Hello!
I may have lied about being back in a few days, but in my defense, life has been pretty crazy since then.
Thanksgiving was so much fun. It's always good to spend time with family and even better when we get to be in Colorado. I was looking forward to it so much because I couldn't wait to get out of Cedar. (I love it, but I need a break.)
Everyone from my mom's side got to be there for at least a little bit, so it was amazing to see everyone. We did the usual things-- cook, eat, play games, pick on each other. It was great.
One night we did a Bob Ross Paint Night. It ended up turning out so well! We did a nice mountain scene, and I think everyone enjoyed the challenge. It was interesting to see all the different paintings at the end. We were all following the same tutorial, but every painting looked a little different.
Leaving is always hard, but Annie and I had to get back to Cedar.
Since then, life has been pretty interesting. I have been at my RE/MAX job for nearly 2.5 years. My original plan was to stay for a year, but my boss asked me to commit for another full year. A few months ago, he asked me again if I wanted to stay or if he should start looking for a replacement, and I decided I couldn't do another year. So, 2 weeks ago he hired my replacement and I've been training her since then.
At first training was fun, but now I'm just bored. My last day is Friday and it can't get here soon enough. The new girl has caught on really well for the most part, so there's not much I do during the day except answer questions. (And write this blog.)
-You may be asking, Sarah, what are you doing next??
Let me tell you, I don't have a clue! (My favorite way to fly is by the seat of my pants.) Right now, my plan is to move to Boise.
-But Sarah, why Boise??
Because I like it and I don't really have a burning desire to go anywhere else right now.
So I'm packing up the house and taking all my stuff to my dad's house until I can figure out housing and a job in Boise. I'm super excited to be moving up there for a number of reasons.
1. I can't wait to be closer to family. I've been living 7+ hours from them since 2011. That's a long time to live far away! This may sound bad, but this is the first time I'd ever stopped to consider that maybe I wanted to be closer to them? And now that I will be, I'm super excited and wondering why I didn't realize it sooner. I'm ecstatic to hang out with them regularly.
2. I need a change. Cedar is amazing. It has so much to offer and I've tried my hardest to partake in that as often as I can. I'm ready for something new now. I can't remember if I wrote this in an earlier post or if I just thought about it, but this year, a lot of the things I was really looking forward to kind of fell flat for me. I still had a great time, but it wasn't all that I expected or wanted. I think that's more a reflection on me than it is on the events themselves.
3. I crave growth. It's so easy to get comfortable when your life is fairly predictable. Cedar is predictable, my job is predictable. Predictability and comfort aren't bad things, but I think it's harder to grow in those conditions. It's part of why I want to leave RE/MAX-- there's no room for growth. I've learned so much here, but when I stop learning, I think maybe it's time to move on. I want to go into a different industry and learn new things. I want learn about what a new city has to offer. I want to grow as a person and meet new people. (Remind me of this in 2 months when I'm complaining about how hard life in a new city is.)
-Great Sarah, what will you do for a job??
You know, I'm not sure. I've applied at all kinds of different places (Except real estates offices-- I've been avoiding those.) I have an interview an a greenhouse/nursery in early January, so I'm excited about that. Honestly, I don't know what I want to do, but I know I'll find something.
Like I said, my last day at work is Friday, so I'm heading out Saturday. Last week I did a ton of packing, but this week I haven't done a thing.
Monday night, I went to dinner at a friends house. It's always a good time out there, and was so good to hang out. Tuesday night, I went to a different friend's house. They're amazing-- I've always considered them a second set of parents. I could go to them for anything and have, so I wanted to see them before leaving. Tonight I'm taking 2 of my youth girls out to dinner. Friday I've got open, so I guess I'll try to finish packing then. Zane is coming Friday night to help my get everything up to Idaho.
If you're curious, my roommate, Katie, is also moving from Cedar. She's not sure where yet, but has interviewed for several positions in different cities.
Everything is changing, and it sucks, but it's so exciting. Right now, I'm mostly trying not think too much about how sad the move makes me.
What a life we live.
Thursday, December 20, 2018
Thursday, November 15, 2018
Catching Up
Hello there!
Somehow it's December, and I don't know how we got here. Several things have happened in the past few months, so I'll just get into it. I drafted this back in Mid-November, so it doesn't say anything about Thanksgiving, but I'll be back in a few days to tell about that.
Farmer's Market job is still going well! One Saturday, we had a local yoga teacher come teach a class on the grass by the market. I wasn't able to be there for it, unfortunately, but people came to it and I can't wait to plan in again in the Spring. I reached out to the teacher about a month ago to see if she'd be interested in partnering up, and now she's as excited about continuing it as I am!
We had a musical guest the Saturday before and that went really well too. I just have to figure out how to keep things interesting, and I think it'll be a more fun place for people to hang out on a Saturday morning.
I ran another long distance! My mom and I did a 25K trail run (15.5 miles). I'll be the first to admit that I was not even near prepared enough to do it, but I was out there doing it. I didn't train the way I should have-- after the half, I just didn't want to train. My body hurt and I had lingering blisters, it was cold outside, and I didn't want to put in the work. But, I was doing it, and my only option was to finish it. I'll know better next time, and remember how awful it was not being prepared.
The weekend after that, I traveled to Idaho to see my sister play at the state volleyball tournament. Tournaments always have a fun energy, and it's so amazing to see so many talented athletes competing. Of course, Gracie was the most talented out there and also the cutest. They ended up losing in 3 rounds on Friday, so that was unfortunate, but it meant that we got to spend all day Saturday together!
My mom, sisters, and I went to the Boise Farmer's Market, which was so, so cool. There were tons of vendors with all kinds of things that I'd like to see at our Cedar Market. It was really inspiring and I left with a few ideas.
We ended up wandering around Downtown and happened upon a community working space that, weirdly, housed an antique tractor museum and a jungle gym. We played on the big net thing and climbed all the way to the top. Then we walked through all of the tractors. This was actually really cool, because they used a big parking garage structure to hold most of the museum, so there were 5 levels of tractors.
We did quite a bit more walking to a park, then decided to eat lunch and head out. The girls picked a sandwich shop and it was so delicious. I had a delightful chicken salad sandwich with the most amazing popcorn I've ever had in my life. I know, I know, you're asking how you could improve salt and butter popcorn?? I'll tell you, it's by adding curry seasoning. Strange? I know. But one bite of this popcorn and I was ravenous for it. I couldn't stop eating it. I was noisily shoving into my mouth because I couldn't get enough. I was like, sloppily licking my fingers just to get the last taste of that heavenly popcorn.
I've tried to recreate it, and mine's delicious, but I don't think it'll ever measure up the popcorn I had that day.
We went back to Twin Falls, and after getting bored at the house, decided to venture out again. Annie, Gracie, and I went to a pumpkin patch. It was really cute. We wandered through the field until we all found the perfect pumpkin. Next we went to the corn maze on the other side of town. There were something like 7 miles of path in this corn field.
We got so miserably lost. The field was split into 3 separate mazes. We did the first easily, but the second was our undoing. Through the 3 mazes there were place markers, so that you could look at a map to see where you are in the maze-- we found a place marker and we were on the far end of the wrong maze! Somehow we had transversed mazes and it was no wonder we couldn't find our way out.
By this time it was dark out and we didn't have a flashlight so we figured we better head toward the exit. We found it in about 15 mins, and it was great to be out of there.
The next day I had to come back to Cedar, but I stopped in SLC to see some friends. I only got to hang around for an hour or so, but it was so good to see them.
Since then, life has been slow. Festivals pretty much end in October, and it's too cold out to do much.
For your reading pleasure, a poem I wrote:
Somehow it's December, and I don't know how we got here. Several things have happened in the past few months, so I'll just get into it. I drafted this back in Mid-November, so it doesn't say anything about Thanksgiving, but I'll be back in a few days to tell about that.
Farmer's Market job is still going well! One Saturday, we had a local yoga teacher come teach a class on the grass by the market. I wasn't able to be there for it, unfortunately, but people came to it and I can't wait to plan in again in the Spring. I reached out to the teacher about a month ago to see if she'd be interested in partnering up, and now she's as excited about continuing it as I am!
We had a musical guest the Saturday before and that went really well too. I just have to figure out how to keep things interesting, and I think it'll be a more fun place for people to hang out on a Saturday morning.
I ran another long distance! My mom and I did a 25K trail run (15.5 miles). I'll be the first to admit that I was not even near prepared enough to do it, but I was out there doing it. I didn't train the way I should have-- after the half, I just didn't want to train. My body hurt and I had lingering blisters, it was cold outside, and I didn't want to put in the work. But, I was doing it, and my only option was to finish it. I'll know better next time, and remember how awful it was not being prepared.
The weekend after that, I traveled to Idaho to see my sister play at the state volleyball tournament. Tournaments always have a fun energy, and it's so amazing to see so many talented athletes competing. Of course, Gracie was the most talented out there and also the cutest. They ended up losing in 3 rounds on Friday, so that was unfortunate, but it meant that we got to spend all day Saturday together!
My mom, sisters, and I went to the Boise Farmer's Market, which was so, so cool. There were tons of vendors with all kinds of things that I'd like to see at our Cedar Market. It was really inspiring and I left with a few ideas.
We ended up wandering around Downtown and happened upon a community working space that, weirdly, housed an antique tractor museum and a jungle gym. We played on the big net thing and climbed all the way to the top. Then we walked through all of the tractors. This was actually really cool, because they used a big parking garage structure to hold most of the museum, so there were 5 levels of tractors.
We did quite a bit more walking to a park, then decided to eat lunch and head out. The girls picked a sandwich shop and it was so delicious. I had a delightful chicken salad sandwich with the most amazing popcorn I've ever had in my life. I know, I know, you're asking how you could improve salt and butter popcorn?? I'll tell you, it's by adding curry seasoning. Strange? I know. But one bite of this popcorn and I was ravenous for it. I couldn't stop eating it. I was noisily shoving into my mouth because I couldn't get enough. I was like, sloppily licking my fingers just to get the last taste of that heavenly popcorn.
I've tried to recreate it, and mine's delicious, but I don't think it'll ever measure up the popcorn I had that day.
We went back to Twin Falls, and after getting bored at the house, decided to venture out again. Annie, Gracie, and I went to a pumpkin patch. It was really cute. We wandered through the field until we all found the perfect pumpkin. Next we went to the corn maze on the other side of town. There were something like 7 miles of path in this corn field.
We got so miserably lost. The field was split into 3 separate mazes. We did the first easily, but the second was our undoing. Through the 3 mazes there were place markers, so that you could look at a map to see where you are in the maze-- we found a place marker and we were on the far end of the wrong maze! Somehow we had transversed mazes and it was no wonder we couldn't find our way out.
By this time it was dark out and we didn't have a flashlight so we figured we better head toward the exit. We found it in about 15 mins, and it was great to be out of there.
The next day I had to come back to Cedar, but I stopped in SLC to see some friends. I only got to hang around for an hour or so, but it was so good to see them.
Since then, life has been slow. Festivals pretty much end in October, and it's too cold out to do much.
For your reading pleasure, a poem I wrote:
Moving forward is scary.
Especially when you've been
stuck for a while.
It's usually for the best.
Forward is growth.
Standing still is stagnant.
Forward is difficult,
but standing still stinks.
There's more on the other side
of moving
And if you stay in the same place
you'll only ever
see the same things.
Movement takes will-power,
but that's better than
watching life pass by.
Taking that first step is hard, but
the next one is hard too.
And maybe it eventually gets
easier, but you'll never know
if you don't try.
I used to write poems all the time, but I somehow fell out of it. I want to start writing like that again. One of my major life goals is to publish a book and I'll never get there if I don't write.
What a life we live.
Friday, October 5, 2018
Festivals / More Festivals
Hello again!
I think I left off after the half, so I'll try to pick up there and tell you about the good stuff.
The day I ran the half, I went to a fancy dinner at Red Acre Farm. It was so amazing! There were fairy lights, and we ate amongst the sunflowers and it was just magical. The farm isn't allowed to serve alcohol, but in the event email, they encouraged us to bring our own, so basically it was a really good night!
The next weekend was quite busy. Every Saturday begins with the Farmer's Market, of course, but after that, a group of us went up to Brian Head for the annual Rocktoberfest. It's one of my favorite fests, but I think maybe I say that every time. It's gotten bigger every year, but it's still small and intimate, with a stage up on a hill and everybody gathering and drinking at the lodge. The view is amazing, especially in September, the leaves are turning and the air is crisp. It's a seriously good time.
Afterward, we headed to the first ever Cedar Music Fest. I must say, another good fest, but not up there in the favorites. We stayed long enough to visit the booths and watch a girl band from St George. They were pretty good and it was fun, but it was also very windy and I just hate being out in the wind.
We then went to the Red Rocks Improv Festival. Another favorite. Each night is about 4 hrs of improv, with groups from all over the country. They were all so, so good, and they each have their own spin on their show, so it's a lot of fun to see how creative people are.
