My Blondest Moment to Date

I've had plenty of moments when my blonde roots come out, but this one tops them all! I decided to drive my car down to Arizona one more time. Shot struts, loose suspension, broken window motors, temperamental transmission, peeling paint, poor headlights, and more. I've needed to trade it in for several months.

So, I was just driving down US-89 when I noticed, I'm about to reach 100,000 miles! Wow! This calls for a celebration, or at least a memorable place to hit such an accomplishment for a 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix. As I was 12 miles from reaching this feat, I came upon the turn off to Bryce Canyon. I've never been over there and the sign said it was only 17 miles. I might as well take a slight detour to be on the outskirts of a cool location for this significant event.

I headed down the the course of beautiful red rocks and anxiously started counting, three more, two more, and one more mile!! Wait?! What happened? It didn't turn to 100,000 miles, but 99,100 miles. It turned out that I was looking at 99,099 not paying enough attention to realize that my car won't hit 100,000 miles for another 901 miles.

Well, it did get a great laugh out of me and I got to see some of Bryce Canyon. Instead of taking a picture at 100,000 miles, I took one at 99,111, just outside of Bryce Canyon, so I could mark this memorable moment:) Even so, I'm proud of my car. Especially, when I was taking a chance that it would make it all the way to Phoenix. It's still running! Way to go Grand Prix!

Happy Labor Day On Top of Utah's World!

It occurred to me last night that I've had some memorable Labor Day weekend's in recent years.

Denver Temple 2008

Three years ago, I visited dad in Denver. We went to the Denver Temple together, after dad had just received his temple recommend. That was a great experience:-)



Fishing at Aunt Carol's that Labor Day Weekend

Two years ago, I was in Connecticut with dad, when he had a mini-stroke, while attending his 40 year high school reunion. He ended up spending most of the weekend in the hospital. It was very mild, and really we think that his blood pressure just got too high, but it made for an eventful weekend. Especially, when he called me at 12:30 am and said he was in the hospital and had a stroke. Grateful everything was all okay:-)

Last year, I flew into Denver for the holiday weekend. As we were getting closer to Denver, the pilot informed the cabin that the brakes may not work when we land. Due to this malfunction, the flight attendants prepared us for a crash landing. With our arms crossed against the seat in front of us, and our heads against our arms, we got ready for an unexpected landing. It made for a very strange reality check, as I contemplated the possible outcomes of this situation. I prayed extremely hard and kept saying, it's not my time yet. I need to out live my parents! Fortunately, the brakes worked and we landed safely.



This year, I hiked Mt. Timpanogos (11,749 feet) in Utah. A 15 mile roundtrip hike, 15 people, done in 7.5 hours. A great way to enjoy a rigorous day of labor. Maybe next year I'll do something more Labor Day-ish, like attend a BBQ. A funny holiday to highlight, but here's to another Labor Day gone by!



Viva la Vida Utah

Disclaimer: The following entry was written on July 6, 2009 - Just never finished posting it. Yep, I get sidetracked in everything I do. If I do say so myself, it was a good entry. So I decided I'll go ahead and post it....over two years later.

Hiking Millcreek Canyon

Due to another long lull in blogging, much confusion has formed concerning my whereabouts. Though, I wish I could say I've been sailing the world, backpacking through Europe or snorkeling in the Mediterranean, I'm still hiding out in Salt Lake City, Utah for what has been 15 months and counting. That's right, I'm in the state I fully intended to leave for good after graduating from BYU.

What in the world am I doing in Utah?! As my good friend Sam eloquently put it, "I think it's strange, funny, and yet good, that you're still in Salt Lake!" So what has kept me here?! Maybe I'm finally settling down from drifting to and fro; maybe I found that the altitude keeps me looking like I'm 16 going on 17; or some unforseen force has left me landlocked. Not really. It has more to do with the beauty of the mountains, the easy-access to everything outdoors, and the amazing friends! I'm hooked! Well, at least for now. Winters can be dark and cold, but the excitement for snowboarding/skiing does seem to help. Only time will tell when I get ansy and the need for change bubbles inside again. My next location will need to involve an ocean and plenty of sunshine!

