Longboarding fun in Bountiful

Conference Weekend...

Jaymee's brother, Aaron, had tickets for us to Sunday Afternoon's session of General Conference. As we were going into the conference center this lady was standing outside with this sign. Sure did give me a chuckle.
The Saturday of Conference Jaymee's family came down to Salt Lake. Saturday afternoon we all went to Chuck E. Cheese for Aaron's birthday. I struck gold on this game...although I don't even remember what the game was.
Well, it's official...I'M A ROCK STAR!!! During the priesthood session of General Conference Deseret Book puts on a fun thing for the ladies. They have all kinds of music artists and authors come and sign their books and do live performances. This year I especially wanted to go to buy this book by Wendy Ulrich because I had been wanting the book for some time and she was there signing copies. So I went and got to meet her and I will have this to forever remember that.

More of the awesomeness that is my life...

Okay, I realize that in this picture I look very...well crazy and scary are just two words that come to mind...but really it's not what it appears. I'll explain. So on the Saturday of General Conference Jaymee and I went to Deseret Book Downtown because they were having what they call "Ladie's Night". Mercy River was performing when we arrived and they were fun to watch. Jaymee liked the way one girl danced with her mic. A couple nights later we were at home making dinner for a few friends. We had been listening to Mercy River and I was getting into the music myself. The only prop I could think of for a microphone was a knife...maybe that is because it was visible on the counter. I used the kitchen table as my stage. Needless to say I look more like a crazy person than a singer, and I had no luck trying to imitate their moves. But this picture captures the fun it was to give it a try! :-)
Hahaha! This picture is a good one. A couple of weeks ago Jaymee and I ordered pizza for dinner. We love Papa Johns because the garlic butter that comes with the pizza is the best to dip your crust in. As you can see in the picture, I have eaten down to the crust and was just preparing to enjoy it with the butter. I was in the kitchen trying to get something off of the table and was holding the pizza and the butter in one hand. The next think I knew something wet plopped on my foot and I looked down to see this mess! I was very disappointed to have spilled almost all of my butter but it sure was funny.

I have a good, fun life!

Here is just a bit of the fun I've been up to lately. Time is flying and summer is almost here. There is a warmth in the air and the joy of summer can be felt. With that we all brace ourselves for the last bit of white to melt giving way to new adventures in the sun. I haven't had any summer adventures yet but I am anxiously anticipating them. I did go skiing just Saturday (April 26th) at Snowbasin. That never happens...at Snowbird yes, but Snowbasin...Never! It was great fun. The snow was very good for spring skiing. We had 7 inches of fresh snow 48 hours earlier and then two days of below normal temperatures kept the snow firm, but not ice. Saturday itself was cool making the good snow last even longer. It was a gift just for us from Heavenly Father. I think he likes to ski too.

Happy Birthday Desire! Two weeks ago we celebrated Desire's birthday with a party at work. Patrick brought cake and we got her a gift that she had been wanting "oh so badly"! And honestly, what is Doug doing (he's the one on the Right in red)?
Des and Kate....
Desire in her new birthday glasses, doesn't she look great!?
This is the paper chain countdown to Julie's arrival last week...today there is only one link left. SHE IS COMING TOMORROW!!! I'm afraid for Salt Lake City with the two of us running loose for five days! We are going to have a blast.

Dream a dream, plan a goal...

I've been thinking a lot lately, where do I want to go in life? How do I want to get there? What do I want to see and experience on the way? What do I want out of life? These thoughts really got my wheels turning so I've done a lot of thinking, pondering, whatever you want to call it and this is what I've come up with.
I LOVE southern Utah! There is a beauty in the red rock and arches that can be found no where else in the world. Nature there is so serene and peaceful. I love being there and feeling so connected to nature, it really speaks to me. Well, the last time I took a trip to southern Utah would have been at least 4 years ago when I went to St. George with the Coopers for Thanksgiving of 2003...four and a half years ago! It's definitely time to get there again.

Moab is my favorite "red rock" destination and it has been even longer since I've visited it's beauty. I've been dreaming of the warm sun and long hikes to get an intimate look at the magnificent beauty of the arches. I can't think of anything better than falling asleep under the wide open sky with the stars twinkling above me as I lay inside my warm sleeping bag. It's definitely time to get there again.
I also decided I'm finally ready to get a "real job". Well, the irony of that is the job I have now is by far the best and most demanding job I've ever had and I LOVE MY JOB!!! However, I have lived my life (for as long as I can remember) with a desire to help others. I have always wanted to eventually be able to make someone's life better, to give back to the world for all of the good that has been given to me (and continues to be given to me). Working as a supervisor in a call center, well my job is important, but I don't really feel like I've improved anyone's quality of life since I started this job a year ago...and contrary to the world's beliefs, buying things does not make your life better! So I have FINALLY decided to go to school and get a degree and do what I really want to do with the rest of my life. I have been accepted to Weber State in Ogden, Utah. I begin classes this August and I am really looking forward to it. I know that many of you were probably resigned to the thought that I was never going to go to school...well, here I go! I had initially planned on getting my bachelor's degree in education and then finishing with a master's in Psychology. I want to work as a school therapist. After talking to a couple of Psychologists and a social worker, I discovered that is not exactly the right path for me. A degree in social work will get me where I want to be. The current plan is to take classes my first two summers and get my bachelor's in three years. Then, there is a program at the University of Utah called "fast tracks" that I plan to take to get my Master's of Social Work, so long as I get accepted! It is a program where you take four consecutive semesters beginning the summer immediately following the completion of your bachelor's. With fast tracks, I would have my master's in just one more year. I feel a sense of urgency partially because I am really excited to finally be going where I want to be going in life and also because I waited SOOO long to get started. But there were a lot of adventures along the way that I NEVER wold have had if I had gone to college when I was 18 so, ROCK ON!!!
Now, for the grand finale of my current goals...I am going back to Argentina! This time I will be backpacking through Argentina and possibly other parts of South America. This trip is still in the VERY early stages of planning as I will not be going until after I finish school in 4 to 5 years. And unless I meet a great outdoors man between now and then, I will be traveling alone, which I love. I plan to pack for 2 to 3 months, depending on how many places I choose to see.
I do plan to spend much time in Salta, seeing more things and doing things a missionary didn't get to do...but that are okay for normal people to do. Hahaha, that sounded like I might be hanging out at the bars or something but I was thinking more along the lines of drinking Mate and swimming! :-)
Mate was one thing that was against mission rules but I presume that when I go back to visit people I will have an opportunity to try a good mate!


The beauty of Argentina is unmatched, especially in Salta. They don't call it "Salta, la linda" for nothing! The food can't be compared to anything here, it is far better. And the people are some of the most wonderful I've met. They are lovers of life and people despite their very humble circumstances. That is something that we should learn from and emulate. I couldn't think of a greater reward to myself for finally going to school and doing what it takes to get what I want out of my life. Fair reward, I believe!