Triumphs

Once again I need to take a minute to express how incredible this year has been.

Yes, my life is full of craziness, and I never in a million years would have guessed where I would be or what I would be doing right now. No, I'm not necessarily in a place where I would like to be (ie. full time job, or back in school etc..) however, I can't deny that the past few months have been an incredible journey of growth and I am excited to see what's coming next. I have met lots of fantastic new friends, reconnected with old friends, and have had many opportunities for experiences I never would have had if I had stayed in Utah. I love living in Arizona, I really do. I have a feeling that this journey has only begun, I have been struggling with it a bit lately but, I have some very thoughtful friends, a great HT, and a loving Heavenly Father who makes sure I have just enough time for everything.

It's funny how blog posting can come in waves. I won't post anything for a while then all of a sudden I MUST blog about EVERYTHING! - Apparently I'm not the only one, I have seen many blog posts pop up on my FB wall this week, so I guess it's a sign to carry on and post something.

The Triumph I was thinking of for this post happened a couple of weekends ago. So remember how this time last year I was in Utah, probably still scraping frost off of my car, dreading the snow warnings? Well I have to tell you that I love love LOVE Winter in Arizona. Yes, I know Snowbird at heart. Part of the reason I have loved the winter here so much is just being able to go outside and enjoy the sun. I have been taking my bike out for spins around the neighborhood weekly. It has been fantastic; but what I am particularly proud of is hiking. My friend E. has been so great about encouraging me to go hiking with her. Now, aside from when we were in England, and would tour castles or the Lake District on a regular basis, I have never been one to go hiking much. In hindsight, I wish that I would have hiked more when I was at USU. I only went on a couple hikes, and that is a shame. Logan is gorgeous, and there are tons of great hikes up Logan canyon.

When I moved to Salt Lake I went on a couple more hikes, Donut falls was super fun! But again, I didn't take advantage of the opportunities right in my back yard. So, now I am making up for lost time. This year I have been hiking at White Tanks, South Mountain and my new favorite: Camelback! I feel great. I love hiking. It's not easy, but I have never enjoyed hiking as much as I do now. Now, back to Camelback. The last hike that E. and I went on was South Mountain, it was a little tough, but what a view. We had talked about a couple of other, longer hikes around there and then would work up to Camelback, because we all had heard it was super hard. Well a couple of weeks later, E. calls me up and invited me to go hike Camelback. I was a little afraid, because I didn't know if I was ready, but I knew that if I passed up this opportunity, then maybe I wouldn't get another one before it got too hot.

So we went. The parking lot was closed so we had to find an alternative place to park, who knew all the neighborhoods around wouldn't want you to park there? Eventually we found a place and hiked to the train to begin. What a journey. It was incredible. Yes, it was hard, but it was amazing.

Here's what most of the way up looked like:

It took us a little over an hour to make the climb. Parts were more like rock climbing than hiking, (so wonder everyone said it was so difficult) but that made it so much better! I really enjoyed it!

TRIUMPH!

The view from the top was breathtaking. I had never seen the view of the other side of Camelback, so it was fantastic, and definitely worth the climb. The way down wasn't much faster than the way up... well I suppose it could have been faster, but I do value my knees. The way down was easier though. I celebrated by getting Thai Food then went to make cookies for our ward activity that night. 

Later, I realized that I had sunburn, on my shoulder.. and oddly enough my lips. Apparently there is no sunscreen in my chaptstick... oops. I was a little sore all over the next day, but all of that is nothing. I am so glad we conquered Camelback. The other day I was on my home from Tempe, and I saw Camelback. No it's not the tallest mountain, but I am super proud of having climbed it. 

There are more challenges in my life at the moment, and things will be changing pretty quickly, but I am grateful to be here and am excited for what the future holds.

Heaven is Here

So today(actually it was a couple of weeks ago, but now I'm finishing  my post) I finished my second book of the year: Heaven is Here by Stephanie Nielson. I had heard that is was good, and I was excited to read it, but I underestimated the effect it would have on me. The book has three parts: life before her accident, the initial recovery, and then her transition back into 'real life'. It is a pretty incredible journey.

I read the first part really fast, then I knew what was coming in the second part so I took a break for the weekend and read The Sunflower by Richard Paul Evans. It's one of my favorite books and a quick read. Then I was ready to take on the rest of this book. The way her life is turned completely upside down is heart wrenching. Her experiences and journey are incredible. In the book she is very honest, and many times she longs for how things were before the accident, but that wasn't her life anymore. This book really resonated with me, I am so glad that I read it.

Here's a couple wonderful quotes from the book:

“I know, now, without a doubt that the true source of happiness, self-worth, and authentic beauty doesn't come from the outside. Women are constantly being persuaded to want something unachievable, to look younger or thinner and above all to fit in because being different is too painful and embarassing. I have accepted myself in a world that does not accept me, because I have learned - and more than any of the lessons of my accident, this is the one I wish I could teach everybody - that our hearts matter most. Your heart matters most, so be gentler and more patient with yourself, and their hearts matter most, too, so be kinder and more compassionate to others. It's a beautiful heart, not a perfect body, that leads to a beautiful life.” 


“Happiness was my choice, and though it is hard-won, I am the only person who can stand in the way of it.” 

I have been following her blog a little closer now that I have read her book. It is so fun to see her living life and having experiences that she would never had if not for the accident.

Bait Suci

Yesterday morning I was invited to come in and interview for an Interior Designer position in Phoenix. My interview was at 9 am over in Phoenix. I made it there early(it was touch and go there for a minute, traffic wasn't too crazy, but I passed the building and had to go around the block haha) The showroom was in a little disarray as they're changing up the entry. It seemed like a nice place, and everyone was nice. I thought my interview went well, and I should know in the next couple of days if I'm getting a second interview.

After my interview was over Kneaders was calling my name. I have been craving it for months. 1: I have only been there once and loved it and 2: We found a Kneaders here when my friend was looking at houses nearby... and every since then I couldn't get it out of my mind. Finally my time had come!

Cinnamon French Toast *Heaven*

 It was soo busy! I was lucky to get a table. My original plan was to stay and read for a bit, but it was super loud and busy in there so I just ate(savoring the amazing cinnamon syrup) and then popped in to Deseret Book. It was like being back in Utah. 

Probably the best part of my day was going to the Gilbert Temple Open House!

It was absolutely stunning. The attention to detail was astounding. Paintings, murals, fantastic glass windows and mosaics, and not to forget the stunning chandeliers in the Celestial room and Sealing rooms. I was in the back of the tour group so I got to chat with our darling Usher, it was fun to hear her insights into the details and her stories of people she'd met on the tours. 

I love going to temples, but this one is my new favorite. Such care and thought went into every inch of this temple. Honestly, I can see my self getting married here one day. Most girls have *their temple* that they've always wanted to get married in, but I never have. We've moved around so much that I wasn't too attached to any one temple. I received my Endowments in the Ogden, UT temple, which should be finished this year as well. (It was closed and essentially torn down and rebuilt in the renovation. So I'm excited to see it reopened!)  This temple definitely resonated with me. We shall see what the future brings!

Design-wise it is stunning, and the designer in me loves it... but there is a special spirit there for sure. If you haven't been yet, and are able I strongly recommend you go. You can get tickets, but you don't need them. It is super easy to get there, and you won't regret going. 

Bulan Januari

I blinked and here we are. February. 

January was a great month- and a fabulous start to the new year.

I brought in the new year with a dear friend of mine. We've known each other for almost 14 years now and I am so glad that we've been able to keep in touch. I was very excited when she got a job out here last year! We spent New Year's at the ASU Institute party, then watched the fireworks. Afterwards, we went back to her place and chatted, put on mud masks and then called it a night. First day of the year we slept in, made breakfast then went and saw Saving Mr. Banks, then I went home to hang out with my family.

I spent a good chunk of January going out and taking my resume around. I've been enjoying helping out at Sala Thai, but I feel it's time for me to get back into the Design Industry. I had a few great interviews last month and have two more coming up this week. So hopefully soon, things will be changing. 

I tried a couple of new Restaurants in January - 

*Gallo Blanco in Phoenix with my Aunt and Cousins - tried a quinoa salad for the first time ever and LOVED it. Also, their burrito was to die for and another first - guacamole with oranges absolutely delicious!

*Ah-Hai Sushi & Grill in Goodyear with my stepbrother's GF - favorite roll we got was their 'Crunchy Roll' with masago YUM! So two more firsts Masago(Crunchy roll) and Yellow tail(Spicy Girl) Definitely will go back.

I tried a couple of other Thai restaurants when I was out and about job hunting but honestly, nothing to write home about. I don't know what I'm going to do when I get a full time job and can't eat at Sala Thai all the time! I have definitely been spoiled!

I was able to go to the Arizona YSA Conference. It was a jam-packed couple of days but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved going to the Gammage (Which reminds me I NEED to get out to Taliesen West and see me some Frank Lloyd Wright.) and being able to hear Sheri Dew, Thurl Bailey, Mitt and Ann Romney, Stephanie Nielsen and many more speak. It was very uplifting and I had a great time. Seeing Brooke White and Alex Boye perform was a perk too!

True to my inner baker I made 4 Dozen cupcakes and 8 dozen mini donuts for my friend's birthday last month. It felt great to bake my heart out. I had forgotten how much I loved that chocolate cupcake recipe and who doesn't love mini donuts!? ~French vanilla pudding filled chocolate cupcakes with either cream cheese frosting or chocolate cream cheese frosting. Baked vanilla mini donuts dipped in dark chocolate and topped with sprinkles. ^_^

Reading has resurfaced in my life. I LOVE to read, but I don't always make time for it. Hence why I made a reading goal for this year. Right after the YSA Conference, I knew which book I wanted to start with: Heaven is Here by Stephanie Nielsen. I had heard of her before, and seen her blog and Mormon Message, but after hearing her speak I knew I needed to read her book. I read the first third in a day, but I knew what was coming with the next part so I took a break and read The Sunflower (by Richard Paul Evans) again. I started the second third of Heaven is Here yesterday, it is pretty painful to read but I am really enjoying this book. If you have any recommendations of books that have changed your life please share. I love reading a variety of books, but this year I really want life-changing stories and books I've never read before. Next in line on my reading list is The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. I read it for the first time my Sophomore year at USU. It was a birthday present from my roommate. I loved it, and I think it's about time I read it again!

Other great things that started in January - 

The 23+ Institute Class at the ASU Tempe Institute Wed. nights. Last week was especially good. 

Gilbert AZ Temple open house - I haven't made it yet, but I'm hoping to this week. :)

Favorite purchase of January(besides Heaven is Here) - Yuna's new Album Nocturnal. Yuna has been on a roll ever since I met her twice back in 2012. I'd love to get to another one of her performances, she is fantastic live!

So all in all, January was a great month :) I am sure February will be full of surprises too! All I know is that is off to a great start! I went hiking over at South Mountain with a couple friends. Breathtaking view of the valley over there. Then we popped by Pita Jungle for lunch. Almost got a gyro again, but decided to get a red quinoa/spinach salad with their cilantro/jalapeno hummus. Yum!! Sunday was nice too, Church was good, especially our RS lesson on Temples. Then home to watch the Superbowl with my fam. I don't follow football much, but I was rooting for the Seahawks - grew up in WA got to represent. That reminds me - I'd love to go to a Mariners Spring Training game this year!