MOAB!

So obviously my goal to finish Costa Rica on Sunday did not happen. The Internet was down all night. I was frustrated, but I suppose God knows best. I had some other matters of business more important but less exciting I turned to instead. When it will all be done is any ones guess. My guitar improvement is slow to say the least. I am ready to be flying through the cords- and it just doesn't happen like that. Especially the F bar cord. Any players out there willing to share how long it took them to switch around with ease? Am I just not nimble fingered and slow?

I have to report that my Moab adventure was basically, perfect. Just what I wanted for my birthday and maybe even more. Excellent company, perfect weather (except Friday night was a little chilly), excellent hike- up a canyon fissure to the top of the world and then two amazing rappels down, smores, tin foil apples, scenery... Needless to say it was a great weekend. Want to see pictures?

The view from camp in sepia.


Camp- two nights of milky way and moon rises.

Breakfast!

Starting our hike- Steve decided to see how far up he could get... Then he came back and joined us on the "trail".

Maisey is the trusty companion always up for a hike. Because the sand in Moab rubs her pads raw they invested in the cutest hiking shoes ever. She was more like a mountain goat than a dog on our hike.

Our "trail" and our first view of hidden splendor arch.





Our lunch destination- on top of that peak. Going up it was no problem, coming down, that was a little more treacherous.

On top of the world for lunch. The view was amazing!

Steve and Rachel soaking it all up.

Hidden Splendor Arch

A very cool tree- and I do believe I have mentioned before how much of a fan of trees I am.

Next was navigating the channel of water... except there wasn't any water in October. So instead of wading/swimming we had to fit through and spider crawl the narrow channel.

We were surrounded by amazing formations. I was in constant awe of all that was around me. The power of the elements is amazing.

After spending so much time hiking up - we needed to come down. Maisey was not to be left behind.

Waiting for Steve to set up our last rappel I took opportunity for a photo op with the dog. See my lovely harness? Thanks again to Nate Walsh- without him I wonder if I would have ever bought my harness and it has come in so handy...

Crazy cactus everywhere.

This rappel was a little tricky to get into and I think my heart palpitated a few extra beats until I felt myself supported by the ropes and I wasn't going to swing into the wall. The best part was the view and the free rappel when the wall stopped and the descent continued.

Candid shot of the two enjoying the sunset in Arches National Park. After our hike and a smoothie in town we took off to see some sites. And what sites! I finally made it to Arches. My license plate is official!

The world is an amazing a beautiful place. I am in awe. I am also in awe of our bodies and all that it can do and the joy that is found in using it to explore. I could have continued hiking, exploring and enjoying Southern Utah days on end. Probably as long as the warm weather held. I am grateful to friends and family and the joy of their company. Rachel and Steve were amazing- I hardly did anything. All I did was mention what I wanted to do and they made it happen. Once again a big Thank You to those who help me LIVE.

The Fun Continues...

I am excited!! The birthday festivities continue this weekend. I decided after I missed my Moab trip in March due to being deathly ill, that I was going to go for my birthday. Tomorrow- I'm off - my first time- can you believe it?! I'm getting through that list of mine, slowly, but surely. I'm going with Rachel and Steve France, my amazing cousins who are planning and taking care of just about everything. I mentioned it was what I wanted to do for my birthday and they are making it happen. I am so blessed to have such great people in my life. Camping, hiking, rappelling... and time to relax!!

I am am progressing with my guitar lessons. Or at least my fingers are not as sore. I have picked up my guitar everyday this week after my first lesson last Wed. Calluses are beginning to form! I just wish my fingers didn't feel like they were drunk trying to switch between the cords. I am determined to learn. I love making music- whether it is playing the piano, singing, or my few cords and two songs on the guitar. There definitely is something joyful about creating- regardless if you are a natural born talent. Speaking of making music... I still need to play before I give into the strong pull of my sleigh bed. So this entry is short and sweet. I have some blog guilt because I have so much more to do on it but- time, my friends, is illusive. My goal is to finish Costa Rica on Sunday. What are the odds...?

Flirty, 30, and Thriving!!!