The next weekend was a boring one, but sometimes those are good to have. I like to spend a Saturday deep cleaning the house. Or laying on the couch. Maybe a little bit of both, honestly.
This past weekend was actually amazing. After the farmer's market, we went to the Zion Canyon Music Festival. A true favorite. This one is set amongst the red rocks of Zion Nat'l Park-- a perfect setting to spend an evening. The amphitheater is literally surrounded by the rocks; the festival goers are shuttled up from the bottom. They have several food vendors, many craft vendors, and a side and main stage. It's amazing.
Sunday, I faced a very big fear, and I'm quite proud of myself. The youth group went on an adventure to Yankee Doodle Canyon. It's a slot canyon about an hour South of here. We had to rappel down to the bottom, then hike about a mile until it widens enough to climb out. I am very, very scared of heights. I'm also very scared of cliffs, especially when there are people around. Mostly because I really don't want to see someone fall off and die and I can't control if they're being reckless or getting too close to the edge.
Anyway, there were 11 people in our group, and they rappelled down one by one. The guy in charge gave us the option of rappelling or being lowered. I was absolutely convinced they'd have to knock me out and lower me down, but then I kept thinking that I'd rather be able to say that I did it myself. And I can say that! I looked over the edge, decided that I had to do it, and did it. My legs were shaking so bad and the rope was vibrating at the top, which is kind of embarrassing, but I was just that nervous.
But I made it all the way to the bottom! It was very empowering, and I'm so glad I did it. I've got a blister on my left hand from gripping the rope, but blisters heal. Once we were all at the bottom, we began going deeper into the canyon. There were maybe 6-7 more places were we had to hook up to the ropes to get down, but there was no more rappelling. I will say that I didn't particularly love scrambling over rocks or wading through waist deep, freezing-cold water, but it was an over all fun afternoon. (The water was stagnant and stanky.)
The hike out was almost scarier than the rappel. We had to scramble up slick sandstone and that just terrifies me because once you lose your grip and start sliding, there's no stopping until you hit the bottom. Nobody did, thankfully, but I just couldn't get that picture out of my mind.
I think that's about all I've been up to. Work has been pretty good, and the farmer's market is going well. This week has been gloomy and rainy, but that's the kind of weather I love.
What a life we live!
I think I left off after the half, so I'll try to pick up there and tell you about the good stuff.
The day I ran the half, I went to a fancy dinner at Red Acre Farm. It was so amazing! There were fairy lights, and we ate amongst the sunflowers and it was just magical. The farm isn't allowed to serve alcohol, but in the event email, they encouraged us to bring our own, so basically it was a really good night!
The next weekend was quite busy. Every Saturday begins with the Farmer's Market, of course, but after that, a group of us went up to Brian Head for the annual Rocktoberfest. It's one of my favorite fests, but I think maybe I say that every time. It's gotten bigger every year, but it's still small and intimate, with a stage up on a hill and everybody gathering and drinking at the lodge. The view is amazing, especially in September, the leaves are turning and the air is crisp. It's a seriously good time.
Afterward, we headed to the first ever Cedar Music Fest. I must say, another good fest, but not up there in the favorites. We stayed long enough to visit the booths and watch a girl band from St George. They were pretty good and it was fun, but it was also very windy and I just hate being out in the wind.
We then went to the Red Rocks Improv Festival. Another favorite. Each night is about 4 hrs of improv, with groups from all over the country. They were all so, so good, and they each have their own spin on their show, so it's a lot of fun to see how creative people are.
The next weekend was a boring one, but sometimes those are good to have. I like to spend a Saturday deep cleaning the house. Or laying on the couch. Maybe a little bit of both, honestly.
This past weekend was actually amazing. After the farmer's market, we went to the Zion Canyon Music Festival. A true favorite. This one is set amongst the red rocks of Zion Nat'l Park-- a perfect setting to spend an evening. The amphitheater is literally surrounded by the rocks; the festival goers are shuttled up from the bottom. They have several food vendors, many craft vendors, and a side and main stage. It's amazing.
Sunday, I faced a very big fear, and I'm quite proud of myself. The youth group went on an adventure to Yankee Doodle Canyon. It's a slot canyon about an hour South of here. We had to rappel down to the bottom, then hike about a mile until it widens enough to climb out. I am very, very scared of heights. I'm also very scared of cliffs, especially when there are people around. Mostly because I really don't want to see someone fall off and die and I can't control if they're being reckless or getting too close to the edge.
Anyway, there were 11 people in our group, and they rappelled down one by one. The guy in charge gave us the option of rappelling or being lowered. I was absolutely convinced they'd have to knock me out and lower me down, but then I kept thinking that I'd rather be able to say that I did it myself. And I can say that! I looked over the edge, decided that I had to do it, and did it. My legs were shaking so bad and the rope was vibrating at the top, which is kind of embarrassing, but I was just that nervous.
But I made it all the way to the bottom! It was very empowering, and I'm so glad I did it. I've got a blister on my left hand from gripping the rope, but blisters heal. Once we were all at the bottom, we began going deeper into the canyon. There were maybe 6-7 more places were we had to hook up to the ropes to get down, but there was no more rappelling. I will say that I didn't particularly love scrambling over rocks or wading through waist deep, freezing-cold water, but it was an over all fun afternoon. (The water was stagnant and stanky.)
The hike out was almost scarier than the rappel. We had to scramble up slick sandstone and that just terrifies me because once you lose your grip and start sliding, there's no stopping until you hit the bottom. Nobody did, thankfully, but I just couldn't get that picture out of my mind.
I think that's about all I've been up to. Work has been pretty good, and the farmer's market is going well. This week has been gloomy and rainy, but that's the kind of weather I love.
What a life we live!
Sunday, September 9, 2018
Birthday Weekend and the Half
Hey there!
It has been a very good 2 weeks.
Last week was my birthday, as you know, I'm now 25. I must say, I'm feeling pretty good about it. (Or maybe, I just don't feel any differently about it.)
My mom and Gracie came down for my birthday weekend, and we did lots of fun things. Saturday, we went to the farmer's market, then went up to Brian Head for the afternoon. They were having the country music festival and it was the most beautiful day. I love going up there-- it's such a short drive from Cedar, but it's a change of scenery and it's usually a lot cooler up there.
Sunday, we hiked Observation Point. I was super worried it would be busy, but we got there early enough that the trail was mostly empty. Once we got to the top, it wasn't overly crowded, but there were definitely people up there. It was seriously such a good time. The view from the top is always worth that hike. It's a brutal 4 miles uphill.
When we got home, we all crashed on the couches for a very long nap.
I was so glad they came down. Even though they only live a state away, I don't get to see them nearly as often as I would like. Gracie's a senior this year and I hate that I'm missing out on all of that. My family is some of my favorite people to hang out with.
This weekend was the Cedar City Half Marathon. Like I said last time, I was very worried about it and the closer it got, the less I wanted to do it. I was dreading it so much. I was dreading it all the way up to the start line. The thing is though, once you're up there, the only way down is to run. So I ran it. And it actually wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.
I ended up running it a little faster than I did last year, but finishing is always the most important thing to me. I'm definitely not running to be fast, or to beat anyone. Mentally and physically, running that far is really, really hard, so going out there and doing it is success to me.
I'm so relieved it's over (except that I have another long run in October). I'm trying really hard not to leave the couch because I'm so ridiculously sore, but I have things planned and things to do, so I have to keep getting up. My knee and hip are very much in pain. My calves and shins, thighs, abs, shoulders and back are sore. I have blisters on both feet. But hey, I ran another half and survived!
I think I mentioned that two of my friends are moving from Cedar soon. I'm so sad about it. It's frustrating because I was really intentional about these relationships. You know how some friendships happen because you're in the same stage of life, or in the same place or job or whatever? Like they're born more out of convenience than anything else? These friendships weren't like that. I met one of them because I work with her husband. When we met, I instantly knew that I wanted to be around her more-- she's just that great.
The other friend just happens to be her sister-in-law and she's absolutely the best. (I also worked with her, but I'd like to think we'd have become friends even if we hadn't.) I cannot say enough how great I think these girls are. It's fun to have friends who will push you to do things you wouldn't usually do. That's what these two were for me and I'm so upset they're leaving. One is gone this week, and the other at the end of the month.
Anyway, that's all.
What a life we live.
It has been a very good 2 weeks.
Last week was my birthday, as you know, I'm now 25. I must say, I'm feeling pretty good about it. (Or maybe, I just don't feel any differently about it.)
My mom and Gracie came down for my birthday weekend, and we did lots of fun things. Saturday, we went to the farmer's market, then went up to Brian Head for the afternoon. They were having the country music festival and it was the most beautiful day. I love going up there-- it's such a short drive from Cedar, but it's a change of scenery and it's usually a lot cooler up there.
Sunday, we hiked Observation Point. I was super worried it would be busy, but we got there early enough that the trail was mostly empty. Once we got to the top, it wasn't overly crowded, but there were definitely people up there. It was seriously such a good time. The view from the top is always worth that hike. It's a brutal 4 miles uphill.
When we got home, we all crashed on the couches for a very long nap.
I was so glad they came down. Even though they only live a state away, I don't get to see them nearly as often as I would like. Gracie's a senior this year and I hate that I'm missing out on all of that. My family is some of my favorite people to hang out with.
This weekend was the Cedar City Half Marathon. Like I said last time, I was very worried about it and the closer it got, the less I wanted to do it. I was dreading it so much. I was dreading it all the way up to the start line. The thing is though, once you're up there, the only way down is to run. So I ran it. And it actually wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.
I ended up running it a little faster than I did last year, but finishing is always the most important thing to me. I'm definitely not running to be fast, or to beat anyone. Mentally and physically, running that far is really, really hard, so going out there and doing it is success to me.
I'm so relieved it's over (except that I have another long run in October). I'm trying really hard not to leave the couch because I'm so ridiculously sore, but I have things planned and things to do, so I have to keep getting up. My knee and hip are very much in pain. My calves and shins, thighs, abs, shoulders and back are sore. I have blisters on both feet. But hey, I ran another half and survived!
I think I mentioned that two of my friends are moving from Cedar soon. I'm so sad about it. It's frustrating because I was really intentional about these relationships. You know how some friendships happen because you're in the same stage of life, or in the same place or job or whatever? Like they're born more out of convenience than anything else? These friendships weren't like that. I met one of them because I work with her husband. When we met, I instantly knew that I wanted to be around her more-- she's just that great.
The other friend just happens to be her sister-in-law and she's absolutely the best. (I also worked with her, but I'd like to think we'd have become friends even if we hadn't.) I cannot say enough how great I think these girls are. It's fun to have friends who will push you to do things you wouldn't usually do. That's what these two were for me and I'm so upset they're leaving. One is gone this week, and the other at the end of the month.
Anyway, that's all.
What a life we live.
Thursday, August 23, 2018
It's been a minute.
Hey there!
Turns out I'm really bad at being consistent at this. Here's how it happens: I have a few boring weeks so I don't write anything, and then by the time something interesting happens, I forget that I should write about it. Now it's mid-August and several interesting things have happened, and I haven't written about a single one of them!
Fun things that have happened:
-My dad came to see me! It was so fun spending the weekend just him and I. We went to all the farms and ate all the food and had a really good time. We also went to the Shakespeare Festival and saw Big River. (Spoiler: it was so, so good.) It's a musical, which I love, and the man who played Jim has the most beautiful voice. He and Huck singing together was Magical.
-I went to Texas! My best friend Jonna had her second baby and I had to go see them-- she's the cutest. I planned it so I would be there for most of XIT weekend and it was so good to be back. I forgot how much fun it is to be around all the festivities. It's strange because obviously, I don't live there and I'm not part of it anymore, but it's so comfortable and easy to slip back into Dalhart. I got to spend quite a bit of time with Jonna and family, but I also go to see a cousin I hadn't seen in a few years and spend some time with my Grandma. All in all, a very good trip!
-I got a new job! I'm still working at RE/MAX, but I got a part time job working for the local farmer's market. I've been at it about 3 weeks now, and it's so interesting to be behind the scenes. A lot more goes into it than I ever considered, and I'm really excited to make the market better! My title is Market Manager, and I'm working with another girl who has been at this job for almost 2 years. Right now we're working on getting more vendors and more sponsors, and we're going to get T-shirts!
I think that about covers the significant stuff. Other things have happened, I'm sure, but nothing comes to mind at the moment.
The Cedar City Half Marathon is in 2 weeks and I am reallllllly freaking out because I haven't been training like I should and I'm nowhere near ready. That blog will probably be mostly me complaining.
A few of my good friends are moving up North in the next month. I'm happy for them, because I think it's cool to move, but I'm also upset because I really would rather they stay here. (Because I'm here and I want to hang out.) But then, I guess, who knows how much longer I'll be here. My contract at my current job is up in December, so I could (probably) go anywhere.
