So Its Been Awhile...

I have to start this Blog out by saying I'm sorry. I thought the life of blogging was a wonderful interesting endeavor that would make life more fun and bring us closer to friends and family. Also I thought it would be relatively easy. Now I've realized its not as magical to come up with things to discuss and post. And most importantly it takes all of my internet and time to upload only a few photos. I really wish the photo uploader worked better. Mike is currently telling me that our picture quality of our pictures might be too high, so maybe that is the problem? Well maybe I will look into that later. Currently my internet is a little busy because of downloading. Its difficult to do a blog when you don't have a subject or a theme to write about all the time. And I'm not so sure that things are "blog-worthy" or that anyone is interested. My motivation for the blog has dwindled. A couple of blogs I like reading are ones where they live in an RV and travel and make posts about their travels. Another one is documenting the day-by-day of someone battling cancer. These are interesting and follow a theme. Just not sure what my motivation is for this one.

So here is our update and maybe I'll do more detailed posts later with pictures :) An update reminds me of when I talk to my dad, every couple of weeks, and his first question is "Hows Mike?" And I say "He's fine, Dad.", while chuckling to myself. Well Mike is doing pretty good. He is doing great at work, even received Airman of the Year for 2010 in his squadron. Currently his skateboard has "truck" issues and doesn't ride very fluently. I'm trying to talk him into getting them fixed or buying new ones, but we both have the mindset of waiting until you absolutely, positively need something before you spend money on it. We have really been getting into biking lately. We love discovering the bike trails around Layton that are offered (for free btw). It is also typical of us to bike around town for errands, because its cheaper and more healthy to ride your bicycle than drive a truck everywhere.

I have gotten into working out a lot more, at least 5-6 days a week with the other day hiking or doing something else. I feel great when I run, and running outside is way better than a treadmill. I could never go the distance on a treadmill that I do outside. Staring at those numbers the whole time just feels like it takes forever. Outside my longest distance has been 6 miles. I could never do that on a treadmill.

So one of my previous posts was about the hundreds of applications I have turned in for hospitals and always getting rejected. Well I was just applying to more places, not expecting to get anything more than a rejection email, when all of a sudden they all called me for interviews. I guess my 4 months as an RN supervisor on graveyard shifts has finally paid off as a boost for my resume. I have been offered a job that I have accepted at Pioneer Valley Hospital Psych unit. I have not started yet but I am getting all the paperwork and orientations out of the way. Its going to be my "foot in the door" of a hospital. It might not be the unit I want to work in forever but it definitely will show up as hospital experience for future opportunities.

Okay well this is my attempt to get back into blogging...we will see how it goes.

Charles Dickens

As a kid, reading was instilled in me and my sisters as the most important thing ever. Besides my dad saying cooking was. As a very young child, I remember my Mema (grandma) reading to me. I would always pick a book out of her massive collection, as she is a retired school teacher, and beg her to read to me. When I was old enough to have learned how to read, I remember grabbing a book and coming to sit in her lap and asking her to read to me to only be met with disappointment. She knew I could read!

Every summer, my sisters and I spent a few weeks with my grandparents in Arkansas. Mema would sign us up for the free library program, where they had prizes for the top readers of the summer. We spent our summers…and school days… reading. Sounds exciting, huh? Well, Mike always tells me he is jealous that I can read so much and so fast. I don't think its that impressive. Seems pretty boring to me. I would rather have been able to be an awesome skateboarder and be able to pick up athletic activities quickly and amazingly like Mike can. Or even have been able to be even remotely decent on a video game or been in a dance class or been remotely decent in anything that is impressive and exciting as a child to carry me through being an adult. But libraries were free.

Mike says that my reading has gotten me this far in my life, to have finished college and be in a promising career. I can't be completely negative about my "great" ability to read. When I was in my early teens I remember reading Charles Dickens "Little Dorrit". Though I don't remember the whole book or probably did not pick up the underlying themes at the time, the book is written in a way like no other. The man lived in the 1800s and writes very weird to our standards. I'm surprised I even understood his words at such a young age. Recently I "picked up" a couple free books for my free Kindle App on my Iphone of Charles Dickens. 

Of course for Christmas, I read the famous story of "A Christmas Carol". I have watched many versions of the movie, but to actually read the book is an inspiration in itself. By the peculiar words Dickens uses, you can feel the transformation of Ebenezer Scrooge instead of just see it. My favorite quote right now comes from this book:

"It is a fair, even-handed, noble adjustment of things, that while there is infection in disease and sorrow, there is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good-humour."