I made it!!! Yesterday morning I officially became 30! Interesting how reaching such milestones affects you. I am 85% thrilled to be here. The other 15% wonders how that is possible. I love that when I look back I see I put my twenties to good use. I am grateful to be the person I am now and not where I was when I turned 20. I would hate to look back and see it any other way. Truthfully I am surprised at where I am- not what I expected. But at the end of the day- it is far greater and better. I have conquered many fears and have fewer weaknesses. I have tasted of the world and am not done trying all the flavors available. I am grateful for unfulfilled dreams because it gives me something to anticipate, live for, and learn from. And believe me- I've got enough dreams to keep me going. I am- and that is wonderful.
I could not let my 30th slide past- sneak in and out. I knew I would always regret it. So I decided to take a stand and do what I don't- I threw a party. And it was great! Granted it took about 2 hours into it for me to finally relax and realize it was a great turn out and stop worrying about it. But when you have amazing friends with exceptional talents... it was bound to be a success. Here is a shout out to Jeff Tueller, John Walker, Danny Wood, Krissy Rawlinson, and Iam Camp for the amazing live music which let me dance the night away. A shout out to Steve Soleberg for creating laughs and smiles in the crowd with his comedy. Finally-Heather Heiner and Athelia (CK) Wholley for being willing to join me in choreographing and performing a dance to my theme song- Dancing Queen by Abba. It was my party- I wanted to dance- so I did. I think we surprised more than not with our little routine... I couldn't have done it all without my family and roommates helping to pull it all together- thank you!! Oh, and how can I forget Ken Pomeroy who let us use his portion of the house for the band and dancing. Good neighbor is an understatement. In the end, I went to bed tired, but very happy. Happy guests, happy host- bringing in the new decade with zest! The only way...

There are pictures- but I don't have them yet- look for upcoming posts...

Tortuguero- the canal

At 9:30 am Saturday morning Willis came and picked us up from the hotel and brought us to the dock. Here we meet up with a group of about 10 to be shown the wonders of Tortuguero. It was nice to not have to think for awhile and just enjoy. Our transportation, lodging, activities and meals were covered for the next 30 hours.

One of my favorite shots of the two of us.-- Look good in Sepia- don't you think!

Amy and I were in agreement that the 3 hour canal ride to Tortuguero was a highlight. It was incredible how different the Caribbean side was to the Pacific.

This post is more a photo log of the amazing sights from the boat on our watery highway around Tortuguero. Their cars are boats and their highways are canals.

Amy and I sat in the front to have the best view possible. My legs were still sun burnt when I got back to Utah from that day.

Willis Rankin- our fantastic host and guide

This is why we were afraid for the little dog who went swimming after their family as they took off in their boat.

The "Imperial" bird...

Iguana

Not sure what this guy was doing- but he was in the same position on our way back as our way there.

The police station?!

The canal was bird watchers paradise- I hoped to get a picture of the river otter- but he was too quick.

I know- enough with the birds already...

Another favorite picture of mine. Where the canal met the ocean... we took a hard left here.

Those would be bats all in a row

At this point, it really felt like we were on the jungle book ride in Disneyland. Except of course, 10 times better because this one was for real. So I had Amy take a picture of me with my "Mickey Mouse ears" on.

Toucan Sam

Ending with another favorite picture of mine.

So there you have a few sights from the comfort of Willis Rankin's boat. He also took us through the deep woods to see poisonous dart frogs- none of my pictures were any good- so just trust me- I saw them hopping about.

Next is our land based activities...

untitled

breaking through the scar tissue and adhesions
kept me bound and frozen- too long
seeing the sky ,the sun, and the future- free
limitless

on the edge of the perch
anxious and anticipating- the exhilaration of flight
raising unsteady wings- shaky from abuse
the abuse of no use

ready
ready
ready to leap
leap and fly
again

watch me fly!