I turn 25 in 9 days and I can't help but feel I've got a lot of decisions coming up. It also really scares me because 25 is mid-20's, and you know what comes after that? Late-20's.
What a life we live.
Turns out I'm really bad at being consistent at this. Here's how it happens: I have a few boring weeks so I don't write anything, and then by the time something interesting happens, I forget that I should write about it. Now it's mid-August and several interesting things have happened, and I haven't written about a single one of them!
Fun things that have happened:
-My dad came to see me! It was so fun spending the weekend just him and I. We went to all the farms and ate all the food and had a really good time. We also went to the Shakespeare Festival and saw Big River. (Spoiler: it was so, so good.) It's a musical, which I love, and the man who played Jim has the most beautiful voice. He and Huck singing together was Magical.
-I went to Texas! My best friend Jonna had her second baby and I had to go see them-- she's the cutest. I planned it so I would be there for most of XIT weekend and it was so good to be back. I forgot how much fun it is to be around all the festivities. It's strange because obviously, I don't live there and I'm not part of it anymore, but it's so comfortable and easy to slip back into Dalhart. I got to spend quite a bit of time with Jonna and family, but I also go to see a cousin I hadn't seen in a few years and spend some time with my Grandma. All in all, a very good trip!
-I got a new job! I'm still working at RE/MAX, but I got a part time job working for the local farmer's market. I've been at it about 3 weeks now, and it's so interesting to be behind the scenes. A lot more goes into it than I ever considered, and I'm really excited to make the market better! My title is Market Manager, and I'm working with another girl who has been at this job for almost 2 years. Right now we're working on getting more vendors and more sponsors, and we're going to get T-shirts!
I think that about covers the significant stuff. Other things have happened, I'm sure, but nothing comes to mind at the moment.
The Cedar City Half Marathon is in 2 weeks and I am reallllllly freaking out because I haven't been training like I should and I'm nowhere near ready. That blog will probably be mostly me complaining.
A few of my good friends are moving up North in the next month. I'm happy for them, because I think it's cool to move, but I'm also upset because I really would rather they stay here. (Because I'm here and I want to hang out.) But then, I guess, who knows how much longer I'll be here. My contract at my current job is up in December, so I could (probably) go anywhere.
I turn 25 in 9 days and I can't help but feel I've got a lot of decisions coming up. It also really scares me because 25 is mid-20's, and you know what comes after that? Late-20's.
What a life we live.
Wednesday, July 11, 2018
Catch Up
Hello and happy day!
It is definitely summertime here in Southern Utah. The days are hot, but it's also kind of rainy (which you might think would make it cooler, but doesn't).
The Utah Shakespeare Festival began last week. Katie and I went to two of the plays. The first was The Merry Wives of Windsor and the second was The Merchant of Venice. I feel that Shakespeare plays are hit and miss. Some are so, so good, like Hamlet. Others are the most boring thing in the world, like the Henry's. I was sure I would love Merry Wives, but of the two, I much preferred the Merchant. (And would definitely recommend it if you ever have the chance!) (Actually, any performance at the USF is extraordinary-- you won't be disappointed.)
I've spent time at 3 different farms in the last few weeks. A group of friends and I went to the farm in Parowan for a hamburger dinner Friday night. The weather was unbelievably perfect-- no wind, warm but not hot. The food was delicious. (The burgers were superb, but let me tell you about the strawberry pie! So sweet and fresh, I can't wait to go back.)
Katie and I went to a fundraiser at the Nature Hills Farm the next night. That one was fun because we got to dress up nice and listen to live music and drink Moscow Mules. We took a quick tour of the farm and got to see all the animals and crops.
Then, of course, we went to breakfast at Red Acre. Somehow they have the best sausage I've ever tasted and the pancakes are to die for.
Enough about food, although I could go on and on.
This past weekend I took a very quick and unplanned trip to Las Vegas. My Aunt Jen, Uncle Philip, and Katelyn were driving through, so I packed up and went down to see them. We had so much fun! First we went down to Fremont St. It was crazy busy, so after a bit went to the Strip. We watched the water show at the Bellagio and then ate dinner at Rainforest Cafe. It was the latest I'd stayed out in a long time, and it was amazing. So good to see them!
On the way home from Vegas, there's an exit sign that has a museum name on it and I've always wanted to stop, but I'm usually in a hurry to get somewhere. That day I was not, so I took that exit and I went to that museum. I love a museum. This one is called Lost City Museum, and it's all about the Anasazi people and the remains the left when they moved from the Moapa Valley. It was so interesting and crazy-- it's called the Lost City because, even though tons of people have travelled through the area over the past several hundred years, there's very little written record of anything there. But there's pithouses and pueblos just littering the valley, so archaeologists have plenty to study. I quite enjoyed it, and I'm glad to have sated my curiosity.
Improv this week was so good. (Much better than previous weeks.) I thrive on positive feedback and I got a lot of it this week, so I'm feeling pretty good about myself. I even (accidentally) stepped out of my comfort zone and played a character that I would usually stay far away from. It ended up being so fun! We've got two shows coming up and I'm very nervous and super excited.
Summertime is fun, life is good.
What a life we live.
It is definitely summertime here in Southern Utah. The days are hot, but it's also kind of rainy (which you might think would make it cooler, but doesn't).
The Utah Shakespeare Festival began last week. Katie and I went to two of the plays. The first was The Merry Wives of Windsor and the second was The Merchant of Venice. I feel that Shakespeare plays are hit and miss. Some are so, so good, like Hamlet. Others are the most boring thing in the world, like the Henry's. I was sure I would love Merry Wives, but of the two, I much preferred the Merchant. (And would definitely recommend it if you ever have the chance!) (Actually, any performance at the USF is extraordinary-- you won't be disappointed.)
I've spent time at 3 different farms in the last few weeks. A group of friends and I went to the farm in Parowan for a hamburger dinner Friday night. The weather was unbelievably perfect-- no wind, warm but not hot. The food was delicious. (The burgers were superb, but let me tell you about the strawberry pie! So sweet and fresh, I can't wait to go back.)
Katie and I went to a fundraiser at the Nature Hills Farm the next night. That one was fun because we got to dress up nice and listen to live music and drink Moscow Mules. We took a quick tour of the farm and got to see all the animals and crops.
Then, of course, we went to breakfast at Red Acre. Somehow they have the best sausage I've ever tasted and the pancakes are to die for.
Enough about food, although I could go on and on.
This past weekend I took a very quick and unplanned trip to Las Vegas. My Aunt Jen, Uncle Philip, and Katelyn were driving through, so I packed up and went down to see them. We had so much fun! First we went down to Fremont St. It was crazy busy, so after a bit went to the Strip. We watched the water show at the Bellagio and then ate dinner at Rainforest Cafe. It was the latest I'd stayed out in a long time, and it was amazing. So good to see them!
On the way home from Vegas, there's an exit sign that has a museum name on it and I've always wanted to stop, but I'm usually in a hurry to get somewhere. That day I was not, so I took that exit and I went to that museum. I love a museum. This one is called Lost City Museum, and it's all about the Anasazi people and the remains the left when they moved from the Moapa Valley. It was so interesting and crazy-- it's called the Lost City because, even though tons of people have travelled through the area over the past several hundred years, there's very little written record of anything there. But there's pithouses and pueblos just littering the valley, so archaeologists have plenty to study. I quite enjoyed it, and I'm glad to have sated my curiosity.
Improv this week was so good. (Much better than previous weeks.) I thrive on positive feedback and I got a lot of it this week, so I'm feeling pretty good about myself. I even (accidentally) stepped out of my comfort zone and played a character that I would usually stay far away from. It ended up being so fun! We've got two shows coming up and I'm very nervous and super excited.
Summertime is fun, life is good.
What a life we live.
Wednesday, June 20, 2018
Progress
Good day!
As far as Wednesdays go, this hasn't been a bad one. I never quite look forward to Wednesdays because Improv is Wednesdays and Improv stressssses me out, but class tonight was really good.
In fact, I think this course, as a whole, has been the best so far. While we're on the stage in a scene, the teachers are actively critiquing what we're doing and saying. They're teaching us how to make the scenes work better, and that's so helpful!
I also think I'm progressing! Not sure if I'm getting better at anything, except that I'm definitely getting better at leaving and not obsessing over every little thing I said (and whether or not I might have been wrong to say it). That's progress!
Other things that have happened this week include: a quick Father's Day trip to Twin Falls.
I hadn't been to Twin Falls in several months, probably since Christmas I think. It's always so good to go back. Dad and I went to the farm Saturday morning and it'd been even longer since I'd been there. I do love the farm. It's so green and beautiful and calming. Between that and the farmer's market I've decided that it's impossible to be unhappy when you're growing plants. I would like to be involved in something where I get to grow plants.
We also spent some time at the falls. I loooove the falls. They're so powerful. Even when they're not at full speed, the enormity and beauty of them is astounding. I love to stare at the water, but I also love to watch the tourists. They pose for pictures and get so excited and it's easy to make fun of (and I do), but it's also nice to see people excited about something so pure.
The best part, or course, is spending time with my siblings and parents. We played several rounds of croquet with dad, and it was so much fun. It was stupid and competitive and we laughed together. I love times like that. I love sitting and making fun of each other and chatting about everything. Time spent with family is so good.
That's been my week!
What a life we live.
As far as Wednesdays go, this hasn't been a bad one. I never quite look forward to Wednesdays because Improv is Wednesdays and Improv stressssses me out, but class tonight was really good.
In fact, I think this course, as a whole, has been the best so far. While we're on the stage in a scene, the teachers are actively critiquing what we're doing and saying. They're teaching us how to make the scenes work better, and that's so helpful!
I also think I'm progressing! Not sure if I'm getting better at anything, except that I'm definitely getting better at leaving and not obsessing over every little thing I said (and whether or not I might have been wrong to say it). That's progress!
Other things that have happened this week include: a quick Father's Day trip to Twin Falls.
I hadn't been to Twin Falls in several months, probably since Christmas I think. It's always so good to go back. Dad and I went to the farm Saturday morning and it'd been even longer since I'd been there. I do love the farm. It's so green and beautiful and calming. Between that and the farmer's market I've decided that it's impossible to be unhappy when you're growing plants. I would like to be involved in something where I get to grow plants.
We also spent some time at the falls. I loooove the falls. They're so powerful. Even when they're not at full speed, the enormity and beauty of them is astounding. I love to stare at the water, but I also love to watch the tourists. They pose for pictures and get so excited and it's easy to make fun of (and I do), but it's also nice to see people excited about something so pure.
The best part, or course, is spending time with my siblings and parents. We played several rounds of croquet with dad, and it was so much fun. It was stupid and competitive and we laughed together. I love times like that. I love sitting and making fun of each other and chatting about everything. Time spent with family is so good.
That's been my week!
What a life we live.
Wednesday, June 13, 2018
Changes
Hey man, it's been a minute.
Lots of things have happened since I last wrote, but I think I'll just focus on the things that made me happiest.
I've recently discovered another local, family owned farm that serves breakfast every Saturday morning. I've only been once, but I plan on going every chance I get. The farm is located in Parowan (about 15 miles down the road), and there are fruit trees and animals. They serve cold brew coffee and the most delicious french toast. I cannot wait to go back! If I could just find every small, unique farm in Southern Utah and become friends with the owners, that would be ideal.
I went to Big Bear, California last week with a group of high school kids for youth camp. I always have a blast with them. You might think that spending an entire week with teenagers would be awful, but it's the best kind of chaos when I get to be with them. It's so much fun getting to know them better, and watch them develop friendships with each other. You get to know a whole different side of people when you have to sleep in the same room as them for a week.
We started another round of Improv classes tonight and it was probably the best class I've been to. We worked on not playing a character, but instead being yourself of stage. The scenes that we did were conversational, so basically, we were just on the stage having a normal conversation. At first, that was scary because I thought, what if I don't have a single interesting thing to say? But then, once you start (and once you see the other people do it) you realize that people are interesting and that their stories are intriguing.
At the end of it, it felt like we had just been hanging out with each other, it was so chill. I truly enjoyed it, and it did a lot to calm my nerves about this class. (I missed the first one last week, so I was extra nervous.)
Now to the good stuff! I shaved my head last night!
Lots of things have happened since I last wrote, but I think I'll just focus on the things that made me happiest.
I've recently discovered another local, family owned farm that serves breakfast every Saturday morning. I've only been once, but I plan on going every chance I get. The farm is located in Parowan (about 15 miles down the road), and there are fruit trees and animals. They serve cold brew coffee and the most delicious french toast. I cannot wait to go back! If I could just find every small, unique farm in Southern Utah and become friends with the owners, that would be ideal.
I went to Big Bear, California last week with a group of high school kids for youth camp. I always have a blast with them. You might think that spending an entire week with teenagers would be awful, but it's the best kind of chaos when I get to be with them. It's so much fun getting to know them better, and watch them develop friendships with each other. You get to know a whole different side of people when you have to sleep in the same room as them for a week.
