Few pictures, many great times

I just got back from visiting Val, Josh, and Alex (nephew) in Maryland. It was such a great getaway to be with them. Alex is almost 6 and is at a very entertaining age. We had great times: Went to a play, a movie, and my favorite restaurant there: Mandalay (Burmese food). We played the Wii, made a gingerbread house, and went on a trolley ride see Christmas lights.

One of my favorite things I did was visit Alex's kindergarten class a couple days to do observations for my own schooling. Alex got so excited when he saw me there that he let out an audible gasp and gave me the biggest, most excited smile I've seen. That made me happy. :) The rest of the day in his class I was trying to avoid being within eyesight so he wouldn't be distracted, but let's be honest... it never lasted too long. He knew I was there. While they were on the carpet for instruction, Alex would start out at one side. I'd go to the back side far behind him, and he would inch over and back until he eventually ended up right by me. I'd move and he would pull the same stunt again. I'd give him my VERY STERN looks and remind him to listen to his teacher as I motioned him her way. I felt a little bad about being a distraction for him at those moments, but of course inside I was loving that he wanted to be by me! :) We walked to the school library and though he's not usually very affectionate he insisted that I hold his hand the whole way there and back, which I didn't mind at all. I just love him!

Now that I'm home I realize I already miss them. Maybe I shouldn't visit... I don't realize what I'm missing that way. :) If only they lived closer so I could see them more than two or three times a year. Here are two of the very few pictures I remembered to take.

Apparently we were supposed to make "silly faces"... Val and I didn't get the memo until a disappointed Alex told us right after.

Symbolism

...It's symbolic. You can come up with your own meaning for it... or just take my word for it.

Student = Study... makes sense

I just don't do much these days besides that which relates to class. Whether it's going to class, observing classes, reading for class, teaching class, tutoring kids who aren't doing well in class, cross guarding for kids who just got out of class, couriering mail to schools in which the mail will eventually go to the teachers who teach class... That's pretty much my life. And that's why I haven't posted anything on here lately. But I'm going to brainstorm a list right now of things I've done in the past week that are NOT related to school. Here goes...

Cleaned out the garden

Yard work

Went to the gym -- yay!

Went to a bridal shower

Cleaned my room and office, and all the other normal household chores

Cleaned out my car

Watched Stranger than Fiction when I needed a break from studying

Watched No Reservations when I needed a break from studying again

Took a bath

Played Dominion (fun elaborate card game)

Went to Warren Miller just so I could get a free ski pass, and I saw my former roommate Lisa there!

Pulled out my dusty guitar and played a song or two

Went to lunch with my good friend, Steph, who was visiting from Denver

Played racquetball (does that count if it was just over a week ago?)

Went to a "yay, you passed the bar" surprise party for a friend

Went to church

Went to FHE - dinner and fireside

Avoided getting sick when two of my roommates were sick

Knocked on wood

Ate crab with my roommates (which I thoroughly enjoyed)

Took my blinds down in an attempt to put new ones up

Watched the news (hmmm... about balloon boy)

That's about it. About 98% of those things were done today while in burnout mode, or last weekend, but that's ok.. it still counts. I'm glad to see there are that many things on the list. For a while there I was literally thinking the only thing I did besides all this class stuff was eat. Unfortunately I haven't gotten too busy for that.

I love autumn!

It's nice to take a little time to enjoy the great outdoors. But this first picture was actually taken from my bedroom window this morning. Our neighbors have a farm which attracts deer often enough for us to see them from our window one or two times a year (when we're paying attention). There were a couple there this morning. When we see them we usually exclaim "Oh, deer!" Yeah, clever.

So, it being ideal fall leaf enjoyment weather, Connie and I went for a ride up the canyon today. It was the epitome of the perfect day in the canyon. The slight breeze and not too cool, not too warm temperature, cloudless sky... all lended to an awesome time up Little Cottonwood canyon.

Pay Day

I haven't had an official paycheck since March. That is, until today. I'm now in law enforcement... Ok, just as a substitute crossing guard for Draper City, but it's something. Today's payday and I got my first official check since March. Just wondering what to do with my fortune. ($38) Any ideas?

Weddings can be fun? Oh, yeah!

Mike and Kari got married this past weekend, and they went all out for their wedding. Starting with the rehearsal barbecue (I was thinking hamburgers/hot dogs, they added bbq tri-tip and fancy chicken).

