I Don't Believe in Resolutions...

January 1, 2010

So--I don't believe in resolutions. Why? Because it is just another thing to make me feel bad about myself when I reflect a year later and see that I didn't accomplish what I set out to do.

Like flossing. This year I decided I was going to become a flosser. That lasted a good three months. I fell out of habit. So--reflecting on it, I realize my teeth are not as strong as they could be. Good job, Amy.

I think I gave up on resolutions several years ago. I had a talk with a bishop one day, and we were chatting about goals in life. We talked about how New Year's resolutions just never seemed to work out. But we talked about goals and how they do.

So--we talked about different kinds of goals. Long term goals and short term goals. I have both kinds of goals I work on. The short term are to give me something to accomplish for an immediate gratification--to keep me motivated. The long term are to help me to become something amazing.

I have a goal board in my room though that reminds me of these goals. They are divided into quadrants to help me to maintain balance in my life. I have quadrants of social, spiritual, physical, and educational. One thing I've learned though is none of these matter unless I am focused on one thing--and that is the Savior. When he is the center of your life--everything else is supposed to fall into place.

So--a goal this year is to work on my relationship with my Savior more. I know there is plenty of room for me to do that. And I think it will help my other goals--like get enough sleep, or to pay off my student loans, or to become a positive thinker, or to not be so perfect all the time.

One more reflective thought for tonight--I just finished reading a book of my dad's by George Durrant called, My Best Day So Far. In it he talks about how each day is our best day so far. I am going to try to live that philosophy this year...some positive thinking in action.

So to my friends out there--Happy New Year! Don't forget, as my mother would say, to clean yourself for the new year--by bathing and washing your hair. I love my crazy Thai traditions!

Trip #4--The Trust Trip

December 30, 2010

In honor of my friend Jason getting snowshoes this week--we went on a trip. Since he will be out of town this weekend, we decided we would go night snowshoeing and try them out. Lucky for us, Salt Lake has been getting dumped on the last 24 hours with a lot of snow. So--Jason decided we should try snowshoeing Corner Canyon.

I was skeptical. I have only hiked Corner Canyon a few times. And not in the snow. I wasn't sure there would be enough snow and I wasn't sure if the mountain lions would be sleeping. I'd heard scary stories about Corner Canyon. But--Jason promised he'd take care of me. So--I decided to trust him.

It ended up being quite a funny night. We were hiking along and all the sudden, the terrain became familiar to me of not being where he said we were going to end up. So--we realized somewhere we had made a wrong turn. We ended up going down through some houses and walking back on the streets. It was quite the adventure. But--I had decided to trust Jason, so I did. And it ended up being a lot of fun.

I am very glad I decided to trust him tonight--it made our adventure more exciting.

Jason with his new snowshoes and head lamp and beanie.
I think I picked out all these items for him. I think I have good taste!

The Corner Canyon area in Draper--it was beautiful. I'm glad he picked it!

I had been wanting to make a snow angel all winter. I finally did it!

It was pretty cold though--it might not have been the best decision I have ever made.

The view of Draper from Corner Canyon. I love that the camera picked up the snow.

Jason, my tour guide.

I may look innocent enough in this picture, but...little do you know--I am prepared for any tragedy. On my body is an avalanche beacon, in my bag is a shovel, a probe, and some band aids. Band aids fix everything that could hurt--according to my students.

One of my favorite features of the Corner Canyon area. The Draper Temple. I love this building.

This was after we'd realized we made a wrong turn. There was this nice hill into a neighborhood, so we decided to sled down. Jason was first, so he made a nice run for me to follow.

Jason and me.
You wouldn't know it, but we were freezing. It was really cold and windy that night.

I'm glad I trusted him to take care of me tonight. I made it home and had a great time. I love the snow!

A Gift of Time

December 25, 2010

This year I decided that for Christmas I would give my friends all a gift of time. I feel that time is one of the most important gifts we have. So, I handed out coupons with that on it.
For one of my gifts of time, my friend Jason and I decided to make some Thai food because he loves it. We made some larb and drunken noodles. He helped, and this was the final product.



I think my goal of learning Thai dishes is paying off! I'm getting better! Jason mixed the larb and I made the noodles. I'm pretty impressed with how it turned out.

Doughnut Falls--Snowshoe Trip #3

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Today my friend Jason and I went snowshoeing. We both have been recovering from colds, so we decided to take it easy. We went to one of my favorite places--Doughnut Falls. While we were out hiking, there was a beautiful snowfall that started, so I got soaked! But--I got some great photos to share!

Jason led the way.

How many feet would you guess that is?

Some pictures of the snow

This trail hadn't been too used...it was fresh powder.

I am a total snowshoe nerd. Here I am in my beacon, carrying my snow shovel. I am prepared for anything!

These are my favorite trees.

It was so peaceful out there.

This area was so peaceful and undisturbed, until...

Jason had us do some action photos.

Jason and me

The clouds that caused the fresh snowfall.

Another shot of the clouds--and a dead tree.

I love the way the snow frosts the evergreen trees.

The Annual Tradition

December 10, 2010

Every year, I have an annual tradition of going to Lava Hot Springs with some friends and soaking in the fun. This year, my friends Bridger, Kimi and Devin came with me. We went up Friday night and soaked, then stayed at my parents house.
The next morning--we decided to do something I've always wanted to do. We went snowshoeing at Craters of the Moon. I had always wanted to do that--it was a bucket list activity. And now I can say I've done it.

Kimi by the sign of Craters of the Moon

Putting our snowshoes on

Bridger decided to make a snow angel

This picture sums up the story of my life...

Me with the beautiful background

Walking down the trail

Bridger, Devin, me, and Kimi.

Me by one of my most favorite places on earth

My parents took us to the Thai House and Pete made us some delicious food.

And it is all because of these two people that I exist and am who I am.

I have the best parents in the world. I am grateful for them and raising me to be the lady I am. They have been the best examples and friends I could have ever wanted.

It was a great start to my birthday weekend. My annual rendezvous to Lava :)

The First Snow Shoe Trip of the Season

December 3, 2010

So, I decided I forgot how to take fun pictures. I lost my camera a couple months ago--and so I have been without one. But, I got a new one for my birthday--and tonight we decided it was time to hit the snow. So--Bryant and I went out with some friends.

Bryant and his date Kara

Some tracks we found in the snow

A skull we found in the snow...

Me after I fell in the snow...my clumsiness...

I totally forgot to get a group photo of everyone that went though. It was only five of us--me, Bryant, Kara, Clark, and Brandon. But--in all--I enjoyed myself--I forgot how therapeutic the snow is for me. Happy winter!

Decorating the Tree

December 1, 2010

This year was different for decorating the tree. Since both of my sisters are now married, I had the opportunity to decorate the tree with just my parents and myself. My family has started a tradition of where we collect a new ornament every year that my mother purchases. And the goal was someday when we had our own families, we could take our ornaments and put them on our own tree.

Well--someone still doesn't have a family! But--it's okay because it was fun to spend the time with my mom and dad and hang the ornaments on our tree at home.

Then, when I got back to Utah, I had the chance to decorate my own tree here. This is my tree--it has been the same for the past several years. It might be time for me to get some new decorations for it, but for now, it will do.

I love Christmas. Let the celebrating begin! Welcome December!