We started another round of Improv classes tonight and it was probably the best class I've been to. We worked on not playing a character, but instead being yourself of stage. The scenes that we did were conversational, so basically, we were just on the stage having a normal conversation. At first, that was scary because I thought, what if I don't have a single interesting thing to say? But then, once you start (and once you see the other people do it) you realize that people are interesting and that their stories are intriguing.
At the end of it, it felt like we had just been hanging out with each other, it was so chill. I truly enjoyed it, and it did a lot to calm my nerves about this class. (I missed the first one last week, so I was extra nervous.)
Now to the good stuff! I shaved my head last night!
It was quite the experience! I've been wanting to do it for probably a year or more. I've been saying that it was my next move for a while, but I just now got the courage to do it. I'm not sure what it was, but I just decided that I HAD to do it. Today is the day after all!
It was one of the scarier things I've done recently, and I'm so beyond proud that I actually went through with it. I feel like a true badass.
I'm sure there are other things, but that's all I can think of right now.
I'll be back next week.
What a life we live.
Wednesday, May 16, 2018
Time
Hello!
This week's blog will be utterly boring and for that, I apologize. I haven't done a single interesting thing.
I was hanging out with some good friends last week at their house and I borderline idolize these guys. They are so cool. I think what makes them so cool is that they unapologetically like the things that they like. And I want to be like that. Does that make sense?
They make pottery and play a ton of instruments and listen to jazz and fly drones. Their house is a reflection of who they are as a family and it's so beautiful because it's interesting. It's who they are.
I know that technically we're all grown ups, but when I'm around them, I feel like a little kid who wants to be just like them when I grow up. I think I'm slowly getting there. I'm starting to learn what I like and do the things I enjoy, but finding those things is hard and kind of scary. I guess, how will you know what you like unless you try it? The thing is though, that trying things requires stepping outside that comfort zone and that's not easy.
Annnnndd, that concludes the things I've done lately. Get ready for a ramble.
I read once that the reason days seem to go by faster as you get older is purely mathematical. When you're ten and a year goes by, that one year is 1/10 of your life. A whole 10% of your total experience was had in that one year. However, when you're 50 and a year goes by, that one year is 1/50 of your life. A whole 2% of your total experience was had in that one year. 2% is considerably less than 10%. Each day is then a smaller and smaller part of the whole and seems to go by faster and faster.
This year especially, I truly feel that time is moving faster. It's amazing to me how often weekends come and go. I remember thinking Friday would never come, but nowadays, it surprises me that the week is already almost over.
I feel two ways about this-- firstly, how nice it is to have weekends so often, but also, how scary it is that my parts-of-the-whole will inevitably continue to get smaller. Do you think that's a good thing? Maybe, it means you've (probably) experienced more things, but I can't help but feel that it comes with some loss. (Of what? I don't know. Enthusiasm? Zest for life? Wonder?)
Sure, maybe everyday brings something new, but after 80 years of something new, does it get a bit mundane? I'm 56 years from knowing how 80 feels, but it worries me that sometime before then I'll lose... something. (Or maybe as the days get "shorter" I won't be able to appreciate them as I experience them? Or I won't have the same capacity then to appreciate the days as I do now? Does capacity-to-experience fade (or lessen)? Is there a limit-- can we infinitely experience?)
Maybe this isn't coming across the way I want it to. It's not so much that I think life will eventually be boring, it's that I can't wrap my mind around the changes that will come and how I'll feel when they do. That sentence feels more accurate. Time confuses the heck out of me.
I didn't figure out a single thing while writing that, and I cut so much of it because it didn't even make sense to me. Hopefully it was somewhat intelligible. Any insight you have would be greatly appreciated.
What a life we live(?).
This week's blog will be utterly boring and for that, I apologize. I haven't done a single interesting thing.
I was hanging out with some good friends last week at their house and I borderline idolize these guys. They are so cool. I think what makes them so cool is that they unapologetically like the things that they like. And I want to be like that. Does that make sense?
They make pottery and play a ton of instruments and listen to jazz and fly drones. Their house is a reflection of who they are as a family and it's so beautiful because it's interesting. It's who they are.
I know that technically we're all grown ups, but when I'm around them, I feel like a little kid who wants to be just like them when I grow up. I think I'm slowly getting there. I'm starting to learn what I like and do the things I enjoy, but finding those things is hard and kind of scary. I guess, how will you know what you like unless you try it? The thing is though, that trying things requires stepping outside that comfort zone and that's not easy.
Annnnndd, that concludes the things I've done lately. Get ready for a ramble.
I read once that the reason days seem to go by faster as you get older is purely mathematical. When you're ten and a year goes by, that one year is 1/10 of your life. A whole 10% of your total experience was had in that one year. However, when you're 50 and a year goes by, that one year is 1/50 of your life. A whole 2% of your total experience was had in that one year. 2% is considerably less than 10%. Each day is then a smaller and smaller part of the whole and seems to go by faster and faster.
This year especially, I truly feel that time is moving faster. It's amazing to me how often weekends come and go. I remember thinking Friday would never come, but nowadays, it surprises me that the week is already almost over.
I feel two ways about this-- firstly, how nice it is to have weekends so often, but also, how scary it is that my parts-of-the-whole will inevitably continue to get smaller. Do you think that's a good thing? Maybe, it means you've (probably) experienced more things, but I can't help but feel that it comes with some loss. (Of what? I don't know. Enthusiasm? Zest for life? Wonder?)
Sure, maybe everyday brings something new, but after 80 years of something new, does it get a bit mundane? I'm 56 years from knowing how 80 feels, but it worries me that sometime before then I'll lose... something. (Or maybe as the days get "shorter" I won't be able to appreciate them as I experience them? Or I won't have the same capacity then to appreciate the days as I do now? Does capacity-to-experience fade (or lessen)? Is there a limit-- can we infinitely experience?)
Maybe this isn't coming across the way I want it to. It's not so much that I think life will eventually be boring, it's that I can't wrap my mind around the changes that will come and how I'll feel when they do. That sentence feels more accurate. Time confuses the heck out of me.
I didn't figure out a single thing while writing that, and I cut so much of it because it didn't even make sense to me. Hopefully it was somewhat intelligible. Any insight you have would be greatly appreciated.
What a life we live(?).
Thursday, May 10, 2018
Growing
Hey, hey, hey.
Guys, what a week it has been!
Last I wrote, our final Improv class had passed, and it wasn't the greatest and I was terrrrrribly nervous about the Friday night show. It has come and gone, and by golly, I killed it!
Thursday, I was still pretty nervous, but it was manageable because I still had a day to prepare, but that night-- I couldn't fall asleep for anything. My heart was pounding so hard; the show was all I could think about.
Friday was the longest day ever. I was so anxious all morning. There was a period in the afternoon that I kind of forgot about the show and that was great-- I got a lot done. But then I remembered and was so, so nervous all over again. (And it was extra nervous, like I had to make up for the hours lost not being nervous.)
Right after work, I had to show a house, so I didn't get home until 5:30 and I had to be at the theatre at 6. This was probably a blessing because I had to rush home and get ready instead of going home and ruminating in my panic.
Heather pulled up to the theatre at the same time as I did, so that was comforting. I hadn't seen her since she'd had Charlie, so I was super glad she was there. Also, I needed the support. Once everyone from class had arrived, we talked over who would play what and how the show would go. At this point, I was dying.
About 30 minutes before the show, we went out behind the theatre and played some warm up games. That was so helpful! I really do like all of the people there, and playing games with them was strangely calming.
When we went back inside, we had a few minutes to hang out before we had to go backstage. And as I was standing there, I was ready. Yes, still nervous, but it was the manageable kind of nervous, not the debilitating kind. I felt good and confident.
The host introduced us and we went out dancing. The show was split into two halves. Each person played one game per half. My game went so well! People laughed with me! I didn't die! The people I was performing with were so funny and it was just amazing.
It really was the strangest thing-- there was a moment on stage when I removed myself for a second and realized that I didn't feel nervous right then. I felt in control. (I was so surprised by that.)
The second game went equally well, and before I knew it, the show was over. I can't begin to tell you how relieved I am, but at the same time, I truly enjoyed doing it and am thankful that Heather encouraged me to take the classes in the first place. I can't praise the teachers enough. They do an excellent job of creating a safe, encouraging, and creative environment.
My mom came down for the show and I'm so glad she did. I feel a little more validated since someone actually witnessed me being hilarious on stage. Mom, Annie, and my friends Katie and Nicole, and I went out to dinner afterwards at my favorite pizza place, which made for a great ending to great night.
Saturday, Mom, Annie, and I went the Farmer's Market and spent a little time around town before heading to Arizona for the Colorado City Music Festival. This was their second year as a festival, and it was so, so good! I'll definitely be back next year.
I got terribly sunburnt, so that sucked, but honestly, it was such a good time. The artists were talented and the lineup was amazing. It was varied, but leaned towards the country side. Like I've said many times before, I love live music. The event was held up a canyon, in a park. The scenery in Southern Utah is unparalleled. Only a 60 minute drive from my home and I get to be in one of the most gorgeous parts of the world. How incredible is that?
Monday night I didn't have volleyball and tonight I didn't have improv, so I don't quite know what to do with myself. I ended up going to a weights class and then a Drum and Jazz Concert at one of the high schools.
What a life we live.
Guys, what a week it has been!
Last I wrote, our final Improv class had passed, and it wasn't the greatest and I was terrrrrribly nervous about the Friday night show. It has come and gone, and by golly, I killed it!
Thursday, I was still pretty nervous, but it was manageable because I still had a day to prepare, but that night-- I couldn't fall asleep for anything. My heart was pounding so hard; the show was all I could think about.
Friday was the longest day ever. I was so anxious all morning. There was a period in the afternoon that I kind of forgot about the show and that was great-- I got a lot done. But then I remembered and was so, so nervous all over again. (And it was extra nervous, like I had to make up for the hours lost not being nervous.)
Right after work, I had to show a house, so I didn't get home until 5:30 and I had to be at the theatre at 6. This was probably a blessing because I had to rush home and get ready instead of going home and ruminating in my panic.
Heather pulled up to the theatre at the same time as I did, so that was comforting. I hadn't seen her since she'd had Charlie, so I was super glad she was there. Also, I needed the support. Once everyone from class had arrived, we talked over who would play what and how the show would go. At this point, I was dying.
About 30 minutes before the show, we went out behind the theatre and played some warm up games. That was so helpful! I really do like all of the people there, and playing games with them was strangely calming.
When we went back inside, we had a few minutes to hang out before we had to go backstage. And as I was standing there, I was ready. Yes, still nervous, but it was the manageable kind of nervous, not the debilitating kind. I felt good and confident.
The host introduced us and we went out dancing. The show was split into two halves. Each person played one game per half. My game went so well! People laughed with me! I didn't die! The people I was performing with were so funny and it was just amazing.
It really was the strangest thing-- there was a moment on stage when I removed myself for a second and realized that I didn't feel nervous right then. I felt in control. (I was so surprised by that.)
The second game went equally well, and before I knew it, the show was over. I can't begin to tell you how relieved I am, but at the same time, I truly enjoyed doing it and am thankful that Heather encouraged me to take the classes in the first place. I can't praise the teachers enough. They do an excellent job of creating a safe, encouraging, and creative environment.
My mom came down for the show and I'm so glad she did. I feel a little more validated since someone actually witnessed me being hilarious on stage. Mom, Annie, and my friends Katie and Nicole, and I went out to dinner afterwards at my favorite pizza place, which made for a great ending to great night.
Saturday, Mom, Annie, and I went the Farmer's Market and spent a little time around town before heading to Arizona for the Colorado City Music Festival. This was their second year as a festival, and it was so, so good! I'll definitely be back next year.
I got terribly sunburnt, so that sucked, but honestly, it was such a good time. The artists were talented and the lineup was amazing. It was varied, but leaned towards the country side. Like I've said many times before, I love live music. The event was held up a canyon, in a park. The scenery in Southern Utah is unparalleled. Only a 60 minute drive from my home and I get to be in one of the most gorgeous parts of the world. How incredible is that?
Monday night I didn't have volleyball and tonight I didn't have improv, so I don't quite know what to do with myself. I ended up going to a weights class and then a Drum and Jazz Concert at one of the high schools.
What a life we live.
Wednesday, May 2, 2018
Slow
Hey there.
It's been raining here this week. Last week was beautiful-- blue skies, not a whisper of wind-- and by the time Saturday rolled around, the storm rolled with it. It was so stinking windy, and now this week has just been dreary and dull. Thankfully, it's supposed to clear up by this weekend, and I swear, it better not be windy on Saturday again. I've got plans! Be windy on a week day when I'm stuck at work!
Despite the wind, Saturday was still a very good day. Katie and I had breakfast at the Farmer's Market. This week's special was bacon and asparagus quiche. I loooove that quiche. It's perfect. Afterward, we strolled Main Street, got iced coffee, and browsed the stores. It's one of my favorite things to do on a lazy Saturday.