With that said, here is a brief look back on the last year living in SLC. The enjoyable side of Utah includes plenty of mountains for hiking, boarding, skiing, snowshoeing and mountain biking, causing me to revert back to childhood. One of these days I'll grow up and learn to enjoy knitting and read about ancient Greek philosophies, but 'til then I'll be fully enjoying nature and everything that keeps me moving:-)

Snowboarding Park City

Rock Climbing - Big Cottonwood

Rock Climbing Buddies

Snowboarding - The Canyons

Halloween 2008 - 80's rockin cousins & friends:-)

Cali vacation with UT friends!

Night hike to Spanish Fork Hot Springs w/UT friends

The Fabulous Katie Gavin - November 8, 2008

I went home to Arizona the beginning of November for Katie Gavin's wedding. There's an interesting story behind our friendship, as it was made possible through the most unordinary circumstances.


About three years ago, my family was blessed to initially meet Katie's aunt, Karen Marchese. This meeting came when my brother was sick. Karen was his hospice nurse. She developed a very close relationship with my brother in the last few months of his life and was truly touched by his inner faith, strength, and peace. After my brother passed away, Karen sought after the innate peace that was part of my brother's character. She found this peace in our Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Two months after my brother passed away, she was baptized. Karen's light and inner peace touched her husband, Perry and niece, Katie. Perry and Katie were also baptized into the Church. Our friendship with the Marchese's and Katie has truly been a blessing. It is astounding how friends come into our lives. Never a mere coincidence.

After Katie joined the Church, per a friend's request, she started writing her friend's brother, Keenan, serving a mission in CA. Soon after he returned home, their friendship grew into something even greater. Needless to say, they were sealed in the Mesa Temple on November 8, 2008. Keenan and Katie are an amazing pair. I'm grateful that I had the chance to witness their sealing.

I'm so grateful for the Marchese's and their love, energy, and faith in the gospel. They are amazing examples to me, and I'm excited to see what great blessings will continue to unfold in their lives.

Sept. 12, 2008 - Happy Birthday TJ!

Well, September has come and gone (and yes, I'm still in Utah), but here are a couple highlights from the month: Tj's Bday weekend in Provo & Labor Day Weekend in Denver (scroll down to the next post...but you probably knew that).

This post may seem cheesy to some, but I haven't written about my brother in a while and I was thinking about him a lot around his Bday. It is amazing how time flies. He passed away over three years ago. Yet I still have times of missing him, as I'm sure many of you do too. I don't mind those times. I don't ever want to stop missing him. These moments give me a chance to break away from silly distractions and ponder about more important things in life. I know he is still very much apart of our lives. Truly a remarkable blessing that we have angels in our midst. I see miracles great and small that are definitely not of my own doing. Just need to pay attention to the fact that we are never alone:-)

I happened to visit some friends in Provo during the weekend of Tj's Bday. Many good memories of my brother come from there. He loved BYU and Provo. Looking back, it was a blessing to live so close to each other and spend so much time together.

I hiked the Y on Saturday morning with my friend Jackie. Tj only hiked it once or twice, but whenever I hike it I remember his description of the Y. "It looks like moldy oatmeal". Ah yes, moldy oatmeal. Leave it to him to come up with such a lovely portrayal.

For those of you that don't have a clue what I'm talking about, there is a big white letter Y on a mountain just east of BYU. You take a gentle, vertical hike to get up to the Y. Some think it's strenuous, others consider it a walk in the park.

See! If I'm running, it's got to be an easy hike :-) Okay, so I usually walk, run, walk, run . . . walk, walk, walk.

Sunflowers are often a reminder of my brother's outgoing, positive, bright nature. They were in full bloom on the trail to the Y.

Jovina and I had lunch at Jason's Deli and ate strawberry shortcake. I remember Tj ordering strawberry shortcake at Jason's Deli when we were kids (Yes, the little deli was around then, at least in Denver). Tj's absolute favorite dessert would be a fruit or chocolate trifle, but "Jason" said he could only offer the shorter-cake stuff. (Sort of a funny picture. I was messing around with the colors and accidently saved it.)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRAT! (That's brother in Russian. I always enjoyed calling him that. If you're wondering the Russian word for sister, it's sistra. Nothing related to a spoiled nature. Sisters are sweet afterall:-)

Labor Day Weekend - Denver

D is for days of sunshine, dog walking da five dogs (duh), driving un petit Mercedes RLK Roadster, Denver temple with dad, dog hunting with Debbie (we lost Bailey), de Liz, de Faith, and de Sam. Last three were a stretch, but I did enjoy Labor Day weekend with family and friends.

