People Encounters

I wonder as you speak, are you convicted or shallow? Sincere or naive? Concerned or judging? While I wonder I'm satisfied that it's not up to me to determine...thank god, that takes the pressure off. I'll be content in knowing that I need only worry about me and I'll continue living a happy, fulfilled life; the one you swear I can't possibly be living.

Warning: This could be sappy, deep, heavy, intense, etc.

In recent days my thoughts have turned to life, the life I have chosen to live. One year ago when I lost a very good friend to cancer my life changed. There were the obvious aspects of change that occur with the loss of a loved one but for me there was more. For the first time in my life I saw and completely understood the importance of being happy and living your best life NOW. Not when you get married, get that promotion, have that new car, have kids, not someday but NOW....today....this very moment. After all, this moment is all that we can truly be certain that we have. It wasn't magic and didn't happen in an instant. There were even "moments" when I lost sight of the goodness of life but in those moments the people who love me were there to remind me of the beauty. Thank you for that, appreciation has not been adequately expressed. Throughout the past year I have certainly created the life I want to live, the life I used to think was just a dream.

I've come to appreciate the small joys in life. The random little things that make me smile that I used to overlook or fail to acknowledge. I have learned to appreciate the people in my life and to tell them how much I love them, they need to know. I have gained an appreciation and respect for my body, health and fitness. If I don't take care of this body I don't get another chance, this is it. I have learned so many things in the last year that when put into practice have truly changed the course of my life. I've learned from books, I have learned from professionals in forums, I have learned from experience, and I have learned from those who love me. Thank you for being a part of my life.

Fun on a Friday

Aunt Judy came to town!!!
Last Friday I took a half day from work and Jaymee and I rode the train to Salt Lake City. Judy was in town for a conference so we met up with her in Salt Lake and had a blast. We drove up to Park City and arrived just in time to watch the first Luge runs of the year.

We also played at the Olympic Museum.

After the Olympic fun we were hungry so we went to Main Street to find yummy grub. We ate a Cisero's Italian Restaurant and it was very tasty.

After dinner we were all so stuffed that it was painful but we really wanted some ice cream. In order to make room for the ice cream we walked down main street and did a bit of shopping (I finally found the incense I've been looking for).

Yes, the ice cream was THAT good. And the ice cream shop was really cool. They were playing a really old Warren Miller film on the television while we ate and there were tons of ski and snowboard posters all over the walls. Fun place.

It was so much fun having Aunt Judy in town, I only wish it were for more than a day.

Welcome to the Bat Cave!

Over the weekend I moved. I am renting a studio apartment near 40th and Washington in Ogden. It is a very small apartment and the low ceilings make one feel as though they are in a cave, so it has lovingly been dubbed as the "Bat Cave".

Last night I had my first dinner guests in the Bat Cave. Jaymee and Jonna came over for Carnitas. Pictured below are my first two house warming gifts. The gigantic Buddah candle was a gift from Mark and Ann when they came to visit the Bat Cave last weekend. I rub his belly each time I go out. The Virgin de Guadalupe candle was the gift that Jaymee and Jonna brought when they came to dinner last night.

I have a bar in my very own apartment. No hiding the booze this winter!

I made them take this picture. I got these plates at the DI a few weeks ago and have been VERY excited about them since. Due to a malfunctioning refrigerator I haven't yet cooked or eaten at the new place so Carnita night was my first opportunity to use my cool new plates.

After Carnitas we watched Reba. Since we finished the first four seasons of the show Weeds we've had to find another television series to watch...we chose Reba.

I don't remember exactly what was happening here but I loved the look on her face...most likely there was a verbal altercation taking place between Jaymee and Jonna at this moment.

And here we have the glorious bathroom. I thought the pink tile in my previous bathroom was awesome, this beats it!

I hope you all can come to visit the Bat Cave soon!!!

I've said this before...

how I love the small joys in life. Tuesday night as I rode my bike about Ogden in search of cone-shaped incense I was pleased just to be outside. To smell the fresh air and to ride downhill with a tailwind. That evening I captured the magic of content living. And just as I was in the midst of this realization I looked over to the car I was pacing beside and the woman was smiling at me and gave me a thumbs up. I grinned like a kid who'd been handed a Tootsie Pop and waved to her, it makes me happy to encounter the good people on the world.

*I never found that cone-shaped incense!

Today I'm this happy...

I've recently returned from a 7 day bike adventure. This picture was taken after an evening filled with deep laughter and extreme levels of fun. It was an evening with the kind of contentment one often seeks but seldom finds. Today I'm here again.

Also, for more on the Lagbrau ride check out www.pedalingwithapurpose.blogspot.com today.

A Birthday to Remember...

First thought: Does the birthday party celebrate the year you've just completed or the year you're beginning? Just a thought.

No matter how you look at it I had a lot to celebrate on my 26th birthday and celebrate I did! The people I love the very most gathered to share the occasion.

There was fun, laughter, friendship, and most of all love. I'll remember this celebration for a very long time.



I partied so hard that at the end of the night I was actually partied out. Cheers to year 26, may it be as good as year 25.