The way Charles Dickens writes can be the most annoying or most insightful to someone. Its so plain and clearly points to the culture of his day. There are also underlying themes to most of his stories. For instance, in "A Christmas Carol" the children at the spirit's feet names' were Ignorance and Want. On pages 778-781, this showed that you are responsible for not holding on to these characteristics for yourself. I'm glad I rediscovered the comical views and writing style of Charles Dickens once more.

Next on the agenda is reading "A Tale of Two Cities" with the famous intro to the book: It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...

Camping Memories

In the summer we also enjoy camping. We enjoy camping at Bear Lake that is only a couple of hours away to the north. That was the first place we camped together. Last year before Mike left for Iraq we went there a couple of times, especially after Mike got the tent to go in the back of his truck.

This year (after Mike got back from Iraq), we ventured out to other areas. Shown in previous posts, we camped in Moab at the hottest time of the year. And then we camped in Yellowstone in some pretty low overnite temps.

We also ventured to the Utah mountains all the way to the north. We even had to go through Wyoming to get to the mountain. Mike and I went up with 2 other couples from Mike’s work. The destination was Whitney Reservoir but we must have not gone far enough or took a wrong turn. The other vehicle was pretty new and was not in the mood for offroading to find it so we camped in an open spot under the trees. Across from our spot was a weird looking tree…and that was the only picture taken. Though Mike and I were in the awesome truck tent off of the ground and had no problem keeping warm, the other couples had ground tents and apparently did not have a good night’s sleep. We only spent one night but at least it was Mike’s first time in Wyoming.

Another time this summer we went to Nephi, UT and camped with some friends of ours. It was a nice campground with a pool. No roughing it this time, but it was free for us to camp, so we can’t complain too much. On the way back we took the scenic route and took pictures along the way.

Mike, Paige, Erica, and Jaimie

Happy New Years! (a little late, I know)

One of the first times I noticed Mike was at a before New Year's Eve bible study. We had been going to the same bible study for awhile without even knowing each other. But this night, the subject was talking about past New Year's resolutions and future ones for the upcoming year. Of course, me being the planner I have always been had plenty of answers to each question. But when the discussion landed on Mike, it was a different story. He was so laid back and said basically "I don't know" to everything. Even though there were no past or future resolutions, he did say his goal is to "have fun". I was impressed. I thought I had to plan my life and have goals every year to achieve. But here was somebody that was laid back and accomplished everything he has set out to do with a smile and no stress. You could tell he was a little uneasy sharing that he had no resolutions or goals in a goal setting meeting, but I was awakened to the opportunity of living life free of restraints of goals and resolutions. Our goals and resolutions and plans never work out, and its usually for the best, anyways. So this was the first time Mike caught my attention...and it was the sole characteristic of being laid back and completely open to life in general. That's how I want to live my life this year.
Happy New Year's to all.  Make the most of your 2011, you only live it once :)

Hiking, Part 2

Donut Falls

Donut Falls is a really cool place we found online. A natural formation and waterfall always makes any hike & climb worth it.

Bottom of falls

Paige



Mike



We went to Adam’s Canyon this year & last year. The first year we climbed up the rock face and took pictures, but this year we forgot to bring the camera. It’s a tall waterfall at the end of a pretty fun hike.

looking down from above

Mike at the top

Paige sitting on the top

There is a secret, hidden waterfall by a campground that most have never seen. Mike and a friend had found it before and he took me to it before he went to Iraq.

Mike & Paige

Paige

Mike in front of "secret" campground waterfall

Mike

One hike that we attempted and actually succeeded the first and only time, took a total of 9 hours up and back. It is called Ben Lomond. The Paramount logo you see on the beginning of their movies pictures this peak. This one did not have a waterfall to see but we made it to the top of a freakin mountain, so that was good enough for us. The only bad part was that we started out too late and did not make it back until after dark and we had to ration water. I think it was the only time I felt dehydrated to the point I was dreaming about water the whole way up. I am glad that we are both determined and encouraged each other because we would not have made it if not.

Mountain goats

Paige

Mike

Mike & Paige

Mike & Paige

camera shots to see after it got dark

Our feet after the long hike

While Mike was gone to Iraq I joined a hiking group with a friend of mine because I wanted to hike and am really bad with directions. So we went up the peak of Antelope Island, which was my first time but Mike had gone up it before. And then the group and I went up to Mount Olympus in Salt Lake City. There was still snow on top so we did not get all the way to the top but it was a challenging hike that Mike and I should plan on doing next summer.

