love the noise, being squished up to your neighbor singing the same songs, dancing and the adrenilone that always follows a great concert.

Who knew that there was tipping etiquette?

I have always thought of myself as a great tipper. Although I passed the quiz....barely. I noticed that there are a lot more services that I should be tipping for. As someone starting a job where gratutities are accepted I hope everyone I meet knows about tipping etiqette.

http://www.expertrating.com/quizzes/Tipping-Etiquette-Quiz.asp

Nerves have set in and I am getting anxious about moving. The sensible part of me thinks "What are you doing??? You are leaving your family, quiting a job you really like and make pretty good money at to go live alone in a canyon. What are you thinking!"

The crazy part of this whole adventure is that there is an overwhelming sense of excitement and peace surrounding me. I know that there will be moments of loneliness and times when I question my decision to move to Utah. But I am also preparded for when those times come and there is no question they will come.

I wonder if this will be a catalyst? Will it create opportunities so that I can accomplish my dreams and goals?

Zion is official!!!

Its official! I am heading to Zion National Park for a few months. I leave the first of October and couldn't be more excited. What a fun adventure.

The family Amazing Race 2007

The Canyon County Fair

Kresimir and a friend.

Ella loved riding on the carousel until it started, then she freaked out! I couldn't help but laugh.

The local fire department sprayed water from their truck and the kids played in the water.

They loved looking at all the animals. We saw pigs, goats, sheep, cows and ducks.

Lilly Janes Cupcakes

Amber, Ella and I went to Lilly Janes, a store devoted to cupcakes to take part in frost your own cupcake night. We decided on frosting Vanilla, Chocolate and Red Velvet cupcakes.

I LOVE cake!!!





















Here are the two cupcakes that I frosted. Unfortunately the cupcake with the white frosting never made it home. It ended up falling to the ground and had a nice coat of gravel added to the decoration. I was so sad.















Ella picked out chocolate chips to put on her cupcake.




















Yum!!





















What a great way to spend my evening, with people I love and cake. It couldn't get much better than that.

101 things I want to accomplish before I die

1. Run with the bulls at the Pamplona Festival
2. Play in the ‘Tomatina’ tomato fight
3. Help save a life, many lives.
4. Have dinner at the White House
5. Hike the Narrows from the top down
6. Compete in a triathlon
7. Own a home
8. Help the FBI solve a crime
9. Have my name listed on a major motion movie credit
10. Marry in the temple
11. Hike Ireland coast to coast
12. See Antarctica
13. Hike in New Zealand
14. Have children of my own
15. Stay in an over water bungalow in Tahiti
16.Tour the ancient Aztec and Mayan ruins in Mexico
17. Own a summer home on the beach
18. Compete in an adventure race
19. Attend an Olympic event
20. Visit the Holy Land
21. Attend the World Cup
22. Kiss someone I love at the top of the Eiffel Tower
23. Stay in a Tuscan Villa
24. See the pyramids of Egypt
25. Visit the town in Switzerland where Great Grandmother grew up
26. Perform with a popular rock band on stage during a live concert
27. Learn to cook
28. Hike to the top of Angels Landing
29. Read all the scriptures cover to cover.
30. Stay at the base camp of Mt Everest
31. Swim with a dolphin
32. Walk on the Great Wall of China
33. See the Louve
34. Go on an African safari
35. Visit the Smithsonian museums in Washington, DC
36. Get a college degree
37. Read to Kill a Mockingbird
38. Be chosen as a juror on a highly publicized case
39. Visit Alcatraz
40. Be the inspiration for a song
41. Help someone fulfill a dream
42. Take my picture in front of Mt Rushmore
43. Hike the Subway
44. Scuba dive in the Great Barrier Reef
45. Master the art of communicating with others
46. See Niagara Falls
47. Go on a church history tour
48. Attend the Iditarod Race
49. Meet the Prophet
50. Raft the Grand Canyon
51. Be an important part in finding CRG a permanent home
52.Give an inspiring speech in front of thousands
53. Help deliver a baby
54. See the constitution
55. Ride in a limo
56. Learn how to start a fire with two sticks
57. See the home of Ann Frank
58. Swim in Loch Ness
59. Visit Disneyland and Disneyworld
60. Stand at the Roman Colosseum
61. Raft the Grand Canyon
62. Learn not to say yes when you really mean no
63. Learn astronomy
64. Stay the night somewhere that is haunted
65. Ride on a train
66. Run into a friend at an airport that I haven’t seen in years
67. See a Broadway play in New York
68. Spend three months getting into optimum shape
69. Visit the Winchester mystery house
70. See all fifty states
71. Ride in a helicopter
72. See Hollywood
73. Visit Graceland
74. Go island hopping in Greece
75. See the Northern lights
76. Visit the Hostess factory in Chicago, IL
77. Climb one of the seven summits
78. Learn to play the guitar
79. Ride the highest rollercoaster in the United States
80. Accept myself for who I am
81. Own a dog
82. Visit a Dutch tulip farm
83. Hike the Appalachian Trail
84. Visit Machu Picchu
85. Learn to surf
86. Befriend someone I don’t particularly like
87. Ride on a motorcycle
88. Meet a King or Queen
89. See a shuttle launch
90. See Stone Hedge
91. Watch the sunrise on a mountain
92. Spend a week on a beach where I feel that I am the only person on earth
93. Perform an anonymous favor
94. Work for a cause I believe in
95. Over come all my fears
96. Fly first class
97. Say I am sorry to someone
98. Visit an active volcano
99. Learn how to take a compliment
100. Go on a cruise
101. See Teotihuacán

The decision has been made!!

So after months and months of countless prayers and trips I have finally decided where I am supposed to be. LAS VEGAS!! More accurately Henderson, NV. Once the lease on my apartment is up in October I will be moving to Zion Ponderosa to work at the resort through the winter. Surprisingly both Amber and I had the impression while we were there on vacation that it would be a perfect place for me. The more I have thought about it the more excited I am about spending a few months working there. Not only is it beautiful but I really enjoyed getting to know the employees. I think that it will do wonders in helping me to learn how to be a little more extroverted and outgoing which are qualities I admire so much in others. It will also be a welcome break from the ever social world of accounting.

Once I move to Las Vegas I am planning on going back to school to get my certification in radiology. It don't feel like this is a permanent move or that I cant come back to Boise at anytime which is a huge comfort to me.

I just feel very strongly that every moment of every day is taking us somewhere. That our destiny is determined by our thoughts, choices, desires and actions. And if you examine your life carefully, you can tell what your destiny will be—not what you want it to be, but where you will actually end up. I feel that by making this move I will be changing my destiny and that is so exciting to me.

The Narrows

Michael, Kylee, Caitlin and I before the big hike.






















Kylee and Michael getting ready to hike in the river.




















Towards the end of the hike. I loved it!! It makes me want to become a canyoneer.
















The narrows were so beautiful.

Trip to Zion National Park

First we spent a few days in Salt Lake City.















We went to the zoo one afternoon. Ella and Kresimir loved looking at all the animals.















Ella's first plane ride. She did great!! A born traveler.