Powell/Canyon/Park City

I'm embarrassed to admit that I have never been to Lake Powell before.
I've been invited a few times but the logistics never worked out to go.
So I decided that this summer it was going to happen!!

Some friends in DC were flying out, renting a houseboat and hitting up Powell.
So I brought a few SLC friends and joined in for the fun.
My life is now complete! :)

The weather was perfect and these gals made for a great time.

The scenery was breathtaking!

Some Logan/USU ladies!

The Captains taking us to shore after a perfect week/weekend.

On our way back home, we swung by the Grand Canyon.
I've never been there either.
I'm committed to crossing things off my bucket list this year!!
More on that later:)

Our group at Powell had so much fun that the next weekend,
we stayed at a cabin in Park City.
My little buddy Jordan (little as in, yeeaars younger) heard about my plans and wanted to scope out what he calls the 'Provo All Star Scene'.
Basically--I'm old and he thinks my network is interesting...
...so he came along to rubber neck.

Here we are pretending we love each other.
Trust me, it's a facade...I think:)

We went hiking, played games, ate lots of junk food, hot tubbed, etc.

Could this summer get any better?
I think not! :)

FRIDAY!!

I found this fun graphic on Pinterest.
If you've never discovered this cool site, click here.
I'm certain I don't use it right, but it has loads of fun ideas/pics.

I'm excited today because:
A) It's Friday and...
B) My best friend Ryan is getting married manana to this cute gal!

I'm so happy for them (and a little jealous).
Since Ry discovered Jamie...
...our relationship has suffered a bit.
But I'll forgive them...
...just as long as we can still hang out
(aka make dumplings, etc together)!

Random fact: Jamie and I actually lived in Taiwan at the same time. She served her mission in the area that I lived in...we also went to USU together. However we only just met recently.
Small world though, isn't it?!
Congrats to the (very) soon-to-be Mr. & Mrs. Werner!

Aloha Oe

In one month, I'm going to Oahu!!

If you have suggestions on things/places to see, beaches to visit or food to eat, etc...
please comment below.
Click on the date (7/28/2011). Then scroll down and click 'post a comment'.
Not sure why my blog comments are different, but they are accessible:)
xoxo
TABS

Instincts/The-Run-Around

I've been thinking a lot about instincts lately, I swear mine are really sharp.
Yet how do I prove it to myself, let alone others?

Sometimes my instincts tell me not to give a guy my number.
(Or is that merely because I'm not interested?)
Or that I shouldn't get together with this guy that won't leave me alone.
(or is that just a disinterest?)
Whether it's instinct or lack of desire--I just don't want to do things sometimes.
I've given a few guys every excuse in the book...
...what's with them not taking a hint?
It's times like these that I HATE being single.
I can't be blatantly rude...but there are so many creepers!

I follow the rule:
"Until he asks me out, I don't assume he's interested"

However, do you ever find yourself in an ambiguous situation, i.e.
Say a guy gets your number, texts you incessantly (to which you're pretty unresponsive).
Part of me wants to say, "Really bro, I'm just not that into you."
Or is that me being presumptuous that he's even interested in the first place?

I hate that texting is a piece of life/relationships.
Guys that are chicken will text flirt, as if that's an adequate substitute to dating.
Here's the thing, texty tabbi is much different than face-time tabbi.
For better or worse.
But I promise you, text-time leads nowhere--and I'm fighting off all textual relationships!
(not to say I don't text...it's still convenient in many situations)
Do I sound bitter? Mostly I'm just peeved with the excess of obnoxious, gutless guys in my life right now.

All I know is my instincts tell me to give obnoxious guys the run around.
Is it cruel--cuz it only seems fair. :)
Do any of you get where I'm coming from? If so, I'd love some feedback..

Stolen pics, etc

I've been adding more and more blog sites into my google reader these days.
I love Monday mornings because there are so many blogs to read (before my boss gets in, of course).
Here are a few photos, pics, etc that made me happy this week:

I don't even bake, but I'm determined to make this...someday!!

Joys of Summer

Summer is finally here!

Ok...I know I've already posted this photo.
But mangoes are 3 for $1 at the Sunflower Market and they're in their prime time.
I highly suggest you try out Ataulfo Mangoes.
They're ripe when firm(yet squish-able) and yellow.

My goal this summer is to keep my fruit bowl full!

Another fun thing about summer:
OUTSIDE concerts!
Especially when they're free!
Don't have any plans tonight?
Head down to the Gallivan Center in SLC at 7pm for this FREE concert.
My friend Ryan's non-profit is putting on the show.
Parachute is pretty legit, I bet you'll love their music.
So come!!

MOAB!

First of all, it has been ages since I've seen Tanier.
I was stoked that she joined Dolly & I on our trip down to Moab!
Life's messy...and friendships tricky.
People (me, mostly) say and do stupid things and I find myself (lately) hoping that there's a connection strong enough to propel us all forward.
Luckily it's Onward and Upward more often than not!

Anyway, we loaded all our camping stuff into dolly's little pontiac.
It made for a cozy ride!

Ready for rafting with our water "weapons".

The three of us rode on that little blue duckie.
Some of the bigger rafts (full of village idiots) kept trying to flip us over.
So...I told them I couldn't swim! haha.
Call me a fun-hater but it worked.
(Me and my little white lies...can't help it)

Natural Spring where we filled up our packs.

Chris was a gem all weekend.
He took care of us--I'm a sucker for gentlemen.

I made dinner while Dolly/Tanier pieced together the tent.

What dolly referred to as "tent city".
There were ridiculous amounts of YSA on this wknd trip.
Let's just call it Duck Beach-Moab style! :)

Ran into JC, a friend I made at a convention in '04.

Jump shot in front of corona arch.
This hike was so much fun, what is it about hiking on rocks that makes it so much easier?

Train-tracks-through-red-rocks-jump-shot!

Corona Arch!

Posers!

What would you call this--a crater?

Immitating Josh's Superman Pose.

Ppl Repelling off the arch--maybe next year I'll be a rock star like them!

Tanier's poses getting better by the minute...

Arches Nat'l Park

Delicate Arch--the most popular of them all.

Human Arch.
Creativity credits to Jeremy and Dillon-AKA Neo!

Tanier and I lived in Changhua, Taiwan last year.
Sarah lived in Fengyuan and was in our English Branch.
Random that we were all in Moab together--or is it?
(BTW the colors in this pic are fantastic, especially considering it was taken w/my phone)

MMT BBQ--about to feed the masses!
And Dane's face-classic!

Cute girls serving the chicken/steak/corn.

Austin and his peeps served banana foster for dessert.
We stuffed our faces!

And then a bunch of people got in the "annual" food fight.
Ice Cream
Banana Foster
BBQ Chicken
Teriyaki sauce
shooken up sprite
you name it, they threw it on/at/smeared/down/all over each other.

Entertainment at it's greatest.
Washing the vinegar/bbq sauce out of their eyes.

MMT-VI (Massive Moab Trip-Year 6) was a huge success.
We loved it every minute of it.
Thanks organizers for all the effort!
And now I wanna go bike moab...and hike to see more arches.
Nothing beats summer in Utah--there I said it!

Something to think about...