I cannot hide
I cannot hide my potential
I can see it again-

I cannot hide
I cannot hide my smile
don't ask me to explain-

nothing has changed
everything has changed
I am
I am ready
I am ready to Soar-
and I can
and I will

Life Lately

Currently I am riding on a conference high... I love the fact that I have reached a point in my life where I can honestly say, I love conference. I arrived here a while ago but I still remember when although I liked it... if I was truly honest with myself, I couldn't say that I loved it. I am amazed at the caliber of those men- and women. Today was a feast. Since living with Anya I have become a conference center snob. I have sat in the front section for at least 2 conference sessions for over 2 years because her dad gets tickets. I don't know if I would go to it if I wasn't in the front. I love watching the first presidency and 12. Elder Eyring was laughing and all smiles whenever the primary children were singing this afternoon. The spirit was strong in testifying of all they spoke- but there was one sentence in particular that is strong in my mind. I have carried a doubt and question in my mind for awhile now- but I have so many things I am throwing back and forth trying to figure out "this" has not been a priority. I've let it reside in the background and not spent too much time on it. As Elder Uchtdorf was speaking he said one sentence that was a direct word for word replication of my doubt with the answer attached. I was stunned and thought could that be? As clear as could be I had the thought "that line was for you, that was for you". I am in awe that the Lord knew my need (even more than I did) and he cared enough to teach me what I needed to know. Hopefully all the rest will come together soon.

What is all the rest? Only -what do I do with the rest of my life? Work is the biggest of my questions. I know I need a change- but what? I am coming to the conclusion that to be the caliber physical therapist I want to be and that I believe my patients deserve- I need to do a clinical residency. Which many programs require a DPT... That means more school- which means more debt. Which also means probably 2 years of work unless I can do the programs concurrently. Then there is the dance question. Where does dance fit into my life? And trust me, it needs to fit in. I did find a 4 month mentorship in NYC for training dance therapists... And then there is- is this to be my life work? I still believe I will be a mother and that is my highest calling in life. All potential mothers should gain as much training and education as possible... but is a post professional degree and program justifiable? Well, if it is the right thing then of course it is justifiable. But I don't know what the right thing is... I don't know what I really want. I am afraid my indecision will result in nothing happening. I will forever dread my long work days and commutes to give the best I can- which never feels enough. The life will continue to drain out of me. Then I will turn around one day and see a major portion of my life gone- wasted.

On that cheery note- lets move on. =) So guess who came into town last weekend? Eugene- to come see Amy!

I finally got a picture of him!

She was surprised- I wasn't... He's a great guy. Que Suerte! meeting him and Jonathan at the beach. Amy and Eugene played all weekend long. I joined them at Zanzibar Monday night for a few songs and then met up with them for a movie at Corrine's Sat night. Only time will tell what will be of this all...

Last Sunday I decided I needed to admit it was fall and go see the leaves in the canyon before it was too late and I regretted my unwillingness for summer to be over. I also was in need of a lift spiritually- what better place than the mountains? I am too frequently surprised at how uplifting nature is. I know it, but when I get out there and my heart swells with joy and excitement and I have a smile on where there is no one else around to witness it... I am again amazed.

Last thing of note- I've been stopped... I've had a pesky pulling feeling in my hamstring for a few weeks but I've been playing through not taking much notice or heed to it--- until a few days ago. It had been slowly getting worse but I have too much I need to do- dance, yoga, run, hike, work... Well, I managed to ignore it too long- now I can't even walk quickly without it grabbing on me. Not good... I had a few words with the Lord regarding it- a nice pleasant conversation I assure you. After my prayer that night I had another "clear thought". "If you don't stop, it won't heal!" Sometimes I worry too much about all that I need to be doing- resulting in a constant stream of doing. Stopping brings guilt (I especially hate the non-exercising guilt). I promise there is the part of me that understands balance. Although it may not appear that we. So I am at the Yin and the Yang again. In order for doing to be complete, there must be stopping. I became so caught up in the doing portion of my life the universe had to teach me the lesson of stopping. So I am stopped- this will take a good while to heal. Hopefully, I am wise enough to really stop- even allow some meditating- and pleasure reading- doesn't that sound fabulous. Obviously writing my blog is not accomplishing this, but... As a warning... Don't be surprised if my next blog is lamenting how my clothes do or do not fit...

In brief- Plans for my 30th birthday party are in place- I just hope people come. I broke out my boots for the first time this weekend signaling that summer really is over. Grateful for the rain today despite the cold front that came with it. Excited that I have been asked to dance for a small performance in January! Loved teaching the RS dance for enrichment this week. Ate at Faustina's for the first time last night and was in heaven- everyone was making fun of how giddy I was about it. Couldn't fix Micah's rib last night and was frustrated and felt like a pathetic PT. Listened to Cindy's boyfriend's band- love free live music. Wishing I had three more hours in today to once again... get it all done. I'll get better at that...