That night, we went to a small concert at the Improv Theatre. Gary Stockdale is a 2 time Emmy nominated musician with the voice of an angel. The concert was so much fun. I feel like I say that about every concert I go to, but seriously I just love live music. (I could have a good time even if they sucked, but they never do.) Plus he was funny! He and a Cedar local were on the stage with a piano and two guitars, and every song was beautiful, and I only cried once.
I enjoy small concerts like that because they're so intimate, but I do wish more people would show up. The only way theaters are going to be able to continue those kinds of shows is if people support them and by golly, I'm going to be there and support them.
Improv this week was not great for me, again, I was incredibly anxious about going, and then my scene partner and I absolutely bombed our scene. What we were doing was funny, I think, but it just wasn't the point of the game and ended up not being great. That was unfortunate, but I did learn something, and I think that's the point of these classes. Also, we're in a space that makes it ok to fail like that-- we're all here to learn-- so it wasn't so bad.
Our class has a show this Friday night and I'm so nervous. I haven't performed on a stage in this capacity ever in my entire life. I'm really, really excited, but really, really scared. I'll report more on that next week!
I'm happy to get this round of classes behind me. I can see improvement and I know that's it beneficial for me to continue, but it sure does take a lot out of me. The next round starts in June, so I'll have a nice little break. This doesn't mean that I'm not still loving it, because I am; it just means I need a few weeks to breathe. (Also! I'll get to go back to my favorite yoga and weights classes Wednesday nights!)
(Side story- I ran into one of the old ladies who takes the weights class, and we had a quick little chat about all the classes I've missed. I really like those ladies.)
Monday night was our last Spring volleyball game. We got to the very end of the tournament, and then ended up taking second. We were so disappointed because we played sloppily and getting that far and not winning is no fun. Even so, I'm happy to have had the opportunity to play with those girls. They're all so talented and passionate, and being in that environment every week in very fulfilling. Thankfully there's the fall season to look forward to-- I can't wait to play with them again!
I don't have much else to say. I try to do things throughout the week that are write-about-able, but this week, it just didn't happen. Next week's will be better I promise!
What a life we live ♡
It's been raining here this week. Last week was beautiful-- blue skies, not a whisper of wind-- and by the time Saturday rolled around, the storm rolled with it. It was so stinking windy, and now this week has just been dreary and dull. Thankfully, it's supposed to clear up by this weekend, and I swear, it better not be windy on Saturday again. I've got plans! Be windy on a week day when I'm stuck at work!
Despite the wind, Saturday was still a very good day. Katie and I had breakfast at the Farmer's Market. This week's special was bacon and asparagus quiche. I loooove that quiche. It's perfect. Afterward, we strolled Main Street, got iced coffee, and browsed the stores. It's one of my favorite things to do on a lazy Saturday.
That night, we went to a small concert at the Improv Theatre. Gary Stockdale is a 2 time Emmy nominated musician with the voice of an angel. The concert was so much fun. I feel like I say that about every concert I go to, but seriously I just love live music. (I could have a good time even if they sucked, but they never do.) Plus he was funny! He and a Cedar local were on the stage with a piano and two guitars, and every song was beautiful, and I only cried once.
I enjoy small concerts like that because they're so intimate, but I do wish more people would show up. The only way theaters are going to be able to continue those kinds of shows is if people support them and by golly, I'm going to be there and support them.
Improv this week was not great for me, again, I was incredibly anxious about going, and then my scene partner and I absolutely bombed our scene. What we were doing was funny, I think, but it just wasn't the point of the game and ended up not being great. That was unfortunate, but I did learn something, and I think that's the point of these classes. Also, we're in a space that makes it ok to fail like that-- we're all here to learn-- so it wasn't so bad.
Our class has a show this Friday night and I'm so nervous. I haven't performed on a stage in this capacity ever in my entire life. I'm really, really excited, but really, really scared. I'll report more on that next week!
I'm happy to get this round of classes behind me. I can see improvement and I know that's it beneficial for me to continue, but it sure does take a lot out of me. The next round starts in June, so I'll have a nice little break. This doesn't mean that I'm not still loving it, because I am; it just means I need a few weeks to breathe. (Also! I'll get to go back to my favorite yoga and weights classes Wednesday nights!)
(Side story- I ran into one of the old ladies who takes the weights class, and we had a quick little chat about all the classes I've missed. I really like those ladies.)
Monday night was our last Spring volleyball game. We got to the very end of the tournament, and then ended up taking second. We were so disappointed because we played sloppily and getting that far and not winning is no fun. Even so, I'm happy to have had the opportunity to play with those girls. They're all so talented and passionate, and being in that environment every week in very fulfilling. Thankfully there's the fall season to look forward to-- I can't wait to play with them again!
I don't have much else to say. I try to do things throughout the week that are write-about-able, but this week, it just didn't happen. Next week's will be better I promise!
What a life we live ♡
Wednesday, April 25, 2018
Happy to Be Here
Good day!
Do you have a bucket list? At the beginning of this year, I started a list called '101 in 1001,' but I never finished it. Actually, I lost it. A friend asked me about it last week, and I brushed it off, but then I was looking through my desk and I found it! I wasn't even going to look for it, but it appeared, so I decided to try finishing it.
The list is 101 things I want to accomplish in 1001 days (approximately 2.75 years). I got the idea from a blog I follow and I like it because it sets a deadline for getting these done. It creates a sense of urgency, I guess. I've attempted it before, but again, kind of forgot about it after a while.
Anyway, I found it and am trying to finish it. I've got 50 items so far, halfway there! And, of those 50 items, I've completed 2 already-- Hike in Zion and Attend Holi Festival. Both of those were fairly easy to do, but I'm doing things! That's amazing. Other items on the list are things like Go to Therapy and Attend 50 Festivals and Learn Calligraphy. I'm trying to think of a mix of items that push me to step out of my comfort zone, but also are fun. They also must be things that I want to do. (Because what would be the point if I didn't want to do the things?!)
This week, instead of a theatre production, I attended a Jazz Concert. I love a jazz concert. They're so much fun, and you can tell that the musicians are having a good time. One great thing about Cedar City is the variety! I wish that there had been things like this in my town when I was growing up. I wish that I'd had the opportunity to see adults playing instruments and adults on stage, because I never knew that was an option. I honestly could not see the point of pursuing music because I didn't think there was any future in it. And now I see old guys playing in bands, having a grand old time, and I'm envious of them because I didn't know.
Obviously, I could learn to play an instrument now, and maybe I will, but I do have this pesky fear of failure or not being good enough that's holding me back at the moment.
Improv this week was good. I was dreading today way more than usual-- I actually woke up and my first thought was, I don't know if I can go tonight. It was an actual fear and I felt it all day. On my way to the theatre, I considered not going because I felt that I couldn't do it. I forced myself to go inside, and I'm so glad that I did.
We played a game called Forward and Reverse, which is just a regular scene except the host can, at any point, tell the players to rewind or fast forward the scene. It's a hoot. The second game was called Bad Advice, and it's a panel of characters that give advice to the audience member who has asked a question. We had to create our own character instead of someone telling us what to do, which is a change. My character was Tatiana, the lifestyle blogger, and I just self promoted and told stories about myself that didn't answer the questions at all. I thoroughly enjoyed both games.
It's been a good week and I'm happy to be here.
What a life we live.
Do you have a bucket list? At the beginning of this year, I started a list called '101 in 1001,' but I never finished it. Actually, I lost it. A friend asked me about it last week, and I brushed it off, but then I was looking through my desk and I found it! I wasn't even going to look for it, but it appeared, so I decided to try finishing it.
The list is 101 things I want to accomplish in 1001 days (approximately 2.75 years). I got the idea from a blog I follow and I like it because it sets a deadline for getting these done. It creates a sense of urgency, I guess. I've attempted it before, but again, kind of forgot about it after a while.
Anyway, I found it and am trying to finish it. I've got 50 items so far, halfway there! And, of those 50 items, I've completed 2 already-- Hike in Zion and Attend Holi Festival. Both of those were fairly easy to do, but I'm doing things! That's amazing. Other items on the list are things like Go to Therapy and Attend 50 Festivals and Learn Calligraphy. I'm trying to think of a mix of items that push me to step out of my comfort zone, but also are fun. They also must be things that I want to do. (Because what would be the point if I didn't want to do the things?!)
This week, instead of a theatre production, I attended a Jazz Concert. I love a jazz concert. They're so much fun, and you can tell that the musicians are having a good time. One great thing about Cedar City is the variety! I wish that there had been things like this in my town when I was growing up. I wish that I'd had the opportunity to see adults playing instruments and adults on stage, because I never knew that was an option. I honestly could not see the point of pursuing music because I didn't think there was any future in it. And now I see old guys playing in bands, having a grand old time, and I'm envious of them because I didn't know.
Obviously, I could learn to play an instrument now, and maybe I will, but I do have this pesky fear of failure or not being good enough that's holding me back at the moment.
Improv this week was good. I was dreading today way more than usual-- I actually woke up and my first thought was, I don't know if I can go tonight. It was an actual fear and I felt it all day. On my way to the theatre, I considered not going because I felt that I couldn't do it. I forced myself to go inside, and I'm so glad that I did.
We played a game called Forward and Reverse, which is just a regular scene except the host can, at any point, tell the players to rewind or fast forward the scene. It's a hoot. The second game was called Bad Advice, and it's a panel of characters that give advice to the audience member who has asked a question. We had to create our own character instead of someone telling us what to do, which is a change. My character was Tatiana, the lifestyle blogger, and I just self promoted and told stories about myself that didn't answer the questions at all. I thoroughly enjoyed both games.
It's been a good week and I'm happy to be here.
What a life we live.
Wednesday, April 18, 2018
Flying Time
Hey there!
I'm always kind of surprised by how Wednesday sneaks up on me every week. Lately, I feel like time is just moving by so fast. I can't keep track of the days and before I know it another week has gone by! It's scary, because I want to be sure to 'live while I'm alive' (or whatever), but how can I when I don't even know what day it is?!
Anyway, it's been a pretty good week around here. I guess as long as the weeks are good, I don't mind so much that they're going by fast.
Friday night, we went to SUU's production of Urinetown. I had never seen, nor heard of this musical, but apparently, it's famous (and it's Heather's favorite). I had no idea. It takes place in a world where there was a drought or something, so the government restricted water usage, and private companies began providing and charging for basic necessities like toilet access. Then the characters decide that they should be able to pee freely and they revolt. It's reminiscent of Les Mis in a way.
I enjoyed it so much! The dancing and singing was amazing, as it always is at SUU, but it was hysterical! I especially enjoyed the narrator character, or rather the actor who played him. He was amazingly talented and played the part so well. I love seeing people who are so gifted at what they do, and who seem to truly enjoy doing it.
Saturday morning, Katie and I went to Heather's baby shower. It took place at her aunt's house, except her aunt lives in a dreamy farmhouse that overlooks an actual farm with animals and everything and it was just the most magical morning. I'd been there before for the Tour of Homes, but it was amazing to actually spend time there. The aunt runs Red Acre Farms, which is a big part of the local farmers' market here in Cedar. All of the food that was served was from the farm-- there was yogurt they made, and I'm sure the eggs in the quiche were laid there on the farm. I had some chocolate milk and I'm fairly certain it was made with goat's milk.
I was just in awe the whole time because it feels so quaint and like the people who are living there truly love what they do and are happy to live a slightly alternative lifestyle. I admire that so much. I admire the passion and hard work I'm sure it has taken to get them where they are.
The baby shower was sweet. I only knew Heather and her husband's mom, but it was still so much fun to celebrate Heather and the arrival of Charlie. She was due this past Tuesday, but he still hasn't made an appearance.
Heather actually came to Improv tonight. I didn't really expect her to be there, but she was and she killed it. Every week has focused on a type of game, and this week was Guessing Games. You can probably imagine how it goes, but there are 4 players and 1 player leaves while the other 3 are assigned a character, and the 4th person comes back and has to figure out what the other 3 are throughout the scene.
In my scene, I played that I was in a courtroom, so I pretended to be a lawyer and threw around what little courtroom jargon I know. One girl played that she was walking on ice no matter where she was, and the other guy played that after every sentence he spoke, he had to strike a pose (just to give you an idea of how it goes.) It was a good time, but I learned that I am extremely uncomfortable on a stage when I don't have anything to do. I just stood there, like, I don't know what to do with my body in this space! I'm much more comfortable when I'm talking and interacting with another person.
It's good to notice those things, because it gives me something to work on and be aware of. At the end of every class, we circle up and tell what we enjoyed or learned that class. One girl said that she enjoys seeing how we all improve from week to week, and I love that! I love that we're supportive of each other and growing together. Even though we're all at different stages, both in life and in comedy, we have something to learn from the people we're playing with. I'm so happy to know them all.
What a life we live.