The next day was the ceremony. Alex (my nephew) wore a tie for the occasion by choice.

There was a singer and socializing for the first while, then a drum processional led us all from the social area to the ceremony, and that is what Mike and his groomsmen walked down the aisle to.

Kari walked to "diamonds on the souls of her shoes" played by my brother-in-law, Josh, who's a jazz musician (I'll add here that there was some rockin' rhythm 3-chord guitar accompaniment by me).

The ceremony was performed by Mike's best friend Zack. He got his reverand's license for the occasion (via internet... is there anything you can't do on the web?)

After Kari changed her status from Miss to Mrs, it was time for hors d'euvres and (more) drinking (not many LDS people there... pretty much me and my parents out of the 175). Mike brewed his own Nupti-ale for the big day.

At the wedding dinner I was seated at "his table". Others were at "this table" or "that table" "What table" "Another table", and the like (great for whose on first type jokes). Various singers and bands performed throughout the night. Kari and Mike made their own wedding cake, and they had also made "wedding jam" which they placed at each of our table settings to go along with their jam (music) wedding theme. The other theme was "love grows" as symbolized with planting seeds, which they also gave as wedding favors with the jam.

Later there was dancing, glow sticks for the kids, and a fire show for all. They invited Mike to try the fire spinning. Keep in mind, he has never done this. Actually, you'll figure that out pretty quickly. Here's the video:

Luckily, the groom didn't catch on fire himself, and the rest of the evening was a success. Congrats Mike and Kari! It was a perfect day.

Jumps, crashes, and the best water ever!

Saturday. 100 degree weather. Very slight breeze. Perfect day to be on the water.

Best jumps: Mer & Mike

Best crashes, Dave, Me and Bell (why am I never in the best jumps section???)

Seriously, this was one of the best days ever, but I'm paying for it in soreness today. Still, I want to be wakeboarding right now! Mike? Mer? Where's the boat?

From twin to triplet

My twin brother's getting married next month to an awesome woman--Kari--who shares our birthday. I don't know whether that means I'll be replaced or that I'll just become a triplet. I'll go for the second... it seems more friendly.  Their wedding is on September 5th, but this past July 25th we had the Utah chapter engagement party (or pre-reception or whatever you want to call it). Here are a few pics:

Above is the quilt my mom made and gave them as a wedding present.  Isn't she an amazing quilter?!

My Aunt Kaye and Uncle Donald are bakers/cake decorators.  They made a fantastic cake for the occasion...  The groom's cake was my favorite -- an orange-flavored cake that was quite the hit.  In fact, I'm craving it right now.

Congrats, Mike and Kari!... I'm looking forward to the big day.

Just can't get enough...

I jut found this... Someone uploaded the full song of True Companion from last night's show to youtube, so here it is.

True Companion and other favorites...

When I was a junior in high school my sister introduced me to a musician/album that quickly became one of my all-time favorites: Marc Cohn (his self titled album).  It didn't hurt that James Taylor sang background for one of the songs.  For your reference, Marc Cohn is the one who sings Walking In Memphis, which is probably the only song of his that really made it big.  Sad, because as good as that is, he also has so many other great ones.  

Included among my particular favorites is a song that I vowed back in high school was going to one day be my wedding song: True Companion.  That was 17 years ago, and I haven't yet used it but I still love it.  Marc played it at the concert I went to last night (thanks for the tickets Jen!) so I thought I'd share. Here's a clip of the 2nd verse... I actually have another clip with the remainder of the song, but these segments just take way too long for me to download.  So, this is all you get, but check it out on itunes (or on my playlist here... I believe it's on there).  I also include here for your listening pleasure the entire song of Walking in Memphis which I uploaded to youtube because that was quicker.  Enjoy! 

  

Two weddings and a trip to Capital Reef

Apparently last Friday was wedding day... both my cousin and my good friend were married on the same day, and luckily I was able to make it to celebrate both.  Luckily also, it was the one nice, sunny day out of the week (as opposed to the uncharacteristic rainy June that we've had - and I've enjoyed it immensely).  Here are pictures from my cousin's wedding since I didn't take any at Brian's.  

This is my dad's sister (my Aunt Lynne), my dad's brother and his wife (Uncle Don and Aunt Kaye), and my dad and mom.