Getting There...

Journal entry 9/05/08

At this point I think it is safe to say- we have conquered Costa Rica! Pura Vida! Taxi from our hotel in San Jose to the Gran Terminal Caribe Bus Station. (Why is hailing a taxi so satisfying?) Bus to Pureto Limon- the crack capital of Costa Rica, bus from Pureto Limon to Moin after paying for toilet paper and then hoofing it off the bus at a random stop by the entrance to the dock to get up to our hotel Mar Y Luna. We choose Mar Y Luna over the only other hotel because the other one was known for sailor and the girls who greet them. There is nothing in Moin- it is a oil refinery area- but that is its charm. Two single white girls on our own in a non touristy town. We relaxed at the restaurant loving the random mix of music and now... we are ready to crash. Traveling all day, and we all know how well I do with buses... Tomorrow we take to he sea- Tortuguero! We will see turtles or die trying. Truly we are off the beaten path- at least that is what it feels like. I made Amy call Willis Rankin to confirm our tour for Tortuguero. He is picking us up here - Hooray. I was not looking forward to finding this "unmarked dock" in the morning. After two days of buses form fresh air on a bot will hopefully do me good. This has in no way been a relaxing holiday- but it has been a conquering holiday. I can conquer the world with the Lord beside me. I have loved watching him weave people and things in and out of this trip, keeping, watching, and guiding. I surely didn't know what to expect form this trip- it certainly hasn't been what I expected except for a growing experience that has truly been fun. I have not been afraid to Live! That sums it up. And I'm really happy Amy is the one with the boy story and not me. =)




Waiting in line to buy our bus tickets we- but Amy mostly flirted shamelessly with the local boys. If you look closely at her screen you will see one the two - I guess they were about the same age.


Trying to sleep on the bus... Not nearly as bad as the ride to San Jose- but still a bus ride (one if two that day.)


So we had Pringles cravings starting half way through the trip. It may have been years since I last had a Pringles and I haven't had one since- but we sure had a lot in Costa Rica. Pretty sure it was the salt we were craving. Dehydrated from the humidity, we needed electrolytes. I love this picture of Amy- which I'm sure she is not such a big fan. We are waiting at the bus stop in San Jose.



About half way through the 3 hour bus ride there was a pit stop. This potted lettuce plant was the table decoration... I just had to take a picture.


Traveling Diva...


As always-- the dancing queen...

We got off our final bus which, at one point had to have been an American school bus, and hiked up the hill to the hotel (one of the two hotels in town). And it was a bit of a hike up the street with almost nothing around. I asked Amy while we were on the bus - how do you feel being the only white people on the bus- she said fantastic. I was in agreement. We had entered the Caribbean side and you could tell the difference.


The two hotel were next door to each other. We choose the Mar Y Luna because the other one had a reputation for it's sailor crowd and the women who greet them...


Top floor first room... I think we were the only guests that night. The morning... that was a different story.


Neither of us found dinner very palatable- so we opted for a french fry plate to fill in the gaps. I swore it would be a long time until I ate another french fry after that.


Let's just say not too many people were joining us for dinner. But they played the best 80-and early 90's music videos. Just for fun and because we had nothing else to do, we wrote the Moin playlist. Oh and - "Beef to the Onion"!! That is our new battle cry courtesy of the menu at the Mar Y Luna hotel restaurant.

Moin Playlist
End of the Road
Every Time You Go Away
One More Night
Forever Young
Always
Hotel California
Lady in Red
Love Hurts
I Want to Know What Love Is
Fools Rush In
Why Can't This be Love?
Rains Down in Africa
She's Got the Look
Take my Breath Away
What's Love Got to do with It?
Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?
Walk This Way
Like a Prayer
Like a Virgin
If you Think I'm Sexy
Respect (Erasure)
Take a Chance on Me
Tell it to my Heart
Under Pressure
Should I Stay or Should I Go?
She's a Little Bit Dangerous
Walking on Sunshine
Owner of a Lonely Heart

I really want to put those songs on my IPOD-how fun would that be? (Which means I need to buy one... I had an MP3 player until I left it in Portland)


Whew... I promise we are getting near the end of Costa Rica. I will prevail and finish it!