Liz and her friend, Faith, spent the weekend at dad's just in time to update me on the popular tween favorites such as Hannah Montana, HS Musical 3, Disney Radio, Aeropostale, as well as fabulous dance moves and swimming techniques. Those girls are in the know. Liz looks taller than me. We were on a hill, but she really is almost my height. What are kids eating these days to get so tall! I'm a shrimp at 5'7".

Labor Day was spent down at Debbie's. Liz, Faith and I went swimming and drove around in Debbie's yellow Mercedes. Plus, we enjoyed the company of Barney, Bailey, Penny, TJ, and Emma. Yep, Barney is the "odd dog out" of the four dachsunds (a.k.a. weiner dogs). Debbie has three dachsunds, dad has Barney and Liz's dog Emma (another dachsund). It's really difficult to try and get five dogs in the same picture.

Barney & the other dogs would sit in front of the door awaiting dad and Debbie's return. We actually lost Bailey twice that day. The dog has a way of running off, but both times he actually turned up in Debbie's car (someone needs to tell Bailey that dogs don't drive).

Consumer Report: The Mercedes SLK Roadster brings speed and style to any given day. Comfortable bucket seats conform to your body making short or long drives enjoyable. Quick acceleration allows for a fast escape from "sitting at red-light onlookers" to "let's see what this baby can do test drivers" (oh, I guess that was me). Just kidding. I only take rental cars on a real test drive. I was very cautious.

Arizona Living - What have I been doing?

What have I been doing in Arizona? Dodging cactus, tripping over tumbleweeds, and scavenging for rattlesnakes? Umm....No. It is time to review some great activities truly found in the valley of the sun. Especially now that I'm working and living in SLC for a few months (I suffer from vagabond syndrome - must drift from one location to the next).

For the most part work has consisted of mktg, writing, and research for different businesses. Nice diversity. On the side, I was involved with promotional marketing. It's great to get paid to attend the Superbowl NFL Experience, American Idol concert, some Donald Trump real estate convention, and various community banquets. In addition, I volunteered at sporting events like the PF Chang's Rock n' Roll Marathon. Basically when you live in Phoenix, you get involved! A lot goes on in this city. Many cool things to do!

Here are just a few things I've done while living in AZ (events with photos).

My last promo event was for State Farm insurance at the American Idol concert. Just pull people in to play an American Idol game and win prizes. Plus, I got to watch the concert. I actually got into American Idol more than usual this year. In my opinion, the best performers that night were David Cook (of course), Kristy Lee Cook (surprisingly), and David Archuleta (another of course).

I joined my mom and uncle for a skin care coalition at the Botanical Gardens. There was a butterfly exhibit at the time. Butterflies flying around my head. Like seeing stars!
I think this photo is funny. Mom and me talking about products. Uncle Bill wondering "What do I want for lunch . . . turkey avocado or grilled portabello? Or maybe he's just going . . . duh?

Away from work & promos, there's much to do with friends like . . .

Attend a Gin Blossoms benefit concert: the band dipped out Cold Stone ice cream, signed pictures, and posed for photo ops after the show.


Try pasucci (ice cream pizza)

Visit fabulous friends that come to town (Nea, Cole & Mason)

Enjoy the Scottsdale and Tempe nightlife with more awesome friends! Plenty of places for fine dining and shopping. Moderate temps (minus the summer) make AZ nightlife year round. (Friends include Huier, Kristina, Lisa, Maria, and Lyndsey) We joined Huier for a goodbye dinner before she moved home to Taiwan.

Tube the Salt River in 116 degree temps (Heat is relative). Funny expression on the river. Not sure what I was trying to do, but hilarious photo op:-)

Ah yes . . . Arizona is a good place to live, work, and play. Or if you're up for a visit, I can help you find the inside track on the great things locals like to do:-)