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A few days later I went to Southern Utah, backpacking with my good friends Hed Rad and Shelly who were both in town for a short while.  It was so good to get away from the normal routine of things and enjoy the amazing world we have around us with dear friends.  It was an inspiring getaway.  Sometimes when I'm wrapped up in my life in Sandy I forget what an amazing state I live in and how much there is to see and experience.  I love Utah.  Where else can you see red rock, slot canyons, amazing forests, and interesting desert landscape all in one state?  Here are a few pics from our adventure to Upper Muley Twist Canyon in Capital Reef National Park.

We hiked in three miles and set up camp, then carried on with the next 9 miles of amazing terrain.  The hike goes through a (dry) creek that's between red rock.  A couple miles in you come to Saddle Arch, shown below.

At this point you hike up to the top of the canyon.  As we rose up out of the red rock, this completely different yet awesome scenery appeared.  The real life version, of course, was a bit more mesmerizing than this photo attempts to be.  

So as we continued on our hike along the ridge, to the right was the above shot, and to the left was the below.  Both pictures were taken standing in the same spot.

Eventually you make your way back down to the creek and go through (or around) the narrows portion.

Above are Hed Rad (Heather Raddatz who was visiting from Portland and is about to move to Africa for a year to start a school there) and Shells (Shelly Karren who was visiting from Boston after completing her Masters Degree).  Needless to say, I was among inspiring friends.  

Shells did her best to camoflauge her feet to match the wilderness around her.

This hike is amazing.  Our only regret was not doing it a month or so earlier when there was a little flowing water to enjoy.  As Shelly said, "The water would surely add the 5th star to this hike." But alas, it has dried up for the most part now.  Still, no regrets.  It was beautiful.  

Loaves, fishes, and a Real game

That describes my weekend. Our friend Adam took Connie and me fishing on free fishing day... We caught four fish, and they were big suckers... at least 6 inches each.  The one jumping out of Adam's hand was my third catch of the day.

Then I met up with my great friend and former mission companion Amber and her husband and son at the Real soccer game. I love going to Real games and any live sporting events, and it was great to catch up with Amber... she lives in Reno so we don't get together too often. 

And finally I made bread...the good and healthy, filling kind, made with freshly ground wheat.  I didn't mean to make quite so much though.... so if anyone is in need, come on over. :)

Don't Stop

I'm not a big concert goer anymore.  I used to attend them as often as possible in my middle and high school days... now they're not as much of a priority.  Part of that is because I listen to less mainstream music and those artists don't come as often.  The other part is that the concerts I would have attended have gotten so blasted expensive.  From $20 20 years ago to triple that these days. that's quite the inflation.

In the past year the concerts I've been to include the Telluride music festival (including Ryan Adams & Ani DiFranco), James Taylor, Neil Diamond (Diamond is forever), and last night... Fleetwood Mac.  As I was writing this I realized that strangely, but not so much so if you know him at all, I attended every one with my omniscient music friend Christian.  He probably goes to as many concerts in a week as I do in a year.

Last night's show was amazing. I'm glad I went.  I wasn't going to... and in a moment of weakness and when it was reported that the tickets were going to be less than they actually ended up being I said yes.  I wouldn't have if I knew the correct price before they were purchased, but because of it I had a great and memorable evening, and I have had many great songs running through my head ever since.  I love Fleetwood Mac's music, and they put on an incredible show.  The only element missing was Christine McVie.  Sadly, without Christine there was no "You Make Loving Fun", "Everywhere", "Hold Me", or "Songbird".... all huge losses.  Yet, we got "Go Your Own Way", "Second Hand News", "Rhiannon", "Gypsy", "Dreams", "Sara", "Silver Spring", "Say You Love Me", "Landslide", "Big Love"... and towards the end when they sang "Don't Stop" I was yelling afterwards for them to not stop, and they listened to me... we got an encore or two.  Thanks Mick, Stevie and Lindsey.

 

I'm Back!

The title of this has a dual meaning... I'm back to blogging reading/posting, and I'm back from the vacation to Belize that I booked 7 months ago.  I was beginning to think this vacation was just something to look forward to but never to transpire.  Yet, it finally did.  I'm back and it was well worth the wait.  There were 12 of us who went (all women! and we still get along...).  I snorkeled, SCUBA'd, went to the Mayan ruins, went zip lining and cave tubing, petted a howler monkey, swam with sharks, saw crocodiles, and got a tan (that's a miracle in itself for me).  Here are a few pictures:

 

Oh, one more thing... we saw these howler monkeys... small and cute little guys that make the craziest call like you're in the middle of a horror movie... check this out: