regresamos

If I had the money, the time and the stomach, I would be back in Guatemala today. Not that Provo is bad, but today my heart is in Chimaltenango, tierra divina.

I've been back for over five months now, but the time I spent there was so amazing and life changing. Today I was talking about Guate at my internship, and then I had an assignment to look through my pictures tonight. My heart hurt a bit.

I love the people and their beautiful spirit.

I wish I could visit them and tell them how much they mean to me and how their kind actions and example had such an impact on my life. I wish I could help them like they continue to help me. I wish I could go to the orphanage and see who's there and how they are doing. I wish I could play futbol with the boys and explore the jungle with Benjamin. I wish I could buy a bag of mangoes through the car window and eat it while driving through the mountains. I wish I could ride on a chicken bus. But more than anything, I wish the best for those beautiful, Christ-like people.

Soy chapina, pero solomente un pocito.

it's that time again

welcome to my new favorite thing for the next few months...



BYU Basketball!

The home opener was last night, and it felt so good to be back in the MC with the team.
welcome back, Jimmer, Jackson and Charles. I'm excited to spend the next few months with you.

and we won. it felt great.
loved that coach rose was back after a hard summer, loved that michael loyd jr is playing this year, but didn't love the new beyonce intro song. really?

but r.i.p. lee. you will be missed.

california dreamin'

Ok, here we go-- a blog post dedicated to the wonder that was PRSSA National Conference and San Diego, my new favorite place.
I learned so much at conference and loved meeting new people and seeing how other chapters work. I promise we went to all of conference every day, but pictures of the non-conference are more fun.
warning: lots of pictures. some stolen from kevin. its the only way to truly see san diego. also, not in order

ice cream at the ghirardelli store with byu-idaho

the day we got there, we dropped our stuff at the hotel and hopped on a ferry across the bay to Coronado, the quaintest place I have ever been. Very Truman Show-esque. We loved the beach and the beautiful skyline views, plus the cute little houses.

We took a walk along the bay during one of our lunch breaks. This was Radiance of the Seas. It was huge. We totally wanted to get on and cruise to wherever it took us.

We also had a photoshoot. The bay wind did wonders for our hair.

Proof that I presented. It was great and fun to see our months of hard work pay off!

But also felt so good to be done. I had to dig through the trash for our sign, but here is our presentation team, on a post-presentation highThe San Diego temple is absolutely beautiful. We got a chance to visit and either do baptisms or a session, plus a special visit with the temple president and matron.

We went to lunch with lovely Professor Walton at Balboa Park. It was beautiful. I totally wish we could have explored more.
Most of the BYU crowd after the awards dinner. Love BYU and our modest dresses, but not so much the gross food at the dinner.
We had a few hours between the end of conference and our flight back to Utah on the last day, so we rented this surrey and cruised up and down the bay, on the boardwalk, listening to the beach boys. It was perfect.Taking a break from our group biking.
I love San Diego!

SD loving...an interlude

i wish I had time to blog about everything happening at PRSSA National Conference, but I'm just taking feverish notes and hoping for the best.

presentation: check.
technical difficulties: check, but overcome
amazing audience response: double check. it was great!

workshops, breakout sessions, san diego exploration, temple trip, glee parties. oh yes.

I love San Diego!

here we come...

I have been watching this countdown since probably around 60 days, and the time is finally come. In just 9 hours, I will be on a plane bound for this wonderful place...San Diego!
for the PRSSA National Conference.
It couldn't come at a better time.
I am in major need of a break, and I think some sunshine, presenting and public relations are just what the doctor ordered.
I can't wait to meet new people, explore a new city, and be a PR nerd with 1000 other people for the weekend.

Oh, and yes...we are presenting to hundreds of people. That's us, in the (righteous) red.
Wish us luck and happy sunshine!

no crap november

Feeling that we need to rejuvanate our lives, the roommates recently instigated no crap november. the main idea is to get all the junk out of our lives and replace it will good things. We get stickers every day, and are working to an apartment prize if we all do a good job.

this weeks goals include:
5 servings of fruits and vegetables
daily scripture study
exercise
etc...

and this is just the warm-up. we're kicking it into gear for week 2.
this is our "before" picture...taken on sunday, the 1st of november. Hopefully, you'll see us all with a healthy, vibrant glow at the end of the month.

it's just great

the last few days have been a string of little moments where I've realized how blessed I am. Slightly disconnected, it's like a constant string of happiness weaving a gratitude web around my life. A sampling:

On Friday, I spent two hours with one of the freshman I mentor, planning her winter semester schedule. It was great. It filled the void of not planning my own winter schedule. Plus her wonderful company and heartfelt thanks made it time well spent.

I got to see my new niece for the first time and show her off to everyone I know. She is the cutest small child I have ever seen. Welcome to the world, Amy Catalina. (9lbs, 1 oz...good job, Janice. I'm impressed at your birthing abilities).


Listening to Christmas music all the way to Draper and back. I'm so ready for Christmas.

Getting ready with my wonderful roommates, going to the stake Halloween party and dancing so hard my toga fell off. (not to worry, there were layer underneath)
I woke up early on Saturday to the most beautiful morning and baked while enjoying a peaceful view of Mt. Timp out the kitchen window. The baked goods went to a Guatemala breakfast, so even better.

Studying on the grass outside, freshman-style, to enjoy the beautiful fall afternoon. Way to go out in style, October.

Rocking out to "The Monster Mash" whilst driving to Kylie's house for Halloween movies. I have the best roommates.

And now onto a beautiful Sunday, full of testimony, peace, and President Uchtdorf tonight!