my walk in the woods

Fall in Utah could not be more perfect. Actually if it lasted for more than a few weeks, that would be perfect. But, since I know that all of these stunning fall colors do not last up in those mountains for long, I made it a priority to drive around the Alpine Loop this week (it is one of my absolute favorite things). Seriously, if you live in Utah and have never done this, what is wrong with you? If you live in Utah and you have made this drive in the past, but not this year, I repeat, what is wrong with you? Anyways, here is a little taste of how perfect it was up there...

But, the drive couldn't get off as being totally uneventful. Of course my drive would not have been right without drinking way too much Diet Coke on my way up. Little did I know, this was a big mistake. I figured hey, there's a bathroom up at Cascade Springs, no worries. Wrong. Due to the lovely government shutdown going on right now, me and my desperate need to pee were greeted by this sign...

If you can't read that it says, This U.S. Department of Agriculture facility is currently closed, due to the lapse in federal government funding. The facility will reopen once Congress restores funding.

Thanks a bunches government shutdown. So, all you people who I just advised to drive the alpine loop, until the government can get its act together, maybe don't bring a large Diet Coke with you.....

Regardless I was so happy that I found the time to take this little drive up, especially right before General Conference weekend. I feel so peaceful, and happy, and like I can really think and be close to my Heavenly Father when I am out roaming in nature and enjoying all of earths just incredible creations.

But, I mean also, speaking of General Conference, learn about it, watch it, enjoy it. It really was so fantastic.

http://www.lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2013/10?cid=HPFR100413105&lang=eng

peace. love. and fall mountains.

p.s. I don't know if I am really proud of myself, or really disappointed with myself that I didn't take one selfie when I was up there?? 

my life list gets shorter

For starters, General Conference. Which part of that doesn't scream awesome. Two days of hanging out in my pajamas and listening to beautiful messages from the leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Score. Check out some of the "highlights" here!

Ok, but also this week...I crossed two things off of my Life List!!!

1. I went and saw a movie by myself.

This probably seems like a weird thing to have on a Life List, but I've always wanted to do it. I'm not exactly sure why though, maybe to assert my independence, maybe because I have a taste in movies that doesn't always align itself with the common crowd, maybe because I am a closet film addict, or maybe because I have some sort of need to prove to myself that I can be by myself and that that's ok. Really it was probably a combination of all of these. 

So I finally did it. Last Monday, since it was rainy, and I was in a bummer mood, and I felt a desperate need to get out of my apartment, and I have been wanting to see Silver Linings Playbook for awhile now I checked my movie app on my phone, saw that my movie was playing in about an hour, and I went. Lucky for me, movies in Provo at four in the afternoon on a Monday are pretty empty. In fact, I was the only person in the theater. It was awesome. Should you ever have the opportunity to have an entire theater to yourself, do it. Sprawled out across as many seats as I wanted, texted shamelessly during the movie, and laughed with no embarrassment. Plus the movie was really good and the message of looking for a silver lining in the worst of situations was exactly what I needed to reminded of. 

“If clouds are blocking the sun, there will always be a silver lining that reminds me to keep on trying...Most people lose the ability to see silver linings even though they are always there above us almost every day.” 

No one behind me....

No one in front of me. 

In the words of our dear friend Kelly Clarkson, "Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone." At least that's what we all tell ourselves right...Anyways. I actually loved this, and if I disappear for a few hours and you can't find me, I might just be catching the latest film...by myself. 

2. I filled an entire journal.

I love pretty journals. I have a bit of a collection of them. Unfortunately, I like to look at my journals more than I like to write in them. But, thanks to General Conference this weekend and all of the notes that I took, I have now filled one. I really do love going back and looking at old things I wrote. The line in Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest when Gwendolyn says, "I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read in the train" cracks me up (I am clearly feeling the quotes today...). 

I started this particular journal back in the Fall of 2011 and it is dedicated to all of my spiritual experiences and thoughts. 180 pages worth of spiritual progress in the last 2 years seems pretty good to me. 

But, another cool thing that I realized about this journal? It has a super cool Indian-esq design on it (which is probably what attracted me to it in the first place). When I was reading the inside cover this Sunday, I realized that just this summer had I traveled to the Tibetan monastery in Ladakh, India that this journal was designed after, and I hadn't even realized it. How cool is that?!?

Can't wait to cross more things off the list. I probably need to start adding more to it! 

If you want to see my full Life List, there is a tab underneath my blog header.

peace. love. and life lists. 

my general conference bliss

I think most people that know me, are aware that I am a happy member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Well, this weekend was the 182nd Semi Annual General Conference for our church. I'm pretty sure this is almost every Mormon's favorite weekend, as it is our opportunity to hear messages from the general authorities of our church. I feel so blessed to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and to know of God's love for me, and because of God's love for me I can find a greater love and appreciation for the brilliant people that surround me. Hear some of the beautiful messages from this weekend at www.lds.org


"the call is to COME. to stay TRUE. to LOVE GOD"
-Elder Holland



peace. love. and general conference

my weekend of wonders

Let's pretend for just a couple of minutes, that perhaps today is Sunday. So if needed imagine that you are in your pajama's, it's Sunday evening, you just finished a glorious week, and you are getting yourself all ready for the next one. You there yet? Perfect. Then in that case, it's not like I'm posting this late at all.

Brooke, Kari, Hilary, me, and Emily on the field!!

Well it only makes logical sense to explain how terrific my weekend was if I start with the beginning of it on Friday, which was seriously just a day so good I could giggle. I'm not really sure why, yeah good stuff happened, but really it was just one of those morning where I woke up smiling, kept that smile hanging around all day, and fell asleep with it still on my face. I mean it really didn't hurt that BYU won their football game in an epic final 20 seconds, and that we then got to storm the field. Oh yeah oh yeah oh yeah.
and don't worry, I have evidence of this happening...


But no fears, the weekend of wonder did not end there, it only go better with guess...just guess..GENERAL CONFERENCE. The older I get and the more understanding that I have for the wonderful gospel the more and more I absolutely love General Conference. For those of you not familiar with what this is, I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Twice a year (in April and October) we have General Conference broadcasted all over the world for members of our church and ANYONE who is interested (you can still check it out at www.lds.org). Our modern day Prophet and his apostles deliver messages in 4 different 2 hour sessions, 2 on Saturday and 2 on Sunday. Which seems like a lot, but every second of it is a blessing! On Saturday evening to keep the spirit around Emily and I decided to go for a drive up through Provo Canyon, and it certainly was STUNNING! Fall is my absolute favorite time of year, I love the colors and weather...and my birthday is in the Fall so let's be honest that helps a little too. Anyways, to celebrate the beauty of the canyon..and our beauty of course we had a little mini photo shoot...

so lovely I just can't stand it

seriously though...your thinking right now of somewhere
 beautiful you can go for a drive arn't ya?

Emily and Me just lovin' up the Provo Canyon

But seriously, somehow the greatness of this weekend did not end here. Lucky me, my friend Kari had some friends drive up from her hometown for General Conference and they happened to have an extra ticket and guess who got it. And oh yeah it was me!!! I got to attend the Sunday afternoon session and it was positively  fantastic. :) Afterwards, we took a little walk around temple square which was the perfect end to such a fantastic weekend.

Me and my friends Rachel, and Kari just after General Conference with the Salt Lake City Temple behind us.

the beautiful Salt Lake City Temple

p.s. so excited that they are building a second temple in Provo and a temple in Paris, France. So. Cool.

p.s.s sorry this was late, hope you had a great time pretending that today is Sunday. You may now go back to your regularly scheduled programming