randoms

~Arizona- I've been traveling a lot- some business and some pleasure. I went to a work conference in Arizona but was only there briefly. I only got to see a few people (sorry guys!) since the conference took up all of Saturday and Sunday (yep- that stunk), but it was so good to see those few! I stayed with my friends Rinda and Susan (they don't live together- I kinda rotated~ thanks guys!!!). Rinda had made the above "man pillow" for her roommate, and since it's kinda a running joke between me and my friend, Rob, I had to document that someone legitimately has and uses one (not Rinda, but her roommate does). I gotta say that not only does Rinda have mad sewing skills, but I learned she's also very talented in bracelet making (she's so cute to fix all the ones her work kiddos can't fix) and all things genealogy. She's amazing! I seriously feel like I know so many wonderful women and I admire how well they manage everything in life. Rinda definitely has a lot on her plate, but she seems to balance it all and keep a positive attitude. She's hilarious (she even cheered me on doing P90X), but she's also someone you can talk to about  anything and everything. I love that! Thanks Rinda!

Susan cooked dinner for me one night and then we stayed up late just chatting about ..well..the complexities of life! She's also just...one of my idols! She works really hard at being her best, and she's definitely becoming "perfected" I think =p. I was blessed to attend just sacrament meeting with her (how awesome is it that she randomly has church at 12:30 which coincided with my training lunch break) and she brought me a skirt from Africa so I was dressed appropriately, and she made me a lunch! Not only was it delicious (and well balanced and all things fancy schmancy!), but I appreciated it because I didn't want to have to buy food on Sunday. Susan is not at all a fake or pretentious. She is simple, thoughtful and generous. She's loving. I appreciate her goodness! Thanks Susan!

My former classmate and friend, Troy, and I did lunch on Friday as well. I miss him! I spent almost three years straight sitting next to him (8ish hours a day 5 days a week) in class. We stayed at lunch for a few hours just catching up, and I realize how much I miss him and all those classmates- time flew faster than I ever thought. We've been done for over 3 years now- WOW! I call Troy my "oracle of man wisdom" and all things vestibular audiology. Now he's a big, wig professor at our former school- I can't believe it! He's just super amazing, and I love him to death. I'm glad he never charges me for all his advice, and he still even paid for my lunch hahha. Thanks T!                                                            I also hung out for a few hours with my friend, Eliza as well. It was the night before her birthday so perfect time to catch up. I love Eliza because we always have very deep and intellectual/ spiritual conversations. She makes me really think and ponder the big things in life. She's direct and honest. We always seem to end up laughing really hard and then crying as well. I don't know how we always manage to get those two emotions in but we do.  She's wonderful and I'm so grateful she's part of my life. 

Rob and I hung out one night and made fun of a Mariachi band while eating a not so great Mexican meal hahah. We hit up a party for a few minutes to say hello to some people and then stayed up late talking (apparently we 'broke in' Rinda's couch haha-no we did not kiss- we just cuddle up together to talk). We also had a big discussion that left me really thinking... still working on that. Rob is honestly one of my very best friends, and since I talk to him frequently, it was weird to think we hadn't seen each other in almost a year. He keeps me grounded...and...tells me the speed limit so I don't get more tickets hahah. I love him!  I also got to quickly see my friends Tami (woowoo birthday!), Esther , and Jules (my former roomie). How I miss those ladies!  I really do have amazing friends, and I miss Arizona a lot simply for the people in it!

~Family Party- Other quick trip- up to see my family (dad's side) for Christmas. We had awesome home made soup and bread and then we all made gingerbread houses. My step mom made one per family so I got my own. I enlisted one niece and one nephew to help me. I basically just put down the frosting where they wanted it and they did the rest. Our house may not have been the most outwardly beautiful, but it was sure a lot of fun to make! My dad read us "The Night Before Christmas" as well as the real story of Christmas- Luke 2 in the Bible. It's nice to be close to family! It's good to catch up with people and see how the kids have all grown. Two of my younger brothers, Kyle and Josh, both got engaged shortly after this Christmas party as well. Crazy but cool!