I'm always kind of surprised by how Wednesday sneaks up on me every week. Lately, I feel like time is just moving by so fast. I can't keep track of the days and before I know it another week has gone by! It's scary, because I want to be sure to 'live while I'm alive' (or whatever), but how can I when I don't even know what day it is?!
Anyway, it's been a pretty good week around here. I guess as long as the weeks are good, I don't mind so much that they're going by fast.
Friday night, we went to SUU's production of Urinetown. I had never seen, nor heard of this musical, but apparently, it's famous (and it's Heather's favorite). I had no idea. It takes place in a world where there was a drought or something, so the government restricted water usage, and private companies began providing and charging for basic necessities like toilet access. Then the characters decide that they should be able to pee freely and they revolt. It's reminiscent of Les Mis in a way.
I enjoyed it so much! The dancing and singing was amazing, as it always is at SUU, but it was hysterical! I especially enjoyed the narrator character, or rather the actor who played him. He was amazingly talented and played the part so well. I love seeing people who are so gifted at what they do, and who seem to truly enjoy doing it.
Saturday morning, Katie and I went to Heather's baby shower. It took place at her aunt's house, except her aunt lives in a dreamy farmhouse that overlooks an actual farm with animals and everything and it was just the most magical morning. I'd been there before for the Tour of Homes, but it was amazing to actually spend time there. The aunt runs Red Acre Farms, which is a big part of the local farmers' market here in Cedar. All of the food that was served was from the farm-- there was yogurt they made, and I'm sure the eggs in the quiche were laid there on the farm. I had some chocolate milk and I'm fairly certain it was made with goat's milk.
I was just in awe the whole time because it feels so quaint and like the people who are living there truly love what they do and are happy to live a slightly alternative lifestyle. I admire that so much. I admire the passion and hard work I'm sure it has taken to get them where they are.
The baby shower was sweet. I only knew Heather and her husband's mom, but it was still so much fun to celebrate Heather and the arrival of Charlie. She was due this past Tuesday, but he still hasn't made an appearance.
Heather actually came to Improv tonight. I didn't really expect her to be there, but she was and she killed it. Every week has focused on a type of game, and this week was Guessing Games. You can probably imagine how it goes, but there are 4 players and 1 player leaves while the other 3 are assigned a character, and the 4th person comes back and has to figure out what the other 3 are throughout the scene.
In my scene, I played that I was in a courtroom, so I pretended to be a lawyer and threw around what little courtroom jargon I know. One girl played that she was walking on ice no matter where she was, and the other guy played that after every sentence he spoke, he had to strike a pose (just to give you an idea of how it goes.) It was a good time, but I learned that I am extremely uncomfortable on a stage when I don't have anything to do. I just stood there, like, I don't know what to do with my body in this space! I'm much more comfortable when I'm talking and interacting with another person.
It's good to notice those things, because it gives me something to work on and be aware of. At the end of every class, we circle up and tell what we enjoyed or learned that class. One girl said that she enjoys seeing how we all improve from week to week, and I love that! I love that we're supportive of each other and growing together. Even though we're all at different stages, both in life and in comedy, we have something to learn from the people we're playing with. I'm so happy to know them all.
What a life we live.
Wednesday, April 11, 2018
Happy
Helllllllo.
It has been a slow week around here. This was the first weekend in a month that I haven't left Cedar City. I had big plans to do all my laundry, clean the whole house, finish my taxes, and do good, productive, adult things that need to be done.
I'm happy to report that I did some laundry. Adult Sarah does adult things.
Improv this week was so much fun, and honestly better than last week. We did scenes instead of step out games and I am much more comfortable with scenes. The difference between the two is, in step out games, the players are given a topic and they step out (into the circle or onto the stage) and make a joke about it, and in scenes, the players are given different suggestions that affect the nature of the scene they're playing.
Ugh, I tried writing that several different ways, and that explanation still doesn't help. I'll just tell you about what we did tonight. We played a game called Accents. (Maybe you can guess how it went?) There were 3 players and they were given a location for the scene, with a person offstage pausing them every few minutes and telling them what accent to speak in. The players then kept playing the scene in the new accent. It would change, and change again, and it's so funny because people are really, really awful at accents. I am really, really awful at accents.
But it was good because it forces you to pay attention to how you're speaking, while also trying to move the scene forward. There were moments when every person on stage was waiting for someone else to speak because they weren't sure how to do the accent. I cannot confidently do a Southern accent, and I literally grew up with it. My English accent is poor at best, and if I you ask me to do Australian, I'll try my hardest, but you would never guess that Australian was the goal. It was a painful game, but at least I tried!
Heather's husband asked me before this round of classes started why I would voluntarily do something that makes me so uncomfortable. (And it does make me incredibly uncomfortable.) I answered that I know it's good for me. Every time I step off the stage, I am both impressed and proud of myself for doing it yet again. When I'm playing, I just accept that this is my reality, and I must get through it. It's always a highlight of my week.
I feel like apologizing for how much I still talk about Improv, but I'm not going to. I wish I could convey how much I truly enjoy every class, even though I truly dread every class. I'm still so excited about it and it's not often I feel this strongly towards something.
Other things I've done this week include two volleyball games Monday night, dinner with some friends Friday night, and a play Saturday night.
The play we went to was called 'Molly and Peter.' An SUU student wrote it, how cool is that?! It was about the struggles of growing up in an LDS family. I admit, it might be a niche topic, but here, it was amazing. There were sex scenes, coming out of the closet scenes, jokes about Family Home Evening, and picture perfect families-- it had everything that is hilarious about Mormons. And it was great because even though they were poking fun, it somehow managed to still be respectful of the people and the religion.
One of the things I love about Cedar City is how much the people value the arts. We Cedarians love events. We love festivals, parades, concerts, and plays. We love the arts. It's one of the attributes that keeps me here. Where else can you live in a small town and also have so many opportunities for live entertainment?
Lately I find myself pausing and realizing that I feel happy. Usually its not for any particular reason-- I just feel good about where I am and what I'm doing. I have things to look forward to and I'm surrounded by good people. What more could I ask for?
What a life we live.
It has been a slow week around here. This was the first weekend in a month that I haven't left Cedar City. I had big plans to do all my laundry, clean the whole house, finish my taxes, and do good, productive, adult things that need to be done.
I'm happy to report that I did some laundry. Adult Sarah does adult things.
Improv this week was so much fun, and honestly better than last week. We did scenes instead of step out games and I am much more comfortable with scenes. The difference between the two is, in step out games, the players are given a topic and they step out (into the circle or onto the stage) and make a joke about it, and in scenes, the players are given different suggestions that affect the nature of the scene they're playing.
Ugh, I tried writing that several different ways, and that explanation still doesn't help. I'll just tell you about what we did tonight. We played a game called Accents. (Maybe you can guess how it went?) There were 3 players and they were given a location for the scene, with a person offstage pausing them every few minutes and telling them what accent to speak in. The players then kept playing the scene in the new accent. It would change, and change again, and it's so funny because people are really, really awful at accents. I am really, really awful at accents.
But it was good because it forces you to pay attention to how you're speaking, while also trying to move the scene forward. There were moments when every person on stage was waiting for someone else to speak because they weren't sure how to do the accent. I cannot confidently do a Southern accent, and I literally grew up with it. My English accent is poor at best, and if I you ask me to do Australian, I'll try my hardest, but you would never guess that Australian was the goal. It was a painful game, but at least I tried!
Heather's husband asked me before this round of classes started why I would voluntarily do something that makes me so uncomfortable. (And it does make me incredibly uncomfortable.) I answered that I know it's good for me. Every time I step off the stage, I am both impressed and proud of myself for doing it yet again. When I'm playing, I just accept that this is my reality, and I must get through it. It's always a highlight of my week.
I feel like apologizing for how much I still talk about Improv, but I'm not going to. I wish I could convey how much I truly enjoy every class, even though I truly dread every class. I'm still so excited about it and it's not often I feel this strongly towards something.
Other things I've done this week include two volleyball games Monday night, dinner with some friends Friday night, and a play Saturday night.
The play we went to was called 'Molly and Peter.' An SUU student wrote it, how cool is that?! It was about the struggles of growing up in an LDS family. I admit, it might be a niche topic, but here, it was amazing. There were sex scenes, coming out of the closet scenes, jokes about Family Home Evening, and picture perfect families-- it had everything that is hilarious about Mormons. And it was great because even though they were poking fun, it somehow managed to still be respectful of the people and the religion.
One of the things I love about Cedar City is how much the people value the arts. We Cedarians love events. We love festivals, parades, concerts, and plays. We love the arts. It's one of the attributes that keeps me here. Where else can you live in a small town and also have so many opportunities for live entertainment?
Lately I find myself pausing and realizing that I feel happy. Usually its not for any particular reason-- I just feel good about where I am and what I'm doing. I have things to look forward to and I'm surrounded by good people. What more could I ask for?
What a life we live.
Wednesday, April 4, 2018
Colors of Spring
Hello!
It has just been the best two weeks!
My sisters, mom, Katie, and I went to the Holi Festival at the Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple up in Spanish Fork last weekend. This was our second year going and somehow it was even better than the first! Plus, I've been looking forward to this weekend for months and it did not disappoint.
I loooove this festival. The atmosphere is so incredibly happy, light, and encouraging. Everybody is there to have a good time. We got there a little before the gates open, and there's just so much excitement in the air! The key is to go down and reserve your spot right in front of the stage. The first event is a guided yoga class. The guy teaching it was funny and intermingled in the crowd as he taught. Then comes the fun part-- Indian dancing! The girls are in brightly colored saris and they so patiently teach the basic prayers and dances. It's one of my favorite parts of the day!
They songs start slow and traditional, but grow in tempo and excitement until the whole place is jumping, dancing, and yelling! It's so hype and the energy is so high! I don't even know how to put into words how enchanting and magnificent it is to be in the middle of it.
Every hour on the hour, there is a countdown to the color throw. This is another favorite. Everybody is shouting the countdown, and the throw is so beautiful. When the colors are in the air, everyone is jumping and celebrating. It's just the most fun a person could have on a beautiful morning in Spanish Fork.
As the day goes on, there are bands that play, dancers that teach dance. To the side of the stage, there's an ongoing yoga class you can join in on if you want something slower. Mid-afternoon, the Bollywood dancers get on stage to teach us more moves. Gracie and I were front and center for the majority of the day-- it's the best place to be! There's a video on Facebook and you can see Gracie and I dancing. Gracie said it looks like we were having and the time of our lives, and honestly, I think we were.
Most of the week days were fairly uneventful, but Friday the family headed towards Ely, Nevada. This is the second year we've gone there for Easter, and if this becomes a tradition, I am perfectly fine with it. I truly enjoy that small, sleepy town. There's not a whole ton to do, but we always have a ton of fun! This year, we went out to Great Basin National Park to the Lehman Caves. I love a good cave! Our tour guide was so, so good. She was funny, informative, and knowledgeable. It was a solid tour.
Afterward, we went to the White Pine County Museum. It was a typical county museum, but I love museums, so I didn't mind. They had a few train cars in the yard out back sitting on the tracks, so we were balancing on them and started racing. Dad and Amy went back to the hotel afterward, so us kids walked Main St. This town loves art and murals. There are beautiful murals on almost every building! There's a small grassy area between some of the buildings that have several sculptures, and a labyrinth. We walked it, all ended up in the middle, then ran out. We were laughing so hard by the time we all reached the end. I'm so glad we all can get along and have fun together now that we're older. They're seriously my favorite people.
Saturday night, we attended an Easter Vigil at St. Bartholomew's Church. I think it's interesting to go to services in different churches. We very obviously did not know what was going on, but the people were nice and just helped us along. Sunday morning, Dad and Amy went to church, and us kids went garnet hunting on Garnet Hill. There are thousands of garnets just waiting to be found. I'll be the first to admit that I was terrible at it. Gracie and Zane were finding them left and right, while I could not find one to save my life. I finally found a few tiny ones, but they paled in comparison to the large ones the others found. It was a great end to Easter weekend.
We started up improv again today-- this time the class is Games 101. It was so much fun tonight! A lot of the same people were there from the last class so that was nice. It got rowdy and it was amazing, and I so enjoy having 2 hrs to just let go and be silly.
I feel so incredibly blessed to be living this life.
What a life we live.
It has just been the best two weeks!
My sisters, mom, Katie, and I went to the Holi Festival at the Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple up in Spanish Fork last weekend. This was our second year going and somehow it was even better than the first! Plus, I've been looking forward to this weekend for months and it did not disappoint.
I loooove this festival. The atmosphere is so incredibly happy, light, and encouraging. Everybody is there to have a good time. We got there a little before the gates open, and there's just so much excitement in the air! The key is to go down and reserve your spot right in front of the stage. The first event is a guided yoga class. The guy teaching it was funny and intermingled in the crowd as he taught. Then comes the fun part-- Indian dancing! The girls are in brightly colored saris and they so patiently teach the basic prayers and dances. It's one of my favorite parts of the day!
