Tuesday, July 28, 2009

st. louis


I went to meet my friend James in St. Louis this weekend. We started out by taking advantage of a generous birthday gift. Two tickets to Cold Play! Thanks Julie and Chris! Cold Play was amazing in concert just by the way and a blast because it was at an outdoor ampitheater. Super humid in St. Louis though as you can tell by the pic! We went for pancakes after and got caught up.
Saturday was filled with a whirlwind tour of St. Louis. We went for a pic nic breakfast at the famous St. Louis arch, or "gateway to the west", to an art museum in Forest Park, The St. Louis Temple grounds, to a funky part of town with old record shops and vitnage stores (I loved that of course) and of course watched as many season four Office episodes that we could stay awake for!

James is an artist and it was so great to see some of his talent in person. Take a look at some of his work.
I am so lucky to have such talented people in my life. I am constantly amazed at my wonderful friends. Thank You James for being a fabulous tour guide! I need more weekends like this one for sure!

bear lake and a raspberry shake



Last month my ward held the annual Bear Lake activity. We had a great time despite the somewhat rainy weather. We were able to do a session at that Logan Temple and then head to the Bishop's cabin for games and a sleepover before our day at the lake. It was really nice to get to know people in my ward better and to just have a weekend to do nothing but fun! Of course we couldn't skip the famous Bear Lake Raspberry Shakes. Such Goodness!

While I am mentioning treats, have you tried this Chex Mix savour every bit, can't leave it alone for a second recipe? Sister O'Brian made a gigantic bowl of this and we couldn't stop eating it. It's way easy and sure to please your party guests!

Chex Mix Treat
Ingredients
•1 1/2 c butter
•1 c white kayro
•1 c sugar
•3 c rice chex
•3 c corn chex
•6 c golden grahams
•1/2 c coconut
•slivered almonds

Directions
1.In large bowl combine cereals, coconut and almonds
2.In saucepan combine butter, sugar and kayro
3.Bring to a boil and boil for 2 minutes
4.Pour over cereal mixture
5.Spread on wax paper till slightly dry to touch
6.Separate into bite-sized clusters

Friday, July 10, 2009

curve ball, some changes

What a whirlwind week it has been. I feel like I was picked up in a tornado, spun around a few times and put back on the ground.

I have some news. I am returning to Connecticut at the end of August. This week I got a call from my old employer who runs an a nanny agency in Connecticut telling me about an opportunity to work for one of her friends. Most of you who read this blog, know that I am a nanny by profession. At first I had dismissed the call, until I realized it was an answer to the prayers I'd been saying in the past month. Lately the future, particularly my economic future has been weighing on my mind. I was getting anxious at the fact that I will have student loans coming out of grad school and no gaurantee of a job, especially not in Utah where it seems that everyone wants to be a teacher. Last time I checked the districts out of curiosity there was nothing. Here in Utah I am working for an AMAZING family, so I kept dismissing the promptings that I need to really find something where I can save as much money as possible. I am making an ok salary, enought to pay my bills but there just isn't enough to put any sort of significant amount in the bank for savings and in this economy, it just makes me nervous. I'd been attending temple sessions, pondering, and praying in search for answers this past month. Monday evening I had a dream that I was talking to my old boss and she was telling me about some lovely families who needed nannies. Not even a joke I woke up to an e-mail from her asking me to call. That was Tuesday, and I interviewed with a new family that evening. After speaking with the family and working out logistics, and a couple of talks wih my parents and prayer, I decided to accept the position. It wasn't easy though, because the people that I work for in Utah are so kind, generous, and such examples to me. I will be sad to leave them. I have to be strong though and realize that I have done this before and still have great relationships with all of the families I work for. I love the kids I have been blessed to watch over the years with all of my heart. I also have to recognize the positive impact having a large savings will have on my future.

As for grad school, I will continue with my master's degree but will be switching to Early Childhood Education. My undergrad is in Human Development and Early Childhood so I feel like this will be a comfortable degree for me and one that I can build upon my experience. I don't know that I will be pulled away from nannying to teach pre-school. I am quite comfortable as a nanny, but it will be nice to have the qualifications and I am happy with being able to get my teaching certifications in Connecticut as it ranks in the top three states in the Nation for education.

As for the dream...I know it sounds random, but the next step after grad school will be Culinary School. The ultimate career goal for me is to have lots of little aspiring chef's busy in a kitchen classroom, and I am their teacher. Some day!

I am always amazed at the curve balls in life. The quick and sometimes not so quick decisions to make, and the answers to prayer we recieve. I am truely blessed, and very fortunate. With all of life's opportunity, I really do feel like, the luckiest girl in the world!

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

2 down, 48 to go!


A couple of weeks ago, I completed my third half marathon, second in the USA. I am one step closer to reaching my goal of running in every state in the nation. The Jackson Hole, Wyoming half marathon was well, quaint. I don't know that I would recommend the organization as most runners couldn't find the start line because it wasn't where the website said it would be, however, I would definatly recommend the scenery. There were about 150 runners and most of the race took place on a bike path which is set alongside the mountains and at a couple of points crosses the Snake River. I didn't train for this race as well as I would have liked, but I finished. With each finish it pushes me to do more, and to run harder. I enjoy that feeling so much! For sure I stopped for a Bear Lake Raspberry Shake on the way home and was glad I did it! Still deciding which race to train for next!

a little excitement


Ok, so this is not THAT big of a deal but I am finally headed to a different city for some play time. You know me...I am a travel bug and I get the itch probably more frequent than most. I am headed to St. Louis at the end of the month to visit a friend. I haven't heard a lot about this city, so if anyone has ideas on places to see, things to explore please comment and let me know! Hope you all are having a great summer!

Monday, July 6, 2009

some honest venting

Ok, this is mostly for my lady readers, because I know some of you are going to understand what I am saying and feeling. Let me preface by saying most things in my life are going well...so don't be worried that a couple things are weighing on my mind. I just feel like expressing what I have felt lately.

Do you ever feel like no matter what you do to improve it's not good enough? I have been feeling like this, especially when it comes to my own body. I understand that I am a child of God, I understand that my body is a temple. But do I love the body I was given all the time? Not so much.

I feel like my body is the one thing holding me back from my potential. I excercise nearly everyday, whether running, swimming, hiking, rollerblading or going on walks. I eat lots of fruits, vegetables and proteins. But it doesn't seem to make any difference. I usually only eat desserts on occasion, but it feels like I shouldn't have any. I gave up all types of soda and juice completely and only drink water. No matter what I do, my body stays the same or seems to be the thing that isn't great. Sometimes I don't like my body at all, and I get embarrased to see people that I haven't run into in ages. I want different arms, a new stomach, leaner legs, leaner everything and a more defined collar bone.

I sometimes am upset that I was given this body. I wonder why I didn't get the ballerina frame or the gymnast muscles, or the nice jaw line or the fast metabolism. But after thinking that, comes the guilty feeling that I should love the body I was given because it is healthy and God created it. I feel like I treat my body well, why can't it treat me well? Isn't this supposed to be a give and take relationship?