Breckenridge, Colorado

Day two of Colorado started out with perfect weather and water for Kayaking!

So my kayaking skills leave something to be desired, but I kept up with my group okay.

I love the way the clouds reflected in the glass-like water.

After kayaking, I rented a bike and took the shuttle up to the top of Vail pass. The bike path was amazing, and it was a nice ride, especially because it was all down hill.

The bike path was so scenic. I just kept thinking "how had I not discovered Colorado mountains before this?!?" I will definitely be back and maybe one day (when I don't have to run a half marathon a few days later), I will be brave enough to try the uphill parts of this beautiful trail as well.

This is the look of a girl who is thoroughly enjoying herself. Though next time I come to Colorado, I plan on doing so with some good company, I'm happy that I decided to take myself on vacation. It was the perfect two-day adventure.

Ouray, Colorado

I had a few days off work and decided a vacation was in order. Needing something within a day's drive, I decided on Colorado. Turns out that was the perfect decision. I found one my most favorite locations: a small mountain town called Ouray.

I got in late last night when it was too dark to see anything but the vague outline of the mountains. When I woke up this morning I was not disappointed. This is where I stayed, at a little motel by the river.

This place is called the Switzerland of America for good reason. The small little town nestled in between the towering peaks is unlike anywhere else I've ever been, and I've seen my fair share of mountains. This view was near one of two falls that are within a short drive and short walk from town. The first one is called Canon Falls and the amount of water rushing down these smooth rock walls is incredible (though you can't tell from this picture).

Cascade falls is much taller than the picture tells as well.

After a quick run where I could really feel the elevation gain, I spent a hour or so in the sun and hot springs in town. So relaxing. Best view by far that I've ever had at swimming pool.

Spent the rest of the afternoon driving while trying to enjoy the incredible views from 11,000 feet high in Colorado's pine covered mountains.

They call this the million dollar highway for good reason. How they ever managed to build a road here, I cannot tell you.

Day one of Colorado mountain adventures: nearly perfect. Can't wait for tomorrow.

Every grain becomes a memory of the past

I cried a bit while listening to this song in the car this evening. There is a baby boy who is not mine, but who will forever have a small bit of my heart, and this song hit home as I have recently had to let go of his small hand and let someone else become his nanny.

I have been so loved by him and his family. I'm overwhelmed by the goodness of the people the Lord puts into my life. And feel so blessed. So many beautiful pieces of grain in my hourglass thus far.

Can't wait to be able to love a baby of my very own forever. But can't imagine replacing these years of preparation with anything else. 

Done!

I guess that finishing up my second bachelor's degree deserves at least a blog post, as that's about all the celebrating I feel like doing right now. Being out of school for the summer is reward enough.

I'm amazed that everything worked out as well as it did... and that now I'm a Utah State graduate with a pretty decent GPA and B.A. in communication disorders. It's seriously a miracle that I managed to get a good GRE score, study for full time online classes, and get in the grad school, all while working 50 hours a week. Such a blessing! My boss at work was very supportive, I felt aid from on high, and I had a surprising amount of online peer support that helped a lot with questions, grad school worries, study guides, etc.

I sure won't miss the online class format. Positives: flexible, can get ahead in classes if you need to, still work full time. Negatives: Boring lectures format, spending way too much time staring at computer screen instead of in person interaction, huge classes that have little interaction or no with the professor.

Yay for being done! 
And having a lot to look forward to this summer.
Including 10 days off work starting Friday night!
And this weekend's trip with a rather good looking guy to :

I ♥ San Diego

 

Old Town San Diego: Beautiful everywhere! Mormon Battalion Museum, yummy mexican restaurant, cowboys, ice cream

Loma Point: Cabrillo National Monument, exploring tide pools with Haley, pelicans, seals, lighthouse, captivating waves, gorgeous blue-green water, perfect weather, fabulous views captured by Alexis.

LA in a day

Los Angeles: Griffith Observatory, Hollywood sign, Long drive through Hollywood, past the LA temple and to Santa Monica, beach, crepes, fender bender, Punch Brothers concert. Thanks to my awesome hosts (and amazing photographer): Alexis and Michael Jenkins.

I'll be taking a chance

Please consider this poem in light of the delightfully wonderful, yet difficult decision in my imminent future of where to go to grad school:

The Zode in the Road by Dr. Seuss

Did I ever tell you about the young Zode,
Who came to two signs at the fork in the road?
One said to Place One, and the other, Place Two.
So the Zode had to make up his mind what to do.
Well…the Zode scratched his head, and his chin and his pants.
And he said to himself, “I’ll be taking a chance
If I go to Place One. Now, that place may be hot!
And so, how do I know if I’ll like it or not?
On the other hand though, I’ll be sort of a fool
If I go to Place Two and find it too cool.
In that case I may catch a chill and turn blue!
So, maybe Place One is the best, not Place Two,
But then again, what if Place One is too high?
I may catch a terrible earache and die!
So Place Two may be best! On the other hand though…
What might happen to me if Place Two is too low?
I might get some very strange pain in my toe!
So Place One may be best,” and he started to go.
Then he stopped, and he said, “On the other hand though….
On the other hand…other hand…other hand though…”
And for 36 hours and a half that poor Zode
Made starts and made stops at the fork in the road.
Saying, “Don’t take a chance. No! You may not be right.”
Then he got an idea that was wonderfully bright!
“Play safe!” cried the Zode. “I’ll play safe. I’m no dunce!
I’ll simply start out for both places at once!”
And that’s how the Zode who would not take a chance
Got no place at all with a split in his pants.

So the other day I got this letter while at the grocery store: 

This was pretty much the most exciting thing to happen to me in awhile...for several reasons: #1- it came earlier that expected, #2- it came as an acceptance letter, not a rejection (this is the #18 program in the nation for speech pathology and rather competitive) #3- everyone has been really supportive and happy for me (check it out: 55 likes on fb and 25 comments is a personal record for me... considering I have yet to be engaged or pregnant) #4- Life feels like it has more potential than it has in a while and I sure love that feeling (this may or may not also involve a boy).

So after I sat down at the grocery store to post on fb, called my mom and dad, and such... now it's down to the business of deciding... what kind of financial aid can I get, where would I live, could I ever afford it, is this where God wants me to be? Thing is, I much rather would be in this dilemma than not. I thrive on these sorts of adventures and feel so blessed to have things work out so well this far. It makes all the studying, GRE stress, applications, and boring saturday afternoons studying seem well worth it. (Of course it always seems that way looking back, rather than when you're in the middle of it all, doesn't it?)

So here's to making sure that “Don’t take a chance. No! You may not be right.” is exactly the opposite of the voices I listen to when forging down the path ahead.


p.s. my other blog (yeah the one where I write about gushy dating stuff and vent about boy and such) has a new post on it... but this one I wrote last year (that I also doubt anyone has read) is more quality.