They songs start slow and traditional, but grow in tempo and excitement until the whole place is jumping, dancing, and yelling! It's so hype and the energy is so high! I don't even know how to put into words how enchanting and magnificent it is to be in the middle of it.
Every hour on the hour, there is a countdown to the color throw. This is another favorite. Everybody is shouting the countdown, and the throw is so beautiful. When the colors are in the air, everyone is jumping and celebrating. It's just the most fun a person could have on a beautiful morning in Spanish Fork.
As the day goes on, there are bands that play, dancers that teach dance. To the side of the stage, there's an ongoing yoga class you can join in on if you want something slower. Mid-afternoon, the Bollywood dancers get on stage to teach us more moves. Gracie and I were front and center for the majority of the day-- it's the best place to be! There's a video on Facebook and you can see Gracie and I dancing. Gracie said it looks like we were having and the time of our lives, and honestly, I think we were.
Most of the week days were fairly uneventful, but Friday the family headed towards Ely, Nevada. This is the second year we've gone there for Easter, and if this becomes a tradition, I am perfectly fine with it. I truly enjoy that small, sleepy town. There's not a whole ton to do, but we always have a ton of fun! This year, we went out to Great Basin National Park to the Lehman Caves. I love a good cave! Our tour guide was so, so good. She was funny, informative, and knowledgeable. It was a solid tour.
Afterward, we went to the White Pine County Museum. It was a typical county museum, but I love museums, so I didn't mind. They had a few train cars in the yard out back sitting on the tracks, so we were balancing on them and started racing. Dad and Amy went back to the hotel afterward, so us kids walked Main St. This town loves art and murals. There are beautiful murals on almost every building! There's a small grassy area between some of the buildings that have several sculptures, and a labyrinth. We walked it, all ended up in the middle, then ran out. We were laughing so hard by the time we all reached the end. I'm so glad we all can get along and have fun together now that we're older. They're seriously my favorite people.
Saturday night, we attended an Easter Vigil at St. Bartholomew's Church. I think it's interesting to go to services in different churches. We very obviously did not know what was going on, but the people were nice and just helped us along. Sunday morning, Dad and Amy went to church, and us kids went garnet hunting on Garnet Hill. There are thousands of garnets just waiting to be found. I'll be the first to admit that I was terrible at it. Gracie and Zane were finding them left and right, while I could not find one to save my life. I finally found a few tiny ones, but they paled in comparison to the large ones the others found. It was a great end to Easter weekend.
We started up improv again today-- this time the class is Games 101. It was so much fun tonight! A lot of the same people were there from the last class so that was nice. It got rowdy and it was amazing, and I so enjoy having 2 hrs to just let go and be silly.
I feel so incredibly blessed to be living this life.
What a life we live.
Wednesday, March 21, 2018
Busy, Busy
Hello!
It's been a busy two weeks since I last wrote. Last Wednesday was spent on the road!
My grandpa passed away over the weekend, so I made a trip to Texas for the funeral. It was a beautiful service. I cried through the singing of the hymns, but what really got me was the burial and the poem that was read by my uncle. Even when I read it now, I can't help but feel overwhelmingly sad, but also proud of the legacy my grandpa left. The poem so perfectly encapsulated his life, his work, and his family. The poem is 'Close the Gate' by Nancy Kraayenhof, and the last line reads:
Your labor is done, your home is now heaven; no more must you wait.
Your legacy lives on, your love of the land, and we will close the gate.
I wish it had been under different circumstances, but it was so good to spend time with that side of the family. Now that all the cousins are older, it's hard to get together, so I cherish the time I'm able to spend with them. I also got to spend some time with old and best friends, and that's always amazing. Friendships that last the time and distance that ours have are worth holding on to.
I returned to Cedar City Wednesday night, then turned around Friday afternoon and left again. This time the destination was Moab! I'd never been, and I'm so ready to go back. My mom and I were there to run the Canyonlands Half Marathon. The town of Moab is so fun. There are shops all along main street, and there's a winery, a brewery, and a distillery! Next time, I want to spend time there and take tours of them all.
The half marathon was so incredibly hard. It was very windy and hilly. Around mile 11 I started falling apart, mentally and physically. Running that far is incredibly painful (I think), and it's frustrating because even though there's only 2 miles left, those 2 miles feel like they're never going to end. I was honestly running down the highway fighting back tears because I was so upset with myself. The run sucked, but it's over now and I'm glad I did it.
This was the last week of Improv Class and it was good one! We started with a dance game, which is scary, because I cannot dance. (I'm looking for a dance class because I feel this is something I should be better at.) Every week I surprise myself with the stuff I'm willing to do with these people. It's so cool how we created a safe space together and at the end of these 5 weeks, I'm happy to call them friends.
The rest of the time we played a game where 4 people "build" a scene by describing the room and describing the things in the room. Then, two other people play within the scene. These scenes lasted longer than I'd been on stage previously. The first scene I played took place in an interrogation room that was decorated for Christmas. I was the criminal, handcuffed to the table, and opposite me was a nervous cop on her first day on the job. She was trying to get me to confess to a murder, but I was too occupied by the Christmas cookies and claiming my innocence. The second scene, Heather and I played that she welcomed me to her Airbnb, but it was very dirty and she had 7 cats, and I was allergic to cats. She also self-taxidermied one of her cats that had recently died.
I think what's fun about Improv is that it's so surprising what you'll come up with, and you never know what the other person is going to do or say. That used to really scare me, but now I see it as something great. Really funny scenarios can come out of it!
I was initially relieved that tonight was the last class, but now I'm kind of sad. The next round of classes starts in April and I can't wait to start again. After class, Heather asked if I would be taking the next round, and I told her that this class is too good for me to stop. All I'm doing is playing with a bunch of other adults on a stage, but I can see actual evidence of how this class has made a positive effect in my real life.
Never before would I have said this, but I would encourage any person to take a class like this one. I believe it helps with communication and confidence, and everybody could use a little help in those areas!
I'm so happy to be in a place where this is available to me, and so happy I have friends who encourage me to step out and do things that scare me.
What a life we live.
It's been a busy two weeks since I last wrote. Last Wednesday was spent on the road!
My grandpa passed away over the weekend, so I made a trip to Texas for the funeral. It was a beautiful service. I cried through the singing of the hymns, but what really got me was the burial and the poem that was read by my uncle. Even when I read it now, I can't help but feel overwhelmingly sad, but also proud of the legacy my grandpa left. The poem so perfectly encapsulated his life, his work, and his family. The poem is 'Close the Gate' by Nancy Kraayenhof, and the last line reads:
Your labor is done, your home is now heaven; no more must you wait.
Your legacy lives on, your love of the land, and we will close the gate.
I wish it had been under different circumstances, but it was so good to spend time with that side of the family. Now that all the cousins are older, it's hard to get together, so I cherish the time I'm able to spend with them. I also got to spend some time with old and best friends, and that's always amazing. Friendships that last the time and distance that ours have are worth holding on to.
I returned to Cedar City Wednesday night, then turned around Friday afternoon and left again. This time the destination was Moab! I'd never been, and I'm so ready to go back. My mom and I were there to run the Canyonlands Half Marathon. The town of Moab is so fun. There are shops all along main street, and there's a winery, a brewery, and a distillery! Next time, I want to spend time there and take tours of them all.
The half marathon was so incredibly hard. It was very windy and hilly. Around mile 11 I started falling apart, mentally and physically. Running that far is incredibly painful (I think), and it's frustrating because even though there's only 2 miles left, those 2 miles feel like they're never going to end. I was honestly running down the highway fighting back tears because I was so upset with myself. The run sucked, but it's over now and I'm glad I did it.
This was the last week of Improv Class and it was good one! We started with a dance game, which is scary, because I cannot dance. (I'm looking for a dance class because I feel this is something I should be better at.) Every week I surprise myself with the stuff I'm willing to do with these people. It's so cool how we created a safe space together and at the end of these 5 weeks, I'm happy to call them friends.
The rest of the time we played a game where 4 people "build" a scene by describing the room and describing the things in the room. Then, two other people play within the scene. These scenes lasted longer than I'd been on stage previously. The first scene I played took place in an interrogation room that was decorated for Christmas. I was the criminal, handcuffed to the table, and opposite me was a nervous cop on her first day on the job. She was trying to get me to confess to a murder, but I was too occupied by the Christmas cookies and claiming my innocence. The second scene, Heather and I played that she welcomed me to her Airbnb, but it was very dirty and she had 7 cats, and I was allergic to cats. She also self-taxidermied one of her cats that had recently died.
I think what's fun about Improv is that it's so surprising what you'll come up with, and you never know what the other person is going to do or say. That used to really scare me, but now I see it as something great. Really funny scenarios can come out of it!
I was initially relieved that tonight was the last class, but now I'm kind of sad. The next round of classes starts in April and I can't wait to start again. After class, Heather asked if I would be taking the next round, and I told her that this class is too good for me to stop. All I'm doing is playing with a bunch of other adults on a stage, but I can see actual evidence of how this class has made a positive effect in my real life.
Never before would I have said this, but I would encourage any person to take a class like this one. I believe it helps with communication and confidence, and everybody could use a little help in those areas!
I'm so happy to be in a place where this is available to me, and so happy I have friends who encourage me to step out and do things that scare me.
What a life we live.
Wednesday, March 7, 2018
Follow the Fear
Hey there!
I might sound like a broken record, but I'm here to talk about Improv again! (Because I literally just got home from it, and it's fresh on mind.) (I'm also feeling very proud of myself, and I'd like to bask in that before the inevitable self doubt plagues my sleep tonight.)
This week's class was amazing. We amped it up and only did one group game, then did nearly 2 hrs of straight up Improv-- just two people on a black stage, making up a story in front of other people. Do you know how exhilarating/terrifying that is?
The scenes started at 15 seconds, and when you haven't been on stage, 15 seconds feels like an eternity. Seriously, in my first scene, I was looking over at the guy with the timer, like, dude, I know time's up, I need you to call it.
Just when I thought I'd survived the worst of the night, they doubled the time we spent on stage. 30 seconds is (wait for it) even longer than 15. But I did it! (I even did it more than once, which is a big step forward for me.)
AND THEN THEY DOUBLE IT. And you have to play for a full minute. But it was so good! And once I'd be exposed to 15, then 30 seconds, 60 seconds no longer felt like it would never end. In fact, I was surprised when the timer guy told me to stop.
It truly was a good time. I think part of why it's so fun is that every single person in the room is entirely supportive of every choice you make on stage. (I honestly think that they're equally as uncomfortable as I am, but much better at hiding it.) We ended with a strange game where we could only talk in numbers, and it was meant to teach that it doesn't matter so much what you're saying, but how you say it and how committed you are to the scene.
Commitment was the theme of the class, and I'm confident I fully committed during those 2 hours and came out stronger on the other side.
I was looking at one of the teachers' tattoos while he was talking (low-key not listening and very distracted), and what it said may have changed my life. It was a ship wheel with a banner across the center that read, "Follow the Fear." I've heard similar things, like 'do what scares you', but I'd never seen it written that way. I'm still processing exactly what that could mean in my life (because it could mean very big things).
I think I'm sometimes good at doing things that scare me, but for the most part, I stick with what I know. One thing this class has taught me is that doing something I NEVER thought I would like can lead to really fun things. Perhaps Follow the Fear means more than going and seeing; it's doing-- stepping out and participating. That's where I'm lacking; I'm most comfortable as a spectator, but I think the players are the ones having more fun.
Something to think about.
Also this week, Heather, Katie, and I went to Paint Nite. This is a thing I'd never done, and I was kind of anxious for it because I have perfectionist tendencies and I worried I wouldn't be happy with what I created. The thing about it though, is that the process of creating is much more important than the end result. I got to spend an evening with two great friends, talking and laughing together, in the presence of 30 other extremely supportive women and men who were there to have fun, just like we were. And that's why it was great! The atmosphere is so positive, and we're all fumbling idiots just trying our best and trying together. In the end, I was very happy with what I created-- I gave myself permission to do what I felt, instead of trying to make it perfect.
I've felt very supported this week. I'm learning that when you're surrounded by happy, encouraging people, you can't help but also be happy and encouraging. And who doesn't want a happy and encouraging person in their life? (I do. I want several.)
Anyway, that's where I am right now-- extremely gratefully for the people I get to spend my time with and happy to be ever-growing and ever-learning.
What a life we live.
I might sound like a broken record, but I'm here to talk about Improv again! (Because I literally just got home from it, and it's fresh on mind.) (I'm also feeling very proud of myself, and I'd like to bask in that before the inevitable self doubt plagues my sleep tonight.)
This week's class was amazing. We amped it up and only did one group game, then did nearly 2 hrs of straight up Improv-- just two people on a black stage, making up a story in front of other people. Do you know how exhilarating/terrifying that is?
The scenes started at 15 seconds, and when you haven't been on stage, 15 seconds feels like an eternity. Seriously, in my first scene, I was looking over at the guy with the timer, like, dude, I know time's up, I need you to call it.
Just when I thought I'd survived the worst of the night, they doubled the time we spent on stage. 30 seconds is (wait for it) even longer than 15. But I did it! (I even did it more than once, which is a big step forward for me.)
AND THEN THEY DOUBLE IT. And you have to play for a full minute. But it was so good! And once I'd be exposed to 15, then 30 seconds, 60 seconds no longer felt like it would never end. In fact, I was surprised when the timer guy told me to stop.
It truly was a good time. I think part of why it's so fun is that every single person in the room is entirely supportive of every choice you make on stage. (I honestly think that they're equally as uncomfortable as I am, but much better at hiding it.) We ended with a strange game where we could only talk in numbers, and it was meant to teach that it doesn't matter so much what you're saying, but how you say it and how committed you are to the scene.
Commitment was the theme of the class, and I'm confident I fully committed during those 2 hours and came out stronger on the other side.
I was looking at one of the teachers' tattoos while he was talking (low-key not listening and very distracted), and what it said may have changed my life. It was a ship wheel with a banner across the center that read, "Follow the Fear." I've heard similar things, like 'do what scares you', but I'd never seen it written that way. I'm still processing exactly what that could mean in my life (because it could mean very big things).
I think I'm sometimes good at doing things that scare me, but for the most part, I stick with what I know. One thing this class has taught me is that doing something I NEVER thought I would like can lead to really fun things. Perhaps Follow the Fear means more than going and seeing; it's doing-- stepping out and participating. That's where I'm lacking; I'm most comfortable as a spectator, but I think the players are the ones having more fun.
Something to think about.
Also this week, Heather, Katie, and I went to Paint Nite. This is a thing I'd never done, and I was kind of anxious for it because I have perfectionist tendencies and I worried I wouldn't be happy with what I created. The thing about it though, is that the process of creating is much more important than the end result. I got to spend an evening with two great friends, talking and laughing together, in the presence of 30 other extremely supportive women and men who were there to have fun, just like we were. And that's why it was great! The atmosphere is so positive, and we're all fumbling idiots just trying our best and trying together. In the end, I was very happy with what I created-- I gave myself permission to do what I felt, instead of trying to make it perfect.
We're so cute.
I've felt very supported this week. I'm learning that when you're surrounded by happy, encouraging people, you can't help but also be happy and encouraging. And who doesn't want a happy and encouraging person in their life? (I do. I want several.)
Anyway, that's where I am right now-- extremely gratefully for the people I get to spend my time with and happy to be ever-growing and ever-learning.
What a life we live.
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
Scary Things
Hey, two weeks in a row! And it's been a really good week.
Friday night, Heather and I went to the Improv Show. They have one every Friday night, but I'd never been before. This is unfortunate because I had a blast! This is a seriously untapped gem of Cedar City. They put on a great show. I will say however that it did very little to calm my nerves about what we might be doing in Improv Class this week.
Despite the snow and abhorrent weather, I was able to escape to sunny St. George and get in a good run this Saturday. It was even better because I got to run in Snow Canyon State Park. I figure any place that's cool enough to be named a state or national park is a place I want to spend time. And it was beautiful! I've been there a few times before, but I feel this time I was really able to appreciate it's beauty. I'd like to go back and actually hike some of the side trails instead of running the main trail.
Sometimes I really hate running. It's a hassle, it hurts, it's really freaking hard. But I also really love it. I love how it clears my mind. I love how I begin to appreciate my body and how it gets stronger with every mile. I love that step after step, I prove to myself that my willpower is stronger than the thoughts that tell me I can't do this or maybe I should just stop.
Monday night I started playing volleyball again. Cedar has a fall and spring adult league. My team killed it in the fall, so I'm very excited for this season. I'm playing with 3 of the same girls, so hopefully we'll fall back into a good rhythm. This week we beat both teams that we played, so we're off to a good start! Since I didn't play college ball, I didn't think there would be any opportunities for me to play competitively again, so I'm very excited for this.
That brings us to tonight. I went back to Improv class. If it's possible, I think I was more nervous/ anxious for this week than I was for last-- partly because I figured this would be the week I'd have to be on stage, and partly because the Friday night show really freaked me out. I was right about having to be on stage, but thankfully they built us up to that.
We started with a few group activities just to loosen everyone up. Then, we had to play The Game. Actual improv, on an actual stage, with actual people in the audience. And you know what, I'm really happy with how I performed! The game was that you knock on a door and the other person has to answer it, and you build the scene based on what the other person says and you just go with it.
Once I got out of my head and stopped thinking, I felt able to enjoy myself and the scene and just react! instead of taking the time to think about what might be 'right' or funny in this situation. My scenes were:
-I'm a vet and the person on the other side of the door has a dying bird.
-I open the door to a friend who showed up to my mother's funeral wearing jeans. I'm pissed.
-I'm a trick or treat-er and the old lady who answers the door doesn't have candy, but she does have green beans.
-I open the door to someone responding to my newspaper ad for a tiny bike.
They were all kind of dumb and funny, but they were made up on the spot and it was so much fun! And once I was on the stage not worrying about what to say, I also was not worrying about the audience and that was a great feeling. It's amazing how much more confident I felt afterward. I felt powerful and confident and just proud of what I'd done. Incredibly proud that I'd done something that scared the pee out me. Doing scary things is hard, but I think it's probably worth it.
Now I'm home, ready for bed, and looking forward to the week ahead.
What a life we live.
Friday night, Heather and I went to the Improv Show. They have one every Friday night, but I'd never been before. This is unfortunate because I had a blast! This is a seriously untapped gem of Cedar City. They put on a great show. I will say however that it did very little to calm my nerves about what we might be doing in Improv Class this week.
Despite the snow and abhorrent weather, I was able to escape to sunny St. George and get in a good run this Saturday. It was even better because I got to run in Snow Canyon State Park. I figure any place that's cool enough to be named a state or national park is a place I want to spend time. And it was beautiful! I've been there a few times before, but I feel this time I was really able to appreciate it's beauty. I'd like to go back and actually hike some of the side trails instead of running the main trail.
Sometimes I really hate running. It's a hassle, it hurts, it's really freaking hard. But I also really love it. I love how it clears my mind. I love how I begin to appreciate my body and how it gets stronger with every mile. I love that step after step, I prove to myself that my willpower is stronger than the thoughts that tell me I can't do this or maybe I should just stop.
Monday night I started playing volleyball again. Cedar has a fall and spring adult league. My team killed it in the fall, so I'm very excited for this season. I'm playing with 3 of the same girls, so hopefully we'll fall back into a good rhythm. This week we beat both teams that we played, so we're off to a good start! Since I didn't play college ball, I didn't think there would be any opportunities for me to play competitively again, so I'm very excited for this.
That brings us to tonight. I went back to Improv class. If it's possible, I think I was more nervous/ anxious for this week than I was for last-- partly because I figured this would be the week I'd have to be on stage, and partly because the Friday night show really freaked me out. I was right about having to be on stage, but thankfully they built us up to that.
We started with a few group activities just to loosen everyone up. Then, we had to play The Game. Actual improv, on an actual stage, with actual people in the audience. And you know what, I'm really happy with how I performed! The game was that you knock on a door and the other person has to answer it, and you build the scene based on what the other person says and you just go with it.
Once I got out of my head and stopped thinking, I felt able to enjoy myself and the scene and just react! instead of taking the time to think about what might be 'right' or funny in this situation. My scenes were:
-I'm a vet and the person on the other side of the door has a dying bird.
-I open the door to a friend who showed up to my mother's funeral wearing jeans. I'm pissed.
-I'm a trick or treat-er and the old lady who answers the door doesn't have candy, but she does have green beans.
-I open the door to someone responding to my newspaper ad for a tiny bike.
They were all kind of dumb and funny, but they were made up on the spot and it was so much fun! And once I was on the stage not worrying about what to say, I also was not worrying about the audience and that was a great feeling. It's amazing how much more confident I felt afterward. I felt powerful and confident and just proud of what I'd done. Incredibly proud that I'd done something that scared the pee out me. Doing scary things is hard, but I think it's probably worth it.
Now I'm home, ready for bed, and looking forward to the week ahead.
What a life we live.
Wednesday, February 21, 2018
I want to live.
How many times have I told myself that I need to get back to this blog?
Well, I'm back, for now. And I'll just get into it!
Lately I have been longing to feel alive.
This feeling came about one morning when I was out running on the canyon trail, here in Cedar. It's a beautiful trail that winds from the baseball fields to the edge of town, through a park and up the canyon. I love running this trail. On this particular day, I was running 6 miles, and I was dying because I hadn't been training like I should, but I was determined to stay on schedule. (even if that meant the longest I had run to date was only 4 miles.)
Anyway, I was running and I became acutely aware of my body and how it was moving and how incredibly proud I was of it for doing this. My body was putting one foot in front of the other and moving forward. I was so in awe that I was capable of this, because just a year earlier, I wouldn't have even dreamed of running more than a mile. (I completed my first half marathon last September!)
I was in awe of my body, and I felt the sun on my skin, and I was in awe of nature and my place in it. How crazy is it that I am alive at this point in time? And I get to be here and do things that I enjoy because my body can take me places.
Maybe this isn't making a lot of sense, but it was a revelation to me in that moment.
The next day, I went hiking in Zion and I felt the same elation to be out in nature and to experience the beauty all around me. The next weekend, I went to Zion again, and I promised myself I would do as many things as I can fit into my schedule this year, because I'm here and I might not ever be here again, and I want to live while I can.
The second weekend in Zion, Katie and I hiked Observation Point. It's an 8 mile roundtrip with 2,000+ ft elevation gain. (This means it's a 4 mile uphill climb.) It was strenuous and I wanted to curl up in a ball after we were done, but it was the most incredible view at the top. There wasn't a single part of the hike that wasn't amazing. There were no boring stretches, because you never knew what was coming around the next bend. It's filled with sheer drops, slot canyons, and a nice stroll on the rim of the canyon. I can't wait to do it again!
Also, this may come as a surprise, but as I write this, I have just come home from my first Improv class. What?! I know. I'm still in shock. But it was so much fun! (And I'm low-key looking forward to class next Wednesday.) My friend Heather asked me if I would join her in the class, right before we sat through a 2 hr musical, and the only thing I was thinking about was the class and whether or not I should do it. The next day she asked again, and I got on the website to sign up before I could think too hard about it! On my way to class (and most of today), I was SO scared, but I did it. And I'm so proud of myself right now!
So that's what this blog is going to be. A journal of the hikes/festival/events/activities I partake in this year. Hopefully there will be so many!
What an adventure this will be!
Well, I'm back, for now. And I'll just get into it!
Lately I have been longing to feel alive.
This feeling came about one morning when I was out running on the canyon trail, here in Cedar. It's a beautiful trail that winds from the baseball fields to the edge of town, through a park and up the canyon. I love running this trail. On this particular day, I was running 6 miles, and I was dying because I hadn't been training like I should, but I was determined to stay on schedule. (even if that meant the longest I had run to date was only 4 miles.)
Anyway, I was running and I became acutely aware of my body and how it was moving and how incredibly proud I was of it for doing this. My body was putting one foot in front of the other and moving forward. I was so in awe that I was capable of this, because just a year earlier, I wouldn't have even dreamed of running more than a mile. (I completed my first half marathon last September!)
I was in awe of my body, and I felt the sun on my skin, and I was in awe of nature and my place in it. How crazy is it that I am alive at this point in time? And I get to be here and do things that I enjoy because my body can take me places.
Maybe this isn't making a lot of sense, but it was a revelation to me in that moment.
The next day, I went hiking in Zion and I felt the same elation to be out in nature and to experience the beauty all around me. The next weekend, I went to Zion again, and I promised myself I would do as many things as I can fit into my schedule this year, because I'm here and I might not ever be here again, and I want to live while I can.
The second weekend in Zion, Katie and I hiked Observation Point. It's an 8 mile roundtrip with 2,000+ ft elevation gain. (This means it's a 4 mile uphill climb.) It was strenuous and I wanted to curl up in a ball after we were done, but it was the most incredible view at the top. There wasn't a single part of the hike that wasn't amazing. There were no boring stretches, because you never knew what was coming around the next bend. It's filled with sheer drops, slot canyons, and a nice stroll on the rim of the canyon. I can't wait to do it again!
Also, this may come as a surprise, but as I write this, I have just come home from my first Improv class. What?! I know. I'm still in shock. But it was so much fun! (And I'm low-key looking forward to class next Wednesday.) My friend Heather asked me if I would join her in the class, right before we sat through a 2 hr musical, and the only thing I was thinking about was the class and whether or not I should do it. The next day she asked again, and I got on the website to sign up before I could think too hard about it! On my way to class (and most of today), I was SO scared, but I did it. And I'm so proud of myself right now!
So that's what this blog is going to be. A journal of the hikes/festival/events/activities I partake in this year. Hopefully there will be so many!
What an adventure this will be!
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