Antelope Island hike

Paige

Mt. Olympus hike

When Mike got back from Iraq, we went to Stewart Falls in Provo. We had never been there before but definitely had a waterfall worth hiking to…at least once.

Merry Christmas!!!

Mike and I celebrated our first Christmas together today. Well actually its our second, but this time Mike wasn't in Iraq and I in Utah. We were both in Utah! Even though we would have loved the company of our families on this special day, our geographical distances won out this time. Fortunately there are phones and Facebook to keep in touch as well as mail. We appreciate everyone's gifts that we received via mail this year, even the Christmas cards. It was very thoughtful of so many family and friends to think of us during this time.

Our door-of-cards

Though presents are not the only reason that we celebrate Christmas, we really have had a great time with all of the gifts we received this holiday season. I personally had coveted a plaid straightening iron set with bag that Mike's Mom is selling at her shop, and learning the price, leaned on my cheapness instead of trying to get it. But was I sure surprised when I opened up that very set Christmas morning!! You should have seen my face. Haha! Mike was so excited for the Cranium board game he received from his family. We played it with another couple that came over this evening! Thanks Olson and Grandma for the special gifts!

Stocking Stuffers...LOL!

My Mom sent our presents in 2 different boxes, one labeled Christmas eve and one Christmas. Our Bay family tradition has always been to open 1 present on Christmas eve (and it has always turned out to be pajamas). My pj bottoms are peace signs that are rainbow color and really groovy ;) and Mike's turned out to have a small manufacturer problem where the left pocket faces backwards, but they fit him really well! For Christmas I recieved some really cool accessories of practical value from my Mom. It has always been a family tradition to get our necessitites before anything else and I totally love that :) Thanks to all of my family members for the love and gifts sent our way this year!

Mike and I didn't really get presents for each other last year, so this year we really wanted it special. Mike got me some really pretty, functional running shoes and my very own Starcraft 2 game along with some other awesome things. I got Mike a video camera that attaches to things to record him being him - being active, doing things like skateboarding and snowboarding and stuff. Its supposed to be waterproof and somewhat indestructible. He has already made a little snowboarding movie! Haha! I also got him a few other things, but for the both of us the best thing is being together this year.

Merry Christmas! Hope you enjoyed it just as much as we did :)

Hiking, Part 1

Well, so far this is our first winter together…and its great! I am glad I was interested and learned snowboarding while Mike was gone to Iraq last winter. We are having an awesome time being together on the slopes boarding. I can even keep up with him most of the time. Snowboarding is great because there is actually a beginner’s section. Skateboarding and most other sports do not have beginner’s sections for adults. You either started it when you were young and it was okay because you were young and just beginning. But as an adult you just look ridiculous trying most sports as a beginner, except snowboarding is something anyone of all ages can attempt to learn. Of course there are way little kids that get into skiing or snowboarding at a young age but it’s also welcome for adults to join in.  So most all of our free time recently is spent on snowboarding…and we love spending it together doing what we both like to do.

First time to Waterfall together

In the other seasons, most of our time is spent on hiking and camping…and Mike skateboarding. Our first summer together before Mike left for Iraq, almost all of our free time was hiking up somewhere. This spring/summer/fall since he got back we have not hiked as much but we have done a lot more traveling as you have seen in past posts.

top of waterfall

 Our second date was spent hiking and climbing up our most frequented hike. Its closer than most trails and a pretty moderate hike up to a beautiful waterfall on 29th St in Ogden, UT.  Since that date we have been up the trail many, many times. I even went up it by myself before! (That’s amazing because I’m terrible with directions.) Mike has been up even more times than I have, even by himself as well. One of the first times we went up after Mike returned from Iraq, there was a rattlesnake on the trail. And there are some great climbing spots along the way. One time when we climbed up, there was a guy with a tent at the very top. He said he didn’t see anyone coming up and he was up there to look out for cougars because he is a park ranger.

Waterfall Canyon

Rattlesnake on trail

Waterfall

View of valley

Hiking Waterfall canyon by myself (Paige)

First hike of 2010 by myself (Paige)

Climbing spot on the way up

Mike & Paige at sunset

sunset

Paige trying to jump down a boulder and yes, I fell & hurt myself pretty bad...all healed up now though :)


More hikes to come....