TONGCHENG CHINA

This is where I'll be living in 3 months. Be jealous??? YEAH.

Have Safe!! Wait.

 This weekend I got to rediscover my love for red rock country with my friends in Hatch, UT. Probably some of my most favorite memories will come from this trip. It was wonderful to be with people I loved so much and in a place so beautiful. It just felt like I was living out in the Wild West with saloons, cowboys (attractive ones at that...true story!) and the dry wind and dirt. The Earth is such a wondrous place and I'm so grateful that there are places still untouched by the human influence. Places where I can escape and find myself and be one with nature and run around naked. Too far? Don't worry. I kept my clothes on. I just wanted to say that for shock factor---even though sometimes no clothes is not bad. Moving on!! Nature is beautiful. I just don't know how someone could believe this beautiful earth, or universe for that matter, could just explode out of no where. I don't know what you believe in, but after seeing the magnificent beauty of it all, I know it must have been created. And I'm thankful to that Creator for giving me this life so I could experience the small moments of peace and harmony such as this weekend. Shall we take a looks-y?

Our first trip to the coral to look at the horseys. Just the beginning of a  LOT of maaaaagic. Because we met a cowboy. An attractive one.

 Sometimes I grab some gin and hang out with my old friends. They're a lively bunch?

 Just really excited to get my cowgirl on!!! And the fact that Mr. Cowboy was taking us on our excursion through Bryce Canyon whilst riding on the back of a horse--or mule.

 EXCITEMENT! I like this picture because I think I look a lot like my Grandma Rini.

 So this is Austin the Cowboy. Pretty much the cutest, shyest, most attractive cowboy you'll ever lay eyes upon. We had a good 'ol time chatting in the front with him teasing me on how I couldn't get my horse to go any faster than a turtle without legs. I JUST DIDN'T HAVE THE HEART TO KICK IT IN THE SIDES!

LOOK AT THIS VIEW! This Earth is a miracle in itself.

 Again. So picturesque. Don't you wanna just move away from the city and live like this forever?

So. Just a little story. We wrote down our numbers to give to Austin after the ride and it turns out he wrote down his number and was ready to give it to us too! After the ride we all exchanged numbers and we tipped him (a lot. He deserved it. SO MUCH---he wrangled wild horse which was the hottest thing I've ever seen in my life. Ask Shelby.) and we took pictures and such and I as we were leaving, he was so nervous that the only words he could really articulate were "have safe!" And it was adorable. That's when we knew his kindness to us was genuine and that he wasn't just trying to get a nice fat tip. And hence, the name of this post: have safe. But it gets better! As we are backing out in our car, Emily ever-so-gracefully hits the curb and scrapes the bottom of her car...and it was LOUD. And quite possibly the funniest thing that ever happened in my life because Austin looked back and his face was filled with genuine concern. And we just laughed our heads off. And then, as we drove away, he took his hat off and waved it. Just like a movie! It was wonderful in every way.

Moral of the story: I am thankful for my friends. I am blessed to live on this Earth. And sometimes embarrassing things happen to everyone. All the time.

diners, motorcycles and general authorities.

This weekend was wonderful in SO many ways. Reason number 1:

I went to a nice little diner in Salt Lake with a few of my best friends. Who doesn't like some nice and eclectic culture filled with art and good food??

We love each other a lot. And good food!!

We are all secretly (or not so secretly) waiting for him. Our little missionary.


Reason number 2:

CAMPING!! There's nothing like the great outdoors. I'm just sayin' I'm gonna need to marry a man--Nay. A MOUNTAIN MAN-- who is down with getting dirty and going for an adventure. Often.

Me and my bro just getting ready to go camping!

Feelin' all the adrenaline after our motorcycling and four-wheeling.

So comfy and cozy. :))


And third:

CONFERENCE!! So amazing. I went with my friend Sofie, whom I love so very much. She is amazing.

Me and my sister!! We love the color green.

Boston, Sofie, and I! Just happy to be at the temple.

Conference was sooo good. Definitely needed to hear most of it. If not all of it.
Here are a couple of gems spoken by my friends, Elder Holland and President Uchtdorf:
-Never underestimate your potential and power for good
-Strive to be better and strive to help others to do the same
-Everyone experiences the storms of life. Strong homes and families will stand if we hear and act on the prophets' teachings
-Find a way to put the prophets' teaching in our life
-Don't miss out on the divine opportunity of selfless service
-We are free to choose but we are not free to choose the consequences
-accept divine help and choose the right
-be concerned about your own conversion and then help others by laboring diligently through trials--it's a life-long, noble task.
-Be not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ
-Today is the ideal time to relight the powers of conversion by:
having a current temple recommend, studying the word of God, and speaking with Heavenly Father daily

Really. It was a very good conference and this isn't even half of the good stuff. I hope you could pick up something good for yourself too. Happy Sunday!!

said the little stream.

GIVE. I just read this article and I thought I'd share. Aren't people cool?

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/upshot/kentucky-man-buys-kmart-inventory-gives-away-220043176.html

beautiful.

"Life is beautiful when you make the effort to find beauty in it. In some of the most materially deprived parts of the world, I have seen the sunrise in all of its splendor and heard birds joyously welcoming a new day. I have seen beauty reflected in a small pot of flowers by a humble shelter or in the shy, beaming grin of a child at play, intent on discovering the world around him."--- Richard G. Scott

Feliz Cinco De Mayo

Turn up the Mariachi music and go buy